ANC3B

December 2018 & January 2019 Meeting Reports

All Commissioners were in attendance for the ANC3B December and January meetings: Ann Mladinov (3B01), Jackie Blumenthal (3B02), Melissa Lane (3B03), Mary Young (3B04) and Brian Turmail (3B05).

December 13, 2018

Police Report.  Lt. R. Neal gave the police report.  No violent crimes were reported during the 30-day period but there were a number of property crimes including stolen vehicles and thefts.

Update on DC Department of Public Works Programs.  Celeste Duffie from DPW discussed the schedule for leaf collection, snow removal, and holiday tree pick-up. She said that leaf collection was a bit behind schedule because of all the rain.  Most areas of 3B had their first leaf collection, but a resident reported several areas that were missed.  Ms. Duffie noted the blocks in question and committed to getting crews dispatched to those areas.

Discussion with Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh.  CM Cheh gave updates on a number of topics including the Clean Energy DC Bill that she introduced in July to set higher goals for use of renewable energy in the District and improve energy efficiency of buildings and households. She also spoke about the steps the city is taking toward “small cell” technology for high speed 5G telecommunication service.  Responding to questions from the Commissioners, she addressed the problem of homelessness and urged residents to contact the DC emergency line for homeless individuals in need of shelter.  She also said she will support a grant to support establishment of a Main Street program in the Glover Park commercial area.

Open Forum.  Steve Marencic of the DC Office of People’s Counsel distributed information about third party energy suppliers for gas and electric.  He urged residents to contact him with any questions and concerns.

January 3, 2019

Election of Officers.  ANC 3B voted for officers for calendar year 2019:  B. Turmail, Chair, J. Blumenthal, vice Chair, M. Young, Treasurer, A. Mladinov, Secretary; and M. Lane will continue doing communications.

Police Report.  Sgt. B. Firehock gave the police report.  One violent crime was reported between 12/4/18 and 1/3/19.  An ADW excluding gun charge arrest was made as the result of an altercation between a homeowner and an employee of a landscape company.  The number of property crimes was 15 (up from 8 the previous year) largely due to thefts (up from 4 to 9). 

Updates and Information.   ANC commissioners elected in November for the new 2-year term were sworn in on January 2.

Open Forum. 

• Cole Wogoman, legislative counsel for Councilmember Mary Cheh, responded to a question on the status of city regulations for “small cell” antennas and poles to handle 5G communications. Late in December CM Cheh sent a letter to DDOT asking that the maximum number of poles per block be decreased and that poles erected by all private companies be uniform and attractive.  DDOT is currently developing revised design guidelines for small cell installations that will be presented for public comment. She estimated the process of revising the guidelines would take about 6 months.
• No updates on reopening of the Glover Park Whole Foods. The lawsuit between Whole Food and the landlord is set for a court date in coming weeks.
• Residents of the 4100 block of Cathedral Avenue, NW, expressed their continuing concern about pedestrian safety on that block. Commissioner Young has been working with her constituents for years to get safety improvements including repainting the crosswalks and installing more signs to slow traffic. Residnets also mentioned the idea of a HAWK device  to stop vehicles for pedestrians.  Rich Harrington, the Mayor’s liaison to ANC3B, offered to work with Commissioner Young to try to get the sidewalks striped in coming weeks and have DDOT complete additional investigations and take further safety measures there.
• DDOT is undertaking a “livability study” in the area west of Rock Creek Park, including transportation and safety issues. Several public meetings will be announced for late February or early March.

The next meeting of ANC3B will be Thursday, February 14.