Police Report. Lt. Johnson reported 5 crimes in 3B over the past 30-day period: one theft from the CVS at 2226 Wisconsin Avenue, 2 bike thefts (one on Calvert and one on Fulton) and one motor vehicle theft (scooter). Additionally, one arrest was made for Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW). It was a domestic situation where one family member pulled a fun on another. Commissioner Pollock commended traffic Officer Tony McElwee for enforcement at the stop sign at New Mexico and Tunlaw. He wrote 5 tickets in an hour. Commissioner Pollock hopes that he will be able to do regular enforcement at that intersection.
Discussion with Councilmember Matt Frumin on DC Council Proposal for Closed Meetings. Commissioner Pollock opened the discussion with concerns about the proposed legislation allowing closed meetings without public notice of the subject or outcome. CM Frumin explained the genesis of the legislation and pointed out that it was temporary legislation and that any permanent legislation would require hearings and a markup, etc. The temporary measure was proposed and subsequently passed because of Congressional action to cut the DC budget to FY 2024 levels, equating DC to a Federal agency, rather than the FY 2025 level that was approved by Congress. This action caused concern among the Council and the Mayor who then immediately had a series of meetings on strategy to address the issue. These meetings were in violation of the open meetings act. Because of the extraordinary times, Chairman Mendelson proposed temporary legislation for closed meetings without notice to give flexibility to address such situations. A public hearing was held and the measure eventually passed but not without several concerns raised. Temporary legislation expires after 270 days. Permanent legislation has also been introduced but the Council is in the middle of budget negotiations and will likely not be able to take up the measure until fall. In the Fall, the permanent measure will be marked up, discussed and debated in public hearings. Councilmember Frumin also spoke of the challenging budget environment this year which has been made more complex because of the potential DC revenue estimate due out the end of June. In regular budget years. the mayor’s budget is based on the February revenue estimate. Because of the events of the spring, her budget did not come out until late and so the council will have to base their work on the June estimate which is traditionally lower than the February estimate. Commissioner Turmail asked about the overgrown NPS properties that have yet to be mowed. CM Frumin and Nick Bartolomeo, resource manager or Rock Creek Park, explained that it is a staffing problem. A mowing contract has not been awarded yet and so mowing is being done by inhouse staff who cannot cover all the mowing quickly. A new contract, however, should be in place by the end of June so full resources for mowing will be available soon.
Discussion and Possible Resolution on Mayor’s RFK Stadium Deal. A general discussion about the proposed stadium included the $3 billion overall cost, of which about $1 billion is from DC. Its benefits are that it would re-develop an economically depressed area into a “family friendly” retail and recreation area thus providing jobs and other opportunities. The costs to DC, however, must be weighed against other priorities such as education and housing. Commissioner Howie will develop a resolution to be discussed and voted on at the July ANC 3B meeting.
Zoning Request 21308 for Special Exception for 2622 41st Street, NW. Zachary Williams, Venable LLP and Matt Medvene, District Line Development, spoke about the subject property. The original plan has been changed to add 3 units to a 4-unit building. Mr. Williams will provide updated plans to ANC 3B and their request for special exception will be voted on at the July meeting.
Zoning Request 21312 for Special Exception for 2200-2212 40th Place, NW. Zachary Williams, Venable LLP and Matt Medvene, District Line Development, presented the plans for re-developing the subject properties. The properties would be joined and increase from 16 to 29 units. Relief is requested for the addition of 3 parking spaces in the back of the property. The alley is undeveloped and DDOT has said they will not clear it of trees (one is a heritage tress) and brush and pave it. Mr. Williams and Mr. Medvene have not been able to contact adjacent neighbors. They will attempt to do so again. The vote will be delayed until the July meeting.
Briefing by DC Water on Anticipated Survey and Inspection Work in Glover Archbold Park. Peter Kelley (DC Water Lead) gave an overview of the Capital Improvement project to rehabilitate creek beds and sewers and specifically to rehabilitate sewer storm pipes that have outlived their design life and to also repair and replace defective manholes. Because several sewer pipes in this area cross streams, the project will also include stream restoration as well as storm water outfalls and creek beds. It will cover the length of Glover Archhold Park, Dumbarton Oaks and Normanstone. Pono Hansen (engineering consultant) spoke of field activities and schedules. Manhole inspections are currently being surveyed to be followed by pipe inspections. They hope to complete this work by August. In addition, stream assessments will be conducted to identify exposed pipes. Finally, they will be conducting topographic and non-invasive utility surveys. None of this work will be noisy or disruptive. Signage will be used with a QR code so that everyone will be informed of the work and it’s progress. More details are available at https://www.dcwater.com/projects/rehabilitation-creekbed-sewers.
Better Bus Network. Commissioner Lane gave a reminder about implementation of WMATA Better Bus Network starting on June 29, 2025. All bus routes and numbers will change. The D2 will be replaced by the D96 and the N2/N4 by the D90. There will also be a weekday rush hour only bus, C85, that will stop at both Ward 3 public high schools. Details are on anc3b.org.
Councilmember Frumin Office Updates. Trisha Kondabala from CM Frumin’s office said the next day in the ward is Thursday, June 26th at Dolun Uyghur, 3518 Connecticut Avenue NW, from 9 am-5 pm. It is now FY 2026 budget season and the Council is currently doing agency oversight heardings. They are due to vote on the budget in July. Updates will be available in the Councilperson’s monthly newsletter and on his website at mattfrumininward3.com.