Commentary: ANC 5D Meeting December 2021
Hello and welcome to my recap of the final ANC 5D meeting of 2021! In previous years, at in-person meetings, occasionally someone would bring a spread, or at least some cookies, to the last meeting. In lieu of that, I hope you have a Merry Christmas if you celebrate and Happy Holidays. Here is this month’s agenda, and I could not find the YouTube recording.
MPD Public Safety Report from Capt. Jerome Merrill: A KIPP student was shot this past Friday and there was also another recent murder. Both homicides are under investigation. Some commenters were eager for more police presence at Starburst Plaza.
Special Update on Violence at KIPP from Reps. Zachary Parker & Jacque
Parker (Ward 5 rep, running for Councilmember McDuffie’s seat next year) says the BOE ombudsman’s office will assist in situations where bullying is taking place. “Safe passage” resources for protecting students walking to and from school have been pledged by Mayor Bowser but haven’t kicked in yet.
Mayor’s Office report from Nokomis Hunter: At-home COVID vaccinations now available for kids 5-11. There are many ways to get vaccines now. The mask advisory is still in effect.
Ward 5 Councilmember’s Report from Silas Grant: The Councilmember was disappointed by the final redistricting plan and is still advocating for retaining the current Ward 5 boundaries (including the Armed Forces Retirement Home). “In our opinion this looks like a land grab,” says Grant. Redistricting is not supposed to reflect development speculation. The Councilmember is arguing that Ward 5 should not see changes because our population falls within the acceptable range (about 82-90,000 each). “There is no need for this change,” says Commissioner Moore. “It’s just not right.” Ivy City Violence Interrupters will be arriving soon, and Grant thinks as soon as January.
BASIS DC Public Charter School Introduction from Alexander Rose-Henning: Rose-Henning presented about the small Penn Quarter charter school, (grades 5-12) which serves about 25-30 families from ANC5D (about a third of the school) and has staff members who live within the ANC. Took some tough questions from neighbors about the school;s past handling of special-education.
17th & 19th Street Traffic Safety Projects from Will Handsfield: This is a street safety project just outside of ANC5D, in Kingman Park and Hill East. Handsfield, a transportation planner for DDOT, said the project is planned to add more bike infrastructure, make the roads safer, and eliminate crashes. “The big picture we’re working towards is building a bike network in the city,” said Handsfield. These routes would further connect our area to the Anacostia River Trail and other areas to the south. Some of the adjacent residents (in Congressional Cemetery), won’t complain about parking, he joked. Bike infrastructure is planned for both Bladensburg Road and Mt. Olivet Road. “We’re going to focus on how to make them much more livable streets,” says Handsfield. A lot of heated pushback in the comments from several commenters still upset about the recently installed West Virginia Avenue bike lanes.
Collisions near the proposed project. North is at right.
Planned bike lanes (purple dotted) and existing bike lanes and protected cycling infrastructure (green). The yellow oval shows the planned project area.
AT&T Cellular Antenna Proposal (Spingarn) from Ryan Triller: Continued from last meeting. This would dramatically improve cell coverage in Carver-Langston by adding eight feet to an existing utility pole at Spingarn High School, as well as expand coverage for first responder networks. Some in the comments, and in the community, have expressed health concerns. It’s unclear whether those concerns stem from viral conspiracy theories about 5G, or are more about a telecom company being perceived as barging in and doing what they want without regard for the mostly Black, lower-income community. To be clear, these antennas are already everywhere throughout the country, way up in the air (this one would be 89 feet up), and can greatly expand cell service:
Triller said that no there is no scientific or medical basis to concerns about radiation from the antenna, but he went on to say that if you stand right in front of it it can burn human skin (remember, it is high up in the air), which probably did not convince anyone worried about health effects. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” he said. In my opinion, this should be straightforward. Improving infrastructure sometimes requires concessions like a slightly taller antenna, but the onus is on AT&T to do enough outreach about the project. APPROVED: Comms. Moore, Hoffman, Cobb in favor, Blacknell and Rhodes opposed, Sauceda-Guzman abstained without explanation.
Request for Grant Funding Support: Food 7 Store, Zekarias Werede: It was pretty hard to hear Werede. He wants a letter of support from the ANC about getting a city grant to make cosmetic changes to his bodega-style grocery at 18th and Benning Road. Werede says he calls the police four or five times everyday and doesn’t know what else to do. Commissioner Moore says she has requested records (FOIA requests to The Office of Unified Communications) and cannot find evidence of many 911 calls about the substantial illegal activity on the premises, and therefore does not believe the owner is acting in good faith. She thinks that safety is the overwhelming concern and not cosmetic updates. “I still am not hearing any type of plan on spending the money on security updates,” said Commissioner Moore. “The actions have to match the words.” There was some back and forth about what action to take between Commissioner Moore and Commissioner Hoffman, who told me after the meeting: "We voted to send a letter informing the Great Streets grant committee about the community concerns of the business and the desire for additional security, security plan, and follow through."
Request for Condemnation of 1835 H St. NE: Read the letter in the link for full details (including photos of what appear to be a kid playing around on the construction site). The ANC is seeking that this project be condemned. It has been idle since a piece of the building blew off and DCRA hit them with an emergency work stoppage. APPROVED unanimously.
Temporary Service Agreement: Ebony Harris: Contracting a temp for three months of part-time administrative work. APPROVED unanimously.
Letter in Support of Maintaining Current Ward 5 Boundaries: Officially sending a letter that all commissioners already signed individually about the issue I described above. (Although I cannot find it online.) APPROVED unanimously.
Community Feedback: Kudos on a great year. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Adjourned just before three hours elapsed.
MPD Public Safety Report from Capt. Jerome Merrill: A KIPP student was shot this past Friday and there was also another recent murder. Both homicides are under investigation. Some commenters were eager for more police presence at Starburst Plaza.
Special Update on Violence at KIPP from Reps. Zachary Parker & Jacque
Patterson (on the State Board of Education): This was the second incident this year involving the death of a KIPP student. Patterson (at-large and KIPP Chief Community Engagement & Growth Officer) says it has less to do with the school and more activity outside of school. There have been Violence Interrupters working with schools. “People kind of knew that this kid shouldn’t have been walking home by himself,” he said. He later explained that there was a known threat to the murdered child, but it wasn’t elevated to the appropriate adults in time to prevent violence. A lot of bullying begins on social media, says Patterson.
Mayor’s Office report from Nokomis Hunter: At-home COVID vaccinations now available for kids 5-11. There are many ways to get vaccines now. The mask advisory is still in effect.
Ward 5 Councilmember’s Report from Silas Grant: The Councilmember was disappointed by the final redistricting plan and is still advocating for retaining the current Ward 5 boundaries (including the Armed Forces Retirement Home). “In our opinion this looks like a land grab,” says Grant. Redistricting is not supposed to reflect development speculation. The Councilmember is arguing that Ward 5 should not see changes because our population falls within the acceptable range (about 82-90,000 each). “There is no need for this change,” says Commissioner Moore. “It’s just not right.” Ivy City Violence Interrupters will be arriving soon, and Grant thinks as soon as January.
BASIS DC Public Charter School Introduction from Alexander Rose-Henning: Rose-Henning presented about the small Penn Quarter charter school, (grades 5-12) which serves about 25-30 families from ANC5D (about a third of the school) and has staff members who live within the ANC. Took some tough questions from neighbors about the school;s past handling of special-education.
17th & 19th Street Traffic Safety Projects from Will Handsfield: This is a street safety project just outside of ANC5D, in Kingman Park and Hill East. Handsfield, a transportation planner for DDOT, said the project is planned to add more bike infrastructure, make the roads safer, and eliminate crashes. “The big picture we’re working towards is building a bike network in the city,” said Handsfield. These routes would further connect our area to the Anacostia River Trail and other areas to the south. Some of the adjacent residents (in Congressional Cemetery), won’t complain about parking, he joked. Bike infrastructure is planned for both Bladensburg Road and Mt. Olivet Road. “We’re going to focus on how to make them much more livable streets,” says Handsfield. A lot of heated pushback in the comments from several commenters still upset about the recently installed West Virginia Avenue bike lanes.
AT&T Cellular Antenna Proposal (Spingarn) from Ryan Triller: Continued from last meeting. This would dramatically improve cell coverage in Carver-Langston by adding eight feet to an existing utility pole at Spingarn High School, as well as expand coverage for first responder networks. Some in the comments, and in the community, have expressed health concerns. It’s unclear whether those concerns stem from viral conspiracy theories about 5G, or are more about a telecom company being perceived as barging in and doing what they want without regard for the mostly Black, lower-income community. To be clear, these antennas are already everywhere throughout the country, way up in the air (this one would be 89 feet up), and can greatly expand cell service:
Triller said that no there is no scientific or medical basis to concerns about radiation from the antenna, but he went on to say that if you stand right in front of it it can burn human skin (remember, it is high up in the air), which probably did not convince anyone worried about health effects. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” he said. In my opinion, this should be straightforward. Improving infrastructure sometimes requires concessions like a slightly taller antenna, but the onus is on AT&T to do enough outreach about the project. APPROVED: Comms. Moore, Hoffman, Cobb in favor, Blacknell and Rhodes opposed, Sauceda-Guzman abstained without explanation.
Consent Calendar (one item about changing transportation committee members) APPROVED.
Request for Sports Betting License: Union District Oyster Bar & Lounge, Russell Webster: Commissioner Moore noted that the ANC has never supported this type of license before (although these machines are new, as of July). This restaurant is on Morse Street near Union Market. These are self-serve machines, connected to DC Lottery’s GameBet platform. There is no cash changing hands, and these kiosks allow physical access for people without the GameBet smartphone app, as explained by Commissioner Hoffman. Commissioner Moore expressed lack of confidence with ABRA in facilitating enforcement of the machines, and would be interested in limiting hours and having a security plan. In my opinion, what actual reason is there to not allow these cashless betting machines? TABLED, Comm. Hoffman abstained without explanation.
Request for Grant Funding Support: Food 7 Store, Zekarias Werede: It was pretty hard to hear Werede. He wants a letter of support from the ANC about getting a city grant to make cosmetic changes to his bodega-style grocery at 18th and Benning Road. Werede says he calls the police four or five times everyday and doesn’t know what else to do. Commissioner Moore says she has requested records (FOIA requests to The Office of Unified Communications) and cannot find evidence of many 911 calls about the substantial illegal activity on the premises, and therefore does not believe the owner is acting in good faith. She thinks that safety is the overwhelming concern and not cosmetic updates. “I still am not hearing any type of plan on spending the money on security updates,” said Commissioner Moore. “The actions have to match the words.” There was some back and forth about what action to take between Commissioner Moore and Commissioner Hoffman, who told me after the meeting: "We voted to send a letter informing the Great Streets grant committee about the community concerns of the business and the desire for additional security, security plan, and follow through."
Request for Condemnation of 1835 H St. NE: Read the letter in the link for full details (including photos of what appear to be a kid playing around on the construction site). The ANC is seeking that this project be condemned. It has been idle since a piece of the building blew off and DCRA hit them with an emergency work stoppage. APPROVED unanimously.
Temporary Service Agreement: Ebony Harris: Contracting a temp for three months of part-time administrative work. APPROVED unanimously.
Letter in Support of Maintaining Current Ward 5 Boundaries: Officially sending a letter that all commissioners already signed individually about the issue I described above. (Although I cannot find it online.) APPROVED unanimously.
Community Feedback: Kudos on a great year. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Adjourned just before three hours elapsed.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comment.