Commissioners present at July 18 meeting: Commission Chair Karen Wirt, 6C08; Co-Vice Chair and Public Safety Committee Chair Mark Dixon, 6C02; Anne Phelps 6C04; Secretary Alan Kimber, 6C05; Co-Vice Chair Charles Docter, 6C09.

Absent: Keith Silver, 6C01; Planning, Zoning and the Environment Committee Chair Ryan Velasco, 6C07; Licensing and Economic Development Committee Chair Terry Heubert, 6C06. Treasurer and Grants Committee Chair Lena Brown, 6C03, arrived mid-meeting, delayed by power and gas outages in her building at Temple Courts.

Temple Courts State of Emergency
At the time of the meeting, residents of Temple Courts apartments (North Capitol and K streets NW) had been without gas and electricity for five days – “elevators aren’t working, there’s a gas leak, handicapped senior citizens can’t get around,” said Dixon, summarizing the state of the housing complex. “Tommy [Wells] is doing the best he can…but the mayor is holding up the money,” he added.

“This is outrageous,” said Phelps. “We need to flood the mayor’s office with phone calls.”

Commissioners voted to send a letter to Mayor Fenty, urging him to address the problem immediately.

Banning Bars on H Street?
H Street Main Street Executive Director Anwar Saleem presented an overview of the recently launched H Street façade improvement program. “We’re making a strong effort to get rid of some of the grates on H Street,” said Saleem, referring to the ubiquitous security bars on storefront windows. Unbreakable “tornado-type” glass windows will replace the bars. “We hope to eventually get a ban against the grates on H Street,” he added.

The program, funded by a $200,000 contribution from the Louis Dreyfus Property Group, will also provide façade updates like painting and new signage. Three buildings located in 6C – 417 (Sidamo Coffee & Tea), 519 (a new store that will sell furniture and artwork) and 654 (Digicity Print) – are slated to receive such improvements.

Singles Moratorium Talks Continue
Commissioner Kimber stressed that 6C has not made a decision on whether to pursue a moratorium on sales of single alcoholic beverages. “We feel it’s very important that we get the input of all the community,” he said, adding that in-person outreach “could stand improvement.”

To that end, the commission will continue door-to-door outreach, and the ANC will host at least two more public meetings beginning in September.

Phelps said the September meeting will take place north of H Street – past meetings on the moratorium were held at the Northeast Branch public library – in order to give the affected community the best opportunity to respond.

Capitol Place Mediation Sessions Continue
Chair Wirt, the 6C representative at mediation sessions between Louis Dreyfus Property Group and neighborhood organizations, reported on the two mediation sessions that had taken place. The first, she said, focused on community concerns with proposed mass and density (for more information, see the June Hill Rag); and the second meeting was with the architects, who brought building materials and asked the community for examples of what they would like to see. The parties hope to complete mediation by August. The Zoning Commission will consider the application Sept. 6., but Wirt said that if all parties agree, the hearing could be moved to Oct. 1, allowing more time for discussion.

EEOC Moving to NoMa
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission headquarters and its Washington field office will relocate 600 employees to NoMa station – 131 M St. NE – next July 1, said EEOC employee Elvira Sisolak.

The 10-year lease agreement requires building management to provide a breakfast and lunch deli-style restaurant and a lobby sundries shop with dry cleaning drop-off and pickup. Negotiations continue between EEOC and building management for bicycle parking and security detail.

DC DOES Face Challenges When Enforcing First Source Agreements
Kemry Hughes, Ward 6 community liaison for the DC Department of Employment Services, spoke on behalf of the DOES First Source Agreement office, which, according to the DOES Web site, “ensures that projects developed in whole or in part with District of Columbia funds, or with other funds which the District administers, give priority to District residents for newly created jobs.”

Hughes emphasized that the agreement does not guarantee jobs for DC residents, and unfortunately, there “is no real teeth in terms of enforcement.”

Still, Hughes said, “Developers have to make every measurable effort to hire DC residents for new projects.” But challenges exist, which include “recruiting qualified residents…applicants not passing background checks…and not passing the drug test,” said Hughes. “Our goal is 35 percent compliance.”

“I’d like to see an agency aim for more than 35 percent compliance,” said Commissioner Phelps. I find that strikingly low.”

Hughes responded, “The political will has to be there…that’s part of the issue.”
To reach Hughes, call 202-698-5864 or e-mail Kemry.Hughes@dc.gov.

Following Hughes’ presentation, Eric Gainey introduced himself as the new public safety coordinator for the Northwest One Council which encompasses Sursum Corda, Temple Courts, Tyler House and Sibley. Gainey, who retired from the MPD in 2001 after 27 years of service, will be a liaison between the MPD and the community. Gainey can be reached at 301-466-7399 or Gainey96@aol.com.

National Night Out
National Night Out, always on the first Tuesday of August, is Aug. 7. The following police service areas will meet at 6 p.m.: PSA 101 at 770 Fifth St. NE; PSA 102 is meeting outside the Argonaut (15th and H streets NE) to walk as a community to Sherwood Recreation Center where festivities will commence; PSA 103 at Rosedale Recreation Center; PSA 104 at Amidon  Elementary School; PSA 105 at the First District substation; PSA 106 at Potomac Gardens; PSA 107 will have a neighborhood walk at the 1600 block of G Street. For more information about National Night Out, visit www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno.

DCPS Beautification Day
Commissioner Dixon, who also serves as Ward 6 coordinator for the DC Public School Beautification Day, encouraged residents to go to their neighborhood public school Aug. 25, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and participate in school beautification projects. Call 202-727-0488 for more information.

Safety Walks
Commissioner Phelps invited the public to join her and residents of her single member district for hour-long safety walks every Thursday, 7 p.m. The walks begin outside JO Wilson Elementary School at Seventh and K streets NE.

Other Votes:
Commissioners voted to send a letter to the DC Council supporting the “Noise Control Protection Amendment Act of 2007” and urging the council to pass the legislation as soon as possible.

The ANC will send a letter to the DC Council and respective agencies (not named during the meeting) urging enforcement of rules and regulations currently being violated by “Chinatown Bus” operators. Violations have resulted in parking and public space problems, accidents and even fatalities.

The ANC voted to support the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District’s request for a $75,000 neighborhood investment fund grant that would fund the hiring of an MPD First District police officer to walk the beat of the entire triangle nightly, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.