Bloomingdale Civic Association Meeting Monday, 04/20/2015 St. George’s Episcopal Church, 160 u street nw

Officers present: Teri Janine Quinn, Angela Prentice, Sherry Howard, Serita Sanders, Derrick Jones, Bertha Holliday, Scott Roberts

Meeting commenced at 7:03 pm.
Public Safety

Ms. Quinn reported about an increase in burglaries in north Bloomingdale. She commented that the police note that not all basement iron gates are being locked. She reported that the Aida store at 209 Florida Avenue NW, which was selling synthetic drugs, is still violating its settlement agreement. Ms. Quinn said that the AG’s office will be pursuing.

DPW Director Howland provided a presentation on street sweeping. He said that some residents want the street sweeping, but that requires parking enforcement. He described the blocks that would be impacted. It was noted that cars have been ticketed on the 100 block of U Street NW. Mr. Howland that street sweeping * must * be accompanied with traffic enforcement.

Ms. Quinn took a straw poll of neighbors north of Rhode Island Avenue NW.

• 
  Of following the current plan: 15 for, 1 against
  
• 
  For including U Street in the inclusion – suspending street sweeping and ticketing,
  

Subsequent vote to add the unit block of U Street NW: 14 to 1

On to other DPW news – Mr. Howland advised about paper shredding on the 1^st of the month. He stated that his biggest DPW issue is littering, which is addressed by the Litter-Free program. He mentioned the Sweep program. Mr. Howland clarified that supercans & recycling bins should only be out in the alleys on the day of collection. The 100 block of Randolph Pl NW and the 1900 block of 1^st St NW were mentioned by attendees as locations where supercans & recycling bins can be found on non-collection days. .

Out of state tags parked – he mentioned the RPP program. ROSA violations are identified overnight.

Bloomingdale Public Transit

The three transit guests were Ms. Chilsolm of DDOT, Steve Strauss of DDOT, Dave X. from WMATA.

He mentioned the study from last year to have a bus line from the MD border to downtown along Rhode Island Avenue NE & NW. Unfortunately, there is no money to proceed with implementing the study’s recommendations. He said that DC started a program last August to provide free bus service to school children, which has added riders to the G8. He said that a DC Circulator bus would not be a solution.

DDOT’s Mr. Strauss – WMATA does not have money to add buses to the G8. The G8 is solid performer regarding cost recovery. He suggested experimenting with alternate routes to the G8, such as taking the 90’s buses westward and then taking 14^th or 16^th Street bus southbound.

Ms. Howard read key items from the 04/20/2015 BCA Treasurer Report, balance ending 03/31/2015. Ms. Prentice reported that BCA currently has 91 paid members.

BCA Scholarship Committee Chair Lauren Linville provided an informative update on the BCA scholarship program. Specifically, she asked meeting attendees to reach out to any high school or college students they know in the neighborhood to let them know about the scholarship. She mentioned that flyers are ready for distribution and that the deadline for the scholarship is June 1, 2015. Dr. Holliday asked if the counselors at McKinley Tech and Dunbar has been reached out to yet. Ms. Linville responded that the Committee hadn't yet, but was planning to.

Ms. Quinn reported that the clean-up and planting day event was a great success. She mentioned that the ANC5E commissioners who represent Bloomingdale donated funds for the flowers. She suggested that neighbors stop by and see the newly erected poster and new mural along the exterior wall of Bloomingdale Wine & Spirits. NestDC, at 87 Florida Avenue NW, donated the funds for the banner. Bacio Pizzeria kindly provided complimentary pizza and beverages at the end of the event.

Molly Scott provided information about the Bloomingdale Community Day event on Saturday, May 16, 2015.

Ms. Quinn said that some neighbors have asked for a vote on the proposed zoning pop-up regulations. She said that there is nothing more that BCA can do, since the comment period has closed.

Some neighbors have asked BCA to ask ANC 5E to appeal the BZA zoning decision supporting the Miller Development five-unit development. Alicia Hunt provided a summary. She said that Miller Development did not accurately represent that BCA & ANC5E voted against the scaled-back five-unit plan in his submission to the BZA. The BZA decision just came out and the deadline for responding may be this Friday.

Tom Lindberg reported on last week’s Lucy Tunnel Boring Machine naming ceremony. He said that the machine should be dropped into the hole tomorrow. The next 1^st Street Tunnel Forum meeting is this Thursday, 04/23/2015.

Ms. Howard said that signage has been erected – stop signs and Children at Play signs – in the alley east of 1^st St NW north of U St NW.

RPP Designation on Randolph Place NW

The signatures of impacted neighbors on the 100 block of Randolph Place NW were not available, so no vote was taken. Ms. Burns left and returned with the signature sheets, which she submitted to Ms. Quinn. A motion to support the Randolph Place NW extended RPP passed, 11 to 0. The topic will be on tomorrow’s ANC 5E meeting agenda.

Laisha Dougherty said the CM’s office has a spreadsheet of the street sweeping tickets, which is being forwarded to DPW. She distributed the prior accomplishments report that was prepared in March. CM McDuffie is hosting a youth violence event.

Dr. Holliday reported that 18 inches has been added to the easement at 1833 1^st St NW. The 1833 1^st St NW developer has offered two designs for fencing, which the nearby neighbors will review and vote for one of the fence designs.

Dr. Holliday said that MAG has asked ANC 5E to ask HPRB to delay the upcoming hearing.

She said that she is soliciting volunteers to participate in the 2015 BCA House Tour Committee members and volunteers for open houses.