Greetings 2G04!
Happy Fourth of July! As we celebrate our nation’s independence, I want to ensure everyone stays safe. The Bowser Administration has announced important safety preparations for the holiday, which you can read more about here. Let’s enjoy the festivities responsibly while keeping our community safe.
Upcoming ANC Meeting
Please join us for our next ANC Meeting on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 6:30pm ET. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The agenda is attached to this email, and you can also visit www.anc2g.org/meetings to download the agenda and Zoom link. Your participation is crucial as we discuss several important issues impacting our community. Make your voice heard and stay informed about local decisions.
Positronics Medical Cannabis Dispensary Application
We have an application from XXX Distributors (doing business as “Positronics”) for a medical cannabis retailer in Blagden Alley. The Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) will vote on whether to endorse this application for ABCA’s licensing board. So far, I have received feedback from very few residents, but all have been opposed to this license.
It is imperative that more community members share their views. Please email me and attend next week’s meeting to ensure your voice is heard. Positronics has proposed a settlement agreement, which I’ve attached for your review. While I have no intention of accepting it without strong community support, I need to know if there’s any interest in negotiating terms. The current agreement lacks the detailed provisions we’ve seen in other successful agreements, such as those with Don Fuego and Chill Tobacco. If you have opinions on this, please let me know whether we should consider a settlement agreement and what terms it should include.
NATO Summit – July 9-11, 2024
The 75th Anniversary NATO Summit is coming to DC next week, from July 9-11, 2024. This event will have a significant impact on our daily lives, as our entire ANC will be within the security perimeter. The neighborhood will be designated a "Vehicular Exclusion Zone," meaning only vehicles with U.S. Government-issued identification will be allowed entry after a thorough security screening, which involves opening all doors and compartments, and the driver will need to have valid (non-expired) identification.
Here’s what you need to know to plan ahead:
- Traffic and Parking Restrictions: Expect severe restrictions on vehicle movement. There will be no street parking available in the neighborhood.
- Pedestrian Movement: While there will be no formal checks for pedestrians, expect increased security around the neighborhood. Always carry a valid ID and allow extra time for travel.
- Public Transportation: Consider using public transportation where possible. Metro and bus services will have altered routes or schedules due to security measures. Please note that Mount Vernon Square Station will be closed. The closest accessible Metro stations are Gallery Place/Chinatown Station and Shaw/Howard University Station.
- Deliveries and Services: Avoid scheduling deliveries and service appointments. It's best to try to schedule deliveries for Monday, early Tuesday, or on Friday. Reschedule for the following week, if possible, to reduce traffic congestion in the neighborhood.
- Stay Informed: Keep updated through official sources. The MPD National Security Event site will have the latest information on security measures and any changes. Their FAQs page is also incredibly helpful!
Sidewalk Repairs on N Street NW
I’m thrilled to announce that we finally succeeded in getting the sidewalks on N Street NW repaired near 933 N Street NW, where DC Water had caused damage. This victory came after months of persistent advocacy and coordination with DC Water and DDOT. Ensuring safe, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing sidewalks is essential for our neighborhood, and this repair is a great step forward.
Graffiti Removal in Naylor Court
I recently assisted a homeowner in getting DPW to remove graffiti near Maxwell. Initially, DPW couldn’t access the area due to dumpsters blocking the way. By coordinating with residents and businesses, we were able to get the dumpsters moved, allowing DPW to quickly remove the graffiti. This incident shows how a collaborative effort can help in maintaining our neighborhood’s appearance.
Issues with 933 N Street NW Construction
The construction at 933 N St NW continues to cause problems, including property damage, improper trash containerization, and increased rodent activity. Residents have reported damage to nearby properties, unsecured dumpsters, and a lack of proper trash management, leading to an uptick in rodent sightings. I’ve contacted the Department of Health for rat abatement, the Department of Buildings to enforce property security, and DPW to ensure proper trash disposal. I know all of our advocacy, including those of our neighbors, has forced the property owners to bring back property manager Sal, who was always very helpful and honest with neighbors. We’re excited to see him back on the job and look forward to him helping our community on these issues as well. We are all working diligently to hold the property owners accountable and ensure they meet all necessary standards.
Meeting with MPD PSA 307 Captain, Lieutenant Hidza Hiller
I recently met with our new MPD PSA 307 Captain, Lieutenant Hidza Hiller, who brings over 17 years of experience with MPD. She’s committed to partnering with us in keeping our neighborhood safe. During our walkthrough, she connected with several constituents and listened to their concerns. Lieutenant Hiller’s familiarity with our area and dedication to public safety will be invaluable as we address ongoing issues and work to improve community-police relations. You can reach Lieutenant Hiller at hidza.hiller@dc.gov or on her cell at 202-597-2035. Please note: Lieutenant Hiller works the 6pm-6am shift and is usually the Watch Commander on the weekends.
Meeting with Our New MOCR (Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services) Manager, Ty Abilla
I also met with our new MOCR (Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services) Manager, Tadai "Ty" Abilla, who is enthusiastic about supporting our community. We walked through the neighborhood, discussing ongoing projects and areas where we need more support from the Mayor’s Offices and agencies. I especially raised my concerns about the Department of Buildings not supporting our community when it comes to vacant properties at 902 M Street NW and 933 N Street NW, DPW with parking enforcement in Shepherd Court, and ABCA with license enforcement in Blagden Alley. Her commitment to addressing our concerns and facilitating communication between residents and city departments is promising. I look forward to a productive collaboration. You can reach Ty Abilla at Tadai.Abilla@dc.gov.
DPW Parking Enforcement
Parking enforcement in Shepherd Court remains inadequate. During a recent walk, I encountered a Parking Enforcement officer who was unaware of Shepherd Court and our community’s needs. This highlights a significant training issue within DPW and the enforcement we've been begging for from their team. I plan on reaching out to DPW and request to arrange an orientation and training session for their enforcement officers to ensure they understand our neighborhood’s needs. I specifically want to meet these officers and make sure they are walked through the alley. Ensuring regular and consistent parking enforcement is crucial for maintaining order and safety in our community.
Meeting with Councilmember Robert White’s Team on ABCA Transparency and Accountability
I discussed my resolution for ABCA transparency and accountability, passed in May 2024, with Councilmember Robert White’s team. The resolution aims to improve the usability of ABCA’s online system and enhance transparency in the complaint process. The key components of the resolution include: automatic email confirmations upon complaint submission, automated notifications when complaints are triaged for inspection or assigned to an investigator, email notifications when investigators add comments or updates to a complaint, and final notifications upon the closure of a ticket outlining the outcome or resolution. They are collaborating with Councilmember McDuffie’s team on this initiative. We both recognized the need for a more user-friendly system that allows constituents to easily file and track complaints. The resolution is attached to this newsletter and I’m still working with other Councilmembers’ Schedulers to discuss this resolution further.
New Resolution on Community Rights in ABCA Protest Process
This month, I’m proposing a resolution to restore community rights in the ABCA protest process for medical cannabis retailers. The current process excludes community participation, which is unacceptable. The key components of the resolution include:
- Eligibility Expansion: Extend the eligibility to file protests to include property owners, groups of residents, community associations, and government entities within a specified distance, similar to the alcoholic beverage license protest process.
- Detailed Protest Process: Clearly outline the protest process on the ABCA website, including the steps for submitting a protest letter, participating in hearings, and engaging in mediation.
- Transparency Measures: Provide detailed timelines and expectations for each step of the protest process, ensuring that all stakeholders are well-informed and can effectively participate.
The resolution is attached to this newsletter. Please review it and leave your feedback. We’ll be voting on this at next week’s Commission meeting, so I hope you will join me in support. I will work to make these necessary improvements to the system and ensure that community members can fully participate in all decisions that impact their neighborhoods.
Update on the History Tour
I’m excited to share an update on the history tour I’ve been planning. I met with Events DC to discuss the tour, and they are looking to partner with us and use it as the kickoff event for their 25th anniversary WalkingTown DC program. This would be a huge boost to this tour and bring some great recognition to our awesome neighborhood. We are looking at dates for the weekend of July 20 and July 27. I will know for sure where this event is headed early next week (July 8, 2024), and I will be sure to share with the community!
Thank you for staying engaged and committed to our community. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Enjoy the summer and stay safe!