EGCA Meeting Minutes (Tuesday, January 17, 2017) – provided by Secretary (Mrs. Potts-Harris)
Call to Order
EGCA Vice President Monica Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:45.
DPR Kenilworth Recreation Center
Brent Sisco, DPR Project Manager andBarbaraPrice,GeneralContractor withCoakley Williamsprovided an update on the Kenilworth Recreation Center. The expected completion date for the center is spring 2017. It was mentioned that kickoff for pool season will be held by the Mayor at the Kenilworth pool. The roof is almost complete, lights are being installed and windows are expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. DPR is working with Pepco to get power on by next week. Work on the floors and doors will begin next week as well. The shell for the zero gravity pool is complete and the deepest end will be 6 feet. Lap lanes will be offered at the pool.
Mr.Siscoexplained that the Kenilworth Recreation Centerproject isseparate from Kenilworth Parkside.
Q: Is DPR handling the work for the entire Recreation Centerand will there be a baseball and softball field? A: Yes, DPR is handling the work for the center and no there will not be a baseball and softball field at the Rec. A:A walkthrough was held in September of the fields at Kenilworth Park and it is planned that DPR will place fields in the park and improve the condition of the basketball courts.
Q: How will programming be determined? A: A community meeting will be held in March/April to discuss thecommunity’sneeds with the programming department of DPR.
Q: In March what activities will be planned? A: DPR will come back to discuss activities and look at the building drawings to discuss use of the facility.
Q: Will DPR provide instructors for the activities? A: Yes, DPR will provide instructors. Someone from programming will be back to address this further.
Q: What is the timeline? A: Spring 2017 is the goal with the pool kickoff occurring Memorial Day weekend. Priority is to have the pool and pool house completed by May. Weatherpermitting;the recreation center will be completed at the same time.
Q: Will DPR operate the facility? A: Yes, government workers will be employed at the facility.
Q: Will landscaping be in place? A: Yes, landscaping will be done.
Q: What is the name of the Recreation center and what will happen with the sign from the old Kenilworth Recreation Center? Will the old sign be removed? A: The old park is Kenilworth Parkside and the new Recreation Center is Kenilworth Recreation Center.
Q: Will there beopportunities for summer job opportunities? A: Yes
Arequesthasbeen madeto visit the newly remolded recreation centerto see what has been done and to make sure it is up to ourcommunity’sneeds. An email will besent out to with dates and people will have the opportunity to sign upfor the visit. The recreation center will have a teaching kitchen, fitness room and a boxing room.
ANC Report
Siraaj:elections were held and there were twochanges for7D. Justin is now the secretary and RobertCoomberis the Treasury.
DPW’s snow removal policywas shared. There is a $25 fine if snow is not removed 8 hours after daylight from a snowfall. ANC 7D asked about the effect on senior citizens and was informed that an exemption can be filed online.Siraajmentioned that it was bad communication between DPWand theirnotification to the community.
Q: If you are a senior, can you call 311? A:Yes.There is a limitation on the fines for seniors. There will be an exemption for the fee; however, they still have to remove the snow. They will be given additional time to remove the snow. You have to submit the application, proof of residence and confirm that you are 65 or older.
Q: What if you need help? A: You can apply for volunteers to come and shovel your snow.
Comment: The most complicated part of the process is confirming your age. At the ANC meeting, it was indicated that if you can’t scan your ID, DPW will come out and verify your information.
ANC 7D meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. The agenda has been changed and community concerns are now addressed at the beginning of the meetings.
Julia Irving
It was mentioned thatLt.Arcewasnot available due to a homicide being committed 40 minutes earlier in the area.
Crime was 19% in 2015 and 12% in 2016for the area.
PSAsweremerged togetherto createSectorOneandcrimehas gonedown 60%. River Terrace is no longeraapart ofour 601 PSA.
Thefts from auto and stolen autos haveincreased. Lock all doors and remove valuables from site.
PSA meetings are the first Wednesday of each month 6:30 p.m. at Caesar Chavez. Attorney General Karl Racine and Councilwoman Anita Bonds will be present at the next meeting to address juveniles and group home concerns.
Police duty for the upcoming Inauguration was addressed. All officers will work 12 hour shifts and riot teams from 6D will be one of the last to be deployed due to the high level of crime in the district.
President’s Report
ANC meeting outreach grants and operations does not have community to administer grants.
Recently, 7D ANCregainedcontrol of their fundsafter losing access to theircheckbookseveralyears ago.Theyhad to get their finances in order before giving out fundsand establish a committee prior to distributing funds.There were some volunteers last year butthe committee has yet to be established. They are in need of volunteers now to establish the committee.
Index cards were passed out by members of the Executive board for community members to write down their comments about EGCA (what EGCA can do better, what the community want to see from EGCA).
Pepco – A lot of concerns have been raised about Pepco. Ms. King is working to foster relationships with the company.Ms.Cooper from Pepco has been really responsive about addressing the communities concerns. An email from Pepco was read by President, Rochelle Gray stating their plans to move up the date of their work in the neighborhood.
There is a survey online regarding the plans for RFK. Pamphlets were given out that outlines what they are planning for the site. The question was mentioned about connectivity for Ward 7. The condition of the walking path over the river was not conducive. They are building a park along the river. It was mentioned that the people should look, read the plans and complete the survey.
Meeting minutes will be posted on the website for review.
The community was thanked for their participation with the Christmas Celebration. The food, music and fellowship weregood.
Community Discussions
Davina: Be on the lookout in February for a meeting with Council members Silverman and R. White. They will provide a presentation on how we can better understand the council hearing calendar.
Q: Latisha Atkins, Asked if a request was sent to council man Gray? A: No, this process was started prior to Gray beingelected. A request will be sent to Gray.Contact Information was provided for Gray.Gray’s information (202)724-8068 main line and (202)741-0898 Ms. Atkins direct line. Email
Monica: Executive Board will propose a change to the bylaws to increase the membership dues from $5 per year to $10. The change of process was explained. Voting will occur at the February meeting. Two thirds of thevotes areneededto agree before the change can be made.
Q: Why is an increase needed? A: 120 on the membership roster only 90 have paid. In 2016 less than $500 was collected.Monicaexplainedthe items coming up and their cost.
Eastland GardensCivicAssociation was tax exempt since 1953. As of 2014, you have to file every two years. EGCA was no longer in good standing as of 2014. EGCA is currently working with DCRA to become compliant. There is a fee of $240 for good standing. There is also an IRS fee of $400. The website cost approximately $158 yearly.
Monica explained the donations that are received such as flyers. The Senior Celebration was used as an example of expenditures used and donations received.
One fund raiser was held which raised $1,212.75.
The EGCA will consider yearly fundraiser.
The vote for the increase in dues will go into effect immediately if agreed upon.
Statement:EGCA has more than justified the need for the increase.
It was also mentioned that EGCA would like to give a donation toZion Baptist Church of Eastland Gardensfor theirhospitality.
Rochelle: Fundraising Procedures – EGCA has to be registered as a 501C3. Rochelle and Ms. King are diligently working on obtaining 501C3 status for EGCA.
Ms. King: DCRA – EGCA is working to get up to par with DCRA. EGCA was incorporated in 1953. Payments are due every two years and EGCA has to pay $240 to bring it up to date ($80 for 2014, 2016 and 2018). EGCA can apply for tax exemption afterwards. The cost is $400 to file the form. EGCA may be eligible for a reduction of $265. Theadvantages of being tax exempt werediscussed.
Ms. King provided the new email address for EGCA () and the Facebook name. Q: Can we put the email address and Facebook name on future agendas? A: Yes
Rochelle: DDOT- Copies were passed around of the proposal for DDOT’s change to Kenilworth Avenue. Two options were discussed which would allow two way traffic on certain pertains of Kenilworth Avenue.
Q: Was there a traffic study? A: Not sure. DDOT has their own plans for our community.
Q: Why would they make these changes now when construction will be starting soon in that area? A: Not sure.
Comment wasmade referencing the meeting EGCA had withElanorHolmes Norton in Septemberand the discussion about the bridge over the park.
Justin mentioned that ANC 7D is working withEleanorHomes Norton to have a forum on traffic.
Q: Can DDOT come out to meet with the community? A:DDOTcame out in Novemberand shared plans with the community.
A comment was made to get Councilmember Gray’s office involved for assistance and allow them to work with ANC 7D.Additionalcomments were made about the increase in vibrations from the increasedamount of trucks utilizing 295 daily. It was mentioned that EGCA willdrafta letter to Gray and At-Large council members regarding the community’s concern with DDOT. Discussions will continue around DDOT’s proposals.
JustinLini - ANC7DReport-295 on transportation agenda for 2/4/17 meeting at 10 a.m. at Dorothy Height Library.City interest is having a zoning interest meeting on March 3, 2017 at Dorothy height Library. They will also present at the ANC 7D meeting 2/14/17 to discuss another project in Parkside. They will discuss their plans to build an apartment building their zoning commission hearing in March.City year is asking for a letter of support from the Parkside community for their mixed use project. The neighborhood would like an agreement from City Year to save some of the parkland in the community.
Parkside Civic Association has new leadership. Ms.LindaFrazier is the new President. The Parkside area is working to become inclusive with all of the civic associations.
Community Concerns
It was reported thataU-Haultruck hasbeen scouting the neighborhood looking for items to steal.Siraajstated he will send a note to MPD regarding this information.
Conversation was had about the increase in water bills. Several residents shared how there have been a significant increase in their water bills. Rochelle mentioned that we can invite WASA to a future meeting.Siraajalso mentioned that he will bring it up with the Commission. It was also shared thatneighborscan contact WASA to assure that WASA is using the properaerialphotos toassesstheir bill.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:27