ANC3D  MINUTES – March 5, 2008

The regular monthly meeting of ANC3D was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at Sibley Memorial Hospital's Ernst Auditorium.  The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Vice Chair Alma Gates in the absence of the Chair Rachel Thompson.  Commissioners present: Gates, Haas, Heuer, Sandza (regular secretary), Smith and Wells.  Absent: Commissioner Minichiello.

Police Report.

Was presented by Officer McElwee. The new PSA Lieutenant, Eric Hayes, was introduced to the Commission.

Community Concerns

Matt Thorpe of the Aircraft Noise Committee of the Palisades Citizens' Association provided a report.

Commissioner Concerns

Commissioner Wells of Spring Valley reported on the status of the Spring Valley – Army Corps of Engineers partnering meetings and the progress of the clean up.

Commissioner Haas of Foxhall Village reported that a group of Commissioners and other interested persons met with the Department of the Environment and Councilmember Mary Cheh to observe sediment runoff from the Phillips Park Development into the federal parkland.  The City Department of the Environment will take action.

 Ann Heuer reported on development planned for the Hornblower estate which is expected to begin this summer.  A portion of the estate has been sold to St. Patrick’s School to allow a soccer field.  As a result 8 single family homes, instead of the originally contemplated 17, will be built.

Commissioner Sandza of Wesley Heights reported that Horace Mann School had met with Councilmember Mary Cheh to try to launch a public/private partnership to convert the school's field into a turf field.

Business:

Application to occupy public space at 4521 Dexter Street was deferred at the request of Commissioner Smith.  The applicant is seeking to replace an existing driveway apron..

Urban Forestry Administration – Liz Tylander, UFA, Community Outreach and Earl Eutsler, UFA, discussed the Administration's tree maintenance program for ANC3D area.  They are working in partnership with Casey Trees to distribute a new device called oozetubes to water the new trees.  They ask that people who have new trees by their homes take responsibility for watering the trees.

Fran Harris, Public Space Branch DDOT presented plans for the proposed Ward 3 Parking Pass Pilot Program .  Now in place in Ward 4, this program would annually give a daytime parking pass to each home within a residential parking zone to allow visitors, nannies and laborers working at their homes to park all day.  Much discussion followed with concerns about misuse, how they would be distributed etc. Ms. Harris agreed to take all comments back to her department and will return to the Commission at a later date with an update. People can send any questions to: Fran.Harris@dc.gov.

Commissioner Thompson arrived.

Clark Ray, Director, Parks and Recreation (DPR) discussed plans in progress for the Palisades Recreation Center entrance, management at both Palisades and Hardy and maintenance for playing fields at both facilities.  Four possible designs were presented for the Palisades Recreation Center entrance, which will be decided upon in the near future and implemented in the fall.  DPR will return to the ANC to present more developed and vetted plans after meeting with a stakeholders group which will include Commissioners Gates and Thompson. Some ANC Commissioners suggested that a full season of use be completed before adopting a design plan.

Commissioner Smith left.

Commissioner Wells left.

Treasurer’s report was given.  There is a balance of $24,150.44 in the Bank of America Checking account. 

Minutes were read and approved as edited 4-0-0.

Elections:  Commissioner Thompson nominated Commissioner Sandza to be the new Chair.  Commissioner Gates seconded – passed 5-0-0.  A new secretary will be elected at the April meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:02 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth B. Sandza

Secretary.