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March 2011 Regular Meeting - Minutes
The U Street Neighborhood Association held its monthly meeting on March 10, 2011 - featured speaker talked about how residents can purchase renewable electricity - wind - with little to no effort.
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March 2011 • U Street Neighborhood Association
General Membership Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 10, 2011 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Source – 1835 14th Street, NW
www.ustreet-dc.org
Welcome and Introductions
President's Remarks: Christine Szathmary,
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Jon Cardon lead the meeting for Christine who was absent.
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Jon introduced, Juan Camilo Barragan – from Exec. Office of the mayor attended as well; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 202-538-0313. Juan said to contact him for any neighborhood concerns such as graffiti.
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Appointed Alice Speck as Education Committee Chair. She said she expects to start looking at the schools within the U Street Neighborhood Association.
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Jon announced that there will be a Book Talk at May Meeting – Blair Ruble “Washington’s U Street: A Biography”
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Jon also announced that there will be a Meridian Hill Architectural History Presentation – April 4th ; 7-9 pm; at View 14; 2303 14th St NW
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Jon announced that we are seeking volunteer for Transportation and Parking Chair, Cheryl Cort no longer serving.
Special Presentation:
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Clean Currents Wind Power for Home or Business, Kristin Shultz -http://www.cleancurrents.com/ - ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 301-754-0430 x 716). spoke.
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They are based in Rockville and offer a windpower and electricity option.
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Option is open to home owners and renters as well. DC is deregulated environment.
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Rates are competitive with utility company.
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They have local business customers as well – Busboys and poets, and Ben’s Chili Bowl.
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To sign up just go to their website and give them your utility bill number. No cost to switch.
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You lock in at a specific rate for one or two years. 50% or 100% wind power option. If you mention this neighborhood meeting when you sign up they will give a donation to community greening power.
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Rates are currently 9.0 cents/kWh for 1 year 50% wind; 9.4 cents/kWh for 2 year 50%; 9.7 cents/kWh for 1 year 100% wind; 10 cents/kWh for 2 year 100% wind power.
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Charges would be included in your PEPCO bill.
Other Updates:
ANC1B Update - Aaron Spencer – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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No update Aaron wasn’t present.
Councilmember Graham Update – John DeTaeye This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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No update, no representative from Councilmember Graham’s office was present.
Committee Reports and Discussion
Treasurer's Report - Sharon Dreyfuss, Treasurer: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Sharon reported that the beginning balance as of February 1st was $17,117.96, with $30 received in dues leaving an ending balance of $17,137.93.
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For the Harrison Recreation Center the starting balance was $1,112.64, with $202.05 spent on expenses submitted by Manisha, and an ending balance of $910.59.
Public Safety - Brian Card & Sushupta Sudarshan, Chair:
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- Brian and Sushupta reported that there was a large increase in crime compared to the previous month for a total of 98 criminal incidents reported for the month of February for PSA 305. Details on the numbers, as well as the past PSA meeting, are available on the www.ustreet-dc.orgwebsite.
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Announcements were made for the 3D Neighborhood Watch Program Training this March 17th at 7:00 at the 3D Police Station; and a NWCHCA Community Public Forum focusing on Violent Hate Crimes featuring GLOV and MPD special liaison units (March 15th at St Stephen and the Incarnation Church 1525 Newton St. NW).
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There was some specific discussion about an incident at Harrison Recreation Center March 10th in which three were arrested - one juveniles (handgun) and two adult in their 20’s (marijuana).
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Sergeant Kyle (3rd District Vice Unit; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – 202-352-8780 cell) & Officer Garrett Higgins This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 443-691-5277 - PSA 305) discussed the arrest.
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This was a vice arrest that resulted from an investigation initiated from citizens’ concerns and requests for increased law enforcement for possible drug and other offenses at this location.
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They believe that this gun was used in other crimes, and hope to close some other cases.
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Officer Higgins said most of the calls to the recreation center are for disorderly conduct, and that this is a safe location.
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There is a footbeat officer who is assigned to this area – Officer Leonard (also at 14th & W).
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Toni (the DPR Recreation Center Site Manager) said that she thought the individuals arrested were from Garfield Terrace and are not regulars.
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Toni stated that she is working actively to make the recreation center safe and is carefully monitoring things.
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Membership - Jay Murphy, chair;
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- There are over 3000 potential members based on residents in our boundaries. Jay suggested sending out a postcard (.29 cents a pop) and handing out a prototype of a postcard. Jay said he would like to send this out to the neighborhood; and then he would also like to target all new residents to the neighborhood. He said he could identify new residents through realtor databases.
Historic Preservation and Development - Sheryl Walter, Chair:
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- Said that JBG is having a meeting on the District Condos right now reaching out to the community.
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March 24th HPRB meeting:
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2200 2202 14th St. – Concept addition/new construction
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1602 U St – concept for sidewalk café
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JBG has applied for a raze permit (old Atlantic Plumbing - 2110 and 2112 8th) – listed as commercial - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is contact.
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Couple of other projects
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14/U
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11/V
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8th/T
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Discussion of NE corner of 14th/U where a Duncan Donuts/Subway/Steakhouse is opening. Scott asked about the signage on the steakhouse which he stated was the least favorable type of sign from the historic district committee. Scott also raised the question if this pushes the 50% limit on restaurant, requiring a variance for these businesses.
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Jon asked if Sheryl could followup on the U Street Historic signs for installing them (Bryan Martin Firvida was working before).
Green - Scott Pomeroy, Chair:
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- Living City Block update (focused on 13/15th U/V streets)- Some students from VA Tech were present who were doing interviews with residents and community stakeholders in support of Living City Block. They are working to make a community engagement strategy for the Living City Block – also focused on urban design, end goal is to make recommendations to Living City Block by end of May.
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Scott reported that the permit for the solar compactors was approved, expect installation this month. Expect 18 different businesses to be using this.
Transportation and Parking – vacancy, Chair:
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- This position is vacant now, looking for new chair.
- Major concerns for our group is Metro (WMATA) proposal to cut late night hours, DC Circulator (on the chopping block), 14th & U Streetscape projects – we need to be get someone to focus on this for U St. NA. Scott said that we are one of the three major users of the metro in late night.
Business Development - Tucker Gallagher, Chair:
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- Update of new businesses (Read the U Street Business Notes for March 2011 for additional details):
- NE corner of 14th/U tenants will be Dunkin Donuts & Subway, and Lost Society (a steakhouse)
- 14th/Florida Tica (taco) just got a liquor license
- Touchdown opened
- el Centro D.F. (taco place by Black Cat) opening
- Perigrino Express opening on 14th
- Standard opened this month (14th & S)
- Divine shine (shoe shine opening);
- Two businesses closed this month – Greater Goods (16th/17th); and Garden District.
- Results closed on U Street. Vida is renovating the building that Results was in and will be putting a pool on top (with a bar).
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11th/V – bought the repair station was bought by a condo-developer
Friends of Harrison Recreation Center - Manisha Modi, Chair:
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- U Street Movie Series update – planning second annual series. Had first working group meeting. Next meeting will be Wednesday night (3/16/11) 7 pm at the Recreation Center.
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Will show five movies all with a tie into DC. Ideas so far include: 930 F; 9 Lives of Marion Barry; Waiting for Superman; Washington DC in the 1960s; Damn Yankees; Night at the Museum (Smithsonian).
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This year they will be partnering with AFI Silverdocs in Silver Spring who will provide short films prior to feature films. Also will be having a raffle (think AFI will donate all access pass to their film series).
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Need a graphic designer and web designer for this year, please forward any ideas to Jon.
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Greater DC Cares Servathon - April 16th – you can sign up there is a team “Friends of Harrison Rec”, cost is $25 (which is used for supplies for doing the project)
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Toni, the Harrison Recreation Center Manager shared about their spring programming – will be posted on the web. Looking for a hockey and tennis instructor (1st/3rd Saturdays of each month).
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Scott said he would like to help set up a recycling center site.