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Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B is hard at work this month, both on substance and procedure. We have a jam packed regular public meeting on March 25th, 7 pm, at the 4th District Police Station (additional details below). Many Commissioners spent time over the last month attending Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd's "Ward 4 ANC Civic Leader Summit," which included presentations from various government agencies, as well as Attorney General Karl Racine's "ANC Legal Seminar," which included important presentations on legal issues affecting ANCs, including ethical guidelines for Commissioners as elected officials.

Speaking of government ethics, as many of you are probably aware, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans has faced increasing scrutiny for repeatedly using his government email and staff to solicit business from law firms that lobby DC, and offering to use his influence and connections to help clients of the law firms. More here. Reporting by Jeff Anderson of District Dig has revealed additional evidence of potential corruption. More here. Councilmember Evans' serious misconduct causes me grave concern, particularly as someone with a background in good government and ethics enforcement. I joined a letter submitted by Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners across DC calling for further investigation by the Council, and I am submitting a similar resolution at this month's ANC 4B meeting. Our institutions suffer when we do not take action to hold our elected officials accountable, and I am committed to doing so.
ANC 4B March Meeting
*Regular Public Meeting: March 25, 7 pm, 4th District Police Station
*Next Planning Meeting: April 9, 6:30 pm, 4th District Police Station
The Commission will hold its next regular public meeting on Monday, March 25th at 7 pm at the 4th District Police Station (6001 Georgia Ave, NW). The draft agenda includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  • proposed resolutions related to transportation, including a resolution in support of increased service levels for Metro's Red and Yellow Lines and a resolution in support of a slight modification to Metrobus Route E4 and the maintenance of an existing stop for Metrobus R2;
  • a proposed resolution for traffic calming on 8th St, NW including a narrowed vehicular area, curb bump outs, speed humps, and high visibility crosswalks, all without the removal of parking spaces;
  • a proposed resolution for the DC Council to allocate $35.5 million in the FY2020 budget to address chronic homelessness; and
  • a proposed resolution supporting the Council's reprimand of Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans and calling for removal of his Committee status and investigation and possible sanction for ethical and other misconduct.
Please contact me with any questions or if you would like additional details regarding the agenda.

As the Commission's Secretary and in the interests of transparency, I seek to share agendas and meeting minutes in a timely and accessible fashion. As we work toward updating the Commission's current website, you can review past agendas and approved minutes on my website at www.erinforanc.com. You can see my reflections on the February meeting here, and you can review a meeting summary from DC NorthStar here.
Upcoming Events with Me
Next Office Hours: Thursday, March 21, 7-8 pm, 715 Van Buren St, NW
Cedar Street Cleanup: Saturday, March 23, 9-11 am, 4th & Cedar
DC Budget Advocacy 101: Sunday, March 24, 3-5 pm, 715 Van Buren St, NW
Let's chat about the neighborhood! Join me Thursday, March 21st from 7 - 8 pm at 715 Van Buren St, NW, for monthly office hours for Single Member District 4B02. Please RSVP here.

Let's Clean Takoma! Join neighbors for our next Cedar Street Adopt-A-Block Cleanup on Saturday, March 23rd, from 9 - 11 am. We will meet in front of the BP Gas Station (7000 Blair Rd, NW). This is a kid-friendly event and will include snacks and a post-cleanup play date at the Takoma Education Campus playground. This event is being coordinated in conjunction with Main Street Takoma, which will be hosting a cleanup and planting event at the same time to include the Triangle Garden at 4th / Cedar / Blair. Please RSVP here.

Learn DC Budget Basics! Join me on Sunday, March 24th from 3 - 5 p.m. at 715 Van Buren St, NW, for DC Budget Advocacy 101. Zach Weinstein, a Community Organizer with Jews United for Justice, and Amber Harding, who leads the Washington Legal Clinic’s policy and budget advocacy, will provide brief presentations and practical tips on how residents can play an important role in the budgetary process. This event will include a play date for kids, as well as pizza and drinks for all attendees. Please RSVP here.

If you need accommodations or would like to schedule another time to meet, please email me at 4B02@anc.dc.gov or call me at (202) 821-6333.
Neighborhood Updates
*4th / Cedar / Blair Intersection Improvement: A representative from the Department of Transportation presented at the January 28th ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting regarding the scope and timeline of the intersection improvement project. The latest plans are available here. Their presentation, including additional details regarding the project's timing, is available here. The contract was put out for bids and closed on schedule, so (at least for now) the construction is proceeding as previously announced.

*Metrobus Traffic Light Priority at Georgia Ave & Piney Branch Rd (southbound):  Metrobus has announced that new "bus only" traffic signals at six intersections in DC, including Georgia Ave and Piney Branch Rd, NW, will allow buses to proceed through the intersections before the standard traffic signals turn green, allowing the bus to proceed ahead of other vehicles. The technology, known as "queue jump," is part of a package of improvements designed to speed bus trips and keep service on time.

*Proposed Soccer Pitch at Takoma Playground: The US Soccer Foundation is proposing a soccer mini pitch at the Takoma Playground (on the location of the asphalt basketball court with one small basketball hoop, next to the community garden). A map showing the location is available here. Part of the project will include a windscreen mural, and the Foundation is looking for local artists. Please get in touch if you or someone you know is interested, or if you have any questions.

*Tacos 5 de Mayo Opens: Tacos 5 De Mayo II is now open in Takoma at 353 Cedar St, NW. This traditional taqueria offers tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas and more. Tortillas are made in house as are the variety of salsas offered at the restaurants self-serve salsa bar. Pupusas will be added to the menu soon. The restaurant is applying for a liquor license and currently offers house made drinks like horchata and tamarindo along with Mexican sodas and other selections. Read what Washington Post food writer, Tim Carmen, had to say about Tacos 5 De Mayo here.

*Takoma Education Campus PTO Seeks Donations: The Takoma Education Campus Parent Teacher Organization is planning its second online auction, which will run from April 28th through May 12th. Items up for bid include baseball tickets, gift cards to beloved local spots, a wine tasting party, and more! The PTO is looking for additional donations. Please get in touch if you would like to contribute, and stay tuned for the link to bid on items.

*Whittier Education Campus Seeks Donations: Whittier Education Campus is planning a Beautification Day (April 13th, 10 am - 2 pm) and is seeking donations of gift cards to home improvement stores to help offset the cost of paint and other supplies, as well as food donations for the event. Please get in touch if you would like to contribute or volunteer for the event.
New & Notable
What's happening in local government?
Check out these DC Council legislative and other updates.
  • https://twitter.com/mhbaskin/status/110305013970Mayor Bowser provided her State of the District Address, discussing affordable housing, the RFK Campus, and statehood. More here.
  • https://twitter.com/mhbaskin/status/1103050139701334017 Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen introduced a bill, the Public School Transparency Amendment Act of 2019, which would bring DC charter schools under the same transparency requirements as traditional public schools. More here.
  • The DC Council declined to take a vote in early March on legislation proposed by Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd that would expand a tax break for homeowners  when faced with opposition from several lawmakers, advocates, and residents who claimed it would primarily benefit high-income residents. More here. I expressed opposition to this proposal. More here.
  • The Director of the Department of General Services committed perjury when she told the Council she didn't learn of delays in the construction of the Ward 7 homeless shelter until February 2018. More here. And Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and At-Large Councilmember Robert White's response here.
  • Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau introduced a bill that would provide on-site services (health, legal, food and nutrition, education, childcare) to buildings of 20+ residential units where at least 30% of tenants receiving housing assistance.
Are you interested in or following pending legislation or a city-wide issue? Send me an email, and I will include updates in this newsletter.
Upcoming Community Events
There's lots going on in the neighborhood! Check out the following community events: Know of other neighborhood events? Send notable events my way for inclusion in upcoming email newsletters.
You can always contact me:
Phone: (202) 821-6333
Email: 4B02@anc.dc.gov
Facebook: @Erinfor4B02
Twitter: @Erinfor4B02
Website: www.erinforanc.com

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