CAPITOL HILL CORNER

ANC6B To Hold Special Call Meeting on COV Grants for Four Community Organizations

by Larry Janezich

August 6, 2020

Yesterday, ANC6B Chair Brian Ready announced an ANC6B  Special Call Meeting to consider COV related humanitarian grants for four Ward Six organizations:

Capital Community Partners: Founded in 2013 as Near Southeast Community Partners (now Capital Community Partners) works to improve the environment and strengthen schools. They are asking for $15,000 to provide equipment and Wi-Fi services to students and teachers of Ward Six.  https://www.capitalcommunitypartners.org/  Applicant: Bruce Darconte

Capitol Hill United Methodist Church: They are asking for $9,000 to support their program that provides food delivery to the homeless.  https://chumc.net/  Applicant: Rev. Sam Marullo

Eastern Market Main Street: They are asking for $5,000 to continue a variety of on-going services such as one-one small business counseling for Capitol Hill merchants. https://www.easternmarketmainstreet.org   Applicant: Charles McCaffrey

Light House DC:  Light House DC launched its COVID Relief Program in early June to address the most immediate needs of the community during the COVID-19 health emergency. They are asking for $15,000 to help fund their COVID-19 Relief Program in Ward Six. https://lighthousewdc.org  Applicant: Jingwen Sun

The total amount of request ($44,000) exceeds the $25,000 out of the $45,000 originally available.  Last June, with encouragement from the city council, many ANCs decided to use a portion of their operating funds to support organizations providing humanitarian relief during the pandemic.  ANC6B allocated $45,000 of its administrative reserve for grants to organizations in Ward 6.

At its July 14 monthly meeting, ANC6B approved a grant of $15,000 to Serve Your City for PEP, cleaning supplies, bath tissue, computer equipment and support, Wi Fi access, etc.  The Commission also approved a grant of $5,000 to Shirley’s Place for winter clothing for the homeless.

The Special Call Meeting to approve Grant Applications will be held Tuesday, August 11th at 7:00pm.  See hear for WebEx Log-In Information: https://www.anc6b.org/calendar/

Hill East’s St. Cyprian’s Pastor Tests Positive for COV-19

by Larry Janezich

August 3, 2020

Monsignor Charles Pope of Holy Comforter St. Cyprian Catholic Church in Hill East tested positive for the virus and was hospitalized on July 27, according to an article by Rebecca Tan published last night in the Washington Post.

Pope had urged parishioners and others not to “cower in fear” of the virus and had held services in the church and distributed communion.  D.C. Health officials advised some 250 staff and others to quarantine for two weeks.

Here’s a link to the WaPo article.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/catholic-priest-dc-coronavirus/2020/08/02/006e06c6-d4c7-11ea-9c3b-dfc394c03988_story.html?hpid=hp_local1-8-12_virusdmv-335pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory-ans

The Week Ahead…Wednesday Deadline to File Petition to Run for ANC & Photos from Last Week

By Larry Janezich

August 2, 2020

As per usual, August brings quiet to the ANCs and other civic organizations.  There are a few meetings later on, but for now, the most significant date in the coming week is Wednesday, when by the close of business, candidates for ANC seats must file their petitions to qualify for listing on the ballot for the November 3 election.

It’s pretty late in the game to be picking up a petition, but there’s still time.  Here’s a link to the process: https://anc.dc.gov/page/anc-elections

Currently, there are four seats for which candidates have not picked up petitions:

ANC6B01 – current commissioner is Jennifer Samolyk

ANC6B 07 – current commissioner is Kelly Waud who has announced she is not seeking re-election.

ANC6D02 – current commissioner Anna Forgie

ANC6D05 – current commissioner Fredrica Kramer

Not sure what your ANC is?  See here:  http://www.ancfinder.org/

If a seat is declared vacant in January when the ANCs convene for the first meeting of 2021, a special election ensues, with a new opportunity for candidates to file petitions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Bowser Announces All Virtual Public School Classes Begin August 31

by Larry Janezich

Today, Mayor Bowser, prioritizing health and safety, announced that no in-person classes will be held for this fall’s first term in DC public schools –  August 31 – November 6.  The city continues to plan for in-person options for the second term, beginning November 9.  Charter and private schools may be offering in-person classes or a hybrid option during the first term.

Asked what health metrics were the determining factor leading to the all virtual decision, Bowser cited other factors including staffing, parental confidence in in-person classes, facility availability, and the safety/health infrastructure.

Asked what will trigger the decision to proceed with in-person classes in the second term, Bowser refused to be pinned down to specifics, and reiterated the previously listed factors and said “we’ll make the decision we think is right for our kids.”

With respect to DCPS personnel who are not directly involved in teaching, Bowser said the school system is evaluating personnel to see how best they can be utilized or reassigned, and that laying off teachers “is not our plan.”

Mayor Appoints Working Group to Recommend Changing Names of DC Facilities

By Larry Janezich

July 29, 2020

Wednesday, Mayor Bowser announced the establishment of the DC Facilities and Commemorative Expressions (DCFACES) Working Group.  DCFACES is charged with evaluating DC Government-owned facilities and “make recommendations as to what, if any, actions need to be taken if the person the facility is named for is inconsistent with DC values and in some way encouraged the oppression of African Americans and other communities of color or contributed to our long history of systemic racism.” The focus will be on DC Government-owned streets, DC Government-owned buildings (libraries, schools, rec centers, etc.), statues in DC Government–owned parks, and other named public spaces.

DCFACES is co-chaired by Beverly Perry, Bowser’s Senior Advisor, and Richard Reyes-Gavilan, Executive Director, DC Public Library.  A complete list of the membership is on the group’s  website (link below).

The mayor is encouraging input about what should be considered from residents who are asked to take a survey available on the DCFACES website, see here:  https://mayor.dc.gov/dcfaces

Here’s a List of Restaurants Warned or Fined For COV-19 Violations as of July 23

by Larry Janezich

July 27, 2020

Phase Two warnings and violations imposed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board or Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) investigators. Click to enlarge.

Here’s the link to the original post on the coronavirus website: https://bit.ly/2BC71nD

Travel to DC from Delaware, North & South Carolina (+24 Other States) Requires Quarantine

By Larry Janezich

July 27, 2020

Beginning Monday, July 27, anyone coming into Washington, DC from 27 states within the prior 14 days who was traveling for non-essential activities will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in the District. Individuals arriving from high risk states for essential travel are required to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days and, if they show signs of symptoms of COVID-19, are to self-quarantine and seek medical advice or testing.

High-risk states are states where the seven-day moving average of daily new COVID-19 cases is 10 or more per 100,000 persons.

Travel to and from Maryland and Virginia is exempt from the Order. This list will be updated Monday, August 10.

High-risk states that require 14 days of self-quarantine:

• Arkansas
• Arizona
• Alabama
• California
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• Wisconsin

The Week Ahead…Rep. John Lewis Lies In State in the U.S. Capitol & Some Rehearsal Photos

By Larry Janezich

July 26, 2020

Monday, July 27

The body of Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., will arrive at the U.S. Capitol to Lie in State in the Rotunda on Monday.  A private ceremony will be held at 1:30pm. 

The casket will be moved to the top of the center steps on the East Front of the Capitol to allow the public to pay their respects on Monday from 6:00pm to 10:00pm and on Tuesday from 8:00am until 10:00pm (according to CNN).  Social distancing will be enforced and mourners will be required to wear masks.

On Wednesday, he will depart the U.S. Capitol for the Georgia State Capitol where he will lie in state.

Interment will be at South-View Cemetery following a private celebration of life at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, once lead by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Here’s a list of expected road closures for the procession, from circa 11:30pm to 1:00 pm.

• I-695 and I-395
• Suitland Parkway
• 12th Street Tunnel
• Independence Avenue, SW from 14th Street to Lincoln Memorial Circle
• Independence Avenue from 3rd Street, SW to 2nd Street, SE
• Maine Avenue, SW
• 3rd Street from Constitution Avenue to Independence Avenue, SW
• Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW
• 23rd Street from Lincoln Memorial to Constitution Avenue, NW
• Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street to 3rd Street, NE
• 17th Street from Constitution Avenue to K Street, NW
• H Street from 17th to 15th Street, NW
• 15th Street from Constitution Avenue to K Street, NW
• Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street to 3rd Street, NW
• 2nd Street, SE from Independence Ave, to Constitution Ave. NW

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

ANC 6B’s 1333 M Street SE PUD Subcommittee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm to continue consideration of amenities and benefits under the Planned Unit Development of  1333 M Street, SE.          

Meeting Information:

Meeting link:

https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/j.php?MTID=mf2963cc8e3a1d74a3ee33a9bc6d15bee

Meeting number: 157 034 6983

Password: 2MDhyAiyp42

Host key: 912220

More ways to join

Join by video system

Dial 1570346983@dcnet.webex.com

You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Join by phone

1-650-479-3208 Call-in number (US/Canada)

Access code: 157 034 6983

Global call-in numbers

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Among items on the agenda:

Report of the Chair

Report of the Market Manager

Impact of Covid 19 on Eastern Market

Lease negotiation status

Capital Improvements Report: Monte Edwards

Status of Eastern Market Strategic Plan study and next steps

Tenant’s Council Report

Eastern Market Metro Plaza Update

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Passcode: 577544

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Mayor Bowser Issues New Order Requiring Hotspot Travelers to Quarantine 14 Days

By Larry Janezich

June 24, 2020

Mayor Bowsers issued an order today, effective Monday July 27, requiring 14 day self-quarantine after travel to DC from high risk areas.  The order does not include travel to Maryland and Virginia.

A list of high risk areas will be published here https://coronavirus.dc.gov/newsroom on Monday, and updated every two weeks.

Essential travel was defined in the Mayor’s March 30, Stay-At-Home Order, as follows:

5. “Essential Travel” means:
6. Travel related to the provision of, or access to, Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, Essential Businesses, or Minimum Basic Operations, including travel to and from work to operate Essential Businesses or maintain Essential Governmental Functions;
7. Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons;
8. Travel required to visit a house of worship;
9. Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services;
10. Travel to return to a place of residence from outside Washington, DC;
11. Travel required by law enforcement or court order;
12. Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside Washington, DC; and
13. Travel within the Washington region to engage in allowable activities under that jurisdiction’s laws.

The Mayor said city officials are watching other activities where restrictions had been relaxed but which could be dialed back if metrics head in the wrong direction.  Those activities include personal services like salons and barbershops, indoor dining, the 50 person limit on gatherings, and elective hospital procedures.  She declined to say what metrics would trigger a dial back – officials “will look at all of them from day to day,” and added that it was possible that just one activity could see re-imposed restrictions.

The new order is effective through October 9 – the current extension of the health emergency – but it too could be dialed back if justified.

For those essential travelers exempt from the order – members of Congress, for example – Bowser said that they should only leave home while performing essential activities.

 

 

Southeast Library Design Team Drops Some Hints at Community Meeting on Renovation

By Larry Janezich

July 24, 2020

Thursday night, the architectural firm of Quinn Evans participated in a DC Public Library virtual community meeting to report on the status of the redevelopment of the Southeast Library.

The construction timeline has not changed; work is scheduled to begin in 2022 with the goal of finishing in 2024.  The firm is just beginning work on the concept design so there were no “pretty pictures.”

But, the designers explained the plan for making the library bigger by expanding vertically underground.  The existing ground floor (entered from D Street) will be made taller and the floor expanded horizontally.  In addition architects are considering a small addition on the west side of the building which would provide space for an elevator and mechanical systems, taking into consideration the effect on the adjoining residential properties.  Other above ground expansion is unlikely available to the project. They see no need to seek an exception to historic preservation guidelines at this point.

The DCPL will work with partners in the area to provide Interim library services.  Designers are working with partners in the area to find an appropriate alternative location as opposed to a trailer.  There are opportunities on the Eastern Market Metro Plaza for library services.

In response to a question, designers said that the views of the homeless who often use library space for shelter and restrooms have been taken into account.  Library staff distributed surveys to the homeless who use Southeast Library, and collected them.  The design team met in the library while the homeless were there and their input is built into the library programs.  Designers said that they believe that libraries are open to all, and they do not compartmentalize residents; libraries are for all residents no matter what stage they are in in their lives.

Regarding the reopening of Southeast Library currently closed because of the pandemic, library representatives said that small libraries like Southeast have additional restraints and it “is not prudent” to predict how services will be delivered.  The goal is to open as soon as possible with safety the first priority.

The next community meeting will be in late summer, and the design team will have concept designs.

Thursday night’s presentation will be up on the DC library website by the end of the day Friday for those seeking additional info – see here: https://bit.ly/2ORsGeD