Brian Flahaven

Last night, ANC 6B approved the creation of a Hill East Task Force by a vote of 6-4. Commissioners Francis Campbell (6B10), Dave Garrison (6B01), Norm Metzger (6B03) and Kirsten Oldenburg (6B04) voted against the task force.

The purpose of the new task force, which I jointly introduced with Commissioner Jared Critchfield (6B06), will be to:

• Demonstrate ANC 6B’s clear commitment to addressing development issues facing Hill East, including Reservation 13, Pennsylvania Avenue re-development, Anacostia Riverwalk Trail completion, social services clustering at DC General Hospital and Eastern Branch Boys & Girls Club;
• Partner with city and city agencies to ensure that Hill East development issues are addressed;
• Provide a way to engage more Hill East residents in ANC 6B to address their specific concerns;
• Recommend ways ANC 6B can support development efforts in Hill East.

Commissioner Critchfield and I debated whether to propose the creation of a committee or task force. In the end, we decided to propose a task force for two reasons:

1. By creating a task force, ANC 6B is not limited to selecting only one resident per single member district to serve on the task force. A committee would have been subject to the one resident per SMD limitation.
2. Since a task force must expire after one year unless it is renewed, we thought a task force might be a compromise that could gain the support of our fellow Hill East colleague Commissioner Francis Campbell. The first year would be a trial period. Unfortunately, Commissioner Campbell still did not support the task force.

While I’m eager to start organizing the new task force, I am disappointed that Commissioner Campbell “vehemently opposed” its creation. His main objection is the inclusion of Reservation 13, which he views as an issue that primarily impacts his district. While Res. 13 is in Commissioner Campbell’s district, I strongly believe the impact of its eventual development (or lack thereof) will be felt across Capitol Hill, particularly in neighborhoods east of Lincoln Park. It is hard to imagine a Hill East Task Force that does not discuss arguably the biggest development issue facing Hill East. 

Additionally, all commissioners, including the four that opposed the Hill East Task Force, routinely weigh in on issues facing Eastern Market even though it is not located in their districts. Reservation 13 should be treated in the same way.  I do hope that Commissioner Campbell eventually agrees to play an active role on the task force.

I want to thank Commissioners Carol Green (6B07), Neil Glick (6B08), Ivan Frishberg (6B02) and Brian Pate (6B05) for supporting the task force. And a big thank you to my partner in this effort, Commissioner Critchfield, and to all of the Hill East residents who attended last night’s meeting and/or offered their support.

I’ll post my full recap of last night’s 3+ hour meeting in the next day or so. In the meantime, please post your comments and suggestions on the Hill East Task Force below.

I’ve often been frustrated that ANC 6B does not spend a lot of meeting time on issues affecting residents on the eastern side of Capitol Hill. While 6B agendas have been dominated by issues such as retail mix on Barracks Row and the redevelopment of Hine Jr. High School, the commission has been less active recently on the Hill East Waterfront Project (a.k.a. Reservation 13), the future of Eastern Branch Boys & Girls Club and development near the Potomac Avenue metro station.

Next week, ANC 6B will consider a proposal that I’ve introduced jointly with Commissioner Jared Critchfield (6B06) to create a Hill East Committee for the commission. As proposed, the purpose of the committee would be to:

• Demonstrate ANC 6B’s clear commitment to addressing development issues facing Hill East, including Reservation 13, Pennsylvania Avenue re-development, Anacostia Riverwalk Trail completion, social services clustering at DC General Hospital and Eastern Branch Boys & Girls Club,
• Partner with city and city agencies to ensure that Hill East issues are addressed,
• Provide a way to engage more Hill East residents in ANC 6B to address their specific concerns. We envision the committee meeting quarterly at various locations in Hill East, and
• Recommend ways ANC 6B can support development efforts in Hill East.

For purposes of the committee, “Hill East” is defined as the area bounded to the west by 13th St. SE, to the north by East Capitol St. SE, and to the south and east by the Anacostia River. Committee members would consist of 1) all ANC 6B commissioners, and 2) interested residents (limit of one per single member district per the ANC 6B bylaws).  I personally would like to see more Hill East residents as committee members, something that would be possible if the commission amends its bylaws or creates a Hill East Task Force instead of a committee.

An important note: This committee is not meant to duplicate the efforts of residents and community groups that have been active for years on Hill East issues. Instead, the committee will complement and assist these efforts by providing an additional platform for Hill East residents and community groups to weigh in with ANC 6B and city government. The committee will also help us make sure that both ANC 6B and city government are paying attention to the real needs and concerns of our neighborhood.

What do you think of this proposed committee? Feel free to post your comments and thoughts below and weigh in with your ANC 6B commissioner.

• The ANC 6B agenda is packed for March, so packed that the monthly meeting on Tues., March 8 will begin 30 minutes early at 6:30 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS (522 7th Street SE). The Tues., March 1 planning and zoning committee meeting, taking place at the Cesar Chavez Public Charter School at 714-722 11th Street SE, will also begin at 6:30 pm. 
• On the planning and zoning front, ANC 6B is scheduled to review a number of cases, including plans for the re-development of Hine Jr. High School (Learn more about the latest plans for Hine). There are also several smaller cases on the agenda. On liquor licenses, the commission will be considering the recommendations of the ANC 6B Retail Mix Task Force, which examined the issue of retail mix on Barracks Row.
• The commission will also consider new committee proposals, including a proposal I developed jointly with Commissioner Jared Critchfield (6B06) to create a Hill East Committee for ANC 6B. I’ll write more about this proposed committee next week.
• If you are interested in the retail mix, parking and nightlife on 8th Street SE, consider completing the Barracks Row Feedback Poll. The poll, conducted by John Stover and funded by Xavier Cervera, owner of Molly Malone’s, Lola’s and the Chesapeake Room, is designed to gather information about how Capitol Hill residents feel about Barracks Row and whether opinions differ between those that live close and far from 8th St. Poll results will be presented to the community next month.
• If the weather cooperates this weekend, I plan to begin distributing a new information flyer to residents in 6B09 (see the map). The flyers include important phone numbers and the 2011 meeting dates for ANC 6B. While I plan to distribute the flyers to all households, I will make a special effort to ensure residents without computer or e-mail access receive them. If you live in an apartment or condo building, please send me an e-mail and I will make sure you receive one.

Have a great weekend!

About 12 people joined Lt. Michael Thornton at last night’s monthly PSA 107 meeting. Special guests included Lt. Paul O’Conner and Firemen Jones, Cunningham and Dunlap from the DC Fire Dept. Engine Company 8 (1520 C St. SE) and MPD Officer Wagner of PSA 107. Here is a quick recap:

• Crime continues to decline in PSA 107. The last 30 days (Jan. 18-Feb. 16) saw a 33% overall reduction in crime over the previous 30 days (Dec. 19-Jan. 17). Crime in Jan. 2011 was also down 30 percent compared with crime in Jan. 2010. Both violent and property crime are down.  
• Thefts are beginning to increase. Bikes and delivery packages left on porches are being stolen. Auto thefts are also up over last month – crooks are mainly targeting GPS systems.
• There were five arrests (3 adult males, 2 adult females) at the Stadium-Armory Metro on Thursday morning (Feb. 17). All were charged with assault with attempt to rob. MPD worked closely with the Metro Transit Police on the arrests. 
• There have been a few of robberies in the last few days, including one at 14th & E St. SE and another at 18th & A St. SE. MPD officers are working to making arrests in these cases.
• PCP arrests/incidents are on the rise. If you see individuals acting strangely/high on PCP, quickly walk away from the scene and dial 911.
• Residents should document all serial numbers on home electronics, particularly laptops. Keep the numbers written down and stored in a safe place. Also, activate any GPS systems on your laptops or cell phones – this greatly assists MPD is locating stolen items.  
• Lt. Paul O’Conner from the DC Fire Dept. joined the meeting and shared some tips for residents, including:
  • DC residents can receive one free battery-operated smoke alarm through the DC Fire and Emergency Management Service’s SAVU program. Just visit the SAVU website or dial 311 to request an alarm. The department will install the smoke alarm for you.
  • Grilling on balconies and decks is not allowed in DC. Residents can and will be cited if the law is violated.
• I asked Lt. Thornton about efforts to slow traffic down on 17th Street SE and whether a speed camera and/or speed sign could be a solution. Lt. Thornton said that the MPD traffic safety unit has done a study of 17th St. SE and determined that a car with a camera cannot be safely placed between East Capitol St. SE and Potomac Avenue SE for a variety of reasons (Metrobus routes, parking issues). Lt. Thornton will ask the unit to reconsider a camera and, at the very least, to look into placing a temporary speed display on 17th St. SE.
• Lt. Thornton introduced and thanked Michael Bonds of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA). CSOSA provides supervision of adults on probation, parole and supervised release in DC.
• Lt. Thornton continues to seek block captains to be point of contacts on each block in PSA 107. If you are interested in learning more, e-mail (michael.thornton@dc.gov) or call him at 202-425-7659.
• The March PSA 107 meeting will take place on Thursday, March 17, 7 pm, at Liberty Baptist Church (527 Kentucky Avenue SE).

If you have any questions or comments, please post them below or e-mail me. And please join us this Sunday, Feb. 20 at 6 pm and 8 pm for our weekly Hill East Neighborhood Walks. The walks begin in front of Harris Teeter (1350 Potomac Ave. SE).

Have a great weekend!

This evening (Tues., Feb. 15) from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, I’ll be at New York Pizza (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue SE – across from the Potomac Avenue Metro) for my monthly office hours. Please stop by if you have questions, concerns, or want to share your views on issues affecting our neighborhood or Southeast Capitol Hill.

I’ll also be attending Thursday’s (Feb. 17) PSA 107 meeting, 7:00 pm at Liberty Baptist Church (527 Kentucky Ave. SE). Monthly PSA meetings are a great way to meet your neighbors and learn about the latest crime trends from our local MPD officers.