Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D

Ron McBee, Chair

February 14, 2011

Business Meeting

Minutes

As Approved by ANC 6D April 11, 2011

Present: Commissioners David Garber, Cara Shockley, Ron McBee, Andy Litsky, and Roger Moffatt. Commissioner Rhonda Hamilton arrived shortly after the meeting had started. Commissioner Craycraft was absent.

Commissioner McBee called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.

1. Agenda

Commissioner Litsky moved/Commissioner Shockley seconded to approved the agenda as proposed.

2. Community Announcements

Eve Brooks announced that an Education Excellence meeting will be held on March 1, 2011 at Westminister Church at 6:30 p.m. All are invited to attend to discuss improving education in the District.

Taking Charge of Our Future meeting will be held on March 5, 2011 at Amidon-Bowen Elementary School (I Street and 4^th Street, SW) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Carolyn Mitchell announced that the Southwest Neighborhood Association will be meeting on February 28, 2010 at the St. Augustine’s Church.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival will be held April 2, 2011, between the 600 block and 800 block of Water Street. Admission is free. However, food and drink are available for a fee.

3. Canal Park Ground Breaking Update

Christopher VanArsdale informed the Commission and community that the construction on the project is scheduled to start the first of March. It is estimated that the project should take 14 months to complete (May 2012). There will be several programmed activities at the park.

4. Lead in Drinking Water and Lead Service Replacements

Sarah Neiderer from DC Water and Sewer provided an overview of issue of lead in drinking water in the District.

Since 2005, DC Water has been compliance with the EPA action level for lead. The lead action level requires at least 90 percent of samples to be at or below 15 parts per billion.
Lead exposure is a public health risk, especially for pregnant women and children under age six.
Lead in drinking water can affect each home in the District differently. Drinking water is essentially lead-free in the distribution system and prior to entering your individual water pipes.
Lead can enter water that travels through a lead service pipe, lead solder or household plumbing containing lead.

· To minimize lead release in water, the Washington Aqueduct adds a food-grade chemical, known as orthophosphate during the water treatment process. Orthophosphate creates a thin protective coating inside pipes and plumbing fixtures in the distribution system and individual households. It is very effective in reducing the presence of lead and other metals in household water.

Minimizing lead exposure is a shared responsibility of DC Water and individual residents.

Replacing Lead Service Pipes

The material of a water service pipe can vary from home to home in the District and some household still have lead service pipes. In most cases, a portion of this pipe is in public space (DC Water’s responsibility) and a portion is in private property (property owner’s responsibility). In 2008, DC Water terminated an accelerated program to replace lead service pipes in public space. This was the result of a decline in lead levels and study findings that partial lead pipe replacement can temporarily increase lead concentrations in tap water.

Today, lead service pipes continue to be replaced in conjunction with water main replacement and rehabilitation projects. When replacing a water main, DC Water replaces water service pipes in public space in order to connect each household to the new water main, including lead service pipes. During water main projects, homeowners with lead service pipes are strongly encouraged to replace the portion in private property and avoid a partial lead pipe replacement.

DC Water will also replace a lead service pipe in public space if an individual property owner voluntarily replaces the portion in private property. Property owners are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to replace a full lead service in public and private property.

Sources of lead in drinking water

· A lead service pipe: The pipe that connects the water main in the street to your household plumbing. A portion of this pipe is in public space (DC Water's responsibility) and a portion is on private property (property owner’s responsibility). A "partial" lead service pipe is where a portion of the pipe is replaced, but a portion made of lead remains in public or private space. Lead service pipes were installed until the mid-1950s.

· Lead solder: Connects pipes in household plumbing. In 1987, lead solder was banned from use in household plumbing. If your household was built before 1987, your plumbing may have lead solder.

· Brass faucets, valves or fittings: Almost all faucets, valves and fittings have brass components. Brass faucets and fittings that are labeled “lead-free” can contain up to eight percent lead.

· Galvanized iron pipes: Household galvanized pipes can release lead in water if you have, or once had, a lead service pipe. When lead is released from a lead service pipe and passes through indoor galvanized plumbing (particularly over decades of use), lead can accumulate on the inside, corroded walls of this plumbing. Lead release from galvanized pipes can vary from home to home and can continue to occur even after the lead service pipe is replaced. Galvanized pipes can cause other water quality problems, such as low water pressure and discolored water. Galvanized pipes were installed in many homes that were built before the 1960s.

Tips and Resources for DC Water Customers

· Test your water for lead: DC Water offers free lead testing for customers. We will deliver a lead test kit to your household and provide follow-up guidance based on your test results. Contact Customer Service at (202) 354-3600. If lead levels are elevated, DC Water will conduct further investigation to identify lead sources in the household.

· Remove lead sources

Replace a lead service pipe with copper. DC Water will replace your lead service pipe in public space if you choose to replace the private portion. To find out more about lead service line replacements, contact Customer Service at (202) 354-3600. You should also replace household galvanized plumbing and install lead-free plumbing fixtures. Make sure you install fixtures and fittings that are at or below 0.25% lead.

· Use filtered tap water

Be sure to select a filter certified to meet NSF Standard 53 for lead removal. The filter package should specifically list the device as certified for removing the contaminant “lead.” We recommend devices that are installed at your faucet tap (also known as point-of-use) or pitcher-style filters. Be sure to routinely replace filter cartridges according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

· Run the cold water tap when water is not used for several hours

Run your cold water tap for two minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. Lead and other metals can dissolve in water when it sits in pipes for a few hours.

· Do not use your hot water tap for drinking and cooking

Always use cold tap water, then heat water if necessary. This includes water used for making ice, beverages and infant formula. Hot tap water can cause a greater amount of lead to release from plumbing.

Commissioner Litsky asked if Southwest had the greatest lead level problems in the District. Ms. Neiderer responded that it did not. In fact, it had the least problem.

For a free lead test kit can 202.354.3600. The kit will not work in large apartment buildings because all water service in the building must be turned off.

10. ZC # 08-06, Comprehensive Zoning Regulations Review: Subtitle J: Production, Distribution and Repair Zones

Mr. Travis Parker with the Office of Planning provided the Commission and community with an overview of the proposed regulations. After a brief discussion the Commission decided the nature of the revision did not warrant any specific comments from the ANC.

11. ZC # 08-06-15, Comprehensive Zoning Regulations Review: Administrative, Enforcement and Procedures

12. DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and Emergency Preparedness Update

Ms. Kim McCall, Project Manager with DC Homeland Security provided the Commission and community with a brief overview of Security and Emergency Management Plans:

· HSEMA has embarked on its 2011 community preparedness and community exercise initiatives.

· Under these initiatives, HSEMA will garner community participation in developing (10) new community based plans to assist communities with organizing for emergencies or disasters given the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan (see Office on Planning, 2006). The District Elements include: Rock Creek West, Rock Creek East, Upper Northeast, Mid-City, Near Northwest, Central Washington, Capitol Hill, Far Northeast and Southeast, Lower Anacostia Waterfront/ Near Southwest, and Far Southeast and Southwest

· Community exercises will occur this over the next several months. The exercises will focus on the eight District wards, the special needs populations, and businesses throughout the city. We will also conduct an exercise around the city’s alert notification system. For more information go to www.hsema.dc.gov.

· If you are interested in working with the agency to help develop and implement security and emergency plans please contact Ms. McCall at 202-481-3015 or by email at kim.mccall@dc.gov.

14. ABC Committee

Station 4 – New Liquor License

After hearing the details of the new liquor license application Commissioner Litsky made the motion to support the new license. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Shockley. The motion passed 5-0-1 to support, Commissioner Garber abstaining.

The Bullpen – Amended Voluntary Agreement

After hearing the details of the proposed amendment to the Bullpen Voluntary Agreement, Commissioner Litsky made the motion to support the amended Voluntary Agreement. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Shockley. The motion passed unanimously 6 to 0 to support the amendment.

15. Race For Hope – 5K Run/Walk

Danielle Rosenzweig presented the details of the Race For Hope 5K Run/Walk that will be held on May 1, 2011. After reviewing the plans in place to minimize the potential negative impact vehicle and pedestrian traffic within ANC 6D, Commissioner Shockley made the motion to support the event. Commissioner Moffatt seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously 6 to 0 to support the event.

17. Community Concerns

Gene Solon read a prepared statement regarding his previous request to receive information that identifies all developers who had promised ANC 6D to provide funds for community benefits, and (b) that delineates the amount of money each developer promised for community benefits.