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January 2006 Monthly Meeting Minutes
Thursday. 12 January 2006  7:00 - 8:30 PM  True Reformer Building 
1200 U Street, NW
www.csnadc.org

Welcome and Introductions - Despite the chaos with the Pepco fire and power outages CSNA still held its first meeting of the year. Secretary Peter Nevenglosky began the meeting at 7:25 pm with the announcement that CSNA has officially been recognized as a tax-exempt organization under the 501 (c)(3) designation!!!! This means that CSNA will be able to apply for public and private grants for specific projects as well as accept donations that can be written off by the contributors.

Presentation on Smoke Free DC Legislation - At-Large Councilman and joint sponsor of the bill Phil Mendelson reported on the Smoke Free DC legislation that has just passed through the Council and awaits a decision from the mayor.

• The Councilman reported that the City Council voted 11-1 to support the Smoke Free DC bill. The bill is modeled after the one adopted in New York City with the following exemptions: outdoor areas, motels/hotels, medical research, tobacco bars (cigar bars), establishments which have 10% of revenue coming from tobacco sales, and an economic hardship waiver (undefined).
• The bill becomes law in April (30 days after going through the Hill) and starts immediately for restaurants, while not taking effect at taverns, nightclubs, and bars until January 1, 2007. The Department of Health has oversight on the regulation of the bill.
• The councilman also discussed the baseball lease situation and where negotiations were currently. The main issue within the Council is putting a cap on the amount of spending for the stadium and asking baseball to cover cost overruns. Mendelson predicts that with some negotiation the mayor will get the votes he needs for the stadium bill.
• Chuck Baxter asked a question on what solutions there might be for the terrible state that DC public schools were in. The Councilman supports more autonomy for the school to work and expressed faith in the new superintendent of the schools.
• Chuck also made the point that the current police pay system encourages movement among PSAs which limits the communities ability to build and maintain relationships with officers. The Councilman said the solution may be to offer policemen incentives to stay within a PSA.

CSNA Executive Board Vote - Peter Nevenglosky then ran through the list of CSNA's executive slate and gave brief descriptions of positions that were vacant. The following is a list of the leadership for CSNA for 2006, voted in unanimously at the meeting:

Membership Development:
- There was a vote held on a plan to print up postcards for membership renewals allocating up to $500 for the postcards to be printed and mailed, the vote was unanimously in support.

Community Reports & Announcements:

ANC 1B Update - Phil Spalding reported on the following issues:
- Source Theater (on the 1800 block of 14th Street) has agreed to a purchase by a large restaurant chain that will house an auto-themed restaurant.
- ANC1B will be protesting all Class B licenses (grocery markets that sell beer) hoping to eliminate sales of single alcohol sales.
- The ANC voted not to support the Broadway Atlantic Plumbing PUD application because of concerns with the size of the project, the amount of affordable housing, and the composition and extent of the amenities package included in the application.

MidCity Business Association - Scott Pomeroy
- Councilman Graham will be holding a public meeting to discuss extension of the Yellow Line on Monday January 23 @ 7 pm, location tba.
- There will be a hearing for a $350,000 grant from the government for the Green Team which needs community support. The hearing will be held on Thursday, Feb 23rd at 10:00 am in Room 123 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Penn Ave., NW 20004.  This will be discussed at the Feb CSNA meeting.

Public Safety Committee Report:
PSA 305 Update - Kenny Barnes (join the PSA 305 listserv  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) was absent, but the update from the meeting was that the letters to the mayor drafted by Myla Moss have been sent; there was crackhouse on the 1900 block of 9th discussed; there was a new representative from the Justice Dept. present who said blame the judges and recommended inviting them to a public safety meeting; and BORF update.

Ernest Springs presented the idea of hosting a mayoral debate. CSNA will designate a committee to look into room availability and logistics for this idea.

The next meeting will be held on February 9th @ 7 pm.  BE THERE!

PLEASE PAY YOUR DUES FOR 2006 (EITHER BY CHECK/CASH OR ONLINE @ CSNADC.ORG)