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March 2007 · CSNA General Membership Meeting Minutes

Thursday, 8 March 2007 · 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Reeves Center Community Room · 2000 14th Street, NW

www.csnadc.org

Welcome and Introductions

 

President’s Remarks – Peter Nevenglosky

• Changes to Bylaws

o       There was not a sufficient quorum to vote on the bylaws changes or dues structure

Community Report, Announcements Special Presentations

           

• Presentation from Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)

 

o       Twane Duckworth (  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), Ellis Jackson (  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), and Stephen Capello (  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) spoke about tax assessments and responded to questions regarding the assessment process and vacant property assessments.

o       Twane noted that if citizens would like to notify OTR about vacant properties, to call (202) 442-4332.  Twane stated that the process of handling vacant properties is for citizens to call in a complaint, and then an inspector would inspect the property to confirm whether it is vacant and to determine the condition of the property.  The government would attempt to contact the owner, and if the owner does not respond, the government has the right to board up the vacant property.  The property would show up as vacant on the tax assessor records in the subsequent tax half-year.

o       Tax half-years are from October 1 – March 31, and from April 1 – September 30.  Changes in records only appear at the change in tax periods.

o       Attendees of the meeting noted the following vacant properties that are problematic:

§         908 T St., NW

§         1905 8^th St., NW

§         1727 T St., NW

§         Properties owned by Shiloh Baptist Church on 8^th and 9^th Sts., NW

o       There is a 10% cap on residential tax assessment increases

o       Stephen said that the DC Council may consider legislation to place a cap on commercial tax assessment increases to provide relief for commercial property owners.

o       Ellis explained that the OTR analyzes real estate sales to assist in valuing property.  The analysis consists of property inspections to see what improvements have been made, and regression analysis to determine assessed values.

o       Ellis stated that the OTR encourages owners unsatisfied with their assessed value to appeal the valuation.  The basis of appeal should be one of the following reasons:

§         Market value incorrect

§         Appraised value is not treated the same as at similar properties

§         Condition of property not accounted for in valuation

§         Incorrect classification

 

• Update from Mayor Fenty’s Office

 

o       No representative present.

 

• Update from Councilmember Jim Graham’s Office – Barry Weise,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

o       Barry Weise noted that if citizens have questions about property taxes, that they should contact Jim Graham’s office and ask to speak with a representative from Constituent Services.

o       Barry noted that legislation has been introduced to give the Mayor more authority to act upon lead issues.  There have been schools that found lead in water and the issues were not resolved properly.

o       Barry noted that Councilmember Graham is working on legislation to protect a woman’s right to nurse in public.

• Update from ANC 1B – Phil Spalding, ANC1B02,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

o       Phil stated that ANC1B is signing a voluntary agreement with International Grill despite uncertain changes to operating hours

o       Phil explained the voluntary agreement process to attendees of the meeting

o       Phil said that ANC1B will likely come to a voluntary agreement with Marvin’s Café in the next week

o       ANC1B voted to contribute $2,000 towards an expert acoustical witness in the Black Cat roof deck hearings

 

Committee Business and Regular Reports

 

•       Treasurer’s Report: Chuck Baxter, Treasurer –

o       Chuck was not present

 

•       Membership & Communications: Lynn Coffin,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

o       Lynn distributed membership brochures and encouraged attendees of the meeting to join as members of CSNA.

 

•       Transportation & Parking: Cheryl Cort  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

o       Cheryl was not present.

 

•       Clean & Green: Laura Bridge  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

o       Laura was not present.  Pete encouraged new members to apply for the Clean and Green Chair position.

o       Pete said that the East-Enders have requested that CSNA join them in the Spring Cleanup on Vermont Ave., between U and V Streets, to clean, plant grasses and perennials, and mulch.

 

•       Historic Preservation and Development: Ernest Springs  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

o       Ernest was not present

•       Business Development and ABC: Christine Holst  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

o       Representatives from the Cultural Development Corporation presented their plan to apply for a NIF Grant to assist in revitalizing the Source Theatre façade.  The theatre wil lb eused aas a 150 seat theatre that will be rented out to various theatre groups.  There will also be classrooms, rehearsal space, and office space.  Construction is schedule to begin August 2007, and the theater will reopen in 2008.

o       Christine was not present.

o       Jean explained the Hospitality Resource Partnership to the attendees.  She said that the HRP is working to identify all key participants in the pilot area.

o       Jean noted that Councilmember Graham will be presenting the revised underage drinking entertainment legislation next week.

 

•       Public Safety: David Corsen, Peter Petal (join the Public Safety 305 listserv  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

o       David and Peter discussed the possibility of holding Orange Hat Patrols in the future.

o       David and Peter stated that they would like to setup a roundable discussion with other neighborhood associations to utilize all public safety resources effectively.

Questions, Comments, Concerns

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