January 2007 · CSNA General Membership Meeting Minutes

Thursday, 10 January 2008 · 7:00 – 8:30 PM

True Reformer Building · 1200 U Street, NW

www.csnadc.org

Welcome and Introductions

President’s Remarks – Lynn Coffin

·      Lynn reminded CSNA members to renew membership dues and contact Phil Spalding, the Membership Chair, to pay dues

·      Lynn discussed her goals for the new year at CSNA, which include:

o      Develop stronger, goal oriented committees that involve community members

o      Stay in better communication with members

o      Keep better records of the history of CSNA

·   Lynn stated that any purchase by the CSNA President that is over $100 needs an approval vote of the membership base.  Lynn paid $250 to the InTowner without having membership approval in advance of making the payment. 

·      Sharon Dreyfuss motioned to extend the amount that the President can extend at his/her own discretion from $100 to $250.  Brooke Clagett seconded the motion, and the vote passed by a 5-4-1 vote.  At the next CSNA meeting, there will be a vote on whether to amend the bylaws to reflect this vote.

·      CSNA voted 10-0-0 in favor of approving the following committee chairs:

o      Treasurer – Chuck Baxter

o      Membership – Phil Spalding

o      Clean & Green – Brooke Clagett

o      Business Development – Jean Homza

o      Public Safety – John Solomon

o      Historic Preservation – Ernest Springs

o      Transportation – Cheryl Cort

Community Report, Announcements Special Presentations

·      Update from Mayor Fenty’s Office – Bridget Davis, Outreach & Services Specialist, Ward 1

o      Bridget said that there was recently a fix-it around the Howard Theatre that was very successful

·      Update from Councilmember Jim Graham’s Office – Barry Weise, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o      Barry explained that Councilmember Graham tried diligently to get the $11 Million in tax relief to be distributed fairly to small businesses that have been hit by escalating property taxes.  However, the DC Council voted 12-1 for property taxes to be distributed to all businesses evenly in the amount of $3,200.

o      A community member requested an update on the WMATA lots.  Barry said that the point of contact from Councilmember Graham’s office who is knowledgable about these sites is Jonathon Kass, he can be reached at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

·      Update from ANC 1B – Phil Spalding, ANC1B02, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o      Phil Spalding introduced the new ANC1B chairman, Thomas Smith.

Committee Business and Regular Reports

·            Treasurer’s Report: Chuck Baxter, Treasurer – This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   

o      The total balance in the CSNA account as of January 1 is $17,119.03.  Of that amount, $4,482.24 is earmarked for Dog Days, $110.64 for the Vermont Avenue planting, and $5,764.53 for the Hospitality Resource Partnership grant.  The remaining amount available for use is $6,761.62.

o      For the CSNA Holiday Party, $716.48 was spent on food and the room rental at Vinoteca, and this amount was not approved prior to the expense.  CSNA voted 8-0-1 in favor of reimbursing for this expense retroactively.

o      For the $220.50 spent for the CSNA InTowner ad, CSNA members voted 8-0-0 to reimburse Lynn for the expense

o      Jon expressed that for the 2008 year, CSNA Committee chairs should be required to submit budgets for the year’s activities at the start of the year so that we do not have to vote on expenses, and instead we are voting on budgets at the outset.

o      Lynn requested that each committee chair bring their budget for the year’s activities to the next executive committee meeting for review

·            Membership & Communications: Phil Spalding, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o      Phil detailed how PN Hoffman, through their Union Row PUD, agreed to pay for one-year memberships for 267 residences, for a total of $4,000.  $2,000 has already been contributed, and another $2,000 will be provided in June.

·            Transportation & Parking: Cheryl Cort This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o      Cheryl was not present.  Phil said that the schedule for the U Street reconstruction may begin as early as this Spring, but it may be delayed.

·            Clean & Green: Brooke Clagett - This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o      Brooke explained that on MLK day, January 21, the DC government is coordinating a day of service.  Brook expressed that she wants to organize a small-scale neighborhood cleanup on the 1900 and 2000 block of 8^th Street, NW on MLK day.  Stay tuned for a post on the Listserv for the cleanup event.

o      Brooke met with various representatives from the Mayor’s office and DPW to review cleanup issues in the neighborhood in the alleys behind 8^th and 9^th Streets.

·            Historic Preservation and Development: Ernest Springs This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o      Southwest corner of 14^th & U project – Ernest expressed that he does not like the massing of the building.  Phil said that the HPRB board was not supportive of the plans as drawn.  He will contact the architect and the Historic Preservation Office to find out what stage they are in the process.  Ernest will setup a development committee meeting to review the plans.

o      Ernest still plans to write a letter to CVS about the remaining awnings that are in place at the new store at 1000 U Street.

·            Business Development and ABC: Jean Homza This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o      Jean suggested that at the February 2008 CSNA meeting, members come back with a suggestion for a letter to the Council members that addresses how high property tax assessments are adversely affecting businesses in the U Street area.

·            Public Safety: John Solomon - This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o      At the February 2008 meeting, public safety will be the focus of the meeting.  John plans for the agenda to be about community policing and ways that the community members can help the police in their efforts to fight crime.  John said that Lieutenant Jova and Marco Santiago will be present at the meeting.

Questions, Comments, Concerns

REMINDER: Please Pay Your Dues for 2008

(Pay Online @ WWW.CSNADC.ORG or Check/Cash by Mail)