May 5, 2026 Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8A Meeting

Gemini Generated Readout: ANC 8A – Meeting Minutes Date: May 5, 2026 | Type: Public Monthly Meeting (Virtual) | Adjournment: 10:17 PM 1. Attendance & Roll Call Present: Tom Donohue (8A01), Commissioner Foreman (8A02), Commissioner Davis (8A03), Commissioner Moore (8A04 - arrived late), Commissioner Wyatt (8A05). Absent: 8A06 and 8A07 (Family emergencies). Quorum: Established with 4 commissioners initially. 2. Agenda Approval Motion: Approved with the addition of a Teacher Appreciation resolution. Passed unanimously. 3. Commissioner Updates & Announcements Tom Donohue (8A01): Relaunched SMD website (8a01.com). Reported stolen alley trash cans behind Minnesota Ave (police report required for replacement). Coordinating with MPD on dangerous squatter activity at 1828 Q St. Met with WMATA/MPD to request increased morning patrols at Minnesota Ave bus stops due to open drug use. Commissioner Foreman (8A02): Addressed persistent missed trash pickups at transit stops. Urged property managers to upgrade cameras to curb illegal dumping. Announced upcoming Anacostia High School events: Mother’s Day program (May 7) and Science Fair (May 13). Commissioner Davis (8A03): Partnering with the Department of Behavioral Health to house priority unhoused individuals with physical disabilities. Flagged a growing encampment and rodent issue at Minnesota & Pennsylvania Ave. Reported recurring drug activity at the local liquor store parking lot. Commissioner Moore (8A04): Celebrated new high-visibility safety lighting at the DC Market (16th & W). Highlighting volunteer opportunities with "Friends of Anacostia" and requested volunteers for a cookout at Ketchum Elementary on June 4. Chairperson Updates: Announced the new official OCTO-built ANC 8A website. Noted that Councilmember Trayon White introduced an ABRA moratorium for ANC 8A. 4. Guest Presentations DC Water (Lead Free DC): Presented on "test pits" (4x4 excavations) used to verify and replace private/public lead lines for free. Commissioner Donohue requested final street paving updates for remediated Fairlawn blocks. MPD 7th District: Lieutenant Montes announced Commander Boler’s June retirement and introduced incoming Commander Harding. Confirmed violent crime and domestic violence spikes; officers are leveraging the OKAP network for victim placement. A community safety walk is set for late May. DC Councilmember Matt Frumin (Ward 3, Human Services Chair): Discussed the tight FY2027 District budget and urged residents to testify at the Committee of the Whole hearing on May 13. Debated commissioners on the critical need for equitable affordable housing distribution citywide and fixing adult literacy gaps blocking workforce entry. MPD 6th District: Commander Hickman noted overall declines in vehicle thefts and burglaries on the 6D side of 8A, but reported a 78% surge in domestic felony strangulations. Commissioner Davis requested moving tactical CCTV trailers, noting dense tree leaves block current views of the business corridor. DGS & DLR Group (Ketchum Elementary Modernization): Detailed plans to preserve the historic 1908 school building while demolishing the 1971 wing. Staff and students will completely relocate to the DC Prep swing space for two years starting mid-July 2026, with the modernized campus reopening in Fall 2028. Zoning & Development: 1223-1225 Marion Barry Ave SE: Proposed a 12-unit, market-rate residential project preserving the "Jazzies" storefront. Commissioners flagged heavy transit disruption concerns due to a bus stop directly out front and zero parking. Tabled for a future SMD meeting. 1754-1756 W Street SE: Proposed an addition/renovation to a fire-damaged row house requiring a lot-width variance ahead of a May 27 BZA hearing. Commissioner Moore scheduled a site visit with the developer for Friday. 5. Official Votes & Resolutions Honorary Resolution for Mother Lillian Atkins Brown (Fairlawn): Passed (4-0-1) to formally honor a long-time resident who recently passed away following adjacent vacant property fires. Teacher Appreciation Week Resolution: Failed to move forward due to procedural objections regarding insufficient public notice. Tabled to be re-noticed for a special June meeting. ANC Logo & Financial Reports: Tabled until June.