Membership Meeting Minutes-January 10, 2018

Posted onAuthorDRCA Secretary

Agenda:

  • Welcome
  • Alexandria Police Report, Capt. Dennis Andreas
  • Land use Committee Report, Kristine Hesse, Co-Chair
  • Volunteer Alexandria, Myra Cruz, VA Volunteer and Database Coordinator
  • DRCA Volunteer Opportunities, Rod Kuckro, DRCA President
  • Upcoming DRCA Events
  • Announcements
  • Adjourn

  1. Call to order: 7:02
      1. Welcome: 21 attendees; 1  guest
      2. Due to conflict with Valentine’s Day (and Ash Wednesday): February Membership meeting pushed back to 2/7

     

  2. Alexandria Police Report, Capt. Dennis Andreas
    1. 8 Part 1 crimes
    2. 6 larcenies
    3. 1 armed robbery (12/25/17 Rt 1 at Howell)
    4. Only 2 vehicles (1 popped trunk with valuables)
    5. 16 “crashes” (only 3 reportable)
    6. Traffic Enforcement
      1. 70 stops (down from 102). Low temperatures discourage stops
      2. Water main breaks diverting attention from enforcement
    7. Questions
      1. Any information on Arlandria house break-in/home invasions?
        1. Active investigation; not much can be shared

     

  3. Land use Committee Report, Kristine Hesse, Co-Chair
    1. No Jan meeting so no agenda items
    2. Expected issue for February:
      1. 508 E Custis Ave: Permission for reduced side yard
      2. 105/107 Uhler Terrace: Reviewed before, property sold, new project proposed
      3. 3410 Mt. Vernon Ave.:Proposed beer garden (Señor Chicken)
      4. February meeting: 2/13 at Mount Vernon Recreation Center

     

  4. Volunteer Alexandria, Myra Cruz, VA Volunteer and Database Coordinator
    1. MLK Day of Service
    2. VA programs:
      1. Alternative Community Service (mandated)
      2. Business Connections
      3. Retire Senior Volunteer Program (Federally funded)
        1. 55+
        2. Greater than AmeriCorps
        3. 1 hour a year
        4. Benefits
          1. Safe and accessible workplace
          2. Mileage reimbursement
          3. Supplemental insurance
          4. Meal reimbursement
          5. Youth and Family Volunteers
            1. E.g., food sorting on MLK Day (already fully booked)
          6. Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
          7. Snow Buddies (Sign up to provide assistance with snow removal for seniors and the disabled)
          8. Outreach and Education
        5. How to volunteer?
          1. Go to VA website: https://www.volunteeralexandria.org/
          2. Create an account
          3. Search for opportunities
            1. No location provided (Venues need to be prepared for volunteers and no location forces folks to sign up instead of just showing up unannounced.)
          4. How can DRCA post opportunities?
            1. Cannot be a paid position
            2. 501c3, school, government office

     

  5. DRCA Volunteer Opportunities, Rod Kuckro, DRCA President
    1. Land Use Committee
      1. Monthly meeting to review SUP applciations and other LU issues
    2. Membership Committee
      1. “We are all membership committee members”
    3. Historic Committee
      1. Historic Town of Potomac Plaque program
      2. Research TOP historic district
    4. Parking & Pedestrian Safety
      1. Email: [email protected]
      2. Complaints received so far:
        1. Monroe bikelanes
        2. MVA Fire hyrant reg blocked
        3. Parked too closed to intersection
    5. Adopt-a-Park
      1. Need new chair (See Dec 2017 minutes)
      2. Raises $30K for DRCA
        1. Trees, dog park
        2. But not poison ivy
    6. Education Committee?
      1. Moribund but perhaps
    7. Alley Committee

     

  6. Upcoming DRCA Events
    1. February: Chili Cook-off
      1. Help needed at 4:30 to set up
      2. 6:00 event begins
      3. Portners: Beverage sponsor
      4. Judges: Principal MVCS, Lonnie Rich, former DRCA president and City Councilor, Capt. Andreas asked
      5. Benefiting: Rebuilding Together Alexandria
    2. April: Rebuilding Together Alexandria
    3. May: House and Garden Tour, docents will be needed
      1. Benefiting: Del Ray Gateway and Dunning Garden Project
    4. August: National Night Out
      1. Volunteers always needed

     

  7. General Announcements
    1. Del Ray Business Association:
      1. Heart of Del Ray, seeking nominations
      2. Past winners include: Bobi Bomar, Jen Walker, Greener Cleaner, Neighborhood Pharmacy
      3. DRBA Christmas Tree Contest
        1. Winner not yet announced
      4. Del Ray Gateway Project
        1. $8K now raised; $42K more needed to get matching funds
        2. Pork Barrel fundraiser and kickoff
          1. February 26, 5pm-8pm
    2. Del Ray Artisans
      1. Finished 25th anniversary year
      2. January exhibit: Sensorium (through January 28)
      3. February show: Art Squared (opening reception: February 2)
      4. Gallery Without Walls: At the Durant Center (Cameron St) through February 26
    3. Neighborhood news: Fireflies (MVA at Nelson) closed December 23th after 15 years. Folks at Live Oak plan to open a restaurant on site in Spring 2018.

     

  8. Meeting Adjourned: 8:13