Membership Meeting Minutes-June 12, 2019

Posted onAuthorDRCA Secretary

Agenda

  1. Welcome, Annie Ebbers, DRCA President
  2. Alexandria Police Report, Capt Dennis Andreas
  3. Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Report, Lt. Sean Casey
  4. Elections
  5. Special Guest: Lee Ness, Del Ray Historian
  6. Update on MVCS Playground, Annie Ebbers
  7. Committee Reports
    1. Parks Committee, Jon Quandt
  8. Announcements

  1. Welcome, Annie Ebbers, DRCA President
    1. Introduced current Board and welcomes new members.
  2. Alexandria Police Report, Capt Dennis Andreas
    1. Crime
      1. Narcan equipped LEOs (also AFD)
      2. 2018 stats
        1. 1.7% decrease part 1 citywide, in Del Ray:  -5.5% decrease
        2. YTD: down 4%
        3. Larcenies:
          1. Reminder lock up cars, remove valuable, lock bikes
      3. Traffic
        1. Report problems to City’s Call-Click-Connect or non emergency number (703-746-4444)
        2. Chatter on NextDoor doesn’t help if an event hasn’t been reported
        3. Q:Fender bender tonight at Braddock to Monroe. Speeding related
        4. Q: Windsor and Russell Road made 4-way stop (flasher removed)
        5. Traffic stats
          1. Traffic stops down by double-digits
          2. Complaints increasing = problem
  3. Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Report, Lt. Sean Casey
    1. Introduction
    2. Alert: New jury duty scams: ASO never asks for money
    3. If money taken, report via non emergency number (703-746-4444) or directly to ASO.
  4. DRCA Elections
    1. The Nominations and Elections Committee presented the following incomplete slate:
      1. President: vacant
      2. Vice President: Betsy Whalen
      3. Treasurer: Amber Gould
      4. Secretary: Sean Crumley
      5. Activities Director: vacant
      6. Membership Director: Sarah Turkaly
      7. Chief Information Officer: Amy Vander Vleet
    2. The candidates were elected by acclamation
    3. Incoming Board pledge to find and fill vacancies over the summer.
  5. Special Guest: Lee Ness, Del Ray Historian
    1. Lee shared his knowledge of Del Ray history
    2. Highlights:
      1. Mount Vernon Avenue once dotted with many small groceries (3 Safeways, 2 A&P, 1-2 Acmes)
      2. These small footprint properties largely kept big-box retailers out of neighborhood.
      3. St. Asaph Racetrack lasted two years before becoming a betting parlor for remote races)
      4. Data on the age of houses in Del Ray unreliable but not because town records were burnt upon annexation in 1930 (story is apocryphal)
      5. Potomac Yard a major employer from 1905 till the 80’s. When it closed, it sent rats scurrying into the neighborhood looking for food.
  6. Update on MVCS Playground, Annie Ebbers
    1. 2011 idea–>2014 planning effort started–>2014-15 fundraising–> 2018 construction[–> 2019 opening]
    2. $732K construction budget with $182 in community fundraising.
      1. DRCA contributed $12K
  7. Committee Reports
    1. Parks Committee, Jon Quandt
      1. Parks needs volunteers!
      2. Simpson Park has greatest need(size) but Mason needs a steward.
  8. Announcements
    1. DRCA Executive Board:
      1. $500 contributed to Art on the Avenue, approved by Board
      2. “Kettle Park” met fundraising goal and is now with the Naming Committee
    2. Del Ray Artisans:
      1. Current show: Chakras show (June)
      2. Reception for Summer Solstice on “Well Ray Eve”(
      3. Two weeks of Youth Art Camp 7/15, 7/22
      4. GUAC (Grown-up Arts Camp) rebranded as Creative Summer Program
      5. August show : Fresh Meat (featuring art work by new DRA members)