D.C. Pedestrian Advisory Council Meeting Minutes September 26, 2016, 6:30 p.m. 441 4th Street NW

Attendees: Sonia Conly, Jim Elliott, Eileen McCarthy, Robin Murphy, Will Stephens, George Tobias, Jessica Tunon, Jerry Wall, George Branyan (DDOT), Peter Nohrden (DPR), Heather Edelman. Start: George Tobias convened the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Introductions: Attendees introduced themselves. George Tobias now represents Councilmember Robert White. Jim Elliott introduced himself as the new representative for Councilmember David Grosso. Elliott is a Ward 4 resident and lifelong walker and biker who is unable to drive because of a visual impairment. Public comments: Tobias said a boy in Maryland on Pennsylvania Avenue was crossing by himself and was struck. A man was hit by car on Central Avenue. Tobias advocated for more speed cameras. DDOT update: George Branyan reported that the Maryland Avenue project opponents submitted a massive FOIA request. He said the opponents are bringing up good questions that were asked and answered four years ago. Branyan reported that the District of Columbia is hosting the Street Smart campaign kick-off this year and considering holding the event at United Medical Center on Southern Avenue where two pedestrians were killed in 2015 and a HAWK signal has been installed. Branyan said he observed the location and that some pedestrians are using the signal. The Street Smart event may be held October 25. The Street Smart campaign will include media, radio, and bus ads. Street Smart is starting planning for new visual images for next year to replace the tread mark images. Branyan said that DDOT has developed a concept for Benning and East Capitol to bring back to the community in late October or early November. There is also a far southeast livability study, and the corridor plan will be introduced at the next meeting. It includes a HAWK signal, a separated cycling facility, and reducing lanes with permanent parking. PAC members had a variety of questions and comments for Branyan. Eileen McCarthy asked about the Vision Zero legislation that passed and would include a crash review task force. Branyan said he will check with Jonathon Rogers for an update on plans to implement that. Sonia Conly asked how priorities are set for sidewalk repairs. Ed Carpenter at DDOT is the person to ask about priority rankings. Robin Murphy said the Minnesota Avenue construction project between Benning and East Capitol has turned out well and cars seem more organized and crosswalks more clear.

PAC business: Executive committee: Tobias said he would like the PAC to elect co-chairs. A motion was made that Robin Murphy serve as co-chair until January. The motion passed unanimously. Hiring: The group discussed hiring a new staff person. McCarthy explained that when the PAC last hired a staff person, a selection committee reviewed resumes, asked about 6 or 7 people to take an online webinar and do a summary of it. They then picked 3 or 4 to interview. The selection committee this time will be Jess Tunon, Robin Murphy and George Tobias. Holidays: The group discussed whether meeting dates should be changed because of upcoming holidays. In November, the normal meeting date would be November 28, the Monday after Thanksgiving. The group discussed switching to November 21 because several members will be out of town on November 28. McCarthy will check whether the room is available on November 21. The December meeting would be December 26. The group discussed whether to switch to December 19. The group agreed to switch to December 19 (and celebrate George Branyan’s birthday). Email address: All PAC members should have received DC Boards and Commissions email addresses. Notice about activating them was sent to personal email accounts on August 8. Approval of past minutes: Tobias made a motion to approve the July 25 minutes. McCarthy seconded it. The minutes were approved. Next meeting (October 24) in Room 1112: The group discussed topics for upcoming meetings: valet parking; sidewalk ratings report from Ed Carpenter, DDOT); Vision Zero action plan update from Jonathon Rogers; Age-Friendly DC update from Nick Kushner; snow shoveling; automated enforcement update from Lamont Hinton.