Committee Members In Attendance:
Commissioner Kevin O’Connor (2B02)
Commissioner Noah Smith (2B09)
Discussion on March 10th Public Safety Meeting
The meeting, over all, was successful. Several follow-up items were identified.
1) Work with business to lobby ABRA/Council to institute a liaison to businesses. The ANC will work to promote this position and help over come the “us versus them” mentality that can arise between neighbors, the ANC, and business owners.
2) Work with Police around the timing and outreach of the Club Action Team (CAT). Try to promote use of the CAT on Sundays.
3) The ANC should move to show more support for soft closings. This will help alleviate the noise issues that arise from all bars releasing patrons at the same time
Based on initial conversations, the ANC believes the ABRA/DCRA/MPD Noise Task Force has helped successfully mitigate noise south of Dupont Circle
ABC Establishment Promoter Licensing Act of 2014
The Committee was not clear as to what, in particular, the proposed legislation would adequately address. It is unclear what the objective would be.
Additionally, the Committee was concerned about the narrow scope of the proposed legislation, which wouldn’t apply to many categories of promoting that may or may not be bad actors.
The legislation focuses more on registration and less on distinguishing good versus bad behavior.
The Committee does not believe that the legislation will address “morphing.”
The Committee recommends establishing a voluntary registration process for promoters, where promoters may voluntarily take the initiative to register with ABRA. This may make a promoter more attractive to businesses hiring, which would offer an incentive to register. There should also be training offered to promoters, which should have specific components that have been developed by ABRA, business owners, promoters, and community input.
Protest Updates
Midtown (2B05): April 2014 protest date, near agreement on Settlement Agreement
Dirty Martini (2B05): April 2014 protest, near agreement on Settlement Agreement
Rose Bar (2B05): Protested as of 2/18/2014, near agreement on Settlement Agreement
Public Bar (2B06): Settlement Agreement agreed upon by all parties
18th St Lounge (2B06): Protest re-instated at March 2014 Meeting
Bar Code (2B05): still negotiating over use of public space – April 2014 protests date
Bar Charley (2B08): Settlement Agreement signed by all parties.
Chi-Cha Lounge (2B08): Awaiting update