March 2016 Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)

Aurora Highlands Civic Association
Minutes from Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, 9 March 2016

MINUTES

Attendees: 27 members (see attached sign-in sheet pages 1-3).

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 PM, by President Natasha Atkins.
• Community Updates
  • Discussed the great turn out at last month’s social at Siné in Pentagon Row and noted that this month’s social will be at Crystal City Sports Pub on March 30 from 7-9 PM.
  • Noted that the county was doing a ribbon cutting ceremony for the east side of Virginia Highlands Park will be on March 13 at 1:00 PM. Laura Holman was organizing a reception for the ceremony along with some finger foods and drinks.
  • Informed everyone that the County Board approved funding for two Neighborhood Conservation projects in our neighborhood – (1) cost overruns for the Fern Street sidewalk project, which has been stalled for several years and (2) Nelly Custis park improvements. Fern Street utility work should begin this spring, followed by hardscape in the summer or early fall. Details on the Fern Street sidewalk project can be found on AHCA’s website here: https://aurorahighlands.org/news/fern-st-sidewalk- project-update/. Nelly Custis is not expected to have any action until fall at the earliest.
  • Rob Sidman spoke about the importance of the upcoming March 16 meeting at Oakridge Elementary with School Board and County representatives to discuss long-term solutions and plans to address overcrowding.
  • Two representatives from the soon to be open Whole Foods in Metropolitan Park brought lots of great snacks and refreshments for the membership, spoke about the new store, and answered questions. The representatives stressed that Whole Foods likes to be part of the community and have programs to give financial and in kind donations to community nonprofits and events. The Whole Foods is scheduled to open on June 29, 2016. Hours are not yet set, but expected to be from 7 AM to 10 PM. The store will have a coffee bar, a cooked seafood area, a juice bar, and a place to buy mixed drinks.
  • A representative from Capital Bikeshare came to discuss and obtain feedback on two proposed new locations in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood (one on South Hayes Street and 23rd Street and the other on Eads and Army Navy Drive). The presentation can be found here: https://aurorahighlands.org/wp-content/uploads/Aurora-Highlands- bikeshare-presentation.pdf. Surveys for submitting views on the two locations can be found: http://bit.ly/1VstwJH and http://bit.ly/HayesBikeshareSurvey
    • One major issue that was discussed about the Hayes Street location was the hours of rebalancing bikes. There was a suggestion that it should be limited so it is not done late at night or extremely early in the morning to disturb the neighborhood residents.
• Guest Speaker
  • County Board Member John Vihstadt made a presentation on areas of interest to the Aurora Highlands community including development, density, schools, and transportation. He also spoke about county budget and CIP processes and the long term planning efforts for Lee Highway, the Shirlington Valley area, and the Foodstar site on Columbia Pike.
  • John also spoke about the county’s updates to the county’s transportation plan including upgraded bus service, the Metroway bus service, and the new transit lanes. John noted that the “22202” comprehensive transportation study would be released soon.
• For Discussion and Vote
  • Oakridge Spring Fling festival and silent auction will going on in May. It is a fun carnival and silent auction event for the whole family which, in the past has included carnival games, rides, an old fashioned cake walk, petting zoo, a children’s used book fair, pony rides, and silent auction. Proceeds help the Oakridge PTA fund critical student programs not covered in the school budget.
  •  MOTION – Cheryl Mendonsa moved to have AHCA donate $250 in support of the Oakridge Spring Fling. Motion seconded. Motion passed without objection.
• Meeting Adjourned at 9:03 PM by President Natasha Atkins

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