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Community Liaison Council Meeting
Minutes
February 16, 2006, 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Visitor Information Center, Building 45 (Natcher Building)
National Institutes of Health
HANDOUTS
- NIH Campus Map
- February 2006–NIH News in Health
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
By John T. Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, NIH
Mr. Burklow gave an update on the search for a new OCL director,
explaining that they were presently in the midst of interviews
and hoped to select someone soon. Mr. Burklow announced that
Building 33 would be officially opened and dedicated on the
afternoon of May 2, 2006. CLC members will be invited to tour
the building prior to the official dedication ceremony.
Mr. Burklow mentioned that at the last CLC agenda subcommittee
meeting, the group had a discussion on the dynamics of the
Council and the relationship between NIH and the CLC. The
subcommittee had concluded that NIH needs to prepare and be
proactive regarding possible questions that members of the
Council may ask during a presentation. The agenda subcommittee
will aid in this effort. Ms. Ginny Miller added that the Council
should be more polite to NIH staff and presenters. It is a
two-way street and each side of the table needs to remember
to value each other and all the knowledge that is brought
to these meetings.
PRESENTATIONS
General Updates
By Ron Wilson, Acting Director, Division of Facilities Planning,
ORFDO, OD, NIH
Mr. Wilson informed the Council that a neighbor had suggested
that NIH employees turn off the lights in the Porter Building
(Building 35) at night because the lights were intrusive.
NIH has talked with the building facility manager, who has
issued an e-mail request to all building occupants for staff
to please turn off office lights when they leave the building
in the evening. Mr. Wilson clarified that this is a research
building, and people are in and out at all hours. NIH’s
Office of Research Facilities (ORF) will give this voluntary
compliance a trial of one month and evaluate its impact on
reducing the light from the building after normal work hours.
If this trial doesn’t work, ORF will re-study the problem.
The second item on Mr. Wilson’s agenda was closure
of the temporary parking lots, which is scheduled for February
24. The lots scheduled to close include T-17N, T-38, T-45,
and T-41C. The gravel and fill must first be removed and then
the original grade restored before these areas can be returned
to green space. Mr. Ralph Schofer asked where the fill would
be taken. Mr. Kenny Floyd explained that what would be removed
was gravel and a kind of fabric that stabilized the gravel
but allowed water drainage. Mr. Schofer asked where will the
contents of these temporary lots be disposed of and if the
removed material would create an environmental problem elsewhere.
Mr. Wilson agreed that he would talk to the Project Officer
and follow up on Mr. Schofer’s question regarding final
disposal of the material. Mr. Stephen Sawicki wondered if
the same contractor would also be restoring the staging lot
that was used for materials when the perimeter fence was built.
ORF confirmed that the same contractor will restore both areas
and this area will be returned to green space. The small lot
on Medlars Drive is not being removed at this time because
it provides some needed parking and does not need to be removed
to meet County storm water requirements.
Ms. Miller asked if the scheduled lot removals would meet
State and County requirements for parking and if they would
enable NIH to adhere to the parking space/employee ratio.
Mr. Wilson answered that prior to summer 2005, NIH was bound
by a 0.5 parking ratio, which equated to one parking space
for every two employees. However, during summer 2005, the
National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) adopted a new
standard that lowered the ratio to 0.33, which equates to
one parking space for every three employees. NIH is working
on lowering its parking to come closer to the new ratio; however,
the end result will most likely lie between the proposed 0.33
and the previous 0.5. One issue is the effect on NIH’s
ability to recruit and/or retain employees. Mr. Wilson explained
that NIH is working with NCPC on interim steps related to
establishing a new ratio, some of which will be implemented
by May 2006 as part of the NIH’s semiannual traffic
reporting.
Mr. Wilson’s next item was the light at Wilson Drive
and Rockville Pike, where work has begun on installing a permanent
light source to illuminate the area more. The State Highway
Administration has the responsibility for putting in a crosswalk
and pedestrian crossing signals. Several months ago, NIH had
been informed that the State intended to put in these items,
but there had been a change in personnel, and the State is
also having funding problems. It appears that these projects
may take at least six months to complete.
Mr. Schofer inquired about steps NIH plans to take to prevent
illegal left turns out of the NIH campus from North Drive
onto Rockville Pike. Mr. Tom Hayden showed pictures of the
intersection at North Drive and Rockville Pike, which has
now been channeled for a right turn only onto Rockville Pike
from the NIH campus. NIH has informed its employees that this
intersection is now a right-turn only onto Rockville Pike.
Further, Mr. Hayden is working with the State Highway Administration
to remove the median cut in Rockville Pike that enables motorists
to make a left, thereby eliminating this problem.
Mr. Wilson announced the removal and replacement of some
crab apple trees by the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
These trees are very old and are starting to die, so they
must be removed and replaced. Mr. Burklow mentioned that a
story had been placed in the NIH Record to prepare
employees for the removal of the trees.
Finally, Mr. Wilson informed the Council that Building 36
was about to be demolished and that NIH has taken measures
to control noise and dust associated with the demolition.
The Project Officer is aware of community concerns and that
is why the building will be selectively demolished and not
hit with a big wrecking ball. Rather, small equipment will
be used, and the building will be torn down from the inside.
A large plastic sheet was installed on the east side of Building
36 to prevent dust leakage; the office equipment has already
been removed; and the building has been decontaminated. Mr.
Floyd indicated that all contaminants have been removed and
the decommissioning process completed. The demolition must
proceed carefully because otherwise it might affect research
in surrounding buildings. Mr. Wilson explained that this project
would be the site of the second phase of the Porter Research
Center. Ms. Miller asked what would happen to the demolition
material and how long it would take to remove it. Mr. Wilson
explained that the majority of the material would be taken
out at Lincoln Drive. (Following the meeting, Mr. Wilson learned
that the trucks carrying debris would leave the campus via
the South Drive and Old Georgetown Road entrance. This was
subsequently reported to members.) Most of the work is planned
to take place between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays,
although some work could also occur on weekends. The entire
demolition process should be completed by the end of September
2006.
Noise Abatement
By Kenny Floyd, ORF, OD, NIH
Mr. Floyd announced that the consultant would arrive at NIH
on February 17 for approximately five days to gather the third
set of measurements. Mr. Floyd acknowledged that the third
and final set of measurements had been slightly delayed by
the contractor and he has challenged the contractor about
meeting their time frame. Mr. Floyd has been guaranteed that
this visit will complete this phase of the project. The preliminarily
data will be sent out today to the subgroup for review. It
is anticipated that by the spring of 2006 the measurements
and data collection should be complete, to be followed by
modeling and mitigation phases. Mr. Tony Clifford informed
the Council that once the total project finances have been
determined, the NIH Repair and Improvement Board would review
the potential mitigations that could be undertaken based on
preliminary data from the noise contractor to approve or disapprove
funds. He believes that the board will give it a high priority
for funding, but they must weigh any projects against other
critical needs of the agency. Mr. Burklow has communicated
with members of NIH senior staff, and they were in agreement
that the problem must be resolved as soon as possible. Ms.
Lesley Hildebrand voiced her concern that the study was stretching
out far longer than planned. Mr. Floyd replied that he had
challenged the contractor about the time frame and had been
guaranteed that this visit was the last for measurements,
at least for this phase.
South Lawn
By Tony Clifford, Chief Engineer, ORF, OD, NIH
Mr. Clifford noted the County storm water outfall daylights
from the underground on County land located near Maple Ridge
Road and the NIH property line on the south side of the campus
and near the South Lawn. The water drains onto the NIH property,
rather than through a neighborhood storm drainpipe system.
Mr. Clifford explained that Mr. Floyd from NIH had been working
with the County and their environmental protection staff to
aid in a solution for this issue. The County’s only
recommendation was for NIH to plant some special trees and
ground cover on the NIH property to aid in absorption as well
as re-grade the land near the NIH open site drain. At this
time there is no County project to redirect their storm water
via underground pipes to an acceptable storm water receptor.
The recently installed NIH surface drain that was done as
part of the South Lawn project is some 50 feet away from the
County property and it does not capture the storm water before
it flows the length of the South Lawn. It is expected that
because of some topography problems, water is flowing around
the surface drain into the new swale.
Mr. Clifford stated that a series of underground pipes had
been specifically designed and installed to collect rainwater
and solve South Lawn drainage issue. The water may not be
getting into the pipes and therefore still collects on the
South Lawn, making it soggy. Mr. Clifford said he plans to
see if drainage is occurring in the pipes by using TV cameras
to inspect all underground lines in March. Based on the evidence,
he does not think this drainage field is working. Mr. Clifford
observed that the swale along the south side of the field
is filled with water during storms as evident by the disruption
of grass and leaves in the swale. This water appears to come
from the County storm line. Mr. Clifford also thought that
a lack of grass growth in the area is another reason that
the lawn is soggy. This leads him to be concerned that the
area will become a hard surface when summer heat comes and
the area has time to dry out. Given all the issues related
to the South Lawn, Mr. Clifford announced NIH plans to hire
a new consultant to study the all the issues related to the
South Lawn, including drainage and safety issues as well as
community concerns, and evaluate reasonable next steps to
address the South Lawn. An update on progress to inspect the
drainpipes and to hire the consultant to provide a fresh look
at drainage and safety concerns would be made at the March
meeting.
CLC ROUND ROBIN
Ms. Miller announced that Suburban Hospital would be forming
a community council similar to the CLC and that CLC members
will be asked to join. The hospital recognized the good work
that the CLC had done with NIH and wished to implement something
similar for their communication network with the neighborhood.
Dr. Lucy Ozarin and Mr. Sawicki reported that they had seen
a motorized scooter on the bicycle path. The scooter appeared
to be electric and possibly driven by an NIH employee. The
council asked if there is a policy against the use of such
a vehicle on the path. Several council members believe that
such activity should be prohibited in this area because the
path is not wide enough for motorized and pedestrian traffic
but also agreed that they needed to know more information.
Mr. Hayden will talk to the chief of police and look further
into this issue.
Ms. Hildebrand wondered how much activity the Commercial
Vehicle Inspection Station would have on weekends when it
is completed. Mr. Wilson answered that he didn’t think
very much, because it is primarily designed to accommodate
commercial traffic during normal working hours. Ms. Hildebrand
said the reason for the question was that years ago, NIH collected
hazardous materials, like batteries and the like, for recycling.
She suggested that perhaps this Vehicle Inspection Station
could occasionally be used for this on weekends. It used to
occur twice a year. And there was also a day when you could
bring old computer parts. Mr. Floyd said that NIH was very
much interested in doing this again as a service to the community.
Mr. Randy Schools mentioned Bethesda days with the Nationals.
Council members in addition to community groups can buy blocks
of tickets from his office and attend the games. His office
works to offer free tickets for the circus to kids otherwise
unable to attend. Also, the United Way was looking for people
to serve on grant review committees to ensure fairness to
agencies. Ms. Miller mentioned that she worked to distribute
toys to children in need, and she could give Mr. Schools the
contact person in the Housing Opportunity Commission to aid
in generating a list of needy kids. Mr. Schools added that
a paraplegic child who had been an early participant in the
NIH’s Camp Fantastic and Project Love had been selected
for the Special Olympics.
Mr. Sawicki added that there was a large standing puddle
at Rosewood, below the temporary staging area. Mr. Clifford
said he would look into it.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Burklow adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
The next CLC meeting will be on March 16.
ACTION ITEMS
- Mr. Burklow will update the CLC regarding the OCL director
selection process.
- Mr. Floyd will send out preliminary noise survey data
to CLC members on the noise abatement work group.
- Mr. Floyd will work with the acoustics consultant to arrange
a meeting with the CLC.
- Mr. Clifford plans to use a TV camera to inspect the drainage
pipes under the South Lawn to see if the system is functioning.
- Mr. Clifford will meet with an outside consultant to obtain
new ideas/solutions for the South Lawn problems.
- Mr. Clifford will investigate the large standing puddle
at Rosewood below the temporary staging area.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
- Campus tour to include:
- Building 33—C.W. Bill Young Laboratory
- Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility
CLC Members Present
Marian Bradford, Camelot Mews Citizens Association
John Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, OD, NIH
Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
Darrell Lemke, Bethesda Parkview Citizens Association
Janice Marks, Ayrlawn Community Association
Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont
Ginny Miller, Co-Chair, CLC, Wyngate Citizens Association
Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association
Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH
Stephen N. Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
Randy Schools, Recreation & Welfare Association, NIH
Deborah Snead, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center
Guests
Marin Allen, OCPL, OD, NIH
Anthony Clifford, ORF, OD, NIH
Kenny Floyd, ORF, OD, NIH
Anna Franz, ORF, OD, NIH
Tom Hayden, ORS, OD, NIH
Brad Moss, ORS, OD, NIH
Shelly Pollard, OCPL, OD, NIH
Terry Taylor, Palladian Partners, Inc.
J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association
Chris Williams, Gazette News
Ronald Wilson, ORF, OD, NIH
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