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Community Liaison Council Meeting Minutes
December 19, 2002, 4–6 p.m.
Natcher Conference Center, Building 45, Conference Room D
DRAFT

HANDOUTS

  • Agenda, December, 19, 2002, Community Liaison Council (CLC)
  • November 21, 2002, CLC Meeting Minutes
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) CLC Member Roster (as of December 18, 2002)

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Dr. Tom Gallagher convened the meeting and proposed a New Year's resolution to begin CLC meetings promptly at 4 p.m. Another goal, he said, is to visit with each Council homeowner's association at least once in 2003. He estimated that achieving such a goal would entail scheduling meetings with at least three groups per month. Dr. Gallagher hopes to be invited to or notified about association meetings by CLC members. Dr. Gallagher said this final meeting of the year would be brief and that a holiday reception, to be held in Natcher Center's Atrium Lobby, would immediately follow. He invited members to meet and greet the former Office of Community Liaison (OCL) director, Janyce Hedetniemi, and other invited guests at the reception.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Holiday Donations
 Randy Schools, NIH Recreation & Welfare Association, announced that Bethesda Cares, http://www.bethesdacares.com, a community outreach program for the homeless, and Share will provide food worth $40 to $50 at a cost of $15 per month for those in need or for those who are retired and living on limited incomes in the Bethesda area. He said this nondenominational partnership is coordinated by Catholic Charities under a federal program. Mr. Schools said people can register to receive food until January 13, 2003, at four community locations. He said distribution would take place on the third Friday of each month, beginning January 24th, at Old Georgetown Rd. and Edgemoor Ave. in Bethesda [from 5 to 7 p.m.]. Mr. Schools suggested that a program schedule and promotional materials be attached to the December CLC minutes.

Ms. Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association, asked if Bethesda Cares is soliciting donations of winter garments (coats, hats, gloves). Mr. Schools said those items were welcome. Mr. Schools added that the manager of the Hyatt contributed toys and clothing for distribution to 300 local families.

Ginny Miller, Wyngate Citizens Association, said that each year the Bethesda Rescue Squad identifies those in need and collects truckloads of toy donations at three Bethesda firehouses. She said the toys are distributed at Magruder's Crossing in Bethesda.

Minutes Corrections
Dr. Mort Goldman, Luxmanor Citizens Association, said he would pass corrections to the November 2002 CLC minutes along to Terry LaMotte of Palladian Partners, Inc.


PRESENTATIONS

Directors' Perspectives
by Dr. Thomas Gallagher, Director, OCL, NIH; and Janyce Hedetniemi, former OCL Director, NIH

Dr. Gallagher noted that during his 5 months as director there have been several OCL staff changes. In November, long-time staff member Jennie Kirby resigned to return to Arkansas. Kimberly Cragg has now joined Sharon Robinson on the OCL staff; Ms. Robinson had been the sole staffer for more than a month. Management intern Walter Mitton left to take another rotational assignment with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); however, Dr. Gallagher said he would return to the OCL in 6 months.

Dr. Gallagher remarked on current CLC undertakings. In particular, he referred to the perimeter fence and attempts to resolve the issue of community access to the Metro. He also mentioned NIH green areas, which provide 45 to 47 acres of space outside the fence for neighbors' use. He said he has also learned about problems and issues previously encountered by the CLC. He invited Ms. Hedetniemi to give her perspective on CLC's work during the past eight years.

Ms. Hedetniemi lauded the CLC for its input and work on the 1995 Master Plan, acknowledging that this input greatly enhanced the plan. She felt that CLC accomplishments in 2002 were part of a long line of continuous accomplishments over eight years. Everywhere one looks on the Campus, she said, the Council's influence can be seen. She cited CLC comments and deliberations on the Clinical Center, the power plant, elimination of the incinerator, the utility tunnel, the fire house, the Children's Inn addition, and the Family Lodge. Ms. Hedetniemi added that CLC members had stayed focused on planning throughout the review and discussion process, and had done so in a civil manner. She commended and credited the CLC for being a unique contributor and noted that no other federal agency has a community-involvement body as strong as NIH's CLC. In closing, Ms. Hedetniemi said that CLC input is invaluable, and its partnership with a federal agency is extraordinary. She mentioned CLC accomplishments and commended the CLC for staying with it, for raising objections, for being willing to accept responsibility as civil activists, and most of all for voluntarily making biomedical science possible by providing community input.

Dr. Gallagher added that three federal agencies have invited him to speak about forming an organization such as the CLC, and that he has met four times with one group about community-liaison activities. He said the CLC deserves the credit, and he cannot think of a better way to conduct such a group.

Updates on NIH Projects and Timelines
by Stella Serras-Fiotes, Director, Office of Facilities Planning (OFP), Office of Research Services (ORS), NIH

Dr. Gallagher noted that the CLC will have several challenges in the year ahead, including the proposed BSL-3 laboratory and the gas pipeline. He said the next CLC meeting would be held on Thursday, January 30th [a week later than regular monthly CLC meetings], and that a presentation and discussion about the BSL-3 laboratory, Building 33, would be on the agenda. He asked Stella Serras-Fiotes to convey the status of projects addressed at previous CLC meetings.

Stoney Creek Stormwater Management Facility
Ms. Serras-Fiotes said the stormwater management pond's 65-percent design concept is expected in January and will be presented to the CLC in February. Montgomery County and NIH officials ultimately will submit the design to the Maryland–National Park and Planning Commission (M–NCPPC).

NIH Master Plan Update
Ms. Serras-Fiotes said the 2002 Master Plan Update preliminary draft is undergoing final revisions. This version will be presented to CLC for discussion in January or February, before publishing the final draft for public review. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) will review the document in May or June.

Gas Pipeline
An apparently successful offer was accepted for the gas pipeline installation, with a signing anticipated in late January. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said this item may be presented at the February CLC meeting.

Other Construction Projects
There are several ongoing projects on Campus, including construction on the Clinical Research Center, the fire station, the Neuroscience Research Center, the Children's Inn expansion, and the Family Lodge, which is slated to break ground in January. Ms. Serras-Fiotes added that the perimeter fence and gates were tabled at the December 5, 2002, NCPC meeting. She said NIH is considering comments made at this meeting.


ITEMS OF DISCUSSION

Crane Boom
Dr. Lucy Ozarin, Whitehall Condominium Association, inquired about a tall triangular structure at the east end of the power plant. Anthony Clifford, director, Division of Engineering Services (DES), ORS, NIH, said the structure is a temporary crane boom that is scheduled for removal when the co-generator pipe is complete. He added that the co-generator pipe is now at its maximum height.

Bethesda Naval Medical Center Fence Project
Ms. Miller reported reading a newspaper article about the fence design associated with the Bethesda Naval Medical Center, where neighbors would like a fence that is more attractive than the 10-foot chain-link barbed-wire-topped fence now behind the Center. They think the front fence is attractive. Ms. Miller said the Center didn't expect public comments because there is no Metro stop on that side of Wisconsin Ave.

George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway Citizens Association, noted that the [white] fence pillars under construction at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center, on the east side of Wisconsin Ave., would distract passersby, especially because it would contrast with the fence [pickets and pillars] proposed for NIH's perimeter.

Lighting on the Neuroscience Building
Stephen Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association, inquired about the four-story-tall lights that illuminate the Porter Neuroscience Building every night. Mr. Clifford said he thought the lights could be turned off when construction crews are not present.


ADJOURNMENT
Dr. Gallagher invited the CLC meeting attendees to join other invited guests at the holiday reception in the Atrium of Natcher Center and adjourned the meeting.


NEXT CLC MEETING
The next CLC meeting will be held January 30, 2003. The agenda will focus on Building 33, the proposed BSL-3 laboratory.


ACTION ITEMS

  • Palladian Partners will attach a schedule and promotional materials for the Bethesda Cares program to the December 2002 CLC meeting minutes.
  • Dr. Mort Goldman will provide suggestions for corrections to the November 21, 2002, CLC Meeting Minutes.
  • Mr. Clifford will inquire about turning off the night time lights situated on the Neuroscience Center.


ATTENDEES

CLC Members

  • Tom Gallagher, Ph.D., Director, OCL, OD, NIH
  • Lorraine Bell, Palladian Partners, Inc.
  • Jeanne Billings, Wisconsin Avenue Condominium Association
  • Bela Ceja, NIH Alumni Association
  • Anthony Clifford, DES, ORS, OD, NIH
  • Jack Costello, Bethesda Parkview Citizens Association
  • Kimberly Cragg, OCL, OD, NIH
  • Steve Ficca, ORS, OD, NIH
  • Morton Goldman, Sc.D., Luxmanor Citizens Association
  • Jeanne Goldstein, Montgomery County Civic Federation
  • Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
  • Terry LaMotte, Palladian Partners, Inc.
  • Eric Larsen, Sonoma Citizens Association
  • Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont
  • Debbie Michaels, Glenbrook Village Homeowners Association
  • Ginny Miller, Wyngate Citizens Association
  • George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway Citizens Association
  • Kristin O'Conner, M–NCPPC
  • Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association
  • Karen L. Pierce, Suburban Hospital Foundation
  • Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association
  • Stephen Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
  • Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
  • Randy Schools, Recreation & Welfare Association, NIH
  • Stella Serras-Fiotes, OFP, ORS, OD, NIH
  • Richard D. Sipe, Camelot Mews Citizens Association
  • Deborah Snead, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center
  • J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association

Guests

  • Sgt. Udon C. Cheek, NIH Police Department
  • David Chung, ORS, OD, NIH
  • Catherine Dolinski, Gazette
  • Carol Garvey, Montgomery County, Department of Health and Human Services
  • James Hadley, NIAID, NIH
  • Tom Hayden, OFP, ORS, OD, NIH
  • Janyce N. Hedetniemi, former OCL Director
  • Lt. Mark E. Knowles, NIH Police Department
  • Charles Leasure, OD, NIH
  • Valerie Nottingham, EPB, NIH
  • Ed Pfiefer, EPB, NIH
  • Tapas Pradhan, Member, Transportation Working Group
  • Howard Roseman, Member, Environmental Impacts Working Group
  • Judy Vandegriff, Member, Environmental Impacts Working Group
  • Shalanda Young, OLPA, NIH