HANDOUTS
- Agenda
- January 15, 2004 Minutes Community Liaison Council
Member list as of February 19, 2004
- NIH Hazardous Waste Permit Overview
- NIH Bethesda Master Plan Update Major Milestones
- Letter to Prime NIH Contractors [from Division
of Real Property Acquisition Services, ORF, NIH]
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Tom Gallagher, Director, Office of Community Liaison
(OCL), Office of the Director (OD), National Institutes
of Health (NIH) and Co-Chair, Community Liaison Council
(CLC), welcomed members and guests. He introduced Ellen
Pak, a newly-assigned reporter from the Gazette
newspaper, and Kenny Floyd, Division of Environmental
Protection, OD, NIH, who was present to provide information
about the NIH hazardous waste permit renewal process.
In addition, he introduced Amy Blackburn, a new management
intern in the OCL.
PRESENTATIONS
Presentation on NIH Hazardous Waste Permit
by Kenny Floyd, ORS, OD
Mr. Floyd said the purpose of his brief presentation
was to inform the CLC that the NIH would renew its five-year
Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) hazardous waste
permit. He said that there would be a public notice
in the published in newspapers to that effect.
Mr. Floyd distributed a handout, which outlined the
background, general description, waste types and characteristics,
waste analysis, process information-container management,
treatments of waste, procedures to prevent hazards and
provide security, and contingency, personnel training,
and closure plans. Council members asked Mr. Floyd several
questions about information in this four-page document.
[The handout noted that the entire two-volume permit
application would be placed in either the Bethesda or
Chevy Chase Library for public review.]
Tom Robertson, Parkwood Residents Association, asked
whether the new laboratory Building 33 had caused any
modification of the permit. Mr. Floyd said that the
permit covered Building 21, the disposal processing
location. He noted that waste from all NIH research
was collected at Building 21, segregated into approximately
50 drums, and then sent to a disposal site. He said
the process included neutralization of acids and bases
and the destruction of organic waste. Ginny Miller,
Wyngate Citizens Association, asked where other wastes
were disposed of and how often the WSSC inspections
took place. Mr. Floyd replied that solid wastes went
to a landfill. He reported that the authorization permit
allowed a small amount of low -level radioactive and
organic wastes to be discharged into the sanitary sewer
. He noted that there were strict limits on the amount
of radiation that could be discharged , established
by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and on organic
content, established by the Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission. Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association,
asked about the half-life of the discharged radioactive
waste. Mr. Floyd said it depended on the isotopes involved
. However, he emphasized that the NRC strictly limits
amounts released into the sewer. He added that the WSSC
conducted semi-annual inspections. Stephen N. Sawicki,
Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association, asked for information
about who handled the waste disposal. Mr. Floyd said
a contractor handled waste disposal, under NIH supervision.
In follow-up, Mr. Sawicki asked if this outsourcing
had been going on for a long time. Mr. Floyd replied
it had been since the 1980s.
Mr. Floyd said that he would be willing to make a formal
presentation at a future CLC meeting. Dr. Gallagher
observed that from the number of questions asked, Mr.
Floyd should return for a presentation at the March
18, 2004, CLC meeting.
Presentation on Gas Pipeline
by Stella Serras-Fiotes, Office of
Research Facilities Development and Operations, OD,
NIH
Ms. Serras-Fiotes announced that the gas pipeline
project had been placed on hold for the near future.
She noted that need for the pipeline had lost its immediacy
because development on the south side of the NIH Campus
had not proceeded according to the 1995 Master Plan.
Based upon this consideration, she said that the options
would be reevaluated for the short- and mid-range, and
the NIH would look at any other approach that might
be less intrusive.
Mr. Schofer asked what the NIH had told those who had
submitted proposals and quoted prices. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
said that these contractors would be formally notified
that their proposals were no longer valid. She said
that future contracts would require new proposals and
negotiations. Anthony Clifford, OFC Director, confirmed
the technical reasons for postponing the gas pipeline.
He said that procurement and contracts had been closed
and were under the control of the contract office. Dr.
Gallagher wondered when this project next would be considered.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes and Mr. Anthony said that it would
be years, not months. George Oberlander, Huntington
Parkway Citizens Association, wondered what other options
would be considered. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said these options
were too vague to evaluate and that she would need more
technical information to describe them. Mr. Oberlander
noted that residents in his association would be pleased
to hear about the postponement.
Presentation on the Master Plan Update (MPU)
by Ronald Wilson, Office of Facilities
Planning, OD, NIH
Mr. Wilson provided a handout on the Master Plan Update
(MPU), which indicated the schedule and milestones for
the approaching months. He noted that in the fall of
2003, the Department of Health and Human Services/NIH
made changes in the EIS Supplement that required incorporation
into the Master Plan. He commented on areas of focus
for the update, including the anticipated number of
employees on Campus, the building space program and
features, and other activities anticipated by the end
of the 20-year planning period. Mr. Wilson said the
preparation of the draft document would continue until
its release to the National Capital Planning Commission
(NCPC) in the summer of 2004. He said a preliminary
draft plan would be available for presentation at the
April 2004 CLC meeting.
Ms. Miller asked if this 20-year NIH Master Plan were
part of the 1995 Bethesda Master Plan, and she asked
Ms. Serras-Fiotes to review the previous planning timeframe.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes said the intention was to update the
NIH Master Plan every five years. She said that this
year’s update actually was a continuation of the
year 2000 update. Ms. Serras-Fiotes noted that the attack
on September 11, 2001 , caused NIH planning efforts
to be placed on hold. At that time, Ms. Serras-Fiotes
said, NIH was directed to implement security plans for
the Campus. Ms. Serras-Fiotes stated that the Master
Plan’s layouts and employment projections remained
intact. Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens
Association, confirmed with Ms. Serras-Fiotes that this
plan would be effective until the year 2020. Ms. Hildebrand
and Mr. Sawicki wanted to know if the employment density
and maximum number of employees on the Bethesda Campus
would be 22,000. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that current
employment was at 18,000, and that 22,000 would be the
maximum in 2020. Mr. Oberlander asked whether this MPU
had identified other NIH growth locations. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
said that although NIH employment growth was anticipated,
the plan does not specify off-Campus locations.
Mr. Wilson continued his report by noting that a 90-day
period would begin in June 2004 and that during that
time the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning
Commission would hold a meeting to review the MPU. He
thought there would be NEPA-related meetings before
the NCPC meeting in September 2004. Eleanor Rice, Locust
Hill Civic Association, asked whether the MPU would
be online to review before the April CLC meeting. Mr.
Oberlander agreed that it would be helpful to have the
document to review. Mr. Wilson said that the polished
document would not be ready at that time; however, he
said the presentation would cover the MPU’s major
features. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said the document would
be available for review when it was submitted officially
for agency and public review in June 2004.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes added that the proposals and recommendations
from three working groups—transportation, environment,
and construction should also be included in the April
presentation. Ms. Serras-Fiotes thought the EIS would
be covered as part of the NEPA review. Ms. Miller wondered
if these committees needed to reconvene to review sections
of the draft. Ms. Serras-Fiotes remarked that Ms. Miller
made a good point. In addition, Ms. Miller recommended
an off-Campus location for the public hearing, because
the security checks could deter participants from showing
up. Ms. Serras-Fiotes agreed and thought a nearby high
school auditorium should be considered to hold the hearing.
Presentation on Construction Contractor Parking
Issues
by Stella Serras-Fiotes, Office of
Research Facilities Development and Operations, OD,
NIH; Officer Denise Gill, Community Policing Coordinator,
Montgomery County Department of Police 2nd District;
and Jean Gries, Montgomery County Department of Public
Works and Transportation
Dr. Gallagher conveyed the difficulty the OCL had
in gaining the cooperation of contractors to respect
area residents’ requests and complaints about
parking and noise on streets in the vicinity of the
NIH. He said that along with Walter Mitton he had posted
notices and discussed issues. However, he said that
this type of deterrence had not been effective for long,
because the vehicle owners had come to realize that
the NIH lacked jurisdiction over off-Campus parking,
and had no means of enforcement. Dr. Gallagher said
that residential areas within a quarter mile of the
NIH had recently experienced increased commuter and
contractor parking. Because parking had been an issue
raised during several previous CLC meetings, he felt
that efforts to deal with the situation and potential
solutions should be discussed. Dr. Gallagher had invited
Officer Denise Gill, Community Policing Coordinator,
Montgomery County Department of Police 2nd District;
and Jean Gries, Montgomery County Department of Public
Works and Transportation to address possible solutions
and the legal and enforcement issues involved.
Dr. Gallagher noted that the County and police had
been helpful in resolving situations on Glenwood and
Hempstead . Dr. Gallagher had contacted the County because
unpleasant confrontations were taking place between
residents and those who were parking. He said the County
had installed two- or three-hour parking signs because
parking on both sides of the street in those locations
essentially blocked the passage of emergency and other
large vehicles.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes shared a letter sent to prime contractors
reminding them of existing contractual parking restrictions
and the locations of authorized off-Campus parking with
shuttle service. In addition, she said this letter announced
that the NIH would begin to incorporate additional parking
restrictions into new contracts that would require personnel
to park in designated areas, not to include residential
areas.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes said prime contractors and representatives
of their major subcontractors had been asked to attend
a meeting with the Director of ORFDO on February 20,
2004 . In addition, she said this meeting would provide
an opportunity to share the problems caused by contractor
employees who park in residential areas and to clarify
how current contract language was being interpreted.
She said the NIH wanted to indicate their support of
the measures taken by the County parking and police
authorities. Ms. Serras-Fiotes remarked that the NIH
legal department would propose stronger language in
future contracts regarding monitoring and enforcement
of parking regulations. She hoped that contractors would
be responsible for developing specific parking plans,
including where to park, providing shuttle service,
and monitoring and overseeing compliance. Ms. Serras-
Fiotes promised no quick fix but emphasized that the
NIH was making a focused and concerted effort to address
the concerns of the neighbors.
Stephen N. Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association,
asked about the 150 spaces designated for contractor
parking. Ms. Serras-Fiotes reported that 150 parking
spaces for construction workers at a lot on Pooks Hill
Road had been adequate several months earlier. However,
she noted that this lot was now overbooked and was filled
by 5:45 a.m. Mr. Sawicki asked whether contractors had
secured parking areas for their employees. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
said this would be learned during the meeting on the
20th. Dr. Gallagher said that he hoped a solution would
result when prime contractors provided assistance.
Ms. Miller thought that if fines were imposed it would
be an effective tool to deter illegal parking. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
said there were ways to attach incentives and disincentives.
Mr. Schofer suggested placing a time clock at the parking
site. Ms. Serras-Fiotes and Dr. Gallagher said that
after the meeting with contractors a report would be
made to the CLC.
Dr. Gallagher asked Tom Hayden, ORF, OD, NIH, how many
passengers the NIH perimeter shuttle had been carrying.
Mr. Hayden reported that on average 67 riders used the
shuttle service. He said another count in March would
indicate any change in ridership after the security
fence was completed and operational.
Ms. Miller heard at a Bethesda neighborhood meeting
that the police did not investigate calls and complaints
made by residents about illegal parking and late-night
construction. Although she said she was aware of the
priorities of the police, she hoped that the problem
would receive some attention. Mr. Schofer reported that
many trucks were parking on Elsmere, Linden , and Cedar
Crest, and that one Virginia-licensed truck had received
10 tickets for parking too close to the corner where
pedestrians crossed. He noted widespread neighborhood
parking by those attending soccer games at local fields
and said that often no police officers came. He had
learned that towing occurred only when the vehicle had
delinquent parking tickets. Ms. Gries said that affected
neighborhoods would be eligible to apply for residential
parking permits and these areas would then have signs
posting restrictions at all entrances.
Officer Denise Gill, Montgomery County Police, noted
that some complaints, such as noise, were under the
purview of other County departments. She noted a plethora
of parking in the overall Bethesda area. Officer Gill
encouraged residents to telephone the precinct to report
parking situations and to state their willingness to
meet the officer in person to communicate the circumstances
encountered. She said the scope of the problem would
be more apparent if it were seen from the perspective
of the resident. She emphasized the importance of beat
officers understanding the impact of the situation on
those who experienced it. Although Officer Gill said
reports could be anonymous, she thought it would be
helpful if problems and parking complaints were explained
to the officer. She said the officer would leave a name
and telephone number. Officer Gill stated that she needed
to hear from residents if this approach did not work.
In addition, Officer Gill mentioned an initiative to
assign permanent shifts to officers in order to improve
community relations and to provide continuity in solving
repeating issues.
Ms. Hildebrand wondered where to report suspected illegal
use of residential parking permits by NIH employees. Ms.
Gries provided the telephone number, (240) 777-8740, of
the County parking operations office, and she said it
would be helpful to supply the permit number for the person
registered, as well as the location and description of
the vehicle. Ms. Rice hoped that County officials would
encourage parking enforcement personnel to aggressively
pursue ticketing of illegally parked vehicles. Mr. Sawicki
said that on weekends his neighborhood’s streets
had been filled with vehicles. He said his neighborhood
association members had worked with the police department
and developed a courtesy letter explaining the problem
and listing infractions, penalties, and fines for parking
illegally. Mr. Sawicki said residents circled the specific
infraction and placed the letter on the windshield of
the vehicle. Officer Gill felt that such a letter would
be an appropriate interim measure. Dr. Gallagher cautioned
against too much interaction between residents and those
parking because of potential angry confrontations. Officer
Gill said she had participated two years earlier on a
task force regarding these issues. She offered to collaborate
with neighborhood associations and to work with them on
any good suggestions.
Discussion of Other Traffic Items
Northeast Campus Construction Truck
Staging Area
Mr. Schofer had reported a backup of construction
trucks to the OCL. He said he had received a nice e-mail
reply from Mr. Mitton. On the next day, Mr. Schofer
said that trucks were backed up on Rockville Pike. He
asked Ms. Serras-Fiotes to explain the situation. Ms.
Serras-Fiotes said that she has been coordinating information
between Mr. Mitton and the project team. She said that
typically the construction staging area held eight trucks
on-site, and that other vehicles were marshaled in a
specific manner. She said this was a one-time occurrence.
On that day, Ms. Serras-Fiotes said trucks could not
proceed onto the Campus because a crane had broken and
they could not be sent back due to an accident elsewhere.
Consequently, she said the trucks sat on Rockville Pike.
Following up, Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that this project
would be completed in three weeks and she agreed to
continue to monitor the situation.
Greentree Road at Old Georgetown
Road
Nancy Hoos, Sonoma Citizens Association, mentioned
the ongoing morning traffic situation on Greentree Road
, in which residents could not leave or enter side streets
due to backups at the South Drive employee entrance.
She attributed this backup to the inability of vehicles
to make a left turn onto Old Georgetown Road from Greentree.
Randy Schools, Recreation and Welfare Association, said
morning backups at South Drive had been caused by visitors
and patients who, not realizing that this entrance was
for employees only, pulled in and had to exit immediately.
Ms. Hildebrand noted that in the afternoon cars streamed
out of South Drive onto Greentree, and she thought the
situation could be alleviated by installing a left-turn
signal.
Ms. Miller noted that four or five years previous,
residents on Greentree Road had requested speed bumps
to slow morning traffic. She noted that drivers used
this route from the I-270 exit to reach Bethesda locations.
However, she said the County could not determine safe
locations for bumps. Ms. Serras-Fiotes offered to take
a vehicle count at this location. She noted that traffic
lights at this intersection were under the purview of
the State. Ms. Goldstein suggested that neighborhood
associations contact the County about posting “do
not enter” hours. Others noted difficulty in posting
such a sign on a major access road. Ms. Hoos suggested
that the NIH send a message to employees to be courteous
drivers and to allow neighbors to proceed.
South Drive Curb Cut
Ms. Hildebrand requested that a curb cut be installed
at the NIH southeast corner of Old Georgetown Road at
South Drive to accommodate bike riders who cannot get
to the walk signal. Mr. Hayden said he would check on
this.
West Cedar Lane Parking
Mr. Robertson suggested that West Cedar Lane ,
a four-lane road with two parallel lanes used for parking
during work hours, could instead be converted to 90-degree
angle parking on one side. He surmised that this would
allow three vehicles to be parked in the same space
as one vehicle parked parallel. He noticed that this
configuration had been used successfully in the popular
Adams-Morgan area of D.C. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that
the NIH does not control parking configurations on County
streets or State roads. Mr. Robertson hoped that the
NIH would have some influence on this matter and noted
that it would have an impact on NIH employee and contractor
parking. Mr. Schofer commented that a traffic engineer
suggesting angled parking on this street would have
his or her license suspended. He felt that it would
be dangerous to back out of a parking space onto this
high-speed, highly trafficked route.
Presentation on the Drop-off at Garden Lane
on West Cedar Lane
by Tom Hayden, Transportation Planner,
Department of Facilities Planning, ORF, NIH
Mr. Schofer asked Ms. Serras-Fiotes why the drop-off
plan had not been discussed with the CLC before installation.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes recalled that this drop-off had been
discussed when the overall fence project was presented
to the CLC. She noted that the project had passed through
all the required reviews.
Using a poster-sized map and sketch of the intersection
of the south side of West Cedar Lane and Garden Lane,
Mr. Hayden indicated where an employee drop-off and
pick-up area have been installed next to a pedestrian
gate on the north side of the Campus.He
described the new eastbound curb cutout, including entrance,
staging area, and an exit, with a right turn only
lane heading east toward Rockville Pike. He noted the
location of a refuge island where pedestrians could
cross West Cedar Lane to enter the pedestrian gate.
Dr. Gallagher asked about egress to the westbound lane
of West Cedar Lane . Mr. Hayden said that a no left
turn sign would be installed at the exit for the
drop-off. Ms. Gries said the refuge island would be
situated on West Cedar Lane west of Cedar Crest. Mr.
Schofer asked Ms. Gries about the size of the island.
Ms. Gries said that the nine-foot island would fit in
the center lane. She added that its placement would
allow for vehicles on Cedar Crest and for the resident
whose driveway was nearby to make left turns onto West
Cedar Lane . Dr. Gallagher asked whether there would
be a sufficient waiting area for those picking up NIH
employees. Mr. Hayden said those waiting would have
designated waiting space and this would allow for others
to pull up and exit quickly.
Mr. Oberlander thought the lineup between the island
and the curbcut should be adjusted. He recommended more
study of the turning situation, because he thought it
would be very easy to proceed unlawfully and cause a
traffic problem. Ms. Gries said there would be an enforcement
issue, but she added that after monitoring signs and
curbs had been adjusted, the County would install legally
enforceable no U-turn signs to discourage drivers
from exiting and heading west on West Cedar Lane. Ms.
Gries said that the County had counted activity at this
intersection. She reported that two vehicles had turned
left at the peak hour and 13 vehicles had made left
turns there over an entire day. Mr. Schofer was worried
about increased traffic in the future. He said that
there was new construction at the Goodwill property
and exit from that property would be via Cedar Crest.
Mr. Schofer requested a map of the West Cedar Lane/Garden
Lane/Cedar Crest area.
Ms. Serra-Fiotes thanked Ms. Gries for her efforts
to work on this project and she expressed how well they
had worked together.
OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS
Share the Health
Ms. Rice asked about the date of Share
the Health. Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, said the
event would take place on Saturday, April 24, 2004,
at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. Dr.
Gallagher added that Walter Mitton, OCL would present
an overview of the event during the April 16, 2004,
CLC meeting.
Children's Inn
Mr. Schools said construction at the Children’s
Inn was making progress. He invited CLC members to attend
a Community Day event on Sunday, May 16, 2004, (tentatively).
In addition, he said that the R&W had secured the
entire MCI Center on March 24, 2004, to hold an event
on the first night of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum
& Bailey Circus. He said this event would be offered
to those who could not afford the regular price of admission.
Mr. Schools announced that the NIH would bring in college
fellows who would need housing during their summer internship
stay from May through July. He said those with spare
room should contact the R&W.
Letter to Dr. Elias Zerhouni,
Director of NIH, from Chris Van Hollen, Maryland Congressman
Ms. Hildebrand asked Dr. Gallagher when he thought a
response to a letter from Congressman Van Hollen would
be forthcoming from Dr. Zerhouni. Dr. Gallagher responded
that he had neither been copied on the letter nor had
Dr. Zerhouni sent it to him directly. J. Paul Van Nevel,
NIH Alumni Association, said his experience was that
it often took a couple of months to receive replies
from officials. Dr. Gallagher said that he would try
to find out on Friday, February 20, 2004 , and reply
to Ms. Hildebrand.
MINUTES APPROVAL
Dr. Gallagher asked the members if there were
any changes to the November 2003 or January 2004 meeting
minutes. No corrections or additions were forthcoming
and the minutes were accepted.
ADJOURNMENT
Dr. Gallagher adjourned the meeting at 5:50
p.m.
ACTION ITEMS
- Mr. Floyd agreed to make a full presentation about
the NIH Hazardous Waste Permit.
- Ms. Serras-Fiotes and Dr. Gallagher said that after
the meeting on February 20 with prime contractors
about parking a report would be made to the CLC.
- Ms. Serras-Fiotes agreed to search for a high school
auditorium to hold the public meeting about the MPU.
- Mr. Hayden agreed to check on a curb cut that Ms.
Hildebrand requested to be installed at the NIH southeast
corner of Old Georgetown Road at South Drive.
- Mr. Schofer requested a map of the West Cedar Lane/Garden
Lane/Cedar Crest area.
- Ms. Serras-Fiotes agreed to continue monitoring
the construction staging area on the north side of
the Campus.
- Dr. Gallagher said he would try to find out and
reply to Ms. Hildebrand about any response from Dr.
Zerhouni to a letter from Congressman Van Hollen.
ATTENDEES
CLC Members
-
Lorraine Bell , Palladian Partners, Inc.
-
Amy Blackburn, OCL, OD, NIH
-
Jack Costello, Bethesda Parkhill Citizens Association
-
Harvey Eisen, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
-
Tom Gallagher, OCL, OD, NIH
-
Jeanne Goldstein, Montgomery County Civic Federation
-
Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens
Association
-
Nancy Hoos, Sonoma Citizens Association
-
Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont
-
Ginny Miller, Wyngate Citizens Association
-
George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway Citizens
Association
-
Lucy Ozarin, Whitehall Condominium Association
-
Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association
-
Tom Robertson, Parkwood Residents Association
-
Stephen N. Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens
Association
-
Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
-
Randy Schools , Recreation & Welfare Association,
NIH
-
Deborah Snead, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center
-
Stella Serras-Fiotes, Office of Research Facilities
Development and Operations
-
J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association
Guests
-
Anthony Clifford, ORF/NIH
-
Kenny Floyd, Division of Environmental Protection,
OD, NIH
-
Officer Denise Gill, Montgomery County Police
-
Jean Gries, Montgomery County Department of Public
Works and Transportation
-
Tom Hayden, Office of Facilities Planning, OD,
NIH
-
Howard Hochman, NIH/ORF/DFP
-
Joan Kleinman, U.S. Congressman Van Hollen's Office
-
Ellen Pak, Gazette
-
Ronald Wilson, Office of Facilities Planning, NIH
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