Community Liaison Council Meeting
Minutes
June 16, 2005, 4:006:00 p.m.
Visitor Information Center, Building 45 (Natcher Building)
National Institutes of Health
HANDOUTS
- May 19, 2005 CLC Meeting Minutes
- NIH Master Plan 2003 UpdatePerimeter Buffer
- June 2005NIH News in Health
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
By John T. Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, NIH
Mr. John Burklow informed the Council that draft copies of
the May 19, 2005 CLC meeting minutes were distributed and
to please send any comments to Ms. Amy Blackburn in the Office
of Community Liaison.
Mr. Burklow announced to the Council that Mr. Walter Mitton
is leaving the Office of Community Liaison (OCL) to join the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK), as a Management Analyst. Mr. Mitton will begin his
new position at NIDDK in mid-July. Mr. Burklow thanked Mr.
Mitton for his excellent service to the OCL, as did several
Council members. Mr. Burklow informed the Council that the
recruitment process for the Office of Community Liaison Director
is in progress. Mr. Burklow will keep the Council updated
on the status of this.
Mr. Burklow discussed with the Council the possibility of
bringing the Office of Community Liaison (OCL) under the auspices
of the Office of Communications of Public Liaison (OCPL).
He outlined some of the potential advantages of such a change,
including direct access to the NIH Director and tapping into
the existing expertise and resources of OCPL. If this were
to happen, the OCL would still be a separate entity within
OCPL, with its own Director. Mr. Mitton agreed with Mr. Burklow
that by integrating OCL under OCPL, the visibility of the
OCL is raised, and OCL will have more access to Dr. Zerhouni
and to the resources of the OCPL. Council member Mr. Paul
Van Nevel agreed that Mr. Burklow's idea to combine the two
offices under one umbrella is best for the OCL. Some Council
members expressed concern about having another layer placed
between the new Director of OCL and Dr. Zerhouni. It was agreed
that the OCL Director should be able to communicate directly
with the NIH Director, as needed.
Mr. Burklow informed the Council that he is arranging for
Dr. Zerhouni to come meet with the Council in either September
or October. Ms. Anita Linde assured the Council that while
the OCL is going through its transition, both Ms. Sharon Robinson
and Ms. Amy Blackburn will continue to address the community's
needs on a day-to-day basis.
Mr. Oberlander observed that the OCL Director position was
created by former NIH Director, Dr. Harold Varmus, with the
idea that whoever assumed this responsibility would only be
tasked with OCL and community issues. Mr. Oberlander questioned
whether Mr. Burklow would have too many other issues to deal
with the CLC's concerns. Mr. Burklow reiterated that it could
be arranged for the new Director to have a direct line of
communication to Dr. Zerhouni.
Mr. Steve Sawicki stated that he supports Mr. Burklow's suggestion
to bring OCL under OCPL and that the move is a positive step
forward. Mr. Sawicki also reiterated that when Dr. Varmus
created the OCL, it was for the community to have an opportunity
to provide input to NIH leaders, and be a part of its processes,
not simply to be told information.
Mr. Burklow stated that, with the Council's permission, he
would begin the process of placing the OCL under OCPL. Mr.
Burklow also asked the Council to inform him if they feel
the new structure is not effective or is impeding their mission.
He said if this was the case, he would reassess the situation.
A quorum of the Council unanimously agreed to move forward
with the proposed change.
Lastly, Mr. Burklow announced that NIH is in the process
of launching a national program aimed to increase childhood
nutrition and exercise. The program's highlight is its importance
to the health of our nation's youth. A local component of
this health education program is being launched later this
month in Montgomery County.
PRESENTATIONS
NIH Campus Buffer Zone
By Stella Serras-Fiotes, Director, Division of
Facilities Planning, ORF, OD, NIH
Ms. Serras-Fiotes informed the Council that the buffer zone
between the NIH campus and its surrounding community was expanded
to two hundred and fifty feet, from 200 feet, in the 1995
NIH Campus Master Plan. This zone was created to provide the
community with both an acoustical and visual barrier from
NIH facilities and activities, and a green, landscaped area
around the campus. Currently, the buffer zone is approximately
eighty-two acres and 60 percent of that is green land. Thirty-five
of the eighty-two acres are located outside of the perimeter
security fence, in the southwest section of the campus.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes reiterated to the Council that it was the
intent of the Master Plan that no new parking lots or buildings
be placed in the buffer zone. However, due to the changes
in campus security, the 2003 Campus Master Plan Update proposes
the placement of the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility
and the Gateway Visitors Center with its underground visitor
parking garage in the buffer zone. This recommendation was
made because these functions have to be located outside of
the perimeter security fence.
Mr. Sawicki mentioned the employee parking lot, which runs
directly up to the southwest perimeter security fence. The
parking lot was placed at the site of the tennis courts as
a temporary parking area. When the MLP-9 parking garage is
completed later this year, this section of lot 41 will be
removed and turned into greenery. Mr. Sawicki requested that
the perimeter security fence be pushed back when this transition
takes place. Mr. Sawicki asked Ms. Serras-Fiotes for a commitment
that once the parking lot was removed, the perimeter security
fence would be pushed back. Ms. Serras-Fiotes stated that
she cannot make such a commitment at this time.
In the north section of the buffer zone, there is a dense
tree canopy. The buildings which are located in that section
(The Children's Inn and family quarters) are also located
in the buffer zone, and will remain in the zone. The child
care center in the west buffer will be removed from the buffer
zone and relocated in the future, but not for several years.
No activity is to be programmed or encouraged in the buffer
zone around the campus. NIH's intent since the creation of
the buffer zone has always been that there will be no new
construction, parking or buildings placed in that area.
Ms. Miller expressed her discontent with NIH for placing the
fire station parking lot in the buffer zone. Ms. Miller stated
that NIH did not listen to the community about not placing that
parking lot in that location. Ms. Miller stated that she was
under the impression that the buffer zone was to be a buffer
with no buildings or parking lots. Ms. Serras-Fiotes stated
that it was not that NIH did not listen to the concerns of the
community; placing a small section of the lot in the buffer
was a trade-off. The only other location would have required
the loss of a substantial amount of trees. Other than the few
above mentioned exceptions, the buffer zone is primarily landscaped,
green area.
Mr. Sawicki stated that the South Lawn is now shaped like
a bowl and is in worse condition than before the refurbishing
project. Mr. Sawicki was under the impression that the area
was going to be flat and level, and requested an update on
the project. The Council asked to have Mr. Tony Clifford present
at the July CLC meeting about the South Lawn project.
A Council member inquired about the status of the storm water
management facility located in the southern perimeter of the
campus. The facility will be located on the southeast corner
of the NIH campus at Rockville Pike. The storm water pond
will capture all of the storm water run-off from the NIH campus
and downtown Bethesda. This storm water facility is not an
NIH project, it is a county project and it is on schedule
to begin in the near future. A full update on the project
was provided at the May CLC meeting.
General Updates
By Stella Serras-Fiotes, Director, Division of Facilities
Planning, ORF, OD, NIH
Noise Abatement
Ms. Serras-Fiotes informed the Council that NIH has been working
on both the Porter Building and Building 37 simultaneously
to abate the noise. The work on the Porter Building has been
completed. Noise level tests have been performed. Although
the noise level was reduced, it was not decreased as much
as anticipated by NIH facilities management. NIH's sound consultants
have determined that the noise abatement for Building 37 will
be now be completed in October of 2005. NIH has decided to
bring in an independent acoustics contractor, who will investigate
the campus noise issue from a more global perspective, rather
than focus on a single building noise problem. This process
will not begin until the current noise abatement work on Building
37 has been completed. At that time, NIH will create a small
focus group with members from NIH facilities staff and the
CLC to help with this process. Ms. Serras-Fiotes recognized
that NIH has not been able to live up to its promise that
the noise would be abated by spring, but she reiterated NIH's
commitment to continued efforts to remedy this problem.
There were two recent incidents where noise disrupted community
members. One of these incidents was the announced testing
of the NIH co-generation plant. The other incident came from
the power-washing of garage MLP-8, which occurred during the
night. Ms. Serras-Fiotes informed the CLC that, in the future,
this type of work will not be scheduled during nighttime hours.
Hazardous Waste Disposal Permit
This permit relates to the type and amount of waste allowed
to be treated on the NIH campus and what types are to be shipped
off campus for treatment. Under this new permit, NIH will
have a new chemical oxidation treatment system. This new system
will allow NIH to treat some waste (chemical) on campus that
is currently shipped out, and the treatment facility will
be located in Building 26. The review of the new permit is
from June 21st through August 6th.
Share the Health: Post-Event Review
By Walter Mitton, Community Relations Specialist, OCL, NIH
Mr. Walter Mitton shared with the Council the success of
OCL's 6th annual Share the Health Exposition. This year, OCL
implemented an aggressive marketing campaign that included
on-air television and radio interviews. Westfield Shoppingtown
Mall management informed Mr. Mitton that their shopping traffic
numbers increased by 6,000 on the day of the event.
One of OCL's primary goals with this event was to reduce
the overall cost of the fair. For the 2004 event, the overall
cost was approximately $100,000, and this year it was reduced
to $35,000. Further cost reduction and an attendance increase
are the two primary goals for the upcoming 2006 and future
Share the Health events.
Several Council members congratulated Mr. Mitton, Ms. Blackburn,
and Ms. Robinson on the fair's success. Ms. Eleanor Rice suggested
to Mr. Mitton that the event should be held again at a local
mall and to possibly extend the expo from a one-day event
to a two-day event. If the second day of the fair took place
during a week day, middle and high schools could possibly
plan a school field trip to the event.
CLC ROUND ROBIN
Ms. Miller suggested that the Council take a vote regarding
the OCL joining the OCPL. Ms. Miller put the motion on the
table in favor of OCL joining OCPL and Mr. Sawicki seconded
the motion. A vote is taken and all are in favor.
Mr. Sawicki would like to have the OCL newsletter reflect
items discussed in the monthly CLC meeting. Ms. Debra Liverpool
stated that the OCL webpage can be hard to locate off of the
NIH website. Mr. Burklow and his office handle the management
of the NIH home page. Mr. Burklow will have his office work
to make the search and retrieval of the OCL webpage from the
NIH main website easier.
Mr. Oberlander stated that members of his neighborhood have
inquired about the proposed gas line. Ms. Serras-Fiotes replied
that the gas line is a non-issue at this point. NIH consultants
in collaboration with Washington Gas reevaluated the situation
and decided not to pursue this particular project. If, in
the future, NIH needs to update its gas supply, and an alternate
gas process is needed, the community will be included in the
planning process. Ms. Serras-Fiotes informed the Council that
NIH will not need to address upgrading its gas service for
a minimum of five to seven years.
A substitute member from Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
asked a question on Ms. Leslie Hildebrand's behalf. The question
related to the NIH campus tree canopy both ten and twenty years
ago, compared to where it is today. Mr. Mitton stated that he
is waiting on a response to this question from Mr. Mueller or
Mr. Pfister.
Mr. Randy Schools asked the Council to nominate any community
members who are a "hero" for a project that he is
working on. Mr. Schools asked if anyone knows of an individual
who has acted in a heroic manner, please send him that individual's
information. Mr. Schools also informed the Council that this
year is the 9th annual NIH film festival. Mr. Schools asked
all council members to bring their friends and family to this
free event. Scheduled films include, but are not limited to:
West Side Story, Shark Tale, and Shrek 2.
Mr. Schools mentioned that both he and the NIH Recreation
and Welfare Foundation (R&W) would like to help underprivileged
children attend professional baseball games. Mr. Schools would
like to get the word out that the NIH R&W does have access
to free tickets for qualified families. If Council members
know of a child or family in need, Mr. Schools asked that
they contact him directly.
ADJOURNMENT
The formal meeting ended at 6:05 p.m.
ACTION ITEMS
- Schedule Mr. Tony Clifford to update the Council on the
south lawn project
- Research Ms. Hildebrand's question regarding the tree
canopy and its past numbers
JULY MEETING TOPICS
- Perimeter Security Fence
- Safra Lodge (Family Inn)
- OCL Progress Matrix1996 to present day
CLC Members Present
Amy J. Blackburn, OCL, OD, NIH
John Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, OD, NIH
Nancy Hoos, Sonoma Citizens Association
Darrell Lemke, Bethesda Parkview Citizens Association
Debra Liverpool, YMCA-Bethesda
Ginny Miller, Wyngate Citizens Association
Adda Million, Camelot Mews Citizens Association
Walter Mitton, OCL, OD, NIH
George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway Citizens Association
Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association
Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association
Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH
Steve Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
Randy Schools, Recreation and Welfare Association, NIH
Stella Serras-Fiotes, DFP, ORFDO, OD, NIH
J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association
Guests
Joan Kleinman, Congressman Van Hollen's Office
Anita Linde, OCPL, OD, NIH
Yi Tsien, Community Member
Carol Wharton, ORF, DFP, NIH
Chris Williams, Gazette News
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