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Community Liaison Council Meeting
Minutes
March 17, 2005, 4:00–6:00 p.m.
National Library of Medicine, Visitor Center, Room 38A
National Institutes of Health
HANDOUTS
- Letter from Dr. Kington, Deputy Director, NIH
Re: Appointment of John T. Burklow as Acting Director, OCL
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. John Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, introduced himself
and welcomed the group. He also introduced Ms. Anita Linde
and Dr. Marin Allen, who will be working with him and OCL.
Mr. Burklow is also the Associate Director of NIH's Office
of Communication and Public Liaison, Dr. Allen is his Deputy,
and Ms. Linde is his Special Assistant. Mr. Burklow assured
the council that he and his staff, in addition to the OCL
staff, will always be accessible to the community. Mr. Burklow
informed the group that he was on Capitol Hill today for a
hearing and during that hearing Congressman Barton inquired
about consolidating the Office of Community Liaison and the
NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison. Mr. Burkow
will keep the community informed and updated on this issue
and he also assured the council that he will ensure that their
concerns and issues will reach NIH Director, Dr. Elias Zerhouni.
UPDATES
By Stella Serras-Fiotes, Director, Division
of Facilities Planning, ORFDO, OD, NIH
Porter Neuroscience Research Center (Building 35)
The installation of the noise silencing shielding
around the stacks of the Porter building has begun, and should
be completed by May of 2005. The installation of the silencers
has also begun for Building 37 and that project should be
completed by April of 2005. Both projects will greatly reduce
the noise emitted into the atmosphere and community residents
should have a relatively peaceful summer.
Clinical Research Center Opening
It is expected that patients will move into the new CRC
building beginning sometime in early to mid-April of 2005.
The patient entrance at Cedar Drive will become operational
and open at that time. Only patients will be authorized to
enter the campus at that location during patient hours.
Multi-Level Parking Garage MLP-9
Inspection has been completed on the multi-level parking
garage and it has been deemed safe to continue construction.
Since the project has been cleared, work on the multi-level
patient parking garage has begun again. The project is expected
to be completed some time this summer. When the construction
on the parking garage has been completed, the temporary gravel
lots used by NIH employees will be returned to grassy areas.
Miscellaneous Campus Projects
The South lawn revitalization project will also be finished
around that time frame as well. The county storm water project
in the south corner of the campus will begin in the summer
of 2005, and Ms. Stella Serras-Fiotes will have a project
engineer come to the council at an upcoming meeting to talk
more in depth and answer questions about the project.
Mr. Ralph Schofer asked Ms. Serras-Fiotes if we have received
the final report on what caused the parking garage to collapse.
Both Ms. Serras-Fiotes and Mr. Clifford replied that we have
not yet received that report.
Ms. Ginny Miller asked Ms. Serras-Fiotes if the communication
system between the new Clinical Research Center and the original
hospital is operational. Ms. Miller would like to have more
information on how the problem was resolved.
Mr. George Oberlander inquired about the level of noise that
will emit out of Building 35 and Building 37 after the silencing
project is complete. Ms. Serras-Fiotes replied the current
loud humming noise will be gone after the parts have been
installed.
A council member asked Ms. Serras-Fiotes if the tennis courts
previously located in the Southwest quadrant of the campus
will be returned. Ms. Serras-Fiotes replied that those courts
will not be put back once the temporary lot is removed. That
location will instead be another grassy area.
South Lawn Revitalization Project
Mr. Tony Clifford spoke to the council about the south
lawn revitalization project. The project is in the process
of leveling the ground and removing sinkholes. It is estimated
that the leveling portion of the project will be completed
in about 30 days. At that point, the area will be ready to
put in new sod. After that settles and the newly planted sod
has an opportunity to grow for approximately 30 days, the
lawn will be completed and ready for use. The project should
be completed by June of 2005.
Last month a council member brought another flooding issue
to the council's attention. There is a new house being built
on the south side of the campus and its drainage line has
been creating a flood area along the walking path. Mr. Clifford
would like the council to know that although this is not an
NIH construction project, he has gone to the county and informed
them of the situation. They sent out some representatives
to survey the situation and ultimately notified the builder
that he needs to correct the drainage issue. The builder has
taken responsibility for the issue and is making changes to
correct the problem.
Mr. Schofer would like to remind the council of the parking
problems his neighborhood encounters, including NIH construction
workers parking on his street.
By John Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, NIH
NIH Ethics—Conflicts of Interest Update
Mr. Burklow began by showing the council two NIH informational
brochures produced by the NIH Office of Communications and
Public Liaison. These publications are available to the public
and if a council member is interested in obtaining a copy,
please let us know. One of these publications is an 80-page
booklet that describes the research programs and scientists
of NIH.
There has been some recent media coverage regarding NIH and
its ethic regulations and Mr. Burklow updated the council
on this issue. The most recent development occurred yesterday,
when NIH's Deputy Director, Dr. Raynard Kington, sent a memorandum
out to all NIH staff. This memorandum is an adjustment to
the new NIH ethics policies published on February 3, 2005.
NIH has been dealing with the ethics issue for about 15 months.
During that time, there have been numerous Congressional hearings
and internal NIH meetings, and the issue has been a significant
challenge for NIH.
Currently, there is a ban on all outside consulting and all
NIH employees are required to report information on personal
stock holdings, regardless of status or position. Dr. Kington's
memorandum stated that NIH research fellows and interim employees
are the only employees who are exempt from the divestiture
of stocks requirement. The new rules are an interim final
regulation, which means that the regulation stands unless
the Department of Health and Human Services determines that
it needs a change or amendment.
Dr. Lucy Ozarin asked Mr. Burklow if this new policy applies
to all NIH employees. Mr. Burklow responded that yes it does
apply to all employees, from the office secretary to the NIH
Director. The requirement to divest stock holdings also affects
the spouses and minor children of NIH employees. There is
a three-month extension period and Dr. Zerhouni does not want
anyone to divest stock at this time. Dr. Zerhouni would like
affected personnel and their families to wait the three-month
period so that all issues and regulations can be ironed out.
Information about the rules can be found on NIH's website.
Mr. Burklow stated that comments relating to this matter
can be sent to ethics@hhs.gov,
even if you are not a current NIH employee. All comments must
be submitted by April 4, 2005, in order to be considered.
Mr. Randy Schools asked Mr. Burklow if he has knowledge of
other federal agencies going through a similar issue. Mr.
Burklow responded that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
does have a similar type of policy regarding ethics.
Ms. Miller stated that the recent medication recalls and
clinical trial announcements have been difficult for the public.
On a more positive note, Ms. Miller added that NIH and Suburban
Hospital are providing the community with a wonderful stroke
program. When a patient is admitted into Suburban Hospital
for symptoms of a stroke or an actual stroke, an NIH neurologist
comes to evaluate the patient immediately. Ms. Miller suggested
to the council that if they believe that they are having a
stroke or a family member is; get them to Suburban and into
the stroke program. Mr. Schofer suggested to Mr. Burklow that
for a future meeting, he invite an NIH staff member who is
involved in this program to come present to the council.
Another topic Mr. Burklow mentioned to the council is the
public access policy for scientific research articles and
medical-related information. In the future, scientific journal
articles based on research supported by NIH, will be available
on the web, free of charge for the public to view. The articles
will be posted on PubMed Central, an electronic database managed
by the National Library of Medicine.
By Walter Mitton, Community Relations Specialist, OCL,
NIH
Share the Health Update
Mr. Mitton greeted the group and informed them that this
year's Share the Health event will be held on Sunday, May
15, 2005 at the new Westfield Shoppingtown Mall, in Wheaton
Maryland. This year's event will be held from 11:00 am to
3:00 pm and there is no cost for admittance. The format has
changed from last year and we are moving away from workshops
and seminars, and are moving to more interactive workshops
instead.
One council member suggested to Mr. Mitton that he incorporate
a booth with clinical trials information. Mr. Mitton and Ms.
Amy Blackburn will look into staffing such a booth and will
keep the council updated. Mr. Mitton would like feedback about
what the public is interested in for future Share the Health
events. There is a website located at http://sharethehealth.od.nih.gov
with event information. Both Mr. Mitton and Ms. Blackburn
encourage all council members and their families to attend
this free health and fitness event.
OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS
Perimeter Security Fence
Dr. Ozarin wanted to know if there is any new information
on when the perimeter security fence will be operational.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes replied that there has not been a date set
as of yet. NIH is still working out some kinks in the system
before the fence can be activated. Mr. Schofer inquired about
access for visitors on the west side of the campus. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
replied that it will be available after fence activation.
Mr. Steve Sawicki wanted to know about police recruitment.
Previously, NIH had been behind its recruitment goals and
he is wondering if that has changed. Ms. Serras-Fiotes replied
that she is not aware of the current security personnel numbers,
but Mr. Dattoli should be able to answer that question.
Council members have requested that Mr. John Dattoli come
back and speak to the group at our next council meeting.
Sidewalk along Rockville Pike
A council member inquired about the sidewalk along Rockville
Pike. The asphalt on the path is old and has a lot of potholes
and cracks. The rough surface can be tough for bikers and
individuals using wheelchairs to travel upon, especially in
the dark evening hours and inclement weather. The path has
wear and tear of time, and the community would like to have
that path refurbished.
Homeless Population
The issue of transients and homeless individuals taking refuge
on the NIH campus was mentioned. NIH's response to this problem
was to trim and remove overgrown weeds and other foliage to
discourage loitering near the campus perimeter.
CLC Meeting Accommodations
Ms. Hildebrand inquired whether the council could move their
meetings to another location, preferably to Natcher, where
these meetings were previously held. Ms. Hildebrand stated
that she is concerned because there are no writing tables,
and she has a hard time seeing audience members when they
speak due to the configuration of the room. Ms. Amy Blackburn
responded that the original room has been let go due to budgetary
constraints. Dr. Marin Allen and Ms. Anita Linde offered to
research room locations in Natcher, primarily the Visitors
Information Center meeting room.
Construction Projects—Gateway Visitor Center
and Underground Parking Garage
Ms. Debbie Michaels asked a question regarding NIH and two
projects scheduled for construction. Ms. Michaels wanted clarification
on whether or not M-NCPPC has approved both of the construction
projects, the Gateway Visitors Center and the underground
visitor-parking garage. Ms. Michaels had contacted M-NCPPC
and the committee told her that those construction projects
have not been approved.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes responded that the National Capital Planning
Commission (NCPC) has approved the construction plans mentioned.
The advisory commission, M-NCPPC, had received the information
and had intended to hold a public meeting regarding the NIH
Master Plan and the security projects. M-NCPPC had scheduled
two meetings on the issue and they cancelled both meetings.
On January 6, 2005, NIH received an unsigned letter from staff
of M-NCPPC. This letter was in regards to the approval of
the Master Plan, and as of yet, Ms. Serras-Fiotes had not
received a signed copy of the letter. Ms. Michaels stated
that she had brought a copy of the documentation that M-NCPPC
had provided to her, for Ms. Serras-Fiotes. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
also informed the council that NCPC is the approval entity,
and M-NCPPC is just advisory.
ADJOURNMENT
The formal meeting ended at 5:45 p.m.
ACTION ITEMS
- Invite Mr. John Dattoli, Director of Physical Security
Management, to present at our next CLC meeting on April
21, 2005.
- Research whether a new meeting location is possible.
CLC Members Present
Amy J. Blackburn, OCL, OD, NIH
John T. Burklow, OD, NIH
Marilyn Clemens, M-NCPPC
Anthony Clifford, ORFDO, OD, NIH
Harvey Eisen, Ph.D, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
Jeanne Goldstein, Montgomery County Civic Federation
Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
Nancy Hoos, Sonoma Citizens Association
Darrell Lemke, Ph.D., Parkview Citizens Association
Debbie Michaels, Glenbrook Village Homeowners Association
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
Tom Robertson, Parkwood Residents Association
Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH
Stephen Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
Randy Schools, President, NIH R&W Foundation
Stella Serras-Fiotes, DFP, ORFDO, OD, NIH
Anne Tomkinson, East Bethesda Citizens Association
J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association
Guests
Marin Allen, Ph.D., OCPL, OD, NIH
Sabrina Garcia, OCPL, OD, NIH, Hispanic Outreach
Joan Kleinman, Representative from Chris Van Hollen's office
Anita Linde, OCPL, OD, NIH
Sandy Miller, ORS
Chris Williams, Gazette News
Ronald Wilson, DFP, ORFDO, OD, NIH
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