Community Liaison Council Meeting
Minutes
October 20, 2005, 4:006:00 p.m.
Visitor Information Center, Building 45 (Natcher Building)
National Institutes of Health
HANDOUTS
- September 15, 2005, Community Liaison Council (CLC) meeting
minutes
- October 2005NIH News in Health
- Be Ready, Make a Plan
- NIH Emergency Pocket Guide
- Office of Research Facilities and Development and Operations
brochure
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
By John T. Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, OD, NIH
Mr. Burklow mentioned that the position of OCL Director has
been advertised and applications will be accepted until the
10th of November.
PRESENTATIONS
Gateway Center Construction
By Shah Saleh, Division of Capital Projects Management, ORF,
OD, NIH
Mr. Saleh reviewed the project plan, noting that there is
a Visitor Center for temporary badges, a visitor vehicle inspection
center, and a parking garage with 350 spaces. He reviewed
the new traffic pattern associated with the Gateway Center
that will require vehicles to make a right turn into the center
off of Wisconsin Avenue, with a right-turn-only exit from
the campus. After processing, visitors can park in the two-level
parking garage and proceed to their final destinations either
on foot or via the shuttle.
The parking area needs to be dug down a total of 20 feet, and
about half of that has been excavated so far. Fortunately, they
have encountered no substantial rock. The project coordination
with Metro has been very successful, and NIH continues to work
closely with Metro’s legal department. It is important
that this project make no infringement on Metro facilities or
operations. Mr. Saleh assured the Council that they were very
sensitive to Metro’s needs.
Mr. Saleh noted that they are also working closely with the
child care center on the south side of the project site. They
have put peepholes in the barrier for children to look through
and have taken every precaution to protect the children. The
project is about 12% completed. Mr. Saleh noted that the State
Highway Administration (SHA) permit for the new entrance off
Wisconsin Avenue was good for one year. He informed the Council
that because of safety concerns voiced by the community, the
sidewalk along Wisconsin Avenue will not be closing down in
the near term. They now intend to delay removing the sidewalk
until next spring, but it must be completed before the permit
expires.
Mr. Ralph Schofer expressed concern about how many vehicles
would compete for the 350 available visitor parking spaces
and about the turnover times. Mr. Ron Wilson said the traffic
study had identified the number of vehicles expected during
peak times in the morning and afternoon. He has arranged for
a representative from the SHA to attend the November Council
meeting to talk about traffic issues. He assured the Council
that the SHA was aware of the potential traffic congestion
problem.
A Council member asked if there would be a bus stop at the
new Gateway Visitor Center parking garage. It was noted that
the shuttle stop at the present temporary Visitor’s Center
will serve the permanent center as well.
NIH Perimeter Fence Question and Answer Forum
By John Dattoli, Director, Security and Emergency Response,
ORS, OD, NIH
Ms. Lesley Hildebrand asked about why the minimum age limit
for teenagers to be allowed to enter the NIH campus (unaccompanied
by an adult 18 or older) has been set at 16. She wondered
what this had to do with the Amber Alert system as was suggested
at the October meeting. Ms. Amy Blackburn explained that the
Federal and State Amber Alert cutoff age is 17. NIH is trying
to accommodate the community and had lowered the age to 16.
Chief of NIH Police Al Hinton said there was concern that
some parents might hold NIH responsible if the last known
check-in for a child was the NIH campus. To clarify, the Amber
Alert is only one of the reasons for the determination of
16 as the minimum age.
The NIH has also provided a perimeter shuttle service to
help neighbors, including children under the minimum age,
reach the Navy Medical Center transit facilities. Some Council
members feel that due to its infrequent headways (every twenty
minutes), it is not adequate and requires children to match
their schedule to that of the shuttle service. NIH reminded
the members that everyone’s safety is under more scrutiny,
especially NIH employees’, as well as the surrounding
community’s. Consequently, everyone has had to compromise
under the new security policies. It was noted that some neighborhoods
have created a neighborhood carpool to get their children
to school. Mr. Burklow agreed to review the cutoff age.
Ms. Marilyn Mazuzan voiced her disappointment that the discussion
of problems entering the campus at the last CLC meeting had
not made the situation better. She felt it was worse; there
had been only one vehicular screening lane open, and it had
taken her more than 20 minutes to get onto campus. She pointed
out that there were plenty of people, but they appeared to
be milling around and arguing about how to deal with the line.
Chief Hinton pointed out that next spring, the new commercial
vehicle inspection station would eliminate much of the traffic
since commercial vehicles would be screened at a different
entrance than passenger vehicles. He recommended entering
at an employee entrance because, with the badge, Council members
need not mix with commercial traffic.
Data is being collected on how many pedestrian visitors are
crossing the NIH campus from the west side to reach the Metro
on the east. The information so far indicates between 50 and
75 people a day, at most. Another question concerned the huge
backup at South Drive. Mr. Randy Schools pointed out that
you cannot make a left turn there and that this is not NIH
property, so the NIH can do nothing about it. Mr. Wilson replied
that the County was aware of the problem, and they should
be in a position to talk about it with the Council at the
November meeting.
Some discussion followed about the most efficient way to
inspect cars. Chief Hinton said they had tested various ways
and were trying to do this as expeditiously as possible. But
they were always looking at ways to be more efficient.
Dr. Harvey Eisen asked the Chief for an update on badges
for the community. He explained that for neighborhood people
who, like the CLC members, had regular business on campus,
extended visitor badges could be issued. Otherwise, neighbors
needed to sign in and obtain a visitor badge each time they
wished to enter the NIH campus.
NIH Emergency Management/Continuity of Operations Program
By Michael Spillane, ORS, OD, NIH
Mr. Spillane compared the Bethesda campus to a small city,
with its own infrastructure, fire department, police department,
and, of necessity, its own security and emergency preparedness
program. The NIH has formed partnerships with the Navy Medical
Center, local police, local hospitals, and other organizations.
Mr. Spillane’s office is responsible for emergency planning
on campus, drills for the campus twice a year (during which
buildings are emptied), and monthly drills for the child care
centers. He is also responsible for the NIH’s Continuity
of Operations Plan (COOP). To Mr. Spillane, emergencies are
not just about terrorism. “Let’s prepare for things
we know are going to happen,” he said. These include
winter storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. COOP has four levels
of emergency initiatives. These range from an emergency that
involves only a part of one building on the campus (Level
I) all the way to an emergency that threatens the entire Bethesda
campus or even the whole region (Level IV). At the first two
levels, the response would be limited to NIH resources. At
Level III, the response might require resources at the County
level. In a Level IV emergency, resources could be needed
from the entire region. Mr. Spillane pointed to the recent
partial collapse of MLP-9 as an example of a situation that
required COOP. Resources and a plan were already in place
to handle the emergency. The recovery in this case had to
be balanced with mission needs because the building was located
near research facilities.
Mr. Spillane noted that nine Emergency Support Teams had
been established to handle any contingency. He pointed out,
for example, that Mr. Burklow headed up the Public Information
Team. The Clinical Center Team has partnerships with Navy
Medical Center and Suburban Hospital. The central idea of
COOP is to draw resources from across campus, instead of duplicating
emergency response efforts in each Institute and Center (IC).
Each IC has a crisis response team, and all are linked to
COOP. The structure allows reciprocal communication.
Mr. Spillane explained that for mass evacuation, the campus
had been broken into quadrants. The center of campus must
be kept open for emergency response vehicles if necessary.
The evacuation plan is tied into Montgomery County and the
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). In an
area-wide evacuation, the District would be evacuated first,
and other parts of the region would follow.
“Emergency preparedness is not just an NIH function,”
Mr. Spillane explained. “Remember on 9/11 when everyone
tried to go home, and nobody went home. They sat on the freeways.”
He urged the Council to read and study the handout “Be
Ready, Make a Plan.” He urged that we learn from emergencies
elsewherefor example, the London bombing. The big problem
was that with no power, there was no light in the tunnels.
He suggested carrying a light stick or a small flashlight,
but even light from a cell phone could help. He recommended
use of the pocket guide, but pointed out the easy-to-download
emergency preparedness handbook on the Web site.
Mr. Tom Robertson asked about the Metro station. Mr. Spillane
answered that the Metro station would be the only entrance
to campus in an emergency. Ms. Deborah Snead mentioned that
on the Montgomery County Web site, residents could sign up
for free text alerts on what was happening in an emergency.
Mr. Schofer asked if Mr. Spillane’s office worked with
Montgomery County. Mr. Spillane answered yes, and with COG.
He attends COG meetings, and its emergency plan is laid out
like the national plan, he explained.
Mr. Burklow pointed out that the trend was toward more specific
announcements. Mr. Robertson noted that there are several
different types of commuters, and people don’t know routes
other than the one they usually use. Other options might exist,
but people don’t know about them. He asked if there was
a plan to communicate alternative routes to people. Mr. Spillane
answered that people should do their own research. He strongly
suggests that people must plan to be self-sufficient for 3
to 5 days in an emergency situation. Help might arrive eventually.
People should do their own research and be ready. Mr. Spillane
was emphatic in his urging: be ready to take care of yourselves.
You hear information and know it contains good advice, but
you decide to do it later. When an emergency occurs, it’s
too late.
General Updates
By Ron Wilson, Acting Director, Division of Facilities Planning,
ORF, OD, NIH
Noise Abatement
Mr. Kenny Floyd told the Council that the first meeting of
the noise working group will be a week from today. He had
checked on the contractors’ qualifications by requesting
the resumes of the principals, both professionals in the field
for some time. The name of the selected firm is Colin Gordon
& Associates. Mr. Michael Gendreau and Mr. Todd Busch
are the principals on the contract. Both are members of numerous
acoustical engineering societies, including the Institute
of Noise Control Engineering. Mr. Gendreau is board certified
by the Institute. In response to the Council’s concern
about who at NIH was qualified to oversee the contractor,
he has found an expert at the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health willing to review all contractor work, to
supplement the oversight provided by NIH facilities staff.
Asked about the data, Mr. Floyd assured the Council that
all information on noise would be available to members of
the study group. Ms. Anita Linde said that a background data
package was being assembled and would be provided to the noise
study group members before their first meeting. Mr. Floyd
said the study would require four to six months. At the same
time, recommendations will be studied to find a contractor
qualified to make the required fixes. Discussion ensued about
the timing of final completion, and Mr. Floyd thought it would
probably be resolved by next summer.
Mr. Wilson reported that the retrofitting of the Building
37 stacks was proceeding well. Of the 11 stacks, 4 were completed
and a fifth was under way. Work could be done by the end of
the month, depending on weather. Mr. Schofer wondered what
would happen if the silencers did not work. Mr. Wilson replied
that NIH understood well that noise was an important issue
to the community. He also pointed out that they were already
thinking about any possible problems the new Building 33 might
present. Mr. Floyd assured the Council that Building 33 would
be in operation by the time the campus noise study was performed,
and that the contract covered everything on campus. Any noise
produced by Building 33 would be found by the study. Mr. Wilson
told the Council that the work on Building 35 was substantially
done. Ms. Linde said the Council would receive an update on
Building 33 at either the November or December meeting.
Mr. Wilson gave an update on the perimeter shuttle, reporting
that some operational difficulties had been encountered but
were now resolved. He said Tom Hayden’s office was committed
to monitoring the shuttle to ensure its operation was smooth
and timely. Mr. Hayden has directed operators to stop at all
stops and open the door, whether anybody was there or not,
hoping thereby to increase service.
Mr. Wilson also reported that work was proceeding on removing
the temporary parking lots; they will be returned to green
space given the opening of the new garage (MLP-9) near the
NIH Clinical Center.
South Lawn Update
By Tony Clifford, Chief Engineer, ORF, OD, NIH
Mr. Clifford reported that the staging area near Building
41 (the old tennis courts) would be removed with the temporary
parking lot. He also noted that the old low-level lights installed
years ago on the pedestrian path were still not functioning
as planned. His office is looking at a better system.
He reported that the South Lawn had been mowed and was being
re-seeded and aerated. He will be meeting next week with Mr.
Steve Sawicki, and they will keep the Council informed of
their follow-up discussions. It is possible that some revision
of the work will be done. The small fence will stay for the
time being to allow the grass to grow. He mentioned that the
lawn now is green, has been cut, and is starting to look attractive.
A Council member asked about the cherry trees that have died
along Wilson Drive. Mr. Floyd answered that they had not been
maintained properly, and the contractor would plant new ones
in the spring.
Dr. Lucy Ozarin asked if mechanized vehicles were allowed
on the bicycle path. Chief Hinton said that if the CLC thought
motorized vehicles should not be on the path, he would take
appropriate action. It was the Council’s consensus that
motorized vehicles used for recreational purposes should not
be on the pathway.
NIH/OCL Progress Matrix
By John T. Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, NIH
Mr. Burklow deferred discussion of the matrix and asked Council
members to please give comments to Ms. Blackburn. The matrix
will be reviewed more fully at the November meeting.
CLC ROUND ROBIN
Mr. Burklow asked for any comments. Ms. Joan Kleinman, from
Congressman Van Hollen’s Office, said the congressman
was hosting a number of events, including a Medicare Drug
Forum at the Rockville Senior Center. She will send information
to the Council.
Mr. Burklow announced that minutes of the September meeting
were being distributed and asked that Council members send
their comments to Ms. Blackburn. Ms. Linde asked that all
parking hanger forms be filled out and returned this evening.
ADJOURNMENT
The formal meeting ended at 6:10 p.m.
ACTION ITEMS
- CLC members will study the matrix and send comments to
Ms. Blackburn.
- Mr. Burklow will look into and possibly re-review the
cutoff age for unaccompanied minors on campus.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
- Edmond J. Safra Lodge (Family Inn)
- Building 33 Update
CLC Members Present
Amy J. Blackburn, OCL, OD, NIH
John Burklow, Acting Director, OCL, OD, NIH
Anthony Clifford, ORF, OD, NIH
Harvey Eisen, Ph.D., Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
Nancy Hoos, Sonoma Citizens Association
Darrell Lemke, Bethesda Parkview Citizens Association
Debra Liverpool, YMCA-Bethesda
Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont
Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association
Tom Robertson, Parkwood Residents Association
Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH
Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
Randy Schools, Recreation and Welfare Association, NIH
Deborah Snead, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center
Ron Wilson, Acting Director, DFP, ORF, OD, NIH
Guests
Marin Allen, OCPL, OD, NIH
Pam Dressell, ORS, OD, NIH
Kenny Floyd, ORF, OD, NIH
Tom Hayden, ORF, OD, NIH
Al Hinton, Chief, NIH Police
Howard Hochman, DFP, ORF, OD, NIH
Joan Kleinman, Congressman Van Hollen’s Office
Anita Linde, OCPL, OD, NIH
Brad Moss, ORF, OD, NIH
Shah Saleh, Division of Capital Projects Management, ORF,
OD, NIH
Michael Spillane, ORS, OD, NIH
Terry Taylor, Palladian Partners, Inc.
Chris Williams, Gazette News
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