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 MarylandNational Park and Planning
Commission (MNCPPC).
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, MNCPPC
- 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
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