Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee

Minutes

Old Naval Hospital

January 30, 2008

 

Present: Chuck Burger, Mike Berman (for Larry Gallo); Angie Brunson; Barbara Eck, Ken Jarboe, Tom Kuchenberg, Donna Scheeder

 

Excused Absences: Monte Edwards; Larry Gallo, Ellen Opper-Weiner

 

The meeting was convened at 7:02 p.m.

 

 1.    Agenda

 

Motion: Mr. Berman moved/Mr. Glasgow seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

 

 2.     Minutes

 

Motion: Mr. Burger moved/Mr. Glasgow seconded a motion to approve the January 2nd minutes as presented.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

 3.    Capital Improvements Subcommittee

 

 

Ms. Scheeder announced that she would give the report of the Capitol Improvements Committee while waiting for Mr. Kuchenberg to arrive at the meeting. She   reported that Mr. Edwards had attended a market construction coordination meeting and reported that a construction coordination task force would be established, based on the model developed for the DDOT streetscape plan, and that representatives of the various components of the Market community would be included in regular meetings, which would follow scheduled construction meetings. Mr. Jarboe said he has forwarded the names of representatives of the Market’s neighbors to Matt Hussman, and the meetings should be set at a time when people can attend them. 

 

Ms. Scheeder also reported the Mr. Edwards had sent an e-mail to the Subcommittee on Historic Documentation, outlining the restoration elements that should be monitored.  He also discussed the North Hall roof replacement, which will be happening along with the South Hall roof. During a discussion about the effort to include the North Hall roof work in the existing contract through a change order, Ms. Scheeder expressed Mr. Edward’s concern that the elements of the roof replacement were included in the bid package for the rehabilitation work. Mr. Curtis Clay stated that the specifications document that had been given to EMCAC was not current. Ms. Scheeder requested that OPM provide EMCAC with current specifications.

 

 

 4.    Market Operations Subcommittee

 

Cooling for East Hall

 

Mr. Kuchenberg reported that a major priority currently is reducing the temperature in the East Hall during the warm months, saying that it will be virtually intolerable when it’s warm because of the lack of insulation.  He said there is a $10,000 solution that should be undertaken.  Matt Hussman, of OPM, said that he is aware of the situation, and work on the fan is proceeding.  Joel Causey reported that there are various reflective films that can be applied to the roof.They are identifying the material, which can be installed in one day.  Ms. Scheeder mentioned that money for this could come from the Enterprise Fund and they are now looking at ways to free the funds, even if emergency legislation is necessary to do so.

 

RFP Process

 

He presented an outline of the procedures that will be used in the discussion and review of the RFP:

 

1.      Anyone on EMCAC involved in making a bid or advising any group that is making a bid pursuant to an RFP bid must recuse themselves from reviewing any of the bids submitted.

2.      Those on EMCAC who will be evaluating RFPs need to provide to the Chair or her designee a signed confidentiality agreement with regard to the contents or specifics of any of the RFPs.  Such agreement must be sufficient to meet the standards of the District and OPM for those engaged in such review.

3.      It is EMCAC’s understanding that the City will engage in an initial review of bids and then provide them to EMCAC for a limited period of time that would allow for public review for evaluation.

4.      During its period of evaluation, EMCAC will invite those bidding to meet with the public they will be serving to discuss their bids.  EMCAC may meet in executive session following any public meeting to discuss public comments.

5.      EMCAC will have a series of discussions during the period allotted to it for review of the bids.  All bids will be evaluated on the basis of the RFP, not on exterior or unstated criteria.

6.      EMCAC may request OPM to obtain additional information from, or pose additional questions to, any of the bidders.

7.      EMCAC also wishes to review any proposed contract, lease, or other document that the city makes with those submitting the winning bid.  It is expected that the draft RFP and accompanying report will be released in the next month.

Weekday Farmer’s Line

 

Mr. Burger then raised the issue of the weekday Farmer’s Line.  Bernie Prince has discussed setting up a Wednesday or Thursday Farmer’s Line.  Current farmers would be given the right of first refusal for space.  Mr. Berman asked that in light of the management issues on the table, how would it work, and who would be responsible?  Ms. Scheeder responded that its been talked about for a long time, and would engender more activity and bring more people to the Market, and we have to get something going.  Mr. Burger said all aspects should be looked at to see whether it’s feasible and that it would be a no cost proposition.  Mr. Jarboe said he feels that because the Market is so Balkanized, adding another layer would not be productive.

 

 5.    Office of Property Management

 

Truss work: Curtis Clay reported that the steel trusses have been installed in the South Hall, and the roof construction, 50% complete, is basically on schedule.  The webcam will be moved to a new location to show on-going construction once the roof is finished.  They are still receiving comments from DCRA and WASA on construction.  Ms Scheeder and Mr. Burger pointed out that EMCAC has to be informed of any changes that are taking place, and that a new baseline is needed. 

 

Windows: The window work is 15% complete.  Market 5 has cleared the work area for installation of the mock-up windows.  The display walls will be removed.  In the South Hall, the boards will be removed for the installation of the windows and ten replaced to protect the windows while the interior construction continues.   The general procedure is to remove the sashes and board up the windows. Sash repair/replacement occurs in the Craftsman Group shop and window repair/replacement takes place on site. After the ‘new’ windows are installed the windows will remain boarded for protection and security. Artwork that has been removed as part of window reconstruction has been inventoried and is securely stored on-site and will be re-installed at the end of the window project. Because of the window work, the South hall is now an active construction site and the viewing area has been closed for security and insurance reasons. 

 

Mr. Glasgow asked how long it would be before there was a decision on the windows and the glazing.  Mr. Clay reported that it is in the hands of HPRB. 

 

Renovation Contract:  The evaluation of the contract applicants is underway, but the contract has not been awarded.  The first bidder was removed.

 

North Hall Roof: Quinn Evans is preparing design drawings and details for the North Hall roof, but coordination issues have to be addressed before work can proceed.  Ms. Scheeder asked about the slate on the North Hall, which will be removed, and asked whether some of it could be made available to EMCAC for its use as possible keepsakes/ fundraisers.

 

Project Coordination: OPM has drafted an MOU on project coordination, based on an EMCAC draft.  He emphasized that coordination and communication is vital s the project moves forward, and that regularly scheduled meetings will be held.  The MOU will be attached to the funds when they are transferred for construction.

 

Market Five Gallery: Meetings have been held to discuss construction logistics.  They have arranged for vendors to remove their personal property from the North Hall, and Market Five’s property has been moved to the area behind the stage so the construction can proceed. On Thursday, OPM will remove the gallery display walls which will allow the North Hall window work to proceed.

 

OPM’s goal is to allow the weekend and evening activities to continue for as long as possible.  However, when construction gets under way, everything will be shut down. All vending will be the outside.   OPM will announce a closing date to EMCAC as soon as it is finalized.  Portions of the North Plaza and the East wall will be fenced off, and will not be open for use by vendors. OPM recognizes the need to balance safety requirements of the project with the need to disrupt outside vending activities as little as possible.

 

PPS Report:  The PPS report will be in two sections, the report on the results of PPS consultations with the community, and the RFP for the Market Manager.  They will be available by mid February.

 

East Hall fan: The installation of the fan is getting under way. Work will be done on Mondays to minimize conflict with Market activity.  OPM is evaluating the summer heat situation,

 

East Hall artwork: the artists are currently proofing the artwork, and it will probably be installed in March.  It will take 2 ½ to 3 weeks of prep work by Edge Advertising, and is weather dependent.

 

 6.    Market Manager

 

Brian Cook reported that

 

• Leases are no further along. They have billed out electricity to half of the merchants.
• There have been very few issues with trash.
• There has not been a great turnout for outside  vending

 

Mr. Glasgow reported that the light in front of the Market has been out for a couple of months.  He also reported on the robbery at Market Lunch, which was caught on camera.

 

Mr. Cook said that there is not a marketing plan for the spring.

 

 7.    Meeting with Cultural Tourism DC

 

Ms. Scheeder reported on her meeting with Cultural Tourism DC which plans to add a Historic Eastern Market Tour to its Walking Town DC weekend of free City tours for the Spring session, April 26-27, and its fall edition on September 20-21.  Local historian Carole Kolker, with support from CHRS and the CHCF, will develop the content of the tour, and will also serve as tour guide.  It could be of great benefit in marketing the Market.

 8.     Nominations

 

A meeting is being set up with the Tenant’s Council to discuss their nominations procedure for EMCAC.

 

 

 9.    Tenant’s Council

 

 The Tenant’s Council reported that there was a meeting combining the Tenant’s council and east Hall merchants with David O’Neil of PPS to discuss the RFP for management. Mr. Berman presented a written report summarizing that meeting. .

 

 10.           Treasurer’s Report

 

There was no Treasurer’s Report because of the absence of the Treasurer.

 

 

11. There were no comments from the community or other announcements.

 11.           Next Meetings

 

The next meetings of EMCAC will be on Wednesdays, February 27th, March 26th, April 23^rd, June 25^th, July 23^rd, August 27^th, and September 24^th.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

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