WASHINGTON, D.C. – At its first meeting of the year, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A heard frustration from residents over lingering snow and ice, as community members urged city officials to clear sidewalks, crosswalks and bus stops still obstructed days after a winter storm.
The meeting, held virtually due to hazardous road conditions, drew all nine commissioners and 36 total attendees. During the public comment period, multiple Ward 5 residents described difficulty navigating their neighborhoods because of unclear walkways and alleyways.
Shameek Moore spoke with the commissioners and Lacey Davis, a community outreach liaison from the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services for Ward 5, about the challenges of traveling through uncleared snow and ice with his child. “We had to climb mountains of slush and sleet and ice to get to the bus stop, and the bus stop is not plowed… The updates and communication have been tragic,” Moore said.
Davis said the storm placed unusual strain on city crews. “This was an unprecedented snowstorm,” Davis said, explaining that the Department of Public Works is still working to break up thick ice on streets and clear major roadways. Because of ongoing snow operations, regular trash collection has been delayed and there is no set date for when it will fully resume, the Mayor’s Office said.
City officials also announced that fines for unshoveled sidewalks are temporarily suspended. Under normal circumstances, property owners are required to clear sidewalks and adjacent alleys within eight hours of snowfall. Several residents have called for better coordination and larger equipment to speed up snow removal, particularly in residential streets and alleyways.
Beyond the snow concerns, commissioners conducted their annual officer elections to begin the new year, selecting Commissioner Garnica and Commissioner Hermes as vice chair.
Commissioners also voted to adopt a hybrid meeting format going forward, allowing both in-person and virtual attendance to make the meetings more accessible to the community and commissioners. Future meetings are expected to rotate across the commissions’ Single Member Districts, with the February meeting scheduled to be held at the Catholic University of America.
The commission voted to apply for a $5000 Economic Assistance Fund Grant through the D.C. Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions. Commissioners agreed to add $3500 to the budget, which could be reimbursed if the grant is awarded.
ANC 5A’s next meeting is scheduled for February 25.
Featured image/photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash.