ANC Meeting Rescheduled to Jan. 30; New Regulations in Effect

The Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission postponed its Jan. 2 meeting until Jan. 30, when it will hold a combined January-February gathering. The commission will also face almost a dozen new regulations that were passed by the District Council in December over the objections of Ward 2 member Jack Evans and Ward 6 member Charles Allen.

The ANC Amendment Act of 2016 adds requirements intended to increase public interaction and strengthen oversight. For instance, each ANC must now submit a comprehensive annual report detailing all its actions for the year. All commission members will be required to attend mandatory training sessions on the proper use of ANC funds for community grant projects. And every ANC will now be required to provide advance notice to businesses and residents directly affected by upcoming agenda items.

Some critics say these new regulations will make the volunteer commissioners’ duties more difficult and time-consuming. Proponents see them as “raising the great weight standard.” That is a goal of many involved with ANCs; though they have no official legislative or enforcement authority in the District, their deliberations, advice, votes and opinions are officially given “great weight” by the D.C. Council.

A proposal to provide monetary compensation for ANC members did not make it into the final approved bill.