Snow, ICE, Tunnel Updates at February ANC Meeting
By • February 9, 2026 0 615
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E held its second meeting of 2026 on Monday, Feb. 2.
Update From Brooke Pinto
Council member Brooke Pinto discussed the late-January storm and severe cold spell that crippled the region. “It has been a very difficult eight days, and there are a lot of places and alleys and issues that are still waiting for coverage,” she said. Pinto stressed the need for improved weather-related emergency preparedness, saying that snowstorms, along with extreme heat and summer storms, are “scarily going to continue.”
The city has entered additional contracts for Bobcat tractors with smaller plows attached to create pathways to residential alleys for trash pickup. Pinto encouraged residents to let them know if their alleys have not yet been plowed, so they can continue to follow up with the mayor’s team. She also reminded residents that, per Mayor Muriel Bowser, fines will be issued to residents who are not shoveling their sidewalks.
Snow removal was discussed at length during the ANC meeting. Photo by Susan Bernhardt.
Pinto gave a public safety update, noting major reductions in crime across the city, which is generally on-trend for the winter months. She spoke about the Prosper DC legislative plan, which comprises 23 new bills aimed at public safety and economic opportunity, including apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries through local universities. There are also plans to establish teen centers in every quadrant, open on nights and weekends.
Pinto wanted to make sure a Department of Public Works oversight hearing, slated for Feb. 12, was on the community’s calendar. She said that 2E has had “unacceptable progress this year with leaf collection, trash pickup and snow.”
The new trash bins will have sensors to notify DPW when they are 70-percent full. “It shouldn’t be all of our amazing, hard-working commissioners who are calling DPW every weekend, saying the bins are overflowing yet again,” Pinto said.
Snow removal in Georgetown. Photo by Susan Bernhardt.
Q&A with Pinto
Commissioner Kishan Putta asked whether the Metropolitan Police Department is cooperating with immigration officials. Pinto responded that Mayor Bowser has said the MPD was not coordinating with ICE, which she understands to be true. Several federal agencies are authorized to handle immigration enforcement, including the FBI and ATF, but they are mainly focusing on illegal firearms and drug cases.
What Pinto was most concerned about was the ramping up of immigration enforcement by Homeland Security Investigations. Her office sent a letter to MPD in December asking how many immigration-related arrests there have been and what is the result of those cases. After receiving an unsatisfactory response, Pinto followed up with Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll; there will be an oversight hearing with MPD on Feb. 25.
Commissioner Gwendolyn Lohse asked Pinto to help improve communication between local communities and the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Commissioner Mimsy Lindner stressed that while the new trash cans with the technology Pinto mentioned are great, there is an issue with staffing.
The first question from meeting participants concerned the Safe Routes to School Bill and how it took away some much-needed parking spaces. Pinto was also asked about DPW checking on cars to enforce parking regulations. She was told that businesses are suffering because parking meters are being taken over by what are assumed to be commuters or “people that are gaming the system.” Pinto responded that she is hoping to authorize others in the community to help with parking enforcement, and she is exploring more creative ways to get more action on this.
Other questions included frustrations with DDOT about removing parking spots and an alarm going off incessantly at Hardy Middle School.
A resident urged Pinto to “not relent” until she gets a complete response to MPD’s role in the Oct. 24 predawn, multiagency raid at a residential building at 1410 Wisconsin Ave. NW.
MPD Reminder; Mayor’s Office Update
MPD briefly reminded people to not leave things in their cars. The mayor’s office gave an update about snow removal and registered complaints about unplowed streets and uncleared sidewalks, including by the National Mall.
Potomac River Tunnel Project Update
A Potomac River Tunnel project representative spoke about the tunnel, which will be approximately 5.5 miles long, connecting Joint Base Anacostia to the Anacostia River Tunnel and ending at Georgetown University on Canal Road.
Starting with 30th and K Streets, an underground diversion facility will be built to connect the existing sewer to the tunnel. There will be some construction, with lane closures and traffic pattern changes; notices will go out in advance. At Georgetown Waterfront Park, the site has been extended into the parking area between Potomac Street and 33rd Street and the bike path has been diverted into Georgetown Waterfront Park.
A public forum about the project is planned on Feb. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. Residents were encouraged to learn more and sign up for email updates at dcwater.com/prt.
Open Period
The possibility of getting a food waste drop-off bin closer to Georgetown was mentioned.
Old Georgetown Board
Outerbridge Horsey spoke about his work with Eileen McGrath to place historic markers in Georgetown, presenting a map with 10 possible locations. The cast bronze markers are about $3,000 each. Funding sources have not been determined. Horsey said they would be getting feedback from the Old Georgetown Board that Thursday. Commenting that it was a great idea, Commissioner Lindner praised Horsey and McGrath for “taking the bull by the horns and trying to get the job done.”
Commercial signage for the new Jinya Ramen Bar; a two-story rear addition, stairs and a trash enclosure at 3111 P St. NW; and a revised concept for a six-story, mixed-use building at 3000 M St. NW were discussed. Also: 2715 M St. NW and exterior alterations to convert commercial buildings for residential use.
The next ANC meeting will be held on Monday, March 2.
