Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2014 14:09:01 -0500
Subject: Fwd: Question Regarding 'Create McMillan Park' Yard Signs
From: mathew.bader@gmail.com
I wanted to forward Anne's response to you in case you would like to post this on the listserv. I believe it at least clarifies the funding for the signs that are popping up in the neighborhood. At her request, please post her entire response so that nothing is taken out of context. Thanks.
Mat
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Anne Corbett <alc@envisionmcmillan.com>
Date: Tue, Jan 7, 2014 at 11:35 AM
Subject: RE: Question Regarding 'Create McMillan Park' Yard Signs
To: Mathew Bader <mathew.bader@gmail.com>
Cc: Tania Jackson <mcmsalon@gmail.com>, Dianne Barnes <dianne_brns@yahoo.com>
From: Anne Corbett <alc@envisionmcmillan.com>
Date: Tue, Jan 7, 2014 at 11:35 AM
Subject: RE: Question Regarding 'Create McMillan Park' Yard Signs
To: Mathew Bader <mathew.bader@gmail.com>
Cc: Tania Jackson <mcmsalon@gmail.com>, Dianne Barnes <dianne_brns@yahoo.com>
Mat,
VMP has been approached by numerous neighbors who felt their views were not being represented. In response to their suggestion, VMP coordinated and paid for the printing of yard signs. We would NOT want to exclude those residents who are unable to pay for a sign.
If you choose to quote me on this, please do so in whole. Please don’t take some of my words out of context.
Thanks,
Anne L. Corbett
Project Director
VISION MCMILLAN PARTNERS
EYA | JAIR LYNCH Development Partners | Trammell Crow Company
From: Mathew Bader [mailto:mathew.bader@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 2:43 PM
To: Anne Corbett
Cc: Tania Jackson; Dianne Barnes
Subject: Re: Question Regarding 'Create McMillan Park' Yard Signs
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 2:43 PM
To: Anne Corbett
Cc: Tania Jackson; Dianne Barnes
Subject: Re: Question Regarding 'Create McMillan Park' Yard Signs
Hey Anne,
Just wanted to follow-up on this question. In your response you stated, "VMP coordinated the printing of these signs at the suggestion of residents supporting our proposed plan." My question for you was, "Did VMP pay for the printing of these signs or simply help residents to pool together resources to cover the cost for printing these signs?" I look forward to your response and will likely see you at the ECA this evening.
Just wanted to follow-up on this question. In your response you stated, "VMP coordinated the printing of these signs at the suggestion of residents supporting our proposed plan." My question for you was, "Did VMP pay for the printing of these signs or simply help residents to pool together resources to cover the cost for printing these signs?" I look forward to your response and will likely see you at the ECA this evening.
Thanks and hope your holiday season went well,
Mat
Mat
On Fri, Dec 27, 2013 at 1:24 PM, Mathew Bader <mathew.bader@gmail.com> wrote:
Meaning that VMP paid for the printing of these signs? Or simply helped residents to pool together resources to cover the cost for printing these signs?
Mat
On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 at 3:09 PM, Anne Corbett <alc@envisionmcmillan.com> wrote:
VMP coordinated the printing of these signs at the suggestion of residents supporting our proposed plan.
Anne Corbett
Project Director
VISION MCMILLAN PARTNERS
EYA · JAIR LYNCH Development Partners · Trammell Crow Company
202.494.7523 | alc@envisionmcmillan.com | @VisionMcMillan
From: Mathew Bader <mathew.bader@gmail.com>
Date: Monday, December 23, 2013 9:24 AM
To: Tania Jackson <mcmsalon@gmail.com>, Anne Corbett <alc@envisionmcmillan.com>
Subject: Question Regarding 'Create McMillan Park' Yard Signs
Date: Monday, December 23, 2013 9:24 AM
To: Tania Jackson <mcmsalon@gmail.com>, Anne Corbett <alc@envisionmcmillan.com>
Subject: Question Regarding 'Create McMillan Park' Yard Signs
Hey Tania and Anne,
I am sure you noticed the 'Create McMillan Park' yard signs that are springing up in the neighborhood. I just had one basic question, is the cost for the yard signs being funded privately by residents (e.g. Barrie Daneker wanted to show support so he paid for his sign) or being funded by VMP (e.g. Barrie Daneker wanted to show support so VMP gave him a sign)?
I am sure you noticed the 'Create McMillan Park' yard signs that are springing up in the neighborhood. I just had one basic question, is the cost for the yard signs being funded privately by residents (e.g. Barrie Daneker wanted to show support so he paid for his sign) or being funded by VMP (e.g. Barrie Daneker wanted to show support so VMP gave him a sign)?
Thanks and I look forward to your response,
Mat
8 comments:
Does it matter who paid for them? Who paid for the "Save McMillian Park" signs if we are going to start asking questions. I am just glad that others are getting a voice in on this. Tired of the people who want it to be a vegetable garden with solar panels being the only ones out there with signs in their yards.
Mona,
Fair question. I followed up with Anne based on questions I received about who funds these signs. If you have concerns over who funds the Save McMillan Park signs, please send me an email (mathew.bader@gmail.com) and I would be happy to look into this for you. As I see things (based on what I understand):
-- Vision McMillan Partners is paid by the city to perform development management services. One of these services is community outreach/engagement. As the District, and indirectly resident tax dollars, fund VMP outreach efforts, the District is paying to have these signs put up in the neighborhood.
-- 'Save McMillan Park' signs are paid for by residents and purchased from Friends of McMillan Park. In the instance where a resident cannot afford a sign, it may be provided free by Friends of McMillan Park. I believe that the Friends of McMillan Park are supported solely by donations from individuals.
Personally, and not in any way as a MAG member, I see this problem as this. To have a fair assessment of the current neighborhood sentiment for the development project, Vision McMillan Partners and the District would need to finance signs both in support of the project and in opposition to the project. From a practical standpoint I understand why no developer wants to show opposition to their development efforts. However, by omitting the other side, there is now a scenario where citizens that do not want this project must compete with the funding levels of the District which is unreasonable to expect. The fact that the District is indirectly the developer on this project complicates matters.
I don't see how signs play into the current zoning commission review or later review by the Mayor's Agent, so in the end this may all be a moot point. Either VMP developed a plan that reflects input from the entire community or it didn't. That is up to everyone to decide for herself or himself. But, I hope this at least clarifies the sign matter from my perspective.
Mathew Bader
Bloomingdale Civic Association (BCA) McMillan Advisory Group (MAG) Representative
Three Observations:
1) It doesn't matter which EYA/VMP representative is speaking, they can't give you a straight answer. First Corbett refuses to admit EYA/VMP paid for the signs. (Only that they "coordinated")
2) Then, Corbett says the signs were provided for those who are "unable to pay." One need only look at the homes that have signs to see this is yet another mis-representation.
3) For the little people, those of us who are not being handed 25 acres of publicly-owned property, if we dare to organize opposition to the bizarre mother of all Pop-Up designs, yes we can raise our own money and put up signs. But, as taxpayers, we are also forced to pay for the signs designed by the developer. EYA/VMP has already collected millions from the DC government. So, if you paid for a 'Save McMillan Park' sign, remember you paid for the 'Create McMillan Park' sign as well. The only difference is you had a choice about whether to pay for the 'Save the Park' sign.
Interesting....big assumptions being made about how this is all getting paid for. EYA/VMP is large company with other project. There is no proof that they directly took funds they got from DC to pay for the signs. They have revenue coming in from other places so how do you automatically assume the funds are coming from DC and then make the leap that DC is paying for the signs. I remember when talk among neighbors asking how do we get signs showing we don't support the "Save McMillian" signs in the neighborhood. Someone probably then asked EYA/VMP how we could get signs to counter the protest and they decided to help "coordinate" getting the signs. Of course EYA/VMP would help with that, it furthers support for their project. The city nor EYA/VMP would ever support the "Save Mcmillian" signs because they want it done. Even if they wrote the check for a warehouse full of these signs there is no way of knowing if they paid for them from received funds from DC. Interesting logic being used here.
Mona,
Your argument is entirely possible so maybe I should clarify my statement.
The District has contracted with Vision McMillan Partners (VMP) to provide 'Development Management Services.' As I understand it, this means that VMP is working on the District's behalf to further this project not on the behalf of Trammel Crow, EYA or Jair Lynch (who make up VMP). Under this contract, VMP has specific obligations, one of which is community outreach (which the sign issue appears to fall under).
You are correct that developers that comprise VMP (EYA, Jair Lynch, Trammell Crow) have their own funds for other projects. However, VMP is not performing development management services using those as typically happens. As such, they are being paid to execute the services agreed to with the District on the District's behalf.
For example, Trammell Crow has an agreement with the lobbying firm Carmen Group Inc., whereby they pay $10,000 a month for the group to lobby the Council solely as it pertains to McMillan (see lobby report here, http://mcmillanadvisorygroup.wordpress.com/mcmillan-development-plans/financial-information-associated-with-mcmillan/council-lobbying-costs/). In this case, I believe Trammell Crow is funding this effort using its own funds. VMP has indicated that they are using VMP funds for the signs. As VMP currently is contracted only to provide the District with development management services, I think it's logical to assume these funds are coming from the city.
The entire situation is a bit of a grey area, as I believe this is the first time that the District has ever funded the preliminary planning stages of a PUD development and not put the onus on the contractor. But nonetheless, they have. So in my mind any funds used in the preliminary planning stages should be associated with that contract. The lobbying action conflicts with my personal sentiment, but so long as Trammel Crow funded that effort and not VMP then it isn't as much of an issue, just perhaps a conflict of interest.
I hope this clarifies my point.
Mathew Bader
Bloomingdale Civic Association (BCA) McMillan Advisory Group (MAG) Representative
So it isn't nearly as sinister as it is being made out to be. Sounds like it is completely legal and expected use of funds. I think the "Save Mcmillian" (FOM) people are just pissed that there is someone actually disagreeing with them and has the nerve to put signs in their yard saying they don't agree with them
Mona,
So long as everyone is clear on the information, she or he may read the situation however they so choose. Personally, I agree with you that this is less of a legal issue than it is an ethical issue.
As always, I appreciate your responses.
Mathew Bader
Bloomingdale Civic Association McMillan Advisory Group Representative
Mr. Kirk,
Regardless on how you may feel about the content in responses from Ms. Corbett, I will say that she has been great about responding to my questions over the past two months.
As with Mona, I appreciate your responses on the subject.
Mathew Bader
Bloomingdale Civic Association McMillan Advisory Group Representative
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