celebrating & informing our community january 19, 2012, 7:30 pm brookfield elementary school
TRANSCRIPT
Brookfield Civic AssociationGeneral Meeting
Celebrating & Informing Our Community
January 19, 2012, 7:30 pmBrookfield Elementary School
AgendaWelcome / About BCA
Minutes, Old Business & Committee Reports
Recent Accomplishments & Photos
Washington Gas Explosion Report Discussion
Other Public Safety & Commercial Parking Updates
Welcome /About BCA
Mission Statement:The purpose of The Brookfield Civic Association is to bring together an inclusive group of residents who share the common goal of promoting a safe and healthy community that is a great place to live.
“May we reach out our hands in service, and be blessed with enough foolishness to believe that we can make enough difference in this world to go out and do what others claim cannot be done!”
Current Board of DirectorsLarry Leeds
Jim Rollins
John Moore
Shelley Leeds
Terrie Koustenis
Margie Wheedleton
Steve Russick
Sami Besalel
Neighborhood RepsJohn Moore
Steve Russick
Margie Wheedleton
Sami Besalel
Terrie Koustenis
Shelley Leeds
Additional reps needed.See us after the meeting or email
Event ScheduleGeneral meetings are now held three times per
year. Our schedule is:January 19, 2012May 24, 2012
Volunteers are needed to coordinate and schedule another Neighborhood Cleanup.
Please see us after the meeting or email [email protected].
www.BrookfieldCivic.org
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Check Website for news, crime prevention tips, local events, government info & meetings.
Contacting BCAPostal Address:
The Brookfield Civic AssociationP.O. Box 222852Chantilly, Virginia 20153-2582
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.brookfieldcivic.org/
2012 BCA Action ItemsReport on Washington Gas investigation to date
Elimination of dangerous intersections in Brookfield
Resolution of illegal commercial vehicle parking in Brookfield
Establishment of large-area CPD for Sully District (thanks to volunteer)
Establishment of Snow Emergency Routes in Brookfield
Entrance beautification (phase 5)
Secondary signage for entering development (near Poplar Tree)
Neighborhood Entrance Beautification ProjectPhase I: original wall
Phase II: retrofit new wall
Phase III: Landscaping
Phase IV: Flagpole and lighting
Phase V: Landscaping around sound wall, secondary signage (if funds allow – please update your annual dues)
Story of a WallPhase
IPhase II
Phase III
Phase IV
Minutes & Committee Reports
Updated minutes on websiteCopies of meeting minutes or briefings
presented are on brookfieldcivic.org.
From any page, just click on Meeting Minutes in the navigation menu.
Recent Accomplishments
Recent Accomplishments…2nd Annual Brookfield Bike
& Hike 2011
New Brookfield entrance wall, Flagpole installation and lighting
Raised funds for Lees Corner home explosion victims
Adopt-A-Highway Program – cleanup activities at Rt. 50
Traffic Light at Poplar Tree and Lees Corner Road
Child Fingerprinting & Property Engraving program
Neighborhood Watch signs / program
New bridge across Frog Creek
Street sweeping & ice removal improvements
Proposal for Connector bus re-route incoming to Brookfield from Route 50
Bike & Hike 2011
Bike hikes along Frog Branch Creek
Walking tours/hikes along the Frog Branch Creek path
Free face painting
Hula Hoop contest
Free Gund teddy bears donated by FC police officers
Free grilled food, drinks and snacks
Bonni Epstein, organizer
Fairfax County Police safety officers for Leadership &
attendance Free water bottles and free bike
helmets
Boy Scouts for leading the walk
BCA volunteers
Brookfield Swim Club
Over 40 people attended our Bike & Hike 5/1
Events included: Our thanks to:
Thanks to all for coming to this community event!
All photos by Celeste Linthicum of the Chantilly Patch newspaper.
Fingerprint America Child Identification Program100 children were fingerprinted
and/or photographed by our volunteers and Sully District Police on November 21, 2009, at the Chantilly Regional Library.
Photos & fingerprint cards went home with the parents to keep, as an immediate aid to authorities in case of tragedy.
BCA sponsored “nearly free” photos to accompany.
We hope to continue this project, but we need funds and volunteers.
Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup
Brookfield Civic Association has adopted the south side portion and median of Route 50 (Lee Jackson Hwy)
Spans from Stringfellow Road west to Galesbury Lane
How You Can HelpNext Cleanup Date
To Be Announced.
Need coordination assistance and volunteers to do cleanup.
Will perform at least 2x per year.
TO VOLUNTEER, please contact Margie Wheedleton
PHONE: (703) 378-8267
EMAIL: [email protected]
Bridge Across Frog Creek
One Bridge Still Missing
Public Safety & Commercial Parking Updates
Let the Government Know!
Backups and accidents are frequent at the intersection of the Route 50 service road & Lees Corner Road.
Efforts to improve by adding a turn lane, changing access road to one-way, etc., are at an impasse. We need your voice.
If you have concerns about the Route 50 service road intersection with Lees Corner Road, please send an email to:
[email protected] and copy [email protected] and [email protected]
Community Parking District (CPD) Program
A CPD restricts certain parking in a limited area. Restrictions only apply to public streets in residential areas within any CPD.
Previous process to obtain a CPD was to go door-to-door to get petitions.
In March 2008, Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to allow for a new process to create a large area CPD.
District supervisor submits a request that would include most or all of their magisterial district.
BCA is attempting to get a CPD using this new process. Our Sully District Supervisor, Michael Frey, has been uncooperative.
Restrictions in a CPD Area:
Boat Trailer
Watercraft (boat)
Motor Home
Camping Trailer
Trailer or Semi-trailer, even if attached to a vehicle
Vehicle >= 3 axles
Vehicle w/gross vehicle weighted rating (GVWR) >= 12,000 lbs
CPD ExemptionsVehicles temporarily parked (for up to 48 hours)
for the purpose of loading, unloading or preparing for a trip are exempt.
More information is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/rtap.htm#cpd
Existing Large Area CPDsMt. Vernon: 3/10/2008
Lee: 10/19/2009
Reston: 4/27/2010
Springfield (including Greenbriar): 2/23/2010
Existing Neighborhood CPDsMore than 25 Sully District neighborhoods
have Community Parking Districts
Parking: How You Can Help
When you see a problem, you are encouraged to act.
Report illegally parked vehicles, oversized poorly parked rented equipment (esp. after 48 hours), unlicensed or expired-tag junker cars, unsafe vehicles.
Call the Fairfax Police Non-Emergency Number:(703) 691-2131
Help Keep Brookfield Safe & Pleasant
How Can You Help Improve Brookfield?
Report illegally parked vehicles
Report zoning violations
Report suspicious activity
Report suspected overcrowding (multiple families in residence)
Report “ridiculously long” grass (or cut it yourself)
Join Neighborhood Watch
Contribute to BCA – tax-deductible annual dues and ad hoc contributions
Brookfield Civic Association wants to help its residents keep the neighborhood safe, clean, lawful, and pleasant. Here are a few ways to fix some common problems:
Reporting Zoning Violations
The following are illegal:
Running a boarding house in Brookfield
Operating an unlicensed business (e.g., construction with heavy equipment; vehicle repair business; beauty shop; unlicensed child care facility)
Housing several unrelated renters in one home
Report Neglect/NegligenceParking on the grass
Grass exceeding 12 inches in length
Neglected property, improper trash disposal, or excessive junk in yard
Standing water causing mosquito infestation
Illegal parking, construction, or businesses
Report Uncut GrassIf the grass in a home is over 12 inches high,
you can complain to Fairfax County Land Development.
The owner is warned and is given a time period to fix.
If not, the county will have the lawn mowed and charge the owner $400.
Better to pay a service ~ $400 per season than $400 for one mowing.
Filing a ComplaintFiling a complaint with
Fairfax County is quick, easy and ANONYMOUS.
Go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov
Click on Complaints and Concerns.
Follow the prompts for your specific complaint. It will be routed to the proper agency.
Be Proactive: Neighborhood WatchOur Neighborhood Watch program is up and
running.
Signs are posted along Lees Corner Road.
Volunteer patrol teams patrol the neighborhood at least 2 days a week.
With training, you can join Neighborhood Watch.
Neighborhood Watch TrainingYOU CAN VOLUNTEER FOR AS LITTLE AS 1 HR PER
MONTH
Volunteers must take a 2-hour training class offered at the local police station.
All training is free.
Training dates & locations will be posted on our web site – click on “Neighborhood Watch” link.
Next Free Training Session:7:00 pm, Monday, October 17, 2011 at Sully District Police Station.
Help Us Help You
2012 Civic Association DuesAll progress in improving Quality of Life in Brookfield
has been a result of unpaid volunteer efforts and volunteer funds, including Neighborhood Watch.
Brookfield Civic Association membership is only $25 per year, and is tax deductible.
Help us to help you – please pay your annual dues today.
BCA is a non-profit organization.
We also are happy to accept on-the-spot contributions for any amount. We can provide receipts.
Gas Explosion Report
Government Explosion ReportWe received the final report from the State Corporation
Commission’s Division of Utility & Railroad Safety dated Nov 30, 2011
The report and its addendums have findings and photographs that we will share with you. It is a public report, approx 40 pages. The document is on the website at the Explosion link.
According to [the Washington Gas or WGL] investigation report filed with the Division, WGL “. . .believes that two potential sources of natural gas exist.” These two sources are “. . . the corrosion leak located in the street…and… the open fuel line located in the dwelling.” WGL concludes that the “. . . root cause of this incident remains undetermined as other investigations may be ongoing.”
Fire Department Report FindingsFCFD has closed its investigation and concluded that the explosion and subsequent fire at 4303 Lees Corner Road was accidental and created by the release of natural gas.
The Fire Department’s report further concludes that the probable ignition source was the open flame water heater located in the first floor utility room. The FCFD’s report did not indicate the source of the natural gas.
Explosion Report excerpts:Mr. Charles McCollum... and his son immediately ran across the street to look for the homeowner and his family at 4303 Lees Corner Road. Mr. McCollum... reported seeing a constant blue flame coming from the floor in the area of the house where the utility room was located.
WGL investigation had identified a gas leak in the street in front of the site of the explosion… the 1/2-inch copper service to the incident site had severe corrosion with multiple holes in the service line piping within 6 inches of its connection to the steel gas main. … [When} WGL... removed approximately 3 feet of the service line and installed a plug..., approximately 3 inches of the service piping broke off into the hands of one of the WGL crew as a result of its corroded condition.
Firemen reported “bubbling” along the curb in front of 4303 Lees Corner Road. Company crews barholed over the gas service line and along the gas main in the road and tested available openings such as manholes and valve boxes for the presence of natural gas. However, the WGL personnel did not document the results of these tests or readings as required by the Company’s Operation and Maintenance Manual, Procedure 3020 and WGL’s Emergency Plan, Procedure 1070. Barhole: (′bär ′hōl): In engineering, a small-diameter hole made in the ground along the route of a gas pipe in a bar test survey.
In addition, the Company crews did not determine the extent of the gas migration. While they barholed over the gas service line towards the home at 4303 Lees Corner, the barholes did not extend past the curb. According to WGL, the barholes did not extend past the curb because the FCFD had restricted access to the area by taping off the site. However, according to the Deputy Chief of the Fire Department, the Officer in Charge during the incident, FCFD would have allowed WGL to make some barholes towards the front of the structure and take readings once the fire was suppressed. Further, the Fire Department reported that they have a good liaison with the Company, and as WGL is the subject matter expert in dealing with natural gas, FCFD would have certainly allowed the Company crews to perform testing if they had asked to do so.
Photos from Government ReportThe following photos and captions are excerpts
from the State Corporation Commission’s report.
See Attachment 2 of the report for the original photos. No changes or enhancements were made of these images.
Service Line – Photo
Photo taken December 20, 2010 of gas service line and tapping tee, in-situ, serving 4303 Lees Corner Road
Removed Pieces of Service Line
Photo taken December 20, 2010 showing removed pieces of the copper gas service line serving 4303 Lees Corner Road
Service Line Overview
Photo taken December 22, 2010 at WGL office showing overview of gas service line for 4303 Lees Corner Road as removed from site
Corroded Pipe – Closeup
Photo taken December 22, 2010 at WGL office - close-up of the severe corrosion on the gas service line to 4303 Lees Corner Road
Corroded Pipe – Closeup 2
Photo taken December 22, 2010 at WGL office - close-up of the severe corrosion on the gas service line to 4303 Lees Corner Road
Unterminated Fuel Line
On [1/18/11, SCC] Staff was on site with representatives from FORCONInternational (“FORCON”), a forensic investigation company hired by the homeowner’sinsurance company to examine the remains of the home. At this time, a 1-inch diameter steelcustomer owned gas fuel line was noted on the second floor of the residence. The endof this gas fuel line was open with no evidence of a cap being in place.
FORCON had the open end of this section of piping tested... for the presence of pipe thread sealant. The compounds found were typical byproducts from a fire. No indications of thread sealant were found.
Report Findings (1)Based upon its investigation, SCC Staff notes the following findings:
1. Just prior to the incident, a resident reported a smell of gas in the road in front of Brookfield Elementary School, approximately 250 yards from the incident site;
2. The homeowner at 4304 Willoughby Court, located immediately behind 4303 Lees Corner Road, noticed a strong smell of gas at the intersection of Pennsboro Drive and Lees Corner Road. This homeowner was the person who called 911 and reported the strong odor of gas;
3. Another resident noticed a strong smell of gas between the curb and sidewalk across the street from 4303 Lees Corner Road;
4. The Fire Department reported “bubbling” at the curb in front of 4303 Lees Corner Road;
Report Findings (2)5. Soon after arrival to the scene, the Fire Department measured five percent and eight percent of the LEL of natural gas in the homes located at 4300 and 4302 Lees Corner Road respectively. These levels dropped to zero percent by 2:00 a.m. December 20, 2010 after the leak on the service line to 4303 Lees Corner Road was repaired;
6. The natural gas was odorized such that it was readily detectable by a person with a normal sense of smell at approximately 0.17% gas in air;
7. WGL did not document the initial combustible gas readings taken upon their arrival to the site. The only documented readings taken occurred after the leak on the service line to 4303 Lees Corner Road had been repaired;
8. Based on the information from several residents in the area, and the Fire Department, gas was migrating from the leak on the service line. The Company did not fully identify the gas migration area. The barholes and testing performed as a result of this incident by WGL crews was to find the leak. The extent of the gas migration or its path was never determined;
Report Findings (3)9. WGL did not perform any barhole testing past the curb at 4303 Lees Corner Road. According to the Company, barhole testing was not conducted because the Fire Department had restricted access to the area. However, Staff’s discussions with the Fire Department indicated that permission to perform such testing up to the front of the structure would have been granted upon request;
10. Severe corrosion created a number of holes in the natural gas service line serving 4303 Lees Corner Road at the connection to the service tee on the steel main. The piping had been weakened to the extent that a portion of the service line broke off when it was removed from the ground. Natural gas would have been escaping from these holes at 55 psig;
11. WGL did not take any readings of combustible gas in the soil prior to beginning to aspirate to remove residual natural gas in the ground;
12. An open ended section of customer owned natural gas fuel line terminating on the second floor of the home was found. Testing of the threads on the open end did not identify any constituents of thread sealant that may have been placed on the pipe if a cap was installed.
Report Findings (4)12. Continued - As the interior fuel lines operate at approximately 0.25 psig, gas would have been escaping from this opening at that pressure until the service regulator ceased to function properly as a result of damage from the incident;
13. The homeowner built two additions to the home and gave notice of the construction to Virginia’s notification center on April 1, 2008. WGL marked the service line to 4303 Lees Corner Road on April 3, 2008. The homeowner or his contractor did not request the Company to move the gas service line so it would not have been in conflict with the home addition;
14. The addition built in 2008 on the left side of the house was built on a concrete slab poured directly over WGL’s gas service line;
15. WGL received notice of the proposed construction for the additions to the home via the notification center on April 1, 2008 and marked the gas service line on April 3, 2008. The Company did not identify that the addition was being constructed over its gas service line and that the gas service line should be moved;
Report Findings (5)16. WGL performed a leak survey of its facilities in this area on June 1, 2009. No record was provided that demonstrated the service line to 4303 Lees Corner Road was surveyed for leaks under the house;
17. The Fire Department concluded that the incident was caused by the accidental release of natural gas. The origin of the natural gas was not determined by the Fire Department; and
18. WGL concluded that two potential sources of the natural gas existed. As a result, the Company states that the “... root cause of this incident remains undetermined.”
WGL neither collected nor documented important information and, therefore, certain necessary facts are unknown such as the extent of the gas migration and the combustible gas readings in the soil taken prior to the service line repair and aspiration of the soil. The testing of the open ended section of the customer owned fuel line terminating on the second floor of the home did not conclusively show this pipe was capped. Accordingly, the Division of Utility and Railroad Safety cannot determine the source of the natural gas that caused the December 19, 2010, accident at 4303 Lees Corner Road in Chantilly, Virginia.
Probable Violations by WGLBelow is a list of “probable violations” of the Commission's Standards that the Division of Utility and Railroad Safety has noted as a result of its investigation of this incident. The Division’s enforcement process provides WGL an opportunity to review this report and respond to the “probable violations”, before an enforcement action is recommended to the Commission.
1) 49 C.F.R. § 192.605 (a) - Failing to follow the Company’s Operations and Maintenance Standard, Section 3020, by not recording test readings of natural gas discovered on Company’s Maintenance Field Orders on December 19, 2010 after the incident that occurred at 4303 Lees Corner Road, Chantilly, Virginia;
2) 49 C.F.R. § 192.605 (a) - Failing to follow the Company’s Emergency Plan Standard, Section 1070, by not documenting specific leakage test readings and locations of natural gas discovered as part of the Company’s on-site investigation on December 19, 2010 at the incident that occurred at 4303 Lees Corner Road, Chantilly, Virginia;
3) 49 C.F.R. § 192.605 (a) - Failing to follow the Company’s Operations and Maintenance Standard, Section 4050, which was developed to comply with 49 C.F.R. § 192.721, by not observing a condition that may affect the safety and operations of a pipeline. Specifically the service line that was located under a concrete foundation at 4303 Lees Corner Road, Chantilly, Virginia was not identified as a condition that impacted WGL’s facilities;
Probable Violations by WGL (2)4) 49 C.F.R. § 192.605 (a) - Failing to follow the Company’s Operations and Maintenance Standard, Section 4010, by not performing a complete leak survey on June 1, 2009 of a residential service line as a result of the service line being located under a concrete foundation at 4303 Lees Corner Road, Chantilly, Virginia;
5) 49 C.F.R. § 192.605 (a) - Failing to follow the Company’s Operations and Maintenance Standard, Section 4010, by not identifying and recording a “service violation” of the service line that was located under a concrete foundation at 4303 Lees Corner Road, Chantilly, Virginia during the June 1, 2009 leak survey;
6) 49 C.F.R. § 192.605 (a) - Failing to follow the Company’s Operations and Maintenance Standard, Section 3019, by not documenting the natural gas migration on December 19, 2010 after the incident that occurred at 4303 Lees Corner Road, Chantilly, Virginia;
7) 49 C.F.R. § 192.605 (b)(1) - Failing to have a procedure for the temporary abandonment of copper service lines.
8) 49 C.F.R. § 192.605 (b)(1) - Failing to have a procedure for reuse of the polymer isolation sleeve on copper service lines.
Probable Violations by WGL (3)9) 49 C.F.R. § 192.467 (d) – Failing to make inspections and tests to assure that the electrical isolation of the copper service line from the cathodically protected steel main was adequate.
10) 49 C.F.R. § 192.614 (a) – Failing to monitor excavations over Company facilities as required by Company’s Operations and Maintenance Standard 4099, Damage Prevention Monitoring, developed to comply with § 192.614 (c)(6).
11) Failure to comply with the Commission Order of Settlement in Case No. URS-2007- 00238* by not prominently displaying Virginia’s damage prevention educational messages on the outside of the incident command trailer.
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* See State Corporation Commission v. Washington Gas Light Company, Case No. URS-2007-00238, 2009 S.C.C. Ann. Rept. 644, Order of Settlement (Jan. 5, 2009).