February 2025 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Hybrid Meeting
Welcome/Introductions
Guest Speakers
Mark Gaither, Principal at Wolfe St. Academy, mentioned that the changes under President Trump’s administration has impacted the school and added stress to the students/parents regardless of immigration status. There is a lot of uncertainty including free lunches for needy students. Attendance has declined even though they have informed families of their rights and are encouraging normalcy. In addition, WSA will be getting a new elevator soon and they have regained their status as a better than average school in the state.
Information on knowing your rights/supporting neighbors - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RkpyJBQCflhhe9_ha15WBDREPQB4yCR_/view.)
Trey Spear, BGE External Affairs stated that they will be installing a brick wall around the BGE substation in the fall (they are in the design phase). BGE is adding a new liner to the main gas line. Those on Gough will have the option of an interior (when possible) or exterior regulator. For questions about the work being done around Gough, Bank and S Washington, contact Ken Gostomski at operationpipeline@bge.com.
311 Requests
Parking complaints
Water leaks
Officer Reports
Treasurer’s report given
Dues collection
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn - beautification@upperfellspoint.org
Many thanks to our tree pruners
Cleanup on March 1st 9-11am; evening cleanup/socials will be back soon
Planning meeting 3/16 at 5pm to discuss projects for the upcoming year
Discussed having a standard letter for businesses and residents about not disposing their trash in public trash cans
Community Garden
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
Garden work day on 2/22 - adding soil to raised bed boxes - 9am until done
Upcoming events Plant Swap & Cycle Tour on 4/27, Honey Happy Hr. in August & Oktoberfest end of Sept
EDUCATION
Need a volunteer to work w/ Mark Gaither at WSA
FUND-RAISING
Lisa Knickmeyer - fundraising@upperfellspoint.org
Bingo is coming on March 2nd - about 3/4 of tickets have been sold
Need prizes: donate unused items or re-gifting donations.
Contact Lisa if you’d like to get involved or have some ideas moving forward.
LADY DAY WAY
Beth Russo - ladydayway@upperfellspoint.org
Full award of grant for traffic calming will go to the Lady Day Way Project.
Unable to gain the support needed from direct neighbors at Eastern & S Ann.
More work needs to be done to gain support from businesses currently using space for parking. Not enough time in this grant timeline to do so.
LAND-USE
Mark Hoffmann - landuse@upperfellspoint.org
Monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at the Julie Community Center w. Safety committee (~1.5 hrs)
Next meeting - March 3rd at 7pm at the Julie Community Center.
Google group is active: contact secretary@upperfellspoint.org
Dumpster Days: April 5 & June 14 (City not allowing us to schedule additional days until June).
Ongoing: BMZA Variance Requests, Receivership Hearings, Foreclosure Proceedings, CHAP Violations, Overhead Wire Project
Sweet Carolina contemplating next steps
1826 Bank - hearing on 2/19 to submit rehab plans
1917 Bank - foreclosure
209 S Chapel - condemned - hearing on 3/5
1800 Eastern - CHAP stop work - no permit
130 S Durham - Illegal construction - potential to impact homes of neighbors - contact Mark to write additional letters
SAFETY (sub-committee)
Dan Harrison - safety@upperfellspoint.org
Last two cameras to install
COP walks to start in warmer weather
MEDIA
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
March newsletter deadline is 2/23 at 5pm
Traffic & Parking
Parker Bratton - trafficparking@upperfellspoint.org
Vision Zero Project: https://streetsofbaltimore.com/visionzero
Dept. of Transportation is working to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries and wants to hear from you
Near Miss Survey: https://bit.ly/ufpia_nearmiss
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion about a Nextdoor post regarding someone who was unhappy about a fine of $50 for a trashcan on the street and felt that the UFPIA should be more welcoming.
The UFPIA is not a home owners association and does not fine neighbors.
It was recommended that the UFPIA add an automatic welcome message to Nextdoor; Dan agreed to update it.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
To vote on issues at a meeting, you must have paid your current dues (based on calendar year beginning in January), attended 2 of the preceding 11 meetings, live in our boundaries and be age 18 and/or attended UFPIA sponsored events/activities per our Meeting & Voting Regulations.
