January 2023 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to Lynnie at secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Hybrid Meeting
Welcome/Introductions - President - Bill
Everyone was welcomed and new attendees introduced themselves.
50-50 Raffle reminder
Reminder - Illegal to store any trash or recycling containers on sidewalks. All containers must be stored off the sidewalk. Baltimore is now writing citations for non-compliance with this Law.
Assist Sanitation Workers- Consolidate boxes for collection by breaking them down and placing all in one or in few boxes to help sanitation workers.
Light Up Your Holiday Contest - Wendy
Contest winners are:
3rd Place: Ben and Jamie
2nd Place: Amanda & roommates
1st Place: Mina
Thanks to Lieutenant Smith and the First Battalion Roman A. Kaminski Fire Station for joining, judging and bringing their fire truck
Thanks to our sponsors too; they also were given a thank you plaque
BGE- Brain Megali is making arrangements for a meeting with BGE so residents can share needs/concerns about the gas work project.
BGE Outreach Coordinator has offered to meet with the community via Zoom to discuss ongoing challenges.
Senate President Ferguson and Councilman Cohen’s office are also going to be in attendance and work on accountability.
UFPIA members commented on parking, regulator size, timing, and communication.
Note: Zoom meeting with BGE was held on January 19th
(95% of gas main has been installed and 75% of new service to homes is complete - final by the end of March depending on the weather. For more details -
Video Link to Meeting:2023 BGE CMGPP UFP Community Meeting.mp4 - Google Drive
Full Notes from Meeting:1.19 BGE/Upper Fells Point Operation Pipeline Meeting Notes - Google Docs
Neighborhood Grant - Wendy
UFPIA to receive $80K grant to support safety in the neighborhood (cameras, lights, traffic calming, etc.)
Will get breakdown of approved projects around the end of January and 75% of payout in the spring.
Will work with police to determine the best locations for the street cameras.
Guest Speaker
Josh Espinoza presented the proposed Revised Land-Use Guidelines
Last revision was in 2007.
Input was received from residents and the Land-Use Committee compiled the final draft.
The Land-Use Committee will ensure that the guidelines are followed and will present any concerns to the UFPIA.
The link to the Baltimore City Design Manual (Transform Baltimore) will not be included as it constantly changes.
Decreasing vacant/abandoned properties will not be included.
It was mentioned that if a particular property was once commercial it can return to commercial if the neighbors agree to it and proof is provided that it was once commercial (does not matter on the year).
Votes:
Erik reminded everyone of voting rules; you can vote if you have not paid your dues for 2023 but you would have to pay them before the Feb. meeting to vote again.
Motion 1: To amend the verbiage in the proposed Nov. 16, 2022 Land-Use Guidelines to specify that it is for external demolition and preferred commercial uses would be reviewed and approved by the membership each year; motion passed (Y-24; No-4; A-2).
Motion 2: To approve the proposed Nov. 16, 2022 Land-Use Guidelines with the addition of external demolition and review of commercial uses each year as noted in Motion 1 above; motion passed (Y-24; No-2; A-2)
For final - UFPIA+Regulations++16JAN2023.pdf (squarespace.com)
Officer Reports
Treasurer:
Marla reminded everyone that it is time to pay your membership dues - $10/person or $20/household per calendar yr. beginning in January. If you pay through PayPal Charity there are no online fees at all - https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiswer/charity/1924453
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn—beautification@upperfellspoint.org
March 25th first Dumpster Day for 2023 (also 6/17, 8/26 & 11/4)
If you would like free leaf bags, contact Mallory.
Currently focusing on tree pruning (1/28 & 2/18)
Community Garden
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
No news
Education
George Croom — education@upperfellspoint.org
Wolfe Street Academy needs a volunteer who speaks fluent Spanish and willing to teach English to parents; contact George.
Land-Use
Mark Hoffmann - landuse@upperfellspoint.org
Revised land-use guidelines (see above under guest speaker/vote).
Sweet Carolina Liquors Update: Wants to get a 7-day liquor license so open on Sundays too. Land-Use is drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in exchange for a letter of support (i.e., limit hours and security issues, minimum purchases, etc.). If you have any concerns, contact Mark at landuse@upperfellspoint.org.
Safety (sub-committee)
Chris Moad safety@upperfellspoint.org
No news
Media
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
We have a new printer: JH Furst Co. on Eden Street
So far 65% of newsletter printing cost paid by ads.
If you know of anyone that would like an ad or if you want to take one, $10/mo.- contact Jan.
Deadline for February issue - February 5th
Traffic & Parking
Kurt Schiller - trafficparking@upperfellspoint.org
Eli Pusin, Commodore John Rogers INSPIRE, working with Dept. Planning to determine primary walking routes for students. Once get more details will need your input.
Councilman Cohen’s office and DOT are reviewing our intersections to determine the possibility of changing to flashing red signals or stops.
Traffic Calming (ROWart) - On stall until NPL finishes their gas lines upgrade; however, we may be able to start painting some of the planters.
New Business:
Two UFPIA meeting dates fall on a holiday [Presidents Day - February 20th and Juneteenth - June 19th].
It was suggested to keep the same date each month (i.e., third Monday) to be consistent.
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.
