January 2025 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Hybrid Meeting
Welcome/Introductions
Dues collection - Pay in-person or online
Guest Speakers
Larry Nunley - Dept Public Works
There will be several community meetings about the water rate increases
More information and all meetings: https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/news/press-releases/2025-01-09-dpw-director-engage-residents-community-meetings-proposed-water-rate
Committee Review
Committee Chairs gave an overview of their respective committees’ accomplishments for 2024 and discussed their planned projects for 2025. Attendees were encouraged to volunteer.
Discussion
Treasurer Report/Proposed 2025 Budget: The proposed budget was presented and line items were discussed. A vote was taken (see votes below).
UFPIA Borders
The Board of Fells Prospect wants to dissolve and would like the UFPIA to absorb areas that would otherwise be unrepresented.
Discussion included what would be involved, cost, borders, etc.
Some felt this was a good opportunity to engage more with Fells Prospect neighbors
Others felt it would double the duties to committee chairs and increase the cost of activities without much increase in the number of volunteers and members
Would increase cost of newsletter and need for 20+ volunteers to deliver additional newsletters
Suggestion for residents of Fells Prospect to join UFPIA as associate/non-voting members to show that they can and will step up to contribute to the organization
Fells Prospect: Will be discussing this at their January meeting and proposing a vote during their February meeting.
FP has approximately $6K in funds that would be donated to UFPIA
FP has 13 active members, lost several board members recently, but have some people who have historically been involved
To establish an adhoc boundaries committee and then present the pros and cons to the membership at a future meeting before the UFPIA May elections
Votes
Motion: To approve the proposed 2025 budget; motion passed.
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn - beautification@upperfellspoint.org
Will be pruning street trees on Jan. 11th and Feb 1st
Will continue cleanups; contact Mallory if you’d like to lead your own cleanup
Community Garden
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
We have 26 garden plots with 35 gardeners
No plots available - there is a waitlist
EDUCATION
Vacant
FUND-RAISING
Lisa Knickmeyer - fundraising@upperfellspoint.org
Bingo is coming on March 2nd - UFPIA's Bingo — Upper Fell's Point Improvement Association
Contact Lisa if you’d like to get involved or have some ideas moving forward.
LadY DAY WAY
Beth Russo - ladydayway@upperfellspoint.org
Will be implementing the DHCD CHSW Traffic Calming Project together with Graham Projects:
Full Length Pavement Art (length of 550 feet)
Pedestrian crossing murals at Durham & Pratt and Durham & Gough
Work with Baltimore City DOT to get two speed humps installed.
Continue working with residents to install or repair existing stoop lights with the use of dusk-to-dawn bulbs
Fundraise, design & install new mural at 243 S Durham in memory of Michael Fieden (d. 11/4/2024)
Repair and embellish sally port gates.
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)
Google group is active: contact secretary@upperfellspoint.org
Safety (sub-committee)
Dan Harrison - safety@upperfellspoint.org
Dusk-to-dawn light bulbs are available
MEDIA
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
No news
Traffic & Parking
Parker Bratton - trafficparking@upperfellspoint.org
Wolfe/Washington Corridor Project
Major improvements coming to Washington St.
2.1 mile two-way cycle track
ADA ramps, pedestrian signals and traffic calming
Washington St: https://streetsofbaltimore.com/washingtonst
NEW BUSINESS
Ernstein Chambers: Chopped Broadway Deli & Grocery (307 S Broadway)
New deli and grocery in neighborhood
Background:
in federal government and wanted to provide opportunities for accessible, healthy foods and job opportunities in the area
Vegan farming
Trained social worker
Suzanne Bailey: has signs available to welcome diversity in the neighborhood
Shea: has some resources to distribute and will be in touch with the UFPIA Board to do so
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.
