March 2024 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Hybrid Meeting
Welcome/Introductions
Guest Speakers
Nan Nawrocki, Executive Director from Sail Baltimore, discussed the upcoming MD Fleet Week & Flyover which returns to Baltimore from June 12-18th. The ship tours, festivals, flyovers and educational activities will take place at the Inner Harbor, Fell’s Point, North Locust Point, and Martin State Airport. The ships will begin arriving on June 12th and will be open for public tours from June 13-17th from 10am-5pm unless otherwise indicated. The flyovers of modern and historic military and civilian aircraft will take place June 15-16th over the Inner Harbor (no Blue Angels). Volunteers are needed to help during the event too. For the complete schedule and more information, go to https://sailbaltimore.org.
Daryl Thorpe, Community Liaison for Councilman Tony Glover, and Michelle Lee, Chief of Staff, introduced themselves. Contact info is: daryl.thorpe@baltimorecity.gov; 667-239-0924. (Note: All of Upper Fells will be moving to this district.)
Discussion
Several available grants were discussed. Volunteers are needed to help; contact Ben at president@upperfellspoint.org.
The Community Health and Safety Works Grant - Up to $100K is available for collaborations that: a) engage artists and designers to create lovable spaces for community use; b) eliminate predatory and unhealthy practices such as illegal dumping, litter and traffic hazards and other conditions; c) remove illegal and dangerous activities from communities by using lighting and camera surveillance strategies and related community safety services. Also grants up to $250K are available for place-based comprehensive outreach and case management services that directly connect at-risk individuals to safe, restorative pathways.
The Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund Grant - Up to $15K is available. This would include community revitalization, education, employment, health and public safety.
Officer Reports
The Treasurer’s report was given. The Treasurer is also working on the tax return which will be completed soon.
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn - beautification@upperfellspoint.org
Dumpster Day/Cleanup on April 6th.
Planters for sale at a discount of $35 or at the Sip & Plant Swap on April 28th; contact upperfellsplanter@gmail.com
Community Garden
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
Half of the new raised bed boxes have been completed and filled with soil. The rest will be completed in the fall and/or early next year.
Education
Latonya Watson - education@upperfellspoint.org
No more volunteers were needed for the Commodore John Rogers Career Fair on April 9th; thanks to everyone who volunteered.
Wolfest is coming on May 4th.
FUND-RAISING
Lisa Knickmeyer - fundraising@upperfellspoint.org
Work on the new Billie Holiday mural on the 200 block of S Durham is to begin in April with a celebration following the mural completion so stay tuned!
Land-Use
Mark Hoffmann - landuse@upperfellspoint.org
The LU Committee meets monthly at the Julie Community Center and incorporates the Safety and Traffic & Parking Committees.
Safety (sub-committee)
Dan Harrison - safety@upperfellspoint.org
The installations of café lights are almost completed. Extra funds will be used for spare light bulbs. 2) There are 15 safety cameras available but only 10 signed MOUs, with only 5 cameras installed (Pratt Liquors, The Jungle Room, Bement & Sons, Benders Tavern and Ann St. Grocery). Some of the limitations for installation are due to building structures and internet connections.
MEDIA
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
The agenda has been moved to page 3. Contact Jan with any suggestions/comments on the new format.
The Canton Kayak Club is a new sponsor and they are offering a discount on membership.
Brent has created an Instagram page (@ufpia_baltimore) so contact him with your comments.
Deadline for April is the 1st at 5pm
Traffic & Parking
Parker Bratton - trafficparking@upperfellspoint.org
Parker Bratton is our new T&P Committee Chair.
New Business
The Alley Cat Bike Race (Flower Rat) was scheduled for March 23rd (however, due to rain was rescheduled for April 14th). Each team receives a list of checkpoints with unique activities and ends at Charm City Meadworks. More at https://flowerrat.carrd.co.
Liam Davis introduced himself; he is running for City Council District 1.
Meeting 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.
