September 2023 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Hybrid Meeting
Welcome/Introductions
Guest Speakers
1) Mark Gaither - Wolfe Street Academy Principal (Public school 23) stated that WSA was founded in 1853 and they are in their 3rd building.
There are 250 students (Pre-K-5), with 70% in zone.
A new playground was installed and some of the offices and storage were moved to the building next door.
WSA can always use gently used books and new supplies.
Hope to have Wolfefest in the spring and planning a fall festival.
School enrollment
In zone - automatic seat at the school
Out of zone - email interest, apply, lottery, waitlist common (can contact for updates throughout school year [most spots filled by priority 1 families]
If you move out of the zone, you can remain in the school
Interest in tutoring and other after school care activities
Contact after school director
Background check required to be alone with students
Comment from Lisa: Mark has been granted many awards and improved the school tremendously during his time here
Covid had a negative impact on school, and actively rebuilding
Email Mark at cgaither@bcps.k12.md.us
2) Jan Mooney, Community Garden chair, discussed the history and maintenance of the community garden.
The garden is owned by Baltimore Green Space (BGS) but the UFPIA Garden Committee is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and management of the site.
BGS does not provide any monies to maintain the space; the financial upkeep falls on the gardeners.
Currently there are 17 plots; next year there will be 21 plots.
Any time you walk by and see someone in the garden, you are welcome to stop in; however, no dogs are allowed and children must be with an adult.
A garden social membership is available should you want to visit as a non-gardener on a regular basis. Social membership cost: $10. https://www.upperfellspoint.org/shop/annual-membership-garden-social
Gardeners and Jan are open to further questions, discussion, and encourage social memberships
Officer Reports
How to Get Involved with Committees
Can join Google groups to be passively involved, even if unable to attend meetings regularly
Can easily unsubscribe from Google groups if you decide you no longer want to receive the emails
Interest: email the committee chair or Ben (vicepresident@upperfellspoint.org)
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn - beautification@upperfellspoint.org
Community Cleanup on 9/25
Suzanne suggests we contact Benders about excess trash smell (as opposed to 311)
New trees: did not order trees this round due to stumps that need to be ground up
Next Dumpster Day: Nov 4th (last one of the year)
Community Garden
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
Oktoberfest - Oct. 14th from 4-7pm at the garden
Education
Latonya Watson - education@upperfellspoint.org
New chair - unable to attend tonight’s meeting
Goal to invite parents who are eligible for membership on Back-to-School night
Latonya and Wendy expected to attend
FUND-RAISING
Lisa Knickmeyer - fundraising@upperfellspoint.org
Working on having a Halloween costume contest; more next month.
Considering having the Progressive Dinner in February next year.
If you have any ideas for fundraising, contact Lisa.
Land-Use
Mark Hoffmann - landuse@upperfellspoint.org
Committee met on 9/11 - discussed BGE gas regulators; strategy for vacant homes and illegal Airbnbs; Billie Holliday mural lighting; 1st and 3rd Weds of month - street cleaning on S Chapel and S Durham; and finalization of Sweet Carolina MOU
To get involved, next meeting: 10/9
BGE now forbidden from threatening gas cut-off for refusing external regulators
If you have had them threaten gas cut-off contact https://www.justiceforbaltimore.com/stopbge to join lawsuit
Question: how to address damage to community (sidewalks, street)
Safety (sub-committee)
Dan Harrison - safety@upperfellspoint.org
Committee is beginning to work on MOU
Reach out to join group working on document to address concerns
Meeting 7pm 9/19 at Julie Community Center
Tom - recommends form for businesses to apply
Suggestion to post form in the newsletter
Question: can homeowners apply for cameras as well?
Wendy: MOU is currently being written to accommodate interested businesses and homeowners
Tom: Note that this will involve hardware on your home, and require internet and electricity from your home
MEDIA
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
The deadline for the Oct. newsletter is Oct. 1st at 5pm.
Traffic & Parking
Kurt Schiller - trafficparking@upperfellspoint.org
Current ROWart project:
Painting yellow as base
Group has moved 4 planters from S Regester to 4 corners of S Ann & E Pratt (inside flexposts)
Depending on weather, hope to start painting on 9/23 (meet at S Ann and E Pratt at 9am)
New Business
1) Lisa Knickmeyer - $5k grant for planters and troughs but those who committed to caring for planters are largely not fulfilling their commitments. May move to RowArt corners or auction them off.
2) Blaire Freed - There is a conflict of interest in our Bylaws when a Board member runs for office ("Any voting member may serve as an officer if they are not holding or running for elected public office or an office of any organization similar to the Association,"). Tyla suggests we vote immediately. Stephen expressed we are out of time but will discuss it during our Board meeting on 9/25 (open board meeting)
3) Suzanne Bailey - Has petition “to adopt an amendment to the Baltimore City Charter that will allow for the creation of a Baltimore Regional Transportation Authority” available for anyone who would like to sign http://moretransitequity.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Copy-of-Petition.pdf
4) Ethan Hasiuk - Redistricting of council districts (proposed map will redistrict UFP) https://mayor.baltimorecity.gov/news/press-releases/2023-09-19-mayor-scott-introduces-redistricting-plan-city-council. If we are opposed a letter from the board may hold weight.
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.
