April 2018 Board of Directors Minutes

 

• Welcome and Introductions

 

Khandra opened the meeting and all the guests introduced themselves.

Special welcome to our new board members: Phyllis and Chuck

 

 

• First Quarter Finance Report

 

1. • George reviewed the report
   • We are in good shape
   • Core Budget of $382,000
   • Monthly expenses are a little under projected for the first quarter
   • Of note:
     • On the Revenue side:Goldseker, Board Contributions
     • On the Expenses:Small Project Fund, Leadership Development, The Annual Meeting, Newsletter, and the Consultants are under
   • Copying expenses are up because we are having more neighborhood activities and we are putting out more information – This is a good thing – Lots of Projects = lots of Paper.
   • Phyllis – the B&O has gone to a model of Electronic only…- We considered but feel it’s important to provide the hard copies for the neighbors that are not connected to the internet.

 

 

• Guest Presentation: Ivan Leshinsky – Sowebo Athletic League

 

1. • See attached document Ivan submitted
   • Ivan – Gave a background of himself and his sports background.
     • He was given great opportunities through sport to not only get an education and begin a career but to travel the world.
     • We need to give everyone this opportunity.
   • Sowebo sports aims to offer a full range of initiatives in the neighborhoods
   • They intend to connect existing providers better (not reinvent the wheel) and fill the gaps that don’t yet exist and better utilize underutilized assets
   • They are hosting a visioning session May 29th from 6-7:30 with food from 7:30-8.

 

 

• Executive Directors Report

 

1. 1. • New State Applications
        • BRNI – $3M available for specific areas only
        • Community Legacy – $8M Statewide
        • CORE the Governor did not fund this year. (Delegate Mcintosh sponsored a bill that passed that will reestablish CORE funds next year for five years)
        • We discussed the projects as proposed (see attached)

 

• Motion to Apply as presented (see attached): Troy, 2nd by Jane, All approved. Motion Passes

 

1. 1. • Tax Sale
        • The City will assign to us properties that are in the tax sale at our request.
        • We will then pay the value of the property or the value of the lien which ever is less.
        • We would set up a separate LLC and SWP would be a 100% owner. At the foreclosure process we would transfer ownership to the developer that would be responsible for continuing the work.

 

• Motion to move forward with the tax sale process as presented: Scott, 2nd By Troy, All approved the motion passes

 

 

 

• Event Manager Report

 

1. • Thanks for Light City
   • The Sowebo Festival is being planned by a new group this year. The Friends of Sowebo – led by Robert Meyer and Aqualina
   • Ashley – There will be a big announcement tomorrow at the corner of West Baltimore Street and Pine at 7PM. Ms Twist will be there.

 

 

• Committee Reports

• Housing

 

1. 1. • • They spent the bulk of the meeting reviewing the Tax Sale.

 

• Commercial Development

 

1. 1. • • Working on the 1200 Blk of West Baltimore Street facades. Some of them can’t be done. Looking for alternatives to those pieces.
      • Public Safety
        • Waiting of the money for the gates
        • Planning a bike rodeo

 

• Education

 

1. 1. • • Continuing with the Community Schools goal for all our schools
        • Vivian T Thomas is the new meeting location 
        • Special Event May 12: Undesign the RedLine from 1-4, Panel discussion from 4-6

 

• Workforce Development

 

1. 1. • • Karen York – Interim Chair
        • Increase Opportunities for Emp/ Residents
        • Lisa Rawlings wanted us to be aware of the recent needs assessment
        • Community Anchor Referral Program
          • Need more entry level opportunities
        • Special Event: April 28th – All night community resource fair
          • Attorneys on site
          • Health service workers
          • A resting area
          • Will take place in the parking lot near the LOVE mural

 

• Vibrant Streets

 

1. 1. • • Small Grants will be graded and awarded at the next meeting. They have 15 submissions.
        • They are continuing with the cleanups – the last was in Franklin Square the next is in Barre Circle.

 

• Historic Preservation

 

1. 1. • • Continuing to move forward on three priority projects
          • We expect to own 1504 West Baltimore Street in June
          • Hired Dr Mary Ellen Hayward to provide research to develop a marketing document for 1504 West Baltimore Street
          • We intend to apply for a grant to support the sign/ mapping project. (in addition to the state grant)
          • The committee would like to send two letters to the City. One regarding planned demolition that hasn’t happened and the other regarding contractors that have damaged properties that they have been working on.
      • (See attached committee reports for more info)

 

• Old Business

 

1. 1. • None

 

• New Business

 

1. • Bill Marker – Working on a project at MLK and Washington Blvd. He would like to present at the next board meeting.
   • Dan M. Warhorse Meeting – There has been a consistent lack of communication and we need to do better.
   • On May 26th The SAFE Center is hosting go kart racing on Lexington Street near Franklin Square Park

 

 

• Board Adjournment

• Executive Session

• Motion to unseal three items from the executive session at last months meeting because they are not personal issues and the conversation evolved and these items really should be public: Scott 2nd by: Ashley, All in favor, Motion passes.

• Approval of February 2018 Meeting Minutes: Motion by Jane, 2nd by Beverly, All in favor, Motion passes.