Board of Directors Meeting 

  October 19, 2021

7:00-7:10pm: 

  • Introduction & Attendance
  • Minutes Approval– Need to update by changing the seconding of the motion from David MacGill to Ashley for the 1325 W Baltimore Street property vote to approve
  • Scott made the motion to approve and George seconded- Motion to approved amended minutes passes

7:10-7:25pm: Community Updates

  1. Barre Circle- Octoberfest was held and was a great success
  2. Franklin Square- Groundbreaking for 5 N Calhoun Street “Lifebridge” building will be held on Tuesday October 26th –the building is 80% leased to nonprofits who will be bringing services into the community such as NAMI, Center for Hope, and VSP workforce program in addition to a large kitchen for use by nonprofits and some indoor/outdoor community space for events
  3. Hollins Roundhouse- Paint party 4-6pm on October 30th ; Howard Hughes is the new rep replacing Jane B
  4. Mount Clare- n/a
  5. Pigtown- Groundwork Kitchen is officially open for dining in and carry out! Also of note, Jane Shaab mentioned Flying Pig sculpture at Carroll Park is now on display- Pigtown has new Board members, Kelleigh is still SWP rep from Pigtown
  6. Union Square- Hispanic Heritage celebration was held; The last Sunday Sounds in the Park is October 31st– 4-7pm costumes optional 😊 1401/1403 received CHAP approval; Cookie tour will be held this year! The band is FT Blindman next Sunday (George Kleb is in the band)!

7:25-7:45pm: Committee Updates

Commercial Develop- West Baltimore Street competition had 8 applicants for review (tenant improvements); had Arts and Entertainment district discussion; Main Street application was submitted for W Baltimore Street

Education Committee- Youth Internship Program is combining forces with Ruth Kirk Fellowship- Young people ages 14-21 Internship@swbpal.org to get more info about the program or to apply; Read-a-thon between Charles Carroll Barrister and Steaurt Hill Academic Academy- please donate to the link that was circulated via email to the Board

Historic Preservation- Baltimore Museum Industry collab; Lord Baltimore Theatre collab to spruce up the front; Dr. King gave updates on the CHAP district in Old Poppleton; Black Homeownership Nov 8th at 6pm is the next meeting; Scott raised the issue related to CHAP hearing on 1401-1403 W Baltimore street, where SWP President spoke in support of the project. Scott’s concern was that the President of SWP should not be speaking on an issue relevant to one of our committees without consulting the committees for guidance prior and in this instance the issue had not even been referred to the Historic Preservation committee for discussion.

Housing- November 11th, elections will be held- 800 mailings went out to homeowners for the Rebuilding Together- they got a great response from the mailing and will be busy for quite a while (targets homeowners who have been in the neighborhood for 15 years and some income qualifications). Two developers who Union Corp and Baltimore Impact ? and discussing community land trusts; updating the resident handbook

Public Safety- Gate update- the gates get harder to install in the winter; discussion of the fighting and mental health issues with high school students at Vivienne T Thomas Medical Arts Academy.

Safe/Vibrant/Walkable Streets- Neighborhood Grants due Nov 5th swpbal.org/grants info session is 10/20 and info is on the website. Committee voted that they would like support the Red Line petition and next board meeting Donnell would like the 7 neighborhoods (Baltimore Transit Equity Committee); Donnell and Sonia will discuss infrastructure issues that may come from the construction of the red line

 

Workforce Development Committee- Training community members in advocacy- establishing partnership with JOTF to develop more training for community members

 

 

7:45-8:30pm: President’s Remarks 

  • *Save the Date* Annual Meeting/Holiday Party @ Groundworks Kitchen – Wednesday, December 15th; 5-9pm; potential for a teleconference option for virtual option; Motion made by Richard; seconded by Jane Shaab- motion passes to officially forego having a Semi-annual meeting this year, as required by SWP bylaws.
  • 2019 Audit Review – Treasurer

Please send Donnell any questions you have about the 2019 report to Donnell so he get you answers asap. 

 

Donnell- Treasurer’s report

  • Restricted Funding question came from Scott K- why haven’t we spent more of our restricted funds
  • Chris Bowling reported that for a few programs that were grant funded like the Lowes/UMMC/1012 Sports grants were slow to get going because of COVID
  • CSC and workforce programming are in mid-year (July to July) and don’t align with the FY reports so they look underspent but they really aren’t

 

8:30-8:45pm: Executive Director Report

 

Announcement: SWP Received Additional Funding for the Youth Internship Program $17k from Baltimore Community Foundation

 

Agenda Items

  • Bon Secour/Mercy Health Loan Fund
      1. Started at the Housing Committee; premise is to improve housing and that will improve health outcomes
      2. Discussion around how homeowners benefits- Tony acknowledged this is developer centric; other initiative with Neighborhood Housing Services; Sonia mentioned that Transform Poe has some homeownership support programs; Bill Marker mentioned more outreach to orgs that have Live Near York Work programs
      3. Question came up regarding west Baltimore street projects- Lord Baltimore update is that a board is being formed and effort to raise money from Arts Organizations- will have at least a $15M capital renovation
  • Professional Development opportunities – sponsorship for Tony to attend
    1. Scott made a motion to support Tony’s participation in the Professional Development; Chuck Callahan did the GBC leadership class as thinks it would be great for Tony; Ashley seconded the motion; motion passes

 

8:45-8:55pm: Open Forum

 

UMB Update– History of Oppression and Resistance Course Scholarship available for community members. This is also the link for the application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfg8nPDrNe8TbHkid-lZvq4TiSvznDVGybxQ2lehxOgS9sAKg/viewform?usp=sf_link 

 

If Community Members have questions, they can also email the sswdeioffice@ssw.umaryland.edu and include HOO DEI Scholarship in the subject line. UMB will pay for the SWP Board to take the course in November if folks are interested

 

B&O Museum – two open positions Director of Operations

Executive Assistant to Board position open

 

Kurt/Lifebridge opening- demo/cleaning up of Grace Medical Center buildings

 

JR- Announcement: Union Square vs Juice Lab- Turkey Bowl- 10am thanksgiving day football game

 

 

9:15pm: Adjournment

Donnell- Motion to adjourn 915pm; seconded by Ashley; motion passes

Ms. Dotie: Reminder for everyone to GET YOUR COVID-19 Booster shots – can go to Mondawmin Mall to get them

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