Board of Directors Meeting 

 November 16, 2021

7:00-7:10pm: 

  • Introduction & Attendance
  • Kim Lane (Pigtown Mainstreet), Steve Seipp (Church of the Nativity), Jeff LaNoue (City Planning), Fran Rahl (New Member to the Board from Union Square), Tisha Guthrie (Baltimore Renters United) introduced themselves as guests
  • Minutes Approval Scott motion to approve (with his edits that have been added), Jane Shaab Seconded, vote unanimous, minutes approved.

7:10-7:25pm: Community Updates (2 minutes each)

  1. Barre Circle- Bill Marker reported that a joint Pigtown/Barre Circle dumpster day was a success
  2. Franklin Square- Edith reported the new Community Building at W Baltimore and Calhoun Street groundbreaking was held for “the Factory” that Lifebridge Health is standing up
  3. Hollins Roundhouse- Howard Hughes reported a clean up at Lombard and Stockton Street- Looking for volunteers to help organize the SOWEBO festival (back this spring/summer on Memorial Day weekend)
  4. Mount Clare- Tony Scott reported clean and green event on 11/20 is looking for volunteers! Flyer to be sent
  5. Pigtown- Kelleigh- Tomorrow, Carroll Park Gateways project feedback meeting on zoom; Pigtown Spectacular (Holiday shopping on Small Biz Saturday, giveaways like canvas bags, raffles, earn Pigtown Bucks to spend at local shops etc.); Traffic Calming and Placemaking visuals to come to Mainstreet- Vote on your Favorite Design (meeting Thursday 11/18); Carroll Park gateway meeting on weds Nov 17 at 7pm will be on zoom. meeting ID is 821 9045 0715
  6. Union Square – Fran Rahl and Biff reported Steaurt Hill School is slated for closure and getting ready for Cookie Tour (12/12 and Christmas Lighting 12/10)

7:25-7:40pm: Committee Updates (2 minutes each)

  1. Commercial- Voting in January for the Capital Competition for W Baltimore Street- 8 applicants
  2. Education- Fran makes a motion the Board of the Southwest Partnership to make a statement opposing the proposal to close Steuart Hill Academic Academy (SHAA) because of the importance of Steuart Hill to families and the surrounding community and the negative impact that closure will have on our neighborhoods. However, if the school is to close, we are also requesting that families of current SHAA students be given the opportunity to send their students to schools closer to home than Frederick Elementary/Middle School and that the old Steuart Hill zone be adjusted so that children living in Mount Clare and Union Square are zoned for schools closer to their homes and communities and the Southwest Partnership neighborhoods. Heather seconded the motion; Up for discussion- if the building is closing that the city give more info as to the status of the building; the motion passes unanimously; Chuck would like for the Board to see a copy of the letter before it is sent. Abigail noted: Thanks to Sonja and Chris for reminding us of the history of shifting school populations in our area and projections of closing. A couple of other things: Dr. Santelises, the system CEO, came to our education committee meeting a couple of years ago and sang the praises of how great Steuart Hill was doing with special ed kids – she made it sound like it was developing a special niche. With a rising immigrant population in Mt. Claire (and residential development there as well), that seems like two special areas of focus for a school in this neighborhood to nurture. Also, several schools have been closed in our area in recent years, most recently Lockerman Bundy and Samuel FB Morse, Gilmor, Harriet Tubman (a couple of those may have charter schools in them now). Also, not far away Eutaw Marshburn is also recommended for closure; elementary options in central west Baltimore have really been hollowed out. Citywide education advocates are pointing out that the city hasn’t done a comprehensive rezoning plan in decade

 

  1. Historic Preservation- Robust storytelling project underway- December 13th at 6pm- still virtual; Stable on Bruce Street grant is complete; Kim Lane/Pigtown Mainstreet stated in the chat that they are collecting videos of elders discussing history in Pigtown over the next few months. We’re happy to share for the story telling project; We hope to have a couple of guest speakers over the next few meetings including: the MT Clare Museum house/Mt Clare Commission/ Arabbers
    • Kris – we’d like to have the B&O present at one of our meetings in the new year.
    • Although our committee is not working on projects in Poppleton at the moment I want to still update the board on two items that are Poppleton related. I want to remind everyone that The Memorandum of agreement protecting the Sarah Ann Street houses is expiring in December of 2021. I’m still not clear on exactly what that means but I want everyone to be aware that it is coming so that you’re not surprised if we need to ask for quick action on something that might come up as a result of the expiring agreement. The CHAP designation of Black Homeownership in old Poppleton is moving forward and there will likely be a hearing before the end of the year.
  2. Housing- Heather was re-elected as Housing Committee Chair; Habitat for Humanity is having a groundbreaking on Dec 16th for the properties on Ward Street with a celebration at Groundwork Kitchen afterwards 10am to 12pm
  3. Public Safety- Very concerned about the closing of Steaurt Hill; Thomas updating on Alley Gates, trying to get as much done before winter/cold sets in
  4. Vibrant Streets- Donnell and Ms Sonia met with the Redline folks but haven’t followed up with the Committee since so there wasn’t a presentation that he could give tonight; Ms Paulette had a meeting with Brian Greenan and the Deputy Mayor on Poppleton at Fayette Street about a gas leak and other neighborhood projects
  5. Workforce- Preparing for Advocacy Training but with the JOTF Executive Dir left, this is delayed – Truck Driver Training Curriculum being explored that would lead to a CDL license 

 

7:40-7:55pm: Anchor Updates (2 minutes each)

  1. B&O Railroad Museum- Polar Express two weekends in December; Dec 6th new exhibit opens- model train display from the 1997’s all about Baltimore and will be open for the Holidays and the Roundhouse will be decorated for the holidays
  2. Bon Secours Community Works- George Kleb is the new Executive Director of Community Works (yay George); this month, the CNGA graduated their 58 person from the program this year. This Sunday, annual Turkey Giveaway 1030am 26 N. Fulton Ave at Bon Secours Community Works; Recruiting for the Clean and Green program and start a new class every quarter; The Resource Center at 31 S Payson Street hosted a block party last weekend with Boys and Girls Club (who will be operating in the new building) and will open in January or February 2022; Early Head Start will be in person 26 N Fulton by December; Contact George at george_kleb@bshsi.org  to make a referral or for further information on any Bon Secours Community Works programs.
  3. University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB); At the CEC, CASH campaign of MD is offering Free tax prep with incomes up to $58000 beginning in January- look at newsletter to sign up; New exercise classes have begun, adult dance on Thursdays at 10am, Community Dinner tomorrow at 530pm catered by Taco Town on Baltimore Street; Holiday Christmas Store will be December 10th and 11th and then United Way is hosting a holiday event in Poppleton on December 18th; UMB has a new President who was officially inaugurated last week, Dr. Bruce Jarrell M.D. Please, if you don’t already get our weekly newsletter, SO much is happening at the CEC new building at 16 S Poppleton street, sign up to get the weekly updates here https://www.umaryland.edu/oce/subscribe-to-our-newsletter/ 

 

  1. UMB BioPark- The Nook is closed permanently; looking for a new occupant to move into the space- please help find a tenant- contact Jane Shaab or Greg Herlong if you have any questions 

 

  1. UM Medical Center- Chuck Callahan reported that the Convention Center field hospital is now located at 300 W Preston Street- are doing boosters and childhood vaccines and Pfizer is on hand; UMMS mobile vaccines are going to be going out to schools to vaccine; treatment for COVID is antibody infusion (within 10 days of when symptoms start) Dr can refer or you can self-refer for the treatment BCCFH COVID Task Force Care Coordination Team 410 649 6200 for info or referral for monoclonal antibody infusion for COVID; Leadership Award for UMMC efforts fighting covid over the course of the pandemic

 

  1. Wexford Science & Technology- Treasure’d Dance Studio is now in the old CEC building geared toward young children the address is 870 W Baltimore St phone is 667-900-9636; Also- food trucks twice a week will be on the 873 W Baltimore Street lot; Gregg Herlong had twin boys last month, congrats Gregg; 4 MLK is still in the works, the project is moving forward on a slightly smaller scale due to covid; Sonia Eaddy asked about the Red Line stop- but 4 MLK won’t be in the way regarding that stop since it was going to be at Fremont Street; Please feel free to reach out to me directly with regards to Biopark cafe if you know of anyone that might be interested:  Gregg Herlong – 410-649-5723 or Gregory.herlong@wexfordscitech.com

 

 

7:55-8:10pm: President’s Remarks 

  • Reminder for Board: Presentation of Findings & Recommendations w/ CommonHealth Action (CHA): Wednesday, December 8th, 6-7pm
  • Annual Meeting/Holiday Party @ Groundworks Kitchen – Wednesday, December 15th, 5-8pm
  • Appointment of new Governance Chair & Fundraising Chair- Richard made a motion to appoint Dr. Chuck Callahan as the new Governance Chair; Jane Shaab seconded the motion; discussion from Chuck on the “second decade” of the SWP and some strategic planning; priority to get all 7 neighborhoods back to the table MOTION passes unanimously; Richard motioned to appoint Catharine Neely, seconded by Jane Shaab; discussion, Catherine is ready to expand our fundraising efforts- motion passes unanimously 

 

8:10-8:40pm: Treasurer’s Report

  • 2022 Proposed Budget – For Review (Vote in January)- Send questions to Tony

 

8:40-8:50pm: Executive Director Report

  • Project Updates Review- Additional discussion was had about the Malachi Mills house renovation and future ownership- Kim Lane will connect with Scott regarding a grant resource for Historic Preservation and Heather shared the link to the report of Faculty from UMBC did on the project; David MacGill asked about the dollar house program and Tony will be looking into what the proposal is; Bif asked about the Ethiopian Restaurant slated to open, Tony reported they have raised significant capital costs – Bif asked about 1505/1507 W Baltimore is having fire hazard/trash/squatter issues; Bill Marker, can you record a five minute version of this that people can play at their association meetings; Paulette would like to help with the Steuart Hill school issue; 

 

8:50-9:00pm: Open Forum

 

9:00pm: Adjournment Jane moved to adjourn; Chuck Callahan seconded- meeting adjourned 9:28pm

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