Attendees

Serena Watters Laura Dykes Kris Hoellen Kelleigh Eastman Andrea Person Charisse Lue Edith Gilliard-Canty Scott Kashnow Jane Shaab Tashi-Kali M. Acket Cecilia Gonzalez Gregg Herlong Sonia Eaddy Bill Joyner Richard Parker Rebecca Altman

7:04 – Laura Call to order – Sonia will be late

Serena Watters Present Laura Dykes Present Kris Hoellen Present Vernell Lewis /
Kelleigh Eastman Present Abigail Breiseth / Andrea Person Present Charisse Lue Present
Edith Gilliard-Canty Present Scott Kashnow Present Jane Shaab Present Tashi-Kali M.Acket Present
Howard Hughes / Cecilia Gonzalez Present Chuck Callahan /    
Jose Resendiz / Vacant / Gregg Herlong Present    
Sonia Eaddy Present Donnell Nance / Bill Joyner Present    
Francis “Fran” Rahl / Richard Parker Present Rebecca Altman Present    

 

No Quorum yet – move the approval of the minutes until later in the meeting.

 

Acting Executive Director’s Report (Elizabeth)

  • Acting Executive Director’s Report
    • The Housing Action Plan is wrapping up.
      • Housing Action Plan consultants (Heron Consulting and ReBuild Metro) will present the draft to the Housing Committee and Board in June for comments and discussion. Current plan is to have a community presentation of the draft in July.
      • Housing Action Planning process has included: Met with each neighborhood at least twice, one community-wide engagement session, focus groups with developers, seniors, and youth.
      • The Plan will provide a comprehensive, implementable strategy for housing development without displacement in all seven SWP neighborhoods, and will include funding strategies and guidance.
    • We received $75,000 over two years in a Baltimore City Catalyst Grant. This will allow us to continue to employ a part time Community Organizer to support the implementation of the Housing Plan. This will allow us to continue at our current staffing level.
    • Our current plan is to open a round of neighborhood grants in the fall–there are a number of outstanding projects that need to be completed, including those funded through BRNI, the Lowe’s Foundation, and a city-wide Spruce Up program which is funded with CDBG Funds. When grants are open we’ll announce it widely.
    • Currently have funding to support the installation of string lights (or other block level lights if string lights aren’t feasible). Meghan (meghan@swpbal.org) and Elizabeth (elizabeth@swpbal.org) can answer any questions and help folks put applications together.
    • Renovations of the Franklin Square Comfort Station are moving along, and are scheduled to be completed by the June concert in the park. Renovations have included a clear out, the renovations of one bathroom into an all gender/family restroom, and the installation of a ramp so it is handicapped accessible.
      • The neighborhood association will be able to open the bathrooms for events and will be responsible for maintenance.
      • Project was funded through BRNI funds (a grant specifically for the Comfort Station) and money from Lowes.
    • Poppleton Recreation Center – Permits have been submitted and are moving through the permitting process
      • The project is fully funded (with the current scope of work)
      • We have been delayed because of our need to work through the CDBG office’s requirements (receiving $800,000 in CDBG capital money for the project) but things are moving.
      • Southwest Sports and Fitness Alliance have been doing outreach and engagement around program planning for the Rec Center and will be the operators
      • Additionally, SWP received funding from BRNI last year for improvements to the playing fields at Model Park–working with the Sports and Fitness Alliances and the school on options
    • Community Schools – SWP was approved to continue as a lead agency for the next 3-5 years
      • Currently a matching process between schools and lead agencies
    • Youth Internship Program is wrapping up and will end at the end of June. Education Committee is making some tweaks to the program structure and applying for additional funds to continue the program
    • SWP will have a table at SOWEBO Fest (May 28th). If any Board members would like to join us please let me know!
    • Bike Rodeo: June 3rd 2-5pm, Bike Ride to Camden Yards in partnership with the Southwest Sports and Fitness Alliance June 10th
    • BRNI/ CORE FY2024 Applications are due June 29th
      • A corporate resolution is needed to apply for and accept state funds. Ask is for the Board to resolve to apply for and accept state funds for the following projects which have been approved by the relevant Committees.
      • Board members will be sent a link to a ranking form–please fill it out by May 23rd
      • Questions/ discussion:
        • Jane: offered to assist with advertising the down payment assistance program once we are approved for it.
        • Scott: What is the schedule? When would we have funds to spend?
          • The applications are due June 29th
          • probably awarded Oct – Dec
          • Contracts are then negotiated –
          • Spring of 2024 funds actually available.
          • Usually – we have 2 yrs to spend the funds – could ask for an extension if needed.
        • Motion (Scott) To approve a corporate resolution for applying and accepting if awarded the FY2024 BRNI and CORE Projects from Maryland DHCD according to the document presented by Elizabeth. (Exclude item H for now – Bon Secours will provide additional info and then it will go to the Housing Committee before board approval is requested.)
          • Tashi-Kali 2nd
            • All in favor – None opposed – None Abstaining

 

Finance Committee – Quarterly Report Presentation – Cecilia

  • Items highlighted:
    • The Salary line item is lower than budgeted due to ED salary savings.
    • Utilities – water bill is higher due to leak as previously noted
    • Tax went up due to Lord Baltimore appraisal as previously noted
    • Food & Entertainment is over due to a very small budgeted amount for offering food at community meetings – consider adjusting this line item in future budgets.
    • Insurance went up due to Lord Baltimore additional insurance required by loan contract as previously noted.
  • Cecilia is going to resign from the Treasurer role – She will stay on until the June Board Meeting and assist with the transition.

 

Minutes Approval

  • Motion to approve (Jane), Tashi-Kali 2nd
    • All in favor – None opposed – None Abstaining

 

President’s Report

  • Sonia met with Exodus Treatment Center and took a tour of their center.
    • She has spoken to neighborhood leadership in Barre Circle and Pigtown about any issues and invited Exodus to visit our neighborhood association meetings to share what they do.
  • She was late to our meeting tonight because she was attending an event at GroundWork Kitchen hosted by our State Legislators for the 40th district – They presented her a ceremonial check in the amount of $750K for SWP.

 

Standing Committee Updates

  • ED Search Committee – Scott
    • We received 50 applicants. We have completed the first round of interviews. The committee will meet in the next few days to take the next step. Hope to bring final candidates to the full board – probably in a special meeting – early in June.
    • Laura asked how many candidates we will bring to the board. – (Scott) the plan is to bring two but be flexible. The committee may adjust if it feels it’s better to bring 1 or 3.

 

Updates and Announcements

  • Program Committees
    • Commercial Development
      • permits
      • Banking programs
    • Education –
      • Elizabeth – already gave the update in the ED report
    • Historic Preservation – Scott/ Carrie – No Updates
    • Housing – Cecilia
      • Reviewed Code Enforcement Event – follow up actions
      • The Inclusionary Housing Bill was heard last week – several committee members testified.
    • Public Safety – Elizabeth – Elections next meeting
    • Vibrant Streets – Donnell not here
      • Elizabeth – Baltimore Greenspace presented at their meeting – They have resources that can help protect greenspace in the neighborhoods.
    • Workforce Development – no update

 

  • Neighborhoods
    • Barre Circle – Serena – Follow up from the housing consultants with resources
    • Franklin Square – Edith –
      • The Comfort Station is going well – we are very excited!
      • Music in the park is being planned for this summer.
      • Franklin Square E/M is getting a new playground
    • Hollins Roundhouse
      • SOWEBO festival 1 week from Sunday
        • 4 stages
        • 100 vendors
        • Come support and have fun!
      • Mount Clare – Jose not here.
      • Pigtown – Keleigh
        • On Thursday, May 25th from 7-10pm, join Pigtown Main Street and Baltimore Urban Baseball Association (BUBA) for a “Grand Slam” Cocktail party. Mingle with neighbors as you savor heavy hors d’oeuvres from Pigtown eateries and enjoy specialty cocktails, fine wine and craft beer. https://fb.me/e/34HWDvcvy?mibextid=uoKgwO

RSVP your tickets at www.PigtownMainStreet.org/events

 

  • Pigtown Climate Action Group has their next meeting on May 18 at 6:30pm at the Pigtown Main Street office (763 Washington Blvd). This group has been meeting to discuss how to slow climate change in our personal lives, neighborhoods, and beyond.
  • Poppleton – Sonia
    • 2 Events coming up
      • Dr Nicole King is hosting a storytelling event from her class at the Lion Bothers building –
        • unfortunately the venue is too small to open it to the entire community so they are planning a followup event in July
      • May 25th – The Soundstage will be at Pop Farm – Presented by Renters United and Poppleton Now!
        • Supported by SLYC, Allen AME, United Way, & Poppleton Rec Center
      • Paulette is planning Juneteenth – on June 19th at Model Park. This is an annual event.
    • Union Square – Not Here
  • Updates – Anchor Institutions & Committees
    • B&O Railroad Museum – Kris
      • CSX Incident Responder Train is at the museum.
        • They are training 150 first responders this week. Stop by and check it out.
      • Underground Railroad Event
        • Tony Cohen – shipped himself in a box in a recreation of Henry “Box” Brown journey – great story teller
      • July 14 – Community Concert – Wordsmith a BSO resident artist
      • Groundworks Cafe @ the B&O has opened – 7 days 10-4
        • Currently requires admission to the museum but they are working on a carry out option.
      • They are not doing the Farmers Market this year
      • Hiring for a new controller.
    • Bon Secours Community Works – No update
    • Lifebridge Health – Rebecca
      • Still working on the Factory on Calhoun Street – issues with water – hopefully making progress with the City
      • Continue to work with Grantees
      • Additional Grant opportunities are still available – accepting applications on a rolling basis.
    • University of Maryland Baltimore – Bill
      • Thursday from 10-11:30 – They are hosting a Job/ Resource Fair
      • Friday – Family Movie Night – Food is included
      • They are providing family programming every Friday night.
    • University of Maryland BioPark – Jane
      • Gregg had to leave but these announcements are really his.
      • Tomorrow and every Wednesday they are hosting a lunch market on 873 parking lot from 11-2
      • The Tower Crane has been set up on 4 MLK.
    • University of Maryland Medical Center – no update
    • Wexford Science and Technology – updates above
  • Businesses
    • CPBO – no update

 

8:45pm – Meeting Adjourned

Motion (Scott) to adjourn.

2nd Everyone

All in favor – Good night!

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