June 2024 Community Meeting

Type of meeting: 
Community
Meeting date: 
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Status: 
DRAFT

  1. Luke Clippinger – state delegate and chair of house judiciary committee

    1. Provided end of session letters – email for a longer version

    2. Worked with Senator Ferguson on the Port act to help families who were impacted by closure of the Baltimore harbor after the collapse of the Key Bridge

    3. Juvenile Justice Bill – follow up to reforms passed in 2022, addressed what to do when same juveniles come through the system over and over.

    4. Added $15 million to the governor’s crime prevention program that helps young victims of gun violence

    5. Banned bump stocks that turn semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons – already many on the streets. Examining whether to hold gun manufacturers accountable for having a design that makes this modification so easy.

    6. Passed a bill requiring all foster kids to be provided duffle bags for when moving from home to home.

    7. Questions about definition of “lower level juvenile gun crime” – an example is being in possession of a gun – this is a misdemeanor. Lots of kids in possession of ghost guns – seeing a rise in this type of gun. They are coming from the internet, people building with 3D printers, etc. 

  2. Terrell Brooks – president of Sharp Leadenhall community association – Nicole pointed out the similarities between our community and Sharp Leadenhall

    1. Advocate for youth development and helps with afterschool programs

    2. Works for State’s Attorney’s office – community liaison for 46th district

    3. Here to talk Sharp Leadenhall rec center – have been promised a new rec center for a long time. We need to unite south Baltimore to benefit everyone, not small neighborhood by neighborhood.

    4. Some history of the neighborhood provided – have been deep divisions between Otterbein and Sharp Leadenhall – organized a block party for communities to meet and mingle. Used to all be Sharp Leadenhall. Historically black community. Lots of development in Federal Hill, Otterbein, Riverside, LP, etc and no investments in Sharp Leadenhall. Playground, basketball courts, etc have been the same for the last 40+ years. 

    5. Ridgely’s should come to friends and family day. Want to show support the park and rec center – solo gibbs park. It’s already funded and there is a plan. No construction timeline yet.

    6. Paul suggested RDA write a letter of support for the new rec center

    7. WE also want to make sure we are united to make sure we benefit from the stadium development.

    8. Motion made that Sharp Leadenhall can sign Ridgely’s to letters in support of this project. Ridgely’s is willing to support in whatever capacity is helpful to make this project happen. Motion passed.

    9. Questions from the community include what is the vision for this project? Terrell says the sky’s the limit. Smaller area available than Cherry Hill community center. Could we get a pool? Maybe. The school that was in the space that was torn down used to have a pool.

    10. Terrell Brooks will send Nicole updates.

  3. Sandy Anderson – report on new crab mural under 395 overpass at Russell street. It’s underway. Artist will start work on it around July 1st. Need someone from community to attend the training session on how to receive and distribute funds to the artist. Zoey has volunteered to attend the training. 

    1. As project gets further underway, Sandy will provide opportunities for community engagement. Suggesting involving kids in the mural process so they can learn about it.

  4. BGE owned property at Portland, emory, and pratt – all land surrounding brick walls is owned by BGE. 

    1. Babe Ruth museum organized a meeting about the poor condition of that property bc there have been encampments, trash, rats, etc. and it’s deterring visitors to the museum.

    2. Sharon and Nicole attended – meeting showed this has been a long time issue.

    3. Nicole expressed that we don’t want the area fenced in.

    4. Nicole made a motion that the RDA write a memo to BGE requesting they be better stewards of the land, work with a landscaping company to improve the area. Need to level planters, keep clean, remove weeds, install better lighting, etc. This area is a gateway to the neighborhood and through to the stadiums and its condition reflects poorly on the neighborhood and the city. Motion passed.

    5. Paul asked if we can report this to the city? Or can we connect with their PR folks.

    6. Suggested we request rat rubout for that area from the City.

  5. Public comment

    1. Issue with Zhalco dumpster on Dover street sitting there for days and trash spreading around. Looking for the RDA to contact Zhalco to bring up this recurring issue. Nicole will bring to their attention.

    2. Trash removal is happening at 3 am. We don’t th allowed per city ordinance.

    3. Nicole will contact via email.

    4. Some people wanted us to look into other venues. Suggested the Caribbean restaurant.

    5. Motion made to allow the board to decide where meetings are held going forward. Motion passed with one opposed and 2 abstentions. 

  6. Happy hour is this Friday at the Back Yard

  7. Riverside Pool is open.

  8. Motion made to approve minutes from May. Passed.

Attendees

Maia Tatinclaux
Paul Koprowski
Nicole Dungee
Sy Saulynas
Gabe Dungee
Billy Huffnell
Paige Kelly
Molly Goodfellow
John Loggins
Sandy Anderson
Bill Reuter
Derwin
JR
Gerri Salley
Larry Wiczulis
Paul Rubensen
Sharon Reuter
Michael Dumas
Syrus Rasavi
Zoey