May 2020 Community Meeting

Type of meeting: 
Community
Meeting date: 
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Status: 
Approved
  1. Minutes approved with amendment - no money was spent last year - same balance in account
  2. New SBGP Enhanced Services Director, Liz Cornish, introduced by Marissa Ramirez, SBGP Outreach and Communication Specialist
  3. Presentation about Zero Waste Initiative
    1. Getting recycling cans mid-June - Councilman is working with DPW to learn from trash can roll out and make sure this one goes smoothly - potential for small/large size (similar to trash cans)
    2. Recycling is definitely recycled but no further information was provided
    3. Paul’s question about whether BRESCO produces power - Bill responded that it generates steam which does HVAC throughout downtown
  4. Dogs off leash in Conway park  - Al has received several emails/complaints about this being an issue with dogs being off leash and scaring people - it’s not a dog park
    1. Discussion about adding signage - Bobby said he doesn’t think this would help - he thinks people know the rules and choose to ignore them
    2. Rachel Murphy - she’s told other dog owners not to have dogs off leash and does not get a good reaction from people when she speaks to them
    3. People with dogs don’t like to walk them around the neighborhood bc if their dogs don’t like other dogs it doesn’t go well
    4. Complaints about the cop who lets his dog off leash - been an issue for years
    5. Suggestions - put a reminder sign on the bulletin board, include a reminder in the newsletter, include suggested dog parks in newsletter as well
    6. Ask community for suggestions of places to become dog parks - Susan said they’ve looked into it before, but no obvious places - would like the Sunoco lot but need to have committee to maintain it and raise money, keep clean, etc.
    7. Other area explored was grassy area at Washington and MLK, but didn’t support since it’s a green space for the public housing complex.
    8. Kevin Hayes brought up that 311 has a form for “failure to restrain animal” which is a way to report off leash dogs so that Baltimore City starts with a warning to the dog owner
    9. Eric Costello suggests speaking with people from Mt. Vernon and Locust Point communities who successfully wrote grants for a dog park.
    10. Also Councilman offered Park and Recs to put up additional signage - Kevin will work on this - 3 signs along W. Conway st east, middle, west sides
  5. Maia suggested two ideas for social events
    1. Bobby gave CDC recommendations - maintain distance, wear masks, require vaccination card, has a sign-in sheet for contact tracing purposes - maybe RDA needs a waiver form and a cap of people - up to 20 people (CDC/City guidelines for gatherings)
    2. Al suggested thinking more about it - Maia responded to put together a plan and circulate around the board to see if we can put it in the newsletter for June
  6. SBGP 
    1. awarded $$600,000 in community grants this cycle, since casino is making money again
    2. Most of the neighborhood CitiStat cameras have been installed and are operational
    3. A fifth camera will be going in on Fremont at Portland, the pole is on backorder
  7. Beautification - Deb says no updates
  8. Parking - expect July 1st reopening for parking authority. Then will move to implementation of VPP- had questions for Ridgely’s - will receive via email from Parking Authority - VPP planning not to charge anyone for decal or guest passes ahead of VPP going online
  9. ARC - managing 3 applications, Washington Blvd, Portland, Dover - progress on Pratt St development   - no updates on newest development - informally heard that new building will have to provide offsite parking - trying to get a copy of the ruling - Sebastien asking for case # that Deb was referring to
  10. Taalib - goes by Tai - new to neighborhood - just bought on Paca St. wants to learn about the neighborhood - has trees growing into his property - needs help - Paul suggested contacting the City dept of forestry - it’s their responsibility to trim the trees - Susan said she’d also like to help - wants to get Paca st residents together to get dept of forestry moving - Susan thinks it has to go through the City