Charles Village Community Benefits District Management Authority

Board Meeting

July 8, 2008

2434 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218

 

Present:

 

Ron Griffin                             Steve Gewirtz             Delora Sanchez

Rob Books                               Dawna Cobb                   

Dana Moore                           Jay Orr                       

Robin Truiett-Theodorson     Patricia Cronin

Jeff Millard                             Derek Demaree

 

Also Present: David Hill

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm with a quorum present.

 

 A motion to approve the agenda approved.

Minutes for the June meeting were approved with changes.  Minutes for the April 2008 board meeting were also approved.

Reports: 

In lieu of the Executive Director’s report, the Board received reports from the Greater Homewood Community Corporation’s (GHCC) Jermaine Johnson, Director of Neighborhood Outreach, Peter Duvall, and Laura Kindseth, Main Street Manager of GHCC.

Peter Duvall whose position was transferred to GHCC last year reported on his activities to date.  He represents the GHCC on the Baltimore Central Partnership and reports that many properties in the North Avenue area have been the subject of intense code enforcement.   He is also working on code enforcement in the Waverly Main Street Area and on façade improvements at 2101 St. Paul Street, 14 E 21st Street, 2300 North Charles Street as part of the Community Legacy Project.  WYPR wants to do a façade improvement and GHCC has approached them about applying for a Legacy grant.  David Hill noted that Peter worked on CVCBD matters through December 2007.   

Jermaine Johnson reported on the Healthy Neighborhoods and Waverly Main Street (WMS) efforts by GHCC.  Ms. Kindseth has been working with merchants to get them involved with WMS events and committees.  The following committees have been established:  Design (reviewing projects for renovation, safety, sanitation-Tom Gamper, chair), Promotions (Kevin Brown, chair), Business Development (Jermaine Johnson, chair), Organization, (Denise Washington, owner of the 31st Street Tea House, chair) and Membership Committee (Bonnie Besser, chair).   WMS has focused on having events (see flyers) and restarting the newsletter.  WMS will move into a new office on Greenmount.  

GHCC proposes to enter into an agreement with the CVCBD whereby CVCBDMA staff attend WMS Design Committee meetings, provide street cleaning schedule to GHCC, provide to GHCC a copy of the baseline agreement with the City and obtain input from WMS merchants regarding the CVCBD safety plan.

Finance Committee –

Jeff Millard reported that the City is sending $28,000 in tax revenue for the month of May so income should exceed the budget by $20 - $30K.  Mr. Millard met with David Hill about the budget allocation for next year so that it will be easier to understand.  It will be available at the end of July.

Executive Committee-

Ron Griffin reported that a Community Review Panel is being revived by the Urban Renewal Ordinance (URO) that covers lower area of Charles Village.  Jay Orr, who lives and works on 25th Street, has agreed to be the CVCBD representative.  The panel reviews notices regarding signage, liquor licenses, etc. received from the Dept. of Planning and must respond in 30 days.   Jeff Millard has asked to join the Safety and Sanitation Committee.  His appointment was approved.   A motion to set the fall meeting for October 7 was passed.

Governance Committee-

Jeff Millard reported that tax bills came with the insert that describes the CVCBDMA and the services it provides. The committee has taken up a review of draft election procedures.  A contract to review the by-laws has been received and will be reviewed by the committee. 

Safety and Sanitation-

Rob Books reported that the new baseline agreement will be going to the City soon.  The community baseline agreement will be coming to the board next month.  A couple of candidates have applied for the supervisor position but David Hill will not start interviewing until early next month.  The recent BBQ for the Citizens on Patrol (COP) was a success.  70 people showed up and 30 people signed up for the COP.  The City grant for the COP expenses has been applied for; two grant applications have been made to M & T Bank and Union Memorial Hospital for a new sanitation truck.

Announcements- David Hill shared minutes from meeting of the Central Baltimore Partnership.

The meeting adjourned at 8:22