Charles Village Community Benefits District Management Authority

2434 Saint Paul Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21218

 

Board Meeting

August 12, 2008

 

MINUTES

 

Present:

 

Ron Griffin                 Jay Orr

Steve Gewirtz             Robin Truiett-Theodorson

Rob Books                  Pat Cronin

Jeff Millard                 Derek Demaree

Susanne Riveles          Gary Letteron

Delora Sanchez

 

Also present: David Hill, Joe McNeely and Garland Thomas

 

The meeting was called to order with a quorum present at 705pm.

 

A motion to approve the agenda was adopted without objection.

 

The minutes from the July meeting were approved with minor revisions clarifying the appointment of Jay Orr to the Charles/25th URO Community Review Panel (motion adopted at July meeting).  Motion to approve July minutes by Robin Truiett-Theodorson, seconded by Rob Books, and adopted with no objections.

 

Executive Director – In lieu of a report from the Executive Director, the Board received a presentation from representatives of the Central Baltimore Partnership, a recently-formed coalition of neighborhood, private, public, and institutional interests dedicated to the intensive transformation of the neighborhoods surrounding the intersection of North Avenue and North Charles Street.  Joe McNeely and Garland Thomas described the five major goals of the coalition (commercial development, crime reduction and safety, appearance and quality-of-life, affordable housing, market rate housing) and highlighted the importance of the CVCBD’s involvement in some of these efforts.  The coalition has also stepped forward to help address issues that cross neighborhood lines, like the Parole & Probation facility at 22nd & Guilford, the homeless winter shelter in Greenmount West, and the Success Academy proposed for the North Avenue school headquarters building. 

 

Finance Committee – Jeff Millard presented the monthly financial statements, noting that the expenses of the previous fiscal year came very close to total revenue.  He emphasized the importance of building a reserve fund into this years budget in order to avoid end of year cash flow issues.

 

 

Governance Committee – The review of the by-law revisions by an external reviewer is expected to be completed in late August.  The committee also presented newly formalized procedures for conducting the annual elections of the Quad Representatives to the Board, and asked that the Board adopt them.  A motion to accept these procedures was made by Jeff Millard and seconded by Gary Letteron.  A discussion followed, clarifying the meaning of the proposed “three day” nomination rule and the actual timing of voting at the election meeting.  The motion was brought to a vote, and was adopted, with 8 in favor and 1 against.

 

Safety, Sanitation, and Revitalization Committee – Rob Books commented on the committee’s discussions regarding a Safety Program for the District.  Specifics of such a plan should be developed in conjunction with the Safety Supervisor when he or she is hired (anticipated within a month).  It was suggested that advice be sought from the Northern District Police; Major Buzzuro might be in attendance at the September meeting to share his views on developing an effective neighborhood-wide safety program.

 

Communications and Outreach Committee – Susanne Riveles informed the Board that the committee has been meeting to clarify its function and goals for the upcoming year, given the elimination of a full-time staff member for communications and outreach.  The committee will continue to meet to give advice, facilitate communication with other organizations, and to start to develop a branding strategy for the CVCBD.

 

Announcements – Because of the holiday, the Safety Committee is moving its September meeting from the 1st to the 8th.  Please watch the CVCBD website at www.charlesvillage.org for any other changes to meeting dates.  Derek Demaree also announced the opening of a new contemporary fine art gallery in the Old Goucher neighborhood – Galerie Myrtis (http://www.galeriemyrtis.com/) – which is holding its inaugural exhibition August 30 – October 10.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 819pm.