Charles Village Community Benefits District Management Authority

Board Meeting

Minutes

June 8, 2010

2434 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218

 

Present:

Gary Letteron                    Derek Demaree                 Ron Griffin                         Jennifer Erickson

Paul Burk                            Tamara Payne                   Jeff Millard                         Delora Sanchez

Jennifer Burdick                Allan Garske                       Jay Orr                                Kirsch Jones

Rebecca LaFleur

 

Also Present: David Hill, Sidney Woods (representative of Councilwoman Conaway’s office), and Steve Gewirtz

 

Call to Order: 

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

 

Agenda:

The agenda was submitted for approval by Mr. Griffin, motioned, seconded and approved.      

 

Minutes: 

After minor corrections, Mr. Millard motioned to approve the May minutes, Ms. Erickson seconded and the May minutes were approved.         

 

Executive Director Report: 

Mr. Hill presented the Director’s reporting.  Highlights include:

·        Surcharge Tax Revenue of $23,529 was received in May bringing total receipts to $557,587 (year to date) of the expected $621,860 (annual revenue).  

·        Fund Transfer:  $25,000 was transferred from the Reserve fund to Main account for ongoing operational expenses in June.  Approximately $50,000 remains in the Reserve Fund.  

·        Audit:  Auditors, HCF&L has submitted its bid to conduct the financial audit for $7,000, which is $500 more than last year but still lower than former audit firm from two years ago.     

·        Surcharge Tax Refunds:  Since 2003, 51 property owners on Old York Road have been exempt from the surcharge tax.  However, the City has been collecting the tax and forwarding it to the CVCBD.  The CVCBD has also been providing the supplemental services.  The error was discovered several weeks ago.  Refunds will be mailed soon by the city.  The CVCBD has been advised it must reimburse the city; and it will be deducted from the August check.

·        Reauthorization: On May 27th staff testified before the Planning Commission & Urban Affairs Committee hearings on the CVCBD Reauthorization.  

·        Budget Hearing: The Board of Estimates hearing on the proposed CVCBD Budget for FY 2011 will be held on Wednesday June 16th with a start time of 9 AM.  Agenda placement is unknown.    Mr. Hill welcomes attendance.  Of note, the City Department of Finance has recommended that the CVCBD establish a three months of reserve which would translate to approx $150K – 160K.  Mr. Millard pointed out that the CVCBD was already ahead of the curve pro-actively establishing a reserve fund before the Budget Committee suggested guideline.

§  Grant Applications:  Healthy Neighborhoods denied the CVCBD’s request for funding for the Rat Abatement Project.  However, another grant opportunity referred by Mr. Letteron may be viable and direct contact name and information was given to Mr. Hill.          

 

Committee Reports:

 

Finance Committee:    

Treasurer, Mr. Millard reviewed the financial statements for April.  Highlights included:

·       The April balance sheet showed no significant change and was generally on budget.   

·       No was objection to using the same auditing firm this year.  

·       Expense variance explained primarily by Depreciation.    

·       Net Income primarily in line with budget.       

 

Program Committee:

The Program Committee did not meet since the last Board meeting.  The committee is scheduled to meet Monday, June 14th.

 

Governance Committee:  

Chair Mr. Pyeron was not present to present a meeting report. 

 

Public comments:  

Steve Gewertz urged the CVCBD to discontinue using mesh trash cans, and replace them with rat proof trash cans.  

 

Announcements:

·        Ms. Sanchez noted the upcoming JHU-Turn sale Saturday June 12th from 8 AM until most all items are sold.  Any remaining items will be donated.  Proceeds benefit the community via JHU’s Neighborhood Fund.  JHU still needs volunteers to help conduct this event.      

·        The CVCBD’s Make-Up Spring Clean-UP is also this Saturday June 12th from 9 am until 1 pm.  The City has agreed to provide four dumpsters for this event.  See website for details.

 

A motion to adjourn at 7:30 PM was approved with unanimous consent.