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(For last month's meeting minutes, click
here)
Meeting Notes
General Meeting
06/01/2005
The meeting was led by Erica Holcomb and started with an introduction of new neighbors.
General Business:
Benefit Brunch at Simons
- Sunday, June 5th - brunch at Simons from 10:30 - 2:30. 20% of the proceeds go to the Patterson Park Public Charter School.
Rick Gilmour - Marketing Committee
- Flea Market - Saturday, June 4th
- Garden Tour - Sunday, June 26th - ticket are on sale from Friends of Patterson Park, Live Baltimore, Pier Point, Simons, realtors
Joe Rehak - Garden Tour
- Garden Tour - 80% new gardens - they had to turn people down - need sitters - call or e-mail Joe or Roxanne Rehak if you can volunteer
Martha Delpizzo - Education Committee
- Still have a few teachers left to be adopted. Contact Martha if you're interested.
Stacia Huff
- If you purchased gift cards, she has them now.
Virgil Bartram - Land Use Committee
- Rezoning Committee Meeting results - legislation will be proposed to make zoning less complicated. There are concerns regarding artist's studios, and if they'll be affected. They may have to change the designation. They are now B3. There is an introduction of an R8 district that will allow for corner stores.
- Jim Kraft gave Virgil a letter indicating that Lombard and Pratt will be two-way streets from Broadway to Patterson Park by the end of August.
- There was an introduction of legislation to make a CHAP district from Fayette and Patterson Park southwest to Caroline and the water.
Jeff Gabriel - Streetscape Committee
- They have had several successful grant applications for Duncan St. park.
- They are accepting nominations for sites for the mural. Some of the nominated sites:
- 8 S. Castle
- 22 S. Chester
- The side of Larsen's deli
- Unit block of S. Collington
They will talk to the Executive Committee to determine how the process will proceed.
- They are considering a change to the handling of the dumpster schedule. More to be announced later.
Evan Helfrich - Crime Prevention Committee
- Introduction of Michael Kundart, SE District police major.
He is the new major as of 5 months ago.
He has spent 24 years on the force.
Michael Kundart
- Presented a map of SE District with crime statistics
- Possible spike of burglaries in the summer - take precautions
- To guard against car theft - lock the doors, shut the windows, look to see what's inside - and what could be attractive to a thief. The statistics are down now, but...
- Stolen cars - down now, but everyone should get a theft-deterrent device (like The Club). The car thieves seem to be targeting Dodge products.
The SE District is 9 square miles. There are 60,000 residents, and more than 100,000 people here during the day.
Coverage at any one time:
- Sector 1 will have one sergeant. and 6 officers
- Sector 2 will have one sergeant and 4 officers, plus cruising patrol & prisoner transport vehicle
- Sector 3 will have one sergeant and 4 officers, plus a prisoner transport vehicle
Plus there are discretionary officers:
- Two flex squads - unmarked cars, mainly work at night
- Drug unit
- Neighborhood Services - mediation, neighborhood complaints - there are three sergeants
- The East Side Initiative
- Housing Section - Housing Authority Police for public housing
He is able to use extra groups from the outside in the really violent areas, thereby allowing him to use his manpower in the less problematic areas.
- They have had a problem with robberies in Patterson Park. These have primarily occurred in the afternoon. Some were at knife-point, some were kid-on-kid. There is now an officer dedicated to the park every day. They may use dirt bikes to be able to move around the park quickly, or may have a marked car. They are scheduled from 2:00 - 10:00 PM. This was started as a pilot program, but has been so successful that they will continue it.
- There are two officers on bikes in Fells Point.
- Complaint forms - feel free to pass any information on to him.
- Parking-related issues - call 311.
- If you would like to contact Major Kundrat, do so at Michael.kundrat@baltimorepolice.org.
Tom Braun - Block Rep Program
- They are looking for more block representatives.
- This is a good way to reduce crime, reduce trash, and get to know your neighbors.
- Call or e-mail Carolyn Boitnott if you are interested.
Kini Collins - Friends of Patterson Park
- WYPR and Mercy Medical Center are presenting the summer concert series in Patterson Park again this summer. There will be 8 concerts in the series.
- There is a FunMobile every Tuesday and Sunday afternoon in the park. Thanks to BHA / Education Committee for sponsoring it.
- There is a newsletter sent out quarterly.
- They would appreciate any feedback after the summer activities.
Howard Ehrenfeld -
He is heading up a project to try to get a solar-energy project established in our neighborhood. Currently he believes that to install solar power in a home it costs approximately $20,000. The state has a grant for 20% up to $3,000. However, he is looking for a grant for a community project. He has contacted several organizations to try to get information, but hasn't been as successful as he would like to be. He is continuing to make contacts.
Is there anyone that knows anyone that knows anyone with contacts in the solar energy business?
He is trying to find a way to bring the price down to around $6,000 - $10,000 per house.
If you have any ideas or suggestions or contacts, please contact Howie.
The next meeting will be the picnic - July 6th in Duncan St. Park.
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