CCA Public Meeting Minutes 11 17 2020

CCA Public Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 VIA ZOOM

The meeting started at 6:35PM.

(Questions are being taken or can be emailed to info@cantoncommunity.org).

Mark Edelson. President, welcomed everyone to the meeting. It is now on Canton Neighbors instead of the CCA page. There is a note letting folks know this.

We have a packed agenda. The CCA is a neighborhood group of volunteers working to make Canton more happy, healthy, welcoming, inclusive and effective. Questions and comments can be emailed to info@cantoncommunity.org. Dues are $10 a year which includes getting a monthly newsletter.

Presentations:
Maryland State Comptroller – Peter Franchot:

He thanked the CCA for having him tonight and having technical difficulties makes it feel somewhat normal.

Comptroller Franchot wants to help especially because of the pandemic. He can be reached at his personal cell 301-332-1961.

He apologized on behalf of the government generally feeling that the federal government dropped the ball. He talked about the virus being dangerous and using common sense. The Comptroller said the first stimulus package helped to stabilize the economy and firmed up tax revenues. The Paycheck Protection Plan was relatively successful. Sales tax revenues are down. However, getting the virus under control should be coupled with getting federal and state relief to those who need it.

He wants the Governor to release up to $1 billion now for small businesses. However, the feeling is to keep it for next year’s state budget effective July 1. The small businesses are in trouble. There is $585.5 million in a positive fund balance sitting there (“found money”) which he feels should be allocated to communities like Canton. It needs to be done today, feeling it could be given to groups like ours to allocate. The Comptroller told the Governor he would get checks to those that need it right away. The rainy-day fund is still there.

He does think there is a light at the end of the tunnel although it might be twelve months. A second stimulus is needed. It is mind boggling. The operative word is “survival”.

Joy Giordano will remain on the meeting. She is an expert on all things Canton and asked her to post her contact information

The Comptroller urges people to take precautions saying his heart goes out to those who are sick. He thanked Mark for his leadership and also for running for office earlier. Please don’t get too gloomy because Maryland does have a lot of reserves to be utilized down the road.

Mark asked what we can do to facilitate getting money to small businesses. Comptroller Franchot said the Governor has the power to spend the money. However, he feels Hogan and others are protective of their budget. Unfortunately, the Presidential election hasn’t brought much clarity. He urged us to contact our elected officials. The “positive fund balance” is separate from the $1 billion. There could be another tax deferral time period.

Questions can be posted for the Comptroller.

Mark asked about the Kirwan fund. The Comptroller feels it wouldn’t be fiscally responsible right now to fund this, and that folks need to go back to the table. He cited the Thornton Commission in the early 2000’s figuring Kathleen Kennedy Townsend would be elected Governor and most likely have raised taxes to fund this Commission. He is very pro-education.

He wants people to know we will get through this.

Thread – Samantha Morales:

Samantha spoke about the history of Thread showing slides. This was founded on the basis of the belief that isolation affects everyone and introducing folks to relationships. This group helps the youth weaving young people. The students stick with the program. Volunteers are needed. She talked about Thread Families relationships. All touchpoints with young people are encouraged and should be once a week. Most things are virtual now. Her contact info is 609-610-0523, Samantha.morales@thread.org; www.thread.org/volunteer.

Mark appreciates this presentation and thanked her group. He has personally done work with this organization.

Team 46 Delegate Update – Luke Clippinger

Luke is part of the Team along with State Delegates Brooke Lierman, Robbyn Lewis and State Senator Bill Ferguson. Luke is the Chair of the House Judiciary. He said the legislation Earned Sick Leave passed in 2018 didn’t allow for those forced to stay home because of the pandemic. He would like to tweak this legislation.

Police accountability will be discussed. There is a work group the past several weeks discussing the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights. They want to build greater transparency. They are also looking at policing and how it relates to how people are dealing with mental health issues as well as how police deal with their own issues. The legislators are working with crisis intervention teams. A $45 million grant will support a partnership of health officials, hospitals and local agencies.

Maryland has the lowest fees for evictions. If the fees are increased some of this money would go for eviction assistance and legal aid. The interest from lawyers’ escrow accounts helps Legal Aid. Since this money isn’t available now, there is less legal aid assistance available.

He can take questions now. Mark asked about charter amendments this year on the ballot asking what is a most impactful one. There were a number of those also on the City ballot.

Two were constitutional. One dealt with the legislature’s ability to move money from one part of the budget to another. That can’t be done until the end of Hogan’s term - FY 2024.

The second amendment was for sports gambling which needed a sign off from people. A structure needs to be set up for this. If he remembers correctly, it is for education which he can confirm since this isn’t part of his committee.

Maura asked about education and mentioned Comptroller Franchot wanting to hold off for a year. She doesn’t agree with this. Adding money to the rainy-day fund has helped during the pandemic. Luke said the revenue is not as bad as earlier thought. He said we banked four years so this has been paid for already. There is a challenge for education. Children are falling behind.

SE District Police Update – Captain Danita Boyd/Sergeant Julian Jemmott:

Mark congratulated Captain Boyd and asked her what she can say in terms of crime here and what

we can do to help. This is the season for larceny. She said if anyone hears about a crime here and has a camera to please reach out to her. Captain Boyd cautioned against leaving valuables in the car. There has been an increase in destruction of properties, larceny from cars and a few robberies. Juveniles were arrested for robberies. She also asked that if we see suspicious people like at 2AM, to call the police.

Sergeant Julian Jemmott said the SE is hosting a turkey giveaway on the 24th and trying to feed 150 people. His contact info is: julian.jemmott@baltimorepolice.org or (443) 690-7204.

Coppin State University Research Project (Canton) – Martina Robinson

Martina said that senior nursing students are doing an assessment of Canton as far as health care access and transportation issues. They visited Target and asked people questions. They heard about how the pandemic is affecting the community, small businesses and crime. They would like to do a survey. Mark said we can put this on social media and asked the timeline. The research is due December 2.

Health Department Update – Jeff Amoros - https://coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov/

Jeff talked about the City’s health site and showed slides. An overview of cases, deaths and positivity rates are all included. The figures are going in the wrong direction. The Health Department is pushing Covid best practices. Like the Governor said – “wear the damn mask”.

The department is begging for people to get flu shots. One of the slides shows locations for flu shots. Mark said the department’s meme game has been on point. What about looking at the site on mobile phones is a question, and Jeff will check on this. Mark thanked him for conveying these messages.

Announcements – Mark:

Baltimore City Elections Update – Mark Edelson:
Brandon Scott – Mayor
Bill Henry – City Comptroller
Nick Mosby – City Council President
Zeke Cohen – Councilman

Canton Anti-Racism Alliance – Mark Edelson

Mark spoke about this saying it was started in July in response to discussions around the world focused on equity, history of racism and segregation. The community wants to focus on these issues locally.

This fantastic and diverse group reached out to all community members, historians and college professors. If anyone is interested, this group is open to all. He can be emailed @ president@cantoncommunity.org.

A letter was submitted to Mayor Young asking that the Captain John O’Donnell statue be removed from O’Donnell Square.

O’Donnell Square Business District – Matthew “Bull” Laskinski:

Matt reminded folks to order from a restaurant and pick up the meal themselves and not use a delivery service. This is because the businesses have to pay a fee. Any support is appreciated. Amanda also suggested tipping for the staff.

Economic Development Committee – Doug Kaufman – Three issues:

St. Brigid’s former School - Hudson Street and East Ave (Additional residential units) - they want to expand by having five one-bedroom units in the basement. The original proposal was for townhouses on the parking lot. This changed. Usually the concern is about parking. Their parking lot holds 15 spots with 30 being used. The EDC wants to do their diligence in this matter.

United Evangelical Church – Dillon Street and East Avenue (925 East Avenue) – a developer wants to turn the northern building into 13 or 14 apartments. With the zoning code as written they do not have to provide parking on site. We don’t have leverage. It might not happen at all. We’ll probably know more in the spring.

Lee’s Pint and Shell (2nd Floor Balcony) – The owner wants to put a balcony on both the Linwood Avenue and Hudson Street side to increase seating capacity. Through the process the best thing is that the neighbors have reached out to the EDC to tell what it is like to live near that restaurant. The CCA has taken a firm position but first operational issues need to be resolved. The EDC wants to get a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which takes time. This resulted in a delay in asking Lee’s to come to a Public meeting. Lee’s is on board with this. The MOU (rules of the road) would be attached to the liquor license. Hopefully the CCA can support them if they show good faith.

Right now the plan is for seating for 60 people although this could possibly be reduced. Lee’s agreed that the December hearing would not be going forward.

Doug will be glad to talk to people about these important issues. His info is 410-952-3290, doug.kaufman@gmail.com

Canton Canopy Update – Michael Woolen:

After a hiatus in the spring, there were 57 new trees planted primarily on Fait Avenue between Montford and Lakewood. He will be organizing mulching, planting and pruning during the winter. People can go to their Facebook page. Mark thanked Michael for his work on our tree canopy.

Shop Small, Saturday, November 28 – Julie Kichline:

Julie piggy-backed on what Matt said. She is asking people to shop at the retail businesses on the Square – 2910 On The Square, Best Day Ever, Lucky Knot, a tattoo shop, Canton Games and more. They offer online shopping. Some have delivery and/or designated parking spaces. Also some shops are by appointments.

Mark thanked Julie as “queen of our newsletter”. This goes out every month and is very informative. He thanked her for all her help in the community and the small businesses.

Closing remarks - Mark:

The O’Donnell Square Park Buy-A-Brick program has been extended to Sunday, November 22. If anyone wants a brick, please email info@cantoncommunity.org.

If anyone wants to get involved in a committee, or ask us anything, please let us know on our Facebook page or email us.

Please stay healthy and see loved ones by Zoom. He looks forward to seeing everyone when it’s safe.

The meeting ended at 8:20PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Denise Aversa