CCA Public Meeting Minutes: 11.19.2024
/CCA Public Meeting
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 – (Questions Can Be Submitted on Facebook)
Location: United Evangelical Church (Dillon Street and East Avenue)
The meeting started at 6:35PM.
Welcoming remarks:
Amanda Bourgeois, CCA President, welcomed everyone.
Amanda welcomed everyone saying that the CCA is a non profit with all volunteers. She encouraged people to become members and to receive the monthly newsletter. She thanked Mark Sapperstein of 28Walker for the food tonight. Also thanks go to the United Evangelical Church for hosting the meeting.
(Below not necessarily in order of being presented)
Announcements:
Canton Day of Giving – Saturday, December 14 – Amanda:
This is in conjunction with The Exchange Club of Highlandtown and Canton. This is from 10A-2P.
Toys will be collected as well as canned goods.
Councilman-Elect Update - Mark Parker:
Councilman-elect Mark is going through the transition now with Councilman Zeke Cohen’s office. His inauguration is Thursday, December 5 at the War Memorial Plaza with 1,100 seats available. His office will be working on concerns of constituents and initiatives (some started by outgoing Councilman Zeke Cohen soon to be Council President). The hiring process has started. He said conversations have started on the issue of President-elect Donald Trump’s plans.
Elev8 Baltimore – George Buntin:
George is going to meetings looking for Experience Corps Volunteers. This is a group of people age 50 and older helping children in kindergarten through third grade learn to read. It can be built around one’s schedule. It is one-on-one tutoring. Contact AARP/Volunteer Coordinator George Buntin at volunteer@elev8baltimore.org.
Special Olympics Maryland – Baltimore City – Shay Brody - Director :
The City hasn’t had a fundraiser in awhile. There will be one on Thursday, December 5 from 6-10PM. The Peabody Heights Brewery at 401 East 30th Street will host a fundraiser.
Department of Public Works (DPW) – Haydee Batista:
Information on illegal dumping is sent to the DPW. Warnings are first given and then citations.
Any problems with dog waste should be reported to 311. Haydee said she tries to visit all areas.
Presentations:
Maryland Transit Authority (MDTA) Key Bridge Rebuild Engagement – Brian Wolfe, Director of Project Development; and Melissa Bognes:
They have been to local meetings and fairs to keep people informed with comment periods. A presentation was shown showing the need for procurement. It also shows how traffic has been impacted. They mentioned commuterconnections.org where one can find car pools, park and ride lots and the Guaranteed Ride Home feature.
The bridge will be built back to current standards. The timeline now is in the early stage of design. The hope is that the bridge will be done by the fall of 2028. As for jobs, someone asked if there are incentives for local people. He can’t really speculate on the transition change of President in January.
The hotline number is 1-800-515-7030 or contact info@keybridgerebuild.com with questions or concerns about the project.
Department of Transportation (DOT) – Boston Street Connector Project – Jon Leishman & Ethan McLeod:
This is a project the City started in 2016 and was paused for awhile. They recently received a $300,000 grant through the SHA for a segment along the Greenway Trails. They will be looking at Potomac Street over to Conkling Street to Haven Street. They are working with their Red Line partners. On the north side of Boston Street is the Greenway Trails proceeding with an off-street path to make it safer for everyone. Ethan said he will be here in the future with slides.
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) – Red Line Update – Communications and Engagement Director, Ken Melton; Technical Lead – Alvaro Sifuente and Rochelle Carpenter:
An overview was shown. Community input is needed. There will be planning for stations.
There were open houses and meetings a year ago to discuss options including tunnel and surface; flooding can be an issue in tunnels.
A decision has been made to do Light Rail based on measures of effectiveness and community input.
Eastern Avenue and Fleet Street are being studied along with any impact on parking. An alternative has to be determined. Both Baltimore City and County are involved along with the State.
For those interested a survey can be found on redlinemaryland.com.
State’s Attorney’s Office (SAO) – Natasha Zepeda:
Natasha distributed information from the SAO along with New Juvenile Laws 2024. She mentioned Victim Impact Statements where the victims meet with the SAO. One was just done for crimes committed in the 800 blocks S. Ellwood and S. Decker Avenues.
Miscellaneous:
There is still community feedback coming in about the center of the O’Donnell Square. There could be music there at times although not bands every night like someone thought.
Closing Remarks – Amanda:
Amanda thanked everyone who participated in and attended the meeting. We can be reached at info@cantoncommunity.org. The meeting officially adjourned at 8:25PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Denise Aversa