CCA Public Meeting Minutes 02.20.2024
/CCA Public Meeting
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – (Questions Can Be Submitted on Facebook)
Location: Church on the Square (1025 S. Potomac Street)
The meeting started at 6:35PM.
Welcoming remarks: Amanda Bourgeois, CCA President, welcomed everyone saying she sees new faces.
She thanked Dragonfly Hospitality and El Bufalo for the food tonight. Also thanks go to the Church on the Square for hosting the meeting.
Announcements:
Board Elections – Amanda and Zach Spedden:
An email was sent to Board members to vote up until 12:30PM Wednesday. Paper ballots are available here tonight. In December an email goes out to the membership asking if anyone is interested in running for the Board. At the February Public meeting an election is held. At the March Board meeting officers are elected.
Incumbents on the ballot: Denise Aversa (Secretary), Amanda Bourgeois (President), Adrienne Ekas (Acting Vice President & Education), Jayne Miller (Canton Dog Park), Emily Todd (Public Safety and Social);
John Ford is new (Anti-Racism Committee and Transportation).
Volunteer of the Year – Amanda:
The 2024 recipients are Kristin Mills and Ted Hart (unable to be here tonight). They have worked very hard on the brick program. Now bricks can be purchased for the Canton Dog Park.
Public Safety Camera Grant – Amanda:
The CCA was awarded a grant for $100,000 for cameras. They are mainly for businesses (O’Donnell Square, the Loading Dock and possibly the Rite Aid). Issues are being resolved as to who can view footage. Maintenance dollars are not included in the budget. It’s hoped to get money in the future for this. A contract was signed with Fortius Security.
City Council Candidate Forum – Rev. Jim Hamilton:
Different community organizations are involved with this. It will be held at Hope City Church at 3930 Fleet Street on Thursday, April 18 from 6:30-8:30PM. Jayne Miller will be the moderator. Questions can be submitted. This will be live streamed. Since it’s a local election, it was suggested that questions be geared to local issues.
Baltimore Bark House – Megan & Forrest Worman:
This is located at 3842 East Lombard Street. It’s a Doggie Daycare & Hotel. BaltimoreBarkHouse.com
Dog Park Update – Jayne Miller:
Jayne said that the temporary drain has helped and hopefully a permanent one will be installed soon.
St. Patrick’s Day – Canton Square Activities – Matt Lasinski (Southern Provisions):
The Annual Bar Crawl will be held Saturday, March 9 from 12N-10P.
On Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17 Southern Provisions, Claddagh’s and El Bufalo will have tents.
These will close at 10PM. Curley and O’Donnell Streets will be closed. Matt said there is a plan in place to pick up trash during the event as well as afterwards. This also includes trash in a three-block radius.
St. Patrick’s Day – Canton Square Activities – Matt Lasinski (Southern Provisions):
Sam Cogen, Baltimore City Sheriff, along with Deputy Sheriff Major Brackett, spoke about their efforts in helping March 16 and 17. More detail will be added. They want to do this in a friendly community way.
They are working with the Baltimore Police Department.
Drinking outside of the tents will not be allowed. Criminal citations will be written for open containers. Traffic flow is important. The weather can be a factor. Sheriff Cogen said some people are trained for DWI detection although there will not be a DWI checkpoint.
St. Patrick’s Day – Safe Tables – Maura Taylor:
Maura and Jim, citing possible safety issues, will set up a tent with bottles of water and snacks. Maura is concerned about what happens if someone (especially young women) gets asked to leave a bar and might be separated from their friends. Volunteers are needed. Depending on the weather this might start at 2PM.
Dumpster Days – Maura:
The dates are: March 23, June 1, September 7 and November 2. Scrap metal is taken. Anyone who wants to “dumpster dive” is allowed.
Presentations:
Department of Public Works (DPW) – Haydee Batista:
Haydee spoke about the Baltimore Service Line Partnership regarding lead and copper rule revisions. People should go on www.servicelinepartnership since this is an important issue. She also would like anyone who reports a DPW issue to 311, to please email her their confirmation number. Haydee.batista@baltimorecity.gov
Larry Nunley is retiring saying that District 1 is fortunate to have Haydee.
Southeast District Police:
Major Alberto Colon and Captain Albert DellaRoca were present. They are both new to the district and “out of box thinkers”. Officer Ricardo Cabreja and Sergeant Eric Johnson are the NCO’s for the district. Neighborhood concerns should be channeled through them.
Canton Library/Friends of the Canton Library – Morgan Stanton (Manager):
Morgan spoke about the various programs there for adults as well as children. The branch is the oldest in Baltimore.
He said the Friends of the Canton Library is a wonderful support group and helps with volunteers and donations. Someone asked about computer classes especially for seniors. Saying there really isn’t enough space, the SE Anchor Library (Conkling Street) holds classes.
Baltimore Rails-to-Trails Conservancy – Quinton J. Batts, Project Manager:
He said a small part of Boston Street (near Sprouts) has been done. Community outreach will be done. Connections to Herring Run Park are in the works as well as possibly Chinquapin Park.
Councilman Zeke Cohen’s Office Update – Ethan Hasiuk:
Councilman Cohen recently introduced a new process for redistricting to be more independent. Ethan said that two bills might be on the November ballot. ethan.hasiuk@baltimorecity.gov.
The traffic division is being staffed. Ethan said that they are hoping to get lighting back on the promenade.
Councilman Cohen’s office is aware of the ongoing issues with traffic calming on Boston Street.
It was asked if legislation to lift parking restrictions is being considered here especially since Boston Street sometimes resembles a “speedway”. It is being looked at city wide although there is still a lot to do. There is no timeline yet for the Haven Street underpass signal.
Department of Transportation – Clea Baumhofer:
Clea said there are various safety-related projects being planned. Eastern Avenue at Milton, Montford and Lakewood is one of the projects because of pedestrian crashes. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beginnings (RRFB) will be along Eastern. Pedestrian upgrades are being proposed for Boston Street. A pedestrian “refuge” is being planned in the Hudson Street crossing area near Montford Avenue.
People voiced concerns especially about Boston Street.
Outreach and community meetings are done when changes are being planned.
clea.baumhofer@baltimorecity.gov
Closing Remarks – Amanda:
Membership cost is $10 a year which includes a monthly newsletter as well as other emails.
You can reach us at info@cantoncommunity.org.
The meeting officially adjourned at 8:15PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Denise Aversa