Midtown Community Benefits District

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MIDTOWN COMMUNITY BENEFITS DISTRICT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2008
University of Baltimore Foundation Building
1130 N. Charles Street
6:30 p.m.

Member’s Present: Randall Carroll, Steven Cassard, Ann Costlow, Paul Warren representing Jason Curtis, Michael Deets, Polly Duke, Steven Johnson, Kevin Macartney, Michael Molla, Bill Oelke, Joseph Palumbo, Steven Shen, Kristy Taylor

Staff Present:
Peter Merles, District Administrator, Midtown Community Benefits District
Peggy Smallwood, Office Manager, Midtown Community Benefits District

Michael Deets called meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Chair called for introductions.

Approval of Minutes
Joseph Palumbo makes motion to remove name of person preparing minutes.
Motion is seconded. Motion passes.
Chair moves to accept minutes as amended.
All in favor. Motion passes.

Nomination made to accept Polly Duke as Secretary of the Board for 2008
Bill Oelke seconds motion.
All in favor. Motion passes.

Peter Merles, District Administrator’s Report
Report distributed at meeting and copies are on file at the MCBD office in the minutes binder.

Joseph Palumbo requests clarification on when the board approved the purchase of snow blowers and if it was purchased as a capital expenditure. Peter will research and update the board.
Peter will provide a copy of snow plowing routes to the board

Midtown Development Corporation Report
Report distributed at meeting and copies are on file at the MCBD office in the minutes binder.

Paul Warren requests that the MDC provide a brief report detailing their goals, objectives and resources for the upcoming year.

Committee Assignments for 2008
Committee sign-up sheets were distributed at the meeting. Board members expected to participate on the committees.

Steven Johnson, Budget and Finance Committee
Report distributed at meeting and copies are on file at the MCBD office in the minutes binder.

Reviewed 6 month projection
Discussed and addressed high expenditure items

Joseph Palumbo request an answer for a pending request of $5000.00 gift from the Midtown capital funds to install a fountain on Eutaw Place. The project costs $40,000 and the request was for $5000.00. MCBD has yet to respond to the request because there is not written procedure to handle capital requests. A suggestion was made at an Executive Committee meeting to set up a sub-committee to handle such requests that would be separate of the board and consist of a representative from each of the four communities and 2 board members.
Joseph Palumbo makes a motion to follow through with suggestion of the Executive Committee and put in place a procedure to respond to such requests.
Discussion Follows.
Peter Merles states that he was asked to check with City Solicitor’s office to make sure there were no legal reasons why requests such as these could be funded through MCBD. They informally stated they saw no legal issues but have not issued anything in writing.
Chair asks for a motion to accept.
After further discussion, Polly Duke makes amended motion to make the sub-committee a part of the Outreach Committee.
Additional discussion follows.
Chair asks for a motion to accept original motion on the floor.
      Polly Duke rescinds amended motion.
Additional discussion follows.
Joseph Palumbo restates motion to follow the Executive Committee’s suggestion to get the four community members together with 2 board members to make a recommendation to the board
Additional discussion follows.
Joseph Palumbo rescinds motion
Additional discussion follows.
Steve Cassard makes motion that it be the policy of the MCBD to support such grant requests through existing means such as the Midtown Development Corporation. MCBD would support the efforts to obtain funds but MCBD will not be the funding source of such efforts. MCBD will advocate for grant requests that we support and invest in and enhance our own ability receive grants in the future.
Steve Johnson seconds motion.
Additional discussion follows.
      Chair asks for a motion to accept.
      All in favor. Motion passes

Bill Oelke, Personnel Committee
Committee chair thanks committee participants and gives a brief overview of the schedule for the committee for the upcoming year.

Steven Shen, Operations Committee

Smoker’s stations are now available for purchase.
Additional corner litter cans have been requested.
Suggestion to restructure the safety position to handling emptying of the corner trash cans at night. Researching trading the van for a pick for implementation of initiative.
Committee is looking into a fence for the northern part of North Avenue near Roberts Street

Joseph Palumbo suggests that with a letter of support from the community organizations; such as the MCBD Board, MRIA, and the Spicers’ Run Association addressed to the City of Baltimore, the city will put up the fence at no charge.

Joseph Palumbo makes motion requesting a letter of support to be submitted to the City of Baltimore in support for a fence around North Avenue and Spicer’s Run.
Additional discussion follows.
Joseph Palumbo restates motion to request a letter of support to be submitted to the City of Baltimore in support for a fence along North Avenue at Maple Leaf Park.
Chair asks for a motion to accept.
Steven Shen seconds motion.
All in favor. Motion passes.

The committee is ready to initiate a study for the pilot project of 6 camera locations. A local vendor has been identified. The study will require 110 hours looking at the feasibility of placing cameras and call boxes in 6 areas. The purpose of the study is to put together a cost proposal based on research of the existing infrastructure.

Steve Johnson makes motion to approve expenditure of $20,000.00 for study as funded the Safety Initiative in the currant Budget.
Chair asks for motion to accept.
Steve Shen seconds motion
All in favor. Motion passes.

New Business
            Michael Molla makes motion for a letter of support for the North Avenue/Charles Street/Main Street application
      Additional discussion follows.
            Chair asks for motion to accept
            Motion is seconded. Motion passes.

Chair asks for a motion from the floor to adjourn meeting
Motion is seconded.
Meeting is adjourned.