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MIDTOWN COMMUNITY BENEFITS DISTRICT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2008
UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE FOUNDATION BUILDING
1130 N. CHARLES STREET
6:30 p.m.

Member’s Present:  Randall Carroll, Steven Cassard, William Cole, Ann Costlow, Jason Curtis, Michael Deets, Florintina Gittens, Pamela Johnson, Steven Johnson, William Oelke, Joseph Palumbo, Mike Shecter, Carlo Van Greiken

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

Visitor Present:
Brittany Donald, Community Liaison for Councilman Bill Cole

Michael Deets called meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
Chair called for introductions.

Approval of Minutes
Michael Deets makes motion to accept minutes.
Pamela Johnson seconds motion.  Motion passes.

Board Members sworn in by Deputy Clerk of the Court, Charles Mackey

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

Approval of Committees for 2008
Chair makes motion for approval of the committees as presented in the handout.
Pamela Johnson seconds motion. 
Discussion follows.
Chair clarifies motion that the approval is for the existence of the committees and approval of members.
Chair opens floor for discussion.
Discussion follows.
All in favor. Motion passes.

Steven Johnson, Budget and Finance Committee
Proposed FY2009 budget distributed at meeting. Copies distributed at the meeting.

  • Salaries line has increased due to additional staff added in 2007 - 1 full time and 1 part time clean team position.  Additional monies have been allocated for FY2009 for 1 additional full time position on the clean team and upgrading a green team position to a foreman with horticulture background.
  • The proposed Capital Expenditure includes the purchase of 2 new trucks and 2 new littervac machines.
  • Worker’s Comp Insurance increased from previous year due to mid year evaluation based on increased staff size and experience of staff.
  • Newsletter expenses dropped significantly due to electronic distribution.
  • Suggestion made to ear-mark $120,000 from the program expense line to spend towards safety initiative and place on a separate line item. 

Finance Committee makes motion to present to the community the current form of the FY2009Budget at the Town Hall Meeting
Chair asks for motion to accept.
Jason Curtis seconds motion.
Chair opens floor for discussion.
Discussion follows
Carlo Van Grekien makes motion to remove funds for new clean team position from Salaries Expense line and place in the Program Expense (line 32) and hold funds until there is a decision with the safety initiative.
Chair asks for motion to accept.
Joseph Palumbo seconds motion.
Discussion follows          
6 votes in favor, 3 votes opposed
Motion passes.
Joseph Palumbo makes motion to remove from the Program Expense line monies ear- marked for the Safety Initiative and place on a separate Safety Initiative line – estimated at $140,000.
Chair asks for motion to accept.
Pamela Johnson seconds motion.
Chair opens floor for discussion.
Discussion follows.
All in favor. Motion passes.
Chair makes motion to present budget as amended to the community at the Spring Town Hall meeting.
All in favor. Motion passes.

Strategic Planning Task Force

  • Task Force meeting was held on Friday, February 29th to discuss data collected with Dr. Ann Cotton who will also present findings at the Town Hall Meeting.
  • Overall, increased safety was a major priority.

Bill Oelke, Personnel Committee
Report distributed at meeting and copies are on file at the MCBD office in the minutes binder.

Public Safety

  • Joseph Palumbo asks for follow up and status of request for a letter of support for a fence around North Avenue and Spicer’s Run. The letter is to be addressed to Councilman Cole. Peter Merles will draft the letter of support.

New Business

  • City has approved the Baltimore Montessori School and is currently accepting applications for children ages 3 – 12.
  • Meeting will be held at the Metro Gallery on March 6 @ 4:30 pm to discuss Artscape plans

 

Chair asks for motion to adjourn meeting.
Motion is seconded.
Meeting is adjourned.