February 2026 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Hybrid Meeting
Welcome
Leadership introductions
Guest Speaker
Kirk Mitchell, BGE Office of Community Engagement, stated that current projects and the walk through of the substation were on hold due to the snow/ice. Residents stated that the sidewalk in front of the substation (Gough/Regester) was not walkable due to the ice and there had been illegal dumping in front of the substation and the cameras seem to be broken. Mr. Mitchell stated that he would check into it. Also he mentioned that the substation wall will be erected with spikes to keep people from climbing once weather clears up.
It was mentioned that if you have vents on the outside of your house to make sure they are not covered by snow and ice or other debris.
Residents expressed concern about the increase in rates. Mr. Mitchell suggested that there are a number of programs to help with bill paying and you can have someone come out to your house to review energy issues (i.e. leaking windows and doors, etc.) and give tips to make your house more energy efficient. If interested in an assessment, contact Mr. Micthell at (Kirk.mitchell@BGE.com). The assessment also is available to businesses. A question was asked about the reason/need for high-speed gas but no answer was given at this time.
Officer Reports
Treasurer’s summary report was given.
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn - beautification@upperfellspoint.org
Planted a few trees and shrubs before the snow/ice. There will be more plantings when the weather warms up.
Tree pruning on 2/21 from 9-11am; meet at Mallory’s garage
Committee meeting on 2/23.
Dumpster day moved to 3/7 (was originally 2/7 but cancelled due to the cold and snow/ice.)
COMMUNITY GARDEN
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
Have one new gardener (waitlist is down to 12p).
There will be a garden workday on 2/28 starting around 9-9:30am or whenever they deliver the soil (inclement weather date 3/7) to add soil to the pollinator garden and top off the other boxes. Tools provided but bring your own gloves.
EDUCATION
Eliza Poffenberger - education@upperfellspoint.org
Next committee meetings are on 2/26 and 3/26 at a private residence - email the Education Committee to find the location
WSA Wolfest - 5/2 (street festival)
If you’d like to know about upcoming volunteer opportunities (including a tutoring program) email Eliza.
Monthly food donation pickup: Thursday mornings once a month, about 45 minutes away at First Fruits, relatively large car needed. If someone is available to pickup contact Eliza. (She is to inquire if there is a mileage reimbursement.)
FUND-RAISING
Amy Zemanick and Wendy Bozel - fundraising@upperfellspoint.org
At the last meeting discussed having a Bingo event in April, May Stoop Neighborhood Gatherings, June invite a neighbor to the June meeting with free pizza & snacks for all those who attend.
Meeting on 2/23 at Adee’s Coffee (1625 Fleet St.) at 7pm
Thanks again to our Progressive Dinner hosts!
LADY DAY WAY
Beth Russo - ladydayway@upperfellspoint.org
Nothing to report - Waiting for the final grant disbursement.
LAND-USE
Mark Hoffmann - landuse@upperfellspoint.org
Monthly meeting was Monday 2/2 and next one will be on 3/2 at 7pm at the Julie Community Center.
Monitoring properties that are facing pending legal action
Sweet Carolina received multiple citations for violations of Maryland code and violations of the MOU with UFPIA. They submitted a proposal to limit the MOU with the UFPIA. The Land Use Committee wants to keep the MOU as it is. The new proposal requested is to sell low-cost single beers, low-cost alcoholic beverages, and miniature liquor bottles. The Committee believes this would result in increased loitering, public consumption, and neighborhood disturbance - which is already a problem on S. Broadway & Gough and S. Broadway & Bank. They have violated our MOU multiple times and complaints from businesses on Broadway continue. The liquor board has renewal hearings at the end of March and beginning of April every year. A petition can be signed to not allow the renewal of a liquor license - 10 signatures are required to start a petition from people who live in proximity. The hearing was supposed to happen last Thursday but due to the snow storm all hearings were postponed and they have not announced a new hearing date.
Safety (sub-committee)
Dan Harrison - safety@upperfellspoint.org
Had a COP (Citizens on Patrol) walk planned but postponed due to the snow storm; rescheduled for 2/23 at 6pm at Spa Adagio (317 Broadway), pizza & beverages to follow.
A note to residents: people are stealing the copper if your A/C is easily accessible; consider making a cage for it.
There is money in the budget for replacing cafe lights, whether or not your lights were installed by the UFPIA or by someone else. Also there may be some dusk-to-dawn bulbs to distribute: stoop lights also are possible for safety without needing the full cafe light system.
It was agreed that bulbs will be brought to the next community meeting.
MEDIA
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
Thanks all of our newsletter carriers who delivered newsletters during the cold and ice. If you didn’t get yours, your walkway was too icy to deliver one.
Deadline for March is 2/22 at 5pm.
STREETS
Stephen Porter - trafficparking@upperfellspoint.org
City setting up a more aggressive traffic enforcement unit and we can send tips about aggressive driving locations.
Washington St. traffic calming is ‘95% complete’ - expectation is for the project to happen in late 2026
2/21: Delegate Robbyn Lewis hosting the Liveable Streets Meeting at CASA (2706 Pulaski Highway)
Traffic monitoring cameras: mounted in a window perpendicular to travel; low-res that can only recognize the difference between a person/car/truck/micro-mobility vehicle. Would like to purchase a few - only a power outlet needed - to put on Wolfe and Washington. (Comment: There seems to be more surveillance in our communities - just want to make sure that any data from the monitors is only accessible to our organization as well as images of individuals or identifying information for vehicles.)
Working on setting up a streets event with other neighborhood groups this spring - potential fund-raiser and with money already in the budget.
Parking: Going to make another attempt to get the City Parking Authority to come to a meeting to speak about the process for RPP and answer questions people have.
Street sweeping to happen on more blocks. Shea from Councilman Glover’s office has a petition - 60% of residents of each block that would like it must sign on; alternate side parking enforced with towing for street sweeping. Petition says residents, not homeowners! (Question about if alley blocks without parking could be done now; Shea will check.)
There are some handicapped parking spaces in front of homes of people who have moved away; we have a contact to ask about removing those spaces and gaining back the parking spots.
It was suggested to paint lines on the street to try to encourage people to park more efficently.
New Business
Mr. Panta representing Sweet Carolina’s and his brother:
MOU was to get seven-day license: miscommunication between UFPIA and Sweet Carolina’s
Proposing changes to the MOU - would like to sell singles or miniatures that are higher priced than unhoused people can typically afford.
Trying to keep the store clean - other areas are causing loitering
Distributed a copy of the proposed changes and briefly discussed.
Working to get vegetable boxes to people who need them with Wolfe St. Academy - hoping to get $600 for March (fund is $1,200 currently so covered for Feb.)
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
To vote on issues at a meeting, you must have paid your current dues (based on calendar year beginning in January), attended 2 of the preceding 11 meetings, live in our boundaries and be age 18 and/or attended UFPIA sponsored events/activities per our Meeting & Voting Regulations.
