January 2026 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to secretary@upperfellspoint.org. (There was no meeting or newsletter in Dec.)
Hybrid Meeting
Welcome
Leadership introductions
Guest Speaker
No guest speaker
Discussion
Committee chairs discussed their accomplishments for 2025 and goals for 2026. (See Committee Reports section below for details.)
Votes
Motion: To donate $200 to the Food Security Fund for Upper Fells Point; motion passed unanimously. (Note: This fund provides fresh produce boxes to local households 1–2 times a month, purchased directly from Full Circle Farm and distributed through Wolfe Street Academy - $20 can feed a family of four with fresh, healthy produce for 1–2 weeks.)
Officer Reports
Treasurer’s summary report was given.
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn - beautification@upperfellspoint.org
2025 - Held Dumpster Days, cleanups, plantings, etc. and will continue same in 2026.
2026 - In Jan. 2026 went to the Mid Atlantic Trade Show and obtained several free trees, shrubs and plants that will be used to help green our neighborhood. Thanks to everyone that helped and to those who provided trucks. Brian M. mentioned that we used to have four dumpsters per year but the City has restricted it to two per year. We will be coordinating with Fells Prospect so dates do not overlap.
COMMUNITY GARDEN
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
2025 - Gardeners spent over 1,120 hours - maintained 26 garden plots and donated extra produce to needy families; held two fund-raisers (Honey Happy Hour and Oktoberfest); hosted Plant Swap with the Beautification Committee, hosted 60 Wolfe St. Academy kids as a field trip and Winter Wander with the Fund-Raising Committee; added soil to 20 raised bed boxes and rebuilt pollinator raised bed boxes; repainted lower east wall; worked with a local company on a bee camera prototype and provided garden social memberships for non-gardeners.
2026 - Will add soil to raised bed boxes in the pollinator garden; hold two fund-raisers (Honey Happy Hour and Oktoberfest); host Plant Swap and Winter Wander; assist Baltimore Green Space in gathering data on pollinators; add more native plants; continue to provide social membership for non-gardeners and add at least one new gardener (wait list is at 12).
EDUCATION
Eliza Poffenberger - education@upperfellspoint.org
2025 - Worked to establish a stronger and more consistent relationship with Wolfe St. Academy (WSA).
2026 - Set-up an annual event schedule, address needs of WSA and coordinate a food/clothing collection.
FUND-RAISING
Amy Zemanick - fundraising@upperfellspoint.org
2025 - Held Progressive Dinner and Winter Wander, held monthly meetings on the fourth Monday of the month at 7pm at Adee’s Coffee Roasters. Wendy B. is filling in while Amy is on maternity leave.
2026 - Plan to continue Progressive Dinner and Winter Wander and may have stoop sits or some other social event.
LADY DAY WAY
Beth Russo - ladydayway@upperfellspoint.org
2025 - Obtained a grant and added a new Billie Holiday mural and held an unveiling social event.
2026 - Complete pavement art crossings and add speed cushions; and install lights above the new mural and informational details about her life.
LAND-USE
Mark Hoffmann - landuse@upperfellspoint.org
2025/26 - Exchange ideas with community members; discuss issues related to general neighborhood appearance, non-permitted construction, sidewalks and infrastructure improvements.
Safety (sub-committee)
Dan Harrison - safety@upperfellspoint.org
2025 - Held Citizens on Patrol (COP) walk and National Night Out (NNO) event; and installed safety cameras and cafe lighting
2026 - Continue to have COP walks and NNO.
MEDIA
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
2025 - Compiled and distributed 1,215 printed newsletters to businesses and households for 11 months in both English and Spanish, obtained sponsor ads to offset printing costs and advertise local businesses, and kept social media and website current.
2026 - Continue to compile and distribute 1,215 printed newsletters to businesses and households for 11 months in both English and Spanish, obtain sponsor ads to offset printing costs and advertise local businesses, and keep social media and website current.
Ways to volunteer - Be an alternate newsletter carrier or Spanish translator when regulars are unavailable; relay your ideas about what you want to see or don’t like; obtain sponsor ads; take photos or write blurbs for the newsletter.
STREETS
Stephen Porter - trafficparking@upperfellspoint.org
2025 - Compiled a Transporation Guide for businesses and residents and used a local artist/printer.
2026 - Distribute Transporation Guide
NEW BUSINESS
See Votes section above
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.
