June 2026 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Hybrid Meeting
Prior to our June meeting a social get together with pizza and beverages was held in the WSA playground at 6:30pm.
Welcome
Leadership introductions
Membership dues - Reminder: if you pay your dues via the PayPal giving fund, please email a copy of your receipt to treasurer@upperfellspoint.org.
Guest Speakers
The originally scheduled Enoch Pratt Library speaker was unable to attend but we briefly discussed their Summer Break Baltimore literacy program which takes place from June 15th-Aug. 15th. It uses a theme-based bingo board to win prizes. The game is free and open to all ages.
We joined the online Central District Commanders’ meeting for a brief period. The Balt. Police Dept. (BPD) stated that they are trying to address the issue of people drinking alcohol in the streets after the bars close; officers are supposed to be proactive and engage with the community. The City provides special vendor permits for events and not the BPD. The main problem areas in UFP are at Gough & Broadway. Sgt. Torres, who was not at the virtual meeting, stated previously that the BPD has been offering services to those found drinking alcohol at Gough & Broadway and is arresting those who are in violation. The UFPIA Safety Committee Chair will reach out to him to ask about their plan. Soon after, issues in other neighborhoods were being discussed so we dropped off from the meeting.
Also, Councilman Mark Conway joined us online briefly and discussed issues on data centers, health care, public transit and housing stability/affordability. (He is the Baltimore City Council member representing District 4, chairs the Public Safety and Government Operations Committee, and is running for Congress for the 7th congressional district).
Officer Reports
Treasurer’s summary report was given.
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn - beautification@upperfellspoint.org
Next monthly evening clean up is on 6/9 at 6pm at 1931 E Pratt (corner of Pratt & Washington by red garage doors on S Washington side).
Dumpster Day is 6/13 with Fells Prospect; at the corner of Gough and Chester.
Neighborhood cleanup contest: three teams signed up so far - Pratt St. Pickers (Pratt between Washington-Broadway), and By the Wayside (S Washington) and S-ANN-itation (S Ann). Opportunity to get yourself and neighbors to pick up the litter on your street.
Need cleanup teams for S Wolfe, Gough and S Broadway
Grab your neighbors to join in! Additional trash picker tools are available at Mallory’s garage, will buy more if we have more teams.
COMMUNITY GARDEN
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
Growing season is underway! - Consider planting something for bees - flowers are their food!
If you need soil or compost Veteran Compost is offering a discount from now through Labor Day. Mention that “the Upper Fells Point Community Garden sent me” or use this form - Veteran Compost - Referral Program to place your order.
Honey Happy Hour on 8/15 from 4-6pm at the garden to celebrate National Honey Bee Day. Will have beverages, snacks, a raffle and short talk by a local beekeeper.
Oktoberfest on 9/19 from 4-7pm at the garden.
EDUCATION
Eliza Poffenberger - education@upperfellspoint.org
Wolfe St Academy’s Wolfest was postponed until 7/3 - need volunteers for the UFPIA table for arts & crafts, especially bilingual volunteers
Are taking book donations
Tutor opportunities: starting a pilot program for the fall
Food security fundraiser: Donate at https://gofund.me/b06603aea
Committee meetings are on the last Thursday of the month at a private residence, next meeting is 6/25 at 7pm. Email education@upperfellspoint.org for the location and more information.
Education committee cleanup: Saturday 6/20. Cleaning up around the WSA school - Wolfe, Gough, Chapel; meet at the school at 9am.
6/11 & 6/12: 5th grade promotion ceremony - volunteer opportunities!
FUND-RAISING
Amy Zemanick and Wendy Bozel - fundraising@upperfellspoint.org
Pizza party - Thanks to everyone who participated and to Wendy for coordinating the event. Encourage your neighbors to stay in touch and attend events.
Membership drive contest: $100 gift card to Little Donna’s. Congrats to Lisa!
Monthly meeting: fourth Monday, 7pm, Ministry of Brewing. Can always reach out to fundraisingcommittee@upperfellspoint.org .
Hoping to have a social event in Patterson Park in September or October - stay tuned!
LADY DAY WAY
Beth Russo - ladydayway@upperfellspoint.org
Pavement art: full-length of the 200 block of S. Durham will be painted to honor Billie Holiday - two speed bumps and crossings. To begin work the week of June 22nd, or the following week if there are weather delays. There will be some road closures.
Working on a welcome sign/signage 2x4 ft banner-style sign for the NE corner of the block (Durham & Pratt) - MOU signed by homeowner to mount the sign. Looking to see what the sign will look like. Contact us with any creative ideas!
We received almost $100,000 from the state for this project and a decade of work to get it to the finish line.
LAND-USE
Mark Hoffmann - landuse@upperfellspoint.org
Next meeting on 7/6 at the Julie Community Center
Discussed Gough & Broadway. Frustrated with the accountability City agencies are giving us.
Safety (sub-committee)
Dan Harrison - safety@upperfellspoint.org
6/17 is the first planning meeting for National Night Out (event to be held on 8/4 from 6:30-8:30pm on the 300 block of S Chapel) - will be similar format to last year; accepting donations. Live music, refreshments, food and vendors, artwork for sale, fire truck for kids, law enforcement socializes.
MEDIA
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
Deadline for the July newsletter is June 28th at 5pm.
STREETS
Stephen Porter - trafficparking@upperfellspoint.org
Noticed a new bench? Use the 311 app - City asks about usage and need. It was suggested to keep using the 311 and transit apps.
New Business
Be sure to vote in the upcoming gubernatorial primary election! - If you are voting by mail: deadline for your ballot is when it arrives at the facility, not when it is postmarked.
Lack of pedestrian signals at Pratt/ Washington is concerning; why are there no signals? Waiting for a big renovation involving a bike lane on Washington (construction to begin late this year or next year). Last we checked: design was at 90%. It was suggested to put in a 311 request and send the request number to Councilman Glover’s office to follow up. StreetsofBaltimore.com has more projects coming including the bike lane.
Gough & Broadway issues: what can we do? Many of the people who are congregating/drinking are not unhoused; there is a camp in front of the BGE substation.
Re: encampment in front of the substation - encourage outreach to Sen. Ferguson’s office. BGE is a well-resourced, powerful institution - they respond to the State, not always the City. BGE forced it to the City as ‘not their problem’ which is unacceptable. Discussion of a letter to be sent by UFPIA. Encouragement from members to use humanizing language and send their own individual letters.
Police noted they will begin to arrest. Safety Committee to reach out to BPD.
It was suggested to connect with Charm City Care Connection (on Wolfe St)? They provide outreach support for harm reduction including neighborhood cleanup. Have done outreach to Esperanza Center and Healthcare for the Homeless.
Southern Community Coalition: worked on quality of life issues like dirt bikes, public drinking, etc. Collected 800 signatures with a petition and list of demands for action. Gaining momentum - asking for other neighborhoods to join. Meeting on 6/11 in Fells Point.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Social at Benders (301 S Ann)
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.
