Sept. 2026 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Introductions and welcoming of new attendees
Guest Speakers
Tasha Ibrahim - Food Security Fund update
70% of families with children at Wolfe St. Academy (WSA) live below the poverty line
Funds allowed us to distribute boxes of fresh produce to our community members
$20 feeds a family of four for 1-2 weeks with fresh produce and eggs
After Sept. will only have $88; need recurring donors (ideally 45p at $20/mo.)
WSA will be the distribution site for these boxes. The fundraiser is being managed by a small group of community members who will purchase the food directly from Full Circle Farm - all funds except processing fees go directly to purchasing boxes
For donations - Go Fund Me
Haydee Batista, DPW Liaison
Water
Stated that we are in a drought and to limit water use - Attendees mentioned that DPW constantly had water running down the street during road construction and many water pipes were broken wasting water (E Lombard, S Washington, etc.)
Ms. Batista said she was unaware of these issues and asked attendees to send her the service request confirmation numbers and she would check into it.
Her phone # is 443-721-0028
Recycling
Contamination due to unrecyclable items (based on type and not code on bottom - i.e. no deli containers, fruit containers, yogurt cups, etc.)
Recycling goes to a contractor to process
You will receive an “Oops” message on your recycling can if items are not acceptable.
Attendees said this was not being enforced.
Ms. Batista said she would check into it.
She also said composting will be available within 5 yrs. at the sanitation yards and at some locations sooner.
Also, in the back of your DPW calendar is a full list of items that can be recycled. (Note: It’s also listed on page 2 of your UFPIA newsletter and on our website.)
It was mentioned that textile recycling (old clothes, linens, etc.) is available at the Sisson St yard too.
Misc.
Trash can policy
Ms. Batista stated that cans must be all the way to the curb for pickup and not in the middle of the sidewalk or up by your house.
Attendees said trash cans were being left on the sidewalk and not pulled back into yards and left overflowing on the street.
Ms. Batista said she was not aware of this problem and would discuss it with management; UFPIA to send her photos.
Dumpster Days
There is a shortage of dumpsters, so community associations have been limited to 4 dumpsters/yr. It was suggested to contact the Mayor’s office or city council member to request more dumpsters.
The City provides pickers, gloves, and bags but you must contact them at least 1-½ weeks prior to your event (tools available from the Tool Bank); call 311 to schedule, return your signed request form and then call back the next day to make sure they received your request form.
Parking
A parking scarcity survey is being conducted – should have results by the end of the year with recommendations.
An attendee stated that we had already done this survey and one of the issues is lack of enforcement by the city and could provide the survey info.
Ms. Batista mentioned that starting on Oct. 1st MVA will be cracking down on out-of state vehicle tags.
Discussion
Broadway and Gough corridor
The Police have been using a productive and compassionate approach to the alcohol problem; however, there needs to be a results oriented approach across several agencies. Some UFP residents would like to send a letter to Senator Ferguson for a sustainable solution. The proposed letter was read. A motion was made to approve the letter as written. The link to the proposed letter will be included in the Oct. newsletter and on the website with a possible vote at the Oct. community meeting.
Trash Competition Cleanups
There are several cleanup crews now and trophy awards will be presented in Oct. The next cleanup is on Sept. 15th at 6pm.
Upper Fell’s Finds
Trees and planters - In the 1930’s there were virtually none or very few street trees. Now UFP has over 800 trees with a newly planted maple tree in the 300 block of S Wolfe on Sunday. Trees and planters add beauty, shade and clean air for us and habitat for wildlife. Please water a street tree near you to help them survive too.
If you have one to share, contact Trevey at (parliamentarian@upperfellspoint.org)
Officer Reports
Treasurer’s summary report was given.
Reminder: if you pay your dues via the PayPal giving fund, please email a copy of your receipt to treasurer@upperfellspoint.org.
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn - beautification@upperfellspoint.org
Dumpster Day on Sept. 5th – residents filled it up
Cleanup on Sept. 15th at 6pm.
Mallory will be stepping down in early Oct. - Bill Miltenberger volunteered to lead the committee.
COMMUNITY GARDEN
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
On Sun. night someone set a carpet on fire in the trash cans in the alley in the back of the garden. Fortunately, the fire dept. was able to put it out quickly so no one was hurt. It melted several trash cans and scorched the paint off the building. According to the fire dept, there has been a flurry of these fires in Fells Point; one person was arrested. Jan and the maintenance man at the property cleaned up the debris.
Oktoberfest will be Sat. 9/19 from 4-7pm – beverages, sausages, desserts, raffle; proceeds to the greening efforts at the garden
EDUCATION
Eliza Poffenberger - education@upperfellspoint.org
Added pinwheels to the WSA school grounds to welcome kids back to school.
Planted a new maple tree in the 300 block of S Wolfe.
New school supplies for WSA students are needed; drop off at Brunch Supply (300 S Ann) or Pratt Liquors (1818 E Pratt) through Sept. 30th; contact Eliza for details
Immigration is focusing in Highlandtown – need active witnesses to notify WSA if anyone sees ICE in our neighborhood (kids arrive 7:15-8am and are picked up by parents from 2:25-2:35 and starting in Oct. at 5:25pm with the after school program)
Next committee meeting is Sept 24th - email education@upperfellspoint.org for more information if you’d like to join
FUND-RAISING
Amy Zemanick and Wendy Bozel - fundraising@upperfellspoint.org
The next meeting is Sept 28th at 7pm at Ministry of Brewing
Nov. 1st we will have an event in Patterson Park (time and details were not stated); yard games were requested
Dec. 14th - UFPIA’s Winter Wander scavenger hunt
Feb - Progressive Dinner (date and time not stated) - if you would like to host, contact Amy or Wendy
LADY DAY WAY
Beth Russo - ladydayway@upperfellspoint.org
No news
LAND-USE
Mark Hoffmann - landuse@upperfellspoint.org
The next meeting will be held on Oct. 5th at 7pm at the Julie Community Center.
Safety (sub-committee)
Dan Harrison - safety@upperfellspoint.org
There will be a safety fundraiser dinner on Nov. 7th at 6:30pm; tickets are $100/p and includes 7 courses with wine; space is limited to 12p. Proceeds to safety and sanitation activities in UFP. Alison (chef); Rolando (sous chef and wine pairings); Kristen (pastry chef); Amy and Dan (hosts). Contact Dan if interested.
MEDIA
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
Since Mallory is moving, a newsletter delivery carrier is needed to cover her route on Eastern Ave from S Broadway to S Washington and the 300 and 400 blocks of S Chapel; about 110 newsletters. Contact Jan if interested (Note: After the meeting, Daniel volunteered to cover this route at least for Oct.)
The deadline for the Oct. newsletter is Sept. 27th at 5pm.
Follow us on UFPIA instagram page (@ufpia_baltimore), Facebook and Nextdoor for up-to-date news.
STREETS
Vacant
A volunteer is needed to lead the Committee; contact Ben at president@upperfellspoint.org.
New Business
None
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Social at Spirits
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.
