September 2025 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Hybrid Meeting
Welcome
Leadership introductions
Guest Speaker
Jaz Erenberg, local artist and UFP resident, plans to paint a mural on the 100 block of S Chapel (side of the house at 1921 E Lombard). At UFPIA’s National Night Out two designs were presented and 162 neighbors voted. The Small Moments, Big Love design won which will incorporate flowers of Maryland and the native flowers of many of our neighbors and small moments that we sometimes take for granted - a cat in a window, lovely flowers in bloom, or borrowing sugar from a neighbor. The planning stage of the mural has been funded by a MD State Arts Council (MSAC) Public Artworks Planning Grant. She would like to apply for the MSAC implementation grant by Dec. 2025 and if awarded, mural installation would take place in the spring/summer 2025.
Jaz requested a fiscal sponsorship with the UFPIA. The MSAC will only release implementation grant funds to a 501-c3 or nonprofit entity. She would need a letter of support from the UFPIA for the project. The grant is $30K with award notification around March 2026. The UFPIA would be required to serve as signatory and receive, manage and disburse grant funds in accordance with all agreements, timelines and budgets. There would be a written agreement and UFPIA could receive a 7-10% admin. fee. Jaz would be operating under her own liability insurance. It was decided that no vote would be taken and that the actual details of what would be involved would be presented at the October meeting with a possible vote.
Votes
Motion: To provide UFPIA funds of up to $1,200 to have the UFPIA Streets Committee’s Transportation Guide printed and distributed to all residents and businesses in UFP with an upcoming UFPIA newsletter. Motion passed (Y-22; N-0; A-0). (Transportation Guide)
Motion: Amend the UFPIA Safety Camera Policy and Procedures to: For the Crimes of Murder, any Crime With a Gun, Physical Assault, Car Jackings, and Abduction-Kidnapping that ONE member of the Camera Special Committee [UFPIA Board and Safety Committee Chair] will be authorized to release recorded video requested by the Baltimore City Police. Motion passed (Y-11; N-3, A-4).
Officer Reports
Treasurer’s summary report was given.
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn - beautification@upperfellspoint.org
Cleanup on Sept. 9th at 6pm; meet at 1931 E Pratt by the red garage doors (S Washington St. side)
Four maple trees to plant in the fall. Will have a meeting on 9/13 at 9am to discuss steps for planting.
Reminder: please water a street tree near you - They’re stressed right now due to lack of rain (25 gallons/wk per tree is needed but any amount is helpful).
COMMUNITY GARDEN
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
Honey Happy Hour on Aug. 16th was a success and fun event inspite of the heat. Thanks to everyone for coming and to our volunteers.
Oktoberfest will be on Sept. 27th from 4-7pm - stop by! Beverages, Ostrowski sausage and vegetarian options and a raffle.
EDUCATION
Holly Gonzales - education@upperfellspoint.org
No news
FUND-RAISING
Amy Zemanick - fundraising@upperfellspoint.org
Need hosts for the annual progressive dinner on Nov. 15th.
If you’re unfamiliar, there are three courses - first two are at homes with 10-15 people attending with vegetarian and vegan options available. Everyone meets for the last course for desserts at Spa Adagio. If you host, you get two free tickets to the event. We also need dessert donations.
Tickets always sell out - get yours now! They’re $50 for a three-course meal/beverages and a few tickets will be available for just desserts at $10; proceeds to the UFPIA general fund. Once hosts confirmed, menu will be provided.
Monthly meetings of the Fundraising & Events committee will begin soon. https://forms.gle/X1jwfeTFe4cuUJAx7 to take the survey on meetings!
Need a co-chair for December-May.
LADY DAY WAY
Beth Russo - ladydayway@upperfellspoint.org
243 S. Durham garage mural: received three designs and selected finalist design which will include a 1940 red cadillac convertible. Hope to present a preview at the next UFPIA meeting.
Graham is working with DOT on art, permits, etc. for two crossing murals and speed humps.
LAND-USE
Mark Hoffmann - landuse@upperfellspoint.org
No zoning appeals in our neighborhood.
Councilman Glover’s office is working with Delegate Edelson’s office to push Verizon to come out and take care of overhead wires. Comcast has removed some wires, but Verizon has not.
Councilman Glover’s office will be providing a free community dumpster for the UFPIA on Nov. 1st. It was suggested to coordinate with Fells Prospect when scheduling dumpsters for next year and keep pushing the City to provide the four dumpsters to each community.
Safety (sub-committee)
Dan Harrison - safety@upperfellspoint.org
Shared camera requests, including an assault of a Ministry of Brewing employee. Dan will provide protocol for all camera recipients when incidents occur.
Cameras are being put back online after some interruptions and changes to internet service. Still trying to place one last camera.
Local businesses asked for a meeting regarding loitering conditions on Broadway between Gough and Bank to see what’s possible to address. It will be held on Sept. 16th at 6pm at Spa Adagio - all neighbors and local businesses are invited.
Joint meeting between FPCA and UFPIA to foster community dialogue. Will continue to meet moving forward.
Also see Votes section above.
MEDIA
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
Erik is giving up his newsletter route so need someone to deliver 76 newsletters to S Washington from Lombard to Eastern. Eliza volunteered.
Newsletter deadline for Oct. is Sept. 29th at 5pm.
STREETS
Stephen Porter - trafficparking@upperfellspoint.org
A Transportation Guide is posted on our website - Resources — Upper Fell's Point Improvement Association
Also see Votes section above.
NEW BUSINESS
The Butchers Hill flea market is 9/13 from 9am-2pm in Patterson Park by the Observatory. Tasha has hand-dyed yarn and there will be other vendors there. https://www.butchershill.org/2025-fall-flea-market
With the ongoing development at Perkins and the school, the sidewalks are closed off on both sides. Requested Councilman Glover’s office to connect with Councilman Jones’ office regarding this issue and the timeframe of demolition of the Freedom Academy.
Baltimore City Public Schools has a new CEO coming in - will have upcoming community forums https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/article/2385508
Baltimore City: having an upcoming hearing on high water bills.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Social at Benders.
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.
