May 2025 Community Meeting

Type of meeting: 
Community
Meeting date: 
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Status: 
DRAFT

Attendees:

Julia Dumont
Michael Dumont
Bill Reuter
Sandy Anderson
Si Saulynas
Billy Hufnell
Sharon Reuter
Ben Marks
Clarissa Howison
Nazary Nebulek
Catherina Abadie
Dana Coyne
Kate Leitkowski
Karin Lundquist
Julia Lebherz
Celine Brundridge
Deb O’Neill
Warren Dungee
Catherine Drovetski
Chris Conlon

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  1. Quorum is 17, attendance is 20  - meeting has quorum.
  2. Voting on Community Projects ($10,000)

Outline of proposals was provided to attendees, each attendee received three stickers for voting.  Online attendees vote in comments.  Attendees voted on projects using the outline and forms were turned in for counting during meeting.

  1. Conflict of Interest Statement was read by president.
  2. Baltimore Gateway Partnership – Kadim Grant – Update on Conway Street Park construction

    Multiple permissions have been obtained or nearly obtained, and project is ready to proceed.  Team is ready to hire a contractor.  Construction to begin in July/August to be finished by November/December.  There will be some disruption with materials to be stored on site.  Small amount of parking will be used.  Letters will be distributed to neighboring homes with details and will be posted on park bulletin board.

    Overview of work provided – some trees will be removed.  Some of these trees will be replace within construction zone.  Additional trees will be planted in Conway Park on the south side of Conway Street because there is not enough space on the north side to fit all required trees.

    Discussion about Bradford pears – some will be removed during this project, and some will be retained at request of residents – to be replaced as they reach the end of their life span.

  3. Baltimore Police Department Update
    Police Department was not in attendance.  President reported that there was a car theft on Portland Street.  In general crime numbers are down.
  4. Crab Mural
    Sandy Anderson has been helping with removing grafitti.  Grafitti has been removed once, but it has been graffitied a second time.  Requesting help to keep mural clean – the mural has a coating, but its still a process to scrub off the graffiti.
  5. Voting Results
    Paul Rubenson tallied votes.
    Project to widen several tree pits was selected – this project costs $5,600.. 

    Tie for 2nd and 3rd place  - 1) Replacing community sign, and 2) Community Garden

    The cost of the community sign is $3,000.  The cost of the community garden is $400.

    Vote counts were as follows:

    Yoga – 5
    Cleanup -8
    Tree Pits – 28
    Tot Lot Table – 6
    Lighting – 6
    Sign Replacement – 9
    Spotlight – 0
    Community Garden – 9

    Voting for approval of selected projects – Nicole Dungee motioned, Bill Reuter seconded.  23 yes votes.

    Discussion about whether Oyster House is contributing funds to replace the community sign – they had not responded to Nicole Dungee so its unknown if they will come forward to assist.  Paul Rubenson motioned to fully fund additional neighborhood cleanings if Oyster House funds the sign replacement.  30 days would be provided for Oyster House to fund the deposit.  Julia Lebherz seconded.  20 yes votes, 1 opposed.

    Celine Brundridge is organizing community garden – see her after meeting if you would like to participate.  Clarissa Howison offered matching funds for the garden.

    Question about style of sign – proposal was to replicate the current sign design.

    Ben Marks – BeKind sign guy was going to be in neighborhood.  Signs being donated – if interested please email president@ridgelysdelight.org.

    Si Saulynas motioned to adjourn, Paul Rubenson seconded.