Confirmation of meetings at Frank & Nics through March

• We are good to meet at Frank & Nics without issue through at least March, but once Baseball season starts (if there is a game during the meeting night), we need to either (a) find a different place or (b) choose a different night

• Several board members felt that choosing a different night should be avoided if possible

• The possibility of the Babe Ruth Museum as an alternative venue was suggested

• Al agreed to review the Orioles 2020 schedule and identify the conflicts before the next meeting

2020 Budget

• Chad handed out draft budget for 2020 for review

• A discussion ensued as to the board’s philosophy regarding out budget? 

  • Do we spend more of our budget? 

  • Do we do fundraising?

• A further discussion ensued regarding actual spending and transparency considerations

• • Does the community need to vote on the budget?

• Do we package this to the community to view or vote on it as a board first?

• • Paul would be comfortable spending down to at least half of the kitty amount

  • To get grants that require in kind contribution might be a justification for keeping the kitty

  • Can we use the money to pay someone to do some external ground maintenance (e.g. leaves)

    • Might work if we keep the workers local (e.g. neighborhood kids) for individual ad hoc jobs

    • A motion was made to bring up to the community whether we can allocate funds for some ad hoc community cleanup…[approved]

  • Should we still support George Washington Elementary school or PTA?

• Al then asked if there were some specific things that needed to be purchased

  • Wheel barrow was mentioned

  • Sy brought up the need, perhaps, for a wireless mike and a sound system

  • A motion was made for Sy to research a karaoke type system with a wireless mike…[approved]

• Chad went through a line item list of the budget for group discussion

Crime and safety committee- Should we reconstitute this? 

• Should we just keep bringing the police to meetings?

• There was general consensus that we need to be proactive and educate

• Crime updates should be in the newsletter (e.g. trends, what to be looking out for, safety tips)

Strengthening neighborhood engagement and results of community polling conversation continued

[tabled]

What would you like to have ownership over? Where can you take the lead? (Al Passarella leads) 

• We need not make this too complicated

• Get the community buy in and participation

• We also need to be ok if some things do not get done

• Organization of social events, for now community happy hours, will fall under the membership committee (Bill)

• Beautification Committee

• Crime and Safety Committee

Adjournment

[Adjournment at 9pm]