WordPress.com



Pimlico Community Development AuthorityMeetingMINUTESJune 23, 2015Grace Presbyterian Church, 2604 Banister RdIn Attendance: Tom Stosur, Chair; Ramsey Harris; Gladys Stewart; Camille Burke; Avrahom Sauer; Beth Huber; Pr. Tonya Wade; Del. Barbara Robinson; Patricia Simms; Mereida GoodmanAbsent: Sen. Lisa Gladden; Sen. Catherine Pugh; Roslyn Smith; Gloria Cinquegrani; Del. Nathaniel OaksPCDA Chair’s Remarks: Mr. Stosur welcomed two new board members: Mereida Goodman, representing the Liberty-Wabash area of the One Mile Radius, serves as Executive Director of GO Northwest Housing Resource Center; Patricia Simms is a resident of Central Park HeightsMotion to approve the minutes of the March 31 meeting by Sauer, seconded by Burke; approved unanimously.Discussion with Park Heights Renaissance:PCDA had requested to meet periodically with the board of Park Heights Renaissance, primarily on the topic of the roles and responsibilities of the two groups – how they differed yet intersected and complemented each other – and the accountability over the use of funds designated each year by PCDA from the Local Impact Aid.Mr. Stosur provided a review of the origins of the PCDA. PCDA was created by the State legislature in 2005 via HB 1441. The original purpose was to allocate Racetrack Impact Funds; technically still true although Racetrack Impact Funds are practically nonexistent. Slots legislation (2007) designates PCDA as the Local Development Council, which has an advisory role in determining funding allocations for Video Lottery Terminal Local Impact Aid designated for the Park Heights area (Park Heights Master Plan, One Mile Radius). State law requires that the local development council have 45 days to review, comment, and make recommendations on the VLT Local Impact Aid spending plan before the plan is adopted. The PCDA is comprised of volunteers appointed by Mayor, no formal organization (not a 501c3, no staff, etc.). Staff is provided by Department of Planning. State law stipulates that the Baltimore City Planning Director serves as chair. Mayor appoints 10 members, five of whom are business owners, residents, or service providers within the slots-eligible areas. The membership also includes the District 40 and 41 State senators and one delegate from each District 40 and 41, appointed by the SpeakerState legislation requires PCDA to allocate the Racetrack Impact Funds to address the housing, economic, and community development needs of the Park Heights corridor. To help achieve this goal, PCDA established the Park Heights Renaissance, Inc. PHR is a community-based development organization whose mission is implementing the Park Heights Master Plan. Unlike PCDA, which is a volunteer board, PHR was formed as a 501c3 with the staff and organizational infrastructure to implement the plan. PCDA primarily allocates and advises on funding while PHR seeks funding to implement the Master Plan and administer programs. PCDA has allocated funds for PHR’s operating expenses, first from Racetrack Impact Aid and more recently through VLT Impact AidMr. Larry Jennings, Chair of the Park Heights Renaissance Board, described the work that PHR undertakes. PHR is a catalyst for change in Park Heights – activities from working with a charter school to occupy the St. Ambrose school building to development work like the construction of Renaissance Gardens – and to execute the Master Plan. The PHR Board has a vision for moving forward:That Park Heights be the safest community in the City – programs such as Safe Streets;That Park Heights has the best educational environment in the City – programs such as HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) and community schools;That Park Heights be the cleanest community in the City – PHR is purchasing equipment and hiring community residents to keep lots clean and to allow residents to use the equipment for entrepreneurial efforts; andTo rebuild and redevelop a thriving, mixed income communityPHR’s grant agreement with the City includes deliverables and performance measures that correspond to the points articulated in each year’s Spending Plan for Local Impact Aid. As grant administrator, Baltimore Housing ensures that the deliverables have been met on a quarterly basis prior to authorizing payment.Update on Park Heights Human Services Projects:Dr. Jacqueline Duval-Harvey, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Human Services, and Karen Janssen, Director of Funded Partnerships for the Family League of Baltimore, provided an update on the six programs that are currently in operation with funding from Local Impact Aid: Project Engage, Project YES, Kujichagulia Center, Project PAYE, Project EXPOSED!, and Project STEAM. Process and Schedule for Development of FY17 Spending Plan:Mr. Stosur presented a process and draft schedule of meetings that will result in a completed Final Spending Plan in time for incorporation into the City’s capital and operating budget process. Similar to last year, there will be a community-wide kick-off which will allow groups an opportunity to assemble by geographic region to begin priority discussions. Mr. Stosur proposed that PCDA members would be assigned as liaisons to the various geographic areas, in order to gain a better understanding of the communities’ priorities so as to better inform and advise the Mayor on the elements of the Spending Plan. These liaisons would participate with the various regional groups as meetings occur in September and October and in mid- to late-October, PCDA would meet in a work session to share what they observed and heard. PCDA members reacted favorably to this proposal, and Mr. Stosur indicated he would put together a more defined action plan and make liaison assignments.Public Comment Period:Several members of the public in attendance brought issues and concerns to the attention of the PCDA. Mr. George Mitchell, expressed concern that Neighborhoods United is not being treated as a resource and a partner and indicated his frustration in trying to use the Ripken Fields. Mr. Will Hanna urged better community engagement and notification of residents of what’s being done with the Impact Aid, and he questioned the reduction of spending for the Park Circle intersection improvements. A resident of Garrison Hills posited that the problem in the community is racial divide, which no one talks about. Mr. Patrick Henderson asked specific questions about the status of several projects in Dolfield. Mr. Clarence Small asked about the offer the City has made for his property being acquired in the Major Redevelopment Area. Ms. Yeshiyah Israel asked about plans for the Pimlico Retail Business District License (RBDL) area.Next Meeting:The next meeting of the PCDA will be held at 6:00 on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at Pimlico Race Course. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download