ATA September 12, 2024 General Membership Meeting Minutes

WHEN: Thursday, September 12, 2024, 6-8pm

WHERE: Parks & People Stone HouseThe New Auchentoroly Terrace Association (ATA) held its General Membership Meeting in person at the Parks & People Stone House on
Thursday, September 12, 2024, 6-8pm.

• ATA President Graham Coreil-Allen called the meeting to order.
• ATA Chaplain Deacon Tally led an opening prayer.
• Western District NCO Sergeant McMillon shared updates on public safety efforts in the area, including deployment of a District Action Team to mitigate drug dealing at Parkwood and Orem. He also encouraged residents to call 311 / 911 to report observations of illegal activity, emphasizing that the more reports we place the more attention we will get from the district. Residents shared concerns about persistent squatters breaking into vacant homes and unknown addiction treatment programs driving around in white vans and dropping off people in the neighborhood then picking them up later at night.
• 7th District Baltimore City Council Constituent Services Representative Brittany Cole shared updates for Councilman James Torrence. She encouraged residents to share 311 SR numbers to address dumping hot spots. She also announced that Druid Park Lake Drive would be resurfaced starting on 9/12/24, and that the road would last 12-15 weeks.
• Baltimore City Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management Logistics Section Chief Sandra Moyer presented on emergency preparedness.
• Cassie Clemente shared about the Harborplace redevelopment, its planning and design, and that its progress would depend on passage of Ballot Initiative “Question F” which will be voted on in the fall election. 
• Ballot Measure “Question H” was discussed. This measure was funded by the billionaire Sinclair Broadcast Group owner and seeks to reduce the size of the city council from 14 members to 8. Residents expressed concern that should this measure pass in the fall election that we would get less constituent services from our consolidated council district.
• President Coreil-Allen shared that Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh has offered free use of their space for our meetings. He identified Dr. Harriette Wimms as the new Third Space community engagement director. Members commented positively on the idea as a way to save money over renting the Stone House from Parks & People, but suggested that we get clarification on the rules around food in the space and a proposal in writing from Third Space. It was noted that they maintain a vegetarian kitchen and that non-vegetarian food must be Kosher. One possibility mentioned is that ATA could hold meetings at Third Space but our annual holiday dinner at the Stone House.
• President Coreil-Allen noted that our biannual election is coming up on October 10th and then shared our working list of officer nominees. Nominations will be accepted through the end of September, then the full list will be distributed by September 30th, 10 days before the election. 
• Eli Lopatin and John Kwamya from GMCC shared that the organization had applied for a grant to start purchasing vacant lots in the ATA blocks to position them for future inclusive development with community control. President Coreil-Allen noted that having community ownership of these vacant lots turned into green spaces would ensure that as the neighborhood continues to revitalize we can help to avoid gentrification by controlling some of the land and proactively working with developers on constructing housing affordable to legacy residents and working people. 
• Good News Gallery / Community Announcements
  • ATA Election, taking place Thursday, October 10, 6-8pm
  • ATA 7th District Walk, 11/7/24, 4:30-6pm
  • ATA Community Clean Ups: 11/9/24, Mayor’s Fall cleanup (TBA)
  • Long time resident and ATA member and block captain Patricia Herrington passed away earlier in the month. She will be dearly missed. 
• Meeting was adjourned.

Click here to download the meeting minutes.