Baltimore City Council pushes progressive agenda for Baltimore

Dear Baltimoreans,

This week’s Council agenda was full of a number of impactful pieces of legislation. I am proud to lead a Council that’s focused on improving the lives of everyday Baltimoreans. We work hard for our constituents and I believe that the proof is in the legislation put forth. 

On Monday, there were a number of important pieces of legislation appearing on second reader:

Affordable Housing Trust Fund (Recordation and Transfer Taxes Surtax): will fill a critical need in our city by providing much-needed affordable housing to the citizens of Baltimore City. Under an historic agreement, the City will allocate, within the next five years, at least $20 million annually to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The Trust Fund will be funded through a combination of legislation from the City Council, general obligation bonds, and other revenue sources.

6 Urban Renewal Plan Amendments: for Broadway East, Poppleton, Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello, Johnston Square, Middle East, and York-Woodbourne. An Urban Renewal Plan (URP) is a bill that gives the City condemnation and acquisition authority for all the properties listed in a designated area. The existing URPs will sunset at the end of this year; the bills currently before the Council will extend the sunset to December 31, 2022.

Diaper changing amenity: legislation that would require more buildings across the city to install diaper-changing stations -- a proposal hailed by national groups for fathers who say clean, safe changing facilities for children should be “a right.”

Unidentifiable vehicles: this bill would create a penalty for vehicles illegally parked on city streets without tags or a visible VIN number. Too many neighborhoods complain about local mechanic shops that use side streets to store vehicles. To prevent the city from towing the autos, some mechanics will obscure the VIN numbers and remove tags knowing that the City can’t currently tow the vehicle. This bill changes that.

Complete Streets: My office has worked very closely with the bill’s sponsor, Councilman Dorsey, on this common sense approach to creating equity in the allocation of transportation resources and projects. This bill, which is heralded by a number of national transportation groups, places Baltimore at the forefront of a national conversation around providing citizens with equitable transportation modes

In addition, I have successfully steered a number of charter amendments that will appear on the November ballot and give citizens a say in how their government functions.

Question E - Inalienability of Sewer and Water Systems : A charter amendment introduced by President Young that would safeguard Baltimore’s water and sewer systems from privatization

Question F – Office of the Inspector General: to create an independent office to guard the interests of taxpayers

Question H – Fair Election Fund: to administer a public financing option for political campaigns for Baltimore City

Question I – Equity Assistance Fund: to establish a continuing, non-lapsing Equity Fund to be used exclusively to assist efforts that reduce inequity based on race, gender, or economic status in Baltimore

If you take a look at this Council, under my leadership, you get a picture of progress. We have a lot of work left to do, but we can take a few seconds to recognize that this Council is successfully pushing a progressive agenda under my watch.

City releases third update on the progress of the nonprofit managing the Children and Youth Fund

BALTIMORE, MD - The City of Baltimore released a third progress report on the establishment of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund.

The Fund is being managed by Associated Black Charities.

The effort to establish a Baltimore Children and Youth Fund was launched in 2015 by Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young. It was approved by voters in November 2016 with over 80 percent support. The non-lapsing Fund is supported through an annual set aside of property tax revenue. The City selected Associated Black Charities to administer grants from the Fund one year with the option to extend for one additional year. 

The Fund achieved the long-awaited goal of recommending grantees for funding during this reporting period, with a significant proportion of the 84 proposals coming from small, grassroots organizations

Links to the report can be found below:

• Baltimore City Children and Youth Fund Report to Mayor and City Council

Maryland PSC to Hold Five Public Hearings for BGE Gas Rate Case

Out and About in Baltimore

Members of the Council gather in the Council Chambers to hold signs of support for Question E, which will appear on the November Ballot.

Question E is a charter amendment introduced by President Young that would safeguard Baltimore’s water and sewer systems from privatization

Coming up in Baltimore

FRESH at the Avenue
Every Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Avenue Market, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave
Proudly selling produce grown in 21217. Featuring produce from local farms. Quality prices!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake
Volunteers Needed!
www.biglittle.org/volunteer
Becoming a mentor is easy. Mentoring is about real relationships that help young people overcome obstacles and thrive. From education to extracurricular activities to community engagement, young people benefit from mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake Community One-to-One Mentoring Program connects young people with caring adult mentors. Matches are provided with professional supports, inclusive of a case manager, and monthly low to no cost activities. We ask that volunteers commit to mentoring a child for a minimum of one year and to plan two to three match activities per month. To apply contact Leticia Sharp at 410-243-4000 or visit www.biglittle.org/volunteer to complete an online application . Visit Big Brothers Big Sisters on Facebook: BBBSGreaterChesapeake, Twitter: @bbbsgc and instagram: bbbsgc.
 

Online Homebuyer Education Course
24 hours a day/7days a week
www.ehomeamerica.org/
Looking to buy a home? Don't just take your best shot, make it a slam dunk! eHome America can help make your homebuying experience a winning experience! Learn what you need to know about the homebuying process, on your own schedule, from any computer. The cost is low, but the information is invaluable. Visit us at www.ehomeamerica.org/ for more information, or to register online. Information courtesy of Steven C. Kinney of the GO Northwest Housing Resource Center on 2300 Garrison Blvd., Suite 140. For more information e-mail skinney@go-northwesthrc.org or call 410-947-0084.
 

GO Northwest HRC Free Foreclosure and Prevention Counseling
Wednesdays, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM by appointment only
2300 Garrison Boulevard, Suite 140
This workshop is for individuals who are behind on their mortgage and/or facing foreclosure. Free workshop and free parking! Appointment is required. Call 410-947-0084 x104 for more information.
 

Adult Education Classes in Baltimore City
Locations throughout Baltimore City
The Baltimore City Community College and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City will offer Basic Skills (Pre GED) Classes at the following locations: Eager Street Homes, 709 E. Eager Street; Gilmor Homes, 1515 Vincent Court; O'Donnell Heights, 1200 Gusryan Street; Pleasant View Homes, 201 N. Aisquith Street; Westport Homes, 2343 Norfolk Street; Brooklyn Homes, 4140 Tenth Street. You must be at least 17 years of age to enroll. For more information call 410-396-3212.