03/07 e-HillSider – Parking Permit Renewal Still Delayed – The Saga Continues

Daniel — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:43:48 +0000

Sunday - March 6th, 2010

Parking Permit Renewal Still Delayed

Issue: 123

The Saga Continues

As promised in the March issue of the Hillsider, we at FHNA will do our best to keep you updated about the Area 9 parking permit renewal, or lack of it, for 2010. Those of you who were at the February General Membership Meeting will likely remember that Pete Little, Executive Director of the Parking Authority Baltimore City (“PABC”), committed to the attendees that many of the concerns cited at the meeting would be “fixed” in “a week and a half.” This timescale has since been extended, with March 26th now being the deadline to make such “fixes”. Until this date arrives it will be difficult to determine whether these corrections will be/have been made.

In relation to the issues associated with the PABC’s computer system, the on-line on website Investigative Voice posted the following article: “NO PARKING! – City councilmen, residents run out of patience with flawed parking-pass software”

In the article Council President Young is quoted as saying “Councilman Reisinger told the [Parking Authority] Board to fix the program or scrap it within 30 days,” by the next board meeting, Young added, “and I agreed with him. The board was given 30 days’ notice as of their last meeting [February 17].”

Now, Mr. Little has confirmed to the FHNA that “…we are putting the RPP software and on-line services out to RFP. Until a new service is selected and the transition is made, we will be utilizing T2″.

It would seem that the PABC would like us to move forward and renew our passes with this flawed computer system despite the fact that the PABC clearly recognizes that the system does not meet the needs of the parking program and is preparing to begin seeking bids to replace it.

The Community Representative from a neighboring South Baltimore area believes that perhaps as many as 250 improper passes have been issued for the neighborhood since the 1st January. Undoubtedly the issue of so many erroneous passes within Area 9 would have an extremely negative affect on parking within our neighborhood, especially as at the moment there is no effective method in place to recall such permits once they have been issued.

We all know that the availability of on-street parking has a serious affect on our quality of life here in Federal Hill and a direct correlation with our house values. The same can be said for the many other residential permit parking areas across the City. Given the extremely slow progress being made on this issue it should come as no surprise that none of the Parking Authority staff or management live within a parking permit area.

Obviously this situation is extremely important to all of us here in Federal Hill. The Federal Hill Neighborhood Association will continue to work with our Council Representatives and with Council President Young to try to get these problems resolved in a way that won’t leave a large number of improper passes sitting on our streets until next February.

Russell Street Ramp To Close For Two Weeks

BGE Work to Affect Downtown Traffic

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation today announced that the Russell Street ramp from northbound Interstate 95 will close for approximately two weeks.

Beginning Saturday, March 6th, 2010, and continuing until approximately Saturday, March 20, 2010 the ramp from northbound I-95 to Russell Street (exit 52) will be closed to accommodate work performed by the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company.

The closure will be in effect 24 hours a day and the ramp will not re-open until the work is completed.

Motorists traveling northbound I-95 who would normally take Exit 52 (Russell Street) are advised not to us I-95, but instead use the Baltimore Washington Parkway (MD 295) which leads to Russell Street.

Jason Tyler – Area 9 Community Representative

Federal Hill Neighborhood Association

eMail Jason

NO PARKING!

Daniel — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:12:49 +0000

City councilmen, residents run out of patience with flawed parking-pass software
Click here to read the story

02-24-10 e-HillSider Urgent Extra

Daniel — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:35:35 +0000

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Urgent Call to Action from Annapolis

Expanded Operating Hours for Bars Considered

February 24, 2010

Friends & Neighbors

65% of the liquor licenses in Baltimore City are associated with clubs and restaurants in our State Legislative District (46). Published reports of recent increases in alcohol-related violence in and around Cross Street have raised legitimate concerns throughout the community.

4:00 am Closing Time?????

The Baltimore City Delegation will be hearing HB 429 – Baltimore City – Alcoholic Beverage Establishments – Weekend Closing Hours, this Friday, February 26th at 9:30 am. The bill would the bars on Cross, Charles and Light Streets to continue serving alcohol until 3 am, and allow patrons to continue consuming it until 4 am. For your convenience, download a copy of HB 429 here.

If you would like to attend the hearing, the address is:

Lowe House Office Building
6 Bladen Street, Room 145
Annapolis, MD 21401

Be sure you bring a picture id.

Bad Timing????

The introduction of this Bill comes before any bars and restaurants in the Cross Street Market area are granted conditional uses to offer live entertainment and dancing under an Amendment to the Zoning Code passed by City Council earlier this year.

Introduction of the HR 429 prompted a strong letter of opposition from Police Commissioner Bealefeld citing annual estimated additional enforcement costs of nearly $620,000.

Our entire District 46 State Assembly Delegation is also opposed to HR 429. Senator George Della, and Delegates Peter Hammen, Carolyn Krysiak, and Brian McHale are asking each of us to contact the members of the House of Delegates’ Economic Matters Committee and urge them to issue an Unfavorable Report on HR 429.

Please eMail these Legislators TODAY!

Paul W Robinson – President
Federal Hill Neighborhood Association

e-mail Paul

In This Issue

Too Late?

Time to Act

NFW

Four Letter Word

S-N-O-W!!

The National Weather Service has issued extensive Winter Weather Advisories, Winter Storm Watches and Warnings extending from Northern Virginia across the entire Northeast megalopolis, including Baltimore. Total accumulations are expected to be between 3 and 6″ locally

Get very cool forecasts here..

The City has created a great web site for additional information www.396snow.com or call the city’s snow line at 410-396-SNOW

Remember Cross Street from Key Highway to Light is a Snow Emergency Route, so is Light south of Cross. Parts of Hanover, Montgomery and Charles (MD 2) are also Snow Emergency Routes. If the City goes to a Phase 2 Snow Emergency – move your car.

Download a map of designated Snow Emergency Routes here. BE PATIENT.

Use the magnifying glass to zoom in on Federal Hill.

Quick Links

FHNA on Facebook

FHNA Web site

FHNA Membership

Federal Hill Interactive Walking Tour

Federal Hill History

Federal Hill Neighborhood Association | PO Box 27112 | Baltimore | MD | 21230

Updates From Tuesday’s General Meeting and Recycling Collection Information

Daniel — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:29:37 +0000

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Important Parking and Recycling Collection Information

Important Community News

February 18, 2010

In This Issue

The Right Angle?

Scuppered!

Recycling Details for Friday

Promises, Promises… Area 9 Renewal Still Postponed

Quick Links

FHNA Web Site

FHNA on Twitter

The Right Angle?

Like it or not the snow has brought angle parking to many Federal Hill Streets. What do you think about it?

Another topic brought up at Tuesday’s meeting was the instances of angle parking that have sprung up on a number of blocks. Angle parking has provided many extra spaces for residents during these snowy times and may even have changed the minds of those opposed to it in the past.

I’m interested to hear what you have to say and will be providing more details of which blocks are eligible in the upcoming Hillsider. Rest assured that the final decision will always be made by the majority of residents who live on the respective block.

Jason@federalhillna.org

All articles in this e-Hillsider were written by Jason Tyler, FHNA Board Member and Area 9 Parking Representative jason@federalhillna.org

Scuppered!

Parking Authority to Help Those Charged for Parking at Rusty Scupper Garage During Snow Emergency

At Tuesday’s General Membership meeting FHNA President, Paul Robinson, was able to get a verbal commitment from the Director of the Parking Authority, Pete Little, that he would work with residents who had been charged to park their car in the Rusty Scupper at Harbor Marina Parking Garage during the recent storms.

Listed on the Baltimore City “Snow Page”, the Rusty Scupper garage suspended the snow emergency free parking privileges earlier than many of the other nearby municipal garages. This led to a number of neighbors being forced to pay steep fees when it came time to move their cars back to the street.

If you were charged to park your car at the garage during the recent storms you should contact the Parking Authority of Baltimore City. Should you run into any difficulties reclaiming these charges, Mr. Little confirmed that you could ask for him directly and he would assist you with your claim.

Parking Authority of Baltimore City
200 W. Lombard Street,
Suite B
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
443-573-2800
410-685-1557 Fax

Peter.little@baltimorecity.gov

One Down and One to Go!

Recycling Collection to Take Similar Format as Wednesday’s Trash Removal

Due to the ongoing snow removal the City has requested that tomorrow’s recycling collection take a similar format to yesterday’s trash removal with items to be placed at end of the nearest street that is accessible to the recycling/trash trucks.

Residents should use commonsense when placing items for collection as every block is different and the record setting snow, and its removal, has generated unique conditions on every corner.

The City asks that care should be taken not to block sidewalks, streets and alleys for vehicles and pedestrians and reminds citizens that, as always, citizens should call 311 for missed pick-ups.

The Bureau will continue to collect in this manner until full access to regular collection locations is possible.

Citizen Drop-Off Centers are open to the public at their regularly scheduled times. Citizens can go to www.baltimorecity.gov or www.cleanergreenerbaltimore.com to find their nearest drop-off center.

BULK TRASH pick up is CANCELLED for the week of February 15 through February 19, 2010.

The City requests that citizens should continue to listen to and read local media for the latest updates and instructions from the Mayor and the Office of Emergency Management.

Both Celeste Amato (410-545-6541 ) and Robert H. Murrow (410-545-6189 ) are available for questions at the Department of Public Works.

Promises, Promises…
Parking Authority Director Commits to Fixing Computer System

On Tuesday night, the Director of the Parking Authority, Pete Little, assured residents that the year-old Parking Authority computer system, T2, would be fixed within a week and a half. Mr. Little, was subjected to intense scrutiny by Area 9 residents and, despite his self assured manner, seemed to lack a practical understanding of many of the challenges associated with administering and enforcing the program. In fact, a number of his assurances ran contrary to recent discussions held between the Parking Authority and the representatives from South Baltimore’s RPP neighborhoods, many of whom were in attendance.

It is the opinion of the RPP community representatives for South Baltimore that the present system is still unable to accurately handle the renewal of large and complex areas. Therefore, at this time, Area 9 will still not be moving forward to renew our permits. Be assured that the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association, community representatives from our fellow RPP Areas, and our respective Councilmen are working hard to move this process forward to a place where we will be able to renew our permits without further complicating our already challenging parking situation.

Keep checking the website and looking to e-Hillsider communications for updates on this increasingly frustrating situation and, hopefully, some good news regarding progress.

Federal Hill Neighborhood Association | PO Box 27112 | Baltimore | MD | 21230

02/16 Parking Issues to Be Addresses at Tomorrow’s General Meeting

Daniel — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:51:05 +0000

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No Parking Permits at February’s
General Meeting,
but…

… Hopefully Some Answers

Important Community Meeting

February 15, 2010

In This Issue

Parking Concerns To Be Addressed At General Meeting

Trash and Recycling Resume!

Quick Links

FHNA Web Site

FHNA on Twitter

Parking Concerns To Be
Addressed At FHNA
General Membership Meeting
7pm
Tuesday 16th, February

As we strive to recover from last week’s record setting storms, the lingering snow mountains not only prove treacherous under foot, but also under tire, and impinge upon our valuable parking spaces. Once these mountains melt, our parking situation should improve for the short term. But it remains to be seen whether the Parking Authority’s new computer system, T2, will plow us out or snow us farther under.

I’m sure most of us spend our drive home from work or errands hoping to come home to find a parking place not too far from home. Indeed, parking is almost always in the top three concerns that our residents raise about living in our great neighborhood.

That is why I would encourage everyone to attend Tuesday’s FHNA General Membership Meeting. As you may be aware, the Parking Authority purchased a new computer system to manage the parking and visitor pass administration last year, and this year will be Area 9’s first renewal using T2.

At the FHNA meeting the Parking Authority will present how the new T2 system should work for our area. The Executive Director of the Parking Authority, Peter Little, and his Director of Operations, Alvin Turner, will be on hand to discuss how and when Area 9 will be ready to renew in T2 and to answer residents’ questions.

Presently the regularly scheduled renewal for Area 9 has been postponed for one month, until April 1. It is unclear whether this will be long enough for the Parking Authority to make the necessary changes to the system to allow for the effective administration of the Parking Program in Area 9.

Of particular concern to all of you who usually renew and pay online, is the process for handling credit card transactions, including who stores/views your financial details?

Despite the extra pressures that we currently face in the wake of the historic storms I hope that you will be able to attend this meeting and find out for yourselves what the Parking Authority is doing to get the Residential Parking Program back on track.

Directions:

The February 16th, FHNA General membership Meeting will be in the Meeting Hall at the Christ Lutheran Church Center – 701 S. Charles Street. Off street parking is available on the lot at the corner of S. Charles and Hughes. Enter the hall at the northeast corner of the parking lot.

Jason Tyler – Area 9 Parking Representative

Trash and Recycling Resume This Week

The Department of Public Works, Bureau of Solid Waste, announced today that both trash and recycling collections will resume this week, with Federal Hill trash pick-up returning to its usual Wednesday slot and recycling recommencing on Friday.

Citizens are asked to place their regularly scheduled trash OR recycling at the end of the nearest street or alley. Care should be taken not to block sidewalks, streets and alleys for vehicles and pedestrians.

As always, citizens should call 311 for missed pick ups. The Bureau will continue to collect in this manner until full access to regular pick up locations is possible.
Citizen Drop-Off Centers are open to the public at their regular operational hours. Citizens can go to www.baltimorecity.gov or www.clearergreenbaltimore.com to find the nearest drop off center.

Bulk Trash pick up is cancelled for the week of February 15 through February 19, 2010.

As always, citizens are asked to properly contain trash in cans with tight-fitting lids to keep rats out and keep litter in its place.

Call Robert H. Murrow at 410-545-6189 or Celeste Amato at 410-545-6541 for more info.

Federal Hill Neighborhood Association | PO Box 27112 | Baltimore | MD | 21230

02/09 e-HillSider Members Only Urgent Extra

Daniel — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:03:10 +0000

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Once in a Lifetime!

Need to Know News

February 9, 2010

In This Issue

Move it…or…Lose It!

Mayor’s Message

Article Headline

Snow Emergency Routes

Be aware that the city started towing vehicles late Saturday night from ALL designated Snow Emergency Route streets.

Download the map of the Snow Emergency Routes Here

If you’re parked on E. Cross (between Light and Conway), Charles, Hanover or Light (south of Cross) – you might want to move your car.

The snow routes are in effect for different 12-hour stretches on alternating sides of the street — white signs designate 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and black signs are from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Drivers may be subject to both a ticket and towing and storage fees.

If a City Tow truck “relocates” your car – there should be no charge (beyond a parking fine) – but if you are towed by a private (medallion) contractor to a private storage lot – look out!

Baltimore has authorized its medallion towers to move vehicles from snow emergency routes – this means there are bounty hunters out there looking to make a buck.

Trying to find your car after it’s been towed? The City sez call 311.

Of course you could always head up to the Fallsway impound lot under the JFX (Directions her e).

Try calling: 410 396-4613 410 396-4613 410 396-4613 410 396-4613 first.

Free parking for residents is still available at the Municipal Garage on West between Charles and Light.

The Maryland Stadium Authority advises us that Lots G&H on the east side of M&T Bank Stadium beneath 395 are reasonably clear for cars and can be accessed from West/ Sharp Streets. Turn right when entering the lot and park on the far north end leaving room for other vehicles to enter. Also please keep the main drive isle and left side open for the dump trucks transporting snow to the south west corner of the lot.

As of noon on Tuesday Lot F was not yet accessible by car but the hope is that the access road from Hamburg Street to the lot will be plowed by tonight (Tuesday).

Quick Links

FHNA Web Site

Friends & Neighbors:

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake requested that the following message be delivered to you:

Message from the Mayor

From: Cleary, Kevin
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 10:24 AM
To: All Neighborhood Associations
Subject: MON – please send this out to your neighborhood lists as a message from the Mayor

As of 9:30am this morning more than 72% of secondary roads have been plowed once. 36% have been plowed two or more times. We have cleared and removed over 100 trees that have fallen and blocked area roadways. We have dug out and relocated hundreds of cars that were abandoned earlier in the storm. This was the worst 2-day blizzard in Baltimore since 1922. Despite the challenge, recovery is well underway.

Police and Fire have responded to every single emergency call for service. The City is open for business but another storm is coming. Today and tonight, stock up on essentials such as food and medicine. Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled.

Kevin D. Cleary

Deputy Director, Office of Neighborhoods

Office of Stephanie Ralwings-Blake

Mayor of Baltimore City

kevin.cleary@baltimore.gov

(410) 396-4735 (410) 396-4735 (410) 396-4735 (410) 396-4735

No Trash Pickup

In anticipation of another snowstorm with significant accumulation tonight and tomorrow, this (Wednesday) morning the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Solid Waste announced today that both trash and recycling collections for Tuesday, February 9th and Wednesday, February 10th are CANCELLED.

Call Robert H. Murrow at 410-545-6189 410-545-6189 410-545-6189 410-545-6189 for more info.

City Snow Page

The latest forecast from Foote is calling for an additional 14 to 20 inches.

Meanwhile check out the City’s new Snow Page online for more up-to-date info.

February HillSider

A printing press breakdown and all of the snow have hung up delivery of the February edition of the HillSider.

If you can give us a hand delivering to your block on Wednesday (February 10^th), please e-mail MeredithTyler@gmail.com. .

FHNA Members in Good Standing

Are entitled to have two classified ads per year published free of charge in FHNA’s monthly HillSider Newsletter. See this month’s issue for details.

Help FHNA A continue to work for you!

Thanks!

It’s time to renew of become a new member for 2010. Annual dues remain just $15.00. You can apply and pay for your 2010 FHNA Membership Online Here.

FHNA Approval Sought for Solar Panel Installation at Science Center

Daniel — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:12:01 +0000

Rev Plot PlanMaryland Science Center management is seeking your input on the proposed installation of a series of solar panels over the existing open air parking lot that runs along the north side of Key Highway from William Street east. Pictured is a comparison of the pre and post construction views from street (grade) level at Key Highway.

Please submit your comments and or suggestions to federalhillonline@yahoo.com or post your comments at www.federalhillna.org.

It is currently anticipated that the Science Center’s design team will present their plans in detail at FHNA’s March 16th General Membership Meeting. This schedule could change to due problems associated with the renewal of our Area 9 Residential Parking Permits. The latest info is always available at www.federalhillna.org. Book mark the URL.

As a reminder, the Science Center, the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Baltimore Development Corporation, the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, the Waterfront Partnership and other business interests continue to support an effort to identify the highest and best use for Rash Field. As the “only remaining undeveloped parcel of land along the Inner Harbor Waterfront”, the group feels that Rash Field should be developed to provide a destination attraction designed to bolster decreasing Inner Harbor tourist visits. Anne Arundel Mills Mall displaced the Inner Harbor as Maryland’s top tourist destination again last year.

FHNA needs your input before the planning process for the Rash Filed Re-Development Project gets too far ahead of us. Share your thoughts at federalhillonline@yahoo.com or post comments at www.federalhillna.org.

Maryland Science Center - Pre - Post Solar Panel Construction

Addtional Documents in PDF Format:

Rev Plot Plan

Sc Ctr 20091209 Parking-Key Highway View

Sc Ctr 20091215 PanoKeyHighway PDF

ScCntr 20091215_PanoSection – East to West PDF

SECTION Elevation PDF

Breaking News!

Daniel — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:06:09 +0000

The 2009/2010 (Orange) RPP passes for Area 9 have been extended until March 31st, 2010.

FHNA does not believe that the Parking Authority’s new computer system (T2) is currently able to provide the level of administrative competence necessary to successfully renew the Area 9 RPP program in 2010. FHNA has requested that the 2010/2011 renewal be postponed until certain basic criteria are met, including reinstating many of the safeguards that were previously in place but which are not being applied under the new system.

The Parking Authority has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and have agreed to this request.

The Parking Authority is liaising with Parking Enforcement to ensure that all of the Area 9 passes remain valid until March 31st, 2010.

At this time the Parking Authority website is not open for 2010 renewals.

The Federal Hill Neighborhood Association will continue to work on your behalf in this matter and will endeavor to keep you informed as to any new developments regarding the upcoming renewal.

2010 FHNA Membership Form!

Daniel — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:15:28 +0000

Click here for the 2010 FHNA Membership Form.pdf

News from SDPCRC

Daniel — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:56:53 +0000

THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT

POLICE AND COMMUNITY

RELATIONS COUNCIL

E-SUMMONS

THIS WEEK IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT

CITIZENS ON PATROL

NO WALKS THIS WEEK

Click here for an expanded schedule………

COMING EVENTS

JANUARY 2010

1/21 – The Southern District Police and Community Relations Council meeting

at the Southern District Police Station, 10 Cherry Hill Rd

”THE THIRD THURSDAY”

Our next council meeting is January 21, 2010

at the Southern District Police Station, 10 Cherry Hill Road

Buffet starts at 6:30 PM Meeting starts at 7 PM

Agenda includes but not limited to:

Welcome - Jack Baker

Officer/s & Citizen of the Month- Deputy Major Margaret Barillaro

Guest Speaker - To be announced

The Southern District Update - Major Scott Bloodsworth

& Lt Steve Nalewajko

Neighborhood & Council Updates - Jack Baker

50/50 Drawing & Buffet Reminders – John Rehmert

Buffet will be donated by:

UNION SQUARE

but

Everyone should bring something to share.

We need assorted desserts, cookies, sodas,

chips & dip or anything you’d like to share.