Charles Village Community Benefits District Management Authority

Board Meeting

Minutes

January 15, 2010

2434 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218

 

Present:

Gary Letteron                    Delora Sanchez                 Bowen Nelson

Derek Demaree                 Ron Griffin                         Jennifer Erickson

Jeff Millard                         Kirsch Jones                       Robin Truiett-Theodorson

Jason Pyeron                     Joseph Church                   Bob Cooke

Jennifer Burdick

 

Also Present: David Hill; Rob Books, Steve Gewirtz; Walter Brown; Matt Bradby; Ofur Lerman; Telina Jenkins; Sidney Woods, and Mr. Mackey.               

 

Call to Order: 

The meeting was called to order without a quorum present at 7:05 PM.  The Board commenced the meeting with the annual swearing in of the Board by Mr. Mackey of the City Clerk’s Office.   A quorum was achieved at 7:09 PM.   All Board members present were sworn in.   New members, Bob Cooke & Joseph Church were welcomed.

 

Agenda:

Mr. Griffin noted that new Officer’s would be elected at the next meeting and, with no objection, facilitated the meeting and the agenda was approved by unanimous consent.  All Board members were asked to review and sign Conflict of Interest documents and to return the form to Ms Jenkins of the CVCBDMA. 

 

Minutes: 

The minutes for the December Board meeting were approved by unanimous consent with one change (Under Governance Committee Report page 2, add: Ron Griffin as also attending the meeting with the City Solicitor’s Office). 

 

Executive Director Report: 

Mr. Hill reported that Surcharge tax Revenue received in November was $16,937 bringing the total to $447,267 of the $621,860 expected.  The November figures helps to bring the budget closer in line with revenue.   Mr. Hill referred the members to his printed Exec Dir report but also highlighted Fund Raising efforts noting In-Kind services of $24,695 to date of the $60,000 budget was a result of employment programs and income from contracts.  Also of note, the CVCBD applied to the JHU Neighborhood Fund for a grant of $28,000 to operate a Rat Abatement Program.

 

Mr. Hill then turned the floor over to Walter Brown, Community Safety Program director who gave a brief presentation summarizing his trip to Texas where he attended Victim Crime conference in November, a JV with Department of Justice and Texas Attorney General.   The purpose was to raise awareness of victims and promote victim advocacy.  Mr. Brown found many workshops helpful but the Department of Justice’s workshop regarding Federal level victim resources was the most helpful.

 

Mr. Brown briefly reviewed VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday), a 24/7 online tracking system of offenders.  The information is available as a result of the Freedom of Information Act and he and Mr. Hill will be discussing offering this information via the CVCBDMA.  Mr. Brown noted that the gap in providing the Crime Alerts were from a lack of reports from the Northern District police station.   

 

For the benefit of new Board members, Mr. Brown also highlighted his Safety responsibilities including: Neighborhood Walkers Program, Victim Assistance Program, Crime Alerts, and most recently the Workshop Series (1) Identify Theft, 2) Personal Safety and 3) Home Safety).   In addition, the Safety Advisory Council has been resurrected which is collaboration between the CVCBD, JHU, Parole & Probation, and GHCC among others.   The first meeting was held 1/5/10 and going forward will be held on the 1st Wednesday of each month.  Mr. Brown is working on a mission statement.

 

Committee Reports:

Executive Committee:  There was no report this month.

Program Committee:  There was no report this month. 

 

Finance Committee: 

Presentation was made by Ofur Lurman of the Auditing firm Handwerger, Cardegna, Funkhouser & Lurman, P.A. (“HCF&L”).   This was the first year HCF&L audited the CVCBD’s financials which were found to be unqualified - the highest level.   Mr. Lurman noted how impressed he was with the office staff, the records and the general condition of the organization as the firm became more acquainted with how the office operated.  Year over year, the financial conditioned improved with a decrease in expenses, increase in income, highlighting the balance sheet cash position, the Property & Equipment account with an increase in assets (vehicle – Silverado) and the pay-down of $35,000 of the line of credit.  Unrestricted Assets improved year over yea.  Although the CVCBDMA is a not-for-profit, it reflected a profit.  Given the current economic environment and the fact the organization is subject to re-authorization, having a buffer is important.  The buffer can also be used to offer additional services.  HCF&L is experienced with other not-for-profits and having a Line of Credit for potential seasonal cash flow timing differences is not unusual.  The line is secured by all assets and is renewable in July.   Overall, the auditor had high praise for the financial condition of the association. 

 

Mr. Millard reviewed the November year over year financials noting that the budget vs. actual is in line.  Personnel expenses are down as the CVCBD is tapping into employment programs, i.e. free labor.   Program expenses are down year over yea likely due to timing of expenses.  Overhead has a $10,000 variance due to accounting and legal bill timing.  Overall the CVCBD is ahead of budget, but in line.   

 

Governance Committee:

Although the Governance Committee did not meet, Mr. Millard noted that the city Solicitor’s office reviewed the proposed By-Laws changes and are working on language in a couple of areas.  Mr. Millard believed the Board may not have the updated suggested improvement by the February meeting.  

 

Public comments:   None

All Board members were asked to sign up for one or more of the standing committees (Governance, Finance, and Program). 

 

A motion to adjourn was approved by unanimous consent at 8:10 pm.