Baltimore City Council website
"Investing Where Baltimore Lives"
April 4, 2008

Dear Friends:

Important Notice for Baltimore Homebuyers/Homeowners: The Homestead Property Tax Credit
I reported to you in the January 18 edition of the Roll Call about a change to the Homestead Property Tax Credit. Legislation enacted by the 2007 session of the General Assembly requires homeowners to submit an application in order to continue their eligibility for the Homestead Tax Credit. For years, this credit has capped the taxable assessment increases at 4% for Baltimore homeowners on the one property actually used as the owner’s principal residence.

Previously, this credit was automatically granted, and the new requirement to apply for it has caused a great deal of confusion for City residents. As Baltimoreans continue to feel the pinch from rising prices, I want to make certain that committed City homeowners do not experience needless additional hardship because they are not informed about the new law. If a homeowner is later made ineligible for the credit for failure to submit an application, he or she may receive a substantial increase in the property tax bill without the credit.

Due to public interest, the Maryland State Department of Assessment and Taxation is extending the online filing of the Homestead Tax Credit Eligibility Application. In order to submit the online Homestead Tax Credit Eligibility Application, you must have been issued, from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, an application form containing your Real Property Account Number and an Access Number. You will be required to enter the Account and Access Numbers as part of the submission process. If you have not received an application, click here to access a PDF version of the form which can be completed and mailed to:

Department of Assessments and Taxation
Homestead Tax Credit Division
301 W Preston St. 8th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201

This law was not enacted by the City Council, but it directly impacts Baltimore homeowners nonetheless. As a fellow Baltimore homeowner and neighbor, I am very sensitive to the increasing burden of my fellow City residents. And as your City Council President, I take very seriously my responsibility to keep Baltimore residents informed about matters affecting your wallets, and your quality of life.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

Each week in the President's SchoolSpot,
Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake highlights the outstanding accomplishments of Baltimore City Schools students and staff.

Hundreds of BCPSS Students Compete in the 2008 National Academic League

Over 450 Baltimore City Public School students in grades six to eight participated in this year’s National Academic League®, a year-long scholastic after-school activity sponsored by The Abell Foundation since 1993. Throughout the season, there were many close-scoring games and fantastic finishes for the 21 BCPSS NAL teams, proving that students and coaches invested significant time to study academic topics and presentation skills not usually covered during the school day. By late February, the field was narrowed to eight teams: Francis Scott Key, Garrison, Glenmount, Guilford, Mt. Royal, Roland Park, Stadium School, and Southeast. March 6th marked the end of an exciting season in Baltimore with Roland Park edging out Guilford to win the 2008 championship.

Baltimore’s two championship teams competed in the national NAL tournament. In the first round, Guilford played against St. John Neumann from Pueblo City, Colorado. St. John Neumann won 51–48 in overtime. Roland Park took on Mill Creek Junior High from Davis, Utah. In the last minute, Mill Creek won 55-52. Both Baltimore teams represented our city and school system extremely well. Baltimore's NAL will end the 2007-2008 season with a celebration April 15th at the American Visionary Arts Museum. MPT's Bob Heck will be emcee. BCPSS CEO Dr. Andres Alonso is scheduled to speak and players will join special guests, including City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake for an All-Star Challenge NAL Game.

Background about National Academic League®:
The National Academic League® program was developed by Terrell Bell & Associates in the early 1990s and came to Baltimore in 1993. The season typically runs October through March with games every 2 weeks. Teachers or administrators act as coaches who mentor 20 – 30 student team members through weekly practice sessions that include group research, independent study, and quizzing. During the four-quarter games, students use strategies to keep possession of a question sequence, learn teamwork as they huddle to answer a complex question, learn to problem-solve by preparing and presenting a solution to real-world problems, and engage in a fast-paced, quick-answer contest. In addition to the academic challenges, the NAL offers students the opportunity to visit areas of Baltimore that are beyond their daily travels and activities.

Have an exciting news item on achievements
in Baltimore City Public Schools?
Let us know so that we can feature them in the President's SchoolSpot. Call Council President Rawlings-Blake's office at 410-396-4804 or send an e-mail to Marva Williams at mwilliams@baltimorecitycouncil.com.

City Council This Week

Monday, April 7, 2008

Voting Session: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, Jim Kraft - Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0021 Boards, Commissions, etc. - Meetings on Election Days

City Council Meeting
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
The Council meeting will be broadcast live on TV25.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, Jim Kraft - Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0070 "Padlock Law" - Scope

Hearing: Public Safety and Health Committee, Bernard C. "Jack" Young - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0025R Informational Hearing - Fire Department Recruitment Policies

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Hearing: Community Development Subcommittee, William E. Cole, III - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0024R Task Force on Noise Laws and Enforcement
This hearing will be broadcast live on TV 25.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO08-0009 Informational Hearing - Apprenticeship Opportunities for Baltimore Youth

Community Events

Neighborhoods: Sign up for Mayor Dixon's Citywide Spring Cleanup
Saturday, April 19, 2008

Every spring the citizens of Baltimore band together with city government to sweep, rake and haul away the litter from our neighborhoods. Numerous City agencies will also be on-hand for the event and will work to clear storm drains, remove graffiti, cut weeds, trim trees, and board vacant homes. The Department of Public Works will provide volunteers with gloves, rakes, brooms, shovels, bags and debris removal. To register for the Spring cleanup or for more information, citizens should call 410-396-1209.

Registration form

April 3-6, 2008

5th ANNUAL TRANSMODERN FESTIVAL
Load of Fun Studios, 120 W. North Ave.
Baltimore’s largest avant performance festival features over 50 artists and transform all three floors of Load of Fun studios with installations, performance, sound, film, mayhem, ecstasy, and radical culture. The festival will also present a special Sunday event, Pedestrian Services Exquisite, including a guided walking tour of North Avenue and beyond with site-specific, roaming, uncanny, planned/unplanned, and esoteric actions along the way. Details at the event website.

Friday, April 4

Baltimore City Teen Night
Furley Recreation Center, 4633 Furley Ave., 8pm-midnight, 410-396-9329.
 Participate in fun and safe activities designed for teens, by teens. Enjoy music, dancing, games, fashion shows and more. Free and open to teenagers 14-17.

Senior Friendly Fridays
Patterson Park Recreation Center, 2601 E.Baltimore Street, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
With activities like water aerobics, line dancing, performers, art lessons, and more. Info: 410-396-9156

Friday Night at the Walters
Walters Art Museum, 5pm-8pm, www.thewalters.org. Free

Saturday, April 5

Park Heights Community Health Alliance FREE Youth Basketball Clinic and League
 Malcolm X Community Center, 2810 Shirley Ave. Registration 10am-12noon
PHCHCA's program offers boys and girls ages 5-12 an opportunity to have fun, learn new skills, increase confidence, meet new friends, and practice the fundamental and basic team concepts of basketball. League start date: April 19, 2008. Volunteer coaches are also needed. For more information call 410-542-8190 or 410-961-7739

Seventh Annual Scrabble® Fundraiser for Literacy
The Calvert School, 4300 N. Charles St., 5:30pm. Proceeds will benefit adult literacy and ESOL classes at the Greater Homewood Community Corporation (GHCC), $20-$30. 410-261-3520.

Fairy Tale Fling
Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., 10am-2pm. 410-396-1580.

Upcoming/Ongoing

The Small Business Resource Center's Local Contractor Development Program (LCDP) announces its Spring 2008 Contractor's College

The Small Business Resource Center's Local Contractor Development Program announces its Spring 2008 Contractor's College. These classes are being held to help develop and build capacity in MBE/WBE contractors, so they can be in a better position to compete and grow their companies. Baltimore is in a unique position to assist minority and woman-owned businesses (MBE/WBE) to grow. Over the next few years Baltimore City will be engaged in a number of major capital projects. Mayor Dixon, along with the SBRC is committed to helping qualified minority and women owned businesses to competitively bid on these projects. To ensure your success, the Mayor provides support to the LCDP Contractor's College.

For information on course schedules and fees, please see the LCDP Contractor's College website.

Family Festival of Exploration, April 12, 11am-4pm, The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Free.

Art in the Park presented by Mill Valley Cultural Arts Umbrella, Open Air Art and Eclec-tiques Market, Every other Saturday starting April 12, 9am-2pm, www.millvalleyarts.org

The Baltimore City Health Department is accepting nominations for the Sebastian Russo Memorial Award. It recognizes healthcare providers who have made significant contributions to their fields by providing dedicated and compassionate service to low-income individuals and families. Deadline is April 30. www.baltimorehealth.org. 410-396-4388.

Baltimore Rising’s Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Program (MCIP) needs mentors for youths whose parent or guardian is in jail and is taking referrals for children who need mentors. Kamala Green at 443-984-1013.

Baltimore Healthcare Access, Inc. is announcing a new initiative to protect the health and well-being of city residents. Through this initiative, city residents can call 311 for screening and referral to a range of health insurance programs and low-cost healthcare options. www.bhca.org

The Bar Association of Baltimore City is pleased to offer its Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) to the general public. This service features a panel of attorneys who provide a wide range of legal assistance ranging from Asbestos to Worker's Compensation. Those referred to private attorneys will be able to receive a reduced fee half-hour consultation, which is waived for certain case types. This service also occasionally features volunteer attorneys who are able to answer basic legal questions over telephone for no charge. For those who qualify, the LRIS also offers reduced fee legal services for the elderly. For more information call 410-539-3112 between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday-Friday, or email info@baltimorebar.org.

Baltimore CASH Campaign: Free Community Tax Preparation
Families and individuals can have their taxes prepared for free at one of more than 13 CASH Campaign locations in the City. Qualifying families and individuals can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and other valuable tax credits. Call for an appointment at 410-234-8008.
www.baltimorecashcampaign.org

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service provides free representation to low-income individuals with IRS tax disputes, including denial of earned income tax credit, IRS audits, filing back taxes, and setting up payment plans. Call 410-547-6537 between 9 am-1 pm, Monday-Thursday.

Also, small community-based nonprofits working to strengthen low income communities are eligible for pro bono legal help from the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Community Development Project. Get help with reviewing contracts, negotiating leases, preparing employee manuals, and many other legal issues. Call 443-451-4064 or email jocarol@mvlslaw.org

Baltimore International Academy, a public charter school, is now accepting applications for students interested in full immersion education in one of four tracks: French, Chinese, Russian or Spanish. Open Houses will be held at 7 pm on April 22 and May 20 at 3515 Taylor Avenue – the campus of the Maryland School for the Blind. More information is available from the school at (410)426-3650 or baltimoreinternationalacademy@yahoo.com.