City Council Website | Council Members | Previous Editions | Legislative Calendar | Events

Dear Friends:

FY2010 Budget FY2010 Operating Budget Plan FY2010 Capital Budget Plan FY2010 Agency Detail

This week, the City Council began the work of carefully reviewing the Fiscal 2010 Budget plan submitted by Mayor Sheila Dixon. Sadly, the proposed budget contains significant cuts in core programs and services for our youth, including the complete closure of some neighborhood recreation centers, Police Athletic League (PAL) centers, school-age child care centers and city pools.

It is important to note that while some of these painful cuts are a result of the national economic crisis, some are the result of policy decisions made by the administration. Since the release of the budget, my Council colleagues and I have been working in concert to try to avoid complete closures of programs that serve our children.

Together, we unanimously sponsored and adopted a resolution urging the administration to work to restore funding for the Department of Recreation and Parks to avoid recreation center, childcare center and city pool closures. We also urged the Police Commissioner to work with the Director of Recreation and Parks to maintain a formal police presence in the former PAL Centers that will be transferred as a cost savings measure. During the budget hearings this week, Police Commissioner Bealefeld committed to find a way to do just that.

I would like to thank all the department and City agency heads who presented and answered the Council’s budget questions. I would like to especially thank Fire Chief James Clack who provided the most direct, matter-of-fact answers to the City Council. Chief Clack honestly acknowledged that some of the cuts to the fire department will have a negative impact, but that he is confident that he will be able to manage and continue to protect the safety of our citizens. We deeply appreciate his efforts and those who serve with him.

Times are tough. But during these times we have a moral responsibility as elected representatives to protect the priorities of our citizens: public safety, public schools and services for our youth.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

City of Baltimore 2010 Census

The Census Bureau is verifying and updating more than 145 million addresses to prepare for the 2010 Census. New handheld computers equipped with GPS to increase geographic accuracy are being used because the ability to capture GPS coordinates for most of the nation’s housing units will greatly reduce the number of errors caused by paper maps in previous counts. Baltimore City began the operation in April. Address canvassing efforts should end by mid-July.

How to identify Census workers
Census workers can be identified by their official Census Bureau badge. During the address canvassing operation, census workers may ask to verify a housing structure’s address and whether additional living quarters are on the property.

Your information is confidential
2010 Census workers will never ask for bank or Ssocial Security information. All census information collected, including addresses, are confidential and protected by law. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with the FBI, the IRS, CIA, Welfare, Immigration, or any other government agency. No court of law or law enforcement agency can find out respondents’ answers. All Census Bureau employees — including temporary employees — take an oath for life to keep census information confidential. Any violation of that oath is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and five years in prison. For more information about the Census, visit www.baltimorecity.gov.

Assistance with Water Bills for Seniors and Low Income Residents

Baltimore City Low Income Senior Citizen Water Discount Program

Homeowners and tenants whose lease holds them responsible for paying the water bill can apply each year for the discount if they meet the following criteria:
1. The applicant must be a City of Baltimore resident who receives a water/sewer bill directly from the City.
2. The principal resident must be age 65 or older.
3. The combined gross household income must be $25,000 or less.
4. The applicant must certify that he/she is the property owner-of-record with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, or provide a lease showing his/her responsibility for paying water/sewer charges at that property.

Those who qualify receive a 30% discount on their water and sewer rates charged on each quarterly bill. Eligible senior citizens may apply at any of the Senior Community Centers listed on this brochure or may call 311 or 410-396-5398 to obtain an application.

See brochure for complete information
Senior Citizen Discount Application

Baltimore City Low Income Water Assistance Program

• You must be a Baltimore City resident, the utility account holder and receive your water bill directly from the City.
• You must reside at the property on the account.
• You must have received a delinquent, turn-off, or tax sale notice due to being in arrears.
• You must not have an existing payment plan with the Department of Finance.
• You must have verification documents for eligibility.

Once approved:

• You must pledge to make consistent payments on your unpaid and current balance.
• You will receive a credit of $125.00.

See brochure for complete information

 

City Council This Week

Monday, May 18

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

Wednesday, May 20

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Edward Reisinger - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0316 Zoning - Parking Lot District - Conditional Use Parking Lots - Block 3635, Lots 17 and 17A

Community Events

For a comprehensive listing of events in Baltimore, check the City Council's online events calendar.

Nominate Baltimore's Top Neighborhood Dads! For the third straight year, City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is in search of Baltimore’s "Top Neighborhood Dads." The contest honors those dedicated men who make Baltimore’s neighborhoods Better, Safer and Stronger. Baltimore neighborhood residents and community associations are asked to nominate their "Top Neighborhood Dad," along with the reasons he should be recognized for his work. Deadline is May 28th. Download Nomination form

Friday, May 15

Summer Sounds at the Square
Belvedere Square, 6-9pm. Friday night outdoor concerts are back at Belvedere Square. Featuring: Junkyard Saints, roots party music. www.junkyardsaints.com

Preakness Parade of Lights
Pratt and Eutaw Streets, 8:30 pm. Enjoy performances by regional bands, local cultural organizations and churches, floats and equestrian units. The parade starts from Pratt and Eutaw Streets and continues east on Pratt Street to Market Place.

Government/Contractor Job Expo
Ten Oaks Ballroom, 5000 Signal Bell Lane, Clarksville, MD, 10am-2pm. 410-290-2605.

May 16-17

Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival
Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am-8:30 pm. With Los Lonely Boys, Jonny Lang, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Shemekia Copeland; and more. Rain or shine. Tickets $65, two-day pass $115, $45 advance, Two-day pass advance $80 www.bayblues.org

Saturday, May 16

The 134th Running of the Preakness Stakes
Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave., Gates open at 8am.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY - PREAKNESS

Baltimore Free Store Furniture Give-Away
31 N. Haven St., Noon-3 p.m. Loads of free stuff from furniture, clothing, household items, toys, and much more will be given away. www.freestorebaltimore.org

Flamingo Fling
Clipper Mill Pool Pavilion, 2031 Clipper Park Rd., 7pm-10pm. Enjoy live music, fabulous food and more to benefit the Hampden Community Center. Held rain or shine. $75-$125. 410-467-8710.

Taste of Summer to benefit The GreenMount School
501 West 30th St., 7pm, food, drink, entertainment and a silent auction. $25.

Ride for the Feast 2009, May 16-17, a 140-mile bike ride from Rehoboth Beach to Baltimore City to raise funds and awareness for Moveable Feast, the area's sole provider of meals and groceries for people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging conditions. www.rideforthefeast.org or call 410-327-3420, ext. 33.

Movie in the Park
The Hill in Patterson Park East near Ellwood and Gough, 8:30pm. Featuring: Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Rated PG.

Teen Glam EduJam
2640 St. Paul Street, 2pm-8pm. Free health screenings, interactive workshops, a fashion show and more. 410-366-1092.

Sunday, May 17

Bike Jam
Patterson Park Pagoda, 8am-6pm. Bicycle races, bike stunt show, information booths, music, food, music, and more. www.bikejam.org

Community Dance Workshop
Eubie Blake Jazz Institute & Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard St., 2pm-5pm. Free adult classes in modern and jazz. Must pre-register. 410-225-3130. www.eubieblake.org

Monday, May 18

Baltimore: Inspired by Poe
Enoch Pratt Library Light Street Branch, 5:45pm. Happy 200th Birthday Edgar Allan Poe. 410-243-4750.

Volunteers Needed For Community Playground Build-Franklintown Neighborhood, 201 S. Franklintown Rd., 7:45am-3pm, 410-856-1850.

Tuesday, May 19

Justice for Breakfast: Eliminating Poverty and Justice Through Fair Labor Laws
Brown, Goldstein & Levy Offices, 120 E. Baltimore, St., #1700, 8:15 am. Dialogue on social justice issues. Reservations required. 410-625-9409.

CARE Benefits Check-up & DTV Campaign Day
Bon Secours West Pavilion Building, 3100 Towanda Ave., 10am-3pm. Meet with representatives from several benefits programs, bring your ID and Medicare card, prescriptions, BGE bill and proof of income. Bingo and lunch provided. 410-396-2273

Jason Murphy’s Holding the Line Community Outreach Free Football Camp
Fred Ledig Recreation Center, 301 S. Beechfield Ave., 3pm-6pm. Youths 7-18 years old. 410-396-0073.

5th District Community Meeting: One Plus One Waste Collection
Jewish Community Center, 5700 Park Heights Avenue, 6:30 pm.

Wednesday, May 20

Stroke Awareness Health Fair
Kaufman Pavilion Center, Inner Harbor (between Maryland Science Center and Rash Field), 10am-2pm. Free blood sugar, cholesterol, stroke and blood pressure screenings and health information. 443-552-2541.

Complimentary Fitness Class
The Studio Edge, 1425 Clarkview Rd., Ste. 500, 6:15pm. Try a Studio Barre (signature technique) or Real Sexy Fitness Workout. Must pre-register at info@thestudioedge.com. 410-296-4955

Starting and Financing A Small Business
Woodlawn Library, 1811 Woodlawn Dr., 7pm-8:30pm. Hosted by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Presentations by a tax advisor, an insurance advisor and a banker. tonia.mccoy@sba.gov

Thursday, May 21

6th Annual Ingenuity Science and Mathematics Symposium
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane, 5:30pm. Showcases the research of some of Baltimore City’s most promising young scholars, whose independent research topics cover a wide range of interests, such as projects that analyze turbulence using fractals, malaria’s effect on red blood cells, the mathematical analysis of a Rubik’s cube. 410-662-8665 www.ingenuityproject.org

Upcoming/Ongoing

SoWeBofest, May 24, Hollins Market, 26 S. Arlington St., noon-8pm. Take a trip ‘southwest of ordinary’ to this year’s Sowebohemian Arts and Music Festival. This FREE event, which draws thousands each year, transforms the historic Hollins Market neighborhood into a bustling bazaar, complete with a street café, performance artists and busking musicians. To learn more visit www.sowebofest.com.

A Taste of WEAA Spring Benefit, May 29, 8pm-midnight, Eubie Blake Jazz Institute & Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard St. Featuring live bands playing jazz, blues, latin and reggae. www.weaa.org

Polish Festival, May 29-31, Patterson Park, Linwood and Eastern Avenues, Friday 5-10pm and Saturday & Sunday noon-10pm. The Polish community kicks off the festival season with local, regional and national entertainment by polka bands and more.

Charles Village Festival, June 6-7, Wyman Park Dell, Charles and 29th Streets, Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday 11am-6pm. Live music, Garden Walk, kids games, food, vendors. www.charlesvillagefestival.com

Enoch Pratt’s Light Street Branch Goes Wireless and additional computers have been installed. Other Wi-Fi Pratt branches are Central, Northwood, Orleans, Roland Park, Southeast Anchor and Waverly.

Get a Free Orioles Ticket for your birthday. Any fan can get a free ticket to a game during the month of his or her birthday--unless the Orioles are playing the Yankees or Red Sox. Register online at www.orioles.com/birthdays and receive a voucher for a free birthday ticket.

MD HOPE (Home Owners Preserving Equity) State Hotline 1-877-462-7555. For assessment and possible referral to a housing counseling agency or a volunteer attorney for assistance in your foreclosure matter. www.mdhope.org

Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore’s Foreclosure Prevention Program offers emergency bridge loans to victims of predatory or exotic lending, or homeowners hit with emergencies such as illness or unemployment. Eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners can receive up to $5,000 in deferred loans. 410-327-1200.

Community Greening Resource Network (CGRN), sponsored by Parks and People Foundation, is accepting new members. The CGRN is an annual membership program to support community gardens throughout Baltimore City. It provides community-based groups access to material resources (tool, seeds, plants, mulch, and compost) training opportunities (green space planning, organization, and fundraising), and networking opportunities for sharing skills and experience among community greeners. Sarah Krones 410-448-5663.

New Conversations/Conversaciones Nuevas, Enoch Pratt’s Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., Tuesdays at 11am. Practice casual conversation for beginning English and Spanish speakers, 410-396-1580.

Conserve energy, save money and protect the environment with BGE’s PeakRewards program. If you have central air conditioning or an electric heat pump, you could save up to 15% year round in energy costs. www.bgesmartenergy.com/peakrewards