# 2025 June 22: UMNA General Meeting

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## **Meeting Agenda**

* **WHAT:**  UMNA General Meeting
* **WHEN:**  Sunday, June 22nd at 2:00 PM
* **WHERE:**  [Bar Bad Ending](https://www.barbadending.com/) - 875 Monroe Avenue <[MAP LINK](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ijnHoibSztmjmxbe9)>

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*The UMNA leadership team has produced an amazing summer program/meeting of entertainment, edification and celebration at* [*Bar Bad Ending*](https://www.barbadending.com/) *on June 22nd that includes: live music, a fascinating panel presentation/discussion, award presentations and a host of important reports from around the neighborhood. For those interested, Bar Bad Ending will be prepared to serve up delicious food from their kitchen and libations from their well stocked bar.*

*This meeting is FREE and it’s open to the public. Attendees do not have to be members of UMNA. Food & drinks billed to patrons separately. Bring a neighbor or a friend!*

## Meeting Agenda\*

### **I) Welcome & Introductions**

### **II) Live performance**

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**Live solo musical performance by an international entertainer and an Upper Monroe neighbor, Fatima Razic!**

Fatima was born and raised in Bosnia, a small country on the Balkan peninsula, that experienced the worst act of genocide in Europe since the Holocaust. She  was a refugee for a good part of her life and spent more time away from her family than with them. You can say her whole life has been one big lesson. Although she is grateful for everything she's learned, she wouldn’t wish her early life upon her worst enemy. The scars she carries are her guiding light in knowing how bad life can get and finding gratitude in the life she has today.

Gratitude, love and faith have brought Fatima to thousands of people and countless stages where she has shared her stories and music. She has performed in front of 20,000+ people on 100+ stages across the nation leaving behind a trail of inspiration, motivation and human connection. She combines storytelling with live music to inspire and entertain audiences. Many have told her  that she has an innate ability to transform and connect with audiences through personal stories of adversity and overcoming external and internal obstacles. Likewise they said all of that happens in a triumphant musical explosion of sound which is what brings them back to her events.&#x20;

### **III)  Presentation & Discussion:  Understanding the public utility Issue In Rochester and Monroe County.**

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Meeting attendees will get a good background behind the push for a public utility in our area.  RGE's past performance will be discussed along with how a private utility company compares to a public utility. In addition, the panel will describe examples from other communities that have already adopted a public utility. Finally, we'll hear where the effort currently stands and what comes next in the process.

**WXXI News posted July 1, 2025** - [Double-digit rate hikes could be on the horizon for RG\&E and NYSEG customers](https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2025-07-01/double-digit-rate-hikes-could-be-on-the-horizon-for-rg-e-and-nyseg-customers) **by Brian Sharp**

**The Rochester Beacon posted June 20, 2025 -** [RG\&E shows up when it matters most](https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/06/20/rge-shows-up-when-it-matters-most/) **by Patrick Fox**

**The Rochester Beacon posted June 17, 2025 -** [How RG\&E and the PSC are failing us](https://rochesterbeacon.com/2025/06/17/how-rge-and-the-psc-are-failing-us/) **by Mitch Gruber and Susan Hughes-Smith**

**WXXI News posted June 13, 2025** - [RG\&E, NYSEG get new presidents to bolster local leadership](https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2025-06-13/rg-e-nyseg-get-new-presidents-to-bolster-local-leadership) **by Brian Sharp**

**WHEC RochesterFirst posted June 12, 2025** - [RG\&E, NYSEG penalized $20 million by NYS for failing to meet customer service metrics](https://www.rochesterfirst.com/rochester-gas-and-electric/rge-nyseg-penalized-20-million-by-nys-for-failing-to-meet-customer-service-metrics/) **by Jim Tortora, Ryan Hermenet**

**WXXI AM1370 - Connections with Evan Dawson posted May 29, 2025:** [RGE responds to the audit.](https://youtu.be/3jwdY6nx6dY)

**WXXI AM1370 -** [Audit points to RG\&E, NYSEG's lack of local control and focus as being at the root of problems](https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2025-05-21/audit-points-to-rg-e-nysegs-lack-of-local-control-and-focus-as-being-at-the-root-of-problems) **by Brian Sharp**

**News10NBC posted May 19, 2025:**  [Audit reveals potential violations, prolonged estimated meter readings at RG\&E/NYSEG following News10NBC investigations](https://www.whec.com/top-news/audit-reveals-potential-violations-prolonged-estimated-meter-readings-at-rge-nyseg-following-news10nbc-investigations/) **by Jennifer Lewke**

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### **IV) UMNA Awards Ceremony - Recognition for contributions to Upper Monroe**

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PINNACLE AWARD FOR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT: Given to a past or present resident who has demonstrated a long term commitment to the Upper Monroe neighborhood. Given occasionally but not more than once each year.

* **Alvin Mitchell** of Palisade Park

RESERVOIR AWARD FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING: Given to a resident (or a group of residents) who has (have) done significant work to build community in Upper Monroe. Given annually.

* **Laurie Kash** of Shepard Street
* **Ellen Lyttle** of Rosedale Street
* **Valerie McPherson** of Crosman Terrace
* **Nicole Reisig** of Suter Terrace
* **Ryan Tenney** of Laburnam Crescent

WENDELL HARRISON AWARD FOR BUSINESS COMMITMENT: Given to a business located in Upper Monroe whose economic activities and community engagement have significantly contributed to the betterment of the Upper Monroe neighborhood. Given occasionally but not more than once each year.

* **Fred McCoy & Melissa Feldman** of Crosman Terrace  - **Bar Bad Ending** on Monroe Avenue

HIGHLAND AWARD FOR COMMERCIAL OR RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP: Given to a property owner who has done an outstanding job of improving, developing or maintaining one or more commercial or rental properties in the Upper Monroe neighborhood. Given annually.

* **Melanie & Patrick Berl** of Alliance Avenue

PORTAGE AWARD FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERSHIP: Given to a group, an organization and/or an entity that has collaborated with UMNA on a project of importance to Upper Monroe. Given occasionally but not more than once each year.

* **Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition** - Representing groups all along the Monroe Avenue corridor.

CROSMAN AWARD FOR A NOTABLE "GARDENSCAPE": Given to a property owner or tenant in Upper Monroe who has developed a notable garden visible from the public right-of-way. Given occasionally and not more than once each year.

* **Pamela Graham** of Luzerne Street
* **James Kieliszek** of Luzerne Street
* **Jennifer Lindsey** of Luzerne Street

[Click here to see the list of awards and past winners.](https://www.uppermonroe.com/awards-and-recognition)

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### **V) Various Reports & Updates**

* City of Rochester Southeast Neighborhood Service Center (John McMahon)
* Rochester City Council (Mary Lupien or Kelly Cheatle)
* Monroe County Legislature (Linda Hasman)
* **UMNA Updates:**
  * [Neighbors In Action Grant](https://www.uppermonroe.com/umna-2025-work-plan-and-budget/2025-umna-budget) - progress report - Thanks to SEAC as fiscal sponsor
    * Need-To-Know in Upper Monroe
    * [UMNA Outdoor Lawn Games In Cobbs Hill Park](https://www.uppermonroe.com/events-and-meetings/thursday-july-10th-or-outdoor-lawn-games-in-cobbs-hill-park)
    * Fire Extinguisher giveaway
    * School supply donations to PS #35 & PS #15
    * Replacement of the neighborhood sign at Engel Place
    * Supporting our community gardens on and near Monroe Ave
    * Supporting small-scale "block" parties
    * Supporting a large-scale chili cookoff in the fall
    * Acquisition of event tent and UMNA banner
    * Public art projects on Monroe & banners at Monroe/Rosedale
    * National Night Out - Tuesday, August 5th
  * [Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition](https://www.uppermonroe.com/hot-topics/monroe-avenue-revitalization-coalition-marc)
    * [Monroe Fresh Finds Community Garage Sale Days](https://seacrochester.org/monroe-fresh-finds/)
    * Adopt-A-Block
  * [Lady Bug Day](https://www.uppermonroe.com/events-and-meetings/2024-past-events/2024-june-27-ladybug-day)
  * [Culver Road and Monroe Avenue near Werner Park road redesign](https://www.uppermonroe.com/hot-topics/road-related-construction-or-redesign-projects/project-2025-preventative-maintenance-project-culver-university)
  * [The Grove](https://friendsofwashingtongrove.org/)
  * [Wide Water Gardens](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064660480904)
  * [Cobbs Hill Village redevelopment](https://www.uppermonroe.com/hot-topics/cobbs-hill-village-redevelopment)

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\*The sequence of these agenda items may vary. The UMNA board of directors does not anticipate any bylaws related votes of the UMNA membership at this meeting.

*This program is free and open to the public. You do not have to be a member of UMNA to attend.*

This program is also listed on our [google-calendar](https://www.uppermonroe.com/events-and-meetings/google-calendar "mention"). [CLICK HERE to go to the official UMNA Events Calendar](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=591d2cbdbf62fb898d885c250d56a120efc9210fdc49e9183a3cc09b8640fe8c%40group.calendar.google.com\&ctz=America%2FNew_York).