2025 June 22: UMNA General Meeting
All UMNA meetings are open to the public. General meetings provide information & encourage discussion.
Meeting Agenda
WHAT: UMNA General Meeting
WHEN: Sunday, June 22nd at 2:00 PM
WHERE: Bar Bad Ending - 875 Monroe Avenue <MAP LINK>
The UMNA leadership team has produced an amazing summer program/meeting of entertainment, edification and celebration at Bar Bad Ending 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
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.
III) Presentation & Discussion: Understanding the public utility Issue In Rochester and Monroe County.
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.
The Rochester Beacon posted June 20, 2025 - RG&E 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 by Mitch Gruber and Susan Hughes-Smith
WXXI News posted June 13, 2025 - 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 by Jim Tortora, Ryan Hermenet
WXXI AM1370 - Connections with Evan Dawson posted May 29, 2025: RGE responds to the audit.
WXXI AM1370 - Audit points to RG&E, NYSEG's 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 by Jennifer Lewke
IV) UMNA Awards Ceremony - Recognition for contributions to Upper Monroe
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.
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 - progress report - Thanks to SEAC as fiscal sponsor
Need-To-Know in Upper Monroe
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
*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 Link. CLICK HERE to go to the official UMNA Events Calendar.
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