April NLNA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2024
Present: Jeff Hornstein, President; Barbara Saverino, Vice-President; Cristina Grisanti, Secretary; Shakirra Clark; Mariel Lewis; Matt Ruben; Kevin Wilkins; Francesca Yepikhina;
Not in attendance: Donna Turi, Treasurer; Margot O’Neil; Steve Westcott; Jim Thompson; Meesh Zucker;
Also present: Sydney Rexroad, Executive Director, Cassidy Martin, Executive Director NLBID, Police Officers from the 9th District
kThe meeting was called to order by the President at 6:38 p.m.
Motion: By Matt, seconded by Francesca. “To approve March Board meeting minutes as presented.”
Passed - Unanimous
Other Priority Topics
6th & 9th Police District Merge Update
The two districts will merge effective May 1 (the 6th District will become the 9th)
The plan is to have more officers on the street (cars, bikes, patrol) as a part of the merge
Benefit of merging the district is that this decision will allow for more officers to be on patrol at one time due to cost savings from more centralized operations
Question from Board to Officers:
How can we help as a neighborhood? Officers: If you see something, call 911 and report it so they have data and also email in tips
Any advice for how to handle unhoused Individuals? Officers: Call Homeless Hotline and 911 so that there is a record of the individual
Traffic stops are low on priority for cops on patrol due to higher priority issues
Illegal Parking - PPA should be able to ticket for towing, but sometimes there are issues with tow trucks thinking that they can only tow with a police ticket
Laurel Street Parklet update with Cassidy Martin, NLBID Executive Director
168-178 Laurel neighbors (need ⅔ support)
The Board reviewed and provided some feedback to the proposal such as additional crosswalk across 2nd St at Laurel, and questions about parking orientation
NLNA to provide a letter of support by early May
Motion: By Matt, seconded by Shakirra. “Board supports the one year temporary permit for a trial parklet at 2nd and Laurel to renew and enhance the current intersection.”
To be passed via email once letter is approved
NLNA Leadership Reports
President’s Report: Jeff Hornstein.
Jeff provided an update to the Bus Operations Update - Prep meeting with OTIS rescheduled, new design to be shared in April 24th general meeting (to be confirmed with OTIS)
Meet & Greet at 444 N 4th St went really well - Thanks Community Engagement - Membership Committee! Looking at additional buildings for future meet and greets (Piazza)
Clean & Green clean up day went really well - Thank you Clean Streets & Beautification Committee!
Treasurer's Report: Donna Turi (not in attendance)
Motion: By Matt, seconded by Francesca. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.”
Passed - Unanimous
Executive Director’s Report: Sydney Rexroad.
I Love Northern Liberties Community Program - Need to do another push
$755 per month currently
We will have a table at the Plant Sale to sell memberships (May 4)
Talking to National about including a membership for their residents
Summer Events
Monthly summer music series (Friday evening Music in the Park, 5:30 - 7:30 - first one May 31st)
Will trial one movie night and are actively working with Park neighbors to ensure transparency and concerns are discussed
Commercial Bus Survey Review
Reviewed the results of the Bus Operations Survey
Will share with Councilmember Squilla, Nikil Saval, Mary Issacson and neighborhood in the next few weeks
NLNA will be at the Farmers Market this weekend!
NLNA Committees
Project Committees
Playground Renovation Committee - Status Report
Shared all the equipment planned for the playground at the community meeting last Thursday
Playground Committee will focus on grant writing moving forward
Functional Committees
BID Liaison Status Report
Community Center Operations Status Report
New program with the city will deliver mulch for free
Events
Plant Sale
Music Fest
Liberty Lands Committee - Status Report
Zoning Committee - No April Meeting
Election Committee Status Report
Need to send out communications about Nomination meeting Wednesday (heads up to Sydney to get info on website, etc. - content to be provided by the Election Committee Tuesday)
April 24 Nomination/General Meeting
May 21 Election
NL Action Committee
Impact
Clean Streets & Beautification - Status Report
Community Engagement / Membership - Status Report
Education - No Report - looking for dedicated chair
Public Safety - Status Report
Will merge with Clean Street, Safety, Beautification
Transportation & Mobility
To become sub-committee of Clean Streets and Public Safety
Additional Updates
Old Business
Sidewalk sale owner transfer, will coordinate with our events/trash day
New Business
Willow Street - TBD on response regarding improving it - Sydney to reach out to follow up
The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:41 p.m.