Northern Liberties Neighbors Association

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May NLNA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

NLNA Admin


BOARD OF DIRECTORS Meeting Minutes

May 13, 2024

Present: Jeff Hornstein, President; Barbara Saverino, Vice-President; Donna Turi, Treasurer; Cristina Grisanti, Secretary; Shakirra Clark; Matt Ruben; Steve Westcott; Kevin Wilkins; Francesca Yepikhina;

Not in attendance: Meesh Zucker; Jim Thompson; Mariel Lewis; Margot O’Neil;

Also present: Sydney Rexroad, Executive Director

The meeting was called to order by the President at 6:35 p.m.

Motion: By Kevin, seconded by Barbara. “To approve the minutes of the April Board meeting as presented.”

Passed - Unanimously

NLNA Leadership Reports

  • President’s Report: Jeff Hornstein.

    • Forward movement on I-95 construction

      • Construction planned to start 2026 and conclude in 2034

      • Will work with Project Manager to ensure community in engaged

    • Bus Operations Update

      • Old City location is being discussed and community feedback is being collected, no statement from OTIS

    • Fundraising

      • Shakirra, Sydney and Jeff met with the Carson and did a tour 

      • Management would love to work with us to activate the space and host the community 

      • Sydney working with the National to setup do a tour of the Noble (2nd and Spring Garden)

    • Performance review for Executive Director coming up next week - Board can send in feedback to share (for Sydney or Exec Comm)

    • Jeff has reached out to Managing Director of City managing the Public Safety initiative to understand the plan for these individuals as they are being cleared out of Kensington Ave encampment…looking for advice on how to handle drug users that are openly using drugs in Northern Liberties (increase observed by several board members in the neighborhood 15+ occurrences)

    • Additional concern raised about emergency management vehicles parked on the median on Spring Garden St 

  • Treasurer's Report: Donna Turi.

    • Event revenue is up - WinterFest and Plant Sale revenue is up; we have been leveraging PTSSD support via grants more this year

    • Costs are up due to repairs to Community Center, expenses are up due to more events, snow removal costs up (more snow this winter than previous years)

    • Fundraising ideas

      • Resurfaced the idea of paving the parking spots in Liberty Lands for neighborhood funding

      • Potential gala with donated space

      • Car donation program

Motion: By Francesca, seconded by Barbara. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.”

Passed - Unanimously

  • Executive Director’s Report: Sydney Rexroad.

    • Plant Sale - $9,327 revenue and 8 new I Love Northern Liberties signups!

      • Community Card needed for 4 neighbors who signed up at Plant Sale

      • Discussed ensuring we have collateral at events for people who are interested in volunteering to take home (in addition to collateral for signing up for ILNL)

      • Discussed mirroring process this year for Operation Santa to document Plant Sale process to support future volunteers

    • I Love Northern Liberties ILNL has 53 members, $830/month ($9,960/year)

    • Winterfest - cups $30, also will sell tickets for beer for $10 

    • New community center sign on window with this week’s events

    • Discussed looking into a PTSSD grant for marketing support to support additional awareness for community events

    • Discussed the need to bring back Volunteer Awards with nominations to thank and recognize volunteers who serve our neighborhood

    • Playground renovation fundraising group upcoming on May 30

NLNA Committees

Project

  • Playground Renovation Committee - Upcoming fundraising meeting on May 30, committee will meet with Liberty Lands Committee moving forward

Functional

  • BID Liaison - 2nd & Laurel Parklet - Letters of support have been received (Next night market is May 22)

  • Community Center Operations - Status Report

  • Events - Covered in Exec Director Report

  • Liberty Lands Committee - Status Report

  • Zoning Committee - Status Report

    • Motion: By Francesca, seconded by Barbara. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of, i.e.: '616 N. 2nd St. - CMX 2.5 - Erin Batson – A proposal for Visitor Accommodations'”

Passed - Unanimously

  • Motion: By Matt, seconded by Kevin. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of, i.e.: '963 N. Lawrence St. - RSA5 – Richard DeMarco - Relocation of Lot lines to create 2 new lots - refusal for lot size, parking and open space.'”

Passed - Unanimously

  • Motion: By Matt, seconded by Kevin. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of, i.e.: '942-44 N. Lawrence St. - RSA5 – Brian Phillips - refusal for deck access.'”

Passed - Unanimously

  • Election Committee - Status Report

  • NL Action Committee - Need to have a meeting

Impact

  • Clean Streets & Beautification - Status Report

    • Merging with Public Safety committee 

    • July 13th is the next community clean up day

    • E-Waste removal also planned for 7/13

    • Possibly add a shredding event 

  • Education - will join with Liberty Lands Field Day planning meeting this week

  • Public Safety - Status Report

Old Business

None

New Business

  • Happy hour with new board and community

The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:11 p.m.