NLNA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – January 8, 2024
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Meeting Minutes
January 8, 2024
Present: Jeff Hornstein, President; Barbara Saverino, Vice-President; Donna Turi, Treasurer; Cristina Grisanti, Secretary; Shakirra Clark; Mariel Lewis; Jim Thompson; Kevin Wilkins; Stephen Westcott; Francesca Yepikhina;
Not in attendance: Matt Ruben; Sana Bango; Margot O’Neil; Meesh Zucker;
Also present: Sydney Rexroad, Executive Director; Kevin Guzman, interested in Transportation & Mobility / Safety
The meeting was called to order by the President at 6:36 p.m.
Approve prior meeting minutes
Board Vote to Approve November Board meeting minutes
Motion: By Jim, seconded by Francesca. “To approve the minutes of the November Board meeting as presented.”
Passed
Board Vote to Approve December Board meeting minutes
Motion: By Francesca, seconded by Jim. “To approve the minutes of the December Board meeting as presented.”
Passed
NLNA Leadership Reports
President’s Report ( Jeff Hornstein)
Temp Bus Operations - Discussed current plans for Greyhound and Flix to move from their current location temporarily and future plans are in progress NLNA is working with OTIS to discuss local options
Overlay Revisions - Discussed current overlay revisions which will expedite zoning process for restaurants, still in progress, bill to be drafted
Welcome Sydney, new Executive Director of NLNA
Continued discussions around corporate fundraising efforts
Feb 25th WinterFest at North Bowl
Treasurer's Report (Donna Turi)
Highlights
Have not received PTSSD Executive Director grant yet, so down year over year, otherwise trending
Will plan to “market” community center rentals to increase rentals this winter
Operations Santa donations were up
Costs are up due to paying the Playground Renovations Landscape Architect, Interim ED
NLNA Chair Spending Process - https://www.nlna.org/chair
New Quickbooks being implemented
Motion: By Kevin, seconded by Barbara. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.”
Passed
Executive Director’s Report (Sydney Rexroad)
New NLNA Email Addresses
To be shared with Board Members by Sydney after the meeting
Committees
Will be setting up one-on-ones with Committee Chair to review budgets (if applicable), committee launch checklist, survey results and plan
Discussed launching new committees, leveraging priority of new mayoral administration, OTIS and police partnerships to target public safety, transportation, education
Fundraising
I Love Northern Liberties Campaign
Continue focus on Business sign-ups
Door hangers - Cristina/Sydney have additional door hangers
Grants
Local Share Account - Statewide (applied, pending letters of support) - Worked with our State Representative for advice on letters of support
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) - (have not applied, should apply - Deadline January 12th)
RACP Program Webpage:
https://www.budget.pa.gov/Programs/RACP/Pages/Main%20Page.aspx
RACP Application Process:
https://www.budget.pa.gov/Programs/RACP/Pages/Main%20Page.aspx#apply
Local Share Account - Philadelphia (have not applied, should apply - Deadline January 31st)
NLNA Committees
Project
Playground Renovation Committee - Link to Status Report
Question - New weekly (or bi-weekly) in-person committee meeting cadence to post in Newsletter? TBD
Walked through Status Report
Functional
Liberty Lands Committee - Link to Status Report
What is the issue or open decision?
Increased unhoused use of Liberty Lands overnight.
Background on the issue
Over the month of December multiple groups/individuals have been using Liberty Lands overnight for sleeping. I (Francesca LL Chair) have been going out to speak to them directly and it has been working temporarily. We also have a local unhoused man who has become increasingly disturbed and problematic behavior. I’d like to have a discussion on how we should be handling this and what the protocol will be if we need to take more formal action.
Discussed options for how to handle the situation - Will continue to call homeless outreach, connect with our community liaison for local police district in the upcoming meeting, reach out to city council and discuss as a part of safety initiatives (town watch, etc.), consider security guard at the park
Community Center Operations - Link to Status Report
Discussed structure/policy for rental pricings & process
Events - Link to Status Report
Winterfest - Ticket Strategy & Pricing (e.g. Discount on ticket if you sign up for membership) - $25 adult, $15 children, min $100 per table, see if Zeffy can offer a discount code
Grant submission
Zoning Committee - No January Meeting
Admin / Elections
Google Drive Intro
Will we fill Jessy’s seat before the spring election?
Discussed and decided that there will be no special election
NL Action Committee - No Report
BID Report - No Report
Impact
Community Engagement / Membership - Meeting January 23
Public Safety
Clean Streets & Beautification - Discussed block cleaning and e-waste e-cycling events
Education
Additional Updates
Old Business
Status on I-95 changes? No updates
Status on 2nd St changes? Will ask Cassidy about Laurel/2nd updates
New Business
The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:10 p.m.