BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES – Meeting of April 1, 2019

PRESENT: Matt Ruben, President; Barbara Mulckhuyse, Vice-President; Janet Finegar, Secretary; Claire Adler; Kristen Ainscoe; Avery Amaya; Monika Kreidie; Aisha Loeks; Ben Mann; Joe Mikuliak; Don Phillips; Barbara Saverino.ABSENT: Steve Richman, Treasurer; Melanie Coffman; Michael Coyne.The meeting was called to order by the President at 7:06 p.m.Motion: By Monika Kriedie, seconded by Barb Mulckhuyse. “To approve the minutes of the March Board meeting as presented.”  Passed 9-0-1President’s Report: Matt Ruben: written report attached and reviewed.NLNA President’s Report, April 2019

1. PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND POLICY

• Construction Impacts – No updates of note since the last NLNA board meeting.
• Business Improvement District (BID) – Update at our meeting.
• Germantown Sewer and Bike Lane Projects – Updates and discussion at our meeting.

2. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Office Management/Oversight – Updates in the Operations Committee report.
• NLNA Elections – Recap of where we are, and check-in with the board about procedure for the upcoming NLNA board election.

3. EVENTS AND OUTREACH

• Candidates’ Forum. After initially reporting no interest, I recently heard back from FNA saying they are potentially interested in joining with us and one or more other groups to do a Candidates’ forum in our area. If so, it would have to be decided upon soon, and we’d have to assess the impact on our own April general membership meeting. I would love to have the board’s thoughts on this.
• April 25 General Meeting. We will of course have board nominations in April. The nearby Interfaith Center also has been waiting for an opportunity to share information about a community conversation program they’ve been working on. We also could possibly have some City candidates – perhaps City Commissioner candidates – depending on how the candidates’ forum does or does not pan out.

4. COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICITY

• Update in the Communications/Marketing Committee report.

5. OTHER ITEMS

• Board Polls – Ratification of any online or online board polls since last month’s board meeting.

There was further discussion of the proposed Germantown Sewer and Bike Lane Projects. The Board authorized Matt to continue working with OTIS and seeking further information/rationale for the proposal to eliminate a lane of parking on Germantown Ave.Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Aisha Loeks. “To ratify any and all Board polls taken during March 2019.” Passed 11-0-0 Treasurer's Report: written report distributed prior to meeting. TREASURER’S REPORT – APRIL 2019

1. 2018-19 Budget: March Financials - tables attached

• For the six months ended on March 31st All Funds Income was $128,900; this was $33,500 more than projected.  All Funds Expenses totaled $122,100, which was about $28,900 more than anticipated.  Current Year Net Income was $6,800.  This was about $4,600 more than we projected.    
• In the General Fund and Liberty Lands, our two major operating accounts, our financial position after the first four months of the fiscal year is as follows:
  1. GF & LL Income (rounded):  $125,100 -- $34,800 more than anticipated.
  2. GF & LL Expenses (rounded):  $117,600 -- $30,000 more than anticipated.
  3. GF & LL Net Income:  -$7,500 -- $4,800 higher than anticipated.
• In the General Fund and Liberty Lands, significant variations from budgeted projections through March include:

1. Higher than anticipated income from grants (+$33,500).Liberty Lands received an unexpected $10,000 grant from the Smart Family Fund.  In addition, we have received nearly $23,500 from an expected $40,000 grant from DCED for a new Liberty Lands’ fence and sidewalk.  Neither of these grants was included in the adopted budget. 
2. Higher than anticipated income from individual donations (+$4,100).Several large donations, totaling nearly $4,500, account for the difference.  This was partially offset by shortfalls in rent, fundraising and corporate donations.  The Annual Appeal (including Op Santa) is running about $400 above expectations.
3. Higher than anticipated expenses for equipment and furnishings (+$2,775).The washer/dryer and dishwasher in the second floor apartment required replacement. This was more than offset by lower than anticipated spending for professional services (-$2,800) and taxes (-$1,750). 
4. In addition, fundraising expenses are running $1,600 behind expected levels, but most of this is because we spent less on Winterfest than we budgeted. Since the money for these expenses came to us from Penn Treaty, any unspent funds will have to be returned.
5. Increases and decreases in other categories were largely offsetting.
6. Other Items

• Grants from PTSSD – As anticipated, grants totaling $14,100 for the Fall Fest, Parade of Spirits, Operation Santa, Winterfest, recycle bins and tree-cycling have been received from the Penn Treaty Special Services District. Grant applications to Penn Treaty for the Spring Music Fest and the 2nd Street Festival are pending action.

Motion: By Barbara Saverino, seconded by Janet Finegar. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.” Passed 11-0-0 Communications & Marketing Committees Report: Kristen Ainscoe: written report attached & reviewedNLNA Marketing Report, April 2019

1. MARKETING STRATEGY

• Taglines
  • Trying to incorporate protect, services, organize, inform, maintain and clean into a slogan for NLNA.
• Meeting with Kevin next week to align strategies/status update

2. EMAILS

• Scheduling outreach days to go out and meet the community and get emails.
• Survey ready to go out to current email list.
  • Want to offer 3 $25 GC’s to Target for completing the survey

3. FORMS

• Event Tracking Form
  • We want everyone to fill out this form for every event, gathering or meeting.
  • This tracks the audience of the event, budget, donor contributions, attendees, volunteers, marketing, and important contacts.
• Social Form
  • This form helps us to determine what you want posted and when. There are strategies for each platform, and we want to make sure that we are adhering to those strategies while publishing any content from the board.
  • This tracks days/times of posts, collateral, events, etc.
  • The marketing committee is still reviewing this before posting to the board.
• Master Form
  • The master form is something that we are working on to track committees, chairs, specific volunteers, and the specific process in order to execute specific events.
  • The marketing committee is still reviewing this before posting to the board.

4. SIGNS

            Vista Print total $691.70                        Floor Stand-up          2.5'x6'                          $  67.49                        A-frame sign              24"x36"                        $  93.74                        Poster                          24"x36"                        $  23.50                        Retractable Sign         47"x81" single sided    $172.49                        Mesh Sign                   2.5'x6'                          $  68.24                        Fitted Tablecloth         6'                                 $266.24

5. EVENT CALENDAR

• Once the master forms are created for all events, we will deliver an internal calendar of all upcoming deadlines.
• We are also trying to compile an event calendar for external viewing that would go on the new website design. For right now, we are going to post these on social.

6. DONATION SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE

• Working on developing.

Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Barb Mulckhuyse: “To allocate up to $800 for use by the Marketing Committee for signs, gift cards, and other purposes of the Committee's current work.”  Passed 11-0-0-Liberty Lands Committee Report: Janet Finegar: written report attached and reviewed.Liberty Lands Board Report  April 2019

• The DCED/Fence project is moving along toward completion. 50 yards of soil have been delivered to replenish the sinkhole garden and add to other garden beds. Construction of the retaining wall along Bodine Street will begin Monday. The fence pieces are nearly done in fabrication and the company says they think installation can begin Friday, but they have not offered a firm start date or a completion date. To our great relief, the first reimbursement check has arrived from DCED and they have approved our spending the rest of the grant funds on the retaining wall. Through an email poll, the NLNA Board approved spending roughly $4,500 of park funds to cover cost overruns on the project (largely for soil, remediation of sinkhole, and removing railroad ties).
• PHS's City Harvest program is getting us a load of compost for the community gardens; that will be arriving Monday and gardeners should be prepared to take and use it.
• The City Harvestprogram is started; Janet and Maria picked up the first set of seedlings Saturday. Maria got the City Harvest bed prepped on the 23rd and planted some seeds.
• The garden cleanup workday on March 23rd was largely successful, but we still need to get some gardeners oriented/on track with volunteer hours. We established a lot of trash piles that need to be cleaned up. The garden coordinators are discussing creating a community garden committee to handle organizational functions of the garden.
• Ken replaced the broken lock on the potty shed door and repaired the potty lock. We'll need to keep considering adding a second potty (and thus moving things out of the shed) to handle the use. Once the fence is in, we're planning to add several small tool boxes inside the garden for hand tools, gloves, etc.
• I am meeting Hal Rosner from Schectman Tree on Tuesday to schedule chipping brush, pruning honey locusts over the playground, and removing bradford pear by the gardens. This additional expense was also approved by board poll.
• It's spring, so twice a week trash has resumed. Ott Landscaping has contacted us and mowing is set to resume.
• Soccer Shots and parties have started up. A local church is doing a community Easter egg hunt on 20th. World Dance Day performances and workshops will happen on stage on 28th.
• Details are getting planned for the April 13 workday with Orianna Hill and Orkney. On April 12th our playground mulch arrives. On that same day Seth will use the bobcat to move a lot of decomposed wood chip material from OHP to fill in low spots in garden aisles. Spreading those materials will the be focus of the day at Liberty Lands, but also Joe M. will be doing some carpentry repairs and I'm hoping to get a team to dig out/repair drainage at my 3rd Street garden. Publicity for the workday is begun.
• The Farmers' Market gearing up for a big summer. Shazana Goff organizing. First deposit of vendor fees already made. She's doing a pop-up market to meet the vendors and offer free-range eggs and a chance to meet her baby goats on the 13th.
• Tree planting of several new crabapples to replace dead ones on 28th.
• Plant sale coming up on May 4th.

Janet added a few items to her report:

• Barbara is going to include some cleanup at Madison Memorial Park on the April 13^thWorkday, so it's now a 4-park day!
• PHS' City Harvest program arranged for us to get a delivery of 30 yards of compost, which arrived today. It's such a huge pile that we've offered the other community gardens in the neighborhood to take some, too (in the interest of getting the pile gone as soon as possible).
• A large, deep hole in Bodine Street has been there since the fall and we've repeatedly tried to report it with little success because there isn't a street address. I finally got Streets to find it on Friday, and over the weekend it got much bigger. There's running water down in the hole, but the Water Department says that it's reported to their “leak detection” unit and they are scheduled to look into it.
• And finally, we received notice two weeks ago that an insurance claim against the NLAC was filed for an incident in January 2018 with no other details. Our insurance company directed us to contact the adjuster and I've done so but haven't heard anything more. I will update once we have any real information.

 Membership Committee Report: Aisha Loeks.The committee is discussing May 9 as a date for the next meet-and-greet, ideally with food donated from the new Indian restaurant on 5th Street. Operations Committee Report: Monika Kreidie: written report attached and reviewed.NLNA Operations Committee Report   4/1/2019

• The Community Center has been painted and the wall downstairs to the basement repainted/repaired once again. The chair rail should be installed soon (this week or next). Thanks Joe for helping with the quilt.
• Lara is working with Micah and his electrical company about installing the new projector equipment. We are also researching the potential purchase and installation of speakers because the projector’s audio will likely not be sufficient (according to Larry and Steve)
• The committee and Lara are interested in finding a tech company to have on retainer or on-call to help us with ongoing needs. Please let us know if anyone has any connections regarding this that we can pursue.
• In March there were 5 weekday morning rentals (a person who teaches film production, editing etc. and used the Center for his class) and 3 weekend party rentals. One weekend party is on the books for April and we have had a request for a May wedding.
• The Center is the host of a weekly grandparents gathering with their grandchildren on Friday afternoons.
• Lara has hired someone to clean the yard weekly because so much trash accumulates in there. Lara is also researching semi-permanent trash and recycling cans for the yard (they are very expensive but a necessity,) and a small/ low fence as a garden bed barrier.
• Julie and City Planter will be mulching the yard plant beds this month and Julie will continue her job of weekly weeding etc. in May.
• The construction/renovation of Cement Park is scheduled to begin this month.

 Public Safety Committee Report: Melanie Coffman: written report attached.Safety Report 4/1/19

• PDAC meeting 3/14/19
  • More officers in 26th are getting body cams
  • Fundraiser for 26th PDAC Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, May 3^rd. I am considering attending. I think

it was mentioned that NLNA can pay for a ticket?

• Massi mentioned Lakim Wilson has a hearing 4/29 and he’s pleading not guilty. I emailed the DA

Anthony Gil and got an email bounce saying his email is no longer active and the other person that wason the case, Elizabeth Rudolph is taking a long leave of absence, so at this time I don’t know how to getmore details.

• Safety meeting 3/18 (3 people attended)
  • Discussed priorities for the committee
  • Car theft prevention -getting flyers from 6th district
  • More lighting -to be discussed another time. I also need to ask the BID about their plans for lighting
  • Bike gangs- Melanie to email Massi about what the 26th district is doing and recs for neighbors
  • We are still deciding whether or not to subsidize a first aid class. Melanie is looking into whether a free

class is offered anywhere (not certified)

• Next safety meeting, Monday 5/13

• Front & Girard
  • No updates, no upcoming meetings scheduled
  • On the city cleanup day 4/6, there’s an organized cleanup at Front and Girard 10a-12p. I think it’s organized by the FNA.
• I will be out of town 4/5-4/14, sorry I can’t make any of the events on the City Wide clean-up day.

Matt noted that the level of crimes in Northern Liberties (based on the police reports from the 26^thDistrict) has noticeably decreased in the past year. Kristen suggested sharing those reports on our FB page but with comments turned off. Zoning Committee Report: Joe Mikuliak; written report attached and reviewed.Motion: By Donald Phillips, seconded by Claire Adler.“To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 973 N. Leithgow St., i.e.: 'We support the variance for the subdivision of 973 N. Leithgow St. with the plans as presented to the zoning committee on March 25, 2019.'”  Passed 11-0-0Motion: By Monika Kreidie, seconded by Kristen Ainscoe. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 948 N. Leithgow St., i.e.: 'To support the variance for a garage in the new home at 948 N. Leithgow St. with the plans as presented to the zoning committee on March 25, 2019.'”  Passed 10-1-0Motion: By Barbara Saverino, seconded by Barb Mulckhuyse. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 905 N. Lawrence St., i.e.: 'Please return with a drawing of the entire facade with colors and materials called out. The addition must be set back from eight to ten feet from the front of the home. We also want to see a drawing of sight-line view of the new facade from an angle and a shadow study of the shadow cast on the garden by the 4th floor in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.'”  Passed11-0-0Motion: By Avery Amaya, seconded by Donald Phillips. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of North Bowl, i.e.: 'In order to support seasonal entertainment use of the parking lot and the adjustment to the provisions of the special Assembly License, including an increase in the number of live music nights inside, we need to see the following changes to the existing letter of agreement from the applicant and his attorney:  1. The variance is a three year temporary variance, for inside live music and the outdoor use.  2. Capacity of the outdoor area is no more than 60 people.  3. The outdoor area is an entertainment area operated from April to October only. It returns to being a parking lot-valet auto drop off for the rest of the year.  4. Outdoors, games stop at 10:00 p.m. every night.  5. Inside, live music ends at midnight and sound cannot escape the premises.  6. No third-party promoters inside or outside.  7. Security staff of North Bowl will prevent patrons from remaining in the outdoor area after closing. 8. Oron and the other owners of the North Bowl agree that outdoor entertainment will not be part of any sale transferring North Bowl to a new owner.'”  Passed 11-0-0•The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:13 p.m.Addenda:NLNA Zoning Committee Minutes March 25, 2019 Members present: Larry Freedman chair, Joe Mikuliak rec. sec. Jonathan Sher, Kenny Grono, Charley Abdo, Sharon Richman, Ira Upin, Chris Isaacson, Jared Foreman  Members absent: Abbey Spector, Melissa Magness, Christine Furman973 N. Leithgow St. - RSA5 - Dawn Tancredi – 2nd presentation to create 2 lots from 1. Refusal - the lot sizes are under 1440 sq. ft. and the rear yard on Lot A is less than 9 ft. Lot A will be along Leithgow and 1401 Square feet (approx. 20’ x 70’.) It has an occupied two family dwelling on it. The 9’ yard has a 3’ bay overhanging it so it is non-compliant – only 6 feet is “Open to the sky” and counts as a rear yard. Lot B will be along 4th St. and 990 sq. ft. (approx. 20’ x 49’.) It is currently a vacant lot with a cinderblock wall and a door to the sidewalk. Four nearby neighbors were present. Two said they were fine with the small yard and one didn’t want the owner to just flip the lot and see a tall house with a small back yard built there. A new house would need to get a variance if it did not comply with the code (38 ft high, 9 feet deep rear yard, etc.) The lot is not short on open space, just rear yard.Motion by Charlie Abdo, 2nd by Ira Upin  We support the variance for the subdivision of 973 N. Leithgow St. with the plans as presented to the zoning committee on March 25, 2019.  Passed 7-0 901 N. Front St. - CMX2 - Rachel Pritzker – The second presentation of their proposal for boarding in an approved doggie day care and for a taller fence than allowed. Refusal - overnight boarding is not allowed. An fence eight feet is not allowed Tonight, they clarified their proposal. The kennel will house no more than 30 dogs overnight, the doggie day care 60 dogs during the day. Dog waste and trash will be kept on their property in trash cans with lids. They showed a photo of wooden fence eight feet high painted brown. They do not want anyone to see in or the dogs to see out. Some dogs could jump over a fence seven feet high. Their ZBA hearing is May 1. No nearby neighbors attended. ZC members were OK with hours, # of dogs, and plan for trash storage. The fence will run for 45 feet along Front Street and 35 feet along Poplar.Motion by the group: We accept the plan for waste storage as commercial pick-up, no trash containers on the street or sidewalk; the maximum number of dogs as 60-daytime, 30–overnight; and hours as doggie daycare-7AM to 7PM and kennel-overnight. Please return with a color drawing of the final fence design as will be shown to the ZBA and built. The applicant should send a letter to neighbors informing them of the April 29 ZC meeting and that a final design for the fence will be presented that night. Passed 7-0-1 948 N. Leithgow St. - RSA5 - Chris Sincavage – Property goes through to Lawrence. The proposal is to create 2 lots from 1. A home already exists on Lawrence. A new home with a garage will be built on Leithgow. Refusal – Garage requires a variance. With the subdivision, the Lawrence street home will have a rear yard ten feet deep. The new home will also have a rear yard ten feet deep. It will be built with the same materials as the home next door and will be under 38 feet high. The gas meter is off the sidewalk in an alcove. There is no pilot house or deck. Three nearby neighbors were present. They supported the proposal and the garage.Motion by the group To support the variance for a garage in the new home at 948 N. Leithgow St with the plans as presented to the zoning committee on March 25, 2019.  Passed 8-0 905 N. Lawrence St. - RSA5 - Chris Sincavage/Matt Bacine – Applicant wants to add a fourth story to an existing one family home. No refusal exists because this is a preliminary proposal. The existing home’s square footage is 2000 minus the garage. It is a beautiful, brick, carriage house. The limestone keystone above the garage door indicates it was built in 1878. The applicant, Matt Bacine, said he has two children and needs a bigger home. A line drawing of the facade of the addition was shown. It would be stucco and have large Pella-style doors opening to a porch. The porch doors would be set back three feet from the existing façade but the new roof would be flush with the existing facade. No engineer has examined the home to see if it will be able to handle the load of a fourth story. Several nearby neighbors attended. Someone said they wanted the family to remain in the neighborhood and they own a second home nearby. Another mentioned the 4th floor casting a shadow on the community garden behind it. As shown to the committee, the design for the addition would be very visible from the sidewalk of Lawrence Street.Motion by Jonathan Sher, 2nd by Ira Upin Please return with a drawing of the entire facade with colors and materials called out. The addition must be set back from eight to ten feet from the front of the home. We also want to see a drawing of sight-line view of the new facade from an angle and a shadow study of the shadow cast on the garden by the 4th floor in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.  Passed 6-2-0 991 N. 6th St. – presentation postponed to next month North Bowl  Previous Motion regarding North Bowl’s application for the legalization of the outdoor space use and an adjustment to the provisions of their special Assembly License   Jan 28, 2019 Motion by the Group Vote 7-0-0  OUTSIDE - We are in agreement with the following:  •  Seasonal operation (April 1 – October 31) of outdoor activities and music outside in parking lot area (Special Assembly).  • Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday 4 p.m. until 11 p.m.Friday and Saturday 2-4 p.m. until 12 p.m. Sunday 2-4 p.m. until 11 p.m.  • Games stop at 10:00 p.m. every day. • No amplified music outside except during the 2nd Street Festival weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). • No 3rd party promoters. INSIDE: We are in agreement with the following: • An increase in the number of live music nights • Live music ends at midnight. • Sound cannot escape the premises. • No 3rd party promoters. • Support for a 3-year indoor variance. Our support is conditional upon answers to the following outstanding issues: • Capacity of outdoor area • Security for dispersing outdoor crowds after hours • Feedback from North Bowl attorney regarding legal viability of dual use of parking lot. At tonight’s meeting, Orun Daskal was present to answer questions about the letter we received from his attorney, Adam Laver, where he proposes the following provisos: • 5-year temporary variance • The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board does not permit a permanent blanket “dual use” for the outdoor area (e.g., accessory parking and outdoor dining in the same space). Accordingly, the operator shall provide NLNA with a copy of each annual “seasonal” Extension of Premises Application that it files within five (5) business days of filing • Open Air Assembly and Entertainment from April 1 through October 31 only • Hours of Operation for Open Air Assembly and Entertainment limited to: Monday –Thursday from 4:00 PM until 11:00 PM; Friday – Saturday from 2:00 PM until 12:00 AM; and Sunday from 2:00 PM until 11:00 PM • No open air games (e.g., bocce) after 10:00 PM daily • No third-party promoters in outside area • Operator to abide by City of Philadelphia imposed lawful occupancy maximums at all times • Operator to maintain on-site security to disperse outdoor crowds at closing Should NLNA wish, I would be pleased to reduce this understanding to a written letter on Blank Rome letterhead, countersigned (i.e., agreed and accepted) by Oron. Oron reiterated his intention to be a good neighbor. Last month, a resident who lives across-the-street said he has Oron’s cell phone number and that Oron responded to his calls about noise and patrons lingering in the outdoor area after closing.Motion by the group   In order to support seasonal entertainment use of the parking lot and the adjustment to the provisions of the special Assembly License, including an increase in the number of live music nights inside, we need to see the following changes to the existing letter of agreement from the applicant and his attorney:  1. The variance is a three year temporary variance, for inside live music and the outdoor use. 2. Capacity of the outdoor area is no more than 60 people  3. The outdoor area is an entertainment area operated from April to October only. It returns to being a parking lot-valet auto drop off for the rest of the year. 4. Outdoors, games stop at 10:00 p.m. every night.  5. Inside, live music ends at midnight and sound cannot escape the premises.  6. No 3rd party promoters inside or outside  7. Security staff of North Bowl will prevent patrons from remaining in the outdoor area after  closing. 8. Oron and the other owners of the North Bowl agree that outdoor entertaiment will not be part of any sale transferring North Bowl to a new owner.  Passed 7-0-0 Meeting adjourned