Board Of Directors Minutes – Meeting of August 6, 2018

PRESENT: Matt Ruben, President;  Steve Richman, Treasurer; Janet Finegar, Secretary; Claire Adler; Kristen Ainscoe; Melanie Coffman; Michael Coyne; Monika Kreidie; Ben Mann; Joe Mikuliak; Don Phillips.ABSENT: Barbara Mulckhuyse, Vice-President; Avery Amaya; Barbara Saverino.The meeting was called to order by the President at 7:08 p.m.Motion: By Steve Richman, seconded by Monika Kreidie.“To table the minutes of the July Board meeting until September.”  Passed 7-0-0 President’s Report: Matt Ruben:NLNA President’s Report, August 2018 PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND POLICY

• Construction Impacts – Nothing major or persistent at this time.
• Waterfront Issues – The Central Delaware Overlay amendment bill process continues. I anticipate passage of the City Council bill in October. Business Improvement District (BID) – The BID has begun, with once-a-week street sweeping after trash day (Saturdays on normal weeks, and Mondays on weeks when trash pickup has been delayed). Executive Director Kevin Moran is doing a great job so far. The BID will have an office on Liberties Walk starting sometime between August 15 and early September. Street sweeping will go to twice a week sometime in the next year, hopefully in the next few months. And the BID is gearing up to hire a part-time admin person to assist Kevin, as well as a marketing/branding consultant. NLNA board members are encouraged to volunteer any good names/firms they might know or know of for either position.
• Developer Relations – Larry Freedman and I sat down with Alon Barzilay, owner of the church space on 3rd St adjacent to Liberties Walk. Details at our meeting.

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Community Center Yard – This is basically done, thanks to the dogged work of Ira Upin and Steve Richman, among others. We are purchasing furniture, and the space will officially open to the public either after the conclusion of NLArts camp, or soon after Labor Day.
• Office Management/Oversight – Updates in the Operations Committee report.

EVENTS AND OUTREACH

• Community Center Yard Opening. This is being planned for mid to late September. Details at our meeting.
• General Membership Meetings. Because of the CC Yard opening, I recommend we hold off until October for the fall general meeting. The fourth Thursday is the 25th, which would be the presumptive day. We could then have another meeting December 6 (since Thanksgiving and Christmas interfere with the customary dates for a November or December meeteing). Likely agenda items include: Fall 2018 PA and Federal elections; Formal introduction of the BID, its executive director, its services, and so on; Something aimed at expanding/deepening neighbor awareness and involvement with the NLNA, particularly, if possible, younger neighbors. As always, I am totally open to ideas and potential agenda items.

COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICITY

• The public Facebook page Claire Adler started continues to gradually get Likes and shares. I would like to bring a proposal to the board about the neighborhood Facebook page.

OTHER ITEMS

• Board Polls – Ratification of any online or online board polls since last month’s board meeting.
• There was some discussion of the idea of separating the Northern Liberties Facebook page from the NLNA and agreed that it is a change that should be made in the future after the NLNA page is polished a bit more.

 Treasurer's Report: Steve Richman:TREASURER’S REPORT – AUGUST 2018

1. 2017-18 Budget: July Financials - tables attached

• For the ten months ended on July 31st All Funds Current Year Income was $174,130. The year-end projection is $202,200. This is about $36,000 more than budgeted. The reason for this is that we received $34,000 in unbudgeted grants for the new fence we installed on Fairmount Avenue. Otherwise, total current year income is in line with budget assumptions.
• All Funds Expenses totaled $264,057. The year-end projection is $292,100. While this is about $15,000 more than budgeted, the entire amount is associated with the construction of the fence, which was funded by grants.
• When we add in prior year funds (mostly grant funds), which total $124,766, income rises to $298,900, yielding a current positive balance of $34,800. By the end of the year the positive balance is projected to total almost $57,000.
• Excluding grant fund activity yields a more accurate representation of our financial position. Thus, if we limit the calculation to income and expenses from the General Fund and Liberty Lands accounts, our financial position after the first ten months of the fiscal year is as follows:

• 1. GF & LL Income (rounded):  $137,700.
  2. GF & LL Expenses (rounded):  $123,000.
  3. GF & LL Net Income:  $14,700.
• In total income is right in line with budgeted projections and expenses are lower.  Should these trends continue over the next two months we can anticipate that our positive balance will be $13,000 greater than budgeted.

The variations that will contribute to this include:

1. Higher than expected income from Penn Treaty (+$4,250), the Annual Appeal and other individual contributions (+$1,700), Fall Fest (+$500), Spring Fest (+$800) and Winterfest (+$2,200). These will be partially offset by shortfalls totaling $6,300 in corporate contributions for Clean Streets and income from recycling initiatives.
2. Lower than expected income from community center rentals (-$1,100) that will be almost entirely offset by higher income from Liberty Lands rentals (+$1,000).
3. Lower than anticipated expenses for equipment and furnishings (-$3,000). Expenses for our new alarm system came in below the amount we set aside and we used Penn Treaty funds to pay for most of the cost of our new security cameras.
4. Lower than anticipated spending for program services (-$5,200) and repair and maintenance (-$6,200). This difference is due to lower spending in Clean Streets (-$2,700), Madison Park maintenance (-$1,500), environmental initiatives (-$1,000) and Liberty Lands maintenance (-$6,500). 

• While lower spending in the above and other categories are expected to total about $21,000, spending for other items such as utilities, bank fees associated with the refinancing of our mortgage, capital improvements, inspections and license fees, and fundraising expenses, will partially offset this total.

1. Other Items

• Capital Grants from PTSSD and PA DCNR – Work was completed on the pavilion and the surrounding landscaping, and the new fence on Fairmount Ave.  In total, $134,500 has been spent on yard work since October 1, 2017, $178,600 in total. Ninety percent of this amount was funded through the grants we received from PTSSD and PA DCNR. Additional disbursements, totaling about $5,800, are anticipated to be made over the next 6-12 months following final inspection of the landscaping.
• 2018-19 Budget – Budget preparation began in July and will continue through the summer. The Finance Committee met to review current year results to date and discuss potential issues for 2018-19. The Operations and Liberty Lands Committees will be submitting their recommendations in August. A second Finance Committee meeting will occur later in August to review a baseline budget and consider additional items to include in draft recommendations for the board. It is anticipated that the draft budget will be presented to the Board at the September meeting and the final budget will be offered for a vote at the October meeting.

Motion: By Monika Kreidie, seconded by Melanie Coffman. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.”  Passed   Liberty Lands Committee Report: Janet Finegar:Liberty Lands Board Report -- August 6, 2018

• I (Janet) have been away for July, so this is based on what I have learned through email and observed in one day.
• Mostly: it's really weedy and grassy at the park. Presumably Ott's will come soon for a mow: Seth and Janet will take on some weed whacking, but more help would be terrific.
• Julie has been weeding along the community garden fence and has most of that space under control – or at least, more so than the rest of the park.
• The new trash guy, Chad, had a little trouble at the start but is now doing a GREAT job and is really reliable. Yay. On the down side, someone took cans out of most of the corrals over last Saturday night, dumped bags in the main corral, and left with most of the cans. Paul Cherashore found some of the cans on the street and returned them to the park, but the rest are gone. Very weird. The giant rolling toters also have been stolen over the spring and summer; the new trash hauler (who is VERY good and cheaper than Waste Management) is bringing more and Chad will lock these up.
• The light in the potty was getting dimmer and dimmer and eventually gave up entirely. Ken Grono fixed it. At request, we'll look at adding a hook or two and maybe a shelf (need to make sure it doesn't interfere with being able to take the potty out of the shed) in the fall.
• The July music fest was well attended and apparently raised a bunch of money. I respectfully submit the suggestion that we just move the date to early July from the start next year?
• Three of the four new sour cherry trees planted in the spring are alive thanks to diligent watering by Liz and several ad hoc volunteers. Thank you! The chestnut planted last fall is also alive. Amazing.
• The Farmer's Market continues every Saturday morning and really needs supporters. Please try to come out to our wonderful neighbors and friends in the heat.
• The community garden is growing, City Harvest donations being made, all that summertime stuff.
• There were many more party reservations in July than usual, though the normal summer slump seems to have hit in August. Helen Sher is taking over handling reservations for parties.
• Bread & Puppet Theater will be performing a circus at the park on September 16th. They will take community volunteers as performers.
• The Children's Fall Festival will be November 4.
• Community Garden Fence/Sidewalk project: Things are moving finally. We are on track with PHS to do the fence replacement in the early spring of this year, which means that we'll need to draw up a schedule for major plant removal this fall. I met with Connie Bird from the Water Department today about their (hopefully) addition of some stormwater management aspects to the Bodine/Wildey corner. They did a visual evaluation of the site and are going to go back to plan on it – but that element would not go in for three years, so we need to coordinate OUR work to make sure it fits with what they want to do. Given the level of drainage trouble that we have along Bodine (especially at the American/Laurel and Wildey inlets), the Water Department said they might consider putting in a new and better sewer system along Bodine - but they would not want to tear up work that we'd just had done. So, they are going to go back and discuss that, which would change everything, because then it's all being done through the city departments and everyone would have to sign off on it. It would take longer and be more complicated, but would also be legal and help with drainage. If the Water Department does NOT want to re-do the whole drainage area there, we're back to the original plan of creating a "path" in the park that will be visibly a sidewalk, used as such, and create a clear curb next to the brick area where people park. So that's where we are as of today for the Bodine Street length -- waiting on some Water Department feedback.
• There's no clear plan yet for the perpendicular parking along American Street, but I have a sketch/thought that would preserve 90% of it while putting a path/sidewalk through where the fence and hosta garden are now. The issue is both the potty shed (which we'd have to figure out where to place if we moved it: not a deal breaker, but it's in the current location for some pretty good reasons of clean-out access) and the section of existing sidewalk between it and the trash corral. The cars that park THERE perpendicular are the most hazardous: they stick out into the intersection, block the crosswalk (and so occasionally get tickets) and make it difficult to see. Eliminating those spots (we could probably save one or two as parallel might be necessary. Funding for that area is the issue, and it might make the most sense to leave it as a phase 2 at this point.

 Marketing and Communication Committee Report: Kristen Ainscoe and Claire Adler:Kristen and Claire reported that the new marketing and communication committee had a first meeting; they got a lot of information from the past from Don, and they are planning on having another meeting next week to figure out next steps. Operations Committee Report: Monika Kreidie: NLNA Operations Committee Report – 8/6/2018

• The Operations Committee had a meeting on July 11th to discuss the creation of a new online rental system and other pressing matters. The rental system information is included on a separate document and will be voted on by the board.
• NLArts camp starts Aug 6th and goes until Aug. 24th. Once the camp is completed, a new back yard door will be installed and the yard will be open to the public when the NLNA Office is open (monitored by Lara and Natasha) as well as one evening a week (monitored by Don H.). Rules for the yard will be posted, such as no dogs or liquor, trash rules and flower area care.
• The yard is set to be weeded bi-weekly by Julie Stone and yard cleaning when needed will be done by Michael who cleans the center. Trash is taken out by Don H.
• During NLArts camp, the center and yard will be cleaned weekly by Michael and paid for by NLArts.
• Security Camera are installed and working. According to Lara, it is an easy to use system and she is happy to train anyone to use it.
• The Committee has considered new flooring for the center, but has not come to a final decision to bring to the board for approval.
• Steve will report on the new yard furniture purchase.
• NLNA Rental Online System:
  • In order to create a better and more professional system for renting the Community Center, the Operations Committee and Executive Committee of the NLNA has asked Don Hoegg to take on the task of creating a new on-line system. Don is an IT professional and well aware of the NLNA rental logistics. The Operations Committee met with Don on July 11th to go over requirements for the system before we enter into an agreement. Here are the system details:
  • The NLNA booking system will be a new on-line system that the public will access via the NLNA website. Renters will see a calendar of potential days and spaces, complete an online rental form, sign the rental agreement and pay via paypal. A confirmation email will be generated once the deposit is made and include details about renting the Center (when to arrive, how to recycle and put out the trash, how many people are allowed in the space, noise levels, etc)
  • Once a rental form is completed and the deposit is made, the event will populate a Community Center rental calendar housed on the NLNA website and populate a spreadsheet filled with relevant information. From the data on the spreadsheet, reports can be generated regarding the types of rentals, payment preferences and requested hours. This will help us monitor and analyze the data on current and future rentals.
  • A new email at the NLNA will be created named bookings@nlna.org to be monitored by Lara, Anne (for the next year) and Don H. This is where all rental requests will be housed and available to multiple people who can access it where ever they are located.
  • Once the renter has completed the form, they will be directed to the NLNA Paypal form and provided options to pay in full, pay a deposit or pay in cash.
  • For creating the system, Don will be paid by the hour with appropriate oversight so we can be comfortable that when the job is done we have a system that works for NLNA. The amount is $50/hour based on market value.
  • It would be ideal for Don to do both CC and LL for 20-30 hrs total. However, he's estimated 30hrs (for the CC only). LL can be negotiated separately.
  • Lara will be the lead working with Don to create the reservation system because she has the most knowledge of the rental logistics . Therefore, it makes sense for Don to report to Lara (Monika will be involved peripherally).
  • Anne would like to continue to be involved in renting of the center, specifically to be the contact person if a renter has questions. The new rental system is such that Lara, Don, Anne, Monika and anyone else can have access to the information on when rentals are occurring, who the contact is, what time the space is needed to be opened and closed and how much the renter paid. Don H. is the now primary person to open and close the center for renters.
  • The agreement with Don will be for a year during and after the system is working to make sure after 6 months and 10 months that it is working as expected or changed accordingly.

Motion: by Joe Mikuliak, seconded by Janet Finegar. “To appropriate up to $1,500 for Donald Hoegg to build the proposed online rental system for the Community Center.”  Passed: 8-0-1 There were some questions about security of the furniture and maintenance of the yard (weeds and trash) to ensure that the yard is taken care of. Safety and Security Report: Melanie Coffman: written report attached and reviewed. There was a suggestion to schedule the CPR training for September and make the mid-October general meeting focus on the “meet the BID Chairman” and a discussion of advocacy/strategies for dealing with the homeless in our community. Zoning Committee Report: Joe Mikuliak; written report attached and reviewed. Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Kristen Ainscoe. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 911 N. 6th Street, i.e.: 'We adhere to the document presented Certificate #737224 from the Department of Licenses and Inspection that stipulates that this is a 4-unit dwelling.'”  Passed: 9-0-0 Motion: By Monika Kriedie, seconded by Claire Adler. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 441 Brown Street, i.e.: 'We support a single 9’ garage door with a curb cut that is moved to the western edge of the lot, not the east. Please return with accurate plans that reflect these changes.'”  Passed: 9-0-0 Motion: By Kristen Ainscoe, seconded by Monika Kreidie. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 991 N. Randolph Street, i.e.: 'We support the proposal to legalize an existing duplex.'”  Passed: 9-0-0 Motion: By Steve Richman, seconded by Donald Phillips. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 870 N. Lawrence Street/885 N. Orkney Street, i.e.: 'Please return with a fully developed set of detailed plans with the façade materials called out.  Also, please verify the actual size of the backyard setback.'”  Passed: 9-0-0 Motion: By Steve Richman, seconded by Kristen Ainscoe. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 1041 N. Leithgow Street, i.e.: 'We support this project as presented.'”  Passed: 9-0-0 New Business

• Don Phillips thanked all the volunteers for all the hard work at the 2^nd Street Festival, which was very successful.
• Kristen raised the issue of set up for next year, particularly in pre-communication with the vendors and management of their expectations. There was some discussion of where the problems came from and how they will be addressed for the future.
• Claire Adler reported that some neighbors are working to preserve 110 Fairmount Avenue as a green space.
• It was agreed that Matt would email us with a date for the next Board meeting.

 The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:52 p.m.Addenda:Safety and SecurityUpdate on Morgan: 

• Numerous emails & calls were made regarding Morgan the homeless man residing near Rite Aid. The situation changed daily, but for the moment, it doesn’t look like he’s living there.
• Matt Ruben was cc’d on most of the emails, and helped provide more context and information.
• Scarlett McCahill-Special Events Coordinator, Project Home. She was the first person to provide the Homeless Outreach Hotline 215-232-1984
• John Owens-Administrative Coordinator, Project Home. Offered to be contact person for updates on Morgan. Connected me to Linda White for help developing messages.
• David Holloman-Director of External Affairs, Office of Homeless Services. Will be a speaker at info session for neighbors
• Linda White -Office of Homeless Services. Sent info for NLNA website “Who to call when you see someone who needs help” (attached)
• Liz Hersh-Director, Office of Homeless Services. Offered to assist if needed
• Officer Julie Carpenter-Community Relations Officer, Sixth Police District. Got me up to date info on police activity regarding Morgan, advised that
• Officer Gable-Officer in charge of Homeless Detail for the 6th/9th District. He helped survey the area, and talk to Linda from ACAM Mgmt who helped clean up the trash on Green/Lawrence.
• Kevin Moran- Executive Director, BID. He was included on many of the emails about Morgan, they paid for the trash to be cleaned up, was in contact with businesses who were upset, offered to make calls to outreach hotline.

NEED A PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:   Actions for Public Safety Committee Members

1. Crime Prevention
   1. Create message and flyer about prevention of package thefts
   2. Create message and flyer about prevention of car break-ins
   3. Schedule training for crime prevention (have officers from 6th and/or 26th district present)
   4. Write grant for more street lighting in hot spots where more crime occurs (not Liberty Lands though), or where more light is needed.
   5. Attend monthly PDAC meetings
2. Outreach for Homeless
   1. Schedule training for “Who to Call” when concerned about someone who is homeless. 
   2. Neighbors should be encouraged to call themselves.
   3. Keep updated contact info for “who to call” on NLNA website, and post to FB page as needed
   4. Be a point of contact when there is an urgent issue that hasn’t been resolved by a concerned neighbor.
3. Methadone Clinic  ( I am not able to lead the effort on this issue, due to the complexity)
   1. John Massi mentioned on the FB page, there used to be a neighborhood working group (NLNA, SKCP, NKCDC, FnA, Councilman Squilla, and neighbors) that met to discuss the issue.  He said it was led by a neighbor, but when that neighbor moved away, the working group stopped.  A neighbor, Paul Cherashore, responded on the FB page (the accuracy of these statements can be discussed)

Miscellaneous:I received an email bulletin from John Massi about free CPR classes with The Mobile CPR Project (Penn). I called 215-746-4631, spoke to Nabil Abdulhay (Project Coordinator), advised I’m interested in scheduling a free CPR class for our neighbors. Marion Leary is the Nursing Director for that program, she is interested in making a guest appearance whenever it is scheduled. I’d like to shoot for October.National Night Out is Tues 8/7. 6th & 26th District are having an event. I will try to make it to the 6th District event.ACTIONS COMPLETED:Kat created a “Safety” tab on the NLNA website , Posted OHS  info “Who to Call” on NLNA website, and info on crime prevention.TO DO:

1. Edit the “Safety” tab on the NLNA website, condense some of the info,  add contact info for 6th District, and package theft prevention.
2. Set a date for a Public Safety Committee meeting
3. Set a date for free CPR training

 ZONING COMMITTEE – Monday 7/30/18Members present: Larry Freedman (chair), Charlie Abdo, Christine Furman, Kenny Grono, Chris Isaacson, Sharon Richman, Jonathan Sher, Abbey Spector, Ira Upin     Members absent:  Melissa Magness, Joe Mikuliak, 911 N. 6th Street – RSA5 – Michael Phillips: A proposal to legalize a 4-unit building. When the owner purchased the property, L & I considered it a 4-unit property.  When the new owner tried to get a plumbing permit, she was told that her property was a 3-unit with a commercial property on the first floor. Discussion:  We do not believe that this is really a Zoning committee issue. Motion (Ira) – 2nd (Jared):  Vote 6-0-1  We adhere to the document presented Certificate # 737224 from the Department of Licenses and Inspection that stipulates that this is a 4-unit dwelling. 441 Brown Street – RSA5 – Alex Duller: A proposal for a single-family dwelling with 2 parking spaces. The curb would be widened to accommodate a 2-car garage requiring a 15’ wide garage door within a 23’ space. Discussion:  The question is whether there should be parking for 0, 1 or 2 cars.  Neighbors preferred a 1-car garage with a 9’ door so a parking space would not be eliminated on the street.Motion (Charlie) – 2nd (Ira):  Vote 5-2-1  We support a single 9’ garage door with a curb cut that is moved to the western edge of the lot, not the east.  Please return with accurate plans that reflect these changes. 991 N. Randolph Street – RSA5 – Shawn Ward:  A proposal to legalize an existing duplex. The owner had an approved rental license for a duplex since 1985.  In February she went to get the license renewed, as she had in the past, and was told she didn’t have a rental license.Motion (Ira) – 2nd (Kenny):  Vote 8-0-0   We support the proposal to legalize an existing duplex. 870 N. Lawrence Street/885 N. Orkney Street – RSA5 – Ed Fink:  A proposal to reconfigure lot lines and construct a single-family dwelling on the Orkney lot (refusal for front side parking and lot area).  This is a 4-story house with a basement.Motion (Kenny) – 2nd (Chris):  Vote 8-0-0 Please return with a fully developed set of detailed plans with the façade materials called out.  Also, please verify the actual size of the backyard setback. 1041 N. Leithgow – RSA5 – Ian Smith: A return visit with a proposal for a four-story addition and parking space (height, rear yard, setback and parking refusals).Group Motion from 5/21/18:   We cannot support  the project as presented.  Please consult with all the adjacent affected neighbors (1037, 1039 and 1043 N. Leithgow Street; 1138,1140 and 1142 N. 4th Street) to reach a consensus and return with those plans or build by right. The height is still 40’8”.  All neighbors were consulted.  Discussion: The neighbors are okay with the project.Group Motion: 6-0-0  We support this project as presented.