PRESENT:  Claire Adler, President; Steve Richman, Vice-President; Jacek Ghosh, Treasurer; Janet Finegar, Secretary; Shakirra Clark; Caitlin Marrazzo; Joe Mikuliak; Don Phillips; Matt Ruben; Barbara Saverino; Kevin Wilkins

ABSENT:  Alex Boland;  Jeff Hornstein, Chastity Houston; Matt Ochs

ALSO PRESENT:  Rachel Mitchell,  NLNA reservations manager. 

The meeting was called to order by the President at 7:05 p.m.

Motion: By Steve  Richman, seconded by Jacek Ghosh. “To approve the minutes of the November Board meeting as presented.” Passed 9-0-0

President’s Report: Claire Adler.

• Kristine Kennedy at the BID has reported that the parking plan will be going into effect some time in January. The holdup so far has been getting a carveout for the Spring Garden fruit truck, which was successful. Publicity for the changes and information about them will start soon. 

• Claire reported on the public meeting on Council redistricting which was held earlier on the 13^th. NLNA representatives at the meeting advocated for the neighborhood to be returned to a single district (historically and logically the 1^st District.)

Motion: By Joe Mikuliak, seconded by Matt Ruben. “To ratify the NLNA's position on Councilmanic redistricting, i.e.: “To support the inclusion of the entire Northern Liberties boundaries, as defined by the NLNA RCO, within the boundaries of the 1^st Council district.” Passed 9-0-1

• Claire noted that NLArts is looking for a new Board member. She noted the historically strong relationship between the two groups and encouraged any NLNA members who might be interested in serving on that Board to apply.

• Claire reported on the public meeting regarding murals in the community: several people participated in the meeting and the community survey went out today. Claire has been in communication with Mural Arts and is making it clear that we need to see at least draft artwork before we can write a letter of support.

• Shakirra and Claire updated the Board on the efforts in the community to support the family of Marge Lippi, who was tragically murdered last week. Rivers Casino, the FOP, and NLNA are all interested in helping the family. Shakirra is coordinating efforts right now. 

• Claire reported that the annual appeal, despite being late, will be going out this week. Matt Ochs made “support” stickers we can send to people who give any amount: we'll be encouraging people to pick them up but will also mail out any as necessary. [Thanks to Matt for his help creating them.]

• Claire noted that Don and former Board member Kristen tabled at the NLBid's Holiday Market and got a good number of new signups from the community. Claire also highlighted the Standard Tap's benefit for NLNA this weekend. 

• Matt noted that the BID has asked the PPA to do a feasibility study for a parking lot or garage in the neighborhood: the first step to getting either such an amenity or good data as to why we can't have one. 

Treasurer's Report: Jacek Ghosh. Written report distributed and reviewed.

TREASURER’S REPORT – NOVEMBER 2021

A. 2021-22 Budget: November Financials - tables attached

• For the two months ending on November 30, All Program and All Funds Income was $26,092 - $8,705 more than budgeted.

• All Program and All Funds Expenses totaled $34,602 - $6,467 more than budgeted

• All Program and All Funds Current Year Net Income was $8,510 - $1,608 more than budgeted.

• Reviewing the General Fund and Liberty Lands accounts (our two major operating funds) our financial position after two months of FY 2021 - 2022 is as follows:

1. GF & LL Income: $26,092 - $8,661 more than budgeted.

2. GF & LL Expenses: $33,567 - $6,274 more than budgeted.

3. GF & LL Net Income: <$7,475> - $2,387 less than budgeted.

Variations from budgeted projections through October

On the Income side:

The income of $26,092 is inflated by $7,943 which is the insurance claim NLNA received for water damage at the Community Center

B. Other Items

Annual Appeal - November

• 48 recurring donations totaling $591.

• 1 Ops Santa donation totaling $50.

Liberty Lands - November

• LL Individual Donations: 2 individual donations totaling $15.

• Party Rentals: 1 party rental was booked totaling $35.

Motion: By Matt Ruben, seconded by Don Phillips. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.” Passed 10-0-0

Education Committee: Jeff Hornstein: Written report attached.

Liberty Lands Committee Report: Janet Finegar. Written report attached and reviewed.

Liberty Lands Board Report  December 2021 

Park Management and Organization:

• Jessica O'Neill heroically volunteered to try to make some sense out of the water bill issues and went through it with Janet last month. She hasn't yet been able to penetrate the collection agency, but we DID hear from the Water Department about the next step in their review process for the charitable exemption (re-)instatement. They will meet with Janet at the park Monday at 10 a.m. to confirm that we're a park. It should go well.
• Janet put in a request to Penn Treaty SSD to sponsor Christmas tree recycling for the season (the request is very late, but we hope they'll still be willing to help us out). We'd love to have a volunteer do the organization of the chipping – it's a little publicity and some coordination with Liz or Janet for the tree pruning we do at the park at the same time. Let us know if you could take that on. 
• The Northern Liberties Action Committee (the non-profit that holds deed to the park and community center) held its annual meeting on Nov. 22. The group will explore whether it continues to make legal and logistical sense to maintain this separate non-profit or whether it should be merged with the NLNA. (Those minutes are attached below)
• The next meeting of the management succession planning group will be in mid-January. The group has established a job description for a park manager and is working on logistics such as funding. 

Capital Projects:

• The Northern Liberties tree planting for fall 2021 included a new oak tree at the park on the 3^rd Street side. 
• Janet and Liz met with a hardscape designer about renovating the path near the south end of the community garden. He has a basic design now: a “landing area” that will be a pentagon of pavers at the end of the existing brick path, with a small amount of path leading out from it to the north and to the southeast (to encourage people to walk toward the playground). The section leading due east – to the existing path towards Bodine Street – will have 10-15' of stepping stones surrounded by river rock. This is to decrease the chances of a kid on a bike riding straight out into traffic and will also help with the erosion in that area. This project is being funded through direct donations from a neighbor and PHS. 
• The design of the new brick landing area can support being used as a future fundraiser: engraved bricks can be sold and used for the area from the beginning or used to replace the bricks in the future. [Something to bear in mind if anyone would like to take on organizing a new fundraiser!]

Community Garden:

• The Community Garden is on winter break, but organization will begin again in January. There is a substantial waiting list for the garden right now: 16 people, with only one plot opening up. We are also looking for someone to take on organizing the City Harvest garden for 2022. 
• The locks on the new community garden fence have been something of a problem since they were installed. Maria took another stab at seeing if they could be fixed (after Liz investigated it earlier this year) and we have come to the conclusion that we need to fix the section of fence that is subsiding and abandon the locks we have, returning to a padlock system like we had before. Not every new idea works out. 

Playground:

• The repair to the chain ladder seems to be holding up well.

Upcoming events:

• Saturday (today) is the 12^th annual Parade of Spirits at the park, including a fire dance performance sponsored by Penn Treaty SSD. We'll shut the park water off after that event. 
• There will be a small choral concert by Fishtown Playschool on the stage on Dec. 19^th. 
• Park friend Orkney Park is having a gathering/fundraiser on the 18^th of December – please come over!
• The next steering committee meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 14 through zoom. https://zoom.us/j/96263511406?pwd=VDltcEJxQ0VNTFpRMk9NWndSOUJFZz09

Meeting of the NLAC Board of Directors

• 11/22/2021  6:30pm via Zoom
• Attendees: Donald Phillips (President), Janet Finegar, Barbara Saverino, Liz Reed, Rick Angeli (Vice President), Joe Mikuliak, Claire Adler (Secretary)
• Review of the purpose of the action committee
  • Decided to seek legal counsel to ask the following questions:
    • Is it serving the purpose we think it is? Is it creating a liability shield? If not, is it doing us any harm or creating a problem of any kind?
    • Decided to seek pro bono advice options prior to looking into paid legal services
    • Don Phillips is reaching out to Lane Kelman, Claire to reach out to RCO leaders to look for a pro bono lawyer for an informal pre-conversation
    • Rick Angeli suggested reaching out Steve Richman regarding Penn Treaty lawyer -- will do have a free consultation first before going this route
• Election of officers
  • Motion by Don Phillips, second by Barbara Saverino: to reelect all BOD to the same positions  Passed 7-0-0
• 990 filing
  • Janet filed 11/22/2021
• Discussion and possible updating of our governance documents/bylaws
  • Put on hold until get some legal advice
• Old/new business
  • Discussed the Liberty Lands management structure transition committee ongoing work

Operations Committee Report: Barbara Saverino. Written report attached and reviewed.

NLNA November 16 Operations Committee Meeting

• In Attendance:  Jacek, Lara, Monika, Rachel and Barbara
• Office Update:
  • This year we have replaced all of the building's internal systems 
  • Mailbox store's drywall has been repaired
  • Lara will price out a water heater 
  • Property has been winterized (sprinkler system)
  • Security camera working for office/property, it is an older system. Lara had to do a lot of outreach to the company for follow up/maintenance and received a refund for effort
  • Snow removal contractor has been contacted for the season 
  • Moving forward, will set up a schedule for Mailbox store (tenant) filter/HVAC cleaning.  Also the space needs painting (which has not happened since they moved in). 
• Property Management:
  • Rachel shared a master proposal from a neighbor who runs a real estate company.  
    • Discussion on cost, how comfortable are we with delegating/outsourcing?  Answering service?  
    • Could we identify / pay maintenance agreements with function/contractors for "top of the list" service calls and discounted service? Electrician, HVAC, Plumber etc?
    • Also draft process for tenants regarding requests for repairs and emergencies.  There is currently no process and tenants call/text Lara (mostly), Rachel (Not sure) and/or Barbara.  No one is lead and/or responsible. Draft: Tenant should contact X if something is immediately affecting the health and safety of tenant and/or compromises the safety of the property:  gas leak, fire, carbon monoxide detection, electrical issue, water emergencies, backed up sewer line, leaking roof, and/or non working lock.  Other issues should be emailed to the office and will be confirmed and followed up.  
      • ACTION:
        • Committee to review proposal 
        • Jacek to add up costs that we currently pay for functions to contractors/individuals that might be covered by property management
        • Monika doing outreach to get additional information 
        • Lara follow up with lead for contractor who was referred by Steve 
• Old Business:
  • Tracking of office visitors:  Past three weeks (as of 11/16):  3 visitors 
  • Bench in yard:  Rachel has ordered covering for bench.  Will cover for season.  Barbara will follow up with Bill Russell for spring work and/or referral.
  • Jacek will follow up with contractor he knows for stucco bid
• New Business 
  • Yard tables and chairs will be put away for the season after Thanksgiving 
• Next meeting:  Scheduled via Zoom for Wednesday, December 15 at 7 PM

• Barbara also noted that Mike (from the Mailbox Store) has been using the community center to help with the deluge of packages that have been coming in. Matt Ruben spoke in favor of offering that use to Mike every year in the future for the holiday rush. Claire offered special thanks to Rachel for helping make it happen!

• Barbara also noted that we are exploring a partnership with the Painted Bride for a performance in the spring. 

• Joe mentioned his hope that the program of selling recycling bins from the CC will be restarted. 

Public Safety Committee Report: Matt Ochs. Written report attached.

NLNA Safety Committee Report

• At the sixth district PDAC meeting it was announced the police will move out of their building in Chinatown this
• Spring. The 6th District will move into the new police headquarters at 400 North Broad Street.
• At the Police Service Area 1 meeting (River to Broad, Market to Poplar) several people attended and their complaints about zoning variances for apartment buildings and the complete loss of on-street parking to customers of the MET dominated the meeting. (Down in South Philly you can park in any neighborhood near the baseball and football stadiums. The police only allow residents to park on those streets on game days.)
• At both meetings, police said the crime rate in our area is very low except for stolen vehicles and theft from cars. They have increased patrolling in the area west of Northern Liberties where murders occurred recently. They hope this is one reason why there have been no more murders there.

Zoning Committee Report: No meeting in November.

New Business

Operation Santa

• Quick report. We decided back in November that we would offer Operation Santa to all of last year's recipients and ALSO to all the people in the PTSSD district who'd gotten help from our COVID support programs over the past year. That was more than 80 households, so we offered a choice of the usual Operation Santa package OR a grocery gift card for $150.
• We've heard back from almost everyone and given out 56 gift cards at this point, and have 26 households who opted for Operation Santa. A good collection of toys has come from the Waterfront Square neighbors, a few other homeowners' associations from the community, Standard Tap's collection and Solo Realty's collection as well as various neighbors. We will likely have more toys than we need, and I'll hold some for next year, give some to the Helping Hand Rescue Mission for their kids, and give a large amount of small items to Kearny for their school store.
• We had a great response from the Sign Up genius for volunteers, and have 30 people who'll wrap presents on 3 different shifts this weekend. There are also volunteers for deliveries, which will happen on Wednesday the 22nd. (Plus helpers for gift assigning today and tomorrow, and the very reliable Oscar Isaacson who helps me and Don keep our heads together.)
• And also: the Parade of Spirits was hugely attended: maybe the biggest ever with a few hundred people. There were some technical difficulties with the fire dancer because of the wind and other issues, so not all of them saw that performance, but they were a great crowd and a good time was had by all.  

Joe reported that Heritage on 914 N. 2^nd Street has an agreement with us limiting them to 40 outdoor seats (that was based upon their side yard). That agreement triggered a refusal of their streetery by the Liquor Control Board because it would exceed the limit. In discussion about this there was conversation about the recent City approval of most streeteries.

Motion: By Matt Ruben, seconded by Joe Mikuliak. “We support allowing Heritage to have 40 “streetery” seats in addition to their side yard 40 seats named in their initial  agreement with the NLNA.” Passed 9-0-0

Steve raised the possibility of NLNA, in partnership with the other Penn Treaty SSD civics, undertaking a public awareness campaign about domestic violence and available resources. There was some conversation about what kind of informational campaign would be appropriate and helpful from the civics at this point, with a firm agreement that a professional organization should be in charge of the messaging itself. Steve will return to the PTSSD with the Board's feedback. 

Don reminded the Board that Orkney Park is having a fundraiser on Saturday afternoon at the park. 

Claire noted that the Zoning Committee will be having a get-together at the Community Center at 5:30 on Wednesday and has invited the Board to attend. She also informed the Board that there is a gift card to Cafe La Maude for each Board member as a recognition of our service. 

At the same time, Claire reminded the Board that it is great to be able to say that the NLNA has a 100% Board donation policy and encouraged every Board member to make a donation of some kind (cash of any amount or inkind services) before the year ends. 

The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:43 p.m.