BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES – Meeting of February 1, 2021

PRESENT:       Claire Adler, President; Steve Richman, Vice-President; Jacek Ghosh, Treasurer; Janet Finegar, Secretary; Caitlin Antrim; Alex Boland; Shakirra Clark; Chastity Houston; Joe Mikuliak; Matt Ochs; Don Phillips; Matt Ruben; Barbara Saverino; Kevin Wilkins.

ALSO PRESENT:       Jeff Hornstein, Lara Kelly, NLNA coordinator

The meeting was called to order by the President at 6:34 p.m.

Jeff Hornstein introduced himself to the Board and there was some discussion of the Education Committee he is planning to formulate for NLNA and of some possible roadblocks. The first meeting will be February 11 at 7 p.m.

Motion: By Matt Ruben, seconded by Jacek Ghosh. “To approve the minutes of the January Board meeting as presented.” Passed 13-0-0

President’s Report: Claire Adler. Written report attached and reviewed.

• After some discussion, it was agreed to move the monthly meetings to the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m.  The change will go into effect for the March meeting.
• Shakirra Clark and Matt Ochs volunteered to join the 2021 Election Committee.

NLNA President’s Report, February 1, 2021

1. PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY

• North Delaware Zoning Overlay: We have shared the motion from the board with the larger group of community organizations and are working on setting up another meeting.

2. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Board Meeting Date: Due to some administrative concerns, I’d like to discuss an alternate board meeting date for the upcoming months.
• Board Election: The next board election will be at a May General (virtual) meeting with nominations at an April General (virtual) meeting. We need two board members to volunteer to serve on the Election Committee who are not running for reelection.

3. EVENTS AND OUTREACH

• COVID-19 Grant Application from PTSSD: We have submitted an application to Penn Treaty for a $25,000 to provide further assistance to neighbors in need, focusing on direct aid to people rather than businesses. The board meets in two weeks.

4. OTHER ITEMS

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

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

TREASURER’S REPORT – FEBRUARY 2021

A. 2020-21 Budget: January Financials - tables attached

• For the four months ending on January 31, All Program and All Funds Income was $39,081 - $3,661 less than budgeted.
  • All Program and All Funds Expenses totaled $44,112 - $13,162 less than budgeted.
  • Current Year Net Income was ($5,031) - $9,501 more than budgeted.
  • Reviewing the General Fund and Liberty Lands accounts (our two major operating funds) our financial position after the first four months of FY 2020-2021 is as follows:
    • 1. GF & LL Income: $37,181 - $3,611 less than budgeted.
    • 2. GF & LL Expenses: $39,756 - $13,207 less than budgeted.
    • 3. GF & LL Net Income: ($2,575) - $9,596 more than budgeted.
• Variations from budgeted projections through January include:
  • 1. Lower income from Fundraising ($710) and Grants ($1,631).
  • 2. Lower expenses for Communications ($2,146); Fundraising Expenses($548); Professional Services ($6,338); and Repair & Maintenance ($2,879).

B. Other Items

• Final Income and Expense Statement for the first Covid-19 program.
• Synopsis of Fundraising (Annual Appeal and Ops Santa) from PayPal donations for the months of December 2020 and January 2021.
  • In December, 143 donors contributed $11,201 averaging $78.33 per donation.
  • In January, 72 donors contributed $1,930 averaging $26.81.
  • The number of Recurring Donors increased from 46 in December ($585) to 55 in January ($655) – an encouraging trend.

Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Barbara Saverino. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.” Passed 13-0-0

Communications & Marketing Committee: Caitlin Antrim. Written report attached and reviewed.

Caitlin asked that committee heads help by sending her information (and images!) for social media posts. She will create a google form to poll board members as a starting point for the conversation about the mission statement. There was also some conversation about improving signage/awareness of the NLNA at the community center and Liberty Lands.

NLNA Communications and Marketing Committee  Jan Report

Meeting Date: 1/14/21
Chair: Caitlin Antram   Board Members Present: Alex Boland, Shakirra Clark

Points of Discussion:

• Updates for social
  • Committee chairs: Hit me up after your meetings if you have anything you might want shared on social media
  • Liberty Lands
    • I took some photos of the in-progress demo of the old stage. I could make a post about the progress but I’d like to include some details about the timeline and who’s doing the work. Janet - are you the person to ask about that?
• Brainstormed about tangible Comms/Marketing objectives for 2021
  • Mission and Vision statements - To help communicate effectively about the work of the NLNA, we propose the need to create written statements that address the following:
    • At the core, what is the board meant to do? What do we value? What do we aim to achieve?
    • (We don’t have to accomplish this at our next meeting but I thought it would be useful to mention so that we can start thinking about it and maybe spend a few moments brainstorming together as a board.)
  • Improve public relations
    • Invite awareness with Regular social posting and New neighbor postcards
    • Invigorate participation with Public programming and Volunteer days
  • Engage neighbors who are not online
    • Utilize the NLNA windows
• Virtual Storyslam:
  • Proposed theme: "A Year of COVID"
  • Proposed date: March 20
  • Plan to record the event
    • We’ll need to get permission - waiver?
    • Share stories on social?
  • Virtual workshop dates:
    • Wed 3/3, 3/10, 3/18?

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

Lara reported that an e-waste recycling event is scheduled for March 13. There was some discussion about whether to stage it at Liberty Lands or at the Community Center. Lara will talk to the company to decide the location.

Liberty Lands Report    February 2021

• Christmas tree chipping and pruning went well: thanks to Penn Treaty SSD for their sponsorship of this annual program. A few additional trees have accumulated and we hope to have them hauled away with the rest of the Compost Pile from Hell.
• Liz and Dennis Dougherty plan to do the hauling of the Compost Pile – Liz will borrow a truck from Fine Garden Creations to take the material to an organic waste dump. Weather and injuries have forced them to re-schedule twice, but it's still planned.
• Gardener Roi Frankel organized a project  to put down cardboard and wood chips in the aisles of the community garden: with the help of several gardeners they've managed to get a lot of the paths covered and continue working on it.
• New garden coordinators Jeanne Kohl and Katherine Oniskey are planning the Community Gardeners' meeting for Feb. 16: reminder that all gardeners are expected to attend this Zoom meeting. The link will go out again to the gardener's list next week.
• We've made contact with Jim Farr, who has worked at the park before, to have him dig out the sinkhole in the community garden sometime in February.
• Liz has been working with the Water Department to take care of the backlog of stormwater charges and mysterious bills. We are submitting paperwork to them and hope to have it cleared up soon.
• The “mortgage” statement we received in December turns out to have been a clerical error referring to a South 3rd St. property, and the erroneous code violation was also wiped, so those things are taken care of.
• The central brick bollard on 3rd Street will need to be removed in preparation for a delivery of playground mulch (the truck has been replaced with a larger one, as we discovered two years ago, and the bollard makes it cripplingly difficult to get the truck onto the park). Liz is contacting the mulch company to order the playground mulch and we'll figure out COVID-safe spreading particulars in the spring.
• The next Liberty Lands general meeting will be February 9 at 7 p.m.  The link to join is: https://zoom.us/j/91999342955?pwd=aisvK1lwMDBhdTVLZW5qcjl3ZHJnQT09

Fundraising Committee Report: Don Phillips:

Don reported that the Fundraising working group met in January to discuss following up on the Annual Appeal and will meet again in the next few weeks to provide a full report for the next Board meeting. There was also conversation about how to organize thank-you messages for the Appeal.

Membership Committee Report: Shakirra Clark.

Shakirra reported that the committee met at the end of January and is discussing a meet and greet in the late spring and (ideally) a fall event in the Yard. They are also discussing a block-leader based communication system to improve awareness of the NLNA and our activities.

NLNA Operations Committee Meeting January 20, 2021

Attendees:  Lara Kelly, Monika Kreidie and Barbara Saverino

• Snow Removal:  Still looking for additional option (ideally company/contractor).  Barbara will do some additional outreach.  Lara has purchased environmentally friendly snow melt.
• Toilet Removal and Replacement on First Floor:  Barbara shared that Board had overwhelming voted in support of providing up to $700.  Discussion ensued on commercial toilet rather than personal.  Water/pluming set up is not able to handle/accommodate.  Monika will follow up with additional outreach to plumber to get additional quote.  Maybe more cost effective. 
  Notes:  If we move forward with commercial toilet installation, there will likely be additional costs.  The toilet HAS BEEN SHUT OFF so please do not use if you are visiting the center.  Will ask Lara to make sure there is a sign.  The toilet in basement bathroom can be used.
  Third Floor Apartment Rental:  Contract has been signed with Somers Group to secure tenant.  The effort includes reviewing apartment, listing and showing apartment, doing background check and recommendations for work to be done to ensure apartment is competitive.  Ideally this would be a two year lease.  We have identified the following work to be done:  replace vanity/sink, clean carpet, paint hall (possibly apartment) and some electric work.  Looking to fill space ASAP.  Requested listing so we can share via NLNA social media assets.  Will also have a sign on building.
• Vaccination Site:  NLNA may have the opportunity to be considered as a community vaccination site.  Monika shared a link with opportunity to join Philly Fighting Covid (PFC) in their efforts to increase access to COVID vaccinations to Philadelphia residents.  Here is a link to learn more about their work:  https://pfc.covidreadi.com/ . Barbara will look into and sign up.
• Next Meeting:  February 17 at 7 PM. 

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

NLNA Safety Committee Meeting, 1/26/21

In attendance: Brett Cohen, Kristine Kennedy, Charig Thanker, Matt Ochs

• Home invasion at George and Bodine. I spoke with Capt. Fisher the next day after he had reviewed the report. He did not have much information at the time, but did not believe it was random. The suspects likely entered the building with the victims, or were waitingin the building already. I updated the FB post.
• BID has been paying for two uniformed patrol officers to cover 2nd -3rd , Spring Garden to Brown for 6-hours, 2x a week. The cost is $750/wk, and they can afford to pay for about two more weeks.
• Brett’s report from the 26th District PDAC meeting:
  • 2020 major increase crime categories: 72% commercial burglary, 28% stolen cars 
  • Overall crime only 4 more incidents 
  • December 22 double handgun situation. 
  • 4 officers dead of COVID
  • Fishtown safety committee: brought meals, Breakfast (Sulimay’s), Mutual aid response — food assistance etc. (help.fishtown.org), Cleanup on MLK day of service 
  • PAD (diversion) for: Retail theft and Heroin possession 
• Joe’s report from the 6th District PDAC meeting:
• 6th District officers  are running a children's book collection drive until the third week of February. They delivered hundreds of new men's shoes to shelters at Christmas time.  The police are willing and able to partner with the NLNA in the distribution of a covid grant we might receive.
• Police staffing has been affected by covid-19 infections and quarantines. Numbers not provided. 
• Society Hill civic association made a direct donation to buy officers on duty Christmas Eve dinners which were delivered as individual meals. 
• Crime report - PSA1 Delaware River to Broad, Vine to Poplar
  • Crime ring targeting N.L. Target: three men in custody with warrants out for three more. Charges of felony theft. They stole (organized shoplifting) $111,000 worth of merchandise over three months this fall. Police are now investigating their fencing operation.
  • The numbers given showed that the majority of crimes in many categories happening in the 6th District, are happening in PSA1. Like four out of six robberies with guns; Six out of seven assaults with gun.  Also reported in PSA1: 13 stolen automobiles,  17 theft from Auto. No rapes or homicides. 
  • Crime numbers for just N.L. for the last month from the Crimemapper app (www.philllypolice.com/crime-maps-stats/map.html)  : 67 thefts, six burglaries, 7 robberies, 1 ag assault.  This is about average over the last six months. 
  • Apartment dwellers still leave their front doors open. Homeowners still leave the side/back door to their courtyards unlocked. People still leave boxes on the front seat of their cars. And several Uber drivers reported their cars were stolen when they left the engine running  and picked up their take-out meal. (Few drive-thrus around here.) 
  • There was more but did not pertain to Northern Liberties.
• Next Committee meeting is 2/23/21

Zoning Committee Report: Joe Mikuliak. Written report attached and reviewed.

There was conversation about the Zoning Committee's recommendation about 400 N. 5^th Street. There was Board support for opposing self-storage use but concern about overturning the ZC.

Committee Minutes

Monday 1/25/21

Members present: Larry Freedman, chair, Joe Mikuliak, Kenny Grono, Philip Hensley, Christine Furman, Matthew Ochs, Charlie Abdo, Ira Upin, Scott Sperry  

Members absent: Melissa Magness, Abbey Spector, Jonathan Sher, Sharon Richman

400 N. 5th St – CMX 3 - Katherine Missimer Previous motion: Thank you for your presentation. The project as proposed at this location does not fit the current direction in which this part of the neighborhood is headed. Please return with plans that incorporate more CMX3 uses (residential and 1st floor commercial) alongside the self- storage use. Please return with a design that incorporates more windows and landscaping. Changes to old plan: Added landscaping, increased glazing at office level and along Callowhill and Sixth street frontage by 1000sf. No change in uses – adjustments to make the building look like a retail space. Discussion: Is it possible to add another commercial use to the first floor. Can glazed area be used for displaying art? Can the depth of that space be increased so that it’s easier to display? Can the materials and design be changed to be more like better looking CubeSmart locations in other locations?

Motion: Joe: We could support this project with a complete re-design. The design should be compatible with uses other than self-storage. Also, the design should include a commercial space not connected with the self-storage use at 6th and Callowhill. Christine: 2nd 8-0-0

207 W. Wildey St. – CMX 2.5 – Frank Turner - Small lot: 440 sf. Concerns with structural stability of this building given the current plan.

Motion by Matt Ruben, seconded by Barbara Saverino.“To table a decision on 400 N. 5^th Street to allow Claire to gather more information from Larry Freedman about the project.” Passed: 14-0-0

Motion: By Matt Ruben, seconded by Janet Finegar. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 207 W. Wildey St., i.e.: 'We support the project as presented with condition that brick is used in place of stucco.'” Passed 13-0-0

New Business

Joe requested that the NLNA make a practice of regularly donating to the 6^th Police District's drives to support the community. He will begin by taking children's books for their current drive.

The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at  8:40 p.m.