BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES – Meeting of February 15, 2022

Mar 15

Written By

PRESENT: Claire Adler, President; Jacek Ghosh, Treasurer; Janet Finegar, Secretary; Shakirra Clark; Jeff Hornstein; Caitlin Marrazzo; Joe Mikuliak; Matt Ochs; Don Phillips; Matt Ruben; Barbara Saverino; Kevin Wilkins.

ABSENT: Steve Richman, Vice-President; Alex Boland; Chastity Houston.

ALSO PRESENT: Larry Freedman, Zoning Committee Chair

The meeting was called to order by the President at 6:33 p.m.

Motion: By Jacek Ghosh, seconded by Matt Ochs. “To approve the minutes of the January Board meeting as presented.” Passed 8-0-0

Larry Freedman reviewed some of the changes recently proposed to the Delaware Avenue overlay after conversation with Fishtown Neighbors. Significant proposed changes include putting a size limit back in, adding different closing hours for streets in non-commercial zones, and creating some provisions where rear yard use might be allowed (specifically where properties go street to street). There was no major objections to the language regarding rear yard limits. There was some conversation about closing hours but ended with a motion:

Motion: By Matt Ruben, seconded by Jeff Hornstein. “To approve the presented document on revisions to the Delaware Avenue overlay, with the following changes to the hours of operation section: 1) reinstate the first item (regarding 2 a.m. closings along commercial corridor streets) and 2) reinstate the second item regarding closing hours on residential streets AND change 1 a.m. to 12 a.m.. These changes are made with the understanding that we are open to further changes based on ongoing negotiations.” Passed 9-0-0

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

Kevin Wilkins and Jeff Hornstein both volunteered to be members of the 2022 Election Committee.

NLNA President’s Report

PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY

North Delaware Zoning Overlay: Update from Larry Freedman on recent negotiations with neighboring community groups.
Parking Pilot Update: Signage is up but not everywhere. So far, the biggest pushback has been from employees/employers. Some of the new signage especially in the northern parts of the neighborhood have been paused in the meantime. The BID is working on having another parking study completed. More discussion at our meeting.
Rec Center Playground Update: We have mostly seen little movement since the meeting where the city assumed liability. Some recent conversations with city council might be helping move progress forward.
Spring Garden Street Project: No new updates from the City; the BID has been working with the city and a working group to complete a planting schematic and maintenance plan for the medians between 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Streets. Currently PORT Urbanism is working on the greening plan.
City Council Redistricting Update: City council has passed the new map which changes the boundaries somewhat for Northern Liberties.

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

NLAC: Matt Ruben discussed options with a colleague. We are awaiting draft retention terms for a lawyer to review and discuss.
Strategic Planning: The Liberty Lands committee met again to move the “short/medium-term” plan forward for the spring, and briefly discussed the longer term plan of searching for an ED.

EVENTS AND OUTREACH

March General Meeting: Still planning – potentially Wednesday, March 16
Raffle or other virtual event idea: Update from membership
NLNA Election: NLNA nominations will be held in April and the election in May. The following seats are up for reelection: Claire Adler, Jacek Ghosh, Alex Boland, Shakirra Clark, Chastity Houston, Joe Mikuliak, Matt Ochs, Matt Ruben

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 – JANUARY 2022

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

For the four months ending on January 31, All Program and All Funds:
- Income totaled $66,241-- $1,982 more than budgeted
- Expenses totaled $68,006-- $9,668 more than budgeted
- Net Income totaled ($1,765) – $7,686 less than budgeted
For the four months ending on January 31, General Fund plus Liberty Lands accounts:
- Income totaled $54,214 – $2,344 more than budgeted
- Expense totaled $55,430 – $9,877 more than budgeted
- Net Income totaled ($1,216) - $7,533 less than budgeted
Variations from budgeted projections through January
- On the Income side
  - The income of $66,241 is inflated by $7,943 (insurance claim for water damage at the CC).
  - Additionally, $11,215 in Covid-19 relief funds (granted by Penn Treaty) were carried over from the previous fiscal year.
  - Overall fundraising (annual appeal, festivals, events) is currently $5,088 under budget.
    - Individual donations are currently $854 above budget.
  - Event Rentals are $920 under budget – due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
- On the Expense side
  - Professional Services is $2,016 over budget.
  - Program Services are $3,475 under budget.
  - Repair & Maintenance is $6,207 over budget – offset by the insurance claim of $7,943.
  - $11,215 in Covid-19 relief funds (granted by Penn Treaty) was expended as part of this fiscal year’s Ops Santa community service.

B. Other Items

Annual Appeal - January
- 58 recurring donations totaling $730. Average donation: $ 12.50.
- 2 Individual donations totaling $129. Average donation: $65.
Liberty Lands - January
- 2 recurring donations totaling $15. Average donation: $ 7.50.
- 1 Potty Membership totaling $50.
- 2 Community Garden Plot fees totaling $100. Annual plot fee is $50.
Annual Appeal/Ops Santa (Dec/Jan)

Annual Appeal (Dec ‘21/Jan ’22) (Dec ‘20/Jan ’21)

Budget:	$13,334	$15,666
Donations received:	$ 9,540	$11,511
Under budget:	$ 3,794	$ 4,155
`Expenses:`	`$ 156`	`$ 452`
Net Income:	$ 9,384	$11,059
Ops Santa (Dec ‘21 and Jan ’22)
Budget:	$4,000	$2,000
`Donations received:`	$`1,050`	`$2,165`
Under/Over budget:	$2,950	$ 165
`PTSSD Grant:`	`$3,500`	`$3,500`
`Expenses:`	`$4,254`	`$3,455`
Net Income:	$ 296	$2,210
Total
Net Income	$9,680	$13,269

Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Barbara Saverino. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.” Passed 9-0-0

Election, Fundraising, and Quality of Life Committees: No reports.

Communications & Marketing Committee: Caitlin Marrazzo.

Caitlin announced that she is stepping down from chairing the committee, but is hoping to move her volunteer energy to NLNA events.

Education Committee: Jeff Hornstein.

Jeff reported that the committee had a great meeting in February. The Kearny principal felt very positive about the November tour and says that 2-3 new families came in through it. Renovations to all the K-3 classrooms will occur over the summer. She asked for help publicizing a March 1 open house for kindergarteners. The committee is hoping to hold a 100^th anniversary fundraiser on June 4: the date is held at Liberty Lands and the committee will move forward with requesting support from PTSSD and clarifying liability and logistical issues.

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

Liberty Lands Report

This is it: during this month, ideally, Janet and Liz will step away from being the primary coordinators for Liberty Lands. That means that we're looking for a GROUP of people to shine out and show off – or learn! - their management skills. A document explaining more about how you (or someone you know) can be part of that group is attached. Please think about who you know who might be interested in one of these roles and let us know at park@nlna.org
Meanwhile:
- Treecycling was a huge success, with approx. 650 trees chipped for mulch at Orianna Hill. Schechtman Tree also pruned a number of the trees along the eastern alee. Thanks to Penn Treaty SSD for sponsoring treecycling again this year!
- Mary Claire Sullivan will be our 2022 Community Garden Coordinator (yay Mary Claire!). Gardeners, watch for messages about the Winter Meeting. Update: March 1 at 7 p.m.
- Anyone who has a good – and relatively cheap – snow removal contractor, please let us know? The new contractor we found is quite expensive. . .
- Update: Rachel Kimmich will be taking on the reservations for the park through the NLNA office.
  - Next meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. by Zoom https://zoom.us/j/96263511406?pwd=VDltcEJxQ0VNTFpRMk9NWndSOUJFZz09

Membership Committee Report: Shakirra Clark.

Shakirra reported that the committee is discussing doing an online raffle/giveaway, possibly through a google form system, to encourage attendance at the General Meeting. The committee is still working on logistics.

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

Barbara began by highlighting that the process of discussing hiring additional staff (such as an executive director) should include discussion of the Operation Committee's role. There was conversation about the proposal to hire a management company and whether it is an idea on which we should move forward. The sentiment of the Board was that the expense of large management forms is too high for the receivables, but that there should be continued exploration to find someone who could handle responding to emergency phone calls.

Operations Committee

1. The committee is asking for a go/no go on the property management proposal.

- Quick background, the NLNA is a landlord and property owner. We have a responsibility to upkeep the property and respond to tenant requests. We currently outsource snow removal, work to identify and manage repairs/contractors (combination of office staff and committee/NLNA members) and volunteers. This is a challenge and also board members are listed as point of contact for emergencies. In order to streamline the process, Rachel did outreach to 5 firms and received 3 responses (J&G Real Estate, Solo Realty and TCS Management, part of Keller Williams). The firms offer a variety of services but all would want to collect the rent and take their fee and reimbursements off the top, all want to be named as additional insured on our liability insurance, only one offers possible in house maintenance and they do charge for it. I have asked Jacek to share some perspective during our meeting tomorrow night. Jacek has created an excel for review , Prop Mgmt 2-3-22 Concerns:

- Financial impact/expense to NLNA

- How does this work/could this work fit in the role of Executive Director and staff as we move forward

- How do we manage coverage 24/7 as volunteer organization

2. Update - Rachel is having conversations with Janet regarding handling reservations for Liberty Lands this season. Not sure if this will be included in Claire and/or Janet's reports.

3. Request: In order to help NLNA Operations Committee keep track of all center/yard usage, we are asking all committees and NLNA Board members to fill this form out: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNkzovA36uh-MsXNZIrpW3_v58iD5c9FdFBRUcXshpQVZzSA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Note, it will be updated as pandemic recommendations ebb and flow. If you have questions, please contact Rachel (Reservations@nlna.org)

4. NLNA Operations Committee January 19 Meeting Attendees: Jacek, Lara, Monika, Rachel, Sasha and Barbara

Property Management
- Discussion centered on potential benefits of moving in this direction
- Rachel will follow up with the firm who contacted NLNA and several others for pricing and services provided. Interested in 24/7 coverage as well as property maintenance (including snow removal)
- Goal is to share with board at February meeting
Lease
- Discussion of status of current residential and commercial leases
- Jacek will work with Rachel on outreach
- Barbara will do outreach to Kevin for best practices
- Status: Prospective buyer of Mailbox Store requested meeting looking at timeline of March 31, Don contacted/lease up in June and Nicole's lease is February 2023.
Fire Safety at NLNA Property
- NLNA provides fire detectors in each apartment
- There are fire extinguishers and batteries in exit signs
- Property is checked annually
- Lara will check property regarding carbon monoxide detectors.
Office Update
- Snow removal: Office is monitoring to make sure the sidewalk is prepped and snow removed by our current contractor. We have not been invoiced.
- Mailbox Store: NLNA continues to speak with Mike as he navigates next steps/sale

Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 16 at 7 PM https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82909829693?pwd=NXRIRFl2dFQwZXgyMlUxd2xnUVFaQT09

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

Joe added that the 6^th District office has moved from Chinatown to N. Broad Street.

NLNA Safety Committee Report

Matt attended a zoom meeting with the Philadelphia Police Department Recruitment Unit
- They are reaching out to communities across the city for recruit recommendations for the police academy. They have just added 82 new recruits and are vetting others.
- Recognize some of the issues in policing in the past and are working from the ground up to meet the concerns in communities about the police presence in specific districts.
- New recruitments will be integrated into the community from day 1, to be active partners in the city, rather than a presence when issues arise.
- It takes about 1 year to get someone from recruitment, through police academy and get them on the streets.
- Police are currently running from one 911 call to the next.
No report from the 26^th PDAC meeting

Zoning Committee Report: No meeting this month. Overlay issues discussed earlier.

Old Business

Joe raised the question again of whether the NLAC officers are covered under our D&O insurance. Claire responded that she has not had an opportunity to speak with the insurance agent and will ask Steve Richman to take the lead on that project.

Claire reported that while there is a proposal for the website update, there is no further action at this time.

New Business

The City announced that April 2 will be the citywide cleanup date. The Board agreed that we should publicize it and offer to publicize any block cleanups neighbors might care to plan, but not plan an NLNA-sponsored cleanup.

Janet announced that there WILL be a plant sale on April 30^th.

Caitlin announced that she's hoping to do an in-person story slam in late spring.

The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:42 p.m.