Board of Directors Minutes – Meeting of July 7, 2018

PRESENT:  Matt Ruben, President; Barbara Mulckhuyse, Vice-President;  Claire Adler; Kristen Ainscoe; Avery Amaya; Melanie Coffman; Michael Coyne; Monika Kreidie; Benjamin Mann; Joe Mikuliak; Don Phillips; Barbara Saverino.ABSENT:  Steve Richman, Treasurer; Janet Finegar, Secretary.Minutes recorded by Avery Amaya.Motion: By Monika Kreidie, seconded by Melanie Coffman. “To approve the minutes of the June Board meeting as presented.”  Passed 9-0-1President’s Report: Matt Ruben:NLNA President’s Report, July 2018

1. PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND POLICY

• Construction Impacts – Nothing major or persistent at this time.
• Waterfront Issues – The Central Delaware Overlay amendment bill process will likely wrap up with a final meeting on July 16, and passage of the City Council bill in September.
• Property Taxes/City Budget – It is looking likely that there will be no property tax rate increase for the coming year. City Council did pass a 1% construction tax, although it passed by an unusually narrow 9-8 margin and the Mayor might veto it. If he does, Council would need a minimum 12-5 vote to override the veto.
• Business Improvement District (BID) – The BID’s Executive Director formally starts Monday July 9, working part-time that week, and then transitioning to full-time on July 16. The BID will start street sweeping on the July 9 as well. Moving forward, sweeping will occur on Saturdays, the day after trash day (it’s Monday this time because the 4th of July holiday delayed trash pickup to Saturday). BID property assessments have been sent out, and as more payments come in during the coming weeks and months, BID services will gradually ramp up.

2. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Community Center Yard – This is basically done.
• Community Center Mortgage – Steve and I participated in a successful settlement on the new mortgage in early June.
• Office Management/Oversight – An agreement has been signed with Don Hoegg codifying monthly payment some key operational responsibilities for the Community Center. Don also will be setting up a modest reservation system for the Community Center, enabling us to book the 1st floor space, the outdoor space, and the basement as needed. We are finalizing the agreement for that. Details in the Operations Committee report.

3. EVENTS AND OUTREACH

• General Membership Meetings. Barring anything unforeseen, the next General Membership meeting will be in September, on Thursday the 27th. As always, I am totally open to ideas and potential agenda items. Among likely useful agenda items:
  • 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

4. COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICITY

• The public Facebook page Claire Adler started continues to gradually get Likes and shares.

5. OTHER ITEMS

• Board Polls – Ratification of any online or online board polls since last month’s board meeting (222 Brown St zoning; 901 N. Delaware Ave zoning; Community Center Roof repair; Community Center rear door replacement).Motion: By Barb Mulckhuyse, seconded by Barbara Saverino. “To ratify any and all Board polls taken in the previous month.”  Passed 10-0-0 
• Bodine High School would like to do a candidate's forum, late Aug/early September and have inquired about NLNA board interest in supporting/sponsoring.Motion: By Don Phillips, seconded by Monika Kriedie. “To work with and sponsor Bodine High School in planning their fall 2018 forum.”  Passed 10-0-0 
• Planning needs to begin immediately for a grand opening event for the community center yard project in September.

 Treasurer's ReportMotion: By Barbara Saverino, seconded by Melanie Coffman. “To table the Treasurer's report until August.”  Passed 10-0-0 Operations Committee Report: Monika Kreidie

1. Several repairs (windows, roof on Mailbox store) are completed. Ira is overseeing the process of camera installation.
2. Summer Hours are creating some logistical problems. The hours are being posted on the door daily, but Lara should also share the hours weekly. Claire will post on Facebook and we need to update the information on the NLNA website as well.
3. A formal position has been created to develop and maintain a list (based on executive committee guidance) for maintenance and activities that need to be done at the Community Center. Don Hoegg has been hired for the role. He is also working on a proposal for an “app based” tool for doing reservations at the NLNA center and Liberty Lands.
4. Monika suggested creating a Marketing sub-committee with potentially Claire, Avery and Kristen. Lara should also be involved. Kat(rina) is also updating the current website. This group could help oversee social media, general marketing, website management, and the like. There was some conversation about whether it should be a sub-committee under operations or its own committee.

 Crime Prevention Committee Report: Melanie CoffmanMelanie reported that the focus of the new committee is to educate the neighborhood on crime prevention techniques, and make neighborhood improvements. Specific areas include package theft prevention, increasing and improving street lighting, creating “crime prevention tips,” and getting neighbors to meet each other more often (Monika mentioned the old idea of “Beautify Your Stoop” competition to get people together). Another major goal is to identify the optimal channels for communicating this information. Don suggested doing a once or twice a year General Meeting to get the police representatives in and get attendance at meetings. Matt’s weekly email may be a good place to communicate “crime tips.” Another suggestion was to host a larger general meeting somewhere “north of Poplar.” Melanie has been in contact with the 26^th District and with Officer DeLuca from the 6^th. One specific issue Melanie is working on already is a man living outside the Rite Aid: she will reach out to  Project Home, and potentially the police, for assistance. Zoning Committee Report: Joe Mikuliak; written report attached and reviewed. Motion: By Joe Mikuliak, seconded by Don Phillips. “To table decision in the matter of 1002-20 N. 2^nd Street until the information requested by the Zoning Committee has been provided.”  Passed 10-0-0*NB: The Zoning Committee's recommendation (i.e.: “We cannot support the project as presented with the current trash plan. We require the trash be stored in the back of the store and picked up on 2nd Street daily. The hours of operation should not exceed 5AM to 10PM Please return with adjusted plans.”) was later approved through Board poll. Motion: By Monika Kreidie, seconded by Melanie Coffman.“To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 626 N. Delaware Ave., i.e.: 'We will support a residential building with an automobile dealership at 626 N. Delaware Avenue if the following provisos are agreed to in a written document signed by the owner and the NLNA. 1) There are 48 parking spaces in the garage reserved for residents 2) The roofdeck is constructed with a setback of five feet from the builiding’s edge on all three sides. 3) Dealer inventory will not be parked in on-street parking spaces. 4) Valet/ loading zone will not exceed 20 feet. 5) Café should be an independently operated business with direct public access from the sidewalk and from the apartment building lobby. 6) Sound from the roofdeck will not exceed standards of the City Air Management Dept. 7) Building height is limited to whatever is by right within the Central Delaware overlay, including bonuses (approx. 172 feet).'”  Passed 10-0-0*NB: ratification amended by following motion.Motion: By Joe Mikuliak, seconded by Claire Adler. “To amend the motion regarding 626 North Delaware Avenue to read: 'We will support a residential building with an automobile dealership at 626 N. Delaware Avenue if the following provisos are agreed to in a written document signed by the owner and the NLNA. 1) There are 48 parking spaces in the garage reserved for residents 2) The roofdeck is constructed with a setback of five feet from the builiding’s edge on all three sides. 3) Dealer inventory will not be parked in on-street parking spaces. 4) Valet/ loading zone will not exceed 20 feet. 5) Café should be an independently operated business with direct public access from the sidewalk and from the apartment building lobby. 6) Sound from the roofdeck will not exceed standards of the City Air Management Dept. 7) The affordable housing units will remain in this building. 8) Building height is limited to whatever is by right within the Central Delaware overlay, including bonuses (approx. 172 feet).'”  Passed 10-0-0 Motion: By Monika Kreidie, seconded by Barbara Saverino. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 721-25 N. 3rd Street, i.e.: 'We will support the project as presented with plans dated June 25, 2018.'”  Passed 10-0-0  Old Business Don Phillips reported that the July music festival was quite successful, clearing around $3,500 in profit due to beer and t-shirt sales and a sponsorship from PTSSD. Don further reminded the Board that August 5th is 2nd Street Festival and that volunteers are needed for the NLNA's tent. It was agreed that the open Board seat should be filled through a Special Election at the September General Meeting, with email nominations taken in August.  The meeting was adjourned by acclaim.Addenda:  Zoning Committee Minutes  — Monday 6/25/18 Members present: Kenny Grono, Chair; Joe Mikuliak, Rec Sec. Melissa Magness, Christine Furman, Ira Upin, Chris Isaacson, Jared Foreman Members absent: Jonathan Sher, Larry Freedman, Chris Abdo, Abbey Spector, Sharon Richman 1002-20 N. 2nd Street - CMX2.5 - Matt Monroe – A proposal for food prep service (a special exception review.) Matt was seeking support for a ”Prepared food shop.” It can’t have venting or a hood. It can’t become a restaurant without further zoning. It would have 20 seats in a 20ft. by 57ft. space with doors to 2nd St. and to the residential building’s lobby. Hours would be 5AM to 10 PM. There would be no exterior signage. The prospective tenant is Starbucks. Discussion centered on trash. It would need to be transported from the café onto 2nd , then Wildey, then American to the storage area. It would be kept out of sight but left open to the air. Residents objected to this.Motion by Ira, 2nd by Christine Thank you for your presentation. We cannot support the project as presented with the current trash plan. We require the trash be stored in the back of the store and picked up on 2nd Street daily. The hours of operation should not exceed 5AM to 10PM Please return with adjusted plans. Passed 5-0-1 2. 626 N. Delaware Avenue - CMX3 - Joesph Strampello, attorney – This is the third presentation for a multi-use building for an automobile dealershop and residential apartments at this site. Proposal is for a 194ft. tall concrete, glass, brick, and gray metal tower. On the first two floors is a car showroom with a “public” café. On the next two floors and in the basement are parking spaces for 117 cars. Upper floors have 96 residential apartments. The roof deck is for residents only and is not set back from the edge of the building. (Five feet set-back is required.) Lot size is 50ft. by 150ft. and is built upon 100%. (Open space is 0%, 40% is required.) Allowed height is approximately 174 feet because of bonuses, Bonuses are for including 10% affordable housing and the Green roof/LEED gold certification. Responses to our previous motion: 1) New cars only. 2) No unloading from tractor-trailers (Cars will be prepped at their 2nd Street location.)  3) Some test driving will be necessary. 4) Lighting and signage are on plans. Signage is along the building envelope in two places with letters 3 to 4ft. tall 5) List of materials-read above. 6) On-street parking spaces will not be used for new car storage 7) Commitment by Mr. DeSimone tonight to increase parking spaces in the garage for residents from 29 to 48 8) Materials on South facade are similar to North facade and include windows.Motion by Joe 2nd by Ira We will support a residential building with an automobile dealership at 626 N. Delaware Avenue if the following provisos are agreed to in a written document signed by the owner and the NLNA. 1) There are 48 parking spaces in the garage reserved for residents 2) The roofdeck is constructed with a setback of five feet from the builiding’s edge on all three sides. 3) Dealer inventory will not be parked in on-street parking spaces. 4) Valet/ loading zone will not exceed 20 feet. 5) Café should be an independently operated business with direct public access from the sidewalk and from the apartment building lobby. 6) Sound from the roofdeck will not exceed standards of the City Air Management Dept. 7) Building height is limited to whatever is by right within the Central Delaware overlay, including bonuses. (Approx. 174 feet) Passed 5-0-0 Joe suggests we amend the above with #7 becoming #8 and #7 reading: “The affordable housing units will remain in this building.” 721-25 N. 3rd Street - RSA5 - Alex Duller/David Orphanides - This is the third presentation for a multifamily dwelling with parking at this location. Changes from the last presentation are: 1) There is a minimum setback of nine feet from the rear of these properties to the rear of the neighboring properties. 2) Roof deck is smaller and at the front and rear of these properties 3) Garage is designed to and will be used to park two cars, one above the other. 4) Condo docks will require the units be owner-occupied. No sub-letting will be allowed. Nearby residents brought up how building by-right on these lots would be much more of a hardship to them compared with this proposal. They reluctantly said they support this proposal with the above changes.Motion by group: We will support the project as presented with plans dated June 25, 2018.  Passed 3-0-1