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

ALSO PRESENT: Larry Freedman, Zoning Committee Chair (for Zoning report)

The meeting was called to order by the President at 6:32 p.m.

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

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

There was some discussion about the particulars of how the parking recommendations would proceed.

NLNA President’s Report, May 10, 2021

1. PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY

• Parking Regulation Change: The NLBID will submit plans to the PPA at the end of the month or early July to implement the parking changes approved at our last meeting.
• North Delaware Zoning Overlay: The NLBID and NLNA are working on finding a time to meet with councilmember Squilla to discuss our shared vision for the Overlay.
• Streetscape Visioning Process: The NLBID is working with KieranTimberlake to create a Streetscape Vision, which will be a deep investigation into pedestrian, bike, and vehicular use, public space, lighting, street furniture, and more within the BID boundaries. I am on the Steering Committee and the BID will also work with the NLNA to do public outreach within the coming months.
• Street Sweeping: The NLBID has hired a new contractor to do street sweeping within their boundaries. While we have suspended our Clean Streets program, there may be an opportunity to work with them to sweep more of the neighborhood at a lower cost to us by sharing resources.

2. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Board election results: Congrats to everyone who was elected and re-elected! Welcome to Jeff Hornstein as our newest board member.
• Bicycle rack at the NLNA: The bicycle rack that the NLBID is installing for us is scheduled to take place Monday (ahead of the board meeting) but may not happen until a later date.
• New hire: We are close to making an offer for a secondary part-time contract position as an office assistant and rental lead. We had some fantastic candidates. Thank you to Barbara Saverino for organizing the process, and to Steve Richman and Jacek Ghosh for participating (and to several board members who referred wonderful candidates).
• Lara vacation: Lara will be out of the office from June 20-July 30.
• Reopening: The plan is to fully open the center when Lara returns from vacation and the new hire is onboarded.

3. EVENTS AND OUTREACH

• Fire Relief Fundraiser: The residents of 1009 N 4th Street who were displaced by the fire are extremely grateful for the much-needed assistance. Thank you especially to Lara Kelly and Jacek Ghosh for helping to get them funds as quickly as possible.
• Vaccination Clinic: I met with representatives from Temple University’s School of Public Health to discuss assisting them with hosting a vaccination clinic in the neighborhood. They are looking for potential sites that would be accessible and available for use.
• E-Waste and Shredding: The NLNA will host an e-waste and shredding event on 6/26. Janet Finegar has asked for a volunteer to help manage operations the day-of.

4. OTHER ITEMS

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

Motion: By Matt Ruben, seconded by Jacek Ghosh. “To ratify any and all Board polls taken in the previous month.” Passed 14-0-0

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

TREASURER’S REPORT – MARCH 2021

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

• For the eight months ending on May 31, All Program and All Funds Income was $140,626 -
• $59,481 more than budgeted.
  • All Program and All Funds Expenses totaled $126,972 - $7,155 more than budgeted.
  • Current Year Net Income was $13,654 - $52,326 more than budgeted.
  • Reviewing the General Fund and Liberty Lands accounts (our two major operating funds) our financial position after the first eight months of FY 2020 - 2021 is as follows:

1. GF & LL Income: $113,427 - $35,565 more than budgeted.

2. GF & LL Expenses: $111,387 - $ 7,957 more than budgeted.

3. GF & LL Net Income: $ 2,090 - $27,608 more than budgeted.

• Variations from budgeted projections through May
  • On the Income side
    • The current income balance of $59,481 is artificially high and masks the actual current income balance because of the following:
      • NLNA received two PTSSD grants that were not originally budgeted for FY 20-21.
        • PTSSD - $25,000 for direct support to individuals and households affected by the Covid pandemic in the NLNA catchment area.
        • PTSSD - $24,000 grant to rebuild the stage at Liberty Lands.
      • A one-time deposit of $4,950 in LL for Community Garden Plot Fees was not budgeted for FY 20-21. In subsequent years, Community Garden Plot Fees will average $1,650 annually.
      • A one-time deposit of $5,830 for the Fire Relief Fundraiser (including a gift of $2,000 by NLNA).
      • Fundraising Income (Annual Appeal, Individual & Corporate Donations) is 23% more than budgeted ($4,771) due, mainly, to a doubling of recurring donations and individual donations.
    • Even with budgeting for only six months of rental activity beginning in April ‘21, CC Space rentals and LL Party rentals are only at 50% of what was budgeted for FY 20-21 ($1,348 versus $2,917). This should improve over the summer with the lifting of most covid restrictions.
    • Six (6) PTSSD grants, totaling $19,500, were originally budgeted for FY 20-21:
      • Website Redesign $3,500
      • Op Santa $3,500
      • Winterfest $3,000
      • Plant Sale $3,500
      • Spring Music Fest $3,500
      • 2nd St Festival $2,500
    • NLNA only received the first two grants, totaling $7,000, for FY 20-21. So due to the pandemic and the inability to hold its usual roster of festivals/sales NLNA will not receive $12,500 in budgeted PTSSD grants for FY 20-21.
    • Taking all the preceding together, the actual current income balance is closer to $3,000.
  • On the Expense side
    • The current expense balance is $7,155 more than budgeted for FY 20-21.
    • The following are lower expenses than budgeted for FY 20-21 due, mainly, to programmatic inactivity during the pandemic.
      • Professional Services ($11,293)
      • Program Services ($ 4,158)
    • The following are higher expenses than budgeted for FY 20-21.
      • Repairs & Maintenance ($4,904) - due to repairs at the CC and LL.
      • Utilities ($2,241) - due to the repayment of the outstanding LL water bill.
      • LL Stage Repair expense ($9,000) was not budgeted in FY 20-21.
      • LL Community Garden expenses ($1,462) were not budgeted in FY 20-21.
      • Fire Relief Fundraiser expense ($5,830) was not budgeted in FY 20-21.

B. Other Items

• Annual Appeal
  • Recurring Donations: In May, we had 56 recurring donations totaling $660 for the month.
  • Individual Donations: In May, we had 2 individual donations totaling $55.
• Liberty Lands
  • Potty Club Membership: In May, we had 4 membership payments totaling $200.
  • Party Rentals: In May, we had 20 party rentals booked totaling $928.
  • Support LL: In May, we had 4 individual donations to LL totaling $685.
• Fire Relief Fundraiser
  • In May, we raised $3,830 from 71 individual donors for four tenants who lost their possessions and housing in a fire at 1009 N 4th St on May 24. NLNA matched the funds raised in the fundraiser with a $2,000 gift. The four tenants are: Noelle Tweedie and Taryn Sanwald in the second-floor apartment and Tanner Beaudin and Brett Binion in the third- floor apartment.

Motion: By Matt Ruben, seconded by Steve Richman. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.” Passed 14-0-0

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

Caitlin will contact the interested Board members to schedule a retreat on messaging.

NLNA Communications and Marketing Committee

Meeting Date: 5/24/21

Chair: Caitlin Antram     Board Members Present: None  Community Members Present: Monica McCarty

Points of Discussion:

• Communications retreat scheduling and agenda brainstorm - June 26th or July 10th?
  • On the agenda:
    • Mission/Vision Statement
    • Email Blast
    • Website Copy
    • New email blast format - Mailchimp?
    • Very targeted social ad spend around annual appeal
    • Survey responses
• Social
  • Upcoming events or volunteer opportunities?
  • E-waste recycling
  • Anything else?
• FYI - Feel free to DM posts to the NLNA account if you think they should be shared
• Images folder - Context for photos in the Archive folder on the drive? They’re awesome - I’d just love to have some details about them.
• Notes for June board meeting:
  • To consider: New email template for the e-blast
  • Retreat date - who do I book the space with? Vaccination status?
  • Website working group and Comms committee relationship

Education Committee: Jeff Hornstein:

Jeff noted that Principal Feggins of Kearny Elementary attended the NLNA General meeting and was energized and interesting. He's looking forward to working with her and meeting the Ludlow Principal.

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

Liberty Lands Report   June, 2021

• Trash corrals – we're looking for a self-starter who could take on fixing the various wooden trash corrals around the park: there are hinges missing, lots of tops that need repair and repainting, and other surprises. If you could do it, let Liz know! Thank you! (We can pay for materials.) It would also be awesome to have a trash can/corral near the American Street entrance/exit that looked good with the swoop of the brick. Something for people to think about.
• Mike Simons fixed the chain climber on the playground! Thanks, Mike.
• After some discussion, we decided to keep the very limited in size-and-number policy for parties through this summer, but to eliminate the $100 “COVID deposit” which was more trouble than it was worth. Thanks again to Sarah Schindler-Williams for setting up the new system and Ana Webb for handling reservations!
• Thanks to a VERY generous park supporter and a lot of help from PHS, we're going to be able to “finish” the brick path on the southern side with a circle (more a hexagon) in the space at the eastern edge. PHS will do the design and bidding, and funding is through this anonymous donation. Thanks to you both!
• The first big City Harvest donation went to Sunday Love Project this week: a ton of greens and some herbs. Mary Claire Sullivan has been killing it with the garden and also with organization of gardener volunteers: thanks Mary Claire and all the gardeners helping and donating!
• Janet will get the annual “No Fireworks” sign up at the park soon. Remind neighbors that if they want to shoot off fireworks, they should annoy their own close neighbors, not those of the park.
• The next Weeder's Club is June 19th at 10 a.m. (or for early birds, July 10th at 8 a.m. after that). This is a great opportunity to learn more about the park, learn weed/plant identification, and hang out with other gardeners. The park relies on work hours from the community gardeners and tons of help from volunteers to keep the park in good shape. Hope to see you there!
• There's also a set of “common park weed” photos on the Facebook Friends of Liberty Lands page. More to be added soon!
• The community gardens are going great: thanks to coordinators Katherine Oniskey and Jeanne Kohl and to all the gardeners keeping it nice.
• The opera performance ended up being chilly and on the playground equipment (which was actually pretty cool) and drew around 25 people. Brief opera performances at the park may actually be a thing in the future, continuing our tradition of having only weird, esoteric art.
• The stage repairs are getting close to done! Big thanks to Ken Grono and the crew at Buckminster Green for making it happen (and to Seth Donkochik for the metal supports and to Penn Treaty SSD for the funding).
• As summer goes on, we appreciate everyone who helps keep the park great by kindly, politely enforcing the rules. All ye who gently chastise the walkers of unleashed dogs, the oblivious parents of kids behaving badly (or the kids themselves), the pickers of flowers, the leavers of trash, and the hosts of un-reserved parties: we salute you.
• The next steering committee meeting is July 13 at 7 p.m.  https://zoom.us/j/96263511406?pwd=VDltcEJxQ0VNTFpRMk9NWndSOUJFZz09

Membership Committee Report: Shakirra Clark.

Shakirra noted that the committee will be meeting this month and planning a meet and greet soon.

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

Operations Committee Update since May 19 Meeting

Yard/Divots:  Good News!!! The divots are a result of bird dust baths and lack of foot traffic to keep the stones compact.  There are more of them under the canopy because the area does not get wet.  Raking the yard should take care of most of the divots.  Can also dampen them and then rake if needed. 
ACTION: Yard will be raked.  Coordinate with Lara to make sure done prior to yard being opened/rental on June 11.

Interviews for Office Assistant/Rental Lead:  We have received some great candidates for the position and have started interviews.  Hoping to have completed on or before June 12 so top candidate can meet with Lara. Ideally start before June 20.   Thank you to Claire, Steve and Jacek for making the time to prep and be part of the interview process.

Yard

• Divots (not sinkholes) need to be addressed prior to opening and rentals (for safety of users and liability).  Work with Steve and Ira who were leads on project. 
• This impacts yard rentals and opening for neighborhood access so high priority.

Yard Maintenance

• Mulching was delivered and yard done first time since opening.  Moving forward, should be done annually.  May not need the amount received this year – let Janet know.  Look to coordinate with Liberty Lands and/or tree tenders etc.
  • Many thanks to Joe, Matt and Monika for assistance in spreading mulch.
  • Thanks to Janet as well for follow up work on mulch which was quite impressive.
• Bench – polish/stain. Connect with Ira and/or Joe.
• Overall, is there a maintenance plan and/or can we get one/create one based on what we know?

ACTION:  Lara connect with Steve/Ira for outreach. Barbara follow up in needed.

Website/Rental Process

• Copy/content needs to be updated and sent to Kat.  Barbara will work on.
• Need new and/or interim process for rentals.
• Need access to update Rental calendar. 

ACTION: Barbara will update content and create Google form.  Ask Kat for access to rental calendar.\

Office Assistant/Rental Lead

• Discussion on process and timeline.
• Currently recruiting using NLNA email newsletter.
• Goal is to have someone in place before June 20 (Lara’s time away).
• Plan for back up

ACTION:  Barbara follow up with Lara to review process and items before June 20. Keep committee informed of interview process. Asked for access to NLNA Office email from Lara.\

Old Business

• Follow Up with Kids Rock (they are interested in renting space)
• Center signs (some were COVID so may hold) work on posting new ones at next center work day

New Business

• Little Free Library:  Ask Joe to look at. May need some maintenance.

Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16.

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

NLNA Safety Committee Report 6/14/21

Matt met with Kris Kennedy and her office with:

• Sgt John Massi, 26th
• Capt William Fisher, 26th
• Inspector Chuck Latyon, East Division
• Josh Guelbart, Post Bros
• Grant Gurdlock, Post Bros
• G Lamar Stewart, DAs office
• Seth Meyers, DAs office
• Mark Squilla, City Council
• Corey Bell, City Council President's office

The purpose was to discuss the rash of break-ins on the commercial corridor and lack of police response and follow-up.

It was a heated conversation about communication between districts, the BID’s responsibilities in the process, business owners’ safety measures and communication to the neighborhood about arrests following crime.

Sgt Massi said that there is a staffing issue with police and referenced the BLM protests and “Defund the Police” as the cause. Twelve officers retiring early and an inability to hire more.

Inspector Latyon was the most helpful in the conversation stating that he was permitting overtime to help patrolling in our neighborhood, but also feels that will be cut once he is asked to explain the need.

The result was a proposed community town hall between the 26th district, Post Brothers, the DA’s office, City Council, neighbors and neighborhood businesses to open communication about safety in the neighborhood, proactive crime-prevention solutions for businesses, and follow up in the event of repeat offenses.

Applications are now being accepted for the Civilian Police Academy The Civilian Police Academy (CPA) was formed as a special program to welcome and include all Philadelphians in the operation of their police department. Throughout the length of the Civilian Police Academy experience, attendees learn first hand the policies, procedures and practices of the Philadelphia Police Department; somewhat like the recruit officer’s training process at the Philadelphia Police Academy.

Zoning Committee Report: Larry Freedman. Written report attached and reviewed.

Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Joe Mikuliak. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 633-35 N. 5th St, i.e.: 'Thank you for your presentation. Please reduce the total unit count and create more of a mixture of 1- and 2-BR units. To address the security concerns of the neighbors, please show a detailed plan of the roof deck as it relates to the adjoining homes on the south. Please return with detailed plans showing the design and materials of the parking gate and supporting structure, as well as noise consideration.” Passed 14-0-0

Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Joe Mikuliak. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 310 W. Girard Ave., i.e.: 'We support the zoning aspects of the project as presented as long as no element of the façade extends beyond the property line on any side.'” Passed 13-0-0

Motion: By Steve Richman, seconded by Jacek Ghosh. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 418 Spring Garden St., i.e.: 'Thank you for your presentation. We like the setbacks that create a wider sidewalk and reduce the impact of the increased height at the street. We believe the height is important and would like to see a shadow study. It was difficult to imagine the East and South facing facades without renderings of the view of the project coming North on 5th St. We appreciate the activation of both 5th St and Spring Garden with large retail spaces. We would like to see additional public space that is not tied to the retail space. The landscaping plan incorporates attractive materials and native plants, but the specific plan is unclear. We appreciate the parking shielded from the street. We would like to see some dedicated parking spaces for the commercial space and are concerned that the drive aisle near the loading zone should be expanded due to multiple overlapping uses.'” Passed 13-0-0

Old Business

• Don reported that we will be having a music festival in the fall and need to work out some logistics. Several people had ideas about food and fundraising and should reach out to Don!

New Business

• There was some brief conversation about the scheduling of Board and Zoning meetings.
• The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:40 p.m.

Addenda:

Northern Liberties Neighbors Association Zoning Committee Minutes

Monday 5/24/21

Members present: Larry Freedman, chair, Joe Mikuliak, Kenny Grono, Matthew Ochs, Scott Sperry, Charlie Abdo, Philip Hensley, Willam Smarzewski, Kristine Kennedy, Jonathan Sher

Members absent: Abbey Spector Ira Upin, Sharon Richman, Christine Furman

884 N. Orkney St. – RSA5 – Matt Handel – A preliminary proposal – Matt would like to find out if parking would be acceptable to the neighbors so he can move forward with his plans. Informational meeting. No formal input necessary.

633-35 N. 5th St. – ICXM – Tim McDonald – A proposal to demo and build – 16 units, commercial space, 42’ high, 5 parking spaces

Motion: 5-2-2:  Thank you for your presentation. Please reduce the total unit count and create more of a mixture of 1- and 2-BR units. To address the security concerns of the neighbors, please show a detailed plan of the roof deck as it relates to the adjoining homes on the south. Please return with detailed plans showing the design and materials of the parking gate and supporting structure, as well as noise consideration.

CDR: 417-25 W Callowhill. CMX-3  220 total residential units.  112 studios, 83 1 bedroom, 13 2 bedroom  Roof height (at roof deck) 85’ Neighbor (Gift of Life house) has concerns about construction process and air quality and will speak directly with developer’s team.

Group Motion: 9-0-0 Thank you for your presentation. The project has an interesting mix of materials, massing and facade plane changes. The first floor glazing offers a lot of transparency. We appreciate that the loading area for new residents is located on the interior. However, the project as a whole is not inviting to the community. As an early project of many to come in this area, we would like to see this project set a more positive tone for the neighborhood. The lack of outward facing commercial on the first floor, and open space which is not visible to the street frontage, give the project an insular feel. We are concerned that the additional use at this location will exacerbate existing dangerous traffic conditions at 5th and Callowhill, as well as 4th and 5th and Willow. Additionally, entering parking off 5th St will be challenging given three lanes of traffic and a bike lane merging at that location. We would like to see a dedicated loading zone on Callowhill so it does not interfere with the bike lane. We would like to see more details on street level hardscaping and landscaping.

Tuesday 5/25/21

Members present: Larry Freedman, chair, Joe Mikuliak, Kenny Grono, Matthew Ochs, Charlie Abdo, Philip Hensley, Willam Smarzewski, Kristine Kennedy, Jonathan Sher, Ira Upin, Christine Furman

Members absent: Abbey Spector Sharon Richman Scott Sperry

CDR: 200 Spring Garden St -CMX 3  149 feet tall with height bonuses for 10,000 sf of retail and storm water management. Not pursuing LEED bonuses but committed to the building being LEED certified. 355 units, 106 parking spaces, 110 bike spots.  35 studio, 126 1Bdrm, 78 1 Bdrm + den, 34 2Bdrm.

Motion: 10-0-0: Thank you for your presentation. We find the building to be a handsome and fitting structure at a main entrance to our neighborhood. We appreciate the curved and the warehouse look, but given the two long similar expanses would like to see more relief in the facade. Also, considering the height, a setback at upper levels would reduce the imapct of the height on Spring Garden. We applaud the dedicated drop off zone and parking, but would like to see a significant portion of the parking available to people visiting nearby commercial. We commend you for the commitment to have on site murals. We would like you to consider the 1 percent for art program to help create public art at that corner. Our main concern with the project is the lack of attention to 2nd St. While we appreciate the public space created on American St, the main street connecting our neighborhood here to Old City is 2nd St. Please consider rearranging the commercial space on the first floor so that the uses maximize community engagement on 2nd. We would like to see the multi-use path connect all the way to 2nd instead of being a dead end. Please approach the ownership of the property to the east on 2nd to see if this space can add to your instead of detracting as it is in its current state.

CDR: 412 N 2nd St – CMX-3  244’ tall with bonuses for LEED Gold, 20,000 sf retail and storm water management. 397 units.

Motion: 10-0-0 Thank you for your presentation. We are positive about the design overall. It is ambitious and LEED Gold is commendable. We appreciate the design of the woonerf (multi-use pedestrian and automobile zone) as well as the reuse of part of an existing building on site. We commend you for the commitment to on site murals. Thank you for adding a designated drop off zone. Though the spaces created are technically public, a theme of internalization doesn’t activate the community as much as this site could. If we are going to create a pedestrian experience going South from Northern Liberties, 2nd St is as important, if not more than American St which is not continuous. Please consider ways to increase community engagement on 2nd. We are concerned about traffic exiting the woonerf onto Callowhill and wonder if through traffic is really needed here. Due to increased use of Willow St from this and other projects, we are concerned about traffic and dangerous conditions on this street if it remains 2 way. We do not agree that the billboard is a vestige of the past worth celebrating. Thank you for your consideration.

Monday 6/7/21

Members present: Larry Freedman, chair, Joe Mikuliak, Kenny Grono, Matthew Ochs, Ira Upin, Scott Sperry, Christine Furman, Charlie Abdo, Philip Hensley, Sharon Richman, Kristine Kennedy, Bill Smarzewski    

Members absent: Abbey Spector, Jonathan Sher

310 W. Girard Ave. - ICMX - Dan McShane - A return visit with a proposal for a commercial residential building (changed since we last reviewed) Zoning: Unit count reduced to 189 units. Traffic egress now onto Orianna, with traffic going North.

Façade steps back at 5th and 6th floors on Orianna, and on 7th on all sides. Increased visibility to green space in center.

Neighbor concerns remain about about façade on Orianna. No affordable housing component is included. Applicant will meet with residents of the Cigar Factory to adjust the Orianna St façade as it pertains to light and air for Cigar Factory residents.

Motion: Joe, Kenny 2nd 7-3-0: We support the project as presented as long as no element of the façade extends beyond the property line on any side.

CDR:

The plans we were shown were inconsistent and we were advised by the planning commission that the submission would not fulfill the requirements of a public meeting for CDR. Prior to abandoning the CDR letter, the following notes were taken: (Sidewalks and streets: The plans shown at the meeting showed bays extending over Orianna sidewalk. We would like no element to extend beyond the property line. The egress and ingress are well thought out and we approve of the location the loading dock. We would like to see loading hours to be limited to reduce the impact on 3^rd St. Open spaces: We appreciate the effort that was made to increase visibility to the green space. We would like to public access to the green space on the ground floor.)

418 Spring Garden St. - CMX3 - Herc Grigos - CDR - Zoning approved - 330 multifamily dwelling units, 87 parking spaces, first floor retail, 137 ‘ high.

Group Motion 11-0-0: Thank you for your presentation. We like the setbacks that create a wider sidewalk and reduce the impact of the increased height at the street. We believe the height is important and would like to see a shadow study. It was difficult to imagine the East and South facing facades without renderings of the view of the project coming North on 5th St. We appreciate the activation of both 5th St and Spring Garden with large retail spaces. We would like to see additional public space that is not tied to the retail space. The landscaping plan incorporates attractive materials and native plants, but the specific plan is unclear. We appreciate the parking shielded from the street. We would like to see some dedicated parking spaces for the commercial space and are concerned that the drive aisle near the loading zone should be expanded due to multiple overlapping uses.

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