BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES – Meeting of June 4, 2018

PRESENT:  Matt Ruben, President; Barbara Mulckhuyse, Vice-President; Steve Richman, Treasurer; Janet Finegar, Secretary; Claire Adler; Kristen Ainscoe; Avery Amaya; Melanie Coffman; Michael Coyne; Donald Hoegg; Monika Kreidie; Joe Mikuliak; Don Phillips.ABSENT:  Ben Mann; Barbara SaverinoALSO PRESENT: Jared Foreman, Lara KellyThe meeting was called to order by the President at 7:08 p.m.The meeting was opened with introductions and welcomes to the new Board members.Matt explained the process of approving new members to the Zoning Committee and introduced Jared Foreman, who has been recommended by the Committee to be a new member. He spoke briefly to the Board and answered a few questions.Motion: By Steve Richman, seconded by Donald Phillips.“To approve Jared Foreman as a member of the Zoning Committee.”  Passed 11-0-0 Motion: By Michael Coyne, seconded by Monika Kreidie.“To approve the minutes of the May Board meeting as presented.”  Passed 7-0-4Lara Kelly introduced herself to the new Board members and briefly described her duties in the office.President’s Report:NLNA President’s Report, June 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 wrap up with a likely final meeting this month, and passage of the bill in September.
• Property Taxes/City Budget – Monika, Lara I and I held “office hours” in the NLNA office during May to advise people on property tax issues, and they were successful – a good number of people came. A Bill has been introduced in City Council that would give Council, via an auditor it would hire, the ability to review and modify OPA property assessments.
• Business Improvement District (BID) – We got through the 45-day objection period with only four objections. The BID will begin services July 1; Kevin Moran, formerly Executive Director of the Fairmount CDC, has been hired as Executive Director; street cleaning once a week on Saturdays will begin in July. Services will ramp up as the money from assessments comes in.

2. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Community Center Yard – This is nearing completion
• Community Center Mortgage – Settlement on the new mortgage is Monday morning June 4. Update at our board meeting.
• Office Management/Oversight – Don Hoegg has resigned from the board and will be taking on some key operational responsibilities for the Community Center. Details at our meeting.

3. EVENTS AND OUTREACH

• General Membership Meetings. The May election 26 meeting was well-attended. Next up is September. As always, I am happy to hear suggestions for agenda items.
• Meet-n-Greet: The May 30 meet-n-greet was well-attended too. Thanks to the Membership Committee for making it such a success! We are going to get some acoustic-treatment panels to reduce the noise when the space is full of people.

4. COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICITY

• Claire Adler has started a public Facebook page for the NLNA, as well as an Instagram account.

5. OTHER ITEMS

• Board Polls – Ratification of any online or online board polls since last month’s board meeting (Community Center apartment rent and Overseer position).

 Motion: By Michael Coyne, seconded by Monika Kreidie.“To formally ratify any and all Board polls taken electronically over the past month.”  Passed: 11-0-0 Treasurer's Report: Steve Richman:TREASURER’S REPORT – JUNE 2018

1. 2017-18 Budget: May Financials - tables attached

• For the eight months ended on May 31^st All Funds Current Year Income was $150,463; this was about $35,600 more than projected. The reason for this significant discrepancy is that we received $32,600 in unbudgeted grants for a new fence to be installed on Fairmount Avenue.
• All Funds Expenses totaled $207,518, which was only about $2,000 less than anticipated.
• When we add in prior year funds (mostly grant funds), which total $114,540, income rises to $265,000, yielding a positive balance of $57,500. This is $30,600 more than anticipated. Again, the main reason for the large difference is the receipt of unanticipated grant funds totaling $32,600.
• Excluding grant fund activity yields a more accurate representation of our financial position. Thus, if we limit the calculation to income and expenses from the General Fund and Liberty Lands accounts, our financial position after

the first eight months of the fiscal year is as follows:

• GF & LL Income (rounded): $114,000 -- $4,200 more than anticipated.
• GF & LL Expenses (rounded): $99,000 -- $4,900 less than anticipated.
• GF & LL Net Income: $15,000 -- $9,000 more than anticipated.

• Significant variations from budgeted projections through December include:
  • Higher than expected income from donations and fundraising activities (+$2,200 net). The Annual Appeal (+$800), Fall Fest (+$500) and Winterfest (+$2,200) each raised significantly more than anticipated. These were partially offset by shortfalls in corporate contributions for Clean Streets and income from recycling initiatives.
  • Higher than expected grant income (+$3,350). A grant from Penn Treaty for tree chipping ($2,100) and a larger than anticipated grant for Winterfest (+$1,300) account for the difference.
  • Lower than expected income from space rentals (community center: -$400; Liberty Lands: -$400) and user fees ($-600).
  • Lower than anticipated expenses for equipment and furnishings (-$800). Expenses for our new alarm system came in below the amount we set aside.
  • Lower than anticipated spending for program services (-$3,000), professional services (-$3,200) and repair and maintenance (-$3,700). This difference is almost entirely due to slow billing (mostly Clean Streets) and seasonality.
  • While lower spending in the above and several other categories totaled about $10,000, spending for other items such as utilities, signage, inspections, license fee, communications, lighting and alarm monitoring partially offset this total.

1. Other Items

• NLNA Mortgage – BB&T Bank has finally approved our mortgage loan application. This follows discussions that were held with BB&T over six months ago about the possibility of converting our existing adjustable rate mortgage (with 11 years, 8 months remaining) to a 10-year fixed rate mortgage. Some months ago the bank offered us this option under terms deemed favorable to us. The Finance Committee recommended that we accept the bank’s offer and the Board concurred. Following the bank’s offer an appraisal of the property was conducted, which took longer than anticipated. The closing on the new loan is scheduled for June 4 th . The closing fees will be lower than anticipated as a result of negotiations with the bank.
• Existing Capital Grant from PTSSD – Work continued on the construction of the pavilion and the surrounding landscaping. In total, nearly $93,000 has been spent on yard work since October 1, 2017, $125,700 in total. Additional disbursements, totaling about $11,600, are anticipated to be made in June.
• New Grants – Our grant application to Penn Treaty for $20,000 to install a new fence on Fairmount Avenue was approved in April and a check was received in May. In addition, our application to the PA DCNR for $14,000 in grant funding to help pay for the new fence was also approved and a check for $12,600 (90%) was received in May.

 Motion: By Joe Mikuliak, seconded by Barb Mulckhuyse. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.”  Passed 10-0-0 Election Committee Report:The 2018 Election was completed successfully. The newly opened space on the Board will be discussed in New Business. Fundraising Committee Report:Barbara Saverino sent a report on the Doughboy Statue dedication. The Board was reminded that the Spring Music Festival was rescheduled to July 7 and that the 2^ndStreet Festival is upcoming in August. Membership Committee Report:The May meet-n-Greet was very successful and well attended. Thanks to Michael Coyne and the committee for organizing it. Liberty Lands Committee Report: Janet Finegar:Liberty Lands Report – June 2018

• As you may have noticed, it's been a very rainy month. The Love Your Park workday (and the ewaste recycling) scheduled for the 19^thwere rained out, as was the music fest for June 2. Ewaste collection was postponed to June 16^th; the music fest was postponed to July 7^th, and the workday went ahead with just Janet and Liz! Liz got some things planted in the rain garden and weeded the birchberry garden. Janet moved things around at the 3^rdStreet entrance to try to reduce the Great Lake that forms where the concrete pad and brick path meet. A drainage channel to the south helped a lot, and we'll take a look at making it a bit more permanent so that lake won't keep forming.
• Fortunately, a group of teenagers from Maryland visited earlier in the week and put in a solid two hours weeding in the rain garden, so a bunch of work did get done for Love Your Park week.
• Summer park programs are underway: the Farmer's Market has about 5 regular vendors (please support them!) every Saturday from 9-3; Weeder's Club is meeting from 9-11 every Saturday, and City Harvest has taken a few loads of fresh veggies to the pantry at Bebashi already, with many more to come. We have a steady flow of reservations, including from local schools and preschools, which is very nice.
• As we get close to July, we'll post a sign again reminding people not to set off fireworks in the park. Your support of that ban on social media is appreciated.
• Parking tension on 3^rdStreet has increased. At the upcoming LL meeting (June 10^th) we'll talk about approaching Streets for parking restrictions on the 900 block (going to permit parking and maybe creating a loading zone at the park entrance)
• Upcoming:
  • June 10^th, 7 p.m., at Community Center: monthly steering committee meeting
  • June 16: E-waste reycling collection (probably at Community Center?)
  • July 7: Music Fest/flea market/gun violence rally
  • July 10, 7 p.m., location TBA, monthly steering committee meeting
  • July 14: Femme Collective fundraiser/party
  • July and August: Heat. Mosquitoes.

  Operations Committee Report:Monika reported that a new window pane has been ordered and will be installed when it arrives. It was noted at the meet-n-greet that the room is extremely loud when there are many people in it: Larry Freedman recommended ceiling acoustical panels.Motion: By Barb Mulckhuyse, seconded by Michael Coyne: “To allocate up to $750 to purchase acoustical panels for the ceiling of the community center main room.”   Passed 11-0-0 Quality of Life Committee Report:Janet reported that the e-waste recycling collection event that had to be rescheduled from mid-May will take place on June 16. Zoning Committee Report: Joe Mikuliak; written report attached and reviewed.Motion: By Joe Mikuliak, seconded by Steve Richman. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 302 Poplar St. (including 3^rdSt. through to Orianna St.), i.e.: 'We support this project as presented on May 21, 2018, with the height of the apartment building at 57’ on 3^rdSt., with the following provisos: 1) townhouses as well as the commercial building will have commercial trash and recycling picked up from the rear of the building; and 2) the masonry wall separating the carport from the adjacent back yards will be 6’ high.'”  Passed: 9-0-1  Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Monika Kreidie. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 1034 N. Bodine St., i.e.: 'We support this project as presented.'”  Passed: 10-0-0Motion: By Monika Kreidie, seconded by Avery Amara. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 222 Brown St., i.e.: 'We support this project with the following provisos: 1) there will be a maximum of 20 students; 2) hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 3) drop-off and pick-up will be limited to the west side of American St. at the church’s driveway; 4) there will be no signed loading zone request and no parking spots eliminated on the street for drop-off/pick-up purposes; and 5) applicant will sign a written agreement with NLNA memorializing these provisos.'”  Passed: 10-0-0Motion: By Joe Mikuliak, seconded by Monika Kreidie. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 1041 N. Leithgow St., i.e.: 'We cannot support the project as presented. Please consult with all the adjacent affected neighbors (1037, 1039 and 1043 N. Leithgow St.; 1138, 1140 and 1142 N. 4^thSt.) to reach a consensus and return with those plans or build by right.'”  Passed: 10-0-0Motion: By Barb Mulckhuyse, seconded by Monika Kreidie. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 931 N. American St., i.e.: 'We support this project as presented.'”  Passed: 10-0-0Donald mentioned that we really need to have a map of the neighborhood at the community center so that we can better understand where Zoning proposals are. It was agreed that we should ask Larry Freedman to see if we could get one printed out by the Planning Commission.Old BusinessDonald and Matt both reminded the Board to be aware of the variety of events happening in the neighborhood (both planned by the NLNA or associated with it) and to make a good effort to stop in at as many of them as possible.Steve reported briefly on the community center yard project: the expectation is that the stone finds will go in soon to finish the surfacing and that we will have some kind of an event in the fall (when dignitaries are in town and available) as a grand opening.New BusinessMatt distributed Conflict of Interest statements for each Board member to sign; these were collected by the Board Secretary.There was discussion of a few minor logistical issues such as office hours posting, office wi-fi, and marketing of the NLNA.It was agreed that the July meeting should be scheduled for July 9^th. The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:29 p.m.Addenda:Zoning Committee - Monday 5/21/18Members present: Larry Freedman (chair), Charlie Abdo, Kenny Grono, Chris Isaacson, Melissa Magness, Joe Mikuliak, Sharon Richman, Jonathan Sher, Abbey Spector, Ira Upin        Members absent: Christine Furman302 Poplar Street (including 3 rd Street through to Orianna Street) – CMX2 – Shimi Zakin: A return visit with a proposal for townhouses, residential building, parking and corner commercial space.  Motion from March 2018:  1. We will not support single-family townhouse buildings over 38 feet. 2. Please maintain the horizontal glass along the bottom and top of the 5-story façade on 3rd Street.  3. The narrowness of the windows on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors along 3rd Street and the top floor of the single houses over-emphasizes the height of the buildings and seems institutional and claustrophobic. 4. Additional parking spaces could be provided through stacking cars or by providing below-grade parking. 5. The use of solar options should be investigated. 6. Please provide a shadow study to show the impact on Orianna Hill Park. The townhouse height was reduced to 40’8” from 44’. Front decks were eliminated. Narrow windows were enlarged from 2’ wide to 3’ wide on top of the townhouses and on the apartment building. Below grade parking was not feasible because of required storm water management. Shadow study showed limited impact on neighborhood. Commercial businesses and apartments will have commercial trash pickup. Townhouses would use regular trash pickup. Discussion: Neighbors wanted commercial trash pickup for the townhouses. A straw poll of attendees – majority approved of 57’ height for apartment/commercial building.Motion (Ira) - 2 nd (Melissa): Vote 6-2-1 We support this project with the height of the apartment building at 57’ on 3 rd Street with the following provisos:  1. Townhouses as well as the commercial building will have commercial trash and recycling picked up from the rear of the building. 2. The masonry wall separating the car port from the adjacent back yards will be 6’ high.1034 N. Bodine Street – CMX3 – Adam Laver: A proposal for a 4 story 2 unit building (low on open space).Group Motion: Vote 9-0-0   We support this project as presented.222 Brown Street – RSA5 – Svetlana Tikhonov: A proposal for an education facility (not allowed if it’s in a semi-detached building). There will be 20 students in a Montessori school for 7^thand 8^thgraders. Discussion: There was concern about street congestion during pick-up and drop-off times.Motion (Ira) - 2 nd (Kenny): Vote 9-0-0   We support this project with the following provisos: 1. There will be a maximum of 20 students.  2. Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  3. Drop-off and pick-up will be limited to the west side of American Street at the church’s driveway. 4. There will be no signed loading zone request and no parking spots eliminated on the street for drop-off/pick-up purposes.1041 N. Leithgow Street – RSA5 – Ian Smith: A proposal for a four story addition and parking space (height, rear yard setback and parking refusals. The pilot house is counted into the overall height of the house because it is larger than 90 sq. feet. The house is 40’8” at the roof line without the addition of the height of the pilot house. Discussion: Neighbors were concerned about the height of the building and the impact on their properties and open space.Group Motion: Vote 8-0-0 Please consult with all the adjacent affected neighbors (1037, 1039 and 1043 N. Leithgow Street; 1138,1140 and 1142 N. 4^th Street) to reach a consensus and return with those plans or build by right.931 N. American Street – RSA5 – Brian Phillips: A return visit with a proposal for the demo and erection of a single family dwelling with parking (refusal for parking space, rear yard setback and from setback). Motion from August 2017: Please return with the following: 1 - Building height that does not exceed the 38’ including the trellis; 2 - Provide a minimum of 9’ setback in the backyard; 3 - Provide drawings with the material choices and the existing building to give context; 4 - Provide a shadow study including the impact of the trellis; 5 - Create a 3 foot setback (on the lower roof deck) from Laurel Street by using a planter. The trellis was cut in half so it has no further impact than other parts of the house. All setbacks were adhered to.Motion (Jon) - 2^nd(Ira): Vote 8-0-0 We support this project as presented. Doughboy Restoration

• Event is Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m., at Madison Memorial Park (2nd & Spring Garden). Invited guests (and will send reminder tonight/tomorrow) include: Penn Treaty Special Services District, Transport Workers Union Local 234 and neighborhood friends including Mary Dankanis. The City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and Kensington Memorial Amvets. Councilman Squilla and Rep. Brady have also been invited. I will send update on confirmed attendees and brief agenda.
• Next Steps/Action:
  • The funds raised have covered the statue restoration. The plan is to create and have a permanent sign in the park recognizing our supporters.
  • I am also getting costs on repairing the walkway bridge
  • Moving forward I would like to make sure that we include Doughboy in community cleans ups/parks days, etc.
  • Ramp up Friends of Doughboy Park
• About the project:

            Northern Liberties Neighbors Association, in conjunction with the Friends of the Doughboy, continue to work on the restoration and renovation of the Doughboy statue as well as maintain the park located at 2nd & Spring Garden Streets. I am pleased to share the news that the bayonet and the stolen plaque have been replaced.            The names of the 400 soldiers from the missing bronze plaque were provided by Charles and Mildred Vessey. Mildred’s father, Charles Burg, was a WWI Vet and had attended the original ceremony. He told them to keep the program because “some day someone will want those names”            The Doughboy statue is located at Second & Spring Garden streets and honors soldiers (known as doughboys) from the River Wards who served. The statue is a bronze figure of a WWI Doughboy in uniform with field pack, carrying a rifle with bayonet in his left hand. A plaque plaque on the front of the granite pedestal reads: “IN MEMORY OF OUR BOYS OF THE SIXTH, ELEVENTH, AND TWELFTH WARDS WHO SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR OF THE NATIONS, 1914-1918.”            The renovation would not have been possible without the generous financial support of Penn Treaty Special Services District, Transport Workers Union Local 234 and neighborhood friends including Mary Dankanis. City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and Kensington Memorial Amvets have also been supporters of this project. —