BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES – Meeting of October 5, 2020

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; Amy Sweeney.

ABSENT: Kevin Wilkins

The meeting was called to order by the President at 6:35 p.m.

Motion: By Amy Sweeney, seconded by Jacek Ghosh. “To approve the minutes of the September Board meeting as presented.”  Passed 12-0-0

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

Claire added to her report information about a proposed amendment to a bill about bike lanes – the proposed amendment would make RCO approval of new bike lanes mandatory. The amendment is opposed by the Bicycle Coalition as well as many others. 

Motion: By Don Phillips, seconded by Matt Ruben. “To officially state NLNA's opposition to the proposed amendment to bill 565 that would mandate RCO approval of new bike lanes.”  Passed 13-0-0

NLNA President’s Report, October 5, 2020

1. Planning, Development And Policy

• Benjamin Franklin Bridge Update: DVRPC is conducting a study on the eastbound access to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and we are a stakeholder in the project. Public outreach will begin this fall primarily through a web application.

2. Finance And Administration

• Website: We secured a sponsorship of $3,500 to redesign and fix our website. We have shared the website RFP with a deadline for October 19th. Please share it with anyone you know who may be interested. We aim to select a contractor by the end of the month.
• Annual Appeal: We’ve started a small working group on the Annual Appeal to create goals and strategies for fundraising. We’re targeting the launch of the Annual Appeal for Monday, November 9.
• Zoom: Please always schedule your NLNA Zoom meetings with both a password and a waiting room for security. Using registration is suggested but not required.

3. Events And Outreach

• Meet-and-Greet: A huge thank you to our Membership Committee for successfully executing our first virtual meet-and-greet. Thank you to all the board members who were able to make it.
• General Meeting: I propose a General Meeting on Monday, October 19th with someone from the Commissioner’s office to provide information about how to vote safely and do a Q&A.
• Election 2020 Update: Polling places in Northern Liberties will be back at their usual locations, including the NLNA Community Center, except voters who were at 1 Brown Street will now be at The Fillmore. There will be a satellite election office opening up at Spring Garden and Delaware Ave, date is not yet determined.
• Halloween: Spooky Garden will not take place this year, but they are looking to do something else, such as fence decorations. People will trick-or-treat regardless, but we should put out messaging calling on people to do so safely, and offer an alternative way to celebrate Halloween that does not involve trick-or-treating. I propose a house decoration contest and/or costume contest through social media and ask for a small group to put this together.

4. Other Items

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

Treasurer's Report: Jacek Ghosh and Stephen Richman.  Written final proposal for FY21 Budget distributed and reviewed.

NLNA 2019-20 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION
Presented By The Finance & Administration Committee  – October 5, 2020

Changes From Draft Budget Submitted At Spetember Board Meeting

• The draft budget presented to the Board last month projected that we would end the 2019-20 fiscal year with Total Year Net Income in the General Fund and Liberty Lands of $24,650 (includes prior year funds). That amount is revised to $26,965. Neither income (+$1,169) nor expenses (-$1,146) were significantly different than previously estimated. The entire balance was carried-out to 2020-21. While no additional funds were deposited into the Reserve, that account now has a balance of $152,000. Nearly sixty percent of the carry-out ($15,000) consisted of Smart Family Foundation grant funds set aside for Liberty Lands. The remaining funds will pay for Clean Streets, computer equipment, systems improvements and marketing, and expenses incurred but not yet paid.
• With respect to 2020-21, the differences between the draft budget and the final recommendations are as follows: Income is higher by $3,500, reflecting an increase in grant revenue from Penn Treaty for redesign of our website.
• Expenses are now projected to be $5,800 higher. Of that, $3,500 is for redesign of our website; the balance is carryover expenses to be paid for from prior year funds.
• With respect to the COVID-19 Grant Fund, there is virtually no difference between the amounts proposed in September and the current recommendation. Over the two year period we still expect nearly $36,000 in income and $30,000 in expenses. The remaining $6,000 is available for expenditure in FY21.

Overview Of 2020-21 Recommended Budget: General Fund And Liberty Lands

• The recommended GF and LL budget for FY21 reflects a modest recovery in NLNA operating and programming levels, with events and activities anticipated to resume (albeit at reduced levels) by mid-year. While this will increase income and expenses from FY 20 year-end actuals, both are projected to remain well below FY20 budgeted levels.
• Because the growth in expenses is expected to outpace income growth next year, the budget relies on onetime carryover funding to achieve balance. In this regard next year’s budget should be viewed as a bridge back to what will hopefully be a fully functional and fiscally viable NLNA in FY22.
• The following summarizes budgeted income and spending for FY21 in the GF and LL:
• Income of $144,340 – an increase of $14,436 (+11%) from 2019-20 actual.
• Spending of $167,505 – an increase of $33,571 (+25%) from 2019-20 actual.
• “Current Year Net Income” of -$23,165 – about $19,100 lower than 2019-20 (actual).
• “Total Year Net Income” (counting prior year funds) is +$5,000, about $22,000 lower than 2019-20 (actual).
• After subtracting a projected carryout of $5,000 for Liberty Lands, the remaining balance totals $0.

Major Changes From 2019-20: General Fund And Liberty Lands

Income

• The $14,436 projected increase in income is attributable to gains in three categories: $1,000 from fundraising ($41,600 total), $11,000 from grants ($31,400 total), and $5,000 from rent     and fees ($71,000 total). These increases are partially offset by a projected decline in revenue from administrative fees (-$1,400).
• Fundraising income from events and activities is projected to increase by $6,000; 4 of 5 fundraising events normally scheduled are expected to take place – although at a reduced level. Other fundraising activities (Annual Appeal, individual and corporate donations, recycling) are expected to decline by $5,000.
• Sponsorship grants from Penn Treaty are expected to total $31,400 in FY21, a $20,000 increase from the current year. These grants are expected to fully cover our costs for ten events/activities planned for the coming year.
• $10,000 from the second Smart Family grant is programmed for expenditure in 2020-21; the remaining $5,000 from the first Smart Family grant is carried over to 2021-22.
• The increase in rental income is attributable to scheduled increases in the monthly rent for the 2nd floor apartment and the mailbox store, and a resumption of community center and Liberty Lands rentals beginning in the spring.
• Donations to the Annual Appeal are budgeted to decline from $22,000 to $20,000.
• Income from fees is also expected to decline slightly, mostly due to non-recurring reimbursement from Penn Treaty grants.

Expenses

• Higher GF and LL spending projected in 2020-21 is largely due to anticipated increases in the following four categories: professional services (+$12,000); community center and Liberty Lands operating costs (+$10,400); events and activities (+$6,200); and communications (+$6,700).
• Spending for professional services is expected to be higher largely as a result of a projected increase in hours worked by staff. In addition, $1,500 is included for coverage of community center rentals (open/close).
• Costs for the community center and Liberty Lands will increase as normal operations begin to resume. The largest increases will be in spending for equipment and repair and maintenance. Although the building manager position was eliminated earlier this year, the budget includes $1,000 for weekly trash service at the community center.
• The budget also reflects higher spending on programming, largely commencing in the spring. A number of events and activities cancelled in the current year are anticipated to take place in FY21. The increase in spending in this category is moderated by the phase-out of Clean Streets. Three months’ funding is provided for this program, saving $8,400.
• The increase in communications costs reflects funding set aside for website development, including $3,500 from the just received PTSSD grant.
• The use of nearly $22,000 in prior year funds to pay obligations in 2020-21 will be necessary to balance the GF and Liberty Lands budget. While the use of one-time funds to balance the budget is not sustainable over the long term, the unique circumstances we have been confronted with over the past six months, and the probability that they will continue through this coming winter, make this step necessary.

Major Changes From 2019-20: Grant Funds -- Covid-19 Ptssd Grant

• In FY20 we received a one-time $25,000 Penn Treaty grant and $10,000 in associated donations. Spending from the grant (and a promised $5,000 match) totaled about $25,600.
• The budget assumes that the balance of the required match ($4,400) will come from the COVID-related donations and be spent in FY21. Specific uses of these funds will be determined based on an ongoing needs analysis.
• The balance of the COVID donations budgeted for next year – about $6,000 – is not specifically programmed pending a determination of budgetary priorities.

BUDGETARY ASSUMPTIONS

• The recommended budget is balanced after accounting for onetime carryover funding from the prior year. Absent this onetime funding the budget would not be in balance.
• The expense side of the budget will grow faster than the income side. While this is not sustainable long term, FY21 needs to be viewed in the context of the unique challenges that have confronted, and will continue to challenge the Association for an indeterminate time.
• The budget is predicated on the assumption that operations (and income streams) will gradually resume by the spring, although at a reduced level. Viewed in this context FY 21 should be a bridge to a fully operational state in the following year.
• In the event growth is stalled or occurs at a slower rate than projected, the budget contains about $11,000 in contingency funds. These include the $6,000 in COVID-related donations and $5,000 in Smart Family Foundation funds budgeted to be carried over to FY22.
• Otherwise, the budget for FY21 reflects conservative estimates for individual and corporate donations, and projects moderate inflationary increases in the cost of operations, including utilities, insurance, supplies and maintenance. The budget also includes funds to accomplish a necessary redesign of our website and maintain it.
• Programmatically, the most significant change in the FY21 budget is the termination of the Clean Streets program (3 months’ funding is provided). Clean Streets has been in place for five years and has been a popular program. It was originally funded with donations from developers, which in recent years have declined substantially. The scope of the Clean Streets program has also been scaled back over the last couple of years as the NL BID initiated a similar program covering the neighborhood’s commercial corridors. Most significantly, the limited funding available to support Clean Streets, and its narrow focus and effectiveness, have raised questions about whether continued operations are justified.

Motion: By Don Phillips, seconded by Janet Finegar. “To accept the FY21 Budget as presented.”  Passed 13-0-0

Communications & Marketing Committee: Caitlin Antrim. Written report attached and reviewed.
Caitlin noted that the proposed October 19 meeting will be moved if there is a general meeting for that date.

NLNA Communications and Marketing Committee  Meeting Date: 9/21/20

Chair: Caitlin Antram  Board Members Present: Claire Adler, Joe Mikuliak  Community Members Present: Stephen Shiffer

Points of Discussion​:

• Fox Business Report - we are in process of reviewing
• Interfaith Philadelphia Crafting Community project - They had reached out to us. Caitlin followed up with them over email and invited them to attend our next committee meeting or set up a separate conversation as appropriate. (Haven’t heard back yet.)
• TechSoup - An organization recommended by Lara as a possible website rehab partner.
  • Claire will send RFP to them when the time comes
• Brand Persona Brainstorm - Caitlin posed two questions for group discussion:
  • Imagine the NLNA was a person, what are they like - Now?
    • A person who lives in NoLibs/Doesn’t have a ton of fun/The kid who throws the really cool party once a year, but no one talks to him the rest of the year/Intimidating/Not transparent
  • Imagine the NLNA was a person, what would we want them to be like?
    • Warm and welcoming/Informative/Tolerant/A good, empathic listener/Energetic/Resourceful/A social connector/Ambitious - wants to make the neighborhood a better place to live for everyone/Symbiotic (with local business, the BID) - promoting local events at restaurants etc.
• Ideas: A big calendar in the window? Contact info? A monitor scrolling info in the window?
• Goals:
  • Repost more local news on social media.
  • Use social media to start projecting the person we want to become.

Next meeting: Oct 19 at 6pm - Google Meet

Liberty Lands Committee Report: Janet Finegar.

Janet reported that the park is quiet. An application to PTSSD for the stage repair will take place mid-October, and Liberty Lands will plan some kind of Halloween activity.

Membership Committee Report: Shakirra Clark.

Shakirra reported that the virtual meet-and-greet went very well and six or seven new neighbors joined the email list.

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

Barbara asked for the Board's feedback on having the same people return this year to sell Christmas trees in the yard despite their inability to pay for the use. There was discussion of the kinds of sweat equity they might be able to donate and ways to better take advantage of the good publicity it could create for NLNA (including integrating the annual appeal into their presence). It was further suggested that they might be able to donate trees for Operation Santa or local families. Barbara agreed that she will take the suggestion back to the committee and include an agreement to work with the Communications committee as part of their memorandum of understanding.

NLNA Operations Committee – September 16 Meeting

Review of opening plan and logistics for yard and center

• Committee spent the majority of the time discussing this agenda item.  Consensus is to use the attached document as a guide when we reopen  (full green). We will also continue to look at the guidance and recommendations from experts.

• Suggestion:  Lara will open the yard while she is in the office on a trial basis.  She will monitor and report back.

Christmas Tree Sales/Neighborhood Tree Company

• Approached for a second year of using center yard for holiday season with social distance efforts in place. Company is interested in similar offering as last year – use of space and donation to local nonprofit.  Operations Committee recommended that due to COVID-19 and our loss of rental income, we would request a rental fee of $50 per day.  The Neighborhood Tree Company followed up asking if there were other arrangement, donation of sweat equity and/or point them to another viable location (perhaps on 2nd Street). Shared with Treasurer and feedback welcome.  

• Action: Board discussion 10/5

New Business 

• Replaced computers in office
• Need to identify snow removal contractor
• Bike racks requested by BID - Committee supported via email and Barbara followed up with Claire and Kristine. 

Next Meeting:  October 21, 2020 7:00 PM

Public Safety Committee Report: Matt Ochs. 
Matt reported on a meeting he and Joe had with the holder of the nolibscrime.com domain and that individual's presentation on his philosophy of crime data collection. Matt will send information to the Board. There was some conversation about recent car break-ins in the community.

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

There was significant conversation about the proposed signs on the Quaint Oak Bank building, which are internally lit and which could function as billboards once they are approved. 

Motion: By Don Phillips, seconded by Jacek Ghosh. “In thematter of 117-21 Spring Garden St.,we appreciate the Zoning Committee's work, but are hesitant to approve any kind of billboard-like advertising facing our neighborhood. We need a better description of the signs' appearance, size, and functioning, as well as clarification of what they are legally allowed to become, before we can make a decision”  Passed 12-0-1

Motion: By Matt Ruben, seconded by Joe Mikuliak. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 622 N. Front St, i.e.: 'Thank you for your presentation. We support the tattoo parlor use at this location with the following provisos: Hours Monday to Saturday 11-9p. Trash to be stored in rear yard, but placed in front of the building on Front st. We will require a letter from the health dept. stating that the plan as presented and trash plan as described is allowable. No outdoor speakers and no sound shall escape premises.'”  Passed12-0-0

Motion: By Caitlin Antrim, seconded by Amy Sweeney. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 879 Orkney St., i.e.: 'Thank you for your presentation. We support the project as presented.'”  Passed 11-0-1

Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Steve Richman. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 102 W. Girard Ave, i.e.: 'We support a sit-down restaurant with DJ for more than 50 people with take out window at 102 W. Girard Ave with provisos regarding security, noise control, loitering, outside promotions, management always on the premises, occupancy, clean up of sidewalk upon closing, dance floor size and description, and queue control. These provisos are detailed in the email from David Orphanides that are included in this letter of support.'”  Passed 11-0-0

Joe raised the issue that contacts from people who attend the Zoom Zoning committee meetings are not captured (as they would be with a sign up list at an in-person meeting). As a first step, Joe suggested that the Zoning Committee ask participants to include their contact information in chat. He will present that option to the Committee. 

New Business

Janet proposed doing a distribution of food and supplies through the COVID grant at the end of October 2020 spending around $1,000 of the remaining funds. There was general approval.

Steve updated the Board on the Penn Treaty Special Services District upcoming elections. Rick Angeli is planning to run for re-election, but there is a possibility that an additional seat will be opening for a Northern Liberties resident. Information is available at the penntreatyssd.org site. 

The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:28 p.m.

ADDENDA

Zoning Committee Minutes Monday 9/30/20 

Members present: Larry Freedman, Chair, Joe Mikuliak, Kenny Grono, Philip Hensley, Matthew Ochs, Charlie Abdo, Scott Sperry, Ira Upin, Sharon Richman, Christine Furman Members absent:, Melissa Magness, Abbey Spector, Jonathan Sher 

117-21 Spring Garden St. - CMX2- A proposal for two wall signs (refused for size of sign, placement) One sign requiring variance is at 5th floor facing 95 and one is at the 3rd floor facing Spring Garden 

Motion Joe, Matthew 2 nd: 5-0-2 Thank you for your presentation. We support the proposal for signs for the Quaint Oak Bank at 117 Spring Garden St as presented. 

622 N. Front St. - CMX2 - Ramon Rosario- A proposal for a body art/tattoo service (not allowed in the district) 

Motion Kenny, 2nd Ira 7-0-0 Thank you for your presentation. We support the tattoo parlor use at this location with the following provisos: Hours Monday to Saturday 11-9p. Trash to be stored in rear yard, but placed in front of the building on Front st. We will require a letter from the health dept. stating that the plan as presented and trash plan as described is allowable. No outdoor speakers and no sound shall escape premises. 

879 Orkney St. - RSA5 - Lauren Thomsen- A proposal for a single-family dwelling (refused for parking and rear yard depth) They have removed the bay which triggered the rear yard refusal. Remaining refusal is for off-street parking. Neighbors concerned about trees and the pavers on Orkney. An agreement with Orkney park has been reached. Owner is required to and committed to replacing pavers after work. 

Group Motion: 6-0-0 Thank you for your presentation. We support the project as presented. 

342 W. Girard Ave. - CMX2 - Michael Phillips- A return visit with a proposal for the erection of a six story building, ground floor commercial, 45 res. units. 9 parking spots and affordable housing units (refusal for height and density) They are now proposing 9 parking spots and reduced the number of units. Neighbors will meet with presenter and they will return in October.

102 W. Girard Ave

At our September 9 board meeting regarding support for a sit-down restaurant with DJ for more than 50 people with take out window  at an existing bar, The Saint, we passed the following : Motion: By Matt Ochs, seconded by Caitlin Antrim. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 102 W. Girard Ave., i.e.: 'Thank you for your presentation. Please return with policies related to the following topics: Security, Noise control, Loitering, No outside promotions, Management always on the premises, Occupancy, Clean up of sidewalk upon closing, Dance floor size and description, and Queue control.'” Passed 13-0-0
David Orphanides, lawyer, for the owner,  Brendan  Olkus, presented documents to Larry Freedman answering all the above conditions. Five ZC members have reviewed the documents and agreed with Larry that they are sufficient. No one opposed. We feel there is no reason to ask them to return for another presentation. Larry and I are asking the board to pass the following motion:

We support a sit-down restaurant with DJ for more than 50 people with take out window at 102 W. Girard Ave with provisos regarding Security, Noise control, Loitering, Outside promotions, Management always on the premises, Occupancy, Clean up of sidewalk upon closing, Dance floor size and description, and Queue control. These provisos are detailed in the email from David Orphanides that are included in this letter of support.

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