BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES – Meeting of September 13, 2021

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

ALSO PRESENT:  Nick Jabs & Christopher Marcinkoski (PORT); Kristine Kennedy, director, NLBID; Matthew Krissell and Todd Petrie (Kieran Timberlake)

The meeting was called to order by the President at 6:30 p.m.

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

Matthew Krissell and Todd Petrie from Kieran Timberlake and Nick Jabs and Christopher Marcinkoski from PORT, with Kristine Kennedy of the NLBID, presented the results of the NLBID Streetscape Vision Plan at the beginning of the board meeting and took questions from Board members. It noted that the plan is not construction-ready at this point. Claire took notes of several concerns and comments to pass on to the BID. There was a lot of approval of the plan but not unanimous, with concerns about the effect of reducing parking and that a single lane will creat difficulties for deliveries. There was also a caution about the importance of communicating plans to the community with thought and care.

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

NLNA President’s Report

1. PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY

• NLBID Streetscape Vision Plan: Representatives from Kiernan Timberlake/Port will present the results of the NLBID Streetscape Vision Plan at the beginning of the board meeting.
• Girard Avenue Overlay: As discussed earlier this summer, the Girard Avenue Overlay affected our neighborhood without any input from us. Council is restarting and it is an opportunity for us to ask that the changes to our neighborhood be removed.
• Outdoor dining: Current legislation allowing streeteries is set to expire at the end of 2021. Discussion at our meeting.

2. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Office Operations: Update in Operations Committee report.
• Annual Appeal: Upcoming in the next few months, seeking volunteers.

3. EVENTS AND OUTREACH

• September 18 General Meeting + Temple Vaccination Clinic: Musicfest is cancelled but we are holding a General Meeting with Temple Health to provide free vaccinations. Pfizer is available for ages 12+. Refreshments available, and Liberty Lands stage dedication will take place.
• Liberty Lands Family Fall Fest: 10/31 afternoon event with pumpkins and music, socially distanced “trick-or-treating.”

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. “That the NLNA request Council President Clarke remove Northern Liberties from the Girard Avenue overlay until such time as the community reviews and approves the inclusion.” Passed 14-0-0

Motion: By Joe Mikuliak, seconded by Matt Ruben: We support an extension of the restaurant “streeteries” permits past  the end of this year.” Passed 14-0-0

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

Jacek presented the  FY22 budget draft to the Board. It is essentially a flat budget based on the uncertainty about what will be possible and safe in the coming year. Claire reminded committee chairs and all Board members to review the budget carefully in the next month and raise any questions before ratification. Don raised concern that there is not a functional Finance Committee and that the burden of creating the budget should not fall on just two Board members. 

Steve reminded the Board that the lack of events puts more pressure on the Annual Appeal and other fundraising strategies to be able to continue Association activities as we have in the part. 

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

• For the eleven months ending on August 31, All Program and All Funds Income was $159,916 - $58,633 more than budgeted.
• All Program and All Funds Expenses totaled $163,011 - $25,064 more than budgeted
• All Program and All Funds Current Year Net Income was $3,095- $33,569 more than budgeted.
• Reviewing the General Fund and Liberty Lands accounts (our two major operating funds) our financial position after eleven months of FY 2020 - 2021 is as follows:
  • GF & LL Income: $130,580 - $33,835 more than budgeted.
  • GF & LL Expenses: $146,181 - $12,497 more than budgeted.
  • GF & LL Net Income: $15,601 - $21,338 more than budgeted.
• Variations from budgeted projections through August
  • On the Income side
    • The current income balance of $58,633 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 $4,925 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 $3,830 for the Fire Relief Fundraiser.
    • Fundraising Income (Annual Appeal, Individual & Corporate Donations) is 37% more than budgeted ($8,294) due, mainly, to a doubling of recurring donations and individual donations.
    • Budgeted for only six months of rental activity beginning in April ‘21, CC Space rentals and Party rentals are 22% less than budgeted for FY 20-21 ($4,912 versus $6,292) in part due to opening of Philadelphia in mid-June versus April 2021.
    • 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 the usual roster of festivals/sales NLNA did not receive $12,500 in budgeted PTSSD                               grants for FY 20-21.

• On the Expense side
  • The current expense balance is $25,064 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 ($20,824).
    • Program Services ($4,791)
  • The following are higher expenses than budgeted for FY 20-21.
    • Repairs & Maintenance ($3,455) - due to repairs at the CC and LL.
    • Utilities ($1,831) - due to the repayment of the outstanding LL water bill.
    • LL Stage Repair expense ($23,650) was not budgeted in FY 20-21.
    • LL Community Garden expenses ($1,472) were not budgeted in FY 20-21.
    • Fire Relief Fundraiser expense ($3,830) was not budgeted in FY 20-21.
• Net Income
  • In summary, the current Net Income (total income minus total expenses) for All Programs is $3,095 after 11 months.

B. Other Items

• Annual Appeal
  • Recurring Donations: In August, we had 51 recurring donations totaling $610.
  • Individual Donations: In August, we had 2 individual donations totaling $262.
• Liberty Lands
  • Potty Club Membership: In August, we had 1 membership payment totaling $20.
  • LL Individual Donation: In August, we had 1 individual donation totaling $35.

Party Rentals: In July, we had 11 party rentals booked totaling $572.

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

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

Caitlin shared a template for a standardized signup sheet for committees and asked that committee chairs get her short statements for their committee's purpose and contact information

Communications and Marketing Committee 

Updates since our last board meeting:

• I'm working with Barbara on creating a metal sign for Madison Memorial Park. I plan to have that project completed before baby comes.
• I created a poster for the upcoming General Meeting on Sept 18 but we may still help hanging them? (Unfortunately, they took a full week to come back from Fireball which is longer than past signs. Let's discuss who can hang them.) Social media posts did go live on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook so please share.
• I've participated in two Membership Committee meetings regarding their upcoming event and will be helping to edit copy for their invitation letter. I also created a committee sign-up poster template and possible NLNA mailing envelope template. 

Education Committee Report: Jeff Hornstein. 

Jeff reported that the committee is growing and has a lot of energy. The current project is to develop a fundraiser or event associated with Kearny's upcoming 100^thanniversary.

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

Liberty Lands Report  September 2021

General Maintenance and other issues: 

• To our surprise, the Parking Authority moved fast on establishing the timed parking zones on 3rd Street – the signs went up at the beginning of September. There was some conversation about it on Facebook that was actually pretty reasonable, and we'll now see how it goes. As a reminder, this (and all the parking changes coming soon) are being done on a provisional basis, so if it's a disaster it should be easy enough to change back. The LL committee still needs to put in the application for a loading zone at the park entrance. As far as we know, Kaplan's has NOT submittted an application for their loading zone.
• Janet is in Canada until roughly the end of September, and Liz will be away for the next week or so. Please refrain from having park emergencies during that time.
• Liz, Mike Simons, and Peter Smith met and worked out some possible fixes to the chain ladder on the playground that would be much less than the $1,500-and-complicated replacement costs. They are experimenting with their ideas. Weeder's Club on Sept. 4 was successful and cleaned up on the western community garden fence line and native plants garden.  The next weeder's is actually a special park workday on Sept. 25 for some rock moving and cleanup around Jesse Gardener's bench. Later that evening stalwart park volunteer Roy Suter will play a short set of American songbook music with his band. 
• Janet, Liz, and Joan Reilly met to discuss next steps for the re-organization committee. We are looking at another meeting of that committee in mid-October, with Liz and Janet coming up with some specific recommendations before then to present to the group. 
• The memorial bench for Jesse Gardner (installed by his family) was put in place at the end of August: it is at the southern edge of the Birchberry Garden. Liz and one of Jesse's sisters will plant tulip and daffodil bulbs around it: Liz would appreciate help moving large stones to designate the flower area around the bench (ideally on Sept. 25 at a special workday). 
• A large branch broke off of one of the crabapples at the northern edge of the Great Lawn. The tree has fireblight (a condition affecting several of the original crabapples: we've been slowly replacing them with blight-resistant varieties over the years). Janet and Liz removed the broken branch.
• As a reminder, when you see people over-weighing tree limbs (more than one kid on a branch; adults climbing on smaller branches; any kind of bouncing or pulling on limbs) please ask people to be gentle to our trees. Generally it's just that people haven't thought about the damage they can do.

Community Garden: 

• The community garden has had some drama with (apparently) people stealing vegetables and also with gardeners' kids sharing the access code freely. While these are issues that come up every year, it can be frustrating for the gardeners! Liz is working on changing the code of the locks (which is actually a very difficult process because of the type of locks that they are) and we've asked gardeners to remember to close the gates and not just give out the code. 
• Mary Claire continues to do great work with the City Harvest vegetables, but has had some trouble with finding volunteers to drive the donations to the Sunday Love center downtown. If anyone with a car is available to help with deliveries (it's a less-than-one-hour job on a Sunday around 11 a.m.), it would be VERY appreciated. 

Park Events: 

• The service planned for Jesse has been postponed to the spring for a variety of reasons. 
• The Sept. 11 music festival was cancelled due to COVID concerns.
• Dan Novin, an active community member, died very suddenly last week. One of his friends is organizing a community memorial service at the park following his burial on Tuesday, Sept. 14: the service will be from 4-8 p.m. and may include a performance by the West Philly Orchestra. The organizers have been cautioned to maintain COVID-safe protocols. 
• Yoga, Fit4Mom, and Playarts classes continue at the park, with a steady stream of party reservations for the fall. Thanks to Ana Webb who has been handling reservations all this year. 
• There will be an outdoor NLNA general meeting on Sept. 18 (2-4 p.m.) to dedicate the  stage to Penn Treaty SSD, who paid for its re- building. There will also be a vaccines available at that event. 
• After some consideration, we decided to hold an abbreviated Children's Festival for Halloween – there will be a band and pumpkin painting, plus “trick or treating” to blankets at the park, but the whole event will be only 1 ½ hours and without other activities. Thanks to Liz Briggs-Fandek, Jess, and Sara Hirchler for planning this!
• The next Steering Committee meeting is Tuesday the 14th at 7 p.m. through Zoom. Link: https://zoom.us/j/96263511406?pwd=VDltcEJxQ0VNTFpRMk9NWndSOUJFZz09

• Sept. 14 – 4-8pm – Dan Novin memorial
• Sept. 14 – 7pm – Steering committee meeting
• Sept. 18 – 2pm – NLNA general meeting and stage dedication
• Sept. 25 – 10am – Memorial Bench workday
• Sept 25 – 5 To 6:30pm – Miss K and the  Hot Notes on stage
• Oct. 2 – 10am – Weeder's Club
• Oct. 9 – 1 to 3pm – Dog Rescue and ShowEvent
• Oct. 16 – 9a to 1pm – Community Garden and compost pile workday 
• Oct. 31 – 3 to 5:30pm – Fall Children's festival and “trick or treating”

Membership Committee Report: Shakirra Clark.

Shakirra reported on the NLNA “Walk-Through Fair” planned for October 17^thfrom 4-7 p.m. at the community center. There will be information from the various committees and several kinds of goodies with the plan to  encourage people to stop by but not linger.

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

There was some conversation about the committee's plans for allowing some rentals and when the office will be open. 

Operations Committee

We are starting to get requests for rentals.  We Kids Rock (a previous, long time renter for small, weekly kid class), a possible baby naming event and a training.  At our September Board meeting, I would like to get final thoughts on the opening of the office (and what that means), opening of the yard (currently open during office house and on weekends when feasible) and rentals of the center (indoor) and yard.  

Operations Committee  meeting minutes; August 18

Attendees:  Monika, Rachel, Lara, Jacek and Barbara

Office Updates:

- Discussion and reminder that NLNA office staff, visitors and renters should not accept non-NLNA packages.  

- There is a portable a/c unit in the office that will be sold/auctioned off in the future

- Small replacement fridge has been ordered. Broken one will be put in storage until next E-Waste event

Re-Opening of Office/Rentals

- Recognize fluid situation and NLNA follows City of Philadelphia guidelines

- Rachel reviewed and revised rental Google form, created responses for rental process and deposit process.  

- Caitlin is designing signs for NLNA doors and window display - Masks Required.  This will also be shared on website and email updates to neighbors

- Office hours:  9:00 AM - 2:00 P on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (starting September 18)

- Ask Lara and Rachel to keep a log so we can have a baseline of visitors

- Barbara will ask Kat to update website regarding sign and also modified number of guests we can accommodate inside due to social distancing for COVID.  Website update after September board meeting.Thank you Jacek for mapping/creating document. 

-  Questions:  Do renters need to sign waiver that NLNA not liable if they contract COVID?  Does our insurance company have any policy? 

2021 Budget 

- Jacek has drafted the annual budget for organization.  Asking for input prior to September Board meeting. It is based on last year's.  Lara is also going to review.  

Old Business 

- Barbara will add maintenance of a/c in Mailbox Store to calendar for April 2022, share calendar with committee for additions/edits to help Committee moving forward

- Landscaping and Bench are still open items.  Barbara did outreach to Liberty Lands (no feedback). Barbara asked Steve for contact at Kieran Timberlake.  Sent email. 

- Contractors list: Need to update our current list and will ask board for referrals

- Rachel followed up with possible contratcor for security camera feed support

ACTION:  Remind board for any referrals 

New Business

- Maybe old to some - but should have roof and stucco looked at in the coming year. A crack was discovered.  Thank you to Matt, Janet and Joe for referrals for mason contractor. Doing outreach to get a bid.  

- Recycling bins - will check with Steve about potential to order smaller amount at discounted rate.  If not doing, should remove from website

- Make sure Rachel is added to Board list for emails 

- Need to create a process for renters to let us know if there is a COVID case attendance in a timely manner to ensure NLNA office and members health and safety.

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

There was some discussion of the distressing situation with a neighbor whose mental health issues are having serious impact on his block. Unfortunately, the Board did not have a lot of ideas of what further could happen. 

NLNA Safety Committee Report, September 2021

1100 Block of N 3rd has a homeowner who has been threatening neighbors, vandalizing cars,damaging the home he lives in with his mother. He has thrown hypodermic needles of his own blood out onto the sidewalks. Susan Graeser had her car vandalized and had homicidal threats made towards her. The aggressor was 302’d but let out days later. She pressured mother into going to family court and getting a PFA on Friday. Called the police for three hours and by the time they showed up. She is moving out of the city because of this after 15 years. It took 3 hours to get a response to the 302 at 9pm. The damage to her car is considered vandalism, not “criminal” so the police won’t act.

Brett Cohen is trying to reach out to staffers of state reps, city councils, etc. to discuss measures to help reduce the amount of catalytic converter thefts that have taken place over the summer. Please see attached doc he created. From Julie Carpenter, 6th district Community Relations Officer: The Community Relations Bureau is writing to share some really important news with you.  The Philadelphia Police Department has created a new Youth Advisory Commission (YAC).  The YAC is a youth-led initiative, with members aged 14-18 years old.  The commission focuses on bringing the youth voice to public safety and police/community interactions. YAC members will work alongside police officers, with the goal of cultivating youth leaders committed to positive change in their communities.  Members will have opportunities to meet with the Police Commissioner and her executive staff, periodically, to advocate for changes and resource that support their perspectives related to the co-production of public safety in the City of Philadelphia.

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

The committee is considering moving its meetings to the first Monday of the month (in response to the recent shift in Board meetings to the second Mondays of the month).

Motion: By,Janet Finegar, seconded by Jacek Ghosh. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee to the Zoning Board of Adjustments in the matter of 310 West Girard Avenue, i.e.: 'We support the project as presented as long as no element of the façade extends beyond the property line except on Girard avenue, where overhangs should comply with Streets requirements and be limited to the actual balconies, which should drain internally.'”

Passed 12-0-0

Motion: By Caitlin Marrazzo, seconded by Shakirra Clark.“To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee to the Civic Design Committee in the matter of 310 West Girard Avenue, i.e.: 'The egress and ingress are well thought out and we approve of the location the loading dock. We appreciate the effort that was made to increase visibility to the green space. We would like public access to the green space on the ground floor through the commercial space. The terra-cotta, bronze colored metals and curved glass storefronts are positive elements. We would like no building element to extend beyond the property line on Third and Orianna streets, though we appreciate the variation in the façade created by the setbacks shown. As shown, on the Girard and Third St sides, the bulk of the upper floors overhang the sidewalk by three feet. We would like the overhangs to be limited to Girard Ave and limited to the actual balconies, which should drain internally. We appreciate the 5 foot setback at the Southwest corner for 43 feet that allows more light to reach the neighboring building. We would like to see loading hours to be limited to reduce the impact on 3rd St. We did not see close up views of the pedestrian experience. We support changing Cambridge and Orianna to one-way streets. We would like to see an affordable housing component.'”

Passed 12-0-0

Zoning Committee 

A  Zoning motion and comments for the CDR regarding 310 W. Girard Ave. (This is the cleared site at 3rd and Girard, formerly JT Riley lumber.)

Zoning: We support the project as presented as long as no element of the façade extends beyond the property line except on Girard avenue, where overhangs should comply with Streets requirements and be limited to the actual balconies, which should drain internally.

CDR: Thank you for your presentation. The egress and ingress are well thought out and we approve of the location the loading dock. We appreciate the effort that was made to increase visibility to the green space. We would like public access to the green space on the ground floor through the commercial space. The terra-cotta, bronze colored metals and curved glass storefronts are positive elements. We would like no building element to extend beyond the property line on Third and Orianna streets, though we appreciate the variation in the façade created by the setbacks shown. As shown, on the Girard and Third St sides, the bulk of the upper floors overhang the sidewalk by three feet. We would like the overhangs to be limited to Girard Ave and limited to the actual balconies, which should drain internally. We appreciate the 5 foot setback at the Southwest corner for 43 feet that allows more light to reach the neighboring building. We would like to see loading hours to be limited to reduce the impact on 3rd St. We did not see close up views of the pedestrian experience. We support changing Cambridge and Orianna to one-way streets. We would like to see an affordable housing component. 

The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 7:46 p.m.