NLNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES – Meeting of August 7, 2017

PRESENT:  Matt Ruben, President; Barbara Mulckhuyse, Vice-President; Steve Richman, Treasurer; Janet Finegar, Secretary; Don Hoegg; Monika Kreidie; Jeremy Lindemann; Joe Mikuliak; Don Phillips; Ira UpinALSO PRESENT: Claire Adler, Melodie Carter, Kerreen Franklin, Zachary Oppenheimer, Dennis Paris, John Turella, Marcel WinokurABSENT: Michael Coyne; Ben Mann; Barbara Saverino; Chris Somers; Anne Waginger. The meeting was called to order by the President at 7:06 p.m.The meeting began with introductions in light of the many guests.Don Phillips gave a quick report on the 2^nd Street Festival on August 6^th. The event was wildly successful with high attendance with a significant amount of funds raised (probably $10,000 for the day). He noted that there were not as many volunteers as would have been ideal, especially towards the end of the event. Don, Don Hoegg, and Barb Mulckhuyse (along with several other Board members) put in long hours through the day.The student group from the Fox School of Business presented their marketing plan report, which was developed based on the research presented at the July meeting. Several of their points sparked discussion and new thoughts. Later conversation reminded the Board that many of the suggestions offered were about things that the NLNA already does or has done in the past: while there is definitely room to improve the overall sense was that the organization is, at core, doing pretty well. One point that was brought up at the end was to hire someone to aggregate the various data we have collected – the group recommended using a CRM tool toward this purpose.Motion: By Don Hoegg, seconded by Jeremy Lindemann:“To approve the minutes of the July Board meeting as presented.”  Passed 7-0-2 President’s Report: Matt Ruben: written report attached and reviewed.Matt reported to the Board on Sasi Judd's efforts through the Quality of Life committee to try to remove the various abandoned newspaper boxes from the streets.Treasurer's Report: Steve Richman: written report distributed and reviewed.There was some conversation about small improvements to be made at the Community Center and Liberty Lands before the end of the fiscal year, including projects such as putting a projection screen and a camera-based alarm system at the Center.2016-17 Budget: July  Financials - tables attached

• For the ten months ended on July 31^st, all funds income was nearly $235,000; this was $33,600 more than projected. Expenses totaled $161,000, which was about $35,000 less than anticipated.  Net income was $73,900 – $68,700 more than projected. These amounts include about $83,800 in grant-related income and $44,700 in grant expenses outside the General Fund and Liberty Lands.
• Excluding grant fund activity yields a more accurate representation of our financial position. Thus, if we limit the calculation to current year income and expenses from the General Fund and Liberty Lands accounts, our financial position after the first ten months of the fiscal year is as follows:
  • GF & LL Income (rounded): $151,000 -- $33,200 more than anticipated.
  • GF & LL Expenses (rounded): $116,300 -- $3,800 less than anticipated.
  • GF & LL Net Income: $34,700 -- $37,000 more than anticipated.
• Significant variations from budgeted projections through June included:
  • Income from fundraising activities – which totaled about $44,400. This was $2,600 higher than anticipated. The Annual Appeal surpassed its goal of $17,600 (by $730), the Winterfest took in nearly $9,000, almost $1,500 more than projected, the plant sale brought in almost $7,200, nearly $700 more than anticipated and income from the Spring Music Fest was $5,240, $740 more than budgeted . In addition, income from the Fall Fest exceeded expectations by nearly $1,800. 
  • Higher than anticipated general and corporate donations totaling $24,400. This was $15,600 more than projected and accounts for roughly 40 percent of the current positive balance.    A number of large matching contributions constituted most of the general donations we received.  Significant corporate donations to Clean Streets and Liberty Lands enabled both of those programs to surpass their goals for the year.
  • Rental income, which totaled $64,300. This exceeded expectations by $7,200 ($875 of this amount was pre-paid rent).
  • Grants totaling $12,170 received from PTSSD for Operation Santa, Parade of Spirits, the Fall Fest, Winterfest, the Spring Music Fest, the 2^nd Street Festival and Liberty Lands. An additional $2,000 grant was received from the Frick Foundation for repairs at Liberty Lands. Taken together, these grant funds exceeded budgeted expectations by $5,550.
  • Lower than anticipated spending for professional and program services (-$9,500).
  • Higher than anticipated spending for legal services (+$1,300), equipment ($4,200) and supplies & materials (+$1,100). In legal services the additional spending was for the appeal of a recent ZBA decision.  In equipment, we spent $2,680 for the purchase of a street cleaning machine and $1,000 for a water fountain and the rental of a bobcat at Liberty Lands.

Other Items

• Clean Streets – Through the first 9 months of this fiscal year revenue to support the Clean Streets program was running far behind expectations; that was reversed in July with donations of $6,500 received. We now anticipate that by year’s end donations to Clean Streets will surpass its budgeted goal of $8,500. Because the program is forward-funded there will now be sufficient funds to operate the program through the end of next fiscal year.
• Capital Grant from PTSSD: Yard Improvements – Excavation of the site and construction of the foundations for the pavilion have been completed. The contractor who will construct the pavilion has been working offsite and is expected to begin site work shortly. Following completion of the pavilion the electrician,  the irrigation company and the landscaper will commence work to complete the project.  Kieran Timberlake and its partners continue to provide direction and assistance to us throughout the construction process.
• 2017-18 Budget – Budget preparation began in July and will continue through the summer. The Finance Committee met to review current year results to date and discuss potential issues for 2017-18.  The Operations and Liberty Lands Committees will be submitting their recommendations in early August. A second Finance Committee meeting will occur later in August to review a baseline budget and consider additional items to include in draft recommendations for the board. It is anticipated that the draft budget will be presented to the Board at the September meeting and the final budget will be offered for a vote at the October meeting.

Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Jeremy Lindemann. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.”  Passed 9-0-0Liberty Lands Committee Report: Janet Finegar: written report attached and reviewed.Liberty Lands Board Report   August 2017

• Standard disclaimer – I (Janet) was gone for all of July, so what's here is what I heard about from Canada or have noticed in the past two days! Park folks, I'd be delighted to hear any additions or things I missed.
• It was a fairly busy July at the park, with parties most weekends and the Farmers' Market every Saturday. The market continues to work to build a solid customer base. The core farmer retired in early July, and one of the two other farms that was marketing in July has just informed Paul that they're going out of business. There is still one farmer who is coming to the market on a bi-weekly basis, and Paul continues to look for another farm to add. In both cases, though, the farmers left because of issues on their farms rather than dissatisfaction with the market. Keeping the weekly booth fee low ($10) has been good in terms of maintaining a solid number of merchants. Nonetheless, the market has provided a small steady stream of income to the park all summer and is, on the whole, a tremendous asset. Paul is interested in adding a “winter market,” possibly in the Community Center yard.
• As a summer project, Helen Sher built a website for Liberty Lands itself. This would be in addition to (but linked to) the NLNA website. It gives us a little more room to post all the various types of information that the park has, and more importantly, creates a blog site that (I hope) we can use for park-specific information and conversations. The site is still in beta right now while the committee looks at it.
• To our intense disappointment, there were two pretty significant thefts from the shed during July – the weedwhacker and a food scale for City Harvest donations. The committee is discussing how to deal with these thefts.
• July also saw some repairs – the gate on the Laurel Street annex garden broke, probably just because the wood is old and weak. Garden coordinator Brian fixed it. The lock on the potty finally aged out (this one lasted two years!) and Janet replaced it Sunday. And excitingly, park volunteer J.D. Albert replaced the joints on the “bouncy bridge” of the playset, a repair that has been necessary for a while. It's much less bouncy now and significantly less likely to simply break and fall right down. Hurrah.
• Otherwise: the gardens grow, the veggies get harvested, the children play, etc. etc. Summer in the park.

 Zoning Committee Report: Ira Upin; written report attached and reviewed. Motion: By Don Hoegg, seconded by Monika Kriedie. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 157 Poplar St., i.e.: 'Please return with a plan that provides, as a minimum, an 8’ rear yard from the end of the rear property line.'” Passed: 9-0-0Motion: By Joe Mikuliak, seconded by Barb Mulckhuyse. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 102 W. Girard Avenue (St. Lazarus Bar), i.e.: 'We support this proposal with the following provisos: 1) The hours of outdoor operations will end at 1:30 a.m. from Thursday through Saturday and at midnight from Sunday through Wednesday. 2) There will be a limit of 44 outside seats; tables and chairs to be secured or taken inside each night. 3) There will be no outdoor music.'” Passed: 9-0-0Motion: By Don Hoegg, seconded by Jeremy Lindemann. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 963 ½ - 69 N. Lawrence St., i.e.: 'We support plans that provide for a rear set back of 8’ above the first floor. A letter of support will be issued after revised plans are received by the Zoning Committee chair. A return appearance is not required.'”  Passed: 9-0-0Motion: By Don Hoegg, seconded by Jeremy Lindemann.“To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 338 Brown/723-25 N. 4th St., i.e.: 'We support the use as business and professional offices in a residential zone with 6 interior parking spaces and a roof deck with an 8’ set back on 4th Street.'”  Passed: 9-0-0Motion: By Don Phillips, seconded by Joe Mikuliak.“In the matter of 1001 N. 2nd St (Urban Village), we will not oppose outside speakers if they conform to the city noise code and PA liquor code.'”  Passed 9-0-0 Old BusinessMotion: By Don Phillips, seconded by Barb Mulckheyse. “To ratify any and all board polls taken in the past month.”  Passed 8-0-1New BusinessNone.The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 9:15 p.m.Addenda:Zoning Committee - Monday 7/31/17Members present: Larry Freedman (chair), Charlie Abdo, Chris Isaacson, Melissa Magness, Joe Mikuliak, Sharon Richman, Ira Upin     Members absent:  Kenny Grono, Jonathan Sher, Michael Simons, Abbey Spector157 Poplar St. – RSA5 – Giovanni Leone:  A proposal to erect a garage and deck (affects open space).  The existing two-car garage will be converted in a family room and powder room.  A garage will be added to the rear of the structure on a concrete pad creating a 93’ expanse of stucco.  A deck (that connects to the deck over the previous garages will be built on top of the new garage. A 4’ alleyway runs behind the house. Rear yard opens space is an issue.Discussion: One neighbor said it was okay.  Another neighbor was concerned about their rear eggress in emergency situations if the alleyway was blocked off.Motion: (Ira) – 2^nd (Joe): Vote 6-0-0   Please return with a plan that provides, as a minimum, an 8’ rear yard from the end of the rear property line.102 W. Girard Avenue (St. Lazarus Bar) – CMX3 – Betty Mon:  A proposal for outside seating for existing restaurant. Four-tops (38 seats) and two-tops (6 seats) are proposed for the Front Street sidewalk.  This would require an extension of license to serve alcohol outside.  The 4-tops would be outside during the day.  The 2-tops would be added after 7:00 p.m.  Hours of operation would be Thursday-Saturday 7:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. and Sunday – Wednesday 7:00 p.m. – midnight. The furniture would be removed and stored during off hours.  There will be no outdoor music.Motion: () – 2^nd (): Vote 6-0-0   We support this proposal with the following provisos:  - The hours of outdoor operations will end at 1:30 a.m. from Thursday through Saturday and at midnight from Sunday through Wednesday.  - There will be a limit of 44 outside seats.  - There will be no outdoor music.963 ½ - 69 N. Lawrence St. – RSA5 – David Orphanides:  A proposal for a 3 single family dwellings and parking. Four undersized lots are being combined and reconfigured into 3 lots of equal size. Buildings will have front garages, a roof deck with a piliot house in the center of the roof, utilities will be concealed.  The structures will rise straight  up from the first floor with no set back on the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th floors. All three houses will be built at the same time.Discussion: The buildings are short on open space.  Neighbors objected to the lack of a 9’ set back above the first floor.Motion: (Joe) – 2^nd (Ira): Vote 6-0-0   We support plans that provide for a rear set back of 8’ above the first floor.  A letter of support will be issued after revised plans are received by the Zoning Committee chair. A return appearance is not required.338 Brown/723-25 N. 4^th St. – IRMX/RSA5 – Ted Agoos:  A proposal to create offices.  Initially, there will be 30 employees working 9-5.  Within 5 years, 15 employees will be added.  There are 4 interior parking spaces and 10 bike rack spaces. There is a roof deck over the 2-story 4^th Street building that is set back 8’ from 4^th Street.  The project will take 6 months and could begin in August. Discussion: The neighbors the use offices in a residential zone.Motion: (Joe) – 2^nd (Melissa): Vote 6-0-0  We support the use as business and professional offices in a residential zone with 6 interior parking spaces and a roof deck with an 8’ set back on 4^th Street.1001 N. 2^nd St (Urban Village) – CMX3 – Dave Goldman:  A proposal to add speakered music to outdoor space.Motion from October 2016 (Vote: 6-0-0)  We support this project with the following provisos: 1) There will be no outdoor speakers. 2)   All square footage above 44565’ can only be used for purposes of brewing beer, not for food/beverage service or tables. 3)  Any activities other than restaurant use will require a Special Assembly license application to be reviewed by the NLNA They want to hang 4 JBL 25T speakers facing away from the building. Discussion: We previously approved “no outdoor speakers” with sound not escaping the premises. We couldn’t determine where the “premises” line was.