NLNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES – Meeting of June 10, 2019

PRESENT:      Matt Ruben, President; Claire Adler, Vice-President; Steve Richman, Treasurer; Janet Finegar, Secretary; Kristen Ainscoe; Avery Amaya; Melanie Coffman; Jacek Ghosh; Joe Mikuliak; Barbara Saverino; Amy Sweeney; Renya Wasson; Kevin WilkinsABSENT:       Michael Coyne, Donald Phillips.The meeting was called to order by the President at 7:07 p.m.Motion: By Kristin Ainscoe, seconded by Joe Mikuliak. “To approve the minutes of the May Board meeting as presented.”  Passed 11-0-0President’s Report: Matt Ruben: written report attached and reviewed.NLNA President’s Report, June 2019

1. PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND POLICY

• Construction Impacts – A reminder that there is a new Facebook group that has been making headway with construction impacts, specifically dangerous or illegal demolitions, across the river wards, called “Riverwards L+I Coalition.” It’s a closed group but interested folks can request to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RiverWardsLandICoalition/
• Business Improvement District (BID) – The BID has installed 10 new Big Belly trash stations, 6 of them with recycling capability as well. The new stations have BID neighborhood branding on them, and all pre-existing stations have been retrofitted with the branding as well. Other branding will roll out in the coming weeks and months. The BID also has stepped up monthly Second Saturdays, and has retained a marketing/real estate consultant to help reduce commercial vacancies in the neighborhood. The BID’s first annual board of directors election is slated for July 24.
• On a separate but related note, Piazza Pod Park is now officially open, and seems to be generating interest.
• Germantown Sewer and Bike Lane Projects – Many thanks to the board for its deliberations and online vote in support of one of the options for a two-way bike lane, traffic signalization, and other upgrades on the 1100 block of Germantown Ave.

2. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Office Management/Oversight – Updates in the Operations Committee report.
• NLNA Elections – We had a packed house at the election, and are fortunate enough to have four great new board members: Jacek Ghosh, Renya Wasson, Kevin Wilkins, and Amy Smith- Sweeney!

3. EVENTS AND OUTREACH

• Story Telling Workshops and Story Slam. This is ongoing, and folks should consider attending – full info on the NLNA web site, neighborhood emails, and the NLNA Facebook page.
• May 23 General Meeting. Excellent turnout – and that was without advance public knowledge of a visit by Congressional Rep. Brendan Boyle.

4. COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICITY

• Update in the Communications/Marketing Committee report.

5. OTHER ITEMS

• Board Polls – Ratification of any online or online board polls since last month’s board meeting (aforementioned bike lane support letter).

Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Jacek Ghosh. “To ratify any and all Board polls taken in the previous month.”  Passed 12-0-0Treasurer's Report: Steve Richman: written report distributed and reviewed.TREASURER’S REPORT – JUNE 2019

1. 2018-19 Budget: May Financials - tables attached

• For the eight months ended on May 31st, All Funds Income was $155,300; this was $36,200 more than projected. All Funds Expenses totaled $162,300, which was about $40,900 more than anticipated.  Current Year Net Income was -$7,000.  This deficit was about $4,700 more than we projected.    
• In the General Fund and Liberty Lands, our two major operating accounts, our financial position after the first seven months of the fiscal year is as follows:
  • GF & LL Income (rounded): $151,500 -- $36,700 more than anticipated.
  • GF & LL Expenses (rounded): $157,100 -- $42,100 more than anticipated.
  • GF & LL Net Income: -$5,600 -- $5,500 larger than anticipated.
• In the General Fund and Liberty Lands, significant variations from budgeted projections through April include:
  • Higher than anticipated income from grants (+$33,500). Liberty Lands received an unexpected $10,000 grant from the Smart Family Fund.  In addition, we have received nearly $23,500 from an expected $40,000 grant from DCED for a new Liberty Lands’ fence and sidewalk.  Neither of these grants was included in the adopted budget. 
  • Higher than anticipated income from individual donations (+$5,400). Several large donations, totaling more than $6,000, account for the difference.  This was partially offset by a shortfall in donations for Clean Streets (-$2,300).  The Annual Appeal (including Op Santa) is running about $400 above expectations and rent income is also exceeding estimates (+$1,300).  Higher income from rent is entirely attributable to payments from NLArts, which was not budgeted.
  • Higher than anticipated expenses for capital improvements (+$44,000). Most of this is related to the new Liberty Lands fence, which is under construction.  Thus far, we have fully expended the $40,000 DCED grant, although we have only received approximately $23,500 of this amount.  We are awaiting receipt of the balance.
  • Higher than anticipated expenses for repair and maintenance (+$2,000) and equipment and furnishings (+$2,700). The washer/dryer and dishwasher in the second floor apartment required replacement.  This was more than offset by lower than anticipated spending for professional services (-$3,600) and taxes (-$1,750). 
  • In addition, fundraising expenses are running $1,000 behind expected levels, but this is because we spent less on Winterfest than we budgeted. Since the money for these expenses came to us from Penn Treaty, any unspent funds will have to be returned.
  • Increases and decreases in other categories were largely offsetting.

1. Other Items

• Grants from PTSSD – As anticipated, grants totaling $14,100 for the Fall Fest, Parade of Spirits, Operation Santa, Winterfest, recycle bins and tree-cycling have been received from the Penn Treaty Special Services District. Our grant application to Penn Treaty for the Spring Music Fest ($3,500) has also been approved and applications for the 2nd Street Festival and our planned E-Waste event in September are pending action.

Motion: By Barbara Saverino, seconded by Claire Adler.“To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.”  Passed 12-0-0  Communications & Marketing Committees Report: Kristen Ainscoe.Kristen reported that there was not a meeting this month, but that the Committee is still working on resolution of a few issues, including some design/logo questions. Claire added a reminder that she always needs content for social media. Kristen met with the Farmer's Market vendors and discussed some possible changes to build the market. Finally, she reminded the group that building our branding is dependent on making sure that all events sponsored by the NLNA are marketed as such. There was some additional conversation about consistency in how the logo is printed and presented.–Election Committee Report: Avery Amaya: Matt noted that the Election committee ran the election with more structure and a new process and that it was, overall, well received. He offered the Board's thanks to the committee for their work.–Liberty Lands Committee Report: Janet Finegar: written report attached and reviewed.June Liberty Lands Report

• The biggest piece of news is that the panels of the community garden fence finally started going in this week. We should, at this point, be very close to completion on the project (although I have been saying that for four months, so no promises). We are still waiting for the second check from the DCED to replenish Liberty Lands' coffers. When that arrives, we can send in the final reports for that grant and possibly breathe again.
• Meanwhile, the wonderful local fund that gave us $10k in the fall to help develop an educational project for further funding met with Janet in May to discuss said project. At this point it's looking like a partnership with NLRec and the 6th Street Mission for a weekly “park club” for kids – with its own dedicated and paid adult leader – that will do projects in the park including having the kids create permanent tree labels that include not only the botanical information but also “local interest” information that the kids select. Janet's working on drafting this grant right now.
• June 29 is the annual Music Festival and Flea Market [and the accompanying “Angels Picnic” for a local group of parents of murdered youth]. Volunteers are needed for help setting up, CLEANING UP (the biggest need!), and running the event. Get in touch with Don Phillips at don.jmp@gmail.com if you can help.
• Several community gardeners have stepped up to help with some of the coordination of the park itself – big thanks to Meghan and Jessica for taking on party reservations for the park and Rachel for taking on social media/communications issues.
• In regard to reservations, we continue to have lots of parties applying and happening and other uses going on as well. I tracked down a small business (Fit4Mom) that was using the park for paid exercise classes and managed to convince them to at least make a reservation – although the promised donation hasn't arrived. It's great if all of us who love the park keep an eye out for people using it for monetary gain and spread the word that we'd really like a little donation in return for the resource. There are also new signs at the picnic tables reminding people to make reservations for parties. **If you're ever asked about parties PLEASE make it clear that all reservations have to go through libertylandsbooking@gmail.com and that the information is all available online at www.nlna.org/liberty-lands We hear occasionally from park users who claim they got permission for a party (or a behavior like playing amplified music at the park, which is not allowed) from someone, and while we assume it's a lie or misunderstanding, it would be ideal for everyone who works at the park to be on the same page.
• Shazanna has the Farmer's Market up and running on Saturdays from 10-2. Please spread the word and support our vendors!!
• Maria and Roi have City Harvest up and running as well, and a few donations have already gone to our local pantry Bebashi on Spring Garden St. City Harvest has given the park multiple seedlings and seeds, plus row cover, salt hay, compost, and tons of perennials for our park gardens. (We need to give them back another 4 hours of co-op work propagating seedlings, by the way: if you have 2 hours you could volunteer in late July/early August we'd be grateful, and it's kind of fun.)
• The giant pile of compost is now a merely large pile of compost, but it would be so so good if it were not there at all. Take it, use it, give it to others. Let's get it gone.
• May 18 was the spring Love Your Park workday, and although we didn't do a great job of telling people about it, it was nicely attended and went well. Thanks to all who came out.
• The NLAC – the separate non-profit that legally owns the park – had a meeting in May to recommend new Board members and discuss updating bylaws. The current Board members are Donald Phillips, Janet Finegar, Liz Reed, Rick Angeli, and Barbara Saverino; we are recommending adding Claire Adler and Joe Mikuliak to the NLAC Board. (Note that three of the current members and both new ones are also members of the NLNA Board: the NLAC as well as the management of Liberty Lands is overseen by the NLNA.)
• Finally, our public gardens are doing pretty well this year. The “gate gardens” were destroyed by the fence installation but we'll be looking at re-planting them once the fence is finally done. Community gardener Nathan is looking after the lilac garden; Dan and Kerry continue to take care of the Pet Semetary, Janet works in the 3rd Street flower garden and Liz takes care of her Native Plants garden and the Birchberry garden further north. A new volunteer, Dean, is starting work on planting out the Edible Forest at the north end as of last weekend (welcome, Dean!).
• The rain garden is ad-hoc cared for by anyone we can find but could really use someone thinking about it regularly (and first). And the “triangle garden” at Bodine and Wildey lost its caretaker when Carrie Biegler moved away. . . it would REALLY like someone to give it some love.
• Anyone who ever feels like weeding can do the playground mulch area – always needs it
• Liz is thinking that Weeder's Club will be monthly rather than weekly this year. She's still looking at Sundays from 10-12 and will let people know when the next one will be. Meanwhile, if you're at the park and feeling the need to weed, there are a few locations that ALWAYS need it (and to which you can direct even inexperienced weeders). At the playground, the many plants that grow in the mulch around the play equipment and all the way from the swings to the rocks at the edge of the 3rd Street flower garden are weeds and can all be pulled. Morning glory vines are weeds in every single place they occur at Liberty Lands and can always be pulled with extreme prejudice – especially if they get into shrubs. Anything growing in any of the brick paths is always a weed and can be pulled. For more guidance or special weeding answers, Janet or Liz would be happy to fill you in!
• Finally, the next LL meeting is TUESDAY, June 11, at the Community Center at 7 p.m. As always, everyone is welcome to attend to raise issues, ask questions, or just know more about running the park!

Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Amy Sweeney. “To approve the appointment of Claire Adler and Joe Mikuliak to the NLAC Board of Directors, and the election of NLAC Officers Don Phillips (President), Janet Finegar (Vice President), Claire Adler (Secretary), and Liz Reed (Treasurer).”  Passed 12-0-0There was some further discussion about location and timing of the farmer's market and some possible improvements to build business.–Operations Committee Report: Barbara Saverino.Barbara reported that the committee is reviewing the current contract with our “building manager” and also leases as they come up for renewal. She also reminded the Board that there are open spots on the Committee for anyone who would like to participate.–Public Safety Committee Report:Joe Mikuliak reported on his attendance at the 6^th District's Advisory Committee meeting and distributed some materials from that meeting, including fliers for the 2-1-1 helpline number. He noted that there were multiple car break-ins during the last month and that there were several episodes of gun violence in the neighborhood just to our west. –Old BusinessJoe also reminded the Board about the Story Slam series and the upcoming event, saying that there was low attendance at the workshops and it needs to be talked up. Kale Yeah will be sponsoring the event with some food. Amy volunteered to help with setting up the event.–New BusinessJoe reminded the group that the Zoning Committee needs a new member from the Board of Directors and that new Board members should consider joining.–The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:18 p.m.