NLNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES – Meeting of March 2, 2015

PRESENT:  Matt Ruben, President; Don Phillips, Vice-President; Janet Finegar, Secretary; Jennifer Baker; Sasi Judd; Dolores Lyons; Monika Kreidie; Chris Somers; Logan WeldeABSENT:  Steve Richman, Treasurer; Michael Coyne; Larry Freedman; Katrina Mansfield; Sharon Richman; Anne WagingerALSO PRESENT:  Abby SpectorThe meeting was called to order by the President at 7:08 p.m.Abby Spector spoke briefly to the meeting about his relevant skills and interest in joining the Zoning Committee.Motion: By Janet Finegar, seconded by Chris Somers “To approve Abby Spector as a new member of the Zoning Committee.”  Passed 8-0-0Motion: By Dolores Lyons, seconded by Sasi Judd:“To approve the minutes of the February Board meeting as presented.”  Passed 7-0-1President’s Report: Matt Ruben, March 2015

1. PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND POLICY

• Businesses – I had an initial meeting with colleagues in Fishtown, about a potential Northern Liberties-Fishtown BID (as per my report last month). We’re going to get some key business and commercial property owners from both areas together to discuss it further.
• Piazza/Liberties Walk – There might be a small update; if so, I will provide it at our meeting.
• Construction Impacts – We continue to receive complaints about construction impacts but have made some progress with developers and builders.
• Spring Garden – Work is beginning on the Spring Garden connector, as per my report last month. In addition, DRWC did put out the Request for Expressions of Interest for the Festival Pier site (several acres at Delaware and Spring Garden).

2. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

• Annual Appeal and other Fundraising – Steve’s Treasurer’s Report ha the details.
• PHS Beautification Grant – We were not successful in obtaining this grant; although our submission was excellent, it was a long shot given the parameters and the intensity of the competition.
• Cement Park/Rec Center – As noted in an email late last month, Council President Clarke toured the Rec Center on Feb. 21 and has committed to use some of his allocation of the City’s capital budget to pay for improvements to Cement Park and the Rec Center. Needless to say, this is great news.

3. EVENTS AND OUTREACH

• General Membership Meetings – The next meeting will take place April 22 at the new offices of Keiran Timberlake on the 800 block of N. American St. It also will be Candidates Night. It should be fun because of the location, and interesting because of the Mayoral race. NOTE ON TIME: Because there’s another Mayoral forum that runs 6:15-7:30, we need to consider starting our meeting at 7:30 instead of 7:00. Candidates likely would arrive between 7:45 and 8:00. We could spend the beginning of the meeting hearing from Council At-large candidates.
• Winterfest – A major success, thanks to Michael Coyne and the other board members and volunteers who helped organize the event, get raffle/auction items, and sell tickets. Financial details in Steve’s Treasurer’s report.

4. COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICITY

• Internet – All of our online venues continue to grow and be lively. 

Treasurer's Report: written report distributed and reviewed by Matt Ruben. TREASURER’S REPORT – MARCH 20152014-15 Budget: February Financials - tables attached

1. For the five months ended on January 31st all funds income was $60,400; this was nearly $1,800 less than projected. Expenses totaled $51,405, which was $11,800 less than anticipated. Net income was $9,000 – $10,000 more than projected. However, these amounts include $1,400 in income from grants and $4,700 in grant expenses.
2. 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 the following is our financial position after the first five months of the fiscal year:
   1. GF & LL Income: $59,000 -- $2,000 less than anticipated.
   2. GF & LL Expenses: $46,740 -- $7,400 less than anticipated.
   3. GF & LL Net Income: $12,300 -- $5,500 more than anticipated.
3. Significant variations from budgeted projections through February were:
4. Lower than anticipated income of $5,100 from fundraising activities and user fees. The Annual Appeal was more than $1,500 behind projections and its goal of $14,000. As of February 28th 89% of our collection goal was reached, compared to nearly 100% at that time last year. In addition, net income from the two festivals fell short by a net $2,100 and income for Project Clean Streets was about $1,500 short of expectations.
5. Partially offsetting this revenue shortfall was the receipt of an unplanned grant from PTSSD, which fully covered our expenses for Operation Santa ($1,750). In addition, the Winterfest brought in nearly $7,200 and netted us about $1,300 more than budgeted. Finally, revenue from recycling initiatives is running $500 more than budgeted projections.
6. Lower than expected spending of $2,200 for administrative support, $3,200 for repair and maintenance and utilities, and $1,200 for fundraising and program expenses provided further support for the budget.

Other Items

• The hearing for our appeal of the proposed assessment of the market value of the community center, scheduled for February 10, was cancelled by us. Since a preliminary ruling had upheld our request for a reduction in the assessment, the hearing was determined to be unnecessary. In a related action, and based on our lowered assessment, we paid the balance due on our 2014 taxes and the full 2015 tax bill. These payments were anticipated in our budgeted projections.

Motion: By Monika Kreidie, seconded by Don Phillips. “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.” Passed 8-0-0 Election Committee:Matt noted that an election committee needs to be formed, and it should include two Board members who are not up for re-election this year. Sasi Judd and Dolores Lyons agreed to be on the committee and it was hoped that Paula Gansky would once again be on the committee. Liberty Lands Committee Report: Janet FinegarMarch 2015 Liberty Lands Report

• Things are about to start happening at the park. A few reservations are coming in, people are starting to inquire about community garden plots, and City Harvest is gearing up.
• The first workday of the season will be March 21 from 9-2 (or until we get really cold).
• We realized that we'd scheduled the April workday to conflict with the City-Wide Cleanup day, so we've moved that one to April 18.
• Liz has put in the order for new parts for the squeaky swings, a new cap for a post on the toddler playground, and the mulch-safety-surfacing for the big May workday.
• I updated the documents for event reservations and the park guidelines, and Kat's put them on the website. We made a new policy last fall that any big events that bring in the general public need to be sponsored by a park volunteer of at least one year who will be on-site for the event.
• Seth installed the new shed (paid for by PTSSD grant) around the northern electrical box. It was immediately graffitied, but is mostly cleaned up.

 Zoning Committee Report: Larry Freedman; written report attached and reviewed.Motion: By Jennifer Baker, seconded by Monika Kriedie. “To support the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 412 Green St., i.e.: 'We support the subdivision of 412 Green Street into two residential dwellings as shown in the plans presented on 2/23/15.'”  Passed 8-0-0Motion: By Monika Kriedie, seconded by Dolores Lyons: “To inform the Planning Commission that, while CMX3 may be an appropriate zoning for the area of Callowhill Street to Spring Garden Street between 2nd and 5th Streets, it should be applied only with an overlay that would include several restrictions to ensure that development in the area occurs as desired by the neighborhood. In particular: a) parking should be 1:2 with no garages fronting on Spring Garden; b) the plan should stagger building heights increasing from Spring Garden Street south to Callowhill Street; c) a percentage of 1st floor commercial space should be required on appropriate streets such as Spring Garden; d) the plan should include public access to green space and parks, e) restaurants should require special exceptions; and f) liquor licenses should require review by the community.”There was some committee discussion about whether it makes more sense to recommend CMX3 zoning with an overlay or the more restrictive CMX2 or CMX2.5 zoning. It was also suggested that we would recommend a more restrictive zoning with an overlay related to parking. It was also suggested that, since there is no time pressure to make a recommendation on this issue, the Board should wait to make a recommendation until the Zoning Committee chair is present. Motion: By Don Phillips, seconded by Monika Kriedie: “To table the issue.”  Passed 8-0-0 Motion: By Monika Kriedie, seconded by Dolores Lyons:“To support the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 981 N. 6th St., i.e.: 'We are in non-opposition to this proposal based on the longevity of its existence and use as 6 units.'”  Passed 8-0-0  Old Business There was some further discussion of the idea of painting a mural on one of the walls of the community center. Jennifer will get in touch with Sharon to discuss.The meeting was adjourned by acclaim at 8:06 p.m.Addenda: Zoning Committee Meeting Minutes - Monday 2/23/15 Members present: Larry Freedman (chair), Anthony Bottenfield, Beth Emig, Kenny Grono, Chris Isaacson, Melissa Magness, Joe Mikuliak, Sharon Richman, Jonathan Sher, Ira Upin     Members absent: Charlie Abdo, Kyle Koenig, Tim McDonald, Michael Simons (6:30) 412 Green St. – RSA5 – Karen Albert – A proposal to subdivide one residential dwelling into two. The owner is unable to maintain a large home and would like to create one 3-story (2021 square feet) of two bedrooms fronting on Green Street and one 2-story home (564 square feet) of one bedroom fronting on Lawrence Street. There is a dimensional refusal (too small). The current property (1700 square feet) does not have a backyard. Discussion: The façade of the homes would be architecturally interesting and appropriate for the neighborhood. We should support a long time (30+ years) neighbor’s effort to make her living situation better so she can continue to live in the same location.Motion (Joe) - 2nd (Jon): Vote 9-0   We support the subdivision of 412 Green Street into two residential dwellings as shown in the plans presented on 2/23/15. (7:15) Planning Commission – Ian Litwin – To propose and discuss a zoning remapping plan for Callowhill St. between 2nd & 5th Sts. and up to Spring Garden St. All lots would be changed to CMX3 with a proposed overlay that would give incentives to builders to increase volume in exchange for a storm water drainage system that incorporated a park. The large size of the projects could trigger a civic design review. Group Issues: a) Parking - should be 1:2 with no garages fronting on Spring Garden, b) Height – please develop a plan that would stagger building heights increasing from Spring Garden Street south to Callowhill Street, c) Commercial Space – please consider a plan for a percentage of 1st floor commercial space to be required on appropriate streets such as Spring Garden, d) Green Space – the plan should include public access to green space and parks, e) Restaurants – should require special exception, f) Liquor Licenses should be reviewed by the community (8:00) 981 N. 6th St. - RSA5 – Michael Mattioni – A proposal to legalize 6 units in a 4 unit building. The property has been used as a 6-unit building for many years with separate utilities and mailboxes, etc. prior to when the building was purchased by current owner in 2002. The current owner would like to sell the property.Motion (Chris) - 2nd (Kenny): Vote 7-0 We are in non-opposition to this proposal based on the longevity of its existence and use as 6 units.