September 2012 Minutes
MINUTES
Board Meeting
Monday, September 17, 2012
Mt. Moriah (410 Wharton)
1. 7:00 PM Call to Order.
2. 7:00 PM Welcome and Message from the President. The Vice-President welcomed all residents who were in attendance and asked them to sign in at the door, if they had already completed a membership form. If not, he requested that they complete that form at the front door.
3. 7:05 PM Roll Call. Present were: Vice-President Hicks, Director Lavini, Treasurer Hostettler, Director McCabe, Secretary Savage, Director Winkel, Director Armistead
4. 7:05 PM Minutes Adoption. Vice-President Hicks asked for a motion to approve the Minutes of the June 18, 2012 Meeting. Treasure Hostettler so moved and Secretary Savage seconded. All present so approved.
5. 7:10 PM Reports of Officers, Board Members & Standing Committees.
A. Bylaws. The Treasurer reported that the Committee is completing a draft outline of provisions that may need modification. When the outline is completed, the Committee will report to the Board for guidance and possible action.
B. Finance Committee. The Treasurer reported and Jessica Calter reported that DNCA received a grant of $10,000.00 from the Golden Rule Foundation, which is being administered through the 501(c)3 of Manton Street Park & Community Garden. After associated fees plus the $90 already in our account, our new bank account balance is $9,990.00. The grant monies must be spent within one year from its receipt. All Committees have been advised to outline specific projects, which could be funded with some of these monies. The Treasurer also announced that through the VIP program DNCA has been assigned an attorney from the law firm, Ballard Spahr, a large prestigious organization that is involved in many community improvement projects. That attorney is helping us free of charge to provide important advice and guidance in our application for non-profit status. Finance Committee Co-Chair Emile Davis updated the group on the pending tax reevaluation of city properties due in 2013 and encouraged all homeowners to apply for the Homestead Exemption. The treasurer went on to announce the upcoming Neighbor’s Night event, directly after the October General Meeting at Industry.
C. Green & Clean Committee. Co-Chair Smith announced that the Committee has completed the preparation of a “Green Map” of our neighborhood, which identifies vacant lots, community gardens, parks and similar. The map was posted on the meeting room wall. Any interested resident in wanting to procure the vacant lot and create a park and/or community garden should attend the Green Committee meeting, where DNCA may be able to provide resources. She also reported that the Committee has been “brainstorming” ideas, such as land acquisition, clean-ups, and a “Trash Think Tank”, which would include a letter to all businesses reminding them of the requirement of having trash cans during business hours.
D. Outreach Committee. The Vice-President spoke about promoting the October Board meeting. He said that a flyer would be prepared and volunteers would be sought to distribute them. The primary goals of the flyer, the theme of which would be “Connecting with Your Neighborhood”, would be to encourage attendance at the meeting and to remind members to “sign up” on-line, in order to receive informative, periodic emails.
E. Safety Committee. Gina Caruso reported that at the District 3 meeting, people were informed that the police would now be ticketing aggressively bikers, who violate ordinances, and that an Assistant District Attorney will be reassigned to prosecute crimes more efficiently. Due to low attendance at meetings, the Committee decided to meet quarterly. The next meeting, therefore, will be Tuesday, December 4th.
F. Zoning Committee. It was reported that no applications are pending. The Secretary explained that DNCA has a “seat” on CDAG and that, in order to maintain that “seat”, we must have at least one representative attend the meetings. Currently Alan Sable has volunteered, but there may be dates that he will be unavailable, so the Board is seeking a second volunteer. Director Winkel volunteered.
6. 7:25 PM Old Business. Registered Community Organizations (RCO’s). The Secretary explained that, pursuant to the new zoning code, RCO’s would be encouraged to participate in the review process. There is confusion, however, since some RCO’s “overlap” with other community groups. As an example, he cited the Center City District, which apparently is claiming jurisdiction over most of the City (Tasker to Girard). The Board was requested to sign, together with a number of other civics, a letter drafted by Jeff Hornstein, President, Queen Village, requesting clarification. The Board agreed to do so, but the Secretary asked for a motion to approve the Board’s decision. The Treasurer so moved, the Vice-President seconded, and all Board members present approved.
7. 7:30 PM New Business.
A. 9th Board Member. The Vice-President announced that the Board will be seeking applications from members to be appointed to the vacant position on the Board. He encouraged members to consider applying and said that the requirements for submitting an application will be announced at the October meeting.
B. Name Change of DNCA. The Vice-President told the members that the Board is considering the idea of changing the name of our civic, but that such a change may have considerable ramifications. The Board will ask the attorney assisting in our non-profit application to consider the issue.
8. 7:40 PM Announcements & Events.
■ Next DNCA BOARD MEETING will be Monday, October 15th, 7:00 PM at Mt. Moriah. All members encouraged to attend.
■ Noelle Beaumont, a member of Pennsport, told the members that there are viable alternatives to foreclosure, etc., and she distributed printed information in that regard.
■ Dickinson Square Farmers’ Market, every Sunday, 10AM – 2PM until the end of October.
Committee Meetings:
- Bylaws: Monday, September 24th, 6:30 PM (email info@dickinsonnarrows.org)
- Outreach: Tuesday, October 2nd, 7:30 PM (Mt. Moriah Church)
- Zoning: Wednesday, October 3rd, 6:30 PM (Parsons Building) if needed
- Green & Clean: Wednesday, October 3rd, 7:30 PM (Parsons Building)
- Finance: Monday, October 8th, 7 PM (email finance@dickinsonnarrows.org)
Community Events:
■ Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools, Saturday, Sept. 22nd, 9am – 4pm
Kensington High School for the Creative & Performing Arts (1901 N. Front Street)
■ Philadelphia Homestead Exemption information session: Thursday, Sept. 27, 7:30pm
Settlement Music School (400 block of Christian), must RSVP to info@qvna.org
■ Passyunk Pruners monthly pruning club: Saturday, October 6th at Gold Star Park
