February 23, 2006

CHCA Board Meeting

Hiram Lodge

Maxine Dornemann called the meeting to order with a moment of silence at 7:45.

Maryanna Ross-Cowper noted that the Minutes do not include any reference to an Executive Session held before regular Board business on January 26. She stated that because notice of an Executive Session was not given ahead of time, and her questions about the circumstances surrounding such a session (whether they were legal or not), she moved to rescind the action of the Executive Session, which was to remove a Board member. The motion was seconded.

Discussion ensued regarding the legality of an executive session being called before the Board was called to order. Ron Recko and Ann Spaeth spoke to their feeling that the Executive Session was illegal; Tom Hemphill asked that the Board not rehash last month’s Executive Session and that we move forward, constructively and positively, to move forward to other important issues facing the community.

Janine’s correction: After ‘Mr. OConnell introduced Mr. Foster’ add that Mr. Foster gave his speech about the Local and his negative feelings about the direction of the paper.

Maryanna Ross-Cowper reiterated her motion: to state that the meeting started in another room in the Hospital and that the Board members were asked to move to , then another room in the Hospital, whereupon a vote was made to go into Executive Session.

The minutes stand approved as amended.

Ann Spaeth asked to make another motion. This was denied as the minutes had just been approved.

MaryAnna Ross-Cowper moved that the action taken by the Board in Executive Session be rescinded as she felt it did not conform to the bylaws and procedures. After discussion about this (whether it was old business, whether it could be proposed by someone who voted against/for it), a vote was taken.

The vote to rescind the action was defeated: 7 yes, 25 no, 2 abstain.

There was continued disruption from the audience members. Sanjiv Jain moved that if there is further disruption from Mr. Feldman, that he be removed and if he will not remove himself, to have him removed by the authorities.

Action Items:

Harriet Brumberg (a pending member of the LUPZ), spoke to a petition that SCRUB (an anti-blight advocacy group) has circulated to ask for ZBA’s attention to the problems inherent in Act 193, signed into law by Ed Rendell in November 2004. The CHCA had voted previously in January 2005 to support SCRUB, but the bill had already been signed and enacted. The gist of the bill is that it made the standard of taxpayer being detrimentally harmed ‘extremely high’ It also means that substantively, community associations across the city cannot protest against the billboards. There is much time spent in the ZBA dealing with challenges to the people protesting, not with the substantive issue of the variance. There are constitutionality issues now raised in the State courts.

It was moved and seconded that:

LUPZ/DRC recommend that we support the other 37 community associations around the city in the petition presented.

The motion was approved.

Another motion was made to approve Harriet Brumberg as a member of the LUPZ. It was made. No discussion. Motion was approved.

Tom Ivory gave his report on the Search Committee progress for the Local Editor.

There have been twenty-four applicants. The interviewing process has just begun. The Search Committee hopes to make their selection before the March Board meeting. Tom Ivory circulated a revised job description. Tom Kessler spoke to the questions about the Publishers Committee, vis-à-vis the job description. Mary Anna Ross-Cowper spoke to the issue of the bylaws and expressed her concern about the Editor vis-à-vis the content of the paper and also the relationship of the Editor to the Publishers Committee. Doug Doman reminded the Board that the CHCA has been sued twice over content of the paper. A motion was made to approve the job description as revised. It was seconded and approved, with one abstention.

There were questions as to who the candidates were. Walt Sullivan (member of the Search Committee) noted that the confidentiality of the candidates could not be breached.

Chris Kemezis noted that the Search Committee was supposed to have finished their work by the February meeting and that we needed to have a motion to extend their time.

Motion was made to give the Search Committee an additional month. This was seconded and approved.

Nominating Committee: Stewart reiterated the section of the bylaws having to do with the nominating committee: “The Nominating Committee consists of the immediate past president (the chairperson) and four other members of the Board of Directors, none of whom may be serving as an officer of the Association.” Ballots were distributed and ballots were collected. 34 Ballots were cast. The four with the largest numbers of votes were: Thomas Hemphill- 13, Ron Recko - 12, Walter Sullivan - 12 and Brien Tilley - 12.

Operations Divison:

Fund Drive: Brien Tilley stated that the CHCF has approx. 30 K. The second mailing is going out and is not donated, as was the first. He asked that we still have an option to do a phonathon..

Annual Dinner:

Dina Hitchcock reported that John O’Connell has assisted in lining up a speaker; Chaka Fattah or Bob Casey. She is soliciting bids for the dinner which will be held at Chestnut Hill Presbyerian Church on April 27th. She will make sure that the ad for the dinner ($20) states that the dinner will be at 5:15PM followed by the meeting at 7 PM, for those who wish only to come to the dinner. Those volunteering for the committee are Bright Judson,John O’Connell, Ron Recco, Jane Piotrowski and Pamela Waters.

Awards Committee:

Jane Becker reported that the Awards Committee has met – Dick Martin, Jane Becker and Richard Becker. Jane stated that the President is responsible for assigning a new member to the committee and then a person rotates off. The committee has been in touch with Maxine. Maxine stated that Carol Cope was interested in being on this committee. She at that time ask to nominate Carol Cope to this committee. Ron Recco voiced his interest also in wanting to be on the committee and questioned why he had not been considered for this when he had asked earlier in the year to participate. Maxine had already approached Carol and she accepted. A member of the board asked that maybe Ron could be added to the Committee. Jane Becker stated that only 5 members are on that committee. Jane then made a motion that Carol Cope be placed on the Awards Committee. The motion was seconded and passed with 2 Apposed.

Membership Committee:

In Caroline king’s absence, Jane Piotrowski spoke to the status. The committee met the week prior and discussed and committed to an Ad campaign to promote of course the importance of both membership and the Upcoming election. Jane Becker suggested that maybe we open up our advertising to a newspaper in Springfield Township. Jane Becker

Is getting information to the Committee. Jane Piotrowski also asked for board assistance on the expired list of members. Asking people to help make calls, send letters, etc.

Fund Raising Committees:

Wine Tasting: Maxine Dornemann reported that Dana Klein would chair the Wine Tasting event. They met with gentleman who would handle the food and the purchasing of the wine. Ticket price would be $75 per person. She projected we would make $45 per person. We have approached Chestnut Hill College – Lorraine Orelli. They are very excited about the event. They agreed to share the procedes. Board will be responsible for Ticket sales. Some board members voiced concerns on the ticket price, timing and seating. Other dates are being explored. Maxine and Dana will keep us posted.

Publishers Committee:

Chris Kemezis stated he had no update on the committee. Mark posed the question regarding an earlier motion to remove two members from that committee. Discussion ensued in regards to the removal. Chris noted the ineffectiveness of the present committee, they had hoped to ask the two members again to resign as agreed or have the board remove them. Their terms are up in the beginning of April, and then they would be replaced automatically. The recommendation was to let their terms run out in April and appoint 2 new people for the next year.

Bylaws Committee: Mary Anna Ross Cowper

Next scheduled meeting will be emailed to the committee. Chris advised the board that there are still 2 openings on that committee.

Chris Kemezis reported that Mark Keintz and Nick Tsago are working on an email system to make communication between board members and community more streamlined with a “List Serve”. Susan Medosch will manage this list being able to remove and add. One list will be fore Board members (PRIVATE) and one will be (PUBLIC) for community input. It will be up and running in few days for a test run.

Board Elections: Stewart Graham

Proposed By-Laws Revion in regards to the Nomination deadlines for Officers and At-Large members of the Executive Committee under the Chestnut Hill Community Association By-Laws. The following By-laws are affected:

Article V, Section A.3

Article V, Section A.3.B

Article VI, Section B.1.c.ii

Article VI, Section B.2.b.

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED SHEET

The revisions that were voted on this night – Feb. 23rd – will then go to the Annual Meeting too then be voted on. Stewart stated that this would not be helpful for this year. Ron Recco proposed that we accept the proposed By-laws revision. The motion was seconded and passed with no abstentions or anyone apposing.

Election Procedures:

Janine Dwyer made a motion to accept explanation proposed by Ann Spaeth as the Election Procedure for the 2006 Election. Discussion ensued. Jeremy asked if there were existing procedures. Current procedures are not as detailed. This proposal of procedures was designed only for this current year. This will help us stick to the time line for our election procedure. Dina Hitchcock voiced her issues regarding item #13. Walter Sullivan made a motion that we strike out the last part of the sentence – should read, “Mailed Ballots must be mailed or delivered to an address to be determined by the Judges of Election”. Ann accepted Walter’s suggested amendment. The Election Procedures are only for 2006. They are voted on every year. There was a motion to end discussion and vote on the proposed Procedure. Motion to adopt the 2006 CHCA Election Procedures as amended was passed with 15 YES, 7 NO and 5 ABSTENTIONS

Motion was made to extend the meeting 30 minutes.

Budget and Finance Committee: Mark Keintz

Mark stated that the committee was still waiting for other committee budgets i.e. B&W Gala, Holiday House Tour, Wine Tasting. The Budget and Finance Committee will meet two time starting March 2nd.

The Community Fund is at $30,000. Grantees are asking for $75,000. Last year was $80,000 and we allocated $60,000. the Budget and Finance committee has agreed to NOT allocate anymore money that we do not have. Deadline is March 15th.

Jim Foster asked the question regarding the depreciation allowance. Mark stated that he would ask our accountant. The Board will be ready to vote on this budget on March 23rd. And is opened to the public.

Physical Division: John O’Connell

Proposes that the Aesthetic Committee thru the President and a joint effort with the Chestnut Hill Park Foundation writer a letter to Rep. Youngblood. We would like to come up with resources/money to do the tree lights. John requested a formal letter from the Aesthetic Committee, and Paul Roller to upgrade and replace the lights on some 80 trees that are being targeted, Estimated cost is from $20,000 to $30,000 range. The Board unanimously supports the letter.

Jim Foster spoke to the unfortunate events of the Commerce Bank site. Ron Recco made a motion to put this topic on the Agenda for the next meeting so Sanjiv could address it and answer questions. Maxine stated that it did not need a vote and that it would be put on the agenda for March 23rd.

Maxine reported on the Art Project AbZOOlutely Proceeds from the Auction in November will be equally split by both CHCA and CHBA- Business District.

Social Division: Dina Hitchcock

Mary Ann Dwyer reported on Teens Inc. in brief because of time running out. Ron Recco made a motion to extend the meeting 5 more minutes to be able to hear Maryann’s report and Dina’s report on the division. Jane Piotrowski seconded.

Pastorius Park:

Tia Burke is working on securing the performers, Dina is working on grants. They are still looking for people to handle PR, support for the weekly brochure . Sponsors are needed and also Brochures, Graphics type people to handle design and print production. Ed Bedno will most likely still handle design.

Teens Inc.: Maryann Dwyer:

Maryann reported on the Ski trip that took place in January. And another ski trip for the 6 & 7th graders. There will be a Mural Painting project here in Chestnut Hill. She will keep us posted on that. They are planning a few Service projects and a Rock Fest. In March for High School Children and also the Solicitation Drive.

Old Busniess:

Walter Sullivan spoke on Ron Recco’s behalf – In relation to the January 27th meeting regarding emails from the subject member to Maxine Dornemann, That email was not rellevant to the business of that night along with other papers.

Janine Dwyer’s 2 proposals for Fund raising Task Force and the Organizational Meeting are to be pushed to the March 23rd Board meeting for discussion.

President’s Report:

In addition to the Wine Tasting reported earlier in the evening Maxine also spoke to a Letter sent from Sr. Carol Jean Vale of Chestnut Hill College regarding their plans for the Sugar Loaf property which they have purchased. Maxine will send out copies to Board members to read. Their plans are very supportive of the Chestnut Hill Community.

To Be Placed on the March 23rd Agenda: Stewart Graham

1. To approve the List of Institutional Members
2.
3.
4.
5. Resolution for the Holiday House Tour
6.
7.
8.
9. Vacancy to be filled on the Board
10.
11.
12.

Meeting was adjourned.

Respectively submitted by,

Jane Piotrowski

Secretary

Present:

Maxine Dornemann

Stewart Graham

Jeremy Heep

Dina Hitchcock

Mark Keintz

John Shea

Brien Tilley

Tom Kessler

Tom Hemphill

Janice Manzi

Bright Judson

Chris Kemezis

Cecile Mahalich

Walter Sullivan

Janine Dwyer

Maryanna Ross Cowper

Ann Spaeth

Amelia Carter

Ron Recco

Dana Klein

Josh Klein

Maryann Dwyer

Leigh Filippini

Virginia Mallery

Jane Becker

Mitch Melton

Sanjiv Jain

Douglas Doman

John O’Connell

Maryann Dwyer

Pamela Waters

Mary Anna Ross-Cowper

Sr.Jean Laurich

Jonathan Sternberg

Not Present:

Tia Burke

Lou Aiello

Sally Hargesheimer

Robert Hendrick

Bob Bacino

Jamie Baker

Ann McNally

L. George Parry

Michael Schantz

Frank Steel

Sr. Carol Jean Vale

Caroline King

Claire Lemisch

Guests:

Ed Feldman

Jim Foster

Martha Haley

Meredith Sonderskov

Harriet Brumberg

Tom Ivory