CHCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
Christ Ascension Lutheran Church
Thursday, May 10, 2007

MINUTES

Executive Committee Members Present: Lou Aiello (VP Operations), Maxine Dornemann (Immediate Past President), Janine Dwyer (At-Large), Jim Foster (At-Large), Tom Hemphill (At-Large), Nancy Hutter (At-Large), Ned Mitinger (Treasurer), Jane Piotrowski (VP Social Division), Ron Recko (President), and Ann Spaeth (Secretary)

Executive Committee Members Absent: Tom Fleming (At-Large) and Susan Pizzano(VP Physical Division)

CHCA Board Members Present: Howard Lesnick, Meredith Sonderskov, and Jonathan Sternberg

Others Present: Kristin Pazulski (CH Local Staff Writer) and Noreen Spota (CHCA Administrative Coordinator) Ron Recko called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Ann Spaeth conducted the roll call.

Approval of Minutes. The Executive Committee meeting minutes from April 12, 2007 were approved as submitted.

Report from Treasurer. The final 2007-2008 budgets for the Association, Fund, and Local, which were approved at the Board meeting on April 26, 2007, were distributed. Ned Mitinger pointed out that recycling income generated from the CHCA program at the Wyndmoor station, which had been part of the Fund budget, will now be a part of the Association budget. About $3,360 has been received so far in recycling income; Noreen will speak with bookkeeper Sue Kowert about making this change. Meredith Sonderskov, President of the Chestnut Hill Senior Center (new name: Adult Activities Center), inquired about when they would receive this year’s grant money allocated from the Fund. Ned responded that the check has been prepared and is awaiting signature from a Fund Trustee.

Report from Vice President Social Division. Jane Piotrowski reported that planning is underway for the Black and White Gala, which will be held on Saturday, September 15. The theme is “A Night in Casablanca” and letters have been sent seeking sponsorships. Janine Dwyer reported that an ad containing the monthly yoga class schedule will be placed in the May 17 issue of the Local; additional publicity will be via fliers, the CHCA website, and the instructors themselves. The first class will be held on Sunday afternoon, May 20 in Pastorius Park. Future classes will be held in various indoor and outdoor locations in Chestnut Hill. The cost per class is $15 for CHCA members and $20 for non-members.

Report from Nominating Committee. Maxine Dornemann, Nominating Committee Chair, stated that its slate for the 2007-2008 Officers and Executive Committee At-Large positions will be ready for publication in the May 17 issue of the Local. The other members of this year’s Nominating Committee are Carol Cope, Marianne Dwyer, Stewart Graham, and Kathy Jones.

Report from Vice President of Operations. Lou first reported on this year’s election. The deadline for voting was at the close of the Annual Meeting, which was held on May 2. Ten people served as Judges: Fran Accetta, Mary Cunningham, Judge Armand Dellaporta, Morris Disston, Kathlyn Egan, Jim Hill, Brian Rudnick, Pastor John Saraka, Carl Shaifer, and Katie Worrall. A total of 500 ballots were received for the Board candidates and 360 ballots were received for the bylaws amendments. One day was spent on verifying the current membership of the voters, one day was spent on counting the ballots for the Board candidates, and one day was spent on counting the ballots for the bylaws amendments. The election results for the Board positions were posted on the entrance to Town Hall on Saturday, May 5 and reported in the May 10 issue of the Local. The following people were elected for three-year terms: Anne McNally, Jane Piotrowski, Marianne Dwyer, Tolis Vardakis, Pam Rosser Thistle, George Spaeth, Edward Berg, Doug Knauer, Patrick Moran, Nancy Hutter, Elaine Aiello, and Kristina Sullivan. All of the proposed bylaws amendments were approved.

New Tenant at 8436 Germantown Avenue. Lou then reported on the status of renting the former Stylos space. The new tenant, Tonya Starks-Powell, signed the lease and paid a security deposit on May 3; the lease is for three years beginning June 1, 2007. The lease has been forwarded to the Fund Trustees for their signature and Noreen is in the process of checking references. The store, Lamaj De’Amor Couture Creations, will sell women’s and children’s clothing and home décor accessories.

Insurance Policies. Lou then reported on the status of our director’s liability insurance and publisher’s liability insurance policies, which are through E&M Insurance and due to expire on 6/19/07 and 7/31/07 respectively. Hirshorn Company is in the process of bidding on this coverage, and we need to determine how much coverage is necessary. Jim Foster cautioned that in comparing bids we need to see that the deductibles are the same, especially for property damage. Ned Mitinger questioned whether anyone on the Board has expertise in insurance, as this would enable a smooth transition to new policies and insurance companies. Ann Spaeth offered a motion that the Executive Committee will recommend that the Board approve obtaining quotes from both E&M Insurance and the Hirshorn Company. This motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Ad Hoc Committee. Next, discussion ensued about the status and membership of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating the conflicts between Richard Snowden and the CHCA/Local. Lou’s understanding was that committee member Kathy Jones had resigned because she believed the work of the committee had concluded. Ron stated that the committee currently has no standing because two of the members (Jim Albrecht and Kathy Jones) had resigned, and that his appointment of Howard Lesnick and Meredith Sonderskov would enable the committee to continue its work if the full Board approves. Ron also mentioned that the Chestnut Hill Business Association had approved the “Memo of Understanding” but it is not clear whether they had read the committee’s final report issued in January. Ann Spaeth said that somehow we in the CHCA must figure out how to resolve these issues. Jim Foster noted that if Kathy Jones wishes to rejoin the committee, she must be accepted back by the other committee members. Ned Mitinger suggested that an “action item” at the next Board meeting should be approval of having the committee go forward. Howard Lesnick added that he, Kathy, and Meredith could all be approved as committee members at the next Board meeting. Janine Dwyer requested that the committee issue a report about what has been agreed upon so far by the two parties.

Basement Storage. Lou noted that our lease with Bowman Properties for basement storage at 8431 Germantown Avenue will expire on May 31, and he is in the process of moving the CHCA and Local items across the street to the basement under the fabric store. He reported that new electrical circuits, switches, and lights were installed in the basement and the total cost will be about $900 (to be paid by the Fund). Lou has also hired casual laborers to set up shelving and move the items in storage (this cost will be paid by the Association). Ron suggested that some of the CHCA archives could be stored at the Chestnut Hill Historical Society. A total of $3,500 has been budgeted for this project, but Lou believes we will ultimately spend substantially less.

Meeting Space. Noting that CHCA has used the Lutheran Church space for its Executive Committee meetings during the past year, Ann Spaeth suggested that we make a donation to the church in gratitude. There was a question about whether we have made a donation to the Baptist Church, which has provided meeting space for the Development Review Committee and the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee.

Executive Session. A motion was made and seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss the self-evaluations prepared by employees Ed Budnick (former Interim Community Manager, who resigned in mid-April), Noreen Spota (Administrative Coordinator), Sue Kowert (Bookkeeper), and Pete Mazzaccaro (Editor). The motion was approved and those who were not Board members were asked to leave the room at 8:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Ward Spaeth
CHCA Secretary

Minutes prepared by Noreen Spota, CHCA Administrative Coordinator, and approved by the Executive Committee on 6/14/07.