MINUTES

Board Members Present: Anne Anderson, Robert Bacino, Edward Berg, Miguel Castaneda, Brian
DeCesare, Joanne Dhody, Thomas Fleming, Stewart Graham, Michael Hickey, Dina Hitchcock (VP Operations), Eileen Jacobs, Kathleen Jones, Mark Keintz (Treasurer), Marie Lachat, Pamela Learned, Anne McNally, Margaret McNally, Ned Mitinger (VP Physical Division), Patrick Moran, Cathy Pimpinella, Jane Piotrowski (VP Social Division), Ron Recko (Immediate Past President), Rob Remus, Robert Rossman, Meredith Sonderskov, George Spaeth, Jonathan Sternberg, Kristina Sullivan (Secretary), Pam Thistle, and Tolis Vardakis (President)

Board Members Excused: AnnMarie Arment, Jane Becker, Carol Cope, Tony Crist, Marianne Dwyer,
Janice Manzi, Christopher Padova, Marilyn Paucker, and Brian Rudnick

Board Members Absent: Elaine Aiello, Margaret Brunton, Virginia Mallery, Fran O’Donnell, Joseph
Pizzano, and Susan Pizzano

Others Present: Robert Anderson (Morris Arboretum), James Foster, Joel Hoffmann (CH Local
Reporter), Christopher Kircher (Metcalfe Architecture and Design), Philip LeCalsey (Community Manager), Maryalice May, Pete Mazzaccaro (CH Local Editor), David Skolnick, Ann Ward Spaeth, Noreen Spota (Administrative Coordinator), and Walter Sullivan

Tolis Vardakis called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM and asked for a moment of silence. He then read the following letter of resignation from Board member Tapan Patel dated 7/31/08:

“Please accept this as my letter of resignation from the Board of Directors of the Chestnut Hill Community Association. I feel this is the best course, given the unnecessary controversy that has been surrounding the CHCA, the Board of Directors and our community.
I do hope that my resignation ends the negativity shared by a select few members of the Board and allows you to move on to more important and productive issues.
It is unfortunate that my friends, family and other community members that have supported me have had to witness this negativity. All of them are glad to be members of the Chestnut Hill Community Association but are weary of our innuendo-filled newspaper.
I will continue to be involved in our community, regardless of whether or not I am on the Board. I would like to again encourage you and the Board to focus on the issues that will make a difference and end the negativity.”

Brian DeCesare was then welcomed as a new Board member, and Noreen Spota conducted the roll call.

Approval of Agenda. There was a motion to approve the agenda; this motion was seconded and passed.

Approval of Minutes. There was a motion to approve the Board meeting minutes from June 26, 2008 as submitted; this motion was seconded and passed with two abstentions.
Approval of Use Variance for Morris Arboretum. Ned Mitinger read the following motion for Board approval of a use variance for Morris Arboretum to construct a Tree Canopy Walk: “The Development Review Committee recommends the approval of the Morris Arboretum’s proposal to develop a ‘Tree Canopy Walk.’ A use variance is required, as the type of construction considered is not permitted in a residentially zoned property. The proposed ‘walkway’ will be constructed starting this fall and will be completed in the spring of 2009. The ‘walkway’ will be in operation during the same hours as the Arboretum. It will be handicapped accessible.” This motion was seconded. Illustrations of the plans were circulated for review by Board members. After a brief discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Resolution Thanking Recycling Volunteers. Ned Mitinger read the following resolution for Board approval: “The Board of the Chestnut Hill Community Association commends the many volunteers who made the recycling program an environmental and financial success since its inception in 1993. CHCA benefited in many ways from this effort and thanks those who made the first Saturday of the month a routine stop at the Wyndmoor Train Station to drop off paper, plastic, and cardboard. As reported in the July 10, 2008 issue of the Chestnut Hill Local, the program raised $112,000.” This motion was seconded. Stewart Graham, one of the recycling program coordinators, thanked the CHCA for its support, cited the program’s economic and social benefit to the community, and explained that the program was ended because of the recent introduction of single-stream recycling to northwest Philadelphia. He recognized the efforts of volunteers Marie Cavagnaro, William David, John Holt, Roxanne LeMay Morison, and Stuart Treitel. The motion was approved unanimously.

Update on State Attorney General Investigation. Tolis Vardakis stated that the CHCA will provide electronic and hard copies of the documents requested by the Attorney General’s office for the period January 1, 2001 to the present. Along with the records, a cover letter will list all of the requested records: 1) that have been located, 2) that cannot be located, and 3) that never existed. Philip LeCalsey reported that approximately 95 percent of the records have been gathered and that the Fund records have been given to Fund President Jean Hemphill.

In the ensuing discussion about the AG investigation, points that were raised included:

this investigation, precipitated by the law firm Montgomery, McCracken, was unnecessary
perhaps the AG investigation can put concerns about the CHCA’s and Fund’s operations and finances to rest
the AG investigation could have been avoided if the Board had agreed to re-audit FY 2006
the Fund’s 2006 Form 990 stated that the Senior Center received about $100,000 from the Fund even though the actual amount was $10,000, and an explanation should be provided about this discrepancy (Mark Keintz stated that this is explained in the footnotes)
a re-audit of the CHCA for FY 2006 would not have answered questions about how Fund monies were spent or whether regulations for charitable organizations were followed
the Board should focus on what it can do something about and move past recriminations
the AG “case” should not be “tried in the Local”
coverage of this issue in the Local is the purview of the Editor

Bob Rossman thanked Tolis, Philip, Sue, and Noreen for their work compiling documents for the AG investigation.

Report from Treasurer. Mark Keintz distributed and reviewed the income statement for the Local for the month (and fiscal year) ending 3/31/08 along with a summary of the trends. According to the unaudited figures, it appears that the Local basically broke even, with a loss of $306 for the fiscal year.

In the ensuing discussion, points that were raised included:

a concern was expressed about the lack of written financial reports for the Fund
the Fund Trustees will share financial information after their 2008 audit is complete
the Fund Trustees “serve at the pleasure of the CHCA Board” and should provide written information when it is requested by the Board
a 501(c)(3) organization must be run by the Trustees
there has been a trend of decreasing classified advertising revenue due to competition from Craig’s List
a proposal is being prepared by Philip LeCalsey regarding bookkeeping procedures

Also, a question was raised by Pete Mazzaccaro about why the value of the CHCA advertising space (which is not paid for) is listed on the financial statements, since the Local is not turning down advertising revenue from outside sources. Pete and several Board members felt that it would be sufficient to keep track of the value of the CHCA ad space as a footnote to the financial statements. Mark Keintz offered a motion to approve publication of the CHCA/Local financial statements on the CHCA website. This motion was seconded and passed with 1 opposed (Bob Bacino) and 1 abstention (Anne McNally).

Report from Vice President, Social Division. Jane Piotrowski circulated and reviewed her report, which included updates on 1) the Pastorius Park summer concert series; 2) the 10th Annual Police, Firefighters, and Postal Workers Picnic; and 3) membership trends. Noting the loss of 100 household memberships since last December, Jane also distributed three new membership brochures to each Board member, emphasizing the importance of encouraging everyone’s neighbors to join. She requested that new memberships be brought to the next Board meeting. A citation awarded by City Council recognizing the 10th anniversary of the picnic was also shown to the Board.

Report from Vice President, Physical Division. Ned Mitinger noted that there are still many questions about the proposed Treehouse Play Café that need to be addressed, particularly about operational issues. He urged everyone to attend the next meeting of the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee, which will be held on Thursday, August 7. Pat Moran provided an update from the Traffic, Transportation, and Parking Committee regarding the creation of two PhillyCarShare “pods” on the 8000 block of Winston Road. A question was raised about whether proxy votes from Board members are allowed. It was clarified that only Board members in attendance are permitted to vote on issues raised at Board meetings, but written statements can be prepared.

Report from Vice President of Operations. Dina Hitchcock reported that the CHCA/Local agreement with the Fair Housing Council regarding classified advertisements deemed to be discriminatory has not yet been finalized. Details of this agreement will be shared with the Board at the August meeting.

Pat Moran provided an update about the ongoing deliberations of the ad hoc Election Procedures Committee. He noted that unfortunately, no members of the community have attended the two committee meetings held thus far. The next meeting of this committee will be held on Wednesday, August 20. A suggestion was made that the committee’s deliberations should be covered in the Local. Pam Learned stated that members of the Bylaws, Membership, and Election Procedures Committees have been working together on these issues.

A draft Conflict of Interest Policy for the CHCA was distributed. Ed Berg urged Board members to review this draft carefully so that it can be discussed at the Board meeting in August. He recommended that the CHCA bylaws should state that there must be a Conflict of Interest Policy, as opposed to including the complete policy in the bylaws.

Report from Community Manager. Philip LeCalsey distributed and reviewed his report, which provided updates on the following topics: 1) the Attorney General’s investigation; 2) the Holiday House Tour; and 3) the pond and moat in Pastorius Park.

There was no Old Business.

New Business. Meredith Sonderskov proposed that the Board recognize the outstanding volunteer efforts of Suzanne Dure, who has maintained the Chestnut Hill West train station garden for many years. Board members felt that it would be worthwhile to have Mrs. Dure’s contributions acknowledged in the Local.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.

Minutes prepared by Noreen Spota, CHCA Administrative Coordinator, on 8/20/08.

Respectfully submitted on 8/25/08 by:

Kristina Sullivan
CHCA Secretary

Approved by the Board of Directors without amendment on 8/28/08.