CHCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Chestnut Hill Library
Thursday, September 25, 2008

MINUTES

Board Members Present: Louis Aiello, Anne Anderson, AnnMarie Arment, Robert Bacino, Margaret
Brunton, Miguel Castaneda, Tony Crist, Brian DeCesare, Joanne Dhody, Marianne Dwyer, Stewart Graham, Thomas Hemphill, Michael Hickey, Kathleen Jones, Mark Keintz (Treasurer), Pamela Learned, Virginia Mallery, Anne McNally, Margaret McNally, Ned Mitinger (VP Physical Division), Patrick Moran, Fran O’Donnell, Marilyn Paucker, Cathy Pimpinella, Jane Piotrowski (VP Social Division), Joseph Pizzano, Ron Recko (Immediate Past President), Rob Remus, Brian Rudnick, Meredith Sonderskov, George Spaeth, Jonathan Sternberg, Kristina Sullivan (Secretary), Pam Thistle, Brien Tilley, and Tolis Vardakis (President)

Board Members Excused: Jane Becker, Carol Cope, Dina Hitchcock (VP Operations), Eileen Jacobs,
Marie Lachat, Janice Manzi, and Christopher Padova

Board Members Absent: Susan Pizzano and Robert Rossman

Others Present: Joel Hoffmann (CH Local Reporter), Robyn John (CH Local Production Manager),
Philip LeCalsey (Community Manager), Sonia Leounes (CH Local Advertising Sales Manager), Cheryl Massaro (CH Local Circulation Manager), Pete Mazzaccaro (CH Local Editor), Jimmy Pack (CH Local Assistant Production Manager), Ann Ward Spaeth, Noreen Spota (Administrative Coordinator), and Greg Welsh (Chestnut Hill Business Association President)

Tolis Vardakis called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM and asked for a moment of silence dedicated to Elaine Aiello. Lou Aiello was welcomed back to the Board. Noreen Spota conducted the roll call.

Approval of Agenda. Mark Keintz proposed that the agenda be amended to make “approval of new Budget and Finance Committee member” the fourth action item. There was a motion to approve the agenda as amended; this motion was seconded and passed.

Approval of Minutes. Tolis Vardakis proposed that the Board meeting minutes from August 28, 2008 be amended as follows: delete the section on page 3 excerpting the minutes from the Development Review Committee meeting of August 19, 2008 regarding the Treehouse Play Café proposal. There was a motion to approve the Board meeting minutes from August 28, 2008 as amended; this motion was seconded and passed with two abstentions (Patrick Moran and Jane Piotrowski).

Approval of Zoning Variance for Chestnut Hill College/Sugarloaf Addition. Tolis Vardakis asked that any Board member with a conflict of interest concerning this issue identify himself or herself; none of the Board members declared a conflict of interest. Ned Mitinger briefly described the plan to add 1,200 square feet to the Sugarloaf dining area. This variance request was previously reviewed and recommended for approval by the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee and the Development Review Committee. There was a motion to approve the variance for Sugarloaf; this motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Approval of New Traffic, Transportation, and Parking Committee Chair. Pamela Learned offered a motion to approve Tom Hemphill to serve as the new Traffic, Transportation, and Parking Committee Chair due to the resignation of Patrick Moran; this motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Approval of New Executive Committee At-Large Member. Mark Keintz offered a motion to approve Marilyn Paucker to serve as an At-Large Member of the Executive Committee due to the resignation of Thomas Fleming; this motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Approval of New Budget and Finance Committee Member. Mark Keintz offered a motion to approve Mike Hickey to serve as a member of the Budget and Finance Committee due to the resignation of Jane Piotrowski. This motion was seconded and passed unanimously after a brief discussion about Mike’s qualifications to serve on the committee.

Statement from Chestnut Hill Business Association.Mike Hickey, current Vice President of the Chestnut Hill Business Association (and Interlocking Member of the CHCA Board from the Business Association) delivered a statement about their efforts to keep the businesses on the Avenue viable and to improve the business climate and image of Chestnut Hill. He went on to urge the publishers and editors of the Local to “take a deep contemplative look at what appears in the Local” and questioned whether certain recent stories deserved to be placed on the front page. He asked for a “change in attitude” and said that a written statement from the Business Association would be presented soon. Greg Welsh, current President of the Business Association and owner of the Chestnut Grill, also spoke about the efforts to promote Chestnut Hill and mentioned the article in Forbes magazine calling Chestnut Hill one of the top seven urban neighborhoods in the country. There was a recent event held at the Chestnut Hill Hotel in which Mayor Nutter and other city officials presented the award to the CHBA, the CHCA, and other community organizations. According to Greg, the Local was notified about the award presentation in advance but no one was sent to write about it for the paper; he and others at the CHBA were displeased about this. (Fran O’Donnell of the CHBA wrote an article about the event that was published in the Local.)

A discussion ensued about the Local’s news coverage. Ron Recko stated that it is the paper’s responsibility to cover all community news, regardless of whether it is deemed “good” or “bad.” Brian Rudnick called for a point of order, asking whether a discussion about the Local’s news coverage was appropriate at this time. The discussion ended with Mike Hickey asking the Board once again to consider the CHBA’s approach.

Report from Treasurer. Mark Keintz circulated and reviewed the income statement for the Local for the month ending 7/31/08 along with his written summary. He clarified that the Fund’s audit for FY ending 3/31/08 will not be ready for presentation at the October Board meeting, but an investment report will be presented at that meeting instead. Mark then noted the ongoing cash flow issue, highlighting the difficulty meeting payroll this week. The Senior Center and Meals on Wheels have now been asked to make their payments (to cover their payrolls) on time. A discussion ensued about the Local’s cash flow issues; some of the points that were raised included:

• The Local’s employees will no longer be paid additional income for photography.
• The Local needs to generate more income and/or drastically cut its expenses.
• Display advertising rates are too low and some invoices are not sent in a timely manner.
• The amount spent on sales commissions is a concern.
• Audio news reports are currently being produced for the Local’s website.
• Advertising income from the Local’s website should be listed separately on financial reports.

Report from Vice President, Physical Division. Ned Mitinger reported that the applicant for the proposed Treehouse Play Café has withdrawn her request for the necessary variances. “The Little Treehouse” will continue its operations for the time being at its 8524 Germantown Avenue location. Tom Hemphill thanked Patrick Moran for his work as chair of the Traffic, Transportation, and Parking Committee.

Report from Vice President, Social Division. Jane Piotrowski reported on plans for: 1) the “Zoo2” Auction to be held on November 15 at Chestnut Hill College, 2) the Fall for the Arts Festival to be held on October 12, and 3) the Membership Committee’s plan to meet the third Wednesday of every month. Jane again asked Board members to contact their friends and neighbors and encourage them to join the CHCA.

Formation of Ad Hoc Committee to Address Cash Flow Issues at the Local. Rob Remus described the deliberations of the Executive Committee at its meeting on September 11 regarding this subject. The plan is to find out how other, similar publications are handling financial issues for comparison to the Local. Bob Bacino offered a motion to form an ad hoc committee with members Rob Remus (chair), Dina Hitchcock, Mark Keintz, Patrick Moran, and Jane Piotrowski; this motion was seconded and passed with two votes opposed and two abstentions. Rob stated that the committee plans to conduct its research, hold weekly meetings, and present its report at the October Board meeting.

Report from Community Manager. Philip LeCalsey distributed and reviewed his report, which provided updates on the following topics: 1) maintenance of the Town Hall facility, 2) collaboration with Springfield Residences, 3) the Fund Drive thank you party, 4) the Holiday House Tour, 5) rental of 8436 Germantown Avenue to the fabric store, and 6) a community forum with the 14th Police District to be held on October 1. A discussion ensued about plans for the Holiday House Tour. Jane Piotrowski suggested that Board members be sent a letter regarding sponsoring the Tour, AnnMarie Arment suggested that restaurants be contacted as well, and Pam Thistle stated that $500 sponsorships are being sought. Ned Mitinger noted that Phil’s remarks at yesterday’s Notary Club meeting were well received.

Old Business: CHCA Conflict of Interest Policy. A draft Conflict of Interest Policy was distributed at the Board meeting held on July 31, 2008 and again sent to Board members for review prior to the current meeting. A discussion ensued about some of the specific provisions. The following revisions were proposed:

• Change Section 2a to read, “any ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement”
• Change Section 2c to read, “any potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Organization is negotiating a transaction or arrangement”
• Add Section 2d: “any debt to the Organization or subsidiary more than 90 days in arrears”
• Add to the end of the policy: space to write in Board member name, date, and signature

There was a motion to approve the revisions specified above; this motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Then there was a motion to approve the revised Conflict of Interest Policy; this motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Tolis stated that the policy will be signed each year by every Board member and that he will ask Board members to disclose conflicts of interest prior to discussion of zoning issues. Rob Remus asked whether the policy speaks to participation in a competing business; Tolis responded that he will ask Board members to disclose whether they would benefit from either approval or rejection of the proposal being considered.

New Business: Concerns Raised by Business Association. In the ensuing discussion, points that were raised included:

• The Business Association must address the issue of the many empty storefronts on the Avenue.

• A plan to unify CHBA and CHCA efforts in this regard is being developed.
• As specified in the CHCA bylaws, the Board of Directors cannot tell the Editor of the Local what to publish.
• The Local may be one of the reasons why Chestnut Hill is among the seven top urban neighborhoods in the country.

Pete Mazzaccaro stated that he wanted to cover the Mayor’s award presentation to Chestnut Hill organizations, which is why he printed Fran O’Donnell’s article about the event on page 2 during a week that the closing of Caruso’s Market appeared on page 1. Pete stated that he does his best to inform readers about what is going on in the community and that it cannot all be “feel good” material. The closing of Caruso’s Market appeared on page 1 because it is newsworthy, but the Local also publishes many positive articles about Chestnut Hill businesses. Pete then read a letter he received from an elderly woman in Chestnut Hill who relied on Caruso’s and wanted the Local to inform her about what was happening with it.

Announcements.

A Taste of Chestnut Hill. Marianne Dwyer told Board members that this year’s fundraising event for Teenagers, Inc. would be held on Sunday, November 16 from 5-8 PM at Springside School.

Delaware Valley Regional Study. Pam Learned mentioned that the second phase of the study is underway and suggested that another “open house” could be held prior to the November 20 Board meeting, from 5-7:30 PM. At this point Pam asked whether a half hour could be set aside at the October Board meeting for a “thoughtful discussion” about the concerns raised by the Business Association with respect to the Local’s news coverage. Tolis stated that he would put this topic on the agenda. 

City Hall Citation. Tolis mentioned that the beautiful citation presented by Mayor Nutter recognizing Chestnut Hill as one of the seven top urban neighborhoods will be displayed at Town Hall and at the Historical Society office. He also thanked Greg Welsh and the Business Association for bringing the Mayor to Chestnut Hill and for organizing the event.

Health Lectures Sponsored by CHCA. Tolis reported that CHCA will sponsor a series of lectures covering various health issues. The first lecture, about Type II Diabetes, will be presented on Tuesday, October 28 from 7-9 PM at Chestnut Hill Hospital.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM.

Minutes prepared by Noreen Spota, CHCA Administrative Coordinator, on 10/20/08.

Respectfully submitted on 10/23/08 by:

Kristina Sullivan
CHCA Secretary

Approved by the Board of Directors without amendment on 10/23/08.