DRAFT GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
EAST PASSYUNK CROSSING CIVIC ASSOCIATION and TOWN WATCH
Monday, December 1, 2008, 7:00 p.m. 
St. Agnes Continuing Care Center
1900 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA

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Board Members Present:  Roger Bruno, Kim Buckwalter,  Josephine Cardillo, Beth Dougherty, Darren Fava, Joseph F. Marino, Pat Pitt, Bob Reilly, Millie Ruffino

Board Members Absent:  Sarah Ausprich, Melody Damis, Sean Doyle, Marnie Hall, Christopher Johnson, Margaret Kalalian

Darren Fava called meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.

Agenda approval:  Moved by Nettie DiFlorio, seconded by Janelle Harriff.

Co-chair Report/Governance Functions - Joseph F. Marino

1)	EPX office concerns, including proposed operating budget w/R. Bruno and shed pre-installation w/K. Buckwalter and M. Ruffino.

2)	Secured Mayor‘s Office for Community Services for December general meeting presentation.

3)	Met w/Bok Vocational/Technical School principal w/C. Johnson and P. Pitt re providing school w/garden, trash cans.

4)	Met w/counselor from Southwark Grade School w/P. Pitt re charitable giving and trash cans.

5)	Repeated meeting w/Councilman DiCicco and aides.

6)	Met repeatedly w/interim EPA BID Exec. Dir. Bob Thiel and attended their Economic Development Committee meeting.

7)	Attended Mayor Nutter’s Town Meeting session @ Southern High School.

8)	Dinner w/potential new board member re membership committee chair.

9)	With $240 in vouchers supplied by PA Dept. of Agriculture via Phila. Corporation on Aging, purchased produce for distribution to neighborhood senior citizens.

10)	Along with other board members, sorted, packed, distributed over 24 shopping bags of above produce to neighborhood senior citizens. 	

Co-chair Report - D. Fava
Worked on art work phase of SBS gateway project w/reps from Mural Arts Program and Commerce Department. 

Recording Secretary - J. Cardillo
Participated in EPX year-end charitable-giving project by:
•	Doing grocery-shopping w/M. Ruffino to purchase Thanksgiving Day trimmings to go along w/turkeys provided by Philadelphia Access Center.
•	Assembling  and delivering above provisions for Thanksgiving Day to eight needy South Philly families. 

Treasurer's Report – M. Ruffino, Treasurer

1)	Did shopping for EPX headquarters shed.

2)	Did grocery-shopping for Thanksgiving Day trimmings to go along w/turkeys provided by Philadelphia Access Center.

3)	Set up second bank account @ St. Edmond’s Bank.

4)	Treasury
	Current Balance:	$4,734.80
	Earmarks		  1,200.00
	Balance:		$3,534.80

	Total of $293.86 still owed to us for art sales @ EPX Art Auction.

5)	Per  R. Bruno and B. Dougherty, with receipt of $3K DCED grant, EPX will need to file an ’08 charitable solicitation registration tax return.  BD has applicable software.

Clean & Green – K. Buckwalter
•	Next street-cleaning:  (rescheduling of) Mifflin St., Sat., 12/6/08, 10 am
•	Anyone participating in Mifflin Street cleanup can get free recycling bin.
•	Next C&G meeting:  Monday, 12/15/08, 7 pm., EPX office.
•	P. Pitt mentioned that she had meeting w/new landscape architect for Newman-Goretti greening project who has experience in community gardens, is quite familiar w/South Philly, and has a vision for the project.

Marketing and Events - D. Fava

1)	M&E Committee reviewed outcome of EPX Art Auction, discussed improved planning for next year’s event.

2)	M&E considering new fund-raiser for next year:  creation of EPX calendar for 2010 featuring attractive faades and window displays w/in EPX neighborhood.

3)	M&E Committee may consider having EPX House Tour next year as has been done in other neighborhoods; e.g., Passyunk Square.

4)	EPX newsletter is ready and will be printed and distributed in the very near future.

Membership – P. Pitt
Welcomed new-member sign-up:  Edwin Landy, 1800 block of South 11th Street. 

Zoning and Planning – J. Marino (for M. Kalalian)

1)	1726 South 13th Street (@ Castle)   Owner seeking variance to allow for multi-family dwelling.  Hearing scheduled for 3/24/08, 9:30 a.m., @ ZBA office.

2)	Fox Electric Site – Emily and 12th Street   Johnny Chang presented Zoning Committee w/vague plans for construction of seven houses @ this site.  Committee has concern about demolition plans, backyard space and third-floor levels.  

3)	Barbershop @ 12th and Mifflin   The shop has opened for business after all.  J. Marino has been in contact with the business owner.  So far, there are only two barber chairs in the shop and not a lot of business activity.

4)	13th and Snyder  -  Site of former beauty supply store.  Signs displayed announcing opening of new mini market there.

There will be no December zoning and planning meeting.

Public Safety/Town Watch – J. Marino (for M. Damis)
•	Still working on spreading word among neighborhood residents about importance of keeping outdoor lights on, which greatly deters criminal activity.  Per new EPX member Edwin Landy, the electricity cost for keeping an outside line is about 2.5 cents per month.
•	Next walk:  Wednesday, 12/3/08 
•	Next meeting:  Monday, 12/15/08, 8 pm, EPX office.

Old Business:

1)	Shed has been purchased for EPX headquarters and to be erected soon.

2)	2008-2009 PAF Grant - EPX has been awarded this $3,000 grant.  Will use funds to purchase office equipment:  camera, laptops, printer/copy/scanner/fax machine.  

3)	EPX Charitable Giving Project
•	Fresh produce procured through Philadelphia Corp. on Aging distributed to 24 neighborhood senior citizen households  
•	Groceries were bought to supplement turkey donations from Philadelphia Access Center for distribution to eight needy South Philly families.
•	Committee has identified additional needy families through Southwark Elementary School and St. Nick’s.  Will provide children of these families w/winter outer wear, toys.  Donation of new items also welcome from all EPX members; can be dropped off @ Millie Ruffino’s home @ 1129 Emily or Pat Pitt’s home, 1931 Sartain.  Monetary donations can also be submitted via EPX website PayPal account.     

PRESENTATION:  Mayor‘s Office for Community Services cancelled their appearance @ meeting.

New Business:

1)	EPX Headquarters Shed has been purchased but needs to be erected.  Need volunteer w/time and tools to get job done.  New EPX member Edwin Landy offered to lend tools.

2)	Changing EPX bylaws to shuffle duties of board members.  Will be discussed @ next week’s board meeting.  

Announcement:  Toys For Tots and “Treats For Fido” event scheduled for 
Wednesday, 12/17/08, 5:30 p.m. @ Paradiso.  Free hors d’oeuvres for anyone who attends and donates toys or pet treats.

Adjournment:  7:50 pm.

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