HPHA Public Meeting Minutes

September 5, 2024

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church

Minutes submitted by James Kirkland, Secretary

Meeting called to order at 7:42pm

We welcome new HPHA Board Member Laura Katsive.

Presentation of August 1 Public Meeting Minutes

Minutes Accepted

Presentation of Proposed Changes to the HPHA Bylaws

These changes will:

• Accept both in-person and virtual meetings for public meetings
• Reflect that the northern boundary of Paulus Hook is Christopher Columbus Drive rather than Railroad Avenue (although we will keep the reference)
• Amend ambiguous or faulty grammar
• Allow officer appointments to be sent to the election officer by email
• Require that expenditures over the threshold are approved by membership only after a submitted budget is also approved by the board

The vote to adopt the bylaws will be at the October meeting. Those who have attended 1 meeting in the past year and are up-to-date on dues may vote.

Event Updates

• Battle of Paulus Hook - Despite the weather the event was a success. Mayor Steve Fulop, Councilmembers Frank E. Gilmore, James Solomon, and Joyce Waterman were all in attendance.
• October 20 Kid and Pet Costume Parade - Save the date! The event starts at 4pm. Riza requests a $2000 budget and the goal is to raise that amount in sponsorships and donations. HPHA Co-President Stephanie Daniels asked Riza to present a budget at the next meeting
  • Motion to table approval of budget until October approved 

Presentation of Budget - July and August

• Our total expenses for July and August were $4,718.16, including $1000 for the Battle of Paulus Hook, $1250 for Tango on the Pier (which will be offset by Exchange Place Alliance funds), and our annual insurance premium. Our income in these months was $86. 
• Our monthly recurring expenses our around $400. 

Development Oversight Committee

• 72 Montgomery
  • Presentation of plans
  • Dog park and public space will be open to public
  • No lights on the top of the building
  • Are they taking steps to mitigate construction contaminates? Not at this stage, but need to address harm to seniors. 
• Van Vorst and Sussex - working on design to blend better into neighborhood
• Bistro La Source Location - Building remains, but new construction in parking lot and next to it

Police Report

• Stats breakdown was not available. 
• Discussion of an incident with a local neighbor who called 911 four times about someone trying to break into their property and got no response. These calls were immediately closed out by the dispatcher without police being sent. They need to call the Director of Health & Safety to get a response. This resulted in the retraining of dispatchers by the Chief of Police. HPHA is going to invite a police community relations person to a future meeting.

Exchange Place Alliance Board Meeting

• HPHA Board Members who attended the EPA board meeting reported the following:

• • EPA is no longer expanding boundaries into Paulus Hook

• • Paulus Hook Park will be maintained by the parks department

• • In the summertime, JCPD will have more of a presence on the waterfront and the EPA will hire off-duty police to patrol from 11pm-3am

• • HPHA needs to remain vigilant about requesting that agencies receive public approval for changes to public property 

Paulus Hook Farmers Market

• An artist will be selling paintings at the upcoming market.
• We have a new vendor — Taste of Poland. They will not able to come every Saturday.
• Attendees requested that the juice vendor turns down their music

Announcements 

• Last Tango on the Pier is on September 18
• Save the Date - Councilmembers Frank Gilmore and James Solomon will be attending the November 7 public meeting.
• History walking tour on November 9 (November 16 Rain Date)

Meeting adjourned 8:45pm