A stated meeting of the Fairmount Park Commission was held in the Commission
Conference Room, Memorial Hall, at 3:00 P.M.
The President in the Chair.
PRESENT: Commissioner F. Eugene Dixon, Jr.
Commissioner Robert N. C. Nix III
Commissioner Isadore A. Shrager
Commissioner Ernesta D. Ballard
Commissioner John K. Binswanger
Commissioner James J. Bloom
Commissioner Karen Lloyd Borski
Commissioner Robert P. Levy
Commissioner Kumar Kishinchand
Commissioner Mary Mason
Commissioner Victor N. Richard III
Commissioner Joseph R. Syrnick
Deputy Commissioner John Herzins representing Commissioner Andres Perez
Mrs. Marcia Makadon, Designated Representative of the Mayor
The Honorable Darrell Clarke, Designated Representative of
Council President Anna C. Verna
ABSENT: Commissioner Rosanne Pauciello
ALSO William E. Mifflin, Executive Director
Barry A. Bessler, Chief of Staff
PRESENT: Lawrence K. Copeland, Counsel to the Commission
Angelica L. Vidro, Secretary
Paul Nice, Deputy Director of Administration
Dennis Waller, Deputy Director of Business Administration
Observers
APPROVAL OF SUMMARY OF MEETING HELD DECEMBER 12, 2001
The Commission voted to approve the summary of the meeting held December 12,
2001.
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Commission voted to adopt the recommendations of the Finance Committee:
(A) Belmont Groves
The Commission voted to accept the recommendations to implement a rate schedule
for Belmont Groves.
The approval was accepted subject to two amendments:
Any party wishing to be waived, would have to acquire Commission approval.
At the end of the season, the Commission be provided with a seasonal report of
usage.
The motion carried.
REPORT OF NATURAL LANDS PROGRAM COMMITTEE
The Chair reported there were no action items for the Commission.
REPORT OF PARK USE AND REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Commission voted to adopt the recommendations of the Park Use and Review
Committee:
(A) The Creative Group
The Commission approved use of the area in and around the Philadelphia Art
Museum for three related events:
Formal Dinner on the East Terrace on the evening of Thursday, May 9, 2002.
Rocky Run on Friday, May 10, 2002 at 9:00 a.m.
Brunch at the pavilion of the Water Works on Friday, May 10, 2002. (Following
the Rocky Run)
The motion carried.
(B) Fairmount Water Works
The Commission approved rules and regulations signage to be erected at the Water
Works site. The approval was granted with minor changes including:
no glass rule
no vending or soliciting, except by permit rule
to add the special events phone number, (215) 685-0060
The motion carried.
REPORT OF PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Commission voted to adopt the recommendations of the Planning Committee:
(A) Fairmount Park Art Association
The Commission granted final review and approval for the proposed work of public
art by artist Ed Levine, Embodying Thoreau: dwelling, sitting, watching, for the
Pennypack Environmental Center and Nature Sanctuary.
The motion carried.
(B) Franklin Institute
The Commission approved drawings of entrance ramps, canopies and railings for
the proposed new Planetarium / Astronomy
project at the Franklin Institute.
The motion carried.
(C) Residences at Rodin
The Commission granted concept approval for a new residential development plan
behind the Rodin Museum, which includes improvements to Fairmount Park Property
behind the museum building. The approval is subject to two issues:
the developer must address issues raised by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and
Park Staff
Counsel must negotiate the terms of a deal to grant the necessary easement for
development including any appropriate adjustments to the development plan.
The motion carried.
REPORT OF PROPERTY COMMITTEE
The Commission voted to adopt the recommendation of the Property Committee.
(A) Acquisition of Fountain and Smick
The Commission granted approval for acquisition of the property at Fountain and
Smick Streets bordering Germany Hill. Approval was also granted to authorize the
Property Committee to go into the negotiations necessary to acquire the land.
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Commissioner Syrnick reported progress on the Lincoln Statue. The statue has
been reset, and still needs to be pointed, which may be in accomplished in the
following days. The statue will also be ultimately be illuminated, and
everything should be complete by the beginning of April. Bidding for the paving
will not begin until spring. The total cost of the project is $400,000.
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Syrnick reported on some work that was being done on the west side
of Logan Square in the area called Aero Memorial. The Streets Department is
replacing some flagstone that was in desperate need of repair. He invited
everyone to take notice as they pass the Square.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF FAIRMOUNT PARK
The Fairmount Park Commission received the report of William E. Mifflin,
Executive Director of Fairmount Park.
NEXT COMMISSION MEETING
The next scheduled meeting of the Commission will be held on Wednesday, February
13, 2002, 3:00 p.m.
in the Commission Conference Room, Memorial Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
VERBATIM TRANSCRIPT
The verbatim transcript of the meeting held January 9, 2002 is on file in the
office of the Secretary and is available