A meeting of the Fairmount Park Commission was held at Lloyd Hall, #1 Boathouse
Row at 3:05 P.M.
The President in the Chair.
PRESENT: President Robert N. C. Nix III
Commissioner E. Harris Baum
Commissioner John K. Binswanger
Commissioner James J. Bloom
Commissioner Debra Wolf Goldstein
Commissioner Kumar Kishinchand
Commissioner Rosanne Pauciello
Commissioner Philip Price, Jr.
Commissioner Victor Richard, III
Commissioner Joseph R. Syrnick
Commissioner Leon Tucker
Marcia Makadon, Designated Representative of the Mayor
Mary Mason, Designated Representative of Council President Anna C. Verna
Deputy Commissioner John Herzins representing Commissioner Andres Perez
ABSENT: Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis
Commissioner Doris A. Smith
ALSO Philip Goldsmith, Executive Director
PRESENT: Lawrence Copeland, Counsel to the Commission
Carol Roache, Commission Secretary
Paul Nice, Deputy Director of Administration
Stephanie Craighead, Deputy Director of Development & Planning
Dennis Waller, Deputy Director of Business Administration
Observers
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER MINUTES
A motion was made and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the
September Commission meeting.
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Philip Goldsmith, Executive Director, informed the Commissioners that the
strategic plan search committee has chosen the firm of Leon Younger & Pros. and
will meet with them on October 21st. Mr. Goldsmith presented a new brochure to
the Commissioners highlighting fall events in Fairmount Park and spoke briefly
on upcoming Commission events.
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Commissioner Bloom reported that there were no new items to present to the
Commission.
No action was required.
REPORT OF THE NATURAL LANDS RESTORATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
COMMITTEE
The Committee heard the report of Program Administrator, Mark Focht on the
accomplishments of the first quarter of the fiscal year.
No action was required.
REPORT OF THE PARK USE REVIEW COMMITTEE
(A) Cancer Research Foundation of Americas Colossal Colon Tour
The Cancer Research Foundation requested permission to display a 40 replica
colon at JFK Plaza from September 30 to October 5, 2003 as a public education
event on colorectal cancer.
The motion was unanimously carried.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE
(A) Recognition Plaques at Washington Square
The American Revolution Patriots Fund requested permission to install a granite
plaque at ground level in the circle area around the fountain in Washington
Square.
The motion was unanimously carried.
(B) The Water Mill at Manayunk
Albert M. Greenfield & Co., Inc. requested approval of a license agreement for a
landscape plan for 100 Leverington Avenue, which fronts the towpath in Manayunk.
The motion was unanimously carried with the understanding that the terms of the
lease between the Fairmount Park Commission and the developer will be negotiated
and brought back to the Commission for final approval.
(C) Fisher Park Community Garden
The Fisher Park Community Alliance requested permission to build a community
garden 90 X 90 in Fisher Park.
The motion was unanimously carried with staff requesting a letter of support
from Councilwoman Tasco (see attached).
(D) Easement of Fairmount Park Property
Lana Felton Ghee, a private property owner, requested approval of a proposed
underground easement of Fairmount Park property.
The motion was unanimously carried subject to compensation being worked out by
staff.
(E) American Swedish Museum Proposed Elevator Installation
The American Swedish Museum requested approval for the installation of an
elevator in that museum.
The motion was unanimously carried.
REPORT OF THE PROPERTY COMMITTEE
(A) Restoration of Rockland Mansion
The Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust requested approval of a plan for
restoration of the Rockland Mansion.
The motion was unanimously carried.
(B) Transfer of Water Works to Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust
The Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust requested approval of a
three-part motion to place the Water Works on their list of designated
properties. The motion reads:
Resolved by the Fairmount Park Commission, October 9, 2002
The Fairmount Park Commission authorizes the Commission President, the Executive
Director, and Fairmount Park staff to take all necessary and appropriate steps
to add the Engine House and the Interpretive Center at the Water Works to the
Property List both the Master Lease between the City and the Philadelphia
Authority for Industrial Development (PAID) and the Master Sublease between PAID
and the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust, Inc. The specific areas
affected by this resolution are described in the letter dated October 4, 2002,
sent by John Carr, Executive Director of the Trust, to Philip Goldsmith,
Executive Director of Fairmount Park.
The Commission approves the Designation Notice regarding the Engine House and
included as part of Mr. Carrs letter.
The Commission approves the Designation Notice regarding the Interpretive Center
and included as part of Mr. Carrs letter.
The motion was unanimously carried.
(C) Meadowbrook Golf Proposal for First Tee Program
Meadowbrook Golf, Inc. requested approval of the development of a First Tee
program at the F.D.R. Golf Course.
The motion was carried subject to the resolution of legal issues in relation to
the tenancy there. Commissioners Mason and Tucker opposed.
PRESIDENTS REPORT
(A) Search Committees
President Nix reported to the Commission that he has set up three separate
committees. The first is the Search Firm Selection Committee, which will be
chaired by Commissioner Price and will include Commissioners Baum, Bloom,
Makadon, Mason, Smith, Tucker and Nix, along with a representative from the
Friends of Philadelphia Parks. The second is the Memorial Hall Adaptive Reuse
Committee, which will be chaired by Commissioner Goldstein and will include
Commissioners Baum, Binswanger, Bloom and Herzins. The third is the Commission
Retreat Agenda Committee, which will be chaired by Commissioner DiBerardinis and
will include Commissioners Mason, Makadon, Tucker and Kishinchand.
(B) Greater Exodus Baptist Church Tent Event
The Greater Exodus Baptist Church has requested permission to use the site next
to Memorial Hall on November 14th for a tented revival meeting. President Nix
requested approval to recommend this event to the Executive Committee.
The motion was unanimously carried.
(C) Commissioners Meetings
President Nix thanked the Commissioners who have joined him in attending
meetings with various friends groups, the Conservancy and the Trust. Ed
Grusheski of the Water Department has offered to take the Commissioners on a
tour of the Interpretive Center at the Water Works.
(D) Engine House Restaurateurs Design Plan
President Nix requested a copy of the design plan of the Engine House restaurant
from restaurateur. Commissioner Binswanger motioned that the Commission
recommend that the Trust continue to negotiate with Catellis and complete a
transaction on the terms that they feel most acceptable.
The motion was carried. Commissioners Baum, Bloom and Mason opposed.
(E) Future Meetings
President Nix announced that there is a meeting on October 16th with the
Fairmount Park Commission Advisory Council and on Novembeer 21st, there is a
meeting with the Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers. President Nix requested all
Commissioners attend, if their schedules permit.
(F) New Business
Stephanie Craighead, Deputy Director, requested that the Commission pass a
resolution for the development staff to submit an application to the Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources for the restoration of Fisher Park
($400,000 to be matched by City capital) and the rehabilitation of the Kelly
Drive reviewing stands ($350,000 to be matched by City capital).
The motion was unanimously carried.
NEXT COMMISSION MEETING
The next scheduled meeting of the Commission will be held on Wednesday, November
13, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. at Belmont Mansion.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
VERBATIM TRANSCRIPT
The verbatim transcript of the meeting held October 9, 2002 is on file in the
office of the Secretary and is available to any Commissioner who wishes to
review it.