A meeting of the Fairmount Park Commission was held at Belmont Mansion at 3:00
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 Michael DiBerardinis
Commissioner Debra Wolf Goldstein
Commissioner Kumar Kishinchand
Commissioner Rosanne Pauciello
Commissioner Philip Price, Jr.
Commissioner Victor Richard, III
Commissioner Doris A. Smith
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
ALSO Philip Goldsmith, Executive Director
Barry Bessler, Chief of Staff
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 OCTOBER MINUTES
A motion was made and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the October
Commission meeting with an amendment added that the easement requested by Lana
Felton Ghee was for her property and also the two other properties bordering on
her land. Larry Copeland was asked to report on the easement fee at the December
meeting.
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Philip Goldsmith, Executive Director, thanked the American Womens Heritage
Society for hosting the November meeting and informed the Commissioners that he
would be touring the Park on November 15th with the Greater Philadelphia Tourism
Marketing Corporation in an effort to bring more tourism to Fairmount Park.
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 NLREEP.
No action was required.
REPORT OF THE PARK USE REVIEW COMMITTEE
(A) Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Show
The Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Association, Inc. requested permission to use
Rittenhouse Square from June 5-8, 2003 for the 72nd Annual Rittenhouse Square
Fine Arts Show.
The motion unanimously carried with the understanding that the organizers of the
event will meet with Park staff regarding set-up of the facility and potential
damage to the turf area.
(B) Friends of Rittenhouse Square Littlest Friends Festival
The Friends of Rittenhouse Square requested permission to use Rittenhouse Square
from June 1720, 2003 for their annual Littlest Friends Festival and Ball.
The motion unanimously carried.
(C) Hair O The Dog Charity Event
BIG Events requested permission to use Memorial Hall on January 4, 2003 for the
9th Annual Hair O The Dog Charity Event with funds from the event being
designated to Memorial Hall.
The action was tabled.
(D) City Year Tribute Dinner
City Year requested permission to use the East Terrace of the Art Museum to set
up a tent for a dinner honoring Harris Wolford on May 29, 2003, with the set-up
beginning on May 27th and breakdown ending May 30th. A contribution will be made
to Fairmount Park.
The motion unanimously carried and Paul Nice will inform the Art Museum.
(E) North Penn New Years Eve Race, Change of Venue
The Commission had previously approved this event for Kelly Drive. However, due
to the many New Years Eve activities along the Drive, North Penn requested
permission to change the venue to West River Drive.
The motion unanimously carried.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE
(A) Philadelphia Zoo Bird Valley Re-Circulation Project and Baboon Exhibit
The Philadelphia Zoo requested design approval for a Bird Valley water
re-circulation project and a new baboon exhibit in support of an African theme
at the Zoo.
The motion was unanimously carried.
(B) Three Parkway Project Exterior Improvements
Kling Architecture, on behalf of their client, the Amstar Group, requested
conceptual approval for signage, both on sidewalk level and on top of the
building, canopies at the façade, sidewalk paving and lighting.
The motion was unanimously carried with the understanding that they will return
to the Commission at a later date when specific signage is proposed.
(C) Exterior Sign Approval, Tir na Nog Bar & Grill
Bower Lewis Thrower Architects requested approval of an entry awning, sign
panels, neon window signs and a pole-mounted clock at Tir na Nog Bar & Grill,
located on the west side of 16th Street between Arch and Cuthbert Streets
The action was tabled.
(D) Axe Factory Road Maintenance Facility
Urban Consultants requested design and construction approval for the Axe Factory
Road maintenance facility, located at 8605 Roosevelt Blvd for their client, the
City of Philadelphia.
The motion was unanimously carried.
(E) Memorial Hall Roofing
Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch Architects requested design approval for the
re-roofing of Memorial Hall as well as improvements to the dome and copings to
prevent water infiltration.
The motion was unanimously carried.
(F) Restoration Hatfield Mansion, Blue Bell Tavern and Boelson Cottage
Woodcock Design requested design approval for the restoration of Hatfield
Mansion, Blue Bell Tavern and Boelson Cottage
The motion carried with commissioners Binswanger, Mason and Richard opposed.
REPORT OF THE PROPERTY COMMITTEE
No action was required.
PRESIDENTS REPORT
(A) Commissioners Meetings
President Nix thanked the Commissioners who have joined him in attending
meetings with various friends groups and reminded them that there is a meeting
on November 21st with the Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers at the Water Tower
Recreation Center. Commissioner DiBerardinis added that the Commission Retreat
is scheduled for November 22nd at St. Josephs University. President Nix informed
the Commission that the Search Firm Committee will meet on November 14th and
will report back to the Commission at the December meeting.
(B) Meeting with Peter Harnick
Commissioner DiBerardinis announced that Peter Harnick will be speaking at the
PA Horticultural Society at 20th and Arch Streets on December 6thand encouraged
all Commissioners to attend.
(C) New Business
Commissioner Binswanger noted that he had sent out a request to all
Commissioners for contributions to the Conservancy. He thanked those who
graciously responded and asked all Commissioners to make a donation. Audrey
Johnson-Thornton, President, Womens American Heritage Society, thanked the
Commissioners for visiting Belmont Mansion and added that writer Julie Winch
will lecture on the history of Belmont Mansion and the Underground Railroad on
December 15th at Belmont Mansion.
NEXT COMMISSION MEETING
The next scheduled meeting of the Commission will be held on Wednesday, December
11, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting adjourned at 4:15 PM.
VERBATIM TRANSCRIPT
The verbatim transcript of the meeting held November 13, 2002 is on file in the
office of the Secretary and is available to any Commissioner who wishes to
review it.