Blackridge Civic Association Annual Board Meeting

1. http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ Blackridge Civic AssociationAnnual Board Meeting May 20, 2012

2. Agenda http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ BCA Annual Board Meeting • Welcome • Town Hall (Rental Update & Recommendations) • Financial Results • Outstanding Debts • Allegheny County Assessment • Capital / Building Improvements • Events / Programming • Membership • 2012 Nominations • 2013 Succession Planning • Special Thanks • Pool Update • Garden Club • APPENDIX: Q & A from May 20th

3. Welcome http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ • Annual Strawberry Festival & BCA Board Meeting • Opportunity to socialize, summarize, vote and thank your hardworking board!

4. BCA Rentals Update & Board Recommendations Town Hall BCA Rentals Update & Board Recommendations

5. Moderated Q&A • As a means to address questions, concerns, comments and suggestions from the audience, we will use a moderated Q&A approach. • Please write your questions on a slip of paper and pass to the end of your row. • Questions will be collected by a board member and addressed, as time permits, at the end of this portion of the presentation.

6. BCA Building and Grounds • The BCA board’s biggest concerns: • Lack of funds to maintain the building and property could result in unfortunate outcomes • Demolish building to significantly reduce ongoing costs • Sell building and property • Volunteer shortage • Why should this topic matter to residents? • The BCA is the cornerstone of the community. • In a summer 2010 resident and member survey, 69% of respondents said they expect Blackridge’s boards to create events that allow neighbors to socialize. • A majority of respondents indicated that having the clubhouse, pool and park were important factors that made our community unique. • Safety in our community • Impact on property values

7. BCA Rentals Overview • Why do we rent the building? • No ongoing or guaranteed funding sources • Memberships (which are optional for residents) account for 16.5% of the total operating budget • Upkeep and maintenance of the facility and grounds is expensive ($50,000 per year) • Rentals are a major revenue stream to support the BCA • Rental revenue accounts for 54% of the total operating budget • How many rentals are there each year? • Average of3 - 5 rentals per month (non re-occurring) • Only 25 – 35% of renters are Blackridge residents

8. Board Recommendations • Following an incident on March 17, the BCA board held an emergency meeting to discuss solutions to increase safety and sustainability of rentals. • Short-term changes for all new rentals, effective as of early April • Mandatory event end times have changed from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the weekends • $500 damage deposit now part of ALL rentals • Chaperones required for all student and children events such as graduation

9. Board Recommendations • Long-term change recommendations • Security guard to collaborate with police if curfew or other rules (e.g., maximum capacity of 200) have been broken. • Active pursuit of events management company to handle logistics of rentals. Increase in non-member/resident rental fees to cover management company costs. Current rates are • Non-member • $400 for Tuesday-Thursday rentals ($200 in 2011) • $800 for Friday-Saturday ($650 in 2001) • $550 for Sunday ($400 in 2011) • Member • $200 for Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday rentals ($100 in 2011) • $400 for Friday-Saturday ($350 in 2011) • Increase Non Member Rates in 2012 (again) • Active pursuit of one or several large, ongoing renters (e.g., dance classes, yoga, CCAC courses etc.)

10. Your Collaboration is Welcomed! • Consider getting involved to help keep Blackridge a special, safe community. • Volunteer – your time, talent and/or treasure • Participate- through ideas, solutions, problem solving • Referrals – suggest the BCA to responsible renters • Recommendations - other essential resources like service providers and vendors

11. Moderated Q&A • Please write your questions on a slip of paper and pass to the end of your row.

12. Financial Results http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ • We are holding on, but we are definitely not in a sustainable position. • Financial Goals: • Increase reoccurring rentals • Address Assessment • Increase Membership • Pool & Garden Club • Continued partnership

13. Outstanding Debts • We need help with significant fundraising and a capital drive

14. BCA Assessment • We have a serious issue brewing! • A 950% increase could result in an estimated $25,000 to $30,000 / year increase in taxes (currently we pay about $4,000) • We have filed an appeal and will keep the community updated

15. Capital Improvements http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ • Improvements Made this Year • Repainted ballroom, board room, hallway ~$2,000 / donations • New ceiling tiles – donated by Habitat • New ladies room chairs – donated by Judi Roth Interiors • Minor roof repairs – $500 • Floor stripping and re-waxing - $800 • New cove base - $200 • New curtains - ~ $600 / donations • Purchased 7 new eight foot tables - $125 / Perla donation • Serviced Fire Extinguishers – $75 • HVAC Repairs – $600 Please consider getting involved in the capital campaign to help save the BCA building.

16. BCA 2011 / 2012 Events http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ • Jewelry & Purse Sample Sale – December 2011 • Gingerbread Houses – December 2011 • Beef ‘n’ Beer – April 14th • Brew Club – Ongoing check online calendar • Strawberry Festival – May 20th • Garage Sale – coming June 16th • July 4th Bike Parade – coming July 4th • Bingo – coming end of July • Flip a Lid, Raise the Roof– coming September • Fall Fest & Concert in Park – coming October 13th While there are many events to bring our community together, we opted not to hold more resource-intensive events in order to ensure effective stewardship of community donations.

17. BCA 2011 / 2012 Programs http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ • Yoga – Tuesday / Thursdays 6:30 – 7:30 PM • Zumba – Tuesday / Thursdays 7:30 – 8:30 PM • Jazzercise – Tuesday / Thursdays 10:30 – 11:30 AM • Dance – Mondays 4:00 – 9:00 PM We are looking to find more programming during the week to utilize the clubhouse and grounds and to increase revenues. Ideas and support welcomed!

18. Membership http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ • Current Membership – 114 members • 114 BCA members out of 625 eligible homes • At 2011 meeting out count was 163 members • At 2010 meeting our count was 172 members • At 2009 meeting our count was 110 members • Represents 18% participation • Memberships are key to our financial stability • Apply today here • Apply online at www.blackridge-bca.org Membership is increasing, but we still have a ways to go. Please consider joining today!

19. 2012 Nominees http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ • President, Jennifer Suiters • Vice President, Damon Mahon • Treasurer, Ron Kotun • Secretary, Julia Ryman • Vice President Membership, Sarah Kuharik • Vice President Buildings & Grounds,Vacant • Vice President Ways & Means,Vacant • Rental Director, Conor Lennon (pending) • Newsletter, Tara Taylor • Historian, Cathy Taylor • Webmaster, Sarah Kuharik • Members-At-Large: • Churchill – Lee Borellis, Ceil Greber,Maria Taylor • Penn Hills – Steve Jurman, Bill Miller, Vacant • Wilkinsburg – Judi Roth, Stephanie McCarthy, Justin McCarthy

20. 2013 Succession Planning http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ • In 2013 after many years of service, Jen Suiters and Ceil Greber will be stepping down as President and VP. • We need volunteers now to ensure a smooth transition. Please help us recruit! • Please contact us if you can help! • Jinyfaliny@verizon.net We need more volunteers. Raise your hand today!

21. Special Thanks http://www.blackridge-bca.org/ • Olivia Tassone • Penn Hills At Large Member • Lead our Strategic Council • Developed and Published our First Blackridge Survey • Volunteered and donated for many events • Gary Pete • Faithful Blackboard Editor for 4+ years • Developed our wonderful advertising (posters, brochures, tickets) • Coordinated Purse & Jewelry Benefit Auction • Volunteered and donated for many events • Amanda Veoni • Volunteered and donated for many events • Helped initiate Crime Watch efforts • Recruited for building / facilities help Thank You!

22. Pool Update2012 Pool Board • President, Seth Vogler • Vice President, Erin Sass • Treasurer, Chris Luedde • Membership, Anne Flaherty • Buildings & Grounds, Cathy Powers • Fundraising / Events, Katie Hanna • Fundraising / Events (unofficial), Helen Kondrich • Secretary (unofficial), Dan Crawley • Cathy Powers This and more information available @ www.blackridgeswimclub.org

23. Garden Club Update2012 Garden Club Board http://www.blackridgegardenclub.com/ • President, Nancy DelPresto • Vice President, Sheila Mozer • Treasurer, Rose Guerrieri • Assistant Treasurer, Vicki Rodia • Recording Secretary, Diane Law • Corresponding Secretary, Adrienne O'Toole

24. Garden Club Website http://www.blackridgegardenclub.com/ Website introduced last year is a great hit!

25. Q&A – 1 of 4 • The following questions were asked and answered during the board meeting: • Q1: Can we ensure that the park is not used during rentals? • A1: Yes, in the past we’ve allow renters to use the park, however we will eliminate this privilege from future rental contracts. • Q2: Can we make all Blackridge residents join the Civic Association? • A2: Because the Civic Association was developed outside of a homeowners association many years ago, and because we represent 3 different municipalities this does not seem feasible at this point in time.

26. Q&A – 2 of 4 • Q3: Can we raise the BCA membership dues to help with some of our rising costs? • A3: Yes, per our bylaws we are allowed to increase rates up to 50% each year. The board will consider a rate increase for 2013. • Q4: Can we provide some free advertising for our vendors who have worked well with our financial situation? • A4: Yes, we will provide some recognition in subsequent Blackboards • Q5: Can we get someone to help with park clean up? • A5: We are looking for volunteers to help out with this.

27. Q&A – 3 of 4 • Q6: Can we do something about cars being parked in the street overnight? • A6: The governing boroughs of Wilkinsburg, Penn Hills and Churchill dictate parking laws. Unfortunately, the Civic Association does not have any control over parking. It was suggested that the interested residents contact their borough for safety concerns, such as emergency vehicle access. • Q7: Why are we no longer allowing BCA members to sponsor events, and why must members have rental damage deposits? • A7: Due to safety issues and the inability to screen fairly, the Civic Association board decided to provide a policy to dis-allow any rental sponsorships. Also all renters must now provide damage deposits. Damage deposits are refunded at 100% provided rental rules are followed and no damages occur.

28. Q&A – 4 of 4 • Q8: Who is responsible for monitoring events at the clubhouse and ensuring adherence to the curfew? • A8: The Churchill police patrol the grounds on a routine basis. The board is in communication with the Churchill police regarding any time or rules violations. We have been stressing to renters the consequences of not following the rules. If the police are called to the clubhouse during an event for any issue other than a medical emergency the renter forfeits their entire damage deposit.