Update from the Civic Association's May Meeting

Over 100 people attended last week's Mayfair Civic Association ("MCA") meeting. President Joe DeFelice introduced the interim Executive Board for the MCA: President Joe DeFelice, Vice-President Mike Williams, and Secretary-Treasurer Suzanne St. Marie with other roles still tto be filled. These roles are spelled out in the MCA's new by-laws which are posted at the bottom and will be voted on at the MCA's next meeting, Tuesday September 28, 2010.

Some topics that were covered:

Success of the 2010 Mayfair "May Fair" and how over 1000 peoplepacked Frankford Avenue foor sidewalk sales, giveaways, inflatable slides, pony rides, exhibitions with a special thank you to the 15th PDAC and the Soft Pretzel Factory for merging their events with the May Fair.

Success of the 2010 Mayfair Fallen Heroes Run where nearly 300 runners and walkers came out to Lincoln High School at 8 O'Clock in the morning to celebrate the life of fallen Fire fighter John Redmond who succumbed in a Church fire in 1994. Many members of the Redmond family were on hand and received a plaque from the MCA, Mayfair Business Association and the Mayfair CDC. The event raised over $12,000, with $5,000 going to the Hero Thrill Show and the rest, roughly $7,000, going to the Mayfair Memorial Playground.

An ongoing project of the MCA is rebuilding the Mayfair Memorial Playground, before the $7,000 raised from the Fallen Heroes Run, the MCA had raised roughly $4,000. The MCA has submitted to the Philadelphia Activities Fund Grant and is waiting for approval. We are also waiting on final determination of a $500 bond to the Mayfair Improvement Association that has been donated to the MCA and has accrued to the value of $3,700. With an additional $5,000 in supplies from Home Depot and the possibility that KA-BOOM will pick up a portion of the cost of the playground, we are well on our way to this dream becoming a reality. Last weekend, Joe DeFelice and Mike Williams went out to the playground location and measured and photographed the 2,500 sq feet of space where the equipment would go.

DeFelice also let the crowd know that the survey on the lot of land behind 3400 Ryan and Cottman had finally begun and so neighbors should be happy about that after several years of back and forth as to what would go at that location. Finally the neighbors settled on buying several parcels for detached backyards.

Finally the MCA got down to the most pressing issues (and the reason for the attendance), the zoning and business issues pertaining to Forbidden Beauty Day Spa and well as Northeast Supermarket at the former National Wholesale Liquidators location:

Northeast Supermarket:

The Supermarket was going for a zoning variance to request that several stores within the locale be permitted to have takeout. Apparently there are several isssues that the neighbors had with respect to the proposed businesses such as trash, volume of traffic, types of takeout, type of labor going on within the business, whether the business was associated with any other businesses in the area specifically those down along Washington Avenue, design of signage and outside structure, whether there would be liquor, whther all permits were pulled properly, etc.

The MCA reserved its decision until further notice.

Forbidden Beauty Day Spa:

Ms Gonzalez from Forbidden Beauty Day Spa presented to the members of MCA and explained that the name may have been picked poorly. She was questioned pretty roughly by the neighbors in attendance about whether this was a good business for the neighborhood. Many questioned her business plan, whether this business would fit into the location, whether Ms Gonzalez, would herself be safe at night, whether they had passed all zoning issues. Many also had issues with the art work on the pamphlets as well as the types of services offered.

The MCA reserved its decision until further notice, however it appears that because of a recent zoning overlay,m businesses like this are limited and therefore not allowed to open under the code.

Lastly a representative from the City gave a presentation on lead based paint screening.

By-Laws - post comments with any questions that you have and we will try to address before our next meeting.

Mayfair Civic Association

Constitution and By-Laws

Adopted May 25, 2010

THE CONSTITUTION

Section I This Organization, to be known as the MAYFAIR CIVIC ASSOCIATION, shall be organized to protect and promote the best interests of the residents within its jurisdiction, to represent the community in those matters pertaining to the safety and maintenance of the area, and to assure that Mayfair will continue to be desirable area in which to live.

Section II The area to be served by the Association will be from Harbison Ave to the South, Frankford Ave to the East, Rhawn Street to the North, and Roosevelt Blvd to the West.

Section III The Executive Body of the Association shall be composed of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Sgt. at Arms, Legal Counsel and a Board of Directors.

Section IV Standing Committees appointed by the President shall be as follows:

Zoning Committee

Mayfair Memorial Playground Committee

Mayfair Business Association

Mayfair Townwatch

Membership

Section V Additional Committees shall be appointed as needed.

BYLAWS

Article 1

Duties of the President

Section 1. The President shall be Chief Executive Officer of the Association charged with the duty of supervising all of its functions, subject to the orders of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the board of Directors and maintain order therein.

Section 3. The President shall put all questions, when duly seconded, to a vote and announce their disposal.

Section 4. The President shall be empowered to sign all checks in payment of bills that have been previously sanctioned by the Board of Directors, regular membership meeting of four-fifths (4/5) Executive Board vote.

Section 5. The President shall a member ex-officio of all committees.

Article 2

Duties of the Vice-President

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to perform all the duties of the President in his or her absence.

Section 2. The Vice-President shall assist the President in any duties when request.

Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to determine the vote on special amendments and issues that require a majority vote.

Article 3

Duties of the Treasurer

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive, or collect, all funds that are the property of the Association and to give a receipt therefore.

Section 2. The Treasurer shall sign the checks to pay all bills which have been previously approved by the Board of Directors, when they are countersigned by the President, Vice President or Secretary.

Section 3. The Treasurer shall keep a record book of the monies received showing the source thereof and a record of bills and expenditures and to whom paid.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall render to the Association at each regular meeting an itemized report of the sums received and from what source, the expenditures since the last report and the balance on hand.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall submit the book and official documents of the Board of Directors upon request (who shall act as an auditing committee) to enable them to make a proper report.

Section 6. The Treasurer shall submit the books and official documents to the Board of Directors two weeks (14 days) prior to the Treasurer’s election.

Article 4

Duties of the Secretary

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the minutes of the meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors, be the custodian of the records and perform such other duties may be assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors of the President.

Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify the Board of Directors of regular and special meetings.

Section 3. The Secretary shall report and/or read all communications pertaining to the business of the Association at the meetings.

Section 4. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to run or appoint (with majority Executive Board consent) an impartial individual to run scheduled elections.

Article 5

Duties of the Sergeant at Arms

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Sgt. At Arms to act as the Parliamentarian of the Association.

Section 2. The Sgt at Arms shall also be the body that recognizes floor speakers if a microphone or recognition is necessary.

Article 6

Duties of the Legal Counsel

Section 1. The Legal Counsel shall be responsible for all legal issues that arise before the Association. If any such elected officer of the board is a licensed Attorney, they shall also serve in the capacity of Legal Counsel as long as they are not the President. If no such member exists, such Counsel shall be appointed by the President.

Article 7

Board of Directors

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of all the elected officers, the Executive Director of the Mayfair Community Development corporation, the Mayfair Townwatch and the Mayfair Business Association.

Section 2. Meetings of the Board must be held in March and September of each year and whenever else the President sees fit.

Section 3. Meetings of the Board shall take place within two weeks prior to the March and September General membership meeting.

Section 4. Meetings of the General Membership shall be the last Tuesday of every odd month except July (January, March, May, September, and November).

Section 5. Other meetings such as those convened for special purposes or zoning issues shall be called and fixed by the President, preferably in even months.

Section 6. The Board of Directors shall designate the Bank or Savings Association as the depository for funds of the Association.

Section 7. Checks may be drawn on the Association’s account upon the signature of the Treasurer with approval of the President.

Section 8. The Board of Directors, after discussion, consideration and majority vote, shall be empowered to expel a member or officer from the Board who may be deemed detrimental to the welfare and operation of the Association.

Article 8

Committees

Section 1. All Standing Committees will be appointed at the first meeting of the Board of Directors following such election meeting.

Section 2. All Select Committees will be appointed when created.

Article 9

Boundaries

Section 1. The Boundaries shall be from Harbison Ave to the South, Frankford Ave to the East, Rhawn Street to the North, and Roosevelt Blvd to the West.

Article 10

Dues and Fiscal Year

Section 1. Yearly Dues for the Association are ten (10) Dollars.

Section 2. The Fiscal Year of the Organization shall begin in September and end in August.

Article 11

Elections of the Executive Board

Section 1. The Election of the Executive Board shall occur every odd year at the second meeting following the first meeting of the fiscal year.

Section 2. Each Board Member may only serve three consecutive terms in any Board Office.

Section 3. In the event of a death, resignation, removal of any executive board member, their role shall be filled in the interim by appointment of the president with a vote of the entire Executive Board. Such appointment shall only be an Interim appointment whereas nominations will be held at the next General Membership meeting whereas elections will be held at the next General Membership meeting.

Article 12

Website

Section 1. The website for the Association shall be www.mayfaircivicassociation.com.