1. Blackridge Civic Association Annual Board Meeting
Blackridge Civic Association Annual Board Meeting
May 20, 2012

2. Agenda BCA Annual Board Meeting Welcome
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 Annual Strawberry Festival & BCA Board Meeting
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 of 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
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
Bingo Fund Checking Account = $ (for tent Rental for chili) Checking Account = $ (all bills paid for May) Loan Balance = $34, (Parking lot and Pool resurfacing... Line of credit Balance = $ 2, ($1, of which is cleaning from December/January...$379 is balance from furnace purchased in 2008) The only other outstanding debt for the BCA is $4,500 we owe to Vigliotti

13. Outstanding Debts
Debt
Amount Owed
Loan (Parking Lot & Consolidation – 2007)
$27,500
Line of Credit (Accrued over multiple years )
$8,300
Sullivan Plumbing (Toilets & Drive Drain – 2011)
$1,000
Insurance (2012)
$4,500
Landscaping (Accrued , down from $8,000 in 2007)
$3,200
Wade Heating (HVAC Repairs – 2012)
$600
Service Master (Cleaning – 2012)
$1,400
Taxes (County, Local – 2012)
$4,400
Total Outstanding Debt
$50,900
We need help with significant fundraising and a capital drive

14. BCA Assessment We have a serious issue brewing!
Current
2013 Assessed
Land (Vacant Lot)
$2,100
$13,900
Land
$45,000
$597,600
Building
$50,000
$310,600
Totals
$97,100
$922,100
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 Improvements Made this Year
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 Jewelry & Purse Sample Sale – December 2011
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 Yoga – Tuesday / Thursdays 6:30 – 7:30 PM
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 Current Membership – 114 members
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
Membership is increasing, but we still have a ways to go. Please consider joining today!

19. 2012 Nominees 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. We need more volunteers. Raise your hand today!
2013 Succession Planning
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!
We need more volunteers. Raise your hand today!

21. Special Thanks Olivia Tassone Gary Pete Amanda Veoni Thank You!
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
Amanda Veoni
Helped initiate Crime Watch efforts
Recruited for building / facilities help
Thank You!

22. Pool Update 2012 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

23. Garden Club Update 2012 Garden Club Board
President, Nancy DelPresto
Vice President, Sheila Mozer
Treasurer, Rose Guerrieri
Assistant Treasurer, Vicki Rodia
Recording Secretary, Diane Law
Corresponding Secretary, Adrienne O'Toole

24. Website introduced last year is a great hit!
Garden Club Website
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.