PCRG
MEMBERSHIP MINUTES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2007
4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
In Attendance: Maelene Myers, ELDI; Ernie Hogan, HPCDC; Kevin Hanley, SSLDC; David Blenk, OPDC; Jim Richter, HI; Jeff Dzamko, SGNC; Martha Pasula, EACC; Rhonda Brandon, NSLC; Margaret Eldridge, FCC; Jay Gilmer, LLCDC; Dana Smith, FDA; Frank Cythe, FDA; Paul Johnson, CNNC; Janet Moore, CNNC
Absent: Harry Wolfe, ACDC; Joe Lawrence, AWCC; Rick Swartz, BGC; Cynthia Shea, EACC; Joann Monroe, GJA; Tom Hardy, Marimba Milliones, HCDC; Greg Panza, MWCDC; Darla D’Anna, MWCDC; Tony DiPardo, NSLC; Laura Ludwig, OPDC; Rick Belloli, SSLDC; Dennis Hughes, THC; Jim Boucher, THC.
PCRG Staff:
Steven Shivak, Randi Lowe, Bethany Davidson, Jennifer Germany
Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 4:12 p.m. by Maelene Myers, Chair.
Minutes Approval
Minutes from September 2006 Membership Meeting were approved. OPDC/HI.
Guest Speaker
Rob Stephany from the URA spoke to PCRG Members regarding the changes to the way the URA will be evaluating future development projects. In a slide show presentation, Stephany highlighted successful neighborhood projects and gave an example of a project that was high in cost that he did not believe, in and of itself, would improve the community. With scarce resources, the URA will be looking at development of “scale” being defined as those projects that can help improve a community in and of itself.
Finance Report
Treasurer Jim Richter reported on the August month-end numbers stating that PCRG is behind plan by almost $84,000 due to PCRG anticipating earlier commitments by lending institutions. As it turns out, PCRG has been successful in using NAP credits that many of the banks are waiting for the latest round of NAP credits before giving their financial commitment to PCRG. Shivak stated that he believes the deficit to be a temporary variance and expects to finish on target for the year end. Richter stated that PCRG is in the final review for a foundation grant that would support PCRG’s APLI program for three years. Shivak continues to hold costs on certain line items in the event revenues do not come in as anticipated.
Financial Report was approved. HPCDC/OPDC
Value Proposition
Shivak unveiled to the group a new model that will enable PCRG to provide support to its members. The model is based on conversations with member executive directors, board of directors, and stakeholders. In reviewing the information two things became very clear: The focus on the Anti-Predatory Lending Initiative (APLI) and the Vacant Property Working Group (VPWG) were pigeon-holing PCRG into activities versus products or services.
As a result, PCRG proposed the following value proposition:
1) Advocacy
PCRG was founded on an
advocacy platform that it
continues today.
2) Home Ownership Protection
PCRG’s Efforts to prevent fore-
closure are really about protecting
home ownership. By classifying
it in these terms it enables PCRG
to see the bigger picture.
3) Housing
PCRG’s Vacant Property Working
Group (VPWG) is really about
assisting neighborhoods assemble
land to create affordable housing
in its communities. VPWG is a
mechanism to make that happen. PCRG can provide additional services to ensure neighborhoods succeed.
4) Economic Development
PCRG and Citizens Banks partnership in the Housing and Neighborhood Development Fund specifically supports economic development by providing up to $15,000 in grants to neighborhoods to help cover costs associated with their development projects.
5) Programs and Communications
PCRG provides programs such as the Regulatory Speaker Series, Lunch and Learn Series and the Bob O’Connor Award and Annual Meeting for CDC’s, CBO’s and stakeholders to learn more about what is happening in the neighborhood field and issues impacting our neighborhoods.
6) Training and Capacity Building
PCRG will be bringing training programs to Pittsburgh to enable large numbers of CDC’s, CBO’s, government agencies and others to attend versus traveling to other cities. In addition, members of PCRG will receive a discount off the registration fee. PCRG believes that providing the training for our members enables them to attract and retain qualified personnel that will help build the capacity for their respective organizations.
7) Research
PCRG continues to research topics of interest to our communities including the Annual Financial Partner Analysis, Due Diligence for the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Public Schools, HMDA data on new lending institutions moving into town including Fifth Third Bank, First Commonwealth and most recently, Huntington Bank.
Neighborhood Priorities
Shivak introduced the Bethany Davidson as the new Regional Policy Manager for PCRG. Davidson is responsible for the VPWG and the follow-on activities of the neighborhood priorities meeting held in August. Two topics were identified as the highest priority: Public Safety and Housing. Davidson will be meeting with individual groups to discuss these two issues and then scheduling a meeting for each topic to further flesh them out.
The Reinvestment Fund (TRF)
Shivak reported that PCRG has been approached by the Office of Mayor Ravenstahl to manage a contract between the City of Pittsburgh, City Planning, the URA and The Reinvestment Fund. The purpose of the contract is for The Reinvestment Fund to gather and analyze data to determine where markets currently and could exist for the City. This information will help the City develop a long-range plan on how investments will be made in the City. The Reinvestment Fund has conducted similar studies for Baltimore and Philadelphia.
NAP/NPP Meeting
Shivak has been meeting with a group of non-profits, foundations and hosted by PNC Bank to talk about getting businesses outside of the banking community participating in NAPs. PCRG’s take on participating is to help our community groups understand how NAPs work and enable more groups to participate. Shivak stated that he is working with PNC and others to put a workshop together for two separate groups: neighborhoods and businesses. Shivak is using his contacts inside the Pittsburgh Technology Council to arrange the business meetings.
Equity Fund
PCRG investigated the potential of starting an equity fund but once reviewing the other funds in place decided to continue to review existing funds and make recommendations on how existing funds can better serve our members.
APLI Update
Shivak introduced Jennifer Germany as PCRG’s new contract consultant to assist PCRG in planning and conducting workshops in Allegheny County to fulfill the terms of the contract with the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development. Shivak also encouraged neighborhoods to get involved in the APLI by participating in the monthly working group meetings.
VPWG Update
Bethany announced that the next Treasurer’s Sale is slated for November 30th.
New Business/Old Business
None
There being no other topics on the agenda, the meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m. (HPCDC/FDA)
Respectfully submitted,
Steven Shivak
Executive Director