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1650
Selwyn Avenue
Suites 11A & 11B
Bronx, New York 10457
(718) 299-0800
FAX: (718) 294-7870
email: bx04@cb.nyc.gov
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MINUTES OF COMMUNITY BOARD
#4
GENERAL MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2006, AT
BRONX LEBANON HOSPITAL - MURRAY AUDITORIUM
MS. LEE EZELL, CHAIRPERSON
MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Ms. Anita Antonetty; Ms. Gloria Jean Benfield; Ms. Catherine
Carpenter; Mr. Maynard Charles; Mr. Inaldo Chavarria; Ms.
Arthuree Evans; Ms. D. Lee Ezell; Mr. Robert Garmendiz; Mr.
Lukas Herbert; Mr. Cyril Innis, Jr.; Pastor Wenzell Jackson;
Mr. Reginald Joseph; Mr. Mariano Laboy; Mr. Barry Nissen;
Ms. Martha Reyes; Mr. George T. Robinson, Sr.; Ms. Kathleen
Saunders; Rev. Olga Torres-Simpson
MEMBERS EXCUSED:
Mr. Alfred Ponce; Bp. Dr. Timothy Birkett; Ms. Felice Bradford-Richard; Mr. John
Shipp
MEMBERS
ABSENT:
Ms. Arsenia Anderson; Ms. Deborah Drayton Strong; Ms. Beatrice Duarte;
Ms. Felicia Morales; Ms. Marilyn Wright; Mr. Junior Dorsainvil; Mr. Oscar Real;
Mr. Sheriff Ceesay; Ms. Elsie Deans; Mr. Elhadi Mohamed; Ms. La’Ra Hardy Shabaka;
Rev. Earl McKay
STAFF:
Mr. David Mojica, District Manager
Ms.Elizabeth Gonzalez-Senior Secretary
Ms. Gloria Lewis, Office Assistant
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Ms. Valerie Davis-O’Neal representing Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Senator Ruth Hassell Thompson, NYS Senate
Ms. Aurea Mangual representing Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr.
Mr. Brian Levinson representing NYS Senator José M. Serrano
Mr. Greg Mazili representing NYS Assemblyman Michael Benjamin
Ms. Vanessa Gibson representing NYS Assembly Member Aurelia Greene
Dr. James Fairbanks representing NYC Council Member Helen Diane Foster
GUESTS PRESENT:
Margaret Collins, Troy & Pharaoh Lancaster and Patricia Grant-Dred Scott Bird
Sanctuary, Hector Aponte, Lev Kushner, Joshua Laird-NYC Parks Department, Paula
Caplan, Wilhelm Ronda—Bronx Borough President Office, Mary Blassingame, Marie
McCullough-Concourse Village Inc, Joyce Hogi, Michael Trotter, Anthony Curry,
Lucille Price, T.K. Singleton-Bronx Community Solutions, Frances E. Fenster,
Arlene Hall Waisband-Grand Concourse Academy, Vanessa Trevell, Rob Speller-Highbridge
Horizon News, Debra Myers-community resident, Donna Johnson-Save our Parks,
Evelyn Rivera, Jacqueline Carter-resident, Maria Simmons-resident, Jewel Lopez,
Angel Irizarry, Carol Norman, Walter Houston, 167 Street Business League,
Betty Crawford, CB4 Housing and Land Use Committee member, Candida Bido-DOHMH,
Margaret Fleesak-NY Public Library, Gisela Francisco, Andy Turk-student, Ryan
Singer-Bronx Dept. of City Planning, Jesslyn Tiao-parks Press, Dr. Gholson-CB#9,
J.J. Brennan, William Ford, Cherelle Silvera, Darnel Simmons, Frand McMorrow-Parks
Department, Barbara Torns-Bronx Journal Paper, Carolyn Buff-Columbia University,
Doris Scott, Sara Bayney, Albertha Hunter, Gloria Wiggs. P.O. Hilda Estrella-44th
Pct. Community Affairs, Jose Serrano-Family Support Systems, Lisa Denslow,
Covenant House—JR Diaz Oyola-resident, Mary Castello, Fenton Thomas-Municipal
Services Committee, Andrew Bellinger, Carl Sanders,
ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING ON THE NEW YORK CITY CAPITAL AND EXPENSE
BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR FY2008
Ms. D. Lee Ezell, Board Chair, opened the public hearing portion of the meeting
at 6:00pm. She then proceeded to read District 4’s Capital Budget Priority
items. Mr. Mojica read the Expense Budget Priorities.
Ms. Margaret Fleesak, Highbridge Branch Library, thanked CB#4 for
putting all of the NYPL priorities on the list. Ms. Fleesak expressed her
gratefulness on behalf of the NYPL to CB 4 for supporting the district’s
libraries, which is reflective in the submission of budget priority items to the
city, and for Councilwoman Helen Diane Foster’s budgetary support. Ms. Fleesak
stated that renovations to the Highbridge Branch might commence in January
2007. Major renovations include increase of space to alleviate the great
service demand. She also thanked the Board for their support in submitting a
capital budget request to renovate the Melrose Branch Library.
Rev. Fairbanks, representing Councilwoman Helen Diane Foster,
stated that historically the council paid for renovations of libraries; Council
member Wendell Foster funded renovations for the Melrose, Sedgwick and
Highbridge Library Branches
Ms. Alberta Hunter, community resident, made mention of the dust
and trucks problems in the civic center area and the need for mitigation.
Ms. Anita Antonetty suggested that in reference to Capital Budget
Priority #7, the erection of a monument for FDNY firefighters killed in the
line of duty at the Mount Eden Malls, funding sources should come from another
entity other than the Parks Department since their annual budget is gravely
stretched.
ITEM #1—Opening of Meeting
Ms. D. Lee Ezell, Chairperson, opened the General Board Meeting at 6:25 PM and
welcomed everyone in attendance. Ms. Ezell asked the members of the board to
introduced themselves to the public. It was indicated at the beginning of the
meeting that any announcement/comment during the Public Session had to be
limited to no more than two minutes, per person.
ITEM #2—Public Session
Ms. Donna Johnson
representing Francis Tejada, of Save our Parks, Save our Community, spoke on the
replacement parks and stated that their group would like to work with CB#4 and
the Parks Committee to establish the best interim replacement park program
possible.
Mr. Jose Serrano, Family Support Systems Unlimited, stated that
his agency provides foster care, adoptive and preventive services and youth
services. Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent, please call
#718-220-5400.
ITEM #3—Report
from the Bronx Borough President
Aurea Mangual, Community Liaison,
highlighted the following:
-
Community
Board Surveys – Community Board members received a letter and a survey from
the Borough President in the mail. The survey is designed to solicit input
from community board members to improve the level of service delivery,
enhance the work board members do on behalf of the community and to better
serve members of respective communities. The survey should be completed and
returned to the Borough President’s Office, as soon as possible.
-
Borough
President Carrion Testifies at NYC Council Public Safety Committee on Gang
Violence – the Borough President has spoken out on the problem of gangs in
the Bronx and other parts of the City. He recently hosted a public meeting
along with the Bronx District Attorney and local police officials.
-
Bronx Borough
President Adolfo Carrion Jr., and the New York Power Authority (NYPA)
unveiled the new “green roof” on the Bronx County Courthouse – This new roof
will be the first of its kind in the Bronx and only the second municipal
building in the city to utilize this technology.
-
Bronx Borough
President Carrion welcomes Ridgewood Savings Bank to the Bronx – new branch
opens on White Plains Road in Wiliamsbridge as part of unique state program.
-
Bronx Borough
President Adolfo Carrion cuts ribbon on new Mammography System at North
Central Bronx Hospital – Borough President and representatives from North
Central Bronx Hospital unveiled its newly acquired state of the art digital
mammography system, purchased through NYC capital budget allocation of
$430,000 from the Borough President’s Office.
-
Bronx Borough
President, Freddie Mac, Washington Mutual and Bronx Housing Organizations
celebrate program’s first graduates – Borough President Carrion and
Congressman Crowley will celebrate and congratulate the graduates of
homeownership Education Bronx at Work Housing Orientations.
-
Borough
President Carrion Celebrates New Wing of Bronx Museum of the Arts – Borough
President Adolfo Carrion celebrated the expansion of the Bronx Museum of the
Arts. The new and larger facility will enable the museum to build on such
core programs as Artist in the Marketplace.
-
Carrion and
Habitat for Humanity build affordable homes in the Bronx
ITEM #4—Report by Local Elected Officials
Mr. Brian Levinson representing NYS Senator Jose M. Serrano,
reported on the
following:
-
The EPL/Environmental
Advocates ranked the Senator the most environmentally conscious senator in
Albany.
-
The Senator
is focusing heavily on health and hospital issues. The fear is that the
Commission on Healthcare Facilities will drastically downsize or eliminate
public hospitals in the 28th district, in which, we cannot afford
to lose.
-
In
collaboration with New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Senator is sponsoring
a free flu shop event at the 25th Police Precinct on Tuesday,
November 14th from 1:00pm-4:00pm at 120 East 119th
Street.
-
On October
27, Hope Community Inc. will unveil a beautiful mosaic by artist Manny Vega
honoring the late Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos. The ceremony begins at
11:00am on the northeast corner of 106th Street and Lexington
Avenue.
Ms. Vanessa Gibson, representing Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene,
reported on the
following:
-
New housing
development at 1212 Martin Luther King Blvd., which is energy efficient.
-
Mitchell Lama
Developments – landlords are opting out of the program, the Assemblywoman’s
Office is working with these property owners to assist them with these
buildings.
-
Public
Hearings at 250 Broadway, 19th Floor – October 26th
public hearing on Education
-
NYS Assembly
has an internship program. They are currently looking for applicants for
the year 2007 for an intern session in Albany. The program offers college
students a chance to participate in the state government legislative
process. Applications are available.
Mr. Greg Mazili, representing Assemblyman Michael Benjamin,
reported that
the Assemblyman won re-election for the democratic primary. He provided
information about the Preserving Eye Care for Seniors Plan, which is a free
innovative eye care program that provides a complete medical eye care exam.
Please call #800-222-EYES for further information.
ITEM #6-VOTE ON
FY2008 DISTRICT BUDGET PRIORITIES
This item was tabled due to lack of quorum.
ITEM #7-PRESENTATION BY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND
RECREATION ON PLANS FOR REPLACEMENT/INTERIM RECREATIONAL SPACE
Mr. Hector Aponte, Borough Commissioner/DPR, thanked CB4 for the opportunity to
make a presentation. He then introduced his staff. He said that the Parks
Department and the City are serious about finishing park replacement projects in
the best manner possible. The City has been meeting on a weekly basis to
coordinate all efforts and to make sure that information is disseminated in a
timely manner for the community to have an opportunity to let them know of any
problems that exist in the community.
The Commissioner and his staff then presented a diagram of the
proposed interim park that would include a running track, soccer field, and
baseball field. An interim park will be located in Parking Lot #1, 161st
Street and Jerome Avenue. The asymmetrical running track will be slightly
smaller than what was in Macombs Dam Park. The synthetic turf that will be used
in the interim park will be recycled and donated for the use of a nearby
schoolyard or another community facility, once construction begins on the
parking garage. Construction is expected to begin at the end of the year, and
the park should be completed by late Spring 2007. Two interim baseball fields
will also be constructed on the waterfront by the Gateway project and should be
completed by the time construction of the parking garage begins on Parking Lot
#1. These interim baseball fields will replace Little Yankee Field when
construction of the parking garage begins after the summer of 2007. The interim
ball fields will remain until the current Yankee Stadium is demolished and new
ball fields constructed there. The tennis courts will replace the ball fields
on the waterfront. Parking Lot # 15 located at East 165th Street &
River Avenue is open for public parking. Parking Lot # 10 was opened yesterday
for community use, the fee is $10. NYC Parks has the funding to start efforts
to replace trees that were removed from Macombs Dam Park.
During the fall of 2006 and spring of 2007, 350 trees will be
replaced, the first round of more than 8,000 trees that will be planted. It
was noted that the cinder track on the Little Yankee Field would disrupt the
play of the little leaguers in the field.
Commissioner Aponte noted that the painted lines around Mullaly,
Franz Sigel and Joyce Kilmer Parks, were placed there as markers for people who
enjoy walking. It is not in any way intended to be a replacement for Macombs
Dam Park. In fact, this model has been implemented citywide. Parks will place
these markings for walkers throughout the Borough. An outreach coordinator will
be hired by the DPR to manage all of the Park Capital Projects in District 4 and
to address any community concerns regarding these projects. The Commissioner
stated that Building J along the waterfront will have a new district office and
a new PEP substation in addition to programmatic activities.
Mullaly Park North (165th to 166th Streets)
and Mullaly Park South (164th to 165th Streets) have been
combined into a master plan,$9.2 million will be allocated. These funds are a
combination of $6 million filtration plant money for Macombs Dam Park, an
additional $2 million from the Mayor, and another $1 million. In Mullaly Park
North, the center asphalt pathway will have two fenced areas of flowering trees
and ornamental shrubs along with a possible community gardening area. More
trees will be planted throughout the park. The soccer field will be
refurbished, and the ad-hoc soccer field will be made official. Both fields
will have artificial turf and a mist system to cool down players. Two softball
fields will be located on the eastern edge with fencing high enough to keep the
balls from going into River Avenue. Irrigation systems will be installed as
well as ground hydrants. In Mullaly Park South, the playground equipment will
be better organized and more trees planted to make the park greener. The skate
park building will be renovated and include rest room facilities accessible to
the public. The basketball court will be moved adjacent to the skate park and
the swing area next to it. A children’s musical interactive play area will be
constructed on the northwest side of the park. Directly across from the
recreation center, there will be a centralized sprinkler system surrounded by a
seating area for caretakers to watch the children.
By Fall 2006, demolition work of BTM warehouse buildings F,G,& H
is expected to begin. The projected completion for this project is for May
2007. Spring 2008, construction begins of parking garages A, B and D, and the
construction of the playground area @ River Avenue & East 157th
Street. During this time, the construction of Mullaly Park North will be
completed and the construction of the BTM waterfront park will be on going. In
Fall 2008, start demolition of Yankee Stadium, complete River Avenue
playground. Spring 2009, new Yankee Stadium opens for 2009 baseball season .
Summer 2009, complete demolition of old Yankee Stadium and start construction of
Heritage Field, at Ruppert Place and 157th Street. Summer 2010,
Heritage Field complete with full size baseball field, one little league field
and one softball field. On top of Garage A – 400 meter synthetic track surface,
soccer/football field, one little league baseball field, nine handball courts, 4
basketball courts, grandstand seating, sports lighting, comfort station,
pool/park amenities. Tennis Courts at BTM will be completed 2011. A question
and answer period ensued with Board members only.
Ms. Ezell, Board Chair, acknowledged Senator Ruth Hassell
Thompson who said a few words. She ensured everyone that concerns raised will
be addressed. This is the best possible opportunities to participate on this
project for WMBE.
ITEM #5—Review/Correction/Adoption of Previous General Meeting
Minutes
The minutes from the June 27, 2006 and September 26, 2006 general meeting were
tabled due to a lack of quorum.
ITEM #8—District Manager’s Report
Please see attached District Manager’s report.
Mr. Mariano Laboy
asked about the order of the meeting agenda and agenda items. Ms. Ezell replied
that this could be discussed later. She then called for committee reports.
ITEM #9—Committee Reports
Health and Human Services Committee—Mr. George T. Robinson, Sr., Chairperson.
reported on a resolution regarding cigarette advertisement geared toward youth
and asked everyone to sign and return to the board office.
Municipal Services Committee- Ms. Kathleen Saunders, Chairperson,
reminded
everyone to attend the 5th Annual 4+44 Award Program tomorrow at the
High School for Law, Government & Justice.
Youth and Education Committee—Ms. Gloria Benfield, Chairperson,
welcomed
everyone to come and attend the meeting. She spoke about Youth Day and the
Health Initiative/DOHMH. Rev. Fairbanks informed everyone of Project Hire, and
said that this program is the only way to get apprentices into the unions. The
1st week in November young adults can fill out an application and
take a test at Bronx Community College.
P.O. Hilda Estrella, 44th Precinct—began
by stating that every Friday they have the Explorers Program at the Precinct for
youth ages 10-20 years from 4-6pm. P.O. Estrella ended by stating that the
Explorers program runs every Friday from 4 to 6 pm at the precinct for youth
ages 10 and 20. The Explorers have social events and do community service
including cleaning up parks, playgrounds, and other areas. The Explorers are
available to community organization or merchants associations for clean up or
other suitable work in community service. Please call P.O. Estrella at
718-590-5525 for more information.
She also announced the 44th Precinct Clergy Coalition
Annual Award Banquet on Thursday, October 26th at 7:00pm at the
Church of God of Prophecy located at 85 East 165th Street. Tickets
are $40 per person or $75 a couple.
There will also be a retirement party for Officer Carmenlydia
Diaz on January 25, 2007 at 6:30pm to be held at City Island Harbor Restaurant.
Tickets are $55 per person and $100 per couple.
Ms. Arlene Hall Weisberg, Grand Concourse Academy Charter School,
thanked the CB
for responding to a previous complaint. Additional complaints will be forwarded
to the District Office.
New Business
Ms. Anita Antonetty, Recording Secretary, announced her resignation as recording
secretary from CB4, allegedly for being asked to filter and censor the minutes.
She apologized to the District Office staff.
The Chair stated that CB4 is saddened to receive her resignation
and they accepted her resignation. Ms. Benfield stated that Ms. Antonetty has
done an outstanding job and is irreplaceable.
Mr. Garmendiz spoke on the excessive absences of board members,
leaving the board without a quorum to conduct business.
Rev. Jackson questioned whether the resignation will be addressed
to the full board.
Ms. Blassingame expressed her concerns over the direction in
which the Board is going, according to her, it appears to be anti-community.
Ms. Blassingame stated that there is less interaction with the agencies, and
there is now division in the Board, which was never there before.
Dr. Vicky Gholson, visitor, suggested that the Board Chair should
be more demanding and less apologetic when it comes to demanding services from
City agencies.
ITEM #12—Adjournment
Ms. Ezell adjourned the meeting at 8:45 PM.
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