Members present:
Jannie Armstrong, Virginia Bird, Claudette Coles, Margarita Espinosa, Frank Franz, Cheryl Holt, Marie Howse, Sara Logan, Thomas Murray, Rosa Peraza, Wendy Rodriguez, Lissette Torres and Perquida Williams.

Members absent:
Annette de Jesus, Diana Diaz, Maria Garcia, Roger Gomez, Yesenia Graciani, Cindy Ibarra (arrived after the roll call attendance was taken), Magdamari Marcano, Yvonne Murphy, Floretta A. O’Brien, Dolores Steele (arrived after the roll call attendance was taken), Abdul Malik Talib and Magdalena Vega.

Elected officials’ representatives
Nick Simpson, representing Senator Jeff Klein
Katrina Asante, representing Senator Gustavo Rivera
Shirley Sanandres, representing Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda
Albert Alvarez, representing City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera

I. CALL TO ORDER
The March 13, 2013 meeting of Bronx Community Board #6 was held at Community School 211, which is located at 1919 Prospect Avenue, Bronx, New York, and was called to order at approximately 6:40 p.m. by board Chairperson Wendy Rodriguez.


II. INVOCATION
The meeting’s invocation was delivered by Father Librado Godinez, the pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church which is located at 1900 Crotona Parkway, Bronx, New York.

III. COMMUNITY PERIOD
The following individuals requested to speak as part of the meeting’s Community Period:

Ms. Betty Gonzalez-Soto, principal of Community School 211

Ms. Gonzales-Soto welcomed us to her school and thanked us for our ongoing support of the school’s students and faculty.

Mrs. Martha Clanton-Thurman

Mrs. Clanton-Thurman informed us that she resides in a local Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) cooperative that is in danger of being returned to City ownership. She lamented that many HDFC cooperatives have failed and asked us for advice on how she may form a coalition that will work to preserve the city’s remaining HDFC properties.

Ms. Lucy Torres of the Union Community Health Center

Ms. Torres informed us of several upcoming health promotion activities that the Union Community Health Center is sponsoring. One of the activities is an Occupational Therapy Event that will be held in April 2013. The Union Community Health Center is located at 260 East 188th Street, Bronx, New York.

Mr. Kenny Agosto of the Bronx Park East Community Association

Mr. Agosto informed us that the Bronx Park East Community Association is co-sponsoring a community forum on the subject of guns and violence on Friday, March 15, 2013, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., at 612 Allerton Avenue, Bronx, New York. The forum will be hosted by Mr. Gary Axelbank of the cable television show BronxTalk.

Ms. Gail Nation of the Bronx River Art Center

Ms. Nathan informed us that the center’s staff is conducting art classes and art exhibitions at various locations throughout the Bronx while its building is being renovated. She also distributed brochures that provided information about the center’s current schedule of low-fee art classes. Additional information about the center’s programs may be obtained by telephoning its administrative office at (718) 589-5819.


IV. BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S REPORT

A copy of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz’s report for the month of March 2013 was included in the meeting’s reading materials and distributed to all attendees.

V. ELECTED OFFICIALS’ REPORTS

State Senator Jeff Klein

Senator Klein was represented by Mr. Nick Simpson who informed us that the senator has been working with his colleagues in Albany to raise New York State’s minimum wage. He also informed us of several community activities that the senator is sponsoring; they include an Easter holiday celebration and a homeowners’ forum on the subject of emergency efficiency.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera

Senator Rivera was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Ms. Katrina Asante, who informed us that the senator and city Comptroller John Liu are co-sponsoring a community meeting regarding the New York City Police Department’s “Stop and Frisk” policy. Ms. Asante also informed us that on March 26, 2013 the senator’s office will offer his constituents free assistance with the preparation of federal and state income tax forms. Individuals who wish to take advantage of this service are asked to telephone his office in advance in order to make an appointment. The telephone number to the senator’s office is (718) 933-2034.

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda

Assemblyman Sepulveda was represented by Ms. Shirley Sanandres who informed us that the assemblyman is co-sponsoring several tax seminars. The seminars are free of charge and will be held on March 16 and March 23. Ms. Sanandres further informed us that the grand opening of Assemblyman Sepulveda office at 1923 Westchester Avenue will be held on March 23.

City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera

Majority Leader Rivera was represented by his Chief-of-Staff, Albert Alvarez, who informed us of the process that non-profit organizations must follow in order to apply for discretionary funding from the New York City Council. Funding applications and additional information on the application process may be obtained from the council’s website.


VI. DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT: Ms. Ivine Galarza

Ms. Galarza’s district manager’s report included, but was not limited to, the following information:

VII. PUBLIC HEARING ON NEW YORK CITY’S PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014.

The community board’s public hearing on New York City’s Preliminary Budget for fiscal year 2014 was opened and immediately closed inasmuch as no one registered to present testimony.

VIII. ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE

A roll call attendance was taken verifying the presence of a quorum of thirteen (13) members. Board members Cindy Ibarra and Dolores Steele arrived after the attendance was taken and, therefore, are considered to have been absent for the entire meeting.

IX. COMMITTEES REPORTS

Youth and Education Committee: Ms. Perquida Williams, Committee Chair

Ms. Williams informed us that the Youth and Education Committee did not meet during the month of February 2013. She also informed us that the committee is in the process of planning a “pizza party” for the youth participants and adult leaders who were involved in its January 18, 2013 “Youth Peace Conference.”

Health and Human Services Committee: Mr. Thomas J. Murray, Committee Chair

Mr. Murray reported on the business that was conducted at the Health and Human Services Committee’s meeting of March 5, 2013. At that meeting, the committee discussed St. Barnabas Hospital’s new state-of-the-art Mobil Mammography Unit (van). The committee also discussed a joint project being conducted by the Mayor’s Office and the New York City Council. The aim of the project is to devise a plan for how New York City’s municipal agencies may more effectively respond to tragedies such as Hurricane Sandy.

Parks and Recreation Committee: Ms. Margarita Espinosa, Committee Chair

Ms. Espinosa reported that the Park and Recreation Committee met on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 to discuss the community board’s plans for commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the Happy Land Social Club Fire. She informed us that anyone who wishes to volunteer to help during the commemoration ceremony may telephone the community board’s district office at (718) 579-6990.

Transportation Committee: Ms. Cheryl Holt, Committee Chair

Ms. Holt reported that the Transportation Committee met on March 7, 2013 at which time it entertained a presentation from representatives of the Bronx Zoo regarding the Zoo’s proposed Intermodal Transportation Facility. At that same meeting the committee also received a presentation from representatives of the New York City Department of Transportation regarding the city’s plans to implement a Select Bus Service route along Webster Avenue. Lastly, the committee met with representatives of the New York City Fire Department and its union who asked that the committee recommend that the full community board issue a letter supporting the co-naming of East Tremont Avenue, between Vyse and Daly avenues, after Fire Lieutenant Patrick J. Sullivan who recently passed away due to a World Trade Center 9/11 related illness.

Law Enforcement Committee: Ms. Claudette Coles, Committee Chair

Ms. Coles reported on the business that was conducted at the February 26, 2013 meeting of the 48th Police precinct’s community council. She also informed us of the council’s schedule of upcoming meetings and announced that the council will conduct its annual fundraiser (The Car Show) on May 26, 2013.

Housing & Land Use Committee: Ms. Sara N. Logan, Committee Chair

Ms. Logan reported on the business that was conducted at the Housing and Land Use Committee’s meeting of March 7, 2013. During that meeting, the committee considered a request from Housing Options & Geriatric Association Resources (H.O.G.A.R.) for a letter supporting its plan to develop 50 units of permanent supportive congregate housing for Bronx residents who are living with HIV/AIDS. The committee chose not to recommend issuing the support letter inasmuch as H.O.G.A.R. does not know, at this time, where the proposed residence will be located

X. ADOPTION OF MOTIONS

1) A motion to adopt the minutes of Bronx Community Board #6’s meeting of February 13, 2013 was made by Mr. Murray, seconded by Ms. Espinosa and unanimously adopted by a voice vote.

2) A motion to issue a letter to City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera requesting that he introduce legislations that will result in East Tremont Avenue, between Vyse and Daly avenues, being co-named in honor and memory of New York City Fire Department Lieutenant Patrick Sullivan, who passed away due to a 9/11 World Trade Center related illness, was made by Ms. Virginia Bird, seconded by Ms. Williams and unanimously adopted by a vote of 13 in favor, zero opposed and zero abstentions.

3) A motion to issue a letter supporting the Bronx Zoo’s Intermodal Transportation Project was made by Ms. Holt, seconded by Ms. Jannie Armstrong and unanimously adopted by a vote of 13 in favor, zero opposed and zero abstentions.

4) A motion to issue a letter in support of the Fordham Road District Management Association’s (aka the Fordham Road BID) plans to expand its boundaries to include Fordham Plaza, and to partner with the New York City Department Transportation with regard to the plaza’s overall administration, was made by Ms. Holt, seconded by Ms. Logan and unanimously adopted by a vote of 13 in favor, zero opposed and zero abstentions.

5) A motion to adopt a policy wherein the community board will not recommend approval of any street activity that is proposed for a location within the 48th police precinct’s anti-crime Impact Zone, and where only one street activity will be permit per day, was made by Ms. Logan, seconded by Ms. Bird and unanimously adopted by a vote of 13 in favor, zero opposed and zero abstentions. The Impact Zone extends from:

Following the vote, community resident Jose Padilla voiced his objection to the motion. He stated that it possibly discriminates against certain segments of our community.

Ms. Galarza emphasized that the ban is temporary and will apply to new activities (activities that were not previously held) and that religious activities will be exempt.

6) A motion to issue a letter to the New York City departments of Transportation and Small Business Services requesting that they not permit any special events to be held at the Fordham Plaza Mall while the mall and surrounding area are undergoing reconstruction as part of the Department of Design and Construction’s Fordham Plaza Reconstruction Project was made by Ms. Holt, seconded by Ms. Logan, and unanimously adopted by a vote of 13 in favor, zero opposed and zero abstentions.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

There being no other business to discuss, the March 13, 2013 meeting of Bronx Community Board #6 was adjourned at approximately 8:05 p.m.