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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING
HELD ON APRIL 8, 2008, AT
WAVE HILL, 675 WEST 252ND STREET, ARMOR HALL
PRESENT: R. Abbott, R. Bender, D. Bowden, A.
P. Cassino, A. P. Creaney,
W. S. Dolny, T. Durham, A. Fana, R. Fanuzzi, T.
Feerick, A. G. Feldmeier,
B. Fettman, P. Friedman, J. Goris, M. Katzenstein,
M. Khury,
J. Kreppel, V. Gray Lewis, D. McShane, C. G.
Moerdler, R. Moll,
K. O’Brien, K. Pesce, J. Pilsner, C. Prentice, J.
Reyes, T. M. Rubinstein,
S. Scheinbach, L. Spalter, I. W. Stone, B. Trebach,
M. Wolpoff,
H. Young
ABSENT: B. Feinberg, T. Giallorenzi, G. O.
Koppell, I. Ladimer,
J. O’Reilly, J. Plaza, E. Tossas Tucker, L. Vazquez
STAFF: N. Stent – District Manager, CB 8
D. Bay – Community Associate, CB 8
P. Manning – Community Associate, CB 8
GUESTS:
J. Martin – rep. State Senator Jeffrey Klein
Office
R. Press – rep. State Senator Efrain Gonzalez’
Office
J. Sonett – rep. State Senator Eric Schneiderman
Office
R. Martos – rep. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz’
Office
J. Sewell – rep. Councilman G. Oliver Koppell’s
Office
A. Toledo – rep. Borough President Adolfo Carrión,
Jr.
S. Alexander
K. Bramback
N. Danyluk – Department of City Planning
J. DeSio – Riverdale Review
A. Cohen
J. E. Gordon
K. Green
J. Greene
R. Greenberg
N. Judd – Riverdale Press
P. Moerdler
R. Murray – NYPL Manager, Riverdale Branch
C. Navarro
M. Navarro
L. Ortiz
M. Perron – Administrator, Van Cortlandt Park
H. Ring
Det. L. Rodriguez – Community Affairs, 50th Precinct
M. Smith
C. Solyn
C. White – PS 81 PA President
S. Winianski
Chairman Cassino convened the meeting at 7:40 PM.
Gallery Session
A. Rosemary Murray, Manager, Riverdale Library,
announced upcoming events at the branch which
include: an introduction to the Internet on April
16th at 10:30 AM, a book discussion at 1:30 PM; and
a lecture by Joseph Berger: The World In A City” to
be held on April 17th at 6:30 PM. She distributed
the calendar for both children and adult programs.
Additionally, she advised that the branch had just
received six new laptops.
B. Steve Winianski and Chris Navarro spoke on behalf
of the Kingsbridge Little League. They discussed the
need for field renovation, the financial shortfall
of the team with regard to equipment, and the
inability of some members to afford related team
fees. This season there has been an increase in
players unable to afford membership fees and the
League shouldered the cost of 12 little leaguers.
The League representatives have been providing
personal funding for the operation of the team and
field maintenance. They advised of their ongoing
efforts to generate financial support. A proposal
for funding was filed with the Borough President’s
office three years ago and the decision is pending.
They asked for the Board’s support with acquiring
funding.
Chairman Cassino asked for a copy of the proposal
submitted to the Borough President and will check
the status.
1. Approval of Regular Board Minutes of March 11,
2008
The minutes were approved unanimously.
2. Discussion of the Executive Board Meeting
Minutes of April 2, 2008
The minutes were accepted as written.
3. Chairman Cassino welcomed Jay Martin,
representing Senator Jeffrey Klein; Robert Press,
representing Senator Efrain Gonzalez; Judy Sonett,
representing Senator Eric Schneiderman; Randi Martos,
representing Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz; Jamin
Sewell, representing Councilman G. Oliver Koppell,
Andy Toledo, representing Borough President Adolfo
Carrión, Jr.; Nestor Danyluk, Bronx Department of
City Planning; Det. Luis Rodriguez, 50th Precinct.;
Margot Perron; Administrator, Van Cortlandt Park;
John DeSio, Riverdale Review; and Nick Judd,
Riverdale Press.
4. Chairman’s Report
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• Chairman advised that the Board has
been notified of a proposed FY 2009 3%
budget cut scheduled city-wide for
implementation on July 1, 2008.
Assemblyman Jose Rivera, Chairman, Bronx
County Democratic Committee will host
the Bronx community boards district
managers, chairpersons and elected
officials at a meeting on April 12th to
discuss opposing further cuts to
community boards.
• Chairman discussed the comments of the
Executive Board regarding the Board’s
March Financial Statement on the
internal budget. The Statement was
reviewed and it was agreed that it would
be redrafted before distribution to the
full Board. At the request of Board
members, the draft budget will be mailed
as is, and a revised budget will be
issued for the May Board meeting. Going
forward the Board agreed that quarterly
Financial Statements will be presented.
• Chairman reported on the meeting with
Ceruzzi Holdings held earlier during the
day that he attended along with Damian
McShane and Charles Moerdler regarding
the development at 230th Street and
Broadway. The project will proceed in
two phases. Phase one will take up
106,000 sq. ft., two levels.
Construction will begin on the corner of
230th and move north. There will be one
major tenant (no confirmation on
specifics for tenant). Parking spaces
for 106 cars will be constructed at
ground level only. No parking below
ground because the water table is
prohibitive. Adjoining properties were
not acquired. The development has been
scaled down and there will not be a
movie cinema. Phase two will consist of
40,000 sq. ft. which may include either
a large tenant food market, or a number
of stores. Additional parking will bring
a total of 168 spaces. Entrance/Exit
will exist on West 230th Street, and
Exit only on Verveleen Place.
Certification is expected June 2009.
Applications will involve a ULURP,
zoning changes, and demapping of
Kimberly Place. The projected cost of
the development is between $50 - $60
million. The project will take on local
jobs with union as well as construction.
There will be another discussion in June
or July.
• The Board’s recommendations for the
revision of Alternate Side Parking rules
have been sent to both City and State
officials for review and consideration.
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5. Election of the Nominating Committee
The following Board members were nominated: Saul
Scheinbach, Tracy Feerick, Robert Moll, Julie Reyes,
and Robert Abbott.
Nominations were closed and the vote resulted in 33
in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions.
In Favor -
R. Abbott, R. Bender, D. Bowden, A. P. Cassino, A.
P. Creaney,
W. S. Dolny, T. Durham, A. Fana, R. Fanuzzi, T.
Feerick, A. G. Feldmeier,
B. Fettman, P. Friedman, J. Goris, M. Katzenstein,
M. Khury, J. Kreppel,
V. Gray Lewis, D. McShane, C. G. Moerdler, R. Moll,
K. O’Brien, K. Pesce,
J. Pilsner, C. Prentice, J. Reyes, T. M. Rubinstein,
S. Scheinbach, L. Spalter,
I. W. Stone, B. Trebach, M. Wolpoff, H. Young
6. Report from the Office of the Borough
President – A. Toledo
• Community Board members who have
submitted a reappointment application
should continue to serve until a letter
from the Borough President is received
regarding their re-appointment. Terms of
those up for re-appointment ended on
March 31st.
• Borough President Carrion invites all
to participate in the borough-wide
clean-up campaign on May 3rd. To
sign-up, call 718-590-3914 by April
24th.
• Borough President Carrion and the
Borough President’s Advisory Council
invite all Bronx veterans, residents,
and families of our fallen soldiers to
the 2nd Annual Armed Forces Appreciation
Day being held on May 17th, at Orchard
Beach.
• Borough President Carrion is a
co-sponsor of the 2008 NONPROFIT DAY.
This event will be held on May 1st, from
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, at Citi Center, 153
East 53rd Street, NYC.
• Applications for the 2008 Summer Youth
Employment program are now available.
Youths between the ages of 14 and 21 are
eligible for job opportunities.
Applications can be obtained online at
www.nyc.gov/dycd and at many various
agencies/organizations. |
7. Report from the Department of City Planning –
N. Danyluk
A natural area certification for enlargement at 5451
Palisade Avenue has been approved and forwarded to
the Buildings Department.
8. Committee Reports
A. Budget – K. O’Brien
The Committee’s budget priorities for fiscal year
2010 are due by June.
B. Economic Development – J. Reyes
1. Refer to minutes for full report.
2. Advised that applications for jobs are available
through the Summer Youth Employment program.
Deadline for filing is May 15th. Online applications
are available at
www.nyc.gov/dycd . Microsoft will host a 3 – 5
day summer camp for girls for technology careers.
The girls must be 10th to 12th year students. The
deadline to file is May 30th.
3. Those interested in participating in Zagat
surveys can do so online at
zagat.com.
4. Individuals who usually do not file income taxes
must file a 1048 to receive the stimulus payout.
5. The next Committee meeting will be held on April
24th, at the Board Office, at 7:30 PM.
C. Education – D. Bowden
1. Pre-school applications deadline is April 18th.
2. High school graduation rates nationally are lower
than 50%.
3. Letters to parents of 245,000 children whose
promotions are in jeopardy were sent out for public
school students in New York City.
4. The next Committee meeting will be held on April
29th, at the Board Office, at 7:30 PM. The guest
speaker will be the new Borough Representative of
the State Board of Regents, Dr. Betty A. Rosa.
D. Environment & Sanitation – S. Scheinbach
1. The following resolution was presented:
WHEREAS, there has been a proliferation of
commercial signage being placed on public property
in Bronx Community District 8; and
WHEREAS, over a year ago, the Chairman of the
Environment & Sanitation Committee of Community
Board No. 8 sent letters asking local businesses
placing these signs to desist from doing so; and
WHEREAS, there is a bill pending in the
Council of the City of New York that would close
many loopholes used by commercial advertisers to
avoid being fined for placing their signage on
public property; and
WHEREAS, the bill is known as Introduction
No. 701-2008; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That Community Board No. 8,
Bronx, supports Introduction No. 701-2008, and urges
passage of this bill by the City Council.
Vote: 28 in favor, 2 opposed and 3 abstentions
In Favor –
R. Abbott, R. Bender, D. Bowden, A. P. Cassino, A.
P. Creaney,
W. S. Dolny, T. Durham, A. Fana, A. G. Feldmeier, B.
Fettman,
T. Feerick, J. Goris, M. Katzenstein, M. Khury, J.
Kreppel,
V. Gray Lewis, D. McShane, K. O’Brien, K. Pesce, J.
Pilsner,
C. Prentice, J. Reyes, S. Scheinbach, L. Spalter, I.
W. Stone,
B. Trebach, M. Wolpoff, H. Young
Opposed –
C. G. Moerdler, R. Fanuzzi
Abstained –
P. Friedman, T. Rubinstein, R. Moll
2. In preparation of Passover, dumpsters for
deposing chomezt will be placed around the community
again this year on April 18th, from 7:00 AM to 3:00
PM, at West 237th Street and Independence Avenue,
and at West 260th Street and Riverdale Avenue.
E. Housing – J. Kreppel
1. The report is as stated in the minutes.
2. He corrected the report in the Executive
Committee to reflect that only Tom Durham had
visited Jericho sites, while J. Kreppel visited
construction sites.
F. Land Use – C. Moerdler
Advised that the Board received two applications
scheduled for hearings by the Landmarks Preservation
Commission on May 6, 2008, and that a meeting was
being scheduled for May 1st. Noting that information
had not been submitted from City Planning, C.
Moerdler asked N. Danyluk to check status and advise
the Board as to whether or not the applications had
been submitted to City Planning.
G. Law, Rules & Ethics - R. Moll
No report
H. Parks & Recreation – B. Bender
1. Refer to minutes for report.
2. The next Committee meeting will be held on April
23rd. There will be discussion on Croton mitigation
project for the area outside Van Cortlandt Park’s
parade grounds. The budget priorities for FY 2010
will also be discussed.
C. Moerdler recommended that the Parks Department
review the property development along the Putnam
Line, east of West 230th Street and Broadway with
respect to impact on the project.
l. Public Safety – A. G. Feldmeier
1. A meeting is anticipated with Manhattan College
to find solutions to curtail its students’ behavior
problems.
2. The next Committee meeting will be held on April
28th jointly with Housing. K. Pesce will attend on
behalf of the Aging Committee. They are hoping to
develop a resolution to address safety changes
needed in the senior citizens housing code.
J. Health, Hospitals and Social Services – M.
Katzenstein
3. M. Katzenstein commented that the March meeting
was very good, and that the minutes would be
prepared. The Committee drafted a proposal for the
continuance of the EMS stocking station at the 50th
Pct. in the aftermath of the new station at East
233rd Street.
4. R. Fanuzzi asked about consideration of a capital
budget request for an urgent care center; and D.
Bowden asked about the possibility of Montefiore
Hospital establishing an acute care satellite
facility in the Board 8 area.
K. Traffic and Transportation – B. Trebach
1. Con Ed’s M-29 transmission line project is
underway. Trench work is being done on Riverdale
Avenue between West 230th and 238th Streets which
requires temporary removal of parking spaces. The
work hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Disruption
has been minimum, not over intrusive.
2. The City is cutting down on over-usage of parking
placards. B. Trebach noted that Chairman Cassino had
turned down the offer for a parking placard that is
issued to community board chairs.
3. The Henry Hudson Bridge deck replacement will
require 15 minute long intermittent full
bridge/parkway closures in both directions between
the hours of 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM, Sundays from
March 30th through May 4th, weather permitting. The
northbound parkway will be closed at Dykman Street
and the southbound parkway will be closed at Kappock
Street. In addition, one southbound lane on the
Henry Hudson Parkway from the Kappock Street exit
onto the Henry Hudson Bridge will be closed
beginning at 9:00 PM.
4. Night work on the West 252nd Street bridge over
the Henry Hudson Parkway will be performed from
April 8th to May 1st from 10:00 AM to 5:00 AM,
Monday through Friday. One northbound lane or one
southbound lane of the Henry Hudson will be closed
to traffic from
10:00 PM to 5:00 AM; there will be Intermittent full
roadway closures of the northbound Henry Hudson
Parkway for 15 minute intervals every hour from
12:01 AM to 5:00 AM.
5. A three year project for reconstruction of the
Broadway bridge will begin August 2011.
6. Problems with the trench work can be reported to
the contractor’s hotline number: 718-906-1242.
7. M. Katzenstein thanked Det. Rodriguez for his
quick response in referring a dangerous condition
with the wall at West 252nd Street, Henry Hudson
Parkway project.
L. Youth – C. Prentice
5. C. Prentice referenced the impact of the lack of
resources and the critical problem with student
promotions.
6. C. Prentice thanked J. Pilsner for a wonderful
tour of Riverdale Mental Health facility.
7. Refer to the minutes for full report.
8. The next Committee will hold its next meeting on
May 28th, at 1:00 PM, at the Board office.
9. C. Prenctice advised of her conversation with the
Deputy Borough President with regard to the budget
deficit and lobbying the NY Yankees for support of
after-school programs and other funding.
M. Aging – K. Pesce
1. There is concern with the new RFP’s from the
Department of Aging, that it will change the manner
of operation and programs.
2. The Committee will hold its next meeting on April
22nd, at Riverdale Senior Services, at 3:30 PM.
Speakers will present on “Living Communities.”
Meeting adjourned: 9:15 PM
Respectfully
submitted,
Patricia Manning Community Associate
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