GENERAL BOARD MEETING COMMUNITY BOARD
#9
January 19, 2012
1967 Turnbull Avenue
Bronx, New York 10473
Present: Aubrey Adams, Mohammed N. Ahia, Edison
Aponte, Lydia Bauza, Shirlee P. Evans, Elaine Garcia, Michael Guzman, Al
Heyward, Jerald Hollingsworth, Cheryl Marrow, Percilla Martinez, Patricia
Miller, Dr. Joyce Nash, Fernando Otero, Valerie Patterson, Kyhelm S. Paul, Henry
Pelayo, Jr., Denise Riera, Carmen Rivera, Cynthia Rivera, Steven Rivera, Abdus
Shahid, Carmen Taveras, Zenali Tirado, Darryl Williams
Staff: Francisco M. Gonzalez, District Manager
Also Present: Manny Lagares, Myisha Taylor Mike-Boro
President’s Office, Hon. Annabel Palma’s Office-Dustin Engelken, Hon. Ruben
Diaz, Sr.-Helen Jacome, Hon. Peter Rivera-Tangila Ramhan
Meeting called to order by Al Heyward.
Public Session
Speaker Rodney Brown from Henkels & McCoy –
Career Connections is a Youth Workforce Development Program based at Bronx
Community College, 2155 University Avenue, Bronx, New York 10453. Mr. Brown
spoke of the opportunities available and the resources they provide to enable
the youth to participate in the employment preparation process. For additional
information please call 718-289-5387 or 718-289-5846.
Speaker Cecelia Williams & Lena Johnson from H&R
Block spoke of the online services available through H&R Block. They
provided a packet of information outlining all the information for tax returns.
Special presentations can also be scheduled by calling 1-800-472-5625. Filing
deadline 4/17/12.
Speaker Tanjila Rahman – Assemblyman Peter
Rivera’s. Ms. Rahman office spoke of the Coat Drive held at St. Anthony’s on
January 14th. The Civil Rights Workshop scheduled for January 24th at 6pm at the
Parkchester Library. Guest speakers: Kristen Clarke & Attorney General Eric
Schneiderman
Speaker Olive Baker from New York Public Library
– Soundview Branch spoke of the many programs taking place in our region:
Castle Hill, Parkchester, Clason’s Point and Soundview branches. All programs
are available on the website:
www.nypl.org .
Joan Barnes from St. Andrew’s Village presented
District Manager Francisco Gonzalez with a plaque in appreciation for all his
work in getting the “Field of Dreams” constructed.
A plaque was also awarded to Kenneth Padilla, former
Chairman of the Parks Department Committee for Planning Board 9. The award was
provided for his tireless efforts on behalf of the community. Walter Nestler was
also given an award in recognition of his work with Kenny on the park issues.
Special Announcements:
Castle Hill Little League registration for 2012 begins January 24, 2012 through
March 27, 2012 (only on Tuesdays) from 7:30pm to 9pm. For further information
please call 917-846-4550. Ages 5 to 15 years old “Don’t be left out”.
There will be a meeting taking place at the Riverbay
Corp’s Community Room located at 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, New York regarding
the quality improvement plan for Westchester Creek, NYState Department of
Environmental Conservation and the New York City Department of Environmental
Protection.
Myisha Mike-Taylor from Bronx Borough President’s
Office made the following announcements. February 8, 2012 Bronx Senior Free
Tax Assistance Day 9am to 5pm. February 1st, 2012 Public Hearing on the Mayor’s
Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2013 at 10am at 198 East 161st Street, Bronx,
New York. On February 23, 2012 the State of the Borough address will take place
at Harry S. Truman High School auditorum located at 750 Baychester Avenue,
Bronx, New York.
Business Session
Minutes were approved, no abstentions.
Land & Zoning Monday December 12, 2011
1) New York City Department of City Planning
Topic: Manny Lagares, C.B. 9 liaison for City Planning made a
presentation requesting a letter of support for the E-designation amendment to
the zoning text. This designation would prospectively provide information
regarding locations that may have been suitable for one purpose (i.e gas station
or industrial uses), but are inconsistent with residential uses. This would
place the community and developers on notice regarding appropriate land uses for
specific parcels.
Recommendation: Request a letter of
support before the full board. Motion carried.
2) TOPIC: Leakes and Watts – Located at 450
Castle Hill Avenue
Ms. Meredith Barber appeared before the Committee requesting support for a
mayoral override in order to install an elevator outside the façade of their
facility, since the scope of work was disapproved by the Department of
Buildings. Both the committee and many agars of City planning concurred that the
appropriate procedure is to request a variance from the Board of standards and
Appeals. Ms. Barber erroneously assumed that this process would take years
instead of months to obtain.
Recommendation: The Chairperson will
meet with Ms. Barber and her architect on-site.
Land and Zoning - Monday, January 9,
2012
1) New York City Department of City Planning
Topic: Manny Lagares, C.B. 9 liaison for City Planning made a
presentation requesting a letter of support for the Green designation amendment
to the zoning text. This would permit property owners to retrofit their property
without falling outside of current zoning compliance and incentivizes green and
LEED certified developments.
Recommendation: Request a letter of
support before the full board. Motion carried.
2) White Castle on Bruckner Boulevard is requesting
a letter of support for a variance before the Board of Standards and Appeals.
The organization wishes to simultaneously remain open while building on that
site and changing the current direction of their take out/drive through booth.
Recommendation: Request a letter of
support before the full board upon receiving an actual hearing date from the
B.S.A. – Motion carried.
3) TOPIC: Sheridan Expressway
Despite C.B. 9’s clearly stating its support for maintaining the Sheridan and
improving upon its deficiencies. Tawkiyah Jordan of City Planning made a
presentation before the Commissioners’ stating that we are on board with
decommissioning the Sheridan. For numerous reasons specified over the years, we
are opposed to decommissioning the Sheridan.
Recommendation: Submit a letter to the
Commissioners of City Planning and all concerned agencies enumerating our
concerns and reasons and request and Environmental Impact Study. Motion carried.
Parks Committee
Friends of Soundview Park (FSVP) were invited & their president Lucy Aponte
attended the meeting. Carlos Martinez, Catalyst for Soundview Park was also in
attendance. They informed us of the many events they’ve had within the last 2
years. We informed the president of concerns within the community of lack of
communication between the FSVP and the community as expressed in the 12/6/11
meeting. We opened up the communication lines and the president said they will
be more forthcoming with letting the community, as well as the board, know of
future events and they will be attending future community board meetings.
We had a unanimous vote to write to the Parks
Commissioner Benepe and Hector Aponte as well as elected officials to request an
administrator for Soundview Park. Large parks have an administrator to provide a
direction and dedication to a particular park.
Morgan Powell of Bronx River Sankofa will be
conducting a walking tour in April which will consist of areas of Crotona, West
Farms and the Bronx River with concentration of historical African Americans and
Hispanic contributions in the Bronx.
Ray Acosta, Parks District Manager, spoke regarding
the status of capital projects
Social Services Committee
Meeting held on January 11, 2012
Ms. Nora and Ms. Lisa Spitzner, Project Coordinator the American Lung
Association in New York and
Mr. Juan Ramon Rios J.D., Project Coordinator for Health High bridge Community
Life Center.
Tobacco advertisers targeting youth in poor neighborhoods with prominent
cigarette ads in stores
and in store windows, etc.. How this affects children. Tobacco sales in New
York, and the boros.
Ways to reduce youth exposure to tobacco marketing, like decreasing visibility
of tobacco ads in stores.
Seeking cooperation from advertisers, stores and the community.
Youth & Education Committee
Elaine Garcia spoke of the efforts being made to find resources available for
the community and the youth in our neighborhoods. Motion carried to bring
organizations to present at our board meetings.
Public Service & Housing Meeting – Meeting
1/18/12
Representatives from The Fire Department from the City of New York (James Booth)
Division Chief of EMS – (Kevin Butler) Assistant Chief of Bronx Borough Command
attended the meeting along with other division chiefs and members of the legal
department.
A discussion took place regarding the volunteer Fire
Department currently carrying the name of Aviation Volunteer Fire Department
operating in Harding Park & Clason’s Point. This organization has not been
endorsed by the authorities nor is it under the umbrella of the New York City
Fire Department. The organization has been receiving funds and continue to
request donations. Most recently they received a grant for 1.2 Million dollars.
While this unit markets themselves as trained firemen; they are in fact not
trained by the appropriate departments within the Fire Department. This can pose
a problem to the community. Concern was also raised about the lack of documents
not filed with the City and State offices to allow them to respond to fire
calls, ambulance and medical calls.
Mr. William Rivera, President of Aviation Volunteer
Fire Department submitted copies of paperwork filed with the Attorney General’s
Office to request an investigation from the proper authorities. There appears to
be another organization representing him and falsifying documents as well as
providing incorrect information to the media.
Mary McKinney community resident and activist noted
the importance of trained professionals helping the community in distress. The
experience is a must.
Currently in construction is a new state of the art
EMS building on Zerega and Randall Avenue. The community does not need this
volunteer fire group; it is a bogus group. We need to pursue the appropriate
authorities to cease and desist service in our area.
Motion passed to bring information to the full
board.
Mary McKinney spoke of the bodegas not being kept
clean in our neighborhood, and the misuse of food stamps. She requested the
Health Department be contacted to ensure stores comply with the rules and
regulations of the authorities.
Board Member Henry Pelayo reported the driver for
MTA Buses on route #39 and #27 has been using residential streets to stop for
coffee in the morning. The use of these streets causes a dangerous situation for
children on their way to school. Mr. Pelayo reported the driver to the
dispatcher and also noted the driver is very rude and obnoxious. Jacky Carter
from MTA will be contacted regarding this matter. Mr. Pelayo recommends he be
removed from the route.
Emily Cunningham representing Project Enterprise
funded primarily through Bronx Overall and private grants spoke of the
opportunities for entrepreneurs. They can provide the resources they need to
start or grow a business. The Public Service & Housing Committees recommended
they provide a presentation to the entire board.
Meeting adjourned at 9pm.
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