GENERAL BOARD MEETING COMMUNITY BOARD
#9
March
21, 2013
1967 Turnbull Avenue
Bronx, New York 10473
Board Members in attendance on February 21, 2013
Abdus Shahid, Angel Miranda, Benigno Cuevas, Bharati Kemraj, Carmen Taveras,
Cheryl Marrow, Deborah Oguamah, Edison Aponte, Felipa Manaiza, Fernando Otero,
Hector Osorio, Henry Pelayo Jr. (left early), Joe Zeigler, Kyhelm Paul, Mary
Goytia, Md Shamin Miah, Mohammed N. Ahia, Mohammed Chowdhury, Mohammed Mujumder,
Mohammed N. Ahia, Rogier van Vlissengen, Rudolph B. Francis, Sheikh Moussa
Drammeh, Steve Rivera, Valerie Patterson, William Rivera
Board Members Absent on February 21, 2013
Alison Bush Jones, Aubrey Adams, Brandon Ganaishlal, Carlos Ortiz, Carmen Tapia,
Christina Collazo, David Shuffler, Denise Merritt, Edwin Mendez, Felicia
Guiamara-Contreras, Giash Uddin, Hilda Quiroz, Jesse Mendoza (Excused), Jose
Gonzalez, Lydia Bauza, Re. Sidney Hargrave, Tamina Begum, Winsome Black Batten
The Chairwoman called the meeting to order at 7:30pm. Quorum was present and the
public session began.
Public Session
Ms. Charisse Lewis the PTA President of PS 100 spoke about the renaming of
Thieriot and Lafayette to Elzina Donn-Brown Way. She spoke at great length about
commitment and services which Elzina Donn-Brown provided to our community. She
added that Ms. Elzina saw the children and the community she served as an
extension of her own family and treated all the children and person’s she made
contact with great respect and humility. Her request that the community board
support the naming of Elzina Donn-Brown to be added to the corner of Thieriot
and Lafayette Avenues. Her request is supported by hundreds of signatures from
within our community. A motion was made during the business session and
seconded. The vote was unanimous to support this request.
Mariela Salazar the district manager for Councilwoman Annabel Palma’s office.
She spoke about events that were up and coming and that there is a staff member
within their office dedicated to services regarding immigration. Additionally,
she spoke about Medicare witness seminar to take place in Castle Hill. Flyers
were distributed.
A representative of the Bronx BP’s office spoke and highlighted several
activities which are presently taking place, The BP’s State of the Borough was
held at Monroe High School, it was well attended by residents, Community Boards
and City Agencies. One of the items that the representative spoke about was the
closing and selling of the Post Office at 149th Street. The proposed shelter for
homeless people up in the Wakefield area, the comptroller did not sign the
proposal; he is holding it in advance. And the Wakefield residents are concerned
about overdevelopment of shelters in their community. He mentioned the passing
of Pastor Wenzell Jackson, the Chairperson of Community Board 4 due to a heart
attack. The representative added that in conjunction with his fellow BP’s, they
met concerning the Retirement system of NYC. Further discussions will be with
the Comptroller of the City of New York. For further information, please contact
the BP’s office.
Two important events were held by our BP, the first one was Dominican Heritage
Month which was held at the Grand Slam Banquet Hall on Tremont Avenue and the
second was the Black History Celebration which was held in Co-Op City. The
representative mentioned that Woman’s History Month will be celebrated by the
BP’s office soon. The BP’s office concluded their report and for further up and
coming events. Individuals can call the BP’s general number 718 590 3500.
Walter Nestler was the next speaker. He spoke about the History and the
activities that the CB has taken regarding Pugsley Creek Park, letters have gone
out requesting information on ongoing and existing projects within Pugsley Creek
Park, the residents are very concerned over existing contamination he added,
that a letter should go out to the parks department requesting project budgetary
requests and present monies allocated to Pugsley Creek Park. He added that there
are projects within the CB that historically need clarification. The Soundview
community was, as per the agreement of the developer of Shore Haven and the
community was to provide a baseball field, Mr. Nestler wishes to ensure that the
developer is held accountable for the development of the aforementioned project.
Mr. Nestler stated that he is presently researching and ensuring that he has a
chronology of the letters that had been sent to Elected Officials and City
Agencies concerning all projects related to parks and capital improvements. He
added he wished to apologize to Jefferey Klein because while he was aware of the
projects which were taking place he was not the Assemblyman of the area which
was mentioned. He noted that the Assemblyman that was active and had assisted
the CB concerning Pugsley Creek Park and other projects was Marcos Crespo. Mr.
Nestler spoke about letters that have gone out to local Elected Officials, the
parks committee are concerned that none of the letters that were sent out were
responded to by the parks Commissioner or his office. He added that there were
several freedom information requests made and that they were also not responded
to by the NYC Parks Department. Walter Nestler noted that the CB had no fault in
the matter, whether the parks department responded or not to the request made by
the committee. Walter noted that Ms. Evans had apologized for using his name in
error at the previous meeting and he had accepted her apology.
Mary McKinney was the following speaker. She spoke on behalf of her organization
and concerned residents. Ms. McKinney stated that she has been active in the
board for the period of well over 25 years, she has attended committee meetings
with her organization and has been passionately defending, protecting, and
fighting for the services for the Soundview, and Bronx community. She said that
she started her organization in order to address the contamination found at the
Loral electronics site (Located at the end of Bronx River and Story Avenue). She
added that the contamination at this site was a major concern to the residents
of her neighborhood. She stated that the community board provided her with
services, space, and technical assistance which helped her organization fight
and bring to light this matter. Additionally, Ms. McKinney stated that with the
help from the Lawyers of Public Interest and the local elected officials which
included Ms. Betsy Gotibum, Public Advocate, Joe Crowley, Ruben Diaz Sr., and
Members of the community board. She held several press conferences and was able
to secure an environmental consultant which researched and found contaminants in
the aforementioned property. Once again, Ms. McKinney thanked the community
board for their help and closed with the following statement “The community
board is here to help and address the concerns of the community and the
leadership should reflect the concerns of the community” she has stated she has
serious concerns about the community board not following their by-laws and that
they should make sure they read and understand their by-laws thoroughly. She
hopes that the members can set aside whatever problems they are facing presently
and can move forward because the needs of the community are many and need to be
address. She thanked Mr. Al Heyward and Mr. Gonzalez for their assistance and
closed.
Lothar Krause, Resident
Stated; I live in this neighborhood since 1996, came here first since 1990, In
2009 I heard about the community board members living my hobby and are very
active with the parks department, I have to speak to them, I’m addressing my
words to them. A lot of you guys I knew, here and I noticed there’s a little bit
of change. And not only the faces but also the issues that I have dealt with
have changed. The board seems to be more occupied with their internal affairs
than with what the community needs. One example is, the Bronx River Alliance
came to us and asked us for a letter of support, since that’s a very good thing
they want to do the community board stated yes we want to write this letter but
the board needs to vote on it, I think this was 3 months ago. The last meeting I
asked my self, “What’s a board meeting supposed to look like?”
So I did some search on the Internet and found a document titled parliamentary
procedures for NY community boards. This document tells you that there are
plenty of rules, it also tells you in the beginning the traditional order of
business in a meeting is:
Reports of offices
Reports of standing committees
Reports of special committees
Special Orders
Unfinished business
New Business
After words, he stated that Francisco does not have to agree with the
performance. That the board, in general come up with ideas where Mr. Gonzalez
needs improvement and give him a chance to make those improvements. He also
mentioned about the board website. He stated that the board should not wait for
Mr. Gonzalez to build the website. That they should make a committee dedicated
to making a website and other necessary things regarding the office.
Community Board #10 introduced themselves. Stated that they were going from
community board to community board to see how other boards run their meetings
and were there just to observe.
The NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) spoke about a project which
they are partaking to build an addition a new kitchen facility for Engine 96
(located at Story Avenue and Croes Avenue). The proposed facility is to improve
and provide a new kitchen facility to the fire department the board voted
unanimously to support this proposal.
General Business Session
Parks Committee- Valerie Patterson
Stated that Ms. Ferguson came to the last Meeting and discussed various things,
there was a meeting about “El Parque de Los Ninos” on Tuesday. Francisco will be
able to discuss that since he attended the meeting.
Land and Zoning- Mohammed Mujumber
Mohammed Mujumder reported on Walter Nestler’s letter that was referred to the
parks department regarding Shore Haven Harbor Point. This letter was referred to
the Parks Commissioner and we are awaiting his response.
Rev. Fernando Otero requested information about a building located on Virginia
Ave formerly operated by NETS, he wishes information because he is interested in
establishing a program that would address the needs of the community. Mr.
Mujumder stated this will be followed up.
He stated that Donnie Santiago informed Mr. Mujumder that the office building
needs to ensure that the elevator is operating at all times for those persons
who are handicapped.
William Rivera pointed that Stickball Blvd is a concern because it is hazardous,
pointed out that the school and parents have requested that the street be
renovated as soon as possible. He added that he had met with the Commissioner of
DOT and he has raised those concerns with Ms. Constance Moran. A motion was made
regarding Stickball Blvd for repairs. Mr. Rivera reported the approval of
various liquor licenses and added that there were several streets that needed
repairs. Mr. Rivera also mentioned that when the repairs are being made, the New
York Emperors Stickball League would need to play in another location until the
repairs are done. Mr. Francisco Gonzalez responded by saying that he had already
done a field visit with the President of the New York Emperors Stickball League
to look for further locations where the league can possibly play. William Rivera
also spoke briefly about starting Emergency Response Teams that will serve
Harding Park, Clason Point, and Parkchester. He mentioned that Francisco has
already engaged the Mayor’s office in discussion and is looking forward to
working with the mayor’s office community assistance unit, he called this unit
C.E.R.T. Mr. Rivera stated that he had been working to revise the form that has
to do with intake on Liquor Licenses. There was a brief discussions that the
aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, that there is a distinction of area 1 and area 2
within the Clason Point, Harding park, Shore Haven Community and that residents
wonder why Shore Haven were not included in area 1 as an emergency service area.
Additonal discussions were had concerning the conversion of one way streets
within the Zerega Community and the process is being looked into by DOT and we
should have a response by 30 to 60 days. As it has been brought up in several
different meeting, the parking of tractor trailers has been an issue. Mr. Rivera
stated that this item is being addressed by the Commander of the 43rd Precinct.
The Nominating Committee Members are Mr. Rudoph B. Francis, Rogier van
Vlissengen, Mr. Steven Rivera, William Rivera, and Deborah Oguamah as
Chairperson.
Ms. Oguamah, during the meeting, wanted to point out a discrepancy in a
statement that was made with her name. It stated that “the motion was ruled out
of order in a document that was presented to Ms. Oguamah.” She asked that it be
extracted from the previous minutes because she stated “she was never presented
with said document.”
According to her understand, Deborah Oguamah stated that “we need to take the
nominations on the floor because there is a clause on our by-laws that we can
move forward and take the nominations on the floor and have each of those
participants that have agreed to the positions make a brief statement about why
they are best suited for that particular position.” Ms. Oguamah suggested the
motion of accepting the discrepancies in order to determine who is qualified
such as our by laws that consents of the three consecutive attendances with
chair and committee meetings and the inconsistencies of the minutes, who was
absent, who was present, and who was excused. The motion was seconded. Ms.
Oguamah then asked the candidates of the vacant positions, which were First Vice
Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Soon after, there was confusion amongst the
board members. Ms. Oguamah then explained that the motion was to accept the
discrepancies so that they can move forward and continue with the elections. The
following members came up and spoke: Mohammed N. Ahia, Steven Rivera, Mohammed
Mujumder, and Carmen Tavares. Papers, not formal ballots, were passed out and
the Chairwoman indicated to write down the name of the person they selected for
First Vice Chair. The question was raised by board members why is it necessary
to vote for Treasurer since there was only one candidate for that position. The
Chairperson indicated that the reason this was being done was because persons
can abstain from vote, vote no, or indicate they support it. Questions continued
to be raised by board members concerning the election process the nominations
chairperson. She indicated that individuals should write their name and date it
and should indicate the person they selected for the positions available.
Members again requested clarity about positions they were voting on, she
indicated the available positions, First Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The Nominations Chair again reminded the board members who the candidates were
and what positions they were running for. Ms. Deborah Oguamah stated that once
board members finished to please submit their vote to the Chairman of the Board,
Cheryl Marrow. The Chairperson of the Nomination committee thereby announced the
results of the elections as the following: Mohammed N. Ahia received seven (7)
votes yes and 2 votes abstained. Steven Rivera received thirteen (13) votes yes.
Carmen Tavares received twenty (20) votes yes and four (4) abstained. Mohammed
Mujumder received nineteen (19) votes yes. Edison Aponte received no votes (0)
and William Rivera received no votes (0). Thereby it was announced that the
Officers of the Board are:
Mr. Steven Rivera-First Vice Chair
Ms. Carmen Tavares-Treasurer
Mr. Mohammed Mujumder-Secretary
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