1029 East 163rd Street Rm. 202 Bronx, New York  10459 TEL: (718) 328-9125 FAX: (718) 991-4974 email:brxcb2@optonline.net

FULL BOARD MINUTES
Date: April 30, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: The Point, CDC - 940 Garrison Ave.

The regular monthly meeting of Community Board #2 was held on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at The Point, CDC – 940 Garrison Avenue pursuant to notice filing time and place.

WELCOMING REMARKS
Kellie Terry Sepulveda, Executive Managing Director of The Point gave welcoming remarks and a brief overview and history of The Point and invited those present to revisit and participate in the many programs and activities that originate there.

Moment of Silence- was observed to mark the passing of Aurea Mangual's father and aunt and to also mark the passing of Roland Lopez's mother.

PUBLIC SESSION
1. Young Leaders From Around The World- Mr. Adam Liebowitz, ACTION- Program Director and Community Development Associate announced that The Point was hosting a “Youth Development” meeting on April 26. It will be attended by youth representatives from as many as 23 various countries, that are coming to participate in an open conversation amongst each other.

2. ACTION- Ms. Amanda Septemo reported on the status of the transit disparity survey that ACTION had conducted regarding the #6 bus. The community survey confirmed that the residents of Hunt's Point find that their neighborhood is undeserved by the MTA. A press conference was held on April 19th, 2008 at which point an official announcement was made to the MTA that services need to be increased to accommodate the growth of the Hunts Point community.

3. Jackie and the Beanstalk-Presented by Live From The Edge Theater at the POINT- an educational children's play that addresses the issues of asthma and environmental justice. Performances are scheduled for May 9 at 11 AM and 7:30 P M and on May 10 at 1 PM.

4. Rocking The Boat -Ms. Anita Antonetti announced that FREE community rowing was available the rowing will take place at Rocking The Boat's Bronx River site at Hunts Point Riverside Park. This site is located at the intersection of Lafayette Ave. and Edgewater Road Riverside Park. Rowing in handmade wooden rowboats is ongoing on Fridays and Saturdays April thru Oct. For additional information call: 718.991.2032.

5. Hunts Point Post Office- Ms. Josephine Infante, Executive Director, HPEDC - Ms. Infante directed the board's attention to the deplorable conditions that currently exist at the Hunt’s Point Library which include but are not limited to: Loitering surrounding the fence, poor customer service, graffiti, no parking, and vandalism on cars when they do park in the post office lot, Ms. Infante requested that a meeting be arranged by the community board between the Post Office, police, and social service programs that are located near the post office, etc.

6. Citizen’s Advice Bureau is implementing a program, The Facilitated Enrollment Program of the New York State Department of State. Its purpose is to locate “hard to reach New Yorkers” who have been left out of the public health insurance and enroll them in Medicaid related programs.” For questions call: 718 585.4619 ext 203.

7. Kelly Street Homeowner - spoke about the quality of life issues that are currently problematic in the Community. Chairman Garcia asked that the resident put the complaints in a letter form and the Community Board will follow up.

BUSINESS SESSION

A. Roll Call- quorum was established.

B. MINUTES- motion to accept March, 2008 minutes as written was made by Mr. Orlando Marin, seconded by Mr. David Duprey and carried by all with one abstention: Lytza Colon

C. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT—MR. ROBERTO S. GARCIA
1. Mr. Garcia introduced Captain Alvin Quinn, Executive officer of the 41 precincts. Captain Quinn stated that there is an escalating citywide trend of robbery of cell phones and “sidekicks” by juveniles. He stated that the street resale value of the phones is around $50. and he urged that people exercise caution when using their cell phones in public. The Captain also stated that he had noted the various “quality of life” issues that had been spoken about during the Public Session and that the issues would be addressed by the Precinct. He also reminded the public that resources in the PD are based partially upon the number of complaints received by 311 and that it would therefore be helpful to the 41 precinct for the community to repeatedly call 311 with quality of life issues. Captain Quinn reminded the public that the 41 precinct Community Council meetings are also an excellent forum for addressing quality of life problems in the community. Chairman Garcia urged all of the residents that spoke tonight to compose a letter enumerating all of the issues. The Community Board would see that the letter is brought to the attention to NYPD authorities in the Bronx. Ms. Aurea Mangual gave the Borough President's hot line number for reporting illegal drug activity 718.590 3551.

2. Chairman Garcia informed the board that although the Department of Corrections had abandoned the idea of building a 2000 bed jail facility on a privately owned Oak Point site in Hunt’s Point, the Commissioner had recently informed Mr. Garcia that DOC has identified another site in Hunt's Point to build a jail. Mr. Garcia stated that a community forum would be scheduled soon so that the public could learn more about DOC's latest proposal.

3. Nominating Committee- The Chairman named the following members to the CB#2 nominating committee: Mr. Jessie Harris, Mr. Richard Sherman, Ms. Raesha Cartegena, Ms. Jannie Pressley, Mr. Rafael Salamanca. The nominating committee will report back with a slate at the full board in May. The elections will take place at the June meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor at that time.

D. DISTRICT MANAGER'S REPORT- MR. JOHN ROBERT

E. BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT'S 0FFICE- MS. AUREA MANGUAL

F. COMPTROLLER WILLIAM THOMPSON – MR. CHARLIE RAMOS

Mr. Ramos informed the board that due to the recently published practice of the City Council Speaker of creating 'phantom” organizations to use as “holding spaces” for funding that is allocated later in the year to legitimate groups, Comptroller Thompson will require all that agency agreements that are funded by City Council discretionary monies, regardless of amount, be reviewed by the comptroller's office before any funds can be disbursed.

G. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Health and Human Services/Environmental Committee Mr. Roland Lopez, Chairperson
Youth Services/Education Committee-Ms Lytza Colon, Chairperson---Report given by Marta Rivera

Resolution: Provide a letter of support to Mr. Eddie Garcia regarding the formation of an adult softball league in Hunts Point. A motion was made by Antonio Centeno to provide the letter of support, seconded by David Duprey and carried by all.

Special Events and Public Relations Committee- Ms. Yessenia Velez, Chair

Ms Velez thanked everybody that volunteered for the Fellowship Breakfast. Special thanks to co-facilitator Julia Cruz for all that she contributed (time, energy and things) to the event. A Bronx Community Board#2 newsletter is in the production stage by the committee.

Economic Development and Municipal Services Committee- Mr. Orlando Marin

Housing and Land Use Review Committee - Ms. Joyce Campbell-Culler

1. Ms. Mildred Colon announced that Nos Quedomos/ ACORN had officially closed on buildings formally known as SEBCo’s Hunt's Point Cluster I Cluster. The buildings will now be known as Phoenix Estates.

2. Rally to Save NYC Public Housing on May 1, 2008 City Hall @ Noon

3. Rally to Repeal Vacancy Decontrol laws Thursday May 15, 7PM at St Jerome's Church @ 230 Alexander Ave. For more info: 917.734.8050

OLD BUSINESS:

Potholes- Ms. Olga Rosario reported that Tiffany Street between Garrison and Oak Point is totally full of potholes

Mr. Orlando Marin stated that the 'temporary” use of the old Prospect Hospital as a shelter seems to have become permanent. He asked that the Housing and Land Use Review Committee request that the Prospect Family Inn meet with them to discuss current unsatisfactory conditions that exist and are impacting the surrounding community.

Contemporary Ballet Company - Pepper announced that she had to relocate her dance company from the Banknote building and her program is now located in CB#1. She will continue to be involved in CB#2 activities and all services and programs are available to CB#2 residents.

Casita Maria- Ms. Raesha Cartagena announced that Luann Elder, Executive Director of Casita Maria, has resigned due to family matters. She extends her warmest appreciation to Community Board #2 for all of the interest and support that the board has provided. The new Casita Maria is being constructed and should be completed by 2009. Marta Rivera is the interim Executive Director of Casita Maria.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.Garifuna Walk for Justice and Vigil- in remembrance of Fermin Arzu - May 18, 2008 March will proceed from Saint Anthony of Padua Church to Hewitt and Westchester Ave.

2 SEBCO – summer festival will be on June 14th at Barretto Point Park ,The Fish Parade will gather at the Hunts Point Riverside Park proceed thru the Hunt Point community and end at Barretto Point park. Talent show will also take place at B.P.P. Auditions for the talent show will be held on May 15th and May 31st. To Register: 718.378.3961

Mr. Calderone told the board about his recent 2-week 350-mile bicycle pilgrimage thru Spain, which was a fund-raiser for an organization that is an Aids prevention program in Africa. John raised $2500. for the charity.

CLOSING ROLL CALL

ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business to discuss and upon motion made, the meeting was adjourned. Community Board #2 will meet on May 21, 2008, at Saint Vincent De Paul – 900 Intervale Avenue.