SUMMARY REPORT OF THE MANHATTAN BOROUGH BOARD ...

SCOTT M. STRINGER
BOROUGH PRESIDENT
THE C ITY O F NEW YOR K
OFFICE OF THE PRE SIDENT
BOR OUG H OF MANH A TTA N
SUMMARY REPORT OF THE MANHATTAN BOROUGH BOARD
May 19, 2011
In Attendance:
Presiding: Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer
Council Members: Mr. William Cosgrove (representing Hon. Gale Brewer), Mr. Jake Itzkowitz
(representing Hon. Margaret Chin), Ms. Johanna Garcia (representing Hon. Robert Jackson), Ms.
Barbara Sherman (representing Hon. Rosie Mendez), Ms. Christina Bottego (representing Hon.
Jessica Lappin), Mr. Dan Pasquini (representing Hon. Daniel Garodnick)
Community Boards: Ms. Julie Menin (CB1), Ms. Jo Hamilton (CB2), Mr. John Weis (CB4), Mr.
Nick Athanail (CB5), Mr. Mark Thompson (CB6), Mr. Mel Wymore (CB7), Ms. Jackie Ludorf (CB
8), Mr. Matthew Washington (CB11), Ms. Pam Palanque-North (CB12)
8:49 a.m. – Jessica Silver called the meeting to order.
Ms. Silver moved for adoption of May 19, 2011 Borough Board Agenda. The motion carried. Ms.
Silver moved for adoption of April 21, 2011 Borough Board Minutes. The motion carried as well.
Overview of NYCHA’s Plan to Preserve Public Housing
Jenna Lawrence, Special Assistant to Chairman Rhea, provided an overview of NYCHA’s 5-year
strategic plan to preserve public housing in New York City. The NYCHA Board of Directors came
together last spring and identified key challenges that the Authority should focus on over the next
few years, including:
1. Achieving fiscal stability – NYCHA has been operating a deficit for several years and
currently has major capital needs.
2. Preserving the current public housing stock – NYCHA has 2,600 buildings that house half a
million New Yorkers, as well as important voucher programs.
3. Improving the quality of life for residents – There is a serous need to address the backlog of
maintenance requests and examine the suite of services provided to residents.
4. Incorporating a green agenda – The Authority has been thinking of ways to integrate
environmental sustainability into NYCHA’s operations.
5. Improving safety and security – NYCHA will work to create a protective and safe living and
working environment
Over the last year, NYCHA has embarked upon extensive outreach to help shape the strategic plan,
including focus groups with employees and residents, a customer satisfaction survey, conversations
with elected officials, and a series of community roundtables. NYCHA plans to launch a 1.0 version
MUN IC IP A L B U ILD IN G ❖ 1 CENTR E STR EE T ❖ N EW YOR K, NY 10007
P HONE (212) 669-8300 FAX (212) 669-4305
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of the plan during summer 2011 that will outline the Authority’s broad long-term goals and develop
metrics for measuring those goals.
Many residents said they appreciated NYCHA’s planning efforts but urged the Authority to take
distinct and immediate actions. To that end, NYCHA is devoting $31 million of their budget to work
on in-apartment repairs and has asked the City to match that funding. With respect to safety and
security, the Authority is implementing a “layered access approach” to security improvements,
including electronic keys, an updated intercom system, and smart doors, in addition to continued
installation of security cameras. NYCHA is also examining its internal staffing structure to find
ways to transfer back office staff and resources to front line, maintenance work.
Car-Free Central Park: Discussion and Introduction of Resolution
Mel Wymore, Chair of Community Board 7, kicked off a discussion on a proposed Borough Board
resolution on a car-free Central Park. CB 7’s Parks Committee recently voted on a resolution asking
the Department of Transportation (DOT) to close Central Park to motor vehicle traffic for four
months from July to November in order to study how a permanent closure would impact traffic
patterns. Previous proposals for a motor vehicle-free trial period have only called for a vehicle ban
during the month of August when motor vehicle traffic tends to be at lower a volume. Mr. Wymore
suggested that a four-month trial period would provide the basis for a more valid study as it would
allow motorists to adjust their behavior.
Mr. Cosgrove from Councilmember Brewer’s office reported that the Councilmember recently sent a
letter to Mayor Bloomberg asking that Central Park be closed to motor vehicle traffic from July 25 th
through September 5 th . Additionally, Councilmember Brewer has introduced legislation to
permanently ban motor vehicle traffic in both Central Park and Prospect Park. The Councilmember
is also trying to calendar a hearing at the Council on the issue.
The group weighed the pros and cons of the best timeframe for the pilot period. Borough President
Stringer suggested passing a resolution that calls for a motor vehicle ban until Labor Day, which
would potentially allow for broader political buy-in than a ban that extends until November. It was
determined that the resolution would be further discussed after the meeting and that a draft would be
circulated to each of the Board Chairs. The resolution will be voted on at the July Borough Board
meeting.
Report by the Borough President
Borough President Stringer announced the launch of the New York City Taxpayer Receipt, an online
tool that gives users an itemized breakdown of how their property, income and other taxes are
divided by the City to support governmental agencies and other big-ticket costs. The New York City
Taxpayer Receipt is modeled after President Obama’s federal tax receipt application with the goal of
improving budget transparency in the City.
Borough President Stringer is hosting an upcoming town hall meeting and rally on the City's
proposed cuts to early care and education services. The town hall will take place Wednesday, May
25th at 6:00pm at Goddard Riverside, 593 Columbus Avenue (between 88th and 89th Streets).

Communications & Reports
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Community Board 1
CB 1 is concerned about the proposed fire house closures and is organizing with community
members and elected officials on how best to counter this. CB 1 has two fire houses that have been
proposed to be shut down.
Community Board 2
CB 2 is preparing draft testimony for NYU’s upcoming scoping hearing at the Department of City
Planning (DCP). Jo Hamilton explained frustration about how the Community Board is unable to
testify at the beginning of the hearing and must wait. She suggested that community boards should
have an opportunity to testify after elected officials speak at hearings. Borough President Stringer
said he would reach out to DCP about it.
Community Board 4
The most contentious issue before CB 4 is the Bowery Resident’s Committee proposed homeless
shelter on 25 th Street that will have 328 beds. The opening date has been pushed back.
Community Board 5
CB 5 is focusing on educational needs in the district. It has revamped its Housing, Human Services
and Youth Committee to refocus on education. The Committee will now be called the Education,
Housing and Human Services Committee.
Community Board 6
A new Kips Bay Neighborhood Alliance has been recently organized to primarily support the
proposed public plaza at Kips Bay. The Alliance will be hosting community days on the second
Saturday of the month during June – August.
Community Board 7
CB 7 has organized a task force to help small businesses on the Upper West Side to encourage a
friendly environment for local businesses rather than national chains.
Community Board 8
CB 8 recently had a forum on the safety and security of the Indian Point nuclear facility.
Community Board 11
The Harlem Community Development Corporation has had a plan for a decade for redeveloping the
area under the Metro North tracks from 111 th Street to 132 nd Street called the Market Mile Project.
CB 11 has been supportive of this and is working with the Corporation on a feasibility study in the
hopes of boosting the economic viability of the neighborhood.
Community Board 12
CB 12 is hosting a community-wide march in June in support of the rent regulation laws and will be
inviting community groups and elected officials to attend.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.