Community Board 14 October Meeting Recap

By Katie McFadden

On Tuesday, October 14, Community Board 14 was back at the Knights of Columbus for their October meeting. With updates from the local precincts, elected officials, CB14 leaders and budget items and land use issues to discuss, it was a packed agenda.

First up was the NYPD. Deputy Inspector Carol Hamilton of the 100th Precinct said their quality of life or Q-Team, has been hard at work. They’ve especially been focusing on towing abandoned vehicles and have towed 30 since the recent inception of the team. They’re also focusing more on shoplifting, particularly at Walgreens, CVS and Stop and Shop, and retail theft has been coming down. Sgt. Desson of the 101st Precinct also discussed their Q-Team, saying they have towed 343 vehicles this year, up from 98 last year. They’ve also issued 1,950 parking summonses, up from 1,067 last year. Their response time for 311 noise complaints is down to 56 minutes from an hour and 15 minutes last year. They have also issued 14 summonses for public urination, up from three last year. Overall, the precinct is down 1.5% in crime for the 28-day period, and arrests are up 47%. With an increase in youth crime, they have been paying special attention to the McDonalds on Mott Avenue, where kids hang out. For Transit District 23, Lt. Hughes said they’ve been up in arrests since June and are making efforts to prevent grand larcenies and subway surfing among the youth.

Next were updates from representatives for local elected officials. Jose Reina of Rep. Gregory Meeks’ office spoke about the government shutdown, noting agencies were operating with limited staff and reduced services, which could result in delays. Meeks’ office can help with things like emergency passports, postal service issues and U.S. Embassies, and urged those who run into issues, or federal workers who are having hardships due to nonpayment, to call the office at 718-725-6000.

Lisa George of Senator James Sanders’ office reminded everyone that state unemployment insurance has now increased from a cap of $504 a week to $869 to make things more affordable. Sanders fought for this change, which took effect this month. His office offers free legal services for seniors and for those dealing with housing issues. George said the 8th Annual Trina Williams Far Rockaway Cancer and DV Walk is this Sunday, October 19. Registration begins at the Beach 17th bandshell at 8 a.m. The opening program is at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m., on the Beach 17th boardwalk to Beach 73rd Street and back to Beach 17th Street. She is taking names of cancer survivors that people want mentioned or honored. Call 917-446-9986.

Daniella of Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato’s office reminded people that they’ll be receiving inflation rebate checks from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office in the mail, something Pheffer Amato worked for. She urged people to not throw out the paper checks. New Yorkers don’t have to sign up for anything to receive the checks, they simply arrive by mail through mid-December, so beware any scams urging people to register for something.

Jessica of Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson’s office said the MTA will be coming sometime in November and December to discuss the new OMNI program to pay for public transportation as Metrocards are phased out. On October 23 at 12 p.m., Anderson’s office is holding a senior event, Boogie Down and Mocktails, at the Seagirt Adult Social Center (18-15 Cornaga Ave.). For more info, call 718-327-1845.

Kevin Morris from the Mayor’s community affairs office, spoke about the new 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes and scooters, going into effect on October 24. Enforcement details are still being discussed. Morris also announced that this would be his last CB14 meeting, as he has taken on a role as the new Director of Shooting Response for the City of New York.

Rodney Reid of Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers’ office spoke about connectivity gaps in NYC schools. The councilwoman is working to close those gaps with legislation focused on collecting data on student technology and connectivity, so that more students can get the tools they need to thrive in a digital age. He also spoke about the trash bin reimbursement program, now giving $50 reimbursements for the new required garbage cans. Call 311 to see if you are eligible. The O’Donohue Park fall festival was postponed last weekend due to rain and will now be held on November 1, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at O’Donohue Park on Beach 17th Street.

Dan Brown of District Attorney Melinda Katz’ office spoke about recent takedowns of gun runners and gang members involved in shootings. He also said the office has resources for families of missing persons. Call 718-286-6593 for info.

CB14 Chairwoman Dolores Orr recently had a budget meeting with NYC Parks, where they gave a review of all parks on the peninsula, and said some projects are delayed due to complications with the DEP or DEC. CB14 will put together a full report for the board members on what was discussed. There is a training on land use issues for board members on October 28, 6:30 p.m., online, and she encouraged all members to attend. Orr then spoke about some of the proposals on the back of the election ballot, and urged people to vote NO on proposals 2, 3 and 4, as they could effectively take the voice away from the community board and area council members, when it comes to the land use process.

District Manager Felicia Johnson said she wrote a letter to DOT about converting Beach 39th to a one-way northbound street, which they have now agreed to. She also sent a letter to NYSERDA to support Empire Clean Cities’ Micromobility Program, for funding for things like an e-bike library and EV charging hub in Far Rockaway. They’ll also be applying once again for funding to continue the Circuit car service program. A letter was sent to DOT requesting a speed bump on Beach 66th and Thursby Ave., near P.S. 42, which got support from 100 neighbors, but she has not heard back from DOT on this. She submitted testimony to the City Council on legislation that would mandate maintenance of city sidewalks and medians, and she thanked board member Harold Paez and local resident Mr. Yard, for submitting testimony for this effort, and board member John Cori, for testifying in person.

In correspondence with the FDNY, Johnson followed up on progress for the new firehouse proposed for Beach 116th and Beach Channel Drive. Construction was supposed to begin this summer. They now expect it to start by the end of this month. The Neponsit Adult Day Health Center is now officially closed despite efforts to fight against the closure. Clients now have to go to Brooklyn for a medical model care center. Another request was put in to DOT for a speed reducer at Plainview Ave. and Fernside Place. A study was done, and the request was denied.

Speaking on the budget issues, Johnson said they met with various agencies to see what their capital and expense requests are. The local precincts requested additional patrol vehicles and 15-passenger vans. FDNY requested a MERV (major emergency response vehicle). Requests were made for capital upgrades for Beach 30th playground, for Beach 9th and to fill the funding gap needed for bathroom upgrades at Beach 17th Street, which was partially funded by Councilwoman Brooks-Powers. There are also requests for funding for Beach 82nd Playground and for upgrades at the boardwalk bathrooms at Beach 86th and 97th. After the evening’s vote, Johnson said she would make a community needs assessment report of all of the capital and expense requests, to be submitted to the mayor’s office and Borough President by October 31. Lastly, she reminded people about the CERT emergency response training orientation on October 28, at 6:30 p.m., at the YMCA and urged people to scan a QR code on a flyer for the event to register. For those not present at the meeting, contact the CB14 office for more info.

Next was public speaking. A woman began with a presentation on how to administer naloxone for drug overdoses. A representative for Catholic Charities’ Queens Senior Services spoke about case management, free meals and free transportation services for those 60 and older. Call 718-217-0126 for info. Ruben Flores of the Addabbo Health Center said they’ll be hosting a breast cancer awareness workshop on October 16 at the center at 6200 Beach Channel Drive and will have a luncheon on October 27 to talk about early detection and to raise awareness. Call 718- 945-7150 for info.

Ray Williams spoke about the NYC Parks permit restrictions for the Beach 17th performance space and said there needs to be more than four given out a month. Johnson pointed out that this will be discussed at the Parks Committee meeting on Thursday, October 16 at 7 p.m. at Addabbo Health (6200 Beach Channel Drive) and urged him to come. Christine James pointed out neglected areas that need to be maintained like Beach 94th Street, the medians from Beach 102nd to Beach 108th and Rockaway Freeway around Beach 97th Street.

Leeroy Jackson spoke about the youth arrests on Mott Avenue and suggested there needs to be more for local kids to do and more jobs available. He also said people are being priced out of the new developments going up, and that speed cameras are robbing people who can’t afford it, and they should only operate during school hours. “It’s not for safety,” he said. “You’re killing the community with these things.”

Eugene Falik spoke more on the ballot proposals, saying they would give the mayor ultimate power to make decisions over land use issues, and urged everyone to vote NO on proposals 2, 3 and 4. Lastly, Friends of Cardozo Park on Arverne Blvd. and Beach 56th Street, will be screening “Mufasa” on October 18 at 5 p.m. Costumes are welcome. Bring chairs and a blanket. Hot dogs, hamburgers, hot chocolate and coffee will be provided.

There was supposed to be a presentation on Bayswater State Park, but it was once again rescheduled. There were also supposed to be reports form the Environmental Committee on a microgrid discussion, and the Health Committee on MyMeds’ request to partner with the new Gotham Health Center, but these things will be discussed at future meetings, as other issues required votes that evening.

In further capital and budget discussions, in addition to the previously mentioned FDNY and NYPD requests, there were additional requests by Parks for the purchase of a scissor platform machine so they can do work along Rockaway Freeway and a platform stand so they can replace the flags on poles themselves instead of relying on FDNY. They also requested three more gators for the beach and a pallet lifter to help them move around mobimats. With the addition of these changes and previously listed items for the capital and expense budget, a motion was made to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 Register for Capital and Expense Budget Requests by CB14. There was one abstention, and the motion passed nearly unanimously.

The Land Use Committee and project members from Queens Realty Housing of New York then reported on a request for an unzoning of a property at 14-10 Beach Channel Drive, from R5 to R6a and R6a/C2-4. This would make way for a new seven-story building that would have 118 dwelling units, mostly one-bedroom apartments, with 81 parking spaces. It would also have a 4,440 square foot community space and 4,881 for commercial space. The Glory Tabernacle Church would have more community space on the property, and the commercial space would be used for a fresh food market. The development team was aware of CB14’s moratorium on all upzonings for the peninsula, effectively denying any new development, but there were questions about whether the team could offer the community more for them to reconsider. Unsatisfied with the response, a motion was made to deny the upzoning. Two members voted no and three abstained, so with an overwhelming yes response to deny the upzoning, the motion carried. Another motion was made to maintain communication with the development team as they continue to plan for the property, but the motion failed.