CB 14 October Meeting Recap
By Kami-Leigh Agard
On Tuesday, October 8, Community Board 14’s October meeting had some stiff competition with the Mets game (who clonked the Phillies with a 7-2 win), as there were some empty seats at the Knights of Columbus. However, with a packed agenda filled with questions about DSNY’s new black garbage bin requirement, DEP’s new Bureau of Coastal Resilience, public speaking and more—the meeting was chockfull of information and looming concerns.
The lengthy meeting kicked off with announcements by the local precincts. The 100th Precinct reported that apart from drownings, they had “a great summer.” Public safety is patrolling at night. If you see something, reach out to the precinct, so they can adjust the Neighborhood Community Officer’s (NCO) tours and address concerns.
The 101st Precinct reported the successful removal of multiple unoccupied campers at Beach 32nd Street. Last month, 25 illegal scooters were seized. The precinct has dedicated multiple officers and sergeants to the Mott Avenue area due to specific concerns reported.
Representatives from the offices of Rep. Gregory Meeks, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, Councilwoman Joann Ariola, Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Queens DA Melinda Katz were up next.
Meeks’ rep said that Medicare open enrollment period will begin on October 15, and the deadline is December 7 for beneficiaries to review and make changes to their health plan and prescription drug coverages for the upcoming year. Secondly, if you still need COVID test kits, visit: https://covidtest.gov or call: (877) 232-0233. Also, Meeks’ rep reported that the House and Senate have approved a continuing resolution bill to prevent a government shutdown, which extended funding up until December 2024.
The Queens Borough President’s office shared that on Thursday, October 10, the office is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at New York Hall of Science in Corona, Queens, and on October 19, a LGBTQ plus resource expo at Queens Borough Hall.
Next was Councilwoman Brooks-Powers’ chief of staff, who shared some upcoming events: on Monday, October 14, a Fall Festival at Bayswater Park; last weekend of the Fall Outdoor Movie Series: Saturday, October 12 at Arverne Playground, “Boo! A Madea Halloween;” and Sunday, October 13 at Bayswater Park, “Beetlejuice.” Ongoing every Tuesday and Saturday until November, Wise Walking Warriors, a walking program, nutrition and wellness workshop that meets at Arverne East Community Room on Beach 44th Street. For more info, contact Brooks-Powers’ Rockaway office at (718) 471-7014.
Margaret Powers of Councilwoman Ariola’s shared that the councilwoman joins with Jewish neighbors remembering those lost or still captive from the carnage that occurred in Israel last October 7. To discourage the animal rituals and sacrifices reported at Spring Creek under the North Channel Bridge, Ariola is working with federal agencies to bring in lighting, fencing and cameras to the area. Ariola’s rep also shared that NYC Ferry has launched a high school student discount program. For further info, visit: www.ferry.nyc/student-discount/ Also, she advised that as part of the MTA Rockaway Resilience and Rehabilitation Project, starting Wednesday, October 9 through Friday, November 8, there’ll be closures on the Rockaway Freeway eastbound between Beach 106th and Beach 102nd Street to accommodate repairs to the Beach 105th Street signal tower. In addition, Ariola’s office shared that on October 21, there’ll be a town hall on the steps of City Hall in response to Prop 1, a proposed NYS constitutional amendment that will also be on this November’s election ballot. A rally against the City Of Yes will be on Thursday, October 17 at Southern Fields (North Conduit and 115th Street in South Ozone Park). For more info, contact Ariola’s Rockaway office at (718) 318-6411.
Next were some announcements from CB 14 Chair Dolores Orr and District Manager Felicia Johnson. At a meeting with DOT, Orr said that the agency is looking into securing funding to eliminate the bike lanes on Beach 20th Street, and the design process will soon begin to eliminate a sinkhole, also on Beach 20th Street by the emergency room at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. Orr also shared that NYC Parks has posted internally the Rockaway Parks Administrator position now empty after former administrator Eric Peterson was reassigned last month. She also encouraged CB 14 to register to vote. The deadline is October 26.
Johnson also provided DOT updates. As requested by community members, the agency will be adding speed bumps to the following throughways: Rockaway Beach Boulevard between Beach 50th and Beach 52nd Street, North Avenue between Beach 46th and Beach 47th Street, Beach Channel Drive between Beach 40 Street and the dead end, Bay 32nd Street between Beach Channel Drive and New York Avenue. She advised that if community members have a request, reach out directly to the DOT.
Johnson also shared that in preparation for the MTA’s impending 17-week shutdown (January 17 to May 19, 2025) of the A train due to rehabilitation and improvements, there will be periodic weekend closures from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the following dates: Friday, October 18 until Monday, October 21; Friday, October 25 until Monday, October 28; and Friday, November 1 until Monday, November 4. There will be free shuttle bus services. More info can be found on the MTA website: new.mta.info/alerts?selectedRoutes=
CB 14 also moved to vote in board member, Helen Montero as board secretary.
Next was public speaking. Shoshanna Clawson, a PhD sociology student at NYU is doing a study on the relationship between Rockaway residents and policing, criminal justice, safety and crime. She is conducting 90-minute interviews in exchange for a $25 Amazon gift card. Those interested in participating can contact her at (323) 762-0649 or sfc9967@nyu.edu.
Christine James, an occupational therapist at P.S./M.S. 183Q spoke about the lack of services for “thousands of students” in public and Catholic schools with IEPs (Individualized Education Program) who are not receiving services such as speech, occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT). She’s seeking help from disability advocates, local pols and anyone with insight to help.
Mary Glynn and Paul King both encouraged CB 14 to vote against Prop 1, a proposed equality rights amendment to the NYS Constitution. Glynn said, “I urge you to vote, ‘no’ on this Prop 1 as it threatens to undermine parental rights and places our children in vulnerable situations. Under this proposal, children could be placed in circumstances where they are allowed to access gender affirming procedures and puberty blocking drugs without the informed consent of their parents, all because the amendment takes the age requirement away.”
King, who is running for Congress against the incumbent Meeks, said, “I want to be clear; I passionately believe in equal protection under the law. And NYS has great human rights and civil rights laws. If we need to improve them, I’m all for that. However, Prop 1 is a political ploy that undermines women’s rights, inherent rights, and puts our children in danger.”
Next on the agenda was the conversation fire starter—NYC’s new law regarding how garbage is put out for collection for the Department of Sanitation. DSNY rep, Antonio Whitaker, said that NYC owners of single- and two-family homes, and small apartment buildings with fewer than 10 units throughout the five boroughs will be mandated to use a black trash can with a lid as new containerization rules take effect on November 12. And by June 2026, all properties with one to nine residential units must have the official NYC Bin sold by vendor, Otto, procured via a separate contract announced this past March. If residents do not obey the new laws, be prepared to receive a hefty fine that escalates with each violation.
CB 14 board members were nonplussed about the new black garbage bin DSNY requirement with members asking a barrage of questions about what happens if a bin is lost, damaged or stolen. According to the DSNY rep, residents could file a complaint by calling 311. However, as one CB 14 board member said, “By the time anyone reads my filed complaint, I’d already be fined.”