Community Board 14 December Meeting Recap

By Katie McFadden

It was another packed agenda for the monthly Community Board 14 meeting at the Knights of Columbus on Tuesday, December 9, as the board discussed updates, Bayswater State Park, Department of Buildings issues, St. John’s Home and more.

The meeting began with updates from the local NYPD precincts. Sgt. Luckman of the 101st Precinct said major crimes were down. There has been an uptick in theft from vehicles, so Luckman advised people to remove valuables and lock their cars. On Thursday, the 101st will receive an award for zero fatalities for traffic conditions in 2024.

Captain Singh, interim commanding officer of the 100th Precinct, said crime is down 36% overall, and there have been no shootings over the last 28 days. There were three robbery incidents, with arrests made and six burglaries, with three arrests made. He advised people to keep an eye out for missing 15-year-old Jafet Jermott. Sgt. Patel of Transit District 23 said they’re paying close attention after school dismissal to monitor smoking and subway surfing on trains.

In announcements from elected officials and their reps, Jason Greenberg reiterated that Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato is not seeking re-election but will finish out her term in 2026. Janine Agard of Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson’s office said they started HEAP appointments to assist people with heating issues. To make an appointment, call 718-327-1845.

Borough President Donovan Richards’ office is holding a supply drive for Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa. They’re collecting medical and hygiene products, baby supplies and tarps. For info, call 718-286-3000. They’re also holding a tree lighting on December 16, at 6 p.m., and a Hanukkah menorah lighting on December 17 at 4:30 p.m. at Queens Borough Hall. To RSVP, head to www.queensbp.nyc.gov. Applications to join community boards will open January 5.

Stacy Spataro of Councilwoman Joann Ariola’s office said the Beach 116th Hanukkah menorah lighting is on Tuesday, December 16 at 5 p.m. On Monday, Ariola met with NYC Parks for a walk through of the beach in Belle Harbor to discuss ongoing mobimat issues. Her office will begin monthly meetings with the U.S. Army Corps next month for progress on their dune project.

Dan Brown of District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office said they held the first-ever Missing Person’s Day to try to connect families with missing loved ones. The office recently acquired $500K to help pay for advanced DNA testing to help solve some cold case murders.

Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-­Powers provided an update on bringing a trauma hospital to Rockaway, saying mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has been committed to the effort. The land designated for the hospital, currently owned by NYCHA, is undergoing a transfer process to Health and Hospitals, which will take 12 to 15 months, as it requires an environmental study and federal HUD approval. She is holding a holiday tree lighting on Beach 69th and Rockaway Beach Blvd. on Monday, December 15 at 6 p.m. City Council will hold its final stated meeting on December 18 and Brooks-Powers is part of a few bills that may be passed, including one dealing with the digital divide for technology in schools. She recently helped pass the Gender Motivated Violence Act to help survivors get their day in court. She is the co-sponsor of an Airbnb bill after constituents reached out saying the ban on short term rentals hurt them. The bill could bring back short-term rentals. She is also a co-sponsor of the COPA bill which will give the city and nonprofits the first right of refusal for properties for sale with three units or more. Brooks-Powers believes it will help stop investors from scooping up properties. She advised people to call her office to discuss these bills. Brooks-Powers also announced that the DOT has approved a request to turn Beach 79th Street from Rockaway Beach Blvd. to Beach Channel Drive near P.S. 183, into a one-way street. It will take time to be implemented.

Lisa George of Senator James Sanders’ office announced that they are hiring a constituent services person, and a legal counsel in Albany, who would work in Albany for six months a year. Sanders had legislation signed by the governor, including a bill that will require food and retail establishments to accept cash throughout NY state. In October, Sanders held a meeting with stakeholders regarding drowning incidents, and to come up with solutions to prevent drownings. Unfortunately, the Far Rockaway Educational Campus pool will be closed for three to five years for renovations, so Sanders is trying to help create a temporary pool at P.S. 43 in Far Rockaway, and has the funding to allocate towards it, but the School Construction Authority has been pushing back on assessing the property for this. Sanders hopes they come out before the year ends to give approval, so he can allocate the funding.

In her chair report, Dolores Orr reminded people to keep in mind the family of late firefighter Patrick Brady during the holidays. She recently attended a Civic Engagement Commission training on how to improve CB14’s website. She also attended the long-awaited groundbreaking for the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department’s new firehouse. Construction will take two years. She attended a meeting at Borough Hall where every community board was asked to send members of their arts and cultural committee. As CB14 doesn’t have one, Orr went and expressed interest in starting an Arts, Cultural and Libraries committee so they can learn about accessing grants for programming on the peninsula. As part of DSNY’s winter schedule, they have more staff on at midnights to address snow removal, but if there’s no snow, these crews will pick up recyclables, so everyone is advised to make sure recyclables are on the curb before midnight. When it does snow, DSNY plows now have a GPS system to track what streets have been plowed when snow reaches more than two inches.

District Manager Felicia Johnson said they sent a letter of support for MyMeds to be the chosen pharmacy for the new Gotham Health Center when it opens in Far Rockaway Village. She also sent a letter to the MTA laying out concerns about overcrowding on the Q22 bus since the Queens Bus Redesign rolled out, as well as seniors having trouble accessing the Social Security office on Beach 113th. A letter was sent to NYCEM regarding their evacuation presentation in November, as CB14 had a lot of questions. She sent a letter to DSNY Q14 garage due to the mishandling of garbage outside of 44-19 and 45-19 Rockaway Beach Blvd., as it’s taking up parking spaces. She also sent a letter to the Department of Transportation requesting a traffic signal at Beach 120th and Rockaway Beach Blvd., and a multi-way stop control at Deerfield Rd. and Briar Pl. Both requests were approved but may take a while to roll out.

The Department of Design and Construction has begun work on lining interceptor assets for the sewer system. Construction updates will be shared on CB14’s social media pages. Edgemere Commons, where Peninsula Hospital was, has completed Building B1 and has started on A2. For the Arverne East Project, construction for Building D is set to begin. They did site clearing between Beach 35th and Beach 38th, and fence installation. NY State Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation is looking to nominate the Richard Mott House at 1272 Norton Drive to the national and state registers of historic places.

Johnson attended a Broad Channel Civic meeting where NYC Parks discussed a new $6M skate park that will be built at W 20th Rd. It will take three years to complete. She also had a meeting with NYC Parks regarding plans for the park where the Neponsit Home was but they’re still waiting for that land to be transferred from Health and Hospitals, so Parks can’t move forward yet. REMA4Us released guidance to businesses regarding ICE and what rights people have. ICE made a visit to Far Rockaway this week, near a school, but no one was removed. Johnson attended a legislative breakfast with Episcopal Health Services, where they provided awards and updates about the hospital. After a recent visit to the ER, Johnson said the hospital has made huge improvements. She encouraged the community to give the hospital a chance to ensure they stay in the community and continue to get funding.

Three people signed up for public speaking. Gail Johnson has started a group, Cash Dash on the Rock, to encourage people to shop locally in downtown Far Rockaway. On January 10, they are working with REMA4Us to hold an access to capital meeting where business owners can meet with 15 banks to discuss lending opportunities.

Christina Tucker talked about INT 13032025, a bill that would require the New York State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to launch a public education outreach campaign about fertility treatments and how people can get coverage for such. She asked the board to show support and spread awareness. Christine James said she and Jeanette Garramone have been working with the manager of the shopping center on Beach 84th, urging him to make improvements. Cement work just started in the lot. She also requested donations to be collected to buy wreaths for the Doughboy Monuments on Beach 94th, and that DSNY come to a meeting to discuss issues like cars not moving on Beach 116th for street cleaning.

Leslie Wright of NYS Parks announced a plan to renovate Bayswater State Park off of Mott Ave. In recent years, the park has become susceptible to flooding and erosion. NYS Parks has made attempts to stop it with temporary measures, but they decided the park needs a more permanent fix. With $15 million in grants, they are planning a big project to stabilize the shoreline. They’re going to add rocks to the surrounding water to dissipate the water hitting the shoreline. They’re also going to remove invasive plant species and replace them with native plantings. They’re also going to build a fishing pier, about 120-feet long, to make the popular fishing spot event more desirable, as well as add elevated walkways so people aren’t stepping in wet marsh. The project will take three years, but the park will remain open. The project will go out to bid next week.

Next, LuQuan Loyd of the Department of Buildings introduced himself as a liaison for the community regarding DOB concerns and asked about outstanding issues. John Cori brought up illegal scaffolding at the lot at Beach 62nd Street, which has been an ongoing concern. Loyd said they’ve issued fines to the company, but it hasn’t stopped them. Several members praised Loyd for looking into certain matters like trying to get the Family Enrichment Center on Beach 92nd back open. He requested that the board provide a list of other problem areas that he can look into.

Jennifer Horsley, executive director of the St. John’s Residence for Boys, talked about the residential child welfare and juvenile justice program for adolescent males on Beach 110th Street. As they lost one of their two buildings to Hurricane Sandy, a building that is expected to be sold, they are focusing on improving their sole property, including adding a recreational area with basketball courts. There has been a community fundraising effort to help make this a reality. They are also seeking folks who would be willing to volunteer or partner with them to provide programming. In the past, they’ve had people offer chess lessons, cooking classes and music programming. Email info@stjohnsresidence.org for info on how to help.

The CB14 nominating committee then discussed nominations for executive board positions. Cori brought up concerns about nominating people who may have to leave the board soon due to new term limits for members, as it would leave people with little experience left in leadership, but the board said this shouldn’t be a deterrent to nominate someone. The only requirement for a position is for a member to be on the board for at least a year, and have 75% attendance. Dolores Orr expressed interest in running for chair. Cori nominated Zina Morratti as first vice chair, who accepted, but she did not meet the attendance criteria. Jose Velez is not eligible to continue as second vice chair due to attendance, so nominations were made for Rose Marie Gulston, who accepted, and Damara Lee, who was not in attendance, and will need to accept. Those in the third and fourth vice chair and secretary positions will run for re-election, so the board will only need to vote for the second vice chair position at their January meeting.