Community Board 14 May Meeting Recap

By Katie McFadden

As beach season gets closer, Tuesday night’s Community Board 14 meeting was busier than usual with many wanting to hear the latest with NYC Parks’ bike ban proposal and other issues. Many left satisfied to hear that the brakes have been put on Parks’ policy and bikes will be permitted to ride on the boardwalk this summer.

As part of the Parks Committee report was a discussion on NYC Parks’ proposal to ban bikes from the boardwalk from Beach 73rd to Beach 108th Street after 9:30 a.m., and new Rockaway Parks Administrator Elizabeth Walsack came prepared with an update. “At this time, before the start of beach season, we’ll be posting additional signage on barricades letting riders know to dismount before the concessions at Beach 86th, 97th and 106th,” Walsack said. She added that Parks Enforcement Patrol will be deployed to the area when available for enforcement to increase compliance. In response, CB14 chairwoman Dolores Orr asked, “So we’re going to allowed to ride bikes all day?” “Yeah,” Walsack replied. However, Walsack did hint that this may not be the end of the bike ban conversation. “This was a proposal and more than anything it was bad timing bringing this out weeks before beach season and people thinking it was a foregone conclusion. It never was and just because the policy said Memorial Day, didn’t mean this Memorial Day.”

In other business, Orr opened the meeting saying their June meeting will be the last one before summer hiatus. Local law enforcement was then given the floor. Deputy Inspector Carol Hamilton of the 100th Precinct said they’re looking forward to a good summer. The summer detail officers will begin this Friday. Sgt. Luckman of the 101st Precinct said they’ll be getting 20 new officers at the precinct, which will be deployed to high crime areas. They’re also getting 20 officers for the summer detail to begin Friday. The 101st is part of a new quality of life pilot, which Luckman said is running smoothly. An officer from Transit District 23 reminded people to not fall asleep on trains, making themselves vulnerable to theft. He also said since the city started putting officers on every train, crime numbers are down.

Next up were representatives for elected officials. Jose of Rep. Gregory Meeks’ office spoke of some new federal policies. For social security issues, people should apply online or go in person to an office, but there are exceptions for those who cannot, to continue to process claims by phone. In an effort to stop check theft and check washing, the Department of Treasury will be issuing payments like tax refunds digitally, but exceptions will be made for those who are unable to utilize digital systems or who don’t have bank accounts.

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato is in Albany. With the passing of the state budget, Amato’s representative announced some benefits for police officers and funding for free school breakfast and lunch in private and public schools. She also obtained $100K to go towards determining the feasibility of QueensLink. A rep for Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson also said he was in Albany but on May 30, the Department of Buildings will be at his Far Rockaway office, so those with building issues are encouraged to make an appointment to meet with them. Call 718-327-1845.

Kevin Morris of the Mayor’s Office made some announcements about closing 3,000 illegal smoke shops across the city and efforts to remove outdoor dining sheds that are blights. Dan Brown of DA Melinda Katz’ office spoke about a recent case where 30 defendants were charged in a scheme to steal cars around the city. The investigation was ongoing over three years, in which 126 cars were stolen, worth over $4.6 million. The defendants face seven to 20 years if convicted.

A rep for Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers said HPD will be at her office (1931 Mott Ave.) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 18, so those with questions about affordable housing or housing related issues are encouraged to stop by. On June 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., she’s partnering with Delta Sigma Theta for a health fair at Macedonia Baptist Church on Beach 67th Street.

A rep for Councilwoman Joann Ariola reminded everyone that fines for composting are suspended and Ariola is working on legislation to make the program voluntary. She also signed on to the Article 78 lawsuit against City of Yes. The first court date is July 8. On June 1, is the Summer Kickoff on Beach 116th Street and on June 5, is a movie night featuring “Moana” at 8 p.m.

Next up, Orr presented her report. Two new CB members that weren’t at the last meeting, Lisa Johnson-Cooper of Hammels and Monice Small of Arverne, introduced themselves. Orr announced the sad news of member Vernell Robinson’s young daughter dying suddenly. Orr spoke about recent meetings she attended. One was about outdoor dining sheds. Orr said she doesn’t believe many Rockaway businesses would qualify for the program, as it requires eight feet of sidewalk space, which Rockaway generally doesn’t have. She also discussed lithium-ion battery dangers, as earlier this week, there was a fire in an apartment in Dayton Towers as someone on the 12th floor had left for three days with their electric scooter plugged in. She advised everyone to not leave these devices, including cell phones, charging overnight. In June, the FDNY will have a program to install free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors with 10-year batteries in homes. Lastly, she shared that Chief Kevin Williams of NYPD’s Queens South is retiring Friday.

District Manager Felicia Johnson then gave her report. Johnson announced that she hired Jeannette Garramone as her community coordinator and Xavier Wanton as community associate, who is now handling CB14’s social media, so they have an active Facebook page. She responded to a concern regarding the recent hiring of Garramone, as a board member had expressed concern over the hire being a conflict of interest as Garramone is a Democratic District Leader, a board member and a liaison for Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato. Johnson said all of these things were bought up to borough hall and the NYC Conflict of Interest Board as part of the hiring process, but Garramone was given the all clear to be hired.

From DOB, Johnson said a permit was filed for 1815 Cornaga Ave. for a nine-story mixed used buildings with 93 residences that will be condos. The building will have 18 parking spots and a 30-foot yard. No demo or completion date has been announced.

She spoke about an issue on Tuesday in which traffic enforcement was out en masse, ticketing and towing cars on Beach 20th Street, where there is a raised bike lane. She assured everyone that this incident had nothing to do with a recent walkthrough of the area with Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers. There is an ongoing effort to try to get DOT to remove the bike lane there. She also said there is no date for the reopening of Edgemere Avenue but she will let everyone know when.

Applications have opened for 5119 Beach Channel Drive. Johnson urged people to use Housing Connect to apply online.  Three-million dollars were recently allocated to build a NYC Health & Hospitals facility in downtown Far Rockaway. And $43 million was approved for the new firehouse at 116-11 Beach Channel Drive. Shovels should be in the ground by September. Shovels were supposed to be in the ground for a new Thursby Basin playground, but it has been pushed back to July 2026. Lastly, she announced that the beach opening ceremony will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 23 at Beach 17th Street.

A discussion on microgrids was on the agenda, but the presenters were not available. Next, Renee Hastick-Motes, the new CEO of the Joseph P. Addabbo Health Center, spoke about the facility and the opening of its new annex, enabling the center to offer more space and services at 6200 Beach Channel Drive.

Next up was public speaking. Joe Hartigan spoke of the possibility of ferry service to Laguardia Airport and Newark Airport. He also spoke about National Park Service receiving funding after Hurricane Sandy, but not making any improvements to Riis Park.

Raquel Delgado asked for support for the Neponsit Adult Day Health Center. The lease has been extended into June, but there have been no updates about the possibility of saving it permanently. She mentioned that House on the Rock Church has a home that they’d be willing to offer for the use of the center as an alternative.

Terry Carta of JBRCP said they’re still in the process of making use of Hangar 3 and 4 in Floyd Bennett Field and they’re seeking feedback from the community to help them decide what should be there from the kind of food to the kind of programming. See JBRPC.org to take the survey.

Wayne Richards spoke about increasing garbage under the Rockaway Freeway and that a construction project on Beach 19th and Cornaga Ave. is causing a lot of congestion in the area.

A few spoke about the bike ban proposal. Some suggested increasing enforcement and urging bikers to dismount at concessions. Another said they witnessed an elderly woman struck by a bike last week and suggested that the bike lane be outlined in green, with red markings at crossing areas, so people can be aware that it’s a bike lane.

Stained glass artist Patrick Clark gave an update on the Tribute Park mosaic. After Parks suggested removing the damaged central piece, Clark has submitted a plan to the NYC Design Commission to restore it. There is a meeting in June. Clark said he will report back on if they approve the plan. If not, he has other plans in mind to make sure the piece is restored rather than removed.

A staffer named Christine at P.S. 183 said more needs to be done to ensure safety around the school such as the addition of a traffic light and conversion of a street. Working with Councilwoman Brooks-Powers, she believes this may happen soon. She also pointed out the disheveled sidewalks around the Rockaway Freeway and suggested they be repaired since many kids use this path to walk to and from school. She also pointed out a fence at Beach 87th Street that was knocked over by a bus last year and still hasn’t been fixed.

Kate Krause of Rising Tide Effect, which offers learn to swim programs at the Rockaway Hotel and Ocean Park Apartments, announced the good news that water safety awareness posters, including info about riptides, will be on subways, buses and ferries starting this summer. Rising Tide is hosting a pool party fundraiser at the Hotel on June 13.

Anne O’Sullivan and Joe O’Sullivan, residents who live in homes right near the Beach 94th Amphitheater, spoke about the ways the sound has disrupted their ability to live comfortably in their homes. Anne said that efforts like closing windows, turning on the A/C and wearing Bose headphones have been ineffective as the bass from the sound still rattles the beams of her home and the glassware in cabinets. She pleaded with the board to take these things into consideration when voting on the new sound permit policy. Joe said he doesn’t mind some of the events and music that take place as he enjoys them himself, but again urged the board to think about the residents that are impacted.

Mel Julien of NYC Plover Project announced a panel on Thursday, May 15 at 6 p.m. at the Arverne East Coastal Conservation Center on Beach 44th Street, to discuss endangered species laws, which is under threat. They’re also hosting a Black Birders Week event at Garden by the Bay on Beach 43rd Street on May 31.

A man named Jeffery made an impassioned plea for his late brother, Kenny Jenkins, to be honored with a street renaming for all he did for the community, including starting basketball and double dutch programs to keep youth out of trouble. Nancy Martinez reiterated that the crackdown on cars on Beach 20th had nothing to do with Councilwoman Brooks-Powers.

The Parks Committee recapped the discussion on the bike policy, the new sound permit policy and summer updates, before Walsack provided the latest on each. The committee had come up with recommendations on the bike policy and sound policy, so there was a vote on each. Despite Walsack announcing that the bike ban would not be in effect this summer, a motion was made as there were other recommendations that the board wants to see in place. Among those recommendations were to support bike riding on the boardwalk, making the bike lane more visible by painting lines and stencils, adding signage to every other light pole alerting people of an 8 mph speed limit, adding signage at every entrance to alert people about the bike lane, having signage saying pedestrians have the right of way, having signage urging people to dismount at the concessions and barriers to prevent bikers from entering these areas, and enforcement of no motorized or electric bikes and scooters. In a vote, 30 members voted in favor of the motion, so it carried.

The sound policy recommendation is for permits for events with 20 or more people at Beach 94th and Beach 17th performance areas. Applications are $25 and need to be submitted at least 21 days in advance of an event. All sound must end by 9 p.m., with the exception of movies since they can’t begin until after sunset. By law, sound can’t exceed 42 dB and NYPD, DEP and PEP can enforce this. The committee recommend no more than two small speakers and one subwoofer and limiting DJ events to two a month, and no more than five music events total per month at each location. In discussions, there were some concerns about the limits and how 42 dB is enforced, but 21 members voted in favor of the motion, so it carried.

The Transportation Committee reported on a discussion to redesign the intersection of Beach 73rd Street and Rockaway Beach Blvd. after several accidents. DOT announced plans to install a left turn signal southbound on Beach 73rd and eastbound on Rockaway Beach Blvd. but these things will take time, so DOT recommended installing a signal alert board to alert drivers of the dangerous intersection, in the meantime. This required a vote. Only eight members opposed it, so the motion to support the signage carried.