122 Street Block Association

Minutes from Oct. Monthly Meeting

Block Association 122 Inc.
Meeting Minutes
Oct. 20, 2009 
7:30pm

I. Roll Call
Cator Sparks (President), Fialka Semenuik (Treasurer), Walter King

II. Adoption of Meeting Minutes
Walter moved that the Sept. 15/09 minutes be adopted as submitted; Cator seconded that motion.

III. Board Report
TREASURER’S REPORT
Activity from Sept. 15/09 to October 19/09

BEGINNING BALANCE:              $2,558.71
Revenue:                      + $12.01
(1 donation @ $10; + $2.01 bank dividend)
Expenses:                                          (0)
ENDING BALANCE:                 $2,570.72

IV. Ongoing Business
a. Continued Discussion of Goals for BA
i. General Maintenance of Block
-Penny sent a letter to the DOT regarding speed bumps on April 24th and re-sent it via
email in June. Apparently DOT has a backlog of requests for speed bumps. Penny is waiting further update from DOT.

ii. Support for Education
We achieved our goal for this year through donating to  Project Harmony’s educational programming and recommend doing the same in the upcoming year.

iii. Membership drive to help fund above goals:
Walter suggested that a reminder that ‘membership fees are due’ be included on flyers posted to announce meetings.

b. Letter to MTA calling to retain all services - Fialka is continuing to collect signatures. Walter noted that M2 bus service has actually improved.

c. Meetings of the Block/Tenant Association Leaders at Community Pride. - The group is further organizing itself, meeting the third Monday of every month.

V. Block News
a. Precinct Meeting - No update. Precinct Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month. If anyone is available to attend, please do and then share your report with us!

b. JD Wilson Garden Updates -
Oct. 10th planting day went very well with the help of NY Cares volunteers.
Upcoming workday in the Garden: Sat. Nov. 7/09.
Upcoming Street Tree Care Workshop: Sat. Oct. 24/09 
and…the annual Kids’ Halloween Party on Oct. 31/09 from 3-5pm!!

VI. Old Business
a. Fill BA122 executive committee positions: A reminder of upcoming elections in November and to consider taking on a position.
b. Tote bags are still available for $15 each.
c. Vote on childrens’ artwork from block party:  Vote has been postponed to the next monthly meeting.

VII. New Business
a.  Cator reported that Rev. Sullivan of CPSR would like to start discussions next month for planning of the next summertime Block Party.
b. Dog waste at the south west end of the block has become an increased problem since construction stopped on that property. Cator proposed posting laminated flyers onto the construction boarding, asking that people pick up after their dogs. Fialka noted that Community Pride had given us a sample flyer a couple of years ago, and would locate it for use.
c. Next meeting is the annual meeting where elections for board officers will be held.

Minutes submitted by fialka semenuik.

BA122: Sept. Monthly Meeting Minutes

Block Association 122 Inc.
Meeting Minutes
Sept. 15, 2009
7:30pm

I. Roll Call Cator Sparks (President), Fialka Semenuik (Treasurer), Rod Keenan, Haja Worley

II.  Adoption of Meeting MinutesRod moved that the June 16/09 minutes be adopted as submitted; Fialka seconded that motion.

III. Board Report
a. Treasurer’s Report - see document posted below.

IV.  Ongoing Business
a. Continued Discussion of Goals for BA  
 i.  General Maintenance of Block
        -Penny sent a letter to the DOT regarding speed bumps on April 24th and re-sent it via email in June.  Awaiting further update from DOT. 

    ii.  Support for Education
        Flyers were printed and posted in the Spring, advertising that BA 122 has a financial gift available for students (grades 6-12) on the block.  Original deadline for essay submissions was May 31/09; deadline was then moved to early September, however no submissions were received. Consensus was that support for education would be best achieved by continuing to contribute to Project Harmony’s programming in the J.D.Wilson Garden, with our recent $500 donation being case-in-point. Haja expressed formal thanks on behalf of Project Harmony for the donation and explained that it helped to fund this summer’s Environment Rangers session for teens. Activities that they undertook included: field trips to ReBuilders Source in the Bronx and Union Square Farmer’s market, canning of CSA produce, installation of rainwater harvesting system in the Garden, demonstration by BeeKeepers of the Garden, and plenty of thought-provoking discussions on the environment.

    iii.  Partnering with CSA via Project Harmony         
We had considered helping to pay the costs for some kids to visit the CSA farm, however due to liability and logistics concerns, have decided not to pursue this. The CSA has scheduled a trip for CSA members via carpool to the farm on Sept. 28/09.

    iv.  Membership Drive to Help Fund Above Goals
        We will send out another email blast to remind residents that membership fees are needed to help fund our charity efforts on the block and in the neighborhood. Rod suggested that email reminders also be sent out for meetings on the ‘day of’ the meeting. All agreed.

b.  Letter to MTA calling to retain all services - Fialka explained that our email blast in early June which called for support yielded only 13 responses. She will send out another email blast to the block and reach out to Community Pride for contact info of other Harlem block/tenant associations. Cator noted he had a few other block association contacts he would reach out to.

c.  Meetings of the Block/Tenant Association Leaders at Community Pride.  Fialka has been unable to attend the last couple of summertime meetings, but understands that the group has started to self-organize.  

V.  Block News
a. Precinct Meeting - No news. Precinct Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month. If anyone is available to attend, please do and then share your report with us! 
b. JD Wilson Garden Update - Busy time ahead! Please mark your calenders for the following:Upcoming workdays in the Garden: Sat. Oct. 10th and Sat. Nov. 7/09.Upcoming Street Tree Care Workshop: Sat. Oct. 24/09and…the annual Kids’ Halloween Party on Oct. 31/09 from 3-5pm!!

VI.  Old Business
a.  Fill BA122 executive committee positions: A reminder of upcoming elections in November and to consider taking on a position.

b.  Block Party Recap - Saturday, July 25/09: Everyone agreed that the Party was a great success! CPSR had funded the children’s games so that they were free for non-stop fun. Plenty of kids stopped by the BA raffle table to make drawings and our first ever flea market table yielded $50.75 in revenue. 3 other resident-vendors participated in the flea-market initiative and we hope this will grow next year. The BA paid for $15 of each $25 resident-vendor registration fee to CPSR. There was a miscommunication with regards to how many tables the BA had requested from CPSR, however we made do with what we had and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thanks to all who helped out at the BA tables: Doris, Nathaniel, Penny & Paul, Cator, Fialka, Rod!! 

VII.  New Business
a.  Vote on childrens’ artwork from block party: Designs were narrowed down to a few which will be posted on the blog for everyone to see. Vote is to take place at the next monthly meeting. 

b. BA122 totebags have arrived and are available for only $15! See the BA blog for images. 10 totebags have been sold so far and one was given to the winner of the featured design: Cheray Castro.

The meeting was adjourned around 8:30pm.
Minutes submitted by fialka semenuik.

BA122: Minutes for Special Meeting, June 30/09

Block Association 122 Inc.
Meeting Minutes: Special Meeting held to discuss Block Party
June 30, 2009
7:30pm

I. Roll Call Cator Sparks (President), Fialka Semenuik (Treasurer), Astrid Storm, Nathaniel and Doris Ayeke

II.  Block Party: July 11/09 (later rescheduled via email to July 25/09) -hosted by Christian Parish for Spiritual Renewal

a. Per meeting with CPSR June 21/09, BA122 Inc. will be one of the co-sponsors of the block party. As we already have our 501(c)(3) status, we hope this will help CPSR in approaching funding sponsors.Doris recommended that “BA122” be added to CPSR’s flyers advertising the event. All agreed. Cator and Fialka are to request this. 

b. Block Party schedule: 
-by 8am: cars must be moved off the street. CPSR has offered to post ‘no parking’ flyers on the block prior to the event.
-9am: set-up/distribution of tables by CPSR
-10am – 6pm: official block party hours (break-down starts 5/5:30)

c. Block Association info/activity tables

i.-Jacques has donated 10 movie tickets for raffle. Terms of raffle:
All were in agreement that raffle should remain free to enter, upon the following conditions:
-for adults: sign in with contact info for block association in order to enter raffle
-for kids: sit down to do art project/competition in order to enter raffle. 
(art may later be turned into photo-mugs?aprons? Discussion to continue in the fall.) 
5 movie tickets will be drawn for the adults, and 5 for the kids. 

ii. hand out info re: BA122- Cator & Fialka to print out flyers re: role of BA as well as our accomplishments.

iii.- fundraising
-We will sell Jubal’s photos (left-over from last year’s party) @ $5 for the medium size and $10 for the large (8.5x11)
-We would like to have tote bags on sale. (20 bags have been ordered; awaiting delivery)
-Accept payment for BA memberships at table.

iv.-Volunteer having iced tea or other treats free at the table

v. -miscellaneous: obtain signatures for letter to MTA; advertise student financial gift, extended deadline to Sept.1^st

vi. Volunteer List for BA info/activity table will be emailed out to residents to sign up for a shift

d.  Flea Market/ Food Market

i. -Church registration fee per block or church vendor is $25. So far, about 5 residents have inquired about being vendors.  Fialka proposed that interested block residents pay $10 each with BA122 covering the other $15, up to a maximum of 10 vendors.  All present voted in favor.

ii. -Deadline for registration/payment of fee by resident vendors was set for July 6/09 (this was later changed via email to July 10/09 due to change in block party date)

ii. -Block Association flea market table/fundraiser: we propose to gather donated items and sell at low prices. This will require that the BA122 pay the full $25 registration fee for vending. All present voted in favor. Nathaniel and Doris have volunteered to help run the BA flea market table. Drop off deadline for donated items was set as July 9/09 (this was later changed via email to July 23/09, due to change in block party date).

iii. -Should the BA look into providing shade canopies? Consensus was that due to the costs involved and time constraints, this would not be investigated at this time. This could be revisited for next year’s party.

e. BA Announcements that will take place on Stage later in the afternoon include:

i. Present winner of last year’s Block Party drawing competition Cheray Castro with complimentary totebag.

ii. draw names for movie ticket raffle

iii. announce BA122 role/accomplishments; student financial gift offering/deadline

f. Post Flyers – to advertise Party – a couple of weeks in advance. Fialka is to investigate whether we can post CPSR’s flyers or if we’ll need also to print our own.

Minutes submitted by fialka semenuik.

BA122: June 16 Meeting Minutes

Block Association 122
Meeting Minutes: June 16, 2009
Meeting called to order at 7:34pm

I. Roll Call Haja Worley, Fialka Semenuik (Treasurer), Astrid Storm (Acting Secretary), Hans Futterman, Walter King, Kimberly Abraham, Jacques Guillet 

II.  Adoption of Meeting Minutes:Haja moved the May minutes be adopted, and Walter seconded - all approved.

III. Board Report
a. Treasurer’s ReportActivity from 5/19/09 - 6/15/09
Beginning balance: $2,972.23
Revenue: $ 35.21
(revenue from memberships - 1 @ $24 & 1 partial - and $1.21 bank interest)
Expenses: $500.00(donation to Project Harmony for educational programming)
Ending Balance: $2,507.44

IV.  Ongoing Business
a. Continued Discussion of Goals for BA    
i.  General Maintenance of Block
        -Penny sent a letter to the DOT regarding speed bumps on April 24th.  Still awaiting response.  She will now re-send the letter via email to Commissioner Forgione.  
        -Reminder to call 311 to complain about speeding vehicles when you see them.
        -Research on “no honking” signs: On ‘NYC 311’s website, Fialka found that no honking signs may be requested for an intersection by calling 311. The City will then conduct a study.  No further action taken at this time.

    ii.  Support for Education
        Flyers have been printed and posted advertising that BA 122 has a financial gift available for students (grades 6-12) on the block.  Cator has not received any proposals yet.  Haja mentioned someone who was interested, but we haven’t received anything.  Fialka said we’d take late proposals in case anyone is still interested.  Haja suggested making an announcement for scholarships at the block party. Deadline for submissions would then move to early September.  People seemed receptive.  Hans asked about the dollar amounts (to be further discussed once actual submissions received), and Astrid asked where signs had been posted (buildings with kids, mainly).

    iii.  Contributing to Project Harmony Programs
        Per last meeting’s vote, we donated $500 to their educational programs.  Fialka delivered the check and letter to Cindy.  Hans asked some background questions on CSA and Project Harmony, as well as about the mulberry tree that hangs over the sidewalk (tulle has been placed in the branches to prevent berries from dropping onto the sidewalk).

    iv.  Partnering with CSA via Project Harmony         We are still considering the costs to pay for some kids to visit the CSA farm, and awaiting updates on those costs.    

    v.  Membership Drive to Help Fund Above Goals
        Fialka sent a blast out.  We will remind members about this when we start up again in September, since the blast didn’t yield much response.  Walter said he has talked and will continue to talk to people about paying their dues.  Walter then offered some background on the bulk of our current funds: the filming of a commercial for USPS in 2005 took over the block and compensated the block association $2000.00. Talk ensued about attracting movies as a source of revenue.

b.  Tote Bag - Design has been finalized by Jubal.  Fialka found a couple new and less expensive options from a different website (discountphotogifts.com): a lighter weight canvas bag that would cost about $11.00 each and could be sold for $15 or $16, and a polyester bag that also cost less.  The group voted unanimously to go with the lighter-weight canvas bag, and to set the price to $15/bag.  Fialka will place an order for 20 bags, which we’ll attempt to sell at the Block Party on July 11.
c.  MTA issues - a stay has been issued on the recently proposed bus cuts.  This gives us more time to write a letter and attach lists of supporters.  This could also be something to collaborate on with all Harlem block/tenant associations with teh support of Community Pride.  Fialka drafted a letter and we are continuing to build a list of signatures.  Fialka added that, while the stay serves us well for now, we should be prepared for a possible announcement of another round of cuts.  She also read a letter that was written jointly by the area block associations (“From ‘Residents of Greater Harlem to Chairmen of the MTA Board”), thanking the MTA for not eliminating services and reminding them that we need these services. 
d.  Block Party - Saturday July 11 (note that date of party was later changed by CPSR to July 25/09)The Rev. Sullivan of CPSR mentioned we have a permit for the party, that it will run from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and that the flea market is a go.  He described the set-up, esp. that the children’s attractions would be toward 8th Ave, like last year.  There will be awards, choirs, and the church will also honor a mother of a 14 year-old boy killed a year ago nearby (not on the block).  He added that the theme is peace, with a special emphasis on eliminating gun violence.  
Re: discounted vendor tables for block residents, he said that he’s sure they can do something.  The current charge is $50/table for non-church members.  We were invited to a block party planning meeting at the church for the upcoming Sunday after the service.  Haja, who does radio programs, asked for the Rev. Sullivan’s information so they can feature him on a show.  Fialka raised the parking issue, suggesting the block association help put up no-parking flyers.  The goal is to have the children’s attractions free and paid for by sponsors.  The Rev. Sullivan noted how important it is to have as much of the community involved as possible.  
Hans asked if residents grilling was a problem w/ the fire department, and the Rev. Sullivan said he would check into it.  
(We also learned that CPSR is trying to form a CDC (community development corporation) in order to purchase the vacant buildings around the corner on ACP Boulevard.)

There wasn’t time to discuss the remaining block party items, so it was suggested that a separate meeting be called just to discuss the block party.  Those include:    - Jacques donating 10 movie tickets for raffle.  
    - Cator buying art supplies for kids.  Discuss art project/competition: idea for photo-mugs or aprons?
    - Cator and Fialka will print out flyers to print re. role of BA as well as our accomplishments
    - We will sell Jubal’s photos again (leftover from last year’s party)
    - We would like to have tote bags for sale
    - Accept payment for membership at table
    - Idea for flea market/food market: A couple of residents have expressed interest in selling items.  Awaiting response from CPSR on approval and whether table cost         could be discounted.  Discuss BA assisting to cover costs.    - Volunteer sign-up list for BA table
    - Volunteer having iced tea or other treats free at the table?


At this point, a matter of new business was raised by Kimberly, a newcomer to the meetings.  She expressed concern about her building (240) being unlocked much of the time and open to non-residents, particularly at late hours.  She has tried to get the problem fixed by contacting building managers, but to no avail.  Hans offered some possible solutions, and confirmed that there had been some dangerous activity recently outside that building.  Somewhat reassuringly, he said that the precinct has keys to the building so that they can enter immediately if something goes wrong.  Less reassuringly, there isn’t a supervisor on the premises to oversee daily activity and look out for tenants’ safety.  
Fialka asked how the block association can help, but Hans said he thought there was probably little we could do, what with these being private properties.  We agreed to discuss the matter further outside the meeting.

e.  Increase in Water and Sewer Charges - Pat Fuqua informed us at the last meeting of the drastic price increases in July and encouraged homeowners to request a water survey from the DEP to see how much you’re being overcharged.  Pat is considering protesting the upcharge and may enlist the help of supporters.  Queens Civic Congress has already submitted a letter to the NYC Water Board in this regard.  
V.  Block News
a. Precinct Meeting - no news
b. JD Wilson Garden Update - no news
VI.  Old Businessa.  Create BA122 events calendar to be emailed to membership.  Pending update from Jude Overo.
b.  Fill BA122 executive committee positions
VII.  New Businessa.  Donation to the Church - we voted to keep it at the same amount, $50/year, for space usage.  Majority voted yes, with Walter voting no.

b.  Meeting of the Block/Tenant Association Leaders at Community Pride - June 6.  Fialka attended, and said Fernando was trying to organize the group a bit more.  She said it seems like it is going to be very helpful in terms of organizing and communication.  The main concerns now is about how the Community Board seems to be catering to big business and special interests rather than to the people who are affected by their decisions day-in, day-out.  
c.  Hans Futterman - Hans is a developer who recently moved to our block and is also building the FDB on Frederick Douglass.  He met with Cator recently to give a run-down of his projects, which he (being present) repeated to us:    FDB - the construction is going smoothly; he’s in talks with Carmine’s Restaurant to open a restaurant in the retail space. He had previously contacted supermarket retailers to lease the space but was told the space is not large enough. He noted that there are 18 affordable residential units, offered via lottery, and that the parking will accommodate some police cars - eliminating police street/sidewalk parking on Frederick Douglass.
    He also purchased the land where the gas station and parking garage are located.  He hopes to build a grocery store with underground parking - possibly a Trader Joe’s. - but it will take a few years.  We discussed helping write letters to attract a Trader Joe’s, and whether other grocery stores would be coming in sooner.  Hans said that something is planned for the SOHA 118 building. 

We also talked about the lot on the Southwest corner of the block, where construction appears to have stopped.  Hans spoke w/the owner and, apparently, financing fell through.  They’re looking into ways to proceed.  
The meeting was adjourned at 9:03pm.

Pictures from our 7th Annual Block Party!

Council Woman Inez Dickens was honored as was Joe Kelly and the three amazing women from Harlem Mothers SAVE. The weather was amazing and everyone had a great time. Thanks Cindy & Haja for the stellar home made ice cream.

Check out our slideshow below!