122 Street Block Association

May Minutes

Block Association 122Meeting minutesMay 19, 2009

Present: Jubal Battisti, Fialka Semenuik, Cator Sparks, Astrid Storm, Rod Keenan, Mario Pinto, Grace Pinto, Pat Fuqua, Haja Worley, Lucy Lang

Meeting called to order at 7:32
II.  Adoption of Meeting April Minutes Jubal moved to adopt minutes, Pat seconded, all approved
III.  Treasurer’s report, FialkaActivity from April 21 - May 18Revenue:  $25.17 (1 membership + bank interest)Expenses: $15.00 (laminating ten flyers to advertise financial gift to students)Net Rev: $10.17
BalanceMoney Market Account: $2843.78Share Deposit Account: $50.00Cash on Hand: $78.45Total Balance: $2,972.23
IV.  Ongoing Business      a.  Continued discussion of goals for BA
            i.  General maintenance of block - Penny has sent a letter to the DOT requesting speed bumps.  Waiting for a response.  Some explanations for the request were offered: danger to children and animals (a cat had recently been killed by a car that was driving too fast), noise that disrupts work/home life.  Rod suggested that we also ask for a sign from the city that reminds people that honking is punishable by fines.  Cator said he’d look into it. In the meantime he suggested calling 311 to complain about speeding vehicles whenever observed.

            ii.  Support for education - Flyers have been printed and posted advertising that BA122 has a financial gift available for students on the block.  Cator has not received any proposals yet.  Students will have to submit their proposals by May 31 to be considered.  Grace suggested somehow connecting with Harlem Children’s Zone.  A general conversation followed about HCZ - that Prince Harry is visiting soon, that Obama is considering using it as a model for other schools, and so on.  Haja metioned that he heard of two people who were interested in the scholarship.

            iii.  Contributing to Project Harmony Programs - Cindy sent us a letter with estimated costs of summer kids’ programming.  Cator proposed to vote on donating $500 to the program.   Fialka explained that the amount would cover five field trips at $75/each, with extra for other expenses.  Vote taken: All APPROVED.

            iv.  Partnering with CSA via Project Harmony - We are still considering the costs to pay for some kids to visit the CSA farm.

            v.  Membership drive to help fund above goals - Fialka sent out a blast requesting membership fees.  She received one response.  Rod suggested soliciting membership dues at the Block Pary.  Fialka explained that we now have 11 paid, but we could potentially have at least 20.  Cator agreed with Rod’s suggestion, adding that we could have a donation box and also announce it.  Haja then suggested getting people to sign up at the block party, followed by Jubal’s suggestion that we get the word out there about what we’re doing: funding scholarships, helping Project Harmony, and so on.  Rod added a list of accomplishments: lamp post fixed, curbs fixed, (possible) speed bumps.  It was agreed that a combination of both flyers and a poster would best convey this info to prospective members.

    c.  Tote bag - Jobal has the new logo, which he’ll put on the blog for everyone to see.  Rod had done some research into finding cheaper bags, but said it’s hard to get good rates for such a small order (he checked w/ another company).  The costs, again - $15.60 for each bag, with $5.00 added for profit = $21.00/bag.  A conversation followed about whether to combine membership and tote bag.  Astrid suggested promoting both together at a discount (both for $40.00), adding that, even though we won’t profit off the tote bag, at least we’ll get membership fees we might not otherwise have received.  People seemed amenable. Discussion is to continue.
    d.  Website - The website is up, and everyone agreed it looks great: www.blockassociation122street.com

    e.  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 the support form Community Pride.  Fialka will draft a letter and start a list of supporters. She asked for permission to put people’s names on the list, and everyone present agreed.  She’ll email BA members requesting the same. Fernando of Community Pride will add this MTA letter item to the agenda for the June 6th meeting of block presidents.  Fialka also mentioned that heads of the various block/tenant associations expressed a desire to meet regularly, and it might be a good idea for us to compile a wish list that might be put out there for broader support.  
    f.  Block Party - Saturday July 11.  Reverend Sullivan, who was scheduled to speak to us about it, couldn’t make it.  The theme, though, is “Peace & Community,” and someone will   Mario asked if there were any problems at last year’s party - garbage, etc.  No one could think of any, except that the signs announcing ‘no parking saturday’ need to be more visible to help avoid parking tickets.  Fialka said she had received a couple requests to have a sort of flea market.  The Church charges $25.00 per table for vendors, which everyone agreed seemed steep, and someone suggested that there be a residential rate.  Perhaps, also, some people could use the block’s table to sell things?  We agreed to give it further thought, and to maybe ask neighbors who’ve inquired about it to help organize it. As for the Block Association table, we’ll be sending out a list of table duties and a sign-up sheet for volunteers.
Conversation followed about whether to sponsor another drawing contest.  Astrid suggested simplifying it, maybe buying those plastic mugs into which kids can slide a drawing of their own and take home.  Cator said he’d inquire into the price of mugs, and that maybe we could turn the winning drawing into a mug.  Jubal suggested using different media - maybe something more “multi media” like macaroni mosaics. Discussion is to continue.
IV.  Block News    a. Precinct Meeting - No one attended.
    b. JD Wilson Community Garden update - No update

V.  Old Business    a.  Create BA 122 events calendar to be emailed to membership.  Jude is working on it.

VI.  New Business    a. May 30 work party - Looking for volunteers to help clean Mrs. Cunningham’s lot of fire debris.  

    b.  Grocery - How can we get a grocery store to open nearby?  Discussion has begun w/ landlord of building under construction at corner of Frederick Douglass and 122nd.  Construction is delayed.  Awaiting update.  Cator suggested writing letters to various grocery stores, and Astrid suggested collaborating with other block associations to galvanize support.  Cator said he’d also check with the FDB building going up across from the police precinct.  
    c.  DEP Water Survey - Pat said she just had a free water survey done of her home by Honeywell, which she suggested everyone look into, given the rising costs of water.  The survey tests for water flow, leaks, etc., so that you’re not being overcharged.  She handed out print-outs of what the survey entails, which she downloaded from the DEP website. She also reported that free water-saving kits are available which include low-flow shower heads and the like. Everyone should take advantage. As for water and sewer rates, Pat noted that rates have been increasing each year by a significant amount. This July, rates are due to go up yet again by 14.5%. The sewer rate is calculated as 159% of the water rate! Pat is thinking about starting a list of supporters to protest the upcharge. The water testing should help show homeowners how much they’re already being overcharged and encourage them to join in the protest.
    d.  Energenix - Someone said they’d received a call from a company called Energenix about saving money on energy.  Others confirmed that they had received these calls, too.  Rod said he looked into alternatives to ConEd, but since you still have to pay ConEd for service charges, and so on, it seldom turns out to be very worthwhile.

    e.  Grace advised everyone to call 311 when you see the water hydrant open in order to help save on water.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:31
Respectfully submitted,Astrid Storm

BA122 Inc. Amended Bylaws

June 6. 2001
revised date: April 21, 2009

By-Laws

• Name: Block Association l22 Inc.
• Status: 501(c)(3) Public Charity, Not-for-Profit Type B Corporation
• Purpose: To create an inclusive, secure community attentive to promoting a sense of neighborliness, and concerned for the safety, physical appearance, cleanliness,
and general well-being of our block. We will also monitor public services
(sanitation, policing, etc.), helping where we can with landlord tenant relations,
and work together to urge our block to be respectful of children and adults, persons of all faiths, ethnicities and genders. We will encourage residents to bring issues of concern and/or conflicts to the Association so that the Association can be of assistance, where possible.  Our meetings shall further serve as a forum for exchange of ideas and for organizing or supporting community projects.

• Membership: Concerned Residents, further defined as follows: 
• Voting Members: those who have paid the annual membership fees.
 (If requested, financial sponsorship of membership fees will be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
• Non-voting Members: those who haven’t paid the annual membership fees but who wish to participate in discussions leading up to voting.

• Annual Membership Fees:   $24 per household

• Meetings: Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm, except
 during summer recess months of July and August.  Meetings are held at the
 Christian Parish for Spiritual Renewal (CPSR), 2044 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard.  Notification of meetings shall be via email and posted paper flyers. Email notification of each meeting must be at least 5 days in advance. Should there be any change to the regular meeting time, notification shall be given at least 7 days in advance. Officers will endeavor to keep general meetings to one hour in length.

• Order of Business:   

 The order of business at all meetings shall be as follows:
 a) Roll call
 b) Proof of notice of meeting or waiver of notice
 c) Read minutes of preceding meeting or Adopt the minutes as Submitted 
 d) Report of officers 
 e) Election of Officers(in the event that there is an election)
 f) Inspection of Election (in the event that there is an election)
 g) Unfinished Business
 h) New Business

• Voting: At any general meeting, each Voting Member is entitled to one vote. For election of Officers, there shall be a designated Chairperson of Nominations who will run proceedings; all votes shall be done by ballot. For other business, voting can be done by show of  hands, by ballot or by email.

• Proxies: Voting Member wishing to vote but unable to be present for the General Meeting or an Executive Committee Meeting, for a valid reason may do so by notification to the Chairperson of Nominations and may submit the vote via email, telephone or ballot.

• Quorum: In matters of business, those members present and voting will constitute a
majority. The name and purpose of the vote must be announced at the previous
General Meeting and posted or emailed prior to the meeting. Not less than 1/2 plus one of Voting Members present shall constitute a quorum for a General Meeting.  At least two members of the Executive Committee must be present to conduct official business. All members of the Executive Committee must be notified of the meeting at least  five days prior in advance and informed of the agenda. In all matters of business, the president of the association has a vote only when it is necessary to break a “tied” order of business.

• Executive Committee: Are the Officers and members of the Association, as instructed by the Membership. This committee is responsible for governing the Association. It will set association policy, define its position on issues in and maintain its direction and purpose. The Committee is to ensure that Association activities remain in compliance with IRS guidelines for 501(c)(3) Public Charities.

• Officers:
President: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at meetings of the
Association and of the Executive committee. The president shall have general and active management of the Association, shall see that all
order and resolutions of the Executive committee are carried into effect
and shall delegate specific areas of responsibility to the Vice President.

Vice President: The VP shall take the place of the president and perform his or her duties whenever the president shall be absent or unable to act and shall have such powers and duties granted to the President.

Secretary : The Secretary shall attend all sessions of the Executive committee and all
General Meetings and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required.  He or she shall distribute copies of the minutes to all Members. He or she shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all General Meetings and special meetings of the Executive Committee, and shall perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the Executive Committee or the President, under whose
supervision he or she shall be.

 Financial Treasurer:
It shall be the duty of the Financial  Treasurer to sign all requisitions for disbursements, keep detailed and accurate records of all financial transactions and a file of receipts for all disbursements; to be responsible for the recording of all financial transactions of the fund and to prepare and present current quarterly reports in writing of all financial transactions of the fund to the president and committee members; keep a record of the fund’s members, then dues and membership; give receipts for all membership dues received;  Shall take the place of the Secretary and perform his or her duties whenever the Secretary shall be absent or unable to act and shall have such powers and duties €granted to the Secretary.

It shall be the duty of the Financial Treasurer to collect and record all money due to the Association, and to be custodian of all its funds. The Treasurer shall co-sign checks with the President or officer so designated.

• Ad Hoc Committee: Ad Hoc Committees may be set up as needed by the Executive Committee, either appointed or elected, and will exist as long as considered necessary.

• Election: At the November meeting, a general election is held; those Voting Members present are asked to put in writing one selection for each elected office. The Officers are installed at the December General Meeting and take office on January 1st. Each officer will hold office for a term of one year.

• Emergency: In emergency matters, the President may make decisions or take actions with consultation of at least two members of the Executive Committee. All business conducted in emergency situations is subject to the consensus of the Executive Committee and to the approval of the voting membership.

• Removal From Office: Removal From Office: Any Officer or Committee chairperson may be removed from office by 2/3 vote of the Executive committee and a majority vote of  Voting members present at a General Meeting.

• Amendments: Amendments to the By-Laws may be made by the majority of votes, of  those Voting Members who are present at a General meeting. A copy of the proposed amendment, and the article it will change or replace, must be distributed to the members together with the notice of the meeting date and when the amendment will take place.

• Financial Reporting: The financial activities of the association shall be prepared by the Financial Treasurer on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis to reflect the income, expenses and earnings of the association.


 - end -

Minutes from April BA Meeting

Block Association 122Meeting Minutes - April 21, 2009
Meeting called to order at 7:32
I. Roll Call: Jubal Battisti, Walter King, Fialka Semenuik, Cator Sparks, Penny Barten, Astrid Storm, Jacques, Rukaye Overo, Rod Keenan, Haja Worley
II. Adoption of March Meeting Minutes: Motion made by Astrid; Jubal seconded.
III. Board Report:a. Treasurer’s Report$2,842.61 monkey market account (interest bearing)    $50.00 share deposit account
    $69.45 cash on hand
$2,962.06 total balance
Past month’s Revenue:$98.21 (1 donation, 3 membership fees, bank interest)Past month’s Expenses:$53.55 (potluck supplies, tote bag prototype)Net Revenue: $44.66*Please email fialka_s@yahoo.com to arrange for payment of membership fees
IV. Ongoing Businessa. Discussion and Voting on Proposed Amendments to BA122 Bylaws - Walter moved that a vote be taken on the final version of the Amendments. Rod seconded that motion. All attendees voted in approval. Fialka will post the updated Bylaws to the BA website blog.
b.  Continued Discussion of Goals for BA:    i. General Maintenance of Block - Request for speed bumps on the block:  Penny has drafted a letter on behalf of the Block Association to DOT Commissioner.  There was some discussion about when the block is busiest.  Someone pointed out that the DOT sends observers to the block, and that it might be best to have them come at that time.  Rod pointed out, however, that people tend to speed when there’s little congestion on the block, and that it might make more sense for observers to come at a time other than the busiest, most congested time.  We also discussed where the speed bumps should be placed, and that these questions will need to be discussed more before action is taken.
    ii.  Educational or Camp Scholarships - Fialka and Rukaye have drafted flyers to post on the block. The flyers invite students on the block to submit an essay describing an upcoming course or project to which funding would be applied. Fialka noted that we have still to discuss how much we want to allocate for this financial gift, and when the deadline should be.  Some discussion followed about whether the student-proposed projects should be more specific to community organizing, or whether we should leave it open, with people leaning toward the latter.  Fialka also suggested that maybe prospective recipients be required to give a presentation to the block association, but the general opinion was to wait and see if there are any submissions first.  

Rod then suggested presenting the award at the block party, which would mean moving things along quickly, so as to have time to receive and then review the applications.  A tentative application deadline was set for May 31.Jubal suggested that some of the flyers be laminated, to withstand wet weather.
    iii.  Contributing to Project Harmony Programs - Fialka read a letter from Cindy estimating costs for upcoming summer educational programming: 5 to 10 sessions/field trips @ $75 per session for the teacher, plus expenses for supplies and travel for any educational entertainers. The letter did not ask for a specific donation amount from the BA and emphasized that any amount would be greatly appreciated.
    iv.  Partnering with CSA via Project Harmony - We are still considering the costs to pay for some kids to visit the CSA farm, as part of Project Harmony summer programming.  Several issues were raised among the group, namely how the cost of public train or bus transport up to Orange County is prohibitive, as pointed out in Cindy’s letter. She mentioned that she will look into a school bus option.

[Not on the agenda: this morphed into a larger discussion about the finances of the Block Association.  Fialka noted that, over the past two years, we’ve brought in $700 - 800 in revenue (mainly through membership and donations), and our expenses for that same time were around $600 - 700, meaning we’ve only netted $100 - 200 over the past two years!  
As for what the BA typically donates each year:$50 - to the church$100 - toward movie tickets for the block party$100 = miscellaneous, like families in need, Project Harmony
Supposing that, this year, we donated $500 to Project Harmony and $500 to kids’ scholarships.  Both would take our balance down substantially, meaning we’d have to fundraise to make up the difference.
On this same topic, Fialka noted that paid membership has dropped.  We received 9 payments of membership fees this year, though we have about 50 people on our email list.  20 of those 50 people seem to stay in touch or have paid in the past, so to have even these 20 contribute would help fundraising substantially. Fialka said she’d like to put together an email asking for membership fees.]
    v.  Create BA 122 events calendar to be emailed to membership - no update

    vi.  Fill all BA executive committee positions - no update

c.  Tote Bag: Jubal presented a canvas prototype tote bag from ‘Printfection.com’ with the selected design image printed onto the canvas. The breakdown of cost is as follows: 12 - 35 bags would cost $14.99 each, plus shipping plus our own $5 mark-up would result in a price of $21 per bag. It was agreed that was  little pricier than expected, and people had various suggestions for making the bag more appealing to people looking to buy them as gifts - i.e., add a “green” theme, maybe play up the NYC or Harlem location, and so on.  Jubal said he’d work on changing the text on the design to reflect these suggestions.
d. new BA website: Cator reported that his friend Laura is working on it and it will soon be up.
IV.  Block News:a.  Precinct Meeting - Haja reported that he’d attended the end portion of the meeting, where the Auxiliary Police (citizen patrollers) were introduced.
b. JD Wilson Community Garden Update: Fialka said the Easter Egg Hunt was great.
V.  Old Businessa. Donation to Explorers Club: Fialka left a message for Officer Snead re. proposal to donate funds for children’s uniform.  Walter moved that we postpone indefinitely involvement with the Explorers Club, since we’ve had so little luck with them getting back to us.  Everyone agreed.
VI.  New Businessa.  Proposed MTA cuts to bus service - Valerie Simmons has suggested writing the MTA, our community board and congress persons to let them know how important local street transportation is to our community and to maintain the M10 and M2 routes. She has agreed to draft a letter; we can then add a list of supporters, similar to what was done in our letter campaign to help save the the Garden.
b.  Water Charge - Pat let us know that the city is charging 159% sewer charge on everyone’s water charge.  Apparently this change was approved back in 1992.  Also, automatic digital readers are being installed city-wide to give more accurate accounts of water usage.
c.  Block Party - Reverend Sullivan informed Cator that the date has been set for July 11th.
d.  CSA - Haja said that the CSA (community supported agriculture) is still looking for more CSA members. (for details: see email blast of April 4/09)
e.  Haja brought flyers for an ‘Emergency Preparedness Training’ session he was helping to conduct on April 25th at Harlem Children’s Zone. He is interested in doing a training session at a future BA meeting.
f. Haja brought flyers for Academy-Award nominated documentary: ‘The Garden’, which tells the story and struggle of the largest community garden in the U.S. - located in  Los Angeles. Screening in New York will take place May 8/09 at Cinema Village.
g. Jubal offered to donate more photos to help fundraise.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:35
Respectfully submitted,Astrid Storm
 

PHOTOS FROM THE EASTER EGG HUNT in our JD WILSON GARDEN!!

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2009