BA122 Meeting Minutes - March 23, 2010
Date: March 23, 2010
BA 122 Public Meeting & Annual Potluck Dinner- held at CPSR
Meeting Minutes
I. Roll Call: Cator Sparks (President), Fialka Semenuik (Treasurer), Pat Fuqua, Rod Keenan, Darlene, Walter King, Holly Williams, Haja Worley
II. Adoption of Meeting Minutes: Fialka called for adoption of the January 20/2010 Meeting Minutes as submitted; Rod seconded that motion.
III. Board Report
TREASURER’S REPORT
Activity from Jan. 20/10 to Mar. 22/10
BEGINNING BALANCE: $2,624.50
Revenue: + $104.72 (4 memb.fees $96 + donation $6 + dividends $2.72)
Expenses: (0.00)
ENDING BALANCE: $2,729.22
a. We’ve filed our tax return (e-postcard Form 990-N)
b. As a non-profit with charity status, Fialka explained we are required to register with New York State Charities Bureau. As long as our receipts are less than $25,000 and we don’t hire a fundraiser, we are exempt from the Article 7-A registration requirement; however, we still need to register under the EPTL requirement. For details see, HYPERLINK “http://www.npccny.org/info/gti5.htm”http://www.npccny.org/info/gti5.htm
We’ll also be required to submit the annual charities filing with a $25 fee, again as long as receipts remain less than 25K and we have no one paid to do fundraising. Consensus was that this best defines our status in the foreseeable future. Fialka will proceed with the charity registration and annual filing.
IV. Ongoing Business
a. Discussion of Goals for BA for upcoming year
i. General Maintenance of Block
-Request for Speed bumps: Penny sent a letter to the DOT April 24/09 and re-sent it via email in June/09. DOT stated they had a backlog of requests. Awaiting further update from DOT.
-Care of street trees on our block – Mini workshop will take place at the May Meeting. Discussion of possible fences around tree beds is to continue.
- Dog waste problem: Cator found the culprit! If you see a brown German Shepherd wandering alone on our block again, please follow it back to the neighbor’s house and complain. He lives on 121st Street.
- Corner lot – where construction has halted, leaving an open basement: The corner of 122 Street and Frederick Douglas Blvd is still a hazard. (2272 FDB). Hans said that he can see from his apartment that they are not pumping water out of the property and that can be a MAJOR problem this summer for mosquitoes. Please call 311 and report unsanitary conditions. To reach the owner/property manager, call 212-997-1234.
ii. Support for Education
-Target support for Project Harmony programming – Project Harmony is invited to submit their funding needs for upcoming programs.
iii. Funding above goals:
- Membership drive – At January’s meeting, we voted in favor of emailing invoices for membership. Special arrangements could be made if requested to volunteer time in lieu of payment.
- Application for grants could also be another source of funding. Look into available grants at ‘Foundation Center’ database, as well as ‘Love your NYC Block’ grant, from Citizens Committee for NYC. Fialka noted that the next deadline for the ‘Love your NYC Block’ grant is in September. These grants are specific to projects which involve volunteer hours from the community, and can be completed within a 6-month period. Perhaps a street tree care project would qualify for such a grant.
b. MTA service cuts- The letter-petition we drafted in conjunction with the Ad Hoc Leaders of Harlem, was accompanied by over 150 signatures of support, and was mailed to 14 individuals holding positions within the MTA, New York City and State governing bodies. It appears that the MTA is still proceeding with the service cuts, however Speaker Quinn reported that elimination of Student Fare cards is still up in the air. Waiting to hear more.
d. Children’s’ artwork from block party. Design was selected at Nov. meeting. Discussed ideas of how to use have included: on mugs or for signs on street trees. Consensus was to use it on street tree signs.
V. Block News
a. Precinct Meeting - Precinct Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month.
b. JD Wilson Garden Updates – see www.projectharmonynyc.org
VI. Old Business
Tote bags are still available for $15 each.
Block Party Dates/Information - We are waiting to hear updates from CPSR. In the meantime, Cator has met ‘Target’ representatives who might be interested in contributing to the block party.
VII. New Business
a. Project Harmony/The Kitchen Table’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership is now open! Buy fresh, organically grown produce from a local farmer. Different membership fee options are available. Call 212-662-2878 for details ASAP to reserve a share.
ADJOURNMENT
minutes submitted by
fialka semenuik
