Vol. 54 No. 36
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Board directs look into waterfront possibilities
Hutchinson River — roughly from the Little League fields to the construction trailers — as a waterfront park for shareholders to enjoy. Reasoning Central Park has been a source of health benefits for Manhattan’s residents since the first parts of it opened to the public in 1858, the Board decided, “The quality of life for Co-op City residents would benefit from the development of Riverbay property for a … waterfront park along Hutchinson River.” With one director absent and one abstaining from the vote, the remaining 13 Board members voted to direct Executive General Manager Bob Klehammer and staff to start the process of seeing what’s possible for the land along Co-op City’s eastern border. Co-op City waterfront property stretching from the construcAnd that, Mr. Klehammer said, is exactly tion trailers to the Little League field on Co-op City Boulevard is the subject of a feasibility study approved by the Riverbay what the next 90 days will be about; seeing Board for a possible park. Photo courtesy of Google what’s possible — and, perhaps more importantly, what’s necessary — to potenAs upscale development creeps closer and closer tially develop the land in question into a feasible to the shores of the Hudson River in Westchester, sevwaterfront park. eral of those communities are developing, or have “It’s going to require us to, at least, have a licensed landscape architect who’s got some waterfront park developed, paths, parks and other amenities to take development experience to come in and look at this,” advantage of their proximity to the water. So why not Co-op City, too? Mr. Klehammer told the Co-op City Times. “It’s basiWell, maybe Co-op City, too. cally going to be here’s what we’ve got, here’s what At its Aug. 28 meeting, the Riverbay Board of we need.” Directors passed a resolution aimed at determining Mr. Klehammer said, in order for the land to be the feasibility of developing and maintaining four developed as a potential waterfront park properly, acres of Co-op City waterfront property along the there will be several other (Continued on page 2)
BY JASON CHIREVAS It’s increasingly difficult to find any inch of riverfront property in Chicago that hasn’t been developed and beautified for the local residents.
Page 5: It’s Happening in Co-op City!
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RING Doorbell update Riverbay has not yet authorized a RING Doorbell installer to provide services in Co-op City. Protocol is being developed by Management. An update will be provided to the Riverbay Board at the Sept. 18 meeting and thereafter reported to the community.
2019-2020 Riverbay Board Committees formed and chairs appointed BY ROZAAN BOONE
At last week’s business meeting of the Riverbay Board, in addition to discussion and vote on several resolutions to ensure quality of life of Co-op City shareholders and forward movement on capital improvements and other management initiatives, the Board also appointed 2019-2020 committees. The Riverbay Board’s Committee on Committees which has been designated with defining the process by which Riverbay Board Committees are formed and operate, submitted recommendations for committees and their respective chairs to Riverbay Board President Linda Berk before the Board voted by acclamation on Aug. 28 to accept the assignments. The Committee on Committees is chaired by Board Director Claudia Sampson. First Vice President Bernard Cylich and Board Treasurer Sonia Feliciano are also integral members of the committee. “The Committee on Committees reviewed committee chair requests and submitted our recommendations to Board President Linda Berk at the Aug. 28 Board meeting,” (Continued on page 3)
Automated Pay Community Complaint for violators Stations to be added to of state & local animal laws revised garages starting Sept. 1 to include add’t documentation BY BRANDON ORTIZ
A resolution was passed on August 28 at a Board of Directors meeting that approves the installment of secured pay stations in all eight Co-op City parking facilities. These pay stations will accept cash, coins and credit cards in addition to providing change, if needed. Equipped with video intercoms, the pay stations effectively eliminate the need for garage attendants to handle cash. While garage attendants will still be staffed at the eight garages, the overnight shift for attendants is being eliminated, according to Riverbay’s director of Parking Facilities, Danielle O’Connor. Transient parkers can expect to transition over to automated pay stations on Sept. 15. In addition, affirming Co-op City’s commitment to a leadership role in fighting climate change and improving public health, the Board will also consider at a future Board meeting a proposal to potentially bring electric charging stations to the garages. A first reading of Resolution 19-38 was presented at the Aug. 28 Board meeting and states “Whereas, (Continued on page 2)
Co-op City’s occupancy agreement prohibits pets, although there are exceptions for reasonable accommodations for residents who have a verifiable disability that requires support animals. At the Aug. 28 Board meeting, a revision was made to standing resolution #19-21 requiring shareholders with animals to not only abide with New York City Animal Waste & Leash Law or else face a $250 fine, but to now also submit proper documents showing compliance with up-todate vaccinations and licensing annually. The Board approved resolution #19-21 in May 2016, outlining community complaint fines. Item (HH), failure to abide by the New York City Animal Waste & Leash Law, carries a fine of $250. The revision to the resolution adding the requirement for owners of support animals to also submit vaccination and licensing documents annually was proposed by Board Director Jerome Rice and seconded by Board President Linda Berk and Director Cheryl Jenkins. The revised resolution was presented at the Aug. 28 meeting and approved by a vote of 12-2 with one director absent. Community Complaint HH now includes the following language: “Failure to abide by the New York City Animal Waste & Leash Law and all other state and local laws, including but not limited to, the licensing and vaccination of dogs and other animals – $250.00.” Resolution 19-21 now has to be approved by DCHR and will become effective in Co-op City 60 days after DHCR approval is granted. BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND