Summary of May 16 Meeting | East River Neighbors

Summary of May 16, 2023 Meeting

INTRODUCTION:

Our second meeting was held on Tuesday evening, May 16, in the Community Room in Building 4. It was evident to anybody who attended that work on the gas pipes was ongoing, since we could see where the ceiling tiles were removed in order to facilitate replacing gas pipes.
Approximately 100 people attended the meeting live, and approximately 50 via Zoom. Attending the meeting was Fanny, the Community Affairs representative from Assembly Member Grace Lee’s office. Christopher Marte attended via Zoom.

PART 1 - SPECIFIC SUBJECT OF INTEREST - ESCR - EAST COAST RESILIENCY PROJECT

The meeting was originally planned to have a single focus: East River Park, our neighboring construction site, across the FDR Drive. Desiree Gazzo spoke for approximately an hour on the current status of the project. She pointed out that you can go to specific websites to see weekly updates. The Q & A which followed was lively. Most concerning were issues such as the increased dirt/dust, because the site is not watered down sufficiently during the construction. Also, synthetic turf, which our Assembly member Grace Lee has introduced as a Bill in the Assembly in Albany to stop the use of synthetic turf. Also discussed were the air quality monitoring and the amphitheater.

We understand that the project is currently at least one year delayed. Some of the delay relates to what has been found when they start digging, a good example being the archaeological finds in Corlears Hook Park.

The following are specific areas of interest to us at East River that Desiree will provide us with followups:

• We can ask for presentation on emergency flood protection for our buildings.
• We can ask for environmental monitoring updates and summaries.
• We can call the CCLs (Community Construction Liaisons re dust issues
• We can get printed bulletins and advisories of construction activities as needed.
• We will get the archaeology report when ready in about 12 months.
• We can get the DOT Park Mobility and Access Study.
• We can get more info on artificial synthetic turf use in the park.
• We can get ongoing reports on drainage capacities within the new park.
• Updated Project Area1 schedule to come at next Community Access Group meeting.
• How does storm water get across the river to Newtown Creek plant?
• We can get updated utility schedules if needed.
• Desiree or Joyce will come out on site and answer questions if needed.

PART 2 - TOWN HALL - GAS SITUATION IN BUILDING 4

The second half of the meeting was in Town Hall format, letting anyone have the opportunity to raise any issues they wanted to. The most urgent topic was the gas leak and subsequent gas line closure in Building 4. There were many residents of Building 4 who voiced their specific concerns. (It was not known at that point how much it would cost or how the project would be funded).

There was a question re: whether Management and the Board had been invited to the meeting, and Stanley advised that he had personally left messages for Shulie and Gary and also for Jeff Super, who then introduced himself to the group. Jeff is the Chair of the House Committee.
Insurance issues were discussed: whether or not the co-op's own insurance would take care of the repairs, or if our personal apartment insurance would take care of it. Someone commented that the repairs needed might be treated as usual wear and tear, considering the age of our buildings, so no insurance would cover the repairs. Cheryl D., who is on the House Committee, suggested that an independent entity be requested in order to have a better idea of what exactly happened on that Friday evening.

CONTACT MANAGEMENT AND BOARD TO REQUEST A SPECIAL MEETING BE HELD

It was recommended that individual shareholders write directly to Management with any of their concerns. It was also recommended that individual shareholders contact Management and the Board to request a meeting be scheduled and held to facilitate updates of the gas meter situation.

BIKE ROOMS
Another issue discussed was the bike rooms that could hopefully be redesigned in order to facilitate space for more bicycles. Then trash and litter in our neighborhood and especially along Delancey Street was discussed.

CLICK PAY / ACH TO PAY MAINTENANCE

Also discussed was Click Pay, and whether or not it is more user-friendly than the former ACH process.

ELECTRIC STOVES
Some shareholders wondered whether electric stoves could be installed and it was then suggested that they probably could not, because we do not have the needed 220 Volts. A long-range plan of having higher voltage electricity could possibly be considered for the future.

ZOOM RECORDING

The Zoom recording is available for viewing here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/-e-TKpYoFCcasgfWdZSeTroMT-LtwCmUBi7YJ18CzWZPRNBWbJmBYoIUGiC0UEW6.jnqX_dK9jRuZL_Nl
Passcode: &W2jqs14

JOIN OUR ORGANIZATION:

www.eastriverneighbors.org

SAVE THE DATE:

Our next in-person / Zoom meeting will be on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 7pm. Location TBD.

MEETING ADJOURNED:

The meeting lasted approximately two hours and was adjourned at approximately 9:15pm.

REFERENCES:

ESCR Website:

https://www.nyc.gov/site/escr/index.page