CIVIC officers, committee reports on Crime, Development, Quality of Life and Traffic, and an open public forum for residents to address their grievances.
They will update members on elections for important officer positions for First Vice President, Treasurer, and Corresponding Secretary. Nominations may be made from the floor.
An update will be given about the Library Bar recently re-applying for a liquor license, the City Island Camera project, the opposition from NYC Department of Transportation's designs for the City Island Bridge, a proposed day rehabilitation program at 523 City Island Avenue, and the proposed senior development by the Italian Hospital Society.
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City Island Civic Association, Minutes of the meeting held September 26, 2011
The meeting was brought to order at 7:35 p.m. The reading of the August minutes was waived.
Crime Report: Bill Stanton reported that as many as 30 were keyed recently from Reville and Tier Streets along King and Minneford to Terrace Street. Some tires were also slashed, and a car parked at King Avenue and Bowne Street had its rearview mirror broken. The money for the security cameras has still not been released by Albany but John Doyle is working on it. Please give any relevant information to Bill Stanton.
The senior housing project on Schofield Street will not be eligible for the Senate grants unless it offers assisted living. The Civic sent a letter last month to Dr. Mignone indicating that the association does not support the project in its current form. Senator Klein did not indicate City Island in the grant; the project was simply for the northeast Bronx. We need to have a strong voice on this issue, as Dr. Mignone will take it to the Community Board and the Board of Standards and Appeals in spite of our lack of support.
It has been noted that many Island apartment buildings have illegal apartments, and in at least one case a commercial property is being used as a residence. DOB has taken a renewed interest in this because of recent incidents involving fire and safety issues. It is important that possible violations are investigated.
The Library Bar is closed and will not be reopened until issues with the liquor license have been resolved; the Community Board held a meeting on the issue but the owner of the bar did not show.
Some of the buildings at the former IUC property on Fordham Street are being removed or cleared of asbestos and the brownfields are being cleaned up. Greystone reassured Barbara Dolensek that the original number of units as approved (not more than 43 units) would not be changed.
Other quality of life issues: tow trucks are being parked at 220 City Island Avenue (at Schofield Street), but the DCA license is in order. The was a complaint that car alarms at the Laurels sometimes go off in the middle of the night. There has also been increased graffiti. A motion was made to offer a $300 reward for the conviction of graffiti artists, and the motion passed unanimously.
The nominating committee reported that the current office holders have agreed to run again for a new term: Fred Ramftl for first vice president, Tom Smith for treasurer, and John Doyle for corresponding secretary Nominations can be made from the floor at the October meeting.
Complaints have been filed about the eyesore structure on City Island Avenue between Ditmars and Bowne; a list will be made of eyesores and the Civic may draft a letter for the Current.
If you have had storm damages, please report to the Civic, because FEMA may cover damage that was not covered by insurance.
We are now on Facebook! Search us at City Island Civic Association. It’s an open group for all to join and can now be found on Facebook.
Web Site at: www.cicivic.org