On Tuesday, September 8, at the Knight of Columbus, Community Board 14 returned after the summer hiatus. The meeting was jam-packed with information.
In wake of the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, the meeting began with a moment of silence for those from the community who were killed that day.
Next were representatives from elected official offices. Jose Reina of Rep. Gregory Meeks’ office said there has been a cost-of-living adjustment for those receiving the maximum amount SNAP benefits, so starting October 1, they will see a modest increase. A bill was recently passed to keep federal agencies funded through December 11. Starting in January, there will be new requirements for Medicaid for those ages 19-64, including working or volunteering for 80 hours a month, and having to renew coverage every six months.
A new liaison for Sen. James Sanders spoke about recently passed legislation. On August 28, two bills were passed including one regarding a state charter advisory board for the banking system and the resiliency of the Rockaway subway line, allowing for improvements to protect against flooding. Queens Carnival was heavily attended. Planning is underway for next year. There will be a meeting regarding water safety and a senior appreciation event. For info call, 718-327-7017.
Janine Agard of Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson’s office spoke about events they held this summer. If anyone has ideas for fall events, they want to hear from you. Call 718-327 1845. A rep for Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers also spoke about recent events they conducted including a street co-naming for Lionel ‘Chinx’ Pickens. If anyone is interested in have a street co-named, reach out to Brooks-Powers’ office. Her office will have legal services for anyone facing eviction of housing issues at the Far rockaway Library on the first and third Thursday of the month. Reach out to the office to schedule.
Dan Brown of DA Melinda Katz’s office said she recently secured guilty pleas in a staged car crash insurance fraud scheme on the Belt Parkway. Defendants will serve one to three years in prison.
During NYPD updates, Sgt. Luckman of the 101st Precinct said the summer was a success. They had zero drownings in the 101 and violence during major community events was at zero. The summer beach detail has since left. They are enforcing quality of life issues and have given 20 summonses for illegal two-wheel bikes and removed more than 100 days illegally parked. They’re also up 50 in summonses for commercial vehicles parked overnight. Retail theft remains an ongoing problem and many arrests have been made.
Lt. Thompson of the 100th said they’re up 35 crimes vs. 31 last year. There was one rape, six robberies, 16 felony assaults and they’re down in burglaries with two and down in grand larcenies with nine. They recently stopped a vehicle break-in pattern as the suspects were apprehended during a live incident. Retail theft is up and they’re working to combat it. Transit District 23 said they had one robbery at Beach 90th and the suspect was apprehended at Walgreens. As kids go back to school on September 10, there will be more police presence at the Beach 98th and Broad Channel stations.
In her report, CB14 Chair Dolores Orr said when the bus stop at Beach 86th St. was moved to Beach 84th St., the bus shelter was not moved. There is now a shelter at Beach 84th after 10 years. Although not complete, Bay Breeze Park is open. The kayaking area is still being finished. There’s also an area for a future restroom, which was planned for $1 million, but the cost is now $3 million since it took so long. Orr acknowledged Rosemarie Gulston who received a citation of honor at the Independence Day celebration from the borough president for her contributions.
In her report, District Manager Felicia Johnson outlined her recent correspondence. She said due to an issue with the contract for Bay Breeze Park, the rest of the project will have to go out to bid again. A letter was sent to the Queens DOT commissioner to request a redesign of Bayfield Ave. and Beach 69th St. A letter of support was sent to Parks commissioners for Rising Tide Effect’s no lifeguard, no swimming PSA plan. A letter was sent to the mayor regarding the community’s support for QueensLink. Another went to the DHS commissioner regarding the lack of notice for a shelter conversion at 1021 and 1025 Beach 21st St. The shelter at 1021 was converted to 162 single males and 1025 was converted to 101 general population males. Johnson asked for clarification on what general population means.
A letter was sent to the NYC Sheriff and the 101st Precinct regarding action to be taken against an illegal cannabis shop in downtown Far Rockaway. A letter was sent to DOT requesting safety measures on Beach Channel Dr. where people cross to Bay Breeze Park on Beach 88th St. A study couldn’t take place until the park was open. A letter was sent to Parks regarding signage at the park which said it’s open from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. They requested a change to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. A letter was sent to DOT requesting a non-bus stop bench being removed from 2107 Beach Channel Dr., as it’s being used for loitering and “nefarious stuff,” preventing people from going into nearby businesses.
In updates, DDC will be conducting a pedestrian ramp reconstruction project for Rockaway Freeway and Beach 41st St., Beach 98th St. and E 6th Rd. and Walton Rd. in Broad Channel. A design will be complete in the fall and construction will begin in the spring. From DOT, Beach 13th from Mott Ave. to Davies Rd. will receive a speed reducer. Additionally, Beach 13th from Davies to Frisco Ave. will receive one when resources are available. DOT is also working with Parks on light pole and bench replacement from Beach 32nd to Beach 116th St. Safety improvements are being made between Beach 79th St. and Beach 80th St. Beach 79th between Rockaway Freeway and Rockaway Beach Blvd. is now a one-way southbound road. Beach 80th between the Freeway and Blvd. is now a one-way northbound road.
DSNY is now enforcing fines on buildings of one to nine units that don’t have the official NYC Bin. QM15 extension in Arverne will be made permanent during weekday evenings and Saturdays starting in the fall. From Parks, Thursby Basin Park is in the procurement phase. Construction is anticipated to start in the spring. The Arverne East Aquatic Center is fully funded and being designed. A project to replace the synthetic turd field on Beach 30th St. is in the design phase and expected to be finished by spring. National Grid is looking to freeze gas delivery rates through 2028. A proposal has been filed but not approved yet. The School Construction Authority is in the design phase for the relocation of P.S. 106, which will be at 1 Beach 39th St. Construction will start in 2027 with completion in 2029.
Next was public speaking. Marcia Jones of Rockaways Neighbors Helping Neighbors (RNHN) spoke about how detrimental the Inwood Material Terminal (IMT) project has been for residents of Redfern. Open-air dust and debris from the Hempstead-controlled project have been entering homes and causing health issues. Court hearings about the issue have been postponed four times. “This has to be addressed and stopped,” Jones said. Yolanda Thompson of the NAACP and RNHN spoke about their Let Us Breathe campaign to address concerns over Haugland Group’s IMT operations. A survey of 430 residents showed significant impacts because of the site. The site had been cited for violations and is supposed to have a NYSDEC permit. They’ve since applied and the community has until Sept. 18 to submit comments. The next court case is October 27. Kiara Davis of RNHN spoke about the issues she’s been facing with the dust from the site, so she supports the removal of the facility from the neighborhood. Tamara Serrano and Paula Siegel asked CB14 to leave comments for DEC asking for Haugland’s permit to be denied due to the environmental effects from IMT.
A neighbor applauded the lifeguards for their service over the summer and referenced Janet Fash’s book, asking for more accountability and transparency among lifeguard leadership and a review of supervisory practices within the New York City lifeguard system due to abuses. Lifeguards tend to be disciplined for speaking up about the issues.
Doreen Howe, CEO for the American Red Cross of New York, said they’d like to become more acquainted with the peninsula due to flooding and fires, so they can better serve the community. They’re also seeking community ambassadors to attend meetings.
Jay Ellis Sayers spoke about erosion and safety in Riis Park and its LGBTQ+ beachgoers. With the erosion and the demolition of the Neponsit Home, they’re advocating for budget allocation to go toward a planning process for the future of the Neponsit Home site.
Rosemary Duggan Gulston spoke on behalf of DYCD. Gulston was elected to serve on the executive body as recording secretary. She encouraged people to search DYCD to learn more about what the organization does.
Norma Sipper spoke about a traffic light on Beach 9th and Cornaga Ave., saying it has impacted traffic and safety as it causes a backup into the intersection and crosswalk when the light changes. Josef Richtman, a nearby building manager, said it has created road rage and made it difficult for students to cross. He suggested a meeting be held over the light so changes can be made.
Amanda Agoglia spoke about the Neponsit Home site and requested that funds be set aside for a children’s park to go on the site, as the west end lacks playgrounds. She suggested the park have trees as a buffer for the homes and the beaches adjacent to the park.
Christine James said Parks did a great job cleaning the beach and boardwalk, but she suggested that the greenery needs to be trimmed as it has gotten too high. She asked CB14 to invite DSNY for a meeting. She suggested that new storeowners be educated about what their responsibilities are. She also said an abandoned house on the corner of Beach 97th St. is also creating problems on the sidewalk. However, Rockway Commons is supposed to make improvements by the spring.
Janet Fash, past lifeguard chief, said having lifeguard chairs staggered every 50 yards is excessive on rock jetties, causing people to swim near them, which is dangerous. She advised people to not swim near jetties and hopes lifeguard deployment can be fairer next summer so there’s more coverage. “The management of the lifeguard system has to change,” she said.
Elizabeth Walsack, Rockaway Administrator for NYC Parks, spoke about upcoming events. Creative Time’s sandcastle competition will be Sunday, September 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Beach 108th St. Artists will be creating sand sculptures. Also on Sunday is the first Rockaway Beach Wiffle ball tournament. It’ll be at 9 a.m. on Beach 81st St. All are welcome to play. There was supposed to be a presentation on the Broad Channel skate park but it was postponed.
MTA spoke about an upcoming service disruption on the A train between Rockaway Blvd. and Lefferts Blvd., which could impact commuters that go that way. From November 6 through November 16, the main work will take place with service disruptions expected. Shuttle buses will run from Rockaway Blvd. to Ozone Park.
The meeting also featured discussions on budgetary issues. They will be discussed further at next month’s meeting. Community Board 14 votes on capital and expense budget requests every October.
