Block Association Meeting Minutes

We once again had a great turn-out for our Block Association meeting this past Sunday (especially for the summer)!   Each time we meet we get several new members to sign-up and contribute their ideas and enthusiasm!

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:  

W. 71ST ST. BLOCK ASSOCIATION CELEBRATION DAY!   Wednesday August 1st 5-8PM.

Our goal is to publicize our group, attract new members, and learn of their concerns and ideas.  We will meet in front of the church at 123 W. 71st where we will have tables set up with literature and sign-up sheets.  We will also have info on sanitation, rat control, tree well beautification, etc. There also will be baked goods, balloons, a kids' table and doggy treats and water.  We will all wear white shirts with name tags (to be provided) and some of us will walk the block with clipboards and info to greet people and sign them up.  

More details to follow!

Next general meeting:  Sunday August 26th at 4PM at church (always 4th Sunday of the month at 4PM)

Issues discussed at July 22nd meeting: 

1.  Rat update - Brewer's office is preparing letters to go out to owners of various problem buildings on block (input from Stringer and CB7 as well.)

2.  Homeless people - Residents continue to have great concern over the number of homeless people on our block.  It is our hope that homeless people will be offered and accept housing and treatment, but that is often difficult.   We have a good relationship with Goddard Riverside (a non-profit) who regularly reach out to the homeless (you can reach them by calling 311).  However the growing number of homeless people is causing concerns about health and safety.  The group agreed that we will draft a letter and visit our local police precinct to ask for increased police presence to deal with unlawful or dangerous behavior.   

*Some good news:  The young couple with the dog who were homeless outside Grace & St. Paul's church have a new home!  We wish them well.

3. Trash - We are all concerned about trash cans which overflow at both Columbus and Broadway.  We have already requested new and bigger trash cans from Stringer's office and we will follow up to see if we can arrange more frequent emptying of trash cans. 

4.  Various members volunteered to help with our Celebration Day!  Details in the next email.

5.  An effort will be made to reach out to the management and/or boards of larger buildings to help spread the word about our block association.

6. Call or email 311 - http://www.nyc.gov/apps/311/about.htm - to report problems on our block.  You will receive a reference number to track the progress of your complaint. 

Thank you to all of you and welcome to our new members!