West 46th Street Block Association, Inc.

August 7, 2007/ Hartley House at 413 West 46th Street

Nov 03, 2007

Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 7th, 2007, 7pm
Hartley House at 413 West 46th Street


1. Welcome and Introduction

2. Reading of the Minutes of Prior Meeting

3. Reports of Officers
3.1. President?’s Report (Darrick Sampson)
3.2. Vice President?’s Report (Allison Tupper)
3.3. Treasurer?’s Report (Steve Fanto)
3.4. Secretary?’s Report (Watty Strouss)

4. Reports of Standing and Ad Hoc Committees
4.1. Communication
4.2. Ivan Shapiro House (Watty Strouss, chair)
4.3. Membership (Steve Fanto, chair)
?• Report of current members
4.4. Parks & Recreation (Watty Strouss, chair)
?• Meeting with the Parks Department on June 20th at Hartley House
?• Alexandra Palmer Memorial Garden Sign- Funding has been received from Mary Clark ($100) and St. Luke?’s Lutheran Church ($400) for a proper sign to mark the location of the Alexandra Palmer Memorial Garden.
?• Mural Re-painting at the Matthews Palmer Playground
4.5. Programs
4.6. Quality of Life
4.7. Special Events

5. Unfinished Business
5.1. Annual Wine & Cheese Party- held on Friday, June 15th at Hartley House from 6pm to 9pm.
5.2. Leveling of Tree Grates- report of progress (David Korman)

6. New Business
6.1. Multi-Block Association Street Festival- with West 47/48th Sts Block Association, West 45th Street Block Association 8/9 and the West 44th Street Better Block Association; managed by Joe Giovanni (promoter of many of these street fairs with benefit non-profits). Scheduled for Sunday, September 23rd.
6.2. Sidewalk Cafes- do you know how much sidewalk space the caf?©s are allowed? According to Martin Treat, of Community Board 4, ?“The Trans Comm passed for Galaxy in the spring and now neighbors see it happening. As of right building on the sidewalk is a City tradition and is encouraged to encrease City tax rateables. The only rule is to leave 8 feet for pedestrian passage and public protest everytime it happens. The CB4 trans comm policy is outlined attached in draft and the final is available through office. What the trans comm does is try and hold the line and get something for it and count on the proprietor to follow the 8 foot rule and keep obstructions to minimum. It was Christine Berthet who sat and negotiated with Galaxy and clarity on details like tree pits, corner and exact markings to preserve the 8 foot all along. Latest is Pietransanti wanting to enclose permenantly their sidewalk area. Our pay back will be a wider sidewalk or bulb out as comm chair Jay tries to figure out what to tell the restaurant that it is a NO and then they go to Council and threaten to sue for as of right and Council over rides the Community decision. See?
6.3. Support for the Alexander Palmer Handball Tournament- proposal for us to sponsor two tournaments or expand the trophies to include various classes such as adult and children for last weekend in August; contact Pollyanna 646-245-2700.

7. Public Announcements
7.1. The ?“9th Avenue Renaissance ?– A Community Vision?” Report has been very well received. As many of you know, the full Community Board 4 passed a resolution requesting that the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) study the reports?’ findings as part of the federally funded project that is starting last month. If you recall, one year ago, our elected officials assisted them in obtaining substantial federal funding through the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMYC) to study Lincoln Tunnel accesses and their effect on pedestrian safety with a focus on 9th Avenue. NYCDOT is the sponsoring agency; they will conduct the study in conjunction with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). NYCDOT is assembling a Project Advisory Council for this project, and we have proposed the West 46th Street Block Association as candidates for the Elected Officials to choose from, so that you can have a more formal role in the process.
7.2. National Night Out Against Crime Celebration, Tuesday, August 7, 2007 HELL?’S KITCHEN PARK 10th Ave./47th-48th Streets, 5:00pm to 8:00pm, ACROSS THE COUNTRY RESIDENTS ARE GATHERING WITH THEIR LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS TO TAKE BACK THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. HELL?’S KITCHEN RESIDENTS AND POLICE OFFICERS ARE CELEBRATING THIS EVENT IN HELL?’S KITCHEN PARK. WE?’LL HAVE GAMES, REFRESHMENTS AND HOT DOGS! CRIME PREVENTION MATERIAL WILL BE AVAILABLE ALONG WITH BICYCLE IDENTIFICATION. THE MIDTOWN COMMUNITY COURT WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND MORE! The event is free and all are invited! Face painting for children beginning at 5:30pm. Bruce Cannon?’s Puppet show at 6:30pm. Moonwalk for kids (closed during puppet show).

8. Adjournment