West 46th Street Block Association, Inc.

January 4, 2005/ Hartley House at 413 West 46th Street

Feb 06, 2005

In attendance: Christina Boers, Oin, Darrick Sampson, Seth Sibando, June Stern and Allison Tupper
1. Welcome and Introduction
1.1. Christina introduced the new officers and welcomed new people at the meeting.
1.2. President- Darrick Sampson 212-246-9045 (tel&fax) darrick.sampson@alumni.ey.com, Vice President- Christina Boers 212-977-4684 (tel&fax) Cboersny@verizon.net, Treasurer- Allison Tupper 212-582-0923 allison.tupper@verizon.net, Secretary- POSITION OPEN
2. Reading and approval of the minutes (vote not necessary)
2.1. The November minutes were accepted. There are no minutes for December because it was a social meeting. Hans Dudelheim introduced two films to the Block Association: ?“Suite Habana?” and ?“Latin Film Festival?”
3. Reports of Officers, Boards, Standing Committees
3.1. President?’s Report
3.1.1. Darrick led a planning discussion. The group agreed on the following ways to attract resident to meetings: (a) Being specific about the agenda in advance of the meeting, (b) More advance notice of the meetings, (c) Visiting other Block Associations to see what they are doing and inquiring about their attendance, (d) Inviting political officials to speak, (e) Inviting District Manager of Community Board 4, (f) Draft Internet site http://west46streetblockassociation.org. We will conduct the following events in 2005:
3.1.1.1. Political official
3.1.1.2. Spring Clean-up in April
3.1.1.3. Ninth Avenue International Food Festival in May
3.1.1.4. Wine & Cheese Party in June
3.1.1.5. Begin a ?“Good Neighbor Challenge?”- a challenge to do something good for the neighborhood where we would pay 50% of the cost to the winning suggestion. We will introduce it on a flyer and state, ?“If you have a good idea for something to improve the quality of life on the Block, we will pay for half of it.?” We need to decide up to what amount and other parameters.
3.1.2. The group populated a calendar for 2005. See addendum, ?“2005 Calendar?”.
3.1.3. Three committee chair positions were filled: Allison Tupper will chair the Membership committee, Seth Sibanda- the Quality of Life Committee and Christina Boers- the Parks & Recreation Committee.
3.2. Treasurer?’s Report
3.2.1. Current balance is $559.74
3.2.2. We reviewed the past charitable contributions- in 2004 we donated $375 and in 2003 we donated $300. We tabled any further donations until the end of the year. [$75 to City Meals on Wheels, $150 to St. Clement?’s Church ($75 for the after school program and $75 for the food pantry) and $150 to Hartley House. In 2003 we donated $150 to St. Clement?’s Church and $150 to Hartley House.]
3.3. Secretary?’s Report
3.3.1. Darrick reported that the approximate due revenue: $110 for 2002, $160 for 2003 and $135 in 2004
3.3.2. Darrick reported that dues for 2005 are due.
3.3.3. Darrick reported that in 2004, we had 27 members (paid). We had 31 in 2003 and 22 in 2002.
3.4. Communication Committee- No report
3.5. Ivan Shapiro House Committee- Watty Strouss reported in advance of the meeting that Bill Dant will be moving and his last meeting w/ISH will likely by 1/27. Someone is needed to fill his role.
3.6. Membership Committee- No report
3.7. Parks & Recreation Committee- No report
3.8. Programs Committee- No report
3.9. Quality of Life Committee- No report
4. Reports of Special Committees
4.1. Special Events Committee- No report
4.2. Nominating Committee- No report
4.3. Midtown North Community Council- No report. June Stern will attend the January meeting and report back in February.
5. Special Orders
6. Unfinished Business and General Orders- nothing
7. New Business
7.1. Watty Strouss reported in advance of the meeting that he led caroling in the neighborhood on Christmas Eve and at Roosevelt Hospital.
7.2. Watty Strouss reported in advance of the meeting that the deadline for written testimony on the stadium matter is January 18th. The contact info is as follows: Mr. Steven J. Matlin, Empire State Development Corporation, 633 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. http://www.empire.state.ny.us
7.3. Watty Strouss reported in advance of the meeting that the sidewalk is uneven in front of the Pizza Restaurant between Ninth and Tenth Avenues. Darrick will report it to 311.
7.4. June Stern reported excessive traffic on 46th Street in the morning between 5am and 7am due to Ninth Avenue traffic ?“blocking the box?”. June will report it to 311 and attend the Midtown North Community Council Meeting http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/pct/pct018.html. According to their Internet site, they meet every third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at various locations.
7.5. Oin reported garage being left behind by City workers following pickups. Oin will report it to 311.
8. Adjournment