City Island Civic Association

The meeting was brought to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Community Center by Bill Stanton, president. The Civic Account is $14,145 and the SONE account is $10,084.

Bill Stanton reported on crime-prevention issues. There have been more arrests at the massage parlor for prostitution, and there have been reports of a speeding white tow truck on the island. Anyone who sees this truck speeding is asked to note the license number as well as the place and time and bring it to the next meeting. To report graffiti, please get a picture of the damage and a description of the perpetrator if possible.

A homeless drug addict has been seen on City Island causing problems, asking for money or food, attempting to steal pictures from Pilot Cove and sleeping behind the Post Office. Everyone should be aware of him and call 911 if he is seen doing anything illegal. He has long hair, is approximately 5’9” and 55 years of age.

The men who collect soda and beer cans for deposit money have been seen on the island, filling up shopping carts and rummaging through garbage cans, often on private property. We should not allow this to continue. Please report any incidents to the Sanitation Dept and do not encourage this activity.

Possible hate crimes have been reported at two condo developments on the Island, where signs have been displayed and various unpleasant smells sprayed in the hallways and elevators. Call 911 to report any such this activity and get a description of the offenders if you witness anything.

Paul Nani, chair of the traffic committee, reported that the 45th Precinct is continuing with its ticketing activity and motorcycle apprehensions, although some restaurants have complained that the DWI stops are affecting business. Skip Giacco reported that the Chamber of Commerce is addressing the tow truck and motorcycle problems. John Doyle, for Senator Klein’s office, will follow up on various DOT issues, such as examining the entrance to the City Island circle, where there is currently a yield sign. The stoplight near the entrance to I-95 is now a sensor light, and traffic has been flowing much more smoothly in this area. There was a report of a speed bump that was not replaced when construction was done on Cross Street, and John will look into this.

Barbara Dolensek of the overdevelopment committee reported that Omnipoint (T-mobile) has applied for a permit to put a 25-foot cell phone tower on an apartment building at 454 City Island Avenue, near Bowne Street; the application was turned down by the Department of Buildings but Omnipoint is appealing this with the Bureau of Standards and Appeals. Community Board 10 has called for a hearing on this issue on Thursday, Sept. 3, in the Community Center. Bret Collazzi, for Council Member Jimmy Vacca, reported that the application should prove that the cell phone tower is a benefit to the community, and that if the community is against it, we need to make our voices heard.

Bret also reported that there have been meetings with the mayor to discuss Jimmy Vacca’s “bad actor” bill, which is designed to address developers that go from project to project without fixing their violations. The Civic will be sending a letter to support this bill.

The issue of alternate side of the street parking was raised again in light of the fact that the Department of Sanitation cannot clean City Island Avenue adequately with cars parked along City Island Avenue. The idea would be that there would be no parking for one hour, say between 8 and 9 a.m., on one side of the street on one day of the week and on the other side on another day. Objections included the fact that it is up to the owner to clean the streets 18 inches from the curb, that the alternate side might be the next step, and that parking is difficult enough as it is. We do need a solution for cleaning the avenue, however, and will see the Chamber’s input on this issue and discuss it further at future meetings.

The Hawkins Street Park is still going through a redesign phase and has still not received all of its permits.
Please bring your nominations for Civic Board positions to the September meeting. The slate proposed by the nominating committee includes Fred Ramtfl for First Vice President, Tom Smith for Treasurer, and John Doyle for Corresponding Secretary.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.