We Need Good Resolutions For Our Problems

A few weeks ago, some resolutions were published in the Co-op City Times. Thereafter, some of our cooperators expressed some negative feelings towards those resolutions

Big Improvements Needed

To become a board director, here is the main requirement that’s stated in our bylaws: “All Directors elected by the shareholders must be resident shareholders.” That’s basically it! Thereafter, they can write powerful resolutions that can affect our entire community in many ways. For example, here are some prior resolutions that were written for our community: Defacing/destroying Riverbay – $300 community complaint; Throwing garbage out of a window –$200 community complaint; Noise complaint – $100 community complaint; and removing a laundry basket out of a laundry room – $75 community complaint.

And, now, let’s review some recent resolutions that were discussed during our board meeting on March 8, 2023. First, we had to table (postpone until another meeting) resolution #23-09 because it stated that management should “develop and implement a program to install and maintain water sensors” under our approximately 65,000 convectors. However, there were too many unaccounted things that should have been cited within this resolution. So, this resolution couldn’t move forward for several reasons.

Resolution #23-10 amazingly required management to establish a key vault. Thereafter, “management shall direct every shareholder to submit duplicate keys.” So, someone from Riverbay would have access to every apartment here. Really? No way! So, this resolution was defeated.

This next resolution, #23-14, is controversial. Therefore, some people will agree with this resolution. And, then, well, let’s just go at it. Ready? A lot be replaced.

Now, you may have previously heard about some ments. However, some convectors throughout our community are now displaying the fact that they’re more than 50 years old. For instance, a few weeks ago, a coil ment, a hallway, and the elevators in one building. Additionally, there have been reports of other conerything else.

Question: Do you think that a convector can leak on

If your answer is no, then, please remember your response. However, if your answer is yes or even maybe, then let’s move on to a frequent and true scenario.

Example: Let’s say that a convector leak only afRiverbay will send a worker to remove only those damthink that they saved some money because they didn’t

However, again, everyone needs to understand that another leak can develop from the same convector. cooperators will have to make another appointment. Then, they will have to stay home from work and move larger water-resistant tiles, will have to be installed. Now, this resolution states that Riverbay will con-

Question: Would you spend $6.4 million on those be damaged with a little bit of water. So, why would we want to spend money on them? No! We should assume that the convector is going to leak again and At that point, the shareholder of that apartment will have to move all of their furniture again. Then, they will have to go through the same trouble before with missing work, etc. On the other hand, will the share- company. This resolution was for $1.8 million plus tax. And, again, this resolution passed with eight votes. Bottom line: Currently, we don’t have enough money to pay off our previous water bill. So, why would anyone spend $6.4 million and $1.8 million on new and old coming from? Credit? Therefore, in my opinion, we

Anyway, not surprisingly, this resolution passed with eight votes.

Close

We need to work on producing better resolutions for our community. Also, our board needs to work with our managers so that we can drastically reduce our budget. Additionally, I would like for us to start working on getting grants to upgrade our electrical systems and to replace our convector system. Currently, there are lots of systems on the market right now that can generate heat and air conditioning, without caus-

Thank you.

Contact Information

Please send a letter to: Board Director Daryl Johnson, Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Or, you can send an email to me at: djohnson@riverbayboard.com.

Also, please call me ONLY at 718-671-4544 if you would like to have a brief discussion with me. Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

Currently, the Riverbay Board of Directors is working on the proposed Fiscal Year 2023/20242024/2025 Operating Budget and 5-Year Capital Plan. These are times that foster contentious moments. As a shareholder who has been duly elected to represent all shareholders and cooperators, I have come to have a greater respect for balancing what is essential, and what is not. What is prudent, and what is not. What makes sense, and what does not.

For Those Who Are New to Being Co-op City Shareholders

The Operating Plan includes all of our day-today expenses – water bills, fuel (power plant, gas stoves, trucks & cars), salaries, equipment, insurance cost, apartment renovations, etc. The Capital Plan includes all major building and alteration work (Local Law 11 building façade work, ADA doors, elevators, etc.).

Mitchell-Lama cooperatives are one of the most misunderstood types of business corporations in existence.

The cooperative has to be a corporation. For Co-op City, it’s Riverbay Corp, which is a limited profit corporation. Riverbay Corporation has multiple assets which have to be managed 24/7/365. If the corporation is to run efficiently, 15,372 shareholders (about 15,160 actual) can’t all be in charge, nor can the 15 shareholders who we elect to serve on the Board of Directors.

We hire and assign Management the task of stewarding the day-to-day operations of Riverbay Corp.

The Board of Directors is responsible for creating and passing policy under which Management operates, and the Board is ultimately responsible for managing our fiduciary responsibilities by passing an operating & capital budget.

Arguably, there have been times when those lines have been blurred, and a course correction is needed.

Co-op City is a limited income Mitchell-Lama, whose carrying charge payments represent 95% or so of our operating expenses. We (all 15,372 apartments) are Riverbay Corp. Without our monthly carrying charge payments, Co-op City could not exist, therefore, we act as both – customers paying the dollars out, owners taking in and spending the dollars. Management is given the task of making sure that our 12-times a year investment and monthly carrying charge payments to the corporation get the best return for our dollars.

Last year, the majority of the Board voted to

Co-op City Times / March 25, 2023

Stepping Up

increase shareholders’ carrying charges by 7.5%. While I understood the fiscal necessity to do so, I voted no because, in my opinion, there were more avenues of addressing operating expenses than by reaching into the pockets of shareholders. During a recent Board Business meeting, not in Executive Session, I once again stated that it seems to always come down to making shareholders contribute more of our hard-earned money, and not finding a way to cut down on how we continually pay out hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in awarded contracts.

The Board is currently working on the proposed new 2-year Budget and 5-year Capital Plan. I’ll have more to say at an appropriate time.

Getting the Job Done

I hope that most of you took the opportunity to read the article in last week’s Co-op City Times headlined, “Cannabis Truck Removed by NYPD from Co-op City Street.” That happened because of the tireless effort on the part of a shareholder who exhausted as many avenues as it took to get the job done. It shows what can be accomplished when you work both smarter and harder, rather than by just having meetings that produce zero results.

To that end, there are several crucial legislative issues that all cooperators should rally around. As reported with the same article, there’s a reference to NYC Councilman Kevin Riley, and a Bill (Int. 0285) which he is sponsoring addressing commercial cannabis activity in New York City.

NYC residents need to contact Assemblyman Michael Benedetto’s office, as well as State Senator Jamaal Bailey’s office, sending them your comments on several new rules that may be introduced into the Rules & Regulations of the Cannabis Law, however, asking that, at a minimum, they support the following parts:

Adult Use Cannabis - Part 123.10 – (g) (13) – Retail Dispensary Prohibitions. A Retail Dispensary Shall Not: solicit or receive an order for, keep or expose for sale, or keep with intent to sell any cannabis product or cannabinoid hemp product to a can-

Co-op City Times Photo Submission Process

When submitting club articles with pictures to the Co-op City Times, please DO NOT EMBED the picture/s in the Word document. Rather, send the actual picture/s as an attachment along with the Word document for proper print reproduction. Images should be 300 DPI.

All submissions must be emailed to: cctimes@riverbaycorp.com. Thank you.

nabis consumer by means of any vehicle or wheeled frame used for transporting objects, for carrying goods and materials, including, but not limited to, a cart, car, van, truck or trailer;

Part 119 needs to be reviewed by every concerned community.

For Co-op City, 119.2, 119.3, 119.4 have to be addressed.

The website to the regulations is: https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/12/adult-use-cannabis-proposed-regulations.pdf

Additionally, the NY State Assembly is voting –or by the time you read this may already have voted – on two (2) proposals designed to raise revenue for the MTA and other agencies. The proposal is to begin taxing the deliveries we receive from the major businesses, and from our streaming services at 4% each.

In closing, I do want to emphasize how important it is for all cooperators to take a more positive concern for our community. Co-op City has its faults, though, in my opinion, one would be hard-pressed to find a better place to live. Every one of us living here (or anywhere for that matter) have issues with something that’s just not working correctly, or in their favor.

In my opinion, far too many residents spend their time talking about what’s wrong, rather than banding together to make it right or better. We have a lot of great minds in our community. We really do need to find a way to communicate what those skills are, and how we can offer more of our talents for the betterment of everyone.

Thank you for reading my viewpoint. I can be reached at: rsaunders@riverbayboard.com.

Join us for an afternoon of original spoken word!

Poetry does not begin or end. It is!

Saturday, April 1, 2023 4:00 - 5:30 PM via Zoom

Meeting ID: 890 0721 3945

Passcode: 000706

Building 23 Association

“Recognizing Women’s History Month March 2023” and Welcome to Spring!

Hello, shareholders and friends. Farewell to winter and welcome to spring! Our next Building 23 Association Meeting is April 19 at 7:00 p.m. in our Association Room. We post our meeting notices near the elevators and in our Building 23 Association bulletin board in the lobby, near our elevators.

Upcoming Events:

Our second FDNY CPR Training will be on Saturday, April 22, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Location: Building 23 Association Room, 140 Benchley Place. Things to Know: vit submission.

• The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Application is open for New Yorkers between the ages of 14 and 24. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2023. Online application: nyc.gov/syep. You can also call the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), 1-800-246-4646.

• Upcoming 2023 Board Election. Please come out and vote!

• Our Building 23 cooperators’ message line is posted in our bulletin board and given to shareholders during our meetings.

• Compactor room and laundry room etiquette is key in keeping our building safe and clean.

• When you see something, say something. Call the Co-op City Public Safety Department at 718-671-3050, NYPD at 911 or call CCPD’s Anonymous Tips Hotline at 718-879-6311.

• Floor captains are needed, you can sign up anytime or contact the Building 23 Association message line. Some of the responsibilities include: a periodicing and grounds area for missing bricks, uneven sidewalks, etc., periodic check of laundry room, compactor room and any other quality of life and building

Building 29 Association

Here is the latest.

In our March meeting, we addressed some of the concerns that were voiced in the previous meeting, including cracks in the pavements and burnt-out lighting. After contacting the proper departments, we were told that cracks will be addressed after the weather stabilizes. As for the burnt-out lighting in the plaza, necessary parts.

Also, some questions regarding Maintenance and Restoration were addressed. Some answers: long waits are basically due to a shortage of labor. Bathroom

Edgar Perez, director of Restoration, will be at our next meeting, so be sure to come and write down your questions!

Novella called for suggestions of activities that would be of interest (game night? movie night? exercise class? other?)

There were also questions about why is Section 5 considered the ‘stepchild’ of Co-op City.

Our next Book Club meeting will be discussing “The Matchmaker’s Gift” by Lynda Cohen Loigman (in May).

To note, all p.m., unless otherwise noted. Do come, even if for only for 1/2 hour...it’s your building, and we will try to answer and maybe resolve some of your concerns.

As always, we wish all our cooperators Happy Birthdays and anniversaries. Heartfelt condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. Peace, and stay safe and well.

––Katharine Wood

maintenance concerns. Please continue to call your CSO regarding concerns within your respective apartments.

• Encourage your neighbors to read the Co-op City Times, and join your Building Association meetings and activities. More information to follow at our upcoming April 19 Association Meeting.

During each meeting, we ask members to share ideas on how to best utilize our Association Room. We plan to use our Association space for learning programs for our Building 23 children such as tutoring, games and movie nights.

As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, we highlight the women in our community, home and workplace. We thank them for all that they continue to do each day.

––Betty Smith

Coalition of African-American Churches and Community Organizations General Meeting

On Wednesday, March 14, the Coalition held its regularly scheduled monthly meeting with most member organizations in attendance. As usual, at exactly LaCrown. He welcomed all the representatives with the old-timer new member, Dr. Deborah Jenkins, representing. After the necessary preamble of validating the quorum and amending the minutes of the last meeting, President Toba started with matters arising from the last meeting. Foremost on the agenda was the issue of the in-kind services by Riverbay. The president pointed out that he had submitted a letter with the necessary recommendation to the Riverbay Board of Riverbay In-Kind

Service

Dr. Toba explained to the members present that a study of the old rates by Riverbay compared to the new rates without consideration to the in-kind service rate is unacceptable. Thus, the Coalition recommended that the president of the Board should be contacted directly, and questions revolving around the submitted letter should be asked. It was a unanimous decision that the president should send a follow up letter to President Sonia Feliciano of the Riverbay Board for

President Toba did follow up with a letter, and immediately after the meeting, the letter was sent to the Board of Directors and was mailed to President Sonia Feliciano.

We decided to reach out to the Board of Directors for consideration.

The Coalition was made to understand that the letter was received by the Board but was referred to an ad hoc committee which will now review the issue and later refer it back to the Board to vote on any possible recommendation. The position of the Coalition on this issue is that the in-kind service contributions should be raised to correspond with the new fee increment.

Washington, D.C. Outreach

The Coalition has unanimously approved the idea of taking a bus trip to Washington, D.C. to tour the National Museum of the African American History and Culture between June 17 and 18. In the previous meeting, it was meant to be planned for May, but with the shortest time available for every representative to get the message to their respective organizations, the date was shifted to June in celebration of Juneteenth in Washington, D.C. The tour will include but

African American History & Culture Pass. In our subsequent posting, details of the event itinerary and what to expect during the overnight trip will be posted here. We hope the community will take advantage of this opportunity and secure a seat early enough.

––Adeyemi LaCrown Oloruntoba

Co-op City Times / March 25, 2023

Broun Place Townhouse Association

Good day, neighbors. Women’s History Month celebrations continue all through March; we hope you get to recognize someone and be recognized. This week, I salute our executive committee team: Vivian Burrus, Treasurer Lillian Richardson and former Secretary Rev. Grace Emanuel.

At the Riverbay Board Construction Committee, it was suggested that each of us exchange keys with a neighbor in case of emergency and make sure CSO knows. Also join “RUOK,” add your emergency information on that application registration. It was great seeing convector gadgets that sense and alert us in case of leaks. However, cooperators need to be updated on what they might expect from our old

Building 21 has an unusable meeting room. No meeting for us is the result. Please let me know, if you live in an “A” townhouse and would host a meeting.

I was glad to see an article reviewing pertinent questions regarding policies in Co-op City. Two major issues I wish would be addressed and lectured on more are “Succession Rights” and the required number of people for each size apartment. The income requirements are available but are the number of people required listed? An example occurred: the cooperators died, family continues paying carrying

Women’s History Month

There is a constant struggle not only in the United States but throughout the world to recognize, respect and encourage the rights of women. Women for years fought for the rights and entitlements claimed for women and girls worldwide. Their struggle formed the basis for the women’s rights movement in the 19th century and the feminist movement during the 20 and 21st centuries. In some countries, these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local customs and behavior, whereas in others, they are ignored and suppressed.

Early on, activists like Alice Paul played an important part in pushing for the rights of all women. She proposed the Equal Rights Amendyears, women’s rights advocates like Alice Paul tried to get Congress to approve the Equal Rights Amendment. Finally, in 1972, they succeeded. In March of that year, Congress sent the proposed amendment “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex” to the states tion campaign was a success. In 1977, Indiana

The amendment has never been passed. Despite this, women continue to push for the Equal Rights Amendment to be passed by Congress. We will never be silenced and we will con-

––Joyce L. Duncan

IMPORTANT!

For up-to-date communication from Riverbay Corporation, read the Co-op City Times, delivered to your building lobby and the community centers on Saturdays, tune in to the Crawler on your home TVs and lobby monitors, and register for Phone Tree no- anyone and the occupant is not on the income afno problem? But is there no problem? When the information was shared with me, I supplied the “Succession Rights” information.

Broun Place Townhouse Association is looking for residents wanting to serve on our Executive Board. The secretary’s position and member-atlarge are open. An association newsletter for all with your tidings and shout-outs is a goal of mine. Please share your news with us.

The Riverbay Board of Directors election is headlining the Co-op City Times . Information on picking up the information and petition package is now offered. Please pick-up from the Bartow Public Safety window and return similarly by March 24. signing. Voting is your cooperator responsibility, so prepare to do it.

Reviewing garbage procedures: Please dispose of clothes in the bins at Garage #6. Dumpster pad bins as follows: the white bin is for paper, while green and blue are for all other house garbage. Mattresses are required to be covered. Use pedestrian bins and pails for masks. Do not leave bags of clothes on dumpster pads.

Check where vaccine distributions sites are at: nyc.gov/vaccinefinder, call 877-VAX-4NYC or visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine. Seniors, register with the Riverbay “RUOK” emergency contact program. This is critical for those living alone or with a chronic sickness. Seniors, get involved with JASA.

A happy birthday tribute to our granddaughter, a freshman at Vassar and lacrosse team goalie; and again, Dave Lazaar’s birthday, kudos and happy birthday.

––Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar

Barbeque Salmon, Shrinp Cocktail, Chicken Francese, Pollo Asado Scrambled Eggs, Bagels, Muffins, French Toast, Bacon, Fresh Fruit Display, Penne Ala Vodka, Mac & Cheese, Sausage & Peppers, Ropa Viejas, Arroz Con Gandules, Tossed Salad, String Beans

Eastwood