Continuing to Work in Shareholders’ Best Interest

I want to start off by thanking NY State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and his staff for recognizing my wife, Shirley, and I, and presenting us with the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award at his annual Black History Month celebration. We were honored for our combined years of service on behalf of the Co-op City community.

Riverbay Board of Directors President Sonia Feliciano was in attendance and addressed the rather large gathering of cooperators and invited guests. The Guest Speaker at the February 23rd event was former Riverbay Corp. General Manager Noel Ellison.

Our immediate family members were in attendance including our son, Kris; daughter, Kelly; and grandchildren, Madison and Aidan. Also present were cousins Dr. Angela Green, join by her husband, Ronald, and Ms. Michelle Allen. Our Co-op City Baptist Church family members, led by Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams, were seated on both sides of Dreiser Auditorium. The event was both sobering and heartwarming for the both of us.

Relative to our contribution to Co-op City’s Black History recognition, my wife, Shirley, is the first Black woman ever elected (continuing to this day) to hold the position of Female Democratic District Leader, which she accomplished back in September of 1992. I became the first (and only) Black person in Co-op City’s history, elected to District 11’s Community School Board and served as President for four consecutive years. Ironically, since School Boards were eliminated by the NY State Legislature, it would appear that part of Co-op City’s Black History may last for quite some time!

Resolution 23-01 –Move in/Move out Requirements

When Co-op City opened Building 1 in December of 1968, shareholders were “required” to use a professional moving company. That requirement was strictly enforced right up until the famous “Co-op City rent strike” came to an end. The requirement existed, however the enforcement was not as stringent.

On October 18, 2016, I sent the Board a memorandum outlining several key factors supporting why the passage of the Resolution that I was about to introduce was going to play a crucial role in maintaining Co-op City’s respectable quality of life. Subsequently, I submitted Resolution 16-78. The memorandum detailed exactly what the Resolution had been designed to address, including the proposed installation of the new ADA compliant doors, coupled with the installation of our proposed new multi-million dollar elevators.

Since 2016, and especially in the post-pandemic period, subletting of apartments has been problematic. The illegal transference of apartments from one resident to another subjects the Corporation (shareholders) to lose the collection of the required equity. It also allows for individuals who might not otherwise be deemed acceptable to reside here with the opportunity to do so. U-Haul vans come into Co-op City, especially during weekends, moving families, furniture and belongings in or out, without challenge.

Today, new shareholders are given a date and time to move in, however, I believe that most cooperators would tell you that too many families move in at inopportune times of the day, using non-professional, able-bodied individuals

In light of the aforementioned fact reasons, I re-introduced the previously defeated Resolution by submitting Resolution 23-01, which was characterized last week in a Director’s viewpoint as “one of the worst resolutions in the history of Co-op City.” The Resolution is designed to formalize how shareholders should respect the values of others from day one as new cooperators. Policy for adherence to the Resolution protects all cooperators by making sure:

• That new cooperators use licensed professional movers with insurance certificates insuring Riverbay for any potential damages done to our property or fellow cooperators during the move.

• Insure with greater reliability that the shareholder moving in obtains their apartment keys with the professional mover surrendering insurance documents on the day, date, and time agreed to by Management and the new cooperator.

• That the proper safeguards be implemented by our staff to make certain

Co-op City Times Photo Submissions

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

Thank you.

that new move-ins must protect our fellow cooperators, buildings & brand new elevators.

• That there be proper protection of the newly installed accessible door assemblies and access hardware.

• Management must inspect the lobby and elevator(s) for any damages after the move in/move out has been completed.

Success is contingent upon C.C.P.D. challenging all U-Haul (type) vans and persons bringing in loads of items into our buildings especially on weekends, days or any nights. There will be exceptions, and details will be made available. I have no problem absorbing criticism as long as the critic(s) of the resolution have a viable and resourceful alternative solution.

Duplicate copy of keys held by Riverbay Corp.

The February 18th edition of the Co-op City Times published the First Reading of the proposed Resolution (23-10) which calls for the Corporation (management) to “establish a secure key depository vault containing a duplicate key of each residence within Co-op City.” I personally received multiple emails objecting to the proposed Resolution.

Convector leaks – Proactive Over Reactive

I promised to confront the convector leak problem by proactively addressing the major cause of convectors overflowing BEFORE the water comes into your apartment, not notifying you with gadgets and digital technology when the water is already in your apartment. I stand committed to do exactly that.

Identification badges to be worn by Riverbay personnel & persons doing business with Riverbay Corp.

The official policy of Riverbay Corporation requires Management to ensure that everyone working for, or contracted to work for, or on behalf of the Corporation, must wear in plain sight, an authorized Riverbay Corp. I.D. badge. The same goes for any motor vehicle parked on Riverbay property. The vehicle must display either a Riverbay “Blacktop” sticker, a Riverbay-issued permit on the dashboard, or be an official Riverbay Corp. vehicle.

The renting out of our rooms and the auditoriums by shareholders and registered community-based organizations was worked out in favor of shareholders under Resolution 22-03.

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