PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York. AGENDA
1. Chair's Motion for Executive Session to Review the Proposed Privatization/Affordability Plan and Ground Extension for Island House
The Public is not permitted to attend an Executive Session.
Additional information, though limited, is available on Island House privatization at this earlier post on previous RIOC Real Estate Committee executive session on Island House.
Following the April 6 RIOC Board meeting, Island House owner David Hirschorn (in blazer and white pants) spoke with RIOC Directors, Staff and Island House representatives. I asked but was not permitted to join the conversation.
What are the circumstances under which RIOC is permitted to hold an executive session closed to the public? According to the NY State Department of State Committee on Open Government:
... The law provides for closed or "executive" sessions under circumstances prescribed in the law. It is important to emphasize that an executive session is not separate from an open meeting, but rather is defined as a portion of an open meeting during which the public may be excluded.
To close a meeting for executive session, the law requires that a public body take several procedural steps. First, a motion must be made during an open meeting to enter into executive session; second, the motion must identify "the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered;" and third, the motion must be carried by a majority vote of the total membership of a public body.
Further, a public body cannot close its doors to the public to discuss the subject of its choice, for the law specifies and limits the subject matter that may appropriately be discussed in executive session. The eight subjects that may be discussed behind closed doors include:
... (h) the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.
These are the only subjects that may be discussed behind closed doors; all other deliberations must be conducted during open meetings.
It is important to point out that a public body can never vote to appropriate public monies during a closed session. Therefore, although most public bodies may vote during a properly convened executive session, any vote to appropriate public monies must be taken in public.
The law also states that an executive session can be attended by members of the public body and any other persons authorized by the public body....
Will provide an update if information on the Island House privatization discussions becomes available.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced yesterday afternoon a "Special Meeting" of the Board of Directors to be held on Thursday August 4 in Executive Session, meaning closed to the public. According to RIOC:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. at The RIOC Corporate Office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York for the purpose of transacting such business as shall come before the Board.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. New Business
1. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Discuss the Financial History of a Particular Corporation.
IV. Adjournment
* * *
The Open Meetings Law of the State of New York requires that all public bodies conduct meetings, convened for the purpose of officially conducting public business, in a manner open to attendance by the general public to observe and listen.
I asked RIOC President Susan Rosenthal and RIOC Directors:
Can you provide the name of the "Particular Corporation" which is the subject of August 4 RIOC Board Of Directors Special Meeting Executive Session?
Also can you provide any other information regarding the reason for this meeting that can be made public at this time?
Ms Rosenthal replied:
RIOC
is the particular corporation to be discussed at the Board meeting..
I replied today:
What is reason that a discussion of RIOC financial history by Board of Directors is being held in Executive Session?
Will update when more information becomes available.
It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that the public business be performed in an open and public manner and that the citizens of this state be fully aware of and able to observe the performance of public officials and attend and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy. The people must be able to remain informed if they are to retain control over those who are their public servants. It is the only climate under which the commonweal will prosper and enable the governmental process to operate for the benefit of those who created it....
... §103. Open meetings and executive sessions.
(a) Every meeting of a public body shall be open to the general public, except that an executive session of such body may be called and business transacted thereat in accordance with section one hundred five of this article....
... §105. Conduct of executive sessions.
1. Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered, a public body may conduct an executive session for the below enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that no action by formal vote shall be taken to appropriate public moneys:
a. matters which will imperil the public safety if disclosed;
b. any matter which may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer;
c. information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense which would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed;
d. discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation;
e. collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law;
f. the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;
g. the preparation, grading or administration of examinations; and
h. the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.
2. Attendance at an executive session shall be permitted to any member of the public body and any other persons authorized by the public body....
UPDATE 8/4 - From RIOC:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special meeting of the Board of Directors previously scheduled for Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. has been CANCELLED.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee Meeting of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. at the RIOC Administrative Office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
Agenda:
1. Discussion of Modification of Public Purpose Fund Grant to RIVAA Gallery.
Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Discuss:
Legal Matters in Connection with the Youth Center Operator Contract Award
Seawall Repair Negotiations.
It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that the public business be performed in an open and public manner and that the citizens of this state be fully aware of and able to observe the performance of public officials and attend and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy. The people must be able to remain informed if they are to retain control over those who are their public servants. It is the only climate under which the commonweal will prosper and enable the governmental process to operate for the benefit of those who created it....
... §103. Open meetings and executive sessions.
(a) Every meeting of a public body shall be open to the general public, except that an executive session of such body may be called and business transacted thereat in accordance with section one hundred five of this article....
... §105. Conduct of executive sessions.
1. Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered, a public body may conduct an executive session for the below enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that no action by formal vote shall be taken to appropriate public moneys:
a. matters which will imperil the public safety if disclosed;
b. any matter which may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer;
c. information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense which would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed;
d. discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation;
e. collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law;
f. the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;
g. the preparation, grading or administration of examinations; and
h. the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.
2. Attendance at an executive session shall be permitted to any member of the public body and any other persons authorized by the public body....
UPDATE 2/26 - According to RIOC:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee Meeting of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. at the RIOC Warehouse, 680 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee will meet on Monday. According to RIOC:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, July 18, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
AGENDA
1. Introduction of New Committee Member
2. Selection of Committee Chair
3. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to:
a. Review and Discuss Terms of the Main Street Commercial Master Lease; and
b. Review the Status of Privatization/Affordability Plan and Ground Lease Extension for Island House
Upon learning of this meeting, I inquired of RIOC President Leslie Torres:
I noticed an Agenda Item for July 18 RIOC Real Estate Committee meeting included an Executive Session review and discussion of Main Street Commercial Master Lease terms.
a. Review and Discuss Terms of the Main Street Commercial Master Lease
My understanding was that the RIOC Board had already approved the Master Lease and that all that remained was to finalize some 'technical" and/or "legal" terms of the agreement. Why is it now necessary for the Real Estate Committee to review and discuss further the terms of the Master Lease?
Has something new happened since the Board approved the Master Lease Agreement? If so, what are the additional issues to be discussed?
The issues regarding the Main Street Master Leaseholder are of great concern to Roosevelt Island residents. Why does Real Estate Committee meeting discussion on this issue have to be in closed session without the public being able to attend? Is it possible to have this meeting in the open so that the public can know what is going on? For that matter, why can't the Island House privatization issues be open to the public as well?
This previous post reported on the circumstances when a RIOC Board Meeting Executive Session closed to the public is appropriate.
... (h) the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.
Will opening this Real Estate Committee meeting up to the public affect the value of these transactions? If not, it should not be in Executive Seesion.
This will be the first RIOC Real Estate Committee meeting since the June appointment of real estate conflict ridden, non-resident, non-elected Child School Executive Director Sal Ferrera to the RIOC Board. Mr. Ferrera is replacing Jonathan Kalkin who was the Chair of RIOC's Real Estate Development Advisory Committee as well as the Operations Committee.
I am concerned of the possibility that without Mr. Kalkin's business knowledge, expertise and dilligence, the RIOC Board Real Estate Committee will return to what it had always been prior to Mr. Kalkin's tenure - a rubber stamp for whatever Roosevelt Island real estate deal the RIOC staff wants to accomplish. Examples of past questionable Roosevelt Island real estate deals rubber stamped by the RIOC Board include the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club License Agreement and it's approximately $4 sq. ft 2007 extension as well as the $6 sq. ft. annual lease (RIOC 2011 -12 Budget Page 11) for the Child School's premises on the waterfront promenade facing Manhattan.
I hope that these type of give-away real estate deals do not return to Roosevelt Island.
UPDATE 7/18 - Received this response on 7/15 from RIOC Board Real Estate Committee Member Fay Christian:
As you have stated, “...the Master Lease has been approved”. The final contract is being reviewed. The same holds true for Island House.
Real Estate Committee
I replied:
Thank you for your answer.
But that's my point - if the Agreements are just being reviewed why is the discussion in Executive Session without the public being allowed to attend?
According to the NY State Department of State Open Government Committee, it is appropriate to conduct a meeting in Executive Session when:
... (h) the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.
Will anything being discussed under these reviews substantially affect the value of these Agreements? If not, the Committee meeting should be open to the Public and not in Executive Session.
1. Discussion of the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a
particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment,
employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or
removal of a particular person or corporation..
Unlike most RIOC Board meetings, there is no Public Session scheduled prior to
the April 14 Board meeting for the residents to comment on community issues.
I've asked RIOC several times why there is no Public Session for tomorrow's
Board meeting but have not received any response.
Could the RIOC Board meeting secret executive session be about the allegations
of wrongdoing leveled against RIOC President Shelton Haynes and other members
of the RIOC executive staff?
Predatory Behavior/Grooming and Fostering a toxic work environment
Disability Discrimination
Violating NYS equal employment laws
Violating NYS ethics laws: JCOPE (title 19/disclosure of outside
activities)
The group of purported RIOC employee whistleblowers making these charges call
themselves
NYS We Deserve Better.
NYS We Deserve Better has a Twitter feed.
- Hiring of cronies and promotions with fictitious titles to reward loyalists -Over the top spending with little to no oversight Interested in learning more? Read and retweet our story to help bring change to our workplace and community. https://t.co/lpqI1sB4uZ
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) April 8, 2022
There has been no public comment from RIOC about these allegations.
Or could the RIOC Board meeting secret executive session be about the apparent
firing of long time RIOC Director of Community Affairs Erica Spencer-el, who
was also named the Director of Communications last year.
On April 1, I asked RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith:
I've been told that Erica Spencer-El was fired by RIOC. is this true? When
was she fired? I'm told it was last Friday. If not true, please indicate it
is false.
I've been told that RIOC Public Safety Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso and at
least one other PSD officer escorted Ms Spencer-El from RIOC. Is that true?
Please indicate if it is false.
As Director of RIOC Communications & Community Affairs, her status is of
concern to Roosevelt Island residents and organizations.
Ms Smith replied later that day:
... please be advised that RIOC does not comment on personnel matters with the
public.
Emails to Ms Spencer-El at RIOC which previously were delivered have been
undelivered this past week.
The
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp
(RIOC) Board of Directors will
meet
in person Wednesday December 13 at 5:30 PM in the Good Shepherd Community Center
(543 Main Street) beginning at 5:30 PM.
You're invited to attend, ask questions and share concerns about Roosevelt Island during the opening
Public Session before the start of the meeting.
Sign up to speak here.
3. Appointment of Mary Cunneen
to the Position of Vice President of Operations/Chief Operating Officer of
the Corporation (Board Action Required)...
VI. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Discuss:
a. proposed, pending or current litigation; and
b. the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular
person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment,
promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a
particular person or corporation....
The appointment of Ms Cuneen as RIOC Chief Operating Officer was on the
November 14 RIOC Board Agenda but was not approved at that time. RIOC Board members asked questions regarding:
Ms Cuneen's qualifications for the position,
her previous refusal to speak with and answer questions by RIOC Board
members exercising their oversight function,
accuracy of her resume and
whether an executive search process was conducted for the position.
Ms Cuneen's appointment discussion was moved from a public session to Executive Session
without the public being allowed to attend. Following the Executive Session,
there was no announcement of any appointment to the Chief Operating
Officer position. Ms Cuneen is currently the Acting Chief Operating Officer.
... members of NY State Governor Kathy Hochul's Executive Chamber as well as
the Commissioner, General Counsel and Deputy Counsel of the NY State
Division of Homes and Community Renewal.
Though not named as defendants in the lawsuit, Mr Haynes and Ms Robinson
claim in their lawsuit that NY State Senator
Liz Krueger,
NY State Assembly Member
Rebecca Seawright
and
Roosevelt Island Daily
publisher David Stone contributed to a "racist backlash" against them.
The lawsuit also claims that Mr Haynes and Ms Robinson were excluded from
the appointment process of 3 new RIOC Board Members in an attempt to
undermine their authority and "ability to discharge their job functions."
Haynes and Robinson claim the 3 new RIOC board members are antagonistic to
them....
On December 8, Mr Haynes and Ms Robertson filed an amended complaint
adding
the Executive Chamber for the Office Governor Of NY, RIOC and recently appointed RIOC Board Director Ben Fhala (pictured on right at November 14 RIOC Board Meeting) as
defendants to their lawsuit.
1. This is a case about how the Executive Chamber for the Office of
the Governor of New York (the “Chamber”) and the Roosevelt Island
Operating Corporation (“RIOC”) have unfairly subjected Shelton J.
Haynes and Gretchen K. Robinson (“Robinson,” and together with
Haynes, the “Plaintiffs”), two African American executives, to
continuous and pervasive discrimination by, including but not
limited to, subjecting Haynes and Robinson to frequent unwarranted
investigations by the New York State Inspector General (“NYSIG”) as
well as ordering an independent investigation by an outside
counsel—something not done for other, more serious allegations—based
entirely on specious allegations of wrongdoing. The Chamber did so
while simultaneously thwarting Haynes’s and Robinson’s efforts to
fight back against the discrimination and defend themselves and RIOC
against a multitude of defamatory statements made by a local blogger and a group of disgruntled former employees.
After a seven-month investigation by an outside counsel—an
investigation that was wholly out of step with prior practice of the
RIOC Board of Directors (the “RIOC Board”) and referred to by one
RIOC Board Member as a “f****** racist witch hunt”—State officials
close to the Governor, led by Defendants Alejandro Valella
(“Valella,” who provided updates to the Chamber on the
investigation) and Diana Lopez (“Lopez”) intentionally delayed
outside counsel’s publication of a report that exonerated Plaintiffs
of wrongdoing, and instructed outside counsel to sanitize the first
draft of the report to remove and cover up the findings that
confirmed and supported Plaintiffs’ ongoing complaints of
experiencing racial discrimination while working at RIOC. Other
Chamber officials, including Defendants Roger Maldonado
(“Maldonado”), Tania Dissanayake (“Dissanayake”), RuthAnne
Visnauskas (“Visnauskas”), and Lopez, who were aware of the
discrimination findings in the report, have discriminated and
retaliated against Plaintiffs by, among other means: (1) installing
RIOC Board Members (Ben Fhala (“Fhala”) and Lydia Tang (“Tang”))
—who, from the beginning of their board tenures, have been
antagonistic to Plaintiffs—without consulting Plaintiffs (a
departure from prior practice); and (2) preventing existing RIOC
Board Members—who are supportive of Haynes and Robinson—from filling
committee vacancies. Moreover, since Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit,
Defendants have continued—and even escalated— their unwarranted
targeting of Plaintiffs by initiating yet another frivolous
investigation into them, interfering with their ability to do their
jobs, and criticizing them to the media. Through their actions,
Defendants have also subjected Plaintiffs to a hostile work
environment. In doing so, they have made their message to Plaintiffs
clear: GET OUT....
How can the Roosevelt Island community be assured that RIOC will operate
efficiently and competently when it's President and General Counsel are suing
the Governor's staff?
There was no response to my question although Plaintiffs Haynes and Robinson did appear to have frequent, friendly and amicable conversation with defendants Visnauskas
and Valella
during the November 14 RIOC Board meeting.
You can read the entire amended complaint here.
The RIOC management circus continues. Stay tuned for more.
Image of June RIOC Board Meeting ( last with Steve Shane, left of Light, as President)
A stunning development, at least in the context of Roosevelt Island governance, occurred during tonight's June Roosevelt Island Board of Directors (RIOC) meeting held in a hot, sweltering, un- air conditioned Good Shepherd Community Center. Following the Public Comment Session of approximately 40 minutes, the RIOC Board of Directors unexpectedly went into Executive Session (Note the Executive Session was not on the Agenda) to discuss what was described as an employment related issue.
The public is not allowed to attend an Executive Session of the RIOC Board so the Directors leave the public meeting room and meet in private as the public waits for them to return. At least an hour after the Board Directors went into Executive Session, they returned to the Public Board meeting announcing that RIOC President Steve Shane was no longer President, that he was going on leave pending retirement and chose RIOC CFO Steve Chironis as Interim President.
Image of Interim CEO Steve Chironis
A resident told me of seeing Mr. Shane exiting the Good Shepherd Community Center prior to the resumption of the public meeting in the company of RIOC's Fernando Martinez and Rosina Abramson and remarking to the resident that he's gone.
I sent an email to Mr. Shane asking:
Do you wish to make any comment on your retirement and leave as RIOC President.
My sincere best wishes for your future.
Mr. Shane replied:
I'm sorry it has ended. I wish the residents of the Island and the staff of RIOC the very best going forward.
Assembly Member Micah Kellner issued the following statement earlier tonight:
“As a non-voting member of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Board of Directors, I have always believed that the RIOC President is answerable to the Corporation’s Board of Directors. The law clearly states that the Board has the authority to replace the President and I respect that authority.
“I fully support the Board’s choice of Steven Chironis as Interim President, and will do everything in my power to make this transition as easy as possible, so that we can move forward on the many urgent initiatives we are pursuing on Roosevelt Island.”
Ironically, during the Public Comment Session, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Frank Farance complimented Mr. Shane by saying that despite some of their disagreements on any number of issues, Mr. Farance believed that Mr. Shane was the best RIOC President of the last 15 years.
Image of Frank Farance During Public Comment Session of RIOC June Board meeting
None of the Directors I spoke with would comment regarding the reason for Mr. Shane's departure but Mr. Kellner's statement is intriguing:
... I have always believed that the RIOC President is answerable to the Corporation’s Board of Directors. The law clearly states that the Board has the authority to replace the President and I respect that authority....
More on this to follow but regardless of the reason for Mr. Shane's departure, he has my best wishes for the future.
UPDATE 6/29 - Received the following message from NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin:
I enjoyed working with Steve Shane, particularly on Southpoint Park, and wish him all the best in his retirement. I look forward to working with the next RIOC President to make the Island an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
UPDATE 6 PM - The web cast of the June RIOC Board of Directors Meeting should be available soon.
UPDATE - 7/22 - The latest here including article about Mr. Shane's removal from NY Times City Room Blog.
Received this advisory from Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
AGENDA
1. Chair's Motion for Executive Session to Review and Discuss the Status of Privatization/Affordability Plan and Ground Lease Extension for Island House
A previous post discussed the circumstances when the RIOC Board can meet in Executive Session. An excerpt:
... a public body cannot close its doors to the public to discuss the subject of its choice, for the law specifies and limits the subject matter that may appropriately be discussed in executive session. The eight subjects that may be discussed behind closed doors include:
... (h) the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof....
More information on the circumstances under which RIOC is permitted to hold an executive session closed to the public available from the NY State Department of State Committee on Open Government.
It has been extremely difficult to obtain information regarding the privatization/affordability plan and ground lease extension for Roosevelt Island's Mitchell Lama Buildings at Island House, Westview and Rivercross. To date, none of these buildings have been privatized out of the Mitchell Lama program and only the Rivercross Building has received a ground lease extension from RIOC Board of Directors in January 2011. The reason given for Rivercross receiving a ground lease extension from RIOC was so that the Rivercross mortgage could be refinanced at a low interest rate to raise funds for building improvements. According to the January 2011 RIOC Board minutes regarding this issue (Page 9):
... In response to Mr. Kraut’s question, Mr. Leitner noted that, under the proposed agreement, as stated in term sheet item nine, the base ground rent paid to the Empire State Development Corporation (“ESDC”) would remain the same, while the amount paid to RIOC will increase by 4% compounded annually. Mr. Shinozaki noted that the entire building’s rent is less than that of some individual residential units in other buildings on Roosevelt Island. Mr. Kalkin noted that the low rent was consistent with the purpose of Mitchell-Llama properties to create and preserve affordable housing....
None of the 9 RIOC Board members live in Island House or Westview. 4 of the 6 Roosevelt Island resident RIOC Directors live in Rivercross and all 3 current members of the Real Estate Committee live in Rivercross. At the time that the Rivercross Ground Lease extension was granted by RIOC, 2 of the 3 Real Estate Committee members lived in Rivercross.
By noting that 4 Rivercross residents are on the RIOC Board and voted for the Rivercross Ground Lease extension does not indicate in any way whatsoever that anything improper occurred though some residents, not only Mr. Farance, have raised conflict of interest questions concerning this RIOC Board vote.
The conflict of interest question gets asked because so little information is made public to explain what, if any, role the RIOC Board of Directors and Staff have in deciding issues regarding the privatization/affordability plans for the Roosevelt Island Mitchell Lama Rivercross, Westview and Island House buildings, what role New York City and State agencies play in the process and what is the current status of the privatization process?
Are Roosevelt Island residents any closer to enjoying the same fast, convenient and edible offerings from mobile food truck vendors (Luke's Lobster's Rolls) as residents of other New York City neighborhoods? That was one of the Agenda items discussed at the January 11 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors Real Estate Committee meeting.
Well, the answer is that the subject of Roosevelt Island Mobile Food Truck service is still being studied and evaluated by RIOC. During the well attended RIOC Real Estate Committee meeting we learned:
Mobile Food Trucks do not need any additional licenses or permits other than those granted by New York City to operate in Battery Park City and that Battery Park City defers to NYC rules and regulations regarding Mobile Food Trucks on its streets,
RIOC believes it has the authority to require Mobile Food Trucks with NYC licenses to obtain additional permits from RIOC even thought the mobile food trucks can operate in other NYC neighborhoods,
Riverwak Bar & Grill/Nonno's Focacceria Pizza owner Alphonse DiCioccio objects to mobile food trucks on Roosevelt Island though co-owner Jonathan Hoo acknowledges that additional food choices on the Island would be a good thing, just not too close to his restaurant,
Some RIOC Directors expressed the view that existing restaurants need to be protected from the mobile food trucks while other Directors think that competition will sort things out,
a resident made the excellent comparison of banning/restricting mobile food trucks on Roosevelt Island for the benefit of protecting existing restaurants from competition to banning Fresh Direct Grocery Deliveries in order to protect Gristedes,
Main Street Master Lease Agreement allows Hudson/Related to decide whether to allow Mobile Food Trucks/Street Vendors in the area from Blackwell House to Motorgate but not in Southtown or other locations on Roosevelt Island and
the Real Estate Committee will meet in a few weeks to make a decision
Here's a video excerpt of the first 25 minutes of the meeting
and an audio webcast of the whole meeting including additional Agenda item discussion of Roosevelt Island community space which appears to be limited to Sportspark.
The community space discussion focused on the Roosevelt Island Islamic Community seeking approximately 2,000 square feet for a mosque and the difficulty they are encountering finding suitable space for its specific requirements.
Another item discussed was the Child School's offer to lease the second floor space of 504 Main Street from Main Street Master Leaseholder Hudson/Related as a dance studio and theater in the round. The first floor space at 504 is planned to be used as a new location for the Roosevelt Island Public Library.
An obvious question arises, thought not asked at the meeting, is whether having a theater and dance studio over a Public Library is the most appropriate use of the second floor space at 504. It was also reported during the meeting that the space occupied by the Roosevelt Island Youth Program may be taken over by Urban American and moved somewhere else within Roosevelt Landings/Eastwood.
The final item discussed was the Island House privatization/ground lease extension issue which was to be in Executive Session closed to the public. However, before the committee went into Executive Session, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Matt Katz surprised everyone in attendance by asking to read an email Mr. Katz received from former RIOC President Steve Shane. Mr. Shane's email read:
As I follow along with the proceedings on RI, an item of special interest has just caught my eye, namely the Real Estate Committee agenda item calling for executive session to discuss the Island House privatization. This issue has far reaching consequences for IH and WV, and indeed for the entire social political construct of the island. Not merely an economic matter. There is no excuse for "executive session" on this piece of the public's business. No individual privacy rights are involved (cf employment matters) or negotiating tactics or strategy (cf litigation).
As reported June 7,
the RIOC Board of Directors will have 3 new members who are residents of
Roosevelt Island:
Roosevelt Island Residents Ben Fhala, Michal Melamed And Lydia Tang Appointed
To Fill 3 Vacant Seats On The RIOC Board Of Directors - Approved Today By The
NY State Senate Finance Committee
... Hopes To Bring Change And Fresh Perspective To Roosevelt Island - Goals
Include Safeguarding Quality Of Life For All Residents, Managing Impact Of
Tourism And Revitalizing Northern Side Of RI Among Others...
Below is the June 29 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting
Agenda
which includes:
Chair’s Motion for Executive Session
1. Discussion of pending litigation
It is unknown if the pending litigation being discussed by the RIOC Board is
concerning:
To date, RIOC has not commented publicly on these matters to the Roosevelt
Island community.
Executive session means this portion of the meeting will be held in private,
excluding the public from attending.
With the appointment of 3 new members, the RIOC Board had a few days of every
Director's seat being filled. That only lasted a few days. According to a RIOC
Tweet:
President Haynes stated, “On behalf of the RIOC Executive Team, I want to
thank Mr. Ekpo for his deep commitment to helping grow our island and wish
him well in his future endeavors.”2/3
— Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (@RIOCny)
June 16, 2023
Mr. Ekpo’s board seat will be replaced by incoming member Michal Melamed. We
look forward to working with her and all our new Board Members to improve
our island and the lives of all island residents. 3/3
— Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (@RIOCny)
June 16, 2023
Michal Melamed was appointed to the RIOC Board to fill a vacant seat and
before Mr Ekpo left the RIOC Board. It is not known why RIOC would claim that
she was replacing Mr Ekpo.
Filling this vacant RIOC Board seat with a new appointment cannot be
considered until at least next January when the NY State Legislature is back
in session.
You're invited to attend, ask
questions and share concerns about Roosevelt Island during the opening Public
Session before the start of the meeting.
Sign up to speak here.
But be aware that RIOC Board Members and staff usually do not respond to
questions during the Public Session though sometimes they may do so or address
the subject later during the actual Board meeting.
If you have a question or concern, give it a try, you may get a response.
UPDATE 6/29 - RIOC reported this afternoon:
Roosevelt Island Community,
RIOC has been informed a clerical error was made in removing Conway Ekpo from the Board of Directors. The Governor’s office will reinstate him in January 2024 pending Senate approval.
President & CEO Shelton Haynes commented, “I was pleasantly surprised and pleased to hear about the pending reappointment of Conway. I look forward to continuing the great work we have achieved together over the years. Conway has already left an indelible mark on the community thanks to his inclusive ideas and collaborative efforts.”
... At almost 11 PM tonight, the RIRA Common Council voted to indefinitely postpone the motion to expel Mr. Farance. The vote effectively puts a stop to this draining and unproductive nonsense. Unfortunately, after the vote, several supporters of the motion to expel Mr. Farance, including RIRA President Polivy, said they are resigning from RIRA.
Prior to the expulsion motion being heard, supporters of the motion attempted to have the discussion conducted in Executive Session, meaning it would be in secret, closed to the public and the press. I strenuously objected to having the public and myself kicked out of the meeting as did many RIRA members. A vote was taken that rejected the motion to go into executive session.
The Circus was certainly here on Roosevelt Island tonight...
Here's what happened.
RIRA President Ellen Polivy and Secretary Joyce Short attempted to have the expulsion discussion of Mr. Farance held in Executive Session without a vote of the Common Council. They went as far as to instruct a Public Safety Officer to remove me from the room. However, the majority of RIRA voted to reject having the discussion in secret and I was allowed to remain.
This past month I had a death in the family. My mother was 90 years old. Her funeral lasted over an hour and a half because so many people wanted to speak. It could have gone on far longer but we had to leave the room. I was struck with how many people had been personally and privately touched so deeply by her caring. Each speaker had a different story but common theme. They each felt acknowledged, special and unique because of years of interactions. This is an impact of a life well lived whether by a 90 year old frail woman or a 20 year old young man who freely gave out hugs and a listening ear. Most of us thrive on this kind of humanity.
I want to publicly thank all the people who supported my family and me during the last few weeks. We really appreciated all the love and attention. This is what makes a wonderful community.
For a year and 4 months I have given my all to this community as the President of RIRA. With the help of many on the Council, I have tried to set up the conditions that encourage love and support of the people around us, experiences that makes for a happy living environment. I have forged good working relationships with RIOC and the board and have been able to quietly and without fanfare get things done.
For personal reasons, my available time just got tighter. Regrettably, I am unable to continue in my present role as RIRA President. I am therefore resigning immediately.
I thank you for giving me opportunity to serve the community as RIRA President. I plan to continue my other work in the community. I thank my fellow RIRA members for their commitment and hard work and I will do whatever I can to help in the future.
Respectfully, Ellen Polivy
Mr. Farance sent this statement today:
Last night's outcome was a victory in the ongoing battle for openness, fairness, transparency, and the whole community's interests ... versus the closed, secretive, and unfair tactics advocated by an inner circle. Even to the very end Ms. Polivy was disingenuously asking for Executive Session purportedly for the purpose "we don't want to do to Frank in public what he has done to us".
Ms. Polivy has used her RIRA Column to advocate in public against me, so this was yet another ruse for tactics that they were attempting outside scrutiny of the press and public.
As for the Cherry Blossom Festival and its finances, this could have all be solved had Ms. Strong-Shinozaki and the RIRA SCE committee answered questions forthcomingly and honestly, but it became a cat-and-mouse game of hunting for facts. Even with RIRA Auditor Geof Kerr's interim report, it's clear the original SCE report that caused the hullabaloo is now discredited and was worthy of questioning -- as I did at the time.
Ms. Short and Ms. Strong-Shinozaki complain of "cyberbullying" (which just means someone disagrees with them), but meanwhile Ms. Polivy is threatening to Ruin On This Island member Susan Marcus because she voted opposite Ms. Polivy's liking.
And speaking of double standards, the Ethics Committee was completely reformulated because, as Sharon Pope reported, its original incarnation, with secret meetings done in Executive Session by improperly appointed members, was created to target one or two members of RIRA (me and possibly someone else). Hopefully, RIRA can look forward to getting back to the real business of addressing the needs of the residents.
It's very sad that RIRA has imploded from within because of the inability of some members to work out their differences in a civil, respectful and professional manner.
The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will hold it's monthly meeting tomorrow evening, October 2 at 8:00 PM in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).
...I and 3 other members of the community attending the meeting were asked to leave so that the RIRA Common Council could discuss in Executive session, meaning without the public present, the following agenda item:
7. Call for Executive Session - Treasurer's Resignation...
...RIRA President Lynn Strong-Shinozaki sent out the following statement regarding the subject of the Executive Session:
On August 27, 2019 RIRA President Lynne Strong-Shinozaki discovered irregularities in the RIRA bank account.
Officers of the organization initiated an internal investigation, during which the Treasurer resigned.
An official investigation by law enforcement is underway and RIRA is fully cooperating with the authorities.
At present, there appears to be no loss of funds in the account.
Because an investigation is underway, there are limits to what may be publicly discussed. RIRA will provide updates as permitted.
In the meantime, the RIRA Common Council and its committees look forward to continuing our efforts to improve the quality of life on Roosevelt Island and to represent the interests of residents.
All questions about this matter should be directed to RIRA President Lynne Strong Shinozaki....
To date,no further information has been disclosed by RIRA to the Roosevelt Island community. Also, many RIRA members, may even be a majority of the Common Council, have expressed frustration and disappointment that they have not been informed about what happened and the extent of the financial irregularities.
Yesterday I asked RIRA President Lynn Strong-Shinozaki and the RIRA Common Council:
It's been almost a month since Lynn announced RIRA Bank account irregularities.
To date, no further information has been disclosed to the Roosevelt Island community.
I've received reports that certain members of RIRA are covering up information about what happened.
Is there any statement from RIRA as an organization or individual members to explain to the Roosevelt Island community what happened and what is being done to make sure it does not happen again.
Ms Strong-Shinozaki replied today:
Following advice of RIRA’s Tax Accountant and during the course of the police investigation, I am unable to address questions about the former treasurer and the RIRA bank accounts. There were irregularities in the checking account and the funds have been recovered.
The police have been invited to attend the next RIRA meeting to give an update on their investigation, which may take up to 90 days.
The matter of the bank account and the former treasurer was discussed in Executive Session and should have remained among the members of the Common Council. Any allegation of a cover-up suggests that discussion has been inappropriately held with individuals outside the Common Council.
As for plans going forward, RIRA now has a Finance Committee Chair that is looking at policies related to processes, expenses and budget. For example, it has always been the policy that RIRA requires two signatures on every check. This is a strong and healthy practice.
In addition, RIRA has prohibited use of a debit card. This practice was violated in the past and will be reviewed with Amalgamated Bank so that no debit card will be issued in the future.
There are other issues and policies on the table that will be reviewed; recommendations will be put forward at future RIRA meetings.
As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a Public Session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern. All members of the Roosevelt Island community are invited to attend.
will meet Tuesday May 14 in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street) beginning at 6:00
PM.
You're invited to attend, ask questions and share concerns about Roosevelt
Island during the opening Public Session before the start of the RIOC Board
meeting.
Sign up to speak here.
Authorization to Enter into Contract with Cross Contracting, Inc. for Eleanor’s
Pier Railing Replacement (Board Action Required)
and:
... Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Discuss:
a. proposed, pending or current litigation; and
b. the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular
person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment,
promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a
particular person or corporation...
The Executive Session is held in secret without the public allowed to
attend. It's possible, though not confirmed, that the employment status of
RIOC President Shelton Haynes and General Counsel Gretchen Robinson will be
discussed during the May 14 Executive Session. Mr Haynes and Ms Robinson are
currently on
paid administrative leave pending an investigation
of them about workplace concerns raised by RIOC employees.
Very important Roosevelt Island real estate issues
will be discussed tomorrow, April 3, during the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee. According to RIOC:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will now be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. at the RIOC Warehouse, 680 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
Agenda:
1. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Discuss:
a. Rivercross Arbitration Settlement
b. Southtown 8 & 9 Environmental Assessment and Zoning Overrides
c. Westview Ground Lease Negotiations
2. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee.
There is no indication that I can find on the RIOC web site about this meeting.
Stay tuned.
UPDATE 3/3 - The agenda has been amended to have the Southtown discussion in public session.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will now be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. at the RIOC Warehouse, 680 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
Amended Agenda:
1. Discussion of the Southtown 8 & 9 Environmental Assessment and Zoning Overrides
2. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Discuss:
a. Rivercross Arbitration Settlement
b. Westview Ground Lease Negotiations
3. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, February 25, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
Agenda:
1. Discussions of Public Safety Body-mount Cameras
2. Discussion of Facility Cameras in Public Areas of the Public Safety Office
3. Discussion of the Use of Outside Consultant for Public Safety Department Review
4. Chair's Motion for Executive Session for an Update on Pending Litigation
5. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee
***
The Open Meetings Law of the State of New York requires that all public bodies conduct meetings, convened for the purpose of officially conducting public business, in a manner open to attendance by the general public to observe and listen.
An audio web cast of the Operations Committee Public Session will be made available soon thereafter.
Public Safety security cameras were discussed during the February 13 RIOC Operations Committee meeting (full audio web cast of meeting here). Acting RIOC President Don Lewis said that the security camera project had previously been delayed because of:
... prior issues ... different thoughts on to how to proceed with people internally...
and that now:
... getting cameras in the Public Safety Lobby was a priority so we have taken that as a priority over many other issues...
No discussion as to what were the "prior issues" and "different thoughts" that delayed the project referred to by Mr. Lewis.
RIOC intends to place security cameras in the Public Safety Office Lobby and across the street facing Public Safety Office.
RIOC Director David Kraut asked if there were any internal cameras in the Public Safety Office and was told there were already 2 cameras in the cells. RIOC Director Margie Smith asked if they were "live" and was told the cameras have to be turned on. Ms. Smith asked why there were not always on and was told it was because of the amount of storage space required for the images from the camera feed.
Discussion then ensued regarding integrating the Public Safety Cell Cameras with the new system for the Lobby and facing the Office but in the meantime RIOC Director Michael Shinozaki made it clear that if someone is in the cell;
... I don't ever want to hear we didn't turn the cameras on...
I asked whether the camera feeds in the Public Safety Office lobby, across the street facing the Public Safety Office and at the Roosevelt Island Tram could be made available live to the public. Mr. Shinozaki and Mr. Kraut expressed interest in the idea but said further investigation would have to be made regarding privacy and technology issues raised by implementing such an idea.
UPDATE 2/25: According to RIOC:
Please be advised that the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors Meeting scheduled for Monday, February 25, 2013 at 5:30 p.m., will be held at the Manhattan Park Community Center at 8 River Road, Roosevelt Island, New York.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors will meet 5:30 PM Thursday September 5, at the Cultural Center (548 Main Street).
Image From June 2019 RIOC Board Meeting
You're invited to attend, ask questions and share concerns about Roosevelt Island during the opening Public Session before the start of the meeting. Sign up to speak here.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Board of Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center Theater, 548 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York 10044
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 MEETING OF
THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE CULTURAL CENTER THEATER, 548 MAIN STREET,
ROOSEVELT ISLAND, NEW YORK
5:30 P.M.1
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
1. June 25, 2019 Board Meeting (Board Action Required)
IV. Old Business
V. New Business
1. Appointment of Gretchen K. Robinson to the Position of Secretary and Vice President for Legal Affairs of the Corporation (Board Action Required)
2 . Presentation of the Proposed Budget FY 2020-21
3. President’s Report
4. Committee Reports
a. Audit Committee
b. Governance Committee
c. Operations Advisory Committee
d. Real Estate Development Advisory Committee
Public Safety Report
VI. Executive Session
1. Discussion of personnel matters
VII. Adjournment
__________________________
1 The RIOC Board Meeting will commence following a public comment period. The public comment period is not part of the meeting.
Don't know what the Executive Session regarding "personnel matters" is about but RIOC recently dismissed 2 long time staffers. A RIOC spokesperson explained:
Over the past year, RIOC's executive team has taken on the challenge of strategically planning the future of our organization. Unfortunately, this means we must say goodbye to colleagues who have been part of our RIOC family for quite some time. These decisions are difficult but necessary as RIOC constantly strives to become as efficient and productive as possible for our residents and stakeholders.
The Island is currently experiencing an economic boom in real estate with the construction‐in‐progress for Southtown Building 8 and 9, the completion of phase 1 of the multi‐billion‐dollar Cornell Tech campus site, and the evolution of the original residential complexes. These developments are the main drivers for the increased revenues and expenses mentioned below. This would support the need to increase funding to the Public Safety Department, Community Relations activity, professional support, training, etc. RIOC is contractually and statutorily required to maintain infrastructure and provide adequate service to the Island to accommodate this growth. Accordingly, RIOC is in the midst of significant infrastructure and facilities repairs and improvements as outlined on pages 8 through 10 of the budget. Changes year over year are discussed below:
The Proposed Budget FY 2020‐21 projects capital improvements in the amount of $40,881,000, an increase of $6,217,000 over the Approved Budget FY 2019‐20 amount of $34,664,000. The Proposed amount primarily consists of capital projects in the projected amount of $38,811,000, but also includes the capitalized purchase of equipment and vehicles in the amount of $470,000 as well as capital reserve and contingency in the amount of $1,600,000. Categories of projects include sports fields and parks, historic and landmark structures, infrastructure improvements, facilities and offices, special projects and the Tramway.
For sports fields and parks, the Proposed Budget FY 2020‐21 projects expenditures in the amount of $17,235,000, an increase of $8,609,000 over the Approved Budget FY 2019‐20 amount of $8,609,000. The increase is mainly due to the projected Lighthouse Park Expansion and Partial Reconstruction.
For historic and landmark structures improvement, the Proposed Budget FY 2020‐21 projects expenditures in the amount of $1,327,000, a decrease of $386,000 from the Approved Budget FY 2019‐ 20 amount of $1,703,000. The decrease is mainly due to the completion of the Hope Memorial (Construction/Granite procurement) in FY 2019‐20.
For infrastructure improvements, the Proposed Budget FY 2020‐21 projects expenditures in the amount of $16,831,000, a decrease of $3,357,000 from the Approved Budget FY 2019‐20 amount of $20,188,000. The decrease is mainly due to the projected completion of the Seawall‐Railings Replacement (Construction) in FY 2019‐20 and the phasing of the Southpoint Open Space Park – Seawall (Construction) over three years.
For facilities and office improvements, the Proposed Budget FY 2020‐21 projects expenditures in the amount of $1,043,000, an increase of $1,043,000 over the Approved Budget FY 2019‐20 amount of $0. The increase is mainly due to the projected improvement of the Motorgate Plaza and Atrium, the Youth Center Refurbishment and the Dayspring Church.
For equipment and vehicles, the Proposed Budget FY 2020‐21 project expenditures in the amount of $470,000, a decrease of $30,000 over the Approved Budget FY 2019‐20 amount of $500,000. The decrease is mainly due to the projected purchase of equipment in FY 2019‐20.
For lighting and signage, the Proposed Budget FY 2020‐21 projects expenditures in the amount of $0, a decrease of $280,000 over the Approved Budget FY 2019‐20 amount of $280,000. The decrease is due to the completion of the Signage and Traffic Analysis project in 2019‐20.
For the Tramway, the Proposed Budget FY 2020‐21 projects expenditures in the amount of $2,385,000, an increase of $664,000 over the Approved Budget FY 2019‐20 amount of $1,721,000. The increase is mainly due to the projected overhaul of the Tram Rope, the improvement to the Tram Plaza – Roosevelt Island, and the construction of the Tram Elevator – Manhattan.
For the miscellaneous, the Proposed Budget FY 2020‐21 projects expenditures in the amount of $1,600,000, a decrease of $63,000 from the Approved Budget FY 2019‐20 amount of $1,663,000. The decrease is mainly due to the engagement of an Owner’s Representative to facilitate the many projects offset by a reduction in the contingency....
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
