Report From RIOC President Charlene Indelicato - Roosevelt Island New CFO, Red Bus Service Change, Public Purpose Funds Review, Snow Removal, Cultural Center RFP & Sportspark Classes

Image Of Roosevelt Island Red Bus At Tram Station

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato sends the following report to the community.

This past week, RIOC welcomed a new member to its staff. Frances Walton, our newly appointed Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Financial Affairs, comes to us with a rich background in public administration, banking and financial management. For more than sixteen years, Ms. Walton served as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of the Empire State Development. During this time, she directed the agency’s financial functions, including Banking, Investments, Cash Management, Debt Insurance, Budgeting, Accounting, Portfolio Management, Loans and Grants, and their Project Finance programs. She was also responsible for the management and direction of their I.T., Human Resources and Administration departments.

Prior to joining ESD, Ms. Walton served as the Senior Vice President and Director of the State of New York Mortgage Agency’s Mortgage Insurance Fund, an agency which promotes the rehabilitation of New York State communities by providing mortgage insurance to public and private lenders, as well as assisting first-time homebuyers. She was also a Public Finance banker for Chemical Securities Inc. and Lebenthal & Co. Inc. In addition, Ms. Walton has a decade of experience in finance and management positions at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. She is a former Executive Board member and Standing Committee member for the Government Finance Officers Association, a current Executive Board member and the past President of the Council for Development Finance Agencies, a Board member and former Treasurer of the Municipal Forum of New York, an Executive Board member and Corporate Secretary of the Metropolitan College of New York, and a Board member of the Northeast Women in Public Finance.

Ms. Walton graduated with an MPA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She has since worked for thirty-two years in the financial sector with public and private New York agencies and firms. We know Ms. Walton’s tenure here will be beneficial to RIOC and to Roosevelt Island as a whole; we are very pleased to have her on staff.

Red Bus Service Change

Travelers on the Red Bus should be aware that service has been changed due to construction at the southern end of the Island. Until further notice, there will be no Red Bus service to Southpoint Park. Southbound service will terminate at the Transverse Road near the Tramway. RIOC will send out advisories as updates become available. You may sign up for RIOC’s advisory service here: http://rioc.ny.gov/advisorybody.htm. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Public Purpose Funds Applications

The deadline for submission of materials for the 2014-2015 Public Purpose Funds was January 10, 2014. Twelve applications were received by RIOC; the total amount of funds requested is $239,400. Application materials have been forwarded to the RIRA Public Purpose Funds Committee, which will review the submissions and conduct interviews with the applicants over the coming months. The RIOC Board will review their recommendations for the award of grant money in the Spring. The total amount of Public Purpose Funds available for the upcoming grant period is $100,000.

Snow Removal Reminder

Drivers are reminded that in order to prepare the roads for snow removal during and after winter storms, “No Parking” advisories are issued for Main Street and the East and West Roadways. Vehicles that do not abide by these regulations may be summonsed and are subject to being towed at the owners’ expense. During this time, free 24-hour parking is available for Roosevelt Island residents underneath the Helix Ramp and inside the Motorgate Parking Garage (688 Main St.). If you have any questions, please contact the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department at (212) 832-4545 or the Motorgate Parking Garage at (212) 832-4585. You may also visit Motorgate’s offices, located on the 4th floor of the garage. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter and thank you for helping us keep the roadways clear and safe for travelers.

Construction

With the design for repairs to the hurricane-damaged Cultural Center complete, RIOC is moving forward to procure a contractor to carry out the work. The Request for Proposals for the restoration of the Cultural Center was posted on January 28, 2014. A pre-bid meeting for potential bidders was held earlier this week; bids are due on February 24, 2014.

Classes at Sportspark

Sportspark (250 Main St.) continues to offer a variety of free and low-cost indoor classes and programs. Zumba, yoga and ping-pong free play are available three times per week, and the gymnasium opens for free basketball play on Saturdays at 2 p.m. The pool is available for Open Swim sessions seven days a week and offers several swimming and aerobics classes. For more information about Sportspark’s schedule, check online at  rioc.ny.gov/Sportspark.htm or call (212) 832-4514.