Showing posts with label Participatory Budgeting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Participatory Budgeting. Show all posts

Thursday, March 23, 2023

NYC Council Member Julie Menin Announces Participatory Budgeting Vote Week Starts March 25 For All District 5 Residents 11 Years And Older - $300 Thousand Upgrade Of Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Bathrooms On The Ballot

 Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Julie Menin reports:

Participatory Budgeting Vote Week will kick off on Saturday, March 25th, and run until Sunday, April 2nd. This year, residents age 11 and older of Council District 5 (Yorkville, Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, Roosevelt Island, Midtown East, Sutton Place, and El Barrio in East Harlem) will be able to vote online at https://vote.pbnyc.org/. 

Roosevelt Island residents can vote in person at the Roosevelt Island Library (504 Main Street).

Ms Menin adds:

In September 2022, my office was allocated one million dollars of capital funding to continue participatory budgeting for the residents of New York City Council District 5. Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget on capital projects. About 50 project proposals were submitted and vetted by City agencies to ensure compliance and feasibility. Ballot items must be a physical infrastructure project that benefits the public, has an estimated cost of at least $50,000 but not more than $550,000, and has a lifespan of at least 5 years.

 I am  pleased to announce a list of 10 items—each ranging in cost from $100,000 to $500,000—that will be put for a vote between March 25th through April 2nd. The projects with the most votes up until $1 million has been accounted for will be funded. 

Among the District 5 Participatory Budgeting projects on the ballot to be voted on is a $300 Thousand upgrading of local school PS/IS 217 bathrooms. 

Roosevelt Island projects not approved for Participatory Budget funding were:

The full NYC Council District 5 Participatory Budgeting Ballot is below.

According to a press release from Ms Menin's office:

Winning projects will be announced in May and included in the City’s budget at adoption in June 2023.

In last year’s cycle, Council Member Julie Menin announced the results of her first annual participatory budgeting process within New York City Council District 5, which garnered a total of 1,838 votes and a tie for first place between the top two projects. Council Member Menin had previously announced that projects with the most votes up until $1 million has been accounted for will be funded. As a result of last year's success, Council Member Menin allocated additional capital funding in order to fully fund the top six voted projects totaling $1,380,000.

“Since I served on the Board of Citizens Union, I have been a longtime proponent of Participatory Budgeting and am thrilled with last year's success. Government must ensure that New Yorkers have civic engagement opportunities and have a voice in the budgetary process. As we approach voting week, filling out a ballot is a great way to be involved with the pulse of the community and determine the best use of city dollars,” said Council Member Julie Menin.

Confirmed voting locations are:

Council Member Julie Menin’s District Office (444 E 75th St, Unit 1B, New York, NY 10021)

Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (415 E 93rd St, New York, NY 10128)

Webster Library (1465 York Ave, New York, NY 10075)

Roosevelt Island Library (504 Main St, New York, NY 10044)

67th Street Library (328 E 67th St, New York, NY 10065)

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House (331 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021)

Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright’s District Office (1485 York Ave, New York, NY 10075)

Asphalt Green - Upper East Side Campus (555 E 90th St, New York, NY 10128)

Check the Council Member’s website Participatory Budgeting 2023 - Julie Menin (nyc.gov) for scheduling and all voting sites. For more details or to request a paper ballot, please contact the Office of Council Member Julie Menin at 212-860-1950 or email District5@council.nyc.gov. 

Last year, the Roosevelt Island Public Library was among the District 5 libraries to share a portion of $250 thousand in Participatory Budget funding for technology upgrades. In 2016, Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 received $500,000 in Participatory Budget Funding for a Green Roof from former Council Member Ben Kallos which was completed in 2021.

Participatory budgeting does have critics.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 11:47:00 AM 0 comments

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Monday, March 13, 2023

NYC Council Member Julie Menin Releases 2023 Participatory Budget Ballot Projects To Be Voted On By Constituents March 25 To April 2 - Find Out If Any Roosevelt Island Submissions Made The Ballot

According to the NYC Council:

Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) is Here!

Following months of agency vetting and deliberation, Budget Delegates have crafted their ballot that will be in their respective districts during a nine-day voting period for Participatory Budgeting.

Vote Week will begin on Saturday, March 25th through Sunday, April 2nd. What is Participatory Budgeting? 

Below are the NYC Council Member Julie Menin's Participatory Budget projects that will be voted on by residents of the 5th District, which includes Roosevelt Island.

Among the District 5 Participatory Budgeting projects which passed the vetting and deliberation stage is a $300 Thousand upgrading Of local school PS/IS 217 bathrooms.  

I asked Ms Menin's office if the $150 Thousand project for installation of 30 new trees with tree guards throughout District 5 would include placement on Roosevelt Island. Ms Menin's representative replied:

If the new trees and tree guards are selected during PB, then the forestry unit within the Parks Department will determine where the new trees and tree pits will be planted. Unfortunately, our office does not have control over where the new new trees will go.
A Roosevelt Island Participatory Budgeting voting location will probably be at the RI Public Library branch (504 Main Street). Confirmation of that will come soon. Voting can also be done online.
Roosevelt Island projects submitting for Participatory Budgeting but not passing the vetting stage included:


Here's more from the NYC Council on NYC Participatory Budgeting:

Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. The process began in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1989. Today, there are more than 3,000 participatory budgeting processes around the world, most at the municipal level. What is PBNYC?

In 2011, four New York City Council Members – Brad Lander, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Eric Ulrich, and Jumaane D. Williams – launched a PB process to allow residents in their district to allocate part of their capital discretionary funds. Over the years, the process has grown to include a majority of Council Members, giving communities real decision-making over more than $30 million in taxpayer money on an annual basis.

Participatory Budgeting in New York City (PBNYC) plays an important role in giving communities the ability to directly impact the capital budgeting process. It motivates New Yorkers to engage the civic process and make decisions by sharing ideas, developing proposals, and voting on community projects. Since 2011, PBNYC has strengthened our communities and made our city stronger over the last few years.

This year, 30 Council Members across New York City are asking residents how to spend at least $30 million in capital funding, specifically for local improvements to schools, parks, libraries, public housing, streets and other public spaces. PBNYC funds physical infrastructure projects that benefit the public, cost at least $50,000 and have a lifespan of at least 5 years...

More on NYC Participatory Budgeting here.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:36:00 PM 0 comments

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Thursday, October 13, 2022

Submit Your Roosevelt Island Infrastructure Project To NYC Council Member Julie Menin For District 5 Participatory Budget Funding, Deadline Is October 17 - Gallery RIVAA Seeking Participatory Budget Funding For Heating, Air Conditioning And To Renovate Staircase

According to the NYC Council: 

This year, 30 Council Members across New York City are asking residents how to spend at least $30 million in capital funding. Between September and October, you can propose ideas that would improve public spaces such as schools, parks, libraries and public housing in your community.

Submit your ideas via our online, digital map here. Let the participation begin! What is Participatory Budgeting?

Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. The process began in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1989. Today, there are more than 3,000 participatory budgeting processes around the world, most at the municipal level....

Click here for more info. 

Roosevelt Island and Upper East Side NYC Council Member Julie Menin adds in this release from her office: 

Council Member Julie Menin is proud to announce an allocation of one million dollars to continue participatory budgeting for Council District 5 (Yorkville, Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, Roosevelt Island, Midtown East, Sutton Place, and El Barrio in East Harlem). Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. Since her time serving on the Board of Citizens Union, Council Member Julie Menin has championed the importance of civic participation in our budgeting process.

A total of one million dollars of the Council Member's discretionary budget allocation can be used for physical infrastructure projects that benefit the public, cost at least $50,000, and have a lifespan of at least 5 years. For example, projects such as local improvements to schools, parks, libraries, housing, and other public spaces can be funded.

Area residents are invited to share project ideas that could be implemented within her Council District by visiting this website and sharing proposals by October 17, 2022.

Ideas are then submitted to the respective City agency for evaluation and cost and Council Member Menin’s Office works with community partners to formulate a ballot for voting. Ballots will be distributed throughout the East Side of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island as well as through an online portal for voting.

The last cycle winners were:

Schoolyard Resurfacing for M.S. 114 and P.S. 138  - 798 votes; This $380,000 project will replace the slippery, degraded mats of the schoolyard that date back to the building's construction over a decade ago. This will improve the overall safety and sanitary conditions for the students

Technology Upgrades at New York Public Libraries - 798 votes; This $250,000 project will provide technology enhancements at Roosevelt Island, Webster, and 67th Street Libraries.

Pathway Repavings- 747 votes; This $300,000 project will repave 10,000 square feet of paths in Carl Schurz Park.

Additional Projects that were funded with $380,000:

Four NYPD Cameras- 668 votes; This $160,000 project will fund 4 NYPD cameras in Council District 5. These security cameras would enhance crime prevention, provide a sense of security in public areas, and establish surveillance in underserved areas.

M.S. 177 Bathroom Renovations- 665 votes; This $225,000 project will renovate one faculty and one student bathroom, both of which are in a general state of disrepair. It would upgrade the sinks, faucets, toilets, soap dispensers, mirrors, tile floors, stalls, paper towel dispensers, and urinals.

P.S. 151 Water Bottle Filling Stations- 652 votes; This $64,000 project will install 8 water bottle filling stations to cover each of the five floors of the school.

“I’m very excited to begin another cycle of Participatory Budgeting. Our Office’s first annual participatory budgeting process was an unqualified success with robust community engagement as over 1800 constituents cast ballots,” said Council Member Julie Menin. “In the last cycle, we funded critical community projects that focused on supporting our schools, protecting our green space, and promoting public safety. I look forward to engaging with the community and funding more great projects as we run Participatory Budgeting for a second year.”

There is currently one Roosevelt Island project submitted to Council Member Menin for Participatory Budgeting funding.

Roosevelt Island resident and 

Gallery RIVAA artist Laura Hussey submitted this project for Gallery RIVAA: 

My project idea is: To install heat and air conditioning in our community art gallery and to renovate the staircase so that people could: Better utilize our programs and more easily access the bathroom by renovating it and the staircase which is currently difficult to navigate. At the present time we are functioning with no heat or A/C at all. The bathroom is difficult for elderly people to reach because of the staircase.

Do you have an idea for Roosevelt Island infrastructure project needing funding. Click here to submit your idea and for more info.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 4:57:00 PM 0 comments

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Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Roosevelt Island Public Library Selected To Share $250 Thousand In Participatory Budget Funding From NYC Council Member Julie Menin - NYPL RI Branch Manager Carlos Chavez Says Money To Be Used For Tech Upgrades Including New Computers, Laptops, Printers, Fax Systems And WiFi Access

Roosevelt Island and Upper East Side NYC Council Member Julie Menin announced yesterday that the Roosevelt Island Public Library was among the winners in the District 5 Participatory Budgeting voting and will share $250 Thousand with the Webster and 67th Street New York Public Library branches to fund technology upgrades.  

Roosevelt Island NYPL Branch Manager Carlos Chavez 

reports:

The Roosevelt Island Library is honored to be selected by the community to receive this funding along with our fellow libraries that will be put towards upgrading and refreshing branch technology, which includes desktop computers, laptops, printers, fax systems and WiFi access. Many thanks to Council Member Menin and Roosevelt Islanders for showing their appreciation of the library and we look forward to seeing you at the branch!

According to April 18 press release from Ms Menin:

Council Member Julie Menin is proud to announce the results of her first annual participatory budgeting process within New York City Council District 5, which garnered a total of 1,838 votes and a tie for first between the top two projects. Council Member Menin had previously announced that projects with the most votes up until $1 million has been accounted for will be funded. As a result of this year's success, Council Member Menin will be allocating additional capital funding in order to fully fund the top six voted projects totaling $1,380,000.

The winning projects are as follows:

 

Schoolyard Resurfacing for M.S. 114 and P.S. 138  - 798 votes; This $380,000 project will replace the slippery, degraded mats of the schoolyard that date back to the building's construction over a decade ago. This will improve the overall safety and sanitary conditions for the students

 

Technology Upgrades at New York Public Libraries - 798 votes; This $250,000 project will provide technology enhancements at Roosevelt Island, Webster, and 67th Street Libraries.

 

Pathway Repavings- 747 votes; This $300,000 project will repave 10,000 square feet of paths in Carl Schurz Park. 

“I am thrilled that our Office’s first annual participatory budgeting process was an unqualified success with robust community engagement,” said Council Member Julie Menin. “Not only is my office providing the one million dollars to fund the three winning projects, but in response to the enormous success of this year's cycle and the critical need for capital improvements, I am proud to raise my commitment to $1,380,000 to fund an additional 3. Hundreds of constituents have reached out to our office about these projects so it is great to foster civic engagement in the entire community and help these projects come to fruition. I look forward to growing participatory budgeting in future years!”

 

“All of us are delighted to have this funding to begin the renovation of our school yard. We are eager to revive our yard with new matting that will keep our students happy, safe and clean," said David Getz, the Principal of M.S. 114 and P.S. 138. 

 

“The New York Public Library is grateful to the community for selecting our branches -- Roosevelt Island, Webster, and 67th Street libraries -- to be the recipients of $250,000 for technology improvements," said Sumie Ota, The New York Public Library's Associate Director for the East Manhattan Neighborhood Library Network. "It is an honor to be chosen by those we serve to receive this important funding, which supports the vital resources and services available at our branches. Thank you to Council Member Menin and the residents of the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island for this wonderful recognition.” 

 

"We are heartened and inspired by the outpouring of support from the community. It is wonderful to see that Carl Schurz Park means so much to so many,” said Judy Howard, Board Chair of the Carl Schurz Park Conservancy. 

 

Additional Projects to be funded:

 

Four NYPD Cameras- 668 votes; This $160,000 project will fund 4 NYPD cameras in Council District 5. These security cameras would enhance crime prevention, provide a sense of security in public areas, and establish surveillance in underserved areas.

 

M.S. 177 Bathroom Renovations- 665 votes; This $225,000 project will renovate one faculty and one student bathroom, both of which are in a general state of disrepair. It would upgrade the sinks, faucets, toilets, soap dispensers, mirrors, tile floors, stalls, paper towel dispensers, and urinals.

 

P.S. 151 Water Bottle Filling Stations- 652 votes; This $64,000 project will install 8 water bottle filling stations to cover each of the five floors of the school.

"We are thrilled to have been granted the funding for new bathrooms at Yorkville East Middle School. This was driven by our students and their families, and we're so happy their voices were heard. The process of participatory budgeting brought an important and meaningful civics lesson to our entire student body. Thank you, CM Menin, for bringing this opportunity to our school," said Christina Riggio, the Principal of M.S. 177. 

 

Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. Over 40 project proposals were submitted and vetted by City agencies to ensure compliance and feasibility. Ballot items must be a physical infrastructure project that benefits the public and on City-owned property, have an estimated cost of at least $50,000 but not more than $550,000, and have a lifespan of at least 5 years. Council Member Menin had announced that projects with the most votes up until $1 million has been accounted for will be funded. 

 

In this year’s cycle, residents aged 11 and over of City Council District 5 (Upper East Side's Yorkville, Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, Roosevelt Island, Midtown East, Sutton Place, El Barrio in East Harlem) had the opportunity to vote for up to five projects from a range of nine different projects.

 The vote tally was as follows.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:55:00 PM 0 comments

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Monday, April 4, 2022

Roosevelt Island NY Public Library Technology Enhancements Among Projects On NYC Council Member Julie Menin's District 5 Participatory Budget Funding Ballot - All Roosevelt Island Residents Over 11 Years Old Eligible To Vote, Pick Up Ballot At Library Or Vote Online Thru April 10

As reported last January 18, according to Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Julie Menin:

...I’m very excited as we begin this Participatory Budgeting cycle. Participatory budgeting is a great way to get the pulse of the community and formulate the best use of city dollars. Participatory Budgeting shows the power and importance of this grassroots fueled process and I look forward to engaging the community.... Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget.

It's now time for residents of Ms Menin's NYC Council District 5 to vote on projects to be funded through Participatory Budgeting.

Earlier today, staff members from Ms Menin's office joined with Roosevelt Island NYPL branch manager Carlos Chavez to let the Roosevelt Island community know that participatory budget voting has begun and that all residents 11 years and older can pick up a ballot and vote in person at the Roosevelt Island library or vote online through through April 10.

Among the items on the District 5 ballot are funding for technology enhancements to the Roosevelt Island NYPL branch (Item #9).

According to this March 29 Press Release from Julie Menin's office:

In January 2022, Council Member Julie Menin announced that her office was allocating one million dollars of capital funding to continue participatory budgeting for the residents of New York City Council District 5. Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. Over 40 project proposals were submitted and vetted by City agencies to ensure compliance and feasibility. Ballot items must be a physical infrastructure project that benefits the public and on City-owned property, have an estimated cost of at least $50,000 but not more than $550,000, and have a lifespan of at least 5 years.

 

Council Member Julie Menin is pleased to announce a list of 9 items—each ranging in cost from $64,000 to $550,000—that will be put for a vote between April 2 through April 10. The projects with the most votes up until $1 million has been accounted for will be funded.

 

The ballot is as follows:

Participatory Budgeting Vote Week will kick off on Saturday, April 2, and run until Sunday, April 10. This year, residents age 11 and older of Council District 5 (Yorkville, Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, Roosevelt Island, Midtown East, Sutton Place, and El Barrio in East Harlem) will be able to vote online at https://www.participate.nyc.gov/processes/ccdistrict5. For more details or to request a paper ballot, please contact the Office of Council Member Julie Menin at 212-860-1950 or email District5@council.nyc.gov. 

Winning projects will be announced in late April and included in the City’s budget at adoption in June 2022.  

“I have been a longtime proponent of Participatory Budgeting since I’ve served on the Board of Citizens Union. Civil engagement is so important to improve our district, because we can ensure that our community has a voice in these important budgeting decisions. As we continue through this process of the Participatory Budget, filling out a ballot is an integral part of civic engagement and impacting your community,” said Council Member Julie Menin.  

“We would love community support for our schoolyard surface rehab. The old, degraded mats no longer drain well, and have become a hazard. The residue coats our sports equipment and the hands of our students in a black, oily patina. The slick and buckled surface limits school activities and is unsafe for any use by our co-located special needs school, PS138,” said David Getz, the Principal of East Side Middle School.  

“Civic engagement is vital to the success of our communities and deeply rooted in the mission of The New York Public Library, which provides resources and services for all New Yorkers," said Sumie Ota, The New York Public Library's Associate Director for the East Manhattan Neighborhood Library Network. "We are grateful to be considered for this important funding to upgrade technology at Roosevelt Island, Webster, and 67th Street libraries. Thank you to Council Member Menin and the residents of the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island for recognizing your local libraries as a community partner worthy of such support."

More info on Participatory Budget voting here.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:33:00 PM 0 comments

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Tuesday, January 18, 2022

6 Days Remain To Submit Roosevelt Island Infrastructure Projects To NYC Council Member Julie Menin For Participatory Budget Funding - Check Out The Roosevelt Island Skateboard Park Project Proposal

Newly elected Roosevelt Island, Upper East Side and East Harlem  NYC Council Member Julie Menin is continuing the practice of former Council Member Ben Kallos in allocating capital funds for District 5 infrastructure projects thru the participatory budget process. 

Ms Menin reports:

I’m very excited as we begin this Participatory Budgeting cycle. Participatory budgeting is a great way to get the pulse of the community and formulate the best use of city dollars. Participatory Budgeting shows the power and importance of this grassroots fueled process and I look forward to engaging the community.
According to this press release from Ms Menin's office:

Council Member Julie Menin is proud to announce an allocation of one million dollars to continue participatory budgeting for Council District 5 (Yorkville, Lenox Hill, Carnegie Hill, Roosevelt Island, Midtown East, Sutton Place, and El Barrio in East Harlem).  Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. Since her time serving on the Board of Citizens Union, Council Member Julie Menin has championed the importance of civic participation in our budgeting process.


A total of one million dollars of the Council Member's discretionary budget allocation can be used for physical infrastructure projects that benefit the public, cost at least $50,000, and have a lifespan of at least 5 years. For example, projects such as local improvements to schools, parks, libraries, housing, and other public spaces can be funded. 

 

... residents are invited to share project ideas that could be implemented within her Council District by visiting this website and sharing proposals by January 23rd, 2022. Interested parties that wish to volunteer and assist with the process should create an account with (or sign into) NYC.ID. This platform allows residents to comment on and vote for their favorite ideas.


Ideas are then submitted to the respective City agency for evaluation and cost and Council Member Menin’s Office works with community partners to formulate a ballot for voting. Ballots will be distributed throughout the East Side of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island as well as through an online portal for voting from April 2nd through April 10th. Winners will be announced in late April and included in the City’s budget at adoption in June of 2022. 

As previously reported, the Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 green roof was built with Participatory Budget funds.

So far, one Roosevelt Island project has been submitted for participatory budget funding. Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth & Education  (CY&E) Ad Hoc Committee Chair Adib Mansour is proposing a Roosevelt Island Skateboard Park underneath the Motorgate Helix/Ramp.

 

Click here to learn more about the Participatory Budget funding process and to submit your proposal for a Roosevelt Island project.

More on the Roosevelt Island Skateboard project Participatory Budget submission here and at this prior post.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 4:44:00 PM 0 comments

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Friday, April 5, 2019

You Can Vote Now To Fund Restoration Of Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Public Access With NYC Council Member Ben Kallos Participatory Budget Grant - Deadline Sunday April 7, RI Residents 11 Years And Older Eligible To Vote


Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos is seeking your help in allocating $1 Million in 2019 Participatory Budget funding of Manhattan Council District 5 capital projects. According to Council Member Kallos:
Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. In other words, the people who pay taxes decide how tax dollars get spent. Participatory budgeting is grassroots democracy at its best. It helps make budget decisions clear and accessible. It gives real power to people who have never before been involved in the political process. And it results in better budget decisions - because who better knows the needs of our community than the people who live there?...

... For the time being, PBNYC only deals with CAPITAL money. That means community members can propose projects like improvements to schools, parks, libraries, public housing, and other public or community spaces...
And:
Each year residents in my district ages 11 or at least in the 6th grade may vote on how to spend one million dollars in the community through Participatory Budgeting. You can see the ballot at BenKallos.com/pb/ballot, which was decided with the process is run by residents just like you who volunteer as Delegates. Learn more at BenKallos.com/PB...
Among the project on Council District 5's Participatory Budget Ballot.

is the restoration of Public Access to the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse:
Item 5 R.I. Lighthouse Restoration for Public Access
900 Main St.($800,000)
Restore the Roosevelt Island lighthouse to allow for public access
You can vote online here for restoration of public access to the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse. But do it soon because voting ends Sunday, April 7. Vote now for public access to the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse.

Take a look at the gorgeous Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

and currently rare view seen from the Lighthouse Top.

During the March 7 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors meeting, Project Manager Prince Shah discussed the Lighthouse Renovation Project.



So, if you are a Roosevelt Island resident or live in  Councili District 5, over the age of 11 (or at least in the 6th grade) and would like Participatory Budget funding for public access to the Roosevelt Island Lightouse please vote online here.

In 2016, Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 was awarded $500,000 in Participatory Budget funding for a green roof.

Also, a brief history of the Lighthouse from the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS):
... This small lighthouse stands at the northern tip of Roosevelt Island on a projection of land which was at one time a tine separate island connect connected to the main one by a wooden bridge. Local legend maintains that during the 19th century a patient from the nearby Lunatic Asylum was permitted to build a stone fort on this outcropping since he feared an invasion by the British. When plans were formulated to build the lighthouse, this patient allegedly was persuaded to surrender the fort only AFTER much cajoling and a bribe of bogus money. The tale continues that the patient himself demolished the fort and built the new lighthouse, carving the inscription:

... This is the work Was done by John McCarthy
Who built the Light House from he bottom to the Top
All ye who do pass by may Pray for his soul when he dies....
Click here for more information on the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse from RIHS and here to vote for Participatory Budget funding to restore public access to the Lighthouse.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 1:52:00 PM 0 comments

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Monday, April 9, 2018

NYC Participatory Budget Voting This Week - Roosevelt Island NY Public Library Tech Upgrade And PS/IS 217 Cafeteria Renovation Among Projects On Ballot For Funding By Council Member Ben Kallos

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos is seeking your help in allocating $1 Million in 2018 Participatory Budget funding of Manhattan Council District 5 capital projects. According to Council Member Kallos:

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. In other words, the people who pay taxes decide how tax dollars get spent. Participatory budgeting is grassroots democracy at its best. It helps make budget decisions clear and accessible. It gives real power to people who have never before been involved in the political process. And it results in better budget decisions - because who better knows the needs of our community than the people who live there?...

... For the time being, PBNYC only deals with CAPITAL money. That means community members can propose projects like improvements to schools, parks, libraries, public housing, and other public or community spaces....
And
Each year residents in my district ages 11 or at least in the 6th grade may vote on how to spend one million dollars in the community through Participatory Budgeting. You can see the ballot at BenKallos.com/pb/ballot, which was decided with the process is run by residents just like you who volunteer as Delegates. Learn more at BenKallos.com/PB

VOTING: April 7 – APRIL 15

Vote in our District Office, 244 E. 93rd Street:
Monday – Friday, 4/9 - 4/15, 9AM - 5PM

We will also make voting more convenient by bringing the ballots closer to you at mobile voting sites throughout the district with help from this cycle’s budget delegates who will be sponsoring even more vote sites as they continue to shepherd the process. We hope you will consider volunteering with our office:...
You can also vote online.
There are two Roosevelt Island capital projects on the Manhattan Council District 5 Participatory Budget Ballot:
1- NYPL District Libraries Technology Upgrade
E. 67th St, Webster & Roosevelt Island($200,000) New computers, printers, self-checkout kiosks, phone systems, network equipment and free high-speed WiFi.

7- PS/IS 217 Cafeteria Renovations
645 Main St, Roosevelt Island ($300,000) Re-tiling cafeteria floors and fixing cracks.
Roosevelt Island resident Irena Skuletic proposed Participatory Budget funding of the PS/IS 217 cafeteria. Ms Skuletic reports:
It’s that time of the year again! Roosevelt Island has another project on city’s Participatory Budget Ballot — PS/IS 217 cafeteria floor repair! Please make sure you cast your vote on April 11th or April 13th.

PS/IS 217 is not just our zoned school, but a place that is open to the whole community and hosts amazing events. From weekend children programs to adult classes, PS/IS 217 building continues to be an integral part of our everyday life.

Our proposed re-tiling of the cafeteria floors and fixing the cracks would benefit all children that visit the school and enjoy free summer meals (both breakfast and lunch)!

Make sure you cast your vote next week:

Polling sites will be at the Roosevelt Island Subway station on Wednesday April 11th from 4pm to 7pm, and at PS/IS 217 on Friday April 13th from 7am to 10am.

Kids 11 years and older are eligible to vote as well, so this can serve as a great civic duty lesson.

Please stop by and help us get funds for this amazing project. This is another chance for us to show the strength of our community!

https://council.nyc.gov/ben-kallos/pb/7/

https://benkallos.com/sites/default/files/2018-03/D05_SampleBallotPB19.pdf
Here's the NYC Council District 5 Participatory Budget Ballot including all 13 proposed capital projects. You may cast up to 5 votes.


Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 was the winner of $500,000 in Participatory Budget funds in both 2015 and 2016

 Image Of 2015 Green Roof Celebration From PS/IS 217 PTA

 for a Green Roof project.

UPDATE 4/12 Participatory Budget voting outside Roosevelt Island F Train subway station last night.
and you can vote Friday, April 13 at PS/IS 217 too.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 1:48:00 PM 0 comments

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Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Green Roofs For Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 And Upper East Side PS 290 Receive $500 Thousand Participatory Budget Funds Each From NYC Council Member Ben Kallos - Laptop Carts For 10 District 5 Schools Too


Roosevelt Island NYC District 5 Council Member Ben Kallos reports:
Nearly 2,000 Upper East Side residents 14 and over turned out in person or online to vote on how to spend $1 million in tax dollars to improve the community as part of “Participatory Budgeting.” Residents were able to vote in the district office 7 days a week as well as at 17 mobile “pop-up” voting locations, by absentee and even online.

This is the third year of Participatory Budgeting and the results were:

$500,000 – 802 votes – Green Roof at P.S. 290 the Manhattan New School (MNS)
$350,000 – 768 votes – Laptop Carts for 10 schools on the Upper East Side P.S. 77, P.S 198, P.S 290, P.S/I.S 217, M. 225, Eleanor Roosevelt, Urban Academy, Vanguard, Manhattan International and Life Sciences serving over 5,000 students.

The $500,000 for P.S. 290 adds to $1 million previously allocated by Council Member Kallos for a green roof at the location, where the project cost is estimated at $2.8 million. This allocation brings the school to the half-way point during Kallos’ third year in office.

This is the second year that STEM investments like laptop carts topped Participatory Budgeting, with a previous win in the first year for $250,000 to be distributed to schools throughout the district. This brings the total investment by Council Member Kallos in “STEM schools” to $2 million.

The third highest vote getter, which exceeded the $1 million for Participatory budgeting was:

$500,000 – 751 votes – Green Roof at P.S/I.S. 217

Due to the strong showing of support for Green Roofs two years in a row, Council Member Kallos will allocate the full $500,000 for the Green Roof at P.S./I.S. 217, which combines with his previous allocation of $500,000 and a minimum of $250,000 from Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. The project will begin scoping.

“Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) continue to be where residents are voting to invest their tax dollars to prepare our children for the future,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “Thank you to Participatory Budgeting Delegates for leading the process as well as residents 14 and over for voting.”

“I’m delighted that Councilmember Kallos will continue to join in supporting the Green Roof at P.S./I.S. 217," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “Urban agriculture is a fresh approach to education and this funding will help sustain that approach."

“Thank you to Ben Kallos for working so closely with our school community to secure the funding needed for us to finally move forward with our dream of a rooftop science center and play space. I am very excited that our students will have a chance to explore nature and play in the sunshine on the rooftop of their school in the heart of New York City,” said Doreen Esposito Principal at P.S. 290 Manhattan New School.

"Thank you to all of the supporters from our community and the city for voting for the PS/IS 217 STEM Green Room. This Green Roof will further enhance the learning opportunities for the students and families of PS/IS 217 and the residents of Roosevelt Island," said Mandana Beckman Principal at PS/IS 217.

"Each year we expand our STEM enrichment programming,” said 217PTA ­President, Olga Shchuchinov. “So this deep support from the city, combined with the Participatory Budget funding, allows us to move forward and design our 21st century teaching hub on the roof."

Council Member Ben Kallos is one of eight Council Members to adopt Participatory Budgeting in 2014, which has since grown to 28 Council Districts allocating nearly $32 million citywide. Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process where Council Members pledge to allocate their discretionary funds however residents 14 and over vote. These funds are capital and can only be used to pay for physical infrastructure projects proposed by community members called “Delegates” such as improvements to schools, parks, libraries, public housing, and other public or community spaces.
About the Winners:

P.S. 290 The Manhattan New School (MNS) originally built in 1903 and relaunched in 1991 has 36 teachers and over 600 students comprised of children from many countries with over 20 different languages are spoken at home. The P.S. 290 PTA mobilized parents to vote by mail, online, and one morning for drop off where over one hundred parents waited in the rain for 5 - 10 minutes to vote.

P.S./I.S. 217 on Roosevelt Island serves Pre-k through eighth grade. The school wanted additional outdoor space and an educational green roof for their 543 students, so for the second year in a row P.S./I.S. 217 placed a green roof project on the ballot. Roosevelt Island is a tight-knit and highly-engaged community, so they mobilized together and succeeded in being one of the top vote getters. The P.S./I.S. 217 PTA, Girl Scouts troops 3001 and 3244, Roosevelt Island Garden Club, Roosevelt Island Parents' Network and Sharon Bermon from the NYPL Roosevelt Island Branch were just a few of the community members who came together to support the students.Principal Mandana Beckman managed to get the vote out and the money in.

Results for Other Projects on the Ballot:
694 - $225,000 - P.S. 290 Bathrooms
553 - $1,000,000 - Parks Greening for John Jay Park
479 - $350,000 - Library Modernization for Eleanor Roosevelt H.S.
466 - $700,000 - Lexington Houses East & West Playground
427 - $500,000 - Lexington Houses Security Upgrade
408 - $600,000 - Webster Library HVAC Improvements
389 - $350,000 - HVAC for P.S.198 and P.S.77
344 - $500,000 - Center at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Entrance
292 - $600,000 - 67th Street Library HVAC Improvements
282 - $250,000 - Renovate Auditorium for Eleanor Roosevelt H.S.
104 - $85,000 - Sound System at Julia Richman JREC Auditorium

Learn more about Participatory Budgeting at BenKallos.com/PB
Congratulations to all the Roosevelt Island residents who worked hard and


 voted for the PS/IS 217 Green Roof.

Last year, the Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts told us about the benefits of a PS/IS 217 Green roof.



More on the Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Green Roof from this previous post.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:48:00 PM 0 comments

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