RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting Thursday March 6 - Approval Of Executive Recruiting Firm To Search For New President & General Counsel, Appointment Of Chief Operating Officer And Riverwalk Building 8 Lease Amendment To Reallocate Payments From Firefighters Field Lighting To Other Construction Projects On Agenda

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors

Image Of December 19 RIOC Board Meeting via RIOC

will meet Thursday March 6 in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street) beginning at 5:30 PM. 

Among the Meeting Agenda Items are:

• Authorization to Enter into the Second Amendment of the Ground Lease for Southtown Building #8 and the Sixth Amendment to the Southtown Development
• Authorization to Enter into Contract with Fusco Personnel Inc. for Executive Recruiting Services (Board Action Required) 
• Appointment of Mary C. Cunneen to the Position of Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation (Board Action Required)

You're invited to attend, ask questions and share concerns about Roosevelt Island issues during the opening Public Session before the start of the RIOC Board meeting. Sign up here before 10 AM the day of the meeting to speak at the Public Session.

RIOC Board materials with supporting info on Agenda items are here including:

Southtown Building 8 Ground lease amendment

Appointmenet of Mary Cunneen as RIOC Chief Operating Officer

and the approval of an Executive Recruitment firm to conduct a job search for the new RIOC President and General Counsel.

RIOC Board Of Directors Holding Previously Unscheduled Executive Session Meeting In Secret Closed To The Public Wednesday July 10, What's It About? Also RIOC Governance Committee Meeting Open To The Public

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced on Monday July 8:  

Dear Roosevelt Island Community:

Please be advised that a meeting of the RIOC Board's Governance Committee will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York 10044.

There will also be a meeting of the full RIOC Board of Directors on Wednesday, July 10 at 3:00 p.m. also at The Good Shepherd Community Center.

Agendas for both meetings can be found below.

Thank you.

-Team RIOC

This full RIOC Board of Directors meeting was previously unscheduled. According to the Agenda below, it is described as a "Special Meeting" and is being held in Executive Session meaning the public is not allowed to attend and the discussion is secret.

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 July 10 Special RIOC Board Meeting Executive Session. As previously reported, Mr Haynes and Ms Robinson have been on paid administrative leave since January 2024 pending an investigation of them about workplace concerns raised by RIOC employees. The Executive Session could also be about the current status of the RIOC leadership team following the recent departure of Deputy General Counsel Gerrald Ellis who had been the primary public face of the interim leadership team.

On June 26, I asked RIOC:

... with Gerrald leaving at the end of this month, what is the leadership plan for RIOC?...

RIOC Board Director Ben Fhala answered on July 2:

I was hoping that someone from the administration would be ready to reply to you by now, but it's critical that we don't create a communication void during this important time. The board has decided to maintain the current leadership status quo. We have full faith in Dhruvika as the interim leader. She will be seeking advice and counsel from the incredible existing leadership team that report to her during this transition period until the board reconvenes and decides if or when other changes or enhancements will be made.

We are grateful for Gerald's service and wish him great success in his future endeavors. As always, I cannot speak on behalf of the entire board, but this is the summary of thoughts that I am aware of that were made by the board members. If anyone else would like to chime in, they are always welcome to do so...

The RIOC Governance Committee will have a pubic meeting prior to the start of the full RIOC Board meeting.

During the June 20 RIOC Board of Directors meeting, Mr Fhala proposed two motions regarding governance issues. According to Mr Fhala:

Proposed resolution #1:

I would like to propose a resolution to clarify the meaning of quorum to prevent any misunderstanding of the law and how we apply it at RIOC. Deep engagement between board members and executives at RIOC is critical for oversight and to prevent external actors from controlling the agenda and the interests of RIOC. Unfortunately, I've been informed by a whistleblower that there is an attempt to block resident board members from engaging with each other. The whistleblower informed me of an alleged collusion between the RIOC legal team, Howard Polivy, and Meghan Anderson to block interactions between resident board members under the legal rationale articulated in a resolution made by the board on October 17th, 2019. While I don't think their understanding of this resolution applies, I would like to add a clear definition here to enable the critical work of the resident board members. Moreover this update has not been ratified by an update to our by-laws.

As such, I propose a resolution:

"Board members are encouraged to interact with each other publicly and privately to help govern and regulate RIOC. Board members should not aggregate in a number that constitutes a quorum as defined in NY state laws in a non-public meeting. According to NY state law and our by-laws, "A quorum is a majority of the full membership of the board, including any absences or vacancies.”

Proposed resolution #2:

Recently, the chair of this board appointed Howard Polivy to be part of the interim leadership team. To my understanding, board members must be independent, and as the chair of this board mentioned in prior emails, board members should not be involved in operational matters nor act on behalf of the full board. Furthermore, his involvement and decisions have not been coordinated with this oversight board, nor has he updated us on his activities.

As such, I recommend a resolution to ratify that individual resident board members should not be officially seated in any other position within RIOC not mentioned in our bylaws that might reduce their capability of maintaining independence or create that appearance as required by our bylaws and the law.

Neither resolution was approved. Resolution #1 was tabled, meaning no vote on the substance of the motion was taken and Resolution #2 was rejected by a 5-4 vote.

Here's the discussion during the June 20 RIOC Board meeting.

Tomorrow's RIOC Board of Directors meetings may be very interesting. 

Let's see what happens.

RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting Thursday June 20, Will Status Of RIOC Leadership Be Resolved? 2024 Fiscal Year Annual Report, $213 Thousand 3 Year Holiday Lights Contract & Bike Ramp/Lane Contract Termination Among Items On The Meeting Agenda

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors

will meet Thursday June 20 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 RIOC Board meeting. Sign up to speak here.

As reported earlier this month, RIOC Deputy General Counsel and Interim Leadership Team member Gerrald Ellis announced he will be leaving RIOC at the end of the month.

Will the status of Mr Ellis and RIOC leadership be addressed at tomorrow's RIOC Board meeting?

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy shares this message she sent to RIOC Board Chair/ NY State Division of Homes & Community Renewal (DHCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas:

Roosevelt Island needs Gerrald Ellis.

In the six months Ellis has been acting head of RIOC, he has been an approachable, hands on manager..

He has extensive knowledge of real estate, law and finance.

He has a great relationship with the community and has repaired many relationships that former heads of have ignored. He is working to Attack the backlog of problems that have been ignored for years

We need Gerrald to continue leading RIOC to the betterment of the island we live on.

Ms Visnauskas replied:

Thank you for the note Judy. Gerald has been a great asset for RIOC. He has recently accepted a new job at a private firm. We will be seeking to hire a new Deputy Counsel to replace him.

I asked NY State Governor Kathy Hochul press office:

I am preparing a follow up to my June 3 story about RIOC Deputy General Counsel/Interim Leadership Team member Gerrald Ellis announcing his departure from RIOC at the end of the month.

The overwhelming consensus among the Roosevelt Island community, including residents and business leaders, is that Mr Ellis has done an excellent job in his role on the Leadership team and certainly far, far better than RIOC President Shelton Haynes who is currently on paid leave pending the conclusion of an outside law firm's investigation of him regarding allegations of certain workplace wrongdoings. Mr Haynes and General Counsel Gretchen Robinson are currently suing members of the Governor's staff, DHCR, RIOC and RIOC Board members for racial discrimination.

The investigation has been dragging on since last January preventing the interim RIOC management team from making certain hiring and project decisions necessary for effectively running RI, to the dismay of the community . The consensus of many in the Roosevelt Island community is that it is in the best interests of the community for Mr Ellis to remain and for Governor Hochul to approve Mr Ellis as RIOC President.

Does the Governor have any comment for the Roosevelt Island community on RIOC leadership and if she will approve Mr Ellis as ROC President.

Have not received a reply from the Governor's office.

Among the Agenda Items for the June 20 RIOC Board meeting are approval of a 3 year contract totaling $213,000 for annual Holiday Lights decorations and the termination of a contract regarding the proposed Bike Ramp/Lane. 

Also on the Agenda is:

... 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....

Here's the full Agenda for the June 20, 2024 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting.

Board materials with supporting info for agenda items are here.

Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Buildings 3&4 Mortgage Refinancing Consent, Eleanor's Pier Emergency Repairs & Executive Session Litigation/Employment Issues Among Items For Tuesday May 14 RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting Agenda

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors

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.

Among the May 14 RIOC Board meeting Agenda items are:

... Ratification of Consent to Mortgage Refinancing by Riverwalk Place, LLC (Riverwalk 3) and Riverwalk Landing, LLC (Riverwalk 4) (Board Action Required)...

and 

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... 

Here's more info on the Hudson Related Riverwalk Building 3 & 4 refinancing.

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.

Here's the full agenda for the meeting.

Board materials with supporting info for agenda items are here.

RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting Wednesday April 3 - Roosevelt Island Residents Invited To Attend, Ask Questions And Share Concerns About Community Issues

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors 

will meet Wednesday, April 3 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 RIOC Board meeting. Sign up to speak here. 

 Here's the agenda for the meeting.

Board materials with supporting info for agenda items are here.

RIOC New Interim Leadership Team Pledges Focus On Greater Transparency And Collaboration With Roosevelt Island Stakeholders And Local Media During Feb 1 Board Meeting - RIOC Directors Say They Plan Addressing Past RIOC Dysfunctions And Provide Necessary Oversight Over Audit, Budget, Operations And Governance Practices

During the February 1 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board Of Directors meeting, 

February 1 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting

Deputy General Counsel Gerrald Ellis and Chief Financial Officer Dhru Amin presented what they describe as the RIOC "Interim Leadership Report" to the Roosevelt Island community.

According to Mr Ellis 

These are some updates that we would like to provide. The RIOC Interim Leadership Team, Dhru and myself, we're hitting the ground running and we're working to maintain the Island's vital services and to better communicate with the community. That's honestly one of our first priorities. We've already been at the Operations Committee meeting and Roosevelt Island Historic Society meeting. We also attended the Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island committee meeting. I think one of our our first initiatives is to focus on greater transparency and collaboration among Island stakeholders....

And Ms Amin:

Engagement with the local media. We have reevaluated our policies on engaging with local media and are now becoming more responsive to incoming requests for information and comment as you've seen over the past few days. We believe this greater level of openness will help keep Island residents informed of our initiatives and operations while also fostering better RIOC community relations....

Mr Ellis also described tours of Island operations and infrastructure with RIOC Board members among other items.

Following the Interim Leadership Report, RIOC Director Lydia Tang spoke about problems working with RIOC President Shelton Haynes and General Counsel Gretchen Robinson currently on paid administrative leave pending an investigation of them about workplace concerns raised by RIOC employees. According to Ms Tang:

As newly appointed resident board members, endorsed by elected officials and appointed by Governor Hochul, we bear the responsibility of overseeing RIOC's audit, budget, operations, and governance. It's crucial to counter some unfounded claims by Shelton and Gretchen, which tarnish the reputation of myself and Ben Fhala.

Systematic denial of basic access for oversight persisted for over seven months.

Despite six months of requesting a comprehensive Operations Tour, per ABO recommendations, it was only arranged after Shelton and Gretchen were placed on leave. Gratitude to Gerrald, Dhru, and Mary for the tour, with plans for Dr. Melamed and Mr. Fhala's tours.

Upon joining the Board, I approached Shelton and Gretchen positively, expressing empathy for Shelton's family crisis. Suggestions to "work smarter" were offered, advocating delegation and embracing the "new normal" of new Board Members. If my phone conversation were recorded, it would confirm Shelton stating that Gretchen acknowledged my voice of reason. Assuming antagonism hindered information gathering for our fiduciary roles, echoing the adage: "When you assume, you make an 'ass' of 'u' and 'me.'"

Flouting dysfunctional norms, I urged executive responsiveness to board inquiries. Months of Gretchen issuing advisories against responding to board emails, and delays in answers reveal dysfunction at RIOC, necessitating renewed inquiries.

In response to staff reports, we investigated a procurement contract. Information requests on executive team members aimed to address community concerns went unanswered. Salary requests sought to verify or refute an 18% raise allegation, and requests for work/paid-time details for the entire executive team echoed community and internal whistleblower concerns, all with unanswered queries indicating a potential cover-up and a clear disregard for our oversight responsibilities.

Meetings with staff sought answers to fiduciary oversight concerns. Despite positive interactions, such instances were negatively spun. Interactions with staff were restricted, assuming ill intent, obstructing fiduciary roles. This assumption manipulated the board, allowing the executive team to overstep their authority. Our plans involve addressing RIOC dysfunctions with a renewed focus on fiduciary oversight inquiries. We remain dedicated to providing necessary oversight over RIOC and its audit, budget, operations, and governance.

Here's the February 1 RIOC Interim Leadership Report and statement by RIOC Director Lydia Tang.

 

As reported January 26:

... It is unclear how long the new interim RIOC leadership will remain in place, how long the review of Mr Haynes and Ms Robinson's workplace conduct will take and if they will return to their positions as President/CEO and General Counsel respectively. 

But, Mr Haynes and Ms Robinson are attempting to stop the review of their workplace conduct and demand to be restored to their positions at RIOC.

On January 23, Mr Haynes and Ms Robinson filed an Order To Show Cause in the US District Court for the Southern District Of NY seeking a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction:...

 The Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary injunction sought by Mr Haynes and Ms Robinson seeks to stop any investigation of them and restore them to their positions.

Shelton Haynes, Gretchen Robinson (Standing), RIOC Chair Ruthanne Visnauskas at 11/14/23 Board Meeting

Also:

As previously reported, on September 12, 2023:

... Mr Haynes and Ms Robinson filed a racial discrimination lawsuit in the Southern District Of NY against 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, 2023, Mr Haynes and Ms Robinson added RIOC and one of the newly appointed RIOC Board members Ben Fhala to their lawsuit. Here's the Haynes/Robinson amended complaint.

Reported on January 29 that the preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for February 9 at 10:30 a.m. 

Stay tuned. More to come. 

UPDATE 2/9 - The scheduled hearing for February 9 on the Order to Show Cause has been postponed. A new judge was assigned to the case. No new date assigned yet.

According to the Feb 8 case filing: 

NOTICE OF CASE REASSIGNMENT to Judge Analisa Torres. Judge Katherine Polk Failla is no longer assigned to the case. (tro)

First Board Of Directors Meeting For New RIOC Leadership Team Thursday February 1, Come See What Happens And Ask Your Questions - Purchase Of 2 Diesel Red Buses On Agenda, Why Not Hybrid Buses Instead Asks Directors

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors will meet in person Thursday, February 1 at 5:30 PM in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street) beginning at 5:30 PM. 

This will be the first full RIOC Board of Directors meeting under the new interim leadership team of Deputy General Counsel Gerrald Ellis and Chief Financial Officer Dru Amin with Board Member Howard Polivy acting as a dedicated liaison to them. This new leadership team is in place during the current absence of RIOC President Shelton Haynes and General Counsel Gretchen Robinson who are on paid administrative leave pending the investigation of employee workplace concerns brought against them.

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.

Here's the agenda for the meeting.

Among the items on the Agenda are:

... 2. Authorization to Enter into Contract with New Flyer Industries, Inc. for the Purchase of Two Diesel Buses (Board Action Required)...

During the January 17 RIOC Operations Committee Advisory Committee (Ops) meeting,  RIOC Transportation Director Cy Opperman reviewed the status of the Roosevelt Island Red Bus Fleet and recommended the purchase of 2 new diesel powered buses.

Here's PDF of the presentation made by Mr Opperman to the January 17 RIOC Ops Committee.

During the Ops meeting, RIOC Director Ben Fhala asked if RIOC looked into purchasing electric or hybrid buses. RIOC Ops Chair Fay Christian would not allow Mr Opperman to answer the question because she ruled at the beginning of the meeting that only questions from Ops committee members would be taken and Mr Fhala is not a member of the Ops Committee. 

Here's video of the beginning of the Ops Committee meeting with Mr Christian declaring that only committee members could ask questions followed by the Red Bus presentation by Mr Opperman.

On January 25, RIOC Board Director Dr. Michal Melamed sent this message to RIOC Director Fay Christian:

I am sorry that I was not able to attend the last Operations committee meeting as I was out of the country, speaking at a medical conference. I watched the video and am aware of some of the issues that came up. I have several questions (below) to ask about the bus proposal.

1. Can we be provided with multiple bids for both diesel and hybrid buses. In the current climate crisis, I am not sure why we should be getting diesel buses.
2. Can we be provided with an estimated daily operational cost per bus for existing buses and those to be purchased, assuming a 12-year operational life for both hybrid and diesel options.
3. Can you please clarify the decommissioning process for buses—do they get sold? If so, what is the plan to sell buses 5 & 6.
4. Can we be provided with an update on the status of buses 5/6 and why they are not operational.
5. Is there a plan to purchase a third bus within the next two years?
6. Please provide a more detailed breakdown of the bus schedule, distinguishing between express and red buses, and outline hours of operation on weekdays and weekends.
7. Can someone please explain the rationale behind not assuming the need for a full fleet during rush hours on weekdays (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm), and discuss the necessity of a full fleet prior to and after those hours.
8. Can we be provided with a ridership breakdown (average commuters by the hour (or ¼ hour if available) of the day per bus), as well as a breakdown of ridership during special rides, including the number of people using those rides and the value they created.
9. Explore & report on the possibility of purchasing two mini-buses, preferably electric or hybrid, and provide estimates from multiple vendors.
10. Clarify the purpose of running buses when there is no tram or subway available in the early morning hours (after 2 am on weekdays and after 3:30 am on weekends) and provide information on the normal ridership during such times.
11. During the subway shutdown during February weekends, can we consider rerouting all red buses to Manhattan to accommodate higher volume?
12. Can we address the reported difficulties for the disabled community members in boarding buses due to issues with ramps. Break down the specific issues and explain why a manual ramp, suggested as a backup, was not purchased over three months ago. Are there any plans to acquire backup ramps to prevent such incidents?
13. Can we explore the possibility of using contacts at the MTA to purchase buses through their vendors, and provide reasons if this option has not been pursued. 

I would appreciate answers to these questions. 

I would also like to request to move to a different committee, namely the Real Estate committee. I joined RIOC in order to try to help get medical care on the island. I think my talents would better serve the real estate committee than operations.

Thanks for your attention,

On January 28, RIOC Board member Ben Fhala added:

Good morning Local Media and stakeholders of RIOC,

As of my understanding, the meeting notice and agenda were posted online on Friday. However, board members have not yet received the agenda items. We will need your assistance in analyzing the materials when they become available, given the limited time we'll have for review.

Regrettably, the conduct of the operations committee chair during the meeting resulted in multiple items not being addressed through open and honest debate by the stakeholders that RIOC serves. Unfortunately, the chair allowed one board member to use inappropriate language multiple times and belittle other board members, creating a disheartening display of dysfunction.

Due to the time constraints, Dr. Melamed has submitted multiple questions to RIOC regarding the acquisition of the buses. We are confident in the validity of these questions and anticipate meaningful responses before proceeding with a vote. This discussion will take place during the board meeting due to the dysfunction observed in the operations meeting.

As for other topics on the agenda, we lack detailed information about them or their merit. We look forward to receiving guidance and insights from the community.

I would appreciate it if you could publish Dr. Melamed's questions and include/curate questions from the community, enabling us to provide the necessary oversight over RIOC. As @Visnauskas, RuthAnne (HCR) has often emphasized that resident board members are not expected to act as rubber stamps.

Thanks, Ben Fhala* Resident Board Member

*Disclaimer: All statements made by Ben Fhala are made in his capacity as a RIOC Resident Board member. He does not represent the entirety of RIOC or the full board but serves as a Resident Board member, offering information to the community and its stakeholders.

Don't know if there has been any response to Ms Melamed and Mr Fhala's questions.

RIOC Staff Attempts To Push Through Acting Chief Operating Officer To Permanent Position At Board Meeting Today After Failing To Get Directors Approval At Meeting Last Month - How Does RIOC Hire Executive Staff?

Last November 2, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes and RIOC Board Directors:

 I am preparing a story on the process by which RIOC Executive staff are hired.

Among the items on the cancelled October 26 RIOC Board of Directors meeting agenda was:

Dhruvika Amin - VP CFO Appointment and

Mary Cunneen VP COO Appointment

Did RIOC conduct an Executive Search for either of these senior positions at a Public Benefit Corp with an approximately $30 million budget and more than 100 employees? Were either of these positions publicly advertised?

If yes, what did the search consist of? If not, why was there no executive search for these positions?... 

There was no response so I sent a follow up message on November 6. RIOC Board Director Ben Fhala replied later that day writing:  

These questions are of utmost importance. If you happen to receive a response before the meeting, please keep us informed. Otherwise, we intend to bring these questions up during our Q&A with the candidates for these roles, as they hold significant importance.

I was informed through informal channels that the CFO was hired approximately two months ago, but the recently appointed board members have not been involved in the process. To the best of my knowledge, the selection process has included some board members while excluded others.

Thanks, Ben Fhala*

Resident Board Member

*Disclaimer: All statements made by Ben Fhala are made in his capacity as a RIOC Resident Board member. He does not represent the entirety of RIOC or the full board but serves as a Resident Board member, offering information to the community and its stakeholders. 

The November 14 RIOC Board meeting agenda items included the appointment of Dhruvika Amin as RIOC Chief Financial Officer and Mary Cuneen as Chief Operating Officer. Ms Cunneen has been the Acting Chief Operating Officer of RIOC since September 2022. 

Prior to the November 14 Board meeting, a Roosevelt Island Tipster emailed the following on Ms Cunneen's proposed appointment:

Check Mary's bio on the website vs what her resume says. Her resume just posted with the Board materials, leaves out a job she held at RIOC when she first started. We fired Erica Spencer-el for much less.

During the November 14 RIOC Board meeting, Directors asked questions regarding the executive search process conducted for the CFO position, Ms Amin's qualifications and her willingness to work with Board members as they perform their oversight function of RIOC. 

Ms Amin's appointment as RIOC CFO was approved by the RIOC Board. Here's what happened.

 

Following Ms Amin's approval, the RIOC Board considered Ms Cunneen's appointment as Chief Operating Officer. The RIOC Board asked similar questions but they also asked why she has refused to speak with Board members and answer their questions about RIOC operations. 

Ms Cuneen response that she is open to working with Board members was received with skepticism by Board members based upon their previous experience interacting with her. Ms Cunneen also responded to other questions by Board members by "deferring to the Chair" of the Board meeting or saying "I don't recall."

Discussion of Ms Cunneen's appointment was then moved to a closed Executive Session without the public being present.

Ms Cunneen's appointment as RIOC Chief Operating Officer was not approved at the November 14 RIOC Board meeting.

Here's what happened.

 

RIOC staff are trying again to get approval from the RIOC Board for Ms Cunneen's appointment as Chief Operating Officer at the RIOC Board of Directors meeting later today.

Yesterday, I asked RIOC President Shelton Haynes and RIOC Board Directors:

I am following up on my prior inquiries regarding the hiring process for  Roosevelt Island executive staff.

I understand that Mary Cuneen's appointment as RIOC Chief Operating Officer is on the December 13 RIOC Board of Directors meeting Agenda after failing to be approved during the November 14 RIOC Board meeting.

During the November 14 RIOC Board Meeting, RIOC Assistant Vice President Administration Tajuana Sharpe told the RIOC Board that an Executive Search was conducted for the position, that 7 or 8 candidates were interviewed and that advertisements for the Chief Operating Officer position were posted on websites. According to Ms Sharpe, Ms Cuneen was the best candidate for the job.

Please confirm the accuracy of Ms Sharpe's statement. 

I did not see any advertisement on the RIOC website or any other public notice of the RIOC Chief Operating Officer position. I did see notices for the RIOC Chief Financial Officer Position. Please forward any links to public advertising for the RIOC Chief Operating Officer Position.

I spoke with former RIOC President Susan Rosenthal about the qualifications of Ms Cuneen to be the RIOC Chief Operating Officer. According to Ms Rosenthal, Mary Cuneen was removed from her position as Director Of Parks and Recreation because of her poor management skills and placed in a new position where she did not have to manage staff. Ms Rosenthal added that both she and then Chief Operating Officer Shelton Haynes believed Ms Cuneen's skill set was better used in a position where she was not managing more than a small group of staff. Ms Cuneen was moved to a new position with less managerial responsibilities.

Ms Rosenthal added that she thought Ms Cuneen was a lovely person, that she personally liked her but  she was not competent as a manager of staff.

Also, during the November RIOC Board meeting, RIOC Directors asked Ms Cuneen about her previous refusal to speak with and answer questions by RIOC Board members exercising their oversight function and apparent discrepancies in her resume. Will Ms Cuneen continue her refusal to speak with and answer questions from RIOC Board members performing their oversight function of RIOC?

For comparison purposes, RIOC's sister agency, the Battery Park City Authority, recently completed an Executive Search Process for President CEO. According to the Broadsheet news site:

... a professional search firm had reviewed “dozens and dozens of resumes that would be appropriate, many of which would have been very good candidates. They presented us with six or seven very highly talented candidates that were diverse, extremely competent, and had great credentials. It was a tough decision. We got down to a couple finalists and we interviewed the finalists and quite frankly the process worked very smoothly, and I think we got an incredibly good candidate that was ultimately vetted by the Governor’s office.”...

Was a similar executive search used for the RIOC Chief Operating Officer position?

I am preparing an article on this subject. Please let me know if anyone from RIOC will respond.

There has been no reply.

 

We'll see what happens at today's meeting. Stay tuned. 

UPDATE 9 PM - Following an Executive Session, the RIOC Board voted to table the agenda item appointing Ms Cunneen as Chief Operating Officer meaning that no vote was taken.

RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting December 13, Approval Of Budget, Chief Operating Officer Position Appointment And Pending Litigation On Agenda - The Circus Continues With Update On RIOC President And General Counsel Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against Governor Hochul's Staff, NY State Officials, RIOC And RIOC Director

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.

Among the items on the agenda for the December 13 RIOC Board meeting are:   

... V. New Business

1. Approval of the Proposed RIOC Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (Board Action Required)...

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.

Also, the upcoming December 13 Executive Session agenda item regarding litigation may have to do with an update to the racial discrimination  lawsuit brought last Septmenber by RIOC President Shelton Haynes

 and General Counsel Gretchen Robinson against:

... 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. 

 According to this excerpt from the Haynes/Robertson amended complaint:

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

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....

During the November 14 RIOC Board meeting public session, I asked:

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.

Roosevelt Island Residents Blast RIOC Dysfunctional Senior Management During November 14 RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting Public Session - RIOC's A "Swamp Of Hiring, Firing And Vanishing" Operating In "Absentia" Says RIHS President

During the November 14 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors Meeting Public Session, Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy spoke for many residents frustrated and angry with the ongoing dysfunction of RIOC including the proposed appointment of Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cuneen to the position on a permanent basis.

According to Ms Berdy:

Welcome I don't say this lightly. After 46 years on this Island, I've seen a lot but this evening the residents have to be heard. RIOC has been sinking into a swamp of hiring, firing and vanishings. Not answering questions. It's not known who is here, who's actually in person five days a week. Who's running the island. It's the great mystery. Aside from newsletters from the Second Floor, we hear little of what is actually happening of the administration for the Public Benefit Corporation.

Brian and Amanda are wonderful. They are the most responsive people to this community. You, the executives, have shamefully cut the Board Members out of the picture. When you are confronted you go to the bunkers. You have staff who try to serve the community as long as they stay under the radar.

Our Public Safety Department has had too many incidents of abusive behavior towards the residents who want to ride the tram elevator. Your new officers have not been taught what is painted on the vehicles - courtesy, respect and professionalism.

I don't want to tell you of  my co-worker who came and is 82 years old and was told she had to get on the back of the line because it didn't count she was 82 years old and a resident. The public safety officer put his foot in the door so she could not get on the tram. Well she won that one.

It is time to learn Community respect and not bully our elderly and special needs residents at the tram elevator. This abusive behavior gets more publicity and makes it always putting you on the defensive.

You are promoting someone tonight who refuses to talk to the community and the staff is scared of this person. This is the person who you want to run this island? Will this continue? An administration in absentia? Or do nothing for the community who live here? 

This is our community. I want all our board members to be heard and listened to because we are here 24/7. You're the hired help and we're the people that have paid in aggravation and exhaustion for the last few years. We do not need this. We need an Administration that cares about the community they work for or else they are welcome to leave and we'll get new people thank you.

The resolution approving Ms Cuneen as Chief Operating Officer was tabled and added for discussion to the Executive Session already scheduled following the public board meeting. At the conclusion of the Executive Session, there was no mention of Ms Cuneen so at least for now, her appointment as RIOC Chief Operating Officer was not approved.

Paul Krikler followed Ms Berdy during the Public Session. Mr Krikler asked RIOC to create a mobile Roosevelt Island Transit app to show the schedule for the Red Bus, Tram, Subway and ferry in real time.

Susheel Kurien followed Mr Krikler asking why 4 of the very limited Main Street Parking spaces are reserved for RIOC President Shelton Haynes and why does he not park in the Motorgate Garage or unreserved spaces like everyone else. Mr Kurien reports being told by RIOC Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown and former RIOC Communications VP Akeem Jamal that that every President in America has a reserved parking spot. Mr Jamal's departure from RIOC was announced during the Board meeting.

Here's video of what happened during this part of the Public Session.

Following Mr. Kurien, I asked: 

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?

Stay tuned for more from this very interesting RIOC Board of Directors meeting. 

UPDATE 11/16 - Here's video of the full meeting.

RIOC Board Meeting 111423 from Diva Communications on Vimeo.

RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting Thursday September 14, Roosevelt Island Residents Encouraged To Come Speak Up About Transportation Problems With Overcrowded Tram, Red Bus And Subway Shuttle - What Say You?

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors will meet in person tomorrow, September 14 at 5:30 PM in the Cultural Center Theatre (548 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.

Will Roosevelt Island residents show up tomorrow to  speak at the Public Session about the transportation problems being experienced resulting from the MTA's 63rd Street Tunnel Rehab Project?

Roosevelt Island Tram was very crowded this afternoon The operator was very good with instructions to move inside and give up seat for seniors, disabled and others who might need it. A rider got up from bench to allow a man with a cane to sit without incident. No PSD around. pic.twitter.com/bG8CYLCTkf

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) September 14, 2023

Residents have been contacting RIOC, elected officials, local press and formed a What's App chat group seeking solutions to overcrowding at the Tram and problems with the Subway Shuttle. For example, long time Roosevelt Island resident Akiko Tamura wrote to the RIOC Directors:

Dear RIOC members,

It has been exactly one week since I last wrote to you, expressing my concern about the safety of the tramway. In my previous email, I recommended that the Public Safety Officers be standing at the boarding area instead of outside the turnstiles to help organize and navigate the crowd. I also suggested that the tram operators make an announcement reminding people to give up their seats for those who need them. Additionally, I recommended that a sign be put up to remind tourists that Roosevelt Island is home to 12000 residents, and to ask them to behave respectfully.

However, I took the tram today and found that nothing had changed. The situation was just as chaotic as before, if not worse. People were pushing each other, tourists were rushing to grab seats, and neither the PSD nor the tram operators seemed to be paying much attention.

Just the other day, a resident reported that someone made a racial remark to her when she refused to allow a tourist to push her aside and take a video on board. She reported the incident to the PSD, but her complaint was dismissed.

As someone who has lived on Roosevelt Island for nearly 40 years, I can't help but feel that this is no longer a safe place to live. Simple crowd management by the PSD, making an announcement by the tram operator, and posting a sign is not difficult or costly task.

I hope to hear a better response from you than the last time.

Thank you in advance for your quick attention to this matter.

RIOC Director Ben Fhala wrote back:

I wanted to follow up with you regarding the points you made earlier. The board has been actively engaged with leadership and PSD, and we acknowledge ongoing efforts to improve the transportation process in recent weeks. Although there's room for further enhancement, significant progress has already been achieved.

Multiple residents have confirmed that when they requested assistance from PSD and staff, it was provided promptly. Additionally, I've received feedback from PSD officers and the public regarding instances where the team facilitated the boarding process for community members with special needs. We remain committed to refining the system and are actively collaborating with the community and stakeholders to make further improvements.

While I can't address specific scenarios here, residents are encouraged to reach out to us or PSD leadership if they wish to delve into particular cases or discuss guideline updates with PSD officers.

As a daily public transportation commuter, I've witnessed continual improvements. I recommend considering the subway shuttle, which is currently underutilized and offers a more pleasant ride. Unfortunately, the Tram's service has been less than ideal due to various temporary issues that we're working to mitigate. Encouraging more community members to utilize all modes of transportation, including the subway, ferry, bus services, and the Tram, is a crucial part of this mitigation effort.

I hope to see and engage with you in our upcoming board meeting scheduled for this Thursday at 5:30 pm at the Cultural Center Theater at 548 Main St.

Let's see if RIOC engages in a constructive manner with the community about solutions for our transportation problems.

Among the items on the agenda for tomorrow's RIOC Board meeting are: 

1. Ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding with the MTA for OMNY Installation (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....

VII. Update on the Board Committees’ Assignments... 

Following the August 24, 2023 MTA press conference announcing the OMNY installation for the Roosevelt Island Tram, I asked the MTA:

What is the revenue allocation of the Tram fare between Rioc and the MTA?

My understanding is that Rioc currently receives approximately $2.00 of every swipe at the Tram. Has that changed with the installation of OMNY?

What is the new revenue allocation of the Tram fare?

A MTA spokesperson replied:

With OMNY, RIOC will get the benefit of the full value of fare revenue for pay go transactions. Currently, RIOC receives $2 for Full Fare and $1 for Reduced Fare when a customer utilizes MetroCard.

More info about the Roosevelt Island Tram OMNY installation in RIOC memo below.

Unexpected Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Board Directors "Special" Meeting Held Today In Executive Session Closed To The Public - What's Going On?

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Directors do not usually hold full Board meetings during the summer and before last week the next meeting was not scheduled until September 14. But something happened recently which caused the RIOC Board to schedule a "Special" meeting today.

The meeting is in executive session which means that it is being held in secret, closed to the community and media. As of now, any specifics about today's RIOC Board meeting are not known publicly.

Among the two agenda items is:

... proposed, pending or current litigation;..

The use of the word "proposed" may be telling because in the past, RIOC Board executive sessions involving litigation were about "pending or current litigation". I do not recall a previous meeting involving "proposed" litigation.

Here's the agenda for today's RIOC Board meeting. to RIOC:

NOTICE OF THE AUGUST 7, 2023 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special meeting of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York 10044.

AGENDA:

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

3. 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.

4. Adjournment

Is there some "proposed" litigation involving RIOC being discussed by the Board Directors today?

Proposed by whom? 

And does the agenda item 3 (a) "proposed" litigation have anything to do with agenda item 3(b)?

What could this be? 

Stay tune.

Executive Session To Discuss Pending Litigation, NYPD Camera Security Initiative, Acceptance Of "Drummer" Sculpture Gift & More On Agenda For May 25 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Board Of Directors Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors will meet in person tomorrow, May 25 at 5:30 PM in the the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

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.

Among the items on the Agenda are:

1. Authorization to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with NYPD for the Island-Wide Camera Security Initiative (Board Action Required)

2. Authorization to Enter into Contract with Thomson Reuters for Westlaw LegalSubscription (Board Action Required)

3. Authorization to Accept Gift of the “Drummer” Sculpture from Liu Shiming Art Foundation (Board Action Required)

4. Presentation by the Roosevelt Island Youth Center...

and: 

Chair’s Motion for Executive Session 

1. Discussion of pending litigation

Executive session means this portion of the meeting will be held in private, excluding the public from attending.

You can watch the live Board meeting here.

First Meeting Of 2023 For The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Board Of Directors Monday April 3 - You're Invited To Attend And Sign Up To Ask Your Questions About Roosevelt Island Issues

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors has not held a meeting in 2023. Prior scheduled meeting in February and March 2023 were either canceled or rescheduled.

As of today, RIOC is scheduled to have a Board of Directors meeting tomorrow, April 3. 

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.

According to RIOC, the April 3 meeting agenda is as follows:

AMENDED AGENDA

APRIL 3, 2023 MEETING OF
THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE CULTURAL CENTER THEATER, 548 MAIN STREET, ROOSEVELT ISLAND, NEW YORK1

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Approval of Minutes

5:30 P.M2

1. December 22, 2022 Board Meeting (Board Action Required)

4. Old Business

5. New Business

   1. Ratification of RIOC’s Gender-Based Violence and Workplace Policy (Board Action Required)

   2. Ratification of Insurance Binders for Fiscal Year 2023-24 (Board Action Required)

   3. Ratification of Contract with The Burke Group, LLC for Actuarial Services (Board

      Action Required)

   4. Authorization to Enter into a Contract with EFPR Group, CPAS, PLLC for Independent

      Auditing Services (Board Action Required)

   5. Authorization to Enter into Contract with New York State Industries for the Disabled,

      Inc. for Cleaning Services at RIOC’s Facilities (Board Action Required)

   6. Authorization to Enter into Contract with BrightView Landscapes, LLC for Landscaping

      Services (Board Action Required)

   7. Presentation by RIVAA and Liu Shiming Art Foundation

   8. President’s Report

   9. Committee Reports

      a. Audit Committee
      b. Governance Committee
      c. Operations Advisory Committee

   10. Public Safety Report

6. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session

   1. Discussion of pending litigation.

7. Adjournment

1 It is anticipated that certain Board members will attend the meeting via videoconference pursuant to Public Officers Law §103-a. The link to a webcast for public will be posted on RIOC’s website by 12:00 pm on Monday, April 3, 2023.

2 The RIOC Board Meeting will commence following a public comment period. The public comment period is not part of the meeting.