Minutes from April 6 Block Association Meeting

BLOCK ASSOCIATION MEETING
APRIL 6, 2013, 10-11:00 AM
BEDFORD LIBRARY

MINUTES

IN ATTENDANCE: Toya (182A), Ethan (151), Raquel (182), Renate (165A), Michael (209), Dave (209), Christie (215), Jesse (215), Bobby (215), Sarina (215), Barbara (173), Kisha (153), Maliza (184), Patrice (135), Lilit (167B), Jeremy (167)

• Planting Party
• May 18 from 12-2:00 in front of 182 Madison
• Purpose is to replant sidewalk planters, which were purchased by the block association
• We also replant window boxes that are labeled "Madison Street 3 Block Association"
• All are welcome; it's a great way to meet new neighbors and see old friends
• We'll have either a BBQ or pizza after the planting
• Maliza Joseph-Gabriel is the point-person for the planting party
• Block Party
• August 17 from 9am to 8pm plus 1 hour for cleanup
• Kisha Sigler is the point-person for the block party
• The city is no longer assigning rain dates for block party permits
• Kisha will be canvassing the block for funds and can always use help from residents of the block
• Stars of Hope Community Garden
• As of Saturday, April 6, the garden is open to the public from 9am to 7pm
• Residents of the block have access to the garden whenever they want, but you need to get a key from Rachel Hernandez
• In addition to Rachel, the point person for the garden is June at 196 Madison
• Rachel is confirming which of the residents who maintained boxes in the garden last year plan to continue doing so this year
• Rachel and June would like to divide the 6 boxes in half so that we can accommodate a total of 12 households for planting boxes
• We currently have a $2000 grant to purchase and install a fence for the garden but it's a matching grant and we have until November to raise an additional $2000 or we are required to give back the grant (Rachel has raised $65 dollars of the $2000)
• Any fundraising ideas are welcome; some have suggested a Kickstarter campaign; others have suggested a flea market with a portion of the proceeds going to the fund for the new fence; other ideas are welcome
• In past summers Toya has organized a Children's Story Hour in the garden on Saturday mornings in July and she would like to do it again this year. She can use help and support with that
• For a number of years we have organized a Halloween Candy Giveaway in the garden and plan to do so again this year. As October approaches we will be asking for donations of time, candy, and decorations for that very successful annual tradition
• Other Business/Discussion
• The main objectives of the block association are safety and beautification
• Block association dues are suggested at $5/month which can be paid to Block Association Treasurer Rachel Hernandez in cash, check, or money order and you will receive a receipt. The Block Association is not a 501C3 organization so the dues are not tax deductible. But residents who pay dues can vote on how the money is spent when there are requests for funds by individuals or groups for proposed projects (block party, other events, other safety and beautification projects
• When the block association first became active in its current form in 2006, among its major concerns was illicit activity at various properties that created hazardous conditions for residents of the block. Working together and reaching out to the authorities, we were able to eliminate a lot of this activity. But it is an ongoing process. Everyone is urged to be vigilant but also be careful how you respond. Talk to the Block Association Officers if you have concerns about any activities or condition you observe for pointers on how to follow up safely and effectively
• On Saturday, April 13, the Pratt Area Community Council is holding its Spring Tree Giveaway. Click here for more info
• On Saturday, June 1, Madison Street resident Patrice Stafford is organizing an Atlantic City Bus Ride. For more information, contact Patrice at (917) 770-0697 or where2nowtravel@gmail.com
• Way to keep up on block association news
• We have a blog on Blogger: http://madisonblock.blogspot.com
• We have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/madison.street.7

Greetings residents! The next block association meeting will be April 21 at 10am. We will meet outside of 182a Madison Street. See you there.

Madison Street #3 Block Association

Good News & BBQ on Madison 2

Here's an invite from Madison #2--our sister block association from the other side of Bedford. Let's go cheer them on!!

****

Please join us on
SATURDAY MAY 23RD
1:00PM

To celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the revitalization and our Community Garden and Block Association
&
support us as a finalist in the
Love Your NYC Block Contest

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for our New Gazebo, see our New Garden Mural
& Barbeque

Reparesentatives from the Mayor’s Office and Citizens for NYC will be coming to our block.
Please share wit your members, and come out and... show your support!!
Madison Street Block #2 Association Community Garden is a public space that is open to ALL
For more information, call Lorna at 718-809-0985

Town Hall Forum on the Economic Stimulus

Congresspersons "Ed" Towns & Yvette D. Clarke are hosting the

2009 Federal Economic Stimulus Positive Impact Town Hall Forum

Saturday April 4, 2009

9:30am-12:30pm

BAM Cinema Three

30 Lafayette Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11216

Sept 5, 2008 Minutes

Madison Block Association #3
Sept 5, 2008 Minutes

Handouts: Agenda, September Newsletter, Bylaws

Toya called us to order.

Jason Schneiderman read the minutes from the previous meeting. The minutes were approved.

Stars of Hope Update:
-Lush Summer of gorgeous growth
-June & Tammy have been actively working with Green Guerrillas
-We’re contemplating a plan for a path for the garden—but materials are a question (bottles? something inexpensive?)
-The Summer’s Spoken word series in the garden was small, and ghost stories were told.
-Still Question about the fence—the city is not doing it—Michael and Toya will ask Ardnes (owner of 211, which borders the garden) about the fence.
-We need to re-register with the city, reconsider the names for the registration.

Maliza Joseph-Gabriel Reported on Public Safety
-Precinct Meetings have begun again for the fall. Last Wednesday of the month, 7pm-8:30pm, followed by dinner..
-There has been graffiti at 175 Madison, both times, we painted over it.
-Graffiti Free Brooklyn will paint over graffiti, but there’s a long waiting list.
-We don’t know who owns 175 Madison-- there are family issues, and it has been closed by the Police and HPD.
-We voted to approve $100 for painting over graffiti.

Finance and Fundraising
-Andrew stepped down as treasurer, handing over the books to Rachel, who will be acting treasurer (as per the bylaws) until an election next month, and the full election in December.
-Andrew updated us on the state of the finances.
-There were some issues in the account, because the account was under Andrew’s Social Security number, and his identity was stolen—but no money was lost.
-Although Commerce Bank waived our banking fee for the first year, they will now be charging us $25 a month any time our account goes below $1,000.
-We considered becoming a non-profit, but that costs around $800, and requires an audit and hiring an accountant and a lawyer.
-Michael suggested that 40 people lend $100 to the block association to be held in escrow to keep us at the minimum $1000.
-The account will now be linked to Rachel’s Social Security number.
-Maliza audited the checks, and affirmed that cheacks 1253-1504 were present in the checkbook that Andrew gave to Rachel.
-Dues now go to Rachel
-Toya will follow up on the bank fee.

Mollie Parnis Dress Up Your Neighborhood Award
-We WON!!
-We have to plan how to spend the $3,000—and our plan has to include media coverage.
-Thoughts for the money
-More Planters (approved, in a 6 to 3 vote)
-Fixing up the Garden (no agreement on how much to spend on the garden)
-Replanting some planters
-Another Planting Party
-Evergreens in the planters for the fall?
-Creepers that will hold water (lower maintenance?)
-Plants with thorns to discourage children from pulling them out.
-We want to reshuffle (Maliza has notes on which planters are well maintained, or not)
-Rachel pointed out that trees need 20 gallons of water a week
-Michael and Rachel will put together guidelines on planter and tree maintenance for next newsletter.

Youth Committee & Block Party
-Kisha wasn’t present, but it was agreed the block party was great.
-There is still no final budget for the Block Party.

Old Business
-Rachel and Patrick are taking the city class on Tree Pruning
-Maliza would like a reading series in the garden targeted to kids.

New Business
-Joe Ray died—the funeral will be on Monday. We will put an obituary in the next newsletter in his honor, as well as sending a card and flowers.
-Halloween. We voted 8 to 1 in favor of giving out a $25, $15, and $10 prize for stoop decoration. We’ll determine the candy give away at the October meeting.



Toya adjourned the meeting.


Attendance:

209 Michael Broder
182 Rachel Hernandez
182A Toya Williford
184 Maliza Joseph-Gabriel
184 Patrick Joseph-Gabriel
164 Fran Krause
180 Siri Farmer-Vergara
173 Barbara Hopkinson
157 Andrew Robinson
209 Jason Schneiderman

June 7th Minutes

Madison Block Association #3
June 7, 2008 Minutes

Handouts: Block Party Budget, History of Mr. Russell’s tree complaints.

Maliza Joseph-Gabriel called us to order.

Jason Schneiderman read the minutes from the previous meeting. The minutes were approved.

Stars of Hope Update
-Mollie Parnis money will hopefully be available to update the garden
-There is still unused money for the garden, we hope to renew a grant.
-We hope to pave a walkway
-We hope to keep the garden open longer hours.
-Reminder that anyone can get a key by calling Michael

Maliza Joseph-Gabriel Reported on Public Safety
-Maliza missed the meeting due to illness.
-There have been no incidents since last meeting.
-Residents are reminded to call 311 with problems.

Finance and Fundraising
-Receipts for dues were distributed by Andrew.

Mollie Parnis Dress Up Your Neighborhood Award
-We are one of nine finalists for the Grand Prize.
-The Brooklyn Eagle will be running a story on our planting party.
-If we win, we’ll receive $3000 more to get more planters
-Residents should remember to water the existing planters EVERY DAY.
-There is a problem with kids pulling up the plants. Please confront if you see it.
-For the fall, we hope to have another BBQ to winterize the planets.
-Mr. Russell will look into option for lighting the planters in the evening.
-The Judges loved our BBQ on the 17th, especially the Power Point & bringing the whole block together.

Kisha Sigler Presented on the Youth Committee & Block Party
-Kisha would like to take the neighborhood kids to “Added Value”, a teaching farm in Red Hook.
-Kisha put down a $200 down payment on the carnival rides for the Party.
-The kids meeting was cancelled due to heat, and rescheduled.
-The same person who worked on the Basketball Tournament last year will run it again.
-Kisha is working on getting a sound permit.
-We will use the same games from last year.
-Barbara will look into calling the Press about the Party.
-Kisha has requested $800 from Al Van.
-Kisha is planning for money, even if she can’t get the money from Al Van.
-Currently, the budget is at $1504, and $809 has been raised.
-Kisha is going door to door to generate support, using Maliza’s list of block residents.
-There will be a Bike Parade.

Old Business
-186 Madison has been purchased! It will be occupied in the fall by the owner of the New You Day Spa at Clifton & Grand and her husband, a Police Detective.
-Maliza is trying to figure out how to get a license to prune one’s tree.
-John Russell showed us the history of his complaints since 2002 regarding tree pruning.
-Maliza will follow up on the tree pruning issue.
-Ms. Darlinton is going to lead the new trip planning committee. She will look into a bus trip to a winery and/or Atlantic City. She will present itineraries and budgets for potential trips at our next meeting. Kisha will assist.

Treasurer’s Report
-There was no handout, as Andrew’s printer was broken. The Block Association will consider buying Andrew a new printer at the next meeting.
-We spent $1869.09 on beautification.
-We spent $52.83 on the newsletter. (usually the printing is done gratis, and we’re trying to find away to continue doing it gratis.
-We reimbursed Kisha $170 for Block Party expenses.
-We spent $75 for 250 checks for the Block Association.
-As of June 7, we had 935.56 in our account.
-Mr. Russell expressed concern about the transparency of the finances.
-Mr. Russell has been placed on the audit committee for the association.
-We need to get receipts that identify the Block Association officially.

Maliza adjourned the meeting.


Attendance:

209 Jason Schneiderman
184 Maliza Joseph-Gabriel
170 John Russell
153 Kisha Sigler
136 Ms. Darlington
157A Ms. Bridgewater
173 Barbara Hopkinson
145 Dale Fraser
157 Andrew Robinson

Fresh, Organic Produce Available this Season

The Bed Stuy CSA is now accepting members for the 2008 harvest season through June 1st.

*The Bed-Stuy CSA* is a Community Supported Agriculture project of the Magnolia Tree Earth Center of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc. and Conuco Farm.

We bring fresh, locally-grown organic vegetables to the community at an affordable price through a mutually beneficial partnership between residents looking for quality produce and a local farmer of color. The season begins mid-June and ends end of October.

We are now accepting applications for our 2008 harvest season. Share prices for a full share are $475 and for a half share are $275. If your income is below $25,000, the share prices for a full share are $325 and for a half share $200.

In addition to getting great vegetables from Hector Tejada of Conuco Farm this year, we will be giving members the option to purchase additional fruit, egg and meat shares from local farmers through the CSA.

To sign up, you can download the membership contract at
www.bedstuycsa.wetpaint.com or call us
with any questions at (718) 387-2116 x12.

Free Trees!

1,250 Free Trees Available to NYC Homeowners and Families in May!

Through the generous sponsorship of BNP Paribas – presenting sponsor of MillionTreesNYC Month – 1,250

FREE trees will be available for adoption throughout the City’s five boroughs this May. Trees will be distributed by New York Restoration Project (NYRP) at four Council on the Environment of New York City (CENYC) Greenmarkets and the Riverdale, Bronx YM-YWHA’s Environmental Fair – with 250 trees being given away to homeowners and families at each tree-distribution site.

Note – individuals and families are limited to adopting one tree per household and required to register their new tree at www.milliontreejavascript:void(0)
Publish Postsnyc.org. NYRP horticulture specialists will be on hand to provide instruction on proper tree-planting and maintenance techniques. For CENYC Greenmarket and Environmental Fair participants who do not have their own yard to plant a tree, information on volunteering, educational programming and contributing to MillionTreesNYC will also be available.

Adopt your FREE tree in May at the following locations, and be one in a million!

• Saturday, May 10 – 8 am to 2 pm NOTE – NEW DATE
Borough Hall CENYC Greenmarket – Staten Island
St. Mark’s and Hyatt

• Saturday, May 10 – 8 am to 2 pm
Grand Army Plaza CENYC Greenmarket – Brooklyn
Prospect Park NW Entrance

• Saturday, May 17 – 8 am to 2 pm NOTE – NEW DATE
Inwood CENYC Greenmarket – Upper Manhattan
Isham St – Seaman & Cooper

• Saturday, May 17 – 8 am to 2 pm
Sunnyside CENYC Greenmarket – Queens
Skillman between 42nd and 43rd Streets

• Sunday, May 18 – 8 am to 2 pm
Riverdale YM-YWHA Environmental Fair – Bronx
5625 Arlington Avenue at 256th Street

Limited quantities of the following species of trees will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis: Red Bud, Dogwood, Cherry, Crabapple, Service Berry, Linden, Sweetgum and Oak.

About MillionTreesNYC

Led by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and New York Restoration Project (NYRP), MillionTreesNYC is a citywide, public-private initiative with an ambitious goal: to plant and care for one million new trees across the City’s five boroughs by 2017.