The February meeting summary was reviewed and agreed to, with a correction
(venue).
The following neighborhood events were announced. (Most details have
been checked, but HHOC takes no responsibility for changes/corrections.)
Other cultural or neighborhood topics: Peggy has contacted
Cookingham tours and received a schedule. Elizabeth circulated a copy of
Senator Schneiderman’s report, "Ranking Banking," a summary and rating
of banking services available to the community, as well as State Comptroller
McCall’s report, "Electric Deregulation in New York State: The Need for
a Comprehensive Plan." A copy of the deregulation report, which is more
interesting than the title suggests, (and, given the current California
experience, is both important and timely) is enclosed with this mailing
The round table discussion of co-op and condo concerns turned out to
be far-ranging at this meeting, and included dialog about amenities such
as exercise facilities, storage rooms and cages, bike rooms, assessments,
window replacement projects, fire safety, management concerns, board-community
communications. 350 Cabrini Owners has just smoothly completed a window
replacement without an assessment to shareholders (congratulations!); if
other members want to know more about the contractors contact Julia. Kathe
recommends having a fire safety and prevention consultation which is available
through the 34th Precinct in collaboration with the fire department. Regina
pointed out that in some buildings it is common practice for the residents
to be able to bring their privately owned fire extinguishers to the super
to be recharged at the same time that the building's extinguishers are
serviced, and suggests that readers of this summary look into whether this
is possible in your building.
Members are reminded that copies of some documents such as house rules and policies from some of our buildings are available for perusal through the HHOC library. Contact Marcella at 928-4798 or secretary@hhoc.org if you wish to see them. And please, make sure your building's policies are in the library.
Elizabeth reported on the progress of the Quality of Life committee, which has been dealing with the controversy over the MTA's refusal to permit music and decoration in the subway elevators was discussed; dovetailed with the unsafe conditions of peeling lead paint etc. High-level officials of the MTA have been in communication with that committee. After some delays unrelated to this matter, the contract has been let to paint and clean up some twenty subway stations in the city. Possibly as a result of the attention being paid to our three subway stations because of the elevators, these three seem to have been moved to the top of the priority list and we expect them to be painted this spring or summer. It was agreed that HHOC would donate $50 to the Quality of Life Committee to help defray the costs it has incurred in its efforts so far (copying, phone, etc.).
Tina reported on progress towards completing the process of achieving hybrid 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) status for HHOC so that it can continue to function as a civic organization but also accept tax-deductible donations for not-for-profit causes.
There was discussion of the fact that the race for seats on the City
Council is unusually wide open due to the fact that many incumbents are
reaching their term limits. It was agreed that HHOC will work to host a
Candidates' Forum of some sort, probably in May or early June, for our
district. There was a discussion of possible venues and formats;
Elizabeth will take the next steps. Watch for further announcements.