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Minutes of the General Membership Meeting of the Westmoreland Association
November 18, 2019

Officers Present
President – Walter Mugdan
Vice President - Victor Dadras
Secretary – Charles Manna

Board Members Present
John Duane
Peter Reinharz
Bob Timmerman
Philip Toscano

Officials Present
State Senator John Liu, and his Deputy Chief of Staff Akshar Patel
Amber Yoon, representing Assemblyman Ed Braunstein

President Walter Mugdan called the meeting to order at 8:05 P.M. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously adopted to waive reading of the minutes. (Mr. Mugdan noted that the minutes are available for review on the Westmoreland website.)

Treasurer Gary Savage was out of the country; Walter Mugdan announced that the balance-on-hand was about $17,500. A motion was made to accept this interim Treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded, and the report was unanimously approved.

New and Old Business

• Walter reported on the successful Third Annual Glenwood Landing Park cleanup held October 26. 17 people participated in the event, which included planting some 550 daffodil bulbs. A spring cleanup will be scheduled for late March or early April.

• Walter announced Assemblyman Braunstein's annual Toy Drive and Veterans Gift Drive. Toys and gifts must be received by December 17. For details on what kinds of toys and gifts are accepted, and where and when to deliver them, call the Assemblyman's office at 718-357-3588

• Walter announced that on Nov. 18 the Douglaston Civic Association meeting would include information about the planned reconstruction of the Little Neck-Douglaston Branch of the Queens Library. [Walter attended the 11/18 meeting and learned that $20 million in funding has been approved for a complete reconstruction of the library, with the goal of doubling its current size (either with a finished basement or a second floor). The current building will be completely removed. A well-respected design firm has been hired. Design is expected to take about a year, and demolition and construction would likely take 1-2 years more. During the time the building is not available, a temporary library would likely be installed in a nearby rental location. The Westmoreland Association will work with the Douglaston Civic Association and the Friends of the Library to learn how we can best provide constructive input to the design.]

• Walter reported on a September 21 news story that Captain John Hall, the Commander of the 111th NYPD Precinct, while out jogging on the Joe Michaels Mile (along the Cross Island Parkway), saw a vehicle that had been reported stolen. He called his officers to the scene. Three men were arrested; they also found stolen credit cards with the men. Bravo to Captain Hall!

Discussion of Traffic Issues Around PS-94 and Elsewhere in the Community

Discussion continued from that last two Association meetings concerning proposals for traffic improvements in the community and, in particular, around PS-94 where conditions are chaotic and unsafe during the morning drop-off and afternoon pickup time periods. The proposals approved at our September meeting included making one block of 41st Drive between Westmoreland and Little Neck Parkway (LNP) into a one-way street towards LNP. At the September meeting the members present also took note of the fact that 42nd Avenue has for many years been one-way towards Westmoreland, and 44th Avenue was made one-way towards Westmoreland a number of years ago. The members endorsed a suggestion to consider making 43rd Avenue one way towards LNP. Walter explained that after the September meeting, a letter was sent from the Association to the Transportation Committee of Community Board (CB) 11 suggesting that the Committee consider these proposals.

Walter opened the discussion by first addressing the 43rd Avenue proposal. During the time between the September meeting and the November meeting, resident Jean-Jacques Jonatowski circulated a survey to all the residents of 43rd Avenue; nearly all responded that they preferred to keep it as a two-way street; none responded that they preferred to make it a one-way street. Several of those residents were present at the meeting. Walter noted that the 43rd Avenue proposal was not directly connected to the efforts to improve traffic conditions around PS-94. He pointed out that while Westmoreland area residents were notified on multiple occasions about our intention to discuss traffic conditions around PS-94, residents were not notified that there would be any discussion of traffic patterns on 43rd Avenue. Given the essentially unanimous objection of 43rd Avenue residents, and the lack of prior notice, Walter entertained a motion to amend the Association's previous proposals to the CB 11 Transportation Committee to delete the 43rd Avenue element. That motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. Walter will write to the CB 11 Committee with this update.

[At this point in the meeting, our guest State Senator John Liu arrived. The discussion of the PS-94-related traffic proposals was suspended while we heard from Sen. Liu -- see details below. After Sen. Liu departed, discussion of the PS-94 traffic concerns and proposals resumed.]

Walter explained the purpose of the 41st Drive proposal endorsed at the September meeting. With cars parked on the north and standing on the south side of the street during student drop off and pickup times, there is inadequate space for two-way traffic. Many drivers therefore park partially on the sidewalks. This would not be necessary if the street is one-way. Children and adults walking between cars would not need to contend with two-way traffic. Additionally, making the street one-way would deter commuters during the evening rush hour from using 41st Drive as a through-street to avoid congestion on Northern Blvd.

A detailed map displaying the proposals endorsed at the September meeting was circulated to the attendees.

Discussion focused on the proposal to make the one block of 41st Drive one way towards LNP. A number of residents from that block were present. Resident Wilson Milian, speaking on behalf of himself and some neighbors, expressed opposition to the proposal for a variety of reasons. Resident Alan Rubin presented a written statement with several attachments, also opposing the proposal. [Those who wish to read Mr. Rubin's written submissions are invited to email Westmorelandassn@aol.com, and we will provide a digital copy.]

Reasons for opposition cited by Mr. Milian and Mr. Rubin included a concern that traffic on a one-way street may travel more quickly than on a two-way street, thus potentially increasing the danger of an accident; doubts about the efficacy of the proposal to improve school-related traffic on 41st Drive; doubts about its efficacy in deterring commuter traffic during the evening rush; concerns about inconvenience to residents of this block of 41st Drive; concerns about the impact of the proposal on other area residents; and concerns that a full-time conversion to a one way street was being proposed to address a problem that only exists for a few hours per day and only on school days.

Other residents who spoke had similar concerns, though some were more open to considering the proposal, and one resident expressed potential support.

Mr. Milian and others made a variety of alternative suggestions, including installation of "No Standing" signs on the south side, requests to the NYPD to enforce the rules, and installation of cameras to enhance enforcement. Walter and others noted that camera installation requires State approval which is unlikely to be given. Moreover, it is widely recognized that police will almost never ticket parents who are dropping off or picking up children, even if they are parked in areas where parking is prohibited, unless the driver is behaving in an unusually dangerous manner.

Several people advocated that the one-way restriction for this block could be made intermittent, to be applicable only during specified time periods (i.e., during the morning drop off and afternoon pickup times). This is similar to what is done by the Town of North Hempstead for turns at the intersection of Nassau Road and West Mill Drive. Walter and others advised that the New York City Department of Transportation is very unlikely to approve any such intermittent restrictions on New York City streets.

Concerns were expressed that the proposals endorsed at the September meeting had already been adopted or finalized in some manner. One attendee had this concern because the annotated map displaying the proposal appeared to have been professionally prepared. [In fact it was not prepared professionally; it was prepared by Walter simply as a means to illustrate the proposals.] There was also concern that the transmission of the proposals to CB-11's Transportation Committee implied a degree of finality.

Association Vice President Victor Dadras currently serves as Chair of the CB-11 Transportation Committee. He explained on several occasions during the meeting that the referral of the proposals to that Committee by the Association does not in suggest any finality in the matter. On the contrary, the Association simply suggested that the Committee consider the proposals, which it has done and continues to do. Any more formal endorsement of any portion of the proposals would have to come from the full Community Board, and that would only happen after a public hearing opportunity. Moreover, the ultimate decision lies entirely with the NYC Transportation Department, which -- if it was inclined to pursue the question at all -- would carry out its own detailed analysis and make independent proposals on how to address the underlying concerns. Victor stressed that all of the proposed changes are at the discussion stage, and no decision has been made by anyone or any entity.

Board member Phil Toscano noted that an additional standing area for parents dropping off and picking up children could be created by prohibiting parking, during the relevant time periods, in about 10 parking spots on the east side of Little Neck Parkway between 42nd and 43rd Avenues (adjacent to Admiral Park, the school playground). Children could safely walk to and from these cars, across 42nd Ave., because there is a crossing guard at that intersection. There was general agreement that this could be helpful, but there was also recognition that parking spots are important for the neighbors across the street and others. The idea will be communicated to the CB-11 Transportation Committee.

There was renewed discussion of the need to eliminate one parking spot on the west side of Marathon Parkway immediately south of the traffic light and the right-turn lane from southbound Little Neck Parkway onto Marathon. This spot is almost always occupied (mostly by a large van); the parked vehicle interferes with the traffic trying to make the right turn going south onto Marathon Parkway. Walter reported that after the September meeting, the Association wrote to NYCDOT requesting that this parking spot be eliminated. No response has yet been received.

Finally, a suggestion was made to eliminate parking on the western-most end of 41st Drive for at least three car lengths. This is also an element of the proposal endorsed at the September meeting, and is reflected in the map that was distributed at the meeting.

New Business

State Senator John Liu joined the meeting at 8:40 p.m, and stayed for over an hour for a "Town Hall" session. He introduced himself and shared information about his professional background, which is in accounting and finance. He has a degree in Math and Physics. He previously served as NY City Councilman and NYC Comptroller. His current agenda in Albany includes the following:
• He is working with other legislators to improve the voting process across the state, including absentee and early voting. This year’s changes seemed to go very well.
• He supports a woman’s right to choose. He supports the “Reproductive Rights” law which is intended to offset any potential attack on the Roe v. Wade decision by the current Supreme Court. The state law removes the stigma of abortion being an illegal activity, establishing this as a matter of personal health status.
• He supports all efforts to create a “Zero Emissions” standard by moving towards replacing current dependence on fossil fuel energy sources with renewable energy sources to combat the Global Warming crisis.
• Among the legislature's most important duties is negotiating and establishing the state's $175 billion annual budget. The largest elements in the budget are funding for public schools and health benefits for state residents.
• He explained that the difference between the State Senate and the Assembly is basically the same as for the House of Representatives and Senate in the federal Congress. Each State Senator represents approximately 340,000 residents and each State Assemblyperson represents approximately 180,000 residents. Ed Braunstein is our Assemblyperson.

Senator Liu then invited questions from the audience.

Q: What, if anything, is being done to reduce taxes? (The questioner mentioned that President Trump has changed his residence from New York to Florida.)
A.There is no evidence that President Trump is actually contributing to the tax revenues of NY State. He may, in fact, not have the assets that he claims. Besides, the property taxes on his NY State-located assets will remain. There has been an increase on the "mansion tax" (this would not affect the vast majority of Little Neck properties). Sen. Liu also supported the increase in the "millionaire tax."

Q: What is the impact of the change in the law that changes the status of 16- and 17-year old people from "adults" to "minors"? Won’t they be more out of control because they can’t receive a police summons for nuisance behavior?
A. There is no evidence that will happen. They can still be arrested for misdemeanors and felonies. The same concern was expressed with the end of stop-and-frisk. The result was that crime has continued to drop and the relationship of police and the general public has improved. There was a disproportionate number of non-white stops that did not result in arrests for cause. It just created fear and mistrust by minorities.

Q: What can be done to reduce the number of empty store-fronts along Northern Blvd?
A: Sen. Liu reminded us that the Senator’s job is to review policies by the various departments in the state government. Local concerns are best addressed to City officials such as our City Council member. Sen. Liu agreed that there is a general problem with commercial rental costs, which have escalated significantly in recent years. [Association Secretary Charles Manna, who is a realtor, gave examples of the dramatic escalation in commercial rental costs, to levels that are likely unsustainable.] Sen. Liu said that there has been discussion among legislators regarding commercial rent control, which he could support, but there is not yet much support for such an initiative among other legislators.

Q: The MTA bus service has deteriorated considerably recently. This especially affects senior citizens, as well as non-drivers. What can be done?
A. The MTA has had a very bad history of poor management of funding and maintenance and other problems. The best thing to do now is to focus on the future. The most current change was to introduce tandem (or articulated) buses. They increase the passenger capacity, but in many cases the MTA reduces the schedule frequency. The attendees emphasized that more buses and greater frequency, not longer buses, are what is needed in our area. Sen. Liu said that the MTA was trying to make changes that addressed the greatest need. The solution must balance the needs of all the patrons -- not an easy task. There is a $51 billion capital improvement plan that is being developed. Senator Liu and others are trying to ensure that the MTA produces the best plan possible for the district.

Q: There are 65,000 homeless people in New York City. What can be done about it?
A. The biggest issue related to this problem is affordable housing. There are few projects in the works to solve this issue. A general discussion ensued.

Q: The questioner has to get to work in Manhattan very early in the morning. He has to drive because there is insufficient early morning railroad or bus service to Manhattan.
A. Sen. Liu agrees that this is an issue.

Senator Liu concluded that what he can do is seek to hold government agencies accountable for their actions and policies, and seek to ensure they make their decisions in an appropriate way, and based on adequate consideration of the facts and their constitutents' needs. He does not seek to substitute his personal views for the judgment of the agencies' professional staff.

Announcements:
On December 4, 2019 the City Landmarks Commission will hold a meeting at the Little Neck Community Church at 7 PM.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.

The next meeting is on March 16, 2020.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles Manna

 

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