Expense Priorities for Fiscal Year 2011

1. Restore Community Board Budget. (OMB)
Explanation:  Community Board 3 is one of the largest and most densely populated districts in the city.  We have over 172,000 people.  To serve this community with many needs, and to advocate for our community while it is going through many changes is very expensive.  Our community has the dubious distinction of being the worst in the city in quality of life noise complaints.  It takes a full time staff member to process SLA and related quality of life issues.

The Community Board has been able to absorb a one-time hit this year because of good planning.  However, if cuts are not restored it will be necessary to reduce staff at a time when, because of budget cuts, the community most needs Community Board services.

2. Restore NYPD uniform staff. (NYPD)
Explanation:  NYC has been losing uniform police every year due to budget cuts.  There is a reduction of 3,000 for current year.  There are not enough police in precincts to cover criminal and quality of life complaints that are under jurisdiction of police.  In one of our 3 precincts, crime has already gone up over 5% in the last year even though we have not seen end of year statistics.  CB 3 has the second highest number of quality of life complaints in Manhattan.

3. Fund increased summer youth employment slots. (DYCD)
Explanation:  In the current economy—more slots are needed for our low and moderate income youth.  Even with restored funding for the past summer, many youths were turned away.  In addition, our community has seen an increase in teen violence.  These teens need job opportunities instead of environment that does not encourage them to be productive.

4. Funding to maintain ACS staff. (ACS)
Explanation:  Staff has been cut significantly and will not be able to manage and monitor programs even though case load reduction has been maintained.

5. Funding for programs for youth 18-21 who have aged out from foster care services. (ACS)
Explanation:  Many young people are aged out of many programs and agencies after 18.  More services need to be provided to ensure their safety, and development.

6. Intergenerational Program—This DFTA funded programs is needed in Community Board 3. (DFTA)
Explanation:  This program pairs youth, mostly 15-21 with seniors that need help.  The kids run errands and help seniors, which helps seniors be able to remain in their homes.  It also teaches neighborhood kids skills and responsibilities and helps them with job readiness.  This formerly was funded by DYCD—but their funding was totally cut.  This is now a DFTA program and last year much of the funding for this was restored—but not in Community Board 3.  Visiting Neighbors is particularly asking for our help in funding.
 
7. Increased funding for Parks Enforcement Police. (DPR)
Explanation:  Increased development and increased use of parks requires more PEP officers.  In addition, there has been a loss of PEP officers that must be restored.  This is in addition to loss of NYPD staff that also helps cover parks.

8. Restore NYPD Civilian staff. (NYPD)
Explanation:  There has been reduction of 1,400 civilian positions in NYPD this year.  Civilians staff allow police to do police work.  With the reduction of NYPD uniforms, it is necessary more than ever to have civilians in positions that will allow police to be available for administrative and operational positions.

9. Basket pickups—restore street corner pickups. (DOS)
Explanation:  Basket pickups, cut for budgetary reasons, were inadequate when fully staffed due to destination nightlife areas on weekends.  The East Village particularly has again been voted NYC hottest nightlife area but we have not been provided infrastructure to handle weekend influx.  The spillover of garbage also contributes to rodent problem.

10. Increase traffic enforcement staff. (NYPD)
Explanation:  There have been cuts to non-enforcement staff in traffic enforcement and lack of sufficient enforcement staff.  The increase in business and traffic and nightlife traffic has created congestion and to safety and issues.  Transportation issues are a constant high priority issue for this board.

11. Increased exterminator staff and training for Parks Dept. staff. (DPR)
Explanation:  CB 3 has ever increasing complaints about the overwhelming rodent problem in parks.  Target baiting and consultation with rodent experts has not had a significant impact on problem.

12. Restored funding for Parks staff. (DPR)
Explanation:  Maintenance workers and parks workers are very needed.  The Community Board is receiving more complaints than ever before about cleanliness and upkeep.

13. Hire seasonal workers dedicated to East River ballfields. (DPR)
Explanation:  Ball fields take a half day to drain after rain—there is a scarcity of fields and it is a great loss to teams when fields are not usable.  Workers would be able to pump and maintain fields for maximum usage by residents.

14. Funding to hire consultants for planning & designing for former Seward Park Urban Renewal Area. (HPD)
Explanation:  Seward Park Urban Renewal site is the largest City owned land south of 96th Street in Manhattan.  The land has the potential to create permanent affordable housing, community-based businesses, and open space.  However, to ensure this project can succeed, the City must hire consultants to plan and design the site with these principles in mind.

15. Continued funding to keep libraries open 6 days a week. (NYPL)
Explanation:  Libraries are being used even more in this bad economy.  This is an essential service for our communities.  There has been a 14.39% increase in the number of visits to libraries in Community Board 3 in the past 12 months.

16. Continued funding for milling and paving. (DOT)
Explanation:  Budget cuts have impacted ability to keep up with necessary milling and paving.  Potholes and ponding conditions are a big problem in the district.

17. Mechanical brooms—street sweeping has been cut due to budget—was inadequate when fully staffed due to destination nightlife areas on weekends.  Also contributes to rodent problem. (DOS)
Explanation:  The area has increased development because of new building and is also continuing to expand as a destination nightlife area.  This requires increased services at a time when services are being cut.  The nightlife industry is contributing to tax base, but infrastructure to accommodate this is not maintained.

18. Decibel meters—new meters that measure base to enforce noise law of July 2007 and training for staff. (NYPD)
Explanation:  In July 2007 NYC passed a new noise code that, among other things, included new compliance regarding base because the old noise code did not regulate adequately.  NYPD has yet to purchase decibel meters and train staff to enforce this over 2-year old law.  CB 3 continues to far exceed any other community board in number of NYPD commercial noise complaints. It is impossible for DEP to enforce the noise law every weekend in problem areas. It is necessary for NYPD to purchase decibel meters to enforce July 2007 noise code and train staff on up-to-date meters.

19. Restore cabaret units. (NYPD)
Explanation:  3 precincts (6, 10 and 13) that work in problematic areas have retained specialized units because of effectiveness.  CB 3 has more NYPD commercial noise complaints than any other CB. In addition, bar owners have reported that continued relationships with experienced police allow them to work with PD and report problems without fear of negative consequences.  This protects the businesses and promotes public safety.

20. Continued funding for HPD code enforcement inspectors. (HPD)
Explanation:  This program is necessary for safety and well being of our residents. It is necessary to maintain and preserve our affordable housing and support and protect our tenants.

21. Increased funding for DOB plan examiners. (DOB)
Explanation:  Community Board 3 continues to see new applications, including professionally certified plans.  Audits have found many problems to be addressed.  There is currently a backlog of plans being audited. This can hurt developers as they continue to build when there may be problems to be addressed, and hurts the community when plans are not in compliance.

22. Continued funding for HPD litigation lawyers. (HPD)
Explanation:  Legal staff is necessary to ensure compliance. Community Board 3 has seen many problems with buildings that has caused vacates of residents.  It is necessary to pursue non compliance vigorously to ensure public safety and compliance.

23. Continued funding Neighborhood Preservation and Community Consultant Program. (HPD)
Explanation:  These programs assist community groups and neighborhood housing organizations to work with the HPD and private residential owners to coordinate, develop, and maintain the affordability of existing housing.  This limited supply of affordable housing is being rapidly lost through the ongoing gentrification of our community and must be safeguarded.

24. Increase funding for anti-eviction legal services. (HPD)
Explanation:   Increased anti-eviction services are needed to preserve the occupancy of vulnerable long-term tenants. There are many complaints by rent regulated tenants of harassment & attempts to evict so that apartment can be rented for more money.

25. Funding for HPD expense loan programs. (HPD)
Explanation:  We are continually losing affordable housing—which is a priority in our community.  HPD loan programs are instrumental in preserving affording housing.