The meeting took place at 180 Cabrini Blvd. #89 and was called to order at 7:15 p.m. 4/27/98. Present were the following residents of member buildings:  Michael Augenblick of 255 Cabrini Condominium; Geri Hopkins and Martha Ellington of Ft. Tryon Corp.;  Peggy Morrissey and Helen Sokolsky of Cabrini Terrace; Kirsten Cowal of Chittenden House; Constance Cooper of 100 Overlook Terrace; Michael Klein and Michael Zamm of 720-730 Ft. Washington; Elizabeth Ritter, Erica Lindenstraus and Marcella Calabi of Castle Village. Also present were Rosendo Hernandez of Commercial Associate Member Hernandez Grocery, and Caroline Brown of Wm. B. May Company.
 

The following noise- and security related topics came up:

•  Noise from ice cream trucks.  Connie noted that she has been successful in getting some of them to turn it down when they were really loud, esp. in the evening.  She also learned that the 34th precinct has a decibel meter and can effectively monitor noise-pollution laws using this device;  request it if you call with a noise complaint.  She also asked if anyone else would be willing to be called and perhaps go with her when there is a truck to track down.  Geri suggested that she make use of the volunteer patrol that is operating in Connie’s neighborhood for this purpose.

•  Noise from the river.  There are occasionally party boats that anchor where the river widens north of the GWBridge and blast music in the wee hours, very audible to the riverbank buildings.  The precinct was unable to help with this recently.  Any ideas about how to contact the marine unit?

• Noise and late-night activity in the Javitz playground.  All parks close at 1:00 a.m. unless otherwise posted;  Javitz is posted to close at dusk; so the police should be responsive to calls about this problem.  This is an example of the type of interaction with the precinct that also should be followed up on during regular working hours with the Community Policing Officer.  [Marcella will add this topic and also the topic of Ft. Tryon Park closure to her follow-up discussion with Lt. Melendez.]  It is also worth calling the parks department at 1-800-201-PARK.

•  The holdup in a member building’s garage earlier this month.  Good news:  not only were the perpetrators apprehended but the cars were recovered as well.

• Members were reminded that individual buildings can request a free security survey by a member of the crime prevention unit from the precinct.

Discussion of community events included the following:

• Singfest was wonderful according to several who attended.  It is disappointing that there were few neighborhood residents in attendance, especially in light of some HHOC members having leafletted their entire buildings.  We need to continue to brainstorm about focusing neighborhood attention on such events.
•  Earth Day events were rained out the preceding weekend, rescheduled for 5/3

The list of projects was reviewed, including the following:

• reminders that HHOC continues to collect data points re bus behavior and cab behavior, member buildings’ policy statements for the coop policy library, and names and addresses of people who might be open to our help in crime prevention through screening of potential residents.

• a reminder that HHOC can provide Clean-Up-After-Your-Dog posters.  On the subject of dog poop, Elizabeth(?) noted that one can request/suggest that the Department of Sanitation do a summonsing blitz, and that the dog-walking hours of 6-7 a.m. or p.m. are times when the Dept. could "clean up" [pun intended] in our neighborhood.  Connie agreed to draft a letter making such a request.

• Last fall there was discussion of drops in water pressure, especially during the summer months, that had been tabled until the spring.  No-one present was among the original interested parties so discussion did not proceed.  Will the people who want to pursue this please contact Marcella.

• The idea of a security patrol north of PS187 has evolved into an effort to bring those buildings together on security issues shared by that section of the neighborhood.  Geri provided a list of the buildings and agreed to work with Martha, Erika, and Mike Z. to identify contact persons for the next step.

HHOC business:

•  Mike A. reported on the development of the HHOC website and suggested that all members check out the site and think through what they would like to see posted.
• Dues letters are waiting for Marcella and Elizabeth to update the informational enclosure.
•  In the meantime HHOC has two new members appearing on the letterhead.
•  It was agreed to have envelopes printed with the HHOC return address, slogan, etc.
• HHOC has moved its checking account to the credit union.
•  A revised handout on the issues related to HHOC’s 501(c)(3) status was given out in preparation for discussion at the next meeting.  We need a professional accountant or lawyer to help us with this matter, preferably pro bono.

Topics concerning local businesses:
 

•  Connie extolled the virtues of several stores on Broadway around 189th Street and reminded the organization that its project on 187th Street should not obscure other areas.
• The new café on 187th Street continues to be making progress towards a late-spring, eagerly awaited opening. Grace supermarket is making some efforts to improve appearance.
• The new supermarket at 187th and Ft. Washington seems to be deteriorating rapidly from its promising beginning.  Participants agreed not to give up on the place before communicating politely but persistently about the things they feel are necessary.  HHOC will reach out to the new management to let them know that we stand behind any efforts to provide good service;  Geri will find out the contact name/address and Marcella will draft the letter.
• The merchants’ collective that began meeting after HHOC’s gathering last December has named itself Hudson River Merchants’ Association and seems to be working hard to grow.  Rosendo agreed to report to HHOC on the HRMA’s next meeting, and it was agreed that HHOC would make contact with HRMA in a couple of months.

The next meeting was set for THURSDAY [note: NOT MONDAY] MAY 21st, same time and place. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.