A board agenda with little meaningful business reflects the cloistered mindset of the state agency in recent years. A spine-free board will be asked to rubber stamp deals already done at a pace set to get it all over with fast. After two prior cancelations, the March 24th online gathering is the first for this year.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Board Agenda for March 24th, 2022
Since President/CYA Shelton J. Haynes took the reins at RIOC in June 2020, board meetings have been increasingly coordinated, avoiding public discussion or any suggestion of disagreement. The board, consisting of two state officials and four local Hay’s Spring amphipods, has little to do apart from nodding “Yes” on cue whenever called upon. Oh, and smiling and chatting in collegial fashion.
On the positive side, all three agenda items are under the oversight of CFO John O’Reilly, a capable financial steward recruited by a previous administration.
- Insurance binders for the coming year. O’Reilly and brokers worked hard at keeping spiraling rates from overwhelming the budget. This year should be no different; that is, RIOC will land the best coverage available at a reasonable rate.
- The board will nod approvingly at a contract continuing LiRo as owner’s representative for capital projects and strategic planning. In the years since then CEO Susan Rosenthal brought them in, supplementing a highly paid but incompetent staff, LiRo has done well by Roosevelt Island. Since then, staff bloat has expanded while LiRo ran the show capably. Because, in spite of big salary bumps and more six-figure incomes, RIOC is lost without them, this is a good deal.
- The only other item needing board action is a contract with ENVAC Iberia for AVAC services. ENVAC is a highly regarded corporation handling clean trash operations around the world. They’ve worked well here and, as the only viable alternative, should continue.
What’s Left?
If RIOC continues reading public statements prior to the official meeting, some real world concerns may throw shade on the otherwise smiley face world framed on Zoom. There is also a President’s report at the close. But this is where Haynes mumbles through a series of everything-is-great announcements, complimenting the invisible “teams” around him and, thus, himself.
The meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 24th. You can watch on Zoom as well as view all the board materials here.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- This Week’s Roosevelt Island Community Updates Beyond the TramDiscover this week’s Roosevelt Island community updates beyond the tram, from public safety and hospital news to festival highlights and neighborly stories.
- How Queens News Impacts Roosevelt Island Routines and Community LifeExplore how queens news impacts Roosevelt Island routines and community life, from public safety updates and election changes to housing assistance and local celebrations.
- What’s New Across Western Queens: Safety, Community, and Spring at Our DoorstepExplore what’s new across Western Queens this week, including safety updates, casino developments, real estate, and local dining—news that shapes Roosevelt Island life.
- A Full Week Across the River: How Roosevelt Island and Queens Lives IntersectA full week across the river shows how life on Roosevelt Island connects with Queens—covering public safety, legal updates, G train disruptions, and neighborhood events.
- Roosevelt Island Weekly Recap: Community Life, Local News, and Everyday ConnectionsOur Roosevelt Island weekly recap covers local news, community events, and the threads of daily life connecting neighbors on and off the island.
On naming, neglect, and the quiet work that keeps things standing
About twenty years ago, there was Harbor Police activity near the water, just south of the subway entrance. At the time, no one really thought of it as a pier, though technically there was a small boardwalk there. Of course it wasn’t a pier. A pier implies intention.
2 COMMENTS