RIOC’s April 2023 Board Meeting is odd in several ways. For many Roosevelt Islanders, it may also be disappointing. Here’s a look at what to expect.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
The odd part starts with the timing: 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 3rd. RIOC‘s board always meets on Thursday unless there is something unusual going on. Scroll through the agenda below, and there is no indication of anything strange.
Oddness continues with the recognition that this is the first board meeting of the year – in the second quarter. Previously, the need for board approval of contracts and policies necessitated monthly meetings.
And it isn’t preceded by committee meetings where members preview items for the main agenda. That always used to happen.
Do the oddities suggest something unannounced? We don’t know, but we’ll be there and find out.
The April 2023 Board Meeting, Like It or Probably Not
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While the agenda lists important items up for a vote – annual cleaning contracts and a new workplace policy item, some things are missing but could be added later.
First and foremost, there is no contract concerning OMNY for the Tram on the list. Any move to OMNY requires a new contract with the MTA. The old one allowing MetroCards should have been in mothballs long ago. The MTA currently siphons around $100,000 monthly from Roosevelt Island funds because it has no escalator clause.
No wonder the MTA is in no hurry to renegotiate.
And nothing is on the agenda for anything involving the opening of Sportspark after over two years. A gambit by President/CEO Shelton J. Haynes to convert the facility from a community center to a profit center raised so much anger, all plans stalled. At least publicly.
There’s a possibility that Haynes will reveal some new information in his scheduled “President’s Report,” but that raises another oddity. Seldom Seen Shelton hasn’t appeared at any board or other scheduled meeting in six months.
RIOC’s October Board Meeting was the last time, and he may or may not appear.
Other issues, like the outrageous Motorgate parking fee increases and the destabilizing cascade of career-busting firings, will probably escape notice as long no one brings them up in the public speaking session at the start.
In any case, the April 2023 Board Meeting should give us some answers. Recent experience suggests they won’t be happy ones.
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