(MSCC)  Secretary Eileen Miller, Assistant Secretary Frank Kelly, October 20, 2016 — A report on Midtown South Community Council’s September 15, 2016 Monthly Meeting Minutes

PROGRAM:
John Mudd opened the meeting by introducing himself and mentioned that Inspector Russell Green, commanding officer MTS was on assignment for police action that night.

John addressed the issue of the wi-fi kiosks in the west 30s. A number of homeless have been gathering around the kiosks and watching pornography on the kiosks. Through a concerted effort by the MTSCC, Council Member Corey Johnson’s office, Community Board 4, the mayor’s office and others. The operator of the kiosks, LinkNYC Network, shut down the Internet service on the kiosks.

John continued outlining the action plan to address homeless encampment issues.
Working in conjunction with representatives of Homeless Rights Project at Legal Aid Society; Marc Greenberg, executive director, Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing; and the Garment District Business Improvement District. Action is to include:
1. Raising the bar on shelter quality of services and conditions
2. Push state and city budgets for funds

John introduced Eugene Sinigalliano, beautification director of MTS CC as part of the team working on the action plan for beautification of MTS. To address the problem of homeless people flipping magazine holders on their side to use as seats at the kiosks. He suggested bolting the magazine holders to the ground.

John introduced Matt Green, Deputy Chief of Staff for Community Affairs for NYC Council Member Corey Johnson (224 West 30th Street, Suite 1206, New York, NY, NY 10001, mgreen@council.nyc.gov, Phone: 212-564-7757,Fax: 212-564-7347) Matt announced that there would be a community meeting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, to discuss how the council district’s participatory budgeting should be spent, on the High Line, 14th St and 10th Ave. It is an opportunity for residents to learn more about participatory budgeting and the city’s budget, and to submit ideas to improve our community

John Mudd introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Richard Rubel, station relations project manager for AMTRAK at Penn Station. He outlined improvements to help Penn Station better manage the homeless: Better lighting and elimination of hiding places, not tolerating eating out of garbage bins. His office at 7th Ave and 32nd St operates on a near 24/7 basis and is open 365 days a year. Officers are trained to offer social services and work with Urban Pathways, which has a client-centric approach. He advised attendees not to give panhandlers money: “Don’t’ give a guy a fish; show him how to fishâ€

MEETING OPENS FOR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

Det. Paul Spano discussed the day’s police action, which required Inspector Green’s Presence. Three officers were injured in an effort to subdue a meat cleaver wielding man.

The manager of Glenwood Properties, 320 W38th St., asked what is the NYPD doing to address the homeless issue in the precinct. Det. Spano noted that there had been 857 arrests year-to-date, 278 of them for drugs, between 29th St-41st Sts and 6th – 8th Aves., as well as 763 summonses. Det. Spano reminded the group that loitering is not illegal in New York State.

Representatives of Booth Gallery, 325 W38th St., thanked MTS for addressing the homeless encampment on their street.

The manager of four Starbucks franchises in the Herald Square area said that one of his employees was attacked in his Macy’s location.

Resident at 205 W39th St asked that the permits for food carts be checked, as she feels that the carts are too close to each other.

Resident of W29th St reported incidents of naked sex on the stoops there.

John Clancy of Foley’s NY, 18 W. 33rd St., said he wanted the excess garbage on his block addressed. He mentioned the The Paddy Reilly Memorial foundation benefit, honoring the late proprietor of Molly Wee Pub, would be held at Belmont Raceway, NY on Sunday, September 25.

MTSCC President John Mudd, Vice President Bill Otterson, Secretary Eileen Miller, Assistant Secretary Frank Kelly, Community Service Director Sharon Jasprizza, Beautification Director Eugene Sinigalliano

Officials in attendance:
Det. Paul Spano, MTS Community Affairs, P.O. Martin Reyes, MTS Auxiliary Coordinator.

Also attending:

Alicia Sheppard Molly Wee Pub
Alfredo Marty, Blarney Stone, 410 8th Ave
Craig Primus, CUNY, 365 5th Ave
Noelle Mooney, Stout, 133 W33rd St
Lt Kevin Molloy-AMTRAK /Penn Station Police
Lucille Songhai, Community Affairs Director, Manhattan Borough President’s Office
Jermaine Moorehead, Times Square Alliance
Lisa Lombardi, Urban Pathways, 575 8th Ave, NY, NY 10018
Paola Martinez, NYC Commission on Human Rights
Gerard McNamee, representing American Beauty, Beer Bar & Concert Venue, 251 W30th St
David Rios, Rick’s Cabaret and Vivid

Twitter account handles: @NYPDMTS, Transit Division @NYPDTRANSIT

The next MTS Community Council meeting will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2016,7:00 p.m., at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue between 34th and 35th streets.