Sandy Recovery Task Force Meeting: Update

Earlier today, I posted the following in response to a facebook posting by Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder and his meeting with the Sandy Recovery Task Force at Queens Borough President Melinda Katz's office.

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"Another very productive Sandy Recovery Task Force meeting this week convened and hosted by Borough President Melinda Katz! ........"

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The above picture and caption was posted by Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder on his facebook page earlier today.

Here's hoping Melinda Katz, or Dan Brown, or Dan Mundy, or anyone of the other attendees, send something out defining exactly what constitutes "another very productive meeting." 

It is now some 21 months post-Sandy so anything less than "rebuilding/repair will start next week" or  "your check is in the mail" or "your permits have been approved"  does not constitute a "productive" meeting at this point in time.

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Shortly thereafter I received the following email from Assemblyman Goldfeder:

"The Build it Back program is not moving fast enough and is still riddled with problems, but the recovery process has started for many families. Productive does not mean that every family has recovered and our communities are rebuilt, but it means we are making progress. There are many very specific challenges particularly in Broad Channel and without meetings like this one, a family could be waiting even longer. This was a productive meeting and I thank the Mundy's and all the community leaders for taking the time to attend. I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of every family to ensure we can rebuild." 

Phil Goldfeder

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Assemblyman Goldfeder's email was  followed by another from Dan Mundy, President of the Broad Channel Civic Association.

Thanks you to Assemblyman Goldfeder and Boro President Melinda Katz for hosting another monthly meeting in an effort to help move the Build it Back Program along Here are some of the points we were able to address :

 1) An agreement by BIB to withdraw their previous requirement that homes that were rebuilt or elevated would have to remain open on the lowest floor--this was originally a DOB requirement but under pressure from our civic association and others they relented as it was pointed out that this was a V-zone requirement and we successfully one that battle and are an AE zone

.2) Much progress on the big problem of HPD making environmental assessments that were INACCURATE and that designated some of our rebuilds as needing site specific DEC reviews when they DID NOT . they agreed to simplify the process and let the contractor submit the delineation directly to DEC.

 3) Specific families in Broad Channel that are waiting to rebuild were discussed and it was identified that HPD , working under BIB , was in many cases holding up the process during the contracts process. HPD agreed to push these along. We have one family cleared for rebuilding and four others very close

 4) Reimbursements were discussed and the BIB and the mayors rep told that it was way to slow to date and that they should be reaching out to any with application problems and speeding up the check disbursements.

 5) DOB issues with front yard mapping issues ,which were being initially held up as DOB was indicating you would have to now go to BS and A ( lengthy and expensive process) has been withdrawn and our old process restored ( can use the front yard for a porch and access if within the mapped street but not the building ) long way from a successful program but with out these meetings there would be no hope. this was the third meeting the boro president has hosted and at each one we are able to highlight problems and get some changes.

Dan Mundy