Q&A
Discussion on Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation board structure and representation
2:31:27
·
173 sec
Council Member Restler engages in a Q&A session with testifiers about the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) board structure and representation issues. The discussion covers the board's composition, appointment process, and the challenges faced by Roosevelt Island residents in having their voices heard.
- The RIOC board has 9 members, with a majority required to be Roosevelt Island residents
- Board members are appointed, not elected, leading to concerns about representation
- Testifiers express frustration with the lack of community input and the board's tendency to align with the governor's wishes
Lincoln Restler
2:31:27
So I just was a little confused to forgive my ignorance in, I believe, miss miss testimony you mentioned 5 board members.
2:31:35
The Riyadh website indicates 9.
Margie Smith
2:31:37
9.
2:31:37
9.
2:31:37
9.
2:31:38
9.
2:31:38
Sorry.
2:31:39
All appointed by the governor, 2 by by virtue of their position in New York State, director of the budget, and the head of HCR, and then 2 recommendations of
Lincoln Restler
2:31:47
the mayor.
2:31:49
2 by nature of their position in charge of DOB and HCR, 2 at the reclamation of the mayor, and then 5 other appointments.
2:31:57
By the count of the current 9, do any live on Roosevelt Island?
2:32:00
Yes.
2:32:00
And is there any requirement that is certain
Margie Smith
2:32:02
Yes.
2:32:02
There is a requirement that the majority live on Roosevelt Island.
2:32:05
Right.
2:32:05
I have to live on Roosevelt Island.
Lincoln Restler
2:32:06
And and the I I think
Joyce Short
2:32:10
they're not elected.
Margie Smith
2:32:10
They're not elected.
2:32:11
Oh, of course.
Lincoln Restler
2:32:11
They're not elected.
2:32:12
But I and I certainly appreciate the spirit of this resolution and and support it and think having you all should have a say and who is a part of the governing body of the place that you live.
2:32:23
There's no question about it.
2:32:26
But just for my edification, 5 of the nine people are residents, And is there any mechanism for them to kind of get feedback from their neighbors, or do you work with them collaboratively to help ensure that they are good stewards of the island?
Joyce Short
2:32:41
No.
2:32:41
They don't work with us.
Margie Smith
2:32:43
We we try.
2:32:44
Some of them the one there that's been there for 30 years, they wanna stay on the board for some reason.
2:32:49
They they're afraid of getting Albany mad.
2:32:51
So you get these big features about we're considering this, that are the other thing, and we understand it's not good for the island, blah blah blah blah.
2:32:59
But how do you vote?
2:33:00
Whatever way the governor says, because I don't wanna get thrown off the board.
2:33:03
And there's no, there's nothing we can do about it.
2:33:06
Well, They don't all work like that, but I'm saying it it doesn't take long to get the majority.
Joyce Short
2:33:12
And the ones Oh,
Margie Smith
2:33:13
the way the governor ones.
Joyce Short
2:33:14
And the ones that don't go along get out voted by the ones that do.
2:33:20
In other words, if there's only 3 votes that are positive for the community
Clifton Smith
2:33:26
Right.
Joyce Short
2:33:26
And there'll be 6 votes that are consistent with the what they perceive to be the state's position.
Margie Smith
2:33:33
Just one more quickie too of they don't pay very much attention to the term limits.
2:33:38
However, if the governor doesn't like the way somebody is voting, that person will get thanked off the board while other members who have been there ten times longer will remain on the board, and the answer will be, well, this term was up.
Joyce Short
2:33:50
I'd like to add one concept, if you mind, if you don't mind.
2:33:53
Sure.
2:33:54
And that is that neither the state of New York nor the city of New York provides any funding to a $30,000,000 budget that operates Roosevelt Island.
2:34:05
All of that money comes from the residents of Roosevelt Island.
2:34:10
It's basically like taxation without representation.
2:34:13
We need representation, and we're hoping that you'll exercise your muscle to give us that representation.
