PHOTO: The Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association hosted Participatory Budgeting idea-gathering sessions for the Fiscal Year 2016 plan. File Photo
It’s that time of year again.
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) this week announced the schedule for Participatory Budgeting brainstorming sessions, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7:45 p.m. at Borough Hall.
At each planning and brainstorming session, community members will gather, discern local needs, and suggest capital ideas for parks, schools, libraries, and other projects. Additionally, Ulrich will place suggestion boxes throughout the community which constituents can use to submit project ideas. Suggestions can also be made via mail, phone, or social media.
“As I have always said, this isn’t my money, it is the taxpayers’ money and they should have a say in how it’s spent,” Ulrich said.
The councilman also announced the following brainstorming session dates: Thursday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m., Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association, American Legion Post 118, 89-02 91st St.; Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m., 102nd Precinct Community Council, Richmond Hill Library, 118-14 Hillside Ave.; Wednesday, Oct. 28, 8 p.m., Richmond Hill Block Association, 110-08 Jamaica Ave.; Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m., Our Neighbors’ Civic Association, Nativity Church Basement, 101-41 91st St.
This is the fifth consecutive year Ulrich has held Participatory Budgeting in the 32nd District—Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, South Ozone Park, South Richmond Hill, Woodhaven—and the third consecutive year in Community Board 9. Ulrich was one of the initial four councilmembers to implement PB back in 2011.
In Fiscal Year 2016, Ulrich’s constituents in CB 9 and CB 14 voted on how to spend $2.51 million in capital funding, the most of any district in the city. Overall, Ulrich secured a record $5,685,000 in local expense and capital funding for the district.
After project ideas are gathered, budget delegates from the neighborhoods in Community Board 9 will meet in December and January to review all the proposed projects, along with feedback from appropriate city agencies.
Voting on the final ballot of projects will be in March.
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
