MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

MARCH 11, 1998 7:00 P.M.

PRESENT: Chair Oros, Legs: Bronz, Spreckman

Young, Abinanti, & Wishnie

ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Gibbs, Mr. DeBart, Mr. Utley,

Mr. Johansen, Ms. Pisani, Ms. Swan,

Ms. Woods, Dr. Hankin, Ms. Muller,

Chairman Carey, Mr. Garvey, Mrs.

Keating.

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

The Group was shown a slide presentation by Mr. DeBart during dinner. It showed how Peekskill has done a turn-around in the last five years by renovating buildings and turning them into artists lofts.

The City is working in partnership with landlords to renovate the buildings and it has been working very well.

Dr. Hankin greeted us at the Community College satellite campus and turned the meeting over to Carla Mazzarelli, the Director. The Group was shown a short video, which was made on site, to show what they do. They are presently filled to capacity and would like to expand in the near future.

Gladys Muller conducted a tour of the Paramount Arts Center and explained how the $300,000 that they have received to date from CDBG has been used to improve the Center.

Pearl Woods explained how CDBG funds built a new Gym at the Kiley Center and that they presently have $500,000 and need an additional $500,000 to complete the renovations that they would like to do on the building.

Page 2 Community Affairs - March 11, 1998

The meeting moved on to the Neighborhood Center. Valerie Swan, Director of the Youth Bureau, explained how Invest-in-Kids funds have helped the Community. Several young people in the different programs spoke on jobs that they have held due to the funds and explained different

programs that they participated in. One program that was a great success was "Bridge the Gap" which paired teens with Senior Citizens. Leg. Spreckman was very pleased with this program and encouraged the teens to continue.

There are roughly 3,500 teens and only 116 were eligible for the summer program due to family income levels. The summer employment project cost $167,000.

Some of the other programs the teens are involved in are Shining Stars, TOPS - Teens on Patrol, and YOPAK - Youth in Art.

Mayor Gibbs thanked the Legislators for coming up in the evening to see these accomplishments.

Legislators Young , Wishnie and Abinanti were all impressed with the programs that Peekskill has instituted as well as Leg. Bronz and all wish them continued success. For improvements to Peekskill helps all the river towns.

Chair Oros thanked the City for their hospitality and on motion of Leg. Young, seconded by Leg. Spreckman, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.