2025 Riverbay Board of Directors Election Extended to Sept. 30. H H H 617 Ballots Still Needed for Quorum H H H
Vol. 60 No. 34
August 30, 2025
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Message from the 2025 Election Committee The following message to shareholders is from the co-chairs of the 2025 Election Committee, Board Director Monique Coleman and Board Director Leah Graham. Election co-chair Monique Coleman: “Important mail can get misplaced, but we have a solution. We’ve sent a second mailing to every household that hasn’t yet cast a ballot. The Board has approved extending the election deadline to allow more time for ballots to be returned and counted. “This third extension is needed because we still haven’t reached a quorum, the minimum number of votes required to certify the results. Without a quorum, no tally can be counted and no new directors can take office. “We took these steps so everyone could participate. But every extension costs $1,750, and a second mailing costs Monique Coleman Leah Graham $9,180, thousands of dollars we’d rather invest in improving our community, not extending an election. Seating new directors will stop unnecessary spending and allow us to move forward with the real business of managing Co-op City. “Here’s what to do: “* Look for your official election ballot in the green envelope. (Continued on page 5)
MTA to Hold Public Comment Sessions on Proposed Fare Changes By DANIELLE CRUZ
The MTA will be holding “Public Comment Sessions” throughout the city in order to give the public in-person opportunities to learn about and provide comments on the proposed fare and toll increases that were announced on July 30. In Co-op City, the public comment session will be held on Thursday, September 4. Shareholders interested in submitting comments to the MTA can stop by the MetroCard Bus, which will be stationed in the Bartow Center in front of the Eye Care Center. MTA staff will be on-site from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. collecting comments on the proposed fare and toll changes and answering any questions. The MTA will hold public comments sessions in various locations until September 12, after which MTA officials will review the comments submitted before voting on the proposed fare and toll changes this fall. These fare increases would impact the rates for subways, buses, the Staten Island Railway and paratransit, raising the fare to $3, a 10-cent increase from the current fare. Express bus fares would rise to $7.25, a 25-cent increase. The reduced fare will increase to $1.50, and single-ride tickets on subways and buses will increase to $3.50. The fee for a new OMNY card would also increase to $2. The MTA is also considering increasing the tolls for all bridges and tunnels. For the RFK, Whitestone, Throgs Neck and (Continued on page 5)
Co-op City Times Deadline Notice
In observance of the Labor Day holiday, Riverbay’s administrativeofficeswillbeclosedonMonday,September1. Because of the holiday shortened work week, Directors’ viewpoints and community organizations’ articles must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2. Material submitted after that time will be accommodated on a first come basis in the Saturday, September 6, 2024 issue of the Co-op City Times. Material for publication may be emailed to cctimes@riverbaycorp.com. Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day holiday weekend.
Second Round of Board Election Ballots Mailed Voting Deadline: September 30, 2025
By ROZAAN BOONE
YesElections confirmed this week that the second round of ballots in the Riverbay Board of Directors election were mailed to Co-op City households and green ballot envelopes have begun arriving in shareholders’ mailboxes. Board election ballots are being sent only to households that did not return a ballot from the first mailing. Those who do not receive a replacement ballot are asked to contact YesElections as soon as possible by calling (855) 970-6106 or by sending an email to help+riverbay@yeselections.com. The third extended voting period ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 9 p.m., unless the quorum of 5,041 ballots is obtained before then. Should this be the case, the 2025 Election Committee has authority to close the election at 9 p.m. on the date that quorum is achieved. As of this week, 617 ballots are still needed to validate the election. The Riverbay Board of Directors approved a third extension in the 2025 election for five members to the Riverbay Board of Directors on Monday, Aug. 18. Voting in this year’s Riverbay Board of Directors election began on June 16 – July 7. The first election extension was from July 8 – July 29; the second from July 29 – Aug. 18. So far, the voting period has been open for approximately 11 weeks. Shareholders of record as of April 1, 2025, are voting for up to five candidates to represent them on the Riverbay Board of Directors. The Board of Directors makes policy decisions for the Riverbay Corporation. Board directors are elected for three-year terms unless they are filling out the unexpired term of a vacating director. Each director is limited to three terms, or nine years of service on the Board. Board directors provide oversight of Riverbay’s (Continued on page 2)
Proper Use of Our Public Spaces Shareholders of Riverbay Corporation are reminded that unauthorized gatherings, for example, picnics, barbecues, meetings and parties for children or adults, are strictly prohibited on Co-op City grounds, for example, on community greenways and other open spaces on the property. Such organized outdoor events are prohibited without a valid permit issued by Riverbay Corporation Management. Loitering and/or congregating in Co-op City’s public spaces within residential buildings, such as hallways and stairways, as well as in the community centers, is also prohibited. Individuals violating this policy will be subject to removal by the Co-op City Public Safety Department and will be issued a formal Community Complaint. Please respect the rules of our community so our public and open green spaces remain safe and peaceful for the enjoyment of all shareholders as we celebrate the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Thank you for your cooperation. —Riverbay Management
MTA Paratransit Workshop
On Tuesday, August 19, the Dreiser Auditorium welcomed more than 100 residents from across District 12 in the Northeast Bronx for a Paratransit Workshop hosted through a partnership between Council Member Kevin C. Riley, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), and Riverbay Corporation. The event provided a unique opportunity for residents to engage directly with transit officials, learn about accessibility services, and voice concerns that impact their daily lives. A central focus of the workshop was Access-A-Ride. MTA representatives walked participants through the Access-A-Ride app (MY ARR), demonstrating how seniors and individuals with disabilities can schedule rides, track vehicles in real time, and manage reservations with greater ease. For many who depend on the service daily, this hands-on guidance was invaluable. Attendees also received updates on OMNY, the MTA’s contactless fare payment system. Residents were briefed (Continued on page 4)