City Sunset Park

Menchaca asks residents to vote on budget

March 25, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The city’s participatory budgeting process was a big hit in the 38th Council District last year, according Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, who represents the district and who said he’s hoping for an even larger turnout this time around. On Saturday, a new round of participatory budgeting was scheduled to begin with residents reviewing and voting on which proposed capital projects they want the city to fund in the next city budget. Under participatory budgeting (PB), a portion of a councilmember’s discretio
The city’s participatory budgeting process was a big hit in the 38th Council District last year, according Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, who represents the district and who said he’s hoping for an even larger turnout this time around. On Saturday, a new round of participatory budgeting was scheduled to begin with residents reviewing and voting on which proposed capital projects they want the city to fund in the next city budget. Under participatory budgeting (PB), a portion of a councilmember’s discretio
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The city’s participatory budgeting process was a big hit in the 38th Council District last year, according Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, who represents the district and who said he’s hoping for an even larger turnout this time around.

On Saturday, a new round of participatory budgeting was scheduled to begin with residents reviewing and voting on which proposed capital projects they want the city to fund in the next city budget.

Under participatory budgeting (PB), a portion of a councilmember’s discretionary budget, usually $1 million to $2 million, is set aside to allow constituents to vote on which capital projects they want the city to take on.

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It’s democracy in action, according to Menchaca (D-Sunset Park-Red Hook), who is participating in PB for the third consecutive year. Last year, his district recorded the highest number of voters in the city with 6,299 ballots counted, he said. More than two-thirds of the ballots were non-English.

“The message that District 38 community members sent to the city and all those watching last year was clear; the New York immigrant community is engaged and if given the opportunity and the right resources, such as ballots in different languages, immigrants will voice their opinion and exercise their political power through voting,” Menchaca said in a statement.

This year’s voting will take place from Saturday, March 26 to Sunday, April 3. Each constituent can vote for as many as five project proposals on the ballot. The 2016 District 38 ballot will be available in English, Spanish and Chinese.

The items on the 2016 District 38 Ballot:

 

  • A Sunset Park renovation ($500,000). Repaving, installation of 20 new benches, replacement of existing chain-link fences and adding in picnic tables.

  • Auditorium upgrades for M.S. 88, Sunset Park Prep and Intermediate School 136 ($375,000). The new auditoriums would be multi-purpose and handicapped-accessible.

  • Air conditioning wiring for P.S. 1 in Sunset Park and M.S. 88 in Windsor Terrace to support air conditioning units ($120,000).

  • Library upgrade for M.S. 88 and Sunset Park High School ($450,000). The project would involve the renovation of Sunset Park High School’s library media center.

  • South Brooklyn Community High School and P.S. 169 upgrades ($380,000.00). The schools currently have no lockers. P.S. 169 needs renovations of bathrooms that are in a state of disrepair, Menchaca said.

  • Science upgrade for M.S. 821 and I.S. 136 ($1 million). The upgrade would include two labs per school.

  • Community Board 6 street repairs and resurfacing ($250,000).

  • Electronic “locator” signs throughout the district ($600,000). Installation of electronic bus signs along the B70, B63, B35, B11, B9, B57 and B61 bus routes.

  • Community Board 7 street repairs and resurfacing ($250,000).

  • Community Board 12 street repair and resurfacing ($250,000).

  • New trees with tree guards — district wide ($260,000).

  • Renovation of basketball court at 31 Centre Mall in Red Hook ($425,000). Project would include brand new basketball hoops and painted grounds.

  • Senior Center Yard Beautification, 129 West Ninth St. ($500,000). Project would involve renovation of the yard behind the new senior center to include picnic tables, chess tables, benches, a garden, barbecue grills, tables for other board games and a non-smoking and alcohol-free area.

 

Constituents will get a chance to learn more about the proposed projects at informational expos Menchaca is hosting on Wednesday, March 30, at M.S. 88, 544 Seventh Ave. at 5 p.m., and on Thursday, March 31, at the Red Hook Initiative, 767 Hicks St., at 6 p.m.

Residents can vote for their favorite projects at Menchaca’s district office, 4417 Fourth Ave., on Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For information on other voting locations, call Menchaca’s office at 718-439-9012.

 


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