Tap the annual meeting group below to view materials presented for that year, including the annual Letter from the President, Treasurer’s Report and guest presentations.
2025 Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting was held on May 21 at the Masters Apartments. Below are presentations of the West 104th Street Block Association 2024 Income and Expenses.
Guest Presentation: Hector Rivera
2025 Letter from the President
Dear Neighbors-
Thanks for attending the 2015 Annual Meeting. I am very pleased that we are here at the Marseilles. Not only is the exterior an individual landmark, but so is this portion of the interior. Not all that common in New York City.
I just want to discuss what we have been doing about the rats.
The use of containers has helped considerably especially when all the buildings use them (not all do). And composting helps a lot as well.
But we are starting a trial project here on 104 Street…..we are going to try to use contraception treats for the rats.
The idea is if they do not procreate we have less rats. It should take a month before we see some results and by end of summer it should be very obvious.
The cost is minimal- $220 for 2.5 months of supply . I am not sure why others haven’t done this yet-I know that the City is doing some testing with it, but we did not see the point to wait as the cost is so minimal.
And with that, I would like to show you a presentation of the raffle table volunteers from 2024 and then I will hand it off to Hector Rivera.
Thank you for your interest in our block.
Sincerely,
Steven Zirinsky
2025 Treasurer’s Report
Dear Neighbors-
Income
The income received in 2024 was $69,447.76.
Dues paid by block residents are the major contributor to the income. I will point out that we received dues from off-block residents who appreciate and identify with the block association’s initiatives, such as the security guard. Total dues collected were $26,552.43
The Income Pie Chart shows the annual yard sale as another major contributing factor at 26% of the total income. However, this is a bit misleading – the yard sale gross intake was $17,880.19 but the expenses were $8,775.18 which leaves a net income of $9,105.01.
Contributions include the cooperative buildings that provide a yearly stipend. The year the total was $10,684.06. Other contributions include individual residents contributing to an initiative such as beautification or rodent control that is above the $175 recommended dues payment. In 2024, this amounted to $7,693.95.
Other income sources include newsletter ads, the selling of merchandise, and various activities, such as Bloomingdale Bites.
Expenses
Expenses incurred in 2024 totaled $69,644.77.
The major expense is the security guard who patrols West 104 Street between WEA and RSD 6 days per week between 6PM and 11PM. The cost for the year was $39,504.60.
Other major expenses include beautification of the block with tulips in the fall, planters on some tree beds, summer flowers, tree maintenance of fertilization and trimming ($10,677.35), the production of our block quarterly newsletter ($2,892.06), the cost of activities and merchandise ($4,261.07), and the aforementioned yard sale cost. Ther operating and legal costs totaled $1,286.68.
We deeply appreciate your involvement and contributions to the block association. We are privileged to have an active block association and a wonderful community that encompasses more than West 104th Street.
W 104 ST BLOCK ASSN FINANCIAL REPORT
2024 Year End Financials
| Starting Balance | $19,735.35 |
| Income | $69,447.76 |
| Dues | $26,552.43 |
| Co-op Contribution | $10,684.06 |
| Contributions | $7,693.95 |
| Newsletter Ads | $1,134.00 |
| Merchandise | $3,273.97 |
| Activities. | $1,618.00 |
| Year End | $17,880.19 |
| Credits | $611.16 |
| Expenses | $69,644.77 |
| Guard Service | $39,504.60 |
| Tips | $620.00 |
| Newsletter | $2,892.06 |
| Printing Costs | $425.31 |
| Supplies | $328.19 |
| Beautification-Tulip | $10,677.35 |
| Rodent Control | $838.34 |
| Merchandise | $2,181.86 |
| Activities | $2,079.21 |
| Year End | $8,775.18 |
| Website | $35.99 |
| Operating/IT | $1,068.54 |
| Legal/Acct | $218.14 |
| Closing Balance | $12,775.19 |
2024 Annual Meeting
Letter from the President
By Steve Zirinsky
This past year has been one of involvement and camaraderie on West 104th Street. Capped off with another successful Yard Sale—even with the change of dates due to the weather and with Con Ed digging in the street! It was the busiest in terms of numbers of people that I have ever seen.
The Block Association is self-funded. It does not get any grants or government support. It relies solely on your dues and contributions. If you have not contributed lately, please consider doing so as the work we do benefits everyone. To wit:
- Block Security: Our great security guard Larnel Peterson (who likes to be called ‘Big L’)
- Trees, Tree Maintenance, Spring and Fall Plantings
- Rodent Efforts
This year we are creating new opportunities to socialize. We are bringing back our sidewalk café—an after-work gathering on the sidewalk with light refreshments and talking when it warms up.
We are also doing something new. We are partnering with other nearby block associations for what we are calling “Bloomingdale Bites.” This will be a gathering here in the neighborhood where local restaurants can share delicious samples what they have to offer. We anticipate that the Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group will give an historical presentation on neighborhood restaurants.
If you are interested, please make sure that you sign up for Block Bytes, our email blast, so that you will keep up-to-date. Go to our website, www.bloomingdale.org, to add your email. If you are uncertain whether you are getting it, let me know.
For new residents, contact me so you can get involved. We have many needs and activi-ties, not all of them included in Block Bytes. For instance, we partner each year with the Riverside Park Conservancy on park cleanups. What can a block association do that an individual building cannot? If you can think of something, let us know. We are always trying to add more sparkle.
The energy that everyone puts out makes this block a special place. Please join us in our activities or continue your financial contributions…. we can’t fulfill our mission without your support. Scan the QR code shown here, or go to our website to use PayPal to contribute. Or if you prefer, leave a check with your building representative (see the dues slip on the back page for info).
See you at the curb -but not in the gutter!
—Steve Z
Treasurer’s Report
WEST 104 BLOCK ASSN FINANCIAL REPORT
4TH QUARTER 2023 FINANCIALS
| OPENING BALANCE | $24,886.27 |
| INCOME | $13,169.80 |
| Dues | $1,646.80 |
| Merchandise | $524.01 |
| Yard Sale | $10,308.81 |
| Contributions | $555.00 |
| Credits | $135.18 |
| EXPENSES | $15,117.97 |
| Guard Service | $7,339.04 |
| Printing Costs | $867.45 |
| Beautification-Tulip | $4,723.77 |
| Rodent Controlp | $1,676.68 |
| Activities | $11.03 |
| Yard Sale/Tips | $500.00 |
| CLOSING BALANCE | $22,938.10 |
2023 Annual Meeting
We are adding new content to the Annual Meeting page and will work backward from 2023 to present the materials from each year’s Annual Meeting. Thank you for your patience.
Presentation: A Note About Fire Safety
Given the tragic fire at 320 Riverside Drive on Friday, March 31, 2023, in which a neighbor of ours was lost, it is important now as always to understand and share Fire Safety procedures. At our annual meeting in May 2022, Captain Rocco of FDNY shared tips and recommended equipment that everyone should know and have ready in case of a Fire Emergency. Please take some time to review. You may prevent another lost life. Maybe even yours.
For more information, visit fdnysmart.org or call 718-287-3870. In the event of an Emergency, dial 911.
Letter from the President
By Steve Zirinsky
Writing this annual letter allows me to reflect on the Block Association—what it is and why it matters. Having a block association is still rather unique in New York City. Not every block has the opportunity for its residents to really get to know each other and work together toward common goals for the block. And to participate in the vari- ous activities that we organize.
I am proud that our Block Association has created a real community. One where residents don’t just recognize one another. They know one another. And they care about one another.
As a member of our community and a block resident, I encourage you to take part in our activities and events, and if there is something new you would like to see added, please contact me. You can reach me at Steve@zirinskyarch.com. But be careful – you may be asked to take charge!
I also encourage you to sign up for Block Bytes on the Block Association’s website, www.bloomingdale.org, if you have not done so already. Block Bytes is where more timely so- cial activities and announcements get posted.
As you all know, we have been focused on the rodent situ- ation on our block, waging war on the rats. The new garbage pails we distributed have been helpful. And the new garbage pickup times being instituted by the City should also help. But every building must join the fight—which is a daily one. While there seem to be more rat holes than before, we seem to be seeing less rats. Only time will tell whether that is true.
I look forward to meeting our new and old members and residents. And encourage all of you to get more involved in the block as opportunities arise.
See you on the block!
—Steve Z
Treasurer’s Report
WEST 104 BLOCK ASSN FINANCIAL REPORT
JANUARY 2023
| OPENING BALANCE | $25,180.69 |
| INCOME | 2,787.23 |
| Dues | 2,524.99 |
| Contributions | 118.11 |
| Credits | 182.24 |
| EXPENSES | 5,717.96 |
| Guard Service | 4,275.03 |
| Rodent Control | 13,37.75 |
| Accounting | 105.19 |
| CLOSING BALANCE | $22,247.95 |