Table of Contents 2020 Highlights .............................................................................................................................. 4 Mandatory Operational Reporting ............................................................................................. 9 1. Mission Statement and Performance Measures .............................................................. 9 2. Assessment of the Effectiveness of Internal Controls ................................................... 14 3. Material Changes in Operations ..................................................................................... 15 4. Property Acquisition and Disposal Summary ............................................................... 16 5. Material Pending Litigation ............................................................................................ 17 Financials ..................................................................................................................................... 19 1. Financial Reports ............................................................................................................. 20 2. Debt Administration ........................................................................................................ 30 3. Four Year Financial Plan .............................................................................................. 39 4. Assets and Services Procured Without Competitive Bidding ...................................... 40 Historical Information ................................................................................................................ 48 1. Statutory Basis ................................................................................................................. 48 2. Code of Ethics ................................................................................................................... 75 3. Charter and By-Laws ...................................................................................................... 85 Authority Leadership ............................................................................................................... 100 1. Description of the Authority and Its Board Structure ............................................... 100 2. Compensation Schedule................................................................................................. 106 3. Board Performance Self Evaluations ........................................................................... 116 On the following pages, you’ll find highlights from the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority’s 2020 Fiscal Year (November 1, 2019 to October 31, 2020). There is also a variety of financial and operational information in keeping with transparency requirements of New York State. You can find this report and more information about the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority (“the Authority”) and the Battery Park City neighborhood at www.bpca.ny.gov. This Annual Report and appendices are presented in accordance with Sections 2800 and 2802 of New York Public Authorities Law. 2020 Highlights In Fiscal Year 2020, the Battery Park City Authority responded to the myriad challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic while working toward its strategic goals of a fostering an inclusive community, a safe and climate-resilient place, and vibrant public space — and demonstrating forward-looking and responsible leadership. These efforts were made possible through the hard work and dedication of the Authority’s staff in every department. Whether working remotely or in the community, team members successfully and repeatedly rose to the challenge to carry out their responsibilities in new ways. The following summarizes highlights of these efforts. 1 Responding to COVID-19 As New York State on PAUSE was implemented to help stop the spread of COVID-19, the Authority took quick action to ensure the safety of its staff, residents, and visitors. The Battery Park City Authority’s Emergency Management Operations Protocol and Continuity of Operations Plan were activated. Staff were issued equipment needed to perform their work remotely. Sanitation and personal protective equipment were procured and provided to staff who were required to work on site. New guidelines were developed to ensure workspaces were kept safe and sanitized, and that staff remained socially distanced. Since the start of the PAUSE Executive Order, the Authority has kept the community updated regarding safety-related information and New York Forward guidelines. Battery Park City’s athletic courts, sporting fields, playgrounds, dog runs, and public restrooms were closed temporarily, while parks’ lawns began opening on a rolling basis some weeks earlier to promote density reduction and provide space to social distance (seasonal lawn openings usually begin mid-April). Public education and notification also played a vital role, including the requirement to wear masks/face coverings in Battery Park City’s parks and public spaces. Examples of the Authority’s broad public outreach included physical signage, as well as presentations at virtual public meetings, newsletters, blog posts and social media, ads in local publications, and other media. Battery Park City’s Ambassadors, who walk the neighborhood’s public spaces 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, were also equipped with and providing masks to individuals they encountered without face coverings, as well as offering reminders to socially distance responsibly. This complemented similar efforts by the Authority’s partners at NYPD’s 1st Precinct who have also been present in Battery Park City’s parks over the course of the pandemic. With New York City’s blood supply running low during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Authority coordinated a series of blood drives with the New York Blood Center in 2020, and with tremendous community involvement provided more than 400 “gift of life” donations. The Authority continued to maintain and beautify its parks for the benefit of all users who have come to appreciate them in new ways. As one resident said: “Leaving the isolation of my 2 apartment and walking through the parks is up-lifting. It is reassuring to see everything so clean and in spectacular bloom.” Designing for Resiliency The Authority continued its work on the strategic goal of protecting Battery Park City from the threat of coastal flooding. South Battery Park City (SBPC) Resiliency Project achieved a number of milestones during 2020, including: Seventy-five percent (75%) design for the bulk of the project area; unanimous preliminary approval from the New York City Public Design Commission; three dedicated community meetings and updates regarding Project status and design, as well as more than 20 additional updates during public sessions of Community Board and Authority Board meetings; and initiation of the environmental impact statement process. Pile remediation moved to the seventh phase of the Authority’s multi-year repair, remediation, and restoration project to protect, strengthen and encapsulate the 3,100 in-water concrete piles that provide structural support for Battery Park City’s waterfront Esplanade. This work marked the start of construction for the SBPC Resiliency Project, fortifying the piles that will help support the more resilient infrastructure. The Ballfield/Community Center Resiliency Project advanced from design and engineering to the construction phase during 2020, including the achievement of the following milestones: Unanimous final approval from the New York City Public Design Commission; completion of Phase 1A archaeological investigation; and procurement of general contractor for project construction. Construction is expected to begin and be completed during 2021. Following the conferring of design-build project delivery authority by the New York State legislature in 2020, the Authority opted to combine the North and West Battery Park City Resiliency Projects to be delivered as a progressive design-build project to provide more comprehensive protection more efficiently. In connection with this project transition, the Authority conducted a market sounding study and issued a Request for Proposals for a Consulting Engineer to develop requirements for the project. As Tropical Storm Isaias approached New York City in early August, the Authority installed temporary flood-protection measures at the BPC Ball Fields and deployed flood barriers around 3 the elevators of the new West Thames Street Bridge. Post-storm, the team cleared debris and toppled trees, making the neighborhood safe for residents and visitors alike. Advancing Sustainability Taking another important step toward its strategic goal of developing and implementing a strategy to achieve a carbon neutral Battery Park City, in September the Authority formally launched the Battery Park City Sustainability Plan, Green Guidelines, and Implementation Plan. This will provide a comprehensive pathway of strategies, goals, and specific actions to achieve progressive sustainability targets over the next decade, and lay the groundwork for continued sustainability action on the path to a carbon neutral Battery Park City by 2050. This goal will be accomplished by establishing specific greenhouse reduction targets, encouraging and supporting clean energy improvements, and establishing a framework for ensuring leases and business partners meet the Authority’s enumerated goals. Round table discussions to inform development of the Sustainability Plan and complementary