BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
GENERAL BOARD MEETING
P. S. 32 AUDITORIUM
417 HOYT STREET
APRIL 14, 2010
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
T. ALEXANDER B. ATKINS R. S. BASHNER J. BERNARD S. BURZIO L. CIRANDO S. COLES J. DRESSLER E. FELDER P. FLEMING B.GINSBERG Y. GIRELA D. GIULIANO R. GRAHAM J. IGNERI T. KAMBER G. KELLY D. KUMMER D. LALLI R. LEVINE R. LOHIER R. LUFTGLASS A. McKNIGHT T.L. MISKEL C. MOLINARI G. O’CONNELL A. A. PUGLIESE
M. RECA-HEYER D. REISS Y. ROMAN
M. RUIZ M. SCOTT D. SCOTTO M. SHAMES L. SONES E. SPICER J. THOMPSON S. TURET V. TWYFORD M. VERRET D. VITO R. ZUCKERMAN
EXCUSED:
T. ALEXANDER M. KOLMAN
ABSENT:
GUESTS:
HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
HON. DANIEL SQUADRON, STATE SENATOR
H. REICHBACH AND B. LESTER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LEVIN’S REPRESENTATIVES
M. CURTIN, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
A. SCHAETZEL, STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER BRENNAN’S REPRESENTATIVE
T. SMITH, STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER MILLMAN’S REPRESENTATIVE
O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE
D. WILEY, CONGRESS MEMBER VELÁZQUEZ’S REPRESENTATIVE
(Complete list of meeting attendees on file at the District Office.) 1
Chairperson Richard S. Bashner called the meeting to order at 6:50 pm.
MINUTES
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT……………………………...……..………….....…...RICHARD S. BASHNER
Chairperson Richard S. Bashner began his report by informing the Board that since our last meeting, we've lost yet another Board Member. Betty Lester, our Housing Co-Chair recently took a job working for Council Member Steve Levin, which I would like to congratulate her for, but the City Charter specifically prohibits the staff of Council Members to serve on their respective Community Boards so, sadly, Betty was forced to resign. That brings our official count down to 43 Board Members. I'd like to thank Betty for her selfless service to our Community Board and am grateful that we'll still have a chance to work closely together on neighborhood issues.
Chairperson Bashner reported to the Board that the Borough President's Office is still actively working on this year's appointment list and that they are expecting it to be released before our next general meeting.
Chairperson Bashner congratulated our Environmental Protection Committee Chairperson Bob Zuckerman, who recently began a new job as the Executive Director of the Lower East Side Business Improvement District. We know firsthand how important BID's are in helping to support and promote local businesses and neighborhood character.
Chairperson Bashner thanked our Economic Development Co-Chairperson Rick Luftglass for attending the Department of City Planning's kick-off meeting on their Comprehensive Waterfront Planning initiative on April 8th on our behalf. We are hopeful that by remaining active and engaged we will continue to help shape the City's policies with regard to the waterfront and broaden the initiative to include planning for climate change in the discussion and the other policy implications that flow from that as well.
Chairperson Bashner reported to the Board that this morning he was invited to be a presenter at a special program that featured international guests from the City of Rotterdam to give us a chance to share some ideas and best practices regarding waterfront planning.
Chairperson Bashner advised the Board that it was recently announced by Leslie Koch, the Executive Director of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) that we will once again have free weekend ferry service between the Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn and Governors Island this year from June 5 through October 10. GIPEC is also working with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation to finish work on a ferry landing at Pier 6 which, once complete, will be the new waterfront access point replacing Fulton Ferry. This new, closer access point will cut travel time down to 3 minutes so we will have nearly continuous service between Brooklyn and Governors Island when Pier 6 is opened. We also learned that GIPEC will be transitioning from a State to a City entity and that its board will be affected as a result. He will be resending a copy of our board's previous position taken which had suggested that Brooklyn be given a proportionate share of seats on the GIPEC board in the hope that the Mayor will factor that into his decision- making moving forward.
Chairperson Bashner informed the Board that our Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs Committee will be hosting a visit from Regina Myer, the Executive Director of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, who will update us on the recent announcement that control over Brooklyn Bridge Park will be ceded from the State to the City, and also fill us in on the Pier 6 development plans.
Chairperson Bashner thanked the Department of Transportation and Council Members Lander and Levin for inviting us to co-host the Open House event this past Monday which showcased the latest plans for bicycle lanes on Prospect Park West. DOT has been largely responsive to our suggestions so yellow flashing traffic 2
signals for the bicyclists, north and southbound, will be included in their initial plans and, assuming the new configuration works as it is expected to, with funding from our Council Members they are also open to the idea of building out the traffic medians to separate the parked cars from the two-way bicycle traffic. For those of you who were unable to attend the Open House, DOT has agreed to attend our upcoming meeting of our Transportation Committee to share their implementation plans. They are targeting a summer installation.
Chairperson Bashner ended his report by reminding the Board Members that we will be giving out our Youth Acknowledgement Awards next month so in consideration of our guests please do your best to be prompt so we can start at 6:30pm.
_________________________________________________________________________________________ DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT……………..................................................…CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the Board that he was invited on March 12th along with city agencies and our elected officials to go on a walk through of the Columbia Street district with the folks from the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association to take a look at some potential and real problems that the neighborhood is experiencing at various intersections. DOT is working on a comprehensive response to all of the suggestions; as soon as we get it we will pass it along.
District Manager Hammerman reported that on March 22nd he also participated in a meeting with the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association, Cobble Hill Association, Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association and the consultants brought on board by EDC to do the “Fix the Ditch” study (The BQE trench that runs parallel to Hicks Street). He thanked Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez for securing $300,000 for the study. The will be a series of three public meetings to discus this study and the first one will be May 4th at Long island College Hospital from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.
District Manager Hammerman advised the Board that on March 15th he attended a meeting with National Grid and the State Department of Environmental Conservation who had done a targeted outreach to the people who live around the Lowe’s and Pathmark site which by State DEC is referred to as the Metropolitan Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) site. We have several MGP sites along the Gowanus Canal. The site was partially remediated when they built the Lowe’s, but the portion under Pathmark remains to be remediated and the State is embarking on a remedial investigation now which is a process in which they will be taking boring, air, soil and ground water samples in order to find out what needs to be done to clean up the area. The Friends of Community Board 6 has applied for and received a Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) from the State to hire a consultant to help explain to the community the results of this type of study.
District Manager Hammerman reported that we have received an answer to our February 11th letter to the State Department of Public Service which expresses concern about the electric rates of Con Edison as they relate to the possible use of Con Edison's system to provide shore power to passenger cruise ships docking in our district. The use of shore power would allow cruise ships to obtain electrical supply from Con Edison's local grid instead of relying upon the ship's diesel electric generators which would encourage and promote the use of cleaner and more efficient forms of energy. They are in the process of looking at the rate that Con Edison charges to see if they could bring it down and make it more competitive. They have invited us to be apart of the conversations as they take place and expect to have a final report out by July 1st.
District Manager Hammerman informed the Board that PortSide New York, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and Manhattan By Sail Inc. are making available 550 free tickets for sails on the Clipper City Tall Ship, a 158' long topsail schooner from Pier 11, Atlantic Basin in Red Hook. Beginning on Friday, April 16, 2010, 240 free tickets will be distributed via the web at http://portsideclippercitv.eventbrite.com. An additional 120 tickets will be available beginning on Friday, April 16th at the district office from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets are limited to two per person. Tickets at Community Board 6 that have not been picked up 3 days before a sail will become available on line. The 3
Clipper City Tall Ship will depart from Pier 11 at the Atlantic Basin; next to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal at 10:00 a.m. Rides are about one and a half hours long and will depart on April 30th, May 1st, 7th & 8th. (Update: All events were quickly sold out on Friday, April 16, 2010.)
District Manager Hammerman advised the Board that the Department of Buildings (DOB) has advised us of emergency conditions at 267 6th Street. DOB has informed the property owners that the premises have to be made safe by demolition, repair, sealing or whatever means necessary to protect public safety.
District Manager Hammerman ended his report by informing the Board that on Sunday May 23rd from 10am – 4pm the Department of Consumer Affairs will be hosting it’s 3rd annual “Shred Fest NYC” which is a free shredding event, held to increase public awareness of identity theft prevention and to remind New Yorkers about the importance of shredding documents that contain personal information before throwing them away. In addition to having their documents shredded in truck mounted industrial shredding equipment, New Yorkers will receive information on how to prevent identify theft. All of the shredded paper generated by Shred Fest NYC will be recycled.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ Chairperson Bashner recognized elected officials and their representatives.
Council Member Brad Lander started by informing the Board that the developer of 267 6th Street has promised to cap the site and make it safe since it was a former gas station. There is longer term remediation for the site and the developer has not received approval from DEC to do it. He also has met with EDC which is really eager to be our ally in regards to getting a lower rate set to provide shore power to passenger cruise ships docking at the cruise terminal in Red Hook. At the request of the board DOT is putting in the flashing yellow lights and possibly the raised curbs with the bike lanes on Prospect Park West. Although they will not install the raised curbs/islands until after the initial trial period is over. If the MTA reroutes the B69 which he is against they will restore the bus stops on PPW back to the community for much needed parking. He ended by inviting all to participate in the Brooklyn PTA’s 5K run for schools on Saturday, May 1, 2010, 10 a.m. in Prospect Park.
State Senator Daniel Squadron started by speaking out against the idea of charging homeless people rent when they stay in city shelters. He was able to get this issue on the states budget resolution to prevent it from happening. He asked everyone to join him on Sunday, April 11th, at the second annual 25th Senate District Community Convention. At the convention, he will ask the residents of his district about their thoughts and ideas on legislative and community priorities. Under a public authorities bill the City will take over Brooklyn Bridge Park from the State. The park is now open and pier 6 will be open by Memorial Day. We now have a serious commitment to researching alternatives to developing housing in the park. He along with other elected officials have urged the City to address the safety implications of unregulated tourist helicopter flights and the impact on quality of life in communities that experience take-offs and landings or heavy flyover traffic by taking the following three steps:
1. Implement a 311 protocol for receiving, responding to and addressing helicopter complaints.
2. Increase oversight and planning of the helicopter industry, with a focus on reducing, if not eliminating, tourist helicopter traffic.
3. Conduct an assessment of security risks involved in storing fuel at the downtown heliport.
He ended by asking everyone to push their elected officials to come together and pass a state budget.
Hope Reichbach representing Council Member Steve Levin reported to the board that they were excited to have formal board member Betty Lester as part of their staff. She stated that the councilmember was actively fighting Administration for Children Services’ closure of day care centers especially the four in Brooklyn Community Board 6. He will also be setting up a PS 133 Task Force which will meet on May 4th at 10:00 a.m. 4
at the Fifth Avenue Committee offices. The councilman is also trying to secure funds to fix up the school yard located at Baltic Street between Court and Smith Streets. It’s a large school yard in dire need of upgrading and could be a benefit to the school and the community. She ended by stating that the councilmember is diligently trying to get the owners of 174 Garfield Place to fix it up because it is an eyesore to the community.
Tamar Smith representing Assemblywoman Joan Millman invited everyone to the Community Volunteer Fair which will take place on May 13th at the Park Slope Armory. There are presently 92 groups registered and there is still time for other CBOs to participate. She also informed the board that the Assemblywoman again is coordinating free shuttles to Fairway Market departing from the Eileen Dugan Senior Center (380 Court Street) in our district. The shuttles will be available every third Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. She ended by informing the board that thanks to an outreach program sponsored by Long Island College Hospital, residents will be able to receive free osteoporosis screening. The screening will take place on May 7th from 10 am to 1 pm. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 718-246-4889.
Dan Wiley representing Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez stated that the Congresswoman was very interested in helping to get cruise ships to use Con Edison’s local grid instead of relying upon the ship's diesel electric generators. It is a good way to help the environment by using cleaner and more efficient forms of energy. He also advised about a community workshop co-sponsored by the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative and Regional Plan Association held the prior night in Red Hook. The purpose of the workshop is to inform DOT’s master plan for constructing the greenway. It was not well-attended and he encourages everyone to participate in the process.
Oscar Jonas representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery reported to the board that the senator was trying to pass a juvenile justice reform bill that would provide greater oversight of juvenile facilities operated or certified by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services; redirects state funding to support community- based alternative to incarceration programs for youth who would otherwise be sentenced to detention facilities; protects the civil rights of young people who are confined, ensures that youth receive quality mental health diagnostic and treatment services, improves educational outcomes and increases access to job and vocational training for youth in juvenile facilities. He ended by asking everyone to fill out their Census forms and send them in.
Jamarah Harris representing the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit outlined the City’s Graffiti Free NYC program; a citywide effort to combat graffiti in our communities by offering free graffiti removal to property owners throughout the City. If you would like graffiti removed from your property, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/graffitifreenyc. __________________________________________________________________________________________
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Board Member Margarite Scott made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Board Member Thomas Miskel.
VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:50 P.M.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE REPORTS
YOUTH/HUMAN SERVICES/EDUCATION COMMITTEE
….....…DERRICK C. VITO, YOUTH SERVICES CO-CHAIR
………..JAMES BERNARD, YOUTH SERVICES CO-CHAIR
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……………..MARK KOLMAN, HUMAN SERVICES CHAIR
……………………SUZANNE TURET, CHAIR, EDUCATION
Youth Service Chairperson James Bernard reported to the Board that the committee reviewed the Administration for Children’s Services proposal to terminate leases at 4 day care centers in our district.
Motion: by Board Member Daniel Kummer, seconded by Board Member Derrick Vito; Recommendation to oppose the Administration for Children’s Services proposal to terminate leases at 4 day care centers (viz.; AMICO Court Street DCC at 292 Court Street, Bethel Baptist DCC at 242 Hoyt Street, Strong Place DCC at 242 Hoyt Street and Salvation Army Fiesta DCC at 76-80 Lorraine Street) in the Brooklyn Community Board 6 district.
Board Member Suzanne Turet spoke in favor of the motion stating that one of the things that was brought up in the meeting by District Manager Hammerman was that the representatives of ACS had no knowledge of the “Fair Share” criteria, whereby City agencies must open or close facilities throughout the City fairly across the board and must not do so unfairly to one district over another. Of all the 15 centers they were closing throughout the City 4 were in our district. One of the reasons they were going to close the 4 in our district was that their leases and the maintenance of the facilities were expensive.
Board Member Lisa Cirando spoke in favor of the motion stating that attendance was not taken into account when making a decision about closing the facilities. No one from the City, particularly DCAS who is responsible, approached any of the landlords regarding renegotiating the leases. For example, AMICO’s landlord had the right to charge the City for facility maintenance, but has not.
Board Member David Reiss spoke in favor of the motion stating that we should begin to address with the agency the poorly structured process by which they decided to close these facilities as well as Fair Share criteria brought up by District Member Hammerman.
Board Member Judith Thompson stated that whether or not the City renewed their least with AMICO, the landlord could still bill the city for maintenance for up to six years after the fact.
VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:03 P.M.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
PUBLIC SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/ PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE
………………......................RAY LOHIER, PUBLIC SAFETY CHAIR
...BOB ZUCKERMAN, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CHAIR
………………DANIEL KUMMER, PERMITS & LICENSES CHAIR
Permits & Licenses Chairperson Daniel Kummer reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application on behalf of Ten Japanese Cuisine, Corp. at 440 7th Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation anticipated on a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Ten Japanese Cuisine, Corp. at 440 7th Avenue (northwest corner 7th Avenue/15th Street), to permit 6 tables and 12 seats.
VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:10 P.M.
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Permits & Licenses Chairperson Daniel Kummer also reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a presentation on two bills which would amend the State Liquor Authority's regulations that relates to calculating the 200- and 500-foot rule's measurements for a proposed on-premise liquor establishment.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation anticipated on Assembly Bill A 7364-C and Senate Bill S 3775-C, a bill to amend the State Liquor Authority's regulations that relates to calculating the 200- and 500-foot rule's measurements for a proposed on-premise liquor establishment.
Board Member Glenn Kelly asked from which point to which point would the 200 foot rule be calculated. Permits & Licenses Chairperson Kummer stated that instead of using the distance between the entrance doors of two establishments, the rule would be from property line to property line.
Board Member Anthony Pugliese asked what defines the property line of a school. Permits & Licenses Chairperson Kummer stated that it is the lot line that defines it.
Board Member Nica Lalli asked if this bill covers hard liquor licenses or beer and wine licenses. She further asked if existing establishments would be grandfathered in. Permits & Licenses Chairperson Kummer stated that this bill covers all licenses and that existing establishments would be grandfathered in.
VOTE: 26 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 7 ABSTENTIONS – 2 FOR CAUSE
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:15 P.M.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE.............................ROBERT LEVINE, LANDMARKS CHAIR
.…………………........PETER FLEMING, LAND USE CHAIR
Landmarks Committee Chairperson Robert Levine reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a proposed long-term lease for the Brooklyn Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Inc. to occupy the former quarters of FDNY Engine Company 204 at 299 Degraw Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to conditionally approve a proposed long-term lease for the Brooklyn Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Inc. to occupy the former quarters of FDNY Engine Company 204 at 299 Degraw Street (between Court/Smith Streets) with the following condition, that the rent should not be $1.00, but $60,000, and it be kept in a fund to determine its use after the 10-year lease is up.
Board Member David Reiss asked what standard the Committee had used to evaluate the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra in comparison to other organizations. Landmarks Committee Chairperson Levine stated that the Committee did not have a choice as to the organization since an RFP was released. We only looked at the issue of the lease terms.
Board Member Lou Sones spoke out against the motion because he feels that this Board’s position was that we wanted to keep this facility as a firehouse or a CBO related to fire services. Also, it was not stated up front that the city was going to be giving $2.8 million for the renovation of this facility. That money could have been used to hire more firefighters instead of fixing up this facility for a CBO that has nothing to do with fire services.
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Board Member Bob Levine stated that we should be supporting the arts and he also agreed that we wanted to see a fire services related CBO in there. He further stated that we should not be voting on the amount of money that the City should be charging for rent. We should be asking for a formal review when the lease is us for renewal.
Board Member Elly Spicer stated that the $2.8 million would be coming out of Capital money not Expense money in order to renovate the facility. We should be supporting the Philharmonic paying more than a $1.00 a year, but should not be asking for a specific amount.
Board Member Robert Zuckerman asked if anyone knew what it cost to run the firehouse before it was closed. Landmarks Committee Chairperson Levine stated that we did not.
Board Member Mark Shames stated that we should not be micromanaging this issue since the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra already received the RFP. We are spending to much of this Board’s time on this issue.
Board Member Jordan Dressler asked if anyone knew where the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra was located now and what is there financial situation. Landmarks Committee Chairperson Levine stated that they are located in DUMBO and the financial officer of the organization stated that it was viable although they did not give us specifics since they were in the process of redoing their financial plan.
Board Member Judith Thompson stated that we should ask them to make the facility available to the community and the fire department for meeting and lectures related to fire concerns.
Board Member Glenn Kelly asked who would be paying for the maintenance of the facility. Landmarks Committee Chairperson Levine stated that the organization will be paying the maintenance for the facility.
VOTE: 24 YEAS, 4 NAYS, 5 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:45 P.M.
Landmarks Committee Chairperson Robert Levine also reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the alteration of a bay window addition at the side Façade of 219 Clinton Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the alteration of a bay window addition at the side façade of 219 Clinton Street (between Amity/Congress Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District with the following condition that the 6 windows on the parlor floor be changed to double hung.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:52 P.M.
Landmarks Committee Chairperson Robert Levine further reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for a new storefront installation (including fenestration, commercial entrance and signage) at 329 Smith Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the 8
Landmarks Preservation Commission for a new storefront installation (including fenestration, commercial entrance and signage) at 329 Smith Street (between President/Carroll Streets), Carroll Gardens Historic District.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 9:55 P.M.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMUNITY SESSION
No registered speakers present.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
Board Member Anthony Pugliese thanked everyone for their support and good wishes when his mother passed away.
Board Member Gregory O’Connell stated that he was disturbed that the original RFP for the firehouse was changed without the City bringing it back to the Community Board for further discussion. Chairperson Bashner stated that the Community Board does not have any role in reviewing the RFP.
Board Member Susan Turret stated that prior to making the decision to close any day care center, ACS was supposed to approach the Community Board to discuss their plans. The only reason they came to the Youth/Human Services/Education Committee was because the committee’s request. Chairperson Bashner stated that we will include our objections to their process in our letter and “cc” all other agency heads to prevent this from happening in the future.
Board Member Daniel Kummer stated that he was glad to hear that the Prospect Park West bike lane was coming back to the committee. He asked if it would be an informational meeting or if the committee would be taking up the issue again. Chairperson Bashner stated that the committee would be briefed by the department on the revisions to the original proposal.
Board Member Elly Spicer stated that the survey conducted by the district office on bike paths was disturbing and unfair because it did not allow anyone to say anything about the issue unless you went through and answered all of the questions in the entire survey.
Motion: by Board Member Elly Spicer, seconded by Board Member Thomas Miskel; To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 9:00PM
Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on April 26, 2010.
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