COMMUNITY BOARD SIX
ECONOMIC/WATERFRONT/COMM. DEV. & HOUSING COMMITTEE
JUNE 21, 2010
ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT:
B. ATKINS J. FRANCIS R. LUFTGLASS
L. SONES B. STOLTZ
EXCUSED:
S. BURZIO P. THOMAS
ABSENT:
P. BLAKE H. CHERNOFF C. DAVIS
E. FELDER Y. GIRELA S. MILLER
C. MOLINARI G. O’CONNELL D. PECHEFSKY
D. REISS Y. ROMAN
GUESTS:
M. FRIEDMAN SCHNAPP – REP. FOR HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
P. KARR A. BRASHEAR C. MONTORIO
M. RAMIREZ C. MELLON D. CONNORS
B. KERR M. YOUNG S. LABARRE
MINUTES
Rick Luftglass, the Housing Chair, opened the meeting at 6:50pm, introducing Michael Schnapp and Sigourney La Barre of Brad Lander’s staff. Lou Sones recommended the minutes of the March 15, 2010 be approved and Judi Francis seconded the motion. All approved but a quorum was not present.
Follow up discussion with representatives for Council Member Brad Lander, the Department of Buildings, and Concerned Citizens for Green-Wood Heights on stalled development in the district.
Rick reviewed the questions and issues that came up at the March meeting regarding stalled sites. The Department of Buildings team – four members were introduced by Robert D’Alessio, Director of the unit. He then made a power-point presentation that gave members an overview of how they go about their inspections. The highlights were: • To date of 623 stalled sites city-wide, 23 are in CB6 • Of over 7,000 inspections in the past year, 260 were conducted in Brooklyn • 45% of all known stalled sites are located in Brooklyn overall • One half of the 23 in CB6 are in super structure phase versus foundation excavation phase • This team is only the mechanism for inspection for safety (3 classifications) and monitoring • “Carrots” are being offered to owners to keep the sites safe • Looking at NY State legislation to compel making sites safe something that has teeth – fines, liens, etc.
• In cases where there is no developer involved and present to talk with, the city will spend the money to make it safe. Making it safe is one goal, not necessarily making it productive. At auctions, the city may want to require promise/demonstrations of good faith by bidders. • Before/after case study of 20 Caton Place • Visit www.stalledsites@buildings.nyc.gov for more info • CB7 finds working with DOB is going well for their communities.
Presentation and discussion with representatives for the Coalition for Healthy Ports, a broad alliance of various groups working to support a cleaner, more efficient, 21st century business model for port trucking. More information available at www.healthyports.org.
• Advocating Los Angeles style solution to our quality issues • Port trucking is largely done by “brokers” who handle the business end and dole out the work to “independent truckers” who in essence “worked for the brokers” but got paid on 1099 with no benefits.
A motion was made to support the programs and work of the Coalition for Healthy Ports made by, seconded by Lou Sones.
The motion was: Resolution to express support of the efforts of the Healthy Ports coalition and to forward to our city, state and federal officials and agencies, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the NYC Economic Development Corporation, the community board’s recommendation that they consider appropriate legislation and action to facilitate the coalition’s proposals.
MOTION PASSED: UNANIMOUSLY – 5 MEMBERS PRESENT
A lot of work to do but strong spirits.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned
The minutes were taken by Judi Francis.
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