BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
GENERAL BOARD MEETING
NYCHA MICCIO COMMUNITY CENTER
110 WEST 9TH STREET
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
B. ATKINS R.S. BASHNER P. BELLENBAUM
N. BERK-RAUCH J. BERNARD L. BLYER
D. BRAVO SR. R. CERVONE N.COX
N. DUTTA E. FELDER P. FLEMING
Y. GIRELA D. GIULIANO J. HEYER
H. HUGHES G. KELLY M. KOLMAN
D. KUMMER S. LONIAL A. McKNIGHT
T.L. MISKEL C. MOLINARI C. PIGOTT
G. REILLY D. REISS M. RUIZ
D. SCOTTO M. SHAMES E. SHIPLEY
B. SOLOTAIRE L. SONES E. SPICER
J. THOMPSON S. TURET M. VERRET
D.C. VITO D. WILLIAMS
EXCUSED:
S. BURZIO R. GRAHAM N. LALLI
R. LEVINE H. LINK R. LUFTGLASS
L. NAPOLITANO R. RIGOLLI M. SCOTT
ABSENT:
M. KENTON G. O’CONNELL, JR.
GUESTS
HON. JOHN LIU, CITY COMPTROLLER
HON. STEVEN LEVIN, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
L. DEPALMA, BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARKOWITZ’S REPRESENTATIVE
R. FUENTES, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LEVIN’S REPRESENTATIVE
A. ALEXIS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ’S REPRESENTATIVE
C. ZINNEL, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
T. SGRIGNOLI, STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER BRENNAN’S REPRESENTATIVE
T. SMITH, STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER MILLMAN’S REPRESENTATIVES
O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE
J. HAMILTON, STATE SENATOR ADAMS REPRESENTATIVE
D. WILEY, CONGRESSWOMAN VELÁZQUEZ’ REPRESENTATIVE
Complete list of meeting attendees on file at the District Office
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First Vice-Chairperson Tom Miskel called the meeting to order at 6:55 pm.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Board Member Lou Sones made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Board Member Mark Shames.
VOTE: 26 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT……..………………………...……..………….....…...DANIEL M. KUMMER
Chairperson Daniel M. Kummer began his report by reporting to the Board that we have received resignations from Board Members Terry Alexander and Yvonne Roman. Board Member Alexander has gone through a job transition and while he does not anticipate having the time to commit as a Board Member and Co-Chair of our Public Safety Committee, he has asked to remain on the committee as an active member. Board Member Roman has become more active in her church and Wednesday nights are a conflict for her so before her attendance became an issue for us she has voluntarily resigned. Chairman Kummer thanked them both for their selfless service to the Community Board for these past few years.
Chairperson Kummer informed the Board that the Borough President has appointed several new Members to our Board. He welcomed Sister Rosanna Cervone of the Koinonia John the Baptist Catholic order, appointed by the Borough President, who has been attending our meetings regularly since coming to Visitation Parish in Red Hook, and also Dominique Bravo of Park Slope and Sayar Lonial of Carroll Gardens who were both appointed at the recommendation of Council Member Brad Lander. We hope they find their new role as a Board Member fulfilling and would suggest that each of them reach out to our District Manager Craig Hammerman to help get them situated.
Chairperson Kummer thanked our Parks Committee Co-Chair Glenn Kelly, District Manager Craig Hammerman, and Board Member Yvonne Girela for attending an on-site meeting with our Parks Borough Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey and other members of the surrounding community of Ennis Park, which is located between 2nd-3rd Avenues and 11th-12th Streets, to talk about the landscaping in the park and several other park usage issues. Some of the issues involved the need for more Capital investment in the park, and some of them are more operational issues, so Ennis Park should appear on a future Parks Committee agenda for further discussion.
Chairperson Kummer also thanked our Environmental Protection Committee Chair Gary Reilly and District Manager Hammerman for meeting with DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland to discuss several issues of concern to our district. Toward the top of that list were the chronic flooding conditions that continue to affect us in the 3rd-4th Avenue corridors and along 9th Street by the canal. As a piece of good news, DEP has developed a Capital project to address the 3rd-4th Avenue flooding conditions. We are in the process of arranging a briefing to our committee so we, and the public, will have an opportunity to learn more about this important project which we have been advocating for through the City’s budget process for many years.
Chairperson Kummer further thanked our Transportation Committee Co-Chair Tom Miskel and District Manager Hammerman for attending the last meeting of the Atlantic Yards Service Cabinet meeting last week. I’m told that the long expected Transit Demand Analysis report will be issued sometime in the first quarter of 2012 so we will have a chance to understand more deeply exactly how the Barclay Arena developers intend to induce their patrons to visit the arena while minimizing the use of personal vehicles. It is our hope that the 2
Transit Demand Analysis will prompt a broader discussion with the City as well, on what we can do to improve traffic conditions in general around the 4th Avenue, Flatbush Avenue, and Atlantic Avenue triangle, which has historically been notoriously bad well before there was ever any talk of putting in an arena there.
Chairperson Kummer advised the Board that we would be adding an item to tonight’s agenda - To support the preliminary designs for the Sponge Park located at the 2nd Street dead end on the west side of the Gowanus Canal. This item was laid over from a previous meeting.
Chairperson Kummer ended his report by informing the Board that Transportation Chairperson Tom Miskel and I attended a ceremony at Grand Army Plaza to celebrate the new renovations to the Plaza that have benefited drivers, pedestrians and bikers alike. Kudos to DOT for the improvements!
Chairperson Kummer recognized Comptroller John C. Liu who began by thanking the Board members for their tireless, dedicated service to the residents and district of Brooklyn Community Board 6. He stated that since taking office he has focused on eliminating wasteful spending and reducing costs whenever/wherever possible. He has reorganized the audit and contract review and has identified many dollars of waste full spending. He has also reduced the city’s pensions cost by reforming the way we make pension investments. For more information, please visit his website at http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/. He ended by answering several questions from Board Members.
Chairperson Kummer recognized the representatives of the elected officials.
Luke DePalma, representing Borough President Marty Markowitz announced that on November 15, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and the 4th Avenue Task Force, chaired by Senior Advisor Carlo Scissura, would be hosting a town hall meeting at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Park Slope. The first in a series of public meetings to gather input on transforming 4th Avenue from Atlantic Avenue to the Atlantic Ocean into a grand “Brooklyn Boulevard.” Subsequent town halls will be held in other neighborhoods surrounding the corridor. For more information, please visit http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/pdf/4thAveTownHall.pdf. He ended by informing the board that the Borough President has made available the “Brooklyn Parent Help Guide to Public Education in New York City.” The purpose of this guide is to provide instant access to both websites and phone numbers at the Department of Education that will help you find your way to the services you need. For more information, please visit www.brooklyn-usa.org and click on the “Brooklyn Parent Help Guide” button for a web-based, printable version with live links to the Department of Education website.
Catherine Zinnel, representing Council Member Brad Lander updated the board on the Council Member’s Participatory Budgeting process, which brings together residents to decide what to do with $1 million in capital funding. For more information, please visit http://bradlander.com/PB. She also stated that the Council Member has asked New York City Transit to consider some alternatives to its current plan to suspend service for five months in one direction at two local subway stations, 15th Street-Prospect Park and Fort Hamilton Parkway stations because residents are concerned that the walk home from an alternate station, or waiting on an empty platform to transfer backwards, is incredibly dangerous given the recent string of sexual attacks. To see a copy of the Councilman’s letter please visit http://bradlander.com/news/press/will-mta-make-changes-to-upcoming- fg-platform-closures-for-safety-reasons. She ended by informing the Board that the Councilman participated in the co-naming of Prospect Park West at 15th Street (where it intersects Bartel Pritchard Square) to "Julian Brennan Way." In honor of Marine Lance Corporal Julian Brennan lived in South Park Slope who at age 25 was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan’s Farah Province on January 24, 2009.
Tonice Sgrignoli, representing State Assembly Member James Brennan stated that the Assemblyman is against High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing because it is a threat to NYC water supply despite what DEC states. She
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invited everyone to be involved by participating in the November 30th hearings as well as written comments, which will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. December 12, 2011 by two methods only:
Electronic submission using a web-based comment form available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/76838.html.
Paper submission mailed or delivered to: Attn: dSGEIS Comments, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-6510. Please include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter.
Due to the expected volume, comments that are faxed, telephoned, or emailed to the DEC will not be accepted for the official record. This is to ensure that all comments are captured properly and can be included during the review process.
Tamar Smith, representing Assembly Member Joan Millman, reported to the Board that The Senior Citizen Rental Increase Exemption, called SCRIE, is an invaluable program for seniors (62 and older) living in New York City. SCRIE helps many stay in their apartments by freezing their rents at current levels while property owners receive tax abatements by the city to compensate for a loss of rental income. Increasing problems in the program's administration, currently run by the New York City Department of Finance, led to a planning meeting held recently by City and State elected officials to discuss strategies for improving the SCRIE program and increasing outreach and education efforts so that the many thousands of seniors who are eligible for the program actually are enrolled. One change is that the administration of SCRIE should be moved back to the Department for the Aging, where there were better outreach efforts and more sensitivity to the needs of seniors. The City Council will be proposing legislation to set up a program where a SCRIE specialist would be dedicated to one senior center in each Community Board in the City. This person would be responsible for education, outreach, assisting seniors with the application process, recertification, and working through any problems that arise. To be eligible for SCRIE you must be: 62 years or older Live in a rent regulated apartment Your income for the year must be $29,000 or below You must spend at least 1/3 of your monthly income on rent
If you think you, a family member or a friend might be eligible, call 311 for a SCRIE application.
Oscar Jonas, representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, additionally reported to the Board that the Senator was helping to inform the community on how they could be safe in light of the recent sexual assaults in Park Slope. His office is monitoring the low flying helicopters in Red Hook and will be contacting the FAA for more information.
Jessie Hamilton, representing State Senator Eric Adams reported to the Board that the Senator would be the guest speaker at a Community Action Meeting on November 21st, where he will present the Take Back Our Community (TBOC) initiative. At this meeting concerned community residents, block and civic associations, will receive information on taking action against the increased crime in their neighborhoods. He ended by inviting everyone to the Senator’s third annual Thanksgiving and Praise Concert, which will be at Brooklyn College on Nov.
20. Concertgoers are asked to bring canned food for a drive that will be distributed to a local food pantry.
Oscar Jonas, representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, stated to the Board that the Senator would be convening an Economic Development Roundtable Discussion with Kenneth Adams, CEO & Commissioner of the Empire State Development Corporation on November 14th. Topics will include:
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Regional Economic Development Councils — what they are, how they work, what they can mean for the Brooklyn business community Working with the ESDC Concerns of the Brooklyn business community He ended by advising the Board that the Senator has called on the F.A.A. to a conduct comprehensive review of helicopter and small aircraft traffic in and around lower Manhattan and northern Brooklyn. In light of the recent accident, which resulted in the death of two individuals, she believes that helicopter and small aircraft traffic pose a serious danger for everyone below.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT……………..................................................…CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the Board that the Department of Transportation has determined that a speed hump on 2nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, and 15th Street between 4th and 5th Avenues are good candidates for the installation of speed humps.
District Manager Hammerman informed the Board of two calendar changes because of Thanksgiving: November 23rd Youth/Human Services/Education will be rescheduled for Wednesday, November 30th. November 24th Landmarks/Land Use Committee Meeting will be rescheduled for Thursday, December 1st.
District Manager Hammerman ended his report by informing the Board that the Department of Sanitation will be instituting their annual shift to night collection hours from mid-November, continuing through mid-April, to ensure that personnel are available 24 hours a day in the event that they are needed for emergency snow removal. Each year one of the five Sanitation sectors within the district is shifted to nighttime collection. This year section 64 (Central Park Slope) will receive night collections.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ELECTION COMMITTEE……………..................................................………PETER FLEMING, CHAIR
Election Committee Chairperson Peter Fleming announced to the Board the members who have been suggested as nominees. The individuals are as follows:
Daniel Kummer – Chairperson Tom Miskel – First Vice Chairperson Lou Sones – Second Vice Chairperson Gary Reilly – Treasurer Nica Lalli – Secretary Election Chairperson Fleming reported that Secretary Nica Lalli would not be seeking another term. Board Member Tom Miskel nominated Board Member Elizabeth Shipley for the seat and she accepted. Since there were no other nominees, we will not be having elections next month and these officers will take over in 2012.
LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE.............................ROBERT LEVINE, LANDMARKS CHAIR
…………...……..………........PETER FLEMING, LAND USE CHAIR
Land Use Committee Chair Peter Fleming reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the construction of a one-story rear yard extension at 522 3rd Street.
Motion: by Committee;
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Recommendation to disapprove an application submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals (Recommendation anticipated on a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the construction of a one-story rear yard extension at 522 3rd Street (between 7th/8th Avenues), Park Slope Historic District.
VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
Land Use Committee Chairperson Fleming also reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the construction of new window openings at the third and fourth stories of the secondary facade at 60 Montgomery Place.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the construction of new window openings at the third and fourth stories of the secondary facade at 60 Montgomery Place (between 8th Avenue/Prospect Park West), Park Slope Historic District with the following condition; That the new window on the third & fourth floor be a single window no wider than 48” to 52” (4 ft. to 4.5 ft.).
VOTE: 37 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE……………...NICA LALLI, CO-CHAIR
...………...GLENN KELLY, CO-CHAIR
Parks Committee Co-Chairperson Glenn Kelly reported to the Board that the committee reviewed the scope of work and design for the Rehabilitation of the Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr. Playground at Gowanus Houses.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve the scope of work and design for the Rehabilitation of the Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr. Playground at Gowanus Houses on Wyckoff Street between Hoyt/Bond Street with the following condition: That the Parks Department reach out to Gowanus Houses, Friends of Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr. group and Community Board 2 residents before the full board approval.
Board Member Sayar Lonial asked if there would be any changes to the basketball courts. Parks Committee Co-Chairperson Kelly stated not at this time.
Board Member Dominique Bravo asks what the cost would be for this renovation. Parks Committee Co- Chairperson Kelly stated $550,000.
VOTE: 37 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Parks Committee Co-Chairperson Glenn Kelly also reported to the Board that the committee discussed Sponge Park at Gowanus Canal as previously presented by the Gowanus Canal Conservancy at their Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs Committee meeting on July 20, 2011. 6
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to support the preliminary design for the Sponge Park at the 2nd Street end on the west side of the Gowanus Canal.
Board Member Judith Thompson asked if this process would catch any pollution that infiltrates storm water run-off. Parks Committee Co-Chairperson Kelly stated yes.
Board Member Debra Scotto asked about the maintenance of the park and who would be responsible for it. Parks Committee Co-Chairperson Kelly stated the Parks Department.
Board Member Suzanne Turet spoke in favor of the motion.
Board Member Dolly Williams asked what the cost would be for this park. District Manager Hammerman stated that the total budget is unclear at this time but it will be coming from DEP.
VOTE: 37 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
PUBLIC SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/ PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE
………………………...…...MARTHA KENTON, PUBLIC SAFETY CHAIR
………...……GARY REILLY, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CHAIR
…………………………, PERMITS & LICENSES CHAIR
Permits & Licenses Committee Member Mark Shames reported to the Board that the committee reviewed an unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application on behalf of Mangia Inc. at 119 5th Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application renewal submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Mangia Inc. at 119 5th Avenue (southeast corner Sterling Place/5th Avenue), to permit 12 tables and 24 seats with the following condition: To stop outdoor service by 10 and close by 11 on weekdays and stop service by 11 and close by 12 on weekends and holidays.
VOTE: 37 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Permits & Licenses Committee Member Mark Shames also reported to the Board that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application on behalf of Family Brand, LLC dba Backyard at 388 5th Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Family Brand, LLC dba Backyard at 388 5th Avenue (between 6th/7th Streets) with the following condition: To stop outdoor service by 10 and close by 11 on weekdays and stop service by 11 and close by 12 on weekends and holidays.
VOTE: 36 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
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Permits & Licenses Committee Member Mark Shames further reported to the Board that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application on behalf of 307 Smith Street Corporation at 307 Smith Street (between Union/President Streets).
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 307 Smith Street Corporation at 307 Smith Street.
VOTE: 37 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Motion: by Committee;
To ask the State Liquor Authority to take no action on the following liquor application until such time as they appear before the committee: 158 Baltic Street 213 Smith Street 376 5th Avenue 297 9th Street
VOTE: 37 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Permits & Licenses Committee Member Mark Shames additionally reported to the Board that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application on behalf of NY Koeln Corp. at 84 St. Mark's Place.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of NY Koeln Corp. at 84 St. Mark's Place (between 4th/5th Avenues) with the following condition: To have the French doors closed by 10pm.
Board Member Lou Sones stated that he voted in favor of this motion at the committee meeting because on either side of the restaurant is commercial space; however, after further thought he believes that bars should not be on primarily residential blocks even if the commercial overlay allows them to.
Board Member Glenn Kelly spoke out against the motion stating that it will dramatically affect the quality of life of the residents that live directly across the street from this business. In addition, they are looking to have large crowds with a place of assembly permit for 200 people and he believes that they will be using their outdoor space in the near future.
Board Member Thompson spoke in favor of the motion stating that the bar is close to 4th Avenue and we should not be second-guessing the zoning laws.
VOTE: 27 YEAS, 8 NAY, 2 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
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Chairperson Kummer recognized City Council Member Steven Levin who introduces a new staff person Rachel Fuentes, who will be in charge of community issues in his district office. The Councilman also stated that he would be sponsoring a bill that would to give Albany a green light to consider Residential Parking Permits in and around downtown Brooklyn. The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Joan Millman, would set aside spots for residents on their streets while leaving at least 20 percent of spaces for visitors and non-permit parking. Streets with commercial and retail space, and spots with existing meters and other restrictions would not be eligible for permitting — providing protection for small businesses and their customers. He invited everyone to attend upcoming hearings of the City Council’s Education Committee in relation to the notification of information related to polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) in schools and a local law requiring the reporting of information related to polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs). He ended by stating that he also attended the ceremony at Grand Army Plaza and asked if anyone had any comments or suggestion about the changes they should contact his office at (718) 643-6620.
Dan Wiley, representing Congress Member Nydia M. Velázquez stated that the Congresswoman has introduced her section 3 legislation H.R.3254 - Affordable Communities Employment Act of 2011 that pertains to low income residents who live in HUD-subsidized housing. The act would amend the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to ensure access to employment opportunities for low-income persons. She also introduced H.R. 3114, which would provide disadvantaged youth with the opportunity to serve their communities and acquire valuable job skills. The bill, the “Civic Corps Jobs Act of 2011,” would reduce recidivism among juvenile offenders by empowering them to serve their communities and acquire training for future careers.
COMMUNITY SESSION
No speakers registered
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NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
Board Member Glenn Kelly stated that he was helping plan and implement this year’s Holiday party on December 19th at Red Rose Restaurant located at 315 Smith Street at 6pm. Since the Holiday Party is a fundraiser for “Friends of Brooklyn CB6, Inc.,” our 501-c-3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the work of CB6, he asked if anyone knew any businesses that could donate a prize for the raffle that evening.
Board Member Monique Verret asked Chairperson Kummer if the Board could look into recapturing parking space on Flatbush and Plaza Street where a taxi stand was installed but she has not seen any taxis utilizing it. Chairperson Kummer stated that he would see what was possible.
Motion: by Board Member Constance Molinari, seconded by Board Member Elizabeth Shipley; To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 29 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 9:15PM
Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on November 26, 2011.
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