BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
GENERAL BOARD MEETING
BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL
209 JORALEMON STREET
DECEMBER 14, 2011
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
B. ATKINS P. BELLENBAUM N. BERK-RAUCH
J. BERNARD L. BLYER D. BRAVO
S. BURZIO SR. R. CERVONE N.COX
N. DUTTA E. FELDER P. FLEMING
Y. GIRELA D. GIULIANO R. GRAHAM
J. HEYER H. HUGHES G. KELLY
D. KUMMER N. LALLI H. LINK
S. LONIAL R. LUFTGLASS A. McKNIGHT
T.L. MISKEL G. REILLY D. REISS
R. RIGOLLI M. RUIZ M. SCOTT
E. SHIPLEY L. SONES J. THOMPSON
S. TURET M. VERRET
D.C. VITO
EXCUSED:
R.S. BASHNER M. KOLMAN R. LEVINE
C. MOLINARI L. NAPOLITANO D. SCOTTO
M. SHAMES B. SOLOTAIRE E. SPICER
D.C. VITO D. WILLIAMS
ABSENT:
G. O’CONNELL, JR. C. PIGOTT
GUESTS
HON. JOAN MILLMAN, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
HON. VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY, STATE SENATOR
HON. DANIEL SQUADRON, STATE SENATOR
L. DEPALMA, BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARKOWITZ’S REPRESENTATIVE
R. FUENTES, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LEVIN’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
B. CAPE, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE
Complete list of meeting attendees on file at the District Office
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Chairperson Daniel Kummer called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT……..………………………...……..………….....…...DANIEL M. KUMMER
Chairperson Daniel M. Kummer began by asking for a moment of silence for NYPD Police Officer Peter J. Figoski who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a report of a break-in at a Brooklyn apartment on December 12th.
Chairperson Kummer recognized State Senator Daniel Squadron who stated that the State was still in a financial crisis and to help elevate it the Governor and the State Legislature have agreed on various tax code reforms to create jobs and restore fairness to the tax system. Under the new rate structure, 4.4 million New Yorkers would receive a tax cut, including a $690 million reduction for middle class taxpayers, and all taxpayers would see a tax reduction or no change compared to their previous tax bill. Following the state legislature’s passage of legislation that would infuse New York’s infrastructure with over $1 billion of investments, including $300 million from Port Authority revenues he has asked the Governor to invest part of the New York Works Infrastructure Fund in key projects in his district: the rehabilitation of the Brooklyn Queens-Expressway (BQE), an incentive program for Lower Manhattan businesses to increase energy efficiency, and a new academic center at New York City College of Technology (City Tech). He further stated that $25 million was allocated for The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which provides New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with summer employment and educational opportunities. He ended by stating that Bill # A4692A-2011 that authorizes the incorporation of benefit corporations was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, changing the way New York does business. It will create a new industry of corporations with a "double bottom line" of profit and socially responsible practices - unlocking billions in potential investments in companies that pursue a positive material effect on society and the environment.
Chairperson Kummer assured all of the new Board Members that they will be receiving their committee assignments soon.
Chairperson Kummer reported to the Board that we have received a resignation from Board Member Martha Kenton, Chair of our Public Safety Committee. She has had an ongoing challenge balancing her professional life with the Community Board’s meeting schedule and has concluded that continuing to serve would not be a good fit for her at this time. He wished her well and thanked her for her selfless service to the Community Board for these past few years.
Chairperson Kummer reminded everyone that on December 19th is our annual Holiday Party and fundraiser for our non-profit organization, Friends of Brooklyn CB6, Inc. We have held the cost of the event at $30 per person to keep it an affordable night out and we are encouraging our guests to make a tax-deductible donation above the cost, which will go to our non-profit. Please join us from 6-9pm at the Red Rose Restaurant at 315 Smith Street between President & Union Streets.
Chairperson Kummer thanked District Manager Craig Hammerman for representing us at the Board of Standards and Appeals to deliver testimony on our behalf on the Whole Foods Market variance application. I am told that the BSA has requested some additional information from the applicant, that the hearing is being continued in January, and that the applicant is eagerly pressing forward at this time.
Chairperson Kummer also thanked our current Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly, and our previous Committee Chair Mark Shames, along with the many other committee members who together with myself and our District Manager Hammerman spent an evening working session last week reviewing and discussing ways to streamline and improve our process for reviewing liquor licenses. We have come a long way in a relatively short period of time and we are still on the learning curve when it comes to refining our 2
protocols and procedures. Discussions like the one that took place last week and the follow-up one that took place at our Executive Committee meeting this past Monday will ultimately mean that we will be able to more efficiently administer a process that will more effectively position us to have an impact on both the State Liquor Authority as they review applications but, more importantly, on our community itself. We are incorporating some immediate changes to our procedures to be phased in over the next couple of months, and we will be hosting another working session in a few months as well.
Chairperson Kummer further thanked Parks Committee Co-Chairs Glenn Kelly and Nica Lalli for participating in a meeting with Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey from the Parks Department. They discussed a number of creative ways to leverage the Parks Department’s drastically diminished resources. In addition, how volunteer resources could improve the situations in a number of parks in our district. He also reported that the major project in Washington Park is proceeding on schedule.
Chairperson Kummer advised the Board that The Department of Transportation has responded to our recommendation to conditionally approve the revocable consent application for the benches and bollards at the Barclays Arena. In their letter, they agree with our recommendation to require Forest City Ratner to plant as many trees as possible around the perimeter of the arena. They report that Forest City has worked with DOT and the Parks Department to ensure that street trees will be planted wherever feasible without interfering with street furniture and other required structures. DOT is proceeding with the award of the revocable consent and Forest City may be granted a temporary security permit to begin installation while the revocable consent is being finalized.
Chairperson Kummer informed the Board that at the last Executive Committee Meeting they came up with a number of “New Years Resolutions” that would help with the efficiency of running the Board Meetings: Start meetings promptly at 6:30pm to reward our members who arrive on time; Board Members who have an emergency which required them to leave early should be “signing out” with our Secretary by either coming to the front of the room or somehow signaling them so their exit time can be recorded; As a reminder: For attendance calculation purposes, there is no difference between an absence that is excused versus one that is not. The only material difference between the two is that when we have to review attendance records for our members an excused absence tells us that at least an effort was made to notify us before the meeting that they were unable to attend.
Chairperson Kummer ended his report by thanking 2nd Vice Chairperson Elly Spicer and Secretary Nica Lalli who have opted not to run for re-election as officers for the board in 2012.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT……………..................................................…CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the Board that the Department of Buildings (DOB) has advised us of emergency conditions at 160 Berkeley Place. 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 advised the Board that the Department of Transportation has determined that a traffic signal was approved for the intersection of Van Brunt and Wolcott Streets. Installation is scheduled to be completed before January 31, 2012.
District Manager Hammerman also advised the Board that the Department of Transportation has determined that additional traffic controls at the intersection of Court and Pacific Streets are not warranted at this time.
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District Manager Hammerman ended his report by informing the Board that the Department of Transportation has determined that a speed hump on 13th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues is a good candidate for the installation of a seed hump.
Chairperson Kummer recognized elected officials and their representatives.
Assemblywoman Joan Millman began by reporting to the Board that recently the State Legislature in Albany has recently voted to continue the MTA Mobility Tax but excepted private and parochial schools. The MTA will lose about $250 Million because of the exemptions, which will be made up in the States budget. As the Chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Aging, she has asked that the senior center Title 20 money be taking off the chopping block and continued as be. Her office will be a drop off point for the Park Slope Civic Council's Annual Toys for Tots Holiday Collection. Please donate new and unwrapped toys, games and books for children aged 12 and under to my office at 341 Smith Street. All of the gifts collected will be given to local organizations that work with families in need. We will be collecting gifts from Monday, November 28th until January 6, 2012. If you are interested in offering your business as a gift collection center, please contact the Park Slope Civic Council at toys4tots@parkslopeciviccouncil.org. Last week she spoke at a hearing regarding adding a charter school in the building where Global Studies and International High Schools are housed. She firmly opposes the charter school in that location at this time. She would prefer to have an early childhood center located there, which would allow the Brooklyn School for Global Studies to continue to improve and expand. It would also reduce overcrowding in the upper grade classes in neighboring schools. As well as provide seats for youngsters who have been denied access to existing programs and reduces overcrowding in these same classes. She ended by advising the Board that she participated in a “Ride Along” with officers of the 78th police precinct and will be looking forward to doing it again with the 76th police precinct.
Catherine Zinnel, representing Council Member Brad Lander stated that the Council Member’s office has completed a survey of the B61 bus line which runs from Red Hook to Downtown via Park Slope and found fewer than half of the buses on the B61 line arrived on time during “peak hours” and the rest showed up at least three minutes early or late. The report lays out nine cost-effective ways to improve the bus line to help riders connect to subway lines and commute to work faster, including keeping lights green for buses at key intersections, installing countdown clocks in bus shelters and adding more buses at peak hours. To view the report please visits http://bradlander.com/b61. She ended by stating that the Councilman awarded citations to six FDNY companies who responded to the Thanksgiving Day blaze at Engine 220 and Engine 219's firehouses with Squad 1, Rescue 2, Ladder 105 and Ladder 122. They arrived on the scene of the fire in a President Street apartment in two minutes and 27 seconds. Thanks to the FDNY’s rapid response time to the inferno in the apartment between Fourth and Fifth avenues, five lives were saved, including an eight-month-old baby boy who was brought back to life by fireman Neil Malone who administered CPR on the scene.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Board Member Glenn Kelly made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Board Member Rick Luftglass.
VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:12 P.M.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE.............................ROBERT LEVINE, LANDMARKS CHAIR 4
…………...……..………........PETER FLEMING, LAND USE CHAIR
Land Use Committee Chair Peter Fleming reported to the Board that the committee reviewed the Department of City Planning's (E) Designations Text Amendment program.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to conditionally approve the Department of City Planning's (E) Designations Text Amendment (ULURP No. N120090ZRY), to update provisions related to the (E) Designation Program, remove duplicative zoning provisions and streamline the administration of the program.
VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:16 P.M.
Land Use Committee Chairperson Fleming also reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for for rooftop alterations at 36 Montgomery Place.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for rooftop alterations at 36 Montgomery Place (between 8th Avenue/Prospect Park West), Park Slope Historic District.
Board Member David Reiss asked what we were voting on since it is not in the Boards purview to tell the applicant what type of material to use. Land Use Committee Chairperson Fleming stated that we were voting on the applicant changing the slate roof because it was prone to leaking to a rubberized one.
Board Member Monique Verret ask why this application is before us. Land Use Committee Chairperson Fleming stated that this application is before us because the applicant is changing the roof on a historical building in our district.
Board Member Judith Thompson asked if the color of the new roof would be the same as the old roof. Land Use Committee Chairperson Fleming stated that the applicant told the committee they would do their best to match color.
VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:20 P.M.
Land Use Committee Chairperson Fleming also reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a proposed modification to the Landmarks Preservation Commission designation of the New York and Long Island Coignet Stone Company Building at 360-370 3rd Avenue aka 230 3rd Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a proposed modification to the Landmarks Preservation Commission designation of the New York and Long Island Coignet Stone Company Building at 360-370 3rd Avenue aka 230 3rd Street, adjusting the size of the tax lot to create a 5-foot offset line from the building.
Board Member Sayar Lonial asked if Whole Foods would be doing the repairs to the building. Land Use Committee Chairperson Fleming stated yes.
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VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:22 P.M.
Land Use Committee Chairperson Fleming additionally reported to the Board that the committee reviewed the Citywide Statement of Needs for Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014 which provides information on facilities the City intends to site, expand, replace or consolidate during the next two fiscal years.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to disapprove the facility for Brooklyn Community District 6 which has been identified in the Citywide Statement of Needs for Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014, specifically, the construction of a new building at DEP's work site at 727 Hicks Street to consolidate its Water Shaft Maintenance and Bureau of Water Supply Operations personnel at one site for the following reasons: 10,000 square feet of roadway should not be taken away. What about the Percent for Art program component? We need an explanation of status of park promised at Sackett Street and 4th Avenue.
District Manager Hammerman updated the Board on DEP’s two water tunnel shaft projects at shafts 22B (4th Avenue and Sackett Street) and 23B (Hamilton Avenue and Hicks Street). The work at each shaft consisted of the installation of four 48” diameter stainless steel riser pipes above and below an intermediate riser valve chamber, the installation of four 48” butterfly valves in the riser valve chamber, the distribution chamber and an emergency access shaft elevator connecting the riser valve chamber to the distribution chamber at street level. After the work is completed, a landscape art/community garden will be constructed at Shaft 22B to be utilized by the community over the tunnel.
Board Member David Reiss asked what the best way to get our thoughts to the agency in regards to the landscape art/community garden at the shafts and the feasibility study. District Manager Hammerman stated that by disapproving this motion it would let the agency know that we need more information to help clarify some concerns we have.
Board Member Norman Cox asked if the agency gave us the goal of the feasibility study. Land Use Committee Chairperson Fleming stated no.
Board Member Roger Rigolli spoke in favor of the motion stating that the agency has not given us enough information and the Transportation Committee should have been involved in the conversation since they will be taken away roadway the the Hicks Street site.
Board Member Lou Sones spoke in favor of the motion stating that the motion to disapprove sends a message to the agency to get their act together.
VOTE: 32 YEAS, 2 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:34 P.M.
PUBLIC SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/ PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE
…………….……GARY REILLY, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION &
PERMITS & LICENSES CHAIR
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Permits & Licenses Committee Chairperson Gary Reilly reported to the Board that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application at 376 5th Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Los Robles Corp. dba Colombia in Park Slope at 376 5th Avenue (between 5th/6th Streets) with the following condition: To close outdoor service by 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends and holidays.
Board Member Benjamin Atkins asked if they already had a beer and wine license. Permits & Licenses Chairperson Reilly stated yes.
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:37 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chairperson Reilly also reported to the Board that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application at 179 4th Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 179 4th Avenue Corp. at 179 4th Avenue (between Degraw/Sackett Streets) with the following condition: To close outdoor service by 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends and holidays.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:38 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chairperson Reilly further reported to the Board that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application renewal at 304 5th Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an on-premises liquor license application renewal submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Venger Inc. dba Loki Lounge at 304 5th Avenue (northwest corner 2nd Street/5th Avenue with the following condition: To close outdoor service by 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends and holidays.
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:41 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chairperson Reilly additionally reported to the Board that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application at 475 3rd Avenue. 7
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Napoli Ever After Inc. dba Lucey's Lounge at 475 3rd Avenue (between 9th/10th Streets).
Board Member Glenn Kelly asked if there was an outdoor space. Permits & Licenses Chairperson Reilly stated no.
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:43 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chairperson Reilly furthmore reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a modified on-premises wine and beer license at 396 6th Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a modified on-premises wine and beer license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 396 6th Ave. Rest., Inc. dba Lucky Lou's Bar & Grill at 396 6th Avenue (between 6th/7th Streets) with the following condition: Incorporate Charles B. Linn’s letter stipulating conditions that the community negotiated with the owner.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:46 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chairperson Reilly moreover reported to the Board that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application at 213 Smith Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to disapprove an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Athena on Smith, Inc. at 213 Smith Street (between Baltic/Butler Streets.
Board Member Lou Sones spoke in favor of the motion stating they are doing business under the old liquor license.
Board Member Glenn Kelly spoke in favor of the motion stating that the applicant was doing everything wrong.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:54 P.M.
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: 287 9th Street, 248 Flatbush Avenue, 481 5th Avenue, 297 9th Street, 127 Columbia Street, 268 Clinton Street.
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VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:56 P.M.
Chairperson Kummer recognized State Senator Velmanette Montgomery who began by inviting everyone to a Home Energy Conservation Forum on January 19, 2012 at the YWCA located at 30 3 rd Avenue from 6pm-8pm. The forum will give information to homeowners and businesses on energy savings possibilities available to them through the state and the power companies, as well as a briefing on a variety of Environmental issues. She also announced the start of four new Smart Scholars Early College High School (ECHS) programs in Brooklyn. This program is an innovative collaboration between colleges and public school districts offering high school students the opportunity to graduate with up to two years of college credits.
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE………..……..………………….THOMAS L. MISKEL, CO-CHAIR
…………………………………….STEPHEN BURZIO, CO-CHAIR
Transportation Co-Chairperson Stephen Burzio reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a presentation by the Department of Transportation on Red Hook Transit Access and Mobility Improvements.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to support the improvements called for in the Department of Transportation’s Red Hook Transit Access and Mobility Improvements presentation.
Board Member Lou Sones was disappointed that Richards Street between Verona and Hamilton Avenue making it a two way street again was not included in the improvements.
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:09 P.M.
YOUTH/HUMAN SERVICES/EDUCATION COMMITTEE
…....…DERRICK C. VITO, CO-CHAIR, YOUTH SERVICES
……….JAMES BERNARD, CO-CHAIR, YOUTH SERVICES
…...BENJAMIN SOLOTAIRE, CHAIR, HUMAN SERVICES
………………SUZANNE TURET, CO-CHAIR, EDUCATION
………………..MARK KOLMAN, CO-CHAIR, EDUCATION
Education Chairperson Suzanne Turet reported to the Board that the committee discussed a presentation by Margaret Kelley, Education Policy Analyst of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz office on the Community Boards lack of involvement in the conversations with the Department of Education in regards to where charter schools are located in our district.
Motion: by Board Member Lou Sones, seconded by Board Member Marguerite Scott; To request the following from the Department of Education To directly engage the Community Boards in discussions of possible school co-locations in our district prior to decisions being made; To have ongoing discussion between the Department of Education and Community Boards of what kinds of schools are needed in the district; 9
To meaningfully involve the Community Board in the Educational District Planning process; and, To meet with local school representatives in our district that have more than 300 empty seats to review actual space usage and how to be proactive in filling those seats.
Board Member Nica Lalli spoke in favor of the motion stating that the Community Boards should have a role to play suggesting that the DOE’s outreach to local Community Education Councils (CEC) is not sufficient.
VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSTENTIONS WITH CAUSE, 1 ABSTENTION WITHOUT CAUSE
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:13 P.M.
COMMUNITY SESSION
No speakers registered
__________________________________________________________________________________________
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
Board Member Judith Thompson stated that the scaffolding around PS 146 has been up for an extended period of time and the School Construction authority should be consulting the Community Board when this type of work is conducted especially if it is going to be longer than the school year. Chairperson Kummer stated that he would take it under advisement because this issue warranted further discussion.
Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Lou Sones; To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:30PM
Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on December 29, 2011.
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