BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
GENERAL BOARD MEETING
PUBLIC SCHOOL 32
317 HOYT STREET
FEBRUARY 8, 2012
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
B. ATKINS R. BASHNER P. BELLENBAUM
N. BERK-RAUCH J. BERNARD D. BRAVO
SR. R. CERVONE N. COX N. DUTTA
P. FLEMING Y. GIRELA D. GIULIANO
R. GRAHAM J. HEYER H. HUGHES
G. KELLY N. LALLI R. LEVINE
H. LINK S. LONIAL R. LUFTGLASS
A. MCKNIGHT T. MISKEL G. O’CONNELL, JR.
C. PIGOTT G. REILLY D. REISS
R. RIGOLLI M. RUIZ D. SCOTTO
M. SHAMES E. SHIPLEY B. SOLOTAIRE
L. SONES J. THOMPSON D.C. VITO
D. WILLIAMS
EXCUSED:
L. BLYER M. KOLMAN D. KUMMER
M. SCOTT E. SPICER S. TURET
ABSENT:
E. FELDER L. NAPOLITANO M. VERRET
GUESTS:
HON. STEVEN LEVIN, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
K. FEDER, BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARKOWITZ’ REPRESENTATIVE
K. CARROLL, COUNCIL MEMBER LEVIN’S REPRESENTATIVE
A. ALEXIS, COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ’S REPRESENTATIVE
C. ZINNEL, COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
A. WARDLAW, ASSEMBLY MEMBER ORTIZ’S OFFICE
T. SMITH, ASSEMBLY MEMBER MILLMAN’S REPRESENTATIVE
O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE
J. HAMILTON, STATE SENATOR ADAMS’ REPRESENTATIVE
J. LEVINE, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE
P. RHÉAUME, CONGRESS MEMBER CLARKE’S REPRESENTATIVE
D. WILEY CONGRESS MEMBER VELÁZQUEZ’ REPRESENTATIVE
Complete list of meeting attendees on file at District Office 1
1st Vice Chairperson Thomas Miskel called the meeting to order at 6:38pm
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT………………………………………………………...….THOMAS MISKEL
1st Vice Chairperson Thomas Miskel began his report by informing the board that Chairperson Daniel Kummer had a pressing family obligation tonight and is unable to attend the meeting.
Vice Chairperson Miskel reported that Board Member Steven Burzio has advised us that he recently began a new job as the Principal Law Clerk to NYS Supreme Court Justice Carl Landicino and, as a result, he is resigning due to the increased time and energy the new position is demanding of him. He stated that he would personally miss him as Co-Chair of our Transportation Committee and on behalf of the board and our Chairperson I'd like to wish him much success in his new position and thank him for his dedicated, selfless service to the board.
Vice Chairperson Miskel also reported to the board that Board Member Linda Blyer is opting not to apply for reappointment to the board when her term is up this year. He thanked her for her service and asks that she consider reapplying in the future if circumstance will allow for it.
Vice Chairperson Miskel advised the board that all members whose terms are up this year are advised that they will need to reapply and return their completed, notarized application to Borough Hall by February 27, 2012. If you have any questions or problems, please see Kai Feder, our new liaison from the Borough President's Office.
Vice Chairperson Miskel ended the Chairman’s Report by congratulating District Manager, Craig Hammerman, who was appointed by the Mayor's Office to serve on a roundtable that will be developing improvements to the Mayor's Management Report, the annual report of indicators which describes the quality and quantity of services delivered by the agencies of the City of New York. The Mayor is drawing experts from inside and outside of government to serve on this panel and we are especially honored that our own District Manager is included among them.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the board that the reconstruction work on the Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr. Park located on Wyckoff Street between Hoyt and Bond Streets began this week.
District Manager Craig Hammerman reported to the board that on March 30th the United States Postal Service will be terminating services at their contract station located at 257 Columbia Street in our district. We are not sure of the specifics, but will be writing to USPS to ask them to reconsider the closing.
The District Manager informed the board that he and Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch recently attended a meeting with the Street Activity Permit Office to discuss the new changes they have implemented since instituting and online electronic application system 2 years ago. Highlights of the changes are as follows: Applicant will receive a notification from SAPO directing them to our website to see our requirements for block parties. This will illuminate the office staff from calling all applicants to inform them of our requirements. SAPO will email the applicant their permit immediately after it has received the recommendations from the required city agencies. Price for the block party application fee has increased from $15.50 to $25.75. The lead time for submitting applications has also increased from 60 days to 90 days.
2
There is a new permitted event which is called a “Single Block Festival” which is a street activity requiring a single block street closure and contains vendors. The Sponsor shall be a community-based, not-for-profit organization, association, or the like, which has an indigenous relationship to the specific street, community or both. Starting next year all “Single Block Festival” applications must be submitted by December 31, 2012.
District Manager Hammerman ended his report by advising the board of an emergency condition at 147 Dwight Street in the Red Hook section of our district. Department of Buildings has informed us that the owner has been notified to remedy this situation by demolition the building.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Board Member Peter Fleming made a motion to accept the minutes of the January general meeting, seconded by Board Member Nica Lalli.
VOTE: 26 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 6:46 P.M.
1st Vice Chairperson Miskel recognized elected officials representatives
Kai Feder, representing Borough President Markowitz, reported to the board that all of its members should have received their board reappointment letters. If they have not they should contact him at (718) 802-3700. The Department of Cultural Affairs is charged with the administration of the Cultural Development Fund, an annual grant-making process for New York City’s nonprofit cultural organizations. Through the CDF process, the Department awards support for a vast array of programs. CDF Applications are available online at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcla/html/funding/funding.shtml. The Fiscal 2013 CDF Application period will be closing on February 13, 2012.
Anthony Alexis, representing Council Member Sara Gonzalez, reported to the board that the councilwoman along with other councilmember’s will be sending a letter to the Governor asking his to allocate $10 million into the budget for exploited women services. The Council Member has just been elected Vice-chair of the Black and Latino Caucus of the City Council.
Catherine Zinnel, representing Council Member Lander, invited everyone to a “Community Conversation” with Red Hook Container Terminal, LLC the new operator of the Red Hook Container Terminal. The meeting will be on February 9th at The Postgraduate Center located at 6:30pm. For more information please call (718) 499- 1090 or email her at czinnel@council.nyc.gov.
Angela Wardlaw, representing Assembly Member Félix Ortiz stated that the Assemblyman has sponsored a bill that would fund a public awareness campaign, meant to counter gambling addiction in light of the Governor’s call to expand gambling in New York. The Assembly Member would also like to hold a public hearing to discuss the State education commissioner’s suspension of federal grant payments to struggling schools across New York. She ended by stating that the Assembly Member has discussed with Senator Chuck Schumer his organ donor legislation which would require people applying for a driver’s license at the state Department of Motor Vehicles to fill out the box that asks whether they want to be an organ donor. They would have to check “yes” or “not at this time.”
3
Kevin Carroll, representing Council Member Steven Levin advised the board that the Council Member was still in discussions with the Park slope Civic Council and LPC to include more of the North Slope in the Park Slope landmark district.
Tamar Smith, representing Assembly Member Joan Millman, announced that in January the Assembly Member spoke at the legislative budget hearing on education and addressed a number of issues of concern including retention of new teachers, and charter schools. She asked New York State Department of Education Commissioner John King about the approval process for charter schools and the appointment process for SUNY charter school board members. In recent months she has been very concerned about the issue of charter co- locations, which is when a charter is placed in the same building as an existing public school. The Assembly Member is a co-sponsor of Assembly Bill A.9148, which would increase the New York State minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.50 starting January 2013 and then would link the minimum wage to the rate of inflation beginning January 2014. In a victory for commuters and transportation advocates, the MTA has voted to add more buses to the B61 bus route during evening rush hours. Her office is accepting non-perishable food items and personal care products for victims of domestic violence and their children being served by the Family Justice Center, a program of the Brooklyn District Attorney's office. Examples include: canned food, dry pasta, juice boxes, peanut butter, baby food and formula, shampoo, tooth paste and brushes, and diapers. The drive will go through February 17th at 341 Smith Street.
Oscar Jonas, representing State Senator Montgomery, updated the board on some the Senators proposed legislation: The Atlantic Yards Governance Act (S1596) the purpose of this bill is to establish a project oversight entity known as the Atlantic Yards Development Trust, to supervise the Atlantic Yards Project in order to create increased accountability and oversight in the project's governance. The Regents Bill (S6322) requires that the NYS board of regents hold at least 2 meetings a year in New York City and requires announcements of the time, date, location and agenda thereof. Solar Panel Bill (S6242) Relates to increasing the tax credit provided for solar energy system equipment from $5000 to $10,000.
Jordan Levine, representing State Senator Daniel Squadron, stated that the DOE will be expanding P.S. 8 to include a middle school at the Westinghouse campus in downtown Brooklyn. The Senator has been urging the City and the MTA to move forward with NYU-Poly’s proposal for a Center for Urban Science and Progress at 370 Jay Street. The MTA, which has a long-term lease on the building, and the City, which owns the building, must reach an agreement before it can be transferred to a new owner. State Senator Squadron has also spoke out against the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment released proposed lines for senate districts. He is pushing for everyone to contact the governor’s office and urge him to veto the proposal.
Patrick Rhéaume, representing Congress Member Yvette Clarke, assured us that the Congress Member is working hard in Washington DC on behalf of her constituents.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE………………………...….ROBERT LEVINE, LANDMARKS
…………………………….….PETER FLEMING, LAND USE
Land Use Chairperson Peter Fleming reported that the committee reviewed the Department of City Planning’s Zone Green Text Amendment (ULURP #N 120132 ZRY), an application which seeks to revise the City’s Zoning Resolution to remove impediments to the construction and retrofitting of greener buildings.
Motion: by Committee;
4
Recommendation to approve the Department of City Planning’s Zone Green Text Amendment (ULURP #N 120132 ZRY), an application which seeks to revise the City’s Zoning Resolution to remove impediments to the construction and retrofitting of greener buildings with the following conditions: That greenhouses be reviewed by the Community Board via ULURP. Extension of façade in historic districts and contextual must be reviewed by the Community Board and the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Compressor units in LPC or contextual historic districts are subject to Community Board and LPC review.
Board Member Richard Bashner asked if there was any discussion on sound restrictions for the wind turbines. Land Use Chairperson Fleming stated that the committee discussed the issue but did not take a position on it.
Board Member Mark Shames stated that he voted for this motion but had some concerns about the noise the wind turbines make. Also, he pointed out that 4th Avenue has a number of buildings over 100 feet, which would make it a prime location for a number of these turbines.
Board Member Robert Levine stated that he thought that these wind turbines would only be restricted to waterfront communities. Also, they would not go on buildings in height restricted neighborhoods. Land Use Chairperson Fleming stated that there are no restrictions on the location of the turbines but they could not go on buildings in height restricted neighborhoods.
Board Member Elizabeth Shipley stated that there are not that many buildings in our district over 100 feet and the wind turbines could be placed on commercial properties on the water front regardless of height.
Board Member Lou Sones asked how much noise the turbines make. Chairperson Fleming stated that we did not know.
Board Member Norman Cox asked why the committee felt this should go through the ULURP process. Chairperson Fleming stated that it would give the Community Board a formal way to review the applications and submit our recommendations.
Board Member Noel Berk-Rauch asked if these turbines could only be used by the property it was on or could someone enter into an agreement and use the turbines from one property to generate energy to another property. Chairperson Fleming stated that the committee did not discuss that issue.
Amendment: by Board Member Richard Bashner, seconded by Board Member Gregory O’Connell Jr; To include that our approval of the wind turbine portion of the proposal is subject to the promulgation of standards regarding sound and vibrations that will keep them at acceptable levels.
Board Member Levine stated that he was okay with the turbines as long as they meet current sound standards. Board Member Shipley stated that the turbines have to meet standards all we are doing with the motion is taking away the zoning prohibitions.
Board Member Bashner stated that we certainly should be considering wind turbines; the problem with the noise standards is that the City measures the noise at the point of impact at the person who hears the sound, rather than measure the output of the turbines. The City needs to come up with a standard for sound generation and vibration at the source. Board Member Shames spoke in favor of the amendment.
5
Board Member Roger Rigolli stated that these wind turbines are run by motors and are not as efficient as solar panels. Also, they would best be installed near the waterfront.
VOTE: 31 YEAS, 3 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:21 P.M.
Discussion on original motion as amended continued.
Amendment: by Board Member Norman Cox, seconded by Board Member Roger Rigolli; To remove the requirement for a ULURP process for a greenhouse and that it only be used for agricultural growing usages.
Board Member Levine stated that a ULURP process does not have to be used but we wanted some sort of community review. Board Member Bashner asked if he could add a friendly amendment to Board Member Cox’s amendment. To require a special permit for the greenhouse that would include the definition that it could be only used for agricultural growing usages. Board Member Cox accepted the friendly amendment.
Board Member Benjamin Solotaire stated that the City must have a definition for a greenhouse why do we need to make it part of the motion. Chairperson Fleming stated that we are not suggesting that a new definition be created but that the definition that is already on the books should be added to this regulation.
VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:25 P.M.
Discussion on original motion as amended continued.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:34 P.M.
Landmarks Chairperson Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the construction of a new building at 2-4 Strong Place.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the construction of a new building at 2-4 Strong Place (southwest corner Strong Pl/Kane St), Cobble Hill Historic District.
Board Member Glenn Kelly spoke in favor of the motion stating that the architect is a resident who worked closely with the Cobble Hill Association.
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:38 P.M.
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE……...............NICA LALLI, CO-CHAIR 6
...………...GLENN KELLY, CO-CHAIR
Parks Committee Co-Chairperson Glenn Kelly reported to the Board that the committee reviewed the conceptual design as presented by the Department of Parks & Recreation for the DiMattina Dog Run.
Motion: by Board Member Noel Berk-Rauch, seconded by Board Member Hildegaard Link; Recommendation to approve the conceptual design as presented by the Department of Parks & Recreation for the DiMattina Dog Run located at Hicks Street between Hamilton Avenue and Rapelye Street subject to the final determination of the top surface material.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:42 P.M.
Parks Committee Co-Chairperson Glenn Kelly also reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a proposal for the development of a community garden (the “Children’s Garden”) at 204 Columbia Street.
Motion: by Board Member Peter Fleming, seconded by Board Member Hildegaard Link; Recommendation to support a proposal to be submitted to the Department of Parks & Recreation’s Green Thumb program for the development of a community garden (the “Children’s Garden”) at 204 Columbia Street (northwest corner Columbia/Sackett Streets).
Board Member Dolly Williams ask if this lot could be used for housing. Parks Committee Co-Chairperson Kelly stated that it could be used for housing but there are no plans for build housing at this time and the garden would not prevent housing being built on it in the future.
Board Member Bashner stated that although this garden would not preclude housing being built in the future getting land back from the green thumb program after it has been turned over by HPD will be very difficult.
Board Member O’Connell stated that there are other gardens in the vicinity and we should not limit this lot to a community garden.
Board Member Shames stated that we should not focus on only one usage of this lot an analysis should be done on other possible usages and/or if this area needs another community garden.
Board Member Rigolli spoke out against the motion stating that there are enough gardens in the area.
Board Member Benjamin Atkins spoke in favor of the motion stating that although it may be hard to get the land back to build housing on it, this proposal is better than what is there now.
Board Member Debra Scotto stated that we do not have enough information regarding this motion and should discuss it further in committee.
Board Member Link spoke in favor of the motion stating that she is not aware of any children’s gardens in the area.
Board Member Sayar Lonial spoke in favor of the children’s garden but asked if the dispossession of the land be taken out of the motion, encouraging HPD to allow the temporary use.
7
Board Member Peter Fleming withdrew his motion after hearing the discussion on the floor.
Motion: by Board Member Sayar Lonial, seconded by Board Member Hildegaard Link; Recommendation to support the concept of the children’s garden and encourage HPD to allow for its temporary use without transferring the land to the Parks Department.
Board Member Bashner asked if he could add a friendly amendment to the motion stating that HPD should do a feasibility study for alternative usages before transferring the land to Parks and return to the committee to discuss their findings. Board Member Lonial accepted the friendly amendment.
Discussion on original motion as amended continued.
VOTE: 25 YEAS, 6 NAYS, 4 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:15 P.M.
1st Vice Chairperson Miskel recognized elected officials.
Council Member Brad Lander invited everyone to a “Community Conversation” with Red Hook Container Terminal, LLC the new operator of the Red Hook Container Terminal. He also urges that board to support his B61 proposal he submitted to the MTA. The full report can be viewed at http://bradlander.com/b61. He also stated that the time has come to vote on the Participatory Budgeting projects that will get funded. The voting will be held between March 27th & March 29th. Visit his website at http://bradlander.com/PB to get the locations and times. He ended by stating that the campus in John Jay High School is doing well with the opening of the Millennium Brooklyn High School. He highlighted two of the programs: New Mural at Park Slope Collegiate - The mural highlights the challenges students face individually, and the ones that we face as a society – and is by-turns thoughtful, critical, and inspirational. Teen Battle Chef - is a new afterschool program we are organizing at John Jay that turns hungry students into expert chefs. Each week, teams of students compete to make the winning dish and along the way, pick up healthy cooking and teamwork skills - and build bonds with students from the other John Jay high schools.
For more information on these or any of the new programs please visit http://bradlander.com/blog/2012/02/25/john-jay-high-school-one-year-later.
Council Member Steven Levin began by stating that he plans on participating in Participatory Budgeting next year. He also stated that his conversations were going well with the Park Slope Civic Council and LPC to include more of the North Slope in the Park Slope landmark district. He was also in discussions with the Park Slope Civic Council and DOT to make parts Park Slope a Neighborhood “Slow Zone”, a community-based program that reduces the speed limit to 20 mph (down from 30 mph, the citywide speed limit) within a select area and adds safety measures to change driver behavior and help improve safety. He ended by inviting everyone to a rally and Press Conference on the steps of City Hall to support the First Responders of Ground Zero who still cannot get health coverage for cancer under the Zadora Act. He is also calling on Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD to immediately release their lists of who served at Ground Zero to a reputable medical research facility in order to more fully understand the link between cancer and 9/11.
8
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE……................................................THOMAS L. MISKEL, CHAIR
Transportation Committee Member Roger Rigolli reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a report by Council Member Brad Lander, “Next Bus Please: Improving the B61 Bus.”
Motion: by Board Member Sayar Lonial, seconded by Board Member Hildegaard Link; Recommendation to support the various recommendations contained in the report by Council Member Brad Lander, “Next Bus Please: Improving the B61 Bus” and to urge the agencies to implement the recommendations.
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:29 P.M.
PUBLIC SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE
……….GARY REILLY, ENV. PROT./PERMITS & LICENSES
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly reported that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application at 604 Union Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Dinosaur Restaurant LLC at 604 Union Street (between 3rd/4th Avenues.
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:31 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly also reported that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application at 147A Columbia Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to conditionally approve an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Cambrian Industries LLC dba South Brooklyn Local at 147A Columbia Street (between Kane/Degraw Streets).
Board Member O’Connell asked what were the reasons for opposing this application. Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly stated their backyard space.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:32 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly further reported that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license application at 357 3rd Street.
Motion: by Committee;
9
Recommendation to approve an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Milk Fed LLC at 357 3rd Street (between 4th/5th Avenues).
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:33 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly additionally reported that the committee reviewed a proposed Brooklyn CB6 policy regarding the issuance of “waiver letters” for liquor license applicants.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve proposed Brooklyn CB6 policy regarding the issuance of “waiver letters” for liquor license applicants.
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:36 P.M.
COMMUNITY SESSION
Adam Marcus, Librarian from P.S. 32 invited everyone to the February 29 Grand Re-Opening of the library at P.S. 32, located on Hoyt Street between President and Union Streets. The library was funded through grants totaling $500,000 and the hard work of parent and teacher volunteers. The Grand Opening event will feature literacy activities, free books, and live music.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
No new/other business.
Motion: by Board Member Peter Fleming, seconded by Board Member Noel Berk-Rauch To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:39 P.M.
Minutes submitted into the district office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on February 28, 2012.
10