BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
ECONOMIC/WATERFRONT/COMM. DEV. & HOUSING COMMITTEE
MARCH 5, 2012
ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT:
R. BASHNER N. BERK-RAUCH P. BLAKE
L. BUFFINGTON P. CARSON N. COX
E, FELDER J. FRANCIS R. LUFTGLASS G. O’CONNELL M. SILVERMAN L. SONES
EXCUSED:
M. DEPALMA A. FORNECKER D. SCOTTO
L. TOLKOFF
ABSENT:
B. ATKINS R. CERVONE C. DAVIS
D. REISS
GUESTS:
C. ZINNEL – REP. FOR HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
J. LIANTONIO – LIAISON FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ
C. SALGUERO F. PADDEN W. BREDDERMAN
MINUTES
Presentation and discussion with representatives for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey on recent management changes at the Red Hook Containerport Terminal, update on shore power initiative, and other topics of interest to the district. Richard Bashner and Rick Luftglass co-chaired the meeting and introduced the participants. Jill Eisenhard – Red Hook Initiative Brian Simon – Director of Public Relations John Denise John Trottner – General Manager
Jill Eisenhard welcomed Brian Simon who spoke about: • More transportation info • Competitive • Ownership • Question about slide regarding Brooklyn Bridge Park • Phoenix employs 250 people and has used 15 months on a 20 year lease extending to 2019. • Cruise ship terminal – handled by EDC. 56 million annual activity. EDC leases Pier 11.
• Shore power – $15 million available out of a total $19.4 million needed. • Piers 11-12 – not 7-10
George Fiala – no scientific reading with and without running.
Brian – figure out scientific justification, studies.
Richard – total particulate – environment. Question about role – lower rates, capital.
Long run – more cost effective – asthma rates
We want a vibrant waterfront but we don’t want it to be at the expense of the community.
Senator Montgomery’s representative, Jim, asked if there was a timeline for implementation of shore power infrastructure. The General Manager, John, said that some of the equipment has to be purchased. – Time frame: 18-24 months.
Red Hook Container Terminal (Pier 8)
Brian: Will provide PANYNJ/EDC lease arrangement. Not making press statement. Will connect George F. to John Coleman – Media Relations.
US Customs – Examination of containerized cargo. PANYNJ pushing back on customs screening facility - 90 day stay. Feel optimistic that Homeland Security will reconsider decision.
Judi Francis asked how the Community Board can help? She asked that the Community Board write a letter and she will propose the resolution during the New Business portion of the General Board Meeting.
Case being made about jobs/economic impact – 700 jobs. If can’t screen here, companies won’t come here.
Question asked about whether they see advantages to Sunset Park?
Described Red Hook Container Terminal – Primary imports, primary exports.
Port Authority Truck Program • Recognized there were older trucks without emission standards. • Got funding from EPA $8.5 million – provides 25% Port Authority provides 27.5 million for low interest loans. • Truck phase out plan – now trucks older than 1993 not allowed. By 2017 – trucks older than 2007 engines or earlier will be denied entry. • There’s a Truck Working Group.
Question about how many businesses have been put out of business because of inability to afford new trucks? Brad Kerr asked what are the numbers for trucks in Red Hook?
Brian said that he’ll get back to them.
Q: How much of $25.7 million for loans has been used? A: EPA grant somewhat exhausted. Doesn’t know off-hand how much of the 25.7M for low- income loans have been exhausted.
Q: Lou Sones asked about dimensions of trucks in Red Hook – exceed 53 foot standard.
Q: Richard Bashner asked regarding Phoenix Beverage – how far along on CNG goals? A. Catherine from Brad Lander’s office said that she will get figures from previous meeting.
Q: Are there current plans to expand CNG programs?
Q: Whose jurisdiction is it to enforce Phoenix’s CNG timeline? A: It’s included in their lease as a condition.
Q: Another question about Truck Replacement Program – does it apply to Phoenix? A. Phoenix has self-imposed – put in effect their own replacement program.
Q: Judi Francis asked about Piers 11 & 12? There was a meeting 18 months ago about increasing public access – Governor’s Island ferry, Mary Whalen, cultural. A: Hard to go back to existing leases but when leases are open to re-negotiation.
Q: Richard Bashner asked what the Port Authority’s position is on use of waterfront (when EDC or others come to PATH with concepts)?
Q: Lou Sones asked about Atlantic Basin – PATH is landlord, EDC is tenant – they have been working on future uses (e.g. water taxis, cultural, etc.) A: EDC is the “go to” – these are their initiatives.
Q: Question about Mary Whalen – has not been relocated to Pier 11? A: Brian said it is an EDC question.
Q: About number of jobs that would be lost if lose customs facility? A: 700 has been discussed – not sure of exact number.
Carolina Salguero read a written statement about PortSide.
Q 1: Can we have a direct contact at PANYNJ. Port Authority not legally required because PortSide doesn’t have a lease direct with PANYNJ. A: Yes, we can have a direct conversation.
Q 2: About short-term lease?
A: Brian would like to have that conversation separately.
Q: Dan Wiley: Comments about shore power.
Q: Pauline Blake asked for clarification about Phoenix taking over from ASI? A: Brian said the Phoenix arrangement goes through the end of the year. We want to see companies that share commitment to jobs and the community.
Q: Brad Kerr asked regarding truck plan – of the 198 loans, do you know how many have defaulted? A. I don’t know the numbers.
Q: Norman Cox asked about who manages the salt pile? A: NYC DOT – contractor Sanitation Dept.
Closing comments: We appreciate the invitation, would be glad to come back any time.
New Business
Judi Francis would like to propose a resolution.
1. Move to endorse and support the Port Authority’s efforts to maintain the USCPB operations at the port. The motion was seconded. In favor: unanimously
MOTION PASSED: UNANIMOUSLY
2. Move to ask the Port Authority to accept or approve the EDC’s sublease to PortSide NY to have a short term lease allowing the Mary Whalen to stay in the Atlantic Basin for up to 59 days to commence as soon as possible. The motion was seconded by Lou Sones.
MOTION PASSED: UNANIMOUSLY
Pauline Blake made a motion to ask the Port Authority to come back to submit to CB6 as soon as its available a copy of the potential lease with whoever they decide will take over. The motion was seconded.
MOTION PASSED: UNANIMOUSLY
There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn.