BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
JUNE 20, 2012
ATTENDANCE;
PRESENT:
Y. GIRELA R. GRAHAM D. HERBSTMAN
H. HUGHES G. KELLY J. KLETTER
N. LALLI E. ROBERTS J. OLTMAN SMITH
J. WOLFE
EXCUSED:
L. BLYER D. BRAVO E. CHAN
J. FRANCIS
ABSENT:
J. HEYER S. LONIAL K. MAIER
C. PIGOTT M. SCOTT S. SHIFFMAN
GUESTS:
J. DOUGLAS – NEW YORK RESTORATION PROJECT
A. BROWN – NEW YORK RESTORATION PROJECT
J. FRAME M. DARMSTADT J. DECKER
S. KEARNEY S. FINKELSTEIN
*** MINUTES ***
The meeting was called to order at 6:40pm.
The committee Co-chair, Nica Lalli announced that the head of the Prospect Park Alliance is ill, so they will reschedule their presentation. John Douglas and Amanda Brown from the New York Restoration Projection are back before the committee. They were last here in January.
John Douglas said he got feedback in January from the community. NYRP runs 50 plus community gardens grant to offset Gowanus CSO’s with park. Park will be on Denton Place and Carroll Street in the Gowanus Watershed. Will offset some of storm water from Gowanus. Using community feedback created to designs of gardens based on that. Next Thursday they will unveil final version. Version presented is near final. Memorial trees will be preserved. Hydrology of gardens presented through graphics. Shed will have watershed as well. Will use permeable pavement.
Amanda Brown said the learning circle based on feedback from local school. Teachers would like to bring classes there. City colleges will monitor rainwater and CSO’s.
John Douglas – looked at plants are drought tolerant and can handle lots of rain. Will remove Mulberry tree. The community is excited about that. Thursday will have final meeting, June 28th at 6pm. Summer - bid will go out Fall – demolition October – volunteer day June 2013 - finish
Q. Glenn Kelly asked about the budget. A. John said they get 300K from DEP and Joe Millone (private funding). Amanda said Joe Millone private match of DEP.
Q. Is DEP funding bigger project? A. John said yes – part of green infrastructure program. DEP paid for storm water, and other improvements by John Millone.
Q. Glenn asked are trees staying? A. John said yes. Highlighted in red on diagram.
Glenn – DEP is starting their stormwater project in 2013 when your’s finishes. New high level sewer picking up catch basin going up 3rd and 4th Avenues. Does it make sense to start before they are done or coordinate?
John said he would report that back.
Q: Will the metal emphasize industrial nature? A: John said I’m not sure why they did that.
Nica Lalli said two ways to go with that either you’re in an industrial area or go against that. I’ve been in other parks with that and it doesn’t read industrial to me.
Amanda said although we own it we are presenting because this is to be open for the public.
Q: Nica asked who manages? A: Amanda – local volunteers with regional maintenance crews for technical issues, John – main gardener is Justin. He’s a rock star.
Q: Nica – The people who have stewardship, have they been included in the planning process? A: John – yes
Q: _______ - Are there set hours gates open? A: John – they are usually open.
Q: Nica – can hours be posted? Other parks have had lock issues – who has the key? A: Amanda – we will post something - when it’s not raining it’s usually open.
Q: Janet – Rendering includes fence. You said you didn’t have funding last time. A: John – I don’t know. Will look into it.
Q: Nica – you may not know by next week? A: Amanda – the designer will be there next week.
Q: Nica – Do you want a motion or do you not need it? Glenn – We could demonstrate continued support because we don’t have final plan. Nica – I don’t think you need one. A: Amanda – CB6 can show support by disseminating info.
Glenn – it would be helpful to see final plan when they are available.
Glenn Kelly made a motion to support the concept of Carroll Garden and look forward to seeing its completion. Elaine Roberts seconded the motion.
VOTE: 8…..YEAS 0…..NAYS 1…..ABSTENTION
MOTION APPROVED
Nica Lalli gave an update on Com Con.
Joanna Smith said that last night she got a tour on new lakeside near skating rink in Prospect Park. It’s a massive lakeshore restoration. Found original lake wall. Bought bluestone for historic patio. Will be two rinks, one covered, one open. Summer-water play and roller rink, winter- ice skating. Going for LEED silver Fall 2013 opening No major delays A little overage
Last month standard debrief. 78th Precinct said crime is looking good. Twenty extra cops for summer uptick in usage. On afternoon /night tour – most tickets for biker going wrong way.
Googa Mooga debrief – Alliance looking for this sort of thing to bring in revenue. Results were mixed for user experience. No police incidents that weekend. Extra cleaning crew for summer.
Little controversy over log near drummers circle – was removed.
Fishing task force has made progress.
Joni: As someone who uses the park at 6:30, the trash is somewhat better.
Nica Lalli said that Adrian Benepe has stepped down. Veronica White has been named as the replacement.
The Red Hook pool needs attention. I want to see if we can get attention as a committee. Some of the other ones are in worse shape so it might be difficult.
Glenn Kelly: It’s been two years since we did our park tour.
Q: ___________ came to present about Community Garden. It was turned down by HPD.
Nica said maybe we can have her come back and brainstorm with her.
Nica made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on May 16, 2012.
Janet?: Small change – Nature’s Helper is not fun run – is a small program run by Audubon.
MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLLY
Nica on New Business.
Not sure of name – non-historic lights around Prospect Park West want to let it percolate. Will be a battle to move historic to non-historic.
Nica asked is that a Parks issue?
None? Let’s make it one.
Nica said – I would prefer it not be.
Glenn: It’s Craig who should decide which committee looks at it.
There being no further business, Nica adjourned the meeting at 7:38pm.
The minutes were submitted by Joshus Wolfe.