BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
GENERAL BOARD MEETING
NYCHA MICCIO CENTER
110 WEST 9TH STREET
JANUARY 9, 2013
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
R. BASHNER P. BELLENBAUM J. BERNARD
D. BRAVO F. BROWN E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ
SR. R. CERVONE N. COX E. FELDER
D. GIULIANO R. GRAHAM J. HEYER
G. KELLY D. KUMMER H. LINK
S. LONIAL A. MCKNIGHT T. MISKEL
G. O’CONNELL, JR. C. PIGOTT L. PINN
G. REILLY R. RIGOLLI M. RUIZ
M. SCOTT E. SHIPLEY M. SILVERMAN
B. SOLOTAIRE L. SONES J. THOMPSON
EXCUSED:
N. BERK-RAUCH N. DUTTA P. FLEMING
H. HUGHES J. KLETTER M. KOLMAN
N. LALLI R. LEVINE R. LUFTGLASS
D. SCOTTO M. SHAMES E. SPICER
S. TURET M. VERRET D. WILLIAMS
ABSENT:
E. ANDERSON M. CHIRICO Y. GIRELA
GUESTS:
K. FEDER, BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARKOWITZ’ REPRESENTATIVE
M. SARCI, COUNCIL MEMBER LEVIN’S REPRESENTATIVE
A. ALEXIS, COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ’S REPRESENTATIVE
C. ZINNEL, COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
T. SMITH, ASSEMBLY MEMBER MILLMAN’S REPRESENTATIVES
J. VOGEL, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE
Z. OTT, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE
A. OLSEN, MAYOR’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS UNIT REPRESENTATIVE
Complete list of meeting attendees on file at District Office 1
Chairperson Daniel Kummer called the meeting to order at 6:43pm.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Board Member Benjamin Solotaire made a motion to accept the minutes of the December general meeting, seconded by Board Member Rick Luftglass.
VOTE: 25 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 6:44 P.M.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT………………………………………………………....….DANIEL KUMMER
Chairperson Daniel Kummer began his report by wishing everyone a Happy New Year! He thanked everyone who attended this year’s holiday party. The atmosphere was warm, the food was delicious, and I was especially pleased that Captain Schiff and Community Affairs Officer Vincent Marrone of the 76th Precinct were able to stop by. A very special thanks to the district office staff for handling all of the event logistics – particularly our Assistant District Manager, Leroy Branch, who came to the party even though he was a bit under-the-weather, and to all of our board members who were able to donate items for the raffle.
Chairperson Kummer reported to the Board that our community stands to lose one of our most active members, a woman who has made it her mission to help the downtrodden and fight injustices here at home. Former CB6 Board Member Celia Cacace will be leaving the district on Monday, January 14th and moving in with her son in Wisconsin. She’s not leaving by choice – her building is being sold and she has not been able to find an affordable housing option that meets her fixed budget. A group of her friends in the community have organized a tribute party for Celia for this Sunday, January 13th, 3:30-6:30pm, at Mama Maria’s Restaurant, 307 Court Street. The suggested price is $20 per person, $10 for seniors, for hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This tribute party will also signal the kick-off of the “Bring Celia Back from Wisconsin” campaign as many of her friends are unwilling to let her go without exploring every alternative for getting her back to her beloved Brooklyn. After all, you may be able to take Celia out of Brooklyn (and that has yet to be seen) but you can never take the Brooklyn out of Celia Cacace. Please come to her tribute, if you can.
Chairperson Kummer ended his report by informing the Board that the EPA has released their proposed plan for cleaning up the Gowanus Canal as part of the Superfund process. The draft plan is available on their website and comments on the plan will be taken up to March 28, 2013. To help the public understand the proposal better, and answer any questions people may have about it, the EPA has set up 2 public meetings. The first is at 6:30pm on Wednesday, January 23rd at P.S. 58, on Carroll and Smith Streets in Carroll Gardens. Please note the time was changed for this meeting as it was originally announced to start at 7pm. And the second will be held at 7pm on Thursday, January 24th at the Miccio Center here at 110 West 9th Street. We are expecting to comment on the proposal and I am pleased that our Environmental Protection Chair Mark Shames will be working with our District Manager on that effort.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the board that he recently attended, first in December and a follow-up meeting in January, to a meeting in downtown Brooklyn to talk about the formation of a new Business Improvement District (BID) at the edge of our district that would include the Barclays
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Center, Atlantic Terminal, Atlantic Center and the BAM Cultural District. He has chosen to refer to it as the “Flatlantic” BID, others have come up with different names. This is an initiative that has been spearheaded by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership to create this new BID in a gap where about 7 different BIDs virtually intersect. The thinking is that this area can benefit from the services of a BID, specifically sanitation, security, marketing and promotion. The group involves the businesses and cultural groups from the area as well as the anchor tenants, i.e. Forest City Ratner. They would like to see this move forward this calendar year if possible and so they set up an aggressive meeting schedule. It will be coming to Community Boards 2, 6, and 8 – since it would overlap different boards – for public review once their district plan has been developed. Right now the group is trying to make sure all of the values of the different organizations that would be affected by this are brought into alignment, specifically coming up with a common definition of what the mission of this new BID would be.
District Manager Hammerman reported to the Board that he has been invited to a briefing next week that the Mayor’s office is spear heading called the Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR) for the Brooklyn and Queens waterfront. This is a group that was put together to look at the impact that Hurricane Sandy had on the City, in waterfront communities in particular. They will try to address forward thinking, rational policy-driven objectives for how we can best make use of public investment. They were extremely interested in having us participate because we were proactively involved in community conversations about shared observations and ideas for moving forward. They would like to see whatever report we ultimately produce on this. Seth Pinsky, President of the Economic Development Corporation, will be chairing this initiative for the Administration, even though this is not an EDC project.
District Manager Hammerman ended his report by reporting to the Board that the Mayor will be making his proposal to the City Council by October 1st in regards to changing the Community Boards district lines in light of the decennial review called for in the City Charter. We have every expectation that our boundaries will be changing because of the Barclays Center. Community Boards 2 and 6, the effected Community Boards have asked the Mayor’s office to convene a joint meeting to have input and discuss the changes prior to his recommendation to the City Council. We are awaiting their response.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Board Member Roger Rigolli made a motion to accept the minutes of the December general meeting, seconded by Board Member Lou Sones.
VOTE: 27 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:03 P.M.
Chairperson Kummer recognized elected officials representatives
Kai Feder, representing Borough President Markowitz, stated that the Borough President welcomes the submission of capital budget proposals from Brooklyn organizations for Fiscal Year 2014. All organizations must fill out the Borough President’s Fiscal Year 2014 capital budget questionnaire. This can be done by either completing their online application on their website, or by filling out an application and emailing it to kfeder@brooklynbp.nyc.gov. The deadline to submit an application to the Borough President’s office is February 14, 2013. For all non-city organizations, go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/capgrants/capgrants.html to download the Non-City Fiscal Year 2014 capital budget application. The deadline to submit download the Non- City Fiscal Year 2014 capital budget application is February 28, 2013. Cultural organizations go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcla/html/funding/capital.shtml to download the Department of Cultural Affairs’ 3
Fiscal Year 2014 application. The deadline to submit download the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Fiscal Year 2014 capital budget application is February 28, 2013. For more information please contact Kai Feder at (718) 802-3642 or kfeder@brooklynbp.nyc.gov. He ended by informing the Board to two events that the Borough President would be hosting: February 14th – Valentine Day Celebration for anyone married 50 years or more and on February 21st – African American Heritage Celebration.
Anthony Alexis, representing Council Member Sara Gonzalez informed the board that the Councilwoman wrote a letter to Mark Page, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, stating that the proposed budget cuts to Community Boards will have a devastating effect on their ability to serve the needs of their communities, and she believes the City should consider other options in closing its budget gap. As a former Chair of a Community Board she feels they are vital to the neighborhoods they represent and will do everything in her power to prevent any proposed cuts.
Catherine Zinnel, representing Council Member Brad Lander, invited everyone to the Councilman’s Participatory Budgeting Expo next month where volunteers from the district will present their proposals for projects to improve the community. Residents of the district will be able to vote for their favorite projects between March 27th and April 1st. For more information, visit BradLander.com/PB. Or call 718-499-1090. She ended by informing the Board that as of this coming Sunday the B57 Bus will extend into Red Hook.
Tamar Smith, representing Assembly Member Millman, reported that on December 4th the Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group (CAG) hosted a discussion and question and answer session about the cleanup of the Gowanus Canal and the role of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Though community members expressed a range of concerns and questions, several issues came up repeatedly, including the dissatisfaction that some residents feel about the role of the New York City Department of Environment Protection. She also stated that in December The Assemblywoman along with Assemblyman Jim Brennan wrote a letter to the United States Deputy Assistant Attorney General and the Civil Rights Department regarding the proposed zoning changes to schools in Park Slope, asking that these agencies investigate the details of the proposed changes, which we believe are racially discriminatory. At a public hearing a DOE official acknowledge that P.S. 321 would become increasingly white as a result of the rezoning, but claimed the changes would be minor. Another troubling element of the rezoning process was the short timeframe for public response and lack of community notification. In their view, the DOE failed to consider many alternatives to the rezoning. They are still awaiting a response from the Federal agencies and will continue to update the community as the school zoning plans evolve. She further stated that long-term Hurricane Sandy recovery work is ongoing. Survivors may register for FEMA assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1- 800-621-FEMA (3362). Deadline for FEMA registration is January 28, 2013. She ended by stating that the Assemblywoman is working on two issues right now: deciding which gun control package to co-sponsor and raising the minimum wage from $7.25hr to $8.50hr.
James Vogel representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery thanked the Community Board for all of their efforts and help during Hurricane Sandy. He stated that the Senator has received a response from DEC in regards to her requesting an investigation of the Gowanus Canal contamination post Hurricane Sandy, as well as The Lightstone Group and a new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being required. Their response was as follows: EPA has conducted sampling at several sites, including the Gowanus Canal, and determined that Hurricane Sandy did not cause any re-suspension or re-distribution of any contaminated sediments. In light of EPA's actions, DEC does not intend to conduct sampling. With regards to The Lightstone Group and a new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being required, according to SEQRA regulations the need for a revised EIS would be determined and requested by the lead agency — the Department of City Planning. He also stated that the Senator is actively working on gun control legislation. He further stated that the NYS DEC issued revised regulations about hydrofracking and opened up a public comment period from December 12, 2012 to January 11, 2013. He ended by asking if anyone was having trouble receiving their insurance claim payments they should contact him at his district office. 4
Zeeshan Ott, representing State Senator Squadron, stated that the Senator is also pushing for gun control. He ended by informing the board that the Senator has established a petition calling for the East River Ferry service to stop at Pier 6 at the foot of Atlantic Avenue year round. To sign the petition, go to http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/join-call-year-round-ferry-service-atlantic-avepier-6.
Metin Sarci, representing Council Member Steven Levin informed the Board that the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the New York City Department of Sanitation, and GreenNYC will be hosting Mulchfest 2013 on January 12-13 in which residents can recycle their Christmas trees into wood chips. Locations in our district include: The Amazing Garden – Columbia Street at Carroll Street; Cobble Hill Park – Verandah Place & Clinton Street; Coffey Park – Dwight Street & Verona Street; Prospect Park – Third Street at Prospect Park West.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
No reports were presented.
COMMUNITY SESSION
No speakers registered.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
Board Member Judith Thompson stated that the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has just put out an RFP (Request for Proposals) for an operator for 100% of the Pier 11 shed for trucking. Given the fact that Red Hook has suffered so much by being by the water, she thinks it is a shame that that pier could not be used for something that could benefit the residents of Red Hook, i.e. public marina or water taxi port/beach. Having another truck facility with more diesel fumes is not a good idea at this time for Red Hook.
Board Member Hildegaard Link spoke in favor of other alternatives stating that the City should revive marine businesses in Red Hook like boat building and rope making.
Board Member Lou Sones also spoke in favor of other alternatives stating that we should invite EDC to a committee meeting to discuss the Atlantic Basin as a whole. They have not been a friend to Red Hook particularly in what they have been proposing.
Board Member Roger Rigolli stated that we need to ask our elected officials to not only take a look at gun control but also regulate violent video games which are definitely a problem for our youth.
Board Member Charles Pigott asked if there was any place in CB6 where someone could park a recreational boat. He went on to say because there really isn’t anywhere you can park a boat we should look into a marina somewhere in our district.
Board Member Lou Sones thanked everyone for their support in raising money through Red Hook GAGS for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. He also encourages everyone to participate in the EPA Meetings on January 23rd and 24th regarding the Gowanus Superfund.
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Chairperson Kummer informed the Board that the National Grid is also giving small business and homeowner grants to victims of Hurricane Sandy. For more information please contact National Grid.
Board Member Benjamin Solotaire stated that the board should create a real list of emergency services in our district. Anyone who would like to work on this endeavor should contact the district office.
Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Lou Sones; To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 37 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:45P.M.
Minutes submitted into the district office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on January 29, 2013.
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