BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
COBBLE HILL COMMUNITY MEETING ROOM
APRIL 8, 2013
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT:
D. KUMMER R. BASHNER P. BELLENBAUM
J. BERNARD N. COX P. FLEMING
G. KELLY S. LONIAL R. LUFTGLASS
T. MISKEL G. REILLY M. SHAMES
E. SHIPLEY L. SONES S. TURET
EXCUSED:
M. KOLMAN N. LALLI R. LEVINE
B. SOLOTAIRE
*** M I N U T E S ***
The meeting was called to order at 6:44PM.
Board Member Attendance review.
The attendance records for two board members were to be reviewed at this meeting, as follows:
1) Marco Chirico had accumulated a total of 5 absences. He responded to our letter advising him that his attendance would be subject to review by writing back to explain that he has been too busy to attend meetings and he subsequently resigned from the board. 2) Elly Spicer’s attendance was reviewed and after discussion, all agreed to allow another opportunity for improved attendance.
Friends of Brooklyn CB6, Inc. Technical Assistance Grant Resolution.
District Manager Craig Hammerman presented a synopsis of the status of the 3 manufactured gas plant sites along the Gowanus Canal, the major contributors to the environmental degradation at the canal. He explained that New York State makes resources available in the amount of $50,000 for affected communities to hire objective professional services to assist in the understanding of the technical aspects of remediation planning for specific sites. Two of the three MGP sites at the Gowanus quality for these Technical Assistance Grants, and we had already applied and was approved for a TAG grant for the Metropolitan site (Lowe’s/Pathmark). We were recently told by the State that we could also apply for a TAG grant for the Citizens/Public Place MGP site as well. In order to do so, we need a resolution from the Friends of Brooklyn CB6, Inc. Board of Directors authorizing staff to proceed.
Motion made by Gary Reilly, seconded by Rick Luftglass, to authorize Friends of Brooklyn CB6, Inc. to apply for a TAG grant for the Citizens/Public Place MGP site.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Discussion of plans for Brooklyn Public Library to dispose of their Pacific Branch library. BPL’s intent is to open new library at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) South Site.
Daniel Kummer: Library system severely cash strapped – major capital demands on the entire system.
Mark Shames: Worthiness of landmarking of façade being pushed aside. Only discussion seems to be about the library’s desire to move. We should consider the landmark question on its own merit.
Craig Hammerman: Brooklyn Public Library is not currently supporting landmarking. They had previously objected, but are now committed to taking a hard look at if/how a landmark designation may devalue the property. They want to sell it and open the new branch. District Manager explained that this building was the first Carnegie branch library building to open in Brooklyn in 1904, that the building does not meet current, state-of-the-art design for highest and best use as library, and that years of minimal maintenance has diminished the viability of the existing structure without significant new investment.
Glenn Kelly: Understands that this branch is not well-utilized.
Sayar Lonial: Why not make the developers pay for the whole package? Why should the BPL move a community use out of our district without requesting developer to provide community space to replace it? We lose out.
Craig Hammerman: Since 2004 we have been trying to get BPL and LPC to refer consideration for landmarking to us so we could formally review and go on record supporting the designation of the building as an individual landmark.
Additional discussion ensued.
Motion was made to reiterate support for the pursuit of the designation of individual landmark status for BPL’s Pacific branch library, 25 4th Avenue (southeast corner Pacific Street/4th Avenue).
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Discussion about requesting BPL to preserve library service until the opening of the new branch, regardless of disposition or landmarking status.
Consensus was to include this request in the letter to BPL.
Discussion of Borough Budget Consultation process and proposed changes to review process.
Discussion of committee structure.
Environmental Protection/Permits & Licenses still carries a substantial caseload of issues. Mark Shames: Many members are only interested in Permits & Licenses and not Environmental Protection. Elizabeth Shipley: Aren’t some committees light? Should we combine Environmental Protection with another less busy committee? Discussion of adding a new meeting night for Environmental Protection – create 2 stand- alones. Lou Sones: Makes more sense to add an additional meeting when needed, without splitting the committee.
Environmental Protection/Permits & Licenses Committee will discuss at their next meeting and advise the Executive Committee at the next meeting.
A motion was made to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Minutes submitted by Elizabeth Shipley.