BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
ECONOMIC/WATERFRONT/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 21, 2013
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
R. BASHNER N. BERK-RAUCH C. CALABRESE
R. CERVONE A. DEVENING G. FAETH
E. FELDER L. KERSAVAGE A. KRASNOW
R. LUFTGLASS S. MATTHEWS D. MAZZUCA
M. RACIOPPO D. SCOTTO M. SILVERMAN
J. STRABONE T. TAYLOR
ABSENT:
N. COX V. HERMANIA A. KOZYR
M. LEAR
GUESTS:
C. ZINNEL – REP. FOR HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
D. WILEY – REP. FOR HON. NYDIA VELAZQUEZ, MEMBER OF CONGRESS
R. LEVINE K. LIANG N. ODER
A. FADER L. MARIN E. REEVES
D. LAVECCHIA M. KEYES G. KELLY
J. LANE M. YOUNG K. KELLY
W. COHEN C. TEITELBAUM J. COURVILLE
L. COLLINS S. ARONOWSKY M. OJALE
A. SPECTOR A. KUNITZ S. MATHEWS
R. WEISSBARD A. LU W. BLUM
B. APPEL D. BUXBAUM
*** MINUTES ***
The Chairs welcomed and invited new committee members to introduce themselves.
Update and discussion with representative for Barclay’s Center on workforce snapshot, hiring report and recap of recent special events.
Barclay’s verbal report on employment data was made by Terence. Original hiring plan was for 2,000 (1,900 part-time and events; 100 full-time). Had 80% from Brooklyn – 30% of total were from CB 2,3,6,8 including NYCHA developments. Have had several recruitment drives – most recent was in September. They are now up to 2,060 employees (1,900 part-time, 160 full-time). Currently 76% of employees live in Brooklyn.
Questions: Do you work with Special Ed high schools for internships.
A: Not able to have people under 18 – but have relationships.
Q: Do the jobs come with benefits and do they pay a living wage (cited as more than $10 an hour). A: All are union jobs and have benefits per collective bargaining agreement. Yes, all pay is significantly over $10 /hour.
An audience/committee member noted that $10/hour doesn’t represent a living wage if a person isn’t working 40 hours. Terence acknowledged and said he didn’t have more specific data about wages based on the number of hours worked.
*The committee requested that next time Barclays comes to a CB^ or Economic/Waterfront/Community Development/Housing meeting, they should bring a representative of the unions to discuss benefits, pay and other specifics.
Q: How many applicants didn’t get hired because of not passing the mandatory drug test? A: Terence didn’t have this information. All employees have to be screened.
Q: There was a recent article in the Wall Street Journal about Forest City Ratner planning cutbacks within the company. Will that affect Barclays? A: Doesn’t have specifics but staff is based on event volume and therefore, unlikely to see significant reductions. Some cutbacks may be felt, but at this point, can’t anticipate impact at the Barclays Center.
Q: How many employees are first-time hires (i.e. this is their first job). A: Don’t know.
Q: Do you have data on economic impact of business generated (including internal food and local business)? A: No, but can invite BIDs and Chamber.
Presentation by the consultant team working for Friends of Brooklyn Community Board 6, Inc. on the draft findings of the Gowanus Canal Corridor Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) study, a State-funded program which enables groups to formulate adaptive reuse plans and economic redevelopment strategies for brownfield properties.
BOA presentation was made by Steve Whitehouse. Rick Luftglass gave a general explanation of the BOA. Then Steve Whitehouse gave a PowerPoint presentation with program background, process, goals, findings and preliminary recommendations.
Q: Are historic properties incentives (being on the National Historic Register) included on the incentive program chart (the”Squid”). A: Not sure, but don’t think so – should add.
Q: Will the new flood zone maps make it harder for renovated or new buildings? A: Possibly because heavy machinery generally has to be on first floor. Existing buildings may not be flood proof. Buildings will have to comply, but he thinks it’s feasible.
Q: Are businesses insured by FEMA? A: Not sure. Thought it’s more for homeowners. (Audience member responded that businesses included.)
Meeting concluded.
During and after presentation, there were questions about: What is the process for considering which recommendations get submitted in the report to the state? Richard Bashner said for example, that recommendations about waterfront access may or may not be consistent with the Community Board’s positions. Other members asked who else gets to review – other committees, full board or jut the Executive Committee and Friends board? Various questions about implementation feasibility and steps relationship to zoning framework (answered), economics of capital investment, bulkheads (if funded through Superfund, would make new investment more feasible and ease permitting process).
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
The minutes were submitted by Rick Luftglass.