January 8, 2014

BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6

GENERAL BOARD MEETING

SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

284 BALTIC STREET

JANUARY 8, 2014

ATTENDANCE

PRESENT:

R. BASHNER N. BERK-RAUCH F. BROWN

C. CALABRESE E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ SR. R. CERVONE

N. COX P. FLEMING D. GIULIANO

R. GRAHAM J. HEYER H. HUGHES

G. KELLY A. KRASNOW D. KUMMER

R. LEVINE H. LINK S. LONIAL

R. LUFTGLASS D. MAZZUCA T. MISKEL

C. PIGOTT L. PINN M. RACIOPPO

G. REILLY R. RIGOLLI M. RUIZ

M. SCOTT M. SHAMES E. SHIPLEY

M. SILVERMAN B. SOLOTAIRE L. SONES

E. SPICER J. STRABONE J. THOMPSON

S. TURET

EXCUSED:

P. BELLENBAUM E. FELDER Y. GIRELA

V. HERAMIA A. MCKNIGHT P. MINDLIN

ABSENT:

E. ANDERSON D. BRAVO M. KOLMAN

D. SCOTTO D. WILLIAMS

GUESTS:

DAN CAMPANELLI, NEW YORK CITY COMPTROLLER SCOTT STRINGER’S REPRESENTATIVE

L. JACOBSON, BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARKOWITZ’ REPRESENTATIVE

M. OJALA, COUNCIL MEMBER LEVIN’S REPRESENTATIVE

L. WELLINGTON, COUNCIL MEMBER MENCHACA’S REPRESENTATIVE

C. ZINNEL, COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE

T. SMITH, ASSEMBLY MEMBER MILLMAN’S REPRESENTATIVES

O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE

J. LEVINE, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE

D. WILEY, CONGRESS MEMBER VELÁZQUEZ’ REPRESENTATIVE

Complete list of meeting attendees on file at District Office. 1

Chairperson Daniel Kummer called the meeting to order at 6:48pm.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT………………………………………………………....….DANIEL KUMMER

Chairperson Daniel Kummer began his report by informing the Board that we received two resignations from Board Members, James Bernard which is effective immediately and one from Norman Cox which is effective the end of this month. With these two resignations in addition to Greg O’Connell’s last month, our roster will be 47 members. I’d like to thank both of them for their selfless service to the board and wish them well in their future endeavors.

Chairperson Kummer reported to the Board that he was looking forward to meeting with our new Borough President Eric Adams and City Council Member Carlos Menchaca to help bring them up-to-speed on the many interests and issues affecting our board. We’re in the process of setting up those introductory meetings and I’m excited that these two dedicated public servants will be in a good position to help move us closer to some of our goals.

Chairperson Kummer ended his report by thanking everyone for coming to our holiday party and supporting our non-profit entity. The food was abundant, the drinks were flowing and there was definitely a warm feeling in the room. There’s been some buzz about us organizing a spring fundraiser, perhaps a bocci night, or shuffleboard, or a musical performance, or some other fun-type event. If you’ve got some time on your hands and want to volunteer to work on setting it up please let District Manager Craig Hammerman or Special Projects Director Sarah Phillips know as soon as possible.

 ADOPTION OF MINUTES 

Board Member Peter Fleming made a motion to accept the minutes of the December’s general meeting, seconded by Board Member Suzanne Turet.

VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 6:54 P.M.

DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN

District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the board that on December 12th Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch and I attended a meeting at the Children’s School located at 512 Carroll Street in our district. The meeting was requested by the PTA in response to unsafe traffic conditions around the school. ConEd, DOT, NYPD, local business owners as well as representatives from the school all attended the site meeting to observe actual conditions at the PM dismissal time. As a result of that meeting DOT has put in orders to change some of the curbside signage to make it easier for the parents and the students to access the curb and reduce the amount of double parking and unsafe placement of vehicles that happens there now. The 78th Precinct has said that they will devote some additional enforcement attention as the signs go up so that people get accustomed to the new pattern. We all intend to revisit the location in a few months when it gets warmer just to make sure that those changes that have taken effect are improving things around the school and if there are any additional tweaks that we need to make, we will be prepared to do so.

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District Manager Hammerman advised the board that the Columbia Street Task Force recently met and it does look like we will be able to move that fence line back for the DOT plot of property on the west side of Columbia Street between Kane and Degraw Streets which is currently being used as a staging area for two capital projects. DEP’s contractor, which has a smaller portion of the site, has agreed to move that line back so that the new fence line will be set back 20 feet from the sidewalk along Columbia Street. That entire 20x100 foot strip of land will be dedicated to an impromptu passive open space area that the community will be able to enjoy immediately upon completion of this project. We are looking at having this space go active in May. We have other agencies on board donating whatever they can. DOT is going to be providing benches and bike racks, Parks Department will be donating wood chips and plantings, and DSNY will be giving compost. The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative will be recruiting volunteers to plant and maintain the landscaping. For all intents and purposes we will be building a “park” for free until ultimately we can get a capital budget to fully build out the site.

District Manager Hammerman informed the board that MTA has advised us of a small change to the B57 & B61 bus route that will cut down travel time for commuters. The eastbound B57 and southbound B61 buses will be rerouted to exit Red Hook via Mill Street beginning January 26th. The change will make the service “faster, more reliable, and more direct.” Both buses currently travel an additional four blocks in order to cross Hamilton Avenue. By extending the Mill Street intersection across Hamilton Avenue and reversing the traffic flow on a portion of Garnet Street between Court Street and Hamilton Avenue, DOT has created a more efficient route for buses. An estimated two minutes and 25 seconds will be saved during morning peak hours and about 49 seconds in the evenings.

District Manager Hammerman reported to the Board that NYSDEC will be having an informational meeting on January 16th at P.S. 32 located at 317 Hoyt Street to discussion and take comments from the public about the cleanup activities about to begin at The Lightstone Group site located at 363-365 Bond Street. A Draft Interim Remedial Measure Work Plan related to the cleanup of this site can be found at the district office. NYSDEC is accepting written comments about the proposed IRM work plan from January 9, 2014 through February 7, 2014. For a copy of the work fact sheet please visit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/remediation_hudson_pdf/c224174irmwp.pdf.

District Manager Hammerman ended his report by advising the Board that the Department of Sanitation will be launching a pilot curbside collection of “organic waste” such as food scraps and grass clippings in parts of Park Slope and Gowanus this spring. The collected waste will be turned into compost to fertilize gardens, parks and trees. DSNY will be making a presentation at an upcoming Environmental Protection/Permits & Licenses committee meeting.

Chairperson Kummer recognized elected officials and their representatives

Lauren Jacobson, representing Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams stated that the Borough President is reviewing the Community Boards Application for membership and it will be posted shortly. For more information visit http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/pages/Community_Board/getinvolved.htm. If anyone has a question or a concern please contact the Community Service Center at (718) 802-3777.

Matt Ojala, representing Council Member Stephen Levin, stated that the Councilman was very happy to announce also announced that that Melissa Mark-Viverito was voted unanimously to be the next Speaker of the New York City Council. The Councilman will be co-hosting a meeting at the Old Stone House on January 14th called A New Look at 4th Avenue: Action Planning for a New Administration. This will be a discussion for next steps to improve 4th Avenue for residents, businesses, community organizations, and our nearby neighbors.

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Lee Wellington, representing Council Member Carlos Menchaca, invited everyone to the Councilman’s inauguration at Sunset Park High School on January 12th. She also stated that the Councilman was supportive of the new Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito.

Catherine Zinnel, representing Council Member Brad Lander, also spoke highly of the new Speaker of the Council. The Councilman has been named Chair of the City Councils Rules Committee. The Rules Committee will reform the Council’s rules to make our body more responsive, transparent, and effective. To see a copy of the proposed rules changes submitted by the Councilman please visit http://bradlander.com/?page=2. The Councilman whose staff is a part of the Columbia Street Task force is very happy that we were able to secure an interim use for the open space along Columbia Street. The Councilman will also be co-hosting the meeting related to the next steps to improve 4th Avenue on January 14th. She ended by inviting everyone to get involved in the Bridging Gowanus Community Planning Process. To sign up and receive emails about the process and get involved please visit http://bridginggowanus.org.

Tamar Smith, representing Assembly Member Joan Millman, reported that the Assemblywoman continues to work diligently to keep LICH open. She stated that the contempt proceedings against SUNY and the state Department of Health have been postponed until January 21st. Community leaders asked Judge Baynes for the delay in order to have both parties work with each other on a resolution. She also encourages anyone interested to get involved in the Bridging Gowanus Community Planning Process. She ended by stating that the Assemblywoman’s parking calendars are now available. Please stop by her office to pick one up at 341 Smith Street or call the office at (718) 246-4889 and they will be happy to mail one to you.

Oscar Jonas, representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery stated the senator is always accepting any ideas concerning legislation. Please call his office at (718) 643-6140 to submit any ideas. On January 16th the Senator will be co-sponsoring a meeting on how to stimulate Industrial Development on our Brooklyn Waterfront. Anyone interested in attending please RSVP at her district office.

Jordan Levine, representing State Senator Daniel Squadron stated that after creating the first-ever Full Line Reviews to improve MTA service. The G-train review was done and now every station will have The “Train Stops here” signs along the G-train line. EDC recently announced the extension of East River Ferry service through at least 2019. Stops in Brooklyn include India St, North 6th St, Schaefer Landing, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. The Councilman will continue to urge inclusion of a year-round Atlantic Avenue/Pier 6 landing at the southern end of Brooklyn Bridge Park. To sign a petition for this inclusion please visits http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/join-call-year-round-ferry-service-atlantic-avepier-6. The Senator is urging immediate passage of a bill to ban the use of antibiotics in animals sold for food in New York and calling for mandatory compliance with the improved federal guidelines. The Senator has also gotten the NYCHA to agree to integrate SNAP applications (to access food stamps) into its online application system — so that families applying for public housing can also apply for SNAP. He also proposed allowing low-wage workers to enroll at their worksites by having qualified nonprofits on site. To apply online please visit www.NYC.gov/ACCESSNYC.

Dan Wiley, representing Congress Member Nydia Velázquez, stated that the governor has announced that the State is developing a $200 million partnership with New York City to construct a comprehensive flood management system in Red Hook. The Congresswoman along with the other elected have consistently stated that SUNY, Governor Cuomo, and the NYS Department of Health must support a new, more open, and expedited process to solve the crisis at LICH. They all stand together against SUNY's latest attempt to turn LICH into a luxury condo deal and look forward to the Contempt proceedings against SUNY later this month. He ended by also encouraging everyone to get involved in the Bridging Gowanus Community Planning Process.

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 COMMITTEE REPORTS 

LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE………….…...….ROBERT LEVINE, LANDMARKS CHAIR

…………………...….PETER FLEMING, LAND USE CHAIR

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed an application submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals for an application submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals on behalf of New York Methodist Hospital at 473-541 6th Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation anticipated for an application (BSA Calendar No. 289-13-BZ) submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals on behalf of New York Methodist Hospital for a variance pursuant to Section 72-21 of the Zoning Resolution to permit construction of a new ambulatory care facility (Center for Community Health) on the campus of New York Methodist Hospital at 473-541 6th Street, 502-522 8th Avenue, 480-496 & 542-548 5th Street, and 249-267 7th Avenue aka 505-525 6th Street (Block 1084, Lots 25, 26, 28, 39-44, 46, 48, 50-59, 164, 1001, and 1002) with following conditions: 1. R6 Zoning District: In the R6 zoning district (on 6th St), that the variances for front wall height, setbacks, sky exposure planes, rear yard equivalents, rear setbacks and lot coverage be granted only if the final building design limits the building height to no greater than the height of a complying development in that district.

2. R7B Zoning District: In the R7B zoning district (corner of 8th Ave and 5th St), that the variances for lot coverage, rear yard setbacks and floor area distribution across district lines be granted only if the final building design is in compliance with the height and setback limitations for the district, as shown in the new renderings presented on January 6, 2014.

3. R6B Zoning District: In the R6B zoning district (mid-block on 5th St), that the variances for lot coverage, rear yard equivalents, rear setbacks and floor area distribution across district lines be granted only if the final building design (i) further reduces the base/street wall height and building height in that district to significantly lower levels than presented, and (ii) maintains at least the additional setback shown in the new renderings presented on January 6, 2014. In this connection, CB6 commends NYM for its good faith steps to reduce the bulk of the building in the portion that covers that zoning district. However, CB6 does not believe NYM has fully met its burden with respect to the variance factors of impact on the essential character of the neighborhood and minimum necessary variance as they pertain to the upper floors of the proposed building within the R6B district, when those factors are considered in the context of the 2003 Rezoning of Park Slope that imposed R6B limitations for mid-block residential districts in order to preserve the built form of the residential community.

4. Certificate of Need: That NYM commits to providing notice to CB6 of their future NYSDOH Certificate of Need (CON) application at the time that it is filed, along with a copy of the application and a letter summarizing how the CON specifically demonstrates that the granting of these variances will provide the minimum necessary for an efficient and effective ambulatory care facility as designed and envisioned by NYM.

5. Long Range Plan: That NYM commits to the development of a long-range plan which considers the long term needs and objectives of the hospital over the next 20 years at a minimum, and how the hospital intends to meet those needs and objectives in a manner that is both inclusive and respectful of the Park Slope community.

6. Signage: That any variance relating to signage be limited to the square footage specified for each sign in the revised plans submitted to BSA on December 20, 2013 rather than the larger square footage amounts in the original application. 7. 8th Avenue Entrance: That NYM confirm its commitment to limit the usage of the entrance at 8th Avenue and 6th Street in the manner described at the public hearing on November 21, 5

i.e., only for employee use and emergency egress, plus entrance to the Urgent Care facility only during late afternoon and evening hours, and commits that this restriction will take the form of a restrictive covenant.

8. Parking: That NYM follows through on its commitment to reduce the total number of parking spaces in the combined existing and proposed parking facilities by at least 189 spaces, while leaving some margin over current projected demand to absorb future growth. CB6 further urges that NYM commit to use some or all of the savings from such reduction to fund programs that will reduce hospital staff commutation by auto, such as free or subsidized transit passes and shuttle service from transit hubs and off-site parking facilities.

9. Traffic Task Force: That NYM commits to continue its participation on an open-ended basis in the Traffic Task Force organized by Councilmember Lander’s office, and to collaborate with the community, CB6, and relevant City agencies to address transportation impacts on the community, including further consideration and implementation of measures designed to significantly reduce the amount of vehicular traffic generated by the new facility and/or by existing hospital programs. NYM should further commit to conduct a full scale traffic study as well as a redo of the relevant transportation and environmental portions of the Environmental Assessment Study (EAS) with respect to the final approved development, one (1) year after the new building(s) are in full operation, to determine how traffic is flowing to the new building and whether any problems need to be corrected.

10. Design Discussions: That NYM commits to continue participating in design discussions with the Park Slope Civic Council, CB6, and other concerned members of the community as a means to work toward consensus-building on building design issues, including facade designs, exterior materials and treatments, landscaping and signage, with the goal of achieving a design that is less imposing and blends in better with the lower rise nature of the Park Slope area. Resumption of such discussions should occur immediately and should not await completion of the BSA process.

11. Construction Task Force: That NYM commits to participate fully in, and to direct its contractor to participate fully in, a community advisory task force hosted/chaired by CB6 concerning impacts of the demolition and construction phase of the project, which would meet on a monthly basis and more frequently as needed, until the completion of the project. Furthermore, that NYM should provide a letter to CB6 affirming their commitment to this prior to the general meeting on January 8, 2014.

Chairperson Daniel Kummer relinquished the Chair to 1st Vice Chairperson Thomas Miskel for the Landmark/Land Use Committee Report.

Board Member Daniel Kummer stated that the most important context for this motion comes from the 2003 rezoning of Park Slope, which dramatically lowered the height and bulk limitations in the residential areas of the neighborhood. The chief concern that drove the rezoning effort was to prevent the proliferation of high-rise development amid the generally low-rise residential blocks of Park Slope. In our letter in 2003 to City Planning the Board overwhelming supported the rezoning plan. In that zoning plan New York Methodist’s campus was specifically carved out of the rezoning, and the hospital retained the more permissive "R6" designation for most of the property they owned on the blocks bounded by 7th and 8th Avenues and by 5th and 7th Streets. However, the remaining quarter of the block between 5th and 6th Streets, on the south side of 5th Street, which included building lots then owned by the hospital, was not included in this carve-out, and was specifically down-zoned to R6B and R7B zoning to match the other nearby residential areas. The result is that there are three different sets of zoning rules that cover the hospital's expansion plan. What this motion says, is that we want this project to stay essentially within the height limits that were put in place as a result of the rezoning, along with some

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additional conditions. It further states that CB6 is willing to give the hospital some flexibility in the R6B area that was carved out, to make the building bulkier on the 6th street side facing the hospital and in the interior rear yard areas, as long as they don't go any higher in that zone than they could as-of-right. But on the other hand, we do not believe they have met their burden with respect to getting more height flexibility for the portions of the building in the rezoned areas that front on 5th street. In the area on the corner of 8th avenue and 5th Street, which is covered by R7B zoning rules, their latest design has voluntarily knocked a floor off of the building to bring it down to complying height and setbacks. So, the motion states that they have to keep it that way if they want the other variances for aspects of the design that pertain to the interior portion of the lot. In the R6B area at mid-block and 5th Street they have pulled back the setback portion in the upper floors by another 10 ft. This is where the motion specifically says that they have not met their burden under the applicable variance factors for permission to go anywhere near as high as they still want to go. I want to stress that we gave the hospital multiple opportunities to meet that burden of showing that these variances were the minimum necessary to meet their needs. Unfortunately, at the presentation they made to our committee they failed again to make a detailed, data-driven presentation regarding those projected needs. I was personally as disappointed and frustrated as many of our committee members and members of the public who spoke at the meeting and asked questions of the hospital only to receive unsatisfactory answers. But that does not mean that we should, as many have urged, just throw up our hands and say "no,” That brings me to the issue of how this motion is framed, which I would describe as a "yes, but only if you do x, y and z" motion, as opposed to a "no, unless you do x, y and z" motion. There are at least two reasons why I believe the approach this motion takes is the right one. The first reason is institutional. Community boards are often regarded as essentially NIMBY (not in my backyard) organizations that don't give careful well-informed consideration of issues and that can therefore easily be disregarded. This board has long prided itself on not taking a NIMBY approach to issues that come before us. The second reason is practical and situational. This is one of those situations, like many one encounters in life, where it's important to be careful what you wish for. If we say "no, unless...," and that were to actually result in a complete denial of the variances, the hospital owns enough land on this block and has more than enough remaining F.A.R. to build a very large as-of-right building that would be worse both for the neighborhood and the hospital. Finally, I should add that this approach has already yielded a letter from the hospital accepting virtually all of the conditions in this motion and pledging to reexamine the design in the R6B area.

Board Member Robert Levine spoke in favor of the motion stating that the original presentation was not in context with the character of the neighborhood. But we have to look at the larger historic look of the neighborhood which is that the hospital has been there since 1881 and has been a part of the neighborhood as a larger building then the row houses around it since it was built. It was seen then and is seen now as a needed institution. A vote of yes will allow the hospital to sit down with BSA and figure out where the bulk should be and hopefully they will not need as much as originally presented.

Board Member Glenn Kelly stated that he wants to support the Hospital and would like to see them expand but we as a Board are not doing what we should be doing in terms of the 4 findings. If we look to those 4 findings I don’t feel that the Hospital has provided us with enough information for me to feel comfortable that we are doing the right thing here.

Board Member Lou Sones stated that he vote no in the committee, but after hearing the comments tonight he was going to change his vote in favor of the motion. Committee Member Roy Slone made a point that needs to be mentioned. He stated that we need a borough-wide plan. He thinks that when you are building a bigger place and two others are going out of business it puts undue burdens on the neighborhood because that hospital becomes the center of all medical needs instead of evenly distributing throughout the community. We do not want one big hospital and no others.

Board Member Judith Thompson spoke out in favor of the motion stating that there was one aspect of the motion which she felt was inappropriate, which was the limitations in the R6B zone. She feels that we are

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trying to preserve beautiful 19th century character but at the same time we do not want a 19th century hospital. We need a 21st century hospital that is convenient, effective and functions efficiently. Board Member Hildegaard Link stated that there was a lot of excellent work put into this issue but I would like to see if we can weave into this motion a forum for developing a Borough-wide health care provision system. Board Member Robert Levine stated that it could be taken up during new business.

Board Member Sayar Lonial spoke out against the motion stating that we should not put the hospital in a box with all the conditions we are setting in this motion. We should vote against the motion and put forth a new

motion to vote yes as presented.

Amendment: by Board Member Richard Bashner, seconded by Board Member Lou Sones; To change the wording of the motion to include: That Methodist be asked to minimize the deviations from the zoning requirements to as little as possible to afford the minimal variance required to afford relief and to justify why they need each of those items because this will be an ongoing process.

After a lengthy discussion by various Board Members, Board Member Bashner withdrew his amendment.

Board Member Mark Kolman stated that he thought having a general health care plan for hospitals in Brooklyn is a good idea, but NY Methodist Hospital is neither a City or State run hospital and is not subject to the same jurisdictional restrictions as those hospitals, although as it is expanded it can be looked at and see how it fits in with other local hospitals. He also agrees that we have put too much into the motion in terms of the conditions, but will vote in favor of the motion and he urges everyone else to do the same.

Board Member Elizabeth Shipley would like to add to the motion that NY Methodist creates a long range master plan their campus. Board Member Kummer stated it was implicit in what was stated at the committee meeting and we do not need an amendment to make it clear in the motion.

Board Member Ariel Krasnow spoke in favor of the motion.

VOTE: 27 YEAS, 4 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 8:20 P.M.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE

…………………....GARY REILLY, PERMITS & LICENSES CHAIR

………………...……MARK SHAMES, ENV. PROTECTION CHAIR

Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license application at 435 7th Avenue.

Motion: by Board Member Peter Fleming, seconded by Board Member Glenn Kelly; Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Tour De Pre LLC at 435 7th Avenue (between 14th/15th Streets).

VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:27 P.M.

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Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly also reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license application at 210 Smith Street.

Motion: by Board Member Peter Fleming, seconded by Board Member Roger Rigolli; Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Gin Blossom BK, LLC at 210 Smith Street (between Baltic/Butler Streets).

VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:28 P.M.

Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly additionally reported that the committee reviewed a new on- premises liquor license application at 376 5th Avenue.

Motion: by Board Member Peter Fleming, seconded by Board Member Sayar Lonial; Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Los Robles Corp. at 376 5th Avenue (between 6th/7th Streets).

VOTE: 30 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 8:29 P.M.

YOUTH/HUMAN SERVICES/EDUCATION COMMITTEE

……………………….....…...........VACANT, CHAIR YOUTH SERVICES

……...........BENJAMIN SOLOTAIRE, CO-CHAIR HUMAN SERVICES

………...........PAIGE BELLENBAUM, CO-CHAIR HUMAN SERVICES

……………………...........SUZANNE TURET, CO-CHAIR EDUCATION

………………..……...........MARK KOLMAN, CO-CHAIR EDUCATION

Human Services Co-Chair Benjamin Solotaire reported to the Board that the committee reviewed the Lunch 4 Learning campaign for universally free school meals.

Motion: by Board Member Peter Fleming, seconded by Board Member Mark Kolman; Recommendation to support Lunch 4 Learning’s campaign to make school meals universally free for every New York City student.

VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:50 P.M.

 COMMUNITY SESSION 

Lyn Hill, representing NY Methodist Hospital, thanked the board for their vote and is committed to working with the board and community as they move forward with the process.

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Eve Gardner, resident stated that she was pleased that so many board members took an interest in the borough- wide health care issue as it relates to Methodist. This is something that many individuals in the community would like to pursue and we think this is the perfect opportunity with so many hospitals that may close in Brooklyn. Since Methodist is a healthy hospital financially we should begin the conversation to include them in a borough-wide plan. We do not feel that in the past Methodist has done enough in providing charity care. It has one of the lowest ratios of providing charity care for hospitals in the borough as well as a very low rate of Medicare patients. Can the Community Board begin to open a dialog with the hospital to try and address the charity care and Medicare issues? Chairperson Kummer stated that we will take it under advisement.

 NEW/OTHER BUSINESS 

Board Member Glenn Kelly made a fundraising appeal on behalf of the Friends group to the board to help with raising funds or make a donation to help us do what we do.

Board Member Hildegaard Link asked when we will be discussing the Borough-wide health care issue. Chairperson Kummer stated that it will be on the agenda for the next Human Services Committee meeting.

Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Mark Kolman; To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:50 P.M.

Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on January 30, 2014.

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