BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
YOUTH/HUMAN SERVICES/EDUCATION COMMITTEE
JANUARY 22, 2014
PRESENT
L. ANDERSON P. BELLENBAUM C. CASTILLO
L. HILL J. LI C. PIGOTT
C. RYAN B. SOLOTAIRE S. TURET
R. UNDERWOOD .
EXCUSED:
E. FELDER
ABSENT:
F. BROWN R. CERVONE M. KOLMAN
P. MINDLIN C. PETERSEN A. SHERMAN
D. WILLIAMS K. WILLIAMS
GUEST:
V. SELL – REP. FOR HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
J. VOGEL – REP. FOR HON. VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY, STATE SENATOR
A. THOMPSON – REP. FOR HON. STEPHEN LEVIN, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
J. GREENSPAN – REP. FOR URBAN RECOVERY HOUSE
***MINUTES***
Update from representative for Urban Recovery House to establish a 25-30 bed methadone-free rehabilitation facility for self-pay clientele at 110 Beard Street (between Richards/Van Brunt Streets).
Jonathan Greenspan from Mercury (a public relations firm) represented Urban Recovery House.
Community outreach update:
Tried to fast track the application process because the State OASAS Department makes quarterly decisions on proposals but based on the responses from our last committee meeting, they decided to postpone their submission to OASAS to do more outreach and education to the community.
Outreach conducted:
Office of City Council Member Carlos Menchaca’s legislative aide Lee Worthington reported that they have spoken frequently. Her concerns: 1. Loss of industrial space.
2. Unclear on community benefits agreement.
3. Zoning of location.
Solutions: Tax breaks that called for the location to be industrial have expired. Sent thorough community benefits agreement.
Detailed opinion on why property zoned.
Also reached out to: RHI – attempting to speak to them and say they would like to serve as a benefit and resource to RHI.
Red Hook Civic Council – putting a meeting together for Urban Recovery to meet with key members.
Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corp. – reached out but not spoken to yet. Also reached out to Red Hook Houses East and West – but not spoken to yet.
Now timeline is to get approval from CB6 to get application to OASAS by April. Plan on getting a community advisory board in place and continue communication with community moving forward.
We asked Urban Recovery Center to consider submitting to us a report covering community concerns prior to the next general board meeting to help inform the full board vote. They agreed to get us this report by then. (report attached)
Presentation and discussion with local area elected official representatives on relevant, topical issues of interest pertinent to the committee’s mission.
We then moved to the next agenda item and gave a brief update on YHSE initiatives that we have implemented previously.
Senator Montgomery’s office has been working on a community health care plan for 2 years now to determine health care “desserts” gaps - are not enough general practitioners so most people use hospitals for general/primary care.
Two state commissions have been convened – “Berger” commissions to study health needs in Brooklyn and recommendations have been made but no teeth were in them.
Steve Levin’s office spoke about school based services and a lack of mental health services in schools. Total lack of mental health services in NYC schools.
The Dept. of Education put money in the budget a few years ago to put mental health services in schools, but not enough to make a difference.
Councilmember Brad Lander’s representative: Interested in bringing our Coding project to more schools in lower income communities. Also concerned about student health as well. Diversity and equal access issues with schools.
Councilmember Carlos Menchaca’s representative: Linking high school students and jobs within the community.
Councilmember Lander: “PTA Link” just introduced. Looking to establish mentoring programs in low income schools.
Councilmembers Steve Levin’s representative: Overcrowding in downtown Brooklyn area in schools. Putting together a task force to advocate for a new elementary school in downtown Brooklyn. Lots of new developments – 2,000 new units going up and only one school P.S. 287 and it has a charter school in it already. This year SEA included a plan for an elementary school in District 15 – but that is in planning for Atlantic Yards. Getting lots of complaints from parents in downtown Brooklyn saying they can’t get their kids in a school in their district. 12,000 units of housing in the pipeline for the next 10 years.
Councilmember Menchaca: Sandy resiliency needs a PS 15.
Councilmember Lander: Need for more seats in District 15, in general.
Councilmember Menchaca: His office suggested that we pay close attention to the PB process and which projects do not get funded as an opportunity for us to work on the projects that are not funded.
Urban Recovery Decision: They are willing to try to arrange a large community meeting to educate the public on the proposal. We withheld a motion until they arrange this meeting and provide us with a more thorough update on community concerns/support. The committee felt that we do not have enough community feedback to make a motion one way or another at this time.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned.
The minutes were submitted by Suzanne Turet.