BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
COBBLE HILL COMMUNITY MEETING ROOM
MAY 12, 2014
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
D. KUMMER R. BASHNER G. KELLY
A. KRASNOW R. LUFTGLASS T. MISKEL
G. REILLY M. SILVERMAN B. SOLOTAIRE
L. SONES S. TURET
EXCUSED:
P. BELLENBAUM R. LEVINE E. SHIPLEY
ABSENT:
P. FLEMING S. LONIAL M. SHAMES
*** M I N U T E S ***
A motion to adopt the minutes of the last meeting held on March 10, 2014 was made by Rick Luftglass and seconded by Glen Kelly.
Brief report by Daniel Kummer about demarcation between CB2, CB8 and CB6 around the Barclay Center, and the conflict on the community district map.
Updates from our District Manager Craig Hammermant:
1) Our Community Budget Suggestions mapping project is being looked at and people are finding it useful. Other Community Boards have requested the tool for their own use.
2) Winding down of Gowanus BOA project which, among other byproducts is transitioning into to an Industrial BID feasibility study for the Gowanus area.
Discussion of the possibility of making changes to the committee structure. Chairman Kummer reminded Executive Committee members that our bylaws requires us to take a look at our existing committee structure on an annual basis to determine whether there should be any changes for the upcoming year. New committee session begins on September 1 st of each year, with applications for committee requests going out in June.
Glenn Kelly brought up question of why Landmarks/Land Use starts at 6:00pm and not 6:30pm, now that their load is lighter. The District Manager offered that the earlier start time was viewed as necessary when the committee had a much more substantial caseload, a good portion of which has been shifted to the Permits & Licenses Committee. Since neither committee chair was present, it was the sense of the group that this should be pursued with them after the meeting and,
if they were in agreement, we could move the start time to 6:30pm at this time to be consistent with all other committees.
Discussion of Public Notification and Outreach Standards and Rules.
District Manager Hammerman said that it is good and healthy for us from time-to-time to review our procedures for consistency, efficiency and efficacy. The district office and individual board members have observed and suggested some ways in which we could strengthen our public notification and outreach standards and rules to ensure that the public has convenient and ample access to information about the Community Board for actions coming before us which may impact the community. The District Manager prepared and distributed a list of problems and proposals for discussion purposes.
Suggestion that many of the newer public notice procedures used in liquor licenses be used in other committees so we have one consistent set of rules.
Glenn Kelly suggested that we incorporate a checklist of the various forms of notification and outreach procedures that applicants can use.
Discussion of whether to use perjury language on our certification form to make people more responsible (with words) like swear or affirm.
We propose a single issue standard notification format for other non-hearing items so the applicant and public would not be confused.
Suggestion to have different templates for different kinds of notifications (i.e., liquor licenses, sidewalk cafes, landmarks, land use, etc.) as opposed to one-size-fits-all. District Manager expressed a preference to condense and simplify to the extent practical.
We should include a requirement that notice be posted on subject property, using the same notification format that the applicant distributed.
Need to research legality to see if it is legal to put on street hardware with our official CB6 letterhead and a disclaimer at the bottom of the notice. Just take this as far as what other Community Boards do. District Manager and others also cautioned that we do not want to create a new source of litter or visual clutter in the community. We will only research the legality at this point and will not implement without further consideration.
Suggestion that additional use social media, neighborhood blogs, neighborhood list servers, etc. could be used but basic distribution of flyer condition would still required.
The 500-foot requirement might not reach all people impacted, as was clearly the case with the Basis Independent School proposal. One suggestion was to include a condition that required applicants to contact local civic group(s), lists of which are available on our website. Another suggestion by Glenn Kelly was that if there are no residents within 500 feet that the applicant should be required to contact district office to discuss additional requirements.
On a related topic, Ariel Krasnow suggested that we require appropriate visuals for applicants at a public hearing and also a list of what they have to show. Richard Bashner suggested that we build from our liquor license application format for a different use for land use items. District Manager said that we could begin work on that over the summer.
Lastly, related to committee caseload management, the Permits & Licenses Committee reviews a significant number of unenclosed sidewalk café permit renewals. We have not had any issues that have arisen during the renewal process which has necessitated that the committee take any action other than to approve the renewals as presented. It was suggested by our District Manager that we then use the same policy we do for liquor license renewals, that is, unless the district office has a reason for putting an unenclosed sidewalk café permit before the committee for a renewal (which would generally be due to persistent, chronic and founded complaints), or unless the community petitions us to hear a particular unenclosed sidewalk café renewal application, that we no longer routinely place these applications on the Permits & Licenses Committee docket. After some discussion it was agreed by consensus to adopt this as the new operating policy for the committee.
Motion to adjourn.
Minutes were submitted by Lou Sones.