BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
GENERAL BOARD MEETING
OLD FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
729 CARROLL STREET
FEBRUARY 11, 2015
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
J.ARMER P. BELLENBAUM N. BERK-RAUCH
P. BLAKE F. BROWN E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ
SR. R. CERVONE P. FLEMING V. HAGMAN
V. HERAMIA J. HEYER II F. JEAN
G. KELLY A. KRASNOW D. KUMMER
R. LEVINE H. LINK S. LONIAL
R. LUFTGLASS S. MATHEWS-NOVELLI D. MAZZUCA
E. MCCLURE T. MISKEL C. PIGOTT
M. RACIOPPO G. REILLY R. RIGOLLI
M. RUIZ D. SCOTTO M. SHAMES
M. SILVERMAN B. SOLOTAIRE E. SPICER
J. THOMPSON S. TURET D. WILLIAMS
EXCUSED:
E. ANDERSON R. BASHNER E. FELDER
D. GIULIANO H. HUGHES
ABSENT:
R. GRAHAM L. PINN
GUESTS:
J. LOWELL, BOROUGH PRESIDENT ADAMS’ REPRESENTATIVE
J. MORALES, COUNCIL MEMBER MENCHACA’S REPRESENTATIVE
B. ALONSO, COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
M. HIRSCH, STATE ASSMBLY MEMBER BRENNAN’S REPRESENTATIVE
J. HARVEY, STATE ASSMBLY MEMBER SIMON’S REPRESENTATIVE
O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE
Z. OTT, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE
D. WILEY, CONGRESS MEMBER VELÁZQUEZ’ REPRESENTATIVE
L. BENJAMIN, KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY THOMPSON’S REPRESENTATIVE
Complete list of meeting attendees on file at District Office. 1
Chairperson Gary Reilly called the meeting to order at 6:39pm.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT……………………………………………………….................GARY REILLY
Chairperson Gary Reilly began his report by advising the board that we received a letter of resignation from Board Member Andrea McKnight of Red Hook Houses. Board Member McKnight reminded us that she had been on the board since Howard Golden was the Borough President and that she has very much enjoyed her journey along the way. She wants us to know that she will still be active in the Red Hook community and that we can continue to call on her as needed. I’d like to thank her for her selfless service to Red Hook and Brooklyn Community Board 6, and wish her well now and in all her future endeavors. With Board Member McKnight’s resignation, our total roster is now at 44 members.
Chairperson Reilly reminded Board Members whose terms are expiring this March 31st that applications for reappointment are due to the Borough President’s Office by February 15, 2015. Please make sure you’ve notarized your form before submitting it. The Chair read the list of names of Board Members whose terms are expiring this year.
Chairperson Reilly reported that in his round of introductions to our elected officials that he has so far met with Borough President Eric Adams and City Council Member Brad Lander. In both cases he was most impressed with how much hands-on knowledge they each had of some of the pressing issues affecting our district. He was pleased to hear the Borough President Adams talk about how we need to move forward carefully with the Mayor’s housing vision to ensure that land use conflicts are kept to a minimum and how his office has been actively engaged in the listening portion of his plan to develop recommendations for improving police- community relations. And Council Member Lander, being a CB6 alumnus, is in the process of pulling together his report on “Bridging Gowanus” as a way of providing a clearer roadmap of the many complex issues affecting the future of the Gowanus and providing suggestions for a path forward. He also stressed to both of them the importance of maintaining a diverse composition of board members and encouraged them each to look for younger members to serve on the community board now that the minimum age to serve has been lowered from 18 to 16 years old.
Chairperson Reilly advised the Board that we have a new Commanding Officer for the 76th Precinct, Captain Natalie Maldonado who started a couple of weeks ago. Captain Maldonado–who is the third female to command the 76th Precinct–comes to us from Transit Police, and before that had previously worked in Brooklyn South Narcotics where she participated in several major arrests at Red Hook Houses, so she prides herself on already having some direct experience working in our district. For anyone who would like to meet her, the chair encouraged attendance at the next meeting of our Transportation/Public Safety Committee which is meeting at 6:30pm on Thursday, February 19th at the 76th Precinct, 191 Union Street (between Hicks/Henry Streets). She will be there in person to introduce herself to the committee. And if you’re unable to make our next committee meeting, you can also always attend the Precinct Community Council meetings which meet at 7:30pm on the first Tuesday of each month.
Chairperson Reilly ended his report by inviting everyone to our next Economic/Waterfront/Community Development & Housing Committee which will be meeting on February 17th, to hear presentations from both of the Planning Fellows who are working on projects in our district this academic year. Our fellows will update the committee on where they are at with their respective projects. As a reminder, John Douglass is working on the Feasibility Study for an Industrial Business Improvement District for the Gowanus, and Josh Thompson is developing a Housing Opportunities Study identifying where there are opportunities to construct additional housing within our currently zoned Residential areas.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
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Board Member Roger Rigolli made a motion to accept the minutes of the January’s general meeting, seconded by Board Member Peter Fleming.
VOTE: 22 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 6:48 P.M.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman updated the board on the events and production activities of the NBA All- Star 2015 event at the Barclays Center, which will be taking place over the next few days. Anyone interested in learning more about the community impacts please see District Manager Hammerman at the end of the meeting or contact him at the district office.
District Manager Hammerman informed the Board that he recently met with the organizers for the Court-Smith Street Business Improvement District (BID). The plans for the BID are in the final stages of outreach to the property owners. They are hoping to be able to present to our committee sometime in the Spring as part of the City’s formal approval process.
District Manager Hammerman advised the Board that we have partnered with CUNY and EDC on a project called NYSolar Smart “Solarize Brooklyn CB6” which aims to reduce solar soft costs, increase community awareness and understanding of solar, and install at least 150 kW of solar electric capacity. Sustainable CUNY released a request for proposals to recruit solar installers in November 2014, and we have been participating in the interview process of the respondents. The City is in the process of making the final decision and developing the contracts with the awardees. At this point we will be moving into the enrollment phase in which we will be helping with the marketing and promotion of the program. The goal is to maximize the number of properties who will convert over to solar energy to help drive down the price since Brooklyn has the highest solar energy generating cost out of all 5 boroughs. (see http://www.cuny.edu/about/resources/sustainability/nyssolar/solarize/BrooklynCB6.html.)
District Manager Hammerman reported that he recently has met with representatives for the Park Slope Civic Council and the Cobble Hill Association to brainstorm about the impact of film shoots on our district. Although intrusive and inconvenient, movie shoots have become a common occurrence throughout our district and we would like to know what could be done more proactively to reduce their impact. It has been our experience that residents are generally willing to tolerate more inconvenience if they have the ability to plan for them. Notification came up as the biggest item that we would all like to be pushing for. Since the City already uses NotifyNYC!–the official source for information about events and important City services–we think that a similar system could either be created, or film notifications could become incorporated into the current system. We will be writing to the Mayor and his Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting to encourage more action and thinking along those lines.
District Manager Hammerman apprised the Board that Board Members Glenn Kelly and Paige Bellenbaum and he had met with the Parks Department to discuss the scope of St. Mary’s Playground. Parks has $850,000 from the contractor that the MTA was using on the Culver Viaduct Rehabilitation project which rendered the playground inaccessible from the overhead construction, as a “rental” fee during the project. Recently Council Member Brad Lander added $500,000 to the budget making the total $1.35 million. At this point we are hopeful that the Parks Department will be able to make a presentation to our committee shortly. Board Member Bellenbaum and her neighbors helped a great deal by preparing an online survey to solicit community thoughts about the space. They have collected roughly 400 survey responses to date.
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District Manager Hammerman related to the Board that the United States Post Office has advised us that they will be relocating their Times Plaza Station (11217) on Atlantic Avenue into our district into a storefront on Flatbush Avenue. We will be convening a meeting with USPS, and have invited representatives from the North Flatbush Avenue BID, CB2 and CB8 to learn more about the plans.
District Manager Hammerman informed the Board that the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will be collecting regular garbage, organics, and recycling on Lincoln’s Birthday, which is normally a Sanitation holiday. Residents who normally receive Thursday garbage, organics, and recycling collection should place their materials out at curbside after 4pm today, Wednesday, for collection.
District Manager Hammerman ended his report by advising the Board that the Mayor has released his preliminary budget for fiscal year 2016 early this week. That means we have received the register of Community Board budget requests responses from the Office of Management and Budget. The Preliminary Budget Register was uploaded and is accessible on the Budget Committee’s homepage on our website. In the new plan Community Boards would receive an additional $21,000 in their budgets. Most of this increase is encumbered by collective bargaining and managerial increases.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE
………………...……MARK SHAMES, ENV. PROTECTION CHAIR
…..…………....MIKE RACIOPPO, PERMITS & LICENSES CHAIR
Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a proposed alteration to an existing on-premises liquor license at 514 Union Street.
Motion: by Board Member Sayar Lonial, seconded by Board Member Peter Fleming; Recommendation to approve a proposed alteration to an existing on-premises liquor license submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club LLC at 514 Union Street (between 3rd Avenue/Nevins Street).
Board Member Hildegaard Link asked if there was anyone from the community at the meeting. Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo stated that there were a number of letters from the community in favor of the alteration.
Board Member Daniel Kummer asked if there was any concern about the precedent this would be setting, when we voted to limit their hours when they first came to the Board and now they are asking to extend those hours. Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo stated no because any applicant that wants to extend their hours would have to go through our committee process and if there were registered complaints more than likely the committee would not approve.
Board Member Glenn Kelly spoke in favor of the motion stating that many of the opponents to this license are now supporters of the establishment. The only reason they have come back to us is because we originally placed restrictions on their license and it worked. When they first came before us they agreed to close at midnight Sunday-Wednesday and this has been a problem for them in terms of renting to groups, so they are asking that their hours be extended to improve on business.
Board Member Sayar Lonial spoke in favor of the motion stating that the law is 4am as governed by the State. They came to us because there was concern and we were concerned about being in an area where there has not been business open. This is a success story and we should appreciate the fact that they came back to us at the recommendation of the State and said that we need to extend our hours because our business plan does not work 4
with midnight and we do not want empty storefronts. He also believes that they will not go to the 4am closing time which is legally their right to do.
Board Member Eric McClure stated that the Board takes context into account when making recommendations and this location does not have many residential properties surrounding it.
VOTE: 29 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:09 P.M.
LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE………….…...….ROBERT LEVINE, LANDMARKS CHAIR
…………………...….PETER FLEMING, LAND USE CHAIR
Land Use Committee Chair Peter Fleming reported that the committee reviewed an application for a variance to permit the construction of a 4-story mixed use building with commercial use on the first floor at 112 Atlantic Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an application submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA Cal. No. 258-14-BZ) on behalf of Henry Atlantic Partners LLC for a variance of Section 22-10 of the Zoning Resolution to permit the construction of a 4- story mixed use building with commercial use on the first floor in an R6 zoning district at 112 Atlantic Avenue (Block 285, Lot 6), southeast corner Atlantic Ave/Henry Street.
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:13P.M.
Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application at 178 Court Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a new 2-story (30-feet tall) commercial building to be erected at 178 Court Street (northwest corner Court/Congress Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District with the following conditions: 1. Landmarks to approve style and size of the brick.
2. Reduce size of Court Street ground floor windows.
3. Reduce height of the bulkhead.
4. Recommend that Landmarks find a solution to blank wall in rear of building.
Board Member Sayar Lonial asked about the signage on the front. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that the committee felt it was appropriate.
Board Member Dolly Williams asked how long the lot was. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that it is approximately 60-by-60 feet.
VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:19P.M.
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Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine also reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for a new 2-story rear yard extension with deck at 310 Clinton Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a new 2-story rear yard extension with deck at 310 Clinton Street (between Baltic/Kane Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District.
Board Member Judith Thompson asked if any of the neighbors objected to this extension. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that the owner at the corner objected to the extension because it would block the sun.
Board Member Peter Fleming stated that there are a number of extensions within this donut. Board Member Jerry Armer spoke in favor of the motion stating that it is important to mention that this is a one- sided donut.
VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:23P.M.
YOUTH/HUMAN SERVICES AND EDUCATION…...PAIGE BELLENBAUM, HUM SVC CO-CHAIR
…………...BENJAMIN SOLOTAIRE, HUM SVC CO-CHAIR
…………….………SUZANNE TURET, EDUCATION CHAIR
Human Services Committee Co-Chair Paige Bellenbaum asked everyone to save May 16th on their calendars because the Youth/Human Services/Education Committee will be hosting a Youth Opportunity Fair at the John Jay Educational Campus. The focus of the fair will be around: Job Readiness and Employment Opportunities Civic Engagement Enrichment Afterschool and Summer Activities for young adults to participate in
Anyone interested in working on this event should reach out to Paige Bellenbaum or Benjamin Solotaire.
Chairperson Reilly recognized elected officials representatives
Jeff Lowell, representing Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams introduced himself as our new liaison. He reminded Board Members whose terms are expiring this March 31st that applications for reappointment are due to the Borough President’s Office by February 15, 2015. Also, anyone wishing to submit to the Borough President for capital budget requests must do so by February 15th. He ended by announcing that the Borough President will be hosting a Brooklyn Golden Couples Celebration on February 13th.
Julian Morales, representing City Council Member Carlos Menchaca introduced himself as our new liaison. As Chair of the Committee on Immigration, Councilman Menchaca has authored and introduced legislation that was passed to create the first municipal identification card program in New York City. This card would allow New Yorkers who are not citizens to apply for ID cards that would assist them in obtaining certain city services, as well as serve as a valid form of identification for NYPD and would be available to all New Yorkers.
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Basi Alonso, representing Council Member Brad Lander, stated that the Councilman in conjunction with the Old Stone House is sponsoring Arts Gowanus, a program designed to accept proposals for public artworks in Gowanus section of the district. Yesterday the City Council held a hearing on a bill (Int 0211-2014), sponsored by the Councilman that would require the mayor and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, within two years, to submit to the Council, the borough presidents and the community boards and post on the department's website a plan to create a citywide network of bus rapid transit lines connecting the boroughs of the City of New York. This will help the City move from a series of individual routes toward a robust and comprehensive BRT network. Anyone wishing to submit to the Councilman for discretionary funds must do so by February 20th. She ended by informing the board that comments for the Bridging Gowanus Framework will be accepted until the end of the month.
Melanie Hirsch, representing Assembly Member James Brennan invited everyone to a Town Hall Meeting on the State Budget, topics will include Education and Mass Transit. The Meeting will be held on March 4th at PS 139. She ended by asking everyone to save June 4th on their calendars for the annual volunteer fair in the Park Slope Armory.
Jim Harvey, representing Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, stated that the Assemblywoman has introduced a bill (A-4330) that would require the certification or training of teachers, administrators and instructors in the area of dyslexia and related disorders.
Oscar Jonas, representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery stated that the Senator is very concerned about a bill that was passed by the Senate that would give people tax breaks for donating money to private schools. The Education Investment Tax Credit Legislation would allow corporations and individuals to direct donations to nonprofits that provide scholarships to private and religious schools in exchange for a credit on their State taxes. It would allow donors a tax-credit, up to 90 percent of their tax bill, costing the state $675 million the first three years.
Zeeshan Ott, representing State Senator Daniel Squadron, stated that the Senator has long been pushing for an Atlantic Avenue/Pier 6 ferry stop. Recently, the Mayor has announced plans for expanded ferry service in his State of the City, including routes that have stops at Atlantic Avenue, as well as the Lower East Side, South Brooklyn and Long Island City. New service will start in 2017. He ended by inviting everyone to the Senator’s Seventh Annual 26th Senate District Community Convention on April 12th. Come out and make your voice heard on all of the legislative and community priorities that shape our district and our state.
Dan Wiley, representing Congress Member Nydia Velázquez, stated that the Congresswoman has released a statement regarding the President's Fiscal Year 2016 Budget. The Congresswoman has introduced legislation (H.R. 480) aimed at helping working families secure affordable housing. The "Housing America's Workforce Act," would create new opportunities for employers to help their staff with rent and the cost of purchasing a new home. He ended by stating that the Congresswoman made a statement in support of finding more sustainable ways of moving freight across New York Harbor, with less reliance on trucks. We all know that transportation is vital for New York City's economy and our quality of life. It only makes sense that we figure out better ways to move freight when our roads and bridges are at capacity, especially as population demand for goods continue growing.
Latoya Benjamin, representing Kings County District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson stated that the DA was able to get an indictment by a grand jury of New York City Police Officer Peter Liang for the death of Akai Gurley. She also stated that the DA office would be starting a newsletter in the near future.
COMMUNITY SESSION
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District Leader Jacob Gold, representing 44th Assembly District, introduced himself and stated that he looks forward to working with the Board in the future on issues affecting the district.
Joshua Browne, representing NYCHA Sandy Resilience Program informed the Board of a program called ACE which is a free after-school program for high school students in NYCHA developments damaged by hurricane Sandy who may want to learn about careers in Architecture, Construction, and/or Engineering.
Joanne Oltman Smith, Park Slope resident spoke to the Board about snow removal. She has some suggestion that she hopes the Community Board could help in implementing. Get volunteers from the neighborhood to outreach to residents who can’t clear their sidewalks and help them remove the snow and ice. Do one-to-one outreach to businesses who do not clean their sidewalk. Ask Sanitation to come to the Transportation/Public Safety Committee on a more regular basis to report how they prioritize snow removal in the district.
Kenneth Ebie, representing Department of Consumer Affairs gave an overview of the services that DCA provides focusing on providing free tax and financial counselling through the office of financial empowerment.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
No New/Other business.
Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Peter Fleming; To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:56P.M.
Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on February 27, 2015.
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