BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
GENERAL BOARD MEETING
NYPD/78TH PRECINCT
65 6TH AVENUE
JUNE 10, 2015
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
J.ARMER R. BASHNER P. BLAKE
F. BROWN J. BROWN M. CABALLERO
E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ SR. R. CERVONE E. FELDER
P. FLEMING A. FREEMAN K. GURL
V. HAGMAN K. JAMES G. KELLY
A. KRASNOW D. KUMMER H. LINK
R. LUFTGLASS E. MCCLURE T. MISKEL
M. NEUMAN C. PIGOTT L. PINN
M. RACIOPPO G. REILLY R. RIGOLLI
M. SHAMES M. SILVERMAN J. OLTMAN-SMITH
B. SOLOTAIRE E. SPICER J. THOMPSON
S. TURET R. UNDERWOOD D. WILLIAMS
EXCUSED:
P. BELLENBAUM D. ESQUERRA V. HERAMIA
R. LEVINE S. LONIAL A. MEHTA
M. RUIZ M. SCOTT D. SCOTTO
ABSENT:
E. ANDERSON N. BERK-RAUCH J. HEYER II
H. HUGHES F. JEAN
GUESTS:
HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
J. LOWELL, BOROUGH PRESIDENT ADAMS’ REPRESENTATIVE
J.MORALES, COUNCIL MEMBER MENCHACA’S REPRESENTATIVE
B. ALONSO, COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
T. TORO, STATE ASSMBLY MEMBER SIMON’S REPRESENTATIVE
O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE
B. AZINGE, STATE SENATOR HAMILTON’S REPRESENTATIVE
R. YOUNG, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE
P. RHEAUME CONGRESS MEMBER CLARKE’S 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 6:45pm.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT……………………………………………………….................GARY REILLY
Chairperson Gary Reilly began his report by reporting that the Borough President has released our 2015-16 Membership Roster and we are back to a complete compliment of 50 board members. We have some new board members, whom he welcomed and introduced: Joe Ann Brown (Gowanus, 39, from 572 Warren Street), Manuel Caballero (Red Hook, 38), Deana Esquerra (Red Hook, 38), Asher Freeman (Park Slope, BP), Kara Gurl (Park Slope, BP), Karissa James (Gowanus, BP), Akash Mehta (Boerum Hill, 39, 17 year old senior at St. Ann’s), Max Neuman (Carroll Gardens, BP), Joanna Oltman Smith (Park Slope, 39), and Robert Underwood (Park Slope, BP). Joanna and Robert have been active committee members for many years and we appreciate them for taking on the added responsibilities involved in becoming board members.
Chairperson Reilly informed the Board that Board Members Douglas Giuliano, Rosemary Graham, Scott Mathews-Novelli and David Mazzuca are no longer on the Board and thanked them for their service to our communities and the Community Board.
Chairperson Reilly advised the Board that we are soliciting preferences for committee appointments for the 2015-16 session which begins on September 1st. The district office has sent out the form to board and non- board members. You have until the end of the month to submit a form with your preferences. He will take into consideration prior attendance in addition to other factors when making appointments. Of course, it is easier for him to consider what your preferences are if you submit a form in a timely manner. He’d rather not just randomly assign people to committees. If you need any help filling out the form, or would like a hard copy, please contact the district office. Appointment letters will go out in August.
Chairperson Reilly apprised that Board that he would creating a new sub-committee this year, reflective of a growing interest and trend in planning, called a Resiliency and Sustainability Sub-Committee. Given the persistent concerns of the impact of climate change, and how we are responding both reactively as in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and proactively as in our Solarize Brooklyn CB6 campaign, it is evident that having a central clearinghouse for all of the resiliency and sustainability measures would be quite useful. We envision starting with developing an inventory of the programs, projects and policies affecting our district in these areas which would help us to better coordinate these sometimes disparate efforts, and also to identify where there are gaps that need to be filled. Since it would be a sub-committee, we intend to invite some of the more active people in our communities who are already working on these programs, projects and policies so that we could all benefit from sharing information and best practices. We’re still refining the concept and will use the summer to flesh it out some more, but we intend to go live with this new sub-committee this fall.
Chairperson Reilly highlighted some upcoming meeting that should be of interest: June 11th - We have co-sponsored a Bike Share Community Planning Workshop with DOT and the NYC bike share group to help plan bike share for our district. As he announced previously, we are scheduled to receive bike share in our district by 2017 so these workshops were set up to give the department an opportunity to educate the community on the program, and solicit feedback on good and bad locations for future bike docking stations. The workshops will be at 7pm and 8pm at PS 58, 330 Smith Street. June 24th – Representatives from Administration for Children’s Services and MercyFirst will be attending our Youth/Human Services/Education committee meeting to brief us on their plans to contract with Mercy Home, one of our local social service providers which operates several group homes in our district, to put in place a youth reception center which would be a group home for up to 12 older youth (ages 14-21 years) who have been removed from harmful environments and are entering the foster care system. Since they do not require action by the community board, we envision this as being an informational presentation. ACS will also be on hand to explain their relatively new “Closer to Home” 2
program which is being rolled out to other group homes including the two Boystown homes we have in Park Slope on 6th Avenue and on St Johns Place. June 25th - At our next Landmarks/Land Use Committee meeting we will be hearing an Informational presentation on a pre-ULURP application for a rezoning to allow a 200-bed nursing home and an ambulatory diagnostic and treatment facility on a parcel in Red Hook at 141 Conover Street which is split between an R5/C1-3 and M2-1 district, just on the border of the Industrial Business Zone. The item will be coming up, likely in the fall, for a full public hearing once the application has been certified. We are bringing them out prior to certification since this is a large-scale project to give us a chance to learn more about it before we are forced to make a recommendation within our 60-day ULURP window. Since this is a large-scale project, we have advised them of our Responsible Development Policy which they intend to address at the June meeting.
Chairperson Reilly reminded everyone that the full Community Board does not regularly meet in July or August, and our bylaws empowers the Executive Committee to act on behalf of the full board over the summer hiatus on issues of a time-sensitive nature. He has already been told that our Landmarks/Land Use committee will definitely be meeting in July, and we will schedule other committee meetings as necessary.
Chairperson Reilly ended his report by presenting Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch with the Brooklyn Community Board 6 “Core of the Apple” award. We will be toasting ADM Branch on Tuesday, June 30th from 6-8pm at The Brazen Head, 228 Atlantic Avenue (between Court/Adams Streets), which of course is owned by former CB6 member and Red Hook resident Lou Sones. All are welcome.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Board Member Peter Fleming made a motion to accept the minutes of the May’s general meeting, seconded by Board Member Glenn Kelly.
Board Member Eric McClure stated that the statement on the bottom of page 7 was not made by him but Eric Anderson.
VOTE: 29 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the board that there are two tentative items for a July Landmarks & Land Use Committee Meeting: Pavilion Movie Theater – An application for the reconstruction of the building at 188 Prospect Park West. This application will first go through the Landmarks Committee and then the Land Use Committee. We hope we can get both the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Board of Standards and Appeals to work with us and allow both applications to be done simultaneously. Polhemus Building – An application for the reconstruction of the building at 350 Henry Street which is one of the former Long Island College Hospital properties.
District Manager Hammerman informed the board that we are still promoting our Solarize BrooklynCB6 campaign which is a group purchasing program that uses a tiered-pricing structure, community educational events and outreach, and a competitively selected installer to reduce the installed cost of solar. As more residents and small businesses sign on to go solar through Solarize BrooklynCB6, the installed cost for all
3
participants goes down. The campaign has gotten off to a great start and we will be having workshops throughout the district: Park Slope – June 24th – 6pm-8pm – Old First Reformed Church. Columbia Waterfront – June 25th – 6:30pm-8pm – Carroll Gardens Association Offices located at 201 Columbia Street. Gowanus Area – June 23rd – Location TBD – This workshop is for businesses.
We are still in the process of putting together a workshop in Red Hook. The team will be setting up tables at block parties and fairs throughout the district. All business and homeowners can learn more about solar and schedule a no obligation site visit. Solarize BrooklynCB6 is made possible through a partnership between the City University of New York’s NYSolar Smart Program and Brooklyn Community Board 6 as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Rooftop Solar Challenge II. For more information please visit http://solarizebrooklyncb6.org/.
District Manager Hammerman advised the Board that on May 21st we had a very successful meeting with Gowanus businesses for the Industrial Business Improvement District Feasibility Study Project. Dozens of businesses from the Gowanus participated. It was hosted by Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBIDC) and we were able to share with them some of the tentative results of the survey we have been doing in conjunction with SBIDC on the Gowanus businesses. Some of the preliminary complaints were: Flooding Lack of reliable internet and telecommunication services Parking and inadequate access to public transit
Having an iBID in place will allow an organization to take the reins and lobby and advocate for those kinds of items. The businesses that night were greeted by a representative from the Department of Small Business Services who talked about what an iBID could do for the community. Remember, the community board is not the one that would push an iBID forward. We are simply the catalyst in this process. In order for it to come to pass the businesses themselves have to want it and the property owners have to vote for it. This is something that is a self-assessment that the property owners would have to opt into and we are simply trying to show them how this kind of organizational infrastructure could be beneficial to them. He thanked Councilman Brad Lander for his leadership and for funding the study.
District Manager Hammerman reported to the board that the Department of Transportation has informed us that they will be installing speed humps at the following locations: 3rd Street between 5th and 7th Avenues, two blocks Warren Street between 4th and 5th Avenues Sterling Place between 6th and 7th Avenues 13th Street between 3th and 4th Avenues Hoyt Street between Union Street and 3rd Street
District Manager Hammerman ended his report by advising the Board that this summer we will be starting the process of redesigning the CB6 website. Anyone who might have an interest in getting involved please contact the district office. We already have a preliminary outline that has been drawn up and we have a consultant who volunteered with us last summer to develop something. We would like to tweak the outline and put it out to bid in the near future. Hopefully, by June 2016 we will have a new and improved website.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE
4
………………...……MARK SHAMES, ENV. PROTECTION CHAIR
…..…………....MIKE RACIOPPO, PERMITS & LICENSES CHAIR
Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 285 Nevins Street.
Motion: by Board Member Jerry Armer, 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 Freeks Mill LLC at 285 Nevins Street (between Sackett/Union Streets).
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:09P.M.
Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo also reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license application at 338 Hamilton Avenue.
Motion: by Board Member Benjamin Solotaire, seconded by Board Member Jerry Armer; Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Big Pie LLC at 338 Hamilton Avenue (between Mill/Centre Streets).
Board Member Max Neuman asked if the fact that Hamilton Avenue was a busy roadway was discussed at the meeting. Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo stated no.
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:12P.M.
Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo further reported that the committee reviewed a new unenclosed sidewalk café permit application at 279 5th Avenue.
Motion: by Board Member Benjamin Solotaire, seconded by Board Member Jerry Armer; Recommendation to approve a new unenclosed sidewalk café permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Herni on Fifth at 279 5th Avenue (between 1st/2nd Streets) to permit 12 tables and 27 seats with the following condition That they close the café at 11pm Sunday-Thursday and 12am Friday & Saturday.
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:13P.M.
Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo additionally reported that the committee reviewed a new unenclosed sidewalk café permit application at 2 Lincoln Place.
Motion: Committee;
Recommendation to approve a new unenclosed sidewalk café permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Kiku Asian Bistro at 2 Lincoln Place (between 5
Degraw Street/6th Avenue) to permit 4 tables and 14 seats with the following condition that the applicant communicate with CB6 on efforts to keep the sidewalk clean.
Board Member Pauline Blake stated that this applicant has not been a good neighbor in terms of keeping his sidewalk clean. There are problems with rodents and when the neighbors complained to the owner he did nothing. The owner has no respect for the neighbors who came to the meeting to protest the sidewalk café. Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo stated that the owner is now keeping the sidewalk clean.
Board Member Matthew Silverman stated that the neighbors monitoring the cleanliness of the sidewalk should not be a part of the motion. Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo stated that it would not be.
Board Member Rick Luftglass asked what recourse we have if the owner does not keep his sidewalk clean. Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo stated that we have to wait until next year when they come before us for the renewal.
VOTE: 29 YEAS, 2 NAY, 0 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:23P.M.
LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE…………………ROBERT LEVINE, CHAIR, LANDMARKS
………………...……PETER FLEMING, CHAIR, LAND USE
Land Use Chair Peter Fleming reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application at 122 Pacific Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for addition of a rear yard extension with deck, excavation for new patio area and new HVAC equipment at the roof of 122 Pacific Street (between Henry/Clinton Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District.
VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:26P.M.
Land Use Chair Peter Fleming reported also reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application at 286 Carroll Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to disapprove a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a rooftop addition with new HVAC equipment at 286 Carroll Street (between Smith/Hoyt Streets), Carroll Gardens Historic District.
Board Member Glenn Kelly stated that they should come back to us with a plan, not for the height but an addition to the style that is there now, no a mansard roof. We do not want to encourage this by not disapproving this.
Board Member Daniel Kummer spoke in favor of the motion.
Board Member Judith Thompson stated that she agrees with LPC on this one because it looks awkward. 6
Board Member Jerry Armer spoke in favor of the motion stating that we should not use this one to set a precedent.
Board Member Mark Shames spoke in favor of the motion.
Board Member Ariel Krasnow spoke out against the motion stating that there are three of mansard roofs, none of which are carefully done as this one. This is in the frame work of the bulk head and everything else is ok about the application. Since the mansard roofs do exist in the neighborhood and it is their right to build another floor they should be allowed to do it.
Board Member Joanne Oltman-Smith spoke in favor of the motion stating that this design is totally destroying the way the neighborhood looks. They are trying to build it into something it isn’t. This type of renovation is taking away the richness of Brooklyn.
VOTE: 26 YEAS, 3 NAY, 2 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:39P.M.
Chairperson Reilly recognized Councilman Brad Lander who welcome all of the new Board Members, especially the teenagers that were appointed to the board. He updated the Board on various issues including:
The Car Wash Accountability Act, the city council voted to approve a piece of legislation that will help ensure car wash workers across the city are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. It requires car washes to obtain and renew a license from the Department of Consumer Affairs. The license will take into account an applicant’s history, including any violations of labor, environmental, consumer protection, or workplace safety laws. The new law also requires that each car wash secure a $150,000 bond to cover damage awards to workers (for wage theft) or consumers (for damages). If the car wash has a collective bargaining agreement in place then the law only requires a $30,000 bond. The Fair Chance Act - This bill makes sure that all New Yorkers have a fair chance to compete for a job no matter whether they have been convicted of a crime. For more information please visit https://fairchancenyc.wordpress.com/. Intro 261 – The Councilman has introduced a bill that will make the use of credit checks during hiring illegal in New York City. School Diversity Accountability Act – Intro 511 - will require the Department of Education to issue an annual report on diversity (or the lack thereof) in NYC schools. The report will include extensive school-by-school data, down to the grade level (and within specialized programs like gifted and talented programs), as well as the Department’s specific efforts and initiatives to strengthen diversity. Resolution 453 calls on NYC DOE to establish diversity as a priority in admissions, zoning, and other decision- making processes. 2015 Participatory Budgeting Winners for CB6 are A/C for PS124 Cafeteria, PS 146/MS 448 Innovative Gym Renovation, Make Union Street and 9th Street Greener, Four Safer Intersections on Hicks Street, and Technology for Local Arts Non-Profits, and New Drainage along Path in Prospect Park. For more information please visit http://bradlander.com/PB. Fortis Development Group can build “as-of-right,” without any discretionary public approvals which would include about 400 market-rate units – beginning with a 44-story tower on Pacific Street, with additional 10 to 20-story buildings proposed for the site of the parking garage, the current ER, and around the LICH park on the east side of Henry Street. They are also interested in proposing a rezoning (ULURP) that would double the number of residential units, and include affordable housing units and space for a public school. This option involves taller towers of 20, 30 and 40 stories nearer to
7
the BQE, and lower-rise buildings along the edge of the Cobble Hill Historic District. The councilman believes we should continue to have open dialog with the community, elected officials, CB6 and the Cobble Hill Association. We should not wait until the ULURP application comes out. Bridging Gowanus – We will continue to move forward with the frame work of the BG concepts. For more information please visit http://bridginggowanus.com/.
He ended by thanking Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch for his years of service to the CB6 community and wished him well with his new position at DOT.
Chairperson Reilly asked District Manager Craig Hammerman to present Senate Bill 1062 to the Board.
Motion: by Board Member Daniel Kummer, seconded by Board Member Joanne Oltman-Smith Recommendation to support a new bill (S1062A-2015) sponsored by State Senator Velmanette Montgomery which would allow community boards to apply and receive grants for waterfront revitalization programs for coastal areas and inland waterways, in the same manner that local governments currently do.
VOTE: 28 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:00P.M.
Chairperson Reilly recognized elected officials representatives:
Jeff Lowell, representing Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, invited everyone to participate in various programs hosted/sponsored by the Borough President:
Roadmap for Mental Health - Learn about and discuss a new vision for mental health services in NYC. Brooklyn Session, Tuesday, June 16, 2015; 6pm; Brooklyn Borough Hall. Access to Legal Service Program - a partnership he has forged with the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project and Legal Services NYC-Brooklyn, to offer free professional assistance to Brooklynites in need. The initiative will run out of Room G-80 at Brooklyn Borough Hall between the hours of 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM on select days. On the second Wednesday of every month, the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project will offer foreclosure intervention and prevention services. The second and fourth Thursday of every month will feature housing and elder law assistance, as well as help with pension matters, from Legal Services NYC-Brooklyn. 2nd Annual International Day of Friendship - bridging gaps between cultures and making bonds of friendship that connect people in all communities throughout Brooklyn and the world. It will held at Cadman Plaza Park on Sunday, August 2, 2015 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM, with a variety of engaging events that will showcase Brooklyn’s diversity. For more information please visit http://brooklyn- usa.org/event/international-day-of-friendship/.
Teresa Toro, representing State Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon invited everyone to the 2015 Senior Resource Fair sponsored by the Assemblywoman on June 19th at St. Francis College. She stated that the Assemblywomen is opposing the Governors Education Tax Bill. To read her complete statement please visit http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Jo-Anne-Simon/story/64051/. The Assemblywomen is sponsoring a bill (A07392) to amend the election law, in relation to monies received and expenditures made by a party committee or constituted committee.
Benjamin Azinge, representing State Senator Jesse Hamilton, stated that the Senator was hosting the Mobile Legal Help Center (MLHC) on June 20th from 12pm – 5pm at the Brownsville Collegiate Charter School. The
8
Mobile Legal Help Center will provide FREE legal assistance on civil issues related to: Housing, Foreclosure, Public Benefits, Disability Benefits, Healthcare Benefits, Identity Theft, Debt Management, Consumer Credit, Immigration, Domestic Violence, Divorce, Custody, Employment, Superstorm Sandy, and Advance Planning. He is also hosting “Movies Under the Stars” on June 17th in J. J. Byrne Playground in Park Slope. He ended by inviting everyone to participate in Stop ‘N Swap a free Community Reuse Event on June 14th at P.S.
9. Please bring clean, reusable, portable items such as clothing, house wares, games, books, & toys that you no longer need, and take home something new-to-you. For more information please visit http://www.grownyc.org/swap.
Robert Young, representing State Senator Daniel Squadron, stated that the Senator was very thrilled that this year’s Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will again take place over the East River.
Patrick Rheaume, representing Congress Member Yvette Clarke, invited everyone to participate in the Meet & Greet Informational Forum on June 30th at SUNY Downstate at 6pm. Invited agencies will be Brooklyn Kings County DA – Fraud Prevention, USCIS: Immigration – DACA, HPD, and the Department of Labor.
LaToya Benjamin, representing Kings County District Attorney Ken Thompson, announced the DA’s initiative to address backlog of summons warrants by helping to resolve them in a fair and efficient manner, “Begin Again” which is a community initiative that will provide individuals who have outstanding summonses upon which an arrest warrant was issued with the opportunity to resolve that warrant in a non-traditional, non- confrontational manner within a safe environment.
Julian Morales, representing Council Member Carlos Menchaca, invited everyone to participate in a follow-up meeting on June 18th at the Red Hook Library in which the Council Member and the Parks Department will give an update on capital parks projects in Red Hook. He also invited everyone to a Zoning 101 Workshop on June 23rd At Red Hook Initiative. Join the Center for Urban Pedagogy with the Councilman for a two park workshop series on the basics of zoning and ULURP.
COMMUNITY SESSION
Chef Vincent Tropepe, invited everyone to participate in a desert and chocolate show in Manhattan to support Hurricane Sandy victims on June 12th. Owen Foote, representing the Gowanus Dredgers - is a volunteer organization that is dedicated to providing waterfront access and education to the public along the Gowanus Canal. Informed every one of their new location at the end of 2nd Avenue next to the new NYS Department of Corrections and Community Parolee Facility.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
Board Member Glenn Kelly informed the Board that former Board Member Celia Cacace was back in the neighborhood and is looking forward to seeing everyone.
Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Jerry Armer; To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 28 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:30P.M.
Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on June 24, 2015. 9