BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
GENERAL BOARD MEETING
JOHN JAY EDUCATION CAMPUS
237 7TH AVENUE
JANUARY 13, 2016
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
J.ARMER R. BASHNER P. BELLENBAUM
P. BLAKE D. BUSCARELLO E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ
SR. R. CERVONE E. FELDER P. FLEMING
A. FREEMAN K. GURL V. HERAMIA
F. JEAN G. KELLY A. KRASNOW
D. KUMMER R. LEVINE H. LINK
S. LONIAL R. LUFTGLASS E. MCCLURE
A. MEHTA M. NEUMAN M. RACIOPPO
G. REILLY R. RIGOLLI M. RUIZ
M. SHAMES M. SILVERMAN J. OLTMAN-SMITH
R. UNDERWOOD
EXCUSED:
F. BROWN T. MISKEL
ABSENT:
J. BROWN M. CABALLERO V. HAGMAN
J. HEYER C. PIGOTT L. PINN
D. SCOTTO D. WILLIAMS
GUESTS:
JEFF LOWELL, BOROUGH PRESIDENT ADAMS’ REPRESENTATIVE
JUAN ARDELA, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
KAREN BROUGHTON, ASSEMBLY MEMBER FELIX ORTIZ’S REPRESENTATIVE
JIM HARVEY, ASSEMBLY MEMBER SIMON’S REPRESENTATIVE
OSCAR JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE
RAUL ROTHBLATT, STATE SENATOR HAMILTON’S REPRESENTATIVE
DAN WILEY, CONGRESSWOMAN VELÁZQUEZ’ REPRESENTATIVE
DAN ABRAMSON, MAYOR DE BLASIO’S REPRESENTATIVE
LATOYA BENJAMIN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY THOMPSON’S REPRESENTIVE
Complete list of meeting attendees on file at District Office. 1
Chairperson Gary Reilly called the meeting to order at 6:55pm.
!!! ADOPTION OF MINUTES !!!
Board Member Roger Rigolli made a motion to accept the minutes of the December’s general meeting, seconded by Board Member Jerry Armer.
VOTE: 28 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:03 P.M.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT……………………………………………………….................GARY REILLY
Chairperson Reilly opened the meeting by thanking those who attended the annual Holiday Party and remarked that the event was well-received and organized. He thanked the District Office staff and Board Members Glenn Kelly and Sayar Lonial for their roles in supporting the event.
Chairperson Reilly next remarked that he recently spoke with Board Member Tom Miskel, who was recovering from a recent heart ailment. The Chair reported that Mr. Miskel sounded well, and noted that the board is always stronger when Tom is around.
Chairperson Reilly next thanked Board Members Jerry Armer, John Heyer, Glenn Kelly, Sayar Lonial, Rick Luftglass, Eric McClure and Mark Shames for participating in an ad hoc group that is considering protocols for street co-naming requests. The Chair called on any other interested members to considering attending the next Executive Committee meeting where draft protocols will be reviewed.
The Chair announced that the City is holding a meeting at 6:30pm on January 21st at the Miccio Center, 110 West 9th Street, to discuss the Red Hook Integrated Floor Protection System study commissioned last year. The meeting is the first in a series of public meetings intended to solicit and report on measures than can be taken to make Red Hook more resilient with regard to future flood events.
The Chairperson concluded his remarks by announcing that the District Office received notice from the Department of Homeless Services that they were registering a contract with Children’s Community Services to continue to provide temporary and emergency housing and related social services for families with children at the Super 8 Motel at 267 3rd Avenue in Gowanus. The Chair stated that the notification provided to the District Office outlined the parameters of the agreement and showed that the facility has been used for these purposes since September 2015. Mr. Reilly stated that the office has received no complaints about the Super 8 or the agreement from the community.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by wishing the board a Happy New Year. He then commented on the on-going process of the Red Hook Community Microgrid project, which is wrapping up the Phase 1 feasibility study while preparing for the Phase 2 audit report. Mr. Hammerman remarked that one piece of closing out Phase 1 is a public meeting, which is tentatively scheduled to happen in February.
Mr. Hammerman noted that January marks the 1st anniversary of idNYC, and remarked that Councilmember Menchaca was one of the City Council’s spearheading forces for the municipal identification card. The District Manager noted that while idNYC serves as an acceptable form of photo ID at many locations, it also provides
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museum discounts, library access, and a number of other memberships. Mr. Hammerman stated that a pop-up enrollment center is currently in place from January 6th through January 29th at the Red Hook Community Justice Center. Anyone wishing to get an idNYC must schedule an appointment and bring a number of relevant documents. Mr. Hammerman directed attendees to 311 as a means to schedule an appointment to receive an idNYC.
Mr. Hammerman closed his remarks by announcing that the District Office has recently established relationships with two organizations. The first is a CUNY program which is training students in surveying constituencies for information; the District Office plans to utilize CUNY as a means of surverying civic engagement within the district. The second organization, Advanced Recycling Solutions, is in the process of taking on the beverage redemption operation previously run by Phoenix Beverage, which is no longer in conducting this business. The District Office is working with Advanced Recycling Solutions as they attempt to gain different certifications from the State, and introducing them to the South Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation in the hopes of better serving the local community in a number of ways moving forward.
!!! COMMITTEE REPORTS !!!
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE
………………...……MARK SHAMES, ENV. PROTECTION CHAIR
…..…………....MIKE RACIOPPO, PERMITS & LICENSES CHAIR
Environmental Protection Chair Mark Shames, filling in for Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo, reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 229 Flatbush Avenue.
Motion: by Board Member Jerry Armer, seconded by Board Member Peter Fleming; Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Shorty's Flatbush LLC at 229 Flatbush Avenue (between Dean/Bergen Streets).
VOTE: 28 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:07P.M.
Environmental Protection Chair Mark Shames also reported that the committee reviewed a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe application at 669 Union Street.
Motion: by Board Member Glenn Kelly; seconded by Board Member Pauline Blake Recommendation to conditionally approve a new unenclosed sidewalk café permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Prawn Shop at 669 Union Street (between 5th/6th Avenues) to permit 4 tables and 24 seats.
VOTE: 28 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:09P.M.
ECONOMIC/WATERFONT/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE
……………………………….RICK LUFTGLASS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHAIR
….......RICHARD BASHNER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/WATERFRONT CHAIR
……………………………………………………….ARIEL KRASNOW, HOUSING CHAIR
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Housing Committee Chair Ariel Krasnow reported that the committee reviewed a presentation by the Carroll Gardens Association regarding a proposal to amend a previously approved project at 163 Columbia Street.
Motion: by Board Member Jerry Armer; seconded by Board Member Mark Shames
Recommendation to support the Amended Land Use Disposition Agreement and Urban Development Action Area Program (UDAAP) for 163 Columbia Street; CEQR #15HPD085K; i.e. to support the sale by CGA of 163 Columbia Street for the purpose of market rate residential in return for the permanent preservation of 28 affordable housing units at South Brooklyn Renewal HDFC, additional CGA preservation and development efforts, as well as the preservation of two local gardens.
VOTE: 24 YEAS, 0 NAY, 7 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:26P.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 special permit application for a physical culture establishment at 248 Flatbush Avenue.
Motion: Recommendation to conditionally approve an application (BSA Cal. No. 134-15-BZ) submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals on behalf of Cinderella 248, LLC for a special permit pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-36 to permit the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment in the existing building at 248 Flatbush Avenue (Block 936, Lot 12), between St. Marks Place and Prospect Place, which is located in an R7A/C2-4 zoning district.
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAY, 2 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:40P.M.
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
…………THOMAS L. MISKEL, CO-CHAIR, TRANSPORTATION
………………ERIC MCCLURE, CO-CHAIR, TRANSPORTATION
……...………MATTHEW SILVERMAN, CHAIR, PUBLIC SAFETY
Transportation Co-Chair Eric McClure and Public Safety Chair Matthew Silverman reported that the committee reviewed a presentation from State Senator Daniel Squadron’s office regarding New York State Senate bill
S.5988.
Motion: Motion to support New York State Senate bill S.5988 known as Kalief's Law, an act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to time limits for a speedy trial.
VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:51P.M.
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LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE………………..ROBERT LEVINE, CHAIR, LANDMARKS
……………..PETER FLEMING, CHAIR, LAND USE
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee considered a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 165 Degraw Street.
Motion: Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for replacement of existing rear yard addition with full building length rear extension, and restoration of front facade including replacement windows, front entranceway, stoop, and ironwork at 165 Degraw Street (between Hicks Street/Cheever Place), Cobble Hill Historic District
VOTE: 31 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:57P.M.
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee considered a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 202 Warren Street.
Motion: Recommendation to disapprove a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the rooftop installation of an elevated canopy solar energy system at 202 Warren Street (between Clinton/Henry Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District.
Conversation ensued, most heavily relevant to Landmarks Preservation when considering energy alternatives. A significant number of board members expressed their concern with setting a precedent that de-incentivizes homeowners in Historic Districts from upgrading their energy supply to more modern and environmentally friendly standards. The overwhelming majority of board members disagreed with the committee’s recommendation to disapprove.
Chairperson Gary Reilly called for a Roll Call vote after twenty-five minutes of discussion.
VOTE: 9 YEAS, 21 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION FAILED
TIME: 8:26P.M.
Chairperson Reilly entertained a new motion from the floor.
Motion: by Board Member Richard Bashner, seconded by Board Member Sayar Lonial Recommendation to conditionally approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the rooftop installation of an elevated canopy solar energy system at 202 Warren Street (between Clinton/Henry Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District.
VOTE: 28 YEAS, 2 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:31P.M.
Chairperson Reilly recognized elected officials representatives: 5
Jeff Lowell, representing Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, announced the Healthy Brooklyn, an event co-sponsored by the Borough President. Attendees can sign up for health insurance and get basic health screenings. The event is to be held at Borough Hall on January 19th. Mr. Lowell closed by announcing that over four hundred Brooklyn schools took part in the Hour of Code, and again thanked Board Member Rob Underwood for his participation in that initiative.
Juan Ardela, representing Councilmember Brad Lander, wished the board a Happy New Year and introduced himself as the new scheduler in the Councilmember’s office.
Zeeshan Ott, representing State Senator Squadron, also wished the board a Happy New Year and thanked the board for supporting Senate Bill S.5988 earlier in the evening.
Latoya Benjamin, representing the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, announced the continuation of the DA’s Begin Again program, stating that another event would be coming to the CB6 area in the next few months.
Dan Wiley, representing Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, reminded attendees that the Sandy Disaster Recovery Loan Program has been re-opened and directed any interested individuals to the Congresswoman’s website for more details.
Daniel Abramson, representing Mayor Bill de Blasio, announced that the Mayor’s office has installed Free Wi- Fi kiosks throughout the city in a multi-year initiative. Mr. Abramson also encouraged board members to participate in the city’s Hope Count, an effort to direct homeless individuals to shelters in the winter months.
!!! COMMUNITY SESSION !!!
Padmini Naramonchi, a resident of Gowanus, stated her desire to see more Gowanus representation on the Community Board as she believes Gowanus is underrepresented. She also stated that she felt renters were underrepresented on the board.
Scott Lebowski, also a resident of Gowanus, mentioned concerns with a number of traffic and construction issues within the neighborhood.
!!! NEW/OTHER BUSINESS !!!
Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Jerry Armer; To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:52P.M.
Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Ty Beatty on January 29, 2016.
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