Full Board Meeting 11/13/24
13 November 2024/ 6:30 PM / Van Alen Institute + Zoom
ATTENDEES
In Person Jerry Armer, Eric McClure, David Briggs, Anna Hippee, Dillon Cruz, Scott Middleton, Laura Osorio, Tony Melone, Katie Muehlenkamp, Catherine Vaughan, Jules Block, Brandon West, Nick Molinari, Reema Sharma, Erica Cohen Get from Jerry On Zoom Hildegaard Link, Daniel Kummer, Bob Levine, Peter Fleming, Jo Ann Brown, Karen Broughton, Angelica Ramdhari, Pauline Blake get from Jerry
AGENDA
1. Adoption of Minutes 1. Motion by __, seconded by __? II. Chair Report 1. Thanks to Jerry and Angelica for covering for him in past meetings 2. Thanks to Laura, Dillon and Scott and Rebecca for Statement of District Needs 3. Hochul to proceed with congestion pricing at $9, will still help fund $1b in MTA capital funding 4. Hanif has asked us to ratify co-naming of street for Samiya Spain Place (4th and Warren?) who was accosted by a stranger and stabbed to death on 4th Ave 1. Mandy motions, Jerry seconds, passes unanimously 5. Expectation we will proceed in kindness through our new federal reality. Proud of our work, have taken the high road with open arms, the work at this most local form of government more important than ever, thanks to everyone for their hard work, volunteer labor 6. Motion to pass minutes as presented, unanimous minus David Briggs who abstained 7. Congressman Goldman joins over Zoom: first full day back in Washington after election-–noted the future will be chaotic 1. Important work for the district: Brooklyn Marine Terminal, public tour November 14th and 15th; $164m federal grant he is pretty sure we will keep, encourages participation 2. BQE South, getting sure we are getting sufficient attention and funding, federal study grant of $5mm for that portion of the BQE 3. Pushing forward Gowanus remediation 8. CM Hanif in person. Thanks us for ratifying Samiya street naming, important to the Wyckoff Houses community for her name to be a legacy 1. Collective mood has been a little down, not just the election but the Prospect Park fire that destroyed 2 acres of land in the ravine. The climate crisis is here in our backyard. PPA is on a mission to recover that part of the park, they’ve started raising funds, they estimate it will be a $200k multiyear process–call to volunteer; blames the city’s slashing of Parks budget for the increased brush fires. We need to invest in comprehensive services 2. Prop 1 passed, enshrining ERA in NYS constitution, despite millions of dollars going towards defeating it. Props 2-6 were a blatant power grab by the mayors’ office from City Council, she’s troubled these passed 3. Thanks CB6 for letter of support for public bathroom access to GOTF, she looks forward to advocating for that along with other bathroom bills happening before the Council 4. FARE act passed today! It’ll go into effect in 30 days, within 60 days there will be outreach to tenants, landlords and brokers. Proud of Gen Z CM Osse, materially changing legislation. Top priority for the Progressive Caucus 5. Q: Mandi question about the Carroll Gardens library branch? She noted we only get Red Hook updates, the nearest library is Pacific or BK Heights, and she never sees anyone in to construct. Timeline? 1. Hanif: working to get a more concrete timeline, doesn’t have one yet but has reached out. Also noted there are intermediary options they’ve done in Windsor Terrace. Hanif agrees that capital timelines are not forthcoming from agency partners and that this is a problem here and also for concrete facility in CSW and Carroll St Bridge 2. Jerry noted the terrible coordination and timing of BPL shutting down Red Hook and Carroll Gardens for renovations simultaneously 6. Q: Public member question about whether FARE will face the same fate as the gutted broker fee provision of the Tenant Protection Act? 1. Hanif said she expects suit from RE lobby, but she is more concerned about implementation based on current staffing 2. Also noted this is veto-proof majority 7. Q: Tony asked about COY vote 1. Plan is to vote right before Thanksgiving. Biggest takeaway was to emphasize affordability, at present it doesn't go deep enough to ensure affordability. Unsure of where negotiations are right now.
2. But Hanif is champion of this building of smaller buildings, this will be transformative, DCP has really done an incredible job putting this proposal together. ADUs are controversial, as is removing the parking mandate. The Speaker’s approach might have delineations of where that can exist vs not. Still TBD but in progress, and that will be shared. She thinks each of the proposals are strong III. DM Report * Drought watch, flooding meeting in Red Hook, GOTF meeting on BID formation and open space * Van Alen presentation on flood-related mural by artist Tiffany Baker * BMT: Housing advisory committee Arif from 63 Tiffany, public meeting notice, notice of BMT materials on the website * DSNY Community Affairs Liaison: buildings with 1-9 units MUST containerize their trash. You DO NOT need the DSNY NYC bin until June 2026, you just need a bin with a lid until then * Q: David Briggs noted he pre-ordered a bin to arrive by last week but fines begin being levied in January. What are the options? * A: It WILL be delivered, per the contract with OTTO (Auto? sp?); also reiterated DSNY bins aren’t needed until June 2026 but by January you need containers * Q: Pauline: bins have been delivered, very small labeling that is hard for older people to see. * A: up to the landlords, decals are available from Mike, Hanif, and DSNY * Q: Jules asked if compost is mandatory with fines? Notesd the bins don’t work for commercial/mixed-use avenues. Are there exemptions? * A: winter and spring layout. “You can totally call DOT and ask for them to take away a parking spot” to place bins * Scott noting DSNY has been getting a lot of abuse at meetings and wanted to note containerization is good work * Q: Bob–any issues with the bins being too heavy? * A: bins haven’t thus far been an issue, but the trucks are not yet retrofitted for the DSNY bin bars; also note that this doesn’t count for recycling * “You are supposed to buy as many bins as your household needs” (off the record: fit in as much as you can and you won’t get a ticket until January)
* LAND USE COORDINATOR REPORT:
* DCP Industrial Plan Survey until the EOY, CB6 Sammy’s Law Survey until 11/15, CB6 Daylighting Survey 11/15-12/15/24 IV. Committee Meetings 1. Land Use, Landmarks + Housing 1. Conditional approval on COA of 139 Kane St, rear two-story extension and rooftop extension. Conditional on providing mockup and making roof extension windows more appropriate 2. Laura makes motion to approve as presented, seconded by Peter 1. Discussion: Daniel Kummer doesn’t think the window reduction has gone far enough to be properly contextual. David countered that the precedent at Henry St was cited for reference but not prescriptive, Jerry noted we are not a design board and felt the conditions from committee were met 2. Daniel opposed, Pauline abstaining, all else voted for. Motion to approve passes (get vote count from Jerry)
2. Budget Committee: District Needs Statement 1. Presentation for board ratification, signaling submission to DCP 2. Four key themes: Housing, Climate Resilience, Transportation Planning, Access to Social Services 3. Discussion: Nick Molinari noted the value of some specific asks to agencies, Anna mentioned maybe asking about multifamily housing preservation, Jerry and Peter noted how much better laid out this document is than previous hyperspecific iterations 4. Reema motion to approve as presented, Jerry seconded. Motion passes unanimously
V. NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
Elected Offices Carlos Calzadillafrom Gounardes: * Protections of civil liberties as local/state level, work to protect undocumented and immigrant neighbors * CHIPS taking winter clothing donations * Redlight camera expansion act passed * $200k to Carroll Gardens library elevator * Introduced Healthy Birth Grant Bill ($1800 one time grant for families on Medicaid) Talia from AM Simon: * Java w/ Joann on 12/9 * Leaf bags avail at office * Passed hospital closure bill (community input and timeline before loss of health facilities) * Got potential update on CG library: construction to be complete by Q2 of 2026 Christina from CM Aviles * Monday Puerto Rican Heritage event at 5:30pm City Hall * Town Hall event re: BMT (webinar 11.20 or in person 12.3) both 6:30 * Passport acceptance event in Red Hook Dan Abramson from BP Reynoso * 11.18 Leticia James faith leader property event in Crown Heights * 11.14 youth financial empowerment at BK Heights library VI. Community Session Xinning Zhang: BK Chamber of Commerce program for free help to small businesses, including legal assistance, marketing, in Chinese, Spanish and English * Building free websites with software engineers and designers Park Slope Civil Council * Sustainability grant proposal (up to $1500/grant) Joyce from Red Hook Library * Branch is closed but through Amazon grant, able to open interim branch at 362 Van Brunt. “Small but mighty”, able to keep all programming. Hoping it might become a permanent annex, but not sure if that’s real. Construction slated to complete end of 2025 * Resume help, art programs for children, storytime, crafts for kids * BPL: “Teen Takeovers” internship programs after hours * Books by Mail for homebound people to have books sent through the mail * Bring Your Babies–not at Red Hook, but sing songs, language development, parent and caregivers can learn best practices on child rearing and literacy
8:29PM: Motion to Adjourn: Briggs, seconded by Jerry