Full Board Meeting 12/10/25
10 December 2025/ 6:30 PM / Van Alen + Zoom
ATTENDEES
In Person K.Addison J.Armer K. Bishop J.Block D.Briggs B.Hawkins, A.Hippie D. Kummer A.Melone S.Middleton A.Mukamal K.Rivera R.Sharma D.Cruz-Shen M.Spishak-Thomas M.Torrence B.West Via Zoom P.Blake L. Branch K.Broughton J.Brown P.Fleming R.Levine H.Link N.Molinari J.Pacheco J.Painter D.Ross E.Sawyer
I. Adoption of Minutes Minutes from the November 12, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.
II. Chairperson’s Report Chairperson Eric McClure was ill and not present at the meeting. 1st Vice Chair David Briggs led the meeting in his absence.
III. District Manager’s Report District Manager Mike Racioppo announced the following upcoming meetings: Business Affairs & Licensing – Monday, January 5th, 6:30 pm @ 250 Baltic Street Land Use, Landmarks & Housing – Thursday, January 8th, 6:30 pm @ 250 Baltic Street Full Board – Wednesday January 14th, 6:30 pm @ Van Alen Institute Human Services, Sustainability & Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) – Tuesday, January 20th, 6:30 pm @ 250 Baltic Street Transportation, Parks & Public Infrastructure – Wednesday, January 21st, 6:30 pm @ 250 Baltic Street Mike distributed copies of the 2026 Alternate Side Parking calendar. Mike announced that the FY27 District Needs Statement is complete and posted online at bit.ly/fy27dnscb6
Mike compiled and shared 2025 mayoral election results for Community District 6, which are available online at https://brooklyncb6.cityofnewyork.us/. Mike noted that Zohran Mamdani won 74 of the district’s 75 Electoral Districts and that district turnout was 53% (compared with 39% citywide). Mike noted that community board applications are open now through February 6, 2026. Mike noted strong attendance at the most recent Transportation, Parks & Public Infrastructure meeting and explained that he is following up on that meeting with a Court Street walkthrough on December 11th. He encouraged people to contact him at mike@bkcb6.org. IV. Committee Reports A. Landmarks, Land Use & Housing 362 Clinton Street David Briggs presented an application for Certificate of Appropriateness for a rear yard extension at 362 Clinton Street in the Cobble Hill Historic District, with no changes to the front façade. The Landmarks, Land Use & Housing Committee unanimously supported the measure, but did not have quorum. A board motion to approve as presented passed unanimously. B. Transportation, Parks & Public Infrastructure Resolution Supporting Intro 1380 Tony Melone presented the following resolution: CB6 supports Intro 1380, the Ride Safe, Ride Right bill sponsored by Council Members Crystal Hudson, Alexa Avilés, and others. This bill prohibits the sale or rental of e-bikes with a top speed of over 20 mph. We also encourage the Mayor's office to return to a speed limit of 20 mph for e-bikes in NYC, to establish one clear standard for the legal purchase and operation of micromobility vehicles in NYC. We reiterate our support for Sammy’s Law. The Transportation, Parks & Public Infrastructure Committee approved the resolution (with quorum), with quorum. Tony explained that the bill would prohibit the sale/rental of e-bikes capable of speeds over 20 MPH and that the purpose of the bill is to align rules for the sale and operation of these vehicles, consistent with Sammy’s Law, which allows New York City to lower its speed limit to 20 MPH on individual streets. Tony explained that the bill only applies to Class I and II throttle/pedal e-bikes and that it penalizes vendors, not riders. Leroy Branch abstained for cause; all others approved the measure.
V. New / Other Business Updates from Elected Officials and their representatives: Council member Hanif: CM Hanif noted that the City Council overrode four recent mayoral vetoes and indicated that she was excited to welcome the incoming mayor. She noted that her bill (the NYC Trust Act) received a hearing this week. The bill would create a private right of action when agencies collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). CM Hanif’s liaison Jacqueline Nieschmidt continued the update, noting that the BMT comment period has been extended through March 2026 and that the Atlantic Yards community engagement effort is also underway, with a public survey remaining open until January 16th. She noted the successful settlement of a wage theft case at Indian Spice in Park Slope, and encouraged constituents to raise other wage theft cases. Finally, CM Hanif will be organizing a walkthrough of the Court Street bike lane in the week of December 15th (date TBD) and interested parties should contact the office to participate. Assembly member Simon: Construction is complete on her office and there will be an open house on Friday December 19th from 4pm to 6pm. Assemblymember Simon reiterated that the Atlantic Yards project is back on with a new developer. The new team has made some proposed changes with a Modified General Project Plan (MGPP), with MOU coming by July. A virtual community session is planned for January (date TBD) and the Assemblymember is calling for another in-person meeting. Engagement will be closed out in February. The Assemblymember also announced a remote panel on holding public-private partnerships accountable (such as Atlantic Yards, Empire State Development waived penalties due from the previous developer). Finally, the BQE effort has been delayed after the feds didn’t sign off on the NYCDOT approach, and it is off the table until next year. Nathaniel Goodyear (Office of Senator Gournades): Nathaniel announced a senior holiday card drive through Friday December 12th and a tree lighting in Red Hook on Sunday, December 14th. He noted that the legislative session is starting in the new year, and explained that Senator Gourande's plans push to pass New York for All, which would prevent law enforcement from colluding with ICE. Senator Gournades is also working on legislation to protect kids online and legislation that would require the most reckless drivers to install a speed limiter into their cars. Sean Gurl (Office of Assembly member Carroll): Sean noted that Governor Hochul will be signing the Assemblymember’s bill to create a dyslexia and dysgraphia center for the State of New York. He announced a toy drive at the Assemblymember’s office on 7th Avenue during business hours through December 18th. Matt Baer (Office of Senator Myrie): Matt noted that Senator Myrie has been named co-chair of Legislators for Safe Communities. The Senator is also advancing bills including the RIPOFF Act to update white collar crime statutes. Finally, he noted that Gothamist reported on inconsistencies in foreclosure calculations; in response, Senator Myrie and Assemblymember Anderson have introduced a bill to standardize them. Christina Bottega (Office of Council member Avilés): Unable to present due to technical issues; emailed her office’s update to Mike:
VI. Community Session Alex Gregor: Concerns about Court Street bike lane design: operational failures, noncompliance with safety standards; trucks blocking lanes; argued that design—not enforcement—is the issue. Requested confirmation about FDNY/EMS consultation. Doug Cross (Co-Owner of Bayou Bar): Concerned about unloading into traffic; business impacts; reported November sales down. Liya Wreckman: Stated Court Street is family-oriented; bike lanes help families travel and cross more safely; noted short-term adjustment period; argued parking should be priced fairly to support businesses by encouraging turnover. Jackie Lucas: Lives near Court Street; supports the bike lane; feels safer using it with her family. Randy Gordon (Columbia Street Waterfront Association): Raised concerns about a 10-year-old struck at Columbia & President (no stoplight). CB6 Transportation Committee preparing a letter to DOT. Announced tree lighting at Human Compass Garden, December 16th at 5:30 pm. Barrin Bonet: Injured in a bike lane; concerned about truck turning limitations, parking difficulties, and school buses blocking lanes. Rich Miller: Finds Court Street slower, quieter, and safer under new design; more inclined to shop there. Matt Townsend: Noted improved safety even before painting; argued that delivery and funeral disruptions are insufficient reason to undo the design. Frank Cuomo: Criticized design; suggested compromise; hopes lawsuit settles issue; requested enforcement on illegal e-bikes; shared rumor about new bike lanes coming for Clinton/Henry Streets. Trevor Dolan: Safer crossings; noted Court Street functionally behaved as a one-lane street due to chronic double parking; unsafe conditions under old design; bollards prevent illegal parking. Jonathan Romano: Called for more civil dialogue; acknowledged concerns from businesses and less-mobile neighbors; thanked Mike and CM Hanif for engagement. Dustin Goldman: Supported bike lane; emphasized prioritizing people over cars. Michael Freedman: Shared crash statistics on Court Street and encouraged people to visit crashmapper.org for more information; expressed trust that DOT responded appropriately. Patrick Schnell: As an experienced cyclist, previously felt unsafe on Court Street due to speeding and double parking; noted trucks above certain lengths (cited as an issue by other speakers) are already illegal on many streets. Julia Lichtblau: Participated in family ride; as an older cyclist appreciates the lane; presented testimonials from children.