Full Board Meeting 4/08/26
April 08, 2026/ 6:30 PM / Van Alen + Zoom
ATTENDEES
In Person K.Addison J.Armer K.Bishop J.Block D.Briggs K. Broughton A.Casey A.Hippie E.McClure T.Melone S.Middleton A.Mukamal L.Osorio R.Sharma D.Cruz-Shen M.Spishak-Thomas C.Vaughan B.West
Via Zoom P.Blake L. Branch J.Brown P.Fleming J.Painter K.Rivera D.Ross
I. Adoption of Minutes The meeting was called to order at 6:41 p.m. upon confirmation of quorum. Minutes from the March 11, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.
II. Chairperson’s Report Chairperson Eric McClure reiterated meeting ground rules, explaining that board discussions are limited to board members. He welcomed members of the public to join committee meetings.
He thanked the Van Alen Institute for hosting our meetings and noted that their ability to host hybrid meetings is a great asset to the board. He thanked District Manager Mike Racioppo and 1st Vice Chair David Briggs for covering the March 11 meeting in his absence. He congratulated Rebecca Kobert, who has been serving as our land use coordinator for two years, and will be starting in a full-time role at the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
III. District Manager’s Report District Manager Mike Racioppo announced the following upcoming meetings: Transportation, Parks & Public Infrastructure – Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 pm Human Services, Sustainability – Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 pm @ Principles GI Coffee House Land Use, Landmarks, Land Use & Housing – Thursday, March 26, 6:30 pm @ 250 Baltic Street Business Affairs & Licenses – Monday, April 27, 6:30 pm @ 250 Baltic Street Full Board – Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 pm @ Van Alen Institute
Mike presented Rebecca with a proclamation honoring her contributions to CB6.
Mike announced the new CB6 data dashboard and app (available at bkcb6.app) and highlighted certain app features, including civic quizzes and 311 complaint data.
Mike noted that EDC would be holding two additional info-sessions on responses to the Brooklyn Marine Terminal Port RFEI on April 13 or April 15.
After Mike’s remarks, Amanda Nichols from the Cobble Hill Association noted that her organization is taking applications for new volunteer board members, directors, and officers, with applications due April 10. Applicants must live within the Cobble Hill Historic District to serve as board members.
Aurelia Casey of Gowanus Canal Conservancy announced the Gowanus Community Festival at Thomas Greene Park on Saturday April 25 at 12:00 p.m. in partnership with Friends of Thomas Greene Park. IV. Committee Reports
A. Landmarks, Land Use & Housing 17 Montgomery Place David Briggs presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a two-story rear yard bay window addition. A motion to approve the application was approved by the committee. The committee had a quorum, so no floor motion was required. The motion was unanimously approved by the board
B. The Transportation, Parks & Public Infrastructure Resolution to Shift Traffic Enforcement Responsibilities to NYCDOT Tony Melone presented the following resolution: BKCB6 supports returning parking enforcement to the NYC Department of Transportation where it was before 1996, so that it can get the attention it needs and allow NYPD to focus on crime reduction. BKCB6 asks our elected officials to support this work through legislation that would make it a possibility. The motion was proposed by Jerry Armer and passed unanimously at the most recent committee meeting, with quorum. It has also been recommended as part of the board’s District Needs assessment. Laura Osorio asked whether NYCDOT has a position on this transfer of responsibility, and Jerry reiterated that a decision like this lies with elected officials and not with the agencies responsible for implementation. Tony explained that one advantage of this change would be that NYCDOT has additional tools to resolve parking issues not at NYPD’s disposal, such as installing granite blocks in no parking zones. Reema noted that Manhattan Community Board 6 has passed a similar resolution inspired by ours. The motion passed unanimously, with Pauline Blake abstaining and Leroy Branch abstaining for cause.
V.New/Other Business Special Presentation from MTA and NYCDOT on Flatbush Av Bus Priority Project (State Street to Grand Army Plaza)
Luke Sabados (DOT) and Deeka Michael (MTA) explained several upgrades coming to Flatbush Avenue this year as part of a center-running bus lane installation. Other project features will include curb regulation changes, painted pedestrian spaces, bike parking, shortened crossing distances, bus boarding islands, a slight reroute of the B63 bus, and changes along several of the immediate side streets off of Flatbush Avenue (including a direction reversal on Pacific Street). This project is a continuation of work completed last fall along Flatbush Avenue from Livingston Street to State Street.
In response to a question about speed reducers and dollar van use of the bus lane, Luke explained that speed reducers are not possible on this segment because it is a designated truck route. Regarding the rerouting of the B63 bus onto Bergen and Dean Streets, Tony asked whether DOT has plans to limit trucks on Bergen Street, which is currently mapped as a truck route. MTA confirmed that although Dean and Bergen are narrow streets, the bike lanes there help keep traffic moving and because they already serve one bus route, adding a second bus should have limited impacts. Eric suggested that the board request that the B63 be designated as an ACE (automated camera enforcement) route to help with double parking enforcement on these streets. Katie Bishop asked whether Flatbush Avenue would be resurfaced as part of this work, and Luke explained that it has recently been resurfaced, so only impacted areas would be redone.
VI. Updates from Elected Officials and their Representatives
Congressman Dan Goldman offered updates on neighborhood work, including the post office on 7th Avenue, which has been closed for several weeks. He explained that he has asked USPS for a timeline on the reopening of the branch. He noted that his office requested that EDC extend the comment period for the draft scope of work on the Brooklyn Marine Terminal project, which has now been extended to May 8. He explained that he has been in communication with DEC about the brownfield cleanup of Public Place in Gowanus, explaining that he has taken a tour and is concerned about the environmental impact and mitigation underway. He also expressed concern that the luxury housing has been built and the 100% affordable housing has not yet begun. He invited youth to participate in an art contest for high school students in the district. Katie Bishop asked Congressman Goldman about the repeal of 2001-2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force, and he responded that the President has not invoked AMUF in the current conflict in Iran. He explained that Congressional Democrats plan to introduce a war powers resolution soon. A community member asked Congressman Goldman about the shelter at 130 3rd Street. Eric explained that the board has not gotten any reports about criminal activity in the vicinity of the shelter, and that neither the board nor the Congressman have purview over that type of project. Sean Gurl (Office of Assemblymember Robert Carroll) announced a paper shredding event on April 30 and an e-cycling event on May 3. Channa Kemmons (Office of Councilmember Shahana Hanif) plugged voting in this year’s participatory budgeting cycle, which starts April 11. She noted that a new crosswalk had been installed at Hicks Street and Congress Street and that a T-Mobile antenna precariously installed has been mandated to be removed. She noted a $24M investment in the Gowanus salt lot coming to the district for snow operations and climate infrastructure. Stephanie Brown (Office Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon) announced Java with Jo Anne on April 30 and the Assemblymember’s annual Dyslexia Advocacy Day in Albany on May 13. Dan Abramson (Office of Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso) announced that application decisions for new and renewing community board members will go out this month and that applicants would be notified whether they are appointed or not. He also announced the State of the Borough address on April 16. Melanie Kruvelis (Office of Councilmember Alexa Avilés) highlighted a hearing on Resolution 21 calling on Albany to pass a SNAP fraud assistance fund. Francesca Lando (Office of Senator Andrew Gounardes) announced that DOE is accepting feedback on the use of AI in schools through May 8. She announced upcoming events including a New York Legal Assistance event on April 20 outside of the Wyckoff Community Center and a kids town hall on May 16 at MS51. Matthew Baer (Office of Senator Zellnor Myrie) hoped to offer an update on the state budget soon and plugged the Central Brooklyn Job Fair on May 5 at the Brooklyn Public Library main branch.
VII. Community Session Thomas Neff: Requested that the Transportation Committee raise injuries on 8th Avenue with DOT and noted that he has published city crash data at 8thavenuecrash.com. Requested that the board consider passing a resolution asking DOT to redesign 8th Avenue in the future.
Jonathan Romano: Encouraged the board to consider speed bumps instead of automated enforcement; expressed support for a tax on vacant buildings to support business owners.
Ruth Gil and Zoe Storic: Spoke on behalf of the Kings Against Violence Initiative (KAVI), which seeks to eliminate violence in Brooklyn. Priorities include the Mayor's Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety; working with Gowanus and Wyckoff Houses, including a tech and gaming program for youth in Gowanus.