Full Board Meeting 6/10/26
June 10, 2026/ 6:30 PM / Van Alen + Zoom
ATTENDEES
In Person K.Addison J.Armer M.Bernstein K.Bishop J.Block D.Bravo K.Broughton A.Casey E.Cohen L.Han B.Hawkins E.McClure A.Melone S.Middleton G.Neely J.Pacheco L.Rechtman G.Reidy K.Rivera D.Cruz-Shen M.Spishak-Thomas
Via Zoom P.Blake J.Brown P.Fleming J.Painter D.Ross R.Sharma M.Torrence B.West
I. Adoption of Minutes The meeting was called to order at 6:51 p.m. upon confirmation of quorum. Minutes from the May 13, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.
II. Chairperson’s Report Chairperson Eric McClure 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 welcomed newly appointed board members to their first meeting as members and noted that Community Board service is an important way to get involved in the community. He announced that the Carroll Street Bridge will reopen on June 15th, with use limited to pedestrians, bikes, and emergency vehicles, in keeping with the motion previously passed by the Board. He noted that the bridge is one of only four retractile drawbridges in the United States and that limiting vehicle use will help sustain the bridge’s condition in the future.
III. District Manager’s Report District Manager Mike Racioppo encouraged community members to vote in the primary election on June 23rd (with early voting starting on June 13th) and noted that it is possible to preview ballots using the CB6 app (available at bkcb6.app). Mike offered “I Voted in CB6” stickers to anyone who votes in the district. He invited Board Member Tony Melone to explain the Democratic County Committee. Tony noted that the committee is the lowest rung of Democratic Party governance in Brooklyn, with approximately 5,000 members (although many seats are typically left vacant). County Committee positions will only appear on election ballots when they are contested. Tony noted that, for contested committee elections, it is possible to look up whether a candidate is affiliated with the organization Rep Your Block. Tony explained that Rep Your Block backs candidates that are interested in serving on the County Committee, while other candidates may not even be aware of their potential status as committee members.
Mike noted that the CB6 app offers information on the Gowanus rezoning and the Gowanus Oversight Task Force. He invited board member Aurelia Casey (of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy) to present on the Gowanus Canal Public Space Survey. She explained that the Gowanus Canal Conservancy’s nursery will be returning to its former location on the Salt Lot after CSO storage tank construction is completed on that site. NYC Parks is beginning the design process for the future use of the nursery’s current location at the Bond Street End and Gowanus Esplanade (9th Street Bridge) and soliciting feedback at bit.ly/gowanus-open-spaces through June 21st.
Mike invited Sophie Sweeney from the Department of Environmental Protection to present on the agency’s green roof grant program. Sophie explained that the grant program is suited to coop/condo boards with a minimum of 3500 square feet of roof space. The reimbursement-based program can fund the design and construction of green roof retrofits and more information is available at nyc.gov/dep/gigrantprogram.
IV. Committee Reports
A. Landmarks, Land Use & Housing 184 Lincoln Place Kathleen Addison presented a motion to disapprove an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a rooftop extension at 184 Lincoln Place, in the Park Slope Historic District. Kathleen explained that a few community members voiced concerns about the visibility of the extension from Berkeley Place during the committee meeting. Additionally, the committee considered the design to lack historic character due in part to the use of stucco material that doesn’t match the character of the area. The committee voted unanimously to disapprove the application, with quorum. The motion was approved by the board, Katie Bishop voting to oppose the motion and Tony Melone and Max Bernstein abstaining.
B. Business Affairs & Licenses
Motion to approve liquor license at 170 2nd Avenue.
Mandi Spishak-Thomas presented the motion above and noted that the committee approved this motion without quorum. She explained that the applicant lives in the building and that location is not near other housing. The proposed use is as a large-scale music venue with no outdoor space. The motion passed unanimously.
C. The Transportation, Parks & Public Infrastructure Motion to approve all changes presented by DOT on both sides of Hamilton Avenue, with the addition of HAWK signals at the midblock crossings. Tony Melone presented the motion above and explained that the intention of these changes were to resolve issues related to speeding, weaving, and lack of pedestrian crossings. Interventions proposed by DOT included street direction changes for Woodhull and Rapelye Streets, new crosswalks across Hamilton Avenue, lane reductions on Hamilton Avenue and Woodhull Street, and traffic delineators to prevent illegal right turns from Hamilton Avenue. This motion was approved in committee with quorum. Board member Josh Pacheco lives in the affected area and presented several community concerns with this proposal, particular the street direction changes. Josh argued that those changes would make it difficult for trucks to make legal turns and may prevent vehicle access to an affected gas station. Josh spoke in support of the midblock crosswalks. Board member Jerry Armer (the original maker of the motion in the committee) suggested a friendly amendment to the motion that the board ask DOT to reconsider the street direction changes and hear feedback from the community. The motion (modified to approve the changes presented by DOT with further study on the street direction changes with the participation of residents of the neighborhood) passed unanimously. V. Updates from Elected Officials and their Representative Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon reported on the end of the legislative session in Albany. She noted that she opposed major revisions to the landmark 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. She celebrated progress on universal childcare and explained that she is working on a bill that would update the state’s Foundation Aid formula to consider students who are homeless, in foster care, or are speakers of other languages. She received a question on changes to the mandate for school bus electrification and explained that that measure was included in a budget bill that she voted against. She also explained that changes to that mandate related to supply-side issues with electric bus manufacturing. She received another question on lawsuits over Individualized Education Programs in schools. She explained that parents can sue the Department of Education over inadequate IEPs after mediation with the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. She noted that Mayor de Blasio previously attempted to stop fighting these lawsuits in response to the high cost of these lawsuits and that Mayor Mamdani is currently attempting the same approach. Finally, she invited the community to join her Senior Fair on Friday June 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Talia Hoch announced that this would be her last CB6 meeting on the staff of Assemblymember Simon. Councilmember Shahana Hanif (on Zoom) announced the reopening of the Carroll Street Bridge and noted the years of advocacy behind the change to restrict vehicle use of the bridge. She noted that the vacant childcare center at Van Brunt Street will open soon with 63 seats, helping to alleviate the need for early childhood education options in the Columbia Street Waterfront District. She expressed support for the SCOOP Act bundle of legislation, which aims to reduce dog waste through sanitation. She introduced the Doo the Right Thing bill as part of this bundle to create an education campaign to help dog owners learn the rules and the hazards of dog waste. She also discussed her Ban the Scan Bill to prevent businesses from tracking people without their consent. She expressed support for budget priorities including increased funding for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, protection of LGBT New Yorkers, repairs to NYCHA properties, and the Rentals within Reach initiative. She endorsed the DSA's Tax the Rich campaign and other priorities of the council’s progressive caucus. Madeline Enlow (Office of Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso) announced that the Borough President will be holding ULUPR hearings every second Wednesday of the month. She explained that the Borough President is alarmed by the new work requirements for SNAP that came into effect this month and explained that the constituent affairs team can offer information on the program. She invited the community to an art supply swap at Borough Hall on June 13th from 12pm to 4pm. Melanie Kruvelis (Office of Councilmember Alexa Avilés) noted that the Councilmember is backing Resolution 26, which calls on NYC schools to recognize May as Labor History Month. She noted that the Councilmember was introducing a “Know Your Rights” bill to be voted on by the City Council this month. Sean Gurl (Office of Assemblymember Robert Carroll) announced that the state budget had passed and that the Assemblymember secured $4 million for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He invited the community to a compost event on Sunday, June 14th at 1203 Albemarle Road and noted that the MTA Bus would visit the Assemblymember’s office on July 21st. Nathaniel Goodyear (Office of Senator Andrew Gounardes) announced the end of the year’s legislative session and expressed the Senator’s support for the Super Speeders bill and the Stop Online Predators Act. Kashmir Flood (Office of Congressman Dan Goldman) announced that the Congressman is demanding accountability and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. She noted that the Congressman has visited the Metropolitan Detention Center and criticized poor living conditions and medical care for detainees, and that he has secured $1 million for new security cameras at Wyckoff Gardens.
VII. Community Session Angelica: Raised concerns about balancing public safety and economic development, particularly regarding plans involving Empire State Development. Cited a lack of community engagement around proposed changes near Bergen and Dean Streets between 4th and 5th Avenues, including impacts on the B63 and B65 bus routes and a proposed bike boulevard. Emphasized the need for transportation options that serve residents who cannot walk or bike. Eric responded that NYC DOT will begin a lengthy information-gathering process and that CB6 will help communicate updates to the community.
Felicia: Spoke about ongoing concerns related to the BQE, noting that her home shakes from traffic and expressing concern that local streets may not be able to absorb additional traffic resulting from future changes.
Lauren Mizor: Discussed concerns about the rerouting of the B63 bus and changes to bus lanes on Flatbush Avenue, which she believes have increased congestion near Fifth Avenue. Raised questions about traffic safety and vehicle speeds, preservation of door-to-door car access for residents, coordination between DOT and FDNY, and public notification of parking changes and related hearings. Eric responded that DOT consults with FDNY on projects and that any parking removals would be presented to CB6. Outreach methods may include website updates, newsletters, LinkNYC notices, flyers, and other community engagement efforts.
Justine Servone: Questioned why so many cyclists are riding on sidewalks.
Sharon McNamara: Expressed concern about emergency vehicle access, suggesting that New York explore European-style traffic signal systems that allow emergency responders to change lights remotely.
Angela: Spoke about safety concerns along the Court Street bike lane, referencing an incident in May in which an elderly woman was struck by an Amazon delivery cyclist near the CVS between First and Second Places, resulting in an arm injury. Noted that the 76th Precinct reportedly lacks sufficient staffing.
Peter Grant: Raised concerns about Bergen Street-related issues and criticized the CB6 website, noting that its search function does not return useful results.
Belinda Feldman and Amy Lou Ellen: Thanked Josh Pacheco for his work related to Woodhull Street. Amy expressed appreciation for flexibility shown during the voting process.
Edward: Requested data on the implementation and performance of the Court Street bike lane. Board members advised him to submit specific information requests to Mike, who would seek responses from DOT. Eric noted that updated data is expected in October and that DOT could be invited back for a future presentation.
Dustin Goldman: Promoted the continuing "Grown-Up Bike Bus" group ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Participants meet on Thursdays at Principles GI Cafe and depart at 8:20 a.m., riding together over the Brooklyn Bridge while following traffic laws.