BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
FULL BOARD MEETING
October 14, 2026
I. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. upon confirmation of quorum. Minutes from the September 9, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.
II. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT
Chairperson Eric McClure thanked the Van Alen Institute for hosting our meetings. He welcomed newly appointed member Amanda Sue Nichols of the Cobble Hill Association and thanked former board member Nick Molinari for his service, and congratulated members Marc Torrence and Scott Middleton on becoming parents. Eric noted that there are no new updates on the Bergen & Dean Bike Boulevard project but that NYCDOT is still taking feedback at nycdotprojects.info/project/dean-bergen-bike-boulevard-project.
III. DISTRICT MANAGER'S REPORT
District Manager Mike Racioppo announced that the Community Board 6 app is now available on Google Play and in the App Store, and has been downloaded over 800 times. He noted that Community Board 6 is the first community board in the city with its own app. Mike explained that the CB6 District Needs Survey is accessible through the app and will remain open year-round. Mike announced that he would soon share a job posting for the vacant Land Use Director position with CB6.
IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. BUSINESS AFFAIRS & LICENSES
Mandi Spishak-Thomas presented seven liquor license applications, including:
508 Degraw Street (SakeBrooklyn): Recommendation to approve an application to the NYS Liquor Authority for a liquor license.
744 Clinton Street (Dink Court Pickleball): Recommendation to approve an application to the NYS Liquor Authority for a liquor license.
446A Dean Street (Nacho Macho Cantina): Recommendation to approve an application to the NYS Liquor Authority for a liquor license.
420 Carroll Street (Focal Point Beer): Recommendation to approve an application to the NYS Liquor Authority for a liquor license.
348 Douglass Street (Flamingo Baby Brunch & Bar): Recommendation to approve an application to the NYS Liquor Authority for a liquor license.
381 7th Avenue (ZoZo's): Recommendation to approve an application to the NYS Liquor Authority for a liquor license.
256 5th Avenue (Sesilya Restaurant): Recommendation to approve an application to the NYS Liquor Authority for a liquor license.
The motion to approve all seven liquor license approvals passed unanimously.
B. TRANSPORTATION, PARKS & PUBLIC SAFETY
Tony Melone announced that the next Transportation, Parks and Public Infrastructure Committee Meeting would take place on October 21st at 6:30 p.m. at Principles GI Coffee House.
Tony also provided a summary of a recent presentation from NYCDOT on their Public E-Bike Charging (PEC) program, with plans to install 25 battery swapping stations throughout the city using $3 million in state grant funds. He noted that lithium-ion batteries have resulted in 30 deaths, 400 injuries, and 900 fires since 2022. NYCDOT is proposing two cabinet sites within Community District 6: 1) the northwest corner of Dean Street and 5th Avenue and 2) the northeast corner of Court Street and 1st Place.
Mandi inquired about the exact location of the Dean Street station and Jules Block noted that there is a vacant lot nearby. Eric explained that the proposed location is on the sidewalk in the area that NYCDOT refers to as the "amenities strip," where it would not obstruct the flow of pedestrians. A discussion followed about whether the cabinets would become areas where delivery workers might congregate. Joe Ann Brown asked whether additional locations would be considered in the district, but NYCDOT is only proposing these two cabinets at this time. Mike noted that if additional cabinets are desired, that would be good feedback for our forthcoming District Needs Statement.
Tony presented the committee's resolution: Community Board 6 supports the "Public E-Bike Charging" program as presented and especially looks forward to the 2 locations within Community Board 6 and would like more locations. The motion passed unanimously.
V. UPDATES FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES
Dan Abramson (Office of Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso) announced that the 2026 Brooklyn Book List was released on September 25, 2026, by the Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Borough Historian Asad Dandia to coincide with the Brooklyn Book Festival. He also announced two events: 1) a training on challenging ICE through habeas for attorneys on October 15th at Borough Hall and 2) a housing law event for tenants on October 15th at Borough Hall.
Nathaniel Goodyear (Office of Senator Andrew Gounardes) announced two events: 1) a Red Hook Recreation Center town hall with NYC Parks on October 19th and 2) a "Kids Town Hall" with Senator Gounardes on October 17th at MS51.
Sean Gurl (Office of Assemblymember Robert Carroll) announced the Fall Garden Festival at 1203 Albemarle Road on October 25th, with compost bags and daffodil bulb giveaways and free mammogram screenings at the district office on November 4th.
Irmani-Maureen Beauvais (Office of Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon) announced the Assemblymember's office would be offering free mammograms on November 13th and that Assemblymember Simon is part of the State Assembly's working group on sexual assault laws in response to the Cornell University allegations. She also announced that the new proposal for the Atlantic Yards project would be taking comments by email at AtlanticYardsEIS@esd.ny.gov through October 26th.
Melanie Kruvelis (Office of Councilmember Avilés) announced the formation of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Community Fund (BCTCF), a participatory neighborhood fund that collects a $1-per-passenger contribution from cruise lines docking at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to finance local projects and improvements in Red Hook administered by NYCEDC. The BCTCF is currently looking for board members. Board members must be Red Hook residents 18 years and older.
Channa Camins (Office of Councilmember Shahana Hanif) provided an update on the Carroll Gardens Library, which is expected to reopen by the end of November. She also announced that the IDNYC van would visit the district office on October 29th. She announced the Annual Brooklyn PTA Fun Run in Prospect Park on October 24th. Finally, she explained that the office has been receiving complaints about the emergency shelter at 130 3rd Street operated by BHRAGS Home Care Corp. BHRAGS attended the 76th Precinct Community Council Meeting on October 13th and demonstrated that they are working to be responsible and collaborate with the precinct. The precinct quality of life team is monitoring the area around the shelter and the shelter itself has DHS police on site at all times. Channa suggested that neighbors who see drug use or other illegal activity in the vicinity of the shelter should call 911.
Krista Reilly (Office of Senator Zellnor Myrie) noted that the Senator is hosting a Harvest Fest on November 19th featuring free turkeys and produce for the community.
VI. COMMUNITY SESSION
Julie Holstein: Lives in Cobble Hill. Has launched a local newsletter called Ward Six (brooklynward6.com). Goal is to inform the community about proposed BMT plan. Grassroots effort to get more community members involved. Not advocating for one plan or another.
Eric Burd: Resident at the corner of Sackett Street and Court Street. Explained that Light Switch at 333 Court Street has been throwing large loud parties and asked for guidance on responding. Board members responded suggesting that Eric join a Precinct Community Council meeting, file a noise complaint to DEP, and contact local elected officials and the state liquor authority.
Motion to adjourn at 7:32 p.m.