MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING - New York...May 08, 2019 · • Data dissemination program: The...

Wednesday, May 8, 2019 – 6:00 PM New York City College of Technology

Atrium Amphitheater 259 Adams Street (between Johnson & Tillary Streets)

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING

Present, Excused and Absent: See attached attendance sheet. Dignitaries and Other Guests: See attached attendance sheet. Staff: Robert Perris Mr. Singletary thanked the staff and administration of the New York City College of Technology

for allowing the Community Board to meet here tonight and thanked everyone for attending. He

called the meeting to order at 6:21 PM.

1. Presentation

Preview of the 2020 Census Abdalla F. Hassan, Partnership Specialist New York Regional Census Center, United States Census Bureau

• Mr. Hassan stressed the importance of participating in the Census. The Census

happens every 10 years and is mandated by the Constitution. It began in 1790 after the

ratification of the Constitution. The 2020 Census will be the 23rd census.

• Their mission is to count everyone once, just once, and in the right place.

• The information provided is confidential and cannot be shared with any other federal

agency or law enforcement. All Census employees are sworn to confidentiality for life.

The penalty to violating that oath is high.

• Step 1: Knowing where to count.

• People can respond by phone or online and it is available in 13 languages. There is also

a paper form in Spanish and English. There will be 59 language guides in video and

print.

• 2019 dates: Open Wave 1 Field Offices (Jan-Feb), Open Wave 2 Field Offices (Jun-Jul)

• 2020: Census Day is April 1, 2020.

Brooklyn Community Board 2 General Meeting Minutes | May 2019

• 2020 Census Recruiting: It is a huge operation to count the country’s population. They

are hiring temporary staff for the duration of the census. Visit 2020census.gov/jobs.

Managerial jobs are detailed on USAjobs.gov.

• They rely on trusted voices in the community to get the word out about why it is essential

to participate, how it connects to funding for the community, and more. They support

community partners with promotional materials, sample messaging and more. Visit

census.gov/partners/2020-materials.

• ROAM: Response Outreach Area Mapper – maps response rates and helps map efforts

in communities with previously low response rates. The bluer the area, the lower the

response.

• Data dissemination program: The data the Bureau collects is public and free. The

statistical data is used by many different organizations. Everything is available on

census.gov for American FactFinder, Census Business Builder, My Congressional

District, and OnTheMap.

• Partnership Program: [email protected];

• Data Dissemination Program: [email protected]

• New York City received $73 billion in federal funding based on the last census.

• Questions

• Mr. Flounoy asked about jobs and whether one has to be in the same borough as

the position or if it is citywide. They want people to be hired in the communities in

which they live – they want to hire within the area code.

• Ms. Gallo asked if the presentation is online; it might be online at

census.gov/partners and he will share it with the Board.

• Mr. Scala asked about the impact on immigration and the concerns that some

undocumented people may have regarding a proposed question on citizenship.

Oral arguments were heard April 23 and the Supreme Court will make a decision

about whether there will be a citizenship question on the form.

• Mr. Howald asked whether there is a penalty for someone impersonating a

Census employee. There will be ways in which someone can check to see

whether a person is a Census employee or not. Mr. Howald asked whether it is a

crime to impersonate an employee; it is. They cannot ask for social security

numbers, for example.

• Ms. Morales asked whether one person can fill it out for a household; yes.

• Mr. Dew asked about homeless residents of New York City and how the Census

counts them. There will be three days on which Census employees will go to

shelters, soup kitchens, train stations, everywhere to do a head count.

• Ms. Einhorn asked whether they had asked DSS for the common spots for the

homeless; Mr. Hassan is not sure. She recommended connecting with the Board

office.

2. Approval of the Agenda

Mr. Singletary asked for a motion to accept the agenda with the amendments proposed below.

Mr. Cohen made a motion, Mr. Ibelli seconded, approved 37-0-0.


mailto:[email protected]




After the presentation and prior to the Chairperson’s report, the Transportation & Public Safety

Committee will report.

3. Acceptance of the Minutes from April 10, 2019

Mr. Singletary asked whether anyone had any revisions to the minutes.

Mr. Harrison was excused, not absent. He will provide two corrections to the Secretary.

4. Committees for Board Action

• Transportation and Public Safety, Ms. Juliet Cullen-Cheung

“Street Seats,” 462 Grand Avenue

• It was previously approved on Fulton Street and was located there in a previous

year. It was well-utilized according to the Alliance. The construction of Putnam

Plaza will likely require lane closures on Fulton Street. This is a seasonal public

space, so DOT has proposed moving it around the corner onto Grand. It will be

the same size: a 6’ x 20’ platform with plantings and street furniture. DOT has

gotten the consent and support of neighboring businesses as well as the senior

center. It will take one public space. The Committee approved it unanimously.

• Motion: There was a motion and second to accept the Committee’s

recommendation, approved 37-0-0.

• Discussion

• The reason for moving it is because of potential street closures.

• It is on Grand Avenue just south of Fulton Street. It will not affect

the bus route. It is just taking up what would otherwise be a

parking space.

“Willoughby Shared Streets,” Pearl Street, between Fulton Street and the Dead End, and

Willoughby Street, between Pearl and Lawrence Streets

• DOT has already done some programs on Willoughby Street, including

Willoughby Walks, a temporary full street closure from about 12:00 – 8:00 PM. It

is programmed with activities and dining. It is for three days in May, starting May

15, then the following Wednesdays.

• It ties into the pedestrian plaza.

• They have also done a temporary shared street with temporary platforms in the

street with green areas and planters. They propose to do this on a more

permanent basis. It is similar to the street that is closed in Flatiron in Manhattan.

• There will be bump-outs at the street level – not extensions of the curb – that will

be demarcated by paint and with physical perimeters. The meandering pathway

will slow down the traffic. Pedestrians will have the right to cross the street

wherever they want and vehicles will go much slower. DOT has reached out to

the businesses and academic institutions and other neighborhood stakeholders

and have so far gained support. The Committee asked DOT to do a bit more


public outreach. The Committee approved it unanimously on condition that DOT

does outreach during the Willoughby Walks before determining the geometries of

all the bumpouts.

• Mr. Howald asked about the loading zone access on the street. There will be

loading zones for the school, including for the Helen Keller school, which has

accessible vehicle pickups.

• Ms. Morales asked about the businesses nearby on Jay and whether there were

concerns from them; they were supportive, even though the Committee expected

it. Businesses like the foot traffic.

• This will be permanent though a lower investment (no added concrete). They are

painting out the street with the improvements.

• Mr. Howald noted to the Secretary that the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

states that the numbers for Willoughby Street are 2,500-4,000 pedestrians per

hour and 50-100 vehicles per hour.

• Motion: Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the Committee’s

recommendation, Mr. Washington seconded, approved 33-3-1. Mr. Ibelli, Ms.

Feibusch and Ms. Hubbarb-Kamunanwire opposed. Mr. Spruiell abstained.

5. Chairperson’s Report, Mr. Lenue Singletary

• CB2 is forming two working groups: one for spot zoning and how it is affecting the

community, and one on reviewing AMI. Katherine Yearwood-Young will lead the AMI

working group. He is still looking for volunteers and members to lead the effort around

spot zoning.

6. District Office Report, Mr. Robert Perris

• The report was distributed in advance.

• Ms. Einhorn asked about a conversation with Corey Johnson about the ULURP

application on Atlantic Avenue. Mr. Perris explained that he wanted to hear from the

Speaker about what he thought CM Levin’s perspective might be. The Speaker also had

concerns about the density proposed for 275 Atlantic Avenue.

• Ms. Quint asked about the meeting about Governor’s Island and whether there was

discussion about more ferries going to Governor’s Island from Brooklyn. There was no

discussion at the preseason briefing.

• Mr. Dew will send his questions. He will be asking for an update on the Board office

replacement and a follow-up on the amount of money allocated for the Nevins Avenue

train station. DCAS has still not allocated funding.

• There was a question about the meeting between CB2 and the Mayor and DOC

regarding the borough-based jail. Mr. Singletary, Mr. Gordon, Ms. Zahler-Gringer did not

attend, hoewever, Mr. Perris attended. Mr. Singletary asked where Staten Island fit into

the plan; Mayor de Blasio shared that based on the statistics, right now in its current

form, there isn’t enough representation of the population of people to allocate resources

to Staten Island for a borough-based jail. He also asked whether there is a strong

sentiment that Rikers Island is unfixable and a lot of it has to do with the staffing there,

so he asked what the solution would be to that. The Mayor deferred to the

Commissioner of DOC, who stated that there has been an extensive amount of training


for Corrections officers. The idea is that putting the borough-based jails in place would

involve training that would theoretically alleviate problematic behavior.

7. Committees for Board Action (continued)

• Executive, Mr. Lenny Singletary (delegated to Mr. Lastowecky, the Vice Chair of the

Parks & Recreation Committee)

Redesign of Squibb Bridge

• The action report is included in the package for the Board. It is resulting from a

meeting that the Committee had last month. They were presented with a

proposal about the reconstruction of the Squibb Bridge by Eric Landau, president

of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation.

• Mr. Lastowecky provided a background of why the bridge was closed and now

needs to be replaced to ensure safety. The BBP proposal is to reconstruct the

bridge using steel at a proposed cost of $6 million and is slated to open after the

summer of 2020.

• The Chair of the Committee presented the discussion to the Executive

Committee. The Executive Committee approved a motion to support the efforts to

support the reconstruction of Squibb Bridge with the understanding that the

Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation will reach out to all relevant government

agencies involved in the BQE redevelopment plans and the community prior to

the rebuilding of the bridge, to ensure that the BQE reconstruction will not have

an adverse impact on the new Squibb Bridge, passed 8-0-0.

• Motion: Mr. Spruiell made a motion to accept the Committee’s recommendation,

Mr. Gordon seconded, approved 30-5-2. Mr. Spruiell, Ms. Rothbard, Ms.

Johnson, Mr. Scala and Ms. Gallo opposed. Mr. Ibelli and Ms. Staton abstained.

• Ms. Rothbard asked why this is happening and could be demolished with

the construction of the BQE. Mr. Lastowecky explained that BPP is

working with DOT. They are using the same vertical support structures.

• Mr. Scala agreed that this seems premature. He feels that the Board

should be more involved and advocated that BPP postpone the decision.

• Mr. Brandon Smith added that the ExCo’s recommendation was to work

with the other agencies.

• Ms. Gallo stated that she has not seen cooperation from BBP and that

they seem to be moving forward with decisions before engaging with the

appropriate agencies.

• Mr. Singletary explained why there was extensive discussion at ExCo and

shared the Committee’s concerns while re-reading the Committee’s

motion.

• Ms. Quint shared that the BPP Corp. says they will not move forward yet

with the pool until they have further information.

• Mr. Howald stated that the bridge crosses Furman Street, not the BQE. It

is not a space that is going to be used for any DOT reconstruction.

• Mr. Scala stated that the history of the BBP Corp. with the community has

been sub-par. They should document that presentation to stakeholders so


everyone understands when and how they are meeting with the

community.

• Mr. Ansorge said we don’t know when we will have a final plan from the

BQE and there is a community cut off from the park, so we should not

delay unnecessarily.

• Ms. Gallo clarified it will cost $6 million, not $16 million.

• Lindsay Ross, Director of Capital Projects for BBP Corp., stated they are

working closely with DOT on the project. She provided detailed

information.

• Spruiell, Sandra, johnson, scala, Doreen

• Mr ibelli, ms staton

• Finance and Personnel, Mr. Leonard Jordan

Fiscal Year 2020 Community Board 2 Budget

• The Committee met on April 25. The total budget is a bit over $12,000, which is

significantly more than we had to spend last year.

• Mr. Jordan detailed specific changes to the budget and line items.

• Mr. Flounoy asked why there was a jump in price for the printer and copier;

because we are buying a new one.

• Mr. Dew asked whether there was discussion about training to upgrade our

social network communication. Mr. Singletary explained that training will include

many things, including social media training.

• Motion: Mr. Cohen made a motion to accept the Committee’s recommendation,

Mr. Harrison seconded, approved 37-0-0.

• Land Use, Mr. Carlton Gordon

“Borough-Based Jail System,” C 190116 MMK, C 190333 PSY, N 190334 ZRY and C 190339

ZSK

• Mr. Gordon summarized some of the details of the borough-bsaed jail plan,

including the impacts on other boroughs.

• After extensive discussion, the Committee approved the application with a

number of provisions to address specific community needs and challenges at

275 Atlantic Avenue, including:

• Approved to site the jail at 275 Atlantic Avenue

• Approved a text amendment creating a special jail permit

• Approved a map change allowing for a tunnel to allow staff to park

• That the new jail be built in a building with FAR of 10 or less with a

capacity of 875 with proposed improved interior spaces and also allow for

ground-floor retail.

• That the city should expand alternative sentencing programs, such as the

successful Red Hook Justice Center and expand a program that supports

community youth, including better educational and economic

opportunities.


• That the city creates a training facility for corrections officers; one of the

committee’s biggest concerns is the culture of Rikers Island coming to the

borough

• That the city creates a new jail be developed on Staten Island

• The Committee voted 10-1-0.

• Community members spoke during the presentation and shouted to “close

Rikers.” They shared signs that say “Fund Communities Not Jails” and “Close

Rikers Now! No new jails!”

• Motion: Mr. Flounoy made a motion to accept the Committee’s recommendation,

Mr. Cohen seconded, not approved 16-17-2.

• Discussion

• Ms. Morales stated that not every Community Board member was

able to speak at the public hearing. She shared that the Mayor’s

Office handed details to Board members today. She suggested

that the Board have 2-3 minutes of an explanation from the

Mayor’s Office.

• Mr. Singletary explained that the public hearing and

• Ms. Einhorn stated that she supports closing Rikers but does not

support the committee’s vote. She read a two-page statement

advocating a new position to vote no.

• Mr. Flounoy does not accept the friendly amendment.

• Mr. Brandon Smith proposes an amendment to item b, a

condition, which reads: “the city expand alternative sentencing

programs…” to read: “…the city support the establishment of

more community courts, such as the successful Red Hook

Community Justice Center.” He used to work there and is aware

of the extreme successes it brings in reducing incarceration

across the board. Community courts are based in the community

and one judge sees assorted community issues and can identify

parallels between cases. He shared additional information

supporting this proposed amendment. He also shared that there

are statistics that community courts and other solutions reduce

recidivism and incarceration for small misdemeanor crimes. He’d

like to support alternative sentencing programs.

• Mr. Flounoy accepts the friendly amendment in bold copy

above, Mr. Cohen seconded the accept.

• Ms. Johnson is voting no because if an institution is built…they’re

not going to get it right. We cannot accept that training will change

the culture. Black and brown people are criminalized more than

anyone else. No one is holding DOC accountable.

• Mr. Harrison thinks we will get a larger and more oppressive

facility if we build it close to home.

• Ms. Rothbard shared some of what came up during the public

hearing and Committee meeting, including feedback from the

community both for and against the plan. Not a single person

disagreed with closing Rikers; it was a matter of the best way to


go about doing it. We always feel stuck: either, we say no and risk

Rikers staying open later, or, we say yes. The biggest problem is

that the city’s plan is very vague. Because of ULURP, the clock

has started and we need to vote. The Board office shared a new

article from The City that says the population will be smaller but

shows the plan keeps changing. We very much want to do the

right thing and are constantly given more and different information.

She stated her concern that we just received new information

about the city reducing the population further and that there are

other reforms.

• Mr. Dew shared that he made the motion at the Committee level

that we are voting on tonight. He spoke about incarceration levels

in the U.S. He is asking the Board to make the recommendation

because it takes everything you’ve heard into account.

• Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon introduced herself and shared updates from

Albany.

• Three parts of the criminal justice reform: no cash bail for misdemeanors

and nonviolent offenses; sweeping discovery reform; and speedy trial.

• She explained that this will make a difference in city jails.

• This community and officials believe we need to close Rikers Island. She

is concerned that if we do not address this issue head-on, we won’t be

successful in closing Rikers Island.

• We funded early voting in the budget and are looking at ballot on-

demand. City BOE will determine which machine it uses.

• She thanked the community for coming out. She reminded everyone that

it is a Land Use proposal; it is not a proposal on which we are determining

ever aspect of social justice. What is before the Community Board is

somewhat limited in its scope. She thanked the Community Board for

voting their conscience and for their commitment to volunteering and their

work on the Board.

8. Committees to Report

• Economic Development and Employment, Mr. William Flounoy

• The Committee’s meeting was brief.

• Economic empowerment of NYCHA presented on different opportunities for

employment.

• They discussed the NYC bid association’s statement on street vendors; they are

looking to expand the number of licenses (essentially double it) throughout the

city. The number of licenses has been fixed for decades.

• BIDs have brought up situations where it’s not to the advantage to brick and

mortars to have carts right outside them. They do see the value of the carts.

They are in direct competition. They sought a motion for support. The Committee

decided not to vote because they want more information from both sides,

including the vendors. There is no time limit on this.


• Ms. Rothbard shared additional information about how people acquire these

permits. We do see people who have purchased licenses on the black market.

She recommend the Street Vendor Project from the Urban Justice Center.

• Mr. Ansorge shared that there is pending legislation at the City Council; it is a

complicated issue. The BID Association doesn’t want the bad legislation to move

forward. There is no time limit but the Council could move forward with the flawed

legislation at any time; he encouraged the Committee to take a position one way

or another.

• Ms. Hubbard-Kamunanwire asked about the categories by which the licenses are

distributed. Mr. Flounoy thinks veterans get 10%. The other categories are

immigrants, others. Mr. Ansorge explained there are 4100 mobile vendor permits

and 1,000 fruit and vendor permits. The bill increases the number by 4,000 for

mobile food vendor permits and by 450 the number of veteran permits. There is

no designation by borough or additional category. That is over a 10-year period.

• Ms. Quint shared that this is a big issue in Dumbo, where there are too many

vendors.

• They are looking for more information and will take it back up at the next

Committee meeting.

• Health, Environment and Social Services, Mr. Brandon Smith

• The Committee met last week. There was a presentation from New York

Connects about their program to help those with disabilities, particularly youth

and seniors, as well as veterans and other professionals with disabilities. Anyone

can contact them to learn more about their services: 844-862-7930.

• The Committee heard six liquor licenses, all of which were approved. There was

community opposition to one license, which involved concerns about a restaurant

moving into the bottom floor of a residential building and a late hour. It passed,

with the Committee recommending a meeting between residents and the

restaurant owner.

• The Committee discussed the borough-based jail proposal. We provided the

statement to the Board office. The Committee felt that the concerns were not

necessarily the most important concerns related to the facility when the

conversation is so geared towards incarceration and closing Rikers and

promoting a better criminal justice system in New York City. We felt that

whatever the outcome is should promote a building that is healthy for people

outside and inside the facility. Issues of sanitation should be addressed and that

the building itself is a responsible community member.

• Parks and Recreation, Mr. Andrew Lastowecky

• Nothing else.

• Youth, Education and Cultural Affairs, Ms. Betty Feibusch

• Ms. Feibusch left.

9. Open Session

• Rep. the Hon. Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, Nan Blackshear


• The ULURP process continues. The next step Brooklyn Borough Hall.

The hearing is on June 6 at 6:00 PM. Comments can be provided early to

the office at [email protected]. Submit comments up until the

end of the month or attend the meeting.

• Letters will come in the mail around the end of May to let Community

Board members know if they are still on the Board. Everything stays the

same until you receive the letter.

• NARCAN trainings: they have partnered with NYC Health & Hospitals.

They will have two major public education sessions, which will include a

training on NARCAN after, at Kings County Hospital (May 29) and Coney

Island Hospital (July). They are also in discussion with the recovery

center on Fulton Street to encourage them to be trained in NARCAN.

There is currently legislation to ensure every public library in NYC has

NARCAN. Opiod overdosing is a problem in this city.

• Mr. Dew asked whether the Board can be notified when the BP’s podcast

will be happening, or if we can get a recording. She will let the BP know

and also encouraged people to watch his Facebook page for Facebook

Live events.

• Rep. the Hon. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Dan Wylie

• On May 1, she testified in support of her bill to create a 9/11-style

commission on the disaster response in Puerto Rico after the hurricane.

That will be to examine the failures and be better prepared. We need

better funding.

• Locally, Congresswoman Velazquez, with Congressman Rose and two

others, held a press conference about their plan to bring back a two-way

toll on the Verrazano Bridge.

• Rep. the Hon. State Senator Velamentte Montgomery

• This Friday, there is a forum at 5 Metrotech Center on specialized high

schools and how we allocate proper funding to all of our high schools. 6-8

PM. Submit testimony if desired; RSVP.

• Rep. the Hon. Assembly Member Alexis Sfikas

• Senior Resource Fair: June 28 at St. Francis

• Free rain barrel giveaway in July – 60-gallon rain barrels that are

repurposed olive oil barrels. They connect to your downspout and

• Clark Street subway station – the MTA has not told the office anything

yet. They expect an RFP to go out in the next few months for elevator

repairs. They are trying to figure out if all the repairs need to happen at

the same time, which would close the station. They are pushing the MTA

for transparency and wrote a letter.

• Rep. the Hon. Council Member Laurie Cumbo, Jason Hur

• Senior Appreciation Brunch & Resource Fair: May 15 at 11:00 AM – 2:30

PM, at Ingersoll Community Center

• Rep. the Hon. DA Eric Gonzalez, John Watkins

• Last month, the DA announced a dedicated post-convention justice

bureau that will announce a parole and clemency unit and a few other

units. This will include significant changes to the office’s parole policies




and a robust participation in parole proceedings to help alleviate the

number of people incarcerated in our city’s jails. The DA’s office has as

new flyer; he shared it with the Board and community tonight.

• A week ago, the DA – immigration impacts our communities so

powerfully. He shared a fear that people have, that he senses in particular

in his neighborhood. The DA addressed concerns people have about

immigration and citizenship. That is ongoing.

• Asian Pacific American Heritage Month event: May 22 at Brooklyn Law

School. All are invited and may register ahead of time or show up. It is

free and from 6:00-8:00 PM.

• Ms. Ali asked whether the DA is going to change the parameters for

someone already in the system. The DA is signing on along with the NY

State Sealing Statute.

• Rep. the Brooklyn Public Library, Alex Tretiak and Tracey Mantrone

• BPL has a flagship podcast that came out a few weeks ago: “Borrowed.”

It has stories shared from librarians, community members, library users,

and a lot of interesting stories.

• June 1 is Summer Reading kickoff parties across all branches. Theme: “A

Universe of Stories.”

• All three library systems are asking for $35 million to increase operational

funding. They will open 7 new buildings and expanding the libraries and

will do new outreach to senior centers and prisons. They are asking

people to go to their website and to encourage CMs to provide the

funding.

• Friday, May 31 – read-across-Brooklyn reading of “Crossing Brooklyn

Bridge” in celebration of Walt Whitman’s 200th birthday.

• May 29 – music event at Clinton Hill. 10 people will be performing.

• Ms. Hubbard-Kamunanwire asked where new libraries are opening. The 7

new libraries are throughout the three library systems. One will open on

Adams Street in Dumbo in 2020. The Greenpoint building should reopen

in 2020. Brooklyn Heights should reopen in 2020. They are looking at the

Performing Arts Library in BAM (300 Ashland) to open in 2020.

• Mr. Spruiell asked about Sunset Park; that is under construction and she

is not sure when they will open, though they are in a nice temporary

space.

• Mr. Dew asked about children’s programs and Ms. Mantrone said she

would speak to Ms. Conton about the Walt Whitman branch, and always

seeks volunteers for the events at the Clinton Hill branch.

• Brandon Holmes, Close Rikers campaign

• Some of the hard work has been done. The reason that formerly

incarcerated leaders and their families have supported this plan is

because their campaign platform addresses these concerns. They drafted

the criminal justice reform legislation that was passed this year. He asks

the Community Board to pass the resolutions that we all discussed.

People voted yes recognizing the plan was pragmatic and required to

move forward. He holds those who voted “No” to sit in Committee


meetings and pass those resolutions. The Borough President needs to

see that people are supporting criminal justice reform and specific

recommendations prior to his review.

• Claudia Massa, 96 Schermerhorn and Fair Jails Brooklyn

• She thanked the Community Board for voting No. Their position is to

reduce the proposal from the city because they believe they can get it

down to 3500 plans, support more humane conditions. They want to see

no jails.

• Voting no leaves room for misinterpretation – do we not support the

proposal from Land Use but do from the Mayor? She thinks the

Community Board needs to vote on a proposal that is clear on what we

support.

10. Other Business

• Ms. Einhorn: we voted on the Committee’s recommendation, not on the ULURP. She

thinks we should figure out a way to say something about the plan.

• Mr. Singletary asked Mr. Perris to clarify how long we have to comment; we have

approximately until June 3. The clock started on March 25 and it goes for 69

days – 60 days of which are for Board comment. It is before the June general

meeting.

• Land Use is indeed the appropriate and right Committee to have reviewed

the process.

• He agreed she is correct that we did not take a position, but we needed to

move this along with the least amount of additional chaos and confusion.

He made the decision not to ask for an additional recommendation given

the chaos in the room tonight.

• If there is a mechanism under the appropriate committee – he shared that

she had ample process to provide testimony to the Land Use Committee

before and after the public hearing.

• Mr. Ansorge shared a concern that we will leave tonight’s meeting without having

taken a clear position on the ULURP application. He is unclear to what extent the

other committees have a voice on this application.

• Mr. Singletary explained that for ULURP, we pick the Committee where

most issues fall. Other committees would have to make a clear case as to

why it should belong outside the Land Use Committee.

• Individual Community Board members can voice concerns at Land Use

Committee meetings. They may also speak at the Borough President’s

public hearing. There is no additional opportunity for the full Board to

weigh in together.

• Mr. Scala asked whether there has been a time when the full Board met; not that

Mr. Singletary has been aware of. Could there be? Mr. Singletary advocated

participating in the Borough President’s public hearing. He advocated for another

way to get our voices out to the community.

• Mr. Quint explained that the Borough President will be told what we voted. We

took a position in the majority but as a rejection. We have no recommendation

but did reject the Committee’s recommendation; that will be recorded.


• Mr. Harrison advocated for taking a vote in the affirmative now.

• Mr. Singletary shared that we have made decisions in the past to allow the

Executive Committee to make decisions on behalf of the Board.

• He also spoke to the commitment and time the Board has put in, both at

the public hearing and Land Use meeting, and the multiple other

meetings held.

• Mr. Abramson spoke on behalf of the Mayor’s Office and highlighted

additional meetings.

• Ms. Ali shared that it was not in our interest to say “no” because it would allow

Rikers to stay open.

• Ms. Phillips Almeida asked whether we have lost any opportunity to make a

statement as a Community Board as a part of ULURP.

• Mr. Singletary shared that tonight’s “no” vote was a statement in itself.

• Further discussion ensured about whether or not the Board truly took

action on the ULURP item.

• Mr. Lastowecky asked what the question is that comes to us with the ULURP if

we leave it the way it is. Mr. Quint: it’s an application to a zoning change and the

other various items. We took a position not to support the Committee’s

recommendation so we took no direct position on the ULURP application.

Community Board 2 took no position and voted to reject the statement of the

Committee.

• Mr. Flounoy shared that we don’t really have any time to make recommendations

as a full Board. The only thing we have is as individuals to send in individual

comments outside the Community Board to Borough Hall. These minutes also

reflect the discussion.

• Mr. Jordan said that it is important to conduct a difficult conversation with dignity

and respect. We need to listen to all of the issues to be able to intelligently talk

about something.

• Ms. Blackshear clarified that she will report to the Borough President: Community

Board 2 has no recommendation.

11. Adjournment There being no other business, Mr. Singletary entertained a motion to adjourn from Mr. Meyer,

seconded by many; approved unanimously; the meeting was adjourned at 9:28 PM.


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