FULL BOARD MINUTES DATE: February 21, 2002 TIME: 6:30 P.M. PLACE: St. Vincent’s Hospital, 170 W. 12th Street Cronin Auditorium, 10th Floor BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Ann Arlen, Steve Ashkinazy, Tobi Bergman, Helene Burgess, Charle Cafiero, Keith Crandell, Doris Diether, Harriet Fields, Elizabeth Gilmore, Edward Gold, Arnold L. Goren, Anne Hearn, Brad Hoylman, Honi Klein, Lisa La Frieda, Don Lee, Aubrey Lees, Chair, Community Board #2, Manhattan (CB#2, Man.) Edward Ma, Don MacPherson, Rosemary McGrath, Doris Nash, David Reck, Carol Reichman, Ann Robinson, Rocio Sanz, Shirley Secunda, Melissa Sklarz, James Smith, Sean Sweeney, Lora Tenenbaum, Martin Tessler, Wilbur Weder, Jeanne Wilcke, Betty Williams, Carol Yankay. BOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED: Anthony Dapolito, Jo Hamilton, Robert Rinaolo, Ruth Sherlip, John Short BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Noam Dworman, Carol Feinman, Rev. Keith Fennessy, T. Marc Newell, Judy Paul, Arthur Z. Schwartz, Verna Small BOARD STAFF PRESENT: Arthur Strickler, District Manager GUESTS: Daryl Cochrane, Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s office; Scott Melvin, Senator Tom Duane’s office; Meg Reed, Senator Martin Connor’s office; Yvonne Morrow, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s office; Gary Parker, Assemblymember Deborah Glick's office; Tom Castele, Councilmember Alan Gerson’s office; Andree Tenemas, Councilmember Margarita Lopez’ office; Karen Maurer, Counclmember Christne Quinn’s office, Blane Roberts, Man. Borough President’s office; Warrren Pesetsky, D. Cappolla, Howard Burke, Isaac Zakoulo, Mario Espinoza, Amelia Sxhwartz, Emily Drabinski, Rondi Lotter, Christian Miller, Benjamin Ryan, Peter Bafitis, J. McNab, Jessica Berk, Daniel Schaffer, Louis Santoro, Jay Segal, Jonathan Marvel. MEETING SUMMARY Meeting Date February 21, 2002 Board Members Present – 35 Board Members Excused– 5 Board Members Absent - 7I. 1 I. SUMMARY AND INDEX ATTENDANCE 1 MEETING SUMMARY 1 SUMMARYAND INDEX 2 PUBLIC SESSION 2 ADOPTION OF AGENDA 2 ELECTED OFFICIALS' REPORTS 2 ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3 EXECUTIVE SESSION 3 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS 4 BUSINESS 4 ENVIRONMENT 8 INSTITUTIONS 8 LANDMARKS 9 SIDEWALKS, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND ACCESS 11 SOCIAL SERVICES, HOMELESS & SENIOR SERVICES 13 ZONING AND HOUSING 14 NEW BUSINESS 14 ROLL CALL 15 II. PUBLIC SESSION Non-Agenda Items SoHo Branch Library Amelia Schwartz and Jonathan Marvel, of the NY Public Library, made a presentation regarding the new SoHo branch that will be opening. YMCA Christian Miller gave an update. Landmarks & Public Aesthetics Items 433-439 Broadway Application to demolish existing building and construct new, 6-story building. Jay Segal, Attorney, and Peter Bafitis, architect, spoke in favor of the landmarks application. Sylvia Rivera Melissa Sklarz, CB2 member spoke. Business Items Caliente Tequila Grill Rest. Corp., 57 7th Ave. South Warrren Pesetsky, representing the applicant, Howard Berke, principal, Isaac Zakoulo & Louis Santoro, spoke against the resolution recommending denial of the liquor license. III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA IV. ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT AND REPORTING Daryl Cochrane, of Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s office Scott Melvin, Senator Tom Duane’s office Yvonne Morrow, of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s office Gary Parker, of Assemblymember Deborah Glick's office Tom Castele, of Councilmember Alan Gerson’s office. Andree Tenemas, Councilmember Margarita Lopez’ office, Carin Meyrowitz, of Councilmember Christine Quinn's office V. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 2 Distribution and Adoption of January minutes. VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1. Chair's Report Aubrey Lees reported 2. District Manager's Report Arthur Strickler reported. 3. West Village Initiative WHEREAS on January 8th, 2002 at the Public Safety Committee, there was a request for a resolution in support of more police personnel for the 6th precinct due to the serious increase in drug dealing, panhandling, prostitution and other quality of life problems; WHEREAS on February 12, 2002, a subsequent Public Hearing was held entitled Quality of Life in Greenwich Village-is it spiraling out of control?-YES!, which was co-sponsored by many Elected Officials, neighborhood groups and institutions; WHEREAS several hundred people attended and expressed their frustration and concern that the neighborhood has gotten to be unsafe and overwhelmed with drug dealing, panhandling, prostitution and other quality of life problems; WHEREAS many people also expressed the need for more social service programs, outreach and support for the homeless and transgender youth; WHEREAS NYC Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly attended along with Deputy Inspector Kevin Fitzgerald of the 6th Precinct, as well as numerous other police personnel, and set forth the following: that there is a plan that it is being implemented called “The West Village Initiative” to target identified areas of concerns in Greenwich Village; that the 6th Precinct has been temporarily increased by one additional sergeant and six police officers and that the 6th precinct will receive additional police this Spring from the next graduating class of the Police Academy; WHEREAS CB#2, Man. is on record, pursuant to earlier resolutions, calling for increased funding for more social service programs, and for outreach and support for the homeless and transgender youth; WHEREAS it is clear that we all want our neighborhood and community to have safe and clean streets; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that CB#2 Man. supports the West Village Initiative, for increased police personnel and the on going efforts of the 6th Precinct. Vote to table: Passed, with 30 Board members in favor and 1 in opposition. 5. NYC Teachers’ Need for a Contract WHEREAS New York City Teachers have been working without a contract since November, 2000; and WHEREAS former Mayor Giuliani failed to invest in New York City public schools or their staff when the economy was booming; and WHEREAS now that there is a deficit in the city budget; and WHEREAS the lack of a good contract has caused a severe shortage of certified teachers in our public schools; and WHEREAS Governor Pataki has offered and earmarked $200 million for the first year and $200 million for the second year to raise salaries to recruit and retain well-qualified and well-prepared teachers and to prevent pitting contract against budget concerns; and WHEREAS the future of our city depends upon a strong public education system that invests and retains well-qualified teachers and doesn’t reduce services to children; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we urge Mayor Bloomberg to accept Governor Pataki’s offer immediately and to not hold the teachers’ contract and raises hostage. Vote: Unanimous, with 35 Board members in favor. 3 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS BUSINESS 1. GFS, Inc., d/b/a 3 C’s, 3 Howard Street, NYC 10013 WHEREAS, he applicant appeared before the committee; and WHEREAS the area was posted; and WHEREAS, this application is for a removal of an On Premise license from 193 Centre Street and a relocation of the license to 3 Howard Street, and WHEREAS, the applicant stated that there would be no change in the menu or hours or method of operation, and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that CB#2, Man. has no objection to the removal of an On Premise license from 193 Centre Street and a relocation of the license to 3 Howard Street for GFS, Inc., d/b/a 3 C’s, 3 Howard Street, NYC 10013. Vote: Passed, with 30 Board members in favor and 1 abstention. 2. 120 W. 3rd Street, Inc., d/b/a B & B Sandwich Bar, 120 W. 3rd Street, NYC 10014 WHEREAS, the applicant appeared before the committee; and WHEREAS, this application is for a new On Premise license at this location; and WHEREAS, the applicant has been operating under the name Sonia Rose on Lexington Avenue for many years; and WHEREAS, the applicant stated that he wishes to become an upscale French, white tablecloth, restaurant during the dinner hours, despite the name; and WHEREAS, the applicant stated that the hours of operation will be from Noon to 10:30 PM, 7 days; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that CB#2, Man, recommends approval of an On Premise license for 120 W. 3rd Street, Inc. d/b/a B & B Sandwich Bar, 120 W. 3rd Street, NYC 10014; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CB#2, Man. calls upon the SLA to conduct a 500-foot rule hearing on this application Vote: Unanimous, with 31 Board members in favor. 3. George Forgeois, and/or 785 Washington Bistro Inc. (To be formed), 785 Washington Street, NYC 10014 WHEREAS, the applicant appeared before the committee; and WHEREAS the area was posted; and WHEREAS, this application is for an On Premise license for a restaurant/bar; and WHEREAS, the applicant stated that the premise will be used as a Spanish restaurant; and WHEREAS, the applicant is a known operator with several other locations in the city, including the Café Noir at 32 Grand St. that has been a noise and violation prone location for many years as a result of the applicant’s failure to comply with local codes; and WHEREAS, over 20 residents of the area attended the Committee meeting to protest this application and the Board received several letters in opposition as well; and WHEREAS CB#2, Man. questions the appropriateness of placing a licensed establishment at this particular site due to factors such as its windowless condition, the business activity in the area and the impact on the block; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that CB#2, Man. strongly recommends denial of this application for an On Premise license to George Forgeois and/or 785 Washington Street Inc., 785 Washington Street, NYC 10014; and 4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CB#2, Man. calls upon