Thursday, April 07, 2005
MTA, street fair and licensing iss us at CB6
LOOKING AHEAD by Wally Dobelis
The monthly Community Board 6 meeting on February 9 had issues galore. After our elected officials’ reps informed us of their activities in moving the Legislative Reform Package and protection of Mitchell-Lama tenants (A/M Jonathan Bing), support for the ST/PCV Historic District (Sen. Thomas Duane), objections to MTA’s computer-controlled trains (C/M Margarita Lopez), the business session offered some excitement.
To begin with, the Parks, Landmarks and Cultural Affairs Committee found the National Arts Club in flagrant violation of the Landmarks law, once more, and will seek a violation order. Next, it was MTA’s turn, when the Public Safety Committee’s resolution opposing the closing of token booths in subway stations as a safety hazard was nearly unanimously accepted. NYCTA had indicated that it will close 164 token booths, nine in the CB6 area The committee found that this will impede the access for the handicapped and for people with strollers, and reduce safety (token clerks open the gates in emergencies, summon emergency services, and direct tourists and visitors).
Another related issue, NYCTA’s testing of a driver-less system based on a computerized Communications–Based Train Control system (CBTC) on our L (Canarsie) line produced a resolution opposing the implementation of the system in its present form. However, should the TA go ahead, the CB urges the City Council to request adequate emergency evacuation plan, a redundant emergency communications program, and placement of trained conductors to aid in emergencies. The resolution was prompted also by apparent concerns about the System Safety Control Board, composed of TA employees, and the possibility that full implementation might lead to the discontinuance of conductors as well.
The vote was mixed, with 20 ayes, 10 nays and 5 abstentions, followed by a request by Lou Sepersky, chair of the Transportation Committee, that both issues be tabled and referred to his committee. Carol Schachter, chair of CB6, informed the meeting that the Borough President had requested action at this time, therefore the issue was placed in the Public Safety Committee, whose chair Fred Arcaro had found many safety concerns. Lou’s appeal of the decision was defeated, after a major floor discussion, in which he pinpointed that CB6 four years ago had essentially approved the automation by establishing a computer room at the 14TH Street and 3rd Avenue station. Lou’s remarks of the successful automations in London, Paris and Japan elicited responses from several members, affirming that the resolution was not a rejection of the automation but an attempt to make it better and safer. A proposal by Marty Barret, former CB6 chair, to move the issues to the next CB6 Executive Committee meeting was defeated after a roll call vote of 18 ayes and 17 nays. And you thought that the US Congress has all the drama!
After the excitement, the Business and Governmental Affairs Committee obtained approval for a clutch of sidewalk café (Bar 515, E.34/35th Streets), and liquor license resolutions, for Pure Food and Wine, 55 Irving Place (wine and beer only, expanding from a 74 to 100 seating), Tony’s Sushi and Grill (2nd Avenue at 39th Street) and AJI Sushi Inc. (3rd Avenue at 34/35th Streets) both making such promises as closing at 11PM and playing only background music. TJ’s NYC (27th Street between Lexington/3rd Avenues), replacement of the troublemaker Mark’s Café/ConceptsII, had to come up with a signed agreement to install a better sound system, smaller speakers, a bouncer, and dropping outsider sponsored promotions. The no-show applicant at 384 3rd Avenue (34/35th Streets) was nixed altogether.
It was also the day for street fairs. The full board voted consistent 30 ayes and 5 nays, with the naysayers objecting to this activity in principle. The usual familiar sponsors won, Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church for a fair on Sunday, May 1, on 2nd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Gramercy Visiting Neighbors on Saturday, May 7, on 3rd Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets; Bellevue South Community Association, Saturday, June 4, on 2nd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Tilden Midtown Democratic Club, Sunday, June 12 on 3rd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association, Saturday, June 11 on 2nd Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets; Kidney and Urology Association, Sunday, June 19 on Lexington Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Friends of the 13th Precinct, Saturday, June 25, on 2nd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Seafarers and International House, Sunday, June 26th on 3rd Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets; Meretz/Israel Civil Rights Education Fund, Sunday, July 10 on Lexington Avenue between 34th and 42nd Streets; East Side Rezoning Alliance (ESRA), Sunday, July 24th on 3rd Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets: Albano Republican Club, Saturday, August 27 on 3rd Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets; Church of Good Shepherd, Sunday, August 28 on 3rd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Manhattan East Community Association, Monday, September 5 on Lexington Avenue between 34th an 42nd Streets; Tudor City Association , Sunday. September 18 on 2nd Avenue between 43rd and 57th Streets; Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen’s Club , Sunday, October 9 on Lexington Avenue between 34th and 42nd Streets, and Our Lady of Scapular and St Stephan, Sunday, October 23rd on 3rd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets.
All applicants are recognized as community-based organizations, providing services to the community, capable of self-policing the event, and have submitted documentary proof (e.g. cancelled checks) of funds spent as approved by the Board. Each must have a booth dispensing community info, use a proven responsible fair producer, provide sanitary cleanup, and never, never permit the dispensing of free cigarettes and paraphernalia.
The monthly Community Board 6 meeting on February 9 had issues galore. After our elected officials’ reps informed us of their activities in moving the Legislative Reform Package and protection of Mitchell-Lama tenants (A/M Jonathan Bing), support for the ST/PCV Historic District (Sen. Thomas Duane), objections to MTA’s computer-controlled trains (C/M Margarita Lopez), the business session offered some excitement.
To begin with, the Parks, Landmarks and Cultural Affairs Committee found the National Arts Club in flagrant violation of the Landmarks law, once more, and will seek a violation order. Next, it was MTA’s turn, when the Public Safety Committee’s resolution opposing the closing of token booths in subway stations as a safety hazard was nearly unanimously accepted. NYCTA had indicated that it will close 164 token booths, nine in the CB6 area The committee found that this will impede the access for the handicapped and for people with strollers, and reduce safety (token clerks open the gates in emergencies, summon emergency services, and direct tourists and visitors).
Another related issue, NYCTA’s testing of a driver-less system based on a computerized Communications–Based Train Control system (CBTC) on our L (Canarsie) line produced a resolution opposing the implementation of the system in its present form. However, should the TA go ahead, the CB urges the City Council to request adequate emergency evacuation plan, a redundant emergency communications program, and placement of trained conductors to aid in emergencies. The resolution was prompted also by apparent concerns about the System Safety Control Board, composed of TA employees, and the possibility that full implementation might lead to the discontinuance of conductors as well.
The vote was mixed, with 20 ayes, 10 nays and 5 abstentions, followed by a request by Lou Sepersky, chair of the Transportation Committee, that both issues be tabled and referred to his committee. Carol Schachter, chair of CB6, informed the meeting that the Borough President had requested action at this time, therefore the issue was placed in the Public Safety Committee, whose chair Fred Arcaro had found many safety concerns. Lou’s appeal of the decision was defeated, after a major floor discussion, in which he pinpointed that CB6 four years ago had essentially approved the automation by establishing a computer room at the 14TH Street and 3rd Avenue station. Lou’s remarks of the successful automations in London, Paris and Japan elicited responses from several members, affirming that the resolution was not a rejection of the automation but an attempt to make it better and safer. A proposal by Marty Barret, former CB6 chair, to move the issues to the next CB6 Executive Committee meeting was defeated after a roll call vote of 18 ayes and 17 nays. And you thought that the US Congress has all the drama!
After the excitement, the Business and Governmental Affairs Committee obtained approval for a clutch of sidewalk café (Bar 515, E.34/35th Streets), and liquor license resolutions, for Pure Food and Wine, 55 Irving Place (wine and beer only, expanding from a 74 to 100 seating), Tony’s Sushi and Grill (2nd Avenue at 39th Street) and AJI Sushi Inc. (3rd Avenue at 34/35th Streets) both making such promises as closing at 11PM and playing only background music. TJ’s NYC (27th Street between Lexington/3rd Avenues), replacement of the troublemaker Mark’s Café/ConceptsII, had to come up with a signed agreement to install a better sound system, smaller speakers, a bouncer, and dropping outsider sponsored promotions. The no-show applicant at 384 3rd Avenue (34/35th Streets) was nixed altogether.
It was also the day for street fairs. The full board voted consistent 30 ayes and 5 nays, with the naysayers objecting to this activity in principle. The usual familiar sponsors won, Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church for a fair on Sunday, May 1, on 2nd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Gramercy Visiting Neighbors on Saturday, May 7, on 3rd Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets; Bellevue South Community Association, Saturday, June 4, on 2nd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Tilden Midtown Democratic Club, Sunday, June 12 on 3rd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association, Saturday, June 11 on 2nd Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets; Kidney and Urology Association, Sunday, June 19 on Lexington Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Friends of the 13th Precinct, Saturday, June 25, on 2nd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Seafarers and International House, Sunday, June 26th on 3rd Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets; Meretz/Israel Civil Rights Education Fund, Sunday, July 10 on Lexington Avenue between 34th and 42nd Streets; East Side Rezoning Alliance (ESRA), Sunday, July 24th on 3rd Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets: Albano Republican Club, Saturday, August 27 on 3rd Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets; Church of Good Shepherd, Sunday, August 28 on 3rd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; Manhattan East Community Association, Monday, September 5 on Lexington Avenue between 34th an 42nd Streets; Tudor City Association , Sunday. September 18 on 2nd Avenue between 43rd and 57th Streets; Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen’s Club , Sunday, October 9 on Lexington Avenue between 34th and 42nd Streets, and Our Lady of Scapular and St Stephan, Sunday, October 23rd on 3rd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets.
All applicants are recognized as community-based organizations, providing services to the community, capable of self-policing the event, and have submitted documentary proof (e.g. cancelled checks) of funds spent as approved by the Board. Each must have a booth dispensing community info, use a proven responsible fair producer, provide sanitary cleanup, and never, never permit the dispensing of free cigarettes and paraphernalia.
# posted by Wally Dobelis @ 4:49 AM 
