Notes from the CB14 Monthly Meeting

Community Board 14 met last night for its monthly meeting, which the public is welcome to attend. If you’d like to get an idea of how government works at a very local level, the next meeting is on Monday, May 14. Until then, here’s what you missed:

• The public opted not to comment during the public comment period for the Citywide Statement of Needs, Fiscal Year 2013-2014. The one thing that could potentially impact CB14 is the addition of a new 397-seat primary school for District 22–which could be in Community District 14 (ours), 17, or 18. (This is in addition to the proposed school on CIA at Hinckley, the 757-seat PS/IS 338 that was proposed over a year ago. That school is in the DOE’s Five-Year Capital Plan, and as of November had construction scheduled to begin June 2013, and be completed around February 2016.)

• If you haven’t noticed, the Parade Ground ballparks are open for the season. This year that comes with some added good news–there are more groundskeepers and more staff at the playground.

• The contentious Dorman Square (Elm Ave and E 15th in Midwood) plan is put on hold until the DOT can address some of the public’s concerns. If there are major changes to their proposal, CB14 will hold another hearing.

• A reminder that the annual Youth Conference is on May 2. If you know anyone between the ages of 12 and 19 who’s looking for jobs, internships, educational and volunteer opportunities, and more, make sure they know about this great event!

• Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes had a lot to say about the choices of the judicial system over the past few decades–particularly regarding sentencing and reintroduction to communities after serving time in jail. He also reminded everyone about the Family Justice Center, which he opened with the city and the state in 2005. The Brooklyn center is at 350 Jay Street, and is open to walk-ins Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, for a number of free services for victims of domestic violence.

• Assemblymember James Brennan expressed his ongoing concern for hospitals, saying he will continue to work to keep any Brooklyn hospitals from closing. He also noted that the state budget had passed on March 30, a highlight of which is the restoration of funding for the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program, which helps seniors on Medicare afford their prescriptions. EPIC will be reinstated on January 1, 2013.

• Councilmember Jumaane Williams shared his Participatory Budgeting winners, which are largely youth-oriented. Youth programming is a huge platform for him, and he says he’ll stick to it through the city’s budgeting process. “I will not vote for a budget that decimates youth services,” he said.

• Councilmember Mathieu Eugene says he’s pro-landmarking for the six Victorian Flatbush neighborhoods that are currently seeking the designation. His city budget goal is to find funding for job programs for returning veterans.

And that about does it. There were some additional announcements for some interesting upcoming programs, but they deserve their own posts, so more to come later.