Councilmember Lander Report to the Community

8/7/2019 Councilmember Lander Report to the Community

1/31

NYC Councilmember Brad Lander

39th District, Brooklyn

Report to the Community

January, 2011


2/31

As a deep believer in democratic

accountability, I believe it is essential to

report back to the community.

One year into my tenure in the City Council,

Im pleased to share this first annual report on

some of what we accomplished in 2010, what

we learned, and what were hoping to do in

the year to come.

Councilmember Brad Lander


3/31

Significant Accomplishments and

Developments By Issue

Public Education

Affordable Housing & Community Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Livable Streets

Environment & Sustainability

Livable Neighborhoods & Quality of Life

Community Engagement

Social Justice

Budget Process

Constituent Services


4/31

Public Education

Parent organizing

District-wide parent leaders meeting to

launch public schools work

Helped organize PTA 5k run (500+participants)

Hosted School Food Rocks conference(150 participants, 25 schools)

Helped several schools get salad bars andtake next steps to healthier food

Developed resource guide & strengthenedadvocacy network

Helped organize rallies against publicrelease of teacher data reports & over-

reliance on high-stakes testing

Hosted end-of-year parent leader social, withdirector of DOEs Office of Family

Information and Action

PTA 5k Run with over 500 participants

Community members participate inSchool Food Rocks conference


5/31

Public Education

Individual schools

Secured $35,000 technology grants foreach public school in D39

Helped PS 39 maintain use of CampFriendship for P.E. classes

Allocated funds to complete the PS 29playground and arranged a playstreetwith the 76th Pct during construction

Arranged for school crossing guards at3rd & 4th Ave for MS 51

Began listening and organizing process at JohnJay campus

Helped save AMICO Day Care Center onCourt Street

Students, parents & teachersrally against release of data reports


6/31

Affordable Housing &

Community Development

Stalled development

Launched www.stalleddevelopment.com

Achieved safety/aesthetic improvements at 4th Ave & 6th Street

31-35 Church Avenue

174 Garfield Place

824 Friel Place

23 Caton Place

455-459 Smith Street (Abadi Warehouse)

Affordable housing

Helped secure $200m+ in long-promised fundingfrom Battery Park City for affordable housing

Worked with allies to get Section 8 vouchers

restored for 2,600 families

Worked with allies to prevent the City fromcharging rent for homeless shelters

Introduced and advocated for foreclosurelegislation

Secured $70,000 capital grant for energy-

efficiency improvements to affordable housingunits in our community

Map of stalled development in Brooklyn


7/31

Affordable Housing &

Community Development Development policy

Leader in (not yet successful) efforts forliving wage and paid sick days policy

Earlier work led to HireNYC program thathelps low-income NYC residents get jobs atCitys economic development projects

Helped preserve manufacturing jobs 13of the citys 16 industrial business zones inmodification of NYS Loft Law

Helped lay groundwork for NYCResponsible Banking Act

Culver El Rezoning

Modified Culver El rezoning in BoroughPark

Increase term of housing affordability

Laid groundwork for more open space

Retain industrial and commercial jobs

Culver El rezoning changes

Rally of support for living wage legislation


8/31

Public Safety

Established strong relationships with the fourprecincts the overlap the 39th District (66th, 72nd,76th, 78th) and NYPD leadership

Worked with 66th Precinct to restore beat coprestored to Church Avenue in Kensington

Organized a press conference to call attention toanti-Semitic flyers found in Park Slope

Organized a rally against an anti-LGBT hate

crime in Carroll Gardens Helped secure NYPD permit for Eid-ul-Fitr

celebration in Prospect Park

Worked with Boro Park Shomrim after four of theirmembers were wounded in a shooting

Worked with 66th

Precinct to increase enforcement atBrizzi Playground in Borough Park

Secured domestic violence grant for local DVorganization and took part in annual vigil to combatdomestic violence and support survivors

Vigil for victim of anti-LGBT hate crime


9/31


Worked with local residents, other elected officials,

EDC, the Port Authority, Phoenix Beverage,American Stevedoring, and Teamsters Local 812 tokeep Phoenix Beverage trucks off neighborhoodstreets

Worked with Columbia Waterfront residents ontraffic calming measures for Columbia Street,before and after opening of Brooklyn Bridge ParkPier 6

Active participant/supporter ofFix-the-Ditcheffort, to address the problems created by the BQEin Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Waterfront


10/31


Played a strong community outreach andleadership role around the Prospect ParkWest bike lane

Organized community survey completed byover 3,000 respondents

Compiled survey findings report with extensivefeedback on improvements suggested bycommunity members

Played a strong community outreach andleadership role around the installation of theFort Hamilton Parkway pedestrian safetyislands

Count-down clocks are installed at 4thAvenue & 9th Street (many more soon)

Was the runner-up for the Streetsieaward for elected officials (awarded byStreetsBlog for advancing safe and livablestreets)

Councilmember Brad Lander, DOT CommissionerJanette Sadik-Khan, and local civic organizations

unveil countdown clocks at 4thAve and 9th St


11/31


Promoting Energy Efficiency

Launched Reduce-Your-Use Challenge,

together with NYSERDA and Con Ed,encouraging community residents to reduceenergy consumption

Cleaner Air, Greener Ports

Organized successful green ports hearing, toexplore measures to make the Port of NY moresustainable and neighborly

Authored and passed green ports resolutionin support of federal legislation for cleaner porttrucking, better job quality

Played strong role in legislation mandatingcleaner oil heat in NYC

Councilmember Brad Lander, NYSERDA

and ConEdison Lauched theReduce-Your-Use Challenge


12/31


Gowanus Canal Cleanup

Began working with EPA, Community

Advisory Group, and partners onGowanus Canal Superfund cleanupinvestigations

Clean, Safe Drinking Water

Took part in City Councils hydrofrackingtown hall meeting and efforts to supporta moratorium

Increasing Recycling

Secured recycling cans for parks

Cobble Hill Park

Carroll Park

Washington (JJ Byrne) Park

Prospect Park

Recycling cans were installed in severalCity Parks in the district

Photo: William Alatriste


13/31

Livable Neighborhoods &

Quality of Life

Improving our Neighborhood Parks

Secured funding for

DiMattina dog run

Dome Playground

Prospect Park ballfield renovation

Convened meeting to begin process of improving Brizzi Park

Preserved Kensington Stables and horseback riding in Prospect Park

Supported new Prospect Park wildlife management plan to control geesepopulation without killing, and introduced legislation for citywide wildlife plan

Worked with Parks and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure snow-shoveling and other maintenance at the Fort Hamilton F stop and surroundingareas

Introduced legislation that would enable neighborhoods meetingcleanliness standards to opt for 2-day/week alternate-side parking

Urged residents to shop local at small businesses in several e-blasts,blog posts, and other communications

Many more specific neighborhood accomplishments (listed below)


14/31

Community Engagement Organizing efforts sponsored by our

office

Habitat for Humanity Build (January 23)

Volunteer fair with AssemblymembersMillman and Brennan (May 13)

School Food Rocks (October 23)

Kensington Worlds Fair (October 24)

Ongoing work with parent leaders and

livable streets advocates Back-to-school backpack drive for needy

students

Kensington engagement

Hosted Kensington leaders meeting Kensington Worlds Fair

Organized first Kensington Bangladeshiservice workshops

Supporting efforts for Beverly and E. 2nd

Street plaza

Councilmembers Lander and Williams atMLK volunteer event withHabitat for Humanity


15/31

Community Engagement

Innovative crowd-sourcing andonline campaigns sponsored by ouroffice

Interactive bradlander.com websitepromoted substantial real time feedbackfrom constituents

Stalleddevelopment.com helpedresidents achieve tangible improvementsat numerous stalled sites

PPW bike lanes survey filled out by over3,000 people

Progressive Caucus budget survey filledout by thousands of people

Hundreds of residents took online action(save universal school meals, put theBush-era tax cuts to work for New York)

Honored Heart of Brooklyn and GAPfor their cultural education

Public service website launched withdistrict-wide newsletter

Honoring winners of anational arts award with Ed Norton

Photo: William Alatriste


16/31

Social Justice

Helped to organize Progressive Caucus, serve as founding co-chair

Strong supporter of (as yet unsuccessful) fight for paid sick days legislation

Organized community vigil after anti-LGBT hate crime in Carroll Gardens and astrong ally of Brooklyn Community Pride Center

Arrested as part of New York Immigration Coalition civil disobedience forcomprehensive immigration reform

Ally in successful Domestic Workers Bill-of-Rights campaign

Released report highlighting the Citys failure to meet goals for contracting withminority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs)

One of the prime co-sponsors of a City Council resolution in support of New York

State legislation to prevent wage theft

Helping lead the effort for living wage economic development policy

Led Progressive Caucus in advocating for fairer taxation, including a New Yorksurcharge to counteract the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts


17/31

Budget Process

Progressive Caucus surveyed over 2,000 people, and used the results toadvocate for closing the private equity tax loophole, and avoidingdevastating cuts to libraries, ESL, education, etc.

Led (successful) effort to save Court Street Day Care, and (unsuccessful)effort to prevent cuts to Universal School Meals.

Transparent, outcomes-oriented approach to member items, led tosupport for dozens of high-quality organizations, including:

CAMBA (including the first social service program for the Kensington Bangladeshi community)

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative

Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID

Groundswell Community Mural Project

Masbia for a kosher soup kitchen in Boro Park

Hentrick-Martin Institute for services for at-risk LGBT youth

Capital projects funded include:

Technology grant to all schools in the district

Prospect Park ball field renovation

Dome Playground renovation, DiMattina Dog Run


18/31

408 transportation issues (stop sign, speed bump and traffic signal requests, PPW bike lanes)

392 following the December 26 blizzard (mostly street-plowing)

124 housing and building cases (evictions, landlord tenant issues, affordable housing) 50 quality of life complaints (including noise complaints)

43 education issues (admissions, special needs, individual school issues)

43 sanitation cases (trash pickup)

41 public safety cases

40 environmental issues (sewer backups, water bills) 37 parks issues (including trees)

28 finance cases (including tickets)

26 utilities issues

25 general welfare cases (problems with social security, food stamps, etc)

25 health department issues (animal control, public health, etc)

15 land use and zoning issues (parking, landmarks, etc)

13 consumer complaints

8jobs issues (unemployment, etc)

5 aging issues (SCRIE, etc)

Constituent ServiceAssisted over 1,400 constituents


19/31

Constituent Service

Jessica, thank you so much for your assistance with

getting our sons speech therapy problem resolved.

Because of your involvement he will be receiving thespeech therapy he really needs.

-Maurice & Hindy, Kensington

Were it not for Michaels intervention as I sought to

resolve a serious repair issue with my landlady I'm sure

I would still be trying to navigate the impenetrable HPD

complaint system. Instead, I am happy to report that

an inspection was made and repairs have beencompleted. I extend my sincere thanks to Michael for his

time and invaluable assistance

-Sam, Park Slope


20/31

Constituent ServiceNatural Disasters

September 16th Tornado

Provided real-time information to neighborhood residents on Citysresponse and cleanup efforts

Accelerated FDNY response to family trapped in their home by debris

Connected volunteers with area residents who required extra help

Responded to 37 reports of downed or damaged trees; helped expediteParks Department replacement of those trees

December 26th Blizzard

Responded to 392 complaints about unplowed streets and other snow-related concerns

Communicated extensively with Sanitation, NYPD, and other agenciesabout problem areas

Compiled 39th District Blizzard Cleanup Report on the Citys failuresduring the storm

Took part in City Council hearings on failed snow-removal & MTAresponse; leading to policy changes in both areas


21/31

Significant Accomplishments and

Developments By Neighborhood

Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens/Gowanus/Columbia Waterfront

Park Slope/Windsor Terrace Kensington/Boro Park


22/31

Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens,

Gowanus, and Columbia Waterfront

Mediated community discussions, leadingto successful preservation of the Hannah

Senesh courtyard Secured funding to improve DiMattina

dog run

Helped save Court Street/AMICO DayCare Center from closure

Organized vigil against anti-LGBT hatecrime

Worked with other electeds, communityleaders, and stakeholders to get Phoenixbeverage trucks off of Columbia Street

Worked with Columbia Waterfront leaderson traffic calming measures

Helped lead advocacy effort for shorepower at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

(hopefully on next years list!)

Vigil for victim of anti-LGBT hate crime

Phoenix Beverage truck before the route shift


23/31

Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens,

Gowanus, and Columbia Waterfront

Organized successful green ports hearing andpassed City Council Resolution in support of

federal green ports legislation Allocated funds to complete the PS 29

playground and arranged a playstreet planwith the 76th Precinct during construction

Active participant/supporter of Fix-the-

Ditch effort Secured recycling cans for CB 6 parks

Began working with EPA, Community AdvisoryGroup, and partners on Gowanus CanalSuperfund cleanup investigations

Testified at Brooklyn Bridge Park hearingsagainst new luxury housing in the park, forviable alternatives

One proposal for fixing the BQE ditch

by adding more pedestrian connections


24/31

Park Slope and Windsor Terrace Achieved site improvements at 4th Ave & 6th Street

Helped get the noisy Vue nightclub closed

Vanderbilt Playground open

Park Slope Historic district expansion advancing smoothly

Connected residents with tornado damage to relevant

agencies

Park Slope Armory opened; Brad helped ensure 6 am

opening, free walking hour for seniors, turning the lights off

at night

Helped maintain PS 39s lease at Camp Friendship

Press conference after distribution of anti-Semitic flyers in

Park Slope

The Park Slope Armory openedto the public January 2010


25/31

Park Slope and Windsor Terrace

Helped persuade School Construction Authority to make

the fence in the PS 39 courtyard safer

Played a strong community outreach, feedback and

leadership role in support of the Prospect Park West

bike lane

Count-down clocks are installed at 4th Ave & 9th Street

Secured recycling cans installed in CB 6 parks

Sponsored urban wildlife forum to help residents with

challenges from raccoons, etc.

Worked with Parks and DOT to ensure show-shoveling

and other maintenance at the Fort Hamilton F stop andthe Prospect Expressway green strips

Photo: Maulin Mehta

Recycling cans installed in CB 6 Parks


26/31

Kensington and Boro Park

Achieved safety/aesthetic

improvements at 824 Friel Place

(including identifying a homeless shelterbed for the squatter), 31-35 Church

Avenue, and 23 Caton Place

Preserved Kensington Stables &

horseback riding in Prospect Park

Worked with 66th Precinct to restore beat

cop to Church Ave

Hosted Kensington leaders meeting

Co-hosted Kensington Worlds Fair

Puppets made by PS 230 studentson parade at the Kensington Worlds Fair


27/31

Kensington and Boro Park

Ensured changes to Culver El rezoning to address affordable

housing, manufacturing retention; laid groundwork for more

open space in the area

Secured funding for Dome Playground renovation

Convened meeting to begin process of improving Brizzi Park

Played a strong community outreach and leadership role

around the installation of the Fort Hamilton Parkway

pedestrian safety islands.

Initiated Kensington Green/Youthmarket planning effort


28/31

Disappointments Cancellation of the B23 and B71 bus lines

Failure to pass Paid Sick Days legislation

Challenges advancing a fairer tax approach / influencing City budget

Cancellation of Priority 7 vouchers for thousands of Brooklyn families

Difficulty finding affordable housing options for the many constituents

who asked for help with housing

Polarized nature of safe streets debate (PPW bike lane, Fort Hamilton

Parkway islands, etc)

Still many stalled development sites in the district, including 23 CatonPlace, 31-35 Church Avenue, 4th Avenue & 6th Street, etc.

Many requests for speed bumps and stop signs denied by DOT


29/31

Looking Forward to 2011 Public policy/legislation

Living wage/prevailing wage legislation

Fair share siting of infrastructure (oversight hearings) Budget advocacy (Bush-era tax cuts)

Rent laws renewal

District-wide

Share-the-road/safer streets community roundtables

Expanded web shop local efforts

Advocate for a Age-friendly D39

Community service events

Public education

Support educational justice, stronger schools, collaboration at John Jay

Strengthen network, development resources to strengthen PTAs


30/31

Looking Forward to 2011

Neighborhood Projects

Achieve shore power at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

Kensington Greenmarket, Beverly Road Plaza

Park Slope Historic District Expansion

Windsor Terrace dog run

Planning workshops for Dome Playground reconstruction

First social service workshops for Bangladeshi residents

Continue work to make Brizzi Playground safer and cleaner

Advance modifications/permanence for the Prospect Park West bike lane

Next steps toward long-term plan for Fixing-the-Ditch

Gowanus watershed / green infrastructure efforts with DEP


31/31

Thank You

Questions?

Councilmember Lander Report to the Community

Documents

Transcript of Councilmember Lander Report to the Community