Slide1: MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG MAYOR CITY OF NEW YORK PATRICK BRENNAN, COMMISSIONER MAYOR’S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE UNIT


Slide2: How to Contact Us MAYOR’S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE UNIT Main Number: 212-788-7418 Lolita K. Jackson Manhattan Director 212-341-9089 ljackson@cityhall.nyc.gov


Slide3: CAU serves as the Mayor’s "eyes and ears" throughout New York’s many diverse neighborhoods. Main Functions Work closely with CBs and civics Street permits Anti-Graffiti MAYOR’S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE UNIT


Slide4: Liaisons are assigned to each of the five boroughs. Coordinate budget meetings CAU is the link between Community Boards, civic groups and city agencies MAYOR’S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE UNIT


Slide5: STREET ACTIVITY PERMIT OFFICE MAYOR’S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE UNIT Coordinates and issues permits for street fairs and other street events. Issues permits for block parties throughout all five boroughs. Mildred E. Duran Deputy Commissioner SAPO 212-788-7439


Slide6: CAU responds to a variety of emergency and crisis situations throughout the five boroughs of New York City Quality of Life Coordinates multi-agency initiatives Mayor’s Anti-Graffiti Task Force Mayor’s Paint Program MAYOR’S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE UNIT Ray Carrero Quality of Life Director 212-788-7413


MAYOR’S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE UNIT: MAYOR’S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE UNIT ADDRESSING THE NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF THE CITY’S VAST ARRAY OF COMMUNITIES AND THE COMMUNITY BOARDS.


Slide8: MAYOR’S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE UNIT


COMMUNITY DISTRICTSAND COMMUNITY BOARDS: COMMUNITY DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY BOARDS 59 COMMUNITY DISTRICTS AND BOARDS CITYWIDE 12 in Manhattan Maximum of 250,000 people per district


COMMUNITY DISTRICTSAND COMMUNITY BOARDS: BOARD MEMBERSHIP Up to 50 members Staggered two-year terms 1/2 of the membership is appointed every year. Not more than 25% of the members appointed City employees. Non-board members can serve on committees COMMUNITY DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY BOARDS


COMMUNITY DISTRICTSAND COMMUNITY BOARDS: ROLE Community Boards are autonomous City agencies Board members are City officers STRUCTURE By-Laws and elections board specific Chairperson usually selects Committee Chairs REMOVAL A member may be removed for cause COMMUNITY DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY BOARDS


Slide12: THE CITY CHARTER MANDATES THAT EACH COMMUNITY BOARD: Consider the needs of the community District which it serves. Cooperate with and advise elected and governmental officials about any matter that “relates to the welfare of the community District and its residents.” COMMUNITY BOARDS MANDATES


COMMUNITY BOARD MANDATES: COMMUNITY BOARDS PARTICIPATE IN: City Budget Process Land Use Planning Service Delivery OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: Community Advocacy Long – Range Planning COMMUNITY BOARD MANDATES


COMMUNITY BOARD MEETINGS: PURPOSE OF FULL BOARD MEETINGS The entire Community Board membership meets to consider the needs of the district and its residents. CITY CHARTER REQUIREMENTS Monthly Board meetings are required (except during July and August). Actions can only be authorized by a majority of the members present and entitled to vote during the presence of a quorum. The Charter also requires adequate public notice of meetings and hearings. Time to hear the public at meetings must be set aside. Meetings are to be available for broadcasting and cable casting. COMMUNITY BOARD MEETINGS


COMMUNITY BOARD MEETINGS: PUBLIC HEARINGS Public hearings are required each month except during the summer. RULES GOVERNING MEETINGS Meetings are governed by New York State’s Open Meetings law, the New York City Charter, Community Board Bylaws, and Robert’s Rules of Order The Corporation Counsel has clarified and interpreted certain regulations The New York State Open Meetings law requires that minutes be taken at all open meetings of a public body and votes of all members must be recorded. COMMUNITY BOARD MEETINGS


COMMUNITY BOARD COMMITTEES: TYPES Permanent or temporary committees Functional committees Geographic or area committees Agency committees Ad hoc committees to address a specific issue COMMUNITY BOARD COMMITTEES


COMMUNITY BOARD COMMITTEES: RESPONSIBILITIES Research issues, develop goals, plans activities, conduct public hearings, and present recommendations to the full Board City budget process Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) MEMBERSHIP Committees are composed of Board members, and non-Board (public) members. Public members can only vote in committees. COMMUNITY BOARD COMMITTEES


COMMUNITY BOARD COMMITTEES: Committee meetings are open to the public and are required by the New York State Open Meetings law to keep full accurate minutes. COMMUNITY BOARD COMMITTEES


AN IMPORTANT NOTE: From The New York State Committee on Open Government “ When action is taken by formal vote at open and executive sessions, the Meetings Law both requires open voting and a record of the manner in which each member voted.” AN IMPORTANT NOTE


THANK YOU!: Your service to NYC is appreciated. Don’t hesitate to contact CAU – we are a resource for your community board. THANK YOU!