Transcript
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The committee opens the meeting, reviews attendance, adopts the agenda and minutes, and sets ground rules for public participation and committee discussion.
Speaker A
It is open.It's open.
Speaker B
Is it really?
Speaker A
I think so.
Speaker B
Sorry.
Speaker A
I used to go there.
Speaker C
I'm getting really excited.Never been in that building before, so that's great.
Speaker D
Waiting for that.
Speaker E
That's the echo.
Speaker F
Okay.
Speaker E
This.
Speaker G
Good luck.
Speaker C
You have such a subtle.
Speaker E
And we're ready to.
Speaker D
Okay.Welcome to the October 29, 2026 meeting of the Business Affairs License Committee.My name is Anton Mer and I'm chair of the committee.I've been joined by community coordinator Brian Lafferty.The meeting is called to order at 6:34pm As a reminder, New York State law requires all committee members who are not able to attend the meeting in person to have their cameras on and their first and last names displayed from the time the meeting is called to order until the time the meeting is adjourned.Members of the public who are attending virtually you can raise any questions or comments that you have through the question and answer feature of zoom.Members of the public who are here in person, your.
You can raise any questions that you have by raising your hand if there's time.Following the committee's discussion, we will field questions from the public.All right.We need a volunteer for tonight's minutes.Thank you.Genev.Welcome to the
Speaker A
committee.
Speaker F
Thank you.
Speaker D
We'll now take attendance by roll call.Brian Lafferty will conduct the roll call.
Speaker E
Hi, Samson.Many members.When I call your name, I'll please indicate to be the present.I'll announce if there's a Genevieve Freed.
Speaker B
Here.
Speaker E
Paige Judge.
Speaker B
Here.
Speaker E
Thank you.
Speaker D
John Kell.
Speaker G
Present.
Speaker E
Thank you.
Anton.
Speaker D
Here.
Speaker E
Melissa Murray.Keith will be with us this evening.Anne Seligman.
Speaker C
Here.
Speaker E
Thank you.
Daniela Sumarana.
Speaker B
Here.
Speaker A
Daniela, are you in Alaska?
Speaker F
With seven numbers, we have a core.Thank you.The agenda tonight's meeting was distributed ahead of time by the board office is reflected on the screen.Further, if there is no objection, we will adopt the agenda.Members of the committee that object to adopting the agenda, please raise your hand.
Same objections.The agenda for tonight's meeting is adopted.The minutes for the September 24, 2026 meeting were distributed ahead of time by the board office.If there's no objection, we will adopt the minutes as drafted.Members of the committee, if you object to adopting the minutes, please raise your hand.
Seeing no objections, the minutes from the September 24, 2026 meeting are adopted.They will soon be available on the CB6 website.Okay.Some ground rules.No one must speak until granted before many members who are here in person.If you have a question about committee business you wish to make motion, please raise your hand and I will identify you so you know I think this is programmatic so you can speak.So you may speak.Change that for many members unable to attend in person.If you have a question about committee business, you may raise your hand presume and I will identify you so you may speak.All committee members, it is extremely important that only one person speak at a time so that members of the public watching at home can understand what is being said by each committee member.
The chat function for committee members present by assuming should not be used for committee business or questions about agenda topics.All such remarks should be made on the record by raising your hand through zoom.Chats should only be used to alert us to any technical difficult ones you are having or to state in writing information like an email address that was already stated aloud on the record during the meeting.
Members discuss a cannabis dispensary renewal, focusing on the applicant’s community impact plan, local partnerships, and suggestions for more neighborhood-specific outreach before approving the item.
Speaker F
Okay, first item.Cannabis renewal application.Retail dispensary license for 581 Realty CLD LLC doing business as cannabis on Lex at 459 Lexington Avenue.Is your representative available?
Speaker H
Yes, I'm here.Chris Renzo,
Speaker F
do any members of the committee have any questions or comments about this renewal?
No, no, I was just gonna say
Speaker A
yeah, I have a comment.I have to say this is.I want to start by saying I think this is by far the best Canadian tax plan that we have seen from any renewals.It's just much more substantive and quantitative as well as qualitative.So I really, really want to applaud you for that.I do.My only misgiving is that I wish the targeted beneficiaries were in our district.But honestly I think the need.I used to work in one of the zip codes that you're working and there's, there's.Honestly, there's more need and frankly everyone here has heard this.But I wish we did a better job of making known where we might
Speaker F
want help in the district.
Speaker A
And since we are not doing that, I can't really fault you for not doing that either.So I would certainly and I don't we haven't heard any problems with this.
Speaker F
I think they're a good neighbor.I would second Ann's comments.So the same thing is a much better community impact plan that we've seen in the past and certainly ticked all the boxes that the officer can discouragement wants to have reviewed.Right.And the only issue I had was it's not in our community or close some areas somewhere close to none of our community.
Speaker D
Other than that
Speaker F
what I like very much is the measurable results and that's something we haven't seen in the past.And we'll keep an eye on this.
Speaker H
Okay.
Speaker F
Okay.Do I hear any cat?
Speaker A
Well, I think.
Speaker F
John.
Yeah.
Speaker A
Hi.
Speaker B
I don't remember your first application, but that's okay.
Speaker C
I'm new as of two years ago.
Speaker B
Just curious, since we are plotting your efforts with this CIP plan,
Speaker C
do you
Speaker B
communicate to any other.Like we keep mentioning the impact in our district.Do you have any partnerships with other cannabis dispensaries who are maybe planning to do renewals?Have been talking about the CIP at all.
Just generally curious what your experience has been.
Speaker H
I mean, generally not with other dispensaries.I do have a good consultation from a former.From somebody that I work with that used to be with the OCM and has helped guide me and craft this community impact plan and really to.Because I know it's really important for the OCM and the state statutes to have measurable.
A measurable impact.So, you know, worked with her pretty extensively to put this together and over the next two years, really going to hold myself accountable to meet that measurable data.
And on one aspect, we've already started, even since the beginning with employment access, I would say a lot of our staff is from parts of the city that were heavily impacted by the negative effects of cannabis prohibition.And we've even worked with some nonprofits to find those community members initially when we were getting going.
Speaker D
So.
Speaker H
And you know, but looking, you know, as you're going through the process and we're looking at the renewal process and we're looking about the importance of these community impact plans, I wanted to really button it up and work with a professional and to make sure that we are not only compliant, but are having an impact.So, yeah, I hope that answers your question.A little detailed.
Speaker D
Just a quick question.I didn't do a proximity review, but are there cannabis dispensaries in any of those zip codes you're looking at?
Speaker H
Yeah, there are some.You know, if you look at the proximity map, I mean, it's really so saturated at this point.There really are dispensaries all over Manhattan and the.And the outer boroughs.So there are some.Yes.And I guess going back to the question about, you know, not working particularly with community in The Community Board 6 section, I mean, that's something we can do and we can review.Just kind of thinking about it more idealistically, we kind of wanted to hone in on maybe neighborhoods, parts of the city that had been even more impacted just per capita.
But again, if it's a recommendation from Community Board 6.That this is something that should be done more locally, more hyper focused locally.Totally open to that.And I would definitely take that recommendation.
Speaker D
Yes, Scott?
Speaker C
Well, I think it could be easily remedied if you're open to it.
Speaker I
Of
Speaker C
you could even poll, like, do conduct any surveys with your customer constituents and like, ask if they would do.I come from a fundraising background, so my initial thought was, like, would they be willing to help, like, financially support the endeavors that you're talking about other than buying your products, obviously.
Speaker G
Of course.
Speaker C
Especially during the holiday season.I don't know.I'm just throwing that out there for.For perspective.
Speaker H
I mean, yeah, I. I definitely open to that, without a doubt.
Speaker A
Oh, that's more hitting up on me.
Speaker C
But that would.No, no, but that would tie with our.
Speaker B
Well, it's.
Speaker C
Well, community engagement.
Speaker A
Yes.And there is something that we had talked to.I'm sorry, there was something we had talked about on the committee in terms of us providing, again, haven't done, from providing guidelines to dispensaries who are coming up for renewals.And one of the ideas that we thought about was that dispensaries could ask their own customers, what kind of needs did they see locally that dispensaries might be able to support?
So it's something to keep in mind for the future, I think, is all we're saying.
Speaker H
Yeah, yeah, totally.I mean, and a lot of our customers that come in either work or live in the area.The ones that live in the area tend to have more conversations with us so we can learn from them as well.
Speaker A
It's interesting.
Speaker H
Yeah.Yeah, it's.I mean, we're so close to Grand Central, so there's a lot of commuters, but there definitely is a local contingency.And, you know.Yeah, I guess maybe if we put some signage up and, you know, ask people for their input, you know, like right after the checkout counter.
Yeah, I'm open to that.
Speaker A
Don't make any promises.
Speaker H
Yeah, I mean, listen, we're gonna do.I mean, as you can see, it's a small store.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker H
So space is.Is limited, but.No, we can figure something out.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker B
Okay.
Speaker D
Okay.Do I see any questions or comments from members of the community?
Speaker E
Members of the community.If you'd like to speak, you can raise your hand.
Speaker D
Okay.I'll entertain a motion of no objection.
Speaker G
No objection.
Speaker A
Second
Speaker D
motion of no objection has been raised and seconded.
Seconded.Are there any objections to this?No objection saying no objections to this.No objection.The motion is passed.
The committee finishes the cannabis renewal item, confirms boilerplate details, and moves on after the applicant leaves the call.
Speaker H
Thank you so much.
Speaker G
Thank you.
Speaker A
Thank you.
Speaker B
Good luck.
Speaker H
Thank you.And do I need.It's fine.Just should I stay on the call the rest of the meeting or.
Speaker D
No, you don't need to.You're good.
Thank you.
Speaker G
All right.
Speaker H
Thanks so much for your time.And we'll.I'll see you in two years or sooner.
Speaker C
Thank you.
Speaker D
Okay.Is there anything in the boilerplate that we should be aware of?
Speaker E
No, not unless there's anything that you'd like to add.
Speaker D
We have the hours of operation.
Speaker E
Obviously they're a dispensary, not an business.
Speaker D
Yeah.Okay, good.Thank you.
The committee reviews a corporate change for Copanet, hears a brief explanation of the ownership transfer, and approves the application without objections.
Speaker D
Items two and three, which basically are the same address, but different legal entities have been asked to be laid over till the November 17 meeting.
And I think we all have a lot of questions.We'll see about that.Okay.Item four, corporate change for on premises liquor license for coping 891 Inc.Doing business.
Copanet at 891 First Avenue, New York, NY.Is there a representative available for Copanet?Oh, how are you?My name is Dino.I'm happy to be here.
Dino, I think we spoke to you.When we talked about the sidewalk cafe,
Speaker C
I think it was me.I'm on the call as well, Amy.Yeah, so I'm the.I was the co owner before and now we're adding on Dino.
Speaker D
Okay.Could you explain the corporate change?
Speaker J
One partner sold to Dino.
Speaker D
Okay.
I don't have any real issues here.Any members committee have any questions or comments about Copanet?
Speaker A
No, but only that it's become my mother's favorite brunch spot.
Speaker D
Do I see any questions or comments from members of the community?
Speaker E
If you'd like to speak, please raise your hand.
I don't see any raised hands.
Speaker D
Okay.
File entertainment.Motion of no objection.
Speaker C
Motion of the object.
Speaker D
Second motion of no objection has been raised and seconded for no objection to this Corporate change for COPA.98981.
891.Excuse me, do I hear an objection to this?No objection.Seeing no objection.The resolution passes unanimously.Thank you.
Members consider sidewalk cafe alterations for two First Avenue establishments, raising concerns about pedestrian flow and confirming that the outdoor spaces will remain clear.
Speaker D
Good luck.Thank you very much.Okay, this could be the one that's French.Item five, alteration for on premises liquor license for Noah Serena, 1012, Inc.Doing business at Jean Claude at 1076 First Avenue, please.
Speaker E
Yeah,
Speaker A
yeah.
Speaker D
Oh, I'm sorry.
So I see what happened here.You know, I work on this before I see the final.
Speaker A
I take it from what you email us.
Speaker D
Okay.Alteration for an on premises liquor license.East Church Street LLC doing business as the Gym Saloon at 375 Third Avenue.This is to add a sidewalk cafe to the SLA license.
We proved this in the past.Nine doors can be open till 10 o', clock, not 11.A 11 o'.Clock.
Question number 30.
Speaker A
So boring.
Speaker C
That's not a cure.
Speaker D
Yeah, is this.Is Mr. Flynn available?
Speaker K
I am.I'm here, sir.
Speaker D
You've been every meeting in the last year you've been here.Mr. Flint, nice to see you again.
Speaker K
I enjoy.I enjoy seeing you people.Yes, very much.
Speaker A
I hope that doesn't mean we're suckers.
Speaker K
No, not at all.I'm here every month.
Speaker D
Okay.Just question number 30 on the questionnaire was mischaracterized.This is an alteration application.
Speaker K
Yes, it's an alteration application to add the outdoor spaces.I sent over to the offices the both of the city licenses so you could have those for your records that they appeared before you on both of those.
You approved them at that time.They were issued by the city.And now we're here just to add those same spaces to the.To the SLA license.
Speaker D
Okay.
Any comments from members of the committee?
Speaker C
Just the same comment I made when I think we originally got this was it's to trans a pedestrian transit corridor.That corner.And it typically does get bottled up a lot, especially on weekends.
Speaker D
Wait a minute.
Speaker C
No, this is.
Speaker D
I'm sorry,
Speaker C
this is on 27th, right?Yeah, I'm just.I'm just emphasizing.It's more of a comment of like destination, maybe.Yes, pro.On your roadways and sidewalk cafes.But the pedestrians have the right to walk and when it's inhibited, it's a problem.So just.
I know there's even bouncers there sometimes because it gets really lively.But just putting it on record, it would be nice to make sure that that's an even flow space.
Speaker K
That's.That's noted and it has been noted in the past.And we will make sure that there is a free flow for the pedestrians to go through.
Speaker C
Thank you.
Speaker D
Do any members of the community have any comments?
Speaker E
Oh, Mr. Birkenhead, he's my client.
Speaker K
That's my client.
Speaker E
Oh.Would you like to speak?
Speaker D
Oh, hi.
Speaker I
No, I just was having trouble getting in.
Speaker D
I'm not sure if you can hear me.
Speaker I
I just wanted to say.Noted to what was just said as well about keeping the corridor clear.
Speaker B
Just do it.
Speaker A
All right.
Speaker E
Thank you.
Speaker D
Okay.
Speaker C
I can hear you.
Speaker D
Okay.
Do I hear a motion?No objection.
Speaker C
Motion,
Speaker D
A motion.No objection has been raised and seconded to the committee.Any objection to this motion of no objection?
Seeing no objection to this motion of no objection.This unanimously passed.Thank you very much, Mr. Flynn.
The committee hears a new restaurant application involving a POPS space, discusses compliance with public access requirements, and approves the proposal after clarifying how the public area will be maintained.
Speaker D
See you next month.
Okay.
Speaker C
Now it's Jean Claude.Now it's Jean Claud.
Speaker D
You got it now, Jean Claude.Okay, that's the front alteration for on premises liquor license for NOAA.Serena Tendez, 12, Inc.Doing business at Jean Claude at 1076 First Avenue.And this is the other sidewalk cafe to the SLA license, which we approved the SLA license some months ago.
I'm here.
Speaker E
Mr. Mumani?
Speaker K
Yes.Hi.How are you doing?Thank you.
Speaker G
Thank you.
Speaker D
Okay.All right.
Speaker F
You've had.
Speaker D
You've had sitting on the sidewalk for a while now.So you start to serve liquor on that seating.Yes, I'm adding the.The outdoor to my liquor license.
Speaker F
Yes.
Speaker E
Okay.
Speaker D
Any questions in the.
Speaker G
I live right in the area.And you maintain that space very well.Right outside.
Speaker D
Thank you.
Speaker F
Thank you.
Speaker D
I literally walk by it every day.And thankfully, the sidewalk shed has been removed.Yes, yes.
Speaker F
Thank you.
Speaker G
And any crowding there is from the bar next door.
Speaker K
Yes, the bar next door.
Speaker G
Yes, next door.
Speaker E
Yeah.
Speaker G
Yeah.I'm afraid at least one of my kids is sometimes part of that.
Speaker F
Okay.
Speaker D
Okay.And any comments from members of the community?
Speaker E
Members of the community, if you'd like to speak, you can raise your hand.
No raised hands.
Speaker D
All right.See?No comments.No further comments from the committee.Do I hear a motion of no objection?
Speaker B
A motion for no objection here.
Speaker D
Second.
Speaker E
Okay.
Speaker D
Motion no objection for no objection to this alteration on the SLA license has been raised.And any objection to this motion.No objection.
Seeing no objection to this motion of no objection that is passed unanimously.So thank you very much.
Speaker F
Thank you.
Speaker D
I said I walk by there practically every day.I'm going to have to go there, have dinner with my wife.
Speaker K
Please do.Thank you.
Speaker B
Thank you.
Speaker F
Thank you.
Speaker K
Have a good night.
Speaker F
Thank you.
Speaker D
Thank you.
Speaker G
Bye.
Speaker H
Bye.
Speaker D
All right.
Okay.We all set?Boilerplate.
Speaker E
No problem.Yeah.
Speaker D
Okay.Item seven, that's going to be laid over till next meeting for Vin Vin llc, doing businesses.Vin Vin, item number eight, New application and temporary retail permit for on premises liquor license for Boucherie Mori Hill LLC doing business as Busherie at 560 Third Avenue, also known as 160 East 38th Street.
Is there a representative for Busheri here?
Speaker I
Yes.Hi.Donald Bernstein.I'm the attorney for the applicant and my client.I see Jasmine is here.Jasmine is the CEO of the group.The group currently operates about nine restaurants in New York City under the brands Boucherie and Olio in various neighborhoods.This space, I'm sure you're very familiar with it.This was Rio Grande operated by Arc Restaurants for about 40 years.
They closed down last year and I was before you with the current owner, that open Consulate, and has been operating there for about a year.About a year.They are selling the business and transferring it to the new applicant, Jasmine's company that will be opening Boucherie, an upscale steakhouse.And you may be familiar with them, there are a number of them throughout the city.The operation, the hours will be identical to what you had approved for consulate, which is 10, 10am to midnight during the week and 1am on weekends.
As you know, there's a Pops outdoor patio on each side of the space that will be open from 10 to 10pm weekdays, 11pm weekends.We've got the approval of the building, which you know is a condo building, and we're working with them to prepare the.The approval documents, but they have met with the new owner and therefore fully on board and supportive of this application.
Speaker D
Okay.As you probably know, there have been issues with the Pops there.Murray Hill Mews, and both prior to restaurants had, let's say, not operated according to the POPs regulations for that particular area.And I see that in the application someplace you said you will abide by the POPS regulations for the use of that space.
Speaker I
Do you say we?We will.
Speaker D
But I saw something in the application that said to that effect.
Speaker I
Yeah, absolutely.I, I think that we discussed this over a year ago when I came with the owners of the Consulate.Yeah, they were aware of that.And they were required to put up the signage and make the space available to anyone from the public, whether they're coming to eat or not.We're aware of that.
Speaker D
Okay.I don't have any further questions.
Speaker A
Yeah, my only comment was that I thought that the stipulation that we had.
Speaker B
Not.
Speaker A
Sure, I entirely loved the way that stipulation was worded, but then I couldn't really think of a better.
Like, the first time I read it, it was like, it was a little confusing then, but then it was like, well, how else would you say it?So.
Speaker D
Okay, members of the community, comments, members
Speaker E
of the public, if you'd like to speak, you can raise your hand.
There are no raised hands.
Speaker C
The only con I have is I'm excited because I actually like your franchise, but I'm curious to see how it's going to be set up and, like, design, because I know what it was like with.And you guys have, like, generally in your spaces, high ceilings and, like, marble floors and some wood.Wood furniture.So it'll be interesting to see how it's transformed.
Speaker D
Okay, I have one more question.On our questionnaire, question 12, it asks if owners have had an SLA license revoked.
Speaker I
Yeah, that was an error, and we corrected that.I think my office had an exchange with, I think, Jesus about that and said that that was an error.
Speaker D
Okay.
Okay.I don't have any questions or comments.
Speaker B
Question.
Speaker E
Would you like to speak?
Speaker L
Hello, can you hear me?
Speaker D
Yes, I can hear you.
Speaker L
Okay.So nice to meet you all.First time I'm on this CV meeting, and we are very happy that we will expand in your neighborhood.
And I just want to mention that we have experience working with pops.For example, La Grande Boucherie Midtown is a huge pop space, and we are very aware of the regulations and everything.And so far for five, six years, we don't have any issues how we operate in that POP space.And over there, it's little bit different than.Than this setup that I want to mention, because over there we added public tables, and we are responsible to maintain them and keep the space clean and everything.
But here, as.As I know it's.That also the restaurant tables can be used for the public.So it's different than in Midtown what we have.So if you.
If it's a good solution, we can discuss.We can add more public tables, and we can take the responsibility to maintain clean and.And even to renovate that space to be more.More beautiful for everyone and, and separate from the restaurant tables.If that's not the case, we are.
We are fine with.What are the regulations for.For this space as well.
Speaker D
If you want to go beyond.
Speaker L
It's just a thought.
If, If.If you are open to.To discuss, because we have very good experience with this setup in between 53rd and 50, between 6th and 7th Avenue.You know, the, the 6th and a half avenue is called that space.
Speaker D
Yeah.
Speaker A
It just needs to really be clear to members of the public that they don't need to be eating at the restaurant to use.Be using that seating space.That's what we care about.
Speaker C
Or, or if it's guarded like.If it's guarded away, yes.
Speaker L
We can put a nice barrier with plants or something, and we can add more public tables on.On the.The.In the other space or benches or whatever.It's.
Speaker F
It's.
Speaker L
I don't know, the, the community will like.And we can maintain that space like regular cleaning, garbage disposal and everything.The public space, we can maintain.
That's the same how we do in Midtown.
Speaker D
Okay.
Do I hear any other comments, questions?
Speaker F
Yes.
Speaker D
No objection.No objection.Second motion.No objection.Seconded.
Is there any objection to this motion of no objection.Hearing none.Resolution is passed unanimously.
Members review the draft committee handbook, suggest clearer terminology and links, and discuss how the document should remain a living resource with future updates.
Speaker D
Thank you very much.Good luck, gentlemen.
Speaker I
Thank you very much.
Speaker L
Thank you so much.Thank you.
Speaker D
All right,
Speaker A
that's Italian.
Speaker C
Clearly, I don't speak French.
Speaker A
I used to, but not since I speak Spanish, and I like our time.
Speaker D
Okay.That takes care of that business.Now, item nine.
Continued discussion of the bulk committee handbook.I think it's starting to look pretty good.Thank you.
Speaker C
Yes.I did a rundown last night.
Speaker D
Okay.Now, I went through it again this morning, and I found some typos, but I think.I think it's gone together pretty well.
Genevieve, you're our news member.Have you had a chance to take a look at it?
Speaker B
No, not quite yet, but I can review tonight.
Speaker D
I'd like you to do that because this is.Oh, I'm sorry.
Speaker A
Daniela, too.Yeah.
Speaker D
Danielle, I would like both of you to take a look at it because you're new.
Speaker B
Yeah.
Speaker D
Where the rest of us have been doing this for a long time, and, you know, it's almost second nature when we look at some of these applications or most of these applications, but, like, new eyes to look out of this and any comments, questions, or.Why did you put this in or should this be in there at all?I would love to hear that.And I think you've sent the draft to all the members.
Speaker E
Yeah.
Speaker B
Is the handbook.
So was there a previous version of it?
Speaker D
No, this is.
Speaker A
And in fact, what I also, if I can add on to Anton's ask, is next month, if you would look at it, if you would have had some sort of fresh eyes on it before you look at the applications for the month so you can tell, like, you'll have.What I'm trying to get a sense is, is it actually helpful for you as you're reviewing applications?Is it providing the guidance that you need?Because kind of.That's the point.
Speaker D
Yeah.But hopefully a leg up.
Speaker K
Yeah.
Speaker E
All right.
Speaker D
And if you find that there may be some disconnect between what the book says and what you think it should be saying in terms of you going over any of these applications, I want to hear that so we can make this for sure.More better.
Speaker A
Your eyes are extra.
Speaker C
The only questions I had, and it might have been for your edits or Paige or whoever did it, on the appendixes, there's a couple of things that I didn't even know they look like acronyms.And I'm like, yeah, we need to spell that out.
If.If I don't.I don't know whose it was, but I think it was with,
Speaker D
like, fs, yes.
Speaker C
Right.But I feel like for the nature of a handbook, I even went in where we said resos and put resolution so that we're really clear on what.
Speaker A
I will totally own that because.
Speaker C
No, I cut and pasted data down.
Speaker A
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker C
I'm just mentioning something that I caught that I didn't actually know, and that's
Speaker A
something that totally irritates me is if you don't spell out an acronym the first time.So all the worst that I did it myself.
Speaker C
It's okay.It's all good.
Speaker D
Okay.So thank you for all the inputs I've been getting or we've been getting it.It's.
Speaker G
And it's as clear an explanation as I've seen of the cannabis process, which
Speaker D
is saying, yeah, well, you all had.
Speaker C
You all had good information there.I just of.Kind, Kind of put it in text form.
Speaker D
Yeah, yeah, okay.Okay.All right.Any, any further input.
Speaker A
The other thing I would say is this is never going to be finished because.No, but I mean, realistically, I mean, our process changes a little bit.Certainly, like cannabis things change.Roadway and sidewalk cafes, like, those are going to not be an issue for us.
Speaker D
Well, some of, some of this has to be updated.
Speaker F
Went through the new rules for.
Speaker D
And on their notice of public hearing opportunity to comment the proposed rules.This is for sidewalk and roadway cafes.And they proposed a few things in there that would have to change in here.
Speaker A
Right?
Speaker D
Yeah, yeah, right.
Hours and distances and things like that.
Speaker C
But all in all, that's more new.Generally things don't really change as quickly and that's why you had mentioned links in the graph.So I'm happy I even tagged myself to do that because that's where the information is held.This is, it's more like a resource to.I mean, we'll hear from Danielle and Genevieve and other members that are newer.But that was my impression is like, if we have a link, as we were talking about post, putting forms in it.
Speaker A
Yeah, yeah, I think that's a little muddied.
Speaker C
But if we have links, we're talking
Speaker A
about putting in the forms that we generate.
Speaker C
Right.Like.Yeah, but, yeah, anyway, so.
Speaker D
Okay, well, it's come a long way.
Speaker A
Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure.
And, and, and not to be competitive, but I believe we are way ahead of the game.Other committees.
Speaker D
Yeah, yeah, I think that's probably.
Speaker C
We're the only committee that has.Sorry, we're the only one.
Speaker E
Yeah.Well, that's almost this close.
Speaker H
That's.
Speaker A
You know, honestly, that's why I was saying it Will never be finished.Because it's like when I think final draft, it's like, well, which is an oxymoron in itself.But then you're never going to have a final version.Right.
Speaker F
Because.
Speaker D
Well, we should have this final version as possible.
Speaker C
I was going to say, yeah, I think we should.And have an amendment project process.
Speaker A
Okay, okay.
Speaker C
Because I like things that are finished.
Speaker D
Okay, great.Any more discussion on this?Okay, take it up next month.
The committee debates a bill on storefront lease agreements, questioning its purpose, possible unintended consequences, and whether it helps small businesses or creates new problems.
Speaker D
What do we have now?
Continue discussion on intro 00902026 local 1 to amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to lease agreements concerning storefront premises.
I think we talked a little bit about this last month and I think one of the comments I said was this.Rent control for small storefronts.And beyond that I read it, I just, I don't know if this would help alleviate storefront vacancies.I think it might make it worse.
Speaker A
Well, and my question that also I haven't been able to get answered is, is this something that the, that small businesses want?
Like, what's driving this?
Speaker G
Yeah, yeah, I've been trying to figure that out.I mean, it looks to me like it's worded as though it's protecting the right, you know, But I mean, it
Speaker A
would be interesting to hear, even from like a bid or something, what, whether they think it's a good idea.
Speaker D
What I.Well, I'm going to be attending a bid meeting, I think next week or week after next, hopefully before our next meeting.And I'm gonna.I'll raise that question.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Because it is something that the bid is aware of.I know.And in fact, there was a student at NYU who's doing a study on this and has been working with myself.I gave some information, is also going to the East Midtown bid to get information there as well.And she promised to send me a copy of her report.But I'd like to talk to Rob Burns over at the East Midtown bid and see if he has any input or has any questions or thoughts about this particular bill.
Because it does affect.It's a business improvement district.It'll affect all bids in New York City.
Speaker B
I, I saw this impact or financial impact assessment that was, I guess, do we know anything about that?
Speaker A
This, it's, it's, it's just something saying, if we put this law into effect, how much revenue will it raise and how much will it cost?
Like, that's in a general way, like any new deal has to have say, like, what is the financial impact on New York City's Government.Yeah.And it doesn't.
Speaker D
That's part of the boilerplate of the.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker B
Do we know anything about what it.What the financials would be for that small businesses in the city to have this.I mean or if there's even a.
Speaker D
The impact would be I think primarily on landlords.
Speaker A
Well, I mean that's my question because would somebody who's just starting out in business say, look, I mean, I don't want to sign a 10 year lease.Like I'd rather have month to month to know exactly.
Speaker D
Work out.
Speaker F
Right.
Speaker A
Yeah.So like it's a question about friction.Right.Like what, what adds friction and.
Speaker B
Yeah.
Speaker A
And so, but, but we, I mean we haven't heard from either sponsors or bids.Did we say we were going to try and get somebody for get to come.
Speaker C
Does it Virginia?
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker C
This region of work.
Speaker A
No, she totally is.And she's I think chair of the Small Business Committee.
Speaker C
Yeah.I'm curious if she has anything to say.
Speaker A
Did we ask them anybody from.And Harvey also is a sponsor.Should we ask any.
Ask them.
Speaker C
I didn't.
Speaker D
To any of the electives.
Speaker A
Yeah, no, I mean should we.
Speaker C
I. I would be cured.So the event I just watched had the.Is it 31st District City Councilman Brooks.She's in Queens.But the reason why I'm bringing her up in this context is because she was bringing up housing issues that are different out there with ownership versus renting.Right.And there's a predominance of city council people that are renters versus homeowners.But my point is we're bringing it up here.Is the storefront issue if in a different borough the perspective is, yeah, it does have a significant impact for storefront renters.Right.Leases versus landlords or vice versa.
I think getting input not just for our elected officials, but other city council people because this was not just happening in a silent vacuum.Like I feel like if we get the context of why it could probably make a stronger argument.
Speaker A
I don't remember who the lead sponsor.
Speaker C
Yeah, I didn't, I didn't.
Speaker F
No.
Speaker D
Who's it sponsors?
Speaker A
Gail Brewer, Upper west side.
Speaker E
Okay.
Speaker D
It's like Manhattan, but Virginia Maloney.
Speaker A
So Harvey's there too.
Speaker D
Harvey Epstein and others.
Speaker C
But she's on.
Speaker E
So yeah, she's responsible.
Speaker C
Yeah, but that's what, that's what you're curious.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Yeah.
Reach out to her and get some information and
Speaker A
you can reach out to Spatina.
Speaker D
Okay.That would be great for comparable data.Right.And we'll report back in two and a half weeks.
Speaker K
Yeah.
Speaker G
It's interesting because it says for tendency of more than a year the bill requires and it implies I, I mean what is the average length of the tax?You know.
Speaker A
Yeah, I would, I would think 10 years, something like that.
Speaker D
10 years with escalation clauses.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Renewal CPI increases.
Speaker F
Yeah.
Speaker D
Okay.
Speaker B
Yeah.I mean I have to, I have to sit down with, I have to print out the bill text and read it in its entirety.But it seems like there's two parts to it.Right.Like it's increasing transparency around the leasehold provisions and the negotiations and then mandating this year long renewal is like a renewal isn't satisfied in some period within the end of.
Speaker L
Yeah.
Speaker A
And like the, that the maximum increase was inversely proportionate to the, to the length of notice that was given which I thought was that actually brilliant.
Speaker B
I just was curious of your perspective of if we, if the bill had dropped the one year mandatory renewal which seems difficult, whether there would be more support or less impact on that.
Speaker A
I don't know.That might be question for the bin as well.
Speaker B
I mean I just feel like I
Speaker A
don't know what the business I'm not sure I really know well what anybody is going.Yeah there's not a lot online for another sign.
Speaker D
I, I, I hope this is not one of those bills that will 1 have unintended consequences and 2 the solving a problem.That's not fair.
Speaker A
Yeah.Yeah.
Speaker C
Well to the, to that end it was the right question that they were talking about in the housing aspect.So this is kind of in a similar vein.It's like why do we want the city to cause more problems if that's a problem?So not saying, not suggesting but just say okay, okay.
Speaker D
Any other discussions?
Speaker B
I can imagine this could potentially help first time small business owners but I, I wonder if there would be a difference with a little more experience.
Speaker A
I did have a comment, not strictly speaking on that but that I noticed and I don't know if this is something we want to take up but on the committee report it also referred to a few other bills.One was intro 408 which was a pilot program to match small businesses with social media content creators for assistance with marketing and advertising and intro 874 which establish would establish a legacy business registry and preservation fund.Both of those are ideas that I had heard about.I went to a meeting at CBA that and there was somebody speaking from CB2 about things that they have done to preserve storefronts and these were ideas.Both ideas were things that CBTUBE was talking about doing and That I thought were like, yeah, like those sound great.
Interestingly, they are things that to some extent, New York City's department, whatever the small business, it's like sbs, whatever.They provide some of these services already as well as like legal services for small business.
Speaker F
So.
Speaker A
It's not related to 90, but it is related to things that we're talking about.So I'm not sure if it's something we might want to talk about those, as far as I could tell what's going on with those.And I honestly didn't really have the time to look further, but I don't know if it's something we might want to take up next month to look at those intros and see if there.If there are things we want to support that and those will have a financial impact, I would then.Because they're talking about providing services.
But what do you think, Anton?Sorry to bring that on mute.
Speaker D
I think this bears more discussion.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker F
Yeah.
Speaker D
Really?I mean, there is a problem.
I don't know if it's getting.It seems to be getting worse, not getting better.The question is, how do you address the problem?And maybe this is.This.This intro is not the way to do it.
Speaker A
Yeah.But maybe these other two help.I mean, that's about preservation, not about feeling storefronts.Right.There's two different things, but I think.Feel like there's things like the shoemaker and my burner.Like, would love to be a legacy business, I'm sure.
Speaker E
Right.
Speaker C
So I'm noticing the timeline.This was originally shared in January.
I know they're not on the same schedule, but I know that the governor looks at things towards the end of the year and makes decisions.And we're always fighting against, at least on a community board level, timing, like being able to comment, being able to whatever.So I'm wondering if it would be auspicious of us to maybe create a resolution of approval or denial or starting that conversation at the next meeting.Because if this is going to be something.Because clearly we have questions and reservations, like it might be something you want to.
Speaker D
Well, maybe.Maybe next meeting we can draft up a resolution of the school board saying whether we're in favor or not in favor if we change this or that.
Speaker A
Yeah, yeah.I mean, I. I just don't know what the res.At this point, I don't know what the resolution would be because I just feel like I don't have enough understanding.
Speaker C
Well, it could also just be like a recommendation to hold off or re.Or rework it.Like, yeah, the bill that's currently.Yeah, right, exactly.But I'm just bringing up the timing factor because I don't know if they're going to be voting on this in the next two months.
Speaker A
Is it out of committee?
Speaker D
I'm not sure.
Speaker E
The hearing was held by.
Speaker C
Yeah, the hearing was held in last month.
Speaker E
They didn't take a vote on.
Speaker C
No, they didn't.But that's, that's why I'm kind of
Speaker A
adding the Newcastle does come in in January.
Speaker D
Is there, is there a vote scheduled?
Speaker E
Not that we.But how.Daniella has her hand.
Speaker A
Rich.
Speaker F
Daniela.
Speaker J
Yes.I was wondering since council member Maloney sends a representative to our general meetings each month, if this is something we can ask them to elaborate on and maybe get some of our questions answered there or just reach out to the office directly to get some insight on the.
Where the bill is, where they anticipate going, what the timeline is, if they think this is for this year, if it's on a three year plan, a five year plan.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker J
And maybe that will give us some guidance because I'm, I'm hearing this is kind of where we were at last meeting as well.But
Speaker A
I mean, I think we can't get too much into the weeds at full board.I mean, one of the things that we always say is committees are aware, full board or where the business kind of gets done.But I think you're absolutely right about seeing it saying, you know, that's an opportunity to say, can we get somebody coming?Although is our next meeting before full board?
Speaker C
It is 17.
It is.Yeah.
Speaker A
Yeah.So.
Speaker C
But we could add.But to your question, Daniela, we could ask.We can send an email.
Speaker D
Can we get a rep to come to our next meeting?
Speaker J
Yeah.Yes.Or our, our meeting.Either way, it's their responsibility, their professional responsibility to explain this process.And if we're getting hung up on how to interpret its intention and it's mechanisms, then it's, you know, that's their job to come and explain it.
Speaker A
Sorry, committee meeting.
Because of the weirdness of the calendar this month is since we'll be meeting before full board.Yeah, it.That works.That's right.
Speaker J
Oh, great.
Okay.Right.Yeah.We've got a weird schedule the next couple of months.
Speaker A
Right.
Speaker J
I think it's easiest sometimes just to sit down with the reps for sure.To save, save everyone time, to be honest.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Yeah.
Can the office contact our reps and see?Yeah, we can reach out to both
Speaker E
council and Melody and
Speaker D
that sounds good to me.
There's nothing like hearing from the horse's mouth, rather than going through pages and pages of proposed new law.
Speaker A
Yeah.Daniela, hopefully you'll be back from Alaska.
Speaker J
Oh, no, I have a medical condition that does flare up sometimes and unfortunately I had a great summer and then September I.
So I am attending virtually through the disability clause, but I am hoping to be able to attend in person in November.Thank you for ask asking.
Speaker B
Oh, sorry.
Speaker A
Because I thought you were going to Alaska.
Speaker J
Oh, that would be very exciting.But unfortunately that was not me.I don't know who that was, but someone.
Speaker B
But you're here.
Speaker D
Okay.All right.So I think.I think we'll let the office invite.
Speaker A
Yeah, so cool.
Speaker C
Great idea.
Speaker D
Somebody to talk a little bit at our next meeting.And as I said, the horse's mouth ask questions.And to be better informed, perhaps we will have to write a resolution rule for the full board to consider.
Speaker J
Sorry to pipe up again.
Members examine state legislation allowing grocery stores and bodegas to sell wine and liquor, weighing consumer convenience, business competition, public health, and neighborhood impacts.
Speaker J
Definitely the questions that you have that are challenging the bill are the ones we need to ask because they're already co sponsors, so they are in support of this bill.So I think the questions in terms that have come up in regards to what necessitates this, what are the possible negative consequences those are.We might want to prepare those ahead of time to make sure that they are defending their position so that we can make the best decision.
Speaker D
Excellent.Excellent suggestion.Okay, any more discussion on this next item.Discussion of New York State Senate Bill S9032 and New York State Assembly Bill A9284 regarding application for licenses.Licenses to sell liquor and wine at grocery stores.The bodega law.
Now, I think grocery stores right now do sell alcohol.They sell beer.
Speaker A
They sell beer.
Speaker D
Yeah, bodegas.So a lot of their business is beer.
The question is whether they should be allowed to sell wine and hard liquor.Now, for me, I don't have any issues for them selling wine.I mean, it's, it's low alcoholic content type situation.And I think they probably end up selling a lot of Twister and Ripple, but.And not.
And not Pinot Noir from south of France.
Speaker A
Not the high margin stuff.
Speaker D
Not the high margin stuff.However, hard liquor is another story.
Again, I'm agnostic on this.I'd like to hear anybody has any ideas.
Speaker A
I, I had some thoughts.
Speaker D
Yeah.
Speaker A
So I, I thought about it first.Was like, well, is this a convenience for consumers?
Speaker E
Yeah.
Speaker A
And I thought, well, sure.I mean, you're making more things available in more places.But then I thought, well, maybe it's not because it reduces the shelf space available for other items, so maybe it will reduce selection and maybe it will make grocery stores more crowded and bodega is more crowded.And so it will.Maybe it's less desirable from that perspective.
So that was one way I thought about it.And the other way I thought about it was I thought about business margins.
Speaker F
Yeah.
Speaker A
And I looked at, I did, I did a little bit of a look up on this.Not, I would not call it a deep dive.
And grocery stores have notorious tiny margins.Yeah, 3.3% if they're lucky.
Speaker F
Right.
Speaker A
When you're talking net.Net margins.
Bodegas are in that world too.But it turns out that liquor stores are not doing a lot better than that.Their margins are.Yeah.So.
Speaker D
So they work on volume, I suppose.
Speaker A
Well, no, I mean, they do work.I mean, I think different liquor stores work on what, what they are selling.I mean, some, you know, some are going for those very high end, you know, wines and, and, and, you know, hard liquor.But, but what I was sort of the information I found it made it sound like, you know, there's such different business models in terms of how much turnover there is of stock and, you know, so how much you have tied up in inventory and so how efficiently you can do that.
But I, I thought, oh, liquor stores have, have room, say, lose some margin to grocery stores.But I'm not convinced about that.
Speaker G
That surprises.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker G
Because I was thinking, one of the reasons I was thinking against this for a grocery store was that the margin on booze would be so much higher that it would kick a lot of other stuff.Shelf space.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker G
You know.
Speaker A
Well, no, that may still be true.It just means that overall, the margins for a liquor store, and it may be that if you're a landlord and a liquor store comes in, you're gonna, you're, you're gonna have a higher square foot rental.I'm sorry.
Speaker B
Well, I was gonna ask, do you know, was that an average margin for
Speaker A
grocery stores or do you know New York City specific?But I don't know.It was not a deep dive.
Speaker B
Yeah, no, I just asked because I, I wonder if bigger chain grocery stores would have a higher margin.And like, without looking at the statistics, I don't know, but I could imagine that they would benefit most by being able to then take advantage of alcohol to the exclusion of smaller groceries or establishment.
Speaker A
Yes, that can be too.
Speaker D
The other issue is the state liquor authority does regulate these liquor establishments.I mean, if you have a grocery store at one end of the block, a liquor store here, and another grocery store down the other end of the
Speaker A
block is that you're violating.You're the 204 rolling.
Speaker D
Yeah, 500.Whatever.
Speaker A
500 I guess it is.
Speaker E
So Paige has her hand raised and
Speaker D
Daniela her hand raised as my.
Speaker A
I have my hand raised because in the past I know for a fact that Gristedis used to sell wine.It was one of the worst wines you ever wanted to taste.But they did sell wine for at least 10 to 15 years.
Speaker D
I forget when they stopped, since I
Speaker E
never bought wine in there.
Speaker A
But I mean, I just remember passing
Speaker D
the area that has a wine.
Speaker A
So it meant every grocery store probably
Speaker E
had a wine if they wanted.
Speaker G
When we go in Morton.I've seen you in Morton Williams.I mean, don't they have a wine display inside?
Speaker B
They do have, but I'm not sure.
Speaker C
Sure if it's like.
Speaker A
I've always wondered about that because it's.If it's like non alcoholic, like wine,
Speaker E
I will look more closely.
Speaker D
Yeah, it's not on my list of things to look for.I don't look for plenty of beer on that beer aisle.
Speaker G
Beer aisle is actually pretty healthy.
But the grocery store margins to request, I mean, they're all.They're notoriously thin.And I think one of the reasons that Whole Foods used to be extremely expensive, but now I think they've.You know, once Amazon acquired them, they got a purchase, they got purchasing leverage, so they've been able to lower their prices, I think.But it's really.
Speaker E
Did.
Speaker A
You know there's one going in just about across from The Martin L. 34th Street.No, on 47th and 48th.
Speaker D
Yeah.
Speaker A
There's one on 34th and 3rd.
Speaker G
But the margins are notoriously.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker G
And I was always.But then you go around a grocery store and you see how they then allocate the shelf space and everything.I mean, it's like they'll have algorithms.Now, what goes at eye level?What goes.
Speaker A
And you know, the Morton Williams is owned by Stop and Shop.
Speaker C
Now we got another question.
Speaker J
You know, sorry.I did end up putting my hand down because this is such a complicated bill.And I'm like, I'm having trouble reading the tea leaves on this because are we trying to increase the consumption of liquor to increase, like tax revenue?Otherwise it does seem like we would be pitting one business model against the other.And then my other thought is like, what is the purpose of a bodega in a neighborhood?
Is it for readily available liquor or is it for.To kind of compensate for.
I just lost the term.The food gaps.Right.Like, we don't talk about that as much, but the Desert, the, you know, the food desert, the fresh food desert.So I would really want to look at this bill closely because it will move bodegas towards.
It will move them away maybe from the direction I would prefer them to go into, which would be more grocery based services for the community.
Speaker A
I think this.I think the grocery.Grocery stores and bodega associations, like, they've been promoting this for years.
Speaker J
They have as.Okay, yeah.And then the liquor associate, you know, like liquid liquor stores
Speaker D
oppose it.
Speaker A
You know, that's.You know, Danielle, you're raising something really interesting though, because I wonder, because of SLA laws about non consolidation of liquor stores, that they are inherently less powerful from a lobbying perspective because they're so.They're so split up because there are laws about you can only own so many liquor stores and things like that.
Speaker D
For instance, in New Jersey, where I lived for a long time, you're only allowed to have four licenses.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Costco may have 20 stores in Jersey, but only four of them can sell.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Alcoholic beverages.Because the independent liquor stores have put up a big stink about competition.
Speaker E
So
Speaker D
in this case, there is no limit as to how many.Martin Williams wanted to have liquor in every single one of their stores.That's a lot of stores.Yeah.
Speaker J
Or Whole Foods and oops, sorry.If liquor is the first step, then are we looking at cannabis next year?And now all of a sudden, instead of having these spots specialized, like, why would liquor be allowed in a bodega and not a cannabis product?That doesn't seem equitable.
So I don't know if I want to.I want to mix all these regulated items under one small hallway with two cats.
You know, I'm not.It makes me nervous.It makes me nervous because oversight is important.And I.So I would want to ask about this bill as well and the repercussions of it.
Speaker A
And I noticed that there are no.There's the one sponsor, but I.There were no other.There were no co sponsors.
Speaker E
Right.
Speaker D
I was, I was.
Speaker E
Yeah.
Speaker D
Gonna say the same thing.
Speaker C
I have a couple of questions.I'm glad that we're like kind of going with gusto with a lot of questions.Clearly we need some clarity.But something that came up as an observation was, Daniela, you kind of hit the nail on the head with this.The focus and driver of increasing alcohol sales is also taking a considerable slant on health awareness and like, where we're at as a state, because this is not just city based, this is a state thing.So then it makes it larger of like, okay, well, what are we Saying when we know there's more information about alcohol use as a drug and having impacts on your mental capacity, it just kind of like Daniel was saying, it's neurotoxic.
Speaker A
The flood.
Speaker C
Floodgates for other questions.And then you met, brought up the SLA and the enforcement piece.But I was also thinking, you know, this is a state thing.It's not, it will trickle down to the city, but, and we don't know what that might look like.But I'm thinking about when Genevieve was asking the question, is this like national data you got specific to New York.What I was thinking when I read, I think it was the assembly bill, was that it was talking about South Carolina and other.And I've lived in North Carolina for a number of years and they do have that model.Piggly Wiggly comes to mind.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker C
But they're generally larger commercial grocery stores.
They have ABC stores that are separate agencies entirely and that's enforced by the state as well.So I'm like, it's, but they're, they're a driving centric state.So like they're driving central state.We have this dichotomy in New York where we have the state of New York and then the city of New York.
Speaker D
Yes.
Speaker C
They operate very differently.So I'm not, I don't want to go completely anti against it because we're talking about bodegas.That's more, that's more specific to cities, even in Rochester and Buffalo and other cities in the state.But it asks the larger question of like, like what are we trying to encourage here?Like people to drive drunk?Like, like what is.
Speaker J
I've seen.
Speaker C
Yeah, but that's what I'm thinking.Like people drive a lot upstate and I'm, I don't know, it brought up those questions.
Speaker G
Who is the sponsor?
Speaker C
Yeah, that's where they are.
Speaker E
Timo is a sponsor and sepul in Senate.
Speaker A
Do we know where they are?
Speaker C
Oh, no, I, I, I didn't do that much digging, but yeah, it's like,
Speaker F
Right.
Speaker D
You know, it goes back to the same question mark.Why.
And what effect
Speaker E
40 seconds.
Speaker D
Is he downstage.
Speaker E
Oh, here's the Bronx.
Speaker D
The Bronx.That's, that's a high density bodega.
Speaker E
Yeah.
Speaker D
Well, borrow.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker J
I mean that's, that's a whole other bag of worms in terms of, you know, some neighborhoods that I've lived in, in the Bronx, in the Brooklyn, where all business is being done through glass.I mean, that's a whole other safety concern about spreading out alcohol, liquor, specifically in neighborhoods where Businesses are already, you know, have to take safety precautions.So it's interesting, it's a good point.
Speaker E
Yeah.
Speaker B
I'm less familiar with these proximity laws, but I mean are those going to be updated if a bill like this assets or.
Speaker A
That's kind of the point you were making too.
Speaker D
Well, actually, I thought something to the effect that you could be you'll be grandfathered in.If you have a grocery store and there's a liquor store less 200ft away, you can sell liquor because your grand, you've been there.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Yeah.
Speaker A
That's interesting.
Speaker E
Would allow existing grocery stores to be
Speaker B
grandfathered in territory then I assume that, I mean there's probably quite a few of them, you know, like we're going to see.Yeah, a lot lot of, I guess future violations, though they would be technically violations.
Speaker D
I, I, again, I, I just don't see how this would have a positive impact on grocery stores and, or, you know, bodegas or whatever, whoever sells food in the city.
Speaker B
Right.
Speaker C
Is it Amanda Septato?
Speaker D
Yeah.
Speaker C
Okay.
Speaker D
My family had a bodega for a number of years on the west side and that door to us was a liquor store.We didn't sell liquor.We didn't have to.We sold beer.
Speaker C
Yeah.
Speaker A
So, and where is Sepulveda from?
Speaker E
They're both, they both represent, they're both on the ground.
Speaker D
Yeah.
Speaker J
I mean it's possible that in that area they are having trouble getting established liquor stores.I, I, I don't know.
Speaker A
I have to look it up on a map, but I used to work in the Bronx and there seemed to be no shortage of liquor stores and bars.Ours.
Speaker D
I, I, again, I just don't see the philosophy where's, where's it going?Is it, who is it benefiting?Will these liquor stores, liquor stores, will these bodegas and grocery stores benefit from this?
Speaker A
Yeah.I keep going back to the lobbying idea.The thought of the grocery stores have a better lobby or better, better lobby or lobbying the liquor stores, the fragmented ownership liquor stores.
Speaker J
And I was hesitant to touch on it too strongly, but since it was brought up.Thank you.What are we saying by try by making alcohol more prevalent, Is that aligned with the state's health?
Speaker D
Yes.
Speaker F
Yeah.
Speaker J
It's one thing for social, but are, do we not have access to alcohol?Is that the problem?Because if it's a bill, I would expect the issue that there's a problem, but I think we have access to, to liquor legally, so.
Speaker A
And maybe it's what you said before about tax revenues.Right, Right.
Speaker J
So there's that is you know, are we looking
Speaker B
right.
Speaker E
Cash.
Speaker C
I think in addition to what you're saying when I'm, when we keep saying what is the why?I think putting into context that these are representatives from the Bronx, so they are downstate.So first up, four of us got to be on it.
And the Bronx, unlike our district, is, is more of the makeup of diverse representing.Right.There's more bipoc folks.There's more, there's more different varieties of socioeconomic families, renters, homeowners, things in the like.So I'm.
I would bet.And when I read the like, what is it?The song summary that that was their original intention was to bolster small businesses, which is whole bodega.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker C
So I don't want to diminish that.That might be a good idea.But again, yeah.Daniela, the driver, for me, just coming from a health conscious mind is like, we do need to put that element into play here.
Speaker D
Well, I think most bodegas and grocery stores not only sell beer, they sell cigarettes.And probably in the socioeconomic area of the Bronx, it probably is a big seller cigarettes.
Speaker C
But I will argue bodegas serve a community purpose.Right.Like what Daniela was saying is a food desert substitute.But I would also say just socially.Right.
Like that's what the sidewalk cafes and robo cafes are all about.People, people want to engage in that way.So, yes, they sell not so great products that could do harm.
Speaker A
Well, Doritos, I mean, but that's, that's
Speaker C
to the consumer to decide.
Right.It could just be talking to the owners and the tenants.
Speaker J
Right.That's a good point.They are small business owners.Whoever owns the d' Agostino or the Morton Williams, you're never brushing shoulders with that person.That person does not live in the neighborhood, most likely.Right.So, yes, that's.
Speaker D
I'm afraid if this bill goes through those larger Martin Williams Whole Foods d', Agostino, they could give good competition not only to liquor stores, but bodegas may not even.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Be able to compete with them.I mean, these, these larger stores buy on volume.They can undercut.You know, if we ran the bodega, I mean, we knew that the grocery store.Grocery store.The larger chains were almost selling at our wholesale cost.
Speaker A
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker B
That, that was my question about the margins on like larger chain grocery stores versus smaller ones.Because I think it's a good distinction between city and the rest of the state.I think, like, the ecosystem of New York is going to have a very different.They'll have a very different financial Impact on New York versus the rest of the state.And I can imagine if you have like a mom and pop liquor store upstate, you're going to be wiped out by Costco.
Like, sells alcohol at a. Yeah.At a unit cost that is probably not comparable then.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker B
So not that anyone wants to buy like a huge.You know, because it doesn't go bad.
Speaker F
Right.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
I don't know.How many standalone liquor stores do you see upstate?Usually they're part of a strip mall.
Speaker A
Well, that's what I was going to say.Like, you see, like the grocery store is there and, you know, the gym is there and the liquor store is there and, you know, maybe the Home Depot is there and, you know, so the print.The party store is there.
Speaker D
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker C
But upstate also has unique makeup of like, I just went to an orchard.They might have hard cider.Like, they might have different.It might not be the full shebang of full liquor store kind of vibes, but very unique.
Speaker D
This is why we have two SLA applications.One is wine, beer, cider.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
And here is wine, beer, cider and liquor.
Speaker C
Yeah.
Speaker D
Again, I go back to the wine, beer, cider.I'm not.
I don't really have a problem with that.It's still.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
I think would cause the friction between the small grocery store, the liquor store, and the corporate west coast of the world.
Anyway, I haven't seen very much in newspapers about this.Was anybody.
Speaker B
Yeah, maybe it's not likely to be taken up.
Speaker C
I mean, I have heard in the more like, general context.I think it was one of the news channels, more local to hear saying they might get liquor.You might go to your bodega and get like, it was one of the local joints.But that's it.That's the beginning and end of it.
Speaker D
Okay.I don't think we need a resolution.I think maybe we'll do a little more homework on this and maybe we might consider resolution saying we.We support this as far as, let's say wine, beer, cider, let's liquor.
Speaker E
I think.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
We're not.We're not going to go that one step farther.
Speaker B
That's right.
Speaker G
It would be interesting to see what Keith Powers and Senator Krueger.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Okay.All right.Any further discussion on this, we'll just table this, get some more information, maybe talk about it next month.
The committee reviews proposed DOT sidewalk cafe rules, focusing on accessibility, pedestrian safety, mayoral approval, and the short comment window before the hearing.
Speaker D
Next month to next meeting.
Speaker A
One would be next.
Speaker E
Okay.
Speaker D
Item 12, discussion of the proposed New York City Department of Transportation sidewalk cafe rules, including the proposed change to allow recesses within sidewalk plateau frontages.Now, I did receive an email from Sandy.She went to the borough meeting and recesses means the law would allow pedestrian passways to be crooked.And quite frankly it makes it difficult for wheelchairs and disabled to traverse a sidewalk cafe set up or a roadway cafe.Right now the rules are got to be 8ft period.
Speaker B
At least.
Speaker E
All the way.
Speaker D
At least.
What was the other thing on this?
Speaker A
Yes.It's not even a recess.It's like a reverse reset.
Speaker E
Yeah.
Speaker A
An abscess perhaps.
Speaker C
Is it 8ft minimum, depending on the size of the sidewalk.Because I think there were different.
Speaker A
Depends on the proximity, the pedestrian mobility.And I came with it.
Speaker K
Demand.
Speaker A
Yeah, demand.Thank you.But the thing is they're talking about getting rid of that as a criteria so that it would be eight feet everywhere.
Speaker D
Yeah.
Speaker A
Which again I'm opposed to that too.I mentioned this, this to my mother today, my 93 year old mother with macular degeneration and she was like, it's not dangerous.
Speaker G
So what is the concept that you could have a zigzag?
Speaker D
I sort of, you know, so long as I forgot what, at least four feet.
Speaker E
So it would no longer be a straight clear path.
Speaker D
Yeah, it could be.
Speaker G
So if you have twins, I think
Speaker A
it probably means like if you have a tree plant, like you could have eight feet.If you have eight feet and then you have like a tree pit, you could jog in and then you could jog back out past the tree bed.
Speaker D
So whereas right now it's got to be 8ft from the tree pit, period.
Speaker A
Well, and I think it probably still does.It's just that instead of, instead of saying here's the.Like if you have.The tree pit is here and here's the building, this has to be 8ft the whole way.
Whereas what they're saying is now you could have, you could have, you could have.I can't draw.No, I think there has to be 8ft all along the way.But you could have it.If this has to be 8ft here and it has to be 8ft here, but you could go out farther by the tree pit.
Speaker D
Yeah.
Speaker A
I don't know how to.
Speaker C
Moving the physical plane, but still maintaining.
Speaker A
Yes.So that you could have.Say you have a 12 foot.
Speaker E
Okay.
Speaker A
So you have a 12 foot sidewalk and you have.
And, and you have a four foot sidewalk seating.Make it 16ft.Right, 16.You have 16ft and the tree pit takes up four feet, which it doesn't.But.So you have, you could have.In the area where there is no tree pit, you could have an 8ft of sidewalk dining, sidewalk cafe.When you get to the tree pit, it would go in four feet.So you could only have.You would still be 8ft.
But it would only.
Speaker D
It won't be a straight path.
Speaker A
It wouldn't be a straight path.
Speaker D
Okay.The other thing.
Speaker A
I don't, I don't.If you gave me more time I could draw it and the best of days I've not.You see what I'm saying?Yeah.
Speaker G
Yeah.And then that raises the question of, you know, in a stroller with twins.
Speaker A
Right.
Speaker G
So you're.You're going to have to maneuver around people and Anyway.Okay.
Speaker B
Is there a reason why.
Speaker D
Oh, I'm sorry.
Speaker C
Is there a reason why that the DRT is making this consent session?
Maybe it's something that we can partner with transportation.Because I'm getting real pissed off with things that are anti pedestrian at this point.
Speaker D
I'll tell you the other thing that it doesn't.I didn't see and I went through this whole thing is basically if you have two restaurants right next to each other, there may be different buildings.They can have sidewalk seating next to each other.So there wouldn't be any space.
Speaker G
Yeah.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker E
Okay.
Speaker D
That means you have to jaywalk to get through between the space.But the.Wasn't addressed at all.Now I've seen, we've seen during COVID they have these semi permanent structures and they're one after the other down the block.I mean this is not pedestrian friendly or car friendly or.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
You know.Yeah.Anyway, what else they say in here.
Speaker F
Okay.
Speaker D
Operations from each day to 11 o'.
Speaker C
Clock.
Speaker D
This is sidewalk seating.So it will satisfy a lot of the objections.We get some of these.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Sidewalk seatings.We're going to year round roadway cafes and they give some of the proposed regulations to how they can be closed with transparent polyvinyl covers and things like that.One thing I didn't see them mentioned for sidewalk cafes is whether you would be allowed to have heaters.
Speaker A
Yes, there is something about allowing Peters.Don't remember what it is, but there was like a certain, there was certain required requirements.
Speaker I
Okay.
Speaker D
It wasn't in here.So it wasn't a change then.
Okay.Add a new section to align with Local 135 to provide that mayors mayoral approval of a petition for revocable consent is required unless the mayor has determined that specific and additional mayoral approval is.Is not required.So that it's.It's taking it out of.it's going up
Speaker A
to the mayor which like all like
Speaker D
the proposals like proposal number one on the ballot, which basically is bypassing community 100%.
Speaker A
100%.And I went to a meeting and I know we can't really talk about politics here, but I went to a meeting about the ballot proposals.
Speaker D
Yes.
Speaker A
And I raised that issue.I said it was only 15 days notice.So community boards, the community boards won't have an opportunity to weigh in on, on that.And you know, they're, if any lawyers are still here, but you know they're going to game the system.Right.So we never, and in fact, given that we only make resolution that then goes to full board, we sort of never get an opportunity to weigh in on it.And the guy who was making the presentation said, oh, well, I happen to be on my, on my local community board.On Community Board 7.And he said, we never look at our roadway and sidewalk cafe applications.We just approve them.
And I was like, I, I think we get errors on probably 30% of our applications.You do well to, to, to review them.And he's like, well, maybe we're not doing our due diligence and.
Speaker C
Right.
Speaker A
I, I, I was not impressed.
I was not impressed with his answer either.And somebody came up to me after and said, did he convince you?
Speaker C
And it's like, I don't know.
Speaker D
Okay.That mayoral review, I'm,
Speaker A
Is this really the time to give more executive power?
Speaker C
Well, I'm just thinking about the enforcement situation.For example, we were talking about recent.Because, Anton, you're going through line by line the updates that the DOT is proposing or enforcing or whatever.
I've seen a number of violations with.Because thank you for the accessibility 8ft situation, because I know this must be a violation of a number of, of sidewalk cafes that we've approved here.
And again, I tend to be a little bit strong on being a serial pedestrian and always being vigilant about, about having access, but also from a able versus non able.And when you were talking about your mother, I feel like we have an aging population in our district.We also have, like John said, a growing population.So we're at both ends of this spectrum.
I guess my question, Anton, is like, we're hearing of these updates that DOT is claiming they want to make.Like, what can we do?Like, is there a way that we can have a dialogue like, and like, request comment, like to have some kind of.I don't know.
Speaker A
Well, I'd certainly be in favor of, I don't know about the conversation, but I'd certainly be in favor of having a reso next month.
Opposing.Yeah.Yes.
Speaker D
Yeah.Also one of the Changes they've proposed is that if you have sidewalk seating that's only one table wide, in other words, two tops.
You don't have to go through the dot.
Speaker A
That's interesting.
Speaker D
When I see a lot of coffee shops, at least in, in our area where they have, you know, couple tables.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
And that's it.Right.Right next to the.
Speaker A
I mean, I mean,
Speaker C
I'm not sure
Speaker A
how I feel about that because I just think about the Greek place and also the, the pizza place on 41st that had put tables out and I told them about them, they took them away.
Speaker E
But.
Speaker J
And there.
Speaker A
Because there's an equity issue.Right.Like everybody else went through the approval process.Yeah, yeah.
Speaker G
No, there's a restaurant in my neighborhood where I thinking of going in and just saying something to the owner.
Speaker A
I had.I couched it in that, you know, if DOT bust you on this, it's a thousand dollar fine.Is it worth it?
Speaker D
Just a question.Has this gone through a hearing process in DLT?
Speaker E
So the hearing is taking place on November 9, 10am
Speaker F
oh yeah.
Speaker E
And they're not accepting comments past neighbors.
Speaker A
They are not.
Speaker E
November 9th.
Speaker D
Yes, 10 o'.
Speaker G
Clock.
Speaker E
So obviously everyone certainly testify on their own.You know, we have.
Speaker D
We wouldn't have resolution.
Speaker A
No.
Speaker E
We wouldn't have time for something to arrest.And it's not like they gave us enough advance notice for us to.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker D
Why would they do that when they just throw these applications at us Monday before meeting?
Speaker C
Well, it is showing a different side of the DOT because I know that the transportation committee specifically says that they are a very strong partner and they're very amenable and they are very engaging.However, on this flip side of the business doesn't seem so.And when they're making concessions about things that they don't really have expertise in, this is more of like a safety and sanitation situation with the sidewalk cafes and maybe it just kind of into the dot.Right.
Granted, it was a very trying time, the pandemic.I understand that.But I've said a number of times this city does not have the infrastructure and the.And the like, the structure necessary to take on all of this, let alone an agency that clearly wants to make changes that benefit the sales of these applications, like the revenue that's generated.That's what I'm feeling.
So I guess the question is, you said that there's a hearing and then there's no acceptance of comment past.Then is there something that like we can maybe.What is the next exact committee committee meeting?
Speaker A
I don't even remember our Committee meeting.
Speaker C
No, exactly.Yeah, exactly.Exact.
Speaker E
Yeah.Exact is always after.
Speaker C
So it's not going to be before the state.
Yeah, I was thinking more.I was thinking creatively and being like.Since we have that option during the summer when we don't meet as full board, maybe we can pay attention to executive and make a statement as a community board that we are not condoning.You know, I don't know.But it's.
So there's nothing else that we can do past just showing up at the hearing.
Speaker A
Testimony too, I assume.I assume you can submit a written testimony as well.
Speaker E
It's just the deadline for written comments.PM so.
Okay.5:00pm written 5:00pm remember, whereas the hearing is on.Is on November 9th at 10.
Speaker C
It seems like they're in CA with.What's the acronym for the accountability.
The office of.It's the one that's Coach.
Speaker A
Don't even.
Speaker C
Sorry.No, no, no.I'm bringing it up because it sounds like this is within the same vein of trying to.
Speaker A
Yeah.Streamline.
Speaker C
Streamline.
Speaker E
Yeah.
Speaker C
Without understanding the repercussions of what that entails.
Speaker A
And in point of fact, some of the errors that we have gotten over the years from people with problems on their applications have said that the bad information came from dot.
Speaker D
Well, you're right.We look at these applications and you say doesn't make schematics.Don't make sense.But they've been sent to us by the dot.Allegedly haven't been looked at.Right.Well, anyway, so November 9th is a date.
I don't know whether it would.
Speaker B
Something we could add to the newsletter.
Speaker C
Ryan, are we allowed to do that?
Speaker D
We will be getting notification for
Speaker E
video
Speaker D
attendance for this from VT Unifink for that meeting.
Speaker E
It's in the notice itself.You can join on Zoom if that's what you're asking.
Speaker F
Oh, right.
Speaker D
You're right.Yeah.
Speaker E
But to.To.To answer Cat's question, it's something we can certainly include, I think.
Speaker A
Yeah.Make people aware.
Speaker E
The newsletter.We do often put public hearings in the newsletter in the last.You know, I have to talk with Sandy on that, but I don't see why they would be.
Speaker D
Okay.
Speaker B
This is something I can probably look up as well.But what is the process for the DOT Now?They'll hold the hearing and then have a committee consider public comment and.And decide whether to pass the rule or what is the what is.
Speaker E
They can adopt the rule.Sometimes they will make changes between the proposed rule and the adopted rule based upon the.The comments that they receive and sometimes they won't.Didn't say what they'll do.
Speaker D
But, and as Sandy said, if resolution one passes, this is all root.
Speaker A
Yeah, yeah.No, I said that.
Speaker D
Oh, you said that.
Speaker A
I said that.She agreed though.
Speaker D
I agree too.Anyway, and it will.
Speaker A
I think I said when, not if
Speaker D
you think it'll pass.
Speaker E
100
Speaker A
proposals always pass.
Speaker C
Yeah.
Speaker D
When people don't read them.Okay.
Speaker A
They seem like pat.You know, they seem like apple pie, but.
Speaker D
Okay.
A revised resolution is introduced to correct how a coffee shop application is categorized, and the committee agrees to supersede the earlier version.
Speaker D
Item 13, shares report.I don't have any report.Wave that.But item 14.
I didn't realize.Revised resolution of no objection for new application Temporary reform Retail permit for wine, beer, cider license for cafetown.New York City.
Speaker F
Yeah.
Speaker D
NYC at 211 East 14th Street.
What are you telling us?
Speaker A
I, I, I did not see this.
Speaker E
And this is Me neither.So this would be something for olden business essentially because technically we already passed new business.
Speaker C
But.
Speaker A
But what, what is it?
Speaker D
I, we passed this.I thought.
Speaker E
Yeah.So the issue is that the SLA apparently according to the applicant is not allowing them to categorize themselves as a coffee shop.
Oh, to be a bar and tavern.
Speaker D
A bar with coffee.
Speaker E
Right.So.
So the applicant's representative reached out and since we can't just obviously make a change to a resolution that's been passed
Speaker D
by the full board,
Speaker E
what our proposed course of action is would be to essentially pass the reso with that amendment, have this resolution supersede the previous one, and then we could send that.
Speaker A
Yeah, yeah, that seems fine.
Speaker B
Yeah.
Speaker E
So you know, I.If the committee is okay with that change, you know, do it by unanimous consent.
Speaker D
Okay.Video unanimous consent.
Speaker E
Any objections?
Members discuss follow-up tasks, including contacting officials about pending bills, refining the handbook, and deciding whether to request more information before drafting resolutions.
Speaker A
I did have a question for when I thought you were going to have a chairs report that I was going to ask.
Speaker F
Okay.
Speaker D
Ask me about the shares report I'm not giving.
Speaker A
Yeah, well, no, actually I was just wondering if we heard anything about our proposal for fellow.Proposal for, for a fellow For a planning fellow.
Because it's October.We said we probably hear in October.
Speaker E
I know.I think there have been some matches.I believe our transportation, they match someone but I'm not sure if all of the matches have been done yet.Okay.
Speaker D
Okay.I see in the this one.Do we agree on action items for this meeting?
Our past action item is still outstanding.That's right.We just did discuss this at the executive meeting.So do we have any action items that we'd like to bring forward?Other than no.I'll speak to East Midtown Partnership about small business
Speaker E
run control.
Speaker C
The other action items were the office was on our behalf going to check in with Harvey Epstein and Virginia Maloney, about one of the bills that we were looking at earlier today.I'm sorry, I'm confused with one.Which one it was.
I will put in links to our handbook so that it's closer to finished, but I don't know if there was anything else.
Speaker A
And Daniela.
Speaker C
Oh, Danny.To look at things,
Speaker B
did we want to prepare any resolutions, such as on the first bill asking for more information about the impact of storefront leases?
Speaker A
Well, I don't think we need a resolution to ask for information.
Speaker B
Additional of approval on learning certain things or.I know we had just thrown out these ideas like a resolution opposing liquid law or.
Speaker C
I don't know.
Speaker G
Well, let's hear from what I see.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker G
Yeah.
Speaker A
I mean, it's.Good question.
Speaker B
I was.
Speaker C
I was volunteering to do a resolution for or against.So you did hear me.Right.But I think the conversation kind of expanded to asking our officials first with.I think it was either yours or Daniela's apt assessment of.
They're the ones that should be telling us what this is and explaining it further.So.Yeah.Would it be helpful, Brian, if we submit questions in advance of asking them to show up or.I mean, I find.I find sometimes when they come to.Danielle, I love your idea of, like, having a conversation in person, but generally I have felt like even when they're in person, sometimes they don't.
Speaker A
Well, they make sure they send the right person.
Speaker C
Yeah.Or they're like, I don't know on that.I'll have to get back to this.
Speaker D
Yeah.
Speaker E
It never hurts if you have questions.
Speaker C
So they're prepared.
Speaker E
Yeah.
Speaker A
Yeah.So, I mean, either way, we could
Speaker J
say just as clearly, like, we don't have a reason and to support this resolution.
Speaker A
Yeah.And our word.
Speaker B
Bill.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker J
Can you come and explain why it's valuable to our community?
Speaker A
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker J
We have questions and just.Just so they know they're coming in.It should be someone either the office counsel or someone who's familiar with.
Speaker G
Yeah.
Speaker A
Somebody on the policy side.
Speaker C
Right.
Otherwise.
Speaker A
Yeah.
Speaker C
Not speaking in platitudes and.
Speaker J
Right.
Speaker C
Like talk about it.
Speaker A
It's useful for them to know we might be.We're a little skeptical.
Speaker F
Okay.Okay.
Speaker C
If you need help.
Speaker D
Any other comments?
The committee moves to adjourn and formally ends the meeting.
Speaker D
I hear a motion to adjourn.
Okay.Okay.See?No f. Business.The meeting.