Brewer Q&A with DM panel on budget amounts and 322 positions

I guess one question.

I'm glad you're all against these, at least 501.

You didn't talk much about the other bill, and I'll ask about it.

But what would be the amount?

Because I have been advocating for more money for community boards, but I haven't heard a lot of specifics.

Is there an amount that you are suggesting, or is there...

It's often staffing.

I laugh a little bit because Manhattan has had ULERPs.

We've had street issues.

We've had liquor issues for years.

And now, ha-ha, every other borough is stuck with it, too.

My question, is there some numbers that I'm asking?

My board has requested a $50,000 budget increase per community board.

Okay, so that would be, that's what.

That would be.

Be something that others, will others have numbers or do you think that's appropriate?

My board has not voted on a number, but I would say it would have to be at least 30.

And the reason for that is we can keep a lot of our staff.

There's not even equity within city government.

So some of the money needs to go to pay the staff members as well as OTPS for the boards.

I would think 50 is a low end of the spectrum.

And the reason is that now you're talking to the two district managers who have the most liquor licenses in captivity.

So we need a whole nother staff person.

We have my state liquor authority committee.

I have two of them.

Each of them meet once a month, including all 12 months.

And we typically get between 60 and 70 30-day notices every month.

I need another staff person.

And by the way, I need the ability to use, right now I have consultants who I have to pay OTPS, but it requires council member approval in order to move more than enough money to pay that person.

And so I need a whole full-time staff member.

So $50,000 is kind of on the low end of what we would want to get.

And as my colleague has mentioned, we do a great job of training city employees who are then snapped up for higher-paying jobs elsewhere.

Okay.

That's very helpful.

I will advocate for that, but we probably need some more help in doing so.

I'm just telling you.

Now, in terms of 322, have your board...

It's voted on that.

I know you have on D501, 322 being the appointment process.

My executive committee voted on a Thursday night unanimously to oppose it, and it will go to full board tomorrow night.

Okay.

Anybody else?

CB2 has not taken up that issue as of yet.

Okay.

Board 6 has not either in the Bronx.

Well, thank you very much.

I appreciate it.

And we will work ongoing with some of these issues.

Thank you.