Chair Louis raises Community Board 14 good-faith concerns
Chair Louis notes Community Board 14 approved the project believing it would be a nonprofit, but circumstances changed. She urges the applicant to have another conversation with the board, and Palatnik says he has updated the district manager. Chair Louis then asks colleagues for questions and the panel is not excused.
So I just want to just share that we've also been joined by Councilmember Farias.
I just want to make a quick point because Community Board 14 approved this project with good faith that this project would be operating as a nonprofit.
And things have changed.
It sounds like there's a lot of conflicts.
It sounds convoluted.
So I just want to let you all know you should have another conversation with Community Board 14.
It's very important for us to have somewhat.
Good faith conversations.
Good news.
We already have.
I've spoken to the district manager.
Okay.
I updated her as to what's going on.
Okay.
And I share the same concern that you're expressing to me.
I see that we're talking very connected right now, and the same with the council member.
We all feel the same way that you feel.
I represented this as a not-for-profit.
I'm very passionate towards a not-for-profit.
And we all want to see the not-for-profit succeed and ultimately sign the contract.
And that is what Centers is working on right now.
I spoke to them this morning, to Aaron, same person you spoke to.
And he said there are good faith negotiations going on right now.
And the community, when did you speak with them?
Yeah, I spoke to, what's her name, the district manager about a week ago.
All right, we spoke to her last night and then again this morning.
They're very concerned.
They're still not happy.
And it's hard for them to trust this entity if they're not having honest conversations.
So I get it.
You're conflicted because you were representing them both.
You're not a part of the negotiations.
But that's not their issue, right?
The community board approved something, believing it's going to be one thing and something else happened.
So that's a concern.
I just want to ask my colleagues, does anybody have questions for this applicant?
Okay.
Thank you all for the consideration this morning.
All right.
This panel is not excused.
Thank you so much for being here.