Committees
Access upcoming meeting Agendas, along with archived meeting Minutes and Resolutions for all of CB8's Committees.
Full Board
The Full Board of CB8 meets monthly on the third Wednesday of each month, reviewing recommendations made by committees and voted on for final approval. Each meeting starts with public session, where constituents have 3 minutes to comment on issues coming to the board or express any issues or concerns effecting the community. Also at the Full Board meeting, reports are made by elected officials, the District Manager, and the Chair of CB8. Attending Full Board is an easy way to learn more about what is happening in the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island.
Land Use Committee
The Land Use Committee is a committee of the entire board that reviews, amongst other items, all applications for changes in zoning. The Land Use Committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month and attendance at this meeting is mandatory. As noted, the Land Use Committee is a Committee of the whole and therefore also reviews the activities of other committees.
Arts Committee
The Arts Committee will work on bringing publicly accessible art to the district. In the near term, the committee will focus on using empty storefronts to display art and planning performances in public spaces in the Spring in accordance with a recent mayoral initiative.
Budget Committee
The Budget Committee has three major functions. First, the Committee reviews the Mayor's annual Executive Budget and makes recommendations for additions or modifications. Second, after holding public hearings, the Committee compiles a list of expense and capital priorities. These recommendations are then voted on by the full board and presented to city officials. Third, the Committee develops the Board's internal budget within the guidelines set by city officials.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee supports the Chairperson of CB8M in communicating the Board's activities to the outside world. It prepares a weekly Communications Committee report with the District Manager and produces and moderates “CB8 Speaks”, a monthly cable TV show on public access TV (Manhattan Neighborhood Network) on Spectrum's (formerly Time Warner's) Ch. 34 and in HD on Ch. 1993, RCN's Ch. 82, FiOS' Ch. 33, and online at www.mnn.org. Past episodes can be found on this website under the CB8Speaks tab on the main menu. The Committee also provides support for the board’s commitment to have a CB8M booth at the multi-block street fairs in the district.
Congestion Pricing Task Force
The Congestion Pricing Task Force meets to discuss the Congestion Pricing Program. The Central Business District Tolling Program (Congestion Pricing), enacted in the 2019 New York State Budget Law, will result in all vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street being assessed a toll when it goes into effect in late 2023. With the boundary of the toll zone currently bisecting Community District 8, there will be both anticipated and unanticipated impacts affecting residents and small businesses, including but not limited to matters related to parking, physical design of tolling infrastructure, and potential changes to traffic patterns and volumes near the boundary and specifically impacting stakeholders in the areas closest to the boundary. The Congestion Pricing Task Force aims to address these potential issues by developing a series of policy recommendations to help inform elected officials, agencies involved in implementation such as the Metropolitan Transit Authority, and the Traffic Mobility Review Board that is charged with setting tolling policies. Our goal is to be proactive and provide recommendations before rules are drafted and final decisions made to ensure that CB8 constituent needs are voiced, and to work with other Community Boards.
Environment and Sanitation Committee
The Environment and Sanitation Committee reviewed issues affecting the physical welfare of the citizens of the community. Such as pertaining to the water supply infrastructure, DSNY issues as to garbage, recycling, rodent infestation, general "Clean Streets" and air quality in our area. The now operational marine transfer station at East 91st Street was also in their purview. This committee was splint into two committees in Spring of 2022.
Environment Committee
The Environment Committee is charged with exploring and addressing the issues and solutions that can mitigate the effects of climate change and improve resiliency in our district. The Environment Committee meets on an as needed basis.
Prior to 2022, the Environment and Sanitation Committees were one committee, but split to allow better focus on both subjects. An archive of the Environment and Sanitation Committee (pre-2022) can be found here.
Health, Seniors, and Social Services Committee
The HSSS Committee, which includes Public Safety, addresses issues affecting the physical and social well-being of our community’s residents and the institutions that serve them. The committee has held forums and meetings that addressed such issues as homelessness, universal healthcare, senior scams, youth vaping, and the potential health effects of the MTS. In the coming year, we plan on addressing issues on judicial reform, including neighborhood jails, and senior issues.
Housing Committee
The Housing Committee provides a forum where constituents can become familiar with issues such as rent control, senior housing and Mitchell-Lama housing.
Landmarks Committee
The Landmarks Committee of Community Board 8 reviews Certificate of Appropriateness applications, designations, and related matters for the individual landmarks and buildings within the six historic districts in the Board 8 area. This committee meets every month on the Monday before the Full Board meeting, unless otherwise noted.
MSK Pavilion Task Force
The MSK Pavilion Task Force was established to provide a forum to bring together members of the community and representatives of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in advance of their ULURP application for the MSK Pavilion, a new 31-story inpatient hospital building at 1233 York Avenue.
Parks and Waterfront Committee
The Parks and Recreation Committee represents and promotes the interests of parks. The committee reviews all plans for restoration of area parks, assists park neighbors in securing funding for work and restorations, hears complaints regarding use and abuse of parks, works with police to aid security and raises the public's awareness of the importance of our parkland. The Parks and Recreation Committee meets on the second Thursday of each month.
Roosevelt Island Committee
The Roosevelt Island Committee addresses the challenges that transpire due to the unique nature of Roosevelt Island and it’s relationship to New York State and New York City. The State of New York holds a 99-year lease on the island, which will expire in 2068; ownership will then revert to the City. The Lease and GDP contemplates that a State entity develop the Island, with municipal services to be provided by New York City, equivalent to those provided to all other New York City neighborhoods.The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) was created in 1984 by the State of New York as a public benefit corporation with a mission to plan, design, develop, operate, and maintain Roosevelt Island. With a focus on innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, RIOC is committed to providing services that enhance the island's residential community. RIOC manages the two-mile long island's roads, parks, buildings, a sports facility, and public transportation, including the iconic aerial tramway.
Rules & By-Laws Committee
The Rules and Bylaws Committee considers changes to Community Board 8's by-laws. Additionally, the committee deals with issues concerning procedures and member's actions and activities. The committee meets on an as needed basis.
Sanitation Committee
The Sanitation Committee reviews issues involving the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and advocates for the cleanliness of the community by addressing concerns pertaining to garbage, recycling, composting, snow removal, and more. The Committee will be the liaison between DSNY & our constituents for the timely resolution of any issues anyone has concerning sanitation. They will also study and champion innovative solutions to sanitation problems, with the goal of cleaner, safer, and livable streets. This committee meets on an as needed basis, but will try to meet at least quarterly.
Prior to 2022, the Environment and Sanitation Committees were one committee, but split to allow better focus on both subjects. An archive of the Environment and Sanitation Committee (pre-2022) can be found here.
Sanitation and Environment Committee
The Sanitation and Environment Committee reviews issues involving the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and advocates for the cleanliness of the community by addressing concerns pertaining to garbage, recycling, composting, snow removal, and more. We will be the liaison between DSNY & our constituents for the timely resolution of any issues anyone has concerning sanitation. We also study and champion innovative solutions to sanitation problems, with the goal of cleaner, safer, and livable streets. The Committee is also charged with exploring and addressing the issues and solutions that can mitigate the effects of climate change and improve resiliency in our district.
Small Business Committee
The Small Business Committee provides a forum for small business owners, advocates, and community members to discuss the issues and challenges facing small businesses in Community District 8.
Social Justice Committee
The Social Justice Committee works across all subject areas on the issues of equity, justice, and inclusion. This committee meets on the fourth Monday of the month.
Street Fairs Committee
The Street Fairs Committee reviews all multi-block fair applications in the Community Board 8 area to ascertain if they comply with the Board's guidelines. Public hearings are held and recommendations are made to approve or disapprove the applications. The Committee reviews single-block street fairs that presented previous problems or appear controversial. Other single block fairs are reviewed by the District Manager in conjunction with the Committee Chair. This committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Street Life Committee
The Street Life Committee of the Board reviews plans for sidewalk cafes and liquor license applications. The Board then makes recommendations to the Department of Consumer Affairs and the New York State Liquor Authority with regard to these applications. This committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month.
Task Force for Residential Rezoning
The Task Force for Residential Rezoning was established following a board resolution in June 2023 calling for the Department of City Planning to pursue efforts to rezone existing C8-4 and M1-4 blocks in Community District 8 to residential zoning. The Task Force meets regularly in attempts to form specific recommendations to City Planning for individual blocks and sites in CB8 that could be converted to residential use and generate the development of affordable housing.
Technology Committee
The Technology Committee focuses on improving Community Board 8's technology infrastructure. The committee meets on an as needed basis.
Transportation Committee
The Transportation Committee reviews initiatives from the City and develops community-based proposals and requests regarding transportation and mobility. These include issues and policies pertaining to public transportation service and infrastructure (including bus, subway and ferry), street and sidewalk regulations, uses, and operations (including parking, signage, bicycle infrastructure, revocable consents), and the safety of all users of the multi-modal transportation network (pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and transit passengers). Community Board 8 then makes its recommendations to the appropriate agency based on the Committee's resolutions. The Transportation Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month.
Vendor Committee
The Vendor Committee came into existence because of the numerous concerns that came to the Board office with regard to the impact on the quality of life of street vending on our neighborhood businesses and residents. Being a long time issue dating back 25 years for now Co-chair, Michele Birnbaum, it made sense to have this committee which is now 6 years old and Co-chaired by Michele and Marco Tamayo. It serves as a voice for the community, follows street vending issues and legislation, but most importantly, strives for solutions to challenges that come from street vending. Resolutions passed, which serve as recommendations to the appropriate elected officials and city agencies, have addressed almost all vending concerns and offered solutions. If you would like to see our resolutions, contact the Board office. We are a sounding board for the public, and try to be a problem solving committee.
Veterans Committee
A new committee of CB8 focused on the 8,335 veterans that live in the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island, and on services within the neighborhood committed to the New York City veteran community.
Voting Reform Task Force
A new non partisan working group of CB8 focused on voting and election reform in New York City and New York State, focused on making all elections more accessible to voters.
Women and Families Committee
The Women and Families Committee addresses the financial and social issues which affect the wellbeing of women and their families. The committee's public forums, meetings and resolutions tackle such pressing problems as gender pay inequity, sexual harassment, long term care costs, child care costs and availability, shortage of women on corporate boards, the special “Pink Tax” on products geared to women, and food insecurity. The committee focuses on the impact of these issues on women and families on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Youth, Education and Libraries Committee
The Youth, Education and Libraries Committee, consistent with the Community Board's advisory role, will explore issues that affect young people to the age of 21. The committee will review youth services, summer youth employment programs, early childhood education, school safety (with CB8's Public Safety Committee), Department of Education, higher education (CUNY/SUNY).Where appropriate, the Committee will issue recommendations to the relevant governing agencies, elected officials, organizations and host informational forums on particular Youth and Education issues affecting our District. This committee meets on the fourth Thursday of the month.
Zoning, Development, and Housing Committee
The Zoning, Development, and Housing Committee addresses issues related to zoning and housing in Community Board 8. This includes issues such as rent regulated affordable housing, senior housing and Mitchell-Lama housing. This committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
Ad-Hoc Committees and Task Forces
Ad-Hoc Committees are committees of CB8 that meet as needed and have a mission specific to a particular project and initiative.
A Task Force is a sub committee of a standing committee that focuses on a particular topic area or specific item.