As part of a revision of the City Charter, New York City Community Boards were officially established in 1975, but they’ve existed in some form since 1951. Currently there are 59 Boards across the five boroughs. Each one represents a Community District of no more than 250,000 people. There are 12 Boards/Districts in the Bronx; 18 in Brooklyn; 12 in Manhattan; 14 in Queens; and, 3 in Staten Island.
Who takes part in Community Boards? Each Board is made up City Council members who serve the district, plus volunteers (up to 50 people who live or work or have some sort of interest in that community). Board members are appointed by the Borough President. City Council members can nominate Board members.
Board members serve for up to two years – one full year or two part years (confusing, I know!) – and only 25% of them can be City employees.
What do Community Boards meet about? It’s required by City Charter to have full Board meetings once a month, not including July and August (when, apparently, summer vacation is more important than citizen concerns like, I don’t know, brownouts because we don’t know how to share energy).
A meeting typically starts with a Public Session (2-3 minute commentaries usually by residents); followed by a Public Hearing; Reports from the Chair, District Manager, and any elected officials present; Reports and Presentations from each Committee; and, finally, Voting and Resolutions. It’s very much like the Town Halls we hear about during campaigns.
One extremely important thing to keep in mind: the Boards serve as advisers to local government. They represent the community at the most local level–which is amazing–but they have no legal power to compel action. They cannot make policy or direct any official to do anything. But what they can do is make a lot of noise, and squeaky wheels often make a difference.
EdNote: This is the second of a series of posts geared towards arming MYDers with some basic knowledge about ultra-local politics in New York City. Sara P. tracking the Community Board beat on behalf of MYD. Read her first post on borough presidents here.
