About Community Boards

What Is a Community Board? 

Each of the city’s 59 Community Boards, comprised of 50 unsalaried members appointed by Borough Presidents in consultation with the Council Members of the Board district, serves as a local representative body of City government. Members must reside, work, or possess a specific interest in the community they represent. C.B. 13 plays an important advisory role in dealing with land use and zoning matters, the City budget, municipal service delivery, and many other issues relating to the community’s welfare. Monthly, Board members provide a public forum for members to address items of concern to the community and give residents the opportunity to express their opinions. Committees within C.B. 13 are charged with the duty of following up on issues raised at Board meetings, as well as other matters that may arise in the C.B. 13 neighborhoods.

What Is the District Manager and What Is the Purpose of the District Office? 

The District Manager and the Board staff are chosen by the Community Board and serve at the Board’s discretion. The District Manager is a salaried position and, with his staff, is responsible for implementing procedures to improve the delivery of City services to the district. Additional functions include taking complaints and serving as a municipal manager, information source, community organizer, mediator and advocate. The office resolves complaints from residents; processes block party permits and street fairs, among other duties. C.B. 13’s activities involve scores of special events throughout the district. The District Manager holds a monthly Cabinet meeting at which time the District Manager discusses area complaints, concerns, and planning. The District Managers and staff personnel closely monitor the needs of the district and take part in Budget Consultations, each year, with the City agencies.

How does the Community Board function? 

The Community Board's general meetings are run according to Roberts Rules of Order. While the public is encouraged to attend and observe Community Board proceedings, only Board Members can discuss and vote on motions before it. The Community Boards were created by City Charter, and their roles and responsibilities are defined in Chapters 69 and 70. They also must operate within all applicable City, State and Federal laws that govern public bodies. CB13 also has its own set of by-laws.

We encourage the public to attend the Community Board's various Public Hearings, committee meetings, informational meetings and special events to participate actively in the items before the Community Board at the most grassroots level. All meetings of the Community Board are open to the public, and are posted on our online Calendar.

How do I speak at a Community Board meeting?

A section of every general Community Board meeting is set aside for the board to hear from the public. At the front of the meeting room there will be a sign-in sheet labeled "Public Session" where anyone is invited to sign in to speak for up to three minutes. The Chairperson will acknowledge speakers in the order they sign in. No pre-registration is necessary.