About Community Boards

Community Districts and Boards

In New York City there are 59 Community Districts and Boards. There are 12 Community Districts in the Bronx, 18 in Brooklyn, 12 in Manhattan, 14 in Queens and 3 in Staten Island. There is a maximum of 250,000 people per Community per Community District.

Community Board Mandates

Consider the needs of the Community District that it serves.
Cooperate with, consult, assist and advise elected governmental officials about any matter that “relates to the welfare of the Community District and its residents.”

City Charter Requirements

Monthly Board meetings are required except during July and August.
Actions, decisions, etc. can only be authorized by a majority of the members present and entitled to vote during the presence of a quorum.

Appointments

The Borough President appoints Board members.
City Council members nominate at least half of the appointees (divided proportionally based on the share of the district's population represented by each Council member).

Board Membership and Additional Information

Up to 50 members who reside in, have a business, professional or other significant interest in that community; appointments should consider all neighborhoods and segments of the community.

Members serve for either one year or staggered two-year terms that begin on the first day of April;

- ½ of the membership is appointed every year.
- Not more than 25% of the appointed members shall be City employees.
- Non-Board members can serve on committees.

Role

Board members are City officers. Community Boards are autonomous City agencies.

Removal

A member may be removed for cause, including frequent absence from Board and Committee meetings over a period of six months, by the Community Board or Borough President.

Community Board Committees

Purpose: Any and all district issues should be able to be considered and addressed by a Board committee.

Responsibilities: Research issues, develop goals, plan activities, conduct public hearings, and present recommendations to the full Board.

Committees also have input into the City’s budget process and Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP).

Committee Membership

Committees are composed of Board members, and non-Board (public) members. Public members can vote only in committees.
Board members must join and regularly attend committee meetings.
Committees are open to the public, and are required by the New York State Open Meetings Law to keep full and accurate minutes.

Responsibilities

Boards have an important advisory role in dealing with land use and zoning matters, the City budget, municipal service delivery and many other matters relating to their communities' welfare. They participate in:

Service Delivery
Land Use Planning
City Budget Process

Land Use and Zoning

Community Boards must be consulted on placement of most municipal facilities in the community and on other land use issues. They may also initiate their own plans for the growth and well-being of their communities. Applications for a change in or variance from the zoning resolution must come before the Board for review, and the Board's position is considered in the final determination of these applications.

City Budget

Community Boards assess the needs of their own neighborhoods, meet with city agencies and make recommendations in the City's budget process to address them.

Structure

Each Board adopts its own bylaws and elects its own officers. The Chairperson usually selects Committee Chairs.

Community Board Meetings

Purpose of Full Board Meetings: The entire Community Board membership meets to consider the needs of the district and its residents.

Rules Governing Meetings

Meetings are governed by New York State's Open Meetings Law, the New York City Charter, Community Board bylaws and Robert's Rules of Order.
The Corporation Counsel has clarified and interpreted certain regulations.
The New York State Open Meetings Law requires that minutes be taken at all open meetings of a public body and the votes of all members must be recorded.

Typical Meeting

A typical meeting would usually include:

Public session
Public hearing
Reports, e.g., Chairperson, District Manager, elected officials, guests, etc.
Committee reports, presentations, etc.
Action items and voting, e.g., resolutions, etc.