Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
Q&A
Methods for improving community board representativeness through appointments
2:23:55
·
69 sec
Commissioner Shams DaBaron asks Catherine Vaughn for specific methods to make community board appointments more representative. Vaughn suggests possibilities like matching board demographics (e.g., renter/homeowner ratio) to the district's demographics via the application or appointment process, while acknowledging challenges related to time commitment.
- Ideas include using application questions or setting targets for appointments based on community demographics.
- Key demographics to consider include renter vs. homeowner status, income levels, etc.
- Acknowledges the self-selection issue where meetings favor those with more time/resources.
Shams DaBaron
2:23:55
I I just wanted to ask, you if I'm heard you correct, you were talking about community board appointments.
2:24:03
Correct?
2:24:04
You, ma'am.
2:24:05
Sorry.
Dr. Lisette Nieves
2:24:05
Yes.
Shams DaBaron
2:24:07
And thank you for your testimony.
2:24:09
I I wanted to know, like, what were your ideas in terms of, like, how how do you see that, you know, that that can be done in a way that, you know, you you feel is
Catherine Vaughn
2:24:22
Sure.
2:24:22
I mean, there could be questions on the community board application.
2:24:25
I've seen some changes in some boroughs around, homeownership.
2:24:29
So having the proportion of homeowners versus renters be similar to that in the community.
2:24:35
You could do that with a number of different potential dimensions, but I think that could be one step toward, you know, obviously, it's it's hard for anyone to show up at any, like, 06:30PM meeting, so it often selects for people who have more time or more resources to be able to do that.
2:24:50
But if it's possible to to rethink, ways that community boards could truly be more representative of their community and have proportions of lower income folks or renters, or people who are personally affected by the housing crisis.