A bylaws subcommittee presented a package of proposed amendments to the Brooklyn Borough Board’s bylaws at the June 3 meeting, recommending updated membership language, meeting scheduling, a video‑conferencing statement and changes to voting thresholds; the board did not adopt the changes at the meeting because of a 60‑day notice requirement.

Committee chairperson (name given in the presentation as chairperson Baptiste) outlined the committee’s recommendations, which the subcommittee said were intended to modernize the board’s operating rules last revised in 2007. The proposals included clarifying that the borough board “consists of the borough president, city council members, and the chairperson of each community board or their designees,” and making regular public meetings monthly except for July and August to align with community boards.

The committee recommended adding language that the borough board will livestream meetings for public convenience but that board members must physically be present to count toward quorum unless a hybrid resolution is adopted. The package would allow the borough board to treat some items as borough‑wide issues—thereby permitting full board voting on matters currently limited to affected community board chairs—and would allow a two‑thirds vote of members present to take immediate action on a first‑time agenda item (instead of deferring to the next meeting) where warranted.

The committee proposed changing public‑hearing notice language (reducing some publication periods from 10 to 7 days for city record postings), adjusting committee appointment language to clarify special‑committee durations, and instituting a requirement that the bylaws be reviewed at least biannually with the bylaws committee convened in January of odd‑numbered years. The committee also recommended shortening the notice period required to mail proposed bylaw amendments from 60 days to 30 days.

Margaret Brewer (CB 16), Rosemary Espinal (CB 1) and Teresa Escabo (CB 15) were thanked by the committee chair for participating in the review. Borough President’s Office staff—Carol Ann Church, director of community boards, and Karina Lozada Smith, general counsel—were credited with advising the process.

Under existing rules the board must provide 60 days’ notice before amending bylaws; the committee and the borough board recorded the proposed package at the June 3 meeting but did not vote to adopt it. Committee members said the 60‑day requirement means the board will revisit formal adoption after the required notice period has passed.

The borough board recorded the committee’s recommendation that chairperson Baptiste serve as bylaws committee chair and noted the committee’s unanimous support for the presented package. The borough president’s office will circulate the proposed amendments and the board will consider formal adoption after the statutory notice period.