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Council balks at immediate adoption of higher pavilion rental fees after pushback from members and residents
Summary
Council failed to suspend the rules to adopt new pavilion rental and permit fees, keeping Resolution 2026-06 on second reading after members raised affordability, timing and nonprofit-exemption concerns; public comment and multiple council reports urged revisiting the hourly pricing model.
Brooklyn City Council voted down a motion to suspend the rules and adopt Resolution 2026-06, a measure that would have implemented a new hourly fee schedule and permit rules for park pavilions and other public facilities.
The administration asked the council to adopt the resolution on second reading so the recreation department could begin accepting pavilion reservations for the summer. Council President Kathy Poochie said the council and residents only received detailed pricing information in the latest packet and urged more time for review, noting the new hourly charges would sharply increase costs compared with the prior session-based rates. "Our old grand pavilion, one session for three and a half hours, was $50," Poochie said; under the proposed hourly system she calculated a comparable weekend session could cost $262.50.
Councilmember Matt Mosley and others objected to the timing and structure of the proposal, arguing the shift from session-based pricing to hourly rates could reduce access for residents. Mosley said the new rates risk pricing out longtime users and urged a sessions-based option to retain broader access for families and nonprofits.
The motion to suspend the rules failed on a 2–5 roll-call vote (yes: Andy Certz, Serick; no: Steven Coyle, Matt Mosley, Aaron Barowski, Kevin Tansky, Kathy Poochie), so Resolution 2026-06 remains on second reading and will return to the March 23 meeting. Council members asked that the recreation board discuss the fees and that staff produce clearer comparisons and options, including a mechanism for verified nonprofit discounts.
Residents who spoke during the second public session echoed those concerns. Ed Picardo, a resident at 7439 Outlook Avenue, thanked council for other items but urged the council to give members more time to review fee proposals and to avoid rushing measures that affect residents' access to public amenities.
The council is expected to revisit Resolution 2026-06 at its March 23 meeting; members requested more detailed fee comparisons, clear implementation dates for each pavilion, and clarity about whether food trucks or outside vendors would be allowed under rental agreements.
