Gowanus Canal CAG Outreach Committee Meeting

The Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group’s Outreach Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., via Google Meet.

Proposed Agenda

1. CAG Resolution: Some of you are aware that a resolution has been discussed within the Land Use Committee, and we expect this to go to a full CAG vote at the June General Meeting in a few weeks. The last part of it is a commitment that the CAG makes, which I’ve pasted below. The second point would fall upon the Outreach Committee. Take a read:

What the CAG Commits To

By putting forth this framework and seeking the agreement of the EPA, DEC and DEP, the CAG commits to supporting the dissemination of this information to the broader community, through the following:

1. Host monthly CAG meetings that act as a central forum for the agencies to share information with the community on a regular basis about remediation plans and progress:

a. Work to streamline and coordinate CAG agendas and discussion so that agencies can provide timely updates.

2. Play a productive role in the broader community to address issues, concerns, questions or complaints about the remediation impacts, including:

a. Host annual Town Hall meetings where agencies provide high level overview and progress of all remediation activities, so that all neighbors are able to learn about the ongoing work;

b. Manage an active website and social media presence that amplify agency updates;

c. Manage a live list of active remediation projects, that compiles the above information provided by agencies; and

d. Develop and implement an outreach plan to reach community members throughout the neighborhood that may not be represented on the CAG.

The question for the Outreach Committee is if we think we can live up to this commitment. Or, put slightly differently, what would the Outreach Committee require in order to live up to the commitment. The full draft of the Resolution, if you haven’t read it, can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13SghFbGgmVFijida0xXJmBEX-frvsHS_/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103518517351574420515&rtpof=true&sd=true

Time permitting, either/both of the following:

2. Outreach Priorities: Last month we brainstormed a list of priorities for the Outreach Committee, which so far reads as:

• One Town Hall, with the leading candidate being on Soil Vapor Intrusion to increase awareness and participation in the next survey by DEC. A second possible Town Hall is on the remediation of Thomas Greene Park. At this last CAG General Meeting, Mark Granger/EPA indicated the timing might be appropriate for early 2027, once the remediation remedy is clearer. 

• Creating info sheets for future outreach (brainstormed list in 5/11 minutes below)

• Website migration

3. Communications & External Communications Plan: On our list of priorities, but I’m separating it out here, is to draft a Communications & External Communications Plan (as called for by the CAG Charter). Let’s say we’re in the brainstorm phase rather than in the editing-what’s-realistic phase. So far the plan covers Town Halls/public meetings on timely issues, and info sheets on timely topics. George has suggested generating info that can feed local press. What else might the plan cover?

Join via Google Meet
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/suj-rmby-zps
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 929-276-0831‬ PIN: ‪608 998 767‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/suj-rmby-zps?pin=1308142126492