Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting
Held on Thursday, March 13, 2003 at the
Sephardic Home, 2266 Cropsey Avenue.

Table of Content
Public Portion
Minutes
Award Presentation
Chairman's Report
District Manager's Report
Attendance

Mr. William Guarinello, Chairman of Community Board 11, opened the meeting. 

Public Portion

A representative of the organized day laborers spoke regarding the services that the men provide.  He advised that if anyone is in need of skilled workers or laborers the men are available at Bay Parkway at the waters end.

Victoria Curto, Chairperson of Brooklyn Neighborhood Advisory Board # 11, advised that Federal funds are available to not-for-profit community based organizations to provide services to low income community residents.  The Department of Youth and Community Development administers these funds under the jurisdiction of its community services Block Grant Program.  Ms. Curto advised that there will be a Public Hearing on how we can effectively use the funds allocated to our community on Thursday, April 24^th at Seth Low Intermediate School from 7 PM to 9 PM.

Steve Camastra owner of Mona Lisa Bakery, advised that the newly proposed sidewalk café fees are outrageous.  Under the new guidelines he will pay a 400% increase.

Richard Viola, a local businessman spoke regarding a problem he is having with the next door business.  Mr. Guarinello advised that Mr. Viola should contact the Community Board office for assistance.

Margaret Interlandi a resident from Van Sicklen Street spoke regarding a petition that was made to the Department of Transportation for the installation of a speed hump.

Rick Van Auken representing the Baseball Project of Brooklyn advised that this project is in its 6^th year.  They are trying to bring commercial baseball to Brooklyn, maintain private baseball fields and bring media attention.  Each community district has a commercial club. 

Mr. Guarinello inquired if anyone else from the Public sought recognition.  Hearing none, a motion was made by Frank Segreto to close the public portion of the meeting.  Seconded by Angelo Siciliano.  Unanimously adopted. 

Minutes

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to accept the minutes of February 13, 2003.  Seconded by Louis Crispiano.  Unanimously adopted. 

Award Presentation

Mr. Guarinello requested that Assemblyman Abbate and District Manager Howard Feuer join him in presenting an award to District 11 Sanitation Superintendent Frank Costanzo. 

The Chair presented a plaque on behalf of Community Board 11 to Superintendent Costanzo for the terrific job he and his Department performed this past winter.

The Superintendent thanked the Board for bestowing this honor.

Mr. Guarinello introduced Principal Harold Epstein, teacher Olga Munoz, Ella Nigro and students from the Brooklyn Studio School.

Ms. Munoz advised that after September 11, 2001 the children from the Brooklyn Studio School wanted to contribute to the Police and Fire Department Widows and Orphans Fund.  The first year the children raised over $7,000.  This year they raised $3,700 which they presented to the Police and Fire Department.

A representative from the Fire Department thanked the children for their support and advised that they are doing their best to protect our community.

Police Officer Mauro from the 62 Precinct thanked the children who helped the families of Police Officers who died in the line of duty.

P.O. Mauro reported that Captain Conceicao has assigned two undercover police officers to address the rash of pickpockets on 86 Street.  The officers followed a woman for over 70 hours straight and arrested her for pick-pocketing.  They were able to close out 36 grand larcenies on this one arrest.

In addition, Officer Mauro advised that Temple Beth Shalom located on Bay Parkway and Benson Avenue holds a Battle of the Bands on weekends.  There have been numerous complaints from area residents, and in response the Precinct has assigned undercover officers for the next 3 weeks to the area. 

Chairman’s Report

Mr. Guarinello advised that Guy LaMonaca will be representing Community Board 11 on the Technical Advisory Committee which is being formed by the Department of City Planning Transportation Committee.  The project will connect the five mile gap in the Shore Parkway waterfront greenway in South Brooklyn.  This federally funded project will create a master plan that will develop recommendations for the implementation of a greenway and/or links to the Shore Parkway Greenway.  The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 20^th at Coney Island Hospital, at 6:00 P.M.

The Chairman reported that he attended a press conference last week with Senator Golden, Assemblyman Abbate, Borough President Marty Markowitz and the New York City Department of Aging to announce that plans for a new senior center in Bensonhurst have been finalized.  The new center will be located at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge. 

Assemblyman Abbate was very happy that the senior citizen center issue was resolved.   The Assemblyman advised that he is Chair of the Government Employees Committee and wanted to thank the Police, Fire and Sanitation Department for their hard work and promised to work diligently on their behalf. 

District Manager’s Report

Howard Feuer reported that the Department of Sanitation has been appropriated with funds in the amount of $497,846, for construction management services for the demolition and environmental remediation of the existing Southwest Brooklyn incinerator.

Mr. Feuer commended the Board for the resolution that was passed over a year ago in support of the Mayor’s proposal to demolish the existing Southwest incinerator.

The District Manager reported that the rules pertaining to the replacement of a water main and/or sewer will be enforced by the Department of Transportation. 

The rule states that where street openings cannot be confined to within 8 feet of the curb line, including the required cutback, and/or within the sidewalk area, full curb to curb roadway restoration shall be required where protected street status has been in effect for 18 months or less, unless otherwise directed by the Commissioner.

This means that if a homeowner had a water main break and it cannot be confined within 8 feet of the curb, the contractor must put new paving across the entire street, from curb to curb, building line to building line.  This could cost a property owner $32,000 if they were located on a 40 foot wide street with 80 feet of frontage. 

Pat Monachino made a resolution that property owners be exempt to the rules pertaining to full street and bus pad restorations due to the replacement or repair of water mains and/or sewers if more than 8 feet of the curb line. Seconded by Rosalee Manitta.  Unanimously adopted.

Mr. Feuer reported that the Department of Consumer Affairs held a Public Hearing today on the proposed fee hike of at least 400 percent on licensed sidewalk cafes.  Currently an unenclosed sidewalk café pays $5.00 per square foot and an enclosed café pays$10.00, in all areas except in Manhattan above 96 Street.  Under the new guidelines an unenclosed café will pay $1440 for the first 20 square feet and $22.50 for each additional square foot.  An enclosed café will pay $2,880 for the first 20 square feet and $45.00 for each additional square foot.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to notify the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs that these new guidelines are unaffordable and inequitable to the small businessman in our City.  Seconded by Patricia Monachino.  Unanimously adopted.

Mr. Feuer reported that on March 4^th, he attended a meeting with Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, Captain Conceicao and 62 Community Council President Lou Tromboli.   The District Manager stated that the District Attorney is doing a wonderful job in Brooklyn as evidenced by the statistics that were presented.

One of the major issues that were discussed was the unfair proportion of funds that Brooklyn receives in comparison to the other boroughs.

A motion was made by Barbara Parisi to notify the Mayor that fairness and equity should prevail in all five boroughs in regard to funding for the District Attorneys.  Seconded by Louis Crispiano.  Unanimously adopted.

Mr. Feuer advised that similarly the Brooklyn Borough President’s budget has been reduced drastically and is operating at the bare minimum.

A motion was made by Rosalee Manitta to notify the Mayor and City Council that Community Board 11 supports the Borough President of Brooklyn and any further budget reductions would diminish the quality of life in our borough.  Seconded by Milton Kramer.  Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager advised that Borough President Markowitz and the Department of Consumer Affairs will be hosting a free income tax preparation week at Borough Hall.  Those who are interested should call Community Board 11 for additional information.

Mr. Feuer advised that he went to the Department of Buildings today to discuss the building project on 80 Street and 23 Avenue.  It appears that the building permits are in place and Deputy Commissioner Ron Livian advised today that he will once again investigate this matter.  Mr. Feuer wants the Board to understand that permission was granted to build based upon a built-up area classification.  Mr. Feuer disagrees and met today with the Chief Plan Examiner for the Borough of Brooklyn who stated that there was no way that this plan met the criteria for a built-up area.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to have the Department of Buildings investigate this application and request that the Department be present at the March Board meeting to explain their findings.  Seconded by Al Campanelli.  Unanimously adopted.