Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting
Held on May 8, 2003 at the
Sephardic Home, 2266 Cropsey Avenue.

Table of Content
Public Hearing	District Manager's Report
Public Portion	Committe Reports
Minutes	Attendance
Nominating Committee Report
BSA # 89-65-BZ, Eckerds/Genovese, 8601 86 Street
Chairman's Report

Public Hearing 

BSA # 89-65-BZ
Eckerds/Genovese
2601 86 Street

The applicant seeks the following:

a.  To construct a horizontal enlargement to the existing structure and change the use to as of right retail establishment.

b.  The applicant seeks accessory off-street parking for 32 vehicles in the R-5  portion of the parcel.

Mr. William Guarinello, Chairman of Community Board 11 inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition on this matter.

Hearing none, a motion was made by Joe Manfredi to close the Public Hearing.  Seconded by Louisa Verito.  Unanimously adopted. 

Public Portion

Carol O’Donnell, a resident of 73 Street between New Utrecht Avenue and 17 Avenue, addressed the Board regarding commercial vans parking overnight in the vicinity of her home.  Ms. O’Donnell explained that because the vans have the wording, “emergency” written, it is legal to park these commercial vehicles on the street.  Ms. O’Donnell requested the Board’s help in this matter.

Pat DiLea, a resident of Bay 23 Street between 86 Street and Benson Avenue, advised that trucks that hit the sacrificial beam on 86 Street and 20 Avenue, are backing up and traveling down Bay 23 Street.  Mr. DiLea requested that the beam be relocated to 18 Avenue, before the elevated tracks begin. 

Mr. DiLea advised that the parking meters on Bay 23 Street are not easily read.  Mr. Guarinello advised that we will advise the Department of Transportation.

Mr. Singer, a resident of Bay 34 Street expressed his frustration with the Department of Housing and Preservation regarding the handling of violations.  Mr. Singer stated that he has been misdirected regarding violations that have been corrected.

Mr. Guarinello advised Mr. Singer to contact the Community Board office for assistance.

Ms. Louisa Marinia, resident of Bay 23 Street, spoke regarding the removal of the trash receptacles on 86 Street and Bay 23 Street.  There is a tremendous amount of garbage at this location and Ms. Marinia requested that the receptacles be returned.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the Public sought recognition.  Hearing none, a motion was made by Don Clark to close the Public Portion of the meeting.  Seconded by Joe Manfredi.  Unanimously adopted.  

Minutes

A motion was made by Joe Manfredi to accept the minutes of the April 10, 2003 meeting.  Seconded by Leone Demolfetto.  Unanimously adopted. 

Nominating Committee Report

Victor Allegretti, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, reported that the committee which consists of Al Campanelli, Dr. Caruana, Joe DiSanto and Richard DiNapoli have met and nominates the following members for office for the 2003/2004 term:  Chairman – William Guarinello, 1^st Vice Chair – Ella Nigro, 2^nd Vice Chair – Corrado Manfredi, Secretary – Shirley Fineman, Treasurer – Louisa Verito.

Mr. Guarinello inquired if there were any nominations from the floor.  Hearing none, the Chair advised that additional nominations may be made at next month’s meeting. 

BSA # 89-65-BZ, Eckerds/Genovese, 8601 86 Street

The applicant seeks the following:

a.  To construct a horizontal enlargement to the existing structure and change the use to as of right retail establishment.

b.  The applicant seeks accessory off street parking for 32 vehicles in the R-5 portion of the parcel.

Mr. Guarinello reported that 200 notices of Public Hearing were mailed to area residents.  No one from the Public appeared to speak on the matter.

Eileen LaRuffa inquired as to whether the Genovese located on 86 Street and 24 Avenue was going to remain open.  Mr. George Rizzo, of the Marin Group, who represents the applicant, advised that there are no plans to close that Genovese.

The Chair inquired if there were any other questions before the applicant.

Hearing none, a motion was made by Don Clark to approve the variance as presented.   Seconded by Man Wai Lau.  Unanimously adopted. 

Chairman’s Report

The Chair advised that the Brooklyn Remembers Memorial is advancing.  The Committee has narrowed the selection of artists to five finalists.  The five have until July 1^st, to submit a 3 dimensional project for display which will then be open for public comment.  The Committee will then select the finalist to commission the memorial.

The Chair acknowledged and congratulated Councilman Gentile.

Councilman Vincent Gentile thanked the community for it’s support in the special election and stated that he looked forward to working as a team with the Bensonhurst community.

The Councilman advised that his office is currently located at the Stars and Stripes Club located at 8411 15 Avenue and plans to re-locate in the near future.

Howard Feuer, District Manager requested to discuss a matter while the Councilman was present.   Mr. Feuer reported that he met the President of the Sanitation Union and was informed that beginning July 1^st, in all boroughs but Manhattan, garbage collection will be reduced to once per week.  Recycling collection will be reduced to once every two weeks. 

Councilman Gentile felt that this decision to exclude Manhattan from service reductions will cause an outer borough revolt and all the boroughs should be treated equally.

The Councilman is hopeful that since the State budget includes restorations and a revenue package the City Council will have some funds to challenge the Mayor.

Mr. Guarinello voiced concern over the proposed garbage collections reductions and the impact that it would have on those residents whose collection is scheduled on Mondays.  The Monday garbage collection schedule is subject to cancelled pick-ups, due to the  fact  that the majority of holidays that occur on a Monday.  The Chair requested that the Councilman inquire as to what provisions would be made so that residents do not have to wait a whole week for a collection.

Mr. Feuer advised that the Household Bulk Refuse Dump will be closing without notifying the public.   The closure of this dump will cause an increase in illegal dumping along Shore Parkway.

After discussion, a motion was made by Don Clark to oppose the Mayor’s proposal to reduce Sanitation garbage collections to once a week.  Seconded by Vincent Chirico.  Unanimously adopted.

Mr. Guarinello advised that  the street co-naming of Bath Avenue to Mama Castellano Way will be held this Saturday, May 10^th at 12 Noon.

The Chairman addressed the issue regarding the wire baskets at Bay 23 Street and 86 Street, and advised that the matter will be referred to the Department of Sanitation. 

District Manager’s Report

Howard Feuer addressed the issue regarding plumbing and heating commercial vehicles that have the wording “emergency” written on the vehicle are legal.  This is due to the way the law is written. 

After discussion, a motion was made by Mafalda DiMango to request that the City Council address the issue of plumbing and heating vehicles that utilize the wording “emergency” in order to park their commercial vehicles for an extended amount of time on residential streets.  Seconded by Louis Crispiano.  Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager reported that the Department of Youth and Community Development has advised that the 2003 Youth Development and Delinquency Program Request for Proposals was released on April 15, 2003.  In anticipation of the proposal review stage, three representatives from each Community Board will serve as members of an evaluation committee.  The following members will represent Community Board 11:  Eileen LaRuffa, Frank Segreto and Barbara Parisi.

Howard Feuer thanked Donald Clark, Chair of the Sanitation and Environment Committee for attending a meeting with the District Managers of Brooklyn and the Sanitation Union.

The District Manager reported that the following traffic signals have been approved:  16 Avenue and 64 Street; 15 Avenue and 71 Street; and 21 Avenue and Bay Ridge Avenue.

Mr. Feuer announced that the Department of Design and Construction will be resurfacing McDonald Avenue from Cortelyou Road to Avenue X.

The District Manager advised that an application for a proposed extension of term has been received for 6602 New Utrecht Avenue.  The application is being forwarded to the Zoning Committee for review.

Mr. Feuer reported that the Community Board has received numerous complaints regarding punk rock concerts that are being held on Saturday nights at Temple Beth Shalom.  The complaints have included drinking outside the premises, urinating, etc.

A motion was made by Stan Roher that states that these types of activities are not in the best interest of our community and its residents.  Seconded by Shirley Fineman.  Unaimously adopted. 

Committee Reports

Louisa Verito, Chair of the Health, Social Services and Seniors Committee reported that she attended the Coney Island Hospital Advisory Board Meeting.  The Hospital is currently undergoing modernization in order to provide improved services to the community.  The next meeting will be held in June and they will be showcasing new improvements made to the hospital.

A motion was made by John Raffaele to adjourn.  Seconded by Victor Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

 Meeting adjourned.