Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting
Held on October 9, 2003 at the
Sephardic Home, 2266 Cropsey Avenue.

Table of Content
Public Hearing	District Manager's Report
Councilman Gentile	Assemblyman Abbate
Borough President Markowitz	Attendance
Public Portion
Minutes
Street Co-Naming

William R. Guarinello, Chairman of Community Board 11 advised with profound sadness the passing of long-time Board Member Victor Allegretti. 

The community, as well as numerous organizations will deeply miss Mr. Allegretti.

The Chairman requested a moment of silence in his memory.

Mr. Guarinello congratulated Board Member Stan Roher and his wife Sandy, on the celebration of their 50^th wedding anniversary.

The Chairman advised that Brooklyn Remembers, Inc., which was formed to establish a Memorial Monument dedicated to the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy who resided in Community Districts 10 and 11, has raised $73,000.   The finalist will be selected this Wednesday evening and the monument should be built by next year.

The art work of the five finalists has been on display for the past 4 weeks at Commerce Bank and Long Island Commercial for the public to offer their opinions. 

Mr. Feuer advised that the exhibit is on view on the stage and requested that after the meeting all interested should submit their comments.

There was general discussion regarding the monument. 

Public Hearing 

I. BSA Calendar# 266-03-BZ
  1710-12 McDonald Avenue
  Brooklyn, New York 11230

The applicant seeks the following:

A special permit to allow enlargement to the existing manufacturing building which will encroach into the required yard.

Lilliam Mazzorrola who owns the property adjacent to the applicant requested that the existing corrugated metal abutting her property and the trees be removed.

The Chair inquired if anyone else sought recognition.  Hearing none, a motion was made by Don Clark to close the Public Hearing.  Seconded by Barbara Parisi.  Unanimously adopted.

II.  Draft of Community Board 11’s Capital and Expense Budget Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2005.

The Chairman advised that the Draft of Community Board 11’s Capital and Expense Budget Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2005 has been distributed.  The Chairman inquired if there were any questions, changes or additions.  Hearing none, a motion was made by Eileen LaRuffa to accept the recommendations.  Seconded by Louisa Verito.  Unanimously adopted. 

BSA Calendar # 266-03-BZ
1710-12 McDonald Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11209

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to approve the variance with the inclusion that the applicant removes the corrugated metal and trees that abut the adjacent property.  Seconded by Louisa Verito.  Unanimously adopted. 

Councilman Gentile

Councilman Gentile advised that $1,000 was placed in the Budget for Community Board 11.  William Guarinello and Howard Feuer thanked the Councilman and advised that funds have never been appropriated for Community Board 11. The Councilman advised that these funds are to help with mailings and advisories relating to zoning issues.

The Councilman announced that last night he and the City Council honored Board Member Angelo Siciliano at the Italian Heritage Cultural Month Ceremony.

Councilman Gentile advised that this Saturday the Metro Card van will be at his office located at 8703 3rd Avenue from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. 

Borough President Markowitz

Mr. Guarinello introduced and welcomed Borough President Marty Markowitz. 

The Borough President extended his condolences to the family and friends of Victor Allegretti.  Victor devoted his life to many organizations and charities and Brooklyn will miss him.

On a happier note, Marty congratulated Sandy and Stan Roher on their 50^th wedding anniversary.

The Borough President thanked the Community Board Members for their dedication and devotion to the community.

Marty advised that he is working very hard to convince the major cruise lines to think about Brooklyn and he is happy to report that the cruise lines are aggressively seeking approval from the City and State to develop Piers 6 and 7.  This will increase tourism, jobs, economic development and the purchase of goods and services.

Marty advised that Brooklyn is seeking a major sports team namely the New Jersey Nets.  We will know in a few weeks if the franchise accepts the bid.

The Borough President advised that the Graffiti Program is in operation and property owners can contact the Borough President’s Office to arrange for removal.

Mr. Markowitz announced that October 20^th – 25^th is, “Take Your Man to the Doctor Week.”  This program was initiated to motivate men to take care of their health, which too often they overlook.

The Borough President thanked everyone for their time and wished all a happy new year. 

Public Portion

Walter Frezza inquired if the Board received any information regarding the resolution that was adopted at the June 2003 meeting regarding a traffic survey of 23rd Avenue from 86th Street to Stillwell Avenue.  The Chairman advised Mr. Frezza to check with the Community Board Office.

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 Louis Crispiano.  Unanimously adopted. 

Minutes

A motion was made by Louisa Verito to accept the minutes of the September 11, 2003 meeting.  Seconded by Man Wai Lau.  Unanimously adopted. 

Street Co-Naming

Mr. Guarinello advised that Community Board 11 has received a request from the Nielsen Family to rename 77^th Street between 15th Avenue and 16th Avenue, in honor of Shannon Marie Fava who was killed on September 11, 2001.  Shannon was a lifelong Bensonhurst resident.

A motion was made by Barbara Parisi to co-name 77th Street between 15th Avenue and 16th Avenue in honor of Shannon Marie Fava.  Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa.  Unanimously adopted. 

District Manager’s Report

Howard Feuer District Manager acknowledged with sorrow the passing of his long-time friend and Board Member Victor Allegretti.  Mr. Feuer extended his condolences to his family.

The District Manager reported that a new application for a base station has been received.  The company Bakoss Trading Inc. has filed to open this base station at 6902 18th Avenue with off-street parking at 1571 63rd Street.  Mr. Feuer inspected the location with Sgt. Calabrese of the 62 Precinct and found that the proposed location is directly adjacent to an existing car service.  The off-street parking location is problematic.  The Taxi and Limousine Commission was advised of the existing base station and advised that Community Board 11 had to make the recommendation.

A motion was made by Louisa Verito to advise the Taxi and Limousine Commission that Community Board 11 is opposed to the new base station application submitted by Bakoss Trading, Inc.  Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa.  Unanimously adopted.

Mr. Feuer advised the Board on how Community Boards play an integral role in their communities.  For example, the Department of Transportation is beginning the rehabilitation of the 18th Avenue Bridge at 63rd Street and 64th Street over the “N’ line.  Community Board 11 received notification via a telephone call that they were starting this job on December 2^nd right before the Holiday Season. 

Mr. Feuer advised that this Community Board objected on the grounds that this would be disastrous to the merchants and contacted the appropriate parties to insist that this job be included under the Holiday Embargo.  The Department of Transportation has agreed and the job will not start until after the Holiday Season.

Mr. Feuer advised that last month he contacted the Department of Design and Construction to discuss the deplorable condition of Cropsey Avenue and to inquire whether Cropsey Avenue would receive curb to curb restoration.  We were advised that we would only receive restoration of the trenches.  After contacting the Department of Transportation and the Commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction to oppose partial restoration, as you can see this evening, Cropsey Avenue has received curb to curb restoration.

The District Manager reported that in the next few days the City will begin a new sidewalk contract.  The City will repair sidewalks that have received violations.  In addition, they will make repairs to sidewalks that are defective due to tree roots at no charge to the property owner.

Mr. Feuer discussed street co-naming requests and Community Board 10’s policy for not granting approval to re-name streets in honor of those that died on September 11^th.

A motion was made by Stan Roher to review requests for street co-namings from families that reside in Bay Ridge.  Seconded by Don Clark.  Unanimously adopted. 

Assemblyman Abbate

Assemblyman Abbate expressed his sadness of the loss of Victor Allegretti.  The Assemblyman stated that Victor was a wonderful organizer and frequently contacted his office on behalf of a resident that needed help.  This community will greatly miss him.

The Assemblyman reported that funding has been approved this week for local organizations.  The monies should be disbursed shortly.

Assemblyman Abbate thanked Community Board 11 for being sensitive to the needs of the community in relation to street re-namings.

Mr. Guarinello thanked Assemblyman Abbate for his candor and for being involved and active on behalf of Community Board 11.

Mr. Guarinello unaware of Angelo Siciliano being honored by the City Council at the Italian Heritage Cultural Month Celebration, requested that the minutes be amended to reflect the Boards congratulations. 

On motion the meeting was adjourned.