Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting
Held on January 8, 2004 at the
Sephardic Home, 2266 Cropsey Avenue.

Table of Content
Public Hearing	District Manager's Report
Public Portion	62nd Precinct
Minutes	Attendance
Coucilman Felder
Disposing of Public Hearing
Chairman's Report

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

Public Hearing 

Tasty P & P Inc.
1707-09 86 Street
Brooklyn, New York 11214
Consumer Affairs License # 1156715

1.      The applicant seeks a recommendation for a revocable consent to erect an  enclosed sidewalk café abutting its existing restaurant at the above address.  The proposed sidewalk café consists of 9 tables and seating for 23 patrons.

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the Public sought recognition.  Hearing none, a motion was made by Frank Segreto to close the Public Hearing.  Seconded by Joe Manfredi.  Unanimously adopted. 

Public Portion

Daniel Rivera, representing the organization, “The People’s Firehouse” reported that the group is advocating the re-opening of Engine Company 217 in Williamsburg.  Mr. Rivera advised that his organization has found that if an Engine Company or fire house closes it affects other communities. 

Mr. Rivera introduced Danny Wendling, representing Engine Company 212 Community Action Group;  Karin Crow, Engine Company 209 No More Fire Cuts and the Citywide Network; and Martin Price, Engine Company 212 Community Action Group.

Mr. Price advised that the fire trucks in Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, and Borough Park are reassigned to other communities leaving our area undermanned.

Karin Crow advised that the Fire Department cannot endure any budget cuts, and requested that residents call 311 to voice their opinion on this matter.

Ms. Levi addressed the Board regarding large trucks, unloading their wares while double parked on 86th Street between Bay Parkway and 23rd Aves and blocking legally parked cars which are trapped with no departure access. Ms. Levi suggested the installation of loading/unloading zones in this area.

James Moccia reported that P.S. 101 located on 24 Avenue and Benson Avenue are placing their garbage curbside, which is being left on the street for days causing unsanitary conditions.

Mr. Feuer advised that he will address this matter during the Board Meeting.

Doris Cruz, representing the Alliance of Bay Ridge Block Associations advised that her group has forwarded to Community Board 11 a report on curb cuts entitled, Curb Cuts and the Quality of Life in Bay Ridge”.  The Alliance has determined that the proliferation of curb cuts negatively impacts the quality of life on their streets and they are seeking greater controls on the granting of curb cut permits.  The following changes are proposed to the issuance pf curb cut permits:  curb cut permits no longer be subject to self certification, they must be presented to the Community Board for review, an increase in the application fee with a yearly renewal fee and an increase in the properties assessed valuation. 

The report is available for those interested.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the Public sought recognition.  Hearing none a motion was made by Angelo Siciliano to close the Public Portion of the meeting.  Seconded by Carlo Scissura.  Unanimously adopted. 

Minutes

A motion was made by Joe Manfredi to adopt the minutes of the December 11, 2003 meeting.  Seconded by Frank Segreto.  Unanimously adopted. 

Councilman Felder

Councilman Felder wished everyone a happy and healthy New Year.  The Councilman addressed the issue of downzoning the R6 to R5, and he will assist the community in any way possible.  The Councilman was pleased by the Mayor’s announcement regarding the $400 rebate that property owners will receive from the Department of Finance.  Councilman Felder complimented the Police Department on the reduced crime rate statistics.  In addition, he invited anyone who was willing to attend his 2^nd inauguration, to contact his office at 718-853-2704. 

Disposition of Public Hearing 

Tasty P & P Inc.
1707-09 86 Street
Brooklyn, NY 11214

Frank Segreto, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee reported that the applicant is seeking a recommendation for a revocable consent in order to erect an enclosed sidewalk café abutting its existing restaurant.  The enclosure will be fully glassed in which will prevent the tables from encroaching the sidewalk, food odors from emanating onto the street, and there will be additional street illumination.  Mr. Segreto advised that there was no opposition to this application and he has received two letters in support from the abutting neighbors.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to support the application for a revocable consent to erect an unenclosed sidewalk café consisting of 9 table and 23 seats at 1707-09 86 Street.  Seconded by Joe Manfredi.  Unanimously adopted. 

Chairman’s Report

Mr. Guarinello advised that he has received a request from Richard Pecorella to co-name 64 Street between 19 Avenue and 20 Avenue in memory of Karen Juday.  Ms. Juday was a victim of September 11^th.  She worked at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 101^st Floor.

A motion was made by Richard DiNapoli to waive a Public Hearing and approve the co-naming of 64 Street between 19 Avenue and 20 Avenue in memory of Karen Juday.  Seconded by Angelo Siciliano.  Unanimously adopted.

The Dyker Heights Athletic Association/St. Bernadette “The Knights” has formally requested that the ball field located at 17 Avenue and Shore Parkway be co-named in honor of Victor V. Allegretti.  Victor was a vital contributor and his generosity to the organization and the community facilitated the maintenance of this field.  With this in mind, the organization felt it befitting to honor Victor with this renaming.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to waive a Public Hearing and approve the co-naming of the ball field located at 17 Avenue and Shore Parkway in honor of Victor V. Allegretti.  Seconded by Louis Crispiano.  Unanimously approved with Bart Allegretti abstaining.

The Chairman advised that Brooklyn Remembers has submitted the selected memorial design to the Department of Parks, which has given approval. The design will now be forwarded to the Arts Commission for their recommendation.  Mr. Guarinello reported that two-thirds of the funds have been raised and they are now in the final fundraising stage. 

Mr. Guarinello advised that initially this project was dedicated to victims from Districts 10 and 11, who died on September 11^th but since there is no other memorial planned in Brooklyn, the memorial will be dedicated to all Brooklyn residents.

A motion was made by Vincent Chirico to support the proposal as presented by Brooklyn Remembers Inc. to erect a monument on the 69^th Street Pier, in memory of Brooklyn residents who perished on September 11, 2001.  Seconded by Joe Manfredi.  Unanimously adopted.

Mr. Guarinello advised that Jerry Chiapetta has been appointed to a three-year term to serve on the Mayor’s Advisory Council for the Department of Aging.  The Chairman, on behalf of the Board, congratulated Mr. Chiapetta.

The Chairman addressed the issue of Curb Cuts as presented by the Alliance of Bay Ridge Block Associations and advised that the Board has addressed this matter on many occasions and is in general agreement.  Mr. Guarinello advised that this matter will be directed to committee. 

District Manager’s Report

Howard Feuer addressed the issue that Ms. Levi raised during the Public Portion of the meeting.  Unfortunately, the recommendation of loading zones is not feasible because of the newly installed 80 feet of “No Standing Anytime” signs. There would be very limited available parking for customers.  In addition, two pedestrian ramps have been installed mid-block taking away additional parking space.

The District Manager advised that he will address the double parking issue with the Deputy Inspector of the 62^nd Precinct.

Mr. Feuer congratulated former Board Member Marty Solomon who has been elevated to a Supreme Court judge.

Mr. Guarinello extended his congratulations to Arthur Shack on his appointment to the Supreme Court.

Mr. Feuer thanked Barbara Parisi, Eileen LaRuffa and Frank Segreto, for participating as readers in the Request for Proposal for Department of Youth and Community Development.  Since that time the City has cancelled the RFP in order to begin a citywide planning process for restructuring after school and out of school time programs.

The District Manager advised that Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty announced that the Department will resume collecting discarded Christmas trees for chipping and composting citywide starting Monday, January 5, 2004 and continuing through Saturday, January 10, 2004.  Only limited tree recycling collections were conducted last year because of the city's budget concerns.

Over the past few weeks, the office has received complaints regarding garbage issues at certain schools in the district.  It seems that some schools do not have daily garbage collection and the custodians are placing the garbage curbside and not collected for days.  We are in the process of scheduling a meeting with Sanitation and these schools to cure this situation.

Mr. Feuer advised that as of today, we have not received a response to the Board’s objection to the project that the Department of Transportation is conducting at Bay Parkway and 86 Street.  Mr. Feuer stated that he has requested a meeting with Commissioner Greenspun to help with this matter.

Mr. Feuer reported that Community Board 11 received notification that from January 14 – January 27^th, Bay 26 Street between Bath Avenue and 86 Street will be closed to vehicular traffic two days per week for crane operation on the 20 Avenue Elevated Station.

Mr. Feuer advised that the Department of City Planning has responded to the Board’s request to appear at tonight’s meeting regarding the R6 designation but it was mutually agreed that the matter be addressed at committee level prior to a full Board presentation. 

62 Precinct

Police Officer Kevin Cottingham of the 62 Precinct Community Affairs Division reported that there is a new program being implemented in conjunction with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for property owner’s with more than six families.  The precinct is requesting permission from the landlord to access the building to prevent loiterers and trespassers.  P.O. Cottingham requested anyone interested in participating to contact him at 236-2501.