Brooklyn Community Board - Minutes Page Two

Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting
Held on June 10, 2004 at the
Sephardic Home, 2266 Cropsey Avenue.

William R. Guarinello, Chairman of Community Board 11 called the meeting to order.

Public Portion

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the Public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Frank Segreto to close the public portion of the meeting. Seconded by Man Wai Lau. Unanimously adopted.

Minutes

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to accept the minutes of May 20, 2004. Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa. Unanimously adopted.

Chairman's Report

Mr. Guarinello refuted the rumor that Joe Manfredi passed away last week, and warmly welcomed Joe to the meeting.

The Chairman reported that the family of Joe Galatolo has requested that Community Board 11 consider the renaming of 18^th Avenue between 71^st Street and 72nd Street in his honor. Mr. Galatolo was the long time President of the Santa Rosalia Society and the organizer of the Santa Rosalia Feast.

Mr. Guarinello advised that Gina Romano, the Parks Committee Chair, could not be present this evening but they did confer and since this is the last meeting before recess, Ms. Romano requested that the Public Hearing be waived.

A motion was made by Frank Naccarato to waive the Public Hearing and work as a committee of the whole to re-name 18^th Avenue between 71^st Street and 72^nd Street to Joe Galatolo Corner. Seconded by Joe Manfredi. Unanimously adopted.

The Chairman advised that over the summer we will be forming the 2004/2005 committees. Questionnaires will be mailed in order to determine Board Members’ preferences. Mr. Guarinello asked that these questionnaires be returned in the envelope provided.

Mr. Guarinello advised that the Nominating Committee presented the following slate of Officers for the 2004/2005 term, at the May 20^th meeting:

The Chairman inquired if there were any nominations from the floor. Hearing none, a motion was made by Antonio Troia to accept the Nominating Committee’s slate of officers. Seconded by Louis Crispiano. Unanimously adopted.

Mr. Guarinello welcomed and thanked Congressman Nadler for attending tonight’s meeting.

Congressman Nadler discussed the T21 Bill which is the Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21^st Century that is presently before Congress. Transportation Bills are presented every 6 years, the last one was in 1997. The Bill is approximately 218 billion dollars for the 6 years which was to be reauthorized and renewed for the next 6 years by October 2003. Since it is long overdue, we have been operating on 2 month extensions. The Congressman addressed three major questions: One, everyone assumed that this will be a 6 year Bill through 2009. It calls for the funding of all transportation. The previous Bill called for the Federal Department of Transportation to conduct a study of the state of repair for all the Federal Highways and mass transit systems. Their response to keep the Highways in a reasonable state of repairs would cost 375 billion dollars over 6 years. The committee passed a Bill based upon the Federal DOT’s estimate. The Bush administration will not pass a Bill more than 256 billion dollars. The Transportation Committee is not sure what this figure is based on and most of these monies are funded from the gasoline tax and not the general fund. The House and Senate cannot come to a figure and a Conference Committee was formed.

Congressman Nadler advised that the other major dispute on the Bill is the Share versus Fair Fight. The Share coalition feels that the donor states pay a higher gasoline tax than it gets back in highway and transit programs. The Law now reads that every state is guaranteed to get back in expenditures in Transportation, at least $0.90.5 of every dollar collection from gasoline tax. The Share Coalition feels that this is unfair and wants to increase the amount to $0.95 for every dollar. This means that other states like New York will get less.

The third issue is the rail freight tunnel. The Environmental Impact Statement was released three weeks ago and it shows that a rail-freight tunnel from Bay Ridge to Jersey City would have a benefit to cost ratio from approximately 2.5 to 1. It would re-pay itself in taking a million tractor trailers off the street and the problems associated with these vehicles. Another study shows that by 2022 there will be a 79% increase in the amount of freight assuming an economic growth rate of 3%.

The Congressman advised that he is attempting to obtain funding for the rail freight system in the T21 Bill. The other important aspect of this tunnel is for National Security. Over 90% of all deliveries made to New York City, Long Island and Westchester utilize the George Washington Bridge. There must be an alternative so that we are not totally dependent on the Bridge.

Camille Socci, representing Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, presented the following Board Members with Perfect Attendance Awards: Angelo Siciliano, Frank Segreto, Barbara Parisi, Man Wai Lau, William Guarinello, Shirley Fineman, Jerry Chiapetta, and Jerry Bertuna.

The Assemblyman reported that an agreement has not yet been reached regarding the adoption of the State Budget. The major debate is the amount of money to be appropriated to New York City Education. There is a court order stating that New York City deserves more money and has been short changed for the past 10 years. The Assemblyman hopes that this matter does not end up in court.

Howard Feuer, District Manager, reported that the Metropolitan Transit Authority held a Public Hearing on June 2^nd regarding a request for federal financial assistance.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz submitted testimony to include findings to identify, plan and design free transfer connections in Brooklyn, and to advance other improvements.

In Community Board 11, the proposal is the transfer between two BMT Stations. The below grade New Utrecht Avenue Station of the Sea Beach line and the elevated 62^nd Street Station of the West End line (the M and D trains) involved considerable stair climbing. Widening stairways and installing escalators and/or ADA elevators should be constructed. This transfer assumes greater importance when N or W trains are re-routed or when the Stillwell Avenue Terminal is closed.

A motion was made by Jerry Chiapetta to support the recommendations made by Borough President Markowitz in regard to plan and design free transfer connections in Brooklyn and to advance other improvements to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Seconded by Corrado Manfredi. Unanimously adopted.

Mr. Feuer advised that Mayor Bloomberg and Department of Environmental Commissioner Christopher Ward have proposed legislation which would provide the first overhaul of the New York City Noise Code in over 30 years. The proposed changes include reducing sound resulting from construction, more practical regulation of sound from commercial music sources, closing a loophole in current code provisions governing air conditioning and air circulating devices and simplifying enforcement by using a “plainly audible” standard instead of conventional methods which require use of a noise meter.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to support the amendment to the current noise regulations. Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa. Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager reported that a meeting was held with the Department of Design and Construction regarding the reconstruction of McDonald Avenue. This project calls for the removal of the trolley tracks, street milling, and resurfacing. The project is scheduled for 2 months.

Mr. Feuer advised that the Department of Design and Construction has notified Community Board 11 that they will begin trench restoration on 19^th Avenue between Benson Avenue and Bath Avenue. The anticipated project start is August 2004.

The District Manager discussed the dangers presented to pedestrians that are attempting to cross Bay Parkway. Two nights ago, a drunk driver killed a husband and wife crossing Bay Parkway and Bath Avenue. Mr. Feuer reminded the Board about the proposal that the Department of Transportation initiated on 86^th Street to install safety islands for people waiting for the bus.

Mr. Feuer advised that a request was made to the Department of Transportation to show their findings on the exact locations that pedestrians were struck by vehicles. Mr. Feuer wants an explanation as to whether pedestrians are crossing Bay Parkway or 86^th Street.

There was discussion regarding the timing of the lights and the ability of pedestrians to cross the side streets.

A motion was made by Antonio Troia to call upon the Department of Transportation initiate a study to slow vehicular traffic on Bay Parkway so that pedestrians can safely cross the street. Seconded by Corrado Manfredi. Unanimously adopted.

New Business

Louis Crispiano advised that AARP will be holding a defensive driving course on July 7^th and July 8^th at New York Community Center on Fort Hamilton Parkway.

Peter Mugavero recommended that the newly paved streets within the community have permanent markings installed instead of overwriting the temporary markings.

Mr. Feuer announced that the 62^nd Precinct Community Council will be presenting its 8^th grade graduates with the Michael J. Ferrara Community Service Award on June 15^th at our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 8:00 P.M.