Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting
Held on September 9, 2004 at the
Sephardic Home, 2266 Cropsey Avenue.

Table of Content
Public Portion
Minutes
Chairman's Report
District Manager's Report
Assemblyman Abbate
Attendance

William R. Guarinello, Chairman of Community Board 11, called the meeting to order and welcomed the members back from summer recess.

Public Portion

Mr. Guarinello advised that Senator Golden is holding a tribute honoring victims and heroes of 9/11.  There will be prayer, song and a candle lighting ceremony on Saturday, September 11^th at 8 P.M. on the 69^th Street Pier.  All are invited to participate.

 The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the Public sought recognition.  Hearing none, a motion was made by Bart Allegretti to close the public portion of the meeting.  Seconded by Nicholas Miraglia.  Unanimously adopted.


Minutes

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to accept the minutes of June 10, 2004.  Seconded by Louis Crispiano.  Unanimously adopted.

Chairman's Report

Mr. Guarinello advised that Community Board 11 has received a request from the DeCorato Family to rename West 9^th Street and Avenue U in memory of Constantino “Tino” DeCorato.

 Tino was 22 years old when he was murdered on July 23, 2004 while protecting his twin sister, co-workers and customers, as robbers forced their way into the Telco Discount Store.

 A motion was made by Don Clark to waive the public hearing and move forward with the co-naming of West 9^th Street and Avenue U to Constantino “Tino” DeCorato Way.  Seconded by John Raffaele.  Unanimously adopted.

 Lieutenant Giovanelli advised that Mr. DeCorato was working in the Telco Store when 3 male blacks entered the store and pushed their way into the rear of the store.  The police believe that while they pushed their way through, a gun discharged killing Mr. DeCorato.  The lieutenant further advised that the suspects have not been caught.

 Mr. Feuer thanked the Board for approving the request from the DeCorato family.

 Mr. Guarinello reported that the Allegretti family held the renaming ceremony of Cropsey Avenue and Bay 19^th Street in memory of Victor V. Allegretti this afternoon.

The Chairman reported that the Neighborhood Improvement Association is honoring Howard Feuer as “Distinguished Brooklynite” at their 6^th Annual Community Recognition Awards Dinner to be held on October 7^th at Garguilo’s Restaurant.

Mr. Guarinello reported that Board Members will receive their new committee assignments shortly.  The delay was due to a lack of responses from board members.

District Manager's Report

Howard Feuer, District Manager, reported that Kohl’s Department Store located in Caesar’s Bay will hold its grand opening on Thursday, October 7^th, ahead of schedule.  This store will be the Kohl’s United States Flagship Store.

Mr. Feuer advised that Magen David Yeshiva located at 2130 McDonald Avenue will be opening within the next week.  The School Construction Authority will be taking over the site of the former Magen David Yeshiva at 99 Avenue P.

The District Manager reported that over the summer he attended a Public Hearing where he testified in opposition to the Department of Sanitation’s proposed residential routing times.  The times that the Sanitation Department can issue summons  for dirty sidewalks and failure to clean 18 inches into the street are from 8 AM – 9 AM and 12 Noon and 1 PM. 

Mr. Feuer stated that he felt that the time imposed was not fair to working property owners.  Nevertheless, the Department of Sanitation did not respond to the issues presented at the public hearing.  It was suggested that the program be implemented similar to the alternate side of the street parking program.

Mr. Feuer advised that the Department of Transportation is moving forward on the safety initiative for 86^th Street and Bay Parkway.  This project calls for the installation of safety islands in between the stanchions and will close off the parking lane on 86^th Street at Bay Parkway, in both directions.  This means that no vehicle can navigate around a bus or stalled vehicle on 86^th Street.  Mr. Feuer felt that the traffic back-ups will cause shoppers to stay away from 86^th Street.

In addition, a Capital Project to replace the sanitary sewers, water mains and storm sewers on 86^th Street is scheduled for the near future.  When this project begins, it will be necessary to remove the safety islands in order to perform construction.  Mr. Feuer advised that he has requested to no avail a delay in the installation of the safety islands so that monies are not wasted. 

The District Manager advised that the Department of Design and Construction is in the process of removing the trolley tracks on McDonald Avenue.  The project is progressing as scheduled and resurfacing should take place shortly.

Mr. Feuer reported that the Department of Transportation Division of Bridges has advised that the 15^th Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project is scheduled to be completed by December 2004 and the 18^th Avenue Bridge should be completed by Spring 2005.

Mr. Feuer advised that the smoke stacks have  been removed at the site of the former Southwest Incinerator.  The City Council is now reviewing a comprehensive solid waste management plan.

Mr. Feuer reported that there were no incidents reported at any of the Feasts this year.  Mr. Feuer complimented the Police Department.

The District Manager advised that the Department of Transportation has recently installed pedestrian ramps on 86^th Street.  The ramps have been placed at mid-block locations where there are no traffic devices or crosswalks.  As a result, the Department has created an unsafe environment for the handicapped.

Mr. Feuer advised that he contacted the Borough Commissioner to request safety signage and/or crosswalks.  He was advised that there would be no signage or crosswalks installed because they do not want to encourage pedestrians to cross the street where there is no traffic device.

Mr. Troia inquires as to why these ramps were built.  Mr. Feuer answered that he was advised that these ramps were built to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Feuer stated that the City should not only be worried about building ramps but protecting all pedestrians from a potentially deadly situation.  

In addition, Mr. Feuer warned motorists about parking on 86^th Street near these poorly visible pedestrian ramps due to the fact that summonses are $165.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to call upon our City Councilmen to initiate legislation that would require the Department of Transportation to provide safe passage for pedestrians crossing at mid-block locations and to provide sufficient markings for unaware motorists.  Seconded by Antonio Troia.  Unanimously adopted.

Assemblyman Abbate agreed that he didn’t understand the placement of these ramps.  He suggested that crosswalks and/or a traffic control device be installed at these locations. 

Mr. Feuer announced that after 27 years he and the Chairman have appointed Marnee Elias-Pavia as Assistant District Manager.


 

Assemblyman Abbate

The Assemblyman reported that in the beginning of August both the Assembly and the Senate passed a budget.  The Governor has vetoed many items in the budget and the legislature will be attempting to acquire additional monies. 

Assemblyman Abbate advised that over 400 million dollars were appropriated to New York City schools, as well as a $400 rebate to property owners. 

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