Monthly Minutes for the year 2006
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Archived Monthly Minutes

Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting and Public Hearing
Held on April 09, 2006 at the
Holy Family Home, 1740 84th Street.

Table of Content
Public Portion
Minutes
Disposition Of Public Hearing
Chairman's Report
District Manager's Report
Councilmember Recchia and State Senator Savino
Councilmember Gentile
Attendance

Public Portion

Potential Community Residence Site
Program Development Services
1586 West 7^th Street
Brooklyn, New York 

Mr. Jerry Chiapetta, Chair of the Site Selection Committee advised that Community Board 11 has received formal notification of the interest and intent of Program Development Services, Inc. under the auspices of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to establish a community residence for mentally retarded and developmentally disabled persons at 1586 West 7^th Street, as provided in Section 41:34 of the Mental Hygiene Law.

Maria Lagano voiced her opposition to the community residence located at 1586 West 7^th Street. 

Lorraine LaBarbara inquired as to the process of opening a community residence.

Mr. Guarinello advised that in 1975 parents of the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled filed a class action lawsuit who sought treatment for their children within their communities.  Following the class action suit, New York State enacted the Padavan Law, which states that a municipality can only approve the site recommended, suggest one or more alternate sites or object to the establishment of a residence at that site because to do so in our Board’s opinion would result in a concentration of residential facilities. 

Joan Lamagna inquired if there was going to be supervision, and if so would it be 24 hours.

Mr. Guarinello advised that there would be 24-hour supervision. 

Lorraine Lapetina inquired if there were plans to alter the structure of the existing building.

Mr. Guarinello advised that there were no plans to change the existing building.

Howard Feuer, District Manager of Community Board 11 explained the Mental Hygiene Law as it pertains to the process of establishing a group home.  He advised that the Community Board have three options: approve the site; suggest alternatives or object to the site because of over saturation. 

Mr. Feuer stated that the Community Board, following the law, could not reject the site because it does not meet any of the criteria. 

Mr. Chou inquired if the applicant was present to answer the questions that were posed.

Mr. Guarinello inquired if the applicant met with the neighbors prior to this evening’s public hearing.  The neighbors present advised him that the applicant, PDS, did not meet with them.

The Chairman advised that since there was no prior meeting between the applicant and the residents, the residents could request a Commissioners Hearing. 

Mr. Guarinello inquired if Mr. Richard Murray, Executive Director of Program Development Services would waive the 40 days the Community Board has to act, so that we can adjourn the Public Hearing, and provide the residents and PDS an opportunity to meet as required by law.

A motion was made by John Raffaele to adjourn the Public Hearing.  Seconded by Tony Troia.  Unanimously adopted.

Minutes

A motion was made by Jerry Chiapetta to accept the minutes of the meeting of December 8, 2005 with an amendment showing Guy LaMonaca’s presence.  Seconded by Frank Segreto.  Unanimously adopted.

Disposition of Public Hearing

Mr. Guarinello stated that a motion was unanimously adopted to adjourn the public hearing in the matter of Program Development Services notice of intent to establish a group home at 1586 West 7^th Street, in order to provide the applicant an opportunity to meet with the residents in the vicinity.

Chairman's Report

Mr. Guarinello in response to the many inquiries made regarding Mike Long’s son, Firefighter Long, who was struck by a bus while riding his bike to work during the transit strike, is making progress and has a long recovery ahead of him.

The Chairman advised that 2006 Sales Tax Free week would be from January 30^th to February 5^th.  Purchases of clothing, footwear, and related items costing less than $110 are exempt from New York States sales tax.

Mr. Guarinello reported that Community Board 11 has received notification that the Sunoco Gas Station located at 398-410 Kings Highway has filed an application for an extension of term for an existing variance.  The Planning and Zoning Committee is reviewing the application and a public hearing will be scheduled for next month’s meeting.

Mr. Guarinello advised that we have received two separate requests for street renaming. The first request is to rename 86^th Street and 16^th Avenue in memory of Peter Campisi; and the second is to rename 15^th Avenue between 72^nd and 73^rd Streets for Saint Juan Diego “A Model of Humility”.  The requests will be referred to committee for a recommendation.

The Chairman announced that Councilman Gentile extended an invitation to the Board to attend his induction ceremony on January 22, 2006 at 2PM at Fort Hamilton High School located at 8301 Shore Road.  For planning purposes, it would be helpful if anyone interested in attending would contact Jackie Jacobi at 718-745-5200.

District Manager's Report

Howard Feuer, District Manager, advised that IO Cable now offers access to New York State Legislature meetings on channel 116.  Unfortunately, this station is not available to New York City agencies as part of their cable package. Mr. Feuer felt that Community Boards should have access to the legislature’s meetings.

A motion was made by Antonio Troia to request that Borough President Markowitz negotiate with Optimum Online, on behalf of Brooklyn Community Boards, to add channel 116 to the programming package.  Seconded by John Raffaele.  Unanimously adopted.

Mr. Feuer reported that the Board received a memorandum from the Department of Parks advising that they intend to award as a concession for a twenty-year term, to Martin and Mark Gierlin, for the Nellie Bly Amusement Park.  The terms call for $150,000 per year and a capital investment of 1 million dollars.

Mr. Feuer advised that he contacted the Department of Parks to discuss the terms since the distributed Request For Proposal called for the complete renovation of Nellie Bly.  Mr. Feuer felt that 1 million dollars would not be enough to make renovations.

Assemblyman Abbate advised that during a visit to the Park he noticed the poor condition of the sidewalks and contacted the Parks Department to discuss providing Capital Improvement funds for the repair of the sidewalks.  The Parks Department returned an estimate of $660,000.

The District Manager advised that the Department of Environmental Protection recently introduced the Combined Overflow Long Term Control Plan for enhanced water quality.  The project will examine open water areas of New York Harbor and tributaries, one of which is Coney Island Creek.

Stakeholder teams are being formed which will consist of Community Board representatives, community based organizations, and interested parties.  Anyone interested in participating should contact our office for further information.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has issued a scope of work for the reconstruction of Seth Low Playground.  Councilmember Felder appropriated $1.6 million dollars for this project.

Mr. Feuer reported that the Owls Head Area A which calls for the replacement of sewers and water mains has begun.  The replacement of a 6” water main has been completed on 82^nd Street from Stillwell Avenue and 23^rd Avenue and the intersection of 24^th Avenue and 82^nd Street. 

The District Manager announced that there will be regularly scheduled garbage and recycling collection on Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday, on Monday January 16^th.

Councilmember Recchia and State Senator Savino

Councilmember Recchia advised that three children died in a tragic high rise fire at Ocean Towers, in Coney Island. Both he and Senator Savino advised that a fund has been set up to help the family battle the mounting costs of funeral expenses and the destruction of their home and belongings. 

Jerry Bertuna on behalf of the Bensonhurst Bay Ridge Kiwanis Club pledged $500 to assist the family.

Senator Savino advised that due to a lack of resources she was unable to provide an office in the Brooklyn portion of her district.  The Senator has now personally funded an office located at 2872 West 5 Street; and the JCH located at 7802 Bay Parkway has provided a satellite office.  The office will be open once a month on Thursdays for residents.

Councilmember Gentile

The Councilman personally invited the Board to attend his induction ceremony on January 22, 2006 at 2PM at Fort Hamilton High School located at 8301 Shore Road.

Councilmember Gentile advised that the Council adopted a bill, which was signed by the Mayor that establishes a commission to study the issue of public and private partnerships with day laborers.  The Councilman advised that he recommended the appointment of Howard Feuer to serve on the commission.

The Councilman advised that he appropriated $1500 in next year’s budget to the Community Board. 

A motion was made by John Raffaele to adjourn.  Seconded by Rosalee Manitta.

Unanimously adopted.