Monthly Minutes for the year 2007
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Archived Monthly Minutes

Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting and Public Hearing
Held on June 14, 2007 at the
Holy Family Home, 1740 84th Street.

Table of Content
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Hearings
Public Portion
Moment of Silence
Minutes
Nominating Committee
Chairman's Report
District Manager's Report
New Business
Disposition of Public Hearing
Attendance

William R. Guarinello, Chairman called the meeting to order.

Pledge of Allegiance

Louisa Verito, a member of Community Board 11, had the honor of leading the Pledge.

Public Hearing

ULURP # N070423 ECK
Stella’s Diner
6224 18^th Avenue
DCA License # 0883052

The applicant seeks a renewal of a revocable consent to operate an enclosed sidewalk café consisting of 5 tables and 20 seats, at the above address.

Mr. Guarinello inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition on this matter.

Hearing none, a motion was made by Frank Segreto to close the public hearing.  Seconded by Jerry Chiapetta.  Unanimously adopted.

Public Portion

Bob Capano, Brooklyn District Director for Congressman Fossella, advised that the Congressman has been working with the Community Boards in his Congressional District, in an effort to improve mass transportation, particularly subway service. 

Mr. Capano reported that he and Barbara Parisi, Chair of Community Board 11’s Transportation Committee, conducted site inspections of the subway stations, and the report will be released in the near future.  The recommendations will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for improvements.

Mr. Capano reported that Congressman Fossella announced that a Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Defense Team, the first in New York, will be placed at Fort Hamilton Army Base.   

Jo Blanda, a resident of Bay 19^th Street inquired if any measures are being taken to reduce the traffic problems associated with the construction work on the Verrazano Bridge. 

Bob Capano advised that Congressman Fossella formed the Verrazano Narrows Bridge reconstruction taskforce, which consists of the bridge’s contractor and engineers, DOT, local elected officials and the Community Boards.  The taskforce held its first meeting last Wednesday, and they are working on the traffic flow.

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

Moment of Silence

Mr. Guarinello requested a moment of silence for Steven Feuer, brother of Howard, who tragically passed away on Monday evening, at the age of 51.

Minutes

A motion was made by Louis Crispiano to accept the minutes of the May 10, 2007 meeting.  Seconded by Jerry Chiapetta.  Unanimously adopted.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee presented the following slate of Officers for the 2007-2008 term:

                                                            Chairperson – William R. Guarinello
                                                            1^st Vice Chair – Shirley Fineman
                                                            2^nd Vice Chair – Corrado Manfredi
                                                            Secretary – Ella Nigro
                                                            Treasurer – Louisa Verito

The Chairman inquired if there were any nominations from the floor.  Hearing none, a motion was made by Nicholas Miraglia to accept the slate presented by the Nominating Committee.  Seconded by Jerry Chiapetta.  Unanimously adopted.

Chairman’s Report

Mr. Guarinello advised that the Feuer Family will be observing Shiva at his home through Saturday.

The Chairman introduced and welcomed the following new members to Community Board 11:  Rosa Casella, Msgr. David Cassato, and Albert Milone. 

Mr. Guarinello advised that over the summer recess board members would be receiving committee preference questionnaires.  It was requested that these questionnaires be returned to the offices of Community Board 11 so that appropriate assignments could be made.

The Chairman announced that Borough President Marty Markowitz will be holding a reception and celebration for the 30^th Anniversary of Brooklyn Community Boards, on Thursday, June 28^th at 5:30 PM.  Special recognition will be made to Howard Feuer, one of the original appointed District Managers that has served since the inception of Community Boards.

District Manager’s Report

Marnee Elias-Pavia, Assistant District Manager, presented the following report in Howard Feuer’s absence:

The Metropolitan Transit Authority has responded to the Board’s previous request to reduce and /or relocate oversized bus stops within our district.  They have agreed to shorten the 18^th Avenue northbound bus stop, near 86^th Street, by 20 feet allowing for additional parking. 

In addition, the 18^th Avenue bus stop, southbound at 81^st Street will be moved to the entrance of Waldbaum’s Shopping Center, which will be beneficial to shoppers. 

Motorists were advised to be careful if they park their cars on Bay Parkway at Caesar’s Bay Shopping Center when using the recreational area.  The center island, which has designated parking stalls and cement bumpers, is designated “No Standing Anytime”. 

Community Board 11 has received numerous phone calls and complaints regarding the above-mentioned parking situation.  In addition, we have formally notified the Department of Transportation of the resolution adopted by the Board on May 10, 2007, calling for the removal of the “No Standing Anytime” signs, and we are awaiting a response.  

The New York City Department of Education will be offering free Breakfast and Lunch at schools, parks, and pools around the City, for children under the age of 19.  No payment documentation or ID is required.  In our district P.S. 97, P.S. 200 and P.S. 205 will be participating in the program.

The New York Mets has introduced for the first time, Community Board Nights.  For this event, they are offering $2.00 tickets to groups of 25 or more that are associated with Community Boards.  If anyone is interested in participating, we have informational flyers with ordering information.

The Brooklyn Letter Carriers are hosting a blood drive on Saturday, June 30^th from 2PM-7PM, at 2262 Bath Avenue.  Donors who give a pint of blood will receive two Mets tickets.

New Business

Louis Crispiano inquired about cars traveling in the designated bus lanes crossing the Verrazano Bridge.  Mr. Guarinello advised that the Police Department does issue tickets to motorists traveling in these lanes.

Rabbi Pollack advised that he has received requests concerning the status of the proposed Marine Transfer Station. 

Mr. Guarinello advised that the Southwest Marine Transfer Station application is before the State Department of Environmental Conservation for review.  The Community Board will not revisit this matter since the Solid Waste Management Plan was signed into law by both the New York City Council and Mayor, and is no longer before us. 

The Chairman advised that there would be additional public hearings scheduled by the State that people can participate in, and we will provide information on the dates as they become available.

Disposition of Public Hearing

Frank Segreto, Chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee, reported that Stella’s Diner, located at 6224 18^th Avenue, has operated an enclosed sidewalk café, which consists of 5 tables and 20 seats, for approximately 12 years.  Community Board 11 has received no complaints or objections and the committee is recommending continuance.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to renew the revocable consent for Stella’s Diner, located at 6224 18^th Avenue, to operate an enclosed sidewalk café consisting of 5 table and 20 seats.  Seconded by Jerry Chiapetta.  Unanimsouly adopted.