Monthly Minutes for the year 2008
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Archived Monthly Minutes

Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting and Public Hearing
Held on May 7, 2008 at the
Holy Family Home, 1740 84th Street.

Table of Content
Public Portion
Minutes
Moment of Silence
Chairman's Report
Award_Ceremony
Assemblyman Abbate
Nominating_Committee_Report
62nd Precinct
District Manager's Report
Attendance

The meeting was opened with Matthew Delaney, Boy Scout Troop 20 having the honor of the Pledge.

Public Portion

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

Minutes

A motion was made by John Raffaele to accept the minutes of the April 10, 2008 meeting.  Seconded by Jerry Chiapetta.  Unanimously adopted.

Moment of Silence

Mr. Guarinello requested a moment of silence for Michele Bertuna, father of board member Gerry Bertuna.

Chairman’s Report

The Chairman advised that those wishing to pay their respects to the Bertuna family could do so this evening at Torregrossa, 1309 79^th Street from 7PM – 9 PM.  The funeral mass will be held tomorrow morning at St. Athanasius at 9:45 AM.

Mr. Guarinello congratulated Michael Giovanelli from the 62^nd Precinct on his promotion to Captain.

The Chairman discussed a major issue effecting providers of summer camp programs.  The Department of Education is now requiring that the provider pay opening fees, which is impossible since there are not adequate monies to operate the summer programs.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to call upon the Department of Education and the Department of Youth and Community Development to maintain the funding for the opening fees for summer youth programs.  Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa.   27 in favor, 2 abstentions.  Motion carried.

Award Ceremony

Mr. Guarinello announced that on April 12, 2008, Community Board 11 sponsored the 2008 Great American Clean Up in Bensonhurst.  This clean up focused on the removal of the illegal “moving flyers” posted on public utility poles within our community.

The Chairman urged residents to adopt utility poles on their block and to rip off these flyers as soon as they are posted.  He stated that he hopes that other community districts implement this strategy in an effort to rid our neighborhoods of this blight.

The Chairman personally thanked Assemblyman Peter Abbate, the members of Boy Scout Troop 20, and the NIA for their participation in the clean up.

Mr. Guarinello presented Certificate of Appreciation Awards for their participation in the clean up to:  PO Steve Agosta, Steven Agro, Shanora Arnold, Evan Block, Michael Bove, Theresa Cardazone, Susan Czarnecki, Elaine Delaney, Matthew Delaney, Patrick Delaney, APO Marc Katcher, Eileen LaRuffa, Man Wai Lau, Matthew Lugo, Frank Maddalena, Charles Michaels, Jimmy Morales, ADI Gary Nalick, Shane O’Toole, Roxie Pavia, Kimjberly Samoleski, PO Jim Sporacio, Andrew Santano, Lucille Santano and APO John Senia

Mr. Guarinello presented a special recognition to Assemblyman Peter Abbate for his participation in the clean up and for apprehending flyers later that evening from an individual who was in the process of posting them in our community.

Assemblyman Abbate

Assemblyman Abbate advised that after participating in the clean up, he toured the community to observe the cleaned areas.  As he was approaching 78^th Street, he caught an individual in the process of posting flyers.  The Assemblyman confiscated the flyers and his duct tape, which he presented to the Chairman.

The Assemblyman advised that the State has passed a balanced budget.  He further advised that a bill was signed into law which he and Senator Golden sponsored which calls for additional penalties for anyone who assaults a senior citizen. 

Assemblyman Abbate advised that locally PS 229 is undergoing expansion, as well as PS 163, which is scheduled to begin in the near future, and street pruning has been undertaken from 14^th Avenue to 20^th Avenue.  In addition, the Assemblyman has written to the Mayor requesting a new precinct house for the 62nd.

Assemblyman Abbate made a presentation of $2,000 to Community Board 11.   The Assemblyman, to compensate for budget reductions imposed on the Community Board from the City, secured these monies from the State Budget.  

Mr. Guarinello and Marnee Elias-Pavia thanked the Assemblyman for his support.

Nominating Committee Report

Richard DiNapoli, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, presented the following slate of officers for the 2008-2009 term: 

Chairman William R. Guarinello
1^st Vice Chair – Shirley Fineman
2^nd Vice Chair – Corrado Manfredi
Secretary – Frank Segreto
Treasurer – Louisa Verito

62^nd Precinct

Police Officer Steve Agosta, of the 62^nd Precinct Community Affairs Office, advised that on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 the Police Department will be registering cell phones, I-pods and Portable Playstations on 80^th Street between 16^th and 17^th Avenues from 9AM – 4PM. 

District Manager’s Report

Marnee Elias-Pavia, Assistant District Manager, personally thanked all those that participated in the 2008 Great American Clean Up in Bensonhurst held on April 12, 2008.

The Assistant District Manager advised that Community Board 11 recently received two applications that were filed with the Board of Standards and Appeals.  The first application is an extension of term for a period of five (5) years for the existing McDonalds Restaurant located at 2411 86^th Street.  The second application is for 6701 Bay Parkway, which is seeking permission to complete construction beyond the June 23, 2007, two (2) year anniversary date of the Bensonhurst Zoning change. 

The Planning and Zoning Committee will be scheduling a public hearing for the June meeting.

The Board was advised that there was a multi-agency meeting in response to the Board’s resolution adopted on April 10, 2008, calling for the relocation of the trailers on Bay 14^th Street and Shore Parkway, that are being utilized by the Department of Environmental Protection, for the Avenue V Pump Station Force Main Upgrade. 

The Department of Parks and the Department of Transportation, as well as other agencies present, have agreed that the trailers can be relocated to Shore Parkway and the 17^th Avenue pedestrian overpass.  We are awaiting permits from the Department of Transportation.

Ms. Elias-Pavia advised that notification was received from Columbus Construction, the contractor for the 20^th Avenue bridge, that they are scheduled to remove the remaining portion of the bridge.  The work is scheduled for the weekends of May 17^th and May 31^st.  Pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be maintained.

The Assistant District Manager advised that due to postal rate increases and budgetary reductions, Community Board 11 would no longer send meeting notices to people that do not attend our meetings.   In addition, anyone interested in receiving electronic notices should contact the office for inclusion to our list.

Ms. Elias-Pavia announced that the Letter Carriers Food Drive will be held on May 10, 2008.  Those interested in making a donation should put non-perishable food in a bag by your mailbox.  The Post Office will collect the food and deliver it to a local food bank.

A motion was made by John Raffaele to adjourn.  Seconded by Frank Segreto.  Unanimously adopted.