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 November 13, 2008 at the
Holy Family Home, 1740 84th Street.

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

The meeting was opened with Bart Allegretti having the honor of leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Assemblyman Abbate

The Assemblyman thanked the community for re-electing him to office.  He advised that next Tuesday there would be a special session in Albany to address serious budget shortfalls.  He will provide further updates as they become available.

Public Portion

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

Minutes

Man Wai Lau made a motion to adopt the minutes of the October 16, 2008 meeting.  Seconded by Frank Segreto.  Unanimously adopted.

Chairman’s Report

Mr. Guarinello introduced and welcomed Paul DiSpirito, who was appointed to Community Board 11 by Borough President Markowitz.

The Chairman advised that Councilman Eric Gioia, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Oversight and Investigations is here tonight to make a presentation to the Board.

The Chairman announced that the 62^nd Precinct Community Council will meet on Tuesday, November 18^th at 7:30 PM at the precinct located at 1925 Bath Avenue.  The Council is requesting that those who attend bring a toy, which will be distributed to the children of the community.

Mr. Guarinello reported that the Parks Committee held a meeting on November 3^rd to discuss the City Council’s new standards and procedures for street renaming.  The committee will present a report and its recommendations at the next meeting.

Presentation

Councilman Eric Gioia, who represents the Queens communities of Woodside, Sunnyside, Maspeth and Astoria, advised that he is present this evening to request that that board members reach out to community residents to inform them about food stamps.  He stated that not enough people are applying for the federal food assistance program.  There are 1.9 million New Yorkers eligible to receive assistance, but only 1.1 million apply, leaving 800,000 eligible people that have not applied.  The income criterion is $24,000 a year or less, and if you have children, you are probably eligible to receive aid. 

The Councilman urged those in attendance to circulate the information to promote awareness of this program.  If anyone has any questions they can contact the Councilman at 718-383-9566.

District Manager’s Report

Marnee Elias-Pavia advised that notification was received from the Department of Sanitation that beginning this Monday, November 17^th; they will begin the night plow snow operation.  When the Department is not handling snow and ice situations, night shift Sanitation Workers will collect household refuse and recycling.  This year section 2, bounded by 78^th Street to 68^th Street and Bay Parkway to 14^th Avenue, will have night garbage and recycling collection.

The District Manager reported that on October 30^th, she attended the DOT Academy, a proactive outreach workshop, which outlined the functions of the Department of Transportation. 

The presentation included an overview of the Safe Street for Seniors Program of which Bensonhurst is a focus area.  The study area is one of the largest in the Borough that includes the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community bounded by 77^th Street to 86^th Street and 21^st Avenue to 23^rd Avenue. 

Ms. Elias-Pavia reported that she had concerns whether the Department of Transportation had a master plan and whether Bay Parkway from Shore Parkway to 61^st Street would be included, which the Board listed in its budget priorities.  She was advised that the consultant was working on the project and the Board would have an opportunity to review it upon completion.

The District Manager reported that the Community Board office has received complaints from some of the businesses on 18^th Avenue regarding an exceptional amount of Building Department complaints filed through the 311 system.  Upon quick research of the area, it was found that almost every building on 18^th Avenue from Bath Avenue to New Utrecht Avenue has a similar broadly defined complaint.  In addition, since January 2008 there were approximately 280 complaints registered.

There was discussion regarding this issue and the District Manager was directed to contact the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit and other appropriate agencies to address the possible misuse of the 311 system.

Ms. Elias-Pavia acknowledged Starbucks for their community involvement, particularly their collection of food for Reaching Out Food Pantry, at their stores on 65^th Street and 86^th Street.

The District Manager reminded the public that the Department of Sanitation will not be making special collections for leaves this fall.  Residents should place their leaves with their regular garbage for collection.  No special leaf bags or brown bags need to be used.