Monthly Minutes - June 2008

Public Hearings top

I.
6701 Bay Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11204
Block 6576 Lot 10

The applicant seeks an appeal to rescind stop work order issued by the Department of Buildings, and to reinstate permit # 301952590 to complete construction to an existing building beyond the two (2) year anniversary date of the Bensonhurst zoning change.

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition on this matter.

Hearing none, a motion was made by Corrado Manfredi to close the public hearing. Seconded by John Raffaele. Unanimously adopted.

II.
BSA Calendar # 406-82-BZ
2411 86th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11214

The applicant seeks an extension of term for the special permit permitting a drive-thru facility at the above location.

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition on the matter.

Hearing none, a motion was made by Man Wai Lau to close the public hearing. Seconded by Tom Colasanto. Unanimously adopted.

Public Portion top

Adrian Straker, Director of Public Relation's for Borough President Marty Markowitz introduced herself to the Board and advised that the Borough President is hosting a Housing Fair on June 23rd, from 6PM - 9PM. Informational flyers are available.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the public sought recognition.

Hearing none, a motion was made by Tom Colasanto to close the public portion of the meeting. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Minutes top

A motion was made by John Raffaele to adopt the minutes of the May 7, 2008 meeting. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Nominating Committee top

The Nominating Committee presented the following slate of Officers for the 2008-2009 term at the May 7, 2008 meeting:

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

The Chairman inquired if there were any nominations from the floor. Hearing none, a motion was made by Vincent Nativo to accept the slate of Officers as presented by the Nominating Committee. Seconded by Nick Miraglia. Unanimously adopted.

Presentation top

Martin Fiasconaro, Principal of the Brooklyn Studio, located on 21st Avenue between 83rd Street and 84th Street, advised after the September 11 tragedy the children and Olga Munoz-Locke, coordinator of school activities, initiated projects to raise funds.

Ms. Munoz-Locke announced that this year the children, through student activities, raised funds, which will be presented to the Police Department, Fire Department and to Fort Hamilton Army Base this evening.

Command Sgt. Major Juan Caez thanked the children, as well as the administrators of Brooklyn Studio School for their support and their commitment to the future of our country.

Commander Sgt. Major Caez, on behalf of Colonel Steven Smith, Commander of Fort Hamilton Army Base, presented a Coin of Excellence to the children as a token of appreciation for all of their efforts.

Chief Kennery, representing the New York City Fire Department and the members of Engine 243, expressed their appreciation to the children for never forgetting the children who lost parents in the line of duty.

Police Officer Steve Agosta of the 62nd Precinct, on behalf of the widows and children of the New York City Police Department, thanked the children for their support.

Award Presentation top

On behalf of Officers, Members and staff of Community Board 11, Chairman William Guarinello presented a plaque to Police Officer Steve Agosta, of the 62nd Precinct Community Affairs Unit, in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding service and dedication to the Bensonhurst community.

Police Officer Agosta thanked the Board for the recognition and support.

Assemblyman Abbate top

Assemblyman Abbate thanked William Guarinello for his hard work and tireless efforts on behalf of our community in his capacity as Chairman of Victory Memorial Hospital.

The Assemblyman advised that he has sponsored a bill before the Assembly in relation to the Water Board. Currently the Water Board, after collecting funds from property owners, gives the City of New York 80 million dollars for fees and rentals, to place in its general fund. This practice places the Water Board with a deficit to cover operating costs. The bill calls for the Water Board after collecting their fees to first pay their expenses before monies are placed in the general fund.

The Assemblyman advised that the Mayor is fighting this bill and there is no support in the Senate.

Disposition Of Public Hearings top

I.
6701 Bay Parkway
Block 6576 Lot 10

Frank Segreto, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning committee, advised that the applicant is requesting an extension of its original permit to complete construction. The permits for this construction were lawfully issued prior to the 6-23-05 effective date of the Bensonhurst rezoning. The permits expired two years later and the developer was not aware that he had thirty (30) days to apply for an extension. Once that period also elapsed, the DOB issued a stop work order.

The building is 97% complete at a cost, to date, of almost $2.2 million. The only work that remains is to complete some minor, interior framing, plumbing and finishing work for one of the tenants. The remaining cost of construction is approximately $75,000. The additional work will not enlarge the footprint, height and overall bulk of the building as it now exists.

Mr. Segreto made a motion to approve the application as presented. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

II.
2411 86th Street
BSA Calendar # 406-82-BZ

Mr. Segreto advised that the applicant seeks an extension of term for the Special Permit permitting a drive-thru facility for the McDonald's Restaurant.

This special permit was originally approved in 1983 and has been periodically extended. There have been no complaints filed with the 62nd Precinct relating to this location.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to approve the extension of term for the Special Permit as presented. Seconded by Man Wai Lau. Unanimously adopted.

Chairman's Report top

Mr. Guarinello welcomed and introduced the following newly appointed board members to Community Board 11: Iris Chui, Laurie Windsor, Charles Farrauto and Steve Balasiano.

The Chairman advised that Victory Memorial Hospital is no longer an emergency room. It is being utilized as an urgent care center, a treat and release facility.

Mr. Guarinello further advised that he has resigned from the Board of Trustees of Victory Memorial Hospital. The position was demanding and time consuming and his mission was to maintain a hospital at the facility.

The Chairman advised that Senator Golden held a Town Hall meeting at St. Mary's Church. Many issues were discussed and the meeting was well attended by the community.

Mr. Guarinello announced that our District Manager, Howard Feuer is retiring. Mr. Feuer has set his retirement date for sometime in late August. Although there is not a vacancy until Howard actually retires pursuant to the By-Laws of Community Board 11, a search committee needs to be formed in order to appoint a new District Manager.

Mr. Guarinello thanked Marnee Elias-Pavia, the Assistant District Manager, for providing a seamless transition in Mr. Feuer's absence.

The Chairman appointed the following to serve on the District Manager Search Committee: Vincent Nativo, Chairman, Richard DiNapoli, Eileen LaRuffa, Nick Miraglia, and Frank Segreto.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia, Assistant District Manager, reported that Community Board 11 has just received notification from the Landmarks Preservation Commission that there will be a public hearing on the designation of the Hubbard House, located at 2138 McDonald Avenue on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

Since sufficient time was not given to schedule a public hearing, or review by the Housing and Landmark committee, nor is one called for pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, we will not take a position on this issue.

Last Friday, the ribbon cutting ceremony took place for the Cityparks Junior Golf Center, which is adjacent to the Dyker Beach Golf Course. The center is the first of its kind in the nation and offers free golf instruction to children ages 6 through 17. Applications are available for those interested.

A donation drive is being conducted to collect items for our troops who are serving overseas. Some of the items needed are shampoo, soap, wipes and other toiletries. The items can be dropped off at St. Finbar's Church through July 1st.

Shirley Fineman extended an invitation to everyone to come to the Jewish Community House on June 16th at 6PM to participate in a presentation by New York City Comptroller William Thompson.

Marnee Elias-Pavia discussed how Community Boards are unique as city agencies because they address an array of issues and are not focused on any one particular city service. They provides us with an opportunity to monitor the effectiveness or lack thereof of polices and regulations as they relate to different areas of our community.

During the last few months, we have read or heard about tragedies relating to safety issues relating to building construction. The Mayor, Speaker Quinn and Acting Building Commissioner LiMandri have introduced a legislative agenda to provide the Department of Buildings with additional enforcement and oversight to further address safety issues.

Ms. Elias-Pavia stated that in Community Board 11 it has been observed that new permits on many properties are issued by the Building Department before the outstanding violations are addressed.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to adopt a resolution that calls for the Department of Buildings to stop issuing building permits to any property that has outstanding building violations unless they are for the remediation of said violations. Seconded by Louis Crispiano. Unanimously adopted.

A motion was made by John Raffaele to adjourn. Seconded by Corrado Manfredi. Unanimously adopted.

Attendance top

Present
• Al Campanelli
• Albert Milone
• Angelo Siciliano
• Antonio Troia
• Barbara Parisi
• Bart Allegretti
• Charles Farrauto
• Corrado Manfredi
• Don Clark
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Ella Nigro
• Frank Naccaratto
• Frank Segreto
• Gerald Bertuna
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Joe DiSanto
• John Raffaele
• Laurie Windsor
• Leonard Beninson
• Leone Demolfetto
• Louis Crispiano
• Louisa Verito
• Mafalda DiMango
• Man Wai Lau
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Nicholas Miraglia
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• Raymond Mollica

Absent
• Angel Geraldi
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Anthony Neglia
• David Gordon
• Maria Campanella
• William Hongach

Excused
• Camillo Messina
• Dr. Joe Caruana
• Rosalee Manitta
• Sarra Fronshtein

Guests
• Adrian Straker (Borough President's Office)
• Al Fazio (Assemblyman Abbate)
• Andrew Santano
• Charles Michaels
• Daniel Braff Esq.
• Katy Rosa (Department of Parks
• Kenneth Lazar (Department of Buildings)
• Ramona Pontone-Miele
• Raybblin Vargas (Healthcare Education Project)
• Rudolf Ranier (Institute for Community Living)
• Sandy Roher