Monthly Minutes - March 2009

Public Hearing top

I. Co-name the southeast corner of 63rd Street and 14th Avenue to Francesco "Frankie" Loccisano Way.
Frankie Loccisano, a 17-year-old resident of our community, passed away after a 3-year battle against cancer. During his illness, Frankie lobbied Congress for the passage of The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act to advance medical research into pediatric cancers, ensure patients and families have access to the current treatments, and information regarding pediatric cancers. This Act was signed into law on July 28, 2008.
Camille Loccisano, mother of Frankie, thanked Community Board 11 for their consideration in this matter. She further stated that Frankie's family and friends are pleased and consider this a significant and wonderful way for our community to honor his legacy.
The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the public sought recognition.
Hearing none, a motion was made by Frank Segreto to close the public hearing. Seconded by Lou Crispiano. Unanimously adopted.

Pleadge Of Allegiance top

The general meeting of Community Board 11 opened with Tom Colasanto having the honor of leading the Pledge.

Public Portion top

Alex Gurevitch, representing Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes, reported that Senator Schumer has allocated $875,000 to the District Attorney's office to create a new Real Estate Fraud Unit. This unit will focus on the investigation and prosecution of real estate scammers.

If anyone needs to contact the District Attorney's office on any issue, they can contact the Community Board for information.

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

Minutes top

A motion was made by John Raffaele to accept the minutes of the February 12, 2009, with the amendment that the date be changed to February 12, 2009 from January 8, 2009. Seconded by Antonio Troia. Unanimously adopted.

Disposition Of Public Hearing top

I. A motion was made by Louis Crispiano to recommend that the City Council co-name the southeast corner of 63rd Street and 14th Avenue to Francesco "Frankie" Loccisano Way. Seconded by Antonio Troia. Unanimously adopted.

Assemblyman Peter Aabbate top

The Assemblyman advised that the Assembly is working diligently on passing the budget before April 1st. He stated that the proposed 8.25% entertainment tax has been eliminated from negotiations, as well as the restoration of the clothing tax for purchases under $110.

He further discussed federal stimulus funds and the appropriation of it.

Chairman'sreport top

Mr. Guarinello advised that he and the District Manager attended a meeting held by Congressman Michael McMahon to introduce himself and his staff. He will address the Board in the future.

The Chairman announced that Howard Feuer's mom passed away today. The funeral will be held this Sunday at Parkside, 175 Long Beach Road, Rockville Center. Shiva will be held at his home beginning Sunday afternoon. Anyone needing further information can contact the community board office.

Mr. Guarinello reminded the Board that due to religious observance, next month's meeting would be held on April 2nd.

The Chairman advised that Councilman Recchia is working with Councilman Gentile on the Bath Beach rezoning proposal.

Mr. Guarinello announced that Jerry Chiapetta has advised that AMICO would be holding their annual awards reception on April 30th. Marnee Elias-Pavia and Josephine Beckmann will be presented with Community Service Awards.

District Manager'sreport top

Marnee Elias-Pavia reported that on June 30, 2009, Mayoral Control of the Public School System expires. The Brooklyn Assembly is holding a hearing on School Governance on March 20th.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to submit written testimony to be placed into the School Governance Hearing, which calls for the Legislature to extend Mayoral Control of the public school system with the recommendation that the local District Superintendants and the Community Education Council be appropriated funding and authority to manage schools at the local level. Seconded by Lou Crispiano. Unanimously adopted.


The District Manager reported that the Department of Buildings announced that they are requiring that all proposed new buildings or major enlargements be posted online so the public can view the size and scale of the proposed building. In addition, a new 30-day formal public challenge period will be implemented.

This 30-day public comment period calls for the following:

- Initial Public Challenge Period - When DOB approves plans for any new building or major enlargement, the building diagrams called ZD1 forms, and any other associated documents will be uploaded to the DOB website. The builder will then be required to post the permit at the location within 3 days, so the public is aware of the proposed development. Residents will then have 30 calendar days to review and challenge the developmental approval.
- Initial Zoning Challenge Review- After the initial public challenge period ends, the DOB Borough Commissioner will address every challenge by conducting a full review of the plans and render decisions that will be posted online.
- Community Appeals Period- If the Borough Commissioner determines that a challenge is invalid, the public will be given an additional 15 calendar days to appeal to the First Deputy Commissioner.
- Final Zoning Challenge Review - Once the First Deputy Commissioner issues a determination, the decision may be appealed to the Board of Standards and Appeals for a final determination.

Ms. Elias-Pavia stated that it is her opinion that the posting of plans for all new developments and enlargements is good for the community; the Department of Buildings being the regulatory agency has the responsibility of ensuring that all as of right developments complies with the zoning resolution.

There was discussion regarding this proposal.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to notify the Department of Buildings that Community Board 11 supports the posting of plans for all new developments and enlargements but objects to the 30-day comment period for as of right development. Seconded by Man Wai Lau. Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager advised that the Equal Employment Practices Commission conduct desk audits of Community Boards citywide for their compliance with the Equal Employment Practices Commission.

Our office comprised of a small staff would like to utilize the Borough President's Equal Employment Opportunity Officer.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to utilize the Brooklyn Borough President's Equal Employment Opportunity Officer to ensure compliance with Equal Employment Practices. Seconded by Joseph DiSanto. Unanimously adopted.

Marnee Elias-Pavia advised that the office is in the process of converting the minutes from 1977 into pdf documents. This makes searching for resolutions and issues efficient and effortless.

Transportation Commitee top

In the absence of Barbara Parisi, Transportation Chair, the District Manager delivered the following report:

New York City Transit made a presentation of the proposed plan to rehabilitate the West End Line "D" subway stations, at the February 17th meeting of the Transportation Committee.

Of the 12 stations in the project, 7 are in, or border on CB11. These stations are 62nd Street, 71St St, 79th St, 18th Avenue, 20th Avenue, Bay Parkway, and 25th Avenue.

Transit advised that the Bay Parkway station would receive a full rehab, which includes the installation of a new elevator, stairs, platforms, and a restored facade.

The other stations would receive paint, staircase repairs, and concrete repairs. The roof and eaves are not included in this project, and essentially as presented, it appears that there will be only a "patch job" at these stations.

The rehabilitation project is subject to allocation of stimulus funds and is under consideration by the MTA. If funded, the project would begin later this year and lasts approximately 48 months. All of the stations would remain with one-way closures.

There was discussion regarding the work at the Bay Parkway station, which is one of the major commercial shopping districts within our community. There are concerns regarding the effect this project will have on the merchants and shoppers, as well as traffic, and parking if done during usual work hours.

Barbara Parisi, on behalf of the committee, thanked Assemblyman Abbate for attending this meeting and his valuable input, as well as the rest of our elected officials.

It is her recommendation that we support the proposed full rehab of the Bay Parkway station with the condition that the Holiday Embargo be observed, and as an alternative to patch repairs at the other stations, a complete rehab is conducted at one other station, with the remainder of the stations waiting for additional funding to be fully repaired.

A motion was made by Paul DiSpirito to support the committee's recommendations. Seconded by Jerry Chiapetta. Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager advised that Community Board 11 just received notification from Transit that due to the concerns expressed at the committee meeting from Assemblyman Abbate and the Transportation Committee, the agency is going to revisit the plans for the other stations.

John Raffaele made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Jerry Bertuna
• Ross Brady
• Albert Campanelli
• Rosa Casella
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Thomas Colasanto
• Louis Crispiano
• Richard DiNapoli
• Joseph DiSanto
• Paul DiSpirito
• Charles Farrauto
• Shirley Fineman
• William Guarinello
• Man Wai Lau
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Rosalee Manitta
• Albert Milone
• Nicholas Miraglia
• Raymond Mollica
• Vincent Nativo
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• John Raffaele
• Frank Segreto
• Angelo Siciliano
• Antonio Troia

Absent
• Steve Balasiano
• Maria Campanella
• Joseph Caruana
• Iris Chiu
• Donald Clark
• Mafalda DiMango
• Sarra Fronshtein
• David Gordon
• William Hongach
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Corrado Manfredi
• Camillo Messina
• Frank Naccarato
• Ella Nigro
• Kalman Talbak

Excused
• Leonard Beninson
• Mafalda DiMango
• Angel Geraldi
• Barbara Parisi
• Stanley Roher
• Louisa Verito
• Laurie Windsor

Guests
• Rita Bell
• Ramona Pontone
• Sal D'Alessio
• Katy Rosa - Parks Dept.
• Alexander Gurevitch -D.A Charles Hynes
• Angelo Russo
• Lucretia Regina-Potter - Republican District Leader -49 AD
• Thomas Neve - Reachin Out Pantry
• Kenneth Lazar - NYC DOB
• Elliott Kramer - Council Member Recchia
• Brian M. Adams
• Michael Sciaraffo - Council Member Gentile
• Julia Glasboch - FDNY CAU
• Ilene Sacco - Council Member Oddo