Monthly Minutes - March 2010

Public Hearing top

Responses to the FY 2011 Preliminary and Capital Expense Budget Submissions.

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 Paul DiSpirito. Unanimously adopted.

Pleadge Of Allegiance top

The regular meeting of Community Board 11 opened with Paul DiSpirito having the honor of leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Portion top

Jonathan Judge, a candidate for the 44th Council District, spoke regarding the importance of Community Boards and the effect that budget cuts would have on the agency. He further urged residents to contact their local elected officials to voice their concerns regarding the continued funding for community boards.

Penny Mandell addressed the board regarding the needs of the senior population within the community. She stated that she works for a homecare agency that provides services to the homebound senior population and information is available to those interested.

Demitry Belazursky, representing the US Census, spoke regarding the importance of participation in the 2010 Census.

Elizabeth Riddler, Manager of Library Services for the Brooklyn Public Library, spoke regarding their spring fundraising efforts to support the libraries due to budget cuts.

Mary Placanica, representing Assemblyman William Colton, spoke regarding New York State tax scofflaws, which owe more than 14 billion dollars to the state, with only 4.2 billion dollars recoverable.

Ms. Placancia further announced a new online, searchable database of the top 250 delinquent tax paying individuals and top 250 delinquent businesses in New York State. The database, soon to be in operation on the Department of Taxation and Finance's website, adopts the concept of legislation introduced last year by Assembly Member Colton to post the names of delinquent taxpayers and businesses, in an attempt to collect billions of dollars in lost tax revenue for the state.

Assemblyman Abbate addressed the board via telephone from Albany. He advised that the legislature is working on repealing the Governor's proposals on the taxing of soft drinks that contain sugar and the sale of wine in liquor stores.

The Chairman thanked the Assemblyman for calling in and providing an update.

Anna Slatinsky, representing the Department of City Planning, advised that the agency is currently preparing a Comprehensive Plan for the over 500 miles of New York City's waterfront. The City's original Comprehensive Waterfront Plan, published by the Department of City Planning in 1992, established a framework for the citywide reclamation of the waterfront, guiding land use decisions along New York City's shoreline for the last 18 years. The plan recognized the diversity of the waterfront and the importance of balancing the needs of environmentally sensitive natural areas and the working waterfront with opportunities for public access, open space, housing and commercial activity.

Ms. Slatinsky urged the community to participate and convey their visions for the waterfront. A kick-off citywide public meeting to discuss the process and solicit feedback will be held on April 8, 2010, 6:00 PM- 8:30 PM at Murry Bergtraum High School, 411 Pearl Street, Manhattan.

Maya Kramer, representing Congressman Nadler, spoke regarding the importance of participating in the 2010 Census. She stated that funding for such things as hospitals, roads, and schools is derived from census data.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Bart Allegretti. Seconded by Jerry Chiapetta. Unanimously adopted.

Minutes top

Jerry Chiapetta made a motion to adopt the minutes of the January 14, 2010 meeting. Seconded by Tony Troia. Unanimously adopted.

Disposition Of Public Hearing top

The Chairman discussed the agency responses to Community Board 11's capital and expense priority submissions. He stated that although these are difficult financial times, the Department of Transportation responses to the board's request regarding the planning and construction to gain access to westbound Belt Parkway from northbound Bay Parkway, and the institution of a citywide curbing program is unacceptable.

The agency stated that based upon onsite inspections these requests are unwarranted.
A motion was made by Tony Troia to reject the agency responses to Community Board 11's FY 2011 Capital Budget Priorities numbers 4 and 11, and Expense Priority 17, the reduction of community board budgets. Seconded by Man Wai Lau. Unanimously adopted.

Chairman's Report top

Mr. Guarinello advised that the Department of Environmental Protection has announced their intent to sell tax and water liens unless debt is resolved by May 7th. Owners of at risk properties recently received warning letters advising them that the city intends to sell their tax or water debt to a private collector. Owners who need assistance should contact the Department of Finance or the Department of Environmental Protection immediately.

The Chairman reported that the Mayor announced the appointment of a Charter Revision Commission to review the entire City Charter, and make possible proposed amendments. Carlo Scissura, a former member of Community Board 11, and now the Borough President's Chief of Staff, has been appointed as a Commissioner.

Mr. Guarinello further advised that the Public Advocate has sent correspondence to Community Boards advising them of his commitment to them across the city to push for a good process and solid reforms.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to adopt a resolution supporting the Public Advocate's recommendations regarding Charter Revision, which call for frequent, open public forums throughout the city that encourage residents to provide their recommendations about their visions for New York City; and to observe the commission's deliberative process; outreach for Charter Revision use all available modes of communication; and clear and concise questions and extensive public education about what voters can expect to see on the ballot on Election Day. Seconded by Barbara Parisi. Unanimously adopted.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia reported that the Department of Environmental Protection is automating its meter reading capabilities. The Automated Meter Reading system consists of small, low power radio transmitters connected to individual water meters that send daily readings. This new system will largely eliminate the need for estimated bills and the need for a meter reader to visit customer properties.

She further advised that the contractor has begun installations within Community Board 11, and residents can contact Constructamax, Inc at 888-317-2808 to schedule an appointment.

The District Manager advised that Community Board 11 has recived notification of the interest and intent of HeartShare Human Services, under the auspices of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to establish (2) -seven bed Intermediate care facilities at 131 Bay 19th Street, for children from the community that were diagnosed with autism.

Ms. Elias-Pavia further advised that the Site Selection Committee will schedule a public hearing for next month's meeting. She further stated that due to Mr. Guarinello's professional affiliation with the applicant, he will recuse himself from the public hearing and the board's deliberations.

The District Manger reported the merchants of 15th Avenue between 78th Street and 79th Street requested the board's assistance regarding sanitation and parking issues in the immediate area. This location on the east side of the street has metered parking, which are in effect from 9AM-7PM, but the street cleaning regulations are on Fridays from 11:30AM-1PM. Motorists are confused due to the presence of meters, and are receiving parking tickets, while the street never gets cleaned.

At the board's request, the Department of Sanitation reviewed the routes of the existing mechanical brooms in the area and determined that the regulations could be changed to 7:30AM-8AM on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The District Manager thanked Commissioner Termini and Deputy Chief Priester for their assistance and the expeditious response to this matter.

The District Manager advised that on behalf of the Board, she attended the South Brooklyn 2010 Census Committee kick-off event at the JCH. The committee is a coalition of elected officials, religious leaders, community leaders and non-profits, who are committed to increasing participation in the 2010 Census.

Marnee Elias-Pavia reported that in response to formal communication received from board member Kevin Ly regarding graffiti in the community; we shall be working with the 62nd Precinct to organize a graffiti cleanup. In honor of Earth Day, the cleanup will take place on Sunday, April 18th.

The Department of Transportation recently sent notification to the board that during April 19th, AARP's Create the Good is calling upon communities to volunteer to survey key intersections to evaluate their safety for pedestrians.

The Commissioner has urged community boards that have Senior Pedestrian Focus Areas within their boundaries to participate.

Transportation Committee top

Barbara Parisi, Chair of the Transportation Committee, reported the committee met with the Department of Transportation regarding the implementation of phase 2 of the Safe

Streets for Seniors Program.

This Spring/Summer the agency's consultants will begin studying the area bounded by 18th Avenue from 65th Street to Bay Parkway, to 20th Avenue and 86th Street, and on the east from West 11th Street to Kings Highway up to Avenue P and 65th Street. A draft report of the findings and recommendations will be presented to the committee in the fall.

Parks Committee top

Eileen LaRuffa, Chair of the Parks Committeee, reported that the committee met to review the request to rename 86th Street and Bay 34th Street in memory of Anthony Neglia; and 78th Street and 20th Avenue in memory of Angelo Campanella.

The committee made a positive recommendation based upon the information submitted but requests that the matter be brought before the board at next month's meeting in order to give the public an opportunity to comment.

A motion was made by Bart Allegretti to adjourn. Seconded by Frank Segreto. Unanimously adopted.

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Leonard Beninson
• Ross Brady
• Maria Campanella
• Al Campanelli
• Dr. Joseph Caruana
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Thomas Colasanto
• Louis Crispiano
• Sal D'Alessio
• Paul DiSpirito
• Charles Farrauto
• Shirley Fineman
• Angel Geraldi
• William Guarinello
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Man Wai Lau
• Albert Milone
• Nicholas Miraglia
• Raymond Mollica
• Vincent Nativo
• Barbara Parisi
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• Angelo Russo
• Frank Segreto
• Angelo Siciliano
• Antonio Troia

Absent
• Steve Balasiano
• Iris Chui
• Donald Clark
• Anthony Favale
• Sarra Fronshtein
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Corrado Manfredi
• Camillo Messina
• Raymond Mollica
• Ella Nigro
• Kalman Talbek

Excused
• Gerard Bertuna
• Rosa Casella
• Mafalda DiMango
• Joseph DiSanto
• John Garvey
• Kevin Ly
• Rosalee Manitta
• John Raffaele
• Stanley Roher
• Laurie Windsor

Guests
• Mary Placanica -Assemblyman Colton
• Lucretia Regina Potter - Republican District Leader - 49 AD
• Jonathan Judge - 44th Council District Candidate
• Anna Slatinsky - Department of City Planning
• Andrew Santano
• Lucille Santano
• Al Fazio - Assemblyman Peter Abbate
• Katy Rosa - Parks Department
• Maya Kramer - Rep. Nadler