Monthly Minutes - May 2009

Pleadge Of Allegiance top

Stanley Roher had the honor of leading the pledge.

Minutes top

A motion was made by Stan Roher to adopt the minutes of the April 2, 2009 meeting. Seconded by Tony Troia. Unanimously adopted.

Nominating Committee Report top

Dr. Joe Caruana reported that the Nominating Committee presents the following slate of Officers for the 2009 -2010 term:

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

The Chairman inquired if there were any nominations from the floor. Hearing none, a motion was made by Man Wai Lau to suspend the regular meeting of Community Board 11, and open the public portion of the meeting. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Public Hearing top

Mona Lisa Cafe. Inc.
1476 86th Street

The applicant submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs a petition to modify consent from an unenclosed sidewalk cafe with 6 tables and 24 chairs to 24 tables and 48 chairs at the above address.

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition on this matter.
Nina DiGregorio, who resides above Tomasso's Restaurant, stated that there are double parked cars, noise from the buses and motorcycles, crowded sidewalks and people congregate after hours and talk.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Rosa Casella to close the public hearing. Seconded by Al Milone. Unanimously adopted.

Public Portion top

Mary Placanica, representing Assemblyman William Colton, advised that a new community group, the Community Action Network, is being formed. The purpose is to maintain safe, reliable, and affordable transportation while holding the Metropolitan Transit Authority accountable and transparent. Petitions and membership forms are available.

Jo Blanda, a resident of Bay 19th Street, spoke regarding the need for resurfacing on New Utrecht Avenue from 61 Street to 86th Street.

Joe Carlucci, the owner of Sheridan Lighting, which is located on 63 Street between 16th and 17th Avenues, spoke regarding schools on his block and their intention of requesting no parking signs. He further stated that this is a commercial area and the businesses would suffer.

Phil Antonocci, from Central Tile, which is located on 63rd Street, stated he is opposed to the installation of school bus parking.

Jonathan Yedin, representing Congressman McMahon, announced that the House of Representatives passed the Credit Card Bill of Rights and it is now before the Senate. He provided a synopsis of the law, which eliminates double billing cycles, requires card companies to mail billing statements 21 days before due date, protects cardholders from arbitrary rate increases and prevents subprime lending. He provided literature that gives detailed information.

Assemblyman Peter Abbate advised that the Senior Prom is being held this evening at Fort Hamilton for our community's senior citizens. He further discussed the proposals regarding the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Joe Paninni stated that the patrons from Mona Lisa drink and then urinate on his property.

Michael Sayed, the owner of Mona Lisa, stated that the sidewalk cafe would be the same size as Mezcal's. The entertainment ends at 11PM, the same as the other restaurants in the area. He further stated that he has carting for his garbage, and that he looks forward to working with the community.

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

Parking Committee Report top

Eileen LaRuffa, Chairperson of the Parks Committee, advised that the committee has received a formal request to rename 18th Avenue and 83rd Street to Robert M. Buonvino Place. Bob was a member of Community Board 10, dedicated civic leader, and a founder of Friends of Historic New Utrecht, in addition to the many organizations he served.

Ms. LaRuffa requested that due to the overwhelming support from the community and Councilman Gentile, a public hearing be waived and the matter be brought to the Board this evening.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to waive the public hearing for the renaming of 18th Avenue and 83rd Street to Robert M. Buonvino Place. Seconded by Nicholas Miraglia. Unanimously adopted.

A motion was made by Rosa Casella to rename 18th Avenue and 83rd Street to Robert M. Buonvino Place. Seconded by Man Wai Lau. Unanimously adopted.

Chairman'sreport top

Mr. Guarinello discussed the issue of areas designated "No Parking" in front of schools. He advised that the Community Board does not give approval, and that all schools are entitled to apply to the Department of Transportation for these signs.

The Chairman directed the District Manager to meet with the Department of Transportation, Assemblyman Peter Abbate, the 62nd Precinct, the schools and businesses to mediate the issue.

The Chairman announced that Block Party NYC, a new project by Transportation Alternatives, assists residents in planning a great block party. In addition, they offer small grants to blocks that are facing traffic concerns on their streets, and want to plan an informal block party to address them. Additional information can be obtained at www.blockpartynyc.org.

Mr. Guarinello advised the Office of Emergency Management and the Health Department has provided informational literature on the flu, which is available for those interested.

The Chairman announced that Community Board 11 and the Parks Committee will be celebrating It's My Park Day, this Saturday at Bath Beach Park at 10 AM. Volunteers are still needed.

Planning And Zoning Committee top

Frank Segreto, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, reported that Mona Lisa requested a modification to increase the number of tables to 24, 2-person tables, for 48 seats. The owner felt that this arrangement is more suited for the couples that frequent the cafe.

The proposed additional seating plus the service aisle would bring the area out to 9'8", which would exceed 50% of the width of the sidewalk to the lampposts. By removing the lampposts near the curb, which were installed by the original owners, the unobstructed sidewalk would fall within 50% of the 19'4" sidewalk width to the curb.

The proposed expansion would be consistent with the width of Mezcal's cafe and slightly larger than D'Tommaso's outdoor cafe.

Mr. Segreto advised that to his knowledge there have been no complaints filed with the 62nd Precinct or the Community Board regarding Mona Lisa.

There was discussion regarding the tables and the service aisle.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to approve the application. Seconded by Ross Brady. The vote was 15 for, 6 opposed, 5 abstained. Motion adopted.

District Manager'sreport top

Marnee Elias-Pavia reminded the Board that as announced in the City's latest budget proposal, parking meter rates at the City's least expensive meters began on February 16th. $.25 will now provide 20 minutes of parking instead of 30 minutes. Changes are being made in phases, and not all locations are changed over.

The District Manager advised that with the warm weather approaching an increase in raccoons are customary. She urged residents to use garbage cans with tight fitting lids, not to leave any food outside including pet food. Literature is available to those interested.

She further advised that the Department of Youth and Community Development Summer Youth Employment Program is accepting applications for all New York City residents between ages 14 through 24. Applications are available here, as well as online. The deadline for filing is this Friday.

The District Manager advised that the Department of Transportation held a public meeting on May 11th, at Coney Island Hospital, on the findings and recommendations of the Coney Island/Gravesend Sustainable Transportation Study. The study boundaries within Community Board 11 are Kings Highway, Bay Parkway, McDonald Avenue to the water.
The study found that there are approximately 30 or more accidents yearly at the intersection of Bay Parkway and Cropsey Avenue, double-parking on 86th Street, and high pedestrian volume on Bay Parkway and 86th Street. Some of the recommendations include 2-left turn lanes on Cropsey Avenue, going south bound on Bay Parkway, the installation of a stop light on the westbound exit at Bay Parkway.

She further advised that she has requested that DOT make a presentation on the findings before our Transportation Committee.

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

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Gerald Bertuna
• Ross Brady
• Maria Campanella
• Al Campanelli
• Dr. Joseph Caruana
• Rosa Casella
• Thomas Colasanto
• Joseph DiSanto
• Paul DiSpirito
• Charles Farrauto
• Shirley Fineman
• William Guarinello
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Man Wai Lau
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Rosalee Manitta
• Albert Milone
• Nicholas Miraglia
• Raymond Mollica
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• John Raffaele
• Stan Roher
• Frank Segreto
• Angelo Siciliano
• Antonio Troia

Absent
• Steve Balasiano
• Leonard Beninson
• Iris Chiu
• Don Clark
• Sarra Fronshtein
• Angel Geraldi
• David Gordon
• William Hongach
• Corrado Manfredi
• Frank Naccarato
• Ella Nigro
• Barbara Parisi
• Kalman Talbak

Excused
• Louis Crispiano
• Mafalda DiMango
• Richard DiNapoli
• Vincent Nativo
• Louisa Verito
• Laurie Windsor

Guests
• Franca Bove - NIA
• Mary Placanica - Assemblyman William Colton
• Ben DiStefano
• Sally Fernandes
• Angela Sarro
• Jonathan Yedin - Congressman McMahon
• Dave Elligers - Friends of Historic New Utrecht
• Susan Hanyen - New Utrecht Reformed Church
• Sandra Roher
• Helen Klein - Courier Life
• Remounda Rezkulla
• Michael Saied
• Jo Blanda
• Andrew Santano
• Lucille Santano
• Elliott Kramer - Councilman Recchia
• Nina Argont - Tommaso Restaurant