Monthly Minutes - November 2009

Public Portion top

Michael Sciaraffo, representing Councilmember Gentile, thanked the community for their support in the recent election. He advised that the Councilman has secured funding for 2 paint sprayers for the 62nd Precinct, which will assist in their efforts to combat graffiti.

Mr. Sciaraffo further announced that Councilman Gentile will be collecting donations for soldiers who are serving in isolated locations with very limited access to American facilities. Donations of various toiletries, prepackaged food, and other items can be dropped off at 8703 3rd Avenue. Fliers are available for those interested.

Yi-Wen Lin, Forester, Department of Parks, spoke regarding the Million Trees Program, which is a public-private program. The goal is to plant 1 million trees throughout the city over the next 10 years. Trees can be requested online, by calling 311 or though the community boards. She stated that tree requests within Community Board 11 are very low and she urged residents to submit requests. She provided fliers and literature.

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

Minutes top

Angelo Siciliano made a motion to adopt the minutes of the October 8, 2009 meeting. Seconded by Louis Crispiano. Unanimously adopted.

Chairman's Report top

Mr. Guarinello announced that the 62nd Precinct Community Council will meet on Tuesday, November 17th at 7:30 PM at the precinct located at 1925 Bath Avenue. The Council is requesting that those who attend bring an unwrapped toy, which will be distributed to the children of the community.

The Chairman advised that New York State’s “New” Child Restraint Law goes into effect November 24, 2009. All children must be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle until they reach their 8th birthday. Literature is available for those interested.

Mr. Guarinello requested that the Sanitation and Environment Committee meet to discuss and review the Department of Sanitation’s performance of fall leaf collection within Community Board 11. The Chairman stated that this past fall there were many instances of equipment breakdowns resulting in blocks not being swept. This issue needs to be addressed to prevent this from happening in the future.

There was brief discussion regarding this issue.

The Chairman reported that Community Board 11 has received from Councilmember Gentile a letter of support to rename the corner of 15th Avenue and Cropsey Avenue to Michael Brienza Way.

Mr. Guarinello stated that since this street renaming request has already received the support of the Councilman, this matter should be disposed of this evening.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to rename the corner of 15th Avenue and Cropsey Avenue to Michael Brienza Way. Seconded by Al Campanelli. Unanimously adopted.

Assemblyman Abbate top

The Assemblyman reported that he has been in Albany attending special sessions to address budgetary matters. He advised that the situation is very serious with a 5 billion dollar gap and there will have to be cuts. He further advised that the Government Affairs committee, which the Assemblyman Chairs, has been working with the unions to address the pension system.

Assemblyman Abbate, in response to the presentation made by the Parks Department, stated that many people are hesitant to plant trees on their property due to the long wait for pruning.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia advised that she and Susan Grossman attended training at the Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management to learn the new electronic permitting process that will be used for all street activity permits. Beginning December 31st, anyone filing for a block party or street festival permit may do so online. Once an application is filed with the Street Activity Permit Office, the Community Board office will be able to review the application online, and make a recommendation, in the same manner as when paper forms were used.

The District Manager commended the new process, although in her opinion there were shortcomings. She stated that when the applicant’s files for their block party electronically they are required to pay a non-refundable filing fee, before the Community Board reviews the application. Currently before block party season begins, there are discussions with the 62nd Precinct to discuss any dates or locations that may produce an excessive burden on the department. This is then discussed with block party applicants to avoid denial of their application. This matter was brought to Citywide Event Coordination’s attention to no avail.

Ms. Elias-Pavia advised that in order to promote approval of applications with minimal loss of filing fees, the Community Board office will be notifying all of last year’s applicants to advise them of the new procedures and the office policy.

She further added that the new filing procedure does not permit the Community Board to review recommendations and comments from other agencies. As a city agency, the Community Board should be able to review all recommendations on an event,

Man Wai Lau made a motion to call upon Citywide Event Coordination and Management to provide Community Boards with the ability to view all agency comments and recommendations on the electronic Street Activity Permit applications. Seconded by Frank Segreto. Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager reported that on October 14th and 15th, the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit held the 86th Street Business Education Sessions. The meeting was well attended and the merchants appeared receptive. Councilman Recchia was present and advised the merchants of the programs and funding that is available for merchant associations. He stated that he would support program funding for 86th Street once the merchants organize themselves.

Following that meeting, the District Manager met with Commissioner Nazli Parvizi and Charles Glover of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, to do a walkthrough of 86th Street so she could see the issues of concern to the community.

There will be follow-up meetings, and reports will be given to the Board.

The District Manager provided a follow-up to last month’s report regarding the Department of Transportation’s proposal for pavement marking changes to West 6th Street. The proposal was received, enlarged, and displayed for the Board’s review. The plan calls for the elimination of one driving lane, the installation of bike and left turn lanes.

There was lengthy discussion regarding the plan, and the negative impacts that this type of plan has had at other locations.

John Garvey, who resides on West 6th Street, stated that there are numerous accidents and speeders on this roadway. He suggested additional police enforcement.

Angelo Russo made a motion to call upon the Department of Transportation to explore alternative traffic calming measures for West 6th Street as opposed to the proposed pavement markings as submitted. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

The Chairman requested that John Garvey participate in future meetings regarding this project.

Marnee Elias-Pavia reported that Department of Transportation, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Palmieri contacted her today regarding pavement marking safety enhancements for Avenue P from Bay Parkway to West 8th Street. He requested that the Board review the proposal immediately, in order to make safety enhancements. This area includes two schools and a large playground. The plan calls for the elimination of one driving lane on Avenue P from West 11th Street to Stillwell Avenue, the installation of a refuge island, and left turn lanes. On Stillwell Avenue, westbound between Avenue P and Bay Parkway, pavement markings will be installed, which reflects the current traffic pattern.

There was discussion regarding the proposal. Eileen LaRuffa made a motion to request that the Avenue P proposal include the installation of left turn signals at Stillwell Avenue and Avenue P, the feasibility of signal timing changes, and begin the safety marking changes before Seth Low. Seconded by Stan Roher. Unanimously adopted.


The District Manager reported that the Ave V Force main upgrade project at Bay Parkway and the Belt Parkway, due to ground conditions, the remaining section of the 42” force main would involve open cut installation rather than jacking. As a result, the entrance ramp to the westbound Belt Parkway from Bay Parkway was temporarily relocated. Traffic was shifted to the temporary entrance ramp on Friday, October 30th. Work in this area will be completed prior to Thanksgiving, which will help ease traffic conditions.


On October 24th, there was a cleanup of Bath Beach Park. The District Manager thanked the board members who participated, Brian Matula, Store Manager of the 18th Avenue TD Bank for their donation of plants and time, the Pezzuto family for the donation of trees and plants, and the Parks Department employees. Their participation made this clean-up a success.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to adjourn. Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa. Unanimously adopted.

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Gerald Bertuna
• Ross Brady
• Maria Campanella
• Al Campanelli
• Joseph Caruana
• Rosa Casella
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Louis Crispiano
• Sal D’Alessio
• Mafalda DiMango
• Joseph DiSanto
• Paul DiSpirito
• Charles Farrauto
• Anthony Favale
• Shirley Fineman
• John Garvey
• Angel Geraldi
• William Guarinello
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Man Wai Lau
• Camillo Messina
• Albert Milone
• Nicholas Miraglia
• Vincent Nativo
• James Orlando
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• Stan Roher
• Angelo Russo
• Frank Segreto
• Angelo Siciliano
• Antonio Troia
• Laurie Windsor

Absent
• Steve Balasiano
• Iris Chiu
• Don Clark
• Sarra Fronshtein
• Kevin Ly
• Corrado Manfredi
• Ella Nigro
• Kalman Talbak

Excused
• Leonard Beninson
• Tom Colasanto
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Rosalee Manitta
• Barbara Parisi
• John Raffaele

Guests
• R. Bhattacharya – BPL Highlawn
• Elizabeth Ridler – BPL Highlawn
• Ramona Pontone
• Arlene Fishler
• Katy Rosa – Department of Parks
• Ann Dangosh
• Brian Matula – TD Bank
• Yi-Wen Lin –Department of Parks
• Elliott Kramer – Councilmember Recchia
• Andrew Santano
• Lucille Santano
• Charles Glover – Mayor’s CAU