Monthly Minutes - October 2012

Public Hearing top

Draft of Community Board 11's Capital and Expense Budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2014.

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Don Clark to close the public hearing. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Public Portion top

Wilfredo Florentino, representing Citizens Committee for NYC, announced the award of grants for resident-led groups to work on school and community improvement projects. The grants range from $500 to $3,000, and if anyone is interested, literature is available and applications can be obtained at www.citizensnyc.org

Sara Steinweiss, representing Councilman Vincent Gentile, on behalf of the Councilman, thanked the Chairman, William Guarinello for his efforts on behalf of the Fort Hamilton Army Base. She additionally thanked the District Manager for her assistance regarding garbage issues.

Ms. Steinwess advised that as previously announced there would be a neighborhood clean-up in November, and more scheduled in the Spring. She requested that those interested in volunteering register this evening.

She further announced that the Bensonhurst Greenmarket is still open and they just announced that they will be holding a Harvest Festival on October 28th. More information will be provided to the community as it comes available.

Lou Powsner, longtime community resident, spoke regarding the street signs on Bay Parkway at Kings Highway. He stated that he had requested some time ago overhead mast signs for Kings Highway so that people could clearly see where the street begins in Bensonhurst.

Dennis Long, a resident of 68th Street, inquired about the development on 68th Street between Bay Parkway and 21st Avenue. He stated that the property was originally a one family home and plans were filed for a 6-story, 7 unit apartment house. He inquired as to why the plans have been denied by the Department of Buildings.

Jake Adler, representing Councilman Greenfield, advised that on October 21st, at FDR High School, located at 58th Street and 20th Avenue, there will be a free tree giveaway. The trees can be planted anywhere on your property. Anyone interested can register by calling the Councilman's office at 718-853-2704.

Mr. Adler announced that the first participatory budgeting meeting for Bensonhurst will be held on November 1, 2012, at PS 205, located at 6701 20th Avenue, at 7PM. Residents were urged to participate and offer their ideas on how 1 million dollars of capital funds should be spent.

Sylvia Maraia, representing Councilman Recchia, advised that the Councilman in partnership with CUNY will be offering free immigration services on Wednesdays from 10 AM-5 PM, at the district office located at 445 Neptune Avenue, Room 2C. Anyone interested should call 718-373-9673 to make an appointment for free help with immigration questions related to Naturalization and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Mary Placanica, representing Assemblyman Colton, advised that there would be a neighborhood clean-up of Bay Parkway between 86th Street and Cesar's Bay as well as Bensonhurst Park, on October 22nd at 10AM.

She further advised the importance of voting especially as it related to the Southwest Brooklyn Marine Transfer Station.

Denise Romano, who is a member of the Brooklyn Chorus Sweet Adelines, announced that there would be a free concert at New Utrecht Reformed Church on Saturday, November 3rd at 7:30PM.

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

Minutes top

A motion was made by Laurie Windsor to accept the minutes of the September 12, 2012 meeting. Seconded by Man Wai Lau. Unanimously adopted.

Disposition Of Public Hearing top

A motion was made by Matthew Bromme to approve the draft of Community Board 11's capital and expense budget recommendations for fiscal year 2014. Seconded by Laurie Windsor. Unanimously adopted.

Chairman's Report top

Mr. Guarinello advised that he and Marnee Elias-Pavia met with One World Inc., who filed an application with the State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, to open an office on McDonald Avenue and Kings Highway. The applicant stated that there would be no methadone treatment, and they would provide outpatient treatment services only. The Chairman advised since the State is seeking a letter of recommendation from the Board and he would schedule a meeting and invite the public.

The Chairman discussed the community covenant signing ceremony, which was recently held at the Fort Hamilton Garrison. He explained that the covenant signing is usually held when new commanders are assigned and it solidifies the relationship between the civilians and the military.

Mr. Guarinello appointed Vincent Nativo as Community Board 11's military liaison to the Fort Hamilton Army base.

The Chairman followed-up on the discussion from last month's meeting regarding commercial vehicles parking overnight on our streets. Last night, at approximately 8PM, the District Manager surveyed a small area of the neighborhood and found at least 15 commercial vehicles and about the same amount of vans, many with building materials inside.

Mr. Guarinello acknowledged that the 62nd Precinct does address the issue; however, it appears that operators and or owners of commercial vehicles chalk-up a $65 summons as the price of doing business. He stated that continual and focused enforcement may incentivize those that avoid paying for off-street parking for commercial vehicles.

There was further discussion regarding the low cost of the fine for parking a commercial vehicle on residential streets and the Department of Finance's commercial programs for parking violations.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau, calling upon the New York City Police Department to initiate a pilot project within our district to aggressively and consistently enforce overnight commercial parking on our streets by a task force or Traffic Enforcement Agents that are assigned during the evening hours on a consistent basis. Seconded by Laurie Windsor. Unanimously adopted.

There was discussion regarding vehicles with taxi and limousine plates parking on our streets.

The Chairman addressed the issue of the marine transfer station. He advised board members that when addressing the issue they should not speak on behalf of the Board on the matter.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia addressed the issues brought before the Board at the public portion of the meeting. She advised Mr. Powsner that a request for overhead mast signs for Kings Highway was sent to the Department of Transportation. It was sent to the design unit and she will follow-up on the matter.

She further addressed the 68th Street development and advised that based upon the residents' concerns we have asked that the department of buildings review the filings to ensure that the building complies with zoning.

The District Manager advised that she received notice from the State Liquor Authority which is seeking a recommendation for Paco's Tacos, located at 1504 86th Street. The premises are located within a 500 foot radius of at least 3 other licensed establishments who have an on premises liquor license. The new restaurant is replacing a previously licensed restaurant and bar.

A motion was made by Claudio DeMeo to notify the State Liquor Authority that there is no objection to the issuance of an on-premises liquor license to Paco's Tacos. Seconded by Laurie Windsor. Unanimously adopted.

Ms. Elias-Pavia advised that she met with the Department of Parks during the budget consultations. One of the issues discussed was the tree pruning program and was advised that since 2003 they have gone from a 7 to 15 year cycle. In Community Board 11, 380 trees were pruned last year and they expect to prune 800 this year.

They additionally advised that from Jan through June 2012, 14 sites have been repaired under the Parks Dept Tree and Sidewalk Program.

The District Manager reported that the Department of Transportation has been paving in the. We had a significant amount of streets repaved. Some of the streets are segments of 17th Avenue, 19th Avenue, 21st Avenue, 19th Lane, 20th Drive, 74 Street, Bay 32, and Bay 41st.

She further announced that the NYC Board of Elections asked that we share information on registering to vote. The last day to register for the November 6, 2012 General Election is tomorrow. The Board of Election general office at 32 Broadway will be open till midnight on October 12, 2012. We have available absentee ballots and registration forms.

A motion was made by Don Clark to adjourn. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Gerald Bertuna
• Ross Brady
• Matthew Bromme
• Dr. Joseph Caruana
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Don Clark
• Louis Crispiano
• Sal D'Alessio
• Claudio DeMeo
• Eric DiNapoli
• Paul DiSpirito
• Marc D'Ottavio
• Yoketing Eng
• Charles Farrauto
• Shirley Fineman
• John Garvey
• William Guarinello
• Man Wai Lau
• Tim Law
• Vito Marinelli
• Albert Milone
• Raymond Mollica
• Vincent Nativo
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• Stanley Roher
• Antonio Troia
• Sonia Valentin
• Laurie Windsor
• Victor Wong

Absent
• Warren Chan
• Thomas Colasanto
• Anthony Favale
• Yonah Glatzer
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Vito Marangelli
• Michael Marks
• James Orlando
• Barbara Parisi
• Robert Yee

Excused
• Maria Campanella
• Albert Campanelli
• Rosa Casella
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Vincent Chirico
• Steve Chung
• Mafalda DiMango
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Nicholas Miraglia
• Salvatore Rao

Guests
• Jake Adler - Councilmember Greenfield
• Sylvia Maraia - Councilmember Recchia
• Lily Wong - Borough President's Office
• Susan Grossman - Community Board 11
• Wilfredo Florentino - Citizens Committee for NYC
• Mary Placanica - Assemblyman Colton
• Sara Steinweiss - Councilman Gentile
• May Huang
• Andrew Zeng
• Dennis Longo
• Denise Romano - Home Reporter
• Joe Sell - Rep. Grimm
• Al Fazio - Assemblyman Abbate
• Rocco Conti - Resident of Bay 13th Street