Monthly Minutes - September 2012

Public Portion top

Louise Martini, representing State Senator Golden, advised that the Senator will be hosting free flu shots on October 4th, from 10AM-2PM, at the Bay Ridge Manor, 476 76th Street. Those interested should call the Senator's office at 718-238-6044 to make an appointment.

Ms. Martini advised Brooklyn's 6th Annual Senior Idol will take place on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 7pm at Xaverian HS, 7100 Shore Road. Tickets are $10 at the door. She further announced that the Senator will be sponsoring a free shredding service, on October 6th from 11 AM-1PM, outside his district office, 7408 5th Avenue.

Mary Placanica, representing Assemblyman Colton, advised that the Assemblyman is hosting free flu shots on September 20th, from 11AM-1PM, outside his district office, 155 Kings Highway. Appointments can be made by calling 718-236-1598.

She further advised that the Assemblyman will be holding a neighborhood clean-up on September 23rd, in the Seth Low Park vicinity. If anyone is interested in volunteering they can call 718-236-1598 for more information.

Ms. Placanica advised that the Assemblyman has filed a lawsuit to halt the construction of the Southwest Marine Transfer Station. The case has been adjourned until December 5th.

Jane Carey, representing Councilman Greenfield, advised that the Councilman has brought Participatory Budgeting to the 44th District. District residents will have the opportunity to attend a series of meetings and propose projects that the community would like the Councilman to devote his capital funding. There will be a public vote on the nominated projects in the spring, and Ms. Carey urged residents to get involved in the process.

Ms. Carey advised that the Councilman hosted the first ever family movie night in Seth Low Park, which was well attended.

Basha Luska, representing Councilman Gentile, advised that the Bensonhurst Greenmarket located at Milestone Park on 18th Avenue between 81st and 82nd Streets, is open every Sunday until November 18th from 9Am-4PM.

Ms. Luska further advised that the Councilman, in conjunction with Councilman Greenfield and the Community Board, is focusing on neighborhood clean-ups for the fall and spring. Local schools and community-based organizations will participate and volunteers are always welcome. If anyone is interested they should contact Councilman Gentile's office at 718-748-5200.

Maya Kremen, representing Congressman Nadler, advised that the Congressman has expressed his opposition to extending tax cuts for those making over $250,000. Theissue is not resolved but he will continue the fight.

Ms. Kremen reported that the Congressman has introduced legislation to help keep families seated together on commercial airline flights. The legislation would help to ensure that children are not separated from their families and seated alone on flights.

Liam McCabe, representing Congressman Grimm, advised that Reps. Grimm and Runyan called upon the Environmental Protection Agency to amend the "Floatables Action Plan" for New York and New Jersey to ensure that medical waste will no longer wash up on area beaches. Copies of the letter are available this evening.

Mr. McCabe further advised that over the summer the Congressman's office received complaints regarding odors from Gravesend Bay. It was reported that the odors can be attributed to the 92nd Street sewer break in Bay Ridge. The repairs should be completed this month.

Val Henry, representing SUNY Downstate at Bay Ridge, announced that during the month of September the facility will offer free prostate cancer screenings. Those interested can walk in Monday through Friday from 11AM-8PM.

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 Sal D'Alessio to accept the minutes of the June 14, 2012 meeting. Seconded by Stan Roher. Unanimously adopted.

Moment Of Silence top

Mr. Guarinello requested a moment of silence in commemoration of the lives lost in the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.

Assemblyman Peter Abbate top

The Assemblyman welcomed everyone back from the summer recess. He stated his concerns regarding the amount of federal monies that the state and city will be receiving in the future in light of federal budget cuts. He also stressed how important the 3 billion dollars that New York is slated to receive under the federal health care act is to our hospitals.

Chairman's Report top

Mr. Guarinello began his report by welcoming everyone back from the summer recess. He then thanked the Bensonhurst Home for Rehabilitation and Healthcare for hosting Community Board 11 and for providing the generous collation.

The Chairman reported that we have received a request from Mercury Public Affairs to meet with their client One World, who is seeking an operating certificate from the New York State Department of Health to open a drug and alcohol treatment facility. He further stated that we have no formal notification of the filing, nor have we received information on the proposed location.

Mr. Guarinello advised that he and the District Manager will meet with the applicant and report back to the Board.

The Chairman advised that the borough consultations, which signify the beginning of the next budget cycle, fiscal year 2014, will be taking place at the end of the month. In October, we will be holding a public hearing on the board's capital and expense budget priorities. If anyone has recommendations for submission, please contact the office before October 1st.

Mr. Guarinello discussed the proliferation of commercial vehicles parking overnight on residential streets throughout the community. The Chairman stated that the fine for parking a commercial vehicle on a residential street is $65, which does not induce compliance. He requested that the members observe conditions on their blocks over the next month, so that a discussion can be initiated at next month's meeting on the issue.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia reported that over the summer recess she attended a meeting with the Department of Sanitation, Councilman Gentile, and Jane Carey representing Councilman Greenfield regarding 18th Avenue. The general consensus is that litter is an issue and there will be additional outreach, education and enforcement in the area, as well as additional monitoring by the Department of Sanitation.

The District Manager stated that in the absence of a Merchant's Association or Business Improvement District on the commercial corridors there is no mechanism for funding for supplemental cleaning or streetscape improvements.

The District Manager reported that she joined Senator Golden, residents and merchants in welcoming Graffiti Free NYC to 18th Avenue to remove graffiti from storefronts. She stated that graffiti is a blight on the community, and while we urge residents and merchants to submit graffiti waivers; there needs to be arrests and a message sent to these vandals that this community will not tolerate graffiti. She urged the community to report graffiti for clean-up, which is free of charge.

Ms. Elias-Pavia advised that she attended the Bay Parkway D line ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the rehabilitation project. The elevators are operational and the public artwork has been installed.

She further reported that over the summer notification was received from the Department of Consumer Affairs that Red Wolf, located at 1546 62nd Street has filed for a cabaret license. The location is in an M1-1 zoning district, and the certificate of occupancy has no restrictions on entertainment.

The District Manager congratulated Councilman Greenfield on bringing participatory budgeting to the district. She advised that she attended the meeting and was looking forward to working on this project and she urged the community to get involved.

Marnee Elias-Pavia congratulated the Chairman and Nick Miraglia who are the Grand Marshalls of this year's Columbus Day Parade, which will be held on October 6th at 1PM. The parade runs on 18th Avenue from 60th Street - 84th Street.

She additionally congratulated Al Campanella and Jerry Chiapetta who are being honored by St. Finbar at their annual dinner-dance.

The District Manager announced that the 5th Annual St Jude Motorcycle Run of 2012 will be held on September 30th. Meet-up is at the 69th Street Pier at 10:30 AM.

New Business top

Mafalda DiMango inquired if the motorized bicycles that are used for deliveries had to be licensed and insured.

There was brief discussion regarding the issue and the Chairman advised that commercial establishments must comply with city and state regulations.

Sonia Valentin asked for suggestions on how to deal with new neighbors that hang clothes to dry in front of their homes.

The Chairman stated that sometimes these things happen due to cultural differences and suggested opening a dialogue with the neighbors.

The Chairman inquired if there was any other new business. Hearing none, Stan Roher made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Laurie Windsor. Unanimously adopted.

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Gerald Bertuna
• Ross Brady
• Maria Campanella
• Albert Campanelli
• Dr. Joseph Caruana
• Rosa Casella
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Vincent Chirico
• Steve Chung
• Tom Colasanto
• Louis Crispiano
• Sal D'Alessio
• Claudio DeMeo
• Mafalda DiMango
• Richard DiNapoli
• Marc D'Ottavio
• Charles Farrauto
• Shirley Fineman
• Yonah Glatzer
• William Guarinello
• Man Wai Lau
• Tim Law
• Vito Marinelli
• Al Milone
• Nick Miraglia
• Raymond Mollica
• Sal Rao
• Stan Roher
• Antonio Troia
• Sonia Valentin
• Laurie Windsor
• Victor Wong
• Robert Yee

Absent
• Warren Chan
• Don Clark
• Anthony Favale
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Vito Marangelli
• Michael Marks
• James Orlando
• Barbara Parisi

Excused
• Matthew Bromme
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Paul DiSpirito
• Yoketing Eng
• John Garvey
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Vincent Nativo
• Rabbi Gary Pollack

Guests
• Mary Placanica - Assemblyman Colton
• Val Henry - Downstate Medical Center
• Denise Romano- Brooklyn Spectator
• Sylvia Maraia - Councilman Recchia
• Tambe John - Brooklyn Public Library New Utrecht Branch
• Louise Martini - Senator Golden
• Salima Makhmudova
• Baruch College
• Lily Wong - Brooklyn Borough President's Office
• Susan Grossman - CB 11
• Jane Carey - Councilman Greenfield
• Liam McCabe - Congressman Grimm
• Al Fazio - Assemblyman Abbate
• Maya Kremen - Congressman Nadler
• Henry Gao Chen
• Basha Luksa - Councilman Gentile