Monthly Minutes - May 2010

Public Portion top

Louise Martini, representing Senator Martin Golden, announced that the Senator is hosting a rally opposing the Metropolitan Transit Authority's plan to reduce service in our communities, which will be held on May 19, 2010, at Xaverian High School, 7100 Shore Road at 7PM.

Ms Martini further announced that the Senator is holding a Senior Fair on June 11, 2010, at Most Precious Blood located at 70 Bay 47th Street, from Noon - 3PM. Multiple agencies will be present. Flyers are available for those interested.

A resident addressed the board regarding an abandoned house located on Benson Avenue and Bay 8th Street. The house is overrun with weeds, garbage, and vermin.

Elizabeth Ridler, representing the Brooklyn Public Library, distributed literature advising residents how they can take action against library closures, which are a result of budget cuts. Additionally, this Saturday the Central Library at Grand Army Plaza will be celebrating "Love Your Library Day". All are welcomed to participate.

Melissa Batha, representing Congressman McMahon, introduced herself to the Board.

Rich Murray, representing Marriage Equality NY, an organization that advocates for full and equal marriage for same sex couples, spoke regarding the same sex marriage bill that was recently introduced before the legislature.

Betsy Malcolm, representing Marriage Equality NY, stated that same sex marriage should have the same protection under the law.

Maya Kremer, representing Congressman Nadler, advised that both Congressmen Nadler and McMahon called for increased anti-terrorism funds for New York in the wake of the attempted attack on Times Square.

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

Pledge Of Allegiance top

The meeting of Community Board 11 was opened with Dr. Joseph Caruana having the honor of leading the pledge.

Minutes top

Bart Allegretti made a motion to adopt the minutes of the May 13, 2010 meeting. Seconded by Louis Crispiano. Unanimously adopted.

Chairman's Report top

The Chairman advised that next month's meeting, which is scheduled for June 10th, will be held at 7PM.

Mr. Guarinello reported that Community Board 11 has received a notice to proceed for the rehabilitation of the 15th Avenue Bridge over the Long Island Railroad Bay Ridge Line. A meeting has been requested by Marnee Elias-Pavia to discuss the project.

The Chairman advised that new photo identification cards will be processed at the June meeting. The staff will be available at 6:30 PM to take pictures.

Nominating Committee Report top

Vincent Nativo, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, submitted the following slate of Officers for the 2010-2011 term: William Guarinello - Chairman, Frank Segreto - 1st Vice Chair, Shirley Fineman - 2nd Vice Chair, Man Wai Lau - Secretary, Nicholas Miraglia - Treasurer.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia reported that the Department of Transportation has presented a new traffic-calming plan for the West 6th Street corridor, which is available for distribution.

The plan calls for one 13-foot wide parking/loading lane in both directions, and one 11-foot moving lane in both directions. Along the corridor, there will be 12-foot left turning bays with painted medians, as well as three pedestrian refuge islands with banned left turns. According to the plan, the refuge islands would be installed where there were recent pedestrian fatalities and motor vehicle accidents. The corridor is ranked in the 79th percentile of severity-weighted injuries per mile ranking in Brooklyn with 206 injuries.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to approve the West 6th Street corridor traffic calming plan, with the addition that the Department of Transportation consider the feasibility of installing a left turn lane on 65th Street at Bay Parkway, placing straight and right turn arrows in the right lane on 65th Street at Bay Parkway, and delineating lane markings on West 6th Street turning onto 65th Street. Seconded by Vincent Nativo. Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager reported that she attended an onsite meeting with the Police Department and the Department of Transportation on Bay Parkway between Cropsey Avenue and Shore Parkway to discuss traffic issues. She stated that it was unfortunate that the Department of Transportation responded expeditiously to the Police Department's requests and not the Board's, which were made last August in response to the Sustainability Study.

The issues discussed were the same that the Board presented in regard to cars exiting Caesar's Bay Shopping Center and entering the Belt Parkway; lack of visible and clearly defined pavement markings in the vicinity and appropriate signage. Furthermore, the planners were shown the reasoning for the Board's capital priority request to relocate the east bound entrance of the Belt Parkway, of which they agreed it needed study.

She further advised that the Department of Transportation is exploring the installation of a "quick curb" at the entrance of the eastbound Belt Parkway entrance, the installation of signage in the vicinity of Cropsey Avenue and Bay 31 Street showing the upcoming lane designations, and pavement markings at the westbound exit of the Belt Parkway.

The District Manager further discussed the issue of faded and poorly visible pavement markings at some of the busiest intersections in our district.

A motion was made by Tony Troia to call upon the Department of Transportation to replace poorly visible pavement markings at high volume intersections within Community Board 11. Seconded by Jerry Chiapetta. Unanimously adopted.

Marnee Elias-Pavia reported that the Department of Environmental Protection, in response to the Board's capital priority request, to install catch basins on the north side of 86th Street from Bay Parkway to 23rd Avenue, has completed their survey. They have advised that they will install a catch basin on the south side of 86th Street and 23rd Avenue. The agency recommended that the Department of Transportation pave the north side to eliminate roughness along the curb and eliminate ponding. The response has been forwarded to DOT.

The District Manager advised that this Saturday, in celebration of It's My Park Day, a cleanup project will be held in Bensonhurst Park from 10 AM - 1PM. Volunteers are needed.

Assemblyman Abbate top

Assemblyman Abbate, in response to vehicles exiting and entering the Belt Parkway at Bay Parkway, stated that he has previously discussed this issue with the Department of

Transportation and has once again offered his assistance and capital funding if a solution could be found. He requested that the Board once again send a letter to the Department of Transportation.

The Assemblyman discussed budget matters in Albany and lack of cooperation from the governor. He further stated that although some restorations have been made there are still deep cuts to many programs and agencies.

Assemblyman Abbate said that he doesn't believe there will be a budget until mid June.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.

Meeting adjourned.

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Maria Campanella
• Al Campanelli
• Dr. Joseph Caruana
• Rosa Casella
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Louis Crispiano
• Salvatore D'Alessio
• Mafalda DiMango
• Joseph DiSanto
• Paul DiSpirito
• Charles Farrauto
• Anthony Favale
• Shirley Fineman
• John Garvey
• William Guarinello
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Man Wai Lau
• Albert Milone
• Nicholas Miraglia
• Raymond Mollica
• Vincent Nativo
• Stanley Roher
• Frank Segreto
• Antonio Troia
• Laurie Windsor

Absent
• Steve Balasiano
• Leonard Beninson
• Gerald Bertuna
• Ross Brady
• Iris Chiu
• Donald Clark
• Sarra Fronshtein
• Angel Geraldi
• Kevin Ly
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Corrado Manfredi
• Ella Nigro
• Angelo Russo
• Angelo Siciliano
• Kalman Talbak

Excused
• Thomas Colasanto
• Rosalee Manitta
• Camillo Messina
• James Orlando
• Barbara Parisi
• John Raffaele

Guests
• Elizabeth Ridler - Brooklyn Public Library, Dyker Branch
• Rakhi Bhattacharya - Brooklyn Public Library, Highlawn Branch
• Louise Martini - Senator Marty Golden
• Melissa Batha - Congressman Michael McMahon
• R. Murray - Marriage Equality NY
• Betsy Malcolm - Marriage Equality NY
• Dean Dafie - Marriage Equality NY
• Maya Kremer - Congressman Nadler
• Ken Lazar - NYC Department of Buildings
• Ken Scianna
• Rose Scianna
• Jake Oliver - Councilman David G. Greenfield
• David Ng
• Police Officer Stephen Agosta - 62nd Precinct