CB12: MINUTES OF MAY MEETING AND JUNE AGENDA

June 7th, 2010

TO: COMMUNITY BOARD 12 MEMBERS/INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: ALAN J. DUBROW, CHAIRMAN
RE: JUNE BOARD MEETING
___________________________________________

Please be advised that a Reception and the regularly scheduled meeting of Community Board 12 will be held on:

TUESDAY, JUNE 22th, 2010
6:00 p.m.
RECEPTION (Supper Meal)

7:00 p.m.
REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING
at
THE AMICO SENIOR CENTER
5901 – 13TH AVENUE (Entrance on 59th Street – 3rd Floor)

AGENDA

1. PUBLIC SESSION
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
4. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS-- ALAN J. DUBROW
5. DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT -- WOLF SENDER
6. PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES TO FIRE, POLICE, SANITATION PERSONNEL AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
7. VARIANCE COMMITTEE REPORT—PETER REBENWURZEL
ULURP APPLICATIONS FOR CULVER EL PROJECTS
37th St. / 38th St. --- 12th to 14th AVENUES
8. OLD BUSINESS
9. NEW BUSINESS
10. ADJOURN

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SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY BOARD 12 MEETING
HELD TUESDAY, MAY 25th, 2010
AT COMMUNITY BOARD 12, 5910 – 13TH AVE.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – 7 PM
____________________________________________

PUBLIC SESSION
Angela Stornaiuolo, Boro Park resident, spoke on the concerns of various residents regarding the recent street closure of McDonald Ave. from Church Ave. to Albemarle Road. This is a predominantly residential block, with a Post Office, a school, and Foodtown, where a very large Bangladeshi festival was held. Residents were led to believe the required signatures were in place; however, according to Ms. Stornaiuolo, 17 of the 19 home owners were against this event, as well as all 10 businesses affected when their customers could not park. Foodtown also lost much business because no one could get down the block. Flyers posted in the area predicted 30,000 attendees, although while no accurate numbers were recorded, residents estimate thousands of people were there.

Larry Jayson spoke on the question of whether this was the same event which was usually held 1 block over with no problem. He empathized, stating he was aware that residents spent the day refusing festival goers use of the facilities in their homes. Mr. Jayson also suggested it would make more sense that if 2 blocks were needed, to use McDonald between Ave C and Cortelyou Rd., where there are only a few businesses. Residents agreed, stating they wanted to avoid a repeat of this next year, and that another concern was not enough prior notice. Inspector Sprague assured all that it would be cut down to one block next year. More discussion followed.

Joseph Nathan spoke once again about the still-occurring issue of Sanitation workers washing trucks on the sidewalks with no regard to passersby. He feels the Community Board should requisition from Sanitation some sort of extension for those trucks, so as not to interfere with the public. Mr. Nathan also suggests, after recent visits to Maimonides, as well as his own research, that something can be done to improve conditions such as “triple docking”, referring to beds pushed out of rooms due to lack of space. The hospital owns 90 – 100% of the property on 48th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues, including parking lots and other buildings. Mr. Nathan feels they should tear down some buildings and think of the community by adding 700-bed facilities. Another problem experienced by Mr. Nathan is being awakened at 3:00 in the morning to the loud sounds of NY City Marshals towing cars. This is noisy and shouldn’t be done at such a time, waking up children in the middle of the night.

Joe Russo, concerned resident, once again addressed the community on the topic of water, real estate and electric bills being raised. He was quite disappointed at the lack of support during the public hearings he announced last month, and reminded people that when rates go up, they should remember that they might have had an impact against it.

Newly elected Councilman David Greenfield supported Mr. Russo’s concerns, saying there are limits to even what elected officials can do. He also updated all on a January application to turn a two-family residence into a bank, located at 48th St. and 18th Ave. The block in question is a completely residential area, and although the Community Board and Zoning Committee unanimously voted against it, City Planning approved it. Councilman Greenfield was pleased to announce that, in his commitment to serve this area, he fought against these plans and the City Council accepted his proposal, unanimously rejected the re-zoning.

Councilman Greenfield also announced that Councilman Lander and he fought the preliminary cuts to the Community Board, and the Mayor’s office has now restored those cuts. They also discussed the commitment that goes with an appointment to any Community Board, which should be taken seriously. He mentioned some “spotty” attendance records regarding Board meetings, mentioning that regardless of anyone’s recommendations, the Borough President makes some of the appointments. One of the top criteria is attendance, so all should be aware of their attendance records and expect a turnover for the new 2 year cycle. The Councilman also took this time to thank all who have and will serve.

The Councilman also brought up budget season, and said he is working with Councilman Landers on priority issues, including community groups, daycare & Priority 7 vouchers, and parks improvement.

Finally, Councilman Greenfield announced his extended office hours as follows:
Monday - Wednesday; 9AM to 6PM; Thursdays Noon to 5PM; and Fridays 9AM to 3PM. The phone number is: 718-853-2704 Location: 45th St. & 16th Ave., 2nd floor (Georgie Bldg).

Responding to Councilman Greenfield’s remarks, Board member Sandy Aboulafia stressed that aside from missing Board meetings, some members are missing Committee meetings, making it impossible to reach quorum and vote on issues.

Board Member Yussie Rieder brought up an issue regarding a large group of boys outside the Community Board office during the meeting, on bicycles with no helmets. He requested some enforcement regarding skateboards, bikes, scooters, etc, for the safety of the kids. Inspector Sprague responded by stating that he had, in fact spoken to those boys and openly commended the only one of them who was wearing a helmet, holding him up as an example. The NYPD is constantly working on this issue and encouraging parents and kids alike to take it seriously.

Board Member Dr. Joan Pastore asked about cuts to the Department for the Aging, which directly affects the Amico Senior Center she directs. Councilman Greenfield responded that no cuts are scheduled for Community Board 12, but overall cuts could still affect the area. He agreed that children and seniors are certainly priorities in terms of fighting against cuts. Whether or not we get hit, we will still strongly advocate for these groups as well as other priorities.

Board Member Jacque Friedman brought up the issue of bicycle riding on sidewalks. He asked if the Police Department had age limits, Inspector Sprague responded that there is no law regarding bicycles on sidewalks, but discretion is needed when referring to a toddler on a bike. Mr. Friedman was concerned about complaints from people being knocked down and that the word should be spread better

Councilman Greenfield thanked all volunteers who have served this year, as well as the residents who come out to meetings and stay civicly engaged. He also thanked our newest volunteers; the kids on bikes who came into the meeting, bringing attention to a serious matter.

Bridget Elder, community resident, spoke about the issue of a proposal for “Banglatown”, being unsure of how the process works. Mr. Dubrow advised her that this matter, as any other, will go before the Transportation Committee, who will meet to discuss the issues and vote on their recommendation; then bring it to the Board for a full vote.

Mr. Dubrow announced that the Representative from the Boro President’s Office, Mr. Avi Siegel, was here to present some 100% perfect attendance certificates to Morris Senderovic, Martin Katz, Elliot Rosman, Jacque Friedman, Alan Dubrow, Zvi Englard, Jacob Daskal, and Rabbi Shlomo Braun.

Mr. Dubrow also introduced Mr. Warren Cohen, representing Congressman Edolphus Towns. Mr. Cohen announced that on June 7th at St. Francis College, there will be an event to increase attendance at a military academy. The event will take place from 6 – 8 PM at Saint Francis College; 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn.

Pinny Ringel, representing Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio, also responded to questions about the previously mentioned Priority 7 vouchers, which have to do with the money schools get for after school programs, according to parental income. He asked that people sign an online petition at www.advocate.nyc.gov.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ADOPTION OF MINUTES
There were two corrections to be made in April’s Minutes. State Assemblyman Dov Hikind’s name was inadvertently spelled “Doc”. Roberta Feinstein was marked absent when she was present. The corrections were duly noted and April’s Minutes accepted.

CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
ALAN J. DUBROW
Mr. Dubrow announced that our District Manager, Wolf Sender, was unfortunately called away on family business, but sends his regrets. However, Mr. Dubrow recognized the presence of his retired Assistant District Manager, Karol Joswick. Karol is now a consultant to the Board and works two days a week, so she is still familiar with all that is going on.

Mr. Dubrow also announced that at the next Board meeting, (June 22nd, which will be the last meeting before summer) plaques will be awarded to Police, Fire and Sanitation officials, as well as to local organizations, that have been very helpful in making the Passover holiday the best ever, in terms of safety for this community. There will also be light refreshments.

Mr. Dubrow also announced and congratulated both Jacob Daskal and Sandy Aboulafia, Board members, on the engagements of each of their sons.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT
DAVID SHLOMOVICH
The Committee received two requests to rename corners. However, the requests came in too late for the committee to meet, so he brought it to the full Board. Chaim Israel reminded all that specific criteria were set forth for such requests, so it was unanimously agreed that a public hearing should be held for both requests.

Finally, Inspector Sprague once took this opportunity to remind all what a good example in civic action it was to have children inside, learning and observing the meeting, especially since their safety was being discussed. He felt it was like a class trip and should be a regular thing. He also announced a bike registration being held on June 13th, at 478 Caton, starting at noon.

XO Capt. Carter also brought onto the floor the 2 children wearing helmets to be recognized as examples by all and show how important their safety is.

Crime statistics were reviewed, and while there has been a 3.5% reduction in crime overall, robberies and burglaries are up, on and off. On average, it has been low in all areas, but there have been zero murders so far this year. All were reminded that the major cause of home invasion is unsecured doors or windows, and that over half could be prevented. Also, if one should discover a burglary, DO NOT touch anything, as DNA evidence can be very helpful to the police, and it’s very hard for a perpetrator NOT to leave DNA. Again, please do not try to go through belongings looking for what’s missing. Lastly, with the summer coming, all were reminded to be aware of children outside running around on foot or bike, etc.

It was also suggested by Sandy Aboulafia that the police address and enforce the car “No Phone Zone” as well as “No Texting”. These cause many auto accidents and are not necessary, as people can just as easily pull over for an important message. Inspector Sprague asked everyone to please remember that this is a zero tolerance situation. Lastly, he gave the e-mail address for those who want to join the “events e-mail list” for 66th Pct. community events: 66pctnypd@gmail.com.

Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted,

ADY MATTEO
Community Service Aide