Monthly Community Board Meeting

9/23/2008
7:00 pm


Middle School 61
400 Empire Blvd 
Brooklyn NY  11225

Contact: Pearl Miles
1-718-778-9279
bk09@cb.nyc.gov

Agenda:
PUBLIC SESSION:

1. PUBLIC HEARING on requests for inclusion in the City’s FY 2010 Capital and Expense Budget. The Board wants to hear from you - community residents and business owners - on what you perceive as the unmet needs in the community. Let us hear from you so we can add your requests to the Board’s submissions for improved roadways; traffic safety; more day care slots; more/improved open space; renovated school buildings; revitalized commercial strips; catch basins; etc. Come on out and tell us!

2. Mr. Scott Codey, Director of Advocacy at the Citizens Committee for New York City will advise on the fall New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods grant applications and the launch of their annual neighborhood survey.

BUSINESS SESSION:

a) Minutes of the June 2008 Board Meeting
b) District Manager’s Report
c) Committees’ Reports
d) Chairman’s Report

ADJOURNMENT

Persons wishing to speak on the agenda items should advise the Community Board at 718-778-9279 prior to noon on 09/23/08. Speaking time is limited to three (3) minutes. The order is determined by the time of receipt of your request and the agenda item.

Public Session:

PUBLIC HEARING on requests for inclusion in the City’s FY 2010 Capital and Expense Budget. The Board wants to hear from you – community residents and business owners – on what you perceive as the unmet needs in the community. Let us hear from you so we can add your requests to the Board’s submissions for improved roadways; traffic safety; more day care slots; more/improved open space; renovated school buildings; revitalized commercial strips; catch basins; etc. Come on out and tell us.

Chairman Goldstein explained that traditionally we would meet with the city agencies in September of each year. This was an ongoing process. Tonight instead of giving a list to the various agencies, we will instead hear from the residents what the needs of the community are.

District Manager Pearl Miles further explained that every year we put in place what we think are the needs of the district. Tonight we would like to open the floor to the community. That is what we are doing this month. Next month all requests have to be submitted. We are opening the process to the community, i.e., someone thinks that a street needs to be reconstructed, or, a park should be put near to their house, if you think senior citizens are not getting services, whatever it is, we want to hear from you that is why we are here tonight.

Carrie McLaren – spoke on safety for pedestrians and cyclists at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Parkside Avenue. She would like to see some study done to look at the intersection to make sure it is safe especially when one has to cross Parkside Avenue to get to the park.

Wilfred Rhodes – speed bump or traffic light is needed on Union Street and Schenectady Avenue. The taxi services and other vehicles rush through the streets. A traffic light or speed hump is needed to slow them down.

Mary Allman – bus shelter is needed at Utica Avenue and Winthrop Street to shelter passengers while waiting for the bus.

Ruby Hodge – The Dept of Sanitation needs to conduct a survey on garbage disposal to prevent rodents. Garbage should be placed in bags in the morning hours instead of overnight; this will cut down on the influx of rats in the community.

Jannie Johnson – a bus shelter is needed at Kings County Hospital and Downstate Hospital on Clarkson Avenue between New York Avenue and Schenectady Avenue

Cecilia Miller – need for a speed hump at East 45th and East 46th Streets between Schenectady and Troy Avenues.

District Manager Pearl Miles explained that requests for a speed hump was not a “budget request” just send requests with a signed petition from residents on the block that they are in agreement for a speed hump to the attention of the district manager. The request will be forwarded to DOT to do a study to determine whether a speed hump is needed or not. Sometimes it is just a matter of enforcement. People think they can speed on streets and get away with it so they do it.

Ms. Miles explained that as a result of a request from the board, made about twelve years ago, for the implementation of traffic calming principles in the district, the Dept of Transportation did a traffic calming study. We think that that study is too old now and that it is necessary to have another study done to make our streets safer for everyone, senior citizens, baby carriages, children at play, pedestrians, vehicular traffic – this would be a budget item.

Ruby Thompson – Winthrop Street between Brooklyn and New York Avenue, the street needs to be resurfaced.

Ruby Hodge – the Sterling Street Subway Station has been suffering over the years, there is a leak, when it rains it goes into the subway.

Yvonne Straker – tree pruning is necessary on certain blocks within the district, example, on Rutland Road between Bedford and Rogers Avenues.

The hearing on requests for inclusion in the FY 2010 Capital and Expense budget was closed at 7:45 p.m.

Hearing on the renewing of Blackstreet Van Lines, Inc., authority under Chapter 9, Sections 9-01 to 9-19 of the Rules of the City of New York and in Local Laws of the City of New York to operate a van service

Mr. Winston Williams, President of Blackstreet Van Lines, informed that he has been operating the company since 2001 from Kings Highway to downtown Brooklyn as a commuter service. Tonight he is here to renew his license to continue operating his commuter service. His service ensures that passengers get to work on time. This is an authorized van company with two authorized vans at the present time.

Chairman Goldstein said that the district manager advised that there have not been any complaints regarding the company.

Questions and Answers:

How long has the service been in operation? Since 2001
How many vans are in operation? We can have up to 14 vans but at present there are only two vans operating.

Where is your office located? The office is located at Lenox Road in Brooklyn. We operate by cell phone.

Chairman Goldstein said that since there have not been any negative reports from the 71 Precinct we will vote on the matter in the business session.

Mr. Scott Codey, Director of Advocacy at the Citizens Committee for New York City will advise on the fall New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods Grant Applications and the launch of their Annual Neighborhood Survey

No one from the Citizens Committee for New York City was in attendance.

Business Session:

The business session began at 8:05 pm with thirty-three members present.

The Chairman acknowledged Deputy Inspector Peter Simonetti, 71 Precinct Commander. The new precinct commander greeted everyone and advised of the event to be held at the 67th Precinct. The ceremony will be held in honor of the two police officers Herman and Russell Timoshenko. He would like as many people as possible to attend in their honor. Mr. & Mrs. Timoshenko and P.O. Herman’s family would be delighted to see the turn out of the community and to know how much their sons were loved and respected by the community they served. The 67th Precinct is located on Snyder Avenue between Rogers and Nostrand Avenues.

The Chairman also acknowledged the following persons: Ana Lipkind representing Assemblyman Karim Camara, Reuven Lipkind representing State Senator Eric Adams, Denise Peterson representing Kings County Hospital Center, William Boone – Medgar Evers College, Alfred Chiodo representing Councilmember Letitia James, Walter Mosley newly elected District Leader for the 57th AD.

Minutes of the June 2008 Board Meeting

The minutes of the June 2008 meeting of the Board was presented for correction and adoption. Motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Gwen Carter and seconded by Jannie Johnson. The minutes were adopted.

Senator Eric Adams addressed the board on the economic crisis and the problems confronting them in Albany. One thing is sure there are no cuts in education and programs for seniors. He spoke about the workshops held over the summer and the success of the workshops. During the fall he will host a financial seminar. The Senator is in partnership with Commerce Bank and Carver Bank where representatives for these banks will go into the schools to teach students finances.

The Senator is aware that many times he has not received the communication presented to his office. He is always willing to meet with the community or individuals on issues concerning the community. He can be reached on his private line when calling the office or email voiceofconcern@aol.com

Mr. Alfred Chiodo representing Councilmember Letitia James informed that the councilmember will be sponsoring an educational forum for Senior Health and Wellness on Saturday, October 4th 2008, from 10am to 4pm at the Queen of All Saints Church, 300 Vanderbilt Avenue at Lafayette Street, Brooklyn. There will be vendors providing products and services, free health screenings sponsored by the Brooklyn Hospital, also free giveaways and refreshments.

District Manager's Report:

1. District Manager Pearl Miles stated that about twelve years ago we stumbled upon the fact that Clove Road located right across the street from the school, was the Bedford Pass of the Battle of Brooklyn/The American Revolution. This period was a very important to the history of this nation. The board has been trying to get historic designation for Clove Road and to have it reconstructed in keeping with the hoped for landmarked status. The ULURP and 197-a Committee chairperson, Michael Cetera, did some preliminary research on Clove Road where he found maps that showed the significance of that street.

We have been working with the Dept of Transportation which commissioned an archaeological study of the location that concluded that there is reason to believe that Clove Road is the Bedford Pass of the American Revolution. The study also found that outside of that Clove Road also deserved historic designation because it is the only remaining road that led to original institutions in Brooklyn like the Alms House. The next step is to conduct an archaeological dig.

We first worked with the late Councilmember James E. Davis on this matter, and then his successor Councilmember Letitia James. The district manager said that she was pleased to report that Councilmember James has allocated $200,000 for the dig. Ms. Miles thanked the councilmember for her funding allocation to the district and asked the audience to say thank you to the councilmember. The news was responded to with loud applause.

Chairman Goldstein said this is the good news that we have. This is not money given to us from the councilmember’s pocket. She and other council members get allocations for their districts. Councilmember James has put some of this money into her budget for this project. For this we are grateful.

2. The DM received an email about a meeting in Manhattan at 135th Street to discuss how to start new schools, including charter schools. The DM attended the meeting along with Michael Cetera, the response was overwhelming the large auditorium was filled to capacity. There is interest in starting a school for architecture in the community to attract minority students to the profession.

3. Voter registration forms are in the back of the room. Please complete one if you are planning to vote in the November 4th elections. The deadline for registering to vote is October 10th.

4. High School juniors and seniors who would like a summer job next year are encouraged to contact Medgar Evers College Center for Youth, they provide free SAT courses, fee waivers for college, applications for financial aid and college scholarships, academic support, etc, as well as providing summer jobs. Call 718-270-5163 for more information.

5. Turner Construction Company in partnership with NYS Association of Minority Contractors will be offering a 2-year certificate program at Medgar Evers College. The course will begin on October 7, 2008. Contact Ms. DeCarla Anderson at MEC – 718-270-6401.

6. The US Postal Service has temporary positions for hiring between November and December 2008 for the holiday season. One location will be at the JFK Airport. It is a 24-hour operation, one can work any shift, and pay is $15 an hour. All applications must be done online at www.usps.com you must have a valid email address. Deadline for applications is October 8th.

7. One Food Stamp Center has been closed. The closest one for zip codes 11225, 11226, is most likely at Hoyt and Schermerhorn Streets, other locations are in Coney Island, Thorton Street between Broadway and Throop. One can register at any food stamp location.

Committee Reports:

Jannie Johnson reported that the NYS Dept of Education will be giving tutoring in computer. If you don’t have a computer, they will give you one. You have to remain one year in the program. Every year they will update the computer, after three years the computer is yours. For further information call 212-660-5440. The ages for the program are from 3-12.

We are Ready to Change the World – a program for young adults 17-24 years of age to work in the schools for a year. Participants will work with students in school and on the playground. Benefits - $275 a week $4,725 for college, along with government referrals, uniforms, NYC transportation card worth $76, a cell phone package for the duration of the program, leadership and community development and basic health insurance.

Board Chairman's Report:

Chairman Jacob Goldstein informed that the Jewish New Year begins next week. He wished everyone an enjoyable holiday and a happy, healthy and blessed new year.

Voting Item

Renewal of license to operate a van service – Blackstreet Van Lines – A motion was made by Allan Martin, Jr and seconded by Dr. Marco Mason to support the application by Blackstreet Van Lines for a renewal of the license to operate a van service. Voting – yes-31, no-0, abstentions -0 Motion was carried.

Perfect Attendance Certificates

Ms. Ann Marie Adamson presented the following board members with “perfect attendance” certificates from the Hon. Marty Markowitz: Maurice Jean-Baptiste, Jacqueline Welch, Aldith Clarke and Shelia Foster-Golding. Ms. Adamson thanked the members on behalf of the Borough President for their service to the community


Denise Mann stated “we need a mike” “we need a mike”, people cannot hear when they sit in the back of the room. “We need a mike” I am going to announce this at every meeting, “we need a mike.”

New members should be respected for not knowing or for asking or making inappropriate comments on issues discussed.

Members Present:
Mary Allman, Stuart Balberg, Gwen Carter, Michael Cetera, Aldith Clarke, Chaz Crowder, Geraldine Dease, Shelia foster-Golding, Joan gill, Rabbi Jacob Goldstein, Theopia Green, Rabbi Nochum Gross, Tessa Hackett-vieira, Aaron Hershkop, Ruby Hodge, Brenda Hutto, Maurice Jean-Baptiste, Jannie Johnson, Denise Mann, Gary Marshall, Allan Martin, Jr., Dr. Marco Mason, Alice Mitchell, Carl Morgan, Dwayne Nicholson, Rosemarie Perry, Myrtle Roberson, Karlene Robinson, Roosevelt Rose, Rabbi Joseph Speilman, Yvonne Straker, Denise Thomas, Jacqueline Welch.

Members Absent:
Richard Anderson, Dion Ashman, Jacinta Blackburn, Rev. Phylluis Brown - sick, Bishop Sylveta Hamilton-Gonzales, Stanley Harwich (sick), Samuel Marmulzsteyn, Nicolle Munroe, Frank Nicholas, Romania Roachford, Eleanor Rollins, Brenda Scott, Bernice Wood.

Officials & Agency Reps Present:
Hon Eric Adams, Hon Marty Markowitz - Ann Marie Adamson, Hon. Karim Camara - Ana Lipkind, Medgar Evers College - William H. Boone, Hon Eric Adams - Reuven Lipkind, Hon Letitia James - James Chiodo, Kings County Hospital Center - Denise Peterson, 71 Precinct Community Council - Carl Cohen, Hon. Walter Mosley - District Leader 57th AD, Deputy Inspector Peter Simonetti - 71 Pct.

Adjournment: The Meeting was Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by: Community Board 9

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