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____________________________________________________________________________ PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA Chairman Christopher H. Olechowski requested District Manager Mr. Gerald A. Esposito to call the roll. He informed the Chairman that there were 20 members present, a sufficient number to call the public hearing to order. AGENDA Chairman Olechowski read the agenda into the record. Note to all speakers: all those who wish to speak must sign and submit their speaker’s form on or before 6:15 PM. 1. DCA-UNENCLOSED SIDEWALK CAFE APPLICATION: An application was received regarding renewal of a revocable consent for:
2. COMMENTS ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2013 BUDGET PRIORITIES - comments to be received regarding expense/capital budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2013 and Service Program Priorities (PEG Form).Comments will be limited to three (3) minutes; written testimony requested. 3. LIQUOR LICENSES: The following have applied for renewals/licenses: 1 & 3 on 5th Corp dba Fabiane’s Cafe & Pastry, 142 North 5th Street (renewal, beer/wine, rest) Mr. Leon made a motion to close this portion of the public hearing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bondo and carried unanimously. LIQUOR LICENSES Chairman Olechowski noted that long list. During the summer, the board did not meet over the summer and the list added up. The folks that are here for their applications, this is the wrong day. The Public Safety Committee meeting is where they have a chance to make their presentation. This is where the review of the applicants for liquor licenses. Today, this is an announcement that they have applied for the record. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Florentino made a motion to close the Public Hearing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bondo. The motion was unanimously carried. BOARD MEETING ROLL CALL Chairman Christopher H. Olechowski requested District Manager Mr. Gerald A. Esposito to call the roll. He informed the Chairman that there were 33 members present, a sufficient quorum to call the Board Meeting to order. Ms. Lawrence made a motion to approve the agenda as written. The motion was seconded by Ms. Cianciotta and carried unanimously. Ms. Nieves made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 14, 2011 Combined Public Hearing and Board Meeting minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Ms. Teague and carried unanimously. Chairman Olechowski said that they had one item in the early Summer. It required the Executive Committee to make a decision and vote on it. The item was that they received information regarding the application for the PSC Cafeteria, that included in their application were petitions, supposedly members of that organization, that they were in favor of the liquor license. The Community Board received documentation to the effect that the petitions, to some extent, were fraudulent. There were four affidavits signed and notarized by people on that list that claimed that they never signed it. That led us to believe that there were problems. Subsequently, the board also received from members of PSC information that they hired a forensic expert to review the petitions. After the review an opinion was made that there were three pages that were fraudulent. It appears that they were signed by one person. This was a statement that was submitted to the Board. He asked the District Manager to brief the Executive Committee on the subject and to withdraw the approval for the application for the PSC Cafeteria based on the fact that a fraudulent aspect of the application that was submitted. The Executive Committee voted to make the withdrawal of the approval. A letter was sent to Chairman Rosen, of the NYSLA, noted that CB #1 was in receipt of the additional documents regarding the application. This package was also sent to the NYSLA. In light of this, the approval with stipulations (said in a letter dated in May 2011) was being withdrawn. The letter was sent to all of the members (via email and hard copied mailed). Mr. Olechowski said that the issue is that any applicant that submits a license application, and the applicant puts together something that is false, then that application is not admissible. It is an affront to the Community Board and to the members of the community. This is why they withdrew it. What he said they are asking the members to do now is to have a motion to ratify the withdrawal of the support that was made by the Executive Committee. The members discussed the matter. Ms. Lawrence asked about what was received? Chairman Olechowski noted that it was a letter from a forensic expert who signed his statement about the fraudulent signatures. Mr. Kalita asked what would happen if another letter comes about this? Chairman Olechowski related that when the Public Safety Committee did its review, it did not have this kind of information. Subsequent to the committee's review and the Board's approval this information came to the board. After reviewing it, the Executive Committee withdrew the approval. What he is asking for is to ratify that action. Ms. Naplatarski made a motion to ratify the Executive Committee's recommendation of withdrawal of approval of the application for PSC Cafeteria. The motion was seconded by Mr. Florentino. Ms. Leanza asked if there was a window that the item had to go to the Executive Committee? It was noted yes by District Manager Mr. Esposito, and that the NYSLA held a public hearing and if the Board took any action it had to be taken prior to the meeting, which was attended by both he and the Chair. The question was called. The vote was as follows: 38 “YES” 0 “NO”; 4 ABSTENTIONS (Ms. Leanza, Mr. Burrows; Ms. Roslund, Ms. Lawrence). The motion was carried. Chairman Olechowski spoke about false information, that it should not be tolerated. He concluded his report.
A written report was submitted and distributed for review. COMMITTEE REPORTS Ms. Nieves submitted a written report that was distributed for review. She read the report which contained information regarding the committee's meeting held in June. Safety measures for corner of Union Avenue and North 12th Street: to be made by NYC DOT. Safe Streets for Seniors: Package of material was mailed to the members on the project for information purposes. It dealt with plans for McGuinness Boulevard (lane striping) and the corner of North 7th & Bedford Avenue (turning bay). The plans for North 7th & Bedford Avenue was requested by the Committee to be removed as it was to remove several parking spaces. The Committee recommends approving the project excluding the turning bays. It was felt that more input (from the community/merchants) was needed. A motion to approve the recommendation was made by Mr. Caponegro and seconded by Mr. Perlstein. The motion was carried unanimously. Filming in the area for “I Just Want My Pants Back” production: The production manager provided a briefing on the filming. If there are any issues on the filming he would like to be contacted. He was willing to work with the community on problems, such as parking. Ms. Nieves noted that she hasn't heard of any. She asked if there were any problems with the production, to contact the Board's office. The Transportation Committee will be meeting tomorrow evening and everyone is invited to come. Ms. Roslund spoke about the Bike Sharing program, that it has been announced to be coming to NYC. Ms. Nieves related that CB #1 will be part of the pilot program. There will be over 2,000 shared bikes. The locations have not be provided as to where they will be set up. She believes that there will be a yearly membership fee ($100). DOT is to provide a briefing on the program. Ms. Nieves spoke about Kent Avenue and requests for traffic lights. She noted that requests were denied. They will be reopening the studies in the Fall. It was very frustrating. There has been an increase of pedestrians in the area that must be addressed. The 94th Precinct has been interested in the situation as better safety measures are needed. She spoke about concerns with the bicycle lanes. There are issues about safe crossing to the State Park because of no traffic lights. She had to stop traffic for families to cross to attend the Kite festival at the park. Chairman Olechowski noted that this concludes the committee reports and moved onto the next item on the agenda which was Public Session. He asked for speakers to come in the order that he calls them. Mr. Tom Payton, organizer/Bring to Light Festival - spoke about the upcoming event scheduled for October 1st. He noted that a colleague had spoken in June on the project. They held their first event last October (India Street). He noted that they focused on American Playground. This event is modeled after one that started in early 2000 in Paris. Artwork is installed in public spaces and galleries were kept open. This was to change the context of the City. They have been working with local community organizations, as well as local officials. The event will be held Saturday, October 1st. They will be letting people know during the week before as to what will be going on. They have worked with SAPO on the location. They will be running a little longer than last year (11PM). They will be focusing on American Playground at Franklin Street between Noble Street and Milton Street. They are working with OSA and the Parks Department. Mr. Mark Wysocki, member of PSC - noted that he was representing a group of members of the Polish & Slavic Center. He thanked the Board for its position with the license for PSC Cafeteria. He said that when they get the documents back from SLA that is when they called the members and four of them were willing to sign the affidavits. A lot were afraid. He stated that the organization was high-jacked by a few members. He said that they have filed letters with the Attorney General. He said that there are 40,000 people who are members who are fighting. He noted that they are losing because of lawsuits. It is the same people for 10 years. They have lots of money to hire high class lawyers. They have used the organization's own money to sue the group. Ms. Jeanette Mocko, resident of Greenpoint - spoke about a rat infestation in her area of Greenpoint. She has caught 16 rats in her front gate over the last two years. She called 311 who sent DOS. They handed out tickets for the garbage cans. The residents bought new cans and the rats chewed through them in a week. She raised concern about the rats burrowing and chewing through the cans. She said that they cannot afford to buy new cans every month. She has spent over $250 already and had to remove the tree from her front gate. She cannot stop the spread alone. She has reached out to her neighbors. She circulated a petition amongst the residents calling for something to be done, immediately. She said that the “Rat Patrol” should be brought back and that the City should provide the poison, bait, traps and garbage cans. Ms. Linda Minucci, District Leader - spoke about the concerns raised by Ms. Mocko. She said that Jeanette had reached out to Assemblyman Lentol and Council Member Levin. Assemblyman Lentol has contacted the Commissioner of the Department of Health and is in the process of setting up meetings with all of the elected officials. She invited the Community Board to attend. Chairman Olechowski asked what did the City do to respond? Ms. Minucci said that the homeowners were ticketed. The City has done nothing to stop the infestation. Ms. Julia Murrow, OSA - noted that volunteers had planted two gardens (Lorimer Street and Bedford Avenue). The Cooper Park plan is being reviewed. She said that OSA is working on getting the lights around the Soccer field to be on. They are working with NYPD to ensure that Abate Playground is locked at night. She announced a fund raiser that will be kicking off at the Light Festival. Ms. Llorens, resident - spoke in opposition to a liquor license at 81 Siegel Street. It is near the senior citizen housing at 70 Siegel Street. Right in front of them is 81 Siegel Street, they are opening a club there. She raised concern about the parking because they are senior citizens need the area for ambulances and ambulettes. She said that they will be double parked there. They do not need an establishment like that with a liquor license right in front of their building. They are old people. The youngest is 74. She raised concern about fights. She had a petition from the tenants. Chairman Olechowski noted that the complaint will go to the Public Safety Committee. Ms. Roslund asked about rules for the exclusions for licenses? Mr. Kalita noted that the ruling is for houses of worship and school, measured from front door to front door. District Manager Mr. Esposito said that it should be noted for the record that when this board approved the construction of Borinquen Houses, that this was a set aside building for seniors only. A resident who is a property owner on the block spoke in opposition to the license as well. Chairman Olechowski noted that the Public Safety Committee will be meeting on September 27th, to review the licenses. Ms. Roslund asked about the license, was it a restaurant? Mr. Kalita related that they will know more once the application is reviewed. ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. Jason Otano, Counsel for the Brooklyn Borough President - announced that there would be a book fair event Downtown. This Sunday is the Annual Book Festival. It has become the book festival for the entire Northeast. A lot of very big authors will be there this year. They are having a section for youth as well as interesting subject matter. Ms. Nieves spoke about an unfortunate accident that recently happened on Bushwick Avenue near Powers Street, where a young woman who was riding a bicycle was killed by a vehicle. It is believed that debris from the construction site contributed to the accident. She urged that construction sites that have problems to be noted and called into the City. She also urged for people to call about potholes that need to be fixed. Mr. Burrows raised concern about the issue of proliferation of alcohol licenses in the neighborhood. He said that a bill was introduced in April and passed in June, signed in August - to allow liquor to be served in movie theaters. He asked if the Board was contacted on this? The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Lentol. He noted that a request was made by Nitehawk Theater to extend its license in the theater. Ms. Naplatarski spoke about funding for the ice skating rink in McCarren Park. The funds are needed to make it cost effective. Chairman Olechowki referred the matter to Parks Committee. Ms. Cianciotta spoke about the concerts at the State Park. She said that she didn't know about the classical music concert. She did not get the information and there needs to be a way (advertising) to let the seniors know about the concerts. Chairman Olechowski asked that she speak with OSA about it. Ms. Murrow spoke about OSA looking into the matter and is working on getting the word out. Information is on their website. Mr. Dennis spoke about an annual fundraising event being held. Mr. Solano spoke about an annual awards dinner being held. Mr. Metal, from Council Member Levin's Office, announced a rally at City Hall, next Wednesday at 11AM. It is regarding the homeless shelter in Greenpoint. The owner has bought three buildings in Brooklyn and has slated them for shelters. He will be sending out flyers. He also noted that they have been working on hate crimes with the NYPD. Mr. Reynoso, from Council Member Reyna's Office, spoke about the renovation project for Cooper Park. He noted that OSA had added some money for the park (for grills). He said that they would be also redoing the courts. He spoke about the Broadway Corridor, noting problems with traffic flow by Broadway and Flushing Avenue, where Woodhull is. They are looking for the recommendations from NYCDOT. He spoke about Los Sures working on greening its affordable housing by painting them with the white roof protocol. He welcomed the new manager for the Grand Street BID. Mr. Leon welcomed the new IHOP on Flushing Avenue and thanked the Council Member for helping to anchor them there. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Solano made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Ms. Leanza and was unanimously carried. The Board Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Reviewed by:
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