Community Board 2, Queens

May 5^th 2011

Community Board 2 Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing

Attendance

Andrew Anzalone Sandra Bigitschke

Kate Brennan Bernard Callegari

Jean Carubia Bessie Cassaro

Barbara Coleman Joseph Conley

David DeCicco Don Dodelson

Mary English Brian Flynn

Kenneth Greenberg Richard Gundlach

Anne Hart Rev. Joseph Jerome

Mohammed Choudhury Jewel Tom Kalamaras

Ellen Kang Sheila Lewandowski

Dominic Lippolis Gregory Matos

Donald McCallian T. Hernandez McShane

Dorothy Morehead Patrick O’Brien

Evan O’Neil Norberto Saldana

Moitri Chowdhury Savard Regina Shanley

David Shin Lauren Springer

Carol Terrano Karolina Tosi

Al Volpe Robert Wilkanowski

Absentees

Terri Adams Diane Ballek

Anna Bridge Thomas Casey

Stephen Cooper Emilia Crotty

Lisa Deller Luis Jimenez

Marie Konecko Rita Manton

Guadalupe Marzana Gertrude McDonald

Patrick Murray Nick Troya

Community Board 2 Staff

Debra Markell Kleinert, DM

Mary Ann Gurrado, CB 2 Staff

Guests

Ed Babor, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney’s office

Matthew Lerch, State Sen. Gianaris’s office

Sam Goldman, Ridgewood Times

Jillian Arnot Michael Halpin

Cynthia Via Rosana Malo

James O’Shea Rose Tibaldi

Bill Keaton David Ceri

Richard O’Connor Christian Murray

Ashley Magee Dorothy Endemelt

Will Sherman Merina Gurung

David Rosasco Don Dodelson

Andy Towler Mary Tibaldi

Anthony Vorhirs M. Dan Bach

Leandra Jimenez Arthur Rosenfield

Ariel Turner Guy Mechel Pendelton

William Kregler Francisco Munoz

Jim Condes Mark Christie

Penny Lee

Agenda

Pledge of Allegiance

Comments by Public Officials/Guest Speakers

Public Meeting

Department of Transportation Proposed Traffic Calming and Bicycle Lanes at 44^th Drive from Vernon Boulevard to Thompson Avenue, Long Island City

Commissioner Maura McCarthy of the Department of Transportation was in attendance to discuss traffic calming along 44^th Drive, Long Island City. She offered a visual presentation to Attendees that had previously been shown to the Community Board 2 Transportation Committee.

The Commissioner spoke about why this location was chosen by the DOT. A Pedestrian Survey was conducted by the DOT in August 2010 which indentified high crash corridors. The corridor under discussion, 44^th Drive, is within the 92% ranking within the borough of Queens.The DOT had received requests for the survey of the roadway.

This is a wide two lane roadway with a median. This area is primarily industrial and a truck route. There are subway stations along this roadway.

The Commissioner spoke about pedestrian injuries, cyclist injuries and motor vehicle occupant injuries for 2005-2009 along this corridor and spoke about the low vehicle volume on this roadway. She said the Department of Transportation is proposing to eliminate one lane in each direction, paint the center median, and provide turning lanes at the intersections to reduce congestion. High visibility crosswalks would be added as well as improvement to line painting. The Commissioner stated that by removing the second lane, traffic calming would occur due to the existence of the median and the addition of the turning lanes.

The Transportation Committee requested the addition of a bicycle lane on this roadway. This was not part of the DOT’s initial proposal but this recommendation has been addressed by the DOT. The Commissioner offered a modified visual proposal for Board Members; with and without the addition of the requested painted bicycle lane.

The Commissioner offered Board Members successful statistics for other locations in the City that experienced similar modifications.

The Transportation Committee was in favor of the modified proposal offered by the DOT for the addition of a bicycle lane.

Commissioner McCarthy entertained questions from Board Members.

Street Renaming Procedures

Discussion of Street Renaming Procedures

Mr. Conley offered an update with regard to discussions by the Land Use Committee.

Mr. Patrick O’Brien, Member of the Land Use Committee offered an outline regarding criteria and guidelines. Mr. O’Brien spoke about how a decision should not be driven by immediate emotions due to tragedy or pressure from local organizations in which there have been no long-term involvements in the community. This decision should be driven by the right type of reasons. A Street Re-naming is a very special honor and the Community Board does not have a lot of say in making particular honors available but decisions should be consistent.

Mr. O’Brien stated that the Land Use Committee formulated general written criteria for Street Renaming procedures.

When the Community Board reviews an Application, the Community Board requires those submitting an Application, substantially conform to the modified guidelines:

ü Submission in Writing is Required

ü Supported by Petitions, Letters of Support and Endorsements, Three Local Organizations or Elected Officials within Community Board 2

ü Community Board 2 requires that the Application is Supported by a Statement of Merit with an Explanation of why it is Appropriate and why the Individual falls within the Stated Guidelines

ü The Individual such as an Elected Officials, Community Activists who have offered significant long-term Service on their own or within an Organization within the community while serving the community.

ü Long-term Activity in a Civic, Political, Religious or other Organization serving within the Community Board 2 community.

ü The Individual should have had a lengthy or life-long residence or a long-term personal involvement within the community with an Organization that serves the needs of this community

Mr. O’Brien stated that these are the most significant criteria but not being exclusive criteria. The Community Board requires that these criteria be met but the Community Board would review other significant factors in support of an Application.

Possible modifications to the presented criteria were discussed as well as the current rules that require the Individual to have passed before considering an Application. Mr. Conley stated that this criterion should not be a requirement.

Mr. Conley stated that a final draft would be written and brought before the Full Board in June and the Guidelines would be voted on by Board Members.

Community Public Comment

Jim Condes

Mr. Condes spoke about requests made to Community Board 2 in July 2010. These requests were made for the addition of a delayed left-turn signal at Roosevelt Avenue, 58^th Street, Woodside. Mr. Condes expressed concerns for traffic safety as well as traffic congestion at this location. Mr. Condes wrote a letter of concern to the Department of Transportation. The DOT responded to this letter stating that the location was surveyed.

David Rosasco

Mr. Rosasco thanked members of the Woodside community for assisting himself and his mother-in-law, Jean Alvarado in escaping the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Mr. Rosasco commended Mr. Condes’s voice for issues within the community and also commended Members of Community Board 2 for their efforts.

Mr. Rosasco spoke about the current discussions regarding the addition of shutters for local stores and shops. Mr. Rosasco expressed concerns from local merchants with regard to shutters with gratings. He stated that the Community Board and City Council should reconsider this item.

Mr. Rosasco spoke about the addition of bicycle racks and commented that the bicycle racks are not being utilized. He spoke about the proposed addition of bicycle lanes on 44^th Drive and suggested that the funding should be applied to the repair of potholes and catch basins within the City.

Mr. Rosasco spoke in opposition to parking space reduction.

Mr. Rosasco thanked Neighborhood Housing Services, Woodside for their efforts by assisting members of the community.

Don Dodelson

Mr. Dodelson spoke about the Design Commission and the construction of the housing development at Hunters Point South. He said that the area was initially the proposed location for the Olympic Village. Currently, the location has become the development site for 60% affordable housing units. The development of a school has already begun.

Mr. Dodelson spoke about the development of the infrastructure and expressed concern for the design of the buildings and compared the design(s) to the buildings at Queens West.

Mark Christie

Mr. Christie spoke about the closing of the Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City, which has been in operation for six years. He spoke about how this establishment served local senior citizens and other groups of the community and expressed concern for the loss of space for those groups and for the loss of jobs in the community. Mr. Christie spoke about the lack of utilization for that location. Mr. Christie spoke about a recent petition regarding the opposition for closure of this establishment.

Andy Towler

Mr. Towler was the manager of the Water Taxi Beach and was in attendance as a resident of the community. Mr. Towler worked at that location from 2005 until October 2010 and spoke fondly of his employment at the Water Taxi Beach.

He said that a proposal sent by the Water Taxi Beach to the EDC to relocate this establishment further south to an unoccupied site of land was denied. Mr. Towler also spoke about a resident of Long Island City, Ms. Murphy, who began a petition to relocate the establishment.

Francisco Munoz

Mr. Munoz stated he is the President of Paisa#2 Car and Limo Service. He spoke about the extended time frame regarding the approval by Community Board 2 to open the operation of his Base Station on 69^th Street and 48^th Avenue. The approval took 2 years.

Mr. Munoz spoke about cleaning the area, contacting the LIRR, etc. He stated that Paisa is a community car service and informed all about his efforts to improve his community.

He also spoke about the addition of a car service from Brooklyn that began operations within his community and was approved by the Community Board in two weeks. Mr. Munoz expressed concerns for loss of business and the increase of traffic.

Board Meeting

Attendance

In Attendance-36; Absent-14

A Quorum was Present at this Meeting.

Chairperson’s Report

Addressing Clean-up Issues in the Community

Mr. Conley showed a presentation which visually displayed pigeon droppings and garbage under the elevated 7 Line. He said the MTA was notified about the Community Board’s concerns. The MTA response was that warmer and dryer weather would be essential for a clean-up. Mr. Conley said that the Community Board would continue to follow-up with the MTA regarding this problem.

The conversation continued about the vending carts under the El, the left-behind trash, requests for bicycle racks and dusty magazine racks.

Mr. Conley spoke about working with the BID. Mr. Conley spoke about the Community Board’s request to City Agencies to enforce the law, as well.

Mr. Conley encouraged the Board to report these issues to the Community Board and to elected officials.

Mr. Conley entertained questions and comments from Board Members.

The Woodside BID

Mr. Conley addressed the Woodside BID, which is being formed. Councilperson Van Bramer is working with Mr. Conley with regard to the Woodside BID and it is expected that a meeting would be scheduled soon. The benefits of the BID would be outlined and also information as to how the BID would benefit the community would also be offered.

Revisiting of Idling Trains in Hunters Point, Long Island City

Mr. Conley stated that NY1 offered a report on this issue. State Senator Gianaris and Councilperson Van Bramer are offering support. The MTA expressed concern during winter months that if the trains were shut down, the MTA would be unable to start the trains running again. The quality-of-life, air pollution, and noise pollution are a great concern for the residents of Community Board 2. Community Board wants the train yard relocated. There was discussion that the train yard is outdated.

Walking Tour

A Walking Tour was conducted with members of Councilperson James Van Bramer’s office, Councilperson Elizabeth Crowley’s office and Community Board 2 Member Richard Gundlach regarding Maurice Avenue and 70^th Street, Maspeth. Concerns regarding quality-of-life issues, illegally parked cars and traffic are being addressed.

Asphalt Plant

Mr. Conley stated Community Board 2 is working to have the Permit pulled. The Community Board believes the correct process was not followed when obtaining the Permit.

Hart Playground, Woodside

Mr. Conley stated that the Community Board is working to have the street cleaning regulations modified. This is to accommodate food trucks servicing members of the community.

Break-ins 5^th Street and 46^th Road, Long Island City

There were complaints filed by members of the community regarding vandalizing and break-ins of cars in the area. The 108^th Precinct has made an arrest.

School Buses on Tyler Avenue, Maspeth

The NYPD is ticketing these buses for illegally parking.

Sunnyside Community Services and St. Rafael’s Food Pantry

Mr. Conley spoke about how St. Rafael’s Food Pantry is working with Sunnyside Community Services.

Traffic Signal at Maurice Avenue and Tyler Avenue, Maspeth

The addition of a traffic signal at this location was approved by the DOT.

Speed Bumps on Maurice Avenue, Maspeth

The DOT plans to install Speed Bumps along this roadway in an effort to prevent drag racing in the area. The signals would be modified as well.

Traffic Signals at Roosevelt and 59^th Street, Woodside

The DOT re-timed the signals at this location.

Mr. Condes’s Request to the Department of Transportation for Roosevelt Avenue and 58^th Street

Mr. Conley announced that Mr. Condes’s request for a delayed left-turn signal at Roosevelt Avenue, 58^th Street has been denied by the DOT. Mr. Conley reminded Attendees that the Community Board must continue to request these modifications.

Water Taxi Beach

In reference to the Water Taxi Beach, Mr. Conley explained that Community Board 2 is open to dialogue with the Owner however, he commented that sun, sand, beach and alcohol do not mix well. He explained that there were numerous complaints by the community with regard to activities at this location.

The management/ownership had offered the Community Board repeated promises that they would improve their methods of operation and there continued to be problems and complaints about the business.

Mr. Conley stated that there are opportunities to relocate to Queens West. He stated that the Community Board is not opposed to the beach but to how they operate the facility. Mr. Conley spoke about the possible elimination of alcohol.

District Manager’s Report

There were no reports offered at this Meeting.

City Planning Report

Penny Lee provided the following update:

Discussions with the Department of Transportation

There were many DOT questions, discussion and comments at this Meeting. To date, there have been no updates from the DOT regarding new lighting and crosswalks on Vernon Boulevard and Jackson Avenue.

Queens Plaza

This Project continues to be on schedule for completion by the end of summer 2011.

Sidewalk Repair

The sidewalks in the vicinity of, mostly Queens Plaza and Dutch Kills and some areas near Jackson Avenue, Pearson Street are in need of repair. The contractors and EDC have assessed the area and the sidewalks should be repaired by early June.

Hunters Point South

In response to Mr. Dodelson’s comments Ms. Lee explained that the buildings that are under construction would not be subject to Design Commission approval. However, any park space or streetscape development would be subject to Design Commission approval.

The buildings are being designed and constructed by private developers and will be developed in accordance with the Special Zoning District that was approved for the site, along with a set of design guidelines that were developed, in part, with the Department of City Planning and HPD.

The development team was invited by Land Use Committee Chairperson, Lisa Deller to come before the Committee in May. Ms. Amanda Burden of the Department of City Planning has expressed concerns whether the buildings under development in Hunters Point South are an asset to the community. Ms. Burden wanted to assure community input.

A Hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 25^th for the Sunnyside/Woodside Rezoning, the FDNY Site Selections and Acquisition Applications and the Gotham Center Public Parking Garage modifications.

Committee Reports

Transportation Committee

Maspeth By-Pass

The Commissioner of DOT was addressed regarding the Maspeth By-pass and the plans for improvements on 58^th Street, south of the Long Island Expressway. The plan to reroute traffic was discussed and Mr. Conley stated that 48^th Street between Laurel Hill Boulevard and 53^rd Street has become a concern for the community. Currently, there are vast amounts of truck traffic in this area. There was discussion of traffic from the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Long Island Expressway and the industrial area.

Community Board 2 expects a full presentation regarding this entire area; not just portions of Maspeth and 58^th Street.

Vote on Bicycle Lanes at 44^th Drive, Long Island City

A Motion was made in Favor to approve the Project which includes the Proposal offered by the Department of Transportation with the addition of a painted bicycle lane. The Motion was Seconded.

In Favor 31 Opposed 4 Abstention 0

Chairperson present but not voting

Street Renaming Procedures

During discussions at this Meeting, there were no additional comments offered by Board Members regarding this item. Mr. Conley stated that a final draft would be created and submitted to Board Members to vote on at the June Community Board 2 Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing.

Health and Human Services

There were updates offered at this Meeting.

City Services and Public Safety Committee

Proposed Gentlemen’s Club on 21^st Street

Mr. O’Brien announced that this Application has come before the Committee. A Public Hearing would be hosted. The Committee is seeking a venue for this Hearing and is hopeful that it would be scheduled during the month of May.

Environment Committee

Ms. Dorothy Morehead, Chairperson of the Environment Committee spoke about the following:

City Parks Foundation Event

This event was hosted for the Environmental Benefits Fund Projects on April 20^th. There was a great deal of support for Dutch Kills. A question about available funding was posed and the answer was “Yes”. The funding awarded for the Dutch Kills Project was $2.3 million dollars.

Ms Morehead spoke about a Project that would be funded by the DEP. Currently, there are no plans to develop a special pier for the sludge barges that would be taking sludge from the Newtown Creek Water Pollution Control Plant versus the current configuration.

Ms. Morehead spoke about a big move in Brooklyn to have the height sealed and to have Barge Park converted into a City Park. DEP needs to dredge Newtown Creek to Whale Creek, a side creek next to the water treatment plant.

As an environmental offset, a $500,000 salt marsh has been proposed in Jamaica Bay. Ms. Morehead stated that the relation to Newtown Creek is unclear. Ms. Morehead requested that the Community Board contact DEP, object to the proposal and redirect funding toward Newtown Creek.

Newtown Creek Alliance

Ms. Morehead and members of the Newtown Creek Alliance met with Councilperson James Van Bramer to bring the Councilperson up-to-date on the events regarding the Creek. Ms. Morehead spoke about how many community members are not familiar with the current events of the Creek nor are aware of the Creek’s location.

Old Business/New Business

The Taste of LIC, Gantry State Park

Ms. Sheila Lewandowski announced that the date of this event has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 7^th 2011. Approximately 50 caterers, restaurants, beer distributors, wine shops, etc. are expected to be in attendance. Councilperson James Van Bramer would also be in attendance. Ms. Lewandowski thanked the sponsors of this event.

This Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by:

Cheryl Sinnott

The next Community Board 2 Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, June 2^nd 2011