November 2022

Minutes of the ANA Meeting
President : Larry Jayson
Vice President: Jodi Cook
Secretary: Jannette Katz
Treasurer: Peter Gomori

-22 people were in attendance.

Guest speakers include New York State Assemblyman Robert Carroll, New York City Councilwoman Shahana Hanif and Tom Bauer, Director of Operations at the Ocean Parkway Community Development (OPCD) organization.

-It was noted with sadness of the passing of Diana Sanzone on September 17. A memorial service will be held at the Kensington Library on December 3 from 12-4. Diana was a valued contributor to the Kensington Community for many years. Diana was Vice President of the ANA, Executive Chair for the Kensington Stewards as well as being a volunteer at the CAMBA Kensington Shelter. A moment of silence was observed in her memory

-This ANA meeting was the second meeting for this year since March 2022.

-Tom Bauer spoke about the big push for Solar Panels on Roofs. A dozen homes in the neighborhood have solar panels. There are tax abatements from the NY State and NYC governments to assist in paying the cost of installation. OPCD office is located at 18th avenue and East 5 street. Mr. Bauer spoke about modern and affordable housing units built on 37th street between 12-13 avenue. OPCD is looking to create more affordable housing in the neighborhood. The process was monitored by HPD and other agencies.

Since 1979 there have been changes in the gestalt of the community from a sleepy , deteriorated neighborhood to a more vibrant one with art festivals, work with merchants on Church Avenue and engagement with the Bengladeshi community. OPCD has helped seniors and homeowners establish other neighborhood organizations.

-Parkway Pharmacy has a new awning which adds to the appearance of the neighborhood. The old Rite Aid store is still unsightly with graffiti always present. The space is owned by Walgreens and Walgreens will not permit a competitor business to rent it. There are 5 or 6 vacant stores on Church avenue. Peter Gomori wants more active policing of graffiti. Larry Jason will try to get a police officer from the local precinct to attend our next meeting

– State Assemblyman Carroll spoke about the issues regarding the BQE detour that will be occurring on weekends. It will impact East 5 street and Caton Ave, MacDonald and Church Ave. He is currently in contact with the NYC Department of Transportation. It is not fair to have the entire truck detour in Windsor Terrace that will impact this neighborhood on weekends. Bob Carroll was congratulated on the birth of his baby 7 weeks ago.

– Complaints were voiced regarding the semi annual Brooklyn half marathons that take place without warning to residents. It would be great to send an Eblast 2 weeks ahead of the time of the marathon to warn residents. Maybe Shahana can assist on getting the word out as well.

-A positive intervention in street cleaning was mentioned. There was an ANA member, Phoebe, who spoke on a Sunday to some shopkeepers at Macdonald Ave and Ave C about the dirtiness of the streets between Mac Donald and C. The following day the streets were spotless.

-State Assemblyman Carroll was contacted three weeks ago regarding the obstruction to a walkway by a cement company. It was removed and now there is safe passage on that street.

-East Third Street between Church Ave and Albemarle Road is the site of many car accidents.

Recently there was an accident where the citibikes were crashed into. There should be alternate routes in place of Caton Ave. An email will be sent regarding the citibike crash to Bob Carroll’s office who will in turn send it to the Department of Transportation.

– City Councilmember Shahana Hanif was commended for getting rid of a no standing sign on Albemarle Road. Her co-worker Faiza Azam was at the meeting and is responsible for constituent services and is a neighborhood liaison for Councilmember Hanif. Appointments can be made with Faiza at her office on 118 Beverly Road. There is no longer a 5th avenue office due to redistricting.

– Sanitation issues are being addressed by the Association for Community Empowerment (ACE) members. Please give sanitation requests to the Ms. Hanif’s Beverly office.

– Meeting in the Greenwood Playground was held by Ms. Hanif and community members. Over a million dollars have been allocated for resurfacing and other issues. Please alert any street safety concerns to 311.

– Agenda of Councilmember Hanif will be posted on her website after Thanksgiving. Activities include hosting a town hall meeting with the Department of Environmental Protection regarding flooding issues. There will be a turkey giveaway.

– Legislation regarding rat mitigation was passed by New York State. Rat violations will be followed up with a mandate to correct the circumstances. Any construction that is occurring should not be given a permit if an exterminator is not on board at the construction site.

– Legislation was introduced in New York City regarding composting, which would be the largest program in the nation, by April 2022 -2023 in the 39th district in Brooklyn . More legislation includes protection of reproductive rights, plans for immigrant communities to be housed In hotels and not tents. EWaste initiatives will be continued on a regular basis. PTA “Fun Run” raised $100,000 . There will be participatory budgeting sometime this coming spring. Please sign up for the newsletter from Councilmember Hanif’s office which goes out on Sundays in addition to social media platforms.

– Construction site on the end of the Prospect Expressway at Caton Ave and the Ocean Parkway Service Road was a Flood Project and should be done by the end of this year.

– Regarding sanitation pick up concerns, Faiza should be contacted in the Beverly Road office with complaints made to 311 and the truck number gotten to report any sanitation issues

– Theft problems at Walgreens were mentioned at our meeting as a chronic ongoing problem.

– Meeting was adjourned at 8 pm

– Happy holidays to all

Respectfully submitted,

Jannette Katz Gomori

Secretary

Albemarle Neighborhood Association (ANA)