Community Board 3 Meets

Community Board 3 convened last night for its November meeting to a small crowd in the auditorium at M.S. 117 on 300 Willoughby Avenue.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

On the agenda were a few public hearings by the board’s Health and Social Services committee on HRA’s RFP for sponsorship for the Multi-Service Center, located at 1958 Fulton Street.

Both the Central Brooklyn Community Services, Corp. and Vanguard Urban Improvement Association, Inc. were seeking a letter of support in regards to the RFP, which has a deadline for submission on November 28.

However, CB3 determined that not enough information was presented by either parties in committee for attendees to present a recommendation. Therefore, the committee rescheduled another meeting for November 29 to form a recommendation and tabled the final vote to take place at the December CB3 meeting.

Edna Johnson, committee chairperson, assured all attendees that although the RFP will come late, it will not preclude its final consideration.

INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATIONS:

The Education and Youth Services Committee introduced guest speaker Trevor Alexander, outreach specialist for the NYC Human Resources Administration’s Child Support Enforcement.

Alexander opened with statistics from his office that underscored the growing number of cases of unpaid child support in the African-American community that were negatively affecting the credit scores, drivers licenses and overall financial futures of absent fathers.

“For 67 percent of our children, by age 7, the father will have left the household to never return,” said Alexander. “We have the statistics, we know the numbers. But as a result, there are a whole lot of things that will be tied up for these men that will negatively and permanently affect their financial futures.”

Alexander pointed to a number of programs that this population of men — particularly men who were formerly incarcerated — can take part in, through the office of Child Support Enforcement, to help put their lives back on track:

1. An “Arrears Forgiveness” program that will greatly reduce their overall child support payment debt, and also reduce their monthly payments.

2. Mediation Services that will educate both parents to the consequences of non-compliance and also help facilitate contact between the child and the father

3. Free DNA testing paid for through social services and administered by public hospitals that will provide paternity results for both parents—even those fathers who reside out of the country

For more information, interested parents may call Trevor Alexander at 212-480-6644 or email him at Trevor.alexander@dfa.state.ny.us.

COMMITTEE UPDATES:

Richard Flateau, chair of the Economic Development Committee announced the next meeting will take place on December 1, at the CB3 Office. At that time, they will discuss

• Plans for holding a workshop to assist certification for MWBE businesses, which will likely take place in February. Will be working with BSRC to facilitate the workshops
• Will be reviewing liquor licenses
• Will hold a pubic meeting on the streetscape improvement projects
• Met with Acumen Capital partners of property at 360 Flushing Avenue, a 575,000 sq. foot building, which was the original site for Pfizer. Their plan is to move in small businesses to tenant the building. Currently, they have two tenants: the Brooklyn Soda Works and an organic tea company. Both tenants occupy 1,00 sq. feet. They are focusing on bringing in more business from the entertainment industry. Anyone interested in learning more should attend their next meeting on December 1

Nelson Stout, chair of the Environmental Sanitation/Transportation Committee gave updates:

• Con Edison came out to talk about the work they’re doing along Fulton Street. Also, the milling paving plans will be placed on hold.
• Will discuss the routing of buses on the Nostrand Avenue
• One person stood up and expressed concern regarding serious cavings between Jefferson Avenue at Malcolm X Blvd., where he says there have been several car accidents and one truck almost turned over. Stout said he would address at next meeting

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Sherry Hobson Greene, one of the managers at Ms. Dahlia’s Café: “I know we have been closed 14 days due to construction along Nostrand Ave that brought in the Health Department who shut us down. But we have now re-opened, and we are eager to service you for the holidays and Thanksgiving dinner. We are opened again and we’re committed to excellence.”

Demetrius Mills, from the Brooklyn Queens Land Trust: “On November 19, we will be holding a mid-year event celebrating our gardens. We are in the process to take ownership of 32 of 37 community gardens. BQLT works to bring healthier food to our community. We are a 15-member volunteer board. We are in need of more board members, talented people willing to work to help keep our gardens going. We will own 3.5 acres of land in Brooklyn and Queens, which is a true feat for a minority organization.”

The founder of Not Just Hoops announced she will be starting a breakfast delivery program for $10/breakfast that will be delivered to area seniors. The organization just received its 501c3 non-profit status. The organization is starting with services to Bed-Stuy and Ocean Hill/Brownsville to bring its own “Meals on Wheels” program. She needs the community’s support.

Nominations for interested parties to run for CB3 positions were supposed to take place. However, for reasons not clearly explained to attendees, the current board decided to table the voting until the December meeting. Nominations are open for the following CB3 positions:

• Chair, Current: Henry Butler
• First Vice Chair, Current: C. Doris Penn,
• Second Vice Chair, Current: Michael Bailey
• Treasurer, Current: Bernice McCray
• Secretary, Current: Charlene Norris

If you are interested in running for any of these positions, you may alert the CB3 board office before or during the December meeting.

For questions or more information regarding the November board meeting, call CB3’s office at: 718-622-6601.

Community Board 3 meetings are held the first Monday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 5, 2011.