Court Street Merchants Association, Inc               The Voice Of Court Street

509 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231  •  Fax: 718-875-0998  •  www.courtstreetmerchants.org

Minutes of 06/24/09 General Meeting at Montessori School

Meeting began at 8:10 p.m. with CSMA Executive Committee Members in attendance:

Vincent Mazzone, Joanny D′Amico, Mike Polanski, Lydia Buffington

Absent: Angela Vita

Claire Hudson, Community Liaison for Assemblywoman Joan Millman, announced that the MTA will not be terminating the B75 bus route. 

Vincent Mazzone reported:

                Thanks to funding from NYC Small Business Services and Gowanus Canal Community Development Corp., ten thousand copies of the Court Street Directory have been printed and are ready for distribution along Court Street as well as other high traffic locations.

                Windows Brooklyn art exhibition that involved decorating 34 store windows along Court & Smith Streets was well received and hopefully will be repeated next year.

                Kids Concert Series in Carroll Park began on June 14.  Remaining concert dates are: July 15, July 29, and August 8.  Members are encouraged to support this worthy event in any way possible – funds, equipment, etc.

                Fifth Annual PumpkinFest will take place on Saturday, October 3 on Fourth Place.  Once again all members are encouraged to co-sponsor this event through their participation.

                Future CSMA general meetings will be limited to three per year – February, June, October.  Executive Board Meetings will be held on a monthly basis and will be open to ALL members as well as invited guests.  Meeting notices will be posted on our web site – www.courtstreetmerchants.org.

Joanny D’Amico informed the group that:

                The 13^th Annual Eileen Duggan Fun Run/Walk will be taking place on Sunday, October 4 with all proceeds going to cancer charities.  Members are encouraged to sponsor a runner and compete for bragging (and display) rights to the Duggan Cup for one year.

                Brooklyn Youth Association needs funds for a local children’s softball league.  A motion to provide $750 for T-shirts and other essentials was approved for this teaching program.

Buddy Scotto spoke about:

                EPA’s plan to list the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund site (which would halt the much needed private development along the canal) vs NYC’s Alternative Plan.  A motion was approved to support the Alternative Plan.

                The need to keep elected officials up to speed as to the needs of our members.  A motion was approved that we reach out to elected officials requesting their support on issues of concern to Small Business.

Bill Appel, Executive Director of Gowanus Canal Community Development Corp., reported:

                An increase in biking all over NYC has let to a shortage of places where bikes can be safely secured.  Members can request a FREE bike rack be installed in front of their businesses.

                In the works, October 18 – Saucony Challenge – a running event around the Gownaus Canal (ages 6 – 18).

                In September, an art project entitled “My dream for our canal one day”.  Children’s art will be displayed in office and storefronts along Court, Smith, and Columbia Streets.

Meeting ended at 9:30 p.m.  Next general meeting will be held in October.  Day, time, and location to be announced.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Mike Polanski, Secretary

Court Street Merchants Association, Inc               The Voice Of Court Street

509 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231  •  Fax: 718-875-0998  •  www.courtstreetmerchants.org

Minutes of 04/01/09 General Meeting at Montessori School

Meeting began at 8:15pm with CSMA Executive Committee Members in attendance:

Vincent Mazzone, Joanny D′Amico, Angela Vita, Lydia Buffington

Absent: Mike Polanski

John Hayer Jr. mentioned that the annual Carroll Gardens Easter Procession would take place as usual on Good Friday.  He also mentioned that on Saturday, May 2 there would be a walking tour taking place along Court Street – with stops at several Mom & Pop businesses. 

Citibank manager, Nikhil Gadkari, mentioned the availability of small business loans through a partnership with NYC Small Business Services.  He also mention that the Carroll Gardens branch would be hosting events and taking on a more “neighborhood feel”.

Robert Zuckerman announced the opening of his campaign headquarters on Court Street in his bid for a City Council seat.

Angela Vita reported that the layout for the Court Street Directory has been completed and that it in the process of being forwarded to the printer. 

Lydia Buffington reported that:

            On Sunday, May 3^rd, the annual SpringFest will take place on Court Street.  All Court Street businesses are encouraged to participate and help enhance the event.

            Partitions to save the B75 bus route, slated to be discontinued due to MTA budget constraints, have been mailed.

            Information on prevention tips to avoid crimes related to impersonation of utilities workers is available at her office – GCCDC, 509 Court Street.

Vincent Mazzone reported that:

            On Saturday, May 2^nd the Friends of Carroll Park will be hosting their annual Spring Fair – an event for children.  And on Sunday, June 14^th the first of a series of Kids’ Concerts will take place.  

            Windows Brooklyn may not physically be able to accommodate all of the requests received by our members to participate in this year’s exhibit scheduled to begin on June 6.  They are committed to the task and doing everything possible not to disappoint anyone.

            Sign-up sheets notifying the 76^th Precinct that permission has not been given to anyone to decorate (graffiti) your property are now available on our website.

            Once again the matter of forming a BID has been tabled.  This time, pending information from the NYC Dept. of Small Business Services concerning how assessments – and changes in assessments – are being made to real estate owners in Business Improvement Districts.  And there’s still the issue of possible “misuse of funds” which may have occurred several years ago.

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Deanna Bitetti, on behalf of Congresswoman Yvette Clark, spoke about Women’s Business Outreach network, a program to assist women business owners with startup, financing, permits, etc.  Ms Bitetti also spoke about the existence of tax incentives, town hall meetings, and other programs.  And finally, Ms Bitetti announced that the Congresswoman supports both the Economic Stimulus package and the Employee Free Choice Act.

Vincent Mazzone responded to Ms Bitette that he was personally outraged by Congresswoman Clark’s support of the Employee Free Choice Act – a bill he believes to be both offensive and deceitful.  Furthermore, he urged the Court Street Merchants Association and its members to hold politicians accountable for how they vote on issues related to Small Business.  

The meeting ended at 9:45 p.m.  Next general meeting will be held in June – exact date to be announced.

Minutes respectfully submitted by,

Mike Polanski, Secretary