Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - What's Happening in District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

Spring is officially here and there is much to celebrate. On Wednesday, our Muslim neighbors celebrated the first night of  Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. During this month, they will celebrate with fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.  Ramadan Mubarak  to all who celebrate! And with Passover and Easter approaching, I’m excited to be a part of these amazing celebrations and to see the diversity of our district.

In this week’s email, you will find information regarding the City Council’s preliminary budget hearings, upcoming events, as well as critical information pertaining to our seniors, health, and those seeking higher education. In the lead up to the voting period, we have added a section dedicated to Participatory Budgeting, where community members as young as age 11, can vote on projects created by other community stakeholders. We have seven projects on the ballot, and I look forward to seeing which projects the community have selected. For more information on how to vote, scroll to ‘Participatory Budgeting.’

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call us at (718) 931-1721 or email us at District13@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

2023 Participatory Budgeting Projects

Participatory Budgeting Vote Week is finally here, and I am excited to announce this year’s projects. Beginning today, Saturday, March 25 - Sunday, April 2, community members can vote for up to three projects they would like to see come to life in our community. Projects include Public Safety, Parks & Recreation, Education, and Arts & Culture projects.

How to Vote

Online (Click or Copy & Paste): https://vote.pbnyc.org/new-york-city-council-participatory-budgeting-2023/district-13

In-Person: 

• NYPL - City Island: 320 City Island Avenue

• NYPL - Throggs Neck: 3025 Cross Bronx Expressway

• NYPL - Pelham Bay: 3060 Middletown Road

• NYPL - Morris Park: 985 Morris Park Avenue

• NYPL - Pelham Parkway-Van Nest: 2147 Barnes Avenue

• NYPL - Allerton: 2740 Barnes Avenue

DSNY Waste Set Out Time Change

Mark your calendars! Beginning on April 1, waste set out times will be changing for both commercial and residential areas.

Residential

• Set out trash after 6 PM, only if it is a container with a secure lid

• Set out trash after 8 PM if putting bags directly on the curb or if the trashcan does not have a secure lid

Commercial

• If using a container with a secure lid, place waste at the curb 1-hour prior to closing

• If putting bags directly on the curb, place waste out after 8 PM

To learn more, click here.

File a Complaint

Top 10 Consumer Complaints of 2022

New York Attorney General Letitia James has released  a list of the top 10 consumer complaints received by the  Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in 2022. The  complaints range from the price gouging of infant  formula and medication to airline cancellations and  gasoline prices, and more. Below are the top 10 consumer  complaints by category and the corresponding number of  complaints. Retail Sales - 5,240 complaints Landlord/Tenant - 3,014 Credit, Banking, and Mortgages - 2,834 Consumer Services - 2,730 Automobile - 2,590 Internet - 2,355 Utilities - 1,896 Home Repair and Improvement - 1,264 Travel - 787 Gasoline Prices - 661 Consumers are encouraged to file complaints by completing  and submitting a Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau  online complaint form or by calling (800) 771-7755 if they  are unable to submit an online form.