MAYOR DE BLASIO FULFILLS PROMISE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES MORE EASILY START AND GROW IN NEW YORK CITY

City initiative will save small businesses more than $50 million annually

  Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the City has made significant strides in making New York City a better place for small businesses. The City has successfully implemented Small Business First, a set of interagency policy and procedural changes that are expected to save businesses $50 million annually. Since the launch of this initiative, the time to complete common business transactions, such as obtaining permits and licenses, has been reduced by 30 percent.

New York City is home to over 230,000 small businesses, of which nearly 50 percent are owned by foreign-born New Yorkers. Creating an environment in which these businesses can thrive is critical to the economic health and global competitiveness of the City. Through Small Business First, the Administration has executed 30 commitments across more than 10 City agencies based on feedback from over 600 business owners along with advocates, community leaders and elected officials in all five boroughs. Since the initiative began in 2015, the City also launched its first online portal through which businesses can manage transactions such as permit applications and licenses.

“When business owners have access to resources and tools that help their businesses thrive, the city as a whole will share the benefits of their success,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “That’s why we’re putting small businesses first by implementing policies and programs that expand economic opportunity and cut red tape, helping small businesses establish themselves and grow. Focusing investment on small businesses makes New York City’s economy stronger and fairer for everyone.”

"I'm excited to see the fulfillment of the goals of Small Business First, an all-encompassing multiagency program that was tailored and implemented with the very needs of our City's small business owners, especially minority and immigrant owners, front and center," said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Phillip Thompson. "The program is a good example of what we are doing in other areas in this administration which is aligning economic inclusion goals with business creation and expansion and I commend the tremendous work by all the City agencies involved for getting us closer to building a sustainable path for small businesses to succeed in our city."

“I’m proud to partner with fellow City agencies to reduce the burden of bureaucracy and promote equity of access for the City’s over 230,000 small businesses,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “Together, we’re demonstrating that New York City is open for business.”

"Small Business First highlights the value and importance of agency collaboration across New York City," saidJeff Thamkittikasem, Director of the Mayor's Office of Operations. "From the outset our goal was to improve government efficiency and clear the way for more small business owners to succeed. I'm proud of what this initiative has accomplished."

“It is important for entrepreneurs to know that the City offers so much in the way of public information, resources, and services curated for business owners and that our goal is to make these tools more accessible and user-friendly than ever. Improving access leads to increased diversity; we have applied this operating principle at the Mayor’s Office of M/WBEs as well as the feedback from minority and women entrepreneurs in developing the one-stop-shop M/WBE website hosted on NYC Business Portal,” said Jonnel Doris, Director of the Mayor's Office of M/WBEs.

Small Business First aims to ensure that City regulations are easy to navigate while still protecting the health and safety of New Yorkers. The achievement highlights below are based on four key recommendations from thereport:

Provide clear information with coordinated services and support

• Launched the NYC Business Portal, an online platform that allows business owners to track licenses, permits, and violations in one place. The portal boasts nearly 3 million visits and nearly 14,000 business accounts since June 2016.

• Established a Small Business Support Center in Jamaica, Queens that offers business owners in-person support from multiple City agencies. Nearly 32,000 services have been provided to small businesses through the center.

Reduce the burden imposed by complex regulations and fines

• Revised the Rules of the City of New York to simplify regulations. This includes 80 rule modifications that positively impact businesses.

• Streamlined filing and review processes for regulations by eliminating areas of overlap between agencies. This is expected to save businesses a total of about $10.5 million in fees and 1.5 months in total processing time.

• Reduced the amount in fines collected by the City by over 30 percent and reduced the number of violations issued to businesses and commercial properties by nearly 10 percent.

Understand and comply with City regulations

• Expanded remote adjudication options to regulatory agencies, which allows business owners to contest a summons without leaving their business.

• Launched compliance consultations to help businesses prevent potentially costly fines through no-cost assessments for potential violations and expert advice.

Ensure Equal Access for All Business Owners

• Trained City staff to provide information to small business owners in a more accessible manner. Ten City agencies have published 25 simplified guides which have been translated into six or more languages.

Small Business First is led the Department of Small Business Services and the Mayor’s Office of Operations in conjunction with the Board of Standards and Appeals, Department of Buildings, Department of City Planning, Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Department of Consumer Affairs, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Finance, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, Department of Sanitation, Department of Transportation, Fire Department of NY, Landmarks Preservation Commission, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, and Taxi & Limousine Commission.

“Our diverse small business community is the backbone of our local neighborhoods. We are proud to support international businesses that are interested in moving to New York City,” said Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. “Together with our partners at the Department of Small Business Services, we are thrilled to make our global city an even more attractive destination for small businesses.”

“Small businesses are the economic engine of New York City, and local government is committed to their success,” said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. “This new portal will serve as a digital one-stop-shop that will help small business owners save time, save money, and seamlessly interface with City government.”

“Collaboration across city agencies helps remove barriers to economic progress for all New Yorkers,” said Thomas Fariello, RA, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Buildings. “Online tools like the NYC Business Portal and our DOB NOW system, as well as our weekly open house sessions for small business owners, help reduce red tape, improve customer service, increase transparency, and make it easier to build the businesses on which our city depends.”

“The NYC Business Portal is a terrific example of how technology can be leveraged to benefit the hundreds of thousands of small businesses operating here in New York City,” said Samir Saini, Commissioner of the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications. “We’re proud to have contributed to this effort with SBS, taking a human-centered design approach to ensure business transactions with city agencies are made as easy and intuitive as possible.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of New York City – they create jobs, serve our communities, and are essential to the City's economy," said Lorelei Salas, Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs. “DCA is committed to helping our small businesses thrive. It’s why we regularly conduct Business Education Days and offer easy-to-read Inspection Checklists in more than 40 industries and in many languages so businesses know what inspectors look for during inspections. Under this crucial initiative, DCA has significantly reduced fines assessed during our patrol inspections. We have also increased our efforts to provide financial empowerment services to our business communities. This includes offering free financial counseling to help small business owners learn about and access services aimed at helping them achieve financial stability. We look forward to working alongside our sister agencies to continue to develop more programs and initiatives that will help small businesses succeed.”

Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study - Public Open House: Morris Park and Parkchester

REMINDER We're just two weeks away from our first in a series of two events to present draft recommendations for the Morris Park and Parkchester/Van Nest station areas! Please join us and help plan around coming Metro-North service in your neighborhood!

Let's continue the conversation! Learn about draft recommendations for Morris Park and Parkchester/Van Nest Share your perspective and priorities Guide investments and strategies

To ensure all members of the community have an opportunity to participate, we will be holding two events.

FIRST EVENT

WHEN Wednesday, March 27, 2019 4PM–7PM (Self-paced activities. Come when you wish and stay for long as you are able to.)

WHERE 1300 Morris Park Ave Lubin Hall Albert Einstein College of Medicine

SECOND EVENT

WHEN Saturday, March 30, 2019 10AM–1PM (Self-paced activities. Come when you wish and stay for long as you are able to.)

WHERE 2380 E Tremont Ave St Raymond's Elementary School Monsignor Tierney Auditorium (Enter at corner of E Tremont Ave and Purdy St)

Light refreshments will be provided. For any questions or special needs, please email bmns@planning.nyc.gov or call 718 220 8500

Find Out More

Wave Hill events March 28‒April 4

Sat, March 30

Family Art Project: Unfurling Field Journal

Take a walk around Wave Hill and see that flowers are blooming and plants are growing. Take advantage of this wondrous season of growth, and make handmade journals—unfurling as flowers do—to document your observations. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sat, March 30

Winter Workspace Open Studios

This winter, Glyndor Gallery is transformed again into studio spaces for artists to develop new work and offer opportunities for public interaction in the context of the garden. Individual artists share their studio practice with the public on this open studios day. This year’s Session 2 artists are Nobutaka Aozaki, Liene Bosquê, Tijay Mohammed, Jessica Segall, and our two New York Community Trust Van Lier Fellows, Duy Hoàng and Emily Oliveira. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, NOON–3:30PM

Sat, March 30

Gardening Workshop: Terrariums

Design and plant a fanciful miniature landscape in a glass container with a selection of diminutive plants, perfect for home or office. Wave Hill’s Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer provides plants, materials and personal assistance in this popular annual workshop. Space is limited! Ages eight and older welcome with an adult. $50; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

Wave Hill House, 1PM

Sun, March 31

Family Art Project: Unfurling Field Journal

Take a walk around Wave Hill and see that flowers are blooming and plants are growing. Take advantage of this wondrous season of growth, and make handmade journals—unfurling as flowers do—to document your observations. Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, March 31

Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Mon, April 1

Closed to the public.

Tue, April 2

Photography Workshop series begins: Photography with a Purpose

Whether for pleasure or for profit, to create change, document one’s family or capture a mood, every photograph is taken with a purpose. Together with photographer Benjamin Swett, explore the varieties of motivators for taking pictures, through slide lectures, class discussions, outdoor photography in the woods and gardens of Wave Hill and critiques of student work. This five-session series continues Tuesdays, April 9, 16, 23 and 30. $245; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Thu, April 4

Mixed-Media Workshop series begins: Subtle and Exquisite Nature

From bud to bloom, nature has an endless inspiration to offer artists in the spring. Capture changing textures and subtle color shifts as the garden transitions from subtle to bright. Each week, with the guidance of artist Wennie Huang, spring continues to pop and participants experience, observe and render exquisite moments using layers of dry and wet media. This six-session series continues Thursdays, April 11, 18, 25, May 2 and 9. A list of materials will be provided. $300; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM,  March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Apple Blossom Carnival & Barnyard Egg Hunt at Queens Farm, April 2019

Put the spring in your step this April at the Queens County Farm Museum. The farm's annual Apple Blossom Children's Carnival and Barnyard Egg Hunt kick off the farm's signature event season. Queens Farm has been farmed since 1697 making it the longest continually farmed site in New York State.   Apple Blossom Children’s Carnival Tilt-A-Whirl in the farm’s orchard at the Apple Blossom Children’s Carnival! This event runs for two consecutive weekends, April 6th and 7th and April 13th and 14th from 11:00 am–6:00 pm each day. Daily admission includes unlimited carnival rides and kids crafts at the Con Edison Ecology booth which also features the popular Adopt-a-Worm composting program. Visitors can also enjoy hayrides, midway games and classic carnival treats. Advance tickets are encouraged and can be purchased at queensfarm.org. Advance tickets are $15 for all ages. $20 door tickets will be available on site at the event. Barnyard Egg Hunt Hop on over to the Farm for the most celebrated egg hunt in Queens! Queens Farm’s annual Barnyard Egg Hunt is on Saturday, April 20th from 11:00 am–3:00 pm. Egg hunts will be ongoing throughout the day. Whiskers the Bunny will be there with his bunny colleagues. BYOB (bring your own basket) is encouraged. The Barnyard Egg Hunt features assorted eggs-ellent games for the entire family. You can also visit with the farm’s animals and top off your day with a hayride! Advance tickets only for this event. Tickets are $10 for all ages and can be purchased at queensfarm.org. The Queens County Farm Museum is located at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park, New York 11004. There is free event parking and a bicycle rack is available on-site. Strollers, backpacks and bottled water are permitted on the farm grounds. Farm grounds and restrooms are accessible. For more information visit queensfarm.org.

STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON SENATE BUDGET RESOLUTION

"The One House Budget Resolution that we adopted today clearly demonstrates that as a Conference we are committed to governing effectively and in a fiscally responsible way to address the issues affecting middle class and working class New Yorkers all across our state.

 

As the Chair of the Health Committee, I am proud that many of the health measures proposed by the Senate health work group were included in this resolution primarily the rejection of an outrageous $1.2 billion cut to Medicaid funding that would devastate our state's entire healthcare system.   

 

As a Conference, we strongly believe that we can champion New York values while protecting the taxpayer. This budget proposal reflects exactly that as it contains proposals that provide essential funds for New Yorkers healthcare needs and our medical care providers."

 

Health highlights included in the Senate One House Budget proposal:

 

ENSURING SENIORS AND DISABLED NEW YORKERS' ACCESS TO CARE

 

• Rejects a significant cut to Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program(CDPAP) and the restructuring of fiscal intermediaries, which will prevent interruptions in care for the disabled New Yorkers, seniors and others in need of home care.

 

PROTECTING CHILDREN'S HEALTH & WELLNESS

 

• Proposes stronger lead poisoning prevention policies, such as requiring the Commissioner of Health to lower the threshold for elevated blood lead levels from 10 to 5 micro grams immediately and reduce it further within six months of any new federal recommendations. This is a part of Dakota's Law, the lead exposure prevention bill sponsored by Senator Rivera

 

• Increases the Early Intervention Services rate by 5%, to make sure providers continue to provide vital services which help detect disabilities or developmental delays in children and ensure they receive the treatment they need at the time in their development where it would have the greatest impact.

 

• Restores $3.8 million for School Based Health Clinics, $1 million for Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders, and $1 million for Lyme and Tick Borne Diseases.

 

HELPING NEW YORK'S HOSPITALS TO STAY WHOLE

 

• Rejects reducing the Department of Health's General Public Health Work Reimbursement to New York City from 36 percent to 20 percent, which would negatively impact essential public health programs, such as lead testing, legionnaires prevention, and support for new mothers.

 

• Rejects cuts to the Indigent Care Pool and reducing the reimbursement amount for voluntary hospitals. Instead, the Senate supported engaging stakeholders to make changes to the Indigent Care Pool that will adequately reimburse hospitals that provide a higher percentage of uncompensated care.

 

• Opposes the reprogramming of the Healthcare Facility Transformation money that was meant to provide much needed relief to hospitals and nursing homes and increase worker wages. 

 

DOING MORE FOR MOTHERS AND FAMILIES

 

• Establishes a Maternal Mortality Review Board that preserves the New York City's board as a separate entity, a measure included in a bill sponsored by Senator Rivera.

 

• Requires insurance companies to provide comprehensive coverage of fertility preservation and in vitro fertilization

 

MORE AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTIONS

 

• Reinvests $2 million in Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) savings and directs the Department  to increase eligibility and increase awareness through public outreach.

 

• Regulates Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) by increasing penalties for violations of law by PBMs, imposing further fiduciary duties upon PBMs, increasing transparency of PBM contracts with regards to conflicts of interest, and prohibiting PBMs from requiring the substitution of a dispensed drug without the approval of the prescriber.

 

ADVANCING TOWARDS TRULY ADEQUATE COVERAGE FOR ALL

 

• Codifies provisions of the Affordable Care Act and NY State of Health Marketplace into state law to protect New Yorkers from shifts by the federal government.

• Adds $20 million for services to Safety Net Clinics to provide care to those New Yorker's who are underinsured and uninsured.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately there are three parties to the state budget. The Governor, the State Senate, and the State Assembly. 

While the Governor has proposed his budget, the State Senate has made adjustments to what the Governor has proposed. The State Assembly will make their own adjustments to the Governors budget, and then align with the State Senate to bring the proposed state budget forth. If both houses stay within the total amount of dollars proposed by the governor their is no need to get the governors approval.

 

Five Members Of Violent Bronx Gang Charged In Connection With Shooting Of Off-Duty NYPD Officer

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging five members and associates of the “Jack Boyz” street gang with racketeering and firearm offenses in connection with the shooting of an off-duty NYPD officer.  PATRICK AVILA, a/k/a “Pat,” JALEN COLDS, a/k/a “Jay Gunz,” NAZAE BLANCHE, a/k/a “Zae,” and DONNELL JENKINS, a/k/a “Nellz,” were taken into custody this morning and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein later today.  LEON SMALLS, a/k/a “Smoove,” remains at large.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:   “As alleged in the indictment, this gang committed a brazen act of violence, and one of New York City’s finest was struck by their gunfire.  Thanks to the extraordinary work of the NYPD, these defendants will now face justice in federal court.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “We stand with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners ready to identify and bring to justice drug dealers and gang members who are at the root of crime and violence in our city.  With these arrests, we continue to make significant progress in our work to make the streets of New York safer for everyone.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

The Jack Boyz are a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including shootings, in and around the Bronx.  Members and associates of the Jack Boyz engage in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to promote the standing and reputation of the Jack Boyz, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business.  Members and associates of the Jack Boyz enrich themselves by committing robberies and selling drugs.

On October 30, 2018, AVILA, COLDS, BLANCHE, JENKINS, and SMALLS shot at gang rivals in the vicinity of East 137th Street and Brown Place.  During the course of that shooting, an off-duty NYPD officer was struck in the chest.  

A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD. 

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	AGES	MAX. SENTENCE
1	Attempted murder in aid of racketeering     18 U.S.C. § 1959	PATRICK AVILA JALEN COLDS NAZAE BLANCHE DONNELL JENKINS LEON SMALLS	19 19 19 19 23	20 years in prison
2	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which firearm was discharged   18 U.S.C. § 924(c)	PATRICK AVILA JALEN COLDS NAZAE BLANCHE DONNELL JENKINS LEON SMALLS		Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Bronx Man Charged With Murder

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging JAMAL BRISSETT, a/k/a “Trigger” with murdering Leshaun Gordon, 19, in the Bronx, New York, on June 30, 2009.  BRISSETT was arrested yesterday and is expected to be presented before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein in federal court later today.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said:  “As alleged, Jamal Brissett killed 19-year-old Leshaun Gordon during a drug deal.  Ten years may have passed, but we have not forgotten.  Thanks to the determination of our partners at HSI and the NYPD, Brissett must now answer for his alleged crimes.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “In a scheme for revenge, Brissett is alleged to have robbed and shot a man, then later set the car on fire to cover up the crime.  Nearly ten years ago a man was slain on the streets of New York City, but the crime was not forgotten.  No matter how long it takes or how cold the case, HSI and its law enforcement partners will not stop pursuing perpetrators who threaten the safety of this great city.”

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “The ability of investigators to achieve justice for this young man and provide a sense of closure to his family is paramount.  The identification and arrest of the suspect in this case was a team effort that resulted from the close partnership that exists between the NYPD and our law-enforcement partners.  I thank and commend the Southern District of New York, and the investigators of HSI and the NYPD whose hard work in the case demonstrate that our efforts remain determined, and precisely-focused.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court[1]:   

On or about June 30, 2009, BRISSETT shot and killed Gordon in the course of a drug-trafficking crime and a robbery in the vicinity of Mickle Avenue and Chester Street in the Bronx, New York.  BRISSETT then caused the car where the murder occurred to be set on fire in order to destroy evidence of his crime.

BRISSETT, 30, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of using a firearm to commit murder during a crime of violence and a drug-trafficking crime, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment, and one count of using arson to obstruct justice, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.  The maximum and minimum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and the NYPD.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proved guilty.

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the descriptions of the Indictment constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.