Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

 

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review!

 

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend with friends and family. This summer is sure to be a special one. Last week, we proudly hosted our annual Bronx Fireworks Extravaganza alongside Senator Nathalia Fernandez and Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebration.

Our Bronx Summer Concert Series is starting this Sunday! We're kicking off our iconic series with a concert at Orchard Beach, paying homage to the Series' home for the last 20 years! Due to scheduled renovations of the Orchard Beach Pavillion, this year, we're bringing the music and dancing to all corners of the Bronx. Be sure to join us and stay tuned for more summer activities! For an updated calendar of events, click here.

Also, we hope you will volunteer with us for the Bronx Summer Clean Up Series 2023. Volunteers get free tickets to a Yankees game as a thank-you for their hard work! Cleaner streets and community engagement are important to us, and we’re proud to support this important annual cleanup series alongside partners. For information on how to get involved, click here.

 

As we continue into the summer months, we encourage everyone to take precaution and stay safe. If you or someone you know is in danger, please contact the NYPD immediately. For information on your local precinct, click here.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

IN THE COMMUNITY

Thank you for coming out to the annual Bronx Fireworks Extravaganza! A special thanks to Senator Nathalia Fernández and Council Member Marjorie Velázquez for your collaboration on this great event!

Thank you to all of our incredible performers for giving it their all!

Thank you also to our sponsors: The Bronx Tourism Council, Hot 97, the Business Initiative Corporation of New York, Con Edison, the Bronx Economic Development Corporation, Verizon and the NYC Parks and Recreation for working with us to bring this event to life. It takes a village and we are so grateful for your support.

We were pleased to celebrate Eid with the Belmont Islamic Center and recognize its leader, Imam Nedzad Avdovic for his commitment to The Bronx and 18 years of service to our children and families!

Thank you Imam for your commitment and leadership.

We are grateful to the Historical Society of the New York Courts for the privilege to host the traveling exhibit: The Lemmon Case here at the Bronx County Court House.

The Lemmon Slave Case of 1852 was a groundbreaking case dealing with establishing the right of personhood for slaves. It was a series of decisions by the New York Courts that ordered the release of 8 enslaved people including 6 children who were brought into New York by their Virginia owners while in transit to Texas. 

Thank you Judge Gonzalez for making this possible!

City Planning to Hold Second Public Info Session on Mayor Adams’ City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Initiative on July 11

 

Remote info session will give New Yorkers opportunity to learn more and ask questions about initiative to update NYC zoning rules to help small businesses and boost NYC’s economic recovery

Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick today announced a second public information session exclusively on Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes for Economic Opportunity initiative, which is a set of zoning changes to develop lively commercial corridors, to help small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive, and to support New York City’s economic recovery. This info session, which will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, July 11 at 7 pm, will give New Yorkers another opportunity to ask questions and learn more about this proposal. RSVP here.

“New York City’s entrepreneurs, small businesses, and vibrant commercial corridors make this city special, but existing zoning rules have limited their success. As we craft City of Yes for Economic Opportunity, I hope New Yorkers will get involved in our early outreach to help shape this proposal and support our work for a more vibrant, prosperous city. Please join us at this session to get involved and learn more,” said Dan Garodnick, Department of City Planning Director and Chair of the City Planning Commission.

City of Yes for Economic Opportunity consists of 18 specific reforms that aim to support small businesses, to reoccupy vacant storefronts, and to enliven commercial corridors. As part of New York City’s ongoing work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, City of Yes for Economic Opportunity will make it easier for New Yorkers to start or expand successful businesses. This will lead to prosperous neighborhoods with less commercial vacancies and more freedom for thriving mom-and-pops to grow.

Other changes include removing zoning restrictions that limit dancing in certain commercial areas, facilitating the growth of the life sciences sector, and allowing for clean manufacturing in commercial areas – opening up 14,000 acres of new potential space for businesses like ceramic makers or coffee roasteries. These changes will also enable the addition of corner stores in neighborhoods where they were previously restricted, helping over 250,000 people access neighborhood goods and services. For a full description of the initiative, read more here.

The formal public review process will begin with the initiative’s referral this fall. Following referral, all 59 Community Boards and all five Borough Boards and Borough Presidents will have an opportunity to review and offer recommendations on this citywide text amendment. Next, it will go before the City Planning Commission for a public hearing and a vote. If the Commission votes in favor of the application, it would then head to the City Council for a public hearing and vote.

City of Yes for Economic Opportunity is the second of three expansive mayoral “City of Yes” initiatives for a more inclusive and equitable city. The other two proposals are:

City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality – currently in public review, this initiative is designed to help New York City meet its ambitious goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 by updating its zoning to make it easier to green our buildings, our streets, and our city.

City of Yes for Housing Opportunity – an inclusive, citywide approach to our City’s housing crisis that aims to expand and diversify the housing supply, and ensure that every neighborhood does its part to help meet housing needs and provide equitable access to housing for all New Yorkers. This proposal is expected to start public review next spring.

For any questions on City of Yes for Economic Opportunity, please email EconomicOpportunity@planning.nyc.gov.

Department of City Planning

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.

Nos Quedamos - WE ARE MELROSE 2023 - July 8th from Noon-6pm | Artist Spotlight

 

As We Stay/Nos Quedamos, Inc. prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary this coming Saturday, July 8, 2023 (from Noon to 6PM), appropriately theme "WE STAYED: And Flourished. NQ 3.0 - Past, Present & Future," we wanted to whet your appetite by highlighting the amazing artists, healers, and cultural performers participating in our annual 2023 WE ARE MELROSE Community Festival. The creative and diverse lineup includes storytellers and face-painters for young audiences, healers, poets and spoken word artists, and dance troupes and musical performers. The event will kick off with a special non-denominational spiritual blessing that leads to a street naming in honor of Nos Quedamos officiated by Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr. Download Flyer. The daylong celebration also includes a street naming ceremony in NQ's honor, as well as the 2023 Harvesting Culture Awards that recognize Bronxites whose dedicated contributions have made the Melrose Commons section of the Bronx and extended borough a better place for all (including a dynamic emerging trailblazer). This incredible community-based celebration is taking place at your favorite public community space Yolanda García Park (dedicated to the memory of Nos Quedamos' founder and first executive director). We look forward to sharing with you this coming Saturday—ALL ARE WELCOME!!

EVENT HOSTESS/MC

CARIDAD DE LA LUZ, a.k.a. “La Bruja,” is the Hostess/MC for this year's WE ARE MELROSE Community Festival. She is a Nuyorican (a New York-born Puerto Rican) poet, playwright, actress and activist. She is considered one of the leading spoken word poets in the world. In 2005, El Diario La Prensa, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in New York City, named De la Luz as one of the “Fifty Most Distinguished Latinas in the United States.” De la Luz made her debut as an artist in 1996, when she first took the microphone at the Nuyorican Poets Café and received a standing ovation. She has also shared her work on HBO’s Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam, and at the American Museum of Natural History. In 2022, she won an Emmy as Script Writer for Legacy of Puerto Rican Poetry on ABC, a cultural short produced in Puerto Rico. De la Luz lives in the Bronx.

EVENT BLESSING

ZAYDA RIVERA is the founder of Mindful Living with Z, which she launched in 2019 following a near-death experience. After more than a decade of practicing meditation and yoga, Z answered the call to take a deeper dive in healing modalities to heal herself and others. JOSÉ ORTIZ (DR. DRUM), is a nationally highly acclaimed professional on-stage performer, educator in Pan-African, Caribbean and Latin culture and is a self-taught percussionist of Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Dr. Drum is known as one of the Top National Afro Rican Bomba Artists.

STORYTELLERS AND POETS

MARÍA APONTE is a Poet/Author/Performance Artist/ Community Arts Activist/Educator. Two-time recipient of the International Latino Book Award. A 2021 honoree Bronx Book Fair for Community Service and Literary Excellence. Through poetry and storytelling Maria will engage the audience in positive healing through the spoken word on the importance of discovering your inner spiritual self to celebrate change and accepting the new. How do we learn from our abuelas and mothers the importance of keeping traditions alive and present to give us a foundation to plant and replant our seeds of joy.

JESÚS “PAPOLETO” MELÉNDEZ, also known as “Papo”, or “Papoleto”, (born June 13, 1950) is a New York-born Puerto Rican poet, playwright, teacher, and activist. He is a member of the Nuyorican Movement. He grew up during the Civil Rights Movement, Black Power movement, and the emergence of the Nuyorican Movement in East Harlem. His titles include the play The Junkies Stole the Clock (1974), and Hey Yo/Yo Soy! 40 Years of Nuyorican Street Poetry. His honors include a fellowship from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the Louis Reyes Rivera Lifetime Achievement Award, an Artist for Community Enrichment Award from the Bronx Council on the Arts, and a joint fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and Combined Arts of San Diego. Melendez lives in New York City.

BONAFIDE ROJAS is a poet, musician, artist, performer, and teacher, was born in New York on October 8, 1977. Although he spent part of his childhood in Levittown, Puerto Rico, Rojas was raised in the Bronx. In 2018, Rojas received the BRIO Award for Poetry from the Bronx Council on the Arts. In 2022, he was named an inaugural Letras Boricuas Fellow by the Flamboyan Foundation. Rojas resides in the Bronx & only wears red socks.

CULTURAL PERFORMERS (MUSIC AND DANCE)

KINTO ZONÓ  was formed in 2017, under the direction of Nelson “Mateo” Gonzalez (who grew up at Rincón Criollo in the South Bronx), Jorge “Georgie” Vazquez, and George “Nate” Velasquez. Kinto Zonó is an 11-piece ensemble consisting of two brass, piano, bass, and full-on percussion bringing the sounds of Puerto Rico with a modern twist and a New York style of playing plena and bomba. Kinto Zonó had the privilege to share stages such as Plena Libre, Bobby Sanabria, El Gran Combo and many more. Their mission is to keep the musical tradition of Puerto Rico alive and fresh with a New York attitude, and Kinto Zonó is in the forefront of these new musical innovations.

MAZARTE DANCE COMPANY is inspired by traditional Mexican dances and brings its folklore back to life, combining dance, research and indigenous art. Our work honors the cultural vastness of Mexico as they embody the fusion of Mexico’s old and new as part of Mazarte’s mission to preserve these dances for the community and generations to come. MazArte endeavors to create a union between dance, research and indigenous art to promote our Mexican cultural heritage, bring history to life and produce educational programs to our communities. We want to expand cultural awareness and an appreciation that will nurture diversity and inclusivity.

CHIEF JOSEPH CHATOYER DANCE COMPANY is committed to showcase Garifuna culture with an educational experience that involves drumming, singing and dancing as a means of preserving and raising awareness about our cultural heritage, language, history, and multiple-task dance forms. The Garifuna folkloric ballet company was founded in February 2009 in New York City with eight members, and named to honor the legacy of a brave Garifuna men who fought fearlessly against the European influence in defense of our territories in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and received a positive and overwhelming reception from our Garifuna community, especially from the younger generations who embraced our traditions as a connecting point to its related historical and cultural legacy.

MARIACHI REAL DE MÉXICO was founded in 1991 by Ramon Ponce and his son Ramon Ponce Jr. This year Mariachi Real de Mexico is proudly celebrating 31 year. Mariachi Real de Mexico is considered to be the ambassador of Mariachi music and the most important and sought after mariachi ensemble in New York City and the North East of the United States.

Click link or scan QR Code map for directions full event details.

Event Info

AIR QUALITY HEALTH ADVISORY ISSUED FOR NEW YORK CITY METRO AND LONG ISLAND REGIONS

 

In Effect for Wednesday, July 5, 2023

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the New York City Metro and Long Island regions for Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

 

The pollutants of concern are:

• Ozone for New York City and Long Island
• Fine Particulate Matter for New York City

The advisory will be in effect 11:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. 

 

Elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution were recorded primarily due to fireworks displays causing temporary spikes of PM2.5, not the Canadian wildfires. 

 

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

OZONE

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources of ground-level ozone and are the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere.

 

Ozone and PM2.5 are two different pollutants that form in different ways: PM2.5 is often produced directly as smoke from wildfires and other sources of small particles emitted into the air.

 

Ozone is not a direct emission, and is produced indirectly when sunlight chemically reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from automobile exhaust and industrial emissions. High ozone isn't as visible as PM2.5 because it's a colorless gas, but it will produce hazy skies and reduce visibility in high concentrations.

 

People, especially young children, those who exercise outdoors, those involved in vigorous outdoor work and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma) should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce your exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor.

 

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available.

FINE PARTICULATE MATTER

Fine particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g. vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

 

Exposure can cause short-term health effects such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.

 

When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking) levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high.

 

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps:

• use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;
• conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
• use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
• close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
• limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
• set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
• purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
• reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) has been established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest Air Quality situation.

Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5) / DOH's website (ozone).To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service.

 

The Wednesday, July 5, Air Quality Health Advisory regions consists of: New York City Metro, which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties; and Long Island which includes Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Comptroller Lander’s Latest COVID-19 Audit Reveals Weak Cost Controls Over Testing and Vaccination Sites

 

Comptroller’s Office issues letter to City Agencies detailing best practices for controlling costs in emergency procurements such as services for asylum-seekers

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released an audit of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH) handling of testing and vaccination services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, consistent with previous audits, highlights the lack of effective cost controls in the City’s emergency contracting. 

DOHMH primarily relied on vendors to set staffing levels at testing and vaccination sites, instead of implementing a comprehensive monitoring plan with clear standards for assessing contractor performance. Relying on vendors rather than agency monitoring resulted in inadequate cost controls and inefficient staffing for sites, despite successfully establishing testing and vaccination services in communities most affected by COVID-19. 

“Emergency contracting allows the City to stand up vital services in times of crisis, but demands heightened vigilance to safeguard the fiscal interests of the City. Our audit reveals significant weaknesses in the control mechanisms that impact past, present, and potentially future emergencies. By addressing these challenges head-on, agencies can better spend New York City’s taxpayer dollars wisely and efficiently, even in crises,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. 

The audit’s review of over $200 million in invoices revealed a significant discrepancy in costs. While the average cost per test was $405, the prices DOHMH paid varied from $202 to $937 per test, a wide range depending on the location. Similarly, the average cost per vaccination per site ranged $169 to $2,423. Underutilized sites led to huge cost variations and inflated costs when a smaller volume of tests or vaccines were administered.  

At certain sites, an excessive number of personnel unnecessarily escalated labor costs. Notably, the audit revealed significant findings: at the eight long-term testing sites, staff only administered a single test approximately every 1.61 hours open, and at the 23 long-term vaccination sites, staff administered one vaccination approximately every two hours.  

As agencies tackle the pressing humanitarian crisis stemming from the arrival of thousands of asylum seekers and as New York braces itself for future challenges like extreme weather events and health emergencies, City agencies must be prepared to effectively manage emergency spending costs. To accompany the audit, the Comptroller’s Office issued a letter to City Agencies detailing best practices for controlling costs in emergency procurements in the following areas:  

• Maximize competition in vendor selection to the fullest extent practicable. 
• Ensure strong contract terms and specific guidance to vendors to track and manage costs. 
• Conduct robust vendor oversight through contract compliance and enforcement. 
• Hold vendors accountable for problems, errors, and contract violations during the contract period, in performance evaluations, and in consideration of extensions or renewals. 
• Track and document spending to ensure maximum reimbursement from state and federal funding sources. 

While the urgency of emergency situations necessitates expedited processes, agencies must exercise diligence to mitigate risks, contain costs, and uphold financial responsibility to protect the best interests of New York City and its residents. 

“Our reviews have demonstrated a number of challenges that agencies face in handling emergency contracts, including lack of competition during the selection of vendors, weak contract terms for managing costs, and insufficient monitoring of vendors during implementation. […] Especially as multiple City agencies deploy emergency contracting to address the humanitarian crisis created by the arrival of tens of thousands of individuals seeking asylum, and as New York City prepares for future crises from extreme weather to future health emergencies, City agencies must be prepared to contain emergency spending costs,” wrote Deputy Comptroller for Audit Maura Hayes Chaffe in the letter to agencies. 

Read the audit of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene here. Read the Comptroller’s Office’s letter to agencies on vendor oversight and cost containment during emergency procurement here.