|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bronx Politics and Community events
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a first-of-its-kind floating swimming pool in city waters — expanding swimming access and addressing equity gaps for city residents as extreme heat events rise. Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul announced that the city and state will jointly fund a +Pool — a water-filtering, floating, portable pool that will offer New Yorkers a new space to swim in the waters surrounding New York City.
“When we came into office two years ago, we had a mission: Protect public safety, revitalize the economy, and make this city more livable for hardworking New Yorkers. Every day, we are delivering on this vision for New Yorkers, including by investing in our children’s safety with new swimming infrastructure,” said Mayor Adams. “I’m proud to partner with Governor Hochul to bring the +Pool, a unique and innovative swimming pool, to New York City — expanding access to swimming for all New Yorkers.”
“As part of my new NY SWIMS initiative — the Statewide Investment in Municipal Swimming — I’m proud to partner with Mayor Adams to advance a long-stalled, innovative floating pool concept: the +Pool,” said Governor Hochul. “Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and extreme heat is making the need for safe summer recreation more urgent than ever. NY SWIMS is a bold ambitious plan to tackle this issue here in New York City and across the State of New York.”
“Whether you are a young person taking swimming lessons or an older adult enjoying recreational time cooling off in the water, increased swimming access is a benefit to all New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “We are hopeful that this unique project will ultimately result in expanded access to swimming, help address equity access gaps, and show how a strong city-state partnership can benefit the community and the environment.”
“With ever-rising and more frequent heat waves, we need to be bold and creative on the ways New Yorkers can stay cool,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “With today’s announcement we are expanding our cooling efforts as well as our aquatic footprint, using our waterways for double duty — fun and safety. We’re just getting started.”
“Public pools play a vital role in New York City by providing recreational opportunities, access to water safety instruction, and critical relief from increasingly hot summers,” said New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Today’s announcement is a much-needed investment in our city’s future, and one that will enhance equity by increasing swim access for all New Yorkers.”
The +Pool will be tested in the summer of 2024 and, after fulfilling all health and safety requirements, is scheduled to be opened to the public next year. To help ensure floating pools meet all appropriate public health standards, the New York State Department of Health is releasing new guidance covering this new category of swimming pools.
Today’s announcement builds on the city’s work to expand access to swimming pools across New York City, including $147 million for a new recreation center with an indoor pool at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans, Queens, and the $141 million Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center with an indoor pool in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. NYC Parks is one of the largest providers of free swim classes in the city and their free, year-round aquatics programming allows New Yorkers to make swimming a lifetime recreation and fitness habit.
Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!
Shabbos
Sunday’s Sisterhood meeting is cancelled due to weather
Thursday,January 11 – Rosh Chodesh – Shevat
Your opinion is requested
The VCJC Board has had discussions about having group meetings that we have not quite clarified as a book club, a current events discussion group, a mix of those, or something else. Please send us an email with your thoughts on the matter. We are interested in whether this is something you would attend and participate in, how frequently you think it should meet, what mix of topics it should address, and any other thoughts you might have. Even if you find this of either no interest or of no value, please let us know. Thanks in advance.
Our mailing address is:
Community Leaders Will Pose Questions Based on Community Feedback about City of Yes Proposal
Event Comes as the Zoning Initiative is Being Considered by Community Boards, Borough Boards, and Borough Presidents
Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick announced that the agency will host a virtual online information session to answer frequently asked questions about the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity proposal. To be held on Tuesday, January 9 at 11:00 am via Zoom, the event will offer a venue for community leaders to ask DCP questions that have been raised during the public review of the proposal. RSVP here.
City of Yes for Economic Opportunity, the second of Mayor Adams’s three City of Yes zoning initiatives, would support small businesses and entrepreneurs, revitalize commercial corridors, boost growing industries, and bolster the city’s industrial sector. DCP held five info sessions before the start of public review, and has made over 100 presentations to community and borough boards since the formal public review process began on October 30.
Tuesday’s event aims to provide a convenient online forum for interested New Yorkers from across the city to get answers to the most commonly-heard questions from these meetings, and dispel any misconceptions or unanswered questions about the proposal. Community leaders representing a diverse array of neighborhoods and stakeholders will bring questions for DCP: Kevin Guscott, a small business owner and Special Projects Manager for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Rafael Espinal, Executive Director of the Freelancers Union; and Laura Rothrock, President of Long Island City Partnership. A recording and transcript of the event will be available online after it concludes.
The event comes during community boards’, borough boards’, and borough presidents’ formal review period on the proposal, which includes 18 proposed changes to the city’s zoning regulations. 4 community boards have already voted in support of the proposal, while 4 have voted to disapprove. On January 24, the City Planning Commission (CPC) will hold a public hearing, followed by a vote in the spring; if the CPC votes to approve the initiative, the City Council will hold a hearing and vote to approve, modify, or disapprove the proposal.
City of Yes for Economic Opportunity is the second of three City of Yes initiatives to update New York City’s zoning for a more sustainable, prosperous, and affordable city. The first, City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality, was adopted by the City Council in December, lifting barriers to clean energy and sustainability efforts like building retrofits, solar panels, electric vehicle charging, and more. The third, City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, aims to build a little more housing in every neighborhood. It is currently undergoing environmental review and will begin formal public review in the spring.
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.
Agency Continues to Monitor Potential Winter Storm
The New York City Department of Emergency Management has issued a weather alert for Saturday, January 6 into Sunday, January 7, 2024. According to the National Weather Service, light snow and a wintry mix begin early Saturday afternoon, becoming increasingly likely by the evening. Rain continues to mix with snow overnight, particularly along the coast, with precipitation tapering off Sunday morning. Spotty snow showers may continue through the afternoon or early evening. Wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph overnight and minor coastal flooding on Sunday morning will also be possible.
The current forecast calls for snowfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches in the northern boroughs with less than half an inch along the coast. If conditions trend colder, reasonable worst-case amounts of 3 to 5 will be possible in the northern boroughs, with 1 to 2 inches elsewhere across the city. Snowfall is expected to be wet, so full accumulation is not expected. Slick roadways and minor travel impacts will be possible during periods of snow. Icy conditions are not expected at this time.
“With initial forecasts predicting a potentially significant storm hitting the tri-state area this weekend, our agencies are prepared to handle anything that’s thrown our way,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We’ll continue to keep New Yorkers updated about what to expect and our preparations for the storm. As always, the best way to stay safe is to stay informed – so sign up for Notify NYC to get the latest information directly from the city.”
“As the tri-state area anticipates a winter weather system this weekend that could bring substantial impact, New York City’s agencies are prepared and are actively coordinating with the National Weather Service and our utility partners to ensure a comprehensive response to mitigate and address any potential effects from this weather,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “I encourage all New Yorkers to closely monitor the forecast and to subscribe to Notify NYC, the city’s free verified emergency alert system.”
“Thanks to historic investments in the Sanitation Department, we have the highest uniformed headcount in decades heading into this winter. We are ready for whatever Mother Nature throws our way,” said New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
NYC Emergency Management has conducted coordination calls and briefings with the National Weather Service, partner city and state agencies, and infrastructure and utility companies. NYCEM has enhanced staffing at its Watch Command, which maintains 24/7 surveillance and response over weather developments and emergency situations, ensuring continuous monitoring, readiness, and interagency coordination. Additionally, it has bolstered its Response Unit to provide support to the city’s field operations and ensure the provision of emergency logistics and communications. Furthermore, NYCEM’s Emergency Operations Center, which is currently active for asylum seeker operations, remains fully operational as a hub of coordination and response, enabling the city to effectively manage multiple ongoing operations simultaneously.
NYC Emergency Management offered New Yorkers tips on staying safe before, during, and after winter storms: https://www.nyc.gov/site/em/
Safety Tips