CITY OF NEW YORK AND AIRBNB REACH SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Airbnb will dismiss its lawsuit against the City and share listing information on a quarterly basis under new agreement

  Mayor de Blasio and Airbnb announced that Airbnb and the City of New York have reached a settlement agreement, establishing a new framework for the City’s local law that requires short-term rental platforms to share information about their listings. Under this agreement, Airbnb will dismiss its federal lawsuit against the City of New York, and the New York City Council will introduce an updated local law.

“Illegal hotel operators who flout the law at the expense of working New Yorkers have no place in our neighborhoods," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Finally, we’ll have the critical information we need to preserve affordable housing and keep our communities protected.”

 “We have long wanted to work with New York City on an effective regulatory framework, including information sharing -- this agreement achieves that,” said Christopher Lehane, Senior Vice President for Global Public Policy and Communications for Airbnb. “As we look toward the recovery of New York’s tourism economy, we hope this settlement will represent a continuing relationship and the first step on a path forward for our community citywide.”

  

“With this agreement, the City will have a powerful tool to detect those who hide behind fake accounts and address those who take housing away from New Yorkers,” said Christian Klossner, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement (OSE). “The revised law would not change in any way the current laws governing whether short-term rentals and their advertisements are legal.  We will be able to better protect our communities and visitors, and more fully understand the impacts of the illegal short-term rental market. Now more than ever, transparency is vital to the City’s ability to keep residents and travelers safe.”

Under this updated local law, short-term rental platforms would share information with the City on a quarterly basis. The report would include all listings that generate five or more nights of bookings per quarter, so long as the listing offers an entire home or allows three or more guests to stay at one time. Information will not be provided for private or shared room listings with two or fewer guest capacity; for listings that are rented for less than five nights per quarter; or for listings that are in qualifying traditional hospitality locations, based on a list the City will publish.

For all eligible listings, reports provided to the City would be required to include:

·      Physical address of the listing;

·  Host information (name, physical address, phone number, and e-mail address);

·      The name, number and URL of the listing;

·      Whether the short-term rental is for an entire unit or part of a unit;

·      The total number of days booked;

·      The amount received by the host for each transaction, as well as the account name and anonymized account identifier relating to those payments

The settlement is premised on the amendment of the current local law governing short-term rental reporting to reflect the above reporting framework.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Read the fine print, because the city will get very little if any reporting. Reporting must be bookings for five nights or more per quarter, for an entire house, or allows three or more guests to stay at one time. No listings for one or two people, or any booking that is less than five days. 

GET COOL NYC: MAYOR DE BLASIO UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON COVID-19 SUMMER HEAT PLAN

City has already installed 4,500 ACs for low-income seniors, an eight-fold increase from last year under the Home Energy Assistance Program; Public Service Commission approves City’s petition for $70 million in cooling subsidies for low-income New Yorkers 

  Mayor Bill de Blasio updated New Yorkers on the City’s efforts to keep vulnerable New Yorkers cool indoors this summer. The Get Cool NYC program addresses the higher risk for indoor heat exposure for New Yorkers this summer, due to staying inside for social distancing, especially for those most at risk of COVID-19 complications.

“Summer is upon us, and we must keep the most vulnerable New Yorkers cool and safe at home,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We're moving heaven and earth to get air conditioners to thousands of seniors in need, and I thank the Public Service Commission for approving our request to provide even more financial assistance to New Yorkers so they don't have to choose between keeping cool and putting food on the table.”

The City has reached out to over 180,000 low-income seniors, of which over 25,000 have requested air conditioning units. The City has installed 4,500 air conditioners so far, including over 1,900 in NYCHA buildings, and is ramping up to install as many as 74,000 air conditioners for low-income seniors this summer. The City has installed eight times more air conditioners in the apartments of low-income, vulnerable seniors in just the first few weeks of this program compared to the number of installations for all of last year under the Home Energy Assistance Program. This is a monumental undertaking to keep New Yorkers safe from the heat this summer and will offer protection for years to come.

The New York State Public Service Commission has also approved the City’s request to keep vulnerable low income New Yorkers safe in their homes by providing financial assistance with their summer utility bills. The $70 million in aid will provide much needed relief for approximately 440,000 families in New York City, providing up to $140 from June to October. Vulnerable New Yorkers are already dealing with the effects of this pandemic, and the additional funding is a lifeline to those who need it the most during these difficult times.

“As the summer starts to heat up, our most vulnerable New Yorkers should not have to choose between staying cool and paying the bills,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. “This decision from the Public Service Commission will impact hundreds of thousands of families throughout New York City for the better, when so many continue to grapple with this virus. As a City, we will continue to double down on our efforts to ensure that all New Yorkers have a safe and cool place to be when the summer heat hits.”

“Our primary goal is to ensure that our most vulnerable New Yorkers are prepared to beat the heat this summer, and this initiative is the catalyst for that preparation,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell. “The Public Service Commission’s important approval is a lifeline that will provide much needed financial reprieve to those who need it the most during these difficult times.”

“Extreme heat is potentially deadly and with COVID-19 keeping more New Yorkers indoors, the risks only increase,” Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot said. “The City’s efforts to keep New Yorkers cool are potentially life-saving. We can also look out for each other by checking in on friends, family members and neighbors who are sick, elderly, or disabled and may need assistance in a heat emergency.”

"Having an air conditioner doesn’t matter if you can’t afford to run it. The Public Service Commission’s decision is critical because it will unlock financial relief for hundreds of thousands New Yorkers to help them afford their utility bills this summer," said Jainey Bavishi, Director of the Mayor's Office of Resiliency. "Combined with our Get Cool NYC program, this decision will advance climate justice at a critical time, when the pandemic and global warming present a dual threat to the most vulnerable among us."

"As New Yorkers continue to socially distance and remain indoors, it's important that seniors have a home that is cool and safe this summer," said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. "High heat can be deadly, and the expansion of this program will help protect the most vulnerable."

“This summer will be especially challenging for the most vulnerable New Yorkers who are dealing with both the pandemic and the intense heat. With this all-hands-on-deck effort to ensure people can pay their cooling bills and to provide air conditioning units to those in need, the City is keeping our communities safe at a very delicate time,” said HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll. “I applaud Mayor de Blasio, his team and our partner agencies for pulling together this incredible program.”

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli: A Look at New York's Economy

A Look at New York's Economy

The current public health and economic crisis we are facing as a state, nation and world is something we have never dealt with before and it will continue to impact our state and local finances for the foreseeable future. Now more than ever we need partnership and communication between all levels of government. I renew my call for the federal government to provide financial assistance to the states and communities hit hard by COVID-19.

DiNAPOLI: LOCAL SALES TAX COLLECTIONS DROP
OVER 32 PERCENT IN MAY

Sales tax revenue for local governments in May fell 32.3 percent compared to the same period last year, according to State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Sales tax collections for counties and cities in May totaled $918 million, or $437 million less than 2019.

The sharp decline in revenues was widespread around the state, ranging from a drop of 19.5 percent in Westchester County to a 41.5 percent decline in Tioga County. Nearly every county in every region of the state saw a large drop in overall collections. New York City experienced a 31.9 percent decline, amounting to $196 million in lost revenues for a single month. One major influence is consumers’ online spending, now largely subject to the sales tax. Detail on this activity is not currently available.

“We anticipated that sales tax revenues would continue to drop because of COVID-19 but the May sales tax figures show just how deep it is cutting into municipal finances,” DiNapoli said. “Sales tax revenues are vital funding not only for the state but for municipalities like counties and cities as well. The federal government needs to step up and provide financial help to states and local governments hit hard by this virus to avoid severe cuts to critical services.”

DiNapoli reported that local sales tax collections dropped 24.4 percent in April, or $327 million less than collected in that month a year ago, after relatively modest losses in March collections.

Over the three-month period of the pandemic’s effects, local governments have received $824 million (19.2 percent) less in sales tax revenue than they did during that same period in 2019.

Governor Cuomo Announces Five Regions Will Enter Phase Three of Reopening Tomorrow

Global Public Health Experts Have Cleared Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier to Enter Phase Three

State is Allowing Localities to Open Public Pools and Playgrounds at their Discretion Beginning Today

Confirms 736 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 380,892; New Cases in 42 Counties

Governor Cuomo: "We have five regions that we have reviewed all the data, we have global experts who then go through the data, because sometimes if you look at the data you look at the underlying numbers you look at the underlying test you can see something but. We have the best experts that you can possibly have reviewing this. And they've reviewed it and five regions will enter Phase 3 tomorrow, Friday. Phase 3 is clearly indicated on the website what businesses can open, what businesses can't open."

Cuomo: "Also, a point of caution: I know businesses are anxious to open, everybody's anxious get the economy going. Please follow the guidelines and do what is permissible to do. People are very wary right businesses that are violating the opening rules. Restaurant's outdoor capacity that doesn't mean anyone inside. So, people call and we get complaints. The rules are clear... This is very serious. Short-term gain isn't worth long-term pain."

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that five regions—Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier - will enter phase three of reopening tomorrow, June 12th. The team of global public health experts advising New York State on its reopening strategy has thoroughly reviewed the data for the five regions and cleared them to enter phase three. Phase three allows indoor restaurant and food services and personal care services to resume. Each industry is subject to specific state guidelines to maximize safety and social distancing. Business guidance for phase three of the state's reopening plan is available here.

Governor Cuomo also announced that the state is allowing localities to open public pools and playgrounds at their discretion while following state guidance beginning today.

Comptroller Stringer Issues Subpoena for Investigation into the City’s Preparedness and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

  “The COVID-19 pandemic has wrought unspeakable pain, grief and economic hardship on New Yorkers across our city. Our most vulnerable neighbors — including communities of color, lower-income New Yorkers, seniors, immigrants, and single-parent and overcrowded households — were especially devastated by this crisis. Small businesses that closed to protect the public health are now struggling to make ends meet as our city reopens. The Administration owes New Yorkers an explanation of what they knew about this deadly virus, when they knew it, and what they did about it.

“As the City’s independent fiscal and oversight officer, I launched an investigation into city government’s preparedness and response to the pandemic to provide New Yorkers with a transparent, objective assessment of what worked and what we must do better. We requested documents be released on a rolling basis to ensure the production of these documents in no way inhibits the City’s ongoing response. But the City has refused to provide my office with any of the documents we need to conduct this investigation or even suggest a date when they would start producing them — documents received, created, or issued by City government officials and agencies related to the public emergency and its potential impact on residents and businesses in advance of the March 22nd statewide stay-at-home order.

“The Administration’s refusal to comply with our investigation is unacceptable. I am therefore issuing a subpoena for these documents, which should be turned over to our investigators expeditiously. Open and honest government is what New Yorkers deserve, and my office demands nothing less.”

KZA Realty Group Supports The Bronx With Two Major Real Estate Deals

  Despite the current coronavirus pandemic, KZA Realty Group has secured two major leasing deals that will continue to support the Bronx’s ever-growing economic development.

“It is during these difficult times that we find ourselves coming together. For that reason, we will continue to have the Bronx’s best interest in mind and pursue avenues of opportunities despite the outbreak of COVID-19” said Kathy Zamechansky, president of KZA Realty Group.

In her latest business transaction, Kathy Zamechansky represented the owner, Emanuel Kokinakas of Mega Group Inc., at 2558 Marion Avenue. It was purchased at the agreed upon price of $600,000 by Pedro Alvarez of APG Holding LLC, as represented by Nelson L. Castro of Diaz & Associates. This 4,900 square foot lot contains a pre-existing storefront, parking lot, and a one-family house with additional office space.

The second location, also represented by Kathy Zamechansky, was the lease of 1,730 square feet of commercial space at 1776 Boston Road. Duley Paniagua of KZA Realty Group, represented Rosemary Simo, M.D., and secured a 10-year base lease for the price of $682,109.75. Dr. Simo plans on opening her Compassionate Medical Practice in this space, which is conveniently located under the High Hawk Apartment Building. She also has the option of extending her lease for another 5 years at the rate of $438,509.43.

"The 174th Street corridor (neighborhood) has experienced substantial residential growth over the last 7 years.  Dr. Simo’s medical practice is sorely needed in the area.  Dr. Simo taking newly constructed commercial space will ensure medical services are provided in the area for years to come. Kathy and her team did a great job driving the lease to execution and providing fair terms for both the landlord and Dr. Simo" said Mark Bourbeau of Sycamore Birch Management.

The High Hawk is an 8-story mixed use affordable housing building with 72 apartments and almost 6,800 square feet of retail space. It is within walking distance to major transportation and the Bronx’s Crotona Park.

About KZA Realty Group

KZA Realty Group www.kzarealty.com is a commercial real estate brokerage and development consulting firm based in New York City. Founded in 1998 by real estate professional Kathy Zamechansky, KZA specializes in commercial planning, project management, community and government relations, finance, marketing, and communications. She may be contacted directly via cell at (347) 386-9452or email at kzama@aol.com.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES DONATION FROM SIGNATURE BANK TO SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY GRANT PROGRAM

  Mayor de Blasio announced today that Signature Bank (NASDAQ:SBNY), a New York-based full-service commercial bank, will donate $750,000 in funds to the Small Business Emergency Grant Program to further support small business owners who recently experienced damage to their storefronts during recent protests. This donation facilitated by Council Member Andrew Cohen, who connected Signature Bank with the City.

This donation will allow the program to provide individual grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses across the city. The grant will help impacted minority and women-owned businesses as well as those with annual revenues of less than $1.5 million, with their recovery efforts, including repairs, security systems, locks, inventory and more.

The City has already begun processing grant applications for small businesses in the Bronx, and with this donation, will also extend support to additional small businesses throughout other boroughs.

“Our small businesses are the heart of our neighborhoods, which is why we will do everything possible to get them back on their feet,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I want to thank Signature Bank for their donation to help us reach businesses across all five boroughs, especially our minority and women-owned businesses.”

“Signature Bank believes silence cannot be an option during these times. Condemning racism and expressing support for peaceful protests is simply not enough. We believe action must be taken to help reverse the injustices of racism throughout our community and this country,” explained Joseph J. DePaolo, President and Chief Executive Officer at Signature Bank.

“To this end, our $750,000 donation is earmarked specifically for helping restore minority, woman-owned and small businesses throughout the metro-New York area. Signature Bank believes in looking forward and giving back. As an institution founded in New York City with a focus on catering to small and mid-sized companies, our donation affords us the opportunity to support our fellow hometown businesses and the community at large as we all work together to revive this great city,” DePaolo concluded.

The Small Business Services' Emergency response team has been on the ground in impacted neighborhoods, assessing the level of need throughout the city and providing small business owners with resources and grant applications. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is aiding the Department of Small Business Services in its effort to minimize long-term setbacks to businesses as a result of storefront damage. The City is also providing emergency legal support, incident report support, and insurance claim support. Signature Bank's donation will allow this support to continue and expand throughout the city. 

“Small businesses impacted by looting are looking for the resources to help them recover and reopen and I am proud that additional funding has been added to assist them during this time,” said Jonnel Doris, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “NYC means business and as many business owners look to us, I want to ensure they get the continued support they need.”

"As our city comes together to build a new future that is fairer and more equitable, it is vital that the small businesses that are crucial to our neighborhood identities receive the support they need to rebuild and thrive in that future," said Toya Williford, Executive Director of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. "Through their hard work and ingenuity, small business owners have given so much to New York City. With the generosity of our partners, we're proud to extend a hand in solidarity and give back to them during this time."

500 Boxes of Groceries Given out by Councilman Andy King, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adam, and Others.

  Tuesday morning one lane of Gun Hill Road in front of Councilman Andy King's office was closed off so Fresh Direct could unload 500 boxes of groceries that were to be handed out to the community. An equal amount of face masks were also given to the community, 

Brooklyn Borough President and candidate for mayor in 2021 Eric Adam came all the way from Brooklyn to join Councilman King, to hand out the groceries. Larry Scott Blackmon Vice-President of Operation for Fresh Direct was also on hand. After the boxes of groceries were handed out Councilman King, BP Adams, and others held a press conference about the state of District 12 and the city.

Above - Larry Scott Blackmon Vice-President of Fresh Direct helps bring one of the 500 boxes of groceries donated by Fresh Direct, which is part of over one-hundred thousand boxes of groceries donated by Fresh Direct so far during the COVID-19 crisis.

Below- Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams talks over how the event will go.

Above - The food giveaway begins.

Below - After the boxes of food are given out there is a press conference with Brooklyn Borough President (and 2021 Mayoral candidate) Eric Adams.