City Council Budget

   Here is the link to the FY2012 New York City Budget which runs 712 pages. The budget is $66 billion dollars, and includes each and every member item that your local council member received. This year the council trimmed its pork by $9 million dollars down to $386 million dollars. Check to see what your local council member received, and for what organization.

   Restored were $6.5 million to all borough president budgets that the mayor had proposed cutting, and over $500,000 in restorations to the Public Advocates office. The council also restored many other cuts proposed by the mayor including restorations to the fire department to stop the proposed closing of 20 fire houses. 

   While proposed member items are not listed, it has been reported that Bronx Councilman Larry Seabrook currently under indictment for alleged fraud, still requested $400,000 in member items. 

Agenda

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting

Thursday, June 30, 2011 – 7:00 PM

DEP Community Office – 3660 Jerome Avenue, Bronx NY 10467 - (718) 231-8470

I  Welcome                        Father Richard Gorman, Chair

II Consider, Adopt 5/24/11 Meeting Minutes    CFMC Representatives

III Jerome Park Reservoir (JPR)             Mark Lanaghan, DEP
    DEP Follow up after 6-2 Public Hearing

IV Construction Update, Schedule & Costs        Vincent Moorehead, P.E., DEP
    Regular Report - also include status of

    $18,600,000 in CRO 311 for DEP/DPR MOU
    JPR Gate House 5, 6, 7;

Installation of Cap of Low Service Shaft

at Shaft & Meter Chamber (SMC)    

JPR Walls Core Sampling

    CRO 334 – Name of Project & Construction Managers,

& Timetable & Number of Bronx Jobs

    Status of Permits:

Sewer System Discharge

Harlem River Discharge

Emergency Discharge

    Sidewalk Closure at Gate House 6;

CSO at SMC;

   

Progress of Construction in Goulden Ave

   
    Status of Force Main                 Lauren Competello, P.E., DEP

V Current Report - Croton Jobs    Mark Lanaghan, DEP       

VI CFMC Discussion, Set Next Meeting        CFMC Representatives


VII Adjourn

LIU: DEP BILLING PRACTICES DON’T HOLD WATER 
Audit Finds Hotels Owed City $2.7 Million for Service

   New York City Comptroller John C. Liu announced that a recent audit determined that the City is owed nearly $2.7 million from approximately 70 hotels because the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) either did not properly bill them or failed to fully go after deadbeat customers.

“We’re pleased that DEP is finally collecting on this money we’ve identified,” said Comptroller Liu. “As water rates continue to soar and some residents are now threatened with lien sales because they can’t pay their bills, it’s only fair that DEP also collects from these major players.”

The hotels with outstanding balances were scattered across the City and included five-star luxury landmarks, downtown boutiques, airport chains, and single room occupancies. The unpaid bills fell into two categories:

1. Hotels that the DEP either did not bill or improperly billed;

2. Hotels that received bills and simply did not pay or did not abide by their payment agreements. 

Category 1:

Auditors found 20 hotels owed an estimated $1.1 million either because the DEP failed to bill them or they received incorrect bills.  These hotels included the W Hotel on Washington Street and the Ace Hotel. 

The DEP itself generally does not identify new hotels subject to water and sewer billing, but relies on licensed plumbers to request and return DEP permits. Not all plumbers follow this rule.  In these instances the DEP is left unaware of the new meter and cannot properly bill.  Hotels can go years without receiving water and sewer usage bills if the plumber installing the meter never informs the DEP.  In other cases, a plumber may install an incorrect meter and the DEP again cannot properly bill the hotel.

Some Category 1 hotels and their outstanding charges due the City include:

Lexington Marco LaGuardia Hotel	137-07 Northern Blvd. Queens	$127,804
Ace Hotel	1186 Broadway, Manhattan	$108,834
W Hotel	123 Washington Street, Manhattan	$76,657
Ravel Hotel	8-08 Queens Blvd. South, Queens	$41,815
Wyndham Garden Hotel Chelsea	37 W 24 ST, Manhattan	$39,566
Hotel Le Jolie	235 Meeker Avenue, Brooklyn	$30,815

                                                           

Category 2:

Another 49 hotels owed approximately $1.6 million because they were behind on their water and sewer bills. The DEP did not take action against 21 of these hotels, which had not paid a dime in six months, until the audit brought them to the agency’s attention.

Recommendations:

The agency agreed with four of the audit’s five recommendations, including:

§  The DEP should bill all hotels identified in the audit.  The DEP has stated that it has billed all identified hotels as of June 8.

§  The DEP should coordinate with the Department of Buildings to investigate why the 20 hotels obtained a certificate of occupancy without proper water metering and ensure the problem does not reoccur.

Background:

The DEP maintains 834,000 accounts for water and sewer service. There are 1,049 hotels that hold 1,509 of these accounts, which comprise some of the DEP’s customers that make heaviest use of water and sewer services.  The audit was launched in September 2010 in order to determine whether DEP properly billed hotels for water and sewer usage and collects on outstanding bills.  This audit covered water and sewer usage fees billed and collected through calendar year 2010.

Comptroller Liu credited Deputy Comptroller for Audit Tina Kim and the Audit Bureau for presenting their findings. The full report is available at http://comptroller.nyc.gov/audits.

LIU EXPANDS PENSION NYC WITH TWO NEW LIVE APPLICATIONS

   New York City Comptroller John C. Liu today launched the next phase of his Pension NYC initiative when an Online Library and Interactive FAQ went live this morning. Working in collaboration with the Boards of Trustees at the New York City Pension Funds, more information regarding the $122 billion pension systems is now publicly available than ever before.

The Online Library makes available to the public, for the first time in one convenient place, documents relating to the Pension Funds including Quarterly Pension Reports, Shareholder Resolutions, Meeting Agendas and Minutes, as well as Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.

The Interactive FAQ application includes dozens of frequently asked questions pertaining to the City’s Pension Funds. This database will continue to grow over time as more users participate. The new applications are available at

http://comptroller.nyc.gov/mymoneynyc/pensionnyc.

In addition to the Online Library and Interactive FAQ, Pension NYC also hosts live webcasts of the City’s Pension Board investment meetings and archives those sessions for public viewing. Announced on March 28, Pension NYC is a set of five online tools serving in addition to Comptroller Liu’s My Money NYC, which allows the public to closely track how the City spends tax dollars.

Sen. Klein, Bronx Borough President Diaz Welcome 1^st Van Nest Bank in 20 + Years

Cross County Branch Key Ingredient to Neighborhood Revitalization

Congressman Joseph Crowley, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Jeff Klein, and Cross County Bank President Anthony Milone cut the ribbon to open the new Van Nest branch.

Bronx, N.Y. – State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. proudly joined U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley and members of the Van Nest community today for the official opening of the first bank in the neighborhood in more than 20 years.

The bank, a branch of the Cross County Federal Savings Bank, opened its doors at 791 Morris Park Ave.

The absence of a bank has hampered community revitalization efforts and has been a cause of great inconvenience for neighborhood residents who have to travel to other neighborhoods to do their banking.

“For far too long Van Nest residents have gone without this very important resource,” Senator Klein said. “I am confident that this neighborhood now not only has a bank, but also an anchor to attract other stores and create a business district that is the key to Van Nest's revitalization.”

“This new bank has been a major priority for the Van Nest community for many years, and I am proud to have partnered with State Senator Jeff Klein to make its opening a reality,” said Bronx Borough President Diaz. “Not only will this branch of Cross County Federal Savings Bank offer neighborhood residents a new, much needed, banking option, it will drive traffic to Morris Park Avenue, bringing new customers to the area’s existing businesses.”

In December 2009, Senator Klein, with Community Board 11, the Morris Park Merchant Alliance, and Van Nest community leaders , held a meeting with more than two dozen financial institutions in an effort to have a bank come to Van Nest. From that meeting, it was Cross County who expressed an interest in expanding into the neighborhood.

Senator Klein and Borough President Diaz worked with bank officials to get the location of the bank designated a Banking Development District, which would allow Cross County access to State and City deposits as well as needed property tax abatements.

“We are looking forward to a long relationship with the Van Nest community,” said Cross County Federal Savings Bank President Anthony Milone. “I thank Senator Klein, Bronx Borough President Diaz and community members for partnering with us to help make today possible.”

"The new bank is a positive sign that business exists in the Bronx if you take the right aggressive approach,” said Morris Park Alliance President  Bob Ruggiero. “Cross County has opened a new branch right in the midst of a half dozen other new businesses on a commercial strip poised for a Renaissance."

"Our Van Nest Community can finally start moving forward and building towards more financial security with the services that Cross County Federal Savings will provide for our residents," said Bernadette Ferrara, Vice President of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance. "Having a bank back in our Van Nest Community is a clear indication that Van Nest is back and here to stay.

 

City Parks Foundation proudly announces
SUMMERSTAGE 

Presented by AT&T

SummerStage Launches in the Bronx Featuring Special Commissioned Works for

Music, Dance and Theater

Summerstage is in the Bronx June 28 – July 19

New York, NY– City Parks Foundation SummerStage is New York’s largest free performing arts festival. The 2011 SummerStage season runs from June 7^th to September 2^nd and offers over 100 performances in 18 parks across the 5 boroughs.^.  The festival will be in the Bronx from June 28 to July 19th and will provide Bronx residents with a diverse range of free concerts, dance and theater performances in their community parks.  SummerStage fills a vital niche in New York City’s summer arts festival landscape and has entertained more than six million people from New York City and around the world since its establishment 26 years ago.

Musical highlights from this season in the Bronx include a global cast of the best Latin musical artists including CHRIS ALFINEZ, TONY VEGA, RAY SEPULVEDA, the Afro-Caribbean group XCSTACY and hip-hop legends BLACK SHEEP, SLICK RICK and DJ BRUCIE B among other top notch artists.

Dance enthusiasts will be visually enthralled with flamenco, tap and African performances.  The all-female flamenco company, PASIÓN Y ARTE celebrates their 10^th anniversary. They will perform excerpts from four of their major works choreographed by Elba Hevia y Vaca and will include an introductory flamenco dance class.  ON TAP will share the intrinsic artistry of tap dancing with audiences.  OPUS DANCE THEATER and DANCE IQUAIL! will exemplify the universal language of dance through swift movements with works that confront issues like racism, substance abuse, poverty and promote the importance of family unity.

“Every year SummerStage consistently hosts a selection of high quality arts programming in various parks throughout the Bronx,” said James Burke, City Parks Foundation’s Director of Arts & Cultural Programming. “New Yorkers and visitors alike can now visit the Bronx to discover talent at SummerStage that is as artistically and culturally diverse as the neighborhoods themselves.”

This season, City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage has also commissioned a number of artists to create unique programs that will premiere at SummerStage. These programs span the worlds of music, dance and theater and feature some of the brightest rising stars as well as several critically acclaimed artists. These distinctive programs further SummerStage’s dedication to not only presenting the best artists from around the world but to also play an active role in promoting artistic creativity.

 

SummerStage 2011 Bronx Schedule

Park	Borough	Artist	Date	Show	Type
Soundview Park	Bronx	Black Sheep / Peter Gunz / DJ Kid Capri Presented in Association with Globe Star Media	Tuesday, June 28	7:00 PM	Concert
Soundview Park	Bronx	Larry Harlow and Latin Legends Band	Wednesday, June 29	7:00 PM	Concert
Soundview Park	Bronx	Hector Tricoche / Chris Alfinez	Thursday, June 30	7:00 PM	Concert
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Pasión y Arte with On Tap All Levels Open Dance Master Class by Elba Hevia y Vaca	Friday, July 01	7:00 PM Master Class 8:00 PM Performance	Dance
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	OPUS Dance Theater with Dance IQUAIL! All Levels Open Dance Master Class by Jamel Gaines	Saturday, July 02	7:00 PM Master Class 8:00 PM Performance	Dance
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Lavoe All Stars cantando Renzo Padilla / 8 y Más Presented in Association with Globe Star Media and La Mega	Tuesday, July 05	7:00 PM	Concerts
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Tony Vega Presented in Association with Globe Star Media and La Mega	Wednesday, July 06	7:00 PM	Concerts
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Ray Sepulveda / Chris Alfinez Presented in Association with Globe Star Media and La Mega	Thursday, July 07	7:00 PM	Concerts
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Sangre By Mando Alvardo Directed by Jerry Ruiz Adapted from Blood Wedding ByFederico García Lorca SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner	Friday, July 08	8:00 PM	Theater
St. Mary’s Park	Bronx	Sangre By Mando Alvardo Directed by Jerry Ruiz Adapted from Blood Wedding By Federico García Lorca SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner	Saturday, July 09	8:00 PM	Theater
Crotona Park	Bronx	Slick Rick / DJ Brucie B	Tuesday, July 12	7:00 PM	Concert
Crotona Park	Bronx	Xcstacy	Wednesday, July 13	7:00 PM	Concert
Crotona Park	Bronx	Sangre By Mando Alvardo Directed by Jerry Ruiz Adapted from Blood Wedding By Federico García Lorca SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner	Friday, July 15	8:00 PM	Theater
Crotona Park	Bronx	Sangre By Mando Alvardo Directed by Jerry Ruiz Adapted from Blood Wedding By Federico García Lorca SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner Public Theater presents: Summer ShakeUp! – A free theater workshop for youth	Saturday, July 16	10:00 AM Summer ShakeUp! 8:00 PM Performance	Theate

FREE BEETHOVEN CONCERT

POP-UP PIANO IN KILMER PARK

(Bronx, NY) – World-famous pianist, Emir Gamsizoglu, will perform Beethoven in Joyce Kilmer Park, (161st. & Grand Concourse) Wednesday, June 29 at 4 & 6 PM. The free concert, Drama in Beethoven, will feature his sonatas.
The concert will be given on a Pop-Up Piano which has been placed in the park by Sing for Hope. It is one of 88 pianos placed by the group around New York City in public plazas, squares and parks. The Bronx has eleven.
As it was last year, the 161st Street Business Improvement District is the local ‘piano buddy’ for its duration in Kilmer. The Spinet is being unlocked daily until July 1 and will be accessible to anyone – amateur or professional – who wants to tickle the keys.
To schedule a performance, contact the BID at (718) 590-5433.
More information on Emir: http://www.emirgamsizoglu.com
More information on Pop-Up Pianos: http://pianos.singforhope.org/
The 161st Street BID is one of 64 across New York City managed by The Department of Small Business Services, Commissioner Rob Walsh.

New York Passes Marriage Equality Bill

   On Friday Night June 24th Bill #1545 as it was called the "Marriage Equality Act" passed the New York State Senate by a vote of 33 to 29 at 10:30 PM. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law at 11:55 PM, and in 30 days New York State will join the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Washington D.C. in legalizing gay marriage. 

  

   There were four senators who spoke on Bill #1545 either for or against the bill. Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. spoke against the bill, and in his lengthy debate he was interrupted by Senate President Robert Duffy (the Lieutenant Governor) more than once calling for Senator Diaz to wrap it up. Senator Tom Duane spoke in favor of the bill, by explaining his life after he came out as a homosexual, and his quest to get equal rights for other gay people.  Duane ended by saying that he and his life partner Louis could now be married in New York State. Senator Mark Grisanti explained his Catholic upbringing, and now that amendments to protect religious institutions were added into Bill #1545 and that as a lawyer he could now vote in the affirmative. 

   After a brief recess to go over procedure the last senator to speak was Senator Carl Kruger (who is facing a federal indictment on several items) said that when this issue came up in 2009 that he voted no, but after talking to his good friend Senator Duane and others that he would vote yes tonight this time. 

   The only Democrat to vote against Bill #1145 was Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. who is a Pentecostal minister. The four Republicans who voted yes were Senators James Alesi (Rochester), Mark Grisanti (Rochester area), Roy McDonald (Albany area), and Stephen Saland (Poughkeepsie).  

   Statements are coming in from all over such as this one from New York State Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs. "Last nights vote on Marriage Equality was an historic moment for New York State. Now all New Yorkers will be able to marry whomever they choose. I applaud the efforts of both Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature for their commitment to this issue." 

   Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said that he now has two marriages to look forward to.  One being that of his niece Erica Diaz and the other of his Chief of Staff Paul Del Duca (both openly gay).