MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES BOLD NEW VISION FOR THE CITY’S M/WBE PROGRAM

Creation of new Mayor’s Office of M/WBEs

30 percent of the dollar amount of City Contract awards to M/WBEs by 2021

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a bold new vision for the City’s Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) program.

First, the Mayor announced that he has appointed Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery as the new Director of the City’s M/WBE program. He will be supported by the recently announced M/WBE Senior Advisor Jonnel Doris, and together they will shape policies and submit recommendations to increase contracting opportunities.

The Mayor also announced the creation of the Mayor’s Office of M/WBEs, which will be focused on fostering the success of minority- and women-owned businesses and coordinating the work of other City offices, including the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services and the Department of Small Business Services, that administer the City’s M/WBE programs. Through this office, the City will increase agency accountability and ensure access for businesses that want to contract with the City. The office will also serve as a one-stop-shop for M/WBEs to connect with various City agencies.

   Central to these improvements, the Mayor has set an ambitious goal of awarding at least 30 percent of the dollar amount of City contracts to M/WBEs by 2021. These would include prime and subcontracts with Mayoral and certain non-Mayoral agencies. The City is adding resources to the Department of Small Business Services and the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services to execute plans to meet the 30 percent goal. This includes increased funding for capacity building programs, free services to help strengthen City-certified M/WBEs, including connections to bonding, teaming, mentorship and one-on-one technical assistance, and resources to help City agencies improve their M/WBE program.

In addition to increasing access to City services and opportunities, the Mayor is ensuring that M/WBEs have access to City capital by improving upon the City Contract Financing Loan program. The loan program will be a revolving fund capped at a 3 percent APR, the lowest of its kind in the entire state among government-funded programs. Eligible M/WBEs will be able to apply for loans of up to $500,000. The loan program will be available to companies that are certified M/WBEs or in the process of M/WBE certification, as well as small businesses that cannot access financing from traditional sources.

“As a city, we are committed to ensuring that all people – regardless of race, gender or ethnicity – have the means to succeed in our economy. It is a fact that when minority- and women-owned businesses have the opportunity to participate in our economy, communities across New York City and the City as whole thrive,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With the new Office of M/WBEs and Deputy Mayor Buery’s leadership, we are in a stronger position to continue delivering results for the City’s M/WBEs.”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “Improving and expanding New York City’s M/WBE program will help us reach our goal of achieving true equality in economic opportunity so that all New Yorkers are able to thrive and contribute to the city’s economy. By offering women and minorities more supportive services, increased access to information about potential opportunities and low interest loans, we can open doors for them to do business with the City. I would like to thank Mayor de Blasio for his commitment to improving opportunities for women and minorities and his determination to make the program as successful as possible.”

"For far too long, woman- and minority-owned businesses have too often been shut out of City contracts making it harder for them to take advantage of opportunities to work with the City," said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. "This Council has made it a top priority to make government contracting more inclusive of underrepresented businesses and doing everything in our purview to bridge that gap and provide those opportunities for M/WBE's. Just recently, the Council passed a package of bills that will hold agencies accountable for meeting the goals of the M/WBE program and to promote efforts for greater collaboration. I want to thank my Council colleagues for their commitment to M/WBE's and the Administration for taking steps to help strengthen the M/WBE program."

“As the most diverse city in the world, it is critical that we support our small businesses owned by women and people of color,” said Public Advocate Letitia James. “This new commitment to M/WBEs will help propel our businesses, increase opportunities, and boost the middle class. I'm pleased to work with Mayor de Blasio on this critical issue and look forward to doing even more to support working families in our city."

“Minority- and women-owned businesses have long been a vital part of New York City’s rich and diverse economy. Today’s announcement deepens the City’s commitment to ensuring that they can flourish,” saidRichard Buery, Deputy Mayor of Strategic Policy Initiatives. “By honing in on an aggressive goal to award 30 percent of the dollar value of City contracts to minority and women business owners over five years, we will create an economy that works for everyone.”

"Creating the Mayor's Office of Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises and committing significant additional City resources to expanding those business’ opportunities for growth will benefit New York City as a whole," said Jonnel Doris, Senior Advisor for M/WBEs. "I am honored to implement the Mayor's plan to bring economic prosperity to these skilled entrepreneurs."

These announcements come on the heels of record-breaking dollar value of City contract awards to M/WBEs. In the first two years since the Mayor set his OneNYC goal of awarding $16 billion to M/WBEs in contracting opportunities, the City has awarded $3.54 billion dollars to M/WBEs.

In addition, the Department of Small Business Services has reached a historic number of M/WBE certifications. To date, SBS has certified over 4,500 M/WBE firms, a 23 percent increase since the beginning of this administration. With this in mind, the Mayor has set a new goal to double the number of certified and re-certified M/WBEs at the Department of Small Business Services from 4,500 to 9,000 by 2019. This will ensure more M/WBEs can compete for City contracts and increase their ability to sustain their businesses.

There are impediments in State law that deny the City some of the tools and flexibility it needs to maximize M/WBE participation. As part of today’s announcements, the Mayor renewed his call for the passage of a State law to give New York City the tools it needs to bring opportunities to more M/WBEs. Those changes will be critical to New York City’s ability to achieve its ambitious targets.

"Under the leadership of Mayor de Blasio, the Department of Small Business Services has certified an all-time-high number of minority- and women-owned businesses and enterprises to do business with the city,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. “With additional funding being deployed for capacity building, our department is boldly aiming to double this historic number of business certifications by 2019. These efforts will help ensure that city contractors reflect the rich diversity of our city and our business community.”

“The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services is committed to encouraging an inclusive and competitive business environment – one that reflects the diversity of this City. In the past two years, we have made progress in leveling the playing field for minority- and women-owned businesses. We are excited to work with Deputy Mayor Buery, Jonnel Doris and the Office of M/WBEs as they lead the effort to further increase opportunities for M/WBEs,” said Michael Owh, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services.

“The New York City Department of Design and Construction greatly values the contributions of M/WBEs and in Fiscal Year 2015 awarded $242 million in contracts to them – over a third of the agency’s total contract amount for the year,” said DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora. “DDC, through its Office of Diversity and Industry Relations, hosts a number of events and programs to introduce M/WBEs to upcoming projects and how to navigate the City procurement process. A centralized M/WBE office further demonstrates the Administration’s commitment to creating an equitable and competitive business environment that facilitates procurement opportunities for the City’s M/WBE community.”

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES NEW NONPROFIT RESILIENCY COMMITTEE

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the creation of the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee to offer opportunities for collaboration and to expand lines of communication between the City and the nonprofit human service sector. The Committee is charged with identifying, designing and launching solutions to support the sector in the areas of administrative processes, service and program design and organizational infrastructure.

The Committee will be co-chaired by Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio and Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery. The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services will help coordinate the Committee with support from the Mayor’s Office of Operations and Office of Management and Budget. Committee members include nonprofit executive directors, philanthropy leaders and members of academia who were invited to represent the diversity and range of New York City’s human service sector. City human service agencies will participate in Committee workgroups to support effective implementation of new solutions.

“Nonprofit organizations are important partners in improving the lives of countless New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “But we want a fuller partnership with these organizations so that we may work together on a range of issues, from policy guidance to more operational matters. We are always looking to serve New Yorkers in a better, more effective way.”

“Nonprofit organizations provide a tremendous service to New York City and have a long history of working with government to create change and improve lives,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio. “As our Administration moves forward with a number of ambitious initiatives, it is critical that we have a strong and vibrant nonprofit sector to help us achieve our goals. I look forward to co-chairing the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee and working with its members to begin a sustained and engaged conversation around the pressing issues facing the sector today.”

"Before joining New York City government under the leadership of Mayor Bill de Blasio, I spent my entire career founding, leading and growing non-profit organizations focused on fundamental issues of equality. In all of that work, effective partnership with government was critical. Without it, our ability to do our important work was limited; with it, anything is possible,” said Richard Buery, Deputy Mayor of Strategic Policy Initiatives. “I am so excited by the opportunity to improve the ways that government and the nonprofit sectors work together. By doing so, we build a stronger city, and advance the values of equity and opportunity that we all hold dear.”

“So much of what makes New York City great – our embrace of newcomers, our commitment to equality, and our belief that everyone has something to contribute - is sustained by the hard work of our nonprofit partners,” said Michael Owh, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services. “We are eager to work even closer in pursuit of our common goals through the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee.”

"Non-profits are the City's critical service partners in our shared effort to reduce poverty and broaden opportunity," said Matt Klein, Executive Director of the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity and Senior Advisor at the Mayor’s Office of Operations. "Through the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee, we aim to deepen this relationship and work together even more strategically to achieve positive outcomes for New Yorkers."

The inaugural meeting of the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee will take place on September 29, 2016. The Committee will be an ongoing endeavor, with quarterly meetings scheduled.

STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER ANDY KING WHO JOINED COUNCIL MEMBER JUMAANE WILLIAMS IN PROTEST DURING PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

   “We’ve learned the Pledge of Allegiance since we were children.  The action today was not about our allegiance to the flag.  Today is about a conversation that America tends to run from, which is the discrimination of Black Americans. The acts of discrimination are a real problem in America.  Now is the time to unite and say ‘No more!’” If we decide to sit down during the Pledge of Allegiance or at any given moment, who are you to determine how we get our message out?  So we’re going to sit down with Council Member Jumaane Williams. The message to America is: wake up because it’s time for us to shine and be better people.”

CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PASSES CM COHEN'S LEGISLATION ON HEALTH SCREENINGS, REPORTS AND SHARING OF HEALTH RECORDS FOR ARRESTEES

  On Wednesday, September 28th, the New York City Council unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Council Member Andrew Cohen that requires the City of New York to perform mental health screenings of all individuals who are brought to criminal courts for arraignment, as well as mandates more extensive gathering and sharing of health records within the criminal justice system.

The legislation, Introduction 1183, was introduced in May 2016, and heard by the Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Disability Services, chaired by Council Member Cohen, on September 22, 2016. It was passed with a package of related legislation increasing oversight of the quality of life of persons incarcerated in the city’s Department of Correction facilities, including women with newborn children. 

“The driving goal of this legislation is to ensure that individuals entering the justice system are treated in a humane and sensitive manner,” said Council Member Cohen.

The new measure sponsored by Council Member Cohen requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to ensure that every arrestee brought to a criminal court for arraignment is screened for possible mental health issues prior to being arraigned, and to create a report for such individuals. It also requires that agency to request the health information of any arrestee treated by any health care provider while in NYPD custody. This health information, in addition to any other records which would assist DOHMH in treating the inmate while in custody, are to be requested and utilized in support of the individual’s care and wellbeing.

Council Member Cohen added:  “This change in the law mandates more extensive gathering and sharing of health records and reports while an inmate is in custody. All of this information would be made available to correctional health services during their first evaluation of an inmate, to ensure a continuity of care for that individual.  Everyone involved in the system will be better off if this legislation passes.

Explosion rocks Kingsbridge Neighborhood

  Members of the Police, Fire, EMS, and Federal Authorities look at the damage caused by an explosion in the second floor of a two story brick building at the corner of Tibbett Avenue and West 234th Street. As early as of 6 AM there were calls to 911 complaining of an odor of gas. NYFD and NYPD responded and shortly afterwards there was an explosion. NYFD Commissioner Daniel Nigro said that FDNY 19th Battalion Chief Michael J. Fahy was fatally struck with a portion of the building after it exploded.  

   In all the additional injuries according to Commissioner Nigro were six police officers, three Con Edison workers, two civilians, and nine firefighters. Commissioner Negro added that none of those injuries appeared to be life-threatening. 

   In response to a reporters question at the hospital where Chief Fahy and others were taken NYPD Police Commissioner James O'Neil that there is now an ongoing investigation as to whether the explosion site was a 'Drug Lab' or 'Grow House for Marijuana'. As for the reason of the explosion, NYPD Commissioner O'Neil said that the FDNY arson squad will be the lead agency on finding out the cause of this explosion. He added that there were no arrests at the time. 

Above - A front view of the building where the explosion took place at the corner of Tibbett Avenue and West 234th Street.

Below - A view of the rear of the house where the explosion took place.

   The following statement about all flags to fly at half staff was issued by Mayor Bill de Blasio - As a mark of respect for the memory of FDNY Battalion Chief Michael J. Fahy, who lost his life today in the line of duty, all flags shall be flown at half-staff immediately and from sunrise to sunset until interment, by order of the Mayor of the City of New York, Bill de Blasio. This includes all flags—the New York State and City flags, and the POW-MIA flag on all City buildings, as well as stationary flagstaffs throughout the five boroughs.

  State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Councilman Andrew Cohen  the elected officials of the explosion area issued the following joint statement - “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of FDNY 19th Battalion Chief Michael Fahy who this morning lost his life heroically serving our district. Fahy bravely and selflessly entered this home despite the danger, and his ultimate sacrifice, his character, and his commitment to this City will be remembered by all of us. He embodies the meaning of ‘The Bravest.’

We also hope for a quick recovery for the firefighters, police officers and civilians who were injured during this devastating explosion that rocked our quiet neighborhood.”

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR KIPS BAY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM

State Senator Jeff Klein announced $30,000 in funding for Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club on Saturday at Kips Bay Boys and Girls Lucile Palmaro Clubhouse at Kips Bay’s annual “Day for Kids”. Hundreds of families gathered at the clubhouse to enjoy the celebration, which included arts and crafts, food, games, give-aways, music,  and more.  

As a result of Senator Klein’s funding, Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club increased enrollment at its popular after-school programs at PS 304 Early Childhood School and MS 101 The Edward R. Byrne School.  Children, in grades 1 - 8, can now enjoy sports, such as swimming, basketball, ice skating, soccer and kickball.  They will receive academic counseling and homework help from instructors after school to ensure their educational success. Students can also participate in a performing arts program and enhance their technical skills with access to computers.

“I’m so proud that with my $30,000 in funding our children will have access to vital academic resources and meaningful enrichment activities throughout the school year.  Students will enjoy the stellar performing arts program and also can participate in a variety of sports, which will foster team building skills.  They will also receive tutoring, mentoring, homework assistance, and test preparation to enhance their scholastic performance.  Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club truly meets the needs of our youngsters,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

 

“Our annual “Day for Kids” fall street fair is a wonderful occasion bringing together current club members and their families, club alumni, community leaders, local merchants and public officials. I am delighted to accept State Senator Jeff Klein’s check presentation for $30,000 in support of our after- school programming at PS 304/MS 101 . Senator Klein has been a strong supporter of Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club with both operating grants, and capital allocations such as his 2015 award for the digital fine arts center that we are building at the flagship Palmaro Clubhouse,” said Daniel Quintero, Executive Director of Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.

Bronx Tax Preparer Found Guilty Of Participation In Scheme To Steal Millions Using Fraudulent Tax Returns

Eliana Sarmiento Used Identities Stolen From A Medical Clinic In Puerto Rico To File False Tax Returns Using Victims’ Stolen Identities.

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Shantelle P. Kitchen, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced that ELIANA SARMIENTO, a former tax preparer at K&S Tax Solution, Inc. (“K&S”), was found guilty last Friday of multiple charges in connection with her participation in schemes to file fraudulent tax returns, in order to receive tax refunds in the form of checks and wire transfers.  Together with her co-workers at K&S, SARMIENTO stole more than $19 million in tax refunds by submitting false tax returns using stolen identities, largely stolen from residents of Puerto Rico.  To date, 14 employees and associates of K&S, in addition to SARMIENTO, have been convicted in connection with this scheme.  SARMIENTO was convicted after a two-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood.

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment as well as the evidence presented during trial:

Since January 2010, SARMIENTO, along with her co-conspirators, perpetrated a large-scale scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) through the filing of fraudulent tax returns, so as to receive tax refunds in the form of checks and wire transfers.  Specifically, SARMIENTO obtained stolen identities in part through one co-conspirator, based in Puerto Rico, who stole the identities of patients of a medical clinic in Ponce, Puerto Rico.  She then obtained electronic filing identification numbers (“EFINs”), which are used for the purpose of filing hundreds of electronic tax returns, under the names of the victims of the defendants’ identity theft scheme.  SARMIENTO and her co-conspirators used those EFINs to file tax returns bearing the names and Social Security Numbers (“SSNs) of additional identity theft victims.  Additionally, SARMIENTO and other employees of K&S used the stolen identities of children as false “dependents” on the tax returns of certain K&S clients.

In these ways, SARMIENTO and others at K&S obtained millions of dollars from the U.S. Treasury.  To date, and based on a subset of EFINs associated with SARMIENTO and her co-conspirators at K&S, the IRS has identified $281,348,627 in attempted fraudulent returns and $19,799,175 in Treasury funds successfully stolen by SARMIENTO and her criminal associates.   

SARMIENTO, 32, of Passaic, New Jersey, was found guilty of two counts of theft of public funds, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; two counts of conspiring to steal public funds, each carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and two counts of aggravated identity theft, each carrying a mandatory sentence of two years in prison.  The statutory maximum and minimum penalties 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. Bharara praised the IRS-CI for its work in the investigation and expressed his appreciation to the United States Secret Service for its assistance.

The Joke is on Community Board 8 Traffic and Transportation Chair Heller with Broken Curbs on Riverdale Avenue Still not Fixed by DOT

  When the city DOT milled and repaved Riverdale Avenue during the warm weather in March the contractor hired by DOT ripped apart many sections of the curb between West 235th and West 239th Streets. That could be one reason that a car went onto the sidewalk crashing into Sotheby's last month. There was a section of the curb that was broken (not the photo above) where the car may have went over and on to the sidewalk. 

   Community Board 8 Traffic & Transportation Chair Michael Heller was notified of the broken curbs after the milling of the road was done. The answer he received was that the DOT would repair any broken curbs which its contractor did. That answer was in June, and it is now September and the curbs are still broken. One would have to guess the joke is on T&T Chair Heller and Community Board 8. 

   Well Mr. Heller what is it going to take for the DOT to repair the broken curbs? Is there going to have to be another accident where someone is hurt or worse? School children walk right by the place where the car ran into Sotheby's storefront. It was a good thing that school; was out, or we might have been writing an obituary or two. Below are just a few photos of the broken curbs, some still with the metal wire sticking out which was placed in the cement. 

Above and Below are sections of broken curbs caused by the milling of Riverdale Avenue. Yes that is the Fieldston School from where students enter and exit from.

Above - Grass is already growing where there was once a curb.

Below - Yes that is metal wires which can and probably have punctures car tires are still protruding from the broken curb.

Above - One can see that the handicap ramp was repaired, and new crosswalk lines have been painted, but a pedestrian can trip on the broken sidewalk where grass is growing from at this corner.

Below - Below - Another corner with a broken curb in the crosswalk. A garbage pail has been placed in the way so no one will get hurt here.

Above - Another section where the curb was broken by the DOT milling contractor.

Below - More broken curbs this time in front of stores where a car can easily drive into another storefront.

It's a real shame that the community board is powerless, as over six months have passed since this section of Riverdale Avenue was milled and then repaved. It is also over four months since the Bronx DOT Commissioner said that the broken curbs by the DOT milling contractor would be repaired by the DOT. Mayor Bill de Blasio - is this anyway to run a city. City Comptroller Scott Stringer - the city has known about this situation for over four months now. 

Just get it fixed before someone is hurt.