Is It DEP or now the EPA?

 

   You may have known this as a NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) truck, but if you look closely at the sign on the door you will now see NYC Environmental Protection or EPA. Just why the name change is anybody's guess, and some people like myself who have been battling the DEP over the past 21 years are amazed as well. This former DEP now EPA truck was found on Independence Avenue next to the parking lot of the Riverdale Temple where there was a water leak which was draining into the parking lot below street level. Other photos will show the EPA working the night before to find the leak which was in the process of being repaired the next day. 

Above and Below - Night work by the now NYC EPA to find the source of a water leak on Independence Avenue in Riverdale.

NYC EPA workers stand around the large hole dug on Independence Avenue, and are in the process of the repair job.

Comptroller Stringer Audit: Tens of Millions of Dollars in Fines from Bad Landlords Go Uncollected

HPD’s collection unit fails to collect more than 97 percent of settlements and judgments 

Thousands of tenants – many of them low-income – face no heat or hot water, lead paint, and other violations while landlords go unpunished 

Massive bureaucratic backlog of more than 1,000 cases exists, some on hold for nearly a decade 

HPD agrees with Comptroller’s recommendations

   The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) – the agency that promotes the construction and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers – has failed to collect tens of millions of dollars in fines from landlords, a new audit released by New York City Scott M. Stringer shows. In Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, nearly $35.1 million in judgments and settlements was to be collected from landlords across more than a thousand cases by HPD’s Judgment Enforcement Unit – the unit within the agency responsible for doing so. Yet, $34.2 million was still uncollected as of October 29, 2015, a collection rate of just 2.46 percent. The audit recommended HPD explore hiring additional attorneys and working with other City agencies to improve its collection rate. The agency agreed with the Comptroller’s recommendations.

Hundreds of New Yorkers living in affordable housing across the five boroughs face deplorable conditions like no heat or hot water, lead paint, and more. Yet, despite HPD’s issuing violations and taking landlords to housing court, enforcement cases did not actually result in fines being collected or landlords being sanctioned.

“We are not giving these families, our fellow New Yorkers, a fair shot. Even though we know these tenants – many who need us most – are often living in unfathomable conditions, we aren’t holding landlords accountable. It’s unfair and it’s unacceptable,” New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer said. “When we fail to protect affordable housing for our neighbors, we’re giving landlords a free pass to break the law. When bad landlords win, tenants lose. This system must be based on a higher standard of accountability. This is $34 million that could help address record homelessness, provide more affordable housing, support tenants, and help give working families a fair and fighting chance. Instead, it’s been left on the table, and tenants are suffering. It’s just not right.”

When HPD issues violations, it is authorized to impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per day until the hazardous condition is corrected and take landlords to Housing Court to force repairs. If a landlord fails to make repairs or pay a Housing Court judgment, the case is transferred to HPD’s Judgment Enforcement Unit for collection.

This investigation uncovered a massive backlog of cases at HPD’s Judgement Enforcement Unit. As of the end of March 2016, nearly half of the 2,100 open cases of violations were not assigned to an attorney – with some left open for nearly a decade. Over one fifth of open cases existed for three years or more.

The audit also found that when the agency did work on cases, HPD and its enforcement unit did not use every tool at their disposal to encourage property owners to pay fines and correct violations. Although the agency has the power to directly collect tenants’ rents and foreclose on properties to collect unpaid fines, HPD staff informed auditors these methods were rarely – if ever – used.

Specific findings include:

HPD Did Not Collect Fines for Hazardous Building Conditions

• HPD transferred 650 cases that were opened in FY14 to its Judgement Enforcement Unit. As of October 2015, however, just 3.36 percent of the $20.3 million owed had been collected.
• The agency referred 433 cases initiated in FY15 to the Judgement Enforcement Unit. But as of October 2015, only 1.22 percent of the $14.8 million owed had been collected.
• Overall, by October 2015, HPD and its enforcement unit had collected just 2.46 percent of the $35.2 million owed by landlords in FY14 and FY15.

Thousands of Backlogged Cases Languished for Years

• After a case is transferred to HPD’s Judgement Enforcement Unit for collection, it is assigned to the next available attorney. As of the end of March 2016, there were 2,100 open judgement enforcement cases – including 1,043 “backlogged” cases that had been transferred to the enforcement unit but not yet assigned.
• Of these 1,043 unassigned cases, nearly two-thirds had languished for at least a year – and the oldest case was nearly nine years old.
• On average, the other 1,057 cases – that had been assigned to attorneys – were left open but unassigned for two years.
• Each attorney’s caseload consisted of 250 cases, on average, potentially discouraging them from taking legal actions that require increased time and effort.

HPD agreed with all six of the audit’s recommendations, including that it:

• Work with other City agencies to identify payments to building owners – including, but not limited to rental assistance and tax abatements – which can be redirected to pay back HPD fines and judgments;
• Consider hiring additional attorneys or reassigning attorneys from other parts of the organization to work through the backlog of cases; and
• Transfer backlogged cases to either the City’s Law Department or an outside collection agency.

“Every New Yorker deserves safe housing with heat and hot water, and the City must be more proactive. I’m pleased HPD agrees with our recommendations, so together, we can send a clear message to bad landlords: break the law and there will be consequences,” Comptroller Stringer said.

To read the full audit, click here.

Morris Park Community Association & Bharati Foundation Presents "BOOKS With BHARATI" on Friday, December 9th 6:30PM at MPCA Community Center 1824 Bronxdale Ave.

The Morris Park Community Association

The Bharati Foundation

Presents “Books With Bharati”

An Evening of Reading for the Youth and the Community

Friday, December 9^th 6:30PM at MPCA Community Center

Must RSVP by December 2nd at mpassociation@outlook.com or call Tina 718-823-0596

SBA Roundtable with Hispanic Business Owners

MAYOR DE BLASIO RELEASES NOVEMBER FINANCIAL PLAN UPDATE, INCLUDES FIRST NOVEMBER CITYWIDE SAVINGS PROGRAM UNDER HIS ADMINISTRATION

City maintains historic levels of reserves, protecting fiscal health

   Mayor Bill de Blasio released New York City’s November Financial Plan Update on Thursday. The $83.46 billion Fiscal Year 2017 budget remains balanced, including $1 billion in savings in FY17 and FY18 and $719 million in FY19 and FY20. This marks the first time the de Blasio Administration has a Citywide Savings Program in the annual November budget update. 

“This year’s Plan proves yet again that we can be both progressive and fiscally responsible,” said Mayor de Blasio. “With this updated budget, we are announcing $1 billion in savings – and our Plan to build on these savings during next year’s budget process. We are once again proving to New Yorkers that we will continue to prioritize the initiatives most important to the city’s future while protecting the City’s fiscal health.”

The Plan released Thursday reduces this year's tax revenue projection by $127 million. This shortfall will be covered by agency and debt service savings, which have also allowed the Administration to reduce the FY18 out-year gap by $576 million.

Click here to view the November Plan.

Increased Pension Contributions

The November Plan includes $120 million dedicated to covering pension fund obligations in FY18 in light of the fund’s underperformance this year. Pension fund performance will push city taxpayer contributions to $241 million in FY19, and $361 million in FY20. The City is required to cover any returns below an assumed fund growth rate of 7 percent. The funds grew 3.2 percent in FY15 and 1.5 percent in FY16.

Savings

The November Financial Plan recognizes savings, including:

• Contracting directly with storage service vendors to reduce annual costs by 40 percent, resulting in savings of $3.7 million annually beginning in FY18.
• Reducing use of paper checks by increasing the number employees and vendors paid electronically, and eliminating inter and intra agency checks, saving $1 million in FY18, $2 million in FY19 and $3 million in FY20.
• Using city vehicles more efficiently by expanding car sharing and intra-agency transfer of available vehicles, which will eliminate underutilized vehicles and reduce rental expenses, saving $10 million in FY18, $13 million in FY19 and $11 million in FY20.
• Debt service savings, equaling $151   million in FY17, $33 million in FY18, $72 million in FY19 and $83 million in FY20.

Reserves

This budget maintains the unprecedented levels of reserves achieved by Mayor de Blasio:

• $4.0 billion in the Retiree Health Benefit Trust.
• $1 billion annually in the General Reserve.
• $500 million in the Capital Stabilization Reserve.

THIS WEEKEND!!!! Public Access to Jerome Park Reservoir

  GROUNDS OF JEROME PARK RESERVOIR TO BE OPENED FOR LIMITED ACCESS RECREATION IN NOVEMBER

The New York City Environmental Protection Agency will open the grounds of Jerome Park Reservoir in the Bronx for special limited access November 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

The two-mile perimeter along the Reservoir will be open to the public.  Entrance to the Reservoir will be through the Gate House located at the west side of Goulden Avenue, just south of West 205 Street, across the street from Bronx High School of Science. There will be a security check, and no bags, cameras, or cell phones will be allowed inside. EPA will give visitors the opportunity to check cell phones, but should not bring any bags.

Smoking is not allowed near the reservoir, so please do not bring any cigarettes, cigars, lighters or matches with you.

Please wear closed toe shoes.

Dogs will not be allowed.

All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver before admittance.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Kicks Off Annual Holiday Canned Food Drive

NY-Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz(D-Bronx) has kicked off his annual canned food and turkey drive with students from local schools and participating residential buildings. 

The Assemblyman’s office will be accepting donations until December 16^th with a pick-up for Thanksgiving scheduled for November 14^th. Food will be donated to various non-profit organizations in the Northwest Bronx for families in need during the Thanksgiving, Chanukah, and Christmas holiday seasons.  The following canned and non-perishable food items are accepted: canned fruits and vegetables, cereals, dried beans, pasta, rice, tuna, coffee, teas, canned juices, powdered milk, jell-o, and soups.  No glass jars are acceptable except for baby food.

Some schools are also collecting one-dollar donations for the purchase of turkeys for needy families on Thanksgiving.

“Our annual food drive is always such a wonderful event, and I believe this year’s will be even better than the last,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “I am always encouraged to continue this event by the selfless actions of our community. We always see a huge swell of support for this, from buildings, to schools, to residents who drop off even a single can at my office. Every year this community donates an impressive amount of food for those in need, making me proud to represent such a generous community. I look forward to another great year of giving, and thank in advance everyone who participates through their donations.”   

Residents are encouraged to set up their own collection bins in their buildings as well, and a time for pick-up can be coordinated by contacting Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office.

Residents may donate their canned goods to Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office located at 3107 Kingsbridge Avenue; one block west of Broadway, just off of West 231st Street.  For more information, call (718) 796-5345.

VISION ZERO: AS DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS, MAYOR DE BLASIO REMINDS NEW YORKERS OF DANGERS OF DUSK AND EVENINGS ON OUR STREETS

Clocks “fall back” this Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 AM; as part of new Vision Zero Dusk and Darkness initiative, stepped up NYPD enforcement against dangerous driving will be concentrated between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM

   Mayor Bill de Blasio today issued a reminder to New Yorkers about the dangers of dusk and evening hours as clocks change this coming Sunday. The de Blasio Administration last week announced a new Vision Zero Dusk and Darkness initiative that includes stepped-up NYPD enforcement against unsafe driving during those hours, supplemented by the addition of new street lighting to high-crash crosswalks, a new educational awareness campaign and new street redesigns. Fall and winter evenings have traditionally been the most dangerous time of year for pedestrians, with serious crashes during that time increasing by 40 percent compared to the rest of the year.

“While we all can be grateful for an extra hour’s sleep this coming weekend, at the same time we all need to stay alert and mindful of the Vision Zero focus on safety,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Darker afternoons and evenings make a big difference on our streets for the safety of pedestrians, especially for our seniors. We are reminding drivers to be extra-vigilant, slowing down and turning at 5 miles per hour on our streets – someone’s life could literally depend on it.”

“The NYPD is working with our partners to increase pedestrian safety, especially after the daylight saving time change – when the sunset is earlier in the day and coincides with the evening rush,” said NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “New York is a fast-paced City, but I want to ask all New Yorkers – especially motorists – to slow down and look out for one another. Officers will be issuing summonses to those who don’t.”

“Our research shows that rush-hour driving in newly dark evenings of the fall can be a perilous combination for pedestrians,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “One of our major goals for Vision Zero is to increase awareness and counteract careless driving behavior, so we are reminding New Yorkers that in the colder, darker months ahead, they need to exercise extra caution and slow down, especially when taking turns.”

DOT conducted extensive analysis of year-over-year crash trends, and noted that:

·         The earlier onset of darkness in the fall and winter is highly correlated to a 40 percent increase in traffic injuries and fatalities.

·         Lower visibility during the dark hours of the colder months leads to twice as many crashes involving turns.

·         Daylight saving time ended last year on November 1, 2015; in the eight days following last year’s “fall-back” clock change, nine New York City pedestrians lost their lives, one of the deadliest periods of the entire year. All of the victims were between 55 and 88 years old; only three of those deaths occurred during daylight hours.

In 2016, as part of Vision Zero, DOT has implemented its most aggressive street redesign safety program, with increased investment in street redesign and traffic-calming measures citywide. DOT has also improved the safety at a record number of dangerous intersections and thoroughfares, installing more than 18 miles of protected bike lanes along key high traffic corridors like Queens Boulevard, 6th Avenue, Chrystie Street, Jay Street, and Amsterdam Avenue and installed a record number of leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs) – more than 500 – to give pedestrians a head start while crossing the street.

For more information about the de Blasio Administration’s Vision Zero initiative, please see www.nyc.gov/visionzero.