In wake of NYCHA lead scandal, Senate passes IDC sponsored bills to create state Independent Monitor of NYCHA & to empower New York City Council with oversight power

Legislation is part of a comprehensive package announced by the Independent Democratic Conference to protect tenants

The New York State Senate on Wednesday passed legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) that would give the New York City Council oversight of NYCHA and create an Office of the Independent Monitor to oversee operations at NYCHA.

Despite the overwhelming outcry for a state appointed monitor from advocates and NYCHA tenants, some members of the New York State Senate took a sharp stance against the measure opposed by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“NYCHA residents demand immediate action and state oversight to ensure NYCHA is held accountable for its actions. It’s clear that NYCHA, where every board member is appointed by the Mayor, is not capable of managing itself. The alternative to installing a state monitor, appointed by Governor Cuomo, is to appoint a federal monitor — putting this dire situation in the hands of Donald Trump, whose real estate mismanagement has led him to bankruptcy and whose HUD director spent $31,000 on a new dining room set for his office. It’s shameful that anyone would vote against a state Independent Monitor to step in. The IDC is ready to stand up for tenants and will fight to make sure they are protected,” said Senator Klein.

The Independent Democratic Conference released a bombshell report, “The New Flint,” on Monday, comparing the lead paint crisis facing 400,000 tenants who call NYCHA home to the lead water crisis that possibly impacted 100,000 residents of Flint, Michigan.

The conference also rolled out a comprehensive legislative package to address NYCHA’s mismanagement and fix deplorable conditions in the city’s largest affordable housing stock, including a state Independent Monitor and City Council oversight to increase transparency.

While legislation passed 47-12 to create the Office of the Independent Monitor within the Department of Homes and Community Renewal, Senators Brian Benjamin (D-Manhattan), Leroy Comrie (D-Queens), Marty Dilan (D-Brooklyn), Michael Gianaris (D-Queens), Brian Kavanagh (D-Manhattan/Brooklyn), Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), Velmanette Montgomery (D-Brooklyn), Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn), Roxanne Persaud (D-Brooklyn), Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx), Sanders (D-Queens) and Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens) voted against it.

In June 2017, this measure passed unanimously.

The state-appointed Independent Monitor would  have the ability to review and have oversight of any NYCHA project and require corrective actions to remedy issues. The monitor would also be required to issue an annual report on actions that were taken and on the status of capital projects undertaken by the agency.

The Senate passed another piece of legislation, which was part of the IDC’s package, to give the New York City Council the power to review NYCHA operations in the same way that it currently is able to do with other city agencies. The City Council would also have the ability to pass their own legislation requiring NYCHA to produce reports on its operations. The Senate passed the bill 59-0.

The State Senate passed additional “The Senate passing two of the bills which we called for just mere days ago as measures to improve the lives of 400,000 NYCHA tenants is a testament of the dedication to our constituents. Most importantly, an independent monitor of NYCHA will ensure our residents suffering from mold and lead have another advocate on their side,” said Senator Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn).

“Considering the more than 400,000 people who live in NYCHA apartments and the falsification of lead inspection reports by NYCHA officials, it is entirely justified to compare the situation to that of Flint, Michigan. The inhabitants of NYCHA have a right to know when lead is found in their homes and the administration of NYCHA has a responsibility to comprehensively track and quickly deal with any lead problems. Lead poisoning is irreversible and lifelong, and we owe it to New York’s families to empower them to protect their children from the scourge of lead paint. I am proud that legislation to create real oversight at NYCHA has passed the State Senate and am committed to working with my colleagues in the Assembly to get these two important bills to the Governor's desk,” said Senator Marisol Alcantara (D-Manhattan).

“NYCHA’s serious failings demanded these steps towards increased transparency and increased accountability. As our ‘New Flint’ report explains, lead poisoning has lifelong consequences for children and families. In addition to solidarity with NYCHA residents, passage of these bills today demonstrates that we will take action to keep all our children safe,” said Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Brooklyn).

“Our City cannot continue to put over 170,000 New York families living in NYCHA buildings in hazardous conditions and not answer to anybody. That is why I am proud to vote in favor of these pieces of legislation that will provide real solutions that will protect vulnerable New Yorkers,” said Senator Tony Avella (D-Queens).

“We need to work together to ensure NYCHA residents live in safe, decent conditions. The news about the lead paint exposure was terrifying. It is critical that we put all the necessary mechanisms in place to prevent this from ever happening again. I applaud my colleagues for their efforts, and it is my hope that the bills passing today, especially the one calling for an independent monitor at NYCHA buildings, become a reality soon,” said Senator Jose Peralta (D-Queens).

You can read The New Flint here:

https://www.nysenate.gov/sites/default/files/press-release/attachment/the_new_flint_-_full_report.pdf

BP DIAZ RELEASES SOUTH BRONX TECH SURVEY

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., in collaboration with the New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, has developed a community survey questionnaire as a follow-up to the two previous meetings of the Bronx Tech Summit hosted at the Metropolitan College of New York Campus in The Hub.

 

The purpose of the survey is to gather information from the public on living and working in the South Bronx. Responses to this survey will help inform a report being prepared by a team of New York University urban planning graduate students on the tech industry in the Bronx. 

 

“If you live and work in the South Bronx, we want to hear from you,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Technology plays a role in every sector of our borough. As we plan for the future expansion of tech in our borough and the creation of a tech hub, we want to ensure that those who live and work in this borough are guiding that conversation.”

 

A full link to the survey can be found at: http://bit.ly/2F1AiEA. The survey will be available until March 16, 2018.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR SEARCH MARCH 1,2018

  In a media availability today Mayor Bill de Blasio had the following to say about the hiring of a new public school chancellor, and the resignation of the new public schools chancellor.

 We had an extensive nationwide search as a lot of you reported when the announcement was made – a candidate who was very impressive and had done a lot of good work in Miami. I had offered Mr. Carvalho the job and Dean Fuleihan had follow-up conversations over a week ago and he had accepted.

We talked to him yesterday afternoon about formally putting the information out via the Politico article. We agreed on a phone call with Eric Phillips and I. I spoke to him again last night, I think it was around 8:00 pm and we discussed the next steps for his announcement here in New York City.

So you can imagine how surprised I was to get a phone call from him a few hours ago.

I’ve been doing this work a long, long time. I’ve hired a lot of great people. I’m very proud of the people who serve in this administration and a lot of people I’ve hired before that – never have had a situation like this before.

But look, we move forward. Our nationwide search has resumed. We have been immediately reaching out to candidates and will continue the search and we will have a new announcement soon as we continue the transition at the Department of Education so we can move forward.

I’m very confident in our school system. I’m confident in our teachers. I’m confident in our principals, all our educators, and all our staff. They have been outstanding and they will continue to be.

Let me also tell you, I spoke to the Chancellor. The Chancellor will be continuing her role until the end of March and I want to thank her, of course, for all she has done for this city and all she will continue to do.

So, the bottom line is what makes this school system great is our educators, our parents. Everyone who is a part of this school system will continue to do good work and we will have a new Chancellor soon.

Editor's Note:

The Mayor got a grilling from reporters on the subject of having to find another candidate to be public schools chancellor. He said that there would be one in place by the end of March, his original timetable. 

Let's see if this time the mayor can find a local educator such as the retired CUNY administrator who was mentioned at one time, instead of having to go out of town to find a new schools chancellor. 

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR SEARCH February 28, 2018

  “Alberto Carvalho is a world-class educator with an unmatched track record of success. I am very confident that our extensive, national search has found New York City the best person to lead the nation’s largest school system into the future. I look forward to welcoming our new chancellor to New York City in the days ahead, and to working with him in the years ahead as we deepen achievement in our classrooms and build on the outstanding record of accomplishment that Chancellor Fariña has delivered for students and their families across the five boroughs.”

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Women of Distinction Luncheon

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Councilman Mark Gjonaj - Upcoming Event: Community Safety Meeting

CONGRESSMAN ADRIANO ESPAILLAT RECOGNIZES THE DOMINICAN COMMUNITY ON THE 174TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE

  Today, Rep. Adriano Espaillat issued the following statement to commemorate the 174th anniversary of the Independence of the Dominican Republic:

  "Founded in 1844, today marks the 174^th anniversary of the Independence of the Dominican Republic, celebrated annually as Dominican Republic Independence Day,” said Rep. Espaillat. “In honor of founding fathers Juan Pablo Duarte, Ramón Matías Mella, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez and other patriots, Dominican communities established in New York and states around the country are hard-working communities, proud of our roots and of our heritage, and supportive of our families, especially as it pertains to the next generation of leaders and ensuring our youth have the opportunity to achieve in the future.

“As we celebrate Dominican Republic Independence Day, it is with great appreciation in large part to the Dominican community and the diversity of New York’s 13th congressional district, that I have the honor of being the first Dominican-American to serve in the United States Congress. I understand this great importance, and I am extremely grateful and humble for those who made it possible for this Dominican dreamer who came to America with his family at the age of 9 to reach his aspirations and follow my dreams. I vow to continue my fight and dedicate my work to ensuring that the more than 2,400 DREAMers in my district have the same opportunities to achieve a shot at the American Dream in a country as great as ours.”