Comptroller Stringer Audit Identifies $5.7 Million in Taxes Uncollected by City

Nearly 200 businesses working with the City owe millions in unpaid taxes

The Department of Finance fails to recoup unpaid taxes by continuing to pay businesses with outstanding tax debts

To increase City tax revenue, Comptroller calls for more effective DOF payment seizure practice

   A new audit released by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer identified an additional $5.7 million in taxes that could be collected by the City’s Department of Finance (DOF). The audit found that DOF, the City’s tax collector and enforcer of tax law, continues to pay businesses who owe past due taxes while they are contracting with City agencies. This occurs largely because of simple oversight failures by DOF that result in a breakdown of its standard process.

“For New York families struggling to make ends meet, every single penny counts – we need to make sure New York City tax dollars are collected in full and are serving our children, seniors, and neighbors,” said Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “Our audit identified a basic way the Department of Finance could collect an additional $5.7 million – that’s enough to fund salaries for 71 teachers for a year, shelter 1,500 homeless families for one month or provide nearly 700,000 home-delivered meals to seniors.”

DOF is responsible for collecting City taxes, including from businesses, such as private contractors and companies that do business with City agencies. The purpose of this audit was to examine whether DOF is effectively collecting past due taxes from those businesses. If a business working with a City agency does not pay its taxes, DOF can temporarily hold or freeze any payments from the City to that company and, unless the taxes are then paid, DOF can take the back taxes the City is owed from those frozen funds.

The audit found, however, that DOF continues to pay companies that owe back taxes. While DOF does temporarily hold or freeze the payments, it does not take the needed steps to ultimately collect owed taxes from those funds on hold. These steps would include filing certain forms in the City’s financial management system that would enable DOF to permanently seize the held payments and apply them to the companies’ tax debts.

In fact, the audit found that although DOF has routinely held thousands of payments worth millions of dollars, it has not seized any of that money as payment for City taxes since October 2014 – more than three years ago. In some cases, DOF released the payments to vendors who agreed to pay down their tax debts, but then defaulted. The audit further revealed that DOF does not systematically track how much money it collects overall from City vendors who owe past due City taxes.

In one case, the audit found a business was paid more than $428,000 by the City, even though it owed significant and increasing tax debt. Ultimately, the company went out of business while it still owed $80,000 in back taxes, which now cannot be recouped by the City.

In a second case, a business received $20,844 from the City over a two and a half year period even though its tax debt, which remained uncollected, grew to $27,403. While DOF held the money at one point, it then released the funds, for unknown reasons, leaving the City with nothing to apply to the business’s unpaid tax bill.

The Comptroller’s audit makes several recommendations to DOF, which include the following:

• Track and measure collection of City tax debt from City vendors;
• Revise procedures to better collect tax debt from City vendors, including training staff and increasing staff access to the City’s central financial management system;
• Require staff to take timely steps to deduct vendors’ tax debts from the City’s payments;
• Withhold payment until the debt is collected, vacated by a court or withdrawn by DOF after appropriate documentation has been filed; and
• If other collection methods fail, deduct back taxes from City payments to offset the $5.7 million in City business taxes owed by City vendors.

New York City can easily improve DOF processes to better collect back taxes from companies doing business with – and being paid by – City government.

To read the full audit, click here.

Working Families Party, DC 37 Endorse Democrat Amanda Septimo

84th Assembly District

Amanda Septimo, a Democrat running for Assembly in the 84th District, has received the support of the Working Families Party and District Council 37.

 

"Amanda Septimo is the progressive leader the South Bronx deserves. With a bigot in the White House, we need bold leadership in Albany that will fight for working families. Amanda is a lifelong Bronxite, a community leader, and an education activist-and we know that in the Assembly, she will put immigrants, students and workers first. The Working Families Party is proud to support her campaign for Assembly in the 84th district," said Dom Leon-Davis, WFP spokesperson.  

 

"DC 37 is excited to support Amanda Septimo as she runs for Assembly. The South Bronx needs progressive and effective leadership in Albany, and Amanda will be a fighter for all of us. As a product of this community, she truly understands the struggles facing working families and she is committed to making a difference. Amanda has stood up for workers throughout her career, and we are ready to stand with her now," said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido.

 

"I am proud to have the support of the Working Families Party and DC 37. For too long, our families have had to put up with the status quo and it's time for change. When elected to the Assembly, I will be a strong voice for our working families and bring back real results to the South Bronx," said Septimo.

 

Born and raised in the South Bronx, Septimo has been involved in community activism since she was teenager as a member of A.C.T.I.O.N., THE POINT Community Development Corporation's teen activism platform. She has worked with the Legal Aid Society, with a specific focus on cases involving domestic violence and Spanish-speaking immigrants. She also worked as the District Director for Congressman José E. Serrano (D-15th Congressional District), making her one of the youngest-serving senior staffers in Congress. Most recently, Amanda worked to help working and middle-class families by fighting for stronger worker protections with the Council of School Supervisors & Administrators.

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADVISE NEW YORKERS TO BEAT THE HEAT

Heat Advisory in effect for New York City Monday and Tuesday

Cooling centers are open across the city on Monday and Tuesday. To find the nearest location call 311 or visitwww.nyc.gov/beattheheat 

  The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department today advised New Yorkers to take precautions to beat the heat. The National Weather has issued a heat advisory in effect for New York City from 12 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 17. High heat and humidity are in the forecast, with heat index values in the mid to upper 90s. An Air Quality Alert is also in effect through 11 p.m.Monday. This means individuals should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants, and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease are at an increased risk, and should consider consulting their personal physician if they experience heat-related symptoms.

“Stay cool and hydrated to beat the heat,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “Use air conditioning or visit a cooling center, drink lots of water, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.”   

“During extreme heat, air conditioning can save lives. Check on older neighbors, friends and family who may not have air conditioning, and help them get to a cool place,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett.

To help New Yorkers beat the heat, New York City cooling centers are open throughout the five boroughs today andTuesday, July 17.  Cooling centers are air-conditioned facilities such as libraries, community centers, senior centers, and NYCHA facilities that are open to the public during heat emergencies. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities closest to you, call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit the NYC Cooling Center Finder at www.nyc.gov/beattheheat.

The New York City Emergency Management Department urges New Yorkers to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk from the heat. Those at increased risk are people who do not have or use air conditioning AND:

·         Are 65 years or older;

·         Have chronic medical, mental health, or cognitive/developmental conditions;

·         Take certain medications, which can disrupt the regulation of body temperature;

·         Are confined to their beds, have limited mobility, or are unable to leave their homes;

·         Are obese; or

·         Misuse alcohol or drugs.

HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE HEAT:

·         Stay out of the sun and avoid extreme temperature changes.

·         Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.

·         Drink fluids, particularly water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Those on fluid-restricted diets or taking diuretics should first consult their physician.

·         Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid beverages containing alcohol and/or caffeine.

·         Eat small, frequent meals.

·         Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun’s peak hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.

·         If possible, go to an air-conditioned location for several hours during the hottest parts of the day.

·         Cool down with a cool bath or shower.

·         Participate in activities that will keep you cool, such as going to the movies, shopping at a mall, or swimming at a pool or beach.

·         Cover all exposed skin with an SPF sunscreen (15 or above) and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and head.

·         Never leave your children or pets in the car.

For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/health.

FACTS ABOUT HEAT ILLNESS:

Heat illness is serious. Prolonged exposure to the heat can be harmful and potentially fatal. The added stress caused by heat can also aggravate heart or lung disease even without symptoms of heat illness.

Know the warning signs of heat stress. If you or someone you know feels weak or faint, go to a cool place and drink water. If there is no improvement, call a doctor or 911.

Call 911 immediately if you have, or someone you know has:

·         Hot dry skin.

·         Trouble breathing.

·         Rapid heartbeat.

·         Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness.

·         Nausea and vomiting.

KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE

·         Avoid dehydration: Pets can dehydrate quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water.

·         Exercise early and late: When the temperature is very high, do not let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Your pet’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.

·         Know when your pet is in danger: Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, or even collapse. Animals with flat faces like pugs and Persian cats are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. They should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

·         Keep cats safe by installing screens in your windows: Unscreened windows pose a real danger to cats, as they can fall out of them often during summer months.

IMPROPER FIRE HYDRANT USE:

The improper opening of fire hydrants wastes 1,000 gallons of water per minute, causes flooding on city streets, and can lower water pressure to dangerous levels and hamper the ability of FDNY to fight fire safely and quickly.

Properly used “spray caps” reduce hydrant output to a safe 25 gallons per minute while still providing relief from the heat. To obtain a spray cap, an adult 18 years or older with proper identification can go to his or her local firehouse and request one.

For more information, visit NYC.gov/beattheheat. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program. To sign up for Notify NYC, download the free mobile application, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

Wave Hill Events July 26‒August 2

Thu, July 26    Marvelous Moths Walk and Talk

Often overshadowed by their more flamboyant butterfly relatives, moths have their own subtle beauty. In recognition of National Moth Week, join environmental educator and moth enthusiast Pam Golben for a special, twilight, mothing adventure. After a short presentation indoors, head outside to search for these demure creatures in the garden and at an illuminated moth observation station. No mothing experience required! Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. $25. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Space is limited.Serene Thursday event.

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, 8–9:30PM

Sat, July 28    Family Art Project: Cool-off Colors Collage

The colors of teal, cobalt, cerulean and cornflower blue make for cool, summer collages. Draw from a rich supply of materials, including painted and metallic papers, blue buttons and repurposed packaging, and feel inspired by the Hudson River, the blue cliffs of the Palisades or shades of blue flowers silhouetted against an aquamarine sky. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, July 28    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sat, July 28   Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. Ecological Consciousness: Artist as Instigator continues Wave Hill’s efforts to examine the ways that artists engage in ecological projects that present a call to action. The exhibition documents environmental art that explores persistent problems throughout New York City. In the Sunroom Project Space, Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall’s installation uses traditional landscape architecture, such as a conventional English garden maze, to expose the instability of identity in the United States. Working collaboratively since 2015, Dasgupta and Marshall’s work explores the dichotomy of the sanctuary—its ability to protect as well as restrict. In the Sun Porch, Katie Westmoreland’s presentation of kinetic tapestries responds to the space’s architecture, evoking the patterns cast by sunlight through trees and plants. Her immersive installation utilizes the passing light and shadow patterns of the day as active mediums in her work, calling attention to the sun’s enduring, inspirational qualities. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, July 29    Family Art Project: Cool-off Colors Collage

The colors of teal, cobalt, cerulean and cornflower blue make for cool, summer collages. Draw from a rich supply of materials, including painted and metallic papers, blue buttons and repurposed packaging, and feel inspired by the Hudson River, the blue cliffs of the Palisades or shades of blue flowers silhouetted against an aquamarine sky. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, July 29    Yoga in the Garden

Enjoy a morning yoga class in the gardens—our last for the summer—offered in partnership with Yoga Haven. All levels welcome; please bring a mat and be on time. Meets indoors in case of rain. Online registration suggested, at wavehill.org, or register day-of at the Front Gate. $25 per session. Wave Hill Members save 10%.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10–11AM

Sun, July 29    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Mon, July 30

Closed to the public

Tue, July 31    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, July 31    Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. Ecological Consciousness: Artist as Instigator continues Wave Hill’s efforts to examine the ways that artists engage in ecological projects that present a call to action. The exhibition documents environmental art that explores persistent problems throughout New York City. In the Sunroom Project Space, Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall’s installation uses traditional landscape architecture, such as a conventional English garden maze, to expose the instability of identity in the United States. Working collaboratively since 2015, Dasgupta and Marshall’s work explores the dichotomy of the sanctuary—its ability to protect as well as restrict. In the Sun Porch, Katie Westmoreland’s presentation of kinetic tapestries responds to the space’s architecture, evoking the patterns cast by sunlight through trees and plants. Her immersive installation utilizes the passing light and shadow patterns of the day as active mediums in her work, calling attention to the sun’s enduring, inspirational qualities. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Wed, August 1    Sunset Wednesdays: Phoebe Hunt & The Gatherers

An accomplished Americana instrumentalist with foundations in jazz and swing music, Phoebe Hunt has a skill for taking seemingly disparate elements and pulling them together into a dazzling kaleidoscope of lush, coherent sound and rhythm patterns. The result is music that swells, crashes and breathes organically under her soulful, plaintive voice. The music seemingly transcends traditional genre, by weaving exotic rhythmic concepts within her roots of Americana, Country and Texas Tinged Swing. Her latest release is the culmination of a five year journey that has taken her from her Austin roots through Music Row, Brooklyn, and even to India to study with seventh-generation master violinist Kala Ramnath.  Rain or shine, all Sunset Wednesdays Concerts are held on the Great Lawn. In case of inclement weather, concerts will be moved indoors to Armor Hall with overflow space in the Mark Twain Room and the covered terrace behind Wave Hill House. Check wavehill.org for shuttle service and for The Café menu on Sunset Wednesdays. The onsite parking lot closes at 4PM, except to accommodate vehicles with a disability license plate or placard. Free with admission to the grounds, which is $12 starting at 4PM. Free to Wave Hill Members. The grounds close at 8:30PM. 

ON THE GROUNDS, 7PM

Thu, August 2    Art Workshop Series Begins: Drawn to Color

Compose intimate portraits of Wave Hill’s loveliest summer blooms by layering and blending soft pastels. This two-day, intensive mini-course, which continues Friday, May 3,  includes plein air drawing, a curator-led overview of the summer exhibition and technical guidance from artist Wennie Huang, a newly inducted member of the Pastel Society of America. Basic tools and hardware supplies included; a materials list will be provided upon registration. All skill levels welcome. $160. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Space is limited. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–4PM

Thu, August 2    Stories in the Garden

Each week, Wave Hill educators share some of their favorite nature stories. These stories—classics and more—will come to life through interactive book readings, sing-alongs and movement. Programs are held outdoors. Rain cancels. Ideal for children ages three to six with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 11AM

Thu, August 2    OnBehalfof.Life: Bronx Edition

EPA Agents will be on hand to facilitate conversations about environmental issues affecting multispecies habitats in the Bronx River Watershed and how these issues are influenced by environmental protection policy. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the OnBehalfof.Life project by submitting a public comment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of another species, helping to articulate a vision for environmental justice on behalf of all life. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 6–7:30PM

Thu, August 2    Evening Garden Walk

Enjoy a short evening stroll in the gardens with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Free with admission to the grounds. Serene Thursday event.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 6:30PM

 A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM,  March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

MINISTERS TO CONDUCT A PRAYER VIGIL ON BEHALF OF NEW YORK TAXI INDUSTRY & CITY RESIDENTS

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Councilman,  Rubén Díaz Sr.

District 18 Bronx County, New York

  You should know that this coming Thursday July 19^th  at 11:00 A.M., the Hispanic Ministers will be conducting a prayer vigil at the steps of City Hall.  

This vigil is being organized by “The Clamor for New York” its President Bishop Luis Paniagua from Brooklyn, and the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization which I preside.    

It is important that you know the need for this prayer vigil. 

First: The City of New York has policies in place that have enabled “Uber” and other such companies to destroy the Yellow Taxi industry which has resulted in suicides among its drivers.   The drivers have found themselves destitute, after having invested so much of their life’s savings to acquire the taxi Medallions at a cost of $1,500,000. Now those Taxi medallions are worth a mere $200,000. Having lost their investments, loss their homes and life’s savings some of these drivers sadly have turned to suicide.  

Also, according to Livery Drivers, they are being persecuted, abused and discriminated against by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and its enforcement agents.   Drivers report numerous incidents of entrapments, drivers are being penalized with outrageous summonses as high as $10,000 and double fines (by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission) for the same violation.

Second: Crime in the City is spiking.  Homicides, rape, and gang violence are on the rise.   It is predicted that this summer the weather will be one of the hottest, but it will also be very dangerous for residents of the City, especially the most vulnerable - the elderly and children.  

Third: The immigrant community is facing many difficulties which our city and state leaders must unify to address as one single voice.  Leaders must work together to develop comprehensive solutions regarding affordable housing, jobs, education, and health insurance these new immigrants entering the City and State. We must do this without ignoring the pain and suffering of our own children and legal City residents.

Fourth: According to recent Federal inspections of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), NYCHA neglected to make necessary boiler repairs, leaving its residents to endure the bitter cold winters without heat and hot water.   NYCHA’s years of failures to repair and paint apartments exposed children to the health hazards of lead paint, causing disease and health ramifications.

Fifth: Currently there are close to 70,000 families living in shelter every night, plus many thousand more homeless in the streets. We have to be sure to take care of our own before we take care of anybody else. 

For this and many other reasons The Hispanic Ministers have a call to prayer.  This prayer vigil on the steps of City Hall is to ask God to intervene on behalf of our city and its people.   We will pray that God protect, guide, and grant our Governor, Mayor, City Council, and state legislators the wisdom needed to help heal our city and state.  Our prayers will be that God guide and intervene so we can work together to bring to fruition an end to the abuses, neglect, and suffering of the most vulnerable population of this city.  

There is much power in prayer.  

I am Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.