Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 2/19/2021

 

‌  ‌  ‌  ‌ Click on the icons above to follow NYC Councilman Mark  Gjonaj on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube! Dear Friends, I hope you and your families are doing well as we have been dealing  with another snowy week, in the midst of a pandemic that has  brought hardships and uncertainties for so many in our communities. As Chair of NYC Council Small Business Committee, I am glad to  see that indoor dining in New York City will be expanded to allow  bars and restaurants to seat patrons at 35% capacity on February  26th — marking a 10% increase since inside seating resumed on  February 12th, still lower than neighboring Westchester and Long  Island which are allowed to open at 50%. The COVID-19 vaccines an important tool to help us get back to  normalcy, is still facing a dysfunctional system, with not enough  appointments and confusing to seniors and those who have no access  to internet and technology. This week, the City announced a more  unified scheduling website that can be accessed for vaccination  appointments at vax4nyc.nyc.gov. We are proud that this week we gave away over 5,500 food boxes to  families and seniors in need in our District, we conducted two rapid  testing sites to help stop the spread, as well as in partnership with  Wildcats cleaned the snow from senior homes after this storm. In the end, I wanted to share some important news, while public  service has been the most humbling and rewarding experience in my  life, it has also been the most challenging. Serving our community  and neighborhoods in my current capacity as a NYC Council  Member and previously as a NYS Assembly Member have been an  honor and privilege.  Although I have worked hard and much has been achieved, I have  decided to finish out my term and not seek re-election in the City  Council.  Please read my full statement below. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office with any issues  or concerns at 718-931-1721 or email at MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov. Sincerely, NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj District 13, Bronx

NYC has launched the COVID-19 'Zone Finder' to determine if residents live in hot zones. The zone finder allows you to enter an address or intersection or click on the map to find out whether you are in a COVID-19 zone, and get informed about the proper precautions to take for specific activities. Click Here to access the COVID-19 Zone Finder. For updated statistics by ZIP code, please Click Here.

COVID-19: District 13 Vaccination Alert

COVID-19: Vaccine Eligibility

The COVID-19 vaccine is available to certain groups in NYC. The following groups have recently become eligible: People ages 65 and older Teachers and education workers First responders Public safety workers Public transit workers Adults with specific underlying conditions (see image below) For more information, to make an appointment and for more eligibility requirements, Click Here.

COVID-19: Vaccinations at Yankee Stadium

COVID-19: Vaccinations at Montefiore

Free Transportation for Seniors to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

NYC will provide transportation to seniors 65 years and over unable to travel for their vaccines including Access-a-Ride, Ambulette and Curb taxi service. Make an appointment by calling 877-VAX-4NYC or visiting https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/ and you'll be directed to book the trips as eligible and appropriate.

COVID-19: Bronx Vaccine Locations

FY2022 Capital Funding for Non-City Organizations

The application for FY22 Non-city capital funding is available on Capgrants in the following Council link: https://council.nyc.gov/budget/fy2022-capital-funding-for-non-city-organizations/   The FY22 application deadline is Thursday, February 25 2021 if the project requests funding from Borough President in addition to City Council or Department of Cultural Affairs. If the project is only requesting funding from the City Council and DCA the deadline is Thursday, March 25 2021.

NYC Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations Hearing

Our city will never be able to truly repay the debt that we owe front line workers who have sacrificed so much for us during the COVID-19 pandemic. At this week’s NYC Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations Hearing, Councilman Mark Gjonaj and colleagues discussed ways we can honor that sacrifice with a bill that would create a task force responsible to reviewing factors involved in creating a memorial for frontline workers that have lost their lives due to the virus.

Food Giveaways throughout District 13

We had successful Food Giveaways this week throughout our District from Cruger Avenue, Boston Road, Williamsbridge Road, NYCHA Pelham Parkway Houses to East Tremont Avenue, Bruckner Boulevard, NYCHA Throggs Neck Houses and City Island. We are proud to help our neighbors in need and in cooperation with partnering organizations we have held over 271 food giveaway events and given out over 87,000 food boxes since the start of the pandemic.

Valentine's Day Flower Giveaway

Team Gjonaj kicked off Valentine’s Day events in our District by giving away flowers and masks in partnership with the Throggs Neck BID on East Tremont Avenue and Morris Park Community Association on Morris Park Avenue!

COVID-19 Rapid Testing in City Island

Councilman Mark Gjonaj was proud to support free COVID-19 Rapid Testing for constituents in City Island in District 13. Among other measures, testing is still important to stop the spread!

Free In-Person Tax Preparation in District 13

Councilman Mark Gjonaj was glad that in partnership with Urban Upbound we kicked off Free In-Person Tax Preparation in District 13. To schedule a limited number of appointments please contact our office for location and times at 718-931-1721.

Update on Gas Explosion on Paulding Avenue in our District

NYC Emergency Management was on scene following a gas explosion on Paulding Avenue in our District. While FDNY operations continued, they have reported six civilians injured and they have been transported to an area hospital. The NYPD and Con Edison were also on scene. Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted as we continue to monitor the situation.

Throwback: Celebrating Kosova's Independence in Council Chambers in 2017

On this 13th Anniversary of Kosova’s Independence, throwback to our celebration in NYC Council Chambers. As we congratulate and celebrate with everyone, may we never forget this nation’s plight and all those who fought for centuries and sacrificed their lives for Kosova’s freedom, independence and democracy. May this be the guiding light and a powerful driving force to move Kosova and its people forward.

314 Days and Counting

 

I have 314 days left in office. On February 3, 2019 as I entered my sixth year as mayor, I said the Bronx had also been shortchanged in many ways by previous administrations, but the Bronx is now going to get its Fair Share.

I was joined by Speaker Carl Heastie to announce major repairs for the community center at NYCHA’s Eastchester Gardens Development. The City will invest nearly $4 million to renovate and upgrade the gym, classrooms, heating system and plumbing that serve over 2,000 NYCHA residents. Construction will start in 2021. 

HA, HA, I fooled you, now I am going to put more homeless shelters in the Bronx, and we still are only in February.

Housing Lottery Launches For 1641 Andrews Avenue In Morris Heights, The Bronx

 

1641 Andrews Avenue. All photos courtesy of NYC Housing Connect

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 1641 Andrews Avenue, a five-story residential development in Morris Heights, The Bronx. Built in 1925 and most recently renovated in 2016, the 55,750-square-foot building yields 61 units. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 21 units for residents at 120 percent of the area median income, ranging in eligible income from $28,663 to $180,120.

1641 Andrews Avenue Residence

Residential amenities include a shared laundry room, security cameras, and an n-site resident manager. Units include energy-efficient appliances and hardwood floors.

1641 Andrews Avenue Residence

1641 Andrews Avenue Residence

At 120 percent of the AMI, there is one studio with a $750 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $28,663 to $109,200; seven one-bedrooms with a $1,050 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $39,326 to $122,880; and four one-bedrooms with a $1,060 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $39,669 to $122,880.

At 120 percent of the AMI, there is six two-bedrooms with a $1,350 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $50,435 to $147,360; one two-bedroom with a $1,397 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $52,046 to $147,360; one three-bedroom with a $1,800 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $66,720 to $169,200, and one four-bedroom with a $2,424 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $88,972 to $180,120.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than March 22, 2021.