|
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Collections Grew by Nearly 17% in May
Permits Filed For 1896 University Avenue In Morris Heights, The Bronx
Permits have been filed for an eight-story residential building at 1896 University Avenue in Morris Heights, The Bronx. Located between Morton Place and West 179th Street, the lot is near the Burnside Avenue subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Chaim Schwartz of Prime Property Management is listed as the owner behind the applications.
The proposed 75-foot-tall development will yield 31,271 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 47 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 665 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a 37-foot-long rear yard and 14 parking spaces.
Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.
Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.
Attorney General James Announces Arrest of New York State Employee for Unemployment Insurance Theft and Tax Secrecy Violations
Johnny Neal Stole More than $17,000 in Unemployment Insurance Benefits While Employed at State Agency; Unlawfully Accessed Secret Taxpayer Information to Benefit Friends and Family
New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest of Johnny Neal, of Troy, NY, for filling false documents with the state in order to claim nearly $17,000 in unemployment insurance benefits. Neal filed for and collected the unemployment funds even though he was working as a supervisor for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF). Additionally, Neal was charged with improperly using his position at DTF to access confidential tax information outside the bounds of his official duties.
“Unemployment insurance benefits have been a crucial resource in a difficult time for many New Yorkers,” said Attorney General James. “By fraudulently collecting these benefits, Johnny Neal both cheated taxpayers and stole from those who rely on unemployment payments. My office will ensure that anyone who commits fraud or violates the public’s trust will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
In order to obtain unemployment insurance benefits, a potential recipient must verify that they are not working or working below the requisite number of hours. Once a potential recipient verifies their employment status, the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) then determines if they are eligible for unemployment insurance payments and at what level.
Attorney General James alleges that on September 20, 2020, Neal filed for unemployment insurance benefits with DOL and falsely claimed that he was not working and his office was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, as a DTF employee, Neal continued to collect his taxpayer-funded salary throughout the pandemic. Neal improperly collected more than $17,000 in unemployment payments. Additionally, Neal allegedly abused his position by improperly accessing confidential taxpayer information for family, friends, and acquaintances in efforts to aid them in their tax preparation process. Taxpayer information is confidential and can only be accessed for legitimate purposes consistent with the responsibilities of New York state to levy and collect taxes.
Neal was arraigned today before Albany City Court Judge Holly Trexler in Albany County Court on one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a class D felony), in violation of Penal Law §155.35, and violation of the secrecy provisions of Tax Law §1825 (a class A Misdemeanor).
The charges are merely accusations and Neal is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The OAG wishes to thank DTF Criminal Investigator Jemayel Mall, Director of Internal Affairs Brian Hickey, and Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller, as well as DOL for their work on this investigation.
“Taxpayers trust us with their most sensitive data and when that trust is violated to any degree, those responsible must be held accountable,” said New York State Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Amanda Hiller. “We thank Attorney General James and her office for their work on this case.”
“Unemployment Insurance is a critical lifeline for New Yorkers to utilize during their greatest time of need,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “Stealing Unemployment Insurance benefits, especially during a public health crisis, is intolerable. If you break the law, you will be held accountable. I thank the Attorney General’s Office for helping us safeguard this crucial support system that is a lifeline for millions of New Yorkers.”
Governor Hochul Announces Start of Construction on $21 Million Affordable Housing Development in Buffalo
West Side Homes to Add 49 New Affordable and Energy Efficient Apartments Across Buffalo's West Side; Locations Will Include Sixteen Apartments Reserved for Adults Experiencing Homelessness
Development Awarded Over $362,000 Through NYSERDA's Buildings of Excellence Competition
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction on a $21 million affordable housing development in Buffalo. Known as West Side Homes, the development encompasses the substantial rehabilitation of two buildings and the new construction of eleven buildings to create 49 homes, which includes 16 apartments with support services for residents experiencing homelessness.
"This important new development provides much-needed energy-efficient and modern affordable apartments for families in Buffalo, including those struggling with homelessness," Governor Hochul said. "By transforming vacant lots into new housing opportunities, we can generate new economic activity across the West Side and enhance quality of life for the households that will soon call this development home."
West Side Homes is part of Governor Hochul's statewide plan to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable. In the recently enacted State Budget, the Governor successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.
The eleven new buildings will be constructed on 17 vacant residential lots and two existing two-family homes will be rehabilitated. When complete, the development will offer a total of 49 affordable homes with a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments.
Sixteen supportive apartments will include rental subsidies and services for residents that will be funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. The services provided by BestSelf Behavioral Health will include care management, behavioral health treatment services, peer support, primary care services, educational/vocational services, linkage to childcare resources, and assistance with daily living skills.
The remaining 33 homes will be for households earning at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income.
A three-story, 15-unit building at 625 West Avenue will be constructed to achieve certification from Phius (Passive House Institute US), 2020 Enterprise Green Communities, and WELL Building Certification; as well as meeting performance requirements to receive support from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) Buildings of Excellence Competition and the New Construction-Housing Program. The building is designed to be all-electric and will include features such as a ground source heat pump, energy recovery ventilation, and a rooftop solar array.
The development features amenities such as laundry facilities, storage closets, porches, balconies, and a community room.
West Side Homes is located near multiple bus lines and within a one-mile radius of BestSelf Behavioral Health's clinics and offices, the Crane and Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch libraries, West Side Community Services community center, various city of Buffalo schools, Massachusetts Avenue Park, and a Boys and Girls Club.
The developer is Buffalo Neighborhood Stabilization Company Inc (BNSC), the housing development arm of PUSH Buffalo. Through a planning process that began in 2017, West Side community members, led by BNSC, identified these 17 sites to be returned to use as affordable housing.
State financing for West Side Homes includes Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $12 million in equity and an additional $3.3 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is providing $3.6 million from the Homeless Housing Assistance Program. NYSERDA awarded $362,620 in Round Two of the Buildings of Excellence program and $124,000 through the New Construction-Housing program. The city of Buffalo is providing $500,000.
MAYOR ADAMS NOMINATES RASMIA KIRMANI-FRYE, DAVID GOLD TO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, CHRIS YOON TO BOARD OF STANDARDS AND APPEALS
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today nominated Rasmia Kirmani-Frye and David Gold to the City Planning Commission (CPC) and Chris Yoon to the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA). The nominations will be presented to the New York City Council for its advice and consent.
CPC commissioners serve five-year terms. BSA commissioners serve six-year terms.
“I am thrilled to nominate these three highly capable individuals to join the team of the ‘City of Yes,” said Mayor Adams. “This team combines skills and expertise with a commitment to community engagement and partnership, and I hope the City Council will agree and confirm them promptly so we can ‘Get Stuff Done’ together.”
“We are very pleased to nominate Rasmia Kirmani-Frye, David Gold, and Chris Yoon to fill these critical positions on CPC and BSA to help shape the many critical land use decisions that our city will be making in the coming years,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “They each bring significant expertise, experience, and a commitment to our city that will serve New Yorkers across the five boroughs.”
“As we work to get our economy back up and running, and to solve our decades-long housing crisis, I am deeply excited to be working with these talented new commissioner nominees,” said City Planning Commission Chair and Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick.
“I am deeply honored to be nominated to the City Planning Commission by Mayor Adams,” said Rasmia Kirmani-Frye, nominee, CPC; and interim executive director, Hester Street. “Mayor Adams has put forward a bold and inclusive vision of growth for our incredible city. I would be so thrilled to work alongside City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick and all the commissioners to center neighborhoods and equitable and imaginative planning throughout our city. New York City is at a crucial moment, and in order to move forward, we must respond with creativity and a commitment to planning efforts that support inclusive transformation. I look forward to working with our diverse communities, partners, and the administration to ensure that the future of New York City represents all New Yorkers.”
“I am thrilled to be considered for this important position and look forward to working collaboratively with Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer, the commission, and the broader city leadership to advance the success of our city, while emphasizing inclusion and economic improvement for all,” said David Gold, nominee, CPC; and partner, AdvisIRy Partners Group. “Thoughtful planning is a prerequisite to success; my background working with and advising both for-profit and nonprofit entities will help enhance the mayor’s meaningful ‘City of Yes’ vision. I personally want to thank Mayor Adams for his vote of confidence. I look forward to working with all of the stakeholders to advance our mission.”
Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JUNE 14, 2022
Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment
Statewide 7-Day Average Case Rate is Lowest Since April 12
Statewide Hospitalizations at 1,938 -- Down from Peak on May 23 (2,724)
38 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday
NOTE: Updates to the CDC's cumulative death data files were paused starting June 6, 2022, while the CDC upgrades its system. Reporting is expected to resume on June 21, 2022. Any questions about this should be directed to the CDC. During this time, total deaths and new daily deaths reported through HERDS will continue as normal.
Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.
"It is important that we continue to stay vigilant to ensure personal and community safety," Governor Hochul said. "Take a test before traveling, stay home if you feel unwell, and keep up to date with vaccinations and booster doses. Let's continue to use these tools to keep our families and loved ones safe, and help mitigate future potential surges."
Important Note: HERDS data collection from health care facilities was paused due to the weekend from 6/11/2022-6/13/2022. Data from those days were submitted in Monday's report. Where noted, totals include three days of cumulative data from 6/11/2022-6/13/2022. As a result, some data may appear higher than recent trends. Data affected is marked with an asterisk.
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
- Cases Per 100k - 19.91
- 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 27.60
- Test Results Reported - 56,310
- Total Positive - 3,890
- Percent Positive - 6.69%**
- 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.47%**
- Patient Hospitalization - 1,938 (-15)
- Patients Newly Admitted - 663*
- Patients in ICU - 198 (-6)
- Patients in ICU with Intubation - 73 (+5)
- Total Discharges - 311,596 (+565)*
- New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 38*
- Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 56,345*
** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.
The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.
Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.
- Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 71,670
This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.
- Total vaccine doses administered - 39,138,928
- Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 9,305
- Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 127,329
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.7%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 84.1%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 87.6%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 83.9%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.8%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 82.3%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 74.6%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 90.8%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.6%
Borough | Saturday, June 11, 2022 | Sunday, June 12, 2022 | Monday, June 13, 2022 |
Bronx | 3.74% | 3.88% | 3.83% |
Kings | 4.50% | 4.41% | 4.50% |
New York | 6.09% | 6.06% | 6.06% |
Queens | 5.81% | 5.91% | 5.86% |
Richmond | 5.73% | 5.55% | 5.48% |
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON FEDERAL COURT’S ENDORSEMENT OF CITY’S RIKERS ACTION PLAN
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York endorsed the city’s Rikers Action Plan, stating the plan “represents a way to move forward with concrete measures now to address the ongoing crisis at Rikers Island:”
“I am grateful that the court today recognized our efforts to continue to address the dysfunction on Rikers Island and endorsed our Action Plan to make our jails safe for all who live and work there. This vote of confidence speaks to the immense work Commissioner Molina and his team have undertaken over the past five months.
“There are no quick or easy solutions to reforming Rikers, but in just a few short months, we have seen reductions in slashings and stabbings, reductions in use of force and assaults on staff, increased searches for weapons and contraband, and fewer officers out on sick leave. It is a good start, but we must go much further.
“As the plan makes clear and as the court has agreed, we have a strategy to aggressively untangle the dysfunction that has plagued the jails and set them on a path of real, enduring reform. To the people in our care and to those officers and non-uniformed personnel working there: Know that I have your back and that the whole of city government has your back. We will not rest until the dysfunction on Rikers is rooted out, these reforms are implemented, and the people in our care and working on the island are safe around the clock.”
New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix also released the following statement:
“We are pleased that the court has endorsed the city’s Action Plan to address the longstanding problems at Rikers. The city has already begun and is committed to continuing the hard work necessary for ongoing reform to create a jail system that is both more humane and safer for all.”