Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More
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Friday, August 26, 2022
Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use - GALA EDITION
Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - Bruckner Boulevard Public Hearing
Dear Neighbors,
The Bruckner Boulevard Rezoning Proposal has made it to the City Council as part of the City’s Uniform Land Use Process (ULURP). Now, the proposal will be heard by the City Council in several stages. First, on Wednesday, September 7th at 10:00 AM the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises will be hearing the Bruckner Site Rezoning proposal. I invite all to testify at this hearing to express your opinions.
Enclosed in this email, you will find information that will guide you in registering and providing your testimony to the City Planning Commission, Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, and the developers of the Bruckner Boulevard Rezoning Project.
To testify, you may do so in person, over Zoom, join via a phone call. If you would like to testify virtually, you must pre-register at least 24 hours before the hearing; day-of registration may also be available, time permitting. Once you have registered, you will receive an email before the start of the hearing with information on how to join.
If you have any questions or would like assistance registering for the upcoming hearing, please reach out to my office at District13@council.nyc.gov or call 718-931-1721.
Thank you all for your patience and I look forward to seeing you on September 7 , 2022 at 10 AM.
Sincerely,
Council Member Marjorie Velázquez
How to Register
City Hall Testimony: You do not need to pre-register. If you wish to testify in person you can do so by simply coming to City Hall Wednesday morning, going through security at the intersection of Broadway and Murray Street, and heading to the Committee Room where the Sergeant of Arms will sign you in.
Zoom/Call in Testimony: You must pre-register. Please click here to pre-register.
Written Testimony: To submit written testimony please click here.
If you require non-English language interpretation, please email translationservice@council.
Name and date of the hearing
Your full name, telephone number, and email address
Please be aware that members of the public are allowed 2 minutes to present testimony.
NYC Comptroller Welcomes DOC Transparent Inquiry Response, Publishes Dashboard Of Jails Staffing and Management Challenges
The data - now available on both the Comptroller and DOC’s dashboards - tracks increasing jail population, violent incidents, staffing shortages, court appearances, and missed medical appointments.
Rates of sick leave trending down yet remains double pre-pandemic averages.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander welcomed the Department of Correction’s (DOC) release of new data tracking metrics and conditions in city jails, in response to months of requests from the Comptroller’s office for data transparency. In light of the ongoing crisis in the city’s jails, the Comptroller’s office began requesting data from DOC in January, with the goal of providing regular information to the public on key agency metrics, including staff absenteeism, rates of violence, missed medical appointments, and the growth of the jail population. That data is now available on a dashboard published today, available here.
“What we can’t see, we can’t fix. For years, the Department of Correction has locked away its data, failing to provide real transparency to the public. The Comptroller’s office has had the agency on its watch list since 2018, in order to track operations and management problems that have snowballed into a humanitarian crisis. I’m pleased that following formal requests from our office, critical DOC data is now finally available to the public on both their website and on ours. Transparency about staffing absences, the provision of basic services including medical care and access to the courts, and the prevalence of violence are essential for accountability and change,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.
The Comptroller’s dashboard shows that the number of uniformed staff out sick spiked from about 500 per day in 2019 to 3,000 in April 2020 during the early days of the pandemic. Staff on sick leave rose again in late 2020 and throughout 2021. While sick leave usage has fallen since January 2022, the share of uniformed staff out each day remains double pre-pandemic levels. During June 2022, uniformed staff logged 170,789 hours of sick leave – 154,789 hours due to illness and 16,000 hours due to injuries. In June 2019 (before the pandemic), DOC recorded 87,892 hours of uniformed staff sick due to illness and 17,509 hours due to injuries.
The dashboard shows:
- As of the beginning of August 2022, the jail population stood at 5,708—with 119 more people in custody than in July, but 1,600 fewer people detained compared to August 2019.
- The average share of staff out sick per day is 12%, down from 13% in June.
- The average number of staff restricted from working with people in custody due to medical conditions is 608, or 9% of total headcount – more than double the average rate in 2019.
- After increasing violent incidents in 2021, assaults on staff and fights has decreased. As of July 2022, there were 65 assaults on staff, down 9 incidents from June.
- 42 slashings/stabbings occurred last month, up from 39 in June. For the calendar year-to-date, the total number of slashings and stabbings is up 40% over the same period in 2021.
- Adjusted for the jail population, the rate of use of force, including incidents and allegations, rose from 28.27 to 32.69 per 100 (as of the most recent quarter).
- The share of detained people making court appearances each day is at 9%, returning to pre-pandemic levels after dipping to a low of 2% in April 2020.
- The average length of detention is now 125 days for the calendar year-to-date (January-July 2022), up from 79 for the same period in 2019.
New York City’s DOC operates all city jails including the complex on Rikers Island. The conditions on Rikers Island have been subject to a federal monitor since 2015. As noted in the monitor’s April 2022 Report, “the level of dysfunction within the Department’s staffing framework is unmatched by any jurisdiction with which the Monitoring Team has had experienced.” New York City plans to replace the complex with four, borough-based jails, but the average daily jail population currently exceeds the capacity of these new jails by about 2,400, and has trended upwards in recent months.
Comptroller Lander continued, “A dozen people have already died this year in the custody of our correctional system. Getting arrested in New York City should not be a death sentence. As James Baldwin said, ‘Not everything that’s faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it’s faced.’ Our city cannot look away from this crisis. DOC’s new data transparency is one step in facing it.”
DOC began providing the data to the Comptroller’s office this spring. The Comptroller’s office shared a mockup of its new dashboard with DOC for feedback on August 5 pursuant to an information sharing agreement, in anticipation of public release. DOC then announced its own dashboard on August 22, so the new data will now be available to the public on both the Comptroller and DOC websites (and downloadable from the Comptroller’s site). The dashboard will be updated monthly as new data is made available and will highlight changes over time.
You can view the Comptroller’s dashboard at: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/department-of-correction-doc/dashboard/.
MAYOR ADAMS, MEMBERS OF 1969 ‘AMAZIN’ METS JOIN AGEE FAMILY TO OPEN I.S. 419 – TOMMIE L. AGEE EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS
Named After Famed Mets Centerfielder, I.S. 419 is One of 11 New School Buildings Opening in 2022, Adding More Than 5,700 School Seats Citywide
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the New York City Department of Education (DOE), the School Construction Authority (SCA), elected officials and members of the World Series Champion 1969 “Amazin” Mets today joined the family of legendary Mets outfielder Tommie Agee to celebrate the opening of the Tommie L. Agee Educational Campus, I.S. 419 in Queens to start the school year.
Agee, who died in 2001, spent five seasons playing centerfield for the New York Mets, from 1968 to 1972. Regarded as one of the club’s all-time best centerfielders, Agee helped the Mets win their first World Series at nearby Shea Stadium in 1969. Agee’s wife, Maxcine, and daughter, J’nelle, as well as teammates Cleon Jones and Art Shamsky, joined the celebration of the school’s opening.
“Tommie Agee was not only part of the greatest ball club in this country, but a star player on the greatest team there ever was: the 1969 Amazin’ Mets,” said Mayor Adams. “His presence fed the energy of New York City and we’re thrilled to celebrate Tommie’s contributions today at the new Tommie L. Agee Educational Campus. By
“This brand new state-of-the-art facility is another example of the SCA’s ability to provide much needed new school seats to New York City’s students and families. I am proud of the SCA’s continued track record in helping to reduce overcrowding and provide nurturing learning environments,” said SCA President and CEO Nina Kubota. “I would like to thank all of the District 24 elected officials, community leaders, and other stakeholders for their support of our Capital Plan, which has enabled us to provide this new facility to meet the needs of this school community.”
“Our school buildings are extensions of our children, their families, our neighborhoods, and, most importantly, of our communities. The Tommie Lee Agee School is an incredible example of just that — a school that has the power to bring people, teammates, family members, students, and community members together to honor one of their own,” said DOE Chancellor David C. Banks. “Thank you to our partners at SCA for this beautiful new school building and, of course, to the New York Mets for modeling teamwork and community for our young folks and our city every day.”
“Tommie would have been so very proud to be recognized with his name on this beautiful state-of-the-art facility, making educational opportunities available to the students of East Elmhurst,” said J. Maxcine and J’nelle Agee. “Tommie was a true gentleman, on and off the field, and gave back in so many ways through his service and foundation. We, along with the New York Mets, are proud to share his contributions with the Queens community he called home.”
“This is such a fitting dedication — to name a school after Tommie in Queens,” said Sandy Alderson, president, New York Mets. “Queens was Tommie’s home. He lived, worked, and played here, and I know how proud he would be since education and community involvement were so important to him. The Mets are grateful to share this special day with Tommie’s family and teammates.”
The new state-of-the-art school — located at 111-12 Astoria Boulevard — will serve students from grades 6 to 8. The 646 new seats will help alleviate overcrowding in District 24 as part of the more than 2,800 new seats created in Queens for the 2022-2023 school year.
The building is a fully air-conditioned, accessible five-story intermediate school. The facility provides 18 standard classrooms and two district special education classrooms, as well as reading and speech resource rooms. The school also includes a District 75 program, which contains eight additional classrooms with dedicated student restrooms, rooms for occupational and physical therapy, a guidance room, and a multi-purpose room. The building also includes:
- An art classroom;
- A science demonstration lab and prep room;
- A music suite with sound-proof practice cubicles;
- A library;
- A gymnatorium, exercise room, and outdoor playground;
- A full kitchen, cafeteria, and staff lunchroom;
- Guidance, medical, and administration suites; and
- A parent room.
DEC ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF FINAL THREE SEGMENTS OF NEW YORK STATE BIRDING TRAIL
Statewide Trail Provides Birding Opportunities for All New Yorkers, Regardless of Age, Ability, Identity, or Background
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the grand opening of the final three regions of the New York State Birding Trail, highlighting the state’s world-class and wide-ranging birding opportunities. The Adirondacks-North Country, Catskills, and Southern Tier segments bring the total number of birding trail locations across the state to more than 300, providing a variety of quality birding experiences for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy.
“Across the state, the New York State Birding Trail showcases the state’s diverse variety of habitats and landscapes and the more than 450 species of birds found here," Commissioner Seggos said. “The completion of the trail map is just the beginning. We look forward to working with our many birding partners for years to come to help residents and visitors enjoy the unique and special opportunities for birding found only here in New York State.”
Birdwatching has become one of New York’s fastest-growing recreation and tourism activities. DEC manages the New York State Birding Trail in collaboration with partners that include the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. The statewide trail network includes promoted birding locations that can be accessed by car or public transportation, providing an inclusive experience for all visitors to enjoy birds amid beautiful natural settings with little or no cost or investment in equipment.
The Adirondacks-North Country segment includes 41 locations on a mix of public and private lands throughout Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Montgomery, St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Warren counties with species such as loons, boreal chickadees, and the Canada Jay. In addition to unique birding opportunities, this region offers breathtaking views of the Adirondack High Peaks.
Covering five counties, the Catskills segment includes 23 locations on public lands in Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. From Forest Preserve lands and iconic State parks to a national wildlife refuge and the popular Ashokan Rail Trail, visitors can combine birding with other pursuits like hiking and biking. The Catskills Visitor Center is a great place to start a birding adventure in this region.
The Southern Tier segment includes 34 locations in Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Tioga counties. New York’s Southern Tier is full of breathtaking scenery, from the deep forests of Allegany State Park to the gorges and towering rock formations of Watkins Glen State Park, Rock City, and McCarty Hill state forests. With so much natural diversity, birders can enjoy unique opportunities to view a wide variety of wood warblers and other forest bird species.
New segments of the Birding Trail were opened in a phased approach. DEC announced the New York City trail segment in October 2021, Greater Niagara in February 2022, Long Island in March 2022, Hudson Valley in April 2022, and Central-Finger Lakes and the Capital Region in May. With 312 locations, the Statewide Birding Trail provides birding opportunities for everyone, regardless of age, ability, identity, or background, across New York State.
DEC continues to solicit input from a wide range of New Yorkers and organizations that represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and is making trail information available in both English and Spanish. Bird walks will be held in collaboration with organizations working with BIPOC communities.
The New York State Birding Trail map is available at www.ibirdny.org and provides valuable information on each site such as location, available amenities, species likely to be seen, directions, and more. Digital information on the Birding Trail will be updated periodically, so budding outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to check back often.
In addition to State-owned and managed locations for the Birding Trail, publicly and privately managed sites can complete a simple self-nomination process to be considered for inclusion on the trail. Sites all meet criteria to help ensure a positive experience for visitors throughout the state. Additionally, each site will post signage noting it as an official location on the birding trail. For information on the nomination process, see www.ibirdny.org.
DEC encourages birding enthusiasts to visit I Bird NY for more information on where and how to observe birds, upcoming bird walks, a downloadable Beginner's Guide to Birding (available in Spanish), additional resources, and information on the recently announced 2022 I Bird NY birding challenges.
DEC manages and oversees nearly five million acres of public lands and conservation easements and plays a vital role in both protecting New York’s natural resources and providing opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors. From fishing on scenic streams, hiking and rock climbing, swimming and boating, birding, and nature study, or simply relaxing in a tent under the stars, there are endless adventures to be found. Visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/