Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - What's Happening In District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

As the holiday season quickly approaches, I am excited to share upcoming community events, perfect for the entire family. This year you can expect our annual Menorah Lighting at Bronx House and a Holiday Tree Lighting in Morris Park, featuring Santa and the Grinch! This is my favorite time of year, and it’s a pleasure to share these moments with all of you. For more information, scroll to ‘What’s Happening in District 13.’

In recent weeks, our community has been impacted by residential fires, many of them preventable. The American Red Cross has been an active partner in ensuring our neighbors have access to critical resources and has provided temporary housing. To ensure our families have the tools to navigate such tragedies, I have partnered with Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez (D34-Brooklyn), to put together a guide for those impacted by residential fires. To learn more, scroll to ‘Fire Safety.’

In this week’s email, you will find information pertaining to the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), traffic advisories, lifeguard training and testing, as well as information on retrieving a booted or towed vehicle. There are also upcoming events with the Urban Park Rangers throughout Pelham Bay Park, which can be found by scrolling to ‘Youth.’  

To contact my office for additional information or to schedule an appointment, call us at  (718) 931-1721 or email us at District13@council.nyc.gov.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DISTRICT 13

Morris Park Holiday Tree Lighting

Join the Morris Park Business Improvement District (MPBID), Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr., and me for this year’s Holiday Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 10, from 3:30 PM to 5 PM! We will kick off the holiday season by taking photos with Santa and the Grinch, indulging in delicious hot cocoa and other holiday treats, and enjoying a special performance from the Student Choir at P.S. 83.

Menorah Lighting at Bronx House

On Tuesday, December 12 at 4 PM at Bronx House, join me and your Bronx elected officials for this year’s Menorah Lighting! This year’s event is extra special, as we will be shining a light on antisemitism and the hateful rhetoric that plagues our communities. Together, we can and will make a difference. 

Travel Advisory

Expressway Ramp Relocations

The New York State Department of Transportation is announced that the Exit 50 ramp from westbound Bruckner Boulevard (I-278) to westbound Bruckner Boulevard/Hunts Point Avenue in the Bronx will be temporarily relocated on through Friday, December 22.

Motorists wanting to access westbound Bruckner Boulevard/Hunts Point Avenue from westbound Bruckner Expressway (I-278) during this temporary relocation should remain in the right travel lane and follow signs to take the new Exit 50 ramp located west of the temporarily-closed Exit 50 ramp.  

As a reminder, heavy construction work will be performed next to traffic lanes, and motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in the work zone. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Construction

Sheridan Boulevard

Please be advised that effective now through July 2025, there will be a change in Traffic Pattern on eastbound Bruckner Expressway (I-278) before Exit 49 (Sheridan Boulevard) in the Bronx.

The change in traffic pattern will result in split traffic between motorists accessing Exit 49 (Sheridan Boulevard) and motorists continuing on Bruckner Expressway (I-278). Motorists wanting to access Exit 49 (Sheridan Boulevard) will remain in a single lane to the left of the work zone. All motorists wanting to continue on eastbound Bruckner Expressway (I-278) will be shifted to the two lanes to the right of the work zone.  

Shore Road Bridge

The New York City Department of Transportation - Division of Bridges will conduct urgent work on the Shore Road Bridge over the Hutchinson River. This will result in a full-bridge closure that will occur overnight on Wednesday, December 6, into Thursday, December 7, from 12 AM (midnight) to 5 AM.

Public Transportation

MTA Subway Service

Due to station improvements, Pelham Bay Park-bound 6-trains will skip Westchester Sq-E Tremont Avenue, effective now through early December. For service to this station, take the 6 to Middletown Road and transfer to a Manhattan-bound 6. For service from this station, take the 6 to Zerega Ave and transfer to a Pelham Bay Park-bound 6. 

Notice of Public Hearing - NYC Health + Hospitals

Please be advised that on Wednesday, December 13 at 4 PM, NYC Health + Hospitals Jacobi, will host a Public Hearing, related to the “Just Home” proposal. If you would like to speak at the public hearing, please register by calling 212-788-3359 or online using the below link.

Online Registration - https://innovations.nychhc.org/publichearings

Advanced registration will close on Monday, December 11 at 2 PM. In-person registration at the hearing site on December 13, beginning 3:30 PM and will close at 5 PM. Interpretation services in Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), and other languages will be available upon request.

NYC Sanitation Offers Leaf Collection 

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has announced guidance to City residents looking to dispose of their autumn leaves. The following information applies to Bronx residents in Community Boards 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12,

DSNY will collect leaves on Sunday, December 10. Set out your leaves at the curb after 8 PM the night before these days. Place leaf and yard waste in paper lawn and leaf bags, clear plastic bags, or an open, labeled bin.

Separating leaves and yard waste from trash and other recycling, allows them to be turned into renewable energy or compost, instead of decomposing in a landfill. Residents with curbside composting services already have year-round leaf collection service. Leaf and yard waste may be placed in your food scrap bin, in paper lawn and leaf bags, in an open, labeled bin, or in clear plastic bags. Leaves should be placed with other curbside compost material and will be collected on your recycling day. 

Update: DEP Flood Kits

Please be advised the New York City Department of Environmental Protection has announced that it has distributed all rain barrels, sump pumps, and rain barriers  in stock. They are working to procure more in 2024. Until then, it is encouraged to sign up for NotifyNYC, review the resources on Rainfall Ready NYC, and their guide for rain event readiness.

NYC Department of Finance: Booted and Towed Vehicles

The New York City Department of Finance has shared its one-pager with information required on how to retrieve a booted or towed vehicle in New York City. Please be advised that additional documents may be required for those with special cases.

Learn more

Borough President Mark Levine - Tackling our city's affodability crisis one project at a time

 

At the start of this year, my office made a firm commitment to make Manhattan's housing affordability crisis our top policy priority with the release of our Housing Manhattanites report.  The centerpiece of this multifaceted blueprint identified 171 potential sites for new affordable housing in Manhattan. Our plan also listed recommendations to dramatically increase the pace at which New York City creates new housing at those sites and across our borough, including a plan for my office to cut back the time it takes us to approve projects from 30 days to under 5 days.  In short, we pledged not just to identify opportunities but to act on them quickly. I'm thrilled to share that we've taken a strong step forward in making good on our promise.  Last week, my office expedited the approval of a significant project to be developed on one of the target sites on our list. This project, which was greenlit in just four days – a stark contrast to the usual 30-day review process – will create 452 new apartments, including 113 affordable units and space for community use.

In a city where time is of the essence, especially for addressing our housing crisis, we've demonstrated that we can move swiftly and decisively to build the type of housing hundreds of Manhattan families desperately need. We must continue to move aggressively to address the affordability crisis in our borough to ensure that low-income and working-class families have a future here in the most exciting and dynamic place on earth. If you agree, I encourage you to sign our Petition for More Housing to show your support for every New Yorker to have access to safe, affordable, quality housing. Warm regards, Mark

Read more about our Housing Manhattanites plan HERE

Congestion Pricing Update

The Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) overseeing congestion pricing’s implementation in New York just released a detailed report that has outlined recommended toll rates, credits, discounts, and exemptions.  Now that the TMRB has made its recommendations to the MTA, there will be a 60-day public comment period that will begin later this year and will include four hybrid public hearings. The MTA will post the public comment period and hearing dates here: new.mta.info/project/CBDTP.  There are still important steps ahead before the congestion pricing program will begin, including starting the public comment process and resolving ongoing litigation. The MTA will need your input to ensure that this program meets the needs of all New Yorkers and is able to realize enormous benefits for our streets, our air and our public transit system.  Submit Testimony About Hybrid Open Meetings  When the pandemic started, New York State’s Open Meeting Law was amended to temporarily allow public bodies to hold hybrid meetings.  However, that rule is set to expire in July. Ahead of this statute expiring, the NYS Committee on Open Government will issue a report to the governor and state legislature on the application and implementation of hybrid meetings, as well as recommendations related to the use of videoconferencing moving forward after July 2024. On December 14th at 11 am, we’re holding a hybrid public hearing to give Manhattanites the chance to testify about the benefits, strengths, challenges and shortcomings of videoconferencing and hybrid meetings, as well as recommend how to improve access, participation, and overall engagement in local public meetings. Register to testify and make your voice heard here. Sign up to Testify

Celebrate the Holidays with The Bronx Chamber.

Join the Board of Directors and the leadership team of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the holidays together during the Bronx Chamber's Holiday Toy Box, building imagination and business on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 6:30pm at Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Course, 870 Shore Road Bronx, NY.

Our holiday party is also a great time to celebrate your team.

Whether you are a large, mid-sized, or small business the Bronx Chamber's holiday party is a great way to celebrate your team and the holidays.

This is a great opportunity to cut loose, enjoy dinner, dancing, networking, and friendship. It is also a great way to celebrate your co-workers and team! Consider purchasing a table and bring your colleagues.

Should you have any questions, please email: events@bronxchamber.org.

To donate new toys for our annual toy drive, please email, Dolores Saldana, dolores@bronxchamber.org.

Reserve Your Spot - Click Here

Release of Body Worn Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on December 4, 2022 in the Confines of the 44th Precinct

 

The NYPD is releasing today body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on December 4, 2022 in the confines of the 44th Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.

You can find the video here

Statement from Speaker Adams on Comptroller Brad Lander’s Report on the City’s Use of Emergency Procurement and Contracts

 

“Transparency, oversight, and accountability are critical when the City is spending billions of public dollars through emergency contracting. Comptroller Lander’s report revealing deficiencies in the Administration’s emergency contracting only underscores the need for the City to reduce its overreliance on this type of procurement and turn towards more sustainable solutions to meet the holistic needs of our communities and those seeking asylum. The city must move away from emergency contracts, especially with for-profit companies that are inherently expensive, and instead shift to non-profit organizations with a greater expertise and commitment to providing services in the long-term public interest of our city. The Administration should begin taking steps to ensure better transparency and to protect the fiscal health of our city.” 

Massachusetts Commercial Fisherman Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion

 

Defendant Evaded Taxes on $1.9 Million in Income Over a Decade

A Massachusetts man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for evading taxes on income he earned as a commercial fisherman.

According to court documents, Joaquin Sosa, of New Bedford, worked as a commercial fisherman and deckhand operating primarily out of the Port of New Bedford. Despite receiving approximately $1.9 million in income between 2012 and 2021, Sosa did not file tax returns reporting the income and did not pay the substantial income taxes owed on the income he earned. Sosa also worked under false identities over the years. To further conceal the source and disposition of his income, Sosa cashed his paychecks from fishing companies at check-cashing businesses, at times using false identities, and used the cash to fund his personal lifestyle. In total, Sosa caused a tax loss to the IRS of $520,415.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani for the District of Massachusetts ordered Sosa to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $520,415 in restitution to the United States.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Governor Hochul Announces $41 Million Expansion of BETA Technologies Production Flight Test and Delivery Center for Electric Aircraft at Plattsburgh International Airport

 

Innovative Electric Aerospace Company Will Grow Its North Country Footprint, Transforming Existing Flight Test Center for Production and Federal Certification Needs

BETA’s Expansion in New York Supports Governor Hochul's Bold Environmental Agenda for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Combating Climate Change

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that BETA Technologies, a cutting-edge electric aerospace company whose aircraft will perform critical cargo, military, and medical missions, will partner with Clinton County on a $41 million expansion of its existing facility at Plattsburgh International Airport. The new, upgraded facility will serve as the manufacturing and final assembly hub for BETA’s all-electric aircraft and will establish a permanent flight test and aircraft delivery center, responsible for final flight testing, aircraft painting, and customer delivery, at one of the North Country’s busiest transit hubs. BETA’s expansion in Plattsburgh will deepen the company’s commitment to developing one-of-a-kind aerospace technology in New York State, strengthen the North Country’s reputation as a modern transportation hub, and build on Governor Hochul’s continued investments to support clean transportation and a greener economy. As part of the agreement to expand operations at Plattsburgh International Airport, BETA Technologies has committed to creating 85 full time jobs in exchange for a $20 million grant awarded to BETA via Clinton County from Empire State Development’s Regional Economic and Community Assistance Program.

“If you're looking for the jobs of the future, come to New York! This expansion of BETA Technologies in Plattsburgh is exactly the kind of growth and innovation that's supercharging New York's economy for the 21st Century,” Governor Hochul said. “From the North Country to Central New York to New York City, my Administration is making transformative investments that create jobs, expand opportunity and grow our economy in every region of the state.”

BETA Founder and CEO Kyle Clark said, “New York State has a strong workforce and a track record of leadership when it comes to supporting and enabling next-generation transportation. At BETA, we’re focused on making aviation cleaner and more efficient for the future, and that requires a number of pieces including technology, infrastructure, and a capable workforce. We’ve been developing, flying, and maintaining our electric aircraft at Plattsburgh International Airport since 2017, and in that time, we’ve been overwhelmed by the State and County's support of our vision. From policymakers to schools and small businesses, we’ve found resonance here and look forward to doubling down to accelerate our growth and operations to create more quality jobs in the state.”

For the past five years, BETA’s flight test center at Plattsburgh International Airport has served as the point of origin for most of its innovative technology, ensuring many of the company’s largest flight milestones have been completed in New York State. Its longest recorded flight of an electric aircraft spanned 336 nautical miles, from Jamestown to Plattsburgh. BETA has secured firm orders from top global operators including UPS, United Therapeutics, Bristow, LCI, Blade, and Helijet, and has multiphase contracts with the U.S. Air Force and Army.

BETA’s all-electric aircraft generates zero operational emissions, can be recharged in under an hour with BETA chargers and have been designed to optimize payload capacity and range. BETA is creating a nation-wide electric charging network that is also compatible with electric vehicles. The company has installed aircraft charging stations at 15 locations in the U.S. including Jamestown, Rome, and Plattsburgh airports, and has 55 more sites across the country in production including at Elmira, White Plains, Republic, Hudson Valley Regional and Albany International Airports, with plans to continue expanding across the country.

BETA is partnering with local schools and other businesses to grow jobs and develop the workforce in Clinton County and beyond. BETA partners with universities like Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Clarkson University, participating in career fairs and facilitating student design challenges for academic programs like Authentic STEM, and is working with Champlain Valley Educational School to develop curriculums and courses to prepare students for future careers in advanced manufacturing and electric aviation.

This announcement complements Governor Hochul’s ongoing investments in building clean transportation infrastructure in New York State. The State is investing more than $2.7 billion for clean transportation initiatives and requires all new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SEVs sold in the State to be zero emissions by 2035. In addition to federal funding, New York’s EV charging Make-Ready and EVolve New York Programs are connecting communities to reliable charging infrastructure that enables the transition to zero-emission vehicles statewide. 

The North Country is home to a vital cluster of transportation equipment and aerospace companies across the seven-county North Country region of New York State that produces next generation transportation equipment and aerospace components built around road, rail, air, and marine transportation due, in part, to its proximity to Quebec's global Transportation Equipment & Aerospace cluster. Transportation manufacturing in the North Country accounts for nearly 1,000 jobs and contributes over $150 million to the State’s gross domestic product.

Principals of Fire Alarm Repair Company Charged with Decade-Long Scheme to Overbill City Agencies

 

Defendants Significantly Overbilled City Agencies Through Numerous Fabricated Invoices With Fraudulently Inflated Prices

An indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging two defendants, Walter Stanzione and William Neogra, with wire fraud conspiracy for systematically defrauding the City of New York.  The defendants are charged with overbilling New York City agencies for more than a decade in connection with contracts to repair and maintain fire alarm systems.  Stanzione was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl L. Pollak, while Neogra is scheduled to be arraigned before Untied States Magistrate Judge Laura D. Hatcher in the District Court of Delaware.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI) announced the charges. 

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants were hired to make sure that the fire alarm systems in hundreds of New York City buildings functioned safely and effectively,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “The defendants took this as an opportunity to steal and defraud, abusing and betraying their obligations.  This indictment demonstrates our Office’s commitment to holding accountable government contractors who fleece city agencies and taxpayers.”

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “These defendants, as charged, overbilled City agencies for more than a decade, including the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Sanitation, by submitting fraudulent invoices reflecting inflated prices.  I thank our federal law enforcement partners for their commitment to protect the City’s resources and to hold accountable vendors who use their City contracts to engage in fraud.”

“Doing business with the city is a privilege Neogra and Stanzione allegedly abused for over a decade. Their alleged crimes milked the city of valuable resources. They got used to getting paid more for less, but today it caught up to them,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith.  

“The defendants in this case took money out of the pockets of hard-working New Yorkers by allegedly overbilling the city with fake invoices and inflated prices.  This fraud affects all those taxpayers who trusted that the City was paying for services rendered.  The defendants are now being held responsible for their criminal acts and will face justice for their decades-long scheme.” said Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI New York.

As alleged in the indictment, the defendants exercised control over Fire Alarm Electrical Corp., a company that held numerous contracts with New York City agencies to repair and maintain fire alarm systems.  For more than a decade, Fire Alarm Electrical Corp. overbilled those agencies by submitting fraudulent invoices with dramatically inflated prices, including invoices that purported to be from legitimate retailers, which the defendants had altered and modified, as well as invoices from shell companies that the defendants owned and controlled.

The charge in the indictment is an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  The defendants face maximum sentences of 20 years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.