CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION ANNOUNCES - INITIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS, KEY STAFF

 

Hearings Open to All New Yorkers, with Locations Across Five Boroughs and Virtual Options

New York City Charter Revision Commission (CRC) Chair Richard R. Buery, Jr. announced initial public hearings across the five boroughs, between February and April 2025, for New Yorkers to offer input on potential changes to the City Charter to promote fair housing and make the city more transparent and responsive. The announcement was made at the CRC’s first meeting, at which the commissioners adopted resolutions establishing its operations and designating staff, including Alec Schierenbeck as executive director.   

   

The first two in the initial round of hearings will take place on February 11 in Brooklyn and February 24 in Queens, with three additional hearing dates to come in March and April in the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. The first hearing, on February 11, will have a particular focus on housing, and the second hearing on February 24 will focus on government reform.   

   

“This Commission provides an opportunity to take a fresh look at our city’s governing document and examine how it is serving New Yorkers,” said CRC Chair Buery, Jr. “Today, our housing crisis severely limits where New Yorkers can live, what schools they can attend, how they can get to work, and whether their families can stay together. Our housing crisis contributes to our persistent challenges with homelessness. Our task, among others, is to examine the charter to see how we can help solve this generational challenge. I hope New Yorkers from across the city will take this opportunity to share their experiences and expertise so that we can build a more integrated, affordable city.”   

   

“I am grateful to Chair Buery and the entire Commission for giving me the opportunity to serve the city in this new role,” said CRC Executive Director Schierenbeck. “With hearings across the five boroughs, and robust opportunities for in-person, virtual, and written input, we are eager to hear from New Yorkers about how we can improve the charter and help city government tackle the great challenges of our time, from the housing crisis to the climate crisis.”      

 

The public hearing schedule is available below and on the CRC’s Public Meetings and Hearings webpage:      

 

• Brooklyn   

• Tuesday, February 11, 2024  

• 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM  

• Fire Department of the City of New York Headquarters, Robert O. Lowery Auditorium, 9 Metrotech Center (enter via courtyard off Flatbush Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11201        

• Queens  

• Monday, February 24, 2024  

• 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM  

• New York City Department of Design and Construction Headquarters, First Floor Multi-Purpose Room, 30-30 Thomson Avenue (enter on 30th Place), Queens, NY 11101   

Additional details about the hearings — including Zoom registration links for virtual testimony, translation services, and accommodations — are available on the CRC’s website.   

   

Select hearings will begin with presentations from experts on topics of interest to the CRC. The first hearing will focus on fair housing and how the City Charter governs housing and land use in New York City. At each hearing, the public will be invited to testify about ideas for improving the City Charter, with testimony for up to three minutes each. Members of the public can also submit written testimony to CharterTestimony@citycharter.nyc.gov. Hearings will be live-streamed and archived online.   

SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON THE SELECTION OF THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY'S NEW DEVELOPER

“The Kingsbridge Armory represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the Kingsbridge area and The Bronx overall. That’s why I'm cautiously optimistic about the recent selection of 8th Regiment Partners LLC as the Armory's new developer. While this is an overdue step given how long this site has been vacant, I'm committed to maintaining a watchful eye on the new developer to ensure that the new project fosters economic growth, leads in sustainability, and generates good-paying union jobs. Further, our community's aspirations, needs, and concerns must be thoroughly reflected with a legally binding Community Benefits Agreement. 

The project must include enforceable anti-displacement measures to protect small businesses by ensuring that any retail activity within the Armory complements existing commercial corridors. This also means that we need to establish clear frameworks for community ownership and revenue-sharing mechanisms that directly benefit local residents. 

The Armory is a beacon of hope for small business owners and families in our borough and beyond. Therefore, the selected proposal must take into consideration the vision of this neighborhood and the Bronx Community Land Trust (CLT). We cannot afford to repeat past mistakes where selected developers prioritized profit while undermining and displacing our community. 

I would like to once again extend my gratitude to the dedicated community leaders who have worked for decades to ensure that the Armory is transformed by the Bronx and for the Bronx. I will continue working with them and all local stakeholders to make sure that this project finally fulfills its potential and prioritize the prosperity of our neighbors and our borough.”

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

Happy New Year to you and your family! We hope you had a joyful, safe, and restorative holiday season surrounded by loved ones. As we enter this new year, my team and I are excited to continue serving the incredible residents of the Bronx and building a brighter and stronger community for everyone who calls our borough home.

 

As we embrace the new year, it’s also a time to stay mindful of our health as the winter months settle in. With colder temperatures comes the need to be extra cautious, especially with the continued presence of the monovirus. Be sure to bundle up in layers, wash your hands frequently, and stay up to date with vaccinations to keep yourself and others safe. If you're feeling unwell, please take the necessary precautions and seek medical care when needed. Let’s make this winter a season of care and wellness. Click here for more information on how to keep you and your loved ones safe.

 

While we look forward to the opportunities of the new year, we also must confront challenges that remind us of the work still ahead. I want to address a troubling incident that occurred recently in Morris Park, where a menorah and a holiday banner were vandalized. These actions are a direct attack on our shared values of respect, tolerance, and unity. The Jewish community in the Bronx and throughout New York City deserves to celebrate their traditions without fear or intimidation. Our office is actively working with the Morris Park Business Improvement District (BID), our Jewish community leaders, the New York City Police Department, and colleagues in government to address this issue and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination or hate in our borough. Together, we will continue to ensure that every resident feels safe and respected and that everyone, no matter their faith or background, can live and worship in peace.

As always, if you need support from our office, you can call 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

IN THE COMMUNITY

We proudly joined United Community Schools, the United Federation of Teachers, Transport Workers Union of America Local 106, Molina Healthcare, Sentry, and others to host a joyful Three Kings Day celebration at P.S. 048 Joseph R. Drake School. Over 400 children from our community came together to enjoy the festivities, highlighting the spirit of unity and tradition that makes our borough so special! 

In partnership with the Chabad of the South Bronx, we joined together to Celebrate Hanukkah and officially light the Menorah at Bronx Borough Hall. Hanukkah reminds us of the importance and power of light over darkness, resilience and strength. This year has been a challenging one for our Jewish communities in the Bronx and beyond, and we pray for abundant healing and peace for our families. 

 

May each light on the Menorah serve as a symbol of hope for a better tomorrow. May we celebrate Hanukkah with love, patience, kindness and spending time with family and friends. Thank You Rabbi Mishulovin, Rebbetzin Chana, Chabad South Bronx, JCRC of NY and our community for joining us to celebrate Hanukkah. 

 

Chag Hanukkah Sameach! 

We joined Santa and the 44th Precinct at BronxCare hospital to deliver toys to our youth and families during the holiday season.

UPCOMING EVENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Florida Woman Sentenced for Laundering Millions of Dollars from Romance Scams

 

A Florida woman was sentenced to 30 months in prison for her role in a money laundering conspiracy connected to romance scams that defrauded American victims.

Cristine Petitfrere, 30, of Miramar, Florida, was sentenced after admitting to personally laundering millions of dollars as part of her participation in the conspiracy. Petitfrere helped to funnel large sums of money from victims of romance scams into the hands of her overseas co-conspirators, retaining a portion as payment for her services and transferring the rest.

Romance scams target unsuspecting individuals, many of whom are seeking companionship online, and involve fraudsters who create fake personas to build relationships with victims. The fraudsters then convince victims to send money, often under false pretenses such as emergency situations or investments. These schemes not only cause significant financial losses, but also deeply impact the lives of victims.

Petitfrere pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in the Southern District of Florida in September 2024. According to her plea agreement, Petitfrere personally laundered over $2.7 million of criminal proceeds. As part of her sentence, Petitfrere was ordered to forfeit $203,815.59 in proceeds that she personally received from the offense.

“Romance scams are a growing threat to Americans, particularly to the elderly and vulnerable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to vigorously pursue those who help facilitate these criminal enterprises, whether they work on the frontlines of deception or behind the scenes.”

The FBI Miami Field Office investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Matthew A. Robinson and Lauren M. Elfner of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

Attorney General James Urges Uber and Lyft Drivers to File Claims to Receive Funds from $328 Million Settlement

 

Eligible Drivers Must File Claims by 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2025 

New York Attorney General Letitia James urged rideshare drivers who believe they were underpaid by Uber and Lyft to file claims on or before January 31, 2025 to receive the funds they are due under settlements reached by the  Office of the Attorney General (OAG). In November 2023, Attorney General James secured $328 million in back payments for drivers after an OAG investigation found that Uber and Lyft withheld funds from drivers and failed to provide valuable benefits. Now, Attorney General James has extended the deadline to file claims for those settlement funds to January 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. and is urging all rideshare drivers to check their eligibility and submit a claim online before the deadline.

“Rideshare drivers help keep New York moving and deserve full and fair compensation for their hard work,” said Attorney General James. “I am proud to have secured this landmark settlement with Uber and Lyft and to be returning these funds to the drivers that rightfully earned them. I urge any Uber or Lyft driver who believes they may be eligible to file a claim now to get their money back before the deadline on January 31, 2025. My office will always fight to ensure workers in New York receive the treatment, benefits, and wages they are due.”

Attorney General James secured $290 million from Uber and $38 million from Lyft in a landmark settlement, which also instituted a minimum driver “earnings floor,” paid sick leave, proper hiring and earnings notices, and other improvements in drivers’ working conditions. New Yorkers who drove for Uber between 2014 and 2017 or Lyft between 2015 and 2017 may be eligible to receive money from the settlement funds, which are being entirely distributed to current and former drivers. Drivers who think they may be eligible and have yet to file a claim, or previously filed a claim but did not hear back, are encouraged to file a claim online as soon as possible. 

From 2014 to 2017, Uber deducted sales taxes and Black Car Fund fees from drivers’ payments when those taxes and fees should have been paid by passengers. Uber misrepresented the deductions made to drivers’ pay in their terms of service, telling drivers that Uber would only deduct its commission from the drivers’ fare, and that drivers were “entitled to charge [the passenger] for any tolls, taxes or fees incurred,” though no method to do this was ever provided via the Uber Driver app. Lyft employed a similar method to shortchange drivers from 2015 to 2017, deducting an 11.4 percent “administrative charge” from drivers’ payments in New York equal to the amount of sales tax and Black Car Fund fees that should have been paid by riders. Uber and Lyft also failed to provide drivers with paid sick leave available to employees under New York City and New York state law. 

In addition to paying a total of $328 million in back pay to former drivers, Attorney General James required Uber and Lyft to institute an “earnings floor,” guaranteeing drivers across the state are paid a minimum rate from dispatch to completion of the ride. Drivers outside of New York City now receive a minimum of $26 per hour, adjusted annually for inflation, which marks the first time that the thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers working primarily outside of New York City are guaranteed minimum pay. 

Uber and Lyft drivers also now receive guaranteed paid sick leave, earning one hour of sick pay for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 56 hours per year. The companies must also notify drivers of the amount paid by the rider after each ride, offer in-app chat support for drivers in multiple languages, and provide drivers with proper hiring notices and earnings statements. In addition, drivers will now be able to appeal all deactivations from the Uber and Lyft platforms. 

More than 100,000 drivers throughout New York are eligible to receive settlement funds and the benefits afforded to them under these historic settlements. As of December 18, over 88,000 claims have already been filed. To file a claim for backpay, drivers can visit the Uber or Lyft settlement portals. 

Anyone experiencing an issue filing a claim should contact Rust Consulting directly. Drivers with questions about the Uber settlement can contact 1-800-625-2332 or info@UberNYAGSettlement.com and drivers with questions about the Lyft settlement can contact 1-800-433-5314 or info@LyftNYAGSettlement.com. 

For information on the settlements, drivers can also contact the New York Taxi Workers Alliance at (718) 706-9892 or media@nytwa.org.