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Sunday, January 16, 2022
HAC-US January Newsletter: News, Updates, and Opportunities!
Webinar: "Bronx Metro-North: An Opportunity for Jobs"
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Permits Filed For 120 East 144th Street In Mott Haven, The Bronx
120 East 144th Street in Mott Haven, The Bronx
Permits have been filed for a 13-story residential building at 120 East 144th Street in Mott Haven, The Bronx. Located between Walton and Gerard Avenues, the interior lot is one block from the 149 Street – Grand Concourse subway station, serviced by the 2, 4, and 5 trains. Besyata Investment Group is listed as the owner behind the applications.
The proposed 140-foot-tall development will yield 306,893 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 470 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 652 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, a 96-foot-long rear yard, and 155 enclosed parking spaces.
S. Wieder Architect is listed as the architect of record.
Demolition permits have not been filed yet for the warehouse on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.
Saturday, January 15, 2022
FORWARDING: WEATHER ADVISORY - DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS ADVISES PROPERTY OWNERS, CONTRACTORS, & CRANE OPERATORS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES DURING RAIN AND HIGH WINDS
The New York City area may experience severe weather, including potential intermittent wind gusts of up to 50 MPH, starting this morning, January 14th, and continuing into Monday, January 17th. Accordingly, DOB is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment.
The Department will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the Department will take immediate enforcement action -- issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary.
Winds may reach higher speeds and last longer than forecast in certain areas of the city. Property owners must consider the safety of their buildings and construction sites, including cranes, suspended and supported scaffolding, hoists, and any other building appurtenances that may come loose from exposure to high winds. Structures that have been subject to deferred maintenance or are in delicate condition could be at greater risk. The Department suggests consulting a professional to advise how to secure construction sites and buildings.
To safeguard construction sites, builders, contractors, and developers should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:
· Tie down and secure material and loose debris at construction sites.
· Cover electrical equipment from exposure to the weather.
· Store loose tools, oil cans, and extra fuses in a toolbox.
· Secure netting, scaffolding, and sidewalk sheds.
· Suspend crane operations and secure crane equipment when wind speeds reach 30 mph or greater.
· Suspend hoist operations and secure exterior hoists when wind speeds reach 35 mph or greater unless manufacturer specifications state otherwise.
· Brace and secure construction fences.
· Call 911 if there is an emergency on a construction site.
Buildings Bulletin 2015-029 outlines the requirements for vertical netting, debris netting and material-fall protection devices at buildings and construction sites.
To secure a building, property owners should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:
· Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools, and toys.
· Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
· Close up and secure patio umbrellas.
· Secure retractable awnings.
· Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.
· Take down tents or follow manufacturer’s instructions to secure them.
· Check to ensure all gutters, roof drains, and down spouts are cleared of debris to allow for proper drainage.
New Yorkers are encouraged to call 311 to report non-compliant conditions or 911 to report emergencies at construction sites or buildings. New Yorkers who suspect a building or property has been structurally compromised should call 911.
Under §28-301.1 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, property owners are legally obligated to maintain their properties in a safe condition.
Department weather advisories are strictly a courtesy to remind property owners to prepare their properties for severe weather and cannot be read to suggest that the Department, rather than the property owner, is responsible for maintaining his or her property.
NYGOP Selects Nassau County to Host its 2022 Statewide Nominating Convention February 28th - March 1st
NYGOP Chairman Langworthy: We are Putting Together the Strongest Statewide Ticket Since 1994 That Will Restore Opportunity, Safety & Common Sense to New York
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“This convention will put a huge spotlight on how we plan to replicate Nassau’s victories statewide.”
New York Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy today announced he has selected the Nassau Republican Party as its host for the 2022 statewide nominating convention that will be held February 28th-March 1st.
Republican county chairs, committee members and grassroots activists from across the state will gather at the Garden City Hotel for the purposes of nominating candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and U.S. Senate. In addition to conducting official party business, the two-day affair will also feature social gatherings, presentations led by the Nassau GOP host committee and remarks from local elected officials.
Nassau County is home to a historic Republican resurgence where the Nassau GOP, led by Chairman Joe Cairo, orchestrated sweeping victories in last November’s local elections. Republicans took control of all countywide offices, ousting a sitting Democrat county executive, electing the first Republican district attorney in nearly four decades and electing a new Republican comptroller. Republicans also increased their majority in the county legislature and won key town and council seats. Winning this key suburban county is essential for any statewide candidate.
“There is incredible energy and enthusiasm for this year’s convention, where we will officially kick off the 2022 election cycle and our mission to save New York State,” said New York Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy. “Everything we have been working toward has been to build the strongest ticket since 1994 that will restore opportunity, safety and common sense to our state. Voters are ready for change and we are going to offer them the solutions that will appeal to New Yorkers from every walk of life and political affiliation.”
Chairman Langworthy continued, “There is no better place to host our convention than Nassau County. They sent shockwaves around the state last November with their tremendous Republican victories and their historic success is proof that our Republican message is resonating with a broad swath of voters. I’m thrilled that Chairman Cairo has agreed to host us. He is the ultimate strategist who is a key part of our team helping to lead our candidates to victory. This convention will put a huge spotlight on how we plan to replicate Nassau’s victories statewide.”
“I want to thank Chairman Langworthy for selecting Long Island as the site for the state Republican Nominating Convention,” said Joseph G. Cairo, Jr., Chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee. “We enjoyed some great victories in 2021, sweeping the countywide elective offices, increasing our majority in the Nassau Legislature, taking back townwide offices and council seats in North Hempstead, dominating in the towns of Oyster Bay and Hempstead, as well as winning convincingly in the city of Glen Cove. I think that Long Island is a great place to host the state convention.”
NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNAPOLI: STATE ENDS THIRD QUARTER OF STATE FISCAL YEAR ON SOLID FINANCIAL FOOTING
Tax receipts for the first nine months of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 continue to exceed projections, totaling $84.4 billion. This amount is significantly higher than the most recent forecast by the Division of the Budget contained in the Mid-Year Update to the Financial Plan. While tax collections have exceeded forecast throughout the current fiscal year, December results are also affected by a newly established tax structure, the Pass Through Entity Tax (PTET). The PTET allows certain taxpayers to make state business tax payments that are deductible from federal taxes, rather than making state income tax payments that are not deductible from federal taxes.
Tax receipts exceeded the latest Financial Plan forecast by $12.9 billion over the first nine months of SFY 2021-22, according to the monthly state Cash Report released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. This includes the $10.2 billion collected from the PTET. However, taxpayers that remit PTET payments are expected to reduce their Personal Income Tax (PIT) payments by similar amounts. Since December results may not yet reflect these offsetting reductions to PIT receipts, they should be considered with a significant measure of caution during this transition period.
“Tax collections performed well in December, and the state’s economy and finances continue their recovery,” DiNapoli said. “But there is continuing uncertainty about the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 surge, economic risks, and the need for continuing financial support for those still struggling to find their footing. Also, December tax receipts were heavily influenced by the new tax structure created to mitigate the damaging impact of the 2017 federal cap on State and Local Taxes, which clouds our revenue picture during this transition period. As we begin the new budget season, I urge the Executive and the Legislature to proceed with caution.”
PIT receipts totaled $49 billion and continued to exceed Financial Plan expectations ($1.9 billion over most recent projections and $7.1 billion over initial projections) and to show year-over-year growth ($12.2 billion year to date). Withholding collections totaled $34.7 billion, 18.8% higher than last year, benefitting from an extra withholding day, as well as the continued benefit of increased tax rates.
Year-to-date, consumption and use tax collections totaled $14.8 billion, 23.1% or $2.8 billion higher than the same period last year, and $386.2 million higher than anticipated in the latest projections but $1.1 billion higher than initially anticipated.
Business taxes totaled $18.3 billion, including $10.2 billion from the PTET. Excluding this new revenue source, business taxes were just under $2 billion higher than last year for the same period and $217.7 million higher than latest projections and nearly $1.5 billion higher than initially projected.
All Funds spending through December 31 totaled just under $141.5 billion, which was $14.3 billion, or 11.2%, higher than last year for the same period, primarily due to higher Medicaid and education costs. All Funds spending through the first three quarters was nearly $4.5 billion lower than the latest projections, and $5.9 billion lower than enacted projections, primarily due to lower than anticipated spending from the General Fund and federal funds. State Operating Funds spending totaled $73.9 billion, $10 billion, or 15.7% higher than last year and $1.7 billion lower than the latest projections.
The state’s General Fund ended the third quarter with a balance of $30.7 billion, $15.2 billion higher than the latest projections and $14.1 billion higher than last year at the same time primarily due to the PTET, as well as higher than anticipated tax collections and lower than anticipated spending.
Report
Related Report
Enacted Budget Financial Plan Report, State Fiscal Year 2021-22
Democratic District Leader Manny De Los Santos Earns Critical Support As Democratic Nominee For State Assembly in Washington Heights / Inwood District
Manny De Los Santos Favorite at County Committee for AD72
Democratic District Leader Manny De Los Santos has become the next Democratic Nominee for State Assemblyman in District 72, relacing former Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa, who has since been elected to the New York City Council, District 10. Now that the Democratic County Committee in Manhattan has designated him, De Los Santos will appear on the ballot of the upcoming Special Election on February 15th, 2022.
About Manny De Los Santos' candidacy, New York City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa said, “having served this community as Assembly Member for the last 5 years, I know Manny De Los Santos will be a thoughtful leader who will consider the impact of the legislative process on our neighborhoods. He will be a staunch advocate for each and every one of our residents – especially the most vulnerable, so I am honored to have him as a partner in government.”
“Manny De Los Santos is a son of Washington Heights/Inwood, and he has dedicated his entire adult life to serving this community. I know he will work diligently in Albany to ensure we continue to protect tenants and prevent displacement, bring more resources for our schools, support small businesses and help us recover from the pandemic,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat.
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, “The unprecedented times we are living, call for innovative leadership with deep knowledge of local communities, a proven record of community service, consistency, vision, compassion and integrity. And those are some of the qualities that Manny De Los Santos brings to the table. He will be a great asset in Albany for all residents of Upper Manhattan.”
Assembly Member Al Taylor said, “Manny De Los Santos' knowledge of Upper Manhattan, NYC and Albany, are essential for a successful and effective Assembly Member to succeed in Albany and deliver to constituents. I cannot think of a better prepared candidate to represent Assembly District 72 at the State Capitol than Manny, who is a bridge and coalition-builder, and will work with his colleagues in the Legislature to address the most pressing issues facing Upper Manhattan and all of New York. I look forward to working with Manny in the State Assembly”.
Manny De Los Santos, MSW is a former Community School Director with over 10 years of social work experience. He has served as President Northern Manhattan Democrats For Change, the grassroots club of Northern Manhattan. He was elected District Leader in 2009 representing the 72nd Assembly District. Manny was later elected to serve as State Committeeman in 2016. He was recently selected by City and State for their "40 Under 40 Rising Stars."
U.S. Citizen Charged with Conspiring to Provide Electronic Equipment and Technology to the Government of Iran
Defendant Allegedly Conspired to Illegally Export U.S. Goods and Technology Without Required Export Licenses
A criminal complaint has been unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Kambiz Attar Kashani, a dual citizen of the United States and Iran, with conspiring to illegally export U.S. goods, technology, and services to end users in Iran, including the Government of Iran, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Kashani was arrested yesterday in Chicago, Illinois, and had an initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge Sheila M. Finnegan at the federal courthouse in Chicago. The defendant was remanded pending a detention hearing.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Joseph R. Bonavolanta, Special Agent-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest.
“As alleged, Kashani orchestrated an elaborate scheme to evade U.S. export laws and use the U.S. financial system in procuring U.S. electronic equipment and technology for the Central Bank of Iran, which has been designated by the United States government as acting for or on behalf of terrorist organizations. The defendant allegedly used two United Arab Emirates companies as fronts to procure items from multiple U.S. technology companies, including a company in Brooklyn,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Kashani’s arrest underscores the unrelenting resolve of this Office and the Department of Justice to prosecute those who seek to profit by compromising our national security.”
“We arrested Kambiz Attar Kashani for conspiring to deceive U.S. companies, including one headquartered in Massachusetts, by illegally exporting their highly sophisticated electronic equipment and technology to the Government of Iran. We believe Mr. Kashani profited financially by strengthening the economy of one of the world’s most infamous state sponsors of terrorism, while circumventing critical U.S. laws designed to protect our national security interests,” stated FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Bonavolonta. “This case is another example of the FBI’s commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to protect American businesses and stop the illegal export of sensitive information and technology to nations that are hostile to the United States.”
As set forth in the complaint, Kashani conspired to illegally export goods and technology to the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), which the United States government recognizes is an agency of the Government of Iran. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has classified CBI as a Specially Designated National (SDN) signifying that CBI is acting for or on behalf of a terrorist organization. According to the U.S. government, CBI has materially assisted, sponsored and provided financial, material or technological support, goods or services to Lebanese Hizballah, a terrorist organization, and to the Qods Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The IRGC is a branch of the Iranian armed forces and represents the primary means of the Government of Iran to direct and implement its global terrorism campaign.
Kashani allegedly perpetrated the illegal transshipping scheme through two separate United Arab Emirates (UAE) front companies for which he acts as principal. From around February 2019 through June 2021, Kashani and his co-conspirators used the two UAE companies to procure electronic goods and technology from multiple U.S. technology companies, including a company located in Brooklyn, New York, for end users in Iran, including CBI, without obtaining required OFAC export licenses. Kashani and his co-conspirators intentionally concealed from the U.S. companies that they intended to send the items to Iran, falsely claiming that the UAE front companies would be the ultimate end users.
The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant:
KAMBIZ ATTAR KASHANI
Age: 44
United Arab Emirates