wins for our community

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Dear John

Before we get started, I want to make a quick note about the Mayor’s recent budget announcement ([link removed]) . Citing rising costs to care for asylum seekers and the ending of federal stimulus money, the Mayor is pursuing deep cuts to nearly every agency across the City. Most notably, several library locations are being forced to end Sunday service, cutting off a critical lifeline for so many people in our community. Our City faces serious budget challenges, but the Mayor’s reckless mismanagement is threatening the very basic functions of our City government. More to come on how I’m fighting back on these disastrous cuts in the coming weeks.
* Our office is looking for volunteers to serve on our Civic Assembly (or community jury), which will deliberate on which Participatory Budgeting (PB) ideas will be considered for development for the PB ballot! This jury is chosen by demographic lottery and will meet for three sessions. Please submit your information on this Google form ([link removed]) to be entered into the lottery by 5 PM on 11/20!

Serving the Community

Our team of City Council staffers may only be eight people strong, but nearly half of our staff are dedicated to addressing constituent services. Whether it’s helping navigate complex city bureaucracy, liaising with utility companies, or working with the Sanitation Department to ensure our neighborhoods are clean, our office is here to help you. We’ve compiled a list of our constituent services wins from the past year to highlight some of our successes and show you the different areas our office can help you with! If you have a question or need assistance with an issue, you can contact us at 718-499-1090 or contact our Constituent Services Director, Matt, at [email protected].

Dealing with Building Management

Back in August, we were alerted about an extended water shutoff in a building on McDonald Avenue. There were several elderly and immigrant neighbors in the building, so we were concerned the shutoff would severely impact their quality of life, and they may not have received the information in a timely fashion. We quickly alerted the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to work with the landlord to see if the repairs could be done within a small shut-off timeframe. We worked closely with HPD and the landlord to complete the repairs within a limited shutoff window, and any information about a water shutoff was more widely distributed to neighbors.

Sanitation

One of the most common issues we deal with is sanitation. Back in September, we received several complaints about trash on Court Street and the need for more waste baskets in the area. In just 48 hours, we worked with the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to secure more trash cans! We were also alerted to several instances of illegal dumping on 19th Street and worked quickly with DSNY to remove the trash and set up increased enforcement to ensure the dumping stopped.

Talking to National Grid

Due to a gas leak on Vanderbilt Avenue in September, several homes in our community were without gas. While National Grid attempted to restore service to the entire area, a few homes were left out. Neighbors contacted our office, and we were able to restore service quickly!

Navigating Bureaucracy

Back in May, we heard from one of our co-op constituents about an issue they had with their yearly tax abatement. Due to miscommunication with the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Buildings (DOB), our neighbor's yearly abatement was canceled, and she was facing a mounting bill. Unsure of where to turn after being handed off from one department to the next, they contacted our office, and we established a paper trail to get her abatement reinstated. We helped save our constituent a few thousand dollars and ensured her yearly tax abatement wouldn’t be impacted in the future!

Community Bulletin
* As Thanksgiving fast approaches, our friends at CHiPS are looking for donations to help provide a hearty Thanksgiving meal to those in need. Check out the list of needs ([link removed]) , and please consider giving generously this holiday season!
* The Department of Transportation has proposed new rules for outdoor dining, and you can submit your feedback! You can submit your feedback online ([link removed]) or attend the virtual hearing on 11/20 at 10 AM. Access the Zoom link here ([link removed]) .
* With overdose deaths on the rise in our City, it’s more important than ever to know how to use Naloxone. The Department of Health (DOH) hosts regular online training to teach you how to use this vital overdose reversal agent. The next is on 11/30 from 2-3 PM, and you can find the full schedule on the DOH website. ([link removed])
* The application for Open Streets is now officially open! Check out the application and eligibility requirements here ([link removed]) , and be sure to get your application in before 1/31/24. Please contact our office with any questions or if you need support on the application.
* Help shape the future of Prospect Park! Share your feedback and be entered for a chance to win $100! Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit that sustains the park, wants to hear from you on how the park can better serve the public and build even greater connections with our community. Take the survey ([link removed]) today!
* Running a small business is tough, but New York City has your back. Once you find your commercial space, be sure to reach out to the Commercial Lease Assistance (CLA) Program from NYC Small Business Services. It offers free attorneys to review your lease, help negotiate terms, challenge landlords who try to harass or intimidate you and ensure your lease allows your business to thrive. Visit their website ([link removed]) or call 888-SBS-4NYC to learn more!
* Our office is planning a job and volunteer fair for high school students in March! If you are a local employer that will be looking to fill summer jobs, internships, or volunteer opportunities, please fill out our interest form ([link removed]) .
* Do you have extra paint lying around? Before you send it to a landfill, consider recycling the paint at a retailer near you. The Paintcare recycling program provides year-round, easy-to-access drop-off sites for households and businesses to divert leftover paint from landfills by recycling it back into paint or other beneficial applications such as fuels and cement additives. Check out the drop-off sites listed below.
+ Mazzone Ace Hardware (470 Court St): (718) 624-8494
+ Mazzone Ace Hardware (476 Bergen St): (718) 783-3333
+ Sherwin-Williams (555 5th Ave): (718) 369-0819
+ Big Reuse (1 12th Street): (718) 725-8925

In Solidarity,

Shahana

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