Dear Neighbors,
I join the many New Yorkers who will be celebrating Juneteenth tomorrow. The Black Lives Matter movement is continuing the centuries-long struggle for true equality in our country, and tomorrow is an opportunity to honor the ancestors of that struggle.
The City Council passed a historic package of legislation today aimed at addressing police misconduct and enacting substantial police reforms. I am a co-sponsor of all the bills. Included in the package we approved are new laws that:
- ban chokeholds and other methods of restraint, such as kneeling on a person’s neck, by police officers while conducting an arrest;
- reaffirm the right to record police activity;
- prevent officers from shielding their badge numbers from the public;
- require the NYPD to develop a disciplinary matrix that outlines penalties for violations, and publicly report on the usage of this matrix; and
- require improvements to the NYPD’s system for identifying problematic officers.
Learn more about all the bills here.
Also today, the Council passed the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act. This important bill (which I co-sponsored in 2018) requires the NYPD to publicly disclose information on its surveillance technology tools and develop transparent policies on how it uses those tools. The POST Act will also require annual oversight of the NYPD’s use of surveillance technology to ensure compliance with those policies.
As I have said many times, one of the most insidious aspects of the COVID-19 crisis has been its impact on victims and survivors of domestic violence, many of whom have been in lock-down with their abusers for months.
Today I introduced legislation which requires the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic & Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) to create a full-fledged public awareness campaign about resources available to DV survivors. I have been pressing the Mayor's Office for such a plan since the crisis began, and expect this legislation to pass shortly.
Once my bill is passed, ENDGBV will be required to submit its outreach plan to the City Council, and especially important, will have to give us weekly progress reports.
Phase 2: Re-Opening
This morning Mayor de Blasio confirmed that Phase 2 of New York City's re-opening process begins on Monday. Offices, in-store retail, hair salons and barbershops, vehicle dealerships, and other businesses will be able to re-open under certain conditions.
As New York City re-opens, it is critical that any resident who is concerned about possible exposure to the coronavirus get tested. COVID-19 testing is available for all New Yorkers. To find a testing site near you, type your address here, or call 311.
The Mayor has also signed an Executive Order which allows qualifying restaurants and bars to expand outdoor seating on sidewalks, curb lanes, backyards, patios, plazas, and Open Streets.
Restaurants and bars will be able to self-certify their eligibility using a streamlined application process at nyc.gov. Curb lane, sidewalk, and backyard and patio seating all begin Monday. Open Streets seating on nights and weekends will begin in July.
The City says it will work with community groups to identify additional seating within full streets closures in July.
- Business owners can call 1-888-SBS-4NYC with questions.
- Restaurants can work with their local BID and the Dept of Transportation to request additional seating in plazas by emailing [email protected].
GUIDELINES: Outdoor seating on sidewalks cannot exceed the business’ frontage width, and cannot block bus stops, "No Standing" zones, doorways, fire hydrants, etc. There must be an eight-foot clear path free of obstructions between seating and the curb, and all accessibility regulations must still be followed.
Social distancing and hygiene guidance all remain in effect, and customers are not permitted to gather outside of establishments.
This week I participated in a walk-through with local businesses to discuss strategies for re-opening. There is no question that businesses and their neighbors could still use additional guidance. I support the Open Streets concept and will work closely with business owners and our community so that Phase 2 is successful.
Community Conversation with Speaker Corey Johnson
Thank you to all the Upper West Siders who joined Speaker Johnson and me for a special Town Hall yesterday. We had incredible interest in this event with almost 500 registrants, many of whom submitted very important questions.
My great thanks to community leaders Mark Diller, Chair of Community Board 7 and Kerri Keiger, President of School District 3 President's Council, who put your questions to me and Speaker Johnson. You can watch the full Town Hall here.
Because there were so many questions that we were not able to get to, we will be releasing a summary document with the most frequently asked questions, and responses, as soon as possible.
June 23rd Primary
1.) If you requested an absentee ballot and have not yet received it, call 866-Vote-NYC (866-868-3692). Alert our office if the ballot never arrives.
Your absentee ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, June 23, 2020.
- Use blue or black ink only. Fill in the circles for your choices completely.
- Small envelope: NO NEED to complete the upper right box ("Official Absentee Ballot For").
- You MUST sign & date the small envelope (on the back, in the bottom designated section) in order for the ballot to be valid. Once this is done, you can seal the small envelope.
- Large envelope: Place the sealed and signed small envelope inside the large envelope; then seal the large envelope and mail it.
2.) In-person Early Voting ends this Sunday at 4pm. Voters may ONLY vote early at their assigned site. Click here or call 1-866-Vote-NYC (1-866-868-3692) to identify your early voting location.
There are 2 Upper West Side in-person early voting locations. Both sites are open on the same days/times.
- West Side High School, 140 West 102nd Street
- John Jay College, 860 11th Avenue (btwn 58th and 59th Sts), Shiva Gallery -- GROUND FLOOR. (**Corrected address**)
Friday June 19, 7:00AM - 3:00PM
Saturday June 20, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Sunday June 21, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
3.) If you plan to vote on Tuesday, Election Day, you can find your polling site here.
For FAQs about the June 23rd election, click here. You can look up your electoral district and other necessary information here.
Return to School 2020 Survey
All parents/guardians of students in grades 3-K through 12, and students in grades 6-12 are invited to take a short, anonymous survey to help the NYC Dept of Education understand what is most important to families as they plan for the fall.
You can take the survey here. The survey is available in multiple languages and can also be taken by calling 311.
Necessary School Construction Resumes with My Advocacy
After significant pressure from our office, the School Construction Authority will be resuming five capital improvement projects on the Upper West Side. The projects are:
- Mickey Mantle School -- exterior masonry and elevator modernization
- Public School 87 -- exterior masonry and boiler replacement
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. High School -- roof replacement and plaza replacement
The SCA reports that in the next 7-10 days they will process and implement work site safety plans, and will hold site ready meetings before work begins. We will keep you posted on all of this, and are delighted that this important work is resuming.
Blood Donations Needed
The cancellation of blood drives during the pandemic has significantly impacted supply levels. Please consider donating blood. New Yorkers can make an appointment by visiting nybc.org or calling 800-933-2566.
Resources for Upper West Siders
My office is working with seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, people with housing issues, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can.
Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected]; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com. We update it on a daily basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis.
Also, please visit the City's COVID-19 information portal: nyc.gov/coronavirus.
Cooling Assistance
- New York City's Human Resources Administration is providing a “Cooling Assistance” benefit, which helps eligible households buy and install an air conditioner or fan up to a cost of $800. Learn more and apply here.
- NYCHA seniors & other vulnerable residents can receive a free AC unit and have it installed. Eligibility: NYCHA residents age 60+, and/or with a mobility impairment, and/or that are on life sustaining equipment, and do not have an air conditioner. Eligible NYCHA residents are receiving robocalls. Anyone who missed the robocalls please call (718) 707-7771.
Resources for Small Businesses
- NYC Business Restart Hotline: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) for any small business who needs help or is seeking guidance on Phases 1 and 2 of the reopening.
- Small business and non-profit employer guides available here.
- Additional resources & guidance from NYC Small Business Services: nyc.gov/covid19biz + Reopening Guide + informational palm card.
- The City is providing 2 million face coverings for small businesses and their employees. Find a distribution site here.
- The Federal government is relaxing certain requirements related to the Paycheck Protection Program (including how much of the loan must be used for payroll costs). Learn more here.
- The NY Forward Loan Fund is assisting businesses and organizations who have upfront safety expenses under the New York Forward Re-open Plan (e.g., inventory, marketing, refitting for new social distancing guidelines). Available for businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, nonprofits, and small landlords that have seen a loss of rental income. Learn more here.
Hotline for Working New Yorkers
Workers who call 311 will be connected to the NYC Dept of Consumer & Worker Protection for immediate assistance. Information on worker rights and guidance is also available online: nyc.gov/coronavirus.
2020 Census: NYC Needs You
Just over half of New York City residents have responded to the 2020 Census. It is absolutely essential --for fair representation in government, equitable public funding, and much more-- that all New Yorkers participate. Every household has the option of responding online, by phone, or by mail. Learn more here.
As always, please stay home to every extent possible for the safety of everyone. You can review NYC Dept of Health guidelines here.
Please stay well and share some kindness with yourself and the people around you.
Warmly,
P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here. Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.
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