— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone continues to stay healthy and safe during these difficult
times. Please find below the latest news and resources to stay informed.

First, I want to share important new guidance from the Department of
Finance. Late payment interest rates have been adjusted for homeowners
impacted by COVID-19. The New York City Council recently passed legislation
that reduces the late payment interest rate for property taxes due on July
1, 2020, for eligible property owners who have been impacted by COVID-19.
The legislation reduces late payment interest from 3.25% to 0% from July 1
through September 30, 2020, for property owners who are billed quarterly
and own property with an assessed value of $250,000 or less. Find out more
by visiting the [1]NYC DOF website.

I am excited to share the tremendous victories we secured for Northeast
Queens in this year's budget. Long time wishes and projects, forgotten and
discarded, will now be completed and fulfilled. Of the proposed capital
projects from our Participatory Budgeting process, which was unfortunately
cut short and cancelled due to the pandemic, we still managed to fund a
record 11 projects! See below for more details on these record financial
victories for our community!

Have a wonderful week!

Thank you and stay well,
Council Member Paul Vallone

_________________________________________________________________________

$20 Million in Funding Improvements

Coming to Northeast Queens!

Previous Ribbon Cutting at MacNeil Park

On June 30, the New York City Council passed the City budget for the
upcoming fiscal year, and I'm proud to announce that, in one of the most
challenging budget years in recent memory due to the ongoing impact of
COVID-19, I was able to fight for and secure $20 million for improvements
throughout Northeast Queens: nearly $5 million for upgrades at local
schools and over $10 million for improvements to parks in the Council
District. In seven years of fiscal budgets, I'm proud to have secured well
over $120 million in funding for Northeast Queens!

Proud to announce that every school within the district will receive a
minimum of $50,000 to fund important technology upgrades. In addition, $5
million and $3.4 million allocation will complete waterfront, esplanade and
seawall repairs at MacNeil Park and pathway renovations at Joe Michael’s
Mile (North), respectively. Scope meetings for these long awaited projects
will be held with the Parks Department and local community leaders later
this year!

A Portion of the Joe Michael's Mile Pathway

I am thrilled to share the news that these two Parks projects, long awaited
and wished for, will soon see completion! These record financial victories
for our Northeast Queens community are promises kept and will have positive
impacts that will carry into future generations. I thank Speaker Corey
Johnson for his partnership in seeing these capital improvements become a
reality.

Earlier Phase Esplanade Restoration at MacNeil Park

A total of $1.6 million in funding was also allocated in partnership with
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson for ecological restorations at College
Point’s Powells Cove. This is one of 11 projects on this year’s
Participatory Budgeting ballot that the Council Member fought to fund in
this year’s budget, despite the citywide cancellation of this year’s voting
cycle due to COVID-19.

Additional participatory budgeting projects funded in this year’s budget
include a $674,00 classroom renovation at JHS 194, accomplished in
partnership with Borough President Sharon Lee, and a $500,000 year-round
Reading Garden at Auburndale Library in partnership with Speaker Johnson.

“The updates to the two rooms in our school is an exciting thing for our
school, as it will provide additional updated classroom space for our
students,” said Jennifer Miller, Principal of JHS 194. “Thank you to
everyone who helped to develop and support this project, including Mr. Koe,
our SLT and PTA, and Council Member Vallone.”

“Council Member Vallone’s $500,000 investment in the reading garden at our
Auburndale branch demonstrates his commitment to reinforcing this
library’s role as a vibrant neighborhood resource,” said Queens Public
Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “We are deeply grateful for
his support of our mission to transform lives and build strong communities
through advancing lifelong learning opportunities.”

Supporting the safety and well being of our Northeast Queens families,
principals, teachers, and students will always be a top priority, and this
year’s budget once again reflects just that, with millions in funding
secured to make improvements to our schools, parks, and libraries that will
be enjoyed for years to come. I was also happy to honor the hard,
grassroots work of our Participatory Budgeting delegates by securing
funding for 11 total projects proposed and submitted directly by the
Northeast Queens community.

Read More:

[2]Queens Courier

[3]Queens Post

_________________________________________________________________________

Bayside’s Bell Boulevard Expands Outdoor Dining!

[4][106926042_3114357062018318_2486389999952065407_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_n
c_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=SMR9QCx3ewMAX_5jzK6&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&
amp;oh=118bf8537e1bf4478c414070e30f817b&oe=5F30AC97]

Happy on Thursday to join Community Board 11's Joe Marziliano, Victor
Dadras and Jack Fried, Senator Liu, Assemblyman Braunstein, and Bayside
business owners and reps from Papazzio and Bourbon Street on Bell Boulevard
to talk about the summertime Open Streets: Restaurants initiative! Thanks
to Christine Silletti and the Bayside BID & the 111th Precinct's Community
Affairs Unit for their partnership!

Bell Boulevard was selected as one of the first business corridors in the
city to participate in the new “Open Streets: Restaurants” program, which
combines the Open Streets and Open Restaurants initiatives. The new program
allows expanded seating options for restaurants on select corridors
throughout the five boroughs on weekends by collaborating with a local
partner (in this case the Bayside BID) to facilitate street closures.

Bell Boulevard, between 39th and 41st Avenues will be fully closed for
restaurant use 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 10 pm. on Sundays.

Expanded seating will last until Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 7). An emergency
clear lane will be maintained down the middle of the street to make sure
that these streets remain safe and passable for emergency vehicles.

"I'm thrilled to share the news that Bayside's Bell Boulevard was selected
to participate in the Open Streets: Restaurants initiative, which gives
restaurant owners the power to expand their operations on the weekends and
offer more diners food service in the open air, giving New Yorkers a safe
way to enjoy a meal out while supporting their favorite local eateries,"
said Council Member Paul Vallone, who also chairs the Committee on Economic
Development. "I thank the Bayside BID for their partnership and welcome
this economic boon for our local restaurants, whose success will be a
critical part of a strong economic recovery for New York City!"

Read Coverage:

[5]Queens Courier

[6]Patch

_________________________________________________________________________

ICYMI: Northeast Queens councilman urges water board to halt interest and
late fees during COVID-19 recovery

"Councilman Paul Vallone introduced a resolution during Tuesday’s Stated
Meeting of the City Council calling on the New York City Water Board to not
impose penalties or interest on water and sewer bills in an effort to give
families needed relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, water customers are billed for both the water they use and the
sewage they generate, and the annual rate for late payment charges is 7
percent.

According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP), many residential customers are deferring bill payments because of
the economic hardship during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and
since March 16, water and sewage bill payments are 12 percent lower than
during the same time period in the last fiscal year.

...

“While New York State on PAUSE was established to save the lives of many
New Yorkers, it has also created financial hardship for many families
across the five boroughs,” Vallone said. “Forgiving penalties at a time
when New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet is a simple way to
provide much-needed financial relief during these challenging times.”

Read More at the [7]Queens Courier

_________________________________________________________________________

Movies in the Parks: July Cancellation

Please note that, unfortunately, the Parks Department will not be
permitting events for the month of July. This means the following July
movie nights are sadly cancelled:

> Friday, July 17th – Crocheron Park, Frozen 2‬
‪
> Saturday, July 25th – MacNeil Park, Toy Story 4‬

Please stay posted for an update on our August outdoor movie nights and
additional drive-in movie dates when information becomes available!

_________________________________________________________________________

Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

PHASE 3 REOPENING

------------------

The third phase of reopening includes non-hair-related personal care
services, including: tattoo and piercing facilities, appearance enhancement
practitioners, massage therapy, spas, cosmetology, nail specialty, UV and
non-UV tanning, or waxing. Indoor restaurant dining will be delayed. All
businesses that are reopening are doing so with social distancing and
hygiene guidelines.​

_________________________________________________________________________

Open Restaurants Program

The City has announced guidance for the Open Restaurants program, which
allows qualifying restaurants and bars to expand outdoor seating on
sidewalks, curb lanes, backyards, patios, plazas, and Open Streets as New
York City begins Phase 2 of reopening.

The Open Restaurants initiative will give restaurant owners the power to
expand and offer food service in the open air, keeping diners safe and
offering New Yorkers a way to enjoy a meal while supporting their local
small business, whose success will be a critical part of a strong economic
recovery.

Read more and apply [8]here!

_________________________________________________________________________

Free Face Coverings for Small Businesses

and their Employees

The City of New York will distribute 2 million face coverings citywide to
small businesses and their employees as we move toward reopening the local
economy. To get these resources to you and your employees, the NYC
Department of Small Business Services and NYC Department of Consumer and
Worker Protection are working with business-serving partner organizations
throughout the five boroughs.

If you are a small business looking to secure free face coverings for your
employees, visit [9]this City website to find a distribution partner
located near you. You should contact partner organizations in advance, most
organizations have varying hours for pick up.

_________________________________________________________________________

Petition: Restore Public Waterfront

Access to Tallman Island

"For many years, residents of College Point and beyond had public access to
parkland adjacent to the west side of the Tallman Island Sewage Treatment
Plant (STP) in College Point (127-01 Powell's Cove Blvd.), and to an
adjoining waterfront path that wrapped around the treatment plant and out
to a pier ... About 15 years ago, all public access to the park and pier
was closed off due to new construction projects at the facility.

This spring, the DEP announced a new project to upgrade the bulkhead,
pathway, lighting, and bulkhead at the 30-acre facility. No public access
to the park or path is included in this new plan. ... We will soon make a
site visit with DEP and officials, and we ask that you sign on to this
petition to let our officials know how strongly you feel that public access
should be restored. All of us deserve to again enjoy the park and the
waterfront path, and the ability to walk on at least part of the pier."

See more information at the petition below.

[10]Sign the Petition!

_________________________________________________________________________

New Guidance for COVID-19 Testing

Testing is widely available, and you can now get tested even if you are
asymptomatic. Testing is free, quick, and easy, and you do not need
insurance.

Find a full list of local testing sites here:
[11][link removed]

_________________________________________________________________________

Food Pantry Assistance

Our local food pantries in College Point, Flushing and Whitestone are
offering assistance to hundreds of families and need our help. Please
donate if you are able and spread the word! Thank you CEC D25!

_________________________________________________________________________

College Point Residents Organize Fundraiser to Deliver Meals

As our City continues to battle the effects of COVID-19, Northeast Queens
residents continue to organize and offer a helping hand. College Point
residents Jennifer Shannon, Cathy Shannon, James & Kathryn Cervino, and
Margaret Loughlin have launched a fundraiser to help take care of College
Point essential workers who are on the frontlines of the Covid-19 crisis,
as well as struggling residents who are in need of food.

Organizers write: "We are raising funds to provide lunch as a thank you to
the staff of Waterview Nursing Home, Woodcrest Nursing Home and Cliffside
Nursing Home (where 16 residents have died from Covid-19). Funds will also
purchase food for College Point's only active food pantry, which is serving
many more individuals as a result of Covid-19."

I was proud to contribute to this local effort. Please offer a helping hand
if you are able!

Find more information on [12]GoFundMe

_________________________________________________________________________

Please note the following City and State guidelines and determinations:
For the duration of the outbreak, the following precautions are strongly
encouraged to keep you and your family healthy:
* Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds
every time, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
* Do not touch your face unless you recently washed your hands.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or
coughing. Do not use your hands.
* When in public, practice social distancing of at least six feet from
others.
* If you are an older adult or have a chronic health conditions, avoid
unnecessary gatherings.
* Most importantly, #StaySafeStayHome!

We will continue to share the latest updates and resources with the
community as they are reported to help ensure everyone stays informed.
Follow our [13]Facebook and [14]Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving
COVID-19 situation at [15][link removed].

_________________________________________________________________________

Northeast Queens Strong!

Our healthcare workers and first responders are working tirelessly
throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and Northeast Queens continues to find
new and creative ways to rise and support our essential workers on the
front lines fighting this pandemic every day.

Through their Food for the Fearless initiative, Mark Boccia and the team at
Bayside's Bourbon Street Queens and OSP have raised nearly $80,000 and
counting to provide hundreds of meals to healthcare workers at our New York
hospitals and the many first responders stationed at our local precincts,
firehouses, and Fort Totten.

[16]Click here to learn more about this fundraiser

A local group has organized to help assemble over 2,800 critical face
shields for healthcare workers at Elmhurst Hospital, Forest Hills Hospital,
Stony Brook University Hospital, Brandywine Nursing Home in Little Neck,
and several others. Organizer Dr. Emily Watkins writes: "Our volunteers
continue to work tirelessly to build face shields. We are grateful to have
some new volunteers joining our ranks this week. The situation seems to be
improving in some places and some of the hospitals we’ve supplied now have
enough face shields for all their staff."

[17]Click here to learn more about Project Face Shield

A group of neighbors have created the "Meals for Visiting Healthcare
Workers in Queens" initiative to provide meals to the many nurses, doctors,
and paramedics from across the country staying at the Adria Hotel and
Conference Center and Best Western on Northern Boulevard. Organizer Amy
Herzog writes: "After 12 hour shifts on the front lines, these medical
workers are exhausted and hungry. Please help us raise money to coordinate
hot meals and other needed supplies."

[18]Click here to learn more about this initiative

The "Help Our Healthcare Heroes" initiative has delivered meals to hundreds
of medical staff throughout Queens, Manhattan, and Long Island. Organizer
Karra Puccia writes: "Every dollar counts and we want to support these
heroes when they leave their families to care for ours. Please share so we
can continue helping them."

[19]Click here to learn more

14-year-old Bay Terrace resident Jeremy Golub is leading an effort to
deliver meals to Flushing Hospital Medical Center EMS. Well done!

[20]Read More

THANK YOU to these local organizers and to our first responders, our
healthcare workers, and all those on the front lines every day working hard
to get our city through this pandemic. We will weather these uncertain
times and come through stronger, together!

_________________________________________________________________________

Meal Delivery for Those in Need

NYC is assisting New Yorkers by delivering meals to those who cannot access
food themselves: [21][link removed] or call 311.

_________________________________________________________________________

Grab and Go Meals for ALL

Starting Friday, April 3, 2020, three free meals are available daily for
ALL New Yorkers in more than 400 Meal Hubs across the 5 boroughs.

Locations in Northeast Queens include Bayside High School, MS 158, PS 169
Bay Terrace and PS 107 Flushing.

To find a location near you visit [22][link removed]
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

_________________________________________________________________________

— MORE NEWS —

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

New York State Issues Guidance on

COVID-19 Paid Leave Law

On March 18, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed into law Senate Bill S8091 to
provide paid sick leave and job protection for workers during the COVID-19
crisis (“COVID-19 Leave”).

This leave is provided in the event that a worker, or their minor children,
are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or
isolation issued by the State of New York, the Department of Health, local
board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such
order due to COVID-19.

Find a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements and benefits here:

[23][link removed]

_________________________________________________________________________

Complete the 2020 Census!

* It's quick and easy. The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10
minutes to complete.
* It's safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are
protected.
* Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to
local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
* Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of
seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all
levels of government.

Visit [24]My2020Census.gov to complete the census online today

— IMPORTANT RESOURCES —

_______________________________

718-268-5011

Commonpoint is also offering free full day childcare to families working as
essential workers. [25]Inquire here

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

— UPCOMING EVENTS & COMMUNITY INFO —

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

​

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

Thanks for reading! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do
not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Hon. Paul A. Vallone

New York City Council, District 19

42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507

Bayside, New York 11361

718.619.8611

[email protected]

Follow me on [26]Facebook, [27]Twitter and [28]Instagram

References

1. [link removed]
2. [link removed]
3. [link removed]
4. [link removed]
5. [link removed]
6. [link removed]
7. [link removed]
8. [link removed]
9. [link removed]
10. [link removed]
11. [link removed]
12. [link removed]
13. [link removed]
14. [link removed]
15. [link removed][0]=AT0cPYPCqQ0hsbblLHBLX29PFYcCzyvrFqUPltfjB8-SAeC6Zx6S4dbXXcutjdF54y-SN-MAEw-gAgEvysGzQTymCTX8s_by-YtUHXrSvHOCH-EFf6o4Nrud3x2_Ogbp888OU6tZQQYRc-P9Nw58WGwFqsfN_Ps_KqtwRPZLpyFcpp7Ms9iboPFrurLm9wY
16. [link removed]
17. [link removed]
18. [link removed]
19. [link removed]
20. [link removed]
21. [link removed]
22. [link removed]
23. [link removed]
24. [link removed]
25. [link removed]
26. [link removed]
27. [link removed]
28. [link removed]
This message was sent to [email protected] from [email protected]
Council Member Paul Vallone | Paul Vallone | 42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507 | Bayside, New York 11361
Unsubscribe:
[link removed]