Before we start, we have to say that summer is officially here! On the Council front, this means we will only meet as a full body once a month for our stated meetings instead of the usual twice a month schedule and we won’t have committee hearings again until September. That doesn’t mean our work as an office slows down, but it does mean the legislative machinations will be much slower. We’re still pushing for our composting legislation, alongside our abortion bills, but there will be fewer items coming out of City Hall until we get back into our normal schedule in September. I also will note that for this newsletter, we will also take a little summer break in August and publish biweekly instead of weekly. We will still keep you up to date with everything you need to know and if you ever need to reach out to our office, we’re still just a phone call or email away.
 
School Funding Fight
On June 24th the Education and Oversight Committees held a joint hearing investigating school budgets allocated by the Department of Education (DOE). Getting to participate in this hearing was illuminating. Myself and several of my colleagues have had a number of questions for the DOE since the budget was passed and we’d been hopeful representatives from DOE would testify in good faith but again we were given the runaround. DOE representatives were evasive and at times refused to answer even basic questions about funding structures. We heard more confusing statements over the status of excessed teachers (the DOE now claims they will all be placed in vacancies before the school year begins in the fall). I, along with my colleagues, understand this is a difficult situation but the refusal of the DOE to work with the Council is unacceptable. Our body knows that there are unspent federal funds that we could use not just to plug this budget gap, but to ensure all of our schools are fully funded next year. However, the Mayor and the DOE are digging in their heels and sticking to outdated funding formulas that will result in our students losing teachers, music programs, and so much more.
 
In addition to my fight on the City level, I also sent a letter to School Chancellor Banks this past week demanding a meeting to discuss how we could restore the $10 million in lost funding to District 39 schools. After multiple requests and several unanswered emails, we decided to release our letter publicly. We know the DOE is ignoring the pleas from our principals and teachers across the district and I am determined to figure out a solution to ensure our schools remain fully funded for the next school year. I have said this a dozen times, but there is money on the table to plug these gaps but we need the Mayor and the DOE to listen and work with us. I will continue to keep everyone updated in our fight to restore our school funding.
 
COVID-19
One quick COVID-19 note, we’re seeing an uptick in cases Citywide so be sure to wear your mask inside when you can and get your booster if you haven’t already! In response, our City is rolling out free anti-viral prescriptions to fight COVID-19 through several City testing sites across the City. This medication is safe and can help you avoid the worst symptoms if you test positive for COVID-19. In addition, as our City shifts away from brick-and-mortar testing sites, the City testing facility at 4002 Fort Hamilton Parkway will close on July 16th. If you live in the neighborhood and are in need of COVID-19 testing kits, you can pick them up at the following locations.

• MUNA Social Services, McDonald Ave. & Avenue C
• BPL Windsor Terrace, 160 E 5^th St.
• Masbia of Boro Park, 5402 New Utrecht Ave.

• Save the date for our Sanitation Station! On July 9th, from 9 AM to 12 PM, we’re partnering with DSNY, Old Stone House, and the 5th Avenue BID at the 4th Street Plaza (Next to JJ Byrne Playground, entrance on 4th Street and 5th Avenue) to bring you all things trash. We will have an e-waste drop-off site, a shredding truck, a compost giveaway, and a “Touch-a-Truck,” for kids to learn about collection vehicles and talk to sanitation workers.
  • For the E-waste Drop off you can bring: TVs, monitors, computers, laptops, printers & scanners, fax machines, keyboards, mice, VCRs, DVRs, & DVD players, smaller servers, hard drives, satellite boxes, tablets, e-readers, mobile phones, MP3 players, video game consoles
  • DO NOT BRING: Air conditioners, appliances, batteries, light bulbs, or ballasts (these items are not considered e-waste and are not accepted at this event)
• Reminder there will be no trash, recycling, compost collection, or street cleaning, on Monday, July 4, 2022, in observance of Independence Day!
• The Gowanus Remediation Team (GRT) construction began on Friday, July 1st, so the Union Street Bridge will be closed from 7 am to 4 pm. There is no daily closure planned for Monday, July 4th. GRT will continue to provide a weekly look ahead for planned daily bridge closures.
• The New York City Department of Design and Construction and Department of Environmental Conservation is in Phase II of their installation of high-level storm sewers and water main replacements in the Gowanus Canal Area along 3rd Avenue, from Douglass Street to Baltic Street. Jose Moreno is DDC’s Community Construction Liaison for any project-related inquiries, questions, or to receive email notifications with updates. They can be reached at [email protected] or at (718)-732-9095.
• Our office has a limited supply of rat-resistant trash bins for residents in the district. These bins are from the Health Department and latch to prevent rodent tampering. If you’re interested in receiving one, please email [email protected] with your name and address and we’ll follow up with next steps. Bins will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.
• To kick off Phase 1 of idea generation for Citywide Participatory Budgeting, the Civic Engagement Commission is releasing a Request for Information (RFI) application for groups, entities, and organizations to apply for funding to hold idea generation sessions. All NYC residents, including, but not limited to CBOs, school clubs, MWBEs, and community boards. Applications must be completed by Friday, July 8th to be considered.
• Check out these pest control resources, especially if you or someone you live with has asthma.
• The New York Historical Society's Citizenship Project offers both in-person and online free classes to Green Card holders to prepare for their online civics exam. Find more info on their website or email [email protected]

One final note! We have poured over the results of our district survey and first thank you so so so much to everyone who took the time to fill it out. With your feedback, we’ll be starting a “Stated Recap” section after every stated Council meeting to help update you all more on Council business. The next stated is on July 14th so look out for that recap in the 18th’s newsletter. As I said, this newsletter is a group project and with your help, we’re making it even better.
 
In Solidarity,
Shahana