Dear Friend,
I hope you are staying safe and well and enjoying your fall. We had a busy past week in my office and I have many updates I'd like to share:
1. Passage of Universal Childcare Legislation
2. Noise Mitigation at Extell 79th and 1st Ave
3. New Security Cameras for 19th Precinct
4. Fall Family Day at St. Catherine's Park
5. Sanitation Foundation Cleanup
6. Participatory Budgeting
7. Community Fridge at Holmes Towers
8. Small Business Tour in the Bronx
9. Halloween Roller Skate
10. Community Events Corner
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1. Passage of Universal Childcare Legislation
On Wednesday, the Council passed 5 of my bills including the Universal Childcare Act, which puts New York City on the path to universal childcare and makes New York City the first city in the nation to do so. Our majority women City Council is making tremendous progress on critical issues for working families in our city. With the passage of these bills, we will finally implement a universal childcare program for our city. As City and State reported, my bills provide for the creation of a permanent childcare advisory board that will implement universal childcare within the next five years, financial support to develop new childcare facilities, an electronic childcare directory, a grant program for child care providers at risk of closing, and an online portal for New Yorkers to get information on subsidies. I also want to congratulate my colleagues Council Members Crystal Hudson and Jen Gutierrez on the passage of their bills.
I am ecstatic to have delivered this major victory for hardworking New York families. Check out some of the great stories on our legislation below:
New York 1
New York Post
Patch
Our Town
Crains
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2. Noise Mitigation at Extell 79th and 1st Ave
My office has received many complaints from constituents regarding excessive noise at Extell's construction site on 79th and 1st Ave. In response to these complaints, I requested that Extell join me for a walkthrough of the site. I met with Extell's team and construction management reps to discuss noise mitigation solutions at the site. I suggested later start times as well as sound barriers for construction equipment. Extell is reviewing our suggestions and has already implemented some mitigation in recent weeks. Please contact my office if you are experiencing issues with the site.
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3. New Security Cameras in 19th Precinct
I have heard from many constituents requesting more security cameras across the District and increased funding for cameras was one of our winning proposals during last year's participatory budgeting (submit ideas for this year here). Last week, I met with Inspector Eger, the CO of the 19th Precinct, to discuss neighborhood concerns. We were thrilled to announce at this week's Community Council meeting that the Precinct has received 31 new security cameras. I have been advocating for this with NYPD leadership for months including in my meeting this summer with Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks.
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4. Fall Family Day at St. Catherine's Park
Fall Family Day at St. Catherine's Park is a wonderful East Side tradition and I'm proud to be funding it this year. While the original date of October 1st was cancelled due to inclement weather, we're excited to be holding Family Day today and I hope to see you there!
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5. Sanitation Foundation Cleanup
As we continue to prioritize sanitation concerns, I am ramping up efforts especially along the 86th Street corridor. My office sponsored a cleanup with the Sanitation Foundation and were also joined by volunteers from the East 86th Street Association. We had a successful cleanup and it was an added bonus to be picking up in the tree pits right before the 86th Street Association began some of their plantings. Thanks to all of the volunteers who joined us for Saturday's event!
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6. Participatory Budgeting
As I have mentioned before, I am excited to be conducting participatory budgeting again this year in light of a successful first cycle last year with over 1,800 votes. Right now, we are currently in our idea gathering phase where constituents and advocates can submit ideas before the ballot gets set. Ideas can range from capital improvements to many things including one of the schools, parks, libraries, or intersections in our District. Last year through PB we funded fantastic projects including the resurfacing of the outdoor play space at the East Side Middle School recess space, pathway renovations for Carl Schurz Park, and technology upgrades at three of our libraries. I encourage you to submit ideas and look forward to seeing what the community comes up with as this process moves forward.
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7. Community Fridge at Holmes Towers
Community fridges are a critical tool to combatting food insecurity. That is why I was thrilled on Thursday to join tenants leadership from NYCHA's Holmes Towers as well as clergy from Central Synagogue and advocates from Grassroots Grocery to cut the ribbon at the new community fridge at Holmes Towers. As Patch reported, this is the first community fridge on the Upper East Side and will have a major impact on fighting food insecurity in the NYCHA development and the broader community. If you'd like to volunteer to assist with the fridge or learn more about it, you can do so here.
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8. Small Business Tour in the Bronx
As the Council's Small Business Chair, I have been proud to spearhead critical legislation including the one-stop-shop bill which will soon be signed into the law by the Mayor. One part of the job that I have particularly enjoyed is visiting my colleagues' districts and touring different small business corridors. This week, I joined Council Member Kevin Riley to tour businesses along the White Plains Rd commercial corridor in Williamsbridge. It was great to meet with many M/WBEs and discuss the work the Council has been doing in assisting small businesses.
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9. Spooky Skate at Stanley Isaacs Park
Our District is underserved when it comes to park space ranking 47th out of 51 across the entire city so it's always nice to support creative programming in the park spaces we do have. That's why I worked with the Parks Department to fund a Spooky Skate Night at Stanley Isaacs Park on Halloween Weekend. You can RSVP here. I'm looking forward to seeing you at what will be a great community event!
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Contact Us
Email us at district5@council.nyc.gov, call our office at 212-860-1950, or visit us at 444 East 75th Street #1B (75th and York Avenue)
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