Dear Neighbor,
Today is the first day that we resume indoor dining at 25% capacity in New York City. If you plan to dine-in with your loved ones this weekend, please remember to continue to wash your hands, wear a face covering and maintain 6 feet from others. It was also announced that large stadiums that seat 10,000 or more people would begin to reopen starting February 23rd with limited capacity. Everyone entering the buildings must present a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event.
Even as we begin to reopen stadiums and resume indoor dining, it is imperative that we continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Click HERE for a list of COVID-19 testing sites near you and HERE for a list of vaccination sites in the Bronx. Yankee Stadium is still accepting appointments, but they are filling up quickly, and you must be a Bronx resident. To prove Bronx residency, an individual must show one of the following: State or government-issued ID, a statement from a landlord, current rent receipt or lease, mortgage records, or two of the following: Statement from another person, current mail, school records.
Appointments are required at all locations to be vaccinated. Please visit the NYC COVID-19 Vaccine Finder HERE or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) for more information, to find a vaccine hub near you, or to schedule an appointment. Additional sites are coming online every day, so please continue to check the site often.
On Tuesday, February 2nd, the State added restaurant workers, taxi drivers, and residents of facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities to phase 1b for vaccine eligibility. The full list of all vaccine eligibility categories set by the State can be found HERE.
Middle school buildings will also reopen to grades 6-8 beginning on February 25th for students that previously signed up for in-person instruction and must have a signed testing consent form. That form can be found HERE.
Please note that our office continues to be closed for in-person visits, but my staff can be reached at our office phone number or our District16 email. You can also visit our website for additional information.
Happy Lunar New Year to those that celebrate! While this year’s celebrations may look quite different from past years, I hope you may find safe ways to observe today’s holiday.
If you need to reach us or have any questions, you can contact us at:
P: 718-588-7500 x 0
Click the links below to get District 16 updates on:
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Investigating Police Officers with a History of Bias:
Int 2212-2021: Sponsored by Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, this bill would allow a greater level of scrutiny of past activity by NYPD employees found to have exhibited bias, prejudice, intolerance or bigotry. The bill would require the City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) to investigate that employee’s work history to determine if it was influenced by bias or prejudice. The CCHR would then turn over its findings and recommendations to the NYPD for potential further action, including any discipline, as well as to District Attorneys. Also, in light of the recent findings by the Council’s Oversight and Investigations Division regarding the conduct of the now former commanding officer of the NYPD Equal Employment Opportunity Division, James Kobel, the bill would require the CCHR to review the cases handled by the NYPD’s EEO Division during his tenure. A hearing was had on this bill in the Committee on Civil and Human Rights on February 8th.
“A review of NYPD employees’ work history, including but not limited to any arrests and investigations they conducted, would impose greater accountability on those employees who have a track record of bias and prejudice,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson. “A person’s personal beliefs cannot and should not impact how they perform their job, especially when they have a duty to serve and protect all New Yorkers. This bill would create a mechanism to ensure that NYPD employees are fulfilling their duties without bias or prejudice.”
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Council Member Gibson spoke at a virtual rally pushing for the passage of Intro. 146 that would require that any individuals or families receiving rental assistance vouchers established by the Department of Social Services, such as the current LINC, CityFEPS and SEPS vouchers, would continue to receive the assistance so long as the household continues to meet any other eligibility requirements.
The bill would also require that the maximum rent toward which rental assistance vouchers may be applied annually increases at the same rate as levels equal to those established pursuant to section 982.503 of the Code of Federal Regulations, otherwise referred to as “Section 8.” The requirements set by the bill would be subject to appropriation. Thank you Win and the Homeless Can`t Stay Home Organization for coordinating this event.
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POST ACT
The Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act sponsored by Council Member Gibson requires the NYPD to publish impact and use policies for the surveillance technologies used by the Department. The NYPD is committed to increasing transparency related to the use of surveillance technology within the bounds of responsive, efficient, and effective policing. The impact and use policies developed by the Department work to find a fair balance between the benefits provided through the use of technology and protecting individual privacy.
Beginning, January 11, 2020, draft surveillance technology impact and use policies will be posted on the Department’s website. Members of the public are invited to review the impact and use policies and provide feedback on their contents. The impact and use policies provide details of: 1) the capabilities of the Department’s surveillance technologies, 2) the rules regulating the use of the technologies, 3) protections against unauthorized access of the technologies or related data, 4) surveillance technologies data retention policies, 5) public access to surveillance technologies data, 6) external entity access to surveillance technologies data, 7) Department trainings in the use of surveillance technologies, 8) internal audit and oversight mechanisms of surveillance technologies, 9) health and safety reporting on the surveillance technologies, and 10) potential disparate impacts of the impact and use policies for surveillance technologies.
The impact and use policies will be available for public comment for forty-five (45) calendar days. At the end of the 45-day period, the feedback will be collected and recommendations for revising the draft policies will be considered prior to finalization. The final impact and use policies will be published publicaly by April 11, 2021.
For new technologies, the Department will propose a draft impact and use policy on this website at least 90 days prior to such use. The Department will also provide addendums to impact and use policies where enhancements are acquired for a specific technology or the technology is used in a manner not previously disclosed.
The Department encourages the public to review these draft policies and share comments, concerns, or other feedback during this period.
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While the new Biden Administration and Governor Cuomo continue to extend eviction moratoriums, many advocates and housing experts are concerned over the looming specter of a massive wave of evictions once the moratoriums expire. Current loopholes and confusing legal mandates have already and will continue to allow landlords to bring New Yorkers to housing court during the moratoriums.
Intro. 2050 sponsored by Council Members Gibson and Levine would simply amend Local Law 36 to require the City to immediately complete full implementation of the Right to Counsel law and provide representation for every eligible tenant.
A hearing was held for the bill in the General Welfare committee in Januray and we are gaining momentum and support for the bill. Council Member Gibson and Council Member Levine also appeared on BronxNet to speak about the importance of this bill. You can watch the interview below.
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HerStory was made this week with the appointment of Betty Rosa as the new Commissioner of the New York State Education Department. Commissioner Rosa is the first Latina woman to hold this position during a time in which women of color across the country are shattering glass ceilings and taking on leadership positions historically held by men. This week`s announcement is significant and I want to personally congratulate my friend, Commissioner Rosa, a fellow Bronxite, on her new endeavor. I look forward to working with her in pushing education initiatives and opportunities for New Yorkers.
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Ranked Choice Voting Comes to New York City
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Council Member Gibson hosted a virtual presentation this week on the implementation of Ranked Choice Voting in New York City with the Campaign Finance Board and BronxNet Reporter and Moderator, Arlene Mukoko. Thank you to everyone that joined us for this webinar and provided valuable feedback.
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Council Member Gibson joined with Bronx Democratic Chair Jamaal Bailey, Sean Dugar, Education Campaign Director at Rank the Vote NYC and moderator Rebecca Lewis for a webinar on Ranked Choice Voting in the Bronx hosted by City & State Magazine.
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What is Ranked Choice Voting?
You can rank up to 5 candidates in order of preference, instead of choosing just one.
You can still vote for just one candidate if you prefer.
The next Ranked Choice Voting election will be on February 23rd, 2021 in a special election for NYC Council District 31 (Queens). Find upcoming election dates and deadlines at voting.nyc.
Why are we using Ranked Choice Voting?
- New Yorkers elected to use Ranked Choice Voting in a 2019 ballot measure. It passed with 73.5% support.
Which elections will use Ranked Choice Voting?
- NYC will use Ranked Choice Voting in primary and special elections for local offices: Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council.
You can learn more about Ranked Choice Voting HERE.
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Council Member Gibson met with You Gotta Believe to discuss finding youth permanent families so that they have the support system they need to live safely and to their highest potential.
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Meeting with West Indian American Day Carnival Association
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Council Member Gibson met with the West Indian American Day Carnival Association to discuss wellness and art programming in the Bronx during the pandemic.
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Vaccine Distribution in the Bronx
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Grateful for the partnership of Bronx Rising Initiative, Morris Heights Health Center, Catholic Charities New York to offer hundreds of vaccines to older residents in the South Bronx.
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Food Distribution in the Bronx
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Grateful to join our leaders and volunteers in the Northeast Bronx to distribute hundreds of food boxes to residents and families courtesy of our community partners at Agatha House. COVID-19 reminds us of the urgent need to address food insecurity.
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Meeting with Hospitals Association of Greater NY
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Council Member Gibson met with the Hospitals Association of Greater NY to discuss hospitals in the district and how we can support healthcare professionals and their clients.
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Press Conference on Bias & Harassment in the Healthcare Industry
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Council Member Gibson joined with her colleague, Council Member Helen Rosenthal and other members of the Women`s Caucus and advocates for a virtual press conference to discuss racial and gender discrimination and harassment in the healthcare industry. The City Council also passed two bills yesterday aimed at addressing these issues.
Intro 2064-2020 mandates creation of a multi-disciplinary Advisory Board which will issue annual reports and recommendations to the Mayor and City Council in order to:
- improve working conditions for NYC healthcare staff, residents, interns, and faculty; and
- address workplace gender and racial discrimination of all types.
Resolution 512-2018 calls on New York State to require medical schools to train all students regarding "implicit bias” – defined as attitudes or stereotypes about people which are held without conscious knowledge. Training in implicit bias is a critical step towards understanding and fighting explicit bias and systemic discrimination.
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Public Notice for the 170th Street 4 Train Station
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Fiscal Year 2022 Discretionary Funding Expense Application Filing Period
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Please be advised that all not-for-profit community-based organizations that wish to apply for discretionary funding for FY2022 must submit a Council Application. The FY2022 application will be posted on the Council’s website at this location on Monday, January 4, 2021 and the submission deadline will be on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
Also, please note that if an application is not submitted within the filing period, the community-based organization will not be eligible for funding.
How The Budget Works
The Expense Budget covers the costs of running our city. It pays for the sanitation worker who picks up your garbage, and powers the lights at your local library. Funds are set aside to operate each city agency. This also includes the Debt Service, the City’s annual loan payment for long‑term Capital Projects for which the City borrows State & Federal money.
The Capital Budget covers larger long‑term investments in facilities & infrastructure, or Capital Projects. Examples include the construction of public schools, street maintenance, and parks improvements.
The Revenue Budget outlines money expected from taxes, State & Federal aid, and other sources of revenue. It determines the maximum amount in the Expense Budget, as the City is required to have a balanced budget.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information
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COVID-19 Testing Information
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NYC Unity Project surveyed hundreds of LGBTQ program and service providers across New York City to develop a resource page, which includes up-to-date information on LGBTQ resources still available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click HERE for resources for the LGBTQ+ community.
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The NYC Council Women`s Caucus
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The Women’s Caucus of the New York City Council is a non-partisan alliance of woman-identified legislators, dedicated to advancing gender equity in New York City. Under the leadership of Co-Chairs, Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson and Council Member Farah Louis, the Women’s Caucus works to improve the everyday lives of women and transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people across the city.
Follow the Caucus on Social Media to get updates on these 13 marvelous women:
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Looking for a school for the 2021-2022 School Year? Girls Prep and Boys Prep are single-sex, tuition-free public charter schools serving grades PK - 8th. The journey to college completion starts by joining our community. Additional information is attached. Make sure you submit an application for our schools ahead of the lottery on April 1st - click here to get started.
Want to talk to someone about Girls Prep and Boys Prep? Call Yvonne Guillen at 646-413-9308 or email us at [email protected]. Hablamos espanol.
Girls Prep y Boys Prep son escuelas públicas Charter de un solo sexo y gratuitas que prestan servicios en los grados PK - 8. El viaje hacia la finalización universitaria comienza uniéndose a nuestra comunidad. Continúe hacia abajo para obtener información adicional
¿Quiere hablar con alguien sobre Girls Prep y Boys Prep? Llame a Yvonne Guillen al 646-413-9308 o envíenos un correo electrónico a [email protected].
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Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson
Council Member, 16th District, Bronx County
Deputy Leader
Chair, Committee on Oversight and Investigations
Co-Chair, NYC Women`s Caucus
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