Cumbo Text 911 Bill signed Into Law
Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday signed into law a bill that City Council Member Laurie Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights) sponsored requiring the city’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, in consultation with the Police Department and Fire Department, to issue an annual report on the implementation of Next Generation 911.
The measure is part of a strategy for upgrading the City’s 911 system so that it incorporates a range of next generation applications like photos, videos and text messages.
“From mass shootings and acts of terrorism to the rise in violence against women, we live in a tumultuous climate that requires the adaptation of text to 911 capabilities within the City of New York,” said Cumbo.
“Additionally, this bill would help expand our capacity to better communicate with youth; LGBTQ; legal and undocumented immigrants; the deaf; speech-impaired; and mute communities. I look forward to working with the administration, NYPD and DoITT towards the implementation of a 21st century emergency communications system within the City of New York,” she added.
Cornegy Bill Protecting Commercial Tenants Gets Signed into Law
Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday signed into law a bill (Intro 851) that City Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr. (Bed-Stuy, Northern Crown Heights) sponsored that creates a private right of action for commercial tenants that suffer harassment by landlords to protect against the harassment of tenants who lease space for a commercial rather than residential nature.
The measure specifies acts and omissions, on the part of landlords, that would constitute non-residential tenant harassment, such as interrupting services the landlord must provide under a lease with the intent to cause a tenant to vacate. The bill also specifies what does not constitute commercial tenant harassment – for example, lawful terminations of a lease – and includes an affirmative defense for certain claims.
If a judge finds that commercial tenant harassment has occurred, civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 will be imposed. Injunctive relief, equitable relief and compensatory or punitive damages as well as reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs may be awarded as well.
“Intro 851 is the first bill of its kind and represents a significant step forward for the small business community of New York City,” said Cornegy, Chair of the Council’s Committee On Small Business. “With real estate prices rising and the city gentrifying, predatory landlords are harassing small business owners while concurrently raising rents to levels that make it impossible for commercial tenants to stay in business. This law will serve as a deterrent against landlords that try to extort higher rents by harassing their tenants until they pay up or move out.”
Greenfield Bill Creating Timeline For Landmarking Gets Signed Into Law
Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday signed into law a bill that City Council Member David Greenfield (Borough Park, Midwood) that creates timeframes for the landmark designation process: one year for individual landmarks and two years for historic districts.
The measure is in line with ongoing work the Landmarks Preservation Commission is already doing to bring greater clarity, transparency and efficiency to the landmark designation process. The final version of the bill does not include a moratorium that would have prevented the LPC from reconsidering a property or district for five years if it was not completed by the deadline.
In the final bill, individual properties or historic districts may still be reconsidered for designation at any time.
“Today we are bringing a long-overdue measure of transparency and predictability to our city’s landmarking process by enacting binding deadlines. This bill will maintain our city’s strong protections for historic properties and neighborhoods while also rescuing property owners from what has too often been decades of languishing in ‘landmarks limbo,’” said Greenfield.
Golden Releases Summer Concerts Lineup
State Senator Martin J. Golden (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend), in partnership with the Southwest Brooklyn Parks Task Force, yesterday announced the complete lineup of summer concerts set to take stage in the district’s local parks during July and August.
The popular concert series kicks off on Tuesday, July 5 when local favorite Head Over Heels plays Shore Road Park at 79th Street.The series of 14 concerts will feature an array of musical acts including the New York Exceptions, the Brooklyn Keys, Carl Thomas, On A Good Run, and a special “Irish Night on Shore Road” featuring the Canny Brothers.
“We have a quality lineup of entertainment, so mark your calendar, bring a chair, or a blanket, and make your way to the shows in our beautiful parks. I guarantee you will enjoy the entertainment that will feature classic rock, a Rolling Stones tribute band, the greatest hits of all time, Disco, Doo Wop, Rock n Roll, dance and more,” said Golden.
2016 SUMMER CONCERT SCHEDULE (ALL SHOWS BEGIN AT 7 p.m.)
July 5 Head Over Heels – Classic Rock & Dance…………….……….79th St. & Shore Road
July 6 New York Exceptions– Oldies 50’s-70’s……………….Marine Park (Fillmore Ave.)
July 12 Radio Daze – 70’s, 80’s & Party Music…………………….…..79th St. & Shore Road
July 13 London Fogg- British Invasion & Much More….….Marine Park (Fillmore Ave.)
July 19 Brooklyn Keys- Doo Wop, Disco, Rock n Roll………………79th St. & Shore Road
July 20 Plastic Soul – Beatles Tribute Band……………….….…Marine Park (Fillmore Ave.)
July 26 Frankie Marra Band – Classic Rock…..………………..………79th St. & Shore Road
Special Salute to Veterans & Memorial DayParade Fundraiser
July 27 Witness – Oldies thru 70’s……….…………………………
Aug. 9 On A Good Run –Classic Rock…………………….…………79th St and Shore Road
Aug. 10 Generation Gap – 60’s thu 90’s……………………….Avenue U &Van Sicklen Street
Aug. 16 Carl Thomas – Sinatra, Darin, Martin & More Dyker Park (86th St. & 14th Ave.)
Aug. 17 A Sound Affair – Will have you up dancing…………..Marine Park (Fillmore Ave.)
Aug. 23 The Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Parade presents “Irish Night on Shore Road” featuring The “Canny Brothers”….……………………………………
Aug. 24 Sha Doobie – Rolling Stones Tribute Band………….Marine Park (Fillmore Ave.)
The shows are free and open to the public. All events are subject to change. In case of poor weather or for more information please call (718) 238-6044, or check Martin J. Golden on Facebook or follow @senmartygolden on Twitter.
Eugene Resolution Establishing Haitian Day Passes Council
City Councilman Mathieu Eugene (Flatbush, Lefferts Gardens) saw his resolution calling on New York and the United States to recognize the contributions Haitians have made in America by establishing a Haitian Day unanimously pass the City Council yesterday.
The resolution establishes October 9 – which signifies the Battle of Savannah, when Haitian soldiers fought for freedom with the United States – annually as New York City Haitian Day, in recognition of the historic contributions of the Haitian diaspora to the City of New York.
Additionally, the resolution calls upon the United States Congress and the New York State Legislature to pass – and the President of the United States and Governor of the State of New York to sign legislation – to establish October 9 annually as Haitian Day across the state and nation.
“We are lucky to live in one of the most diverse places in the world. The character of New York has been shaped by so many different cultures and since the beginning of American history, Haiti has helped shape this great nation,” said Eugene. “Haitians are architects, lawyers, doctors, authors, musicians, and involved in every vocation possible, and together, we have made tremendous contributions to American art, medicine, law, culture, and most importantly, the history of the nation.”
