De Blasio, CM Crowley Host Town Hall
Mayor Bill de Blasio and outgoing City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley (D-Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, Woodside, Woodhaven) will host a town hall for residents of the 30th Council District on Monday.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz is co-hosting the event. Not listed in the mayor’s announcement as attending the Town Hall is City Council Member-elect Robert Holden, who upset Crowley in last month’s general election. At this post time, it is not known whether he was invited to the event.
Residents of the 30th Council District are asked to RSVP by 5 p.m., Dec. 17 via email to queenstownhall@cityhall.nyc.
The Town hall is slated for 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 18 at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo, 78-23 87th Street in Glendale.
Grodenchik Bill Increasing J-51 Exemption Passes City Council
City Council Member Barry Grodenchik (D-Bayside, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Jamaica Estates, Little Neck Oakland Gardens, Queens Village) saw his legislation increasing the assessed value limitation for eligibility of J-51 improvements to $32,000 per dwelling unit pass the city council this week.
The measure would also increase the limitation each year by the cost-of-living adjustment percentage.
J-51 is a property tax exemption and abatement for renovating a residential apartment building. The benefit varies depending on the building’s location and the type of improvements. The city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) determines eligibility for this program.
“Co-op and condo residents have for years been treated unfairly by the real property tax system. While their taxes are still too high, raising the J-51 eligibility level is a step in the right direction and will help co-ops and condos across the city to maintain their properties in a state of good repair,” said Grodenchik.
Constantinides Energy Conservation Bill Passes City Council
City Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, Long Island City, Rikers Island, Woodside) saw his legislation requiring the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) to provide an annual report on electricity and fossil fuel use in certain City-owned buildings pass the city council this week.
The measure, Int. 1651, would include identifying whether such buildings have been fitted with equipment for monitoring energy usage in near real-time. This bill would also require DCAS, in conjunction with other appropriate city agencies, to coordinate the installation of energy usage equipment and any necessary software in all city buildings that DCAS identifies as appropriate to receive such installation.
“Int. 1651 will require annual reports on energy use in city buildings. The report will use different tools to measure electricity and fossil fuel use, including whole-building assessments and equipment that measures power use in real-time. This data will provide a benchmark for city buildings and help our city prioritize which improvements should be implemented to improve energy efficiency and conservation. Knowledge is power – with this necessary knowledge, our city will be better equipped to meet our goal of reducing emissions 80% by 2050,” said Constantinides.
Addabbo Names New Press Secretary
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, the Rockaways) yesterday announced that he has hired Anthony Giudice to serve as his Press Secretary and District Community Events Coordinator.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Anthony to my staff, and I know he will do a great job working with the local media and taking a leading role in organizing my many free community events around the district,” said Addabbo. “His knowledge of local issues and understanding of concerns voiced by my constituents will make him a tremendous asset to our government team.”
Prior to joining Addabbo’s staff, Giudice worked as a reporter and social media manager for Schneps Communications, which includes the Queens Courier, Ridgewood Times and QNS.com.
In his new capacity, he will be the primary point person for local journalists seeking interviews and other communications with the Senator, and will work to coordinate Addabbo’s many free community events throughout the year, which include his popular spring and fall recycling fairs, job fairs, veteran events, and many more
offerings for constituents.
Giudice is based out of Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at 159-53 102nd
Street, and can be reached at 1-718-738-1111. His email address is
Giudice@nysenate.gov.
