GREETINGS
Dear Neighbor,

As we begin the Spring season, I am proud to share many of our accomplishments this past month in our community. March is Women’s HerStory Month and it has been an honor celebrating and uplifting incredible women in our district of commitment and distinction. We honor our women everyday for the work done to serve our children and families. I hope you can join us on Wednesday, March 27th at 6pm, at our Annual Celebration at the Mullaly Recreation Center. Thank You all for the wonderful expressions of love and support as I celebrated my Birthday this month. It’s an honor to serve you and I’m grateful for my blessings as I enter a new chapter in my life.  
The City Council has been busy this month with our preliminary budget hearings and focused on many priorities. The Women’s Caucus was proud to join Speaker Corey Johnson and the NY Historical Society in unveiling a series of portraits of prominent women displayed at City Hall. It’s important for monuments and portraits to reflect our diversity and recognize women of different professions such as Shirley Chisholm and Zora Neale Hurston. 

This month’s newsletter will outline legislative updates, ongoing budget hearings, budget information for the FY 2020 cycle, the One Year Anniversary of the passage of the Jerome Neighborhood Rezoning, our past events including our Annual State of the District and exciting upcoming events such as Participatory Budgeting Vote Week and Garifuna Heritage Month.   

If you need any assistance, please reach out to our office by emailing  District16Bronx@council.nyc.gov.

Yours in Partnership,
Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson
Council Member, 16th District, Bronx County
Deputy Leader
Chair, Subcommittee on Capital Budget 
CITY HALL
The New York City Council kicked of the Fiscal Year 2019 Preliminary Budget Hearings with the Finance Committee jointly with the Subcommittee on Capital Budget. Throughout the month of March, we will be reviewing agency budgets as we prepare the city for the upcoming years.

This month, Council Member Gibson was proud to introduce Int. 1410-A , which will require a Certification of No Harassment prior to the approval of construction documents or the issuance of permits for demolition or renovation of certain commercial buildings. This bill will broaden the definition of commercial tenant harassment to include acts or omissions causing a commercial tenant to vacate or to surrender or waive their rights, and much more.

For a calendar of this months' hearings, please click HERE .
Jerome Rezoning Update
The Jerome Avenue Neighborhood plan was adopted in March 2018. To track the progress of this rezoning, please view the Neighborhood Rezoning Commitments Tracker .

To read the progress that has been made 1 year later, click HERE .
BUDGET
The Discretionary Expense Funding application is now closed. Please see below for capital funding resources.

Discretionary Capital Funding  can be used for properties and/or equipment that will be owned by a non-city group that is a registered 501(C)3 nonprofit. Capital projects must have a minimum cost of $35,000 and meet other eligibility requirements.
- If you are a cultural organization seeking capital funding from  DCLA , please visit their website for more information

March 26, 2019: CapGrants & DCLA applications DUE by 5PM to the NYCC
 
Note: City agencies seeking capital funding from Council Member Gibson, including DOE schools and NYCHA buildings, should email jcortes@council.nyc.gov directly with your request.

If you would like to receive updates and important notices regarding the New York City Council Budget Process, including Discretionary Capital and Expense funding, please email Justin Cortes at jcortes@council.nyc.gov. We are also hosting a Discretionary Funding Workshop for organizations interested in learning about the application process. Please find the flyer below with additional information.
We are getting ready for PB Vote Week which will be from March 30, 2019 - April 7, 2019 . If you are interested in volunteering with our office during Vote Week, please email mivory@council.nyc.gov. We need your help to ensure that our community votes on how to spend $1 million!
COMMUNITY
We are proud to feature a few community highlights from the past month below.
Council Member Gibson would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all of the community residents, families, and friends for attending our annual Black History Month Celebration, as well as our third State of the District Address. We were honored to be joined by the Honorable Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, as well as our co-sponsors, State Senator Jose M. Serrano and Assembly Member Latoya Joyner.
To all of the District 16 family that attended our 3rd State of the District address, we truly thank you for you partnership during the past year, and we look forward to the work and accomplishments ahead. #OurFutureIsNow! Below are a few highlights and accomplishments from 2018.

Education: Investing in our youth and our future leaders remains Council Member Gibson’s number one priority. As a result, she has allocated over $10M in funds to date to assist schools with technology, auditorium upgrades, cafeteria renovations, library renovations and new science labs. We look forward to continue investing in our youth because their future is now.

Housing: Approximately, 4,000 units of housing are projected to come to District 16 over the next several years. Projects which are currently in the pipeline are almost 800 units of affordable housing on River Avenue (and McClellan Street), and 80 units of 100% affordable senior housing in Highbridge at 97 West 169 th Street. These new housing units on River Avenue will provide housing for families between 27% and 60% of the AMI with 3-BR apartments included. With the ongoing development of new units, it is important to continue to protect tenant’s right to preserve the character of our community. I am proud to have passed the Certificate of No Harassment legislation, which if left unchecked, was a common tactic used to pushed tenants out of their homes. I am also proud to be working with Council Member Mark Levine on expanding the historic Right to Counsel Local Law to include more tenants who currently do not qualify for free legal services in housing court.

Parks: With over $20M in local investments, the parks, playgrounds, and open spaces throughout District 16 are getting major renovations. From lighting replacements, play equipment, fitness areas, comfort stations (bathrooms), landscape beautification, to brand new playgrounds, our parks are getting the attention they deserve and will soon be open for all of the community to enjoy. We were proud to join the Parks Department in officially re-opening Ogden Plimpton Playground in Highbridge and Little Claremont Playground in Claremont. Soon we will re-open Plimpton Playground, Grant Playground and the CS 134 Community Garden. Stay tuned!

Seniors: Our dedication and appreciation for those that came before us remains stronger than ever. Last year, Council Member Gibson was proud to invest in historic senior programs including $275,000 for a brand new Senior Meal and Enrichment Program at Findlay House, located at 1175 Findlay Avenue, which will provide local seniors with free daily meals, activities, health and wellness programs, and recreational trips. We are also proud to announce that with an investment of $100,000, a brand new NORC program is coming to Woodstock Terrace Apartments. We look forward to the community taking advantage of these programs and much more. 

We are grateful to everyone who attended our Annual Fellowship Brunch during Women’s HerStory Month. It was an honor to have two dynamic Bronx women as our Guest Speakers, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and Bronx Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez. We would like to thank Healthfirst, New Settlement, Team Gibson, and everyone who came out this morning!
Council Member Gibson appears on CUNY Forum on Legalization of Marijuana.
Council Member Gibson attends Ribbon Cutting for Little Claremont Playground.
Council Member Gibson attends the New York City Council's BLAC Black History Month Celebration.
Council Member Gibson attends launch of Women’s HerStory Month portraits at the City Council.
Council Member Gibson attends the 45th Anniversary of The Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition.
Council Member Gibson attends the 46th Precinct NCO Community Meeting in Morris Heights.
Council Member Gibson attends House our Future Town Hall hosted by Coalition for the Homeless.
Council Member Gibson appeared on In Focus with Cheryl Wills to discuss education, UPK, and 3K.
Upcoming Events
SERVICES & RESOURCES
The Office of Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson offers a variety of community services and resources on how to get involved in your community. 
Find your local  Community Board (CB)  and attend a monthly CB meeting. Apply to your local Community Board  HERE .

  • CB3: second Tuesday of the month at 6PM. 718-378-8054
  • CB4: fourth Tuesday of every month at 6PM. 718-299-0800
  • CB5: fourth Wednesday of every month at 6PM. 718-364-2030

Find your local  Police Precinct  and attend a monthly Precinct Community Council meeting:

  • 42nd Precinct Community Council: Every fourth Thursday of the month in the 42nd Precinct Sitting Room at 7:00 P.M.
  • 44th Precinct Community Council: Every second Wednesday of the month at different locations at 6:30P.M.
  • 46th Precinct Community Council: Every third Tuesday of the month at 2120 Ryer Avenue, at 7:00 P.M.
  • PSA 7 Community Council: Every second Thursday of the month at 737 Melrose Avenue at 6:30 P.M.