Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are having a great start to the New Year. 2018 was a productive and successful year for us in the City Council and in our community and I look forward to working with you this year. 

Earlier this month, we recognized the incredible contributions of the late great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrated his life and legacy on what was his 90 ^th Birthday. His commitment to social justice and equity for all people and his infamous I Have A Dream speech, continues to resonate today. I am proud to stand on his shoulders and fight on behalf of our community every day in the City Council. I was proud to celebrate Dr. King at various events in the community including at the National Action Network and speaking to young ladies about empowerment at the Lower East Side Girls Club.  

We are excited that this year our Colleagues in Albany, led by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and the newly elected Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, have started the new year off on a great note, with passing progressive legislation that has historically been unable to pass the State Senate. As a former Assembly member, these issues in Albany have always been a priority for our district.  We were excited to see in the first two weeks, the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), GENDA, banning conversion therapy, Election reforms including same day registration, early voting, absentee voting and the historic DREAM Act pass both Houses. We are thankful for new leadership in the State Senate that recognizes the importance of progressive legislation that has always been championed by the State Assembly. We look forward to an exciting and productive year in Albany. Governor Cuomo recently released the details of the Executive Budget of $175B and the City Council looks forward to working with the Governor and our legislative colleagues in Albany this year.   

As we have resumed to our normal business at City Hall, you will find updates on our legislation and upcoming hearings plus our work in the district with exciting community events. New York City needs your help to identify the key issues affecting our city’s future. OneNYC is Mayor de Blasio’s blueprint for a stronger, more just NYC, and the City is currently working to update the plan. Take this 2-minute survey to share your priorities and help create a citywide plan that serves all New Yorkers.

This month's newsletter newsletter features upcoming event, hearings, and new budget information for the FY 2020 cycle. 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

Chair, Subcommittee on Capital Budget 

This month, Council Member was proud to introduce the following pieces of legislation:

Int.1350  would require the Commissioner of Social Services to address complaints, based on audit findings which commence in 2019, on DSS/HRA job centers. This bill would require the Commissioner to make every effort to ensure the recommended standards of reasonableness are met at every job center and SNAP center. A report will be posted on the HRA website and a progress report submitted to the New York City Council by April 1, 2020.

 

Int.1286  would require the Department of Education to issue an annual report to the Mayor and the City Council regarding District 75 programs, indicating the number of students in each building that provides a District 75 program as well as the categories and criteria used to determine D75 school locations.

 

Int.1306  would allow people receiving temporary housing assistance from DHS services, who are subject to an Independent Living Plan (ILP), to meet to discuss or revise their ILP with DHS staff via telephone.

For a calendar of this months' hearings, please click HERE .

The information below is for non-profits interested in applying to the New York City Council for Discretionary Funding in Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20), which begins July 1, 2019 and ends June 30, 2020 Council Member Gibson's office does not require any additional information beyond the applications listed below. However, please note that some Council Member's offices may have additional requirements, so we highly recommend you contacting each office directly.

Discretionary Expense Funding  can be used for programs and services provided to City residents by not-for-profit organizations. These programs must be open to all members of the public regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and cannot promote a particular religion.

- Please note, if you are a cultural organization that receives funding through the Department of Cultural Affairs ( DCLA ) Community Development Fund ( CDF ), please visit their website for announcements on upcoming applications and deadlines. 

February 19, 2019: FY20 Discretionary Expense  application is  DUE by 5PM.

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

February 20, 2019: CapGrants & DCLA applications DUE  by 5PM to the BX BP

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 proud to feature a few community highlights from the past month below.

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 .

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