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Community Board #13 Newsletter
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The City has created the GetFoodNYC food delivery program to provide food for coronavirus (COVID-19)-vulnerable and food-insecure New Yorkers not currently served through existing food delivery programs. Sign up here or call 311.

Hello New York,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

We at New York City Transit are continuing to work around the clock to ensure we can keep essential workers moving safely and reliably.

I want you to know that starting today, Friday, April 17 at 8pm, you must follow a new NY State Executive Order, which requires you to wear a mask or some other face covering­ when you are in the subway system or on a bus. This requirement is for your safety, and for the safety and protection of our heroic workforce and their families. We began strongly recommending this measure many days ago, and most riders are already doing this (thank you!). Now it’s a requirement.

Here are a few tips to help ensure you are using your mask or face covering properly and are well protected:
  • Before putting on a mask, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water
  • Cover your mouth and nose with the mask, making sure there are no gaps
  • Avoid touching your mask while wearing it

Remember: if you are not an essential worker and don’t need to travel, please stay home.

Thank you for doing your part, and please stay safe.

Sarah

Sarah Feinberg
Interim President, New York City Transit
NYC Sanitation Announces Service Changes Related to COVID-19
Budget Cuts

Curbside Composting Temporarily Suspended Beginning May 4

Electronics Collection Appointments Discontinued

In the face of economic hardship, and to ensure the City can continue to devote resources to essential safety, health, and shelter, and food security needs, the New York City Department of Sanitation announced the suspension of the curbside composting program, beginning May 4, 2020. During the suspension, any food scraps and yard waste set out for composting will be collected as trash. The suspension is currently planned through June 30, 2021. Residents with brown bins should store their bins in a safe location for the duration of the suspension. 

DSNY also announced the indefinite suspension of appointments for curbside electronics collection, which had been halted due to the COVID-19 crisis. 

There are no changes to the Department’s other curbside collection programs, including trash and mandatory recycling. Residents should follow their normal schedule and place their material at the curb after 4 p.m. but before midnight the evening before their collection day. 

“These are painful cuts to make, and we do not take these changes lightly. The City is facing an unprecedented crisis, and these service reductions will allow the City to maintain emergency services and its core municipal services,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “We look forward to a day when we can restore our full suite of composting and electronics collection programs for City residents, and we thank all New Yorkers for their patience and cooperation as we implement these changes.”

Curbside Composting:

Starting Monday, May 4, 2020 residents who use their brown bins for curbside composting should discard food scraps and yard waste with their trash. Trash should be put out for collection in securely tied heavy-duty bags or leak proof receptacles with tightly fitting lids. Any food scraps and yard waste set out for collection on or after May 4th will be collected as trash. 

This is a temporary suspension, and residents should keep their bins for when service resumes. Brown compost bins belong to the address where they were originally delivered. DSNY will not collect brown bins. After your last collection, use soap and water to clean your bin and place it in storage for when the program resumes. Do not leave your bins on the curb.
Food Scrap Drop-off Sites have been temporarily closed due to social distancing mandates. The Department will determine the feasibility of reopening certain Food Scrap Drop-off Sites at a later date. 

Residents are encouraged to make compost on their own if they have the space to do so. Learn how to compost at home at nyc.gov/recyclingmaterials and click “Food Scraps + Yard Waste.” 

Appointments for curbside electronics collection: 

New York State law prohibits the disposal of certain e-waste items, like computers, printers and televisions, with your trash and recycling. DSNY announced a temporary suspension of curbside electronics collection last month to allow us to better provide our essential services. This suspension has been extended indefinitely. 

Though the current crisis has caused temporary changes to some other e-waste disposal programs, residents looking to get rid of e-waste will be able to find other opportunities as conditions allow at nyc.gov/electronics.
COVID-19 Resources
From the Alliance For Coney Island - 718-594-7895
UPDATED FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 11:30AM

General Resources / Updates
You can find a list of OPEN CONEY ISLAND RESTAURANTS for delivery & pick-up here .
You can find a list of other OPEN CONEY ISLAND BUSINESSES here
New Yorkers MUST wear masks or face coverings on public transportation systems and while taking private transportation or riding in for-hire vehicles. The order will go into effect on Friday, April 17th, at 8 PM.
TLC: The City of New York is hiring licensed TLC drivers to deliver food to New Yorkers in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more or sign up here .
DOE is lending internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning for students. You can request one here .
New Yorkers of any age can get free meals three times a day at sites throughout NYC. More info here .
The Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) Nutrition Kitchens, in partnership with the Food Bank of NYC and the NYC Young Men’s Initiative (YMI) are offering one week of free groceries to all New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs. More info here
Funeral and burial guidance here .
New York City playgrounds are closed to address the lack of adherence to social distancing protocols.
New York State on PAUSE is extended through May 15th. Non-essential workforce is directed to continue to work from home until at least that day.
Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider.
New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through May 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
ConEd and National Grid have suspended shut-offs for any customers who may have difficulty paying their utility bills.
A 90-day moratorium on commercial and residential evictions has been enacted across New York State. 
New York State is waiving late and penalty fees for sales tax that is paid late. The NY state & federal tax deadline have been extended to July 15.
You can find a list of OPEN CONEY ISLAND Pharmacies for delivery  here .
Find more info here .

General Business Links and Overviews

NYC Small Business Services Overview of City Assistance
NYC Comptroller Stringer will be hosting bi-weekly webinars for small businesses
Overview of COVID-19 programs
Business webinar recordings of pass discussions
Upcoming webinars
To prevent the spread of the virus, essential workers must have access to appropriate face coverings. Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order directing employers to provide essential workers with cloth or surgical masks free of charge to wear when directly interacting with the public. 

$2 Trillion Federal Government Aid Package

The president signed a coronavirus relief package, known as the CARES Act, into law. The new law provides hundreds of billions of dollars in loans and grants to major industries and small businesses, and direct cash payments to taxpayers. For more information, read  The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act  from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
The federal government has also authorized the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue loans to businesses impacted by the coronavirus. You can find an overview of all options through the CARES Act here
 
The loans will be reviewed on a first-come-first-serve basis for eligible business in New York State. Click the links below for details.
 
Economic Injury Disaster Loans   (now taking applications)

Small Business Administration: Paycheck Protection Program

The  Paycheck Protection Program  prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.
Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.
Under this program:
Eligible recipients may qualify for a loan up to $10 million determined by 8 weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25% of that amount.
Loan payments will be deferred for six months.
If you maintain your workforce, SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first 8 weeks of payroll and certain other expenses following loan origination.
See translated information about the program in other languages  here .
 
Click here  to learn more and apply (Applications are now paused) .

Small Business Administration: Express Bridge Loan

What is it? 
SBA is making available  $25,000 emergency loans accessible immediately by small businesses who have a business relationship with an SBA Express lender. This is a fast turnaround loan and will be repaid in part or in full by the EIDL loan. 
Who is eligible? 
Any business in operation before March 13, 2020 with 500 employees or less 
What are the loan terms? 
Up to $25,000 for a max term of 7 years. Rate not to exceed Prime + 6.5%, fixed or variable.  
How can you apply? 
Through any SBA-certified lender with whom applicant has a banking relationship prior to March 13, 2020. 

City Government Assistance: NYC Employee Retention Grant Program 

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) has been working quickly to roll out two emergency financial assistance programs for businesses impacted by the coronavirus:
NYC Employee Retention Grant Program   (application have closed as of Friday, April 3, 2020, at 5 p.m.)
Eligibility Criteria (including non-profits), must:
Be located within the five boroughs of New York City
Demonstrate that the COVID-19 outbreak caused at least a 25% decrease in revenue
Employ 1-4 employees in total across all locations
Have been in operation for at least 6 months
Have no outstanding tax liens or legal judgements

New York City Department of Finance

The New York City Department of Finance offers several programs to assist property owners who face hardships making their property tax payments. Follow the links below for details:
 

City Government Assistance: NYC Small Business Continuity Fund 

 
To be eligible, businesses must:
Be located within the five boroughs of New York City
Demonstrate that the COVID-19 outbreak caused at least a 25% decrease in revenue
Employ 99 employees or fewer in total across all locations
Demonstrate ability to repay the loan
Have no outstanding tax liens or legal judgements

Other Small Business Grant Opportunities

Program offers $100M in cash grants and credits for Facebook advertisements for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses worldwide.
The Red Backpack Fund is giving away one thousand $5,000 grants to female business owners. Each month, they will accept additional applications. The portal will open for applications again on May 4, June 1, July 6, and August 3.
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Brooklyn Community Board #13
1201 Surf Avenue, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Phone: (718) 266-3001
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