THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | JANUARY 18, 2024

VOL. 24 • NUMBER 3 • JANUARY 18, 2024

UNTOUCHABLES Adams Exempts NYPD, FDNY, DSNY, Libraries from Budget Cuts

See Stories on Pages 2

Mayor Eric Adams this week noted that the Police, Fire, and Sanitation departments were protected in the Fiscal Year 2025 Preliminary Budget “to avoid impacts to public safety and cleanliness.”

Photo Courtesy of NYPD

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 24 • Number 3 • JANUARY 18, 2024 | 1

NYPD, FDNY, DSNY, Libraries Spared Budget Knife

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday released the City’s balanced $109.4 billion Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. With near-record reserves despite significant fiscal challenges, the budget builds on the Adams’ administration proven track record of responsible fiscal management, while prioritizing the needs of working-class New Yorkers by restoring critical investments in public safety, public spaces, and young people.

Facing a historically high $7.1 billion budget gap due to the growing asylum seeker crisis, drying up federal COVID-19 stim-

As a result of the administration’s policies — including providing 30 to 60 days of intensified case management — more than 60 percent of the asylum seekers who came through the city’s intake center have left the city’s care. Additionally, daily growth of the number of migrant households in the city’s care has slowed by nearly 60 percent since implementing these policies. Through the Asylum Application Help Center and satellite sites, the city has helped submit more than 27,000 work authorization, temporary protected status, and asylum applications — moving asylum seekers that much closer to being able to legally work and be self-sufficient.

Mayor Adams this week released the City’s balanced $109.4 billion Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2025.

Under the cost management efforts, perulus funding, expenses from labor contracts this administration inherited that went un- diem care costs for migrant households will resolved for years, and slowing tax revenue be reduced by implementing efficiencies growth, the Adams administration took ac- in the service and staffing models at Hution early in the budget cycle with a citywide manitarian Emergency Response and Relief hiring freeze and Program to Eliminate the Centers (HERRCs), renegotiating rates and Gap (PEG) savings program. These actions rebidding for services in shelters currently helped balance the budget and stabilize the relying on for-profit vendors, and transitioncity’s financial position without layoffs, tax ing migrants from costlier HERRCs to facilihikes, or major disruption to City services ties managed by a nonprofit service provider — and their success, along with better-than- under the traditional shelter model.

With these measures, the city has reexpected revenue, ultimately allowed for the restorations of funding for the City Police, duced the costs associated with the migrant Fire, and Sanitation Departments, as well as crisis from $12.25 billion to $10.6 billion from FY23 through FY25 — generating apthe three Library systems.

Adams said the City “has continued to proximately $1.7 billion in gap-closing saveffectively manage the asylum seeker hu- ings over FY24 and FY25.

In addition to reducing costs, the Adams manitarian crisis” largely on its own without substantial federal or state aid — includ- administration is fighting back against Texas ing getting on track to reduce city-funded Governor Greg Abbott and the transportaspending on the crisis by 20 percent over tion companies he uses to transport miFY24 and FY25, primarily by helping put grants to New York City in bad faith to hurt migrants on a path to self-sufficiency and re- NYC and overwhelm our social services sysducing the per-diem costs of providing care. tem. Last month, Adams issued Executive To date, New York City has provided care Order 538 to protect the safety and well-befor more than 170,700 asylum seekers, with ing of asylum seekers and city employees by over 68,000 currently still in the city’s care. making it against the law to use charter buses The city has also connected school-aged to bring migrants to New York City without children to public schools through Project coordinating with city government. The city Open Arms and provided case management, then sued 17 bus companies for transporting shelter, food, child care, and more services. and abandoning more than 33,000 asylum 2 | JANUARY 18, 2024 • Number 3 • VOL. 24 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

seekers in New York City without paying for the ongoing costs of care for those people.

The lawsuit seeks to recover approximately $708 million.

Including the $1.7 billion in asylum seeker-related savings, the PEG implemented by Mayor Adams in the Preliminary Budget achieved almost $3.1 billion in savings over FY24 and FY25, with every non-exempt agency meeting its target. Total PEG savings over FY24 and FY25 is a record nearly $6.6 billion since June 2023. The PEG minimized service reductions, with 99 percent of Preliminary Budget PEG initiatives being efficiencies or cost re-estimates that will not

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

lead to service reductions. Additionally, the city did not lay off a single employee or raise taxes to balance the budget.

Projected tax revenues in the Preliminary Budget exceed those in the November 2023 Financial Plan tax by $1.3 billion in FY24 and $1.6 billion in FY25, due to better-than-anticipated economic performance in 2023. Tax revenue growth is expected to remain slow in upcoming fiscal years as the local economy cools — reinforcing that the city cannot rely solely on revenue growth to solve immediate fiscal challenges.

The Preliminary Budget includes a nearrecord level $8.2 billion in reserves — including $1.2 billion in the General Reserve, $4.8 billion in the Retiree Health Benefits Trust Fund, $250 million in the Capital Stabilization Reserve, and $1.96 billion in the RainyDay Fund. A combination of savings and FY23 revenue was applied to balance FY24.

Outyear gaps are now $5.2 billion in FY26, $5.1 billion in FY27, and $6.0 billion in FY28.

After they met their PEG, Mayor Adams decided to exempt the city’s three library systems as well to prevent additional service reductions in the future. The New York City Department of Education (DOE), New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), and New York City Depart-

ment for the Aging (DFTA) were partially exempted to minimize service disruptions.

Funding is restored in the Preliminary Budget for the NYPD to add another police academy class of 600 new recruits set to join the ranks in April 2024. This class of recruits will graduate in October and will join the three additional police classes already scheduled to graduate this year. Funding will also be restored to return a fifth firefighter at 20 FDNY engine companies and maintain 190 firefighters on payroll who are not expected to be able to return to full-duty status. The funding restorations build on successful efforts by the Adams administration to drive down overall crime, with murders down 12 percent and shootings down 25 percent in 2023.

The Preliminary Budget includes restored funding to maintain 23,000 DSNY litter baskets and allow DSNY to continue installing its Litter Basket of the Future. Funding will also be restored for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s (NYC Parks) Parks Opportunity Program (POP), which gives thousands of low-income New Yorkers six-month paid opportunities and training programs each year. POP workers help maintain and operate New York City parks and facilities, and the training they receive through the program prepares them for full-time NYC Parks job opportunities.

The funding restorations build on successful efforts by the Adams administration to keep city streets and public spaces clean for all New Yorkers to enjoy — with efforts to containerize 100 percent of the city’s garbage, drastically reduce the time trash bags sit on city streets, and target hot spots for cleaning and rat mitigation within city parks during evening hours.

In the Preliminary Budget, $10 million is restored to 170 DOE community schools, which partner with community-based organizations to provide holistic support to students and their families, including providing health care, additional learning opportunities, and social and emotional counseling. The budget also includes an $80 million investment to fund DOE’s portion of the Summer Rising program — the city’s summer enrichment program for elementary and middle school students, which is jointly funded with DYCD — replacing temporary and expiring federal COVID-19 stimulus dollars used under the previous administration to make the program entirely city-funded for the first time.

“It is refreshing to see the administration acknowledge the importance of shifting contracts for asylum seeker services away from costly emergency for-profit contractors towards non-profit organizations, as the council has been advocating for many months,” City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Finance Committee Chairman Justin Brannan said in a statement. “While the administration has presented a balanced budget for FY25, continued challenges remain with out-year gaps, PEGs, a hiring freeze, and other issues. Education services for our children, public library services in our neighborhoods, community-based mental health, social services, and other government programs must be prioritized to ensure an equitable recovery for our city.”

We Need More Fed Money for Flooding: Meng

Your problems are our job.

the bill that funds water infrastructure projects across the countr y. She testified “about how New York’s 100+ year-old stormwater Following a miserable weekend that left system is unable to keep up with increasingHoward Beach and Hamilton Beach once ly powerful and frequent storms that cause again submerged, one borough pol is asking deadly flooding and economic damage to D.C. for help.

Queens.”

By Michael V. Cusenza

Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) Meng’s legislation that was signed into on Wednesday announced that she has called law last year, as part of the National Defense for more federal money to address the flood- Authorization Act, allows the Army Corps to ing problem in Queens. spend the money to address the problem of flooding, and Congress must now allocate the Last year, President Joe Biden signed funding for it so the Corps can move forward Meng’s legislation to help mitigate local with needed improvements. flooding by authorizing the Army Corps of Engineers – in working with the City of New “In Queens, we view terms like ‘100’ or York—to spend nearly $120 million on up- ‘500-year flood’ with skepticism because we grading environmental infrastructure in the know from experience that these storms are borough. occurring with greater frequency,” Meng testified. “A year after Ida, many of my constituents Last week, Meng testified before a key con- who were still recovering from storm damage gressional committee where she asked for the were again hit by horrific flooding. During the funding to be increased to $250 million. storm, the City of New York sent out an emergency alert advising people who live in base“ We all remember how flooding caused ment apartments to move to higher floors. by the remnants of Hurricane Ida devastated And even in the two weeks before Ida, TropiQueens,” said Meng. “Lives were lost, prop- cal Storm Henri broke the existing record for erty was severely damaged and storms since rainfall in the city. I can go on, but the evithen have resulted in additional flooding. I’m dence is clear: these storms are occurring with grateful that the President signed my legisla- greater frequency and New York City is not tion into law last year but with these storms prepared. occurring with greater frequency, it is clear that more resources are needed in order to be “In the Water Resources Development Act better prepared. From upgrading our sewer of 2022, I was proud to secure a $119 million systems to improving storm water manage- authorization for Queens,” Meng continued. ment, this extra money would go a long way “And now, I’m asking for that authorization to further addressing the problem, and I look to be increased to $250 million in the 2024 forward to fighting for these dollars in Con- Reauthorization. This would authorize the gress.”

Army Corps of Engineers to spend up to $250 million to work with the City of New York in Meng made her remarks during the Sub- upgrading environmental infrastructure in committee’s Members Day hearing where Queens. This could fund projects that directly Members of Congress testified about the Wa- address the devastating flooding my constituter Resources Development Act (WRDA), ents face and to help save lives.

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“In Queens, we view terms like ‘100’ or ‘500-year flood’ with skepticism because we know from experience that these storms are occurring with greater frequency,” Rep. Meng said.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 24 • Number 3 • JANUARY 18, 2024 | 3

City Imposes Curfew at Four Migrant Shelters

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Mayor Adams said “the thought of a [migrant shelter] curfew is something that we think is important because we have to make sure that we give people what our expectations are and they can respect the rights of others who are there.”

By Michael V. Cusenza Responding to skyrocketing complaints about migrant panhandling, the City this week imposed a curfew at four shelters, including two in Queens.

Mayor Eric Adams said the curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. will cover nearly 2,000 migrants.

The two borough shelters in the curfew program are the respite center at John F. Kennedy International Airport and a recent-

ly opened facility on 35th Avenue in Astoria.

“I don’t know if we’re putting them up yet, but we’re putting up signs to explain what is the code of conduct of, you know, this system was built from ground up. And so the thought of a curfew is something that we think is important because we have to make sure that we give people what our expectations are and they can respect the rights of others who are there,” Adams said.

“And you know, we’re looking to, you know,

4 | JANUARY 18, 2024 • Number 3 • VOL. 24 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

to make sure that we have a curfew. I ideally believe it should be in all of our systems.”

City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said curfews during the migrant crisis aren’t a novelty.

“We had curfews at a number of our sites over the summer. It is something that we have done in the past and we’re implementing at some of our sites now as well,” he said.

Adams said the City has gotten a hold of the issue.

“I saw around my sixth or seventh trip that we were not going to get the revenue that we wanted from Washington. There was a slow pace to this. So, we kicked in a two pronged plan. Number one, we had to project what it was going to cost. We couldn’t wait until the time of the budget and all of a sudden said, oops, we didn’t project. We did,” Adams said. “The second time, Deputy Mayor Williams Isom and Chief of Staff Joseph, they went in and kicked in a real plan of getting people out of the system. We were able to get 70 percent of people out of the system by using a host of methods: 30 days, reticketing, connecting people, intense care.

And so that’s the real story that people are missing.

So, this was smart fiscal management and not being reckless during this particular time.

We still need help, we’re not out of the woods, we’re still getting thousands of people a week.

It’s just that we’re successfully getting people out of the system. If we would have sat on our hands, we would have had 168,000 people in our system that would have really ballooned this budget. It’s the combination of what the team did and what Jacques did that this is just a successful management of the city's resources and a crisis at the same time.”

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) said that curfews should be instituted at all migrant facilities.

“If our homeless New Yorkers are given curfews in city-run shelters, migrants should be given the same,” she added.

CB 9 Pledge of Allegiance Issue Festers

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Noah Wulf

A controversy regarding the Pledge of Allegiance is brewing at Community Board 9.

By Michael V. Cusenza

What began months ago seemingly as a cultural molehill has grown into a mountain of an issue towering over Community Board 9.

disloyal, traitorous, and treasonous,” Esposito said. “As an American with family members who served, as a civic leader who represents our residents, including veterans, and as a resident who lives in CB 9, this is embarrassing and sets a bad example to the children who are being exposed to this atrocity. As a constituent, it is appalling that elected officials are not saying more about this or publicly saying anything at all.”

Sam Esposito, president of the Ozone Park Residents Block Association and the Ozone Park Howard Beach Woodhaven Lions Club, on Monday sent a letEsposito called on residents of CB 9 ter to the editor calling for the removal of CB 9 First Vice Chairman Faiuze Ali for communities (Woodhaven, Kew Garhis stance on the Pledge of Allegiance at dens, and parts of Ozone Park and Richmond Hill) to flood the offices of the official meetings.

Queens Borough President and area pols This isn’t the first time that Esposito, with expressions of disgust and demand a former longtime member of CB 9, has that Ali not be reappointed. publicly challenged Ali. Last October, “Before you say it is his right, it Esposito ripped Ali for wearing a hat duris, BUT he is an appointed member ing the recitation of the pledge, adding and representative for our communithat “everyone should respect the flag as ties and residents. As such, he should a body of appointed members.” respect American customs and our In his letter, Esposito noted that Ali country by removing his hat and rewas confronted by CB 9 leadership “and citing the Pledge of Allegiance. This told that he should remove his hat out of atrocity has gone on too long and unrespect.” Ali insisted he would not take checked because the silent majority off the hat. This has resulted in a “bone refuse to confront him. I would rather of contention among board members, stand alone in the minority and be the residents, elected officials, and oth- right than sit on the sidelines with the ers who attend these meetings,” Esposito majority and be complicit in these actions,” Esposito espoused in his miswrote. sive. “ We were brought up better than The Ozone Park native reported that this, and by sitting on the sidelines, Ali walked out of the room for the dura- you are just as complicit in this antition of the pledge at the November and American action by your silence. Your December CB 9 meetings, and that Ali silence speaks volumes, and people purposely moved out of camera range in are reading between the lines. It is the January meeting on Zoom while the time to stand up for what is right, even if it means you stand alone. At least rest of the board recited the pledge. you stand alone to do the right thing “These actions are unacceptable, rather than allow this to continue undistasteful, disrespectful, unpatriotic, checked and unspoken about.”

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

YOU CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW: THE ABC’S OF GLAUCOMA All of us are familiar with the various health awareness campaigns that occur each month. January has several and one we’d like to talk with you about is National Glaucoma Awareness. Glaucoma is an eye disease that can damage the optic nerve.

It is the optic nerve that supplies visual information from your brain directly to your eyes. The most common form of this disease is primary open-angle glaucoma, which is especially dangerous because it has no symptoms except gradual vision loss. For this reason it is imperative that you do yearly comprehensive eye exams so that vision changes can be detected and monitored. Acute-angle closure glaucoma, is a medical emergency. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately: Severe eye pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, redness in the eye, sudden vision disturbances including blurred vision, and or seeing colored rings around lights. Glaucoma can be caused by fluid buildup in the channels of your iris or cornea. Normally, a clear fluid, known

as aqueous humor, passes through these channels and fills the front part of the eye.

If however, there is a blockage or partial obstruction, the pressure in your eye may increase. This can lead to damage of the optic nerve and loss of sight. While glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, no one knows what causes the increase of pressure (IOP) in the eyes. IOP can be caused by dilating eye drops, medications like corticosteroids, high blood pressure or reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. People 60 and over are at increased risk and for African-Americans the risk grows after 40. Patients with diabetes and high blood pressure and heart disease also have an increased risk of developing glaucoma. Your pharmacist can be an effective partner in the treatment of glaucoma by monitoring adherence, counseling patients on the proper use of eyedrops, and recommending preservativefree or combination products when problems arise. Take advantage of our knowledge and willingness to help!

Until next time

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Lindenwood Burglar Apprehended Even a community yet again deluged by flood waters had reason to cheer last weekend as area cops caught up to and cuffed a man wanted for swiping multiple packages from buildings in Lindenwood.

The prolific perp was locked up on Sunday and arraigned on Tuesday.

Bail was set at $75,000 cash/$225,000 bond. The Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association asked Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz “to charge him to the fullest extent of the law and to not release him without bail,” civic Co-President Phyllis Inserillo said.

“Fantastic! Great job by the NYPD 106th Precinct and all the supers, co-op boards and management companies that fell victim and provided information regarding the burglaries to the NYPD that helped bring this bad actor into custody,” raved City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park).

Photos Courtesy of NYPD

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 24 • Number 3 • JANUARY 18, 2024 | 5

Hochul Touts Balanced $233 Billion Budget

By Michael V. Cusenza

• $1.2 billion for SUNY and CUNY capital projects.

• $207 million for SUNY and CUNY operations.

• $2.75 million for the SUNY Empire State Service Corps, offering students community service work opportunities.

• $2.5 million for the operating costs of SUNY’s participation in the Empire AI consortium.

• $2 million for SUNY’s role in NY SWIMS. • $1.5 million for the State Weather Risk Communication Center at the University at Albany.

transform safety net hospitals to achieve sustainability.

• To advance health equity, reduce health disparities, and support the delivery of social care.

• To incentivize continued delivery system transformation, improve population health and quality, improve the integration of services, and advance health-related social need (HRSN) services.

• The waiver also includes $550 million in annual funding to support the transition of distressed providers to a new model of care utilizing global budgeting.

The FY 2025 Executive Budget includes

Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced the highlights of the balanced $233 billion Fiscal Year 2025 Budget.

According to Hochul, the Empire State’s new fiscal plan makes targeted investments in initiatives that will strengthen efforts to keep New Yorkers safe. Spending for New York State’s public safety agencies includes: • $347 million investment in programs to prevent and reduce gun violence.

• $290 million to restore the effectiveness of the continuum of the criminal justice system.

• $120 million in victim assistance funding.

• $40.2 million to address retail theft and bring relief to small businesses.

• $40.8 million to reduce assaults with a focus on domestic violence.

• $35 million for the next round of the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program.

• $5 million for the Commercial Security Tax Credit to help business owners offset the costs of retail theft.

• New legislation to strengthen the Cannabis Law, helping the Office of Cannabis Management and local governments seal or padlock unlicensed businesses.

New York’s mental health system has been underfunded for decades, but the FY 2025 Executive Budget raises state investment up over 45 percent, from $3.3 bilPhoto Courtesy of Mike Groll/Office of the Governor lion in 2022 to $4.8 billion over the entire Governor Hochul and State Budget Director Blake Washington continuum of care. These investments inHealth Care is the largest single expense investments to continue road, bridge and clude: • $55 million to create 200 new in- in the budget. Hochul is proposing record safety improvement across New York infunding to keep New Yorkers healthy, while cluding: patient psychiatric beds.

• $7.9 billion in State operating • $45 million for youth mental also setting the Medicaid program on susaid for the MTA, which Governor Hochul health including school-based services and tainable long-term fiscal footing.

• $35.5 billion for Medicaid, saved from the “fiscal cliff ” in last year’s peer-to-peer counseling.

• $43 million to keep supportive along with targeted and transformational budget.

• $7.6 billion for the third year of housing units for people in need of mental changes to ensure the long-term solvency and sustainability of the Medicaid pro- the five-year $32.9 billion Department of health services.

Transportation Capital Plan, the largest in • $42.2 million to increase reim- gram.

• $315 million to provide health in- New York’s history. bursement for mental health treatment ser• $577.8 million in funding for the surance subsidies for individuals up to 350 vices.

• $37 million to build new pro- percent of the federal poverty line enrolled Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) and the Marchiselli Program. grams for unhoused individuals living with in Qualified Health Plans.

• $551 million for non-MTA transit • $67 million from the Opioid Setmental illness • $24 million to help people with tlement Fund for harm reduction, preven- in the downstate region.

• $323 million for transit systems in mental health problems who are in the tion and recovery services.

• $45 million for disability services upstate New York. criminal justice system.

• $100 million for the Pave our PotThis year, Hochul is proposing the and independent living opportunities.

• $25 million to catalyze innova- holes (POP) Program highest amount of school aid in New York • $45 million for engineering on the tion in research and treatment for ALS and State’s history: Interborough Express • $35.3 billion in total school aid, an other rare diseases.

• $16 million to move forward with • $6.7 million to become an “emincrease of $825 million (2.4 percent) from FY24. This includes a $507 million increase ployment first” state for the disability com- the planning of the Second Avenue Subway extension to Broadway. munity. in Foundation Aid. • Introducing a comprehensive The Executive Budget Includes $7.5 • $10 million to train 20,000 teachers and teaching assistants in best practices billion in funding over the next three safety package to address the remaining for evidence-based literacy instructional years ($6 billion Federal, $1.5 billion legislative recommendations from the state) through an amendment to New Stretch Limousine Passenger Safety Task practices.

• Four-year extension of mayoral York’s Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstra- Force.

The Executive Budget also includes: tion program to support a comprehensive control over City public schools.

• $500 million for clean water over The Executive Budget continues to im- series of actions to advance health equity, plement Hochul’s vision to transform the reduce health disparities, and strengthen two years.

• $435 million into resiliency projState’s public higher education system to access to primary and behavioral health ects to protect communities from severe become the best and most equitable state- care across the state.

• Makes available capital support floods, including $250 million for a volunwide system of higher education in the and provides regulatory flexibilities to help tary buyout program. country: 6 | JANUARY 18, 2024 • Number 3 • VOL. 24 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

• $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund.

• $100 million for the State Superfund Program.

• $160 million invested in NY SWIMS to address the disinvestment in swimming facilities and lifeguards in underserved communities and an additional $446 million to invest in our State parks and pools.

• $47 million to plant over 25 million trees across New York by 2033, as announced in the Governor’s 2024 State of the State Address.

After allocating $1.9 billion over the past fiscal year for the NYC migrant crisis, Hochul said she will increase State support of the City’s efforts to $2.4 billion. This includes $500 million drawn from the State’s reserves which are intended for use during one-time emergencies.

The Albany Times Union has reported that the State is prepared to pay up to $308 million to cover the City’s cost of sheltering migrants at Floyd Bennett Field for at least a year, State records show.

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) blasted Hochul for pouring more money on the issue.

“It was bad enough when we thought we were paying $21M. Now we learn that the state is prepared to spend $308M on the disaster at FBF,” Ariola tweeted.

“This is OUTRAGEOUS. The shelter is becoming an unsustainable boondoggle.

We need to shut the tents down IMMEDIATELY.” The Executive Budget includes initiatives to address the housing crisis throughout New York. It would require that localities receive Pro-Housing Community certification to access up to $650 million in state discretionary funding.

• $500 million in capital funds dedicated to developing up to 15,000 housing units on state-owned property.

• Legislation to increase the housing supply in New York City including new tax incentives, authority for the city to lift outdated residential density restrictions where appropriate, incentives to encourage affordable housing in office conversions, and a path toward legalizing basement and cellar apartments • Legislation to increase protections for affordable housing providers by prohibiting insurance carriers from raising premiums on property owners based on tenant source of income, the existence of affordable housing units, or the receipt of government assistance • Legislation to protect homeowners by creating a clear definition of the crime of deed theft to help enhance enforcement and other measures to prevent against this heinous crime “It’s honestly a mind-boggling budget proposal that cuts funding for vital programs in the midst of a housing crisis and ignores New Yorkers from all over the state who believe housing should be a priority for policymakers,” said Michael J. Borges, executive director of the Rural Housing Coalition of New York.

City Restores Funding for April 2024 NYPD Recruit Class, Fifth Firefighter at 20 Engine Companies

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams recently announced that thanks to measures the City has implemented to responsibly manage the budget and strategically navigate significant fiscal challenges, funding will be restored for the City Police Department to add another police academy class of 600 new recruits set to join the ranks in April. This class of recruits will graduate in October and will join the three additional police classes scheduled to graduate this year. Additionally, Mayor Adams announced that funding will be restored to return a fifth firefighter at 20 FDNY engine companies and maintain 190 firefighters on payroll who are not expected to be able to return to full-duty status.

The funding restorations build on successful efforts by the Adams administration to drive down overall crime, with murders down 12 percent and shootings down 25 percent in 2023. They also follow targeted and effective steps taken by the Adams administration in the face of a $7 billion budget gap in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 due to federal COVID-19 stimulus funding drying up, expenses from labor contracts this administration inherited after being unresolved for years, and the growing costs of the asylum seeker crisis – steps that have included helping put migrants on the path to self-sufficiency and reducing per-diem

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“We are grateful to the mayor for reinstating the fifth firefighter, providing us additional resources as we tackle emerging challenges like lithium-ion batteries,” said City Fire Commissioner Kavanagh.

costs for migrants. The restorations will be reflected in the FY25 Preliminary Budget, which will be presented next Tuesday, at the City Charter deadline.

“We are grateful to the mayor for reinstating the fifth firefighter, providing us additional resources as we tackle emerging challenges like lithium-ion batteries,” said City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.

“We know controlling costs is crucial during these tough fiscal times. The depart-

ment will continue to take every measure necessary to ensure we are spending taxpayer dollars wisely while fulfilling our mission of protecting life and property.”

In August 2023, Adams laid out projections estimating the cost of the asylum seeker crisis to grow to more than $12 billion over three fiscal years – between FY23 and FY25 – if circumstances did not change.

From April 2022 through December 2023, the city has already spent an estimated

$3.5 billion on shelter and services for over 168,500 individuals who came through the city's intake center during that timeframe.

With sunsetting COVID-19 stimulus funding, slowing tax revenue growth, expenses from labor contracts this administration inherited after being unresolved for years, and a lack of significant state or federal government action on the asylum seeker crisis, Mayor Adams took action – announcing a 5-percent Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG) on city-funded spending for all city agencies with plans for additional rounds of PEGs in the Preliminary and Executive Budgets. And, through strong fiscal management that included implementing measures to reduce household per-diem costs and helping put migrants on the path to self-sufficiency, the city is projected to achieve a 20 percent reduction in city-funded spending on the migrant crisis by the end of FY24.

“From the moment these cuts were announced, I joined with leaders of the UFA, UFOA, PBA, and others in calling for the mayor to rethink these decisions — decisions which no doubt would have put the safety of New Yorkers at risk and which would have made the work of our police and firefighters more difficult,” City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said. “I’m very happy to see that the administration has heard us, and is making the right call on this matter.”

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 24 • Number 3 • JANUARY 18, 2024 | 9

City Department of Finance Publishes Tentative Property Tax Assessment Roll

By Forum Staff Department of Finance Commissioner Preston Niblack on Tuesday announced the publication of the tentative property tax assessment roll for Fiscal Year 2025.

DOF is required to determine market and assessed values for all properties in the five boroughs annually and issue a tentative property tax assessment roll each year in mid-January. The tentative roll is available online at nyc.gov/site/finance/property/ property-assessments.page.

The tentative assessment roll for FY25 shows the total market value of all New York City properties is $1.491 trillion, a 0.7-percent increase from Fiscal Year 2024.

Property values for FY25 reflect real estate activity between Jan. 6, 2023, to Jan. 5, 2024, the taxable status date, as well as income and expense information on commercial properties during calendar year 2022 and submitted to DOF in 2023. Citywide taxable billable assessed value, the portion of market value to which tax rates are applied, increased by 4.2 percent to $298.9 billion.

The tentative roll shows more citywide construction activity with $13.9 billion in new market value. Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens accounted for 88 percent of overall construction activity in the city, while Bronx registered the highest percent increase in construction activity among the boroughs at 1.4 percent.

Highlights by tax classes: Class 1 (1-3 family homes) • The total market value decreased by 3.4 percent to $738.8 billion, driven primarily by market forces.

• Assessed values rose by 4.7 percent to $26.1 billion. Class 1 homes in the Bronx had the greatest percent increase in market value, at 0.5 percent, while Brooklyn had the greatest percent increase in assessed value, up 4.9 percent; Queens and Staten Island followed closely at 4.8 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.

Class 2 (cooperatives, condominiums and rental apartment buildings) • The total market value increased by 5.3 percent to $370.4 billion, a $18.8 billion difference from Fiscal Year 2024.

• The total assessed value increased by 4.5 percent, to $116.1 billion. Brooklyn experienced the largest market value percent increase for Class 2, at 9.2 percent, and the largest taxable billable assessed value percent increase at 11.0 percent.

• Class 2 rentals saw a market value increase of 5.7 percent. Class 2 cooperatives and condominiums saw a market value increase of 2.1 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.

• The total assessed value increased by 5.3 percent for Class 2 rental apartments.

Manhattan had the least market value increase at 4.3 percent and Staten Island had the largest taxable billable assessed value increase at 12.6 percent for rental apartments.

Class 4 (commercial properties) • Citywide total market value increased by 4.4 percent to $329.6 billion driven primarily by changes in market forces. Brooklyn had the largest percent increase in market value at 8.0 percent.

• Total assessed values increased by 3.5 percent, to $133.5 billion. Commercial properties in Brooklyn saw the largest increase in assessed value, at 7.7 percent.

Photo Courtesy of DSNY

Property owners must clear snow or ice from their sidewalks, the City Department of Sanitation reminded New Yorkers this week.

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• Office buildings experienced an increase of 3.5 percent in market value. Retail buildings and hotels registered a market value increase of 2.0 percent and 8.4 percent, respectively.

• Total assessed value for office buildings increased by 2.5 percent. Citywide retail buildings saw a 1.6 percent increase in taxable billable assessed value.

Brooklyn had the largest increase in assessed value at 5.6 percent for retail buildings. Citywide assessed value for hotel buildings increased by 5.5 percent.

Photo Courtesy of Google Assessed values of 1-3 family homes across the city last year rose by 4.7 percent to $26.1 billion, according to the Department of Finance.

SLUG: PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT -Remember City Snow/Ice Removal Rules

By Michael V. Cusenza As Old Man Winter rears his ugly head, The Forum wanted to remind readers of the City’s rules regarding removing snow and ice from your residence or business.

Property owners must clear snow or ice from their sidewalks, according to the City Department of Sanitation. The City doesn't clean or remove snow or ice from sidewalks in front of residential or commercial property.

If you own any lot or building, you must: • Clear snow and ice on your sidewalk to create a path at least 4 feet wide • Clear a path to the crosswalk, including pedestrian ramps (curb cuts), if you own a corner property • Shovel bus stops and fire hydrants in front of your property If the snow stops falling between: • 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., you must clear sidewalks within four hours • 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., you must clear sidewalks within 14 hours • 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., you must clear sidewalks by 11 a.m.

You may not shovel snow into the street.

If you don't follow snow shoveling rules, you may receive a ticket from the DSNY. You can report snow or ice on sidewalks in front of residential or commercial properties after property owners have had enough time to clear their sidewalks.

DSNY doesn’t clear access to vehicles, sidewalks, and driveways, even if the obstruction was caused by plowing activity.

Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from hydrants in front of their property. You can report snow blocking a fire hydrant to the Fire Department.

DSNY hires emergency snow laborers to help clear snow from pedestrian medians, overpasses, and underpasses once all streets have been cleared. This effort takes time because it requires manual labor.

You may file Service Requests beginning 72 hours after streets have been cleared. There is no guarantee that every overpass or underpass will be cleared.

Photo Courtesy of DSNY

The law requires you to clear the sidewalk. How long you have to do so depends on when the snow stops falling.

City Secures $1.5 Million for Consumers Harmed by Predatory Used Car Dealer Group

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams and City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga on Thursday announced an agreement with 26 Motors — a group of six used car dealerships — that will deliver $1.5 million in relief to New Yorkers harmed by the dealerships’ deceptive sales practices. The agreement resolves numerous violations of the city’s Consumer Protection Law that protects against deceiving and otherwise preying on vulnerable consumers, as well as licensing laws prohibiting other unlawful conduct in the industry. Mayor Adams and DCWP Commissioner Mayuga also secured $300,000 in civil penalties from the company, and a five-year ban on five of the seven individual owners from owning and operating a used car dealership in New York City.

For years, 26 Motors displayed a pattern of predatory business practices. The dealerships used false advertising to lure consumers into buying mechanically defective vehicles and refused to honor their advertised prices. They also deceived consumers about the true cost of vehicles by posting misleading information online. Additionally, the dealerships preyed on financially vulnerable consumers by forcing them into

26 Motors has a dealership on Queens Boulevard in Woodside.

financing deals and provided false information to financial organizations to secure loans.

Finally, they tricked consumers into signing illegal waivers and refused to provide them with legally required disclosures upon request, among other violations of the city’s Consumer Protection Law. Since 2017, DCWP has received more than 100 consumer complaints about 26 Motors’ dealerships in the Bronx and Queens, alleging harm stemming from deceptive business practices, including the use of an

Photo Courtesy of Google

elaborate false advertising scheme across numerous websites; overcharging consumers; selling mechanically defective vehicles; and routinely failing to provide consumers with legally mandated disclosures.

In April 2023, DCWP charged 26 Motors with over 9,500 violations at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings related to the dealerships’ deceptive business practices. As part of the settlement, 39 consumers will receive at least $400,000 in payments, leaving $1.1 million for other consumers of the dealerships who have yet

to come forward with claims. Claims can be submitted directly online.

DCWP currently licenses more than 460 secondhand auto dealers and has received more than 4,400 complaints about the industry over the past five years. In that same period, DCWP conducted more than 2,600 inspections of used car dealerships and issued more than 840 summonses. The most common violations include failure to post required signs, parking or storing cars on sidewalks and public roadways, and missing price disclosures. As a result of mediating complaints, charging businesses with violations of the applicable law and rules, and executing settlements, DCWP has secured over $1.9 million in consumer restitution and more than $5.2 million in fines against used car dealerships over the past five years.

“DCWP has zero tolerance for businesses that use deceptive practices to prey on our fellow New Yorkers,” Mayuga said.

“A car is a major but necessary expense that many consumers need to get to work and to take care of their loved ones, and no one should be pressured or deceived into buying a defective vehicle. With this agreement, we are sending a clear message that this administration will continue to support working people and protect all New Yorkers from predatory businesses.”

Adams Convenes Independent Panel of Experts to Advise City on Money Matters

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced an independent Budget Advisory Panel that will help the City identify creative ways to protect vital services for New Yorkers, achieve efficiencies and cost savings, and maximize federal and state aid to the city. Assembled by the Partnership for New York City at the request of the Adams administration, and led by former Obama administration U.S. Department of the Treasury official Antonio Weiss, the panel consists of independent experts with experience in federal, state, and city government, as well as in the private sector.

The Budget Advisory Panel has been meeting regularly for the past six weeks with current and former city, state, and federal officials and other stakeholders to review data on the City’s current fiscal situation and consider the range of opportunities for reducing gaps and strengthening the city budget, Adams noted. The panel had no input on the Fiscal Year 2025 Preliminary Budget but is supportive of the decisions made and will have further comments during budget negotiations. When the panel has relevant findings and recommendations, they will be shared with City Hall and the public.

Currently, Blumenthal is the founder and chairman of Blue Wolf Capital Partners.

Abby Joseph Cohen is a professor at Columbia Business School. Currently, Joseph Cohen is a member of the New York State Assembly’s Board of Economic Advisors.

Carol O’Cleireacain served as budget director and commissioner of the City Department of Finance under Mayor David Dinkins. Currently, she is an adjunct professor at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Martha E. Stark was the commissioner of the City Department of Finance. She previously served as a White House Fellow at the U.S. Department of State and a board member of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. Currently, Stark is a professor at New York University Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a life trustee of the New York University Law School Foundation Board.

Robert Steel was the City’s deputy mayor for economic development under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Steel also served as U.S. Treasury undersecretary for domestic finance, CEO of the Wachovia CorporaPhoto Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office tion, and a partner at Goldman Sachs. Cur“This esteemed group of independent, cross-sector experts have come together with one goal: continue to strengthen rently, Steel is a partner and vice chairman the City’s financial position and deliver on the needs of working-class New Yorkers,” Mayor Adams said. of Perella Weinberg Partners.

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“Throughout New York City history, those who love and care about our city’s future have come together during moments of crisis to help be a part of the change. The formation of this independent Budget Advisory Panel is one of those moments,” said Adams. “This esteemed group of independent, cross-sector experts have come together with one goal: continue to strengthen the City’s financial position and deliver on the needs of working-class New Yorkers. I look forward to working with this panel to help write the next chapter of our city’s story.”

Currently, Weiss is an investor at SSW Partners LP, a trustee of the Citizens Budget Commission, and a fellow at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government.

The rest of the panel members are: Adam Blumenthal previously served as the City’s first deputy comptroller and chief investment officer between 2002 and 2005.

He also served as the investment chair of the United Auto Workers Retiree Medical Benefits Trust and investment chair of the Community Service Society of New York.

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For the best service and prices for classified ads and legal notices Call The Forum 718-845-3221 THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 24 • Number 3 • JANUARY 18, 2024 | 13

Legal Notices Notice of Formation, 53 Ave Condo Holding LLC Art. of Org. were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/11/2023 Office Location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 141-07 20th Avenue Suite 303, Flushing, NY 11357 Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

8511 34AVE2G LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/06/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Kin W Tsui, 146-09 61st Rd, Queens, NY 11367. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

5 HADDEN PL LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/28/23. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 94-14 40th Dr., Elmhurst, NY 11373, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

23119 145TH AVENUE, LLC App. for Auth. filed with the SSNY on 10/16/23.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ANDERSON REGISTERED AGENTS, 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 210, BROOKLYN, NY, 11228, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

DUCTWORK PRO LLC. App. for Auth. filed with the SSNY on 12/04/23.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to DUCTWORK PRO LLC, 8217 60TH AVE, MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY, 11379, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

BENTF CONSULTING LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/27/23. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to BENJAMIN FENNEY, 4815 11TH STREET, PHB, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY, 11101, USA.. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of CLINCO PROPERTIES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/06/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Law Offices of Anthony S. Cannatella, 53 Orchard St., Manhasset, NY 11030. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Z NYC GROUP PROPERTIES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/30/2023.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC 19-31 DITMARS BLVD, ASTORIA, NY, 11105, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

JAB CONSULTING NYC LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/13/2023.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 2180 38TH ST APT A3, Astoria, NY 11105, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

EASTRIDGE HOLDINGS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/10/2024. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Jiashu Xu, 112-15 Northern Blvd, #2, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Calvary Auto Group LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 12/11/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 2540 Shore Blvd, Ste. 20F, Astoria, NY 11102. General Purpose

MAXIM SCHIDLOVSKY STUDIO LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/15/2024. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

PEACE LOVES COMPANY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/12/2024. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Formation of Data Driven Oz Fund 4 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 12/14/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: The LLC, 43-01 22nd St, Ste 602, Long Island City, NY 11101, zach@ within.co. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of GERALDINE 240 128 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State (SSNY) on03/10/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: MICHAEL SCOTT, 240 128 RD., ROSEDALE, NY, 11422, USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

SHANTOM LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/02/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 267 East Townline Road, West Nyack, NY 10994. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of HOLLIS CUTZ LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/24/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: Hollis Cutz LLC, 202-13 Hollis Avenue, St. Albans, NY, 11412, USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Cassena Dietary Services LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/1/2023. Office: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 225 Crossways Park Dr, Woodbury, NY 11797. Purpose: any lawful act.

JOANNA BURY DESIGN STUDIOLLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/04/2024. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 98 Walnut Street. Forest Hills , NY, 11375, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

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BEX IMPORTS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/20/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: MICHELLE BECKER, 558 OAK DRIVE, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY,11691-5411, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

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