Federal Update

President Trump signed into law the latest $483b stimulus package.

• $321b to replenish SBA programs.
• $75b in aid to hospitals.
• $25b for expanded testing.
• No aid for state and local governments.
• Roll Call coverage here.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference, he announced,

• Executive Order to send postage-paid applications to every New Yorker for an absentee ballot.
• $13.3 billion less in revenue than initial projections this fiscal year; $61b four-year shortfall.
• State is considering a number of options to move forward once the 90-day moratorium on evictions expires.
• A decision on whether to keep schools closed will be made in about one week.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference, he announced,

• Strong support for the Rent Guidelines Board to issue a rent freeze, allow security deposits to pay, allow rent repayment over 12 months, extend the eviction moratorium for 60 days.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference, he announced,

• DOH and AG James will investigate nursing homes not complying with the Executive Order requiring communication with families on COVID-19 test results and deaths.
• 13.9% of New Yorkers tested positive in phase 1 of the statewide antibody test; 3,000 tested.
• Criticism of Senator McConnell for suggesting States declare bankruptcy.

State Update- Rent Guidelines Board

From the Rent Guidelines Board (RBG) meeting, the board discussed:

• The appropriateness of holding meetings during the crisis.
• If, and for how much, rent for regulated units should increase.
• Research on price index of operating costs, see here.
• Research on expenses and income for owners of rent regulated apartments, see here.
• Next RGB meetings April 30 and May 5; preliminary vote on rent adjustments on May 7.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference, he announced,

• City has expanded Halal meals to 32 DOE sites in communities with significant Muslim populations during Ramadan.
• Every DOE student should have an internet-enabled device by April 30.

Agency Update – Department of Buildings

From NY Building Congress’s event with DOB Commissioner La Rocca:

• 90% of NYC construction projects have paused operations.
• DOB inspectors will continue to visit sites, even if deemed essential.
• No revision to the timeline of Local Law 97.
• DOB expected to become more innovative in its practices post-COVID.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference, he announced,

• President Trump will waive the State’s contribution for FEMA emergency-related costs.
• Partnership with Bloomberg to develop the State’s testing and tracing program.
• 35,000 SUNY and CUNY students in medical fields to serve as tracers.
• Work with nursing homes to increase staff and protect residents from spread of infection.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference, he announced,

• City will be building an operation for rapid contact tracing, call centers, patient evaluations, contact tracing and investigation, data management and analysis.
• 6 new testing sites prioritized for NYCHA residents: Cumberland Health Center, Crown Heights; Belvis Health Center, Mott Haven; Gouverneur Health Center, Lower East Side; Jonathan Williams Houses, Williamsburg; Woodside Houses, Woodside.
• Free door-to-door meal distribution to all NYCHA senior buildings.
• $5m investment to provide tablets and internet service to 10,000 NYCHA residents.

City Council Update

City Council Stated Meeting

• The Council held its first ever remote Stated Meeting during which they suspended the requirement to meet in person, made a number of other technical rule changes, and approved a number of routine items:
• Miscellaneous land use items
• Expansion of the Downtown Flushing BID
• A number of new bills related to the COVID-19 pandemic were also introduced:
• Intro 1912 – to extend time for all NYC renters to repay rent; to block evictions, and collection of debts.
• Intro 1914 – to make commercial tenant harassment based on COVID-19 impacted status subject to civil penalty.
• Intro 1917 – to create an exemption from the prohibition on LL 158 self-certification for the year 2017.
• Intro 1918 – to require large employers (100+ employees) to pay premiums to essential non-salaried workers.
• Intro 1919 – to require DOF to assist recipients of notices pursuant to the Notice of Recorded Document Program who suspect fraudulent recordings.
• Intro 1920 – to mandate HRA to require all SOTA program units to be certified as in compliance with all City building and housing codes.
• Intro 1922 – to require DOB to submit photo-documentation when issuing violations.
• Intro 1923 – to prohibit the firing of essential workers without just cause.
• Intro 1926 – to amend “employee” in the Earned Safe and Time Act to extend benefits to independent contractors.
• Intro 1930 – to clarify that DOB construction applications filed before the effective date of LL 92 and 94 (green roofs law) for the year 2019 are not subject to requirements of the laws.
• Intro 1932 – to prohibit enforcement of personal liability provisions in commercial leases or rental agreements involving a COVID-19 impacted tenant where trigger event occurred during the COVID-10 state of emergency.
• Intro 1933 – to require DOT to set aside no less than 75 centerline miles of street space for pedestrians and cyclists during COVID-19 emergency.
• Intro 1936 – to amend “harassment” in the Housing Maintenance Code to include threats against individuals based on status as COVID-19 impacted.
• See Council press release, with more information on each bill, here.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference, he announced,

• Reopening will be regional, based on data.
• Lift of the ban of nonessential elective surgeries for certain State hospitals.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference, he announced,

• Purchase of 3,000 “bridge” ventilators at a cost of $10m.
• NYC Strategic Reserve Program, equipment and supplies on reserve for future pandemics.
• City is exploring the conversion of emergency facilities into quarantine sites.

Federal Update

NYS Congressional delegation supports the MTA’s new request for $3.9b in federal funding, see NY Times article here.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference, he announced,

• 20% projected cuts to schools, local governments, and hospitals if State does not receive necessary Federal funding.
• Proposal to increase hazard pay for essential public workers by 50%.
• “Reimagine New York Task Force,” including Mayor de Blasio, Westchester Executive George Latimer, Nassau Executive Laura Curran, Suffolk Executive Steven Bellone.
• Partnership with Ready Responders to bring healthcare services and testing to NYCHA.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference, he announced,

• Non-essential permitted events in June are cancelled.
• 350 FEMA ambulances have arrived in NYC.

Agency Update- Department of Buildings

Updates to the Energy Conservation Code, requiring new building design and alteration mandates.

• New standards begin on May 12, 2020.
• 2020 Energy Conservation Code here.
• Guidance from DOB here.
• Real Estate Weekly coverage here. Smart Cities Dive coverage here.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference, he announced,

• NYS will undergo the most aggressive antibody testing survey in the nation.
• Executive Order allowing retired or out-of-state funeral directors to be licensed immediately.
• State is sending 400 ventilators to Massachusetts.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference, he announced,

• 1,400 volunteers assigned to over 40 hospitals and 40 nursing homes.
• Sending 600 medical personnel to 11 independent hospitals.
• His opposition to the City Council’s push to shut down the MTA.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference, he announced,

• Calls for Federal partnership on testing; hopes to double capacity for local labs.
• Executive Order for marriage licenses to be issued remotely; allowing ceremonies over video.
• State prisoners age 55 or older, with fewer than 90 days on sentence, no violent felony or sexual assault offense, would be released in the next 90 days.

Agency Update- DOB

Licenses/registrations set to expire extended through May 15.

• New licenses/registrations will be made available here.