Summary of the Sept. 18, 2019 Meeting and Newsletter

The General Tenants Meeting began with a moment of silence for neighbors we have lost since the last meeting, including Na'ava Ades, Richard Jordan, Carlos Martinez, and Ana Soto. 

Since there was only a single candidate for the opening on our tenant association's executive committee, we acclaimed Andrew Dubin a new member. 

Building issues:

Food waste collection:  If you leave your food waste in a plastic bag (except for compostable bags that you buy), it can't be easily composted. So please dump the contents of your plastic bag into the brown compost bin, and put the empty plastic bag in the small (non-compost) bin next to it. Then close both bins to prevent bugs.

©Susan Susman October 4, 2019

The elevators continue to be a mess.  Please report all problems on a requisition slip at the front desk so there's a written record.

The garage has been filled to way over its legal 114-car capacity.  The NYC Depart of Consumer Affairs issued a violation, and the tenant association contacted ICON.  As a result, the situation has improved. If you see overcrowding again, file a 311 complaint and send the complaint number to CPGTenAssoc@gmail.com.

Tenant movement issues:

• The Right to Counsel NYC is holding a "People's Tribunal on Evictions" to highlight those most affected - and who benefit most from the right to free legal counsel in housing court.  Stellar apparently is the largest evicter in Manhattan.  Tenants under certain incomes in certain zip codes are eligible for free legal counsel, and the organization wants to expand both the zip codes and the income levels. 

• Housing Justice for All (the coalition that brought us the new rent laws, with the help of the "No IDC NYC" group that changed the State Senate), is launching its 2020 campaign on Wed., Oct. 16 at 6 PM at Washington Irving High School, 60 Irving Place (near Union Square).  We're a member, so you are invited.  If you'd like to participate in HJ4A's weekly phone calls, contact CPGTenAssoc@gmail.com.

The New Rent Law - Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) of 2019. 

Talk about knowing what there is to know!   Legal Aid Attorney Ellen Davidson gave a wonderfully clear presentation based on these slides that she printed out and distributed.  

Some things are answerable. (Click on "read more" for the well-presented Park West Village Tenant Association summary of the new law and more.) Ellen was recently awarded the NY County Lawyers Association’s Public Service Award for her work on this new tenant bill.

She explained that while the State Legislature passed the statute that the governor signed into law, there are two other sources of law:  the administrative agency (NYS Homes and Community Renewal) that enacts regulations to interpret the statute, and court decisions, all yet to come.  Tenants in Housing Justice for All (HJ4A) are working with DHCR (part of NYS HCR) to draft the regulations.

Tonight - Sept. 18 - Know your rights under the new rent law

DHCR posts new lease rider and new rent law summary

The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), which oversees the rent laws, has posted  on its website: 

THE NEW LEASE RIDER FOR RENT STABILIZED TENANTS.

So far, Stellar has been renewing stabilized leases using the OLD rent rider.  The new one will be binding since that goes along with the 2019 changes in the rent laws.  This rider also shows how market tenants trying to get back into rent stabilization can calculate what their stabilized rents would be.

WHEN THE RIDER MUST BE INCLUDED IN LEASES (By Oct. 24, 2019)

DHCR SUMMARY OF THE NEW RENT LAW

Wed., Sept. 18 at 8 PM: Know Your Rights!

YOUR RIGHTS UNDER

THE NEW RENT LAWS

as a rent stabilized or

unregulated tenant

In June 2019, NY State passed landmark legislation establishing the strongest new protections for rent regulated and market tenants in a generation.  Learn about how the new laws will affect us, and get answers to your questions. 

Speaker:  Ellen Davidson

Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society, and Board Member of Tenants & Neighbors

at our

GENERAL TENANTS MEETING

on

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

8 PM

in our Community Room

with election of a replacement executive committee member. 

Sad News: Ana Soto has died

Ana Soto lost a long battle against lung cancer when she died on August 17, 2019.  

Ana had been a floor captain here for many years, and was the person who designed many of our Pot Luck flyers.   

Our condolences go to her three daughters,  Natalie Jimenez, who lives in the Bronx, and Michelle and Jennifer Jimenez who remain in Apt. 5V.  

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 21, 2019 from 9-10 AM at the Sisto Funeral Home, 3489 East Tremont Ave., Bronx, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of St. Benedict , 2969 Otis Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465 at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at St. Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx.  Click here to send flowers. 

  

Tenants Meeting Sept. 18, 2019 - Your rights under new rent laws

YOUR RIGHTS UNDER

THE NEW RENT LAWS

as a rent stabilized or

unregulated tenant

In June 2019, NY State passed landmark legislation establishing the strongest new protections for rent regulated and market tenants in a generation.  Learn about how the new laws will affect us, and get answers to your questions. 

Speaker:  Ellen Davidson

Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society, and Board Member of Tenants & Neighbors

at our

GENERAL TENANTS MEETING

on

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

8 PM

in our Community Room

with election of a replacement executive committee member. 

Sad News: Richard Jordan has died.

The Central Park Gardens Tenants’ Association

mourns the loss of our long-time Board and Executive Committee member and friend

RICHARD JORDAN

who died on July 9, 2019 after fighting long illnesses.

We offer our condolences to his wife Patricia, their daughter Orisha, their extended family, and their many friends.

Richard (Duke) Jordan, Jr. lived with his family here for over forty years. In addition to serving on the executive committee and board of the tenant association, he was a floor captain until his death.  He also served as a member of the tenant association’s legal committee before the building left Mitchell-Lama and on 5 boards of St. Phillips’ affordable housing.  In this career, Rich was the National Director of Urban Services for Boys & Girls Clubs of America (formerly Boy's Club of America). An accomplished musician, he was a consultant in Urban Planning & Youth Development to the federal government, the National Commission on Youth and Voluntary Action, the MLK Commission, the MLK Center for Youth and Non Violent Action, the International Council of Churches, the New Cities Corp. and the governments of the UK, France, Canada and Germany and others.

A memorial to celebrate his life will be in August, with further details to be announced.