presented by Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance

October 29th, 2020

Quotes of the Day

	"This piece of [Water Safety] legislation is a huge win for ratepayers on Long Island and in Assembly District 21 who pay exorbitant rates with inconsistent and poor service. I fully support this piece of legislation that will hold public utilities accountable to their customers and will finally give the ratepayer what they need -- a reliable service  where they are not punished for the utilities inability to serve." - NYS Assembly Member Judy Griffin
	"This [Water Safety] legislation would protect New York residents' consumer interests in residential utility matters. Every New Yorker deserves efficient services, especially in times of emergencies. I look forward to working with my colleagues and Governor Cuomo to ensure that private utilities do right by ratepayers." - Assembly Member Michaelle Solages
	"I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his continued commitment to holding our utility companies accountable for the violations of public trust. New Yorkers deserve better and this legislation will hold those responsible accountable for their actions with necessary enforcement." - Assembly Member Taylor Darling

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Village of Roslyn Approves Law to Encourage TOD in Downtown

Roslyn Village officials have recently approved a law designed to encourage transit-oriented development near its Long Island Rail Road station, paving the way for a proposed new apartment building with ground-floor retail on Warner Avenue.

“It’s great to see the Village of Roslyn pass a measured zoning change to allow transit-oriented development,” Director of Vision Long Island Eric Alexander states. Noting there were more supporters than opponents testifying at the public meeting, which included support from Vision, Mr. Alexander explains, “This shift will help a struggling commercial property move forward and provide housing options for some in the community.”

The change allows the Village to create a district permitting a 40-foot-tall building with density capped at 30 units per acre. The number of maximum units could be doubled to 60 through the use of incentive bonuses.

Newsday reports Village Trustee Sarah Oral explained the change was directed to affect two properties only - the nearly 1-acre lot on 281-301 Warner Avenue and a Verizon site next to it. "We are not looking to expand this zone at any time," Trustee Oral said. "Our intent is to have the two properties adjacent to the train station have the ability to present to us transit-oriented developments there."

Some residents requested the Village set reasonable limits to the development of this site, including denial of waivers for density and parking limitations.

The first property, currently home to Verizon, has expressed no objection to the zone change, stating it will continue to use the site as a telephone exchange.

The second property, which sits across the parking lot of the train station and currently houses a strip mall full of empty storefronts, is owned by J.K. Equities, headed by Roslyn resident Jerry Karlik. During an interview with Newsday, Mr. Karlik stated within 30 days the company will present a plan to the Village board that fits within the parameters of the adopted rules. Although he declined to give specifics, he said the new building would have retail on the ground floor and residential apartments on the upper floors.

The complete Newsday story can be found here.

Westbury TOD Zone Receives Spotlight

Some good news at a time when it seems in short supply, Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is inching forward in the Village of Westbury, even during the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to build on the commuter parking lot located on the south side of the Long Island Rail Road station in Westbury.

The Village of Westbury has successfully passed sweeping changes to its zoning code allowing for more transit-oriented development for approximately 50 acres of land next to the Westbury LIRR station. The Village, which is the first community on Long Island to receive a $10 million New York State Downtown Revitalization grant, was recently awarded a 2020 Vision Long Island Smart Growth Award for Transit Oriented Development.

The MTA is offering a 99-year ground lease to build on 1.6 acres of underutilized property which it owns on the south side of the station. “Transit-oriented development is a very, very big aspect of the development in [Nassau County] right now,” Mitchell Pally, chief executive of the Long Island Builders Institute tells The Bond Buyer. “More and more people understand that people like living in his kind of arrangement,” Pally explains. “We are tremendously supportive of the project and I think you’ll see a number of responses to the RFP without a doubt.”

“The Village has been working on revitalization for over a decade,” Village of Westbury Mayor Cavallaro has stated. “We have created over 800 units of different types of multi-unit housing. This project is exciting because it’s going to allow us to take those redevelopment efforts to the next level. It has the potential to be transformative.”

Vision Long Island Director Eric Alexander adds, “One of the reasons this TOD project has fared so well has been the hyperlocal focus and local groups that came out to support including: the Westbury Arts Council, Westbury BID, and local religious institutions such as the Islamic Center of LI and many local residents and business.”

“Our intent is to make Westbury’s downtown the most attractive downtown in all of Long Island,” Mayor Cavallaro has stated. The Mayor tells The Bond Buyer; the MTA’s undertaking is a keystone project in the Village’s continuing efforts towards downtown revitalization.

This project hopes to generate revenue for the Village by creating jobs and expanding the tax base, while also proving lucrative to the MTA.

The Request for Proposals are due Nov. 20.

Click here to read the story in The Bond Buyer.

Pink Tie Delivers to St. Anne's Parish Outreach

The Pink Tie Delivers Team was out at St. Anne’s Church last Friday delivering shelf stable foods and a donation to their Parish Outreach operation.

Keller Williams in Garden City assisted heavily with the delivery and Parish Outreach Director Linda Leone thanked the group while speaking about the steadily increasing need as the months get colder.

The companies that participated in this drop included 1st Equity Title, Trinity Solar, Allstate, National Grid, Late Night Chauffers, Vision LI, Keller Williams and Shoprite.

The Pink Tie Delivers team will be out later this week to help the Hempstead Chamber in their outreach to homeless individuals.

For more info on how you can take part in the doorstep donation program or join the Delivers Team check out pinktie.org or please email us at contact@pinktie.org

Perabell Gives Tips on How to Cook a Great Burger

For a long time now most of the best restaurants and eateries on Long Island are in our downtowns.  Check out this quick video from the folks at Perabell, located in downtown Riverhead and Bay Shore providing you with tips on cooking a burger.  Special thanks to the folks at Greater Long Island News for sharing.

You can view the full video covering how to cook this delicious burger here.

Proposed Legislation would Require PSC Study on Private Water Suppliers

New legislation has been proposed aimed at strengthening New York State's enforcement tools and holding utilities accountable in response to widespread failures to prepare for and respond to the reality of more frequent and extreme weather events such as Tropical Storm Isaias.

If passed, the new law would increase penalties to shareholders for failing to adhere to emergency response plans and other violations of the Public Service Law, regulations or orders of the Public Service Commission (PSC). The new law would also expedite and clarify the process of utility franchise revocation for recurring failures. Finally, the proposed bill would require the PSC to cap the amount of money ratepayers contribute to utility executive salaries.

But a big part of the bill would be a requirement for the PSC to study whether private water suppliers like American Water on Long Island should come under municipal control in order to improve delivery of water service to ratepayers. Recent concerns over the quality of water service and the management of private water supplies warrants closer scrutiny to determine if the public would be better served by a municipal entity. The bill would require the PSC to issue a report by April 1, 2021.

The majority of the State Legislature's Long Island delegation joined the announcement, pledging to sponsor the bill and help ensure its passage.

"God did not give the utility company the franchise - the people of the state gave the utility company the right to operate," Governor Cuomo said. "If the people of this state allow the utility company to operate, the people of the state can revoke their right to operate."

"This piece of legislation is a huge win for ratepayers on Long Island and in Assembly District 21 who pay exorbitant rates with inconsistent and poor service," said NYS Assembly Member Judy Griffin. "I fully support this piece of legislation that will hold public utilities accountable to their customers and will finally give the ratepayer what they need -- a reliable service  where they are not punished for the utilities inability to serve."

"This legislation would protect New York residents' consumer interests in residential utility matters," according to Assembly Member Michaelle Solages. "Every New Yorker deserves efficient services, especially in times of emergencies. I look forward to working with my colleagues and Governor Cuomo to ensure that private utilities do right by ratepayers."

"I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his continued commitment to holding our utility companies accountable for the violations of public trust," said Assembly Member Taylor Darling. "New Yorkers deserve better and this legislation will hold those responsible accountable for their actions with necessary enforcement."

Under current rules, electric utilities provide the PSC with emergency response plans and are required under such plans to prepare for service outages as a result of extreme weather. Recent events have illustrated that the penalties in the PSL have not been a sufficient deterrent against actions or inaction that violates such emergency response plans. Not only do these violations jeopardize public health and safety, but ratepayers deserve better service, and utilities should be held to higher standards given the franchise they are awarded to provide service to their customers.

LIBN Honors Long Islanders Who have made a Difference

We all know the value that the LI Business News weekly publication and daily eblasts bring to the conversation on local business and communities out here.

It is important to keep the support levels up for the many awards events that they have been holding throughout the year now virtually.

We have been a bit behind in shouting out to the many deserving honorees who have contributed to downtown revitalization, infrastructure projects and the broader Smart Growth movement but here goes:

For the LIBN Executive Circle Award - Congratulations to our good friend Michael Caplice from the Office of NYS Comptroller Tom Dinapoli

For the LIBN Top 50 Women - Congratulations to our friends Gina Coletti from the Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers, Valerie Anderson Campbell & Elizabeth Wellington from the LI African American Chamber of Commerce, Liz Uzzo from H2M Architects & Engineers, Christina Mathieson from LEAP Edu & Pink Tie, and honorees from National Grid, PSEG-LI and LI Board of Realtors.

For the LIBN Hall of Fame - Congratulations to Michael Faltischek from RMF, Dan Deegan from Forcelli Deegan, economist Marty Cantor and Jeff Reynolds from Family and Childrens Association.

For the LIBN Real Estate Awards - Congratulations to G2D Development, Georgica Green, MFD Development, Mill Creek, Beechwood Organization, Southern Land Company, Terwilliger & Bartone, Engel Burman, GPI, VHB, H2M Architects and Engineers, Blue Gold Homes, Forcelli Deegan, Nassau IDA and Suffolk IDA.

You can view upcoming events for Long Island here.

Rauch Foundation Seeking Input from Long Island Business Owners

The Rauch Foundation is conducting a survey of business owners, to build on previous surveys that have been undertaken, and learn more about conditions throughout Long Island impacting stores and businesses in our village and downtown communities. The survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential.

Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance have agreed to distribute the survey, which should help provide attention to the needs of local small businesses.

"While it's no surprise that local small businesses have been hurt through this pandemic, it is important to remind government officials what their needs are. We are hopeful that the results of the survey can safely reduce regulations, provide small business relief, and encourage Long Islanders to shop locally," said Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and Founder of the Long Island Main Street Alliance.

You can take the 5 to 10 minute survey here.

Trunk or Treat on October 30th

Professor’s Café in Kings Park will be holding a Trunk or Treat event on Friday, October 20th from 5 to 7 pm.

The event will be $20 per car.  There will be Candy Apples, Roasted Corn, Cotton Candy, and more!  There will also be a drive in featurette with a kid-friendly Halloween movie.

The event will be located at the Key Food Parking Lot in Kings Park.  Don’t forget to bring your candy for trick or treaters with you!

Free Webinar on Supporting Education during the Pandemic on Nov 2nd

The health crisis we're facing is ongoing, so teachers face a unique challenge: encouraging children to learn and connect with others while they may be experiencing stress, anxiety and loss. At the same time, staff members need to sustain their own motivation and focus while both supporting students and coping with their own concerns. Two new webinars will help you find the balance with your own emotions, your work and your family--and will provide critical self-care tools.

The presenter is David Hymowitz, a social worker with 30 years of experience who has worked with many school districts as they develop programs on social-emotional learning.

Now That We're Back: Strategies for Program Leaders
Date: Monday, November 2, 2020
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration: There is no fee but pre-registration is required
REGISTER NOW

LIA Small- and Mid-Sized Business Committee Hosting Economic Impact Webinar on Nov 10th

The Long Island Association (LIA) will be hosting a webinar on the Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on a Global, National, and Local scale.  This event will take place online Tuesday on November 10th, starting at 9 AM.

The event will feature Chief Economist Dr. John Rizzo for a presentation about the economic impacts of COVID-19.  There will be an in-depth analysis on key data about how the virus has affected economies around the globe.  There will also be a question and answer session.

You can register for this event here.

WEDLI to Host Conversation on Hunger on Long Island with Randi Shubin Dresner on Nov 12th

Women Economic Developers of Long Island (WEDLI) will be hosting a conversation with Island Harvest CEO Randi Shubin Dresner on Hunger on Long Island.

Island Harvest was created in 1992 by one woman with a cooler, a station wagon, and the desire to help people in need. Linda Breitstone was infuriated that food from a local convenience store was thrown away at the end of the day – with a safe house for women and children down the street. In response, she established Island Harvest and their mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island.

Since those early days, Island Harvest has become Long Island’s largest hunger-relief organization. Join WEDLI to hear from Randi Shubin Dresner, President and CEO of Island Harvest. Dresner, a longtime WEDLI member, will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on food insecurity on Long Island and will share updates on Island Harvest’s impact across Nassau and Suffolk Counties during these challenging times.

WEDLI Board Member Kennetha Pettus, Director of the Nassau County Office of Housing and Community Development, will moderate the discussion.

The event will take place on November 12th at 8:30 am.  This program is complimentary for members and non-members, but registration is required. You can register here.

Questions? Call Michelle McQueen (631) 344-4731 or Kennetha Pettus (516) 860-7507

The INN Organization to Hold Thanksgiving Curbside Food Drive on Nov 14th

The INN organization will hold its second curbside food drive this coming Saturday, November 14th from 10 am to noon at the Mary Brennan INN soup kitchen, 100 Madison Avenue in Hempstead.  This will be a safe, no-contact drive where donors will place donations on a table with a masked volunteer standing at a safe distance.  The volunteer will then retrieve the donation after the donor leaves.

If you’re interested in donating you can view a full list of items they are accepting here.  For any questions, please call 516-732-6009.

32nd Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference to take Place Virtually on November 18th

The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless is holding its 32nd Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference online this year to help bring relief to Long Island’s struggling homeless population.

This year’s event will take place on November 18th from 9 am to 3:30 virtually and will feature 14 workshop topics that address what can be done to help the most vulnerable residents in our region.  The theme for the conference is “Adapting to Changing Times: Where Do We Go From Here?”  Marc Dones, the Executive Director of National Innovation Services will be this year’s Keynote Speaker.

The Coalition is responsible for leading the region’s initiative to serve our most vulnerable and reducing barriers to housing.  With their Continuum of Care partners, they have referred more than 200 homeless households for permanent housing.  Throughout the years they have helped to guide over two hundred million dollars of US Department of Housing and Urban Development CoC funding to Long Island agencies, resulting in the development of over 2,700 units of housing for homeless persons. 

You can register to attend, become a sponsor, or exhibitor for this event here.  A full schedule of the workshops for the event is available here.

Central Pine Barrens Commission Seeking Executive Director

The Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, through the Suffolk County Water Authority, is currently accepting applications for the position of Executive Director.

The Executive Director's specific responsibilities include direct oversight of the management and protection of the ecological and water resources of the Central Pine Barrens, a state-designated natural resource area located in Suffolk County, under jurisdiction of and directed by its Central Pine Barrens Commission.

Responsibilities:

• Oversees the overall day-to-day operation of the Division and manages its staff to ensure the goals, objectives and day to day staff work responsibilities are carried out in an optimal, cost effective and efficient manner.

• Performs annual reviews of staff performance.
• Participates in and provides guidance and support for Central Pine Barrens Commission meetings and programs.
• Forges, maintains and enhances working relationships with federal, state and local officials and agencies to ensure Commission land use policies, goals and objectives, as required by NYS law and a comprehensive land use plan, are appropriately implemented to ensure protection of Central Pine Barrens natural resources and that appropriate land use development, public lands management and stewardship occurs within this area.
• Oversees development, design and implementation of stewardship programs, including a prescribed fire program, to address environmental and natural resource issues, on a cooperative basis with key public land management agencies that promote protection, conservation and ecological health of the Central Pine Barrens regionally.
• Directs and supervises the investigation of and response to land use and environmental complaints and violations.
• Undertakes strategic and long-range planning and scientific research to ensure the protection of the natural resources of the Central Pine Barrens.
• Ensures that appropriate contracting, procurement, record keeping, office management, insurance, and legal requirements are followed for the Division.

Qualifications:

• 5 years’ experience in Natural Resource/Environmental Management and Protection, Land Use Planning or related field
• Bachelor’s degree in Natural/Environmental Sciences, Resource Conservation, Planning or related field.
• Preferred - experience of five or more years working in the public/government sector in areas related to natural resource management, public lands management, resource conservation or related area.
• Demonstrated three or more years working in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• Possesses outstanding strategic thinking, planning and communication skills.
• Innovator/action-oriented leader who demonstrates collaborative teamwork, flexibility, adaptability and creativity.
• Knowledge of environmental management and environmental planning principles and methods.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state and municipal laws, regulations and regulatory codes relevant to environmental protection and management.
• Proficient in MS Office, verbal and written communication.

*The SCWA may accept an equivalent combination of education and experience to meet the requirements.

*Annual salary is commensurate with education and experience.

*SCWA shall not employ relatives of employees as defined to mean an employee's spouse, child, stepchild, stepparent or direct descendant of grandparents of the employee as defined in New York State General Municipal Law 810.

The complete position description can be viewed and applications can be submitted through the Suffolk County Water Authority website (here).

Long Island Coalition for the Homeless Seeks Full Time Case Manager

The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless is seeking a Full Time Case Manager to work out of their offices in Amityville, NY.

The Case Manager is Responsible for providing housing-focused case management for single adults experiencing long-term homelessness either living on the street or living in shelter. Caseloads are assigned and targeted for those that remain homeless the longest in the region and/or have the highest levels of vulnerability and most significant barriers to exiting homelessness on their own. Prioritization factors are determined by regionally established policies. Case Managers must be highly mobile (personal vehicle w/ reimbursed mileage) and will be assigned households that are experiencing homelessness in Suffolk or Nassau counties.

Engagements focus around direct and person-centered support in obtaining necessary documentation/applying for various housing programs, as well as connecting households to other services that relate to housing placement and housing retention, such as employment, entitlements/benefits, medical/clinical services, linkages to care coordination, budgeting and credit, legal, and other services for which they are eligible and interested in.

Case Managers will work as a supervised/guided team of direct care workers, comprised of staff focused on shelter outreach and street outreach. This team collectively provides referrals for permanent housing programs (permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing), including programs funded through HUD, NYS Office of Mental Health, nursing home programs, housing choice voucher programs, and other housing that meets each household’s needs and preferences.

This position will require local travel as needed. A clean Driver’s License and private vehicle are required. 

Benefits after probationary period will be available. These include paid time off (vacation, holiday, sick, personal), medical insurance for the employee (premium paid by LICH), Dental and Vision insurance optional, Life Insurance for the employee and Simple IRA plan (with employer match).

Please see attached job descriptions for more information. 

Interested parties should submit a resume and salary requirements via email to mgiuffrida@addressthehomeless.org, specifying which position the candidate is seeking.  Please do not call the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless regarding this position.  Questions should be submitted via email only.

Orgs Team up to Provide Grants for Black-Owned Businesses

The Long Island African Chamber of Commerce and Wish Local have teamed up to provide grants for local black-owned businesses.  There are no specific parameters surrounding the allocation of funds, but Wish Local recommends using the money for employment needs, paying rent or operational costs, connecting with new customers, and providing opportunities in the community.

Eligible candidates must be a black-owned business with an applicant at least 18 years of age or older.  Candidates must also be in a brick-and-mortar shop and employ 20 or less employees.  The shop’s annual revenue must be under a million dollars.

Those selected must also sign up for Wish Local, which is a series of programs that allow small businesses to participate with Wish, including selling inventory on the platform and sourcing wholesale items and more.

Applicants can fill out a form online at Wish Local Empowerment Program.

NYSERDA, Affordable Solar and Storage Predevelopment and Technical Assistance (Predevelopment Program)

The Predevelopment Program provides grants to address barriers to solar installations serving low-to-moderate income (LMI) households living in rental housing, multifamily buildings or other households not served by traditional on-site residential solar. Individual awards will not exceed $200,000. Funding to proposals through this solicitation will offset costs for predevelopment and technical assistance work needed to implement solar installations for multifamily affordable housing and/or shared solar (Community Distributed Generation) installations that benefit LMI households.

- Eligibility: Applications must be submitted by or include the documented participation of any of the following: owners, providers or managers of regulated multifamily affordable housing, community land trusts, land banks or portfolios of single-family affordable housing; local government agencies; Community Development Corporations (CDC), Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) or other community organizations providing services to LMI households and/or demonstrating an LMI constituency; and prior recipients of Predevelopment Program grants seeking to replicate and expand upon the success from a prior completed Predevelopment

Program project.

- Funding: Up to $10.65 million is available with individual awards not to exceed $200,000.
- Deadline: Continuous through December 31, 2024, or until depleted
- Contact:
Email: affordablesolar@nyserda.ny.gov
Website: www.nyserda.ny.gov/funding

New York State Accepting Applications for NY Forward Loan Fund

New York State has opened pre-applications for the New York Forward Loan Fund. Loans from this fund are available to small businesses, nonprofits, and small landlords in New York State. New York Forward loans must be fully repaid over a 5-year term with fixed annual interest rates of 3 percent for small businesses and landlords.

Small businesses may apply for the lesser of $100,000 or up to 100% of the average monthly revenues in any 3-month period from 2019 or the first quarter of 2020. This loan can be paid back over five years with first year being interest only.  However, if small businesses have received either a PPP loan or an EIDL loan from SBA, they would not be eligible to apply. NYS has set a goal of 18% of total funds under this Program for Long Island

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as industries and regions reopen however, priority for New York Forward Loans will be given to industries and regions that have been reopened. Resources are available to assist in preparing applications for small businesses, landlords and nonprofits in industries and regions that have not yet reopened.

To view more details, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, click here:

If you need technical assistance through this process, please contact an Entrepreneurial Assistance Center near you and inform the counselor that you need help for the NY Forward Loan application.  You can find your closest contact center here.

Today's Sponsor

The Engel Burman Group

A tireless energy and entrepreneurial spirit is what drives The Engel Burman Group, and has for over 50 years. Building on a solid foundation that includes some of the area’s most known and respected development brands — notably, The Bristal Assisted Living & The Seasons Active Adult Communities — The Engel Burman Group continues to extend its reach, expanding even further on a national scale. Over the last several years, Engel Burman has been broadening its scope, seeing rapid growth and portfolio diversity; developing new and innovative projects, with more on the horizon.

Whether it’s developing, building and managing next-generation housing for first-time homebuyers, creating exceptional yet affordable living solutions for independent active adults, or trailblazing ongoing innovation in senior care and senior living, The Engel Burman Group continues to anticipate, adapt and advance — challenging, rethinking and redefining what’s possible.