ATTENTION: New York City Council Restaurant Inspection Survey

As part of the City Council’s oversight of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and in response to mounting concerns raised by city restaurateurs regarding the restaurant inspection process, the New York City Council has recently announced the launch of a comprehensive restaurant inspection survey.

City restaurant owners and operators are urged to participate in this Council effort to gather information on food safety inspections, with particular emphasis on the recently implemented letter grading system and its impact on city restaurants.

Starting today, the survey is available online at www.surveymonkey.com/restaurantinspection and accessible through the Council’s website at www.council.nyc.gov.

The survey results will provide a foundation for an oversight hearing in late February, where the Council intends to further explore the inspection process and possible areas for reform.

ATTENTION: FCR and CM James Again Provide FREE Waste Receptacles

Forest City Ratner (FCR) Companies and Council Member Letitia James are again providing free rodent-proof waste receptacles to 35th District residents.

The heavy-duty, plastic cans with lids are approved by the City's Department of Health.

The receptacles can be picked up at the District Office of Council Member James, 67 Hanson Place, between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Bring identification and proof of address when picking up, and call (718) 260-9191 to confirm availability.

CM James: Updates on Hurricane Irene- 35th District Information

The following is information regarding New York City’s preparations for Hurricane Irene, and the recommended steps New Yorkers should take to prepare.



Hurricane Irene is deemed as a Category 3 hurricane (downgraded to Category 2 on Friday), which is presently leaving the Bahamas and heading up the east coast towards Long Island and New York City. Although Hurricane Irene is moving slowly and the forecast remains uncertain, it is expected to hit NYC on Sunday with about 6-12 inches of rain.



According to the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), NYC developed a hurricane response plan since 2007 in reaction to the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. The plan is available online HERE. OEM is working closely with the National Weather Service to monitor the storm. At this time, the Mayor has not concluded that a full evacuation is necessary. Nonetheless, the city is preparing shelters in case of an emergency evacuation, especially for Category 1/Zone A communities (low-lying areas most at risk of flooding). The NYC Health Department and the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation are readily prepared to service elderly and disabled populations if the storm the hits. Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg ordered an evacuation of the hospitals, nursing homes, and senior centers within Zone A.



The Hurricane Evacuation zones can be found HERE. The 35th District overlaps with Zone A. The Brooklyn evacuation sites are listed below--

BOYS & GIRLS HS	1700 FULTON ST.
BROOKLYN TECH HS	29 FORT GREENE PLACE
BUSHWICK HS	400 IRVING AVE.
FRANKLIN K. LANE HS	999 JAMAICA AVE.
CLARA BARTON HS	901 CLASSON AVE.
IS 117	300 WILLOUGHBY AVE.
IS 136	4004 4TH AVE.
IS 187	1171 65TH ST.
PS 189	1100 E. NEW YORK AVE.
IS 246	72 VERONICA PLACE
PS 249	18 MARLBOROUGH RD.
IS 271	1137 HERKIMER ST.
IS 292	300 WYONA ST.
IS 383	1300 GREENE AVE.
JHS 57	125 STUYVESANT AVE.
JOHN JAY HS	237 7TH AVE.
NYC TECHNICAL COLLEGE	300 JAY ST.
ROOSEVELT HS	5800 20TH AVE.

OEM is recommending that New York residents have a "emergency bag" prepared, and that people stock up on supplies in advance of the storm.



The MTA is actively preparing for the impact of Hurricane Irene. The agency is making arrangements to bring in extra personnel over the weekend, preparing facilities and infrastructure by clearing drains, securing work sites against possible high winds, checking and fueling equipment, stocking supplies, and establishing plans to move equipment and supplies away from low-lying areas as needed. Because of the severity of the wind and rain associated with a hurricane, there may be partial or full shut down of services to ensure the safety of customers and employees.

ATTENTION: FCR Companies Provide FREE Waste Receptacles

FCR Companies Provide FREE Garbage Receptacles



Forest City Ratner (FCR) Companies will provide free waste receptacles to tenants, superintendents, and building owners near the Atlantic Yards project in an effort to address the Prospect Heights rodent infestation.



Health Department-approved lidded, heavy-duty trash cans are being offered by FCR to help keep rodents away from buildings.



**To be eligible, your building must be located: south of Atlantic Avenue from 4th Avneue to Vanderbilt Avenue; Vanderbilt Avenue from Atlantic Avenue to Bergen Street; Bergen Street from Vanderbilt Avenue to 4th Avenue; 4th Avenue (East side only) from Bergen Street to Atlantic Avenue.



How to get your free garbage can:

1. Make sure your building is located within the boundaries and has 12 units or fewer;

2. At pick-up, provide photo ID and proof of address by showing a utility bill with your unit number dated within the last three months;

3. Visit the Atlantic Yards Community Liaison Office located in the trailer on Carlton Avenue (between Pacific and Dean Streets).



Cans will be available during the following hours:

Monday, August 15th- 10am-4pm

Tuesday, August 16th- 10am-3pm and 6pm-8pm

Wednesday, August 17th- 10am-4pm

Thursday, August 18th- 10am-3pm and 6pm-8pm

Friday, August 19th- 10am-1pm



For more information on how to prevent rodents, please attend an educational forum hosted by Empire State Development and New York City Departments of Health and Sanitation at the Pacific Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library on--

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 from 6pm-8pm.



For more information, please contact the Atlantic Yards Community Liaison Office at 1-866-923-5315 or communityliaison@atlanticyards.com.

AY Rodent Control Meeting Report

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
July 20, 2011

Contact Jonathan Perez at (718) 260-9191

ATLANTIC YARDS RODENT CONTROL MEETING REPORT

This past week, Council Member Letitia James, representatives from City Council Member Steve Levin’s Office, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery’s Office, other community leaders and stakeholders met with ESDC, City agencies and Forest City Ratner Companies (FCR) at an Atlantic Yards Cabinet Meeting in Brooklyn. The meeting’s focus was on rodent infestation, which has become a serious concern in the Atlantic Yards footprint and surrounding community.

Recently, neighbors of Dean Street near the Atlantic Yards project have reported cat-size rats and an uptick in the rat population. Many have expressed concerns about the rodent population’s increase in the neighboring homes and streets surrounding the construction site. A common notion has been that rats have not been a problem until the arena’s construction, while others have referred to it as a “rat tsunami.”

During the meeting, a New York City Department of Health rodent-specialist identified a number of hotspots near the immediate area of the Atlantic Yards property. In response, Forest City Ratner stated they would provide vouchers for the community to purchase special trash cans that could contain and deter rodents. Forest City Ratner agreed to work with Colony, a pest management company, which provides integrated pest management to alleviate the situation through education, outreach, and bait control. The MTA representative in attendance also shared that employees would continue to check rat bait traps every thirty to forty days in subway stations located near Atlantic Yards.

The Department of Sanitation reported that certain recommendations would be made for homeowners in this Prospect Heights area. These include that all garbage in cans be placed on the street at or around 9 p.m. Another recommendation is garbage be put in secured cans (which would be enforced by the Sanitation Department). Forest City Ratner also stated it would lead a new initiative that separates the food waste from the construction garbage on the Atlantic Yards site.

“I appreciate Forest City Ratner’s cooperation, as well as FCR taking action on the rodent control problem. Also, I look forward to starting the process of providing vouchers to residents for steel or rubber trash cans within the next two weeks, as well as educating the public at large about this ongoing problem,” said Council Member James.

Other Prospect Heights’ issues discussed at the meeting include Council Member James’ goal to secure a new dumpster for Engine 219 and Ladder 105 on Dean Street. She also seeks funding for improvement of conditions at the Dean Street playground. Lastly, the abandoned properties near the Atlantic Yards Arena need to be addressed as possible breeding grounds of the rat population.

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ATTENTION: OEM Opens Citywide "Cooling Centers"

NEW YORK CITY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCE COOLING CENTERS WILL BE OPEN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
New Yorkers Urged to Take Precautions During Heat Event

The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) today announced that cooling centers will be open in all five boroughs on Wednesday, June 8 and Thursday, June 9. According to the National Weather Service, the heat index is expected to exceed 95 degrees on Wednesday and may exceed 100 degrees on Thursday.

Cooling centers are public places, such as Department for the Aging (DFTA) senior centers, libraries and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Salvation Army community centers where air conditioning is available.

To find the cooling center nearest to you, call 311, or use OEM’s Cooling Center Finder at http://www.nyc.gov/oem.

ATTENTION: NYC Green Cart Program Seeks New Vendors

The NYC Green Cart Program Seeks New Vendors

NYC Green Carts are mobile food stands that exclusively sell fresh fruits and vegetables in the areas that need them most. In March 2011, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will be accepting new applications to be on the waiting list for a Green Cart permit! For dates and times for workshops in Queens, the Bronx and Harlem, call 212-943-1433, and for Brooklyn call 212-676-2022. Workshops begin as early as January 11, 2011.

ATTENTION: NYers- Residents Over 50- Take Precaution Against West Nile Virus

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene strongly suggests all New Yorkers- especially those aged 50 and older– take extra precautions against the West Nile Virus.

Mosquito-born infection is at unusually high levels throughout the five boroughs; this year, DOHMH has recorded more human cases at this point in the season than it has in any other year since 2000. More cases are expected through October.

New Yorkers can take simple steps to minimize contact with mosquitoes and prevent infection with West Nile Virus:

* Use an approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (not for children under three), or products that contain the active ingredient IR3535.

* Make sure windows have screens, and repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

* Eliminate any standing water from your property, and dispose of containers that can collect water. Standing water is a violation of the New York City Health Code.

* Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.

* Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use; drain water that collects in pool covers.

* Report standing water by calling 311 or visiting http://www.nyc.gov/health/wnv.

To date, 211 New Yorkers have been diagnosed with West Nile viral disease since it was first found in the United States in 1999, including 3 in 2009 and 15 in 2008.

The Health Department uses an “integrated pest management” approach to monitor the city for West Nile Virus and control its spread by mosquitoes. The agency inspects and treats standing water sites with non-chemical larvicides to kill larval mosquitoes before they emerge as flying adults. When necessary, the agency also applies small amounts of chemical pesticides (adulticides) to kill adult mosquitoes. A schedule of mosquito control activities is available online at nyc.gov/health or by phone from the 311 call center.

NYCDOH and CAMBA Launch HIV Respect Campaign Targetting Communities of Color

The social services organization CAMBA has launched an HIV Anti-Stigma Program consisting of a theater trope and a social marketing campaign meant to promote respect and compassion for those afflicted by HIV.

The project was funded in part by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene through a contract with Public Health Solutions. The project grew out of the recognition that HIV-related stigma has serious negative effects on people living with HIV/AIDS and prevents people from discussing HIV and getting tested. The campaign promotes the message: “Take the blame out of HIV. All people deserve compassion and respect. HIV is a medical condition, not a moral issue.”

The Theater Troupe performs skits focused on topics related to HIV to educate and foster discussion about HIV/AIDS. The program focuses on African-American, Latino, African, and African-Caribbean communities.

ATTENTION: DOHMH and Equinox Fitness Clubs Challenge You To Shape Up Today!

Beginning on May 17th, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in partnership with Equinox Fitness Clubs, will be running free fitness classes across the five boroughs.

Shape Up NYC is a free fitness program dedicated to getting New Yorkers into a new habit of fitness. The classes are varied and are taught by expert fitness instructors who know how to make fitness fun.

Exciting new classes include yoga, pilates, zumba and intensati. All classes are open to the public, FREE of charge, and no pre-registration is required. More information available here.

Should you need any further information please call the Shape Up NYC coordinator at 212-360-1356.

Are YOU Prepared For A Hurricane?

Woodhull Medical Center in conjunction with New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will be holding an informal meeting for the community.

Thursday, April 29th, 2010
5:30PM - 7:30PM
Woodhull Medical Center (Dolores E. Jackson Auditorium- 3rd Floor)

All are welcome to attend and participate in this community event.
Light refreshments will be served.

Please call 718-963-8701 to RSVP ( RSVP required)
Light refreshments will be served