The private security firm hired by the Throggs Neck BID responded to several significant incidents over the past weekend. Congratulations and thanks to Madison Security for helping the BID make our neighborhood safe.
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Author: Frank V
Even during the COVID 19 period, the Throggs Neck BID office remains open. In-person Office Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9–4, and Friday 11-4. On Tuesdays and at all other times, including weekends and nights, we can be reached at 347-281-8323.
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Power Express Mortgage
Power Express Mortgage at 3609 E. Tremont Ave. has been a part of the Throggs Neck Community for 18 years, and their business emphasizes “Local Lending, Lending Focus.” Vice President Ed Angelino says that “We will help you realize that dream house with our convenient home loans.” He stresses individualized, personal service.
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Plastic Bag Ban Back
Starting October 19, 2020 enforcement of the New York State Plastic Bag Ban and Paper Bag Fee will begin. Stores will be penalized for distributing single use plastic bags and must collect a 5-cent fee on paper bags. Please help us notify your constituents to use a reusable bag, wash it often and keep our environment clean. Visit nyc.gov/bags for more info or share our posts on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
If you would like a shipment of reusable bags for distribution, please complete the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/DSNYBagDelivery. Delivery may take a few weeks.
HENRY A. EHRHARDT
Director
Bureau of Community Affairs
NYC Department of Sanitation
646-885-4503| nyc.gov/sanitation
hehrhardt@dsny.nyc.gov
_____________________________
Adjacent Properties
The City will allow restaurants to expand seating to the frontage of adjacent properties, as long as the adjacent property owners formally agree to the use of the space for a specified period of time and commit not to charge a fee for its use. The City will work with the State Liquor Authority on any requirements associated with extending alcohol service to the expanded seating in front of adjacent properties. In early October, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will issue a template agreement and provide instructions on how to file the agreements. Adjacent properties may not be used prior to the release of official instructions and formal agreements.
Heating
As cooler weather arrives, the City will allow restaurants to incorporate heating elements into their outdoor dining setups. Electrical heaters will be allowed on both sidewalk and roadway. Propane and natural gas heaters will be allowed on sidewalks only; they will remain prohibited in roadway seating. Propane will require a permit from FDNY and compliance with FDNY regulations for outdoor use, handling and secure outdoor tank storage overnight. Official guidance on what will be considered approved installation and use of heating elements will be released before the end of September, and restaurants are prohibited from installing heating elements until guidelines are released and followed.
Tents
Restaurants will also be permitted to use tent enclosures to keep diners warm. In partial tent enclosures, at least 50% of the tent’s side wall surface area must remain open and electrical heaters are allowed. In full tent enclosures, the tent’s side walls may be closed but occupancy limitations will be capped at 25% of capacity, and indoor dining guidelines must be followed; electrical heaters will also be allowed. Enclosed structures, such as plastic domes, will be allowed for individual parties and must have adequate ventilation to allow for air circulation.
Roadway Safety
As the program’s duration will now continue through the winter months, and winter weather creates potential for inclement weather to impact road conditions, the City will engage the restaurant industry and other stakeholders to develop additional safety features to further strengthen roadway barriers. To ensure timely implementation, the City will require restaurant owners to comply with new safety features by November 15, 2020. In addition, significant snow events may necessitate the temporary removal of some barriers from the roadway.
if you have any questions please visit nyc.gov/reopeningbusinesses or call our hotline at (888) SBS-4NYC.
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BID Business Opportunity
Request for Proposals for Audit Services
The Throggs Neck BID is requesting proposals from CPA firms that have extensive experience in providing audit and tax services for not for profit organizations, particularly Local Development Corporations (LDCs) and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). We invite qualified CPA firms to submit a proposal to us for consideration by no later than October 26. A description of our organization, the services needed, and other pertinent information follows:
Background of The Throggs Neck BID.
The Throggs Neck BID is a New York not for profit District Management Association recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a charitable, tax-exempt organization pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It began operations this year.
Our annual operating budget is approximately $338.000. We have one full-time employees and one part time in one location. Our main current source of revenue is from a special assessment.
The BID has a fiscal year July 1st to June 30th, with an audited statement due by November 15th of each year. The BID maintains all accounting records in-house.
Services to be Performed
Your proposal is expected to cover the following services for the BID
- Annual audit of the financial statements for the year ended and meetings with the Audit Committee and/or Board of Directors, as necessary.
- Management letter containing comments and recommendations with respect to accounting and administrative controls and efficiency.
- Preparation of federal and state information returns for the organization.
- Availability throughout the year to provide advice and guidance on reporting issues.
Proposal Content
In order to simplify the evaluation process and obtain maximum comparability, the BID requires that all responses to be organized in the following manner:
- Executive Summary
Describe your understanding of the work to be performed and your firm’s ability to perform the work within the time frame provided.
- Professional Experience
Describe the firm’s philosophy, size, structure, and qualifications with serving not for profit organizations with a similar size and operations. Describe your firm’s resources devoted to not for profit organizations and provide copies of newsletters or other resources materials addressing issues relevant to not for profit organizations.
- Team Qualifications
Identify the specific partners, managers, and in-charge staff who will be assigned to this engagement if you are successful in your bid.
- Audit Approach
Describe how your firm will approach the proposed services, including the use of affiliates or staff from other locations, areas that will receive primary emphasis, and the type of assistance that will be required from the BID. Also discuss the firm’s use of technology. Finally, discuss the communication process used by the firm to discuss issues with management and the Board.
- Fees and Terms
Please provide a firm estimate of fees for the services to be provided, including the review of prior year audit papers, and a statement on how the communication process for cost overruns will be handled. Our intent is to develop a long term relationship with the successful bidder, based on performance.
- Client References
Include a list of the relevant not for profit clients – including particularly BIDs and LDCs that manage BIDs – that the firm has served within the past three years and furnish the names and telephone numbers of any references whom we may contact.
Evaluation of Proposals
While price is a key factor, the BID will evaluate proposals on price and the following criteria:
- Prior experience auditing similar organizations
- Qualifications of staff to be assigned to the engagement
- CPA firm’s understanding of work to be performed
- References
- Completeness and timeliness of the proposal
Requests for additional information, should be coordinated through our associate, Frank Vernuccio, at frank@throggsneckbid.com. Please return the completed proposal to our attention as soon as possible and in any event, no later than October 26, 2020.
We would also appreciate a response if you decline to submit a proposal.
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Fall Planting
Over the weekend, fall planting was performed within the tree pits lining the BID. New plants and additional mulch were added. The BID will also provide holiday lights and other enhancements in the coming months.
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Register for the BID
BID membership is open to all property owners, commercial tenants and residents within the district boundaries.
Only registered members may vote at the BID’s annual meeting.
Please fill out the registration form. Once we have verified the information, you will be added to the BID registered membership list.
The Throggs Neck BID encompasses all properties along East Tremont Avenue bounded by Bruckner Boulevard on the West and Miles Avenue on the East.
To register, you must be a property owner, commercial tenant or resident of one of the properties included within the District.
Either cut and paste, or print, the form below and return it completed either by mail (Throggs Neck BID, 3800 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465) or email (throggsneckbid@gmail.com)
REGISTRATION FORM
Please Print!
NAME OF BUSINESS________________________________________
(if resident, please write Resident.)
Classification (see below) _______________________________
Class A: Property Owner Class B: Commercial Tenant Class C: Resident
Address of property____________________________________
Mailing Address, if different from above:___________________________________
Your Name: __________________________________________________
Phone Number:________________________________________________
Email Address:_________________________________________________
Signature:__________________________________________________Date Completed: ____________________________________________
Return this form:By Mail: Throggs Neck Business Improvement District 3800 East Tremont Avenue Bronx NY 10465By Email: throggsneckbid@gmail.com
The Throggs Neck BID, along with Community Board 10 and almost all of the local community, oppose NYC’s “Road Diet” plan that would reduce lanes on a portion of East Tremont Avenue and further reduce drive-able space by the addition of a bike lane.
As they have consistently done in other areas that have had unwanted “Road Diets” imposed, the Department of Transportation ignored the overwhelming local opposition.
Community Board 10 District Manager Mathew Cruz writes:
“NYCDOT will not consider reducing any of the road diets or delaying its implementation until appropriate street lighting is installed. NYCDOT will not consider new speed cameras in replace of any road dieting. NYCDOT will not consider removing the proposed bicycle lanes…Community Board #10 offered real suggestions to which, again, NYCDOT wanted to hear nothing of it. I am told that the projects could commence as early as next week. It is unfortunate the tone city agencies are now taking with Community Boards.”
16 pages of rules, and four hundred new hires of personnel to enforce them, are the response of New York’s government to demands to reopen restaurants for indoor dining, particularly now that the weather is turning cooler.
The Throggs Neck BID staff attended a meeting held at the 45 Precinct on September 22 that was convened by the police to inform local food service businesses about the rules that must be followed for indoor dining.
The NYPD did not make the rules and does not have primary responsibility for enforcement, but it will have a role in responding to violations.
To read the rules, click on this link: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Indoor_and_Outdoor_Food_Services_Detailed_Guidelines.pdf