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GPTA Newsletter 6

Posted on by Honey Berk

Dear Neighbors,

We hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy.  

Before we go into our updates, we want to address concerns voiced by some tenants that they have not heard from us. There are two (2) ways we distribute information.  First, you would have received this newsletter by email because you had provided us with your email address at some point. If you know of any neighbors not receiving our newsletter, please forward this to them or have them email us at gatewayplazata@gmail.com to get on the distribution list. And second, you can always come here to our website. We update the website as helpful information comes in.  It is important that residents regularly check the website for the most up to date information. 

RENT STABILIZATION UPDATE
As most of you know the current Rent Stabilization Agreement expires tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30th.   We know this is very distressing especially in these uncertain times.  We have been working diligently to push towards an agreement.  As we have mentioned in previous notes, the negotiations are between BPCA and Marina Towers, the Gateway landlord, and they are protected by a Non-Disclosure Agreement.   However, as a result of our engagement with BPCA and the  elected officials, we can provide this information:

  • We are in regular communication with BPCA as to the importance of reaching an agreement ASAP.  During our last meeting on Friday, we were once again informed that BPCA and Marina Towers are in active negotiations for an extension of the agreement.  
  • BPCA issued a public statement on June 11th (which we conveyed to our email lists and posted on our website) that states both sides are committed to negotiating an extension and if the extension agreement is completed after June 30th, it will be retroactive.  Retroactivity is an important element that GPTA has strongly urged be included since many rent stabilized tenants have had to sign leases without their former protections.  (see gpta.org for more information regarding leases that expire after July 31st and August 31st)
  • GPTA has reached out to Governor Cuomo to urge his office to press for the conclusion of the rent stabilization extension.
  • GPTA continues to work closely with our elected officials- Congressman Nadler, City Comptroller Stringer, Manhattan Borough President Brewer, State Senator Kavanagh, NYS Assembly Member Niou and NYC Council Member Chin. Most recently they have sent a joint letter to Marina Towers and BPCA to push for a conclusion to the agreement.  
  • GPTA has been informed that BPCA as well as the elected officials have been in contact with the Governor’s office. 

While we remain hopeful that an agreement between BPCA and Marina Towers will be reached, it is quite possible that it will occur after the expiration of the existing agreement.  We encourage our members to continue (indeed redouble) their emails to our elected officials including Governor Cuomo of the importance of signing off on an agreement. You will find the elected officials addresses at the end of this newsletter.

COMMUNITY BOARD ONE
GPTA congratulates Gateway resident, Tammy Meltzer, on her election as Chair of Community Board 1. Tammy served on the GPTA Board in the past and we have no doubt that she will continue to be a great advocate for our community.

WEAR YOUR MASK
Whenever we leave our apartments to go to the lobby, laundry room or outside we must wear a mask.  Please understand that wearing a mask protects you and saves others.  If you need a mask or if you know of anyone who needs one Email gatewayplazata@gmail.GPTA recently passed out surgical masks that were provided by the Manhattan Borough President, Gale Brewer, for our residents. We have some left so reach out to us if you need one. 

STAY INFORMED…STAY IN TOUCH
We invite all residents to join GPTA ($25 per household per calendar year) and follow us on our social media to stay informed.  Our website will be updated with useful information for our residents. Our email is below to stay in touch. 

Website: gpta.org
Facebook: Gateway Plaza Tenants Association
To post on our FB page:

  • Like our page (not simply a post or a picture on the page.)
  • Click on “Post”. The “Post” option appears on the same row and to the right of “Home” and “About”.

Twitter: @GPTA_BPC
Email: gatewayplazata@gmail.com

LINKS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST
New York Coronavirus Hotline
New York State has established a helpline for employees to report their employer if they believe they are not following proper PPE, hygiene, and social distancing guidelines. Employees can call (888) 364-3065.

Testing Sites in NYC
All New Yorkers are now eligible for free COVID testing, regardless of whether or not you have symptoms or are at an increased risk. Click here for more information and to find a testing center.

The New York State Department of Health has created a map where individuals can find all of the State run testing sites. To find a New York City Health + Hospitals testing site, click here.

Plans for Pets
As a reminder, the Animal Care Centers of New York is encouraging pet owners to have a plan in place for your pet in case you need to go to the hospital. If you are in need of assistance, you can all call the NYC COVID-19 Pet Hotline seven days a week, from 8:00 AM-8:00 PM at (877) 204-8821.

For emergency preparedness advice during COVID-19, please refer to NYC Office of Emergency Management’s website.

For Seniors and At-risk Neighbors
PSS COVID-19 Resource Guide
PSS, an organization dedicated to strengthening the capacity of older New Yorkers, has created a Resource Guide. This guide contains legal assistance, resources for caregivers, and more. Additionally, they are hosting a number of virtual events on topics ranging from chair yoga, support groups, managing bills, and more. For more information and to register, click here.

PSS also has a caregiver support program, entitled Circle of Care. Through this program, PSS will provide free personalized support through a Care Consultant.

VNSNY CHOICE
VNSNY CHOICE, part of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, is launching a series of online classes and workshops. They have partnered with community groups, including local community centers, senior advocacy groups and health and wellness experts to deliver these programs. The first event is an online exercise class on Tuesday, June 23rd from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM. For more VSNY Choice events, click here.

SAGE
SAGE, a DFTA-funded senior center dedicated to LGBTQ+ seniors is holding virtual programming for seniors throughout the month of June. Programming includes classes, social hours, discussion groups, workshops, art therapy, and physical activity. The calendar for virtual events can be found here.

Senior Strong NYC
The Grey Panthers and the Florence Belsky Charitable Foundation, through their program, Senior Strong NYC, have created a list of resources for seniors during this pandemic. Individuals can find information relating to how to cope with anxiety, avoiding scams, and how to access food and supplies.

LiveOn NY
LiveOn NY is an Authorized Enroller for the GetFoodNYC program and able to register New Yorkers for home delivered meals. For those in need of home delivered meals, please reach out to their Benefits Outreach program number by calling (212) 398-5045.

Free Financial Counseling
NYC Financial Empowerment Center is providing free one-on-one financial counseling. Counselors can help individuals develop a strategy to minimize debt, access federal, state, and local resources, receive student loan debt tips, and more.

The Met Council is continuing to offer services throughout this pandemic. By calling (929) 292-9261, individuals can access free tax filings, emergency home repairs for seniors, food access, and more. Additionally, if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, the Met Council’s hotline is open and available to provide confidential help. You can reach the hotline by calling (212) 453-9618.

Meal Hubs
The NYC Department of Education (DOE)  is committed to making free meals available daily for any New Yorker. Any New Yorker who wants one, can get free meals at more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city. Vegetarian, Halal and Kosher options are available. For more information and to find a location near you, please click here. In Battery Park City, free meals are available at PS276, 55 Battery Place.

Through the GetFood NYC website, individuals and families can find information regarding free food locations, recipes for cooking at home, food delivery programs, how to report an issue with a delivery, and more.

DOE Updates
As the school year comes to a close, the Department of Education (DOE) has launched an anonymous survey to help them understand what is important to families as preparations begin to reopen in the fall. Parents and guardians may complete the Return to 2020 Survey here. Similarly, Students may complete the Return to 2020 Survey here.

Click here to read the full letter from Chancellor Carranza, plus a FAQ section on what a return to school would look like.

FOR TENANTS
Eviction Free NYC!
Despite the eviction moratorium in place in NYS due to COVID-19, Eviction Free NYC! Is still available to assist tenants in responding to an eviction notice and connecting them with available resources. Click here for more information.

Met Council on Housing
The Met Council on Housing’s hotline for Tenant’s Rights is still available for tenants. This hotline is free and open to any tenant living in New York City. For assistance, call (212) 979-0611 at the day and times below:

  • Monday, 1:30 PM-8:00 PM
  • Tuesday, 5:30 PM-8:00 PM
  • Wednesday, 1:30 PM-8:00 PM
  • Friday, 1:30 PM-5:00 PM

Click here for additional information, including an FAQ section.

LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES’ CONTACT INFORMATION

We wish you good health and strength during this challenging time.

GPTA

Rosalie, Robin, Jeff, Bruce, Karlene, Honey, Sarah, Pat, Howard, Audrey, Larry, Steve, Denise

Update on Gateway Rent Payment

Posted on by Honey Berk

Renters and COVID-19

Many of you have asked whether rent need still be paid during the COVID crisis.  Our understanding for now, appears to be “yes.” However, late fees cannot be imposed for non-payment or late payment and you cannot be evicted for non-payment at least until June 20, 2020.

The commercial and legal landscape for renters in NYC, including in Gateway, is changing almost daily.  The major federal COVID relief legislation that became law on Friday, March 27 (the CARES Act) provides some relief.  The CARES act prohibits the commencement of non-payment eviction proceedings for a period of 120 days and prohibits the imposition of late fees or penalties for non-payment during that same period.  These protections apply to tenants in buildings that have federally backed mortgages, which include mortgages that are insured by HUD. We have confirmed today (April 1) with Greg Tumminia (Gateway’s General Manager) that Gateway does indeed have a federally insured mortgage.  Greg went on to say:

The landlord will adhere to all applicable laws and regulations. We are responding to all resident inquiries as we still have some staff on-site daily (seven days per week). We also have phones forwarded to staff members that are working remotely.

General Operations Update will be released later today to all residents in a form of an e-mail.  We are well stocked with masks( N-95), gloves, other PPE equipment in addition to sanitizer and hospital grade disinfectants.   Our building staff is holding up okay.

Best to you and your families during these difficult times.

In addition to these federal protections, New York State has imposed a prohibition against evictions for any reason, at least until June 20, 2020.

Other Resources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/01/april-1st-rent-mortgage-payment-due-faq

https://blog.augrented.com/renting-during-the-novel-coronavirus-outbreak/

Social Distancing? Connecting with Us!

Posted on by Honey Berk

Dear Gateway Neighbors,

We know that this time is scary and difficult for all of us. This community, standing together, has shown it can meet and get through challenges. Though the circumstances have changed and the way we interact may change, our core belief in the strength of our community is unchanged.

The key is to be there for one another by reaching out to our neighbors who may need help.  We encourage people to check in with neighbors…by phone, email, WhatsApp, or text. As more and more of us are self-isolating, it is important that we stay in touch with one another in ways that are safe.

There is strength in community and, as in the past, Gateway is resilient.  We invite all tenants to connect with us at the Gateway Plaza Tenants Association (GPTA) via social media: 

Facebook: Gateway Plaza Tenants Association
To post on our FB page:

  1. Like our page (not simply a post or a picture on the page.)
  2. Click on “Post”. The “Post” option appears on the same row and to the right of “Home” and “About”.

Twitter: @GPTA_BPC
Email: gatewayplazata@gmail.com

In the meantime, we wish you good health during this challenging time.


Resources:
CDC Checklist for Individuals and Families
NY State Department of Health
NYC Department of Health
GPTA Local Resources

Additional Class Action Settlement Q&A

Posted on by Honey Berk

Following are additional questions that we received from tenants and answers from the class action settlement attorneys Norton and Safirstein:

14. The claim form includes a section after question 2 to identify which apartments (with space for up to 3 apartments) a tenant has lived in.  In context, it appears that this section is supposed to be completed only if the class member answers “yes” to question 2 (“Did you reside at Gateway Plaza for any period of time since April 1, 2008”), which question is only to be answered if the class member answers “no” to question 1 (“Do you currently reside at Gateway Plaza?”)  Does this mean that the apartment information after question 2 is only to be answered by former Gateway tenants, but not by current Gateway tenants?

Yes. Current tenants should not answer question 2.

15. It is not uncommon for Gateway tenants to move within the apartment complex over time.  Assuming the answer to question 14, above, is that only former tenants provide the apartment information in the space after question 2 on the claim form, how would a current tenant indicate his/her/their residency since 2008 in an apartment other than the tenant’s current apartment?  Should a current tenant who has lived in other apartments at Gateway since 2008 fill out a separate claim form for each apartment?

No. We have the information readily available for tenants regardless of the time they have been residents or the units occupied. The detail required by question 2 is merely for additional verification purposes for former tenants.

16. There are a number of Gateway tenants who have combined apartments, the most common combination being adjacent studio and 2-bedroom apartments, combined to create a 3-bedroom apartment.  These tenants have a separate lease for each apartment, which remains separately numbered/lettered, e.g., an A-line and B-line combined apartment.  Where a class member resides in more than one apartment, does the class member need to fill out a claim form for each apartment?  (Note that such tenants have paid separate rent for each apartment.)  Alternatively, should such a class member put both apartment numbers in the address section of the claim form?

Thank you for flagging this issue. We will identify all tenants this applies to and make sure the double lease/rent is accounted for. That said, if more than one lease applies to a combined unit, it would probably help with the administration process if those tenants indicated as much on a single claim form.

17. The settlement agreement defines “Class Member” as “all persons who . . . reside at Gateway Plaza . . .” as well as certain former residents.  Many residents of Gateway include dependents, roommates or family members of lease-signing tenants.  Such dependents, roommates or family members, although residents of Gateway, often have not themselves executed a lease.  Should such non-lease-signing residents also fill out a claim form?

No. Only tenants appearing on a lease should submit a claim form. There is only one amount calculated per unit based on the total rent. If roommates who appear on the lease each submit claim forms, the allocation will be split evenly among them.

Changes to GPTA Bylaws

Posted on by Honey Berk

At its December 2, 2019 Board meeting, the GPTA approved the following changes to the GPTA Bylaws:

a.         Reduction of the maximum number of Directors from 15 to 13, effective as of the election next held after the February 2020 Annual Meeting. (That is, 15 Directors will be elected at the February 7, 2020  Annual Meeting, but 13 will be elected at all subsequent Annual Meetings.)

b.         Instituting a Board meeting attendance requirement for Directors as follows:  a Director may be removed by a vote of the Board if a Director has 3 consecutive unexcused absences from Board meetings, or 4 unexcused absences within a calendar year.  Among factors to be taken into account in any such removal vote would be the Director’s attendance and participation in other GPTA events or meetings apart from Board meetings.  Absences can be excused for personal or family medical issues, attendance to other GPTA business, or other issues in the discretion of the President.  In general, work commitments will not be a basis for excused absence, the thinking being that if a person is too busy with work to attend to GPTA matters, the person should not be a Director.

c.         Changing the Board meeting quorum from 1/3 to 1/2.

d.         Imposing a limit of one Director per household.

e.         Deleting the following language from Article III, Section 2: “If a household contains more than one (1) person, the votes allocable to such household may be divided in any manner as the persons comprising the household shall determine.”  The concept here is that fractional votes, which were permitted under the previous version of the By-Laws, had never actually occurred; and the Board believes that if a household did want to cast fractional votes, they would be difficult to administer and would be likely to cause confusion.

f.          Change in timing of Annual Meeting to the 4th quarter of the calendar year.  This means the next Annual Meeting after the February Annual Meeting will likely be less than a year after the February Meeting.

g.         Clarification of the nomination process for election of Directors:  any Member in good standing may nominate himself, herself, or another Member in good standing (measured as of the date and time of the annual meeting).  Candidates whose nominations are conveyed to the Board 14 days or more before the Annual Meeting will have their names reflected on the ballot, with the names of candidates presented in alphabetical order.  Nominations for write-in candidates will also be accepted at the annual meeting.

Read the full text of the newly adopted bylaws.

Class Action Settlement Agreement Update

Posted on by Honey Berk

Dear Gateway Tenants,

Notices of a class action settlement agreement were distributed to apartments on Tuesday.  If you did not receive a notice, you can download one at: https://www.nfllp.com/documents/Cases/Gateway-Plaza-Long-Form-Notice_2.pdf or call the settlement Claims Administrator at 1-855-648-7655.

We have received questions from many tenants about the settlement notice.  Here is a summary of key points:

1. GPTA is not directly involved in the lawsuit that is being settled, In re Gateway Plaza Residents Litigation (the “Gateway Lawsuit”).  The information in this note comes from speaking with people who were involved in the Lawsuit and from reading the information on the public court docket.  The most authoritative information about the settlement is what’s contained in the settlement notice and in the related court file.  Please don’t consider anything in this note to be legal advice.

2. The Gateway Lawsuit and its settlement have nothing to do with the on-going rent stabilization negotiations.  However, one of the settlement terms includes  an agreement by Lefrak that rent increases from 2020 to 2022 will be no more than 5% annually for ALL Gateway tenants.  This limit on rent increases will apply even if rent stabilization is not extended. If stabilization is extended, tenants covered by the extended agreement would have their renewals governed by the rent stabilization agreement. 

3.  Participating in the Gateway Lawsuit settlement will have no effect on your coverage under the rent stabilization agreement.

4. The settlement also provides for a rent rebate for any current tenant who has lived in Gateway since April 2008 (and for cash payments to tenants who lived in Gateway since April 2008, but who are no longer tenants).   How much a particular tenant gets will be based on the gross amount of rent that tenant has paid since April 2008.  The settlement notice estimates that the rebate for current tenants will be equal to 1.66% of the aggregate rent paid over that period – which could come to anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.  The settlement notice doesn’t contain enough information to calculate any particular tenant’s actual rebate or refund with any accuracy.

5. In order to take advantage of the settlement, you will need to submit the claim form included with the settlement notice by April 16, 2020.  You also have the  option of excluding yourself from the settlement, if you do so by January 31, 2020.   There will be a court hearing on March 2, 2020, at which time the court will either approve or reject the settlement, based on fairness considerations.  Any class member who wishes to appear at the hearing and voice objections must submit a written objection to the court by January 31, 2020.

Updates!

Posted on by Honey Berk

IT’S HOLIDAY TIME….Please join us on Tuesday, December 10th as we raise a glass to toast the holiday season at Le Pain Quotidien. Festivities will be from 6 pm to 8 pm . This event is open to all Gateway Plaza residents. Wine, soft drinks and light fare will be served.

SAVE THE DATE
The Gateway Plaza Tenants Association Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16th. More information to follow.

UPDATE ON RENT STABILIZATION
We continue to work closely with our elected officials and Battery Park City Authority on the extension of Gateway’s rent stabilization program. Though GPTA does not have “a seat at the negotiating table,” we can report that we have an active and continuing dialogue with our elected officials who are advocating with both BPCA and the landlord towards our desired goal.We will keep you advised of all developments.

JOIN OR RENEW MEMBERSHIP TO GPTA
As we approach the end of 2019, this is a good time to join GPTA or renew your membership for 2020.  

Press Release: Gateway Plaza Tenants Association, Elected Officials and Community Leaders Rally to Demand Rent Stabilization for All Gateway Plaza Tenants

Posted on by Honey Berk

Downloads: Press Release, Fact Sheet

NEW YORK, NY (Jun. 2, 2019) — The Gateway Plaza Tenants Association, along with residents and community leaders, rallied with Congressman Jerrold Nadler, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, NYS Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou and NYC Council Member Margaret Chin, to demand the extension of rent stabilization protections for all Gateway Plaza tenants,

In advance of the June 2020 pending expiration of rent protections at Gateway Plaza, the Gateway Plaza Tenants Association has been mobilizing tenants to urge the LeFrak Organization to complete its negotiations with Battery Park City Authority to renew the contractual rent protection agreement in place since 1987.

Gateway Plaza was the first residential building in Battery Park City. Completed in1983, Gateway was originally envisioned as affordable housing for all tenants in the six-building, 1,700-unit development. In exchange, Gateway ownership has received a substantial discount on its annual ground lease payments for more than 30 years.

Gateway Plaza has always served as a haven for the middle-class families, young people and seniors who chose to make Battery Park City their home. In the aftermath of the terror attacks of 9/11, an overwhelming majority of Gateway Plaza residents returned to rebuild their community, spurring on the wildly successful revival of Battery Park City.

The rent stabilization agreement in effect from 1987 to mid-2009 covered all Gateway Plaza tenants. The current agreement, negotiated by the Battery Park City Authority and elected officials in 2009, secured rent stabilization through 2020 only for then-current residents.

Tenants who moved in after the date of the 2009 agreement, pay market-rate rents and are not covered by the stabilization protections afforded under the agreement. Since the current agreement was signed, rents in lower Manhattan have far exceeded the rate of inflation, and these tenants have reported significant annual rent increases that quickly render their homes unaffordable.

Gateway residents are demanding that the new rent stabilization agreement cover all tenants and that renewal rent increases be in accordance the NYC Rent Guideline Board guidelines.  Further, the term of the new agreement should be extended through 2040 when the Gateway Plaza ground lease agreement with Battery Park City expires.  If the term of the ground lease is extended, the rent protections should be extended for the same term.

“Our city is in a housing crisis,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler.  “Affordability is an issue that affects many middle-class New Yorkers, and the issue at Gateway Plaza is a prime example of middle-class families in New York City getting squeezed out of their neighborhoods.  As the Battery Park City Authority and Gateway’s owner, the LeFrak Organization enter into discussions to renew their agreement, our priority must be the extension of rent stabilization protections to every current tenant at Gateway, not just to legacy tenants who have lived here in 2009.  I am committed to working with my colleagues in government in the City and State level to ensure that Gateway Plaza remains an affordable community where residents can continue to live and bring up their families.”

“New Yorkers are increasingly feeling the squeeze on rents that keep going nowhere but up,” said NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. “That’s why I’m proud to stand alongside the residents of the Gateway Plaza Tenants Association in Battery Park City to echo their demands for fair rental agreements for all of the development’s residents. We must build communities where working New Yorkers can find a place to call home and can make it in New York.”

“Gateway Plaza has long been a beacon of hope for middle-class residents in an increasingly unaffordable city, said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “New Yorkers deserve to live free of worry that their rent will suddenly increase and become impossible to pay. I support the Gateway Plaza Tenants Association’s request for LeFrak Organization to work with the Battery Park City Authority to renew and expand rent stabilization protection to all Gateway Plaza residents.”

“Battery Park City is as vibrant and successful as it is today largely due to the residents at Gateway Plaza,” said Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou. “The tenants at Gateway Plaza helped build our community and revitalized our neighborhood that was once a landfill. Even after September 11th, these tenants came back to rebuild and reestablish our community. Their dedication cannot go unrecognized. There should be no question that the residents at Gateway Plaza deserve to stay in the community they helped to develop. The current arbitrary rent increases are unacceptable. Not only do they eliminate the last remaining affordable housing stock we have in Battery Park City, these increases push out community members and especially destabilize the many senior residents who live on a fixed income at Gateway Plaza. I urge LeFrak and the Battery Park City Authority to resolve their negotiations immediately and include provisions to preserve and expand affordability in Gateway Plaza. Going forward, we must also continue to fight to expand the affordable housing stock in Battery Park City which remains as one of the most expensive places to live in New York.”

“As the Council Member representing Battery Park City, I have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Gateway Plaza Tenants Association to ensure their building remains a haven for the middle-class families, young people and seniors who choose to make this neighborhood their home,” said Council Member Margaret S. Chin. “For more than 30 years, the rent protection agreement between the LeFrak Organization and the Battery Park City Authority has been a vital tool in the effort to keep the neighborhood’s first residential building affordable. Today I am joining the Gateway Plaza Tenants Association to demand that the building be made affordable for all residents.”

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