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Mayor Invests $1 Billion for Roof Repairs in our efforts to address mold, because roofs protect not just eventually saving the City the exterior but the interior of money later down the line so the building, too.” that we can further improve “Since work has started NYCHA housing.” and several roofs have been “This historic commit- completed, the number of ment is about more than just work orders created to fix bricks and mortar, it’s about damage from leaks is drasti- investing in New York City’s cally reduced,” said Parkside working families and our City’s Houses Resident Building most vulnerable. Now more Superintendent Shannon Mayor Bill de Blasio announces the start of the $87 Million Queensbridge than ever, critical infrastruc- Bachelder. “The residents Houses roof replacement. To his right are General Manager Michael ture upgrades are vital as really appreciate the work and Kelly and City councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer. we continue to implement are excited to have no more NextGeneration NYCHA, our leaks.” Mayor Bill de Blasio committed 729 roofs at 84 developments long-term strategic plan to Parkside Houses Resident $1 billion in City capital to and begin in 2019. The total create safe, clean and con- Association President Lilithe replace deteriorating roofs on allocation will benefit over nected public housing,” Chair Lozano remarked, “This ac- NYCHA buildings over the 175,000 public housing resi- Shola Olatoye said. “Roof complishment shows what we next 10 years. When coupled dents across the five boroughs. repair and replacement is the can do with the Chair’s atten- with Mayor de Blasio’s 2015 “This crucial investment— single most important step tiveness to our concerns. The in preserving our buildings residents are really happy.” Before After This accomplishment“ shows what we can do with the Chair’s attentiveness to our concerns. RA Pres. Lilithe Lozano commitment of $300 million ”the largest City investment in over three years, the total NYCHA—will improve quality amount allocated to this of life for our City’s children, initiative reaches $1.3 billion. teachers, firefighters and Projects funded by the $300 other public servants who live million will repair 223 roofs in NYCHA housing and who at 23 developments and will keep this city running,” said At left, the roof with standing water at Parkside Houses is scheduled for be completed by 2020. Work Mayor Bill de Blasio.”In ad- replacement. At right is a Parkside Houses building with a new roof. funded by the additional $1 dition, these roof repairs will billion investment will repair provide a long-term solution CONTENTS VOL. 3 MARCH 2017 NUMBER 2 Find out how IT News and Notes: Security 2 NYCHA Notes: Employee Profiles for Black 4 History Month for Collaborative Tools Yolanda Chinese New Year Celebration Johnson- Best Wishes 2016 Retirees! Language Services Provides 7 Peterkin Capital Projects All-Staff Meeting 5 Crucial Customer Assistance News to Use: unites The Employee Engagement SafeNYCHA: 8 Fre e Tax Preparation NYCHA Committee Is Launched! 6 What’s a Safety Associate? Services Social Worker Yolanda families. 3 New Resident Board Members And more ... Johnson-Peterkin See p. 4. VOL. 3 MARCH 2017 NUMBER 2 NYCHA Notes Capital Projects Looks Back and Plans Ahead Happy Chinese New Year GM Michael Kelly, NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan, CAA Procurement Analyst Carmen Lee Rivera prepares to ask a question Chair Nancy Lam, and Chair Shola Olatoye during the Q&A session that followed the formal presentation. Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye wished NYCHA’s Chinese-Ameri- The Capital Projects Division held an all-staff meeting at the can Association (CAA) and its many friends “Sun Lin Figh Loke” BMCC Theatre on January 10 to review the past year’s accom- (Happy New Year) at the CAA’s 24th Chinese Lunar New Year plishments and look ahead to 2017. Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye celebration on February 9. Almost 250 employees celebrat- and GM Michael Kelly addressed almost 350 staff in attendance ed the occasion with a nine-course banquet at the Jing Fong from all five Capital Projects departments: Energy & Sustain- restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown. ability, Quality Management & Support Services, Construction, The festivities included performances of traditional music Capital Planning & Design, and Recovery & Resilience. and a lion dance to bring good luck in the Year of the Rooster, Highlights for 2016 include several important publications: 4715. Chair Olatoye remarked that the rooster represents “gen- the NextGeneration NYCHA Sustainability Agenda, Design erosity, courage intelligence, and compassion—exactly what we Standards Specifications, and a Field Employee Safety Guide. A need to continue carrying out our NextGeneration NYCHA plan large-scale initiative to conduct a physical needs and energy au- to create safe, clean, and connected communities.” dit for every NYCHA building also launched last year. Goals for Thomas Chan, Chief of Transportation in the NYPD, was 2017 include publication of Design Guidelines for Rehabilitation recognized as honoree of the year and Chair Olatoye presented of NYCHA Residential Buildings and new project management CAA Chair Nancy Lam with a message of appreciation to the software and training. CAA from Mayor Bill de Blasio. There is also greater emphasis this year on the role and responsibility of project managers to “own” a project from start NYCHA Launches Employee Engagement Committee to finish. Greater efficiencies are being sought through more effective use of technology and deployment of staff among Applications have been received from throughout the Author- projects and fewer layers of management. The formal presen- ity to serve on NYCHA’s new Employee Engagement Commit- tation concluded with two enduring principles: “Use industry tee (EEC). The EEC will develop plans that can help us work standards as our norm” and “Do no harm to project delivery.” together more effectively and efficiently, feel empowered to make positive changes in our workplace, and take ownership of NYCHA’s success. Fund for Public Housing Recognized for Innovation At regularly scheduled meetings, employees working in property management, skilled trades, and repairs and mainte- Fast Company, a magazine cov- nance will join with staff from 250 Broadway, 90 Church, LIC, and ering technology and business, the borough management offices to build solutions that work named the Fund for Public Hous- for everyone. ing as one of the ten most innova- NYCHANow looks forward to reporting on their progress. tive non-profits in the world. Every year, Fast Company highlights for-profit and non-profit enter- New York City Housing Authority prises that are making an impact Department of Communications across the globe, selecting them 250 Broadway | 12th Floor from thousands of contenders. The New York, NY 10007 Fund for Public Housing —which Fast Company wrote about in 212-306-4384 August—was chosen for its innovative approach to developing [email protected] public/private partnerships that invest in NYCHA residents and communities. | 2 | VOL. 3 MARCH 2017 NUMBER 2 Three NYCHA Residents Appointed to NYCHA Board More than 500 applications to serve on the NYCHA Board were join Victor González to share their first-hand experiences and received from residents last year. Coordinated with the Mayor’s knowledge.” Office of Appointments, the extremely competitive application Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye further commented: “These process selected three members to replace resident board resident board members bring years of service as community members whose terms had all expired. leaders and their personal experiences to the table to help us After reviewing applications and conducting a thorough inter- improve the quality of life for all our residents. Resident input is view process, the Mayor’s Office of Appointments has decided critical as we continue to implement NextGeneration NYCHA, to re-appoint Victor González and appoint two new resident our long-term strategic plan to create safe, clean and connect- board members, Jacqueline Arroyo and Jacqueline Young. ed public housing.” In announcing the appointments, Mayor Bill de Blasio re- In a message to staff, Chair Olatoye later thanked the two marked: “No one understands the challenges and importance outgoing resident board members, Beatrice Byrd and Willie of public housing more than our residents and I’m proud to Mae Lewis, for their leadership and service. welcome Jacqueline Arroyo and Jacqueline Young, who will Following are brief biographies of the three appointees. Victor A. González was appointed as the first NYCHA resi- organizing workshop meetings for residents and supporting dent board member in 2011 by Mayor activities that impact not only his development, Wise Towers, Michael Bloomberg, and he was reap- but also the surrounding community. During his tenure as a pointed by Mayor Bloomberg in 2013. NYCHA board member, he has worked to streamline main- A public housing resident for more than tenance requests for apartment repairs and improve family 50 years, Mr. González currently resides services for formerly homeless residents and senior citizens. in the Rabbi Stephen Wise Towers on Born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents, Mr. González Manhattan’s Upper West Side. He is the received his bachelor’s degree from Mercy College and served former president of the Wise Towers for five years in the U.S. Air Force, honorably discharged after Resident Association and also served reaching the rank of Sergeant of Security Police. Following as an alternate member of NYCHA’s his military service, he spent 33 years working for the United Resident Advisory Board. Parcel Service, retiring as international team leader in custom- Mr. González has worked extensively with advocacy groups, er service in 2005. Jacqueline Arroyo is a resident of Louis Armstrong Houses, agencies. She is currently employed in the New York City where she attends Resident Association Department of Education as a supervisor in the Office of the meetings and NYCHA town halls on Auditor General, and she has also worked at high schools initiatives such as the Rental Assistance located in the South Bronx, Williamsburg and lower Manhattan.