business
BY JASON COHEN
A package of COVID-19
relief bills which were
passed by the City Council
two weeks ago, will
be signed into law by the
mayor next week.
On May 26, Bill de
Blasio will offi cially approve
the measures created
by elected offi cials,
including three from the
Bronx.
The legislation will
remain in effect for the
duration of the state of
emergency and an additional
90 days thereafter.
Mark Gjonaj chair of
the small business committee
sponsored four
bills, including two that
would cap the amount
of commission a thirdparty
delivery service is
allowed to charge at 15
percent per order for delivery
and 5 percent per
order for all other types
of charges. Another bill
would prevent thirdparty
delivery platforms
from charging restaurants
for telephone orders
that did not result
in a transaction.
Andrew Cohen, chair
of the Consumer Affairs
and Business Licensing
Committee, sponsored a
bill that would require
the city to waive and/
or refund all revocable
consent fees for unenclosed
sidewalk cafes
due between March 1,
2020 and Feb. 28, 2021.
Enclosed sidewalk café
consent fees would be
waived for the duration
of the Mayor’s Emergency
Executive Order.
Though sidewalk
café consent fees vary
depending on the size,
location and whether
it is enclosed or unenclosed,
they cost
businesses citywide
thousands of dollars
annually. Most restaurants
pay these fees in
a four-part installment
plan over a one-year period
at a monthly interest
rate of 1.5 percent.
Given the signifi cant
losses restaurants have
suffered, many will
not have the ability to
pay the remaining payments.
Ritchie Torres, chair
of the Council’s Committee
on Public Housing,
sponsored a bill that will
expand the defi nition of
harassment to include
threats against an individual
based on their
status as a COVID-19 impacted
person, their status
as an essential employee,
or their receipt
of a rental concession
or forbearance. Violations
of this legislation
would be punishable by
a civil penalty of $2,000
to $10,000.
Welcome!
OUR LOBBIES ARE OPEN! WE’RE STILL WEARING MASKS
AND GLOVES AND CONTINUE TO SANITIZE TOUCH POINTS.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!
FORDHAM (Little Italy): 590 E. 187TH
ADDITIONAL OFFICES IN:
CHELSEA RD
LENOX HILL: ST
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF LOCATIONS AND HOURS, GO TO NECB.COM
BRONX TIMES R 14 EPORTER, MAY 22-28, 2020 BTR
Mayor to sign small business COVID-19 relief bills into law
Courtesy of Flickr/Mayor’s de Blasio’s offi ce
Mayor to sign small business
COVID-19 relief bills into law
GETTING TECHY
All smiles as tenant Ruben Diaz (left) holds his Chromebook
with Thomas Mabry. Services for the Underserved donated 75
Chromebooks to south Bronx residents.
®
necb.com Photo by Jewel Webber
/NECB.COM
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