for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com september 26, 2013 • The queens CourieR 9 City Council passes condo, co-op resolution BY MELIS A CHAN mchan@queenscourier.com The City Council has unanimously passed a resolution calling for Congress to make co-op and condos eligible for federal storm recovery grants. “Condo and co-op owners are homeowners too,” said Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. who brought forth the measure. “Yet, right now, the federal government is denying them Sandy relief. That needs to change.” The resolution, introduced September 12, comes after many citywide co-op and condo owners found they could not receive FEMA grants for Sandy-inflicted damages. The measure sailed through the City Council less than two weeks later on September 24. The Council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings moved the resolution forward earlier that morning. It would push the passage of an already proposed federal law that aims to fix a glitch keeping co-op and condo owners from disaster aid. The Stafford Act, which governs how FEMA responds to major disasters, does not include the word “co-op” in the law, officials said. However, there is no statute that bans co-op owners from being eligible for grants, a privilege given to homeowners. Co-op and condos are also categorized as “business associations,” which makes them eligible for federal loans but not grants. It also means they cannot get funds to fix shared spaces like lobbies and roofs. Congressmember Steve Israel introduced a law in August that would better define co-ops in the Stafford Act, allow co-op and condo owners to apply for FEMA grants, and call for a new cap on FEMA’s Individual and Households Program. The proposed legislation currently sits in a subcommittee on the House’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Warren Schreiber of the Presidents Co-op & Condo Council said the resolution would be used as a bully pulpit to boost federal efforts. “They can send that on to the congressional delegation,” he said. “That would make a big difference.” Some Queens co-ops, like Glen Oaks Village, sustained more than $250,000 in damage to infrastructure, according to the co-op’s president Bob Friedrich. Councilmember Eric Ulrich, who represents some of the most Sandy-devastated areas, said co-op and condo communities in the Rockaways are facing “astronomical” renovation costs that exceed $250,000. Ulrich was the sponsor of another resolution passed by the City Council this week that calls for Congress to amend a federal act to minimize the burden of flood insurance premium rate increases on homeowners. Vallone will now urge Congress, in a letter, to enact the federal bill. Photo Courtesy of Facebook The City Council passed two Sandy-related resolutions this week sponsored by Councilmembers Eric Ulrich (center) and Peter Vallone Jr. #1 in Transportation for Northeast Queens Residents! GLEN BELLE CAR SERVICE Back to School Savings “Will Beat any Competitor’s Rate by 10%” 718.347.3222 Family Owned & Operated! NAME ____________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________ 718-347-3222 • NEQC/GB 718-347-3222 • NEQC/GB TLC-Base- #B-01250 $5 OFF ANY AIRPORT RIDE Base tip on full fare. CASH ONLY Offers ends 9/30/13 $2 OFF ANY RIDE Base tip on full fare. CASH ONLY Offer ends 9/30/13 SENIOR DISCOUNTS Newest Fleet. Lincoln Town Cars, Sedans, Mini-Vans, 14 Passenger Vans, & Ambulettes 24 Hour Service 7 Days NAME ____________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________ BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FREE Measuring & Installation w/purchase of $100. with this ad. • Draperies • Vertical Blinds • Honeycomb Shades • Custom Window Shades • Mini Blinds Nobody Beats Our Prices! • Roman Shades • Balloon Shades • Swags & Jabots • Shutters • Upholstery • Radiator Covers • Table Pads UP TO 70% OFF LIST PRICE Free Interior Design Consultation $20 OFF with purchase of $200 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 10/11/13 $50 OFF with purchase of $500 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 10/11/13 $100 OFF with purchase of $1,000 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 10/11/13 GOMER’S Window Treatments SINCE 1962 FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE SERVING QUEENS AND LONG ISLAND 1.800.522.6156 www.gomersdecorators.com
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