Community Alerts 4.17.24

Mayor Adams and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Mayuga announced that on April 1, the City's minimum pay rate for app-based restaurant delivery workers increased to at least $19.56 per hour before tips. The $19.56 rate reflects the 2024 phase-in rate of $18.96 and an inflation adjustment of 3.15% (up from an average of just $5.39 per hour before enforcement began).Read the press release here.

On March 27, NYC’s Department of Transportation announced that e-cargo bikes are now authorized for use on city streets and created new rules that establish safety standards.Read DOT's press release here and learn more about the changes on CityLand here.

Earth Day Community Recycling

On Sunday, April 21, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, visit the Marlene Meyerson JCC (334 Amsterdam at W 76th Street) to recycle e-waste with the Lower East Side Ecology Center and recycle unwanted clothing and textiles with Green Tree Textile Recycling (donate gently used spring and summer clothing).Learn more here.

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is proposing to add rules to implement Local Law 151 of 2023. LL 151 provides civil penalty relief for small businesses from violations issued by the Department. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, May 8, at 11:00am. You can participate via phone or videoconference. Learn more here.

For over eight years, $200,000 has been awarded to small businesses via the 1010 WINS Small Business $10K Challenge. If your company has up to 100 employees in the New York Metro area, you're eligible to apply. To enter, all you have to do is tell them what you'd do with that $10k, be it relaunching, rebuilding, or expanding your business.Apply today or by 11:59pm on May 12.

On Wednesday, May 29, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium (61 W 62nd Street at Broadway), tech coaches and trainers from OATS, Senior Planet/AARP, and DOROT will provide one-on-one help to answer questions about smartphones, laptops, and email software. For an appointment window, call (212) 873-0282.

The State and City require various types of signs to be posted in bars and restaurants. Make sure you have all required signs posted by using this checklist from NYC Small Business Services and NYC Hospitality Alliance. By July 1, all NYC employers must also post the required multilingual Know Your Rights poster where employees can easily see it. Read more about worker rights here.

As of March 1, 2024, ALL businesses in NYC must use bins with secure lids when setting out trash for collection. Businesses found to be in violation of the trash container rules will be subject to fines, starting at $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, and $200 for all subsequent offenses. Check outour recent story for details, orlearn more on DSNY’s website, including upcoming information sessions to help prepare businesses.

As of March 5, applications are open for Dining Out NYC. All eligible food service establishments are welcome to apply citywide. Restaurants that are actively participating in the temporary Open Restaurants program need to apply by August 3 in order to continue operating outdoor dining setups. Once their application is approved, outdoor dining setups will need to comply with the permanent Dining Out NYC design requirements within 30 days. An online application, information about the new guidelines, and resources available to help can be found athttp://www.nyc.gov/diningoutnyc. Businesses can call (212) 839-4500 with any questions.

Need to know about upcoming bridge and street closures? Visit DOT’s webpage for theweekly traffic advisory and weekend traffic advisory.