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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Francesca Fernandez Bruce, Executive Director of Grand Street Business Improvement District, on BID Containerization
3:40:30
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121 sec
Francesca Fernandez Bruce, representing the Grand Street Business Improvement District (BID), expresses concerns about DSNY's containerization mandate and its financial impact on small BIDs. She criticizes the lack of funding solutions and the potential negative consequences for low-income communities and local businesses.
- Highlights the high upfront capital costs (over $25,000) for their small BID to implement containerization
- Expresses disappointment in DSNY's absence from the hearing and their lack of response to feedback
- Warns that without proper funding, many BIDs may have to end their street cleaning services, leading to increased litter and rat problems
Francesca Fernandez Bruce
3:40:30
Hi.
3:40:30
Thank you so much, Chair Abreu, for being here.
3:40:33
My name is Francesca Fernandez Bruce.
3:40:35
I represent the Grand Street Bid, which is a small bid with a strap budget in Brooklyn serving an LMI community.
3:40:41
And I'm here to speak about bid containerization.
3:40:44
I want to first say I appreciate Frank and our local DSNY chiefs.
3:40:48
I've worked in a city agency myself, and I have the utmost respect for public servants.
3:40:53
Though I wish they could have been here for such compelling testimony today, can you call this a hearing if no one hears?
3:41:00
Maybe it's because they didn't design this mandate to the extent that it's been designed at all.
3:41:05
They didn't hear us at the last hearing either, and they continue to ignore our feedback.
3:41:10
Throughout this process, DSNY has said that they are working with us on tailored solutions, but we all know perfectly well there's no such thing as solutions without funding.
3:41:21
When pressed, the agency acts like funding will just materialize as though saying it will make it so.
3:41:26
First, they have said it will come from grants, grants that we depend on to serve our low income communities, taking money out of the mouths of our struggling mom and pops.
3:41:35
Then they say it could come from discretionary funding from city council, which, as you know, are already facing unprecedented demand.
3:41:42
They also have responded to our repeated pleas by claiming we have artificially inflated the cost of this project, and we are happy to submit detailed, realistic packages to assure you that we are not.
3:41:53
Our upfront capital costs at our small bid would be over $25,000, not including maintenance, and we are one of 76 bids.
3:42:00
We are already directing the bulk of our budgets to make up for shortfalls in street cleaning services for the city, even while districts like mine struggle to make ends meet and serve our communities.
3:42:10
If funding doesn't come through, my district, like many others, will have to end service to our corridor.
3:42:15
This will choke our businesses with litter and rats, put folks out of work, and will be wildly counterproductive.
3:42:22
They are forcing us to make a Sophie's Choice, and our communities deserve better.
3:42:26
The fact that no one is here to hear testimony from our communities is deeply disappointing.
3:42:30
Thank you, sir.