Mayor Adams visits the Times Square vaccination site, which serves children under five. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

On June 17, 2022, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announced a roll out for COVID-19 vaccines for babies and children, aged six-months to five years. Health Commissioner Dr. Vasan stated, “As the city’s doctor, and as a father of a three-year-old, I have confidence in this vaccine, and I can’t wait to get my child vaccinated. I encourage parents to call their child’s pediatrician today or call 877-VAX-4NYC to make an appointment at one of our city sites next week. We’re ready for shots for tots!”

Image Credit: City Planning Commission

The latest move in his “City of Yes” campaign, Adams has nominated career land-use experts Rasmia Kirmani-Frye, David Gold, and Chris Yoon to high-ranking administrative roles. On June 15, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams nominated Rasmia Kirmani-Frye and David Gold to serve on the City Planning Commission and Chris Yoon to serve on the Board of Standards and Appeals. These nominations will now move forward to City Council for an official vote. If City Council approves, Kirmani-Frye and Gold will serve five-year terms on City Planning while Yoon will serve a six-year term with BSA.

Council Member Julie Menin, Chair of the Committee on Small Business, speaks at the committee hearing on June 9th. Image Credit: City Council

The New York City Council Committee on Small Business held a public hearing on a proposed digital portal to centralize the information and paperwork necessary to open and run a small business. On June 9, 2022,  the New York City Council’s Committee on Small Business held a public hearing on a proposed bill that would require the City to create and maintain the, “One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal.” The Portal would be an on-line hub for information and functionality related to opening and running a small business. It is meant to make the process more efficient by allowing business owners to deal with all the necessary city agencies in a single, easily-accessible space.

OMB Director Jacques Jiha speaks with NYLS Dean and President Anthony W. Crowell and Professor Ross Sandler at the 180th CityLaw Breakfast. Image Credit: New York Law School

Today, June 29, 2022, Office of Management and Budget Director Jacques Jiha spoke at the 180th CityLaw Breakfast. His talk focused on the City’s economic recovery and the shaping of the City’s budget in response to the pandemic. Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law provided opening remarks. Dean and President of New York Law School Anthony W. Crowell held a closing discussion with Director Jiha and Professor Sandler. This Breakfast was sponsored by ConEdison, Greenberg Traurig, and Verizon. This was the fourteenth virtual CityLaw Breakfast as in-person events are not feasible at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NYC public pools are open for the summer. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

New York City provides free access to spray showers in 584 parks and to 79 pools at 56 different locations throughout the five boroughs. With summer in NYC comes warm weather and the need to cool down and have fun in the sun. For children, fun means running through sprinklers, or as the City calls them: spray showers, and swimming in pools.

The West Park Presbyterian Church. Image Credit: NYC LPC.

Met with both strong support and staunch opposition, a Manhattan church’s hardship application would allow the landmarked building to be demolished. On June 14, 2022, the Landmark Preservation Commission held a public hearing to discuss the future of Individual Landmark West Park Presbyterian Church, located on 165 86^th Street in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The West Park Administrative Commission has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the church building on the grounds of hardship.