NYSSPE

DOB COVID-19 Update: April 2020

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This report covers:
Essential Construction Requests
Professionally Certifiable Essential Construction Requests
Appeals of Essential Construction Requests
Certificates of Authorization
Permits
After Hours Variances (AHV)

Read the FULL Report

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product

 

Legislative Update: April 2020

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From NYSSPE ‘s Legislative Counsel, Mark Kriss, Esq.

FY 2021 NEW YORK STATE BUDGET SUMMARY • Hours after the April 1, 2020 deadline, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature agreed upon the FY 2021 New York State budget, tentatively totaling over $177 billion. The budget authorizes a reduction in spending by $10 billion to account for the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Further budget adjustments are authorized to be implemented at periodic intervals by the Budget Director to insure that revenues match expenditures, subject to legislative and gubernatorial oversight.  The state will look to Washington for substantial federal aid to address the unprecedented economic dislocation caused by the pandemic, as well as issue bonds to address the shortfall.  Borrowing may well exceed ten billion dollars. During the Great Recession, just over a decade ago, public sector employers resorted to deferred raises, furloughs, early retirement incentives, layoffs and other cost cutting measures to address budget shortfalls.  Two percent scheduled raises for state employees have already been deferred for at least 90 days saving 50 million dollars. The degree to which the state will be able to avoid further use of these tools in the near future is entirely dependent upon the response from Washington.

DESIGN BUILD • Infrastructure Investment Act – Extended for two years, expands design-build authorization to other alternative project delivery methods, and expands the current list of authorized entities that may utilize design-build contracts to include the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, the New York State Urban Development Corporation, the New York State Office of General Services, the State University Construction Fund, the Battery Park City Authority and the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT • Restore Mother Nature Bond Act – Establishes the $3 billion bond to be submitted to voters in November 2020. If approved by the voters, the bond will fund key projects in local infrastructure and ecosystem restoration that will help communities across New York prepare for flooding, rising seas and dangerous extreme heat. • Accelerates Renewable Energy Projects – Reforms the way we site renewable energy generation and transmission projects.

INFRASTRUCTURE  • Water and Environment – Supports $7 billion for the Department of Environmental Conservation capital plan in FY 2021. • Roads and Bridges – Supports $6 billion for the Department of Transportation capital plan in FY 2021. • High-Speed Rail Study – Aimed at the development of a plan to build faster, greener, more reliable high-speed rail in New York

LABOR & CONSTRUCTION • Prevailing Wage Changes – Requires payment of prevailing wage on “covered projects,” defined as valued at $5 million or more and receiving state and/or local benefits of at least 30 percent of project costs. Exempts brownfields, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, affordable housing and certain other projects in New York City. MWBE participation requirements apply, but other “public works” mandates (e.g., Wicks) do not. Creates a “subsidy board,” that can make recommendations on, but cannot change, applicability thresholds; it is given authority to delay implementation on a regional or statewide project based on potential for significant economic impacts. • New York Buy American Act –Makes permanent the New York Buy American Act governing use of U.S. steel and iron in projects. • Establishes Paid Sick Leave for Working New Yorkers – Businesses with five to 99 employees will provide their employees with at least five days of job-protected paid sick leave per year, and businesses with 100 employees or more will provide at least seven days of paid sick leave per year.

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product

City Halts Non-essential Construction : UPDATE

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City halts non-essential construction

Please see here for guidance on how DOB is implementing the ban on non-essential construction during the COVID-19 outbreak:

As part of the citywide response to the Coronavirus, the Department of Buildings (DOB) is continuing its efforts to immediately limit the amount of walk-in traffic to DOB offices. Effective immediately, the following mandatory operational changes have been implemented:

Drop off boxes are available for the following services:

Application Processing

  • After Hours Variances
  • Certificates of Occupancy
  • Data Entry Corrections
  • Letters of Completion
  • Letters of No Objection
  • New and subsequent job filings
  • Permits and Permit Renewals
  • Post Approval Amendments (PAA)
  • Supersede Requests
  • Temporary Certificates of Occupancy
  • Temporary Use Permits
  • Withdrawal Requests

[Read more…]

State Education Department reports on Continuing Education: COVID-19

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CLICK HERE for the full report from State Education Department: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
The Office of the Professions (OP) continues to license nurses, doctors, physician assistants and other healthcare providers as expeditiously as possible. The State Education Department (SED) is working closely with the Governor and other state agencies as the COVID-19 emergency evolves. Guidance will be announced through these agencies and posted on this webpage.

In regards to Continuing Education:
Some regulations restrict licensees to a certain percentage of self-study for continuing education requirements. In response to the evolving situation with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), and for those licensees whose registrations are due to renew March 1-June 1, 2020, the Department will grant an adjustment to all licensees to complete up to 100% of the continuing education as self-study, so long as it is taken from a Department-approved provider and is in an acceptable subject area for the specific profession. SED is working closely with other New York State agencies and the Governor’s Office to tackle issues relating to COVID-19. Please continue to monitor the Department’s website for updated guidance.

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product

 

Governor Cuomo Issues Guidance on Essential Services Under The ‘New York State on PAUSE’ Executive Order

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CLICK HERE for full order from Governor Cumo:

Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced he is signing the “New York State on PAUSE” executive order, a 10-point policy to assure uniform safety for everyone. It includes a new directive that all non-essential businesses statewide must close in-office personnel functions effective at 8PM on Sunday, March 22. Guidance on essential services under the executive order is as follows:

ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES OR ENTITIES, including any for profit or non-profit, regardless of the nature of the service, the function they perform, or its corporate or entity structure, are not subject to the in-person restriction.

(Essential Businesses must continue to comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by the Department of Health).

This guidance is issued by the New York State Department of Economic Development d/b/a Empire State Development and applies to each business location individually and is intended to assist businesses in determining whether they are an essential business and steps to request such designation. With respect to business or entities that operate or provide both essential and non-essential services, supplies or support, only those lines and/or business operations that are necessary to support the essential services, supplies, or support are exempt from the restrictions.

For purposes of Executive Order 202.6, “Essential Business,” means:

1. Essential Health Care Operations, Including:

  • research and laboratory services
  • hospitals
  • walk-in-care health facilities
  • emergency veterinary and livestock services
  • elder care
  • medical wholesale and distribution
  • home health care workers or aides for the elderly
  • doctor and emergency dental
  • nursing homes, or residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities
  • medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers

2. Essential Infrastructure, Including:

  • utilities including power generation, fuel supply and transmission
  • public water and wastewater
  • telecommunications and data centers
  • airports/airlines
  • transportation infrastructure such as bus, rail, or for-hire vehicles, garages
  • hotels, and places of accommodation

3. Essential Manufacturing, Including:

  • food processing, manufacturing agents, including all foods and beverages
  • chemicals
  • medical equipment/instruments
  • pharmaceuticals
  • sanitary products
  • telecommunications
  • microelectronics/semi-conductor
  • agriculture/farms
  • household paper products

4. Essential Retail, Including:

  • grocery stores including all food and beverage stores
  • pharmacies
  • convenience stores
  • farmer’s markets
  • gas stations
  • restaurants/bars (but only for take-out/delivery)
  • hardware and building material stores

[Read more…]

UPDATE: The 2020 New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC)

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See below for the New York State E-Bulletin regarding the Notices of Adoption for the rules amending and updating the Uniform Code and Energy Code.

The Notices of Adoption will appear in the February 2020 edition of the State Register and the rules will become effective on May 12, 2020.

As mentioned before, New York City’s Energy Code must have the same effective date as the State’s Energy Code, which will become effective on May 12, 2020.

Please continue to check the DOB Energy Conservation Code webpage for updates on Intro 1816 and more on the effective date and see links below for more supporting documents:
Buildings Bulletin 2020
Proposed Int. No. 1816-A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

NSPE Executive Director Update to the Board of Directors – February 2020

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Mark J. Golden, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director of NSPE highlights the following in the most recent Executive Director Update: February 2020

In this report, covering January 15–31, you’ll read about an important new addition to NSPE staff, our ongoing work to turn back attacks on the PE license, and the importance of the unified brand across all states.
• ‘New Thinking, New Ideas, and New Energy’
• Survey: Overwhelming Support for Licensing
• Alliance Brings Clarity to Misleading Messages
• Gain New Perspectives with Upcoming Webinars
• FEYA Finalists Announced

FULL REPORT

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

NSPE Executive Director Update to the Board of Directors – January 2020

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Mark J. Golden, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director of NSPE highlights the following in the most recent Executive Director Update: January 2020.

As we kick off the New Year, I’d like to wish all of you much success and fulfillment in the months ahead. Today’s update covers the last two weeks of 2019, and although the holidays kept us busy, so too did our NSPE projects.

  • Licensure Videos Launched
  • State Societies Take Action on Pipeline Safety
  • Upcoming Webinars Announced
  • Conference Session Proposals Roll In
  • MATHCOUNTS Alumni Honored

FULL REPORT 

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

 

Request for NYSSPE’s Members Comments To Proposed Revisions to NYC Fire Code

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Attention:  NYSSPE Members:

The NYC Fire Department is requesting written comments to the proposed changes or revisions to the Fire Code outlined below.  Please provide your comments (if any) in the blog comments/reply space below by December 19, 2019.  In the alternative, you may email your comments to rachel@nysspe.org by December 19, 2019.

The NYC Fire Commissioner, Daniel Nigro has recently invited NYSSPE to be represented on the Advisory Committee to the Fire Department’s 2018 Fire Code Revision Project.  Our NYSSPE’s member Bob Naro PE volunteered to participate in the FDNY Advisory Committee and report on the progress to NYSSPE’s members.  The Advisory Committee will be concluded and the deadline for submitting written comments to the proposed revisions of the Fire Code is December 19, 2019.

Please find the links below to the proposed underlined changes in the NYC Fire Code:

FC Chapter 32 HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 35 WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 40 Distilleries for  Advisory Committee Review (12-3-2019 )

FC Chapter 50 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 51 AEROSOLS (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 53 COMPRESSED GASES (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 57 FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 58 FLAMMABLE GASES (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 61 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES (AC 11-14-19)

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.

NSPE Executive Director Update to the Board of Directors – December 2019

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Mark J. Golden, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director of NSPE highlights the following in the most recent Executive Director Update: December 2019

In this update for November 15–30, we have a number of items on legislative and regulatory actions involving professional engineers. Highlights include….
• New pipeline safety bill includes PE requirement
• Red flags in FL sunset review bill
• More legislative news from Philly, NY, MN, MI
• ‘They’ve put technology advancement here before saving lives’
• Celebrate top colleagues with Honor Awards

NY Update:  New York bill promotes PE oversight
A bill that has passed the New York State Senate and is awaiting approval by the State Assembly would greatly enhance public safety and require a professional engineering license.  The legislation (S.B. 2935), sponsored by Senator Todd Kaminsky, passed the upper house last May. The bill would require certain engineering plans for work or services that could pose a material risk to public safety—for example, gas transmission lines—to bear a professional engineer’s seal. The legislation also authorizes the public services commission to set rules and regulations relating to the requirement. When the New York State Assembly reconvenes on January 8, they will consider the companion bill (A.B. 6557), sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Cusick.

Read the FULL REPORT here

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Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.