Entered City Council: 01/01/2006
Current Term Expires: 12/31/2009

Represents: Lower East Side, East Village, Gramercy Park, Rosehill, Kips Bay; southern part of Murry Hill

Committees: Public Housing (Chair); Health; Housing & Buildings; Land Use; Landmarks, Public Sitting & Maritime Uses; Lower Manhattan Redevelopment

Click here to see a map of Council District 2

The Councilwoman has staff to help constituents with everyday problems, whether it’s a NYCHA transfer or a noisy bar. If you would like assistance from our office, please call 212-677-1077 for an intake. You may also use the “Contact Us” form provided on this website. Your case will be assigned to the appropriate staff member, who will then contact you directly for assistance.

To request a meeting or invite the Councilwoman to an event, please contact her scheduler, Barbara Sherman, at bsherman@council.nyc.gov

Gisela Galviz-Millan, Receptionist:
gmillan@council.nyc.gov
Lisa Kaplan, Chief of Staff:
lkaplan@council.nyc.gov
Kate Mikuliak, Community & Policy Aide:
kmikuliak@council.nyc.gov
Jessica Nepomiachi, Community & Policy Aide: jnepomiachi@council.nyc.gov
Barbara Sherman, Scheduler/Community & Policy Aide: bsherman@council.nyc.gov

Interested in receiving monthly email updates from Councilwoman Mendez? Send a blank email to rmendez@council.nyc.gov with the subject “Add to E-Newsletter”

Rosie Mendez has demonstrated a life-long commitment to her community through her activism, legal advocacy, and government service.

Rosie began her professional career as a tenant organizer and then became a housing specialist at the Parodneck Foundation. Her work with tenants inspired her to enter law school. Upon graduation and being admitted to the Bar, she received an IOLA Legal Services Fellowship and began work at Brooklyn Legal Services representing tenants in housing and welfare matters and counseling community-based organizations. She joined the Legal Services Staff Association and became a member of the United Auto Workers.

Through her professional and volunteer positions at many non-profit organizations, Rosie gained first-hand experience dealing with issues that affect all New Yorkers. She was the director of the People's Economic Opportunities Project of the Lower East Side, where she developed a loan program to assist small business and property owners. She has held internships with the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Legal Action Center, and a judicial internship with Civil Court Judge Richard Rivera. Rosie served as the Public Interest Career Counselor at Rutgers Law School-Newark, where she was responsible for assisting a record number of students in obtaining fellowships in non-profits and public interest law firms.

Rosie served as Democratic District Leader for four terms, and served as Chief of Staff and Legislative Aide to the prior Councilwoman of District 2, Margarita Lopez. 

Rosie received her B.A. in Metropolitan Studies and Political Science from New York University, and received her law degree from Rutgers School of Law in Newark. She was a 2003-04 Fellow in the Charles H. Revson Program for the Future of the City of New York at Columbia University. Rosie was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to Puerto Rican parents, where she lived in public housing and attended New York City public schools.

In November 2005 Rosie was elected to serve as a member of the New York City Council in the Second District and took office in January 2006 serving the neighborhoods of the Lower East Side, the East Village, Gramercy, and Murray Hill.  Rosie serves as the Chair of the Council Sub-Committee on Public Housing and is a member of the Landmarks Sub-Committee and the Housing, Land Use, Health, and Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Committees.  

Rosie Mendez took office as the Council Member in Manhattan's Second District in January 2006. During her first term in office, Rosie is proud of her accomplishments in the following areas:

AFFORDABLE HOUSING
● Securing tax abatement for affordable housing developments in the district to assure long-term sustainability.
● Securing funding to assist in the development or rehabilitation of affordable housing developments.
● Backing residents’ efforts to maintain their buildings in government assisted housing programs when original terms expire.
● Fighting for the preservation of affordable housing for low- and middle-income New Yorkers by introducing legislation to:
◊ Renew rent regulations in New York City;
◊ Prevent owners from evicting tenants under the false pretense of a building demolition;
◊ Provide legal assistance to low income seniors who are threatened with eviction or foreclosure; and
◊ Require owners of large residential complexes to notify the city prior to sale.

PUBLIC HOUSING
● Leading the City Council’s fight for the preservation of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) as the Chair of the Council’s Public Housing Sub-Committee.
● Fighting for more federal, state, and city funding to bridge NYCHA’s substantial budget deficit.
● Pressuring NYCHA to improve the level of service to residents and responsibly maintain the city’s largest stock of affordable housing.   

ENFORCEMENT OF BUILDING CODES
● Maintaining the mid-rise character of the district by improving local enforcement of zoning and building codes.
● Continually pressuring the Department of Buildings to monitor development to ensure that all buildings remain within allowable zoning limits.
● Leading the fight to expand citizens’ ability to challenge the legality of new buildings or expansion of existing ones.

COMMUNITY BASED REZONING
● Gaining approval of Community Board #3’s rezoning plan, which passed the City Council in November 2008. The new plan addresses out-of-scale development in a 111 square block area south of 14th St and east of 3rd Avenue, and creates an incentive for affordable housing in appropriate areas. 
● Working with City Planning and community leaders to implement a similar plan for the 3rd to 4th Avenue corridor.

LANDMARKS AND PRESREVTION
● Working to preserve the history and character of the community by gaining landmark designation for over a dozen individual buildings in District 2 as well as the expansion of the NoHo Historic District. 
● Introducing legislation to prevent owners from altering a landmarked building under a pre-existing work permit.

QUALITY OF LIFE
● Working with community partners to reduce noise, congestion, and sanitation issues that result from irresponsible bars and sidewalk cafes.
● Continuing dialogue with the NYS Liquor Authority to establish tighter guidelines for licensing, monitoring, enforcement.
● Carefully reviewing issuance of sidewalk café permits for legal compliance. 
● Introducing legislation to regulate backyard and rooftop bars.
● Bringing together relevant city agencies to aggressive tackle rat infestation in the district. 

DEMOCRACY
● Standing up for democracy by voting “no” on extending term limits for City elected officials.  Although opposed to term limits for members of the City Council, Rosie voted no on the extension law because she felt that any change should have gone back to a popular vote.    

EDUCATION
● Directing more than $5.6 million to schools in her district for capital improvements, including science labs, computers, and other upgrades.
● Joining the parents in District 1 to preserve controlled choice in school admissions.
● Working with parents and DOE to find solutions to overcrowding in District 2. 
● Fighting for better public education by advocating for policies more responsive to community concerns.

LANGUAGE ACCESS
● Guaranteeing equal access to city services for those speaking languages other than English by introducing legislation that resulted in Executive Order 120  - requiring city agencies to ensure meaningful access to services in multiple languages.

CIVIL RIGHTS
● Defending members of the LBGT community from unlawful arrests.
● Standing up against police misconduct by calling for the State Attorney General to establish a Special Prosecutor’s Office with jurisdiction over police corruption.
● Introducing legislation in support of police accountability and against restrictive and constitutionally vague rules for parade permits.

HEALTH
● Advocating for the health of New Yorkers by introducing legislation to reduce asthma causing toxins in homes.
● Introducing a resolution to support microbicide research for HIV prevention.
● Working to raise breast health awareness and improve access to free mammography and breast health services.

TRANSPORTATION
● Fighting hard for transit riders by taking a strong stance against proposed MTA cuts including the elimination of the M8 bus.  
● Voting for Congestion Pricing.
● Supporting the soon to be implemented Bus Rapid Transit line on 1st and 2nd Avenues, including the inclusion of protected bike lanes.
● Recommending safety measures to the Department of Transportation for problems at specific streets where seniors, children and other pedestrians have been at risk.
● Assisting bicyclists by requesting bike racks and bike lanes in District 2 and funding education for cyclists on their rights and responsibilities. 
● Working for the fair treatment and regulation of the pedicab industry.

SMALL BUSINESSES
● Taking action against a discrepancy in commercial parking rules that caused unfair parking tickets. After the discrepancy was exposed, the Department of Finance reimbursed thousands of dollars of fines.

In this section:

Charter School Battle Erupts On Lower East Side, 11/18/09: City Council Member Rosie Mendez Speaks
November 18, 2009

Chico, ‘The Messenger,’ spreads message of peace back on L.E.S.
The Villager, October 28, 2009

Large Dogs in Public Housing Are Now Endangered Species
NY Times: September 22, 2009

Bill Says Owners Can Take 1 Unit, Not Whole Building
The Villager: September 16, 2009

Pols Find the SOUND & the Fury Within New York City Housing
Daily News: July 16, 2009

Asthma Act Will Help Tenants Breathe Easier
The Brooklyn Rail: June 4, 2009

Landlords Could Soon be Responsible for Indoor Air Quality
Epoch Times: May 21, 2009

Investment Banker to Run City Housing Authority
New York Times: May 14, 2009

A Retreat on False Arrests from Chelsea to Bushwick
Gotham Gazette: May 2009

Parents Protest Kindergarten Overcrowding
NY1: May 06, 2009

Rosie Pays Tribute to Former City Councilwoman Miriam Friedlander: At the City Council Chambers on November 12th  more than 200 people gathered in tribute to the life and legacy of Miriam Friedlander, who served as the Councilwoman from 1973 to 1991 in the lower Manhattan district which included most of area below 14th Street.  Miriam died on October 4, 2009 at the age of 95.  In an event sponsored by Rosie and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, current and former elected officials, community leaders, friends and family lovingly acknowledged a life dedicated to progressive values and justice.  Rosie said, “Miriam was an inspiration to me and many other women who have served or who aspire to serve in government.  She created the Council Committee on Women’s Issues, she fought for gay rights, and she was outspoken against all injustice.  She never gave up, and she created change.  We owe a dept of gratitude to Miriam.”  Click here to view a copy of the memorial journal and click here to watch a video of a segment of the event.  

Rosie Organizes Meeting for Community and the New School to Discuss Revised Building Plans for 65 Fifth Ave: Last month, representatives from the New School University, including President Bob Kerrey, met with Rosie and local elected officials, CB2, and concerned community members to discuss the New School’s eminent plans for the demolition of 65 Fifth Ave and the School’s recently revised plans to build a new facility on this site. Their new schematic plans show a building that can be built without special review under the current zoning and which will include academic program space, dorms, and retail uses.  Last year, the New School released schematics of a bigger building that raised various concerns among neighboring residents. Since then, Rosie, CB2, and the Village Residents Alliance have worked closely to communicate with the University the need for consistent, timely information on its building plans.
 
Interior demolition and abatement work has recently begun on the current building on this site. Outside demolition is expected to begin in February 2010 and to finish by July 2010. There will be monthly rodent control, Department of Environmental Protection noise and dust mitigation plans, and a 24-hour hotline for residents concerns or complaints will be provided during the demolition. Currently, the New School has a draft concept of the design of this new building showing it to be 14 stories, but final plans will be available by the end of the year.  Rosie is very pleased that all parties have agreed that CB2 will sponsor a public meeting on the New School’s plans for this building early next year.  For more information about these building plans see the New School website. 

Rosie Testifies at BSA Opposing Safety Waivers at 514-516 East 6th Street: On Sept. 22nd Rosie appeared before the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) speaking in opposition to the ten waivers that would legalize the vertical enlargement at 514-516 E. 6th St. Rosie’s office has been working with the tenants in these and other buildings owned by the same landlord for nearly four years in an effort to stop renovations which are contrary to code. Last year Rosie appeared before the BSA to testify that these buildings and 515 E. 5th St. violated fire safety provisions of the Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL). The BSA agreed, revoking the vertical enlargement permit.  In order to overturn that ruling, the owner submitted new papers seeking waivers of the provisions he violated.

Rosie testified that because the additional stories endanger the health and safety of the residents of the building according to the MDL, one property owner should not be able to unilaterally determine what safety measures should be followed.  Rosie argued that the owner provided no financial analysis to justify the two additional stories built without adherence to code requirements, and she noted that these buildings, as built, violate both the old and the current zoning provisions for the neighborhood. The BSA will likely decide the matter in November. If you would like a copy of the testimony, please contact the District Office.

Rosie Applauds Community Efforts on Pier 42: Rosie congratulates the community and elected officials for persuading the Port Authority of New York not to use Pier 42 as an off-site staging area for World Trade Center construction.  In early September, Rosie was briefed by Port Authority staff regarding the potential use of Pier 42.  She expressed concern for pedestrian and bike safety, specifically individuals entering and exiting the East River Esplanade, and for the increased traffic congestion likely to result. She also feared that the plan would cause further delays in the completion of the East River Park Reconstruction.  Rosie followed up with a letter to the Department of Transportation asking for reconsideration of other viable options for off-site staging that would be less disruptive to the surrounding communities.

Rosie Joins State Colleagues in Effort to Stop “Owner Occupancy Evictions”: Rosie was proud to join NY State Senator Daniel Squadron and many other state legislators on Sept. 9th at a press conference urging the Senate to join the Assembly in passage of a law that would limit a landlord’s right to evict more than one rent stabilized household based on the owner’s demand to live in the building.  Rosie said:  “For years, about a dozen of my neighbors at 47 E. 3rd St. fought to stay in their homes after their landlord claimed he needed the entire tenement building for his small family.  My neighbors lost their homes and were displaced because of the judges’ interpretation of the current law. Something is wrong when you can evict many families to make room for one. Could 100 families be evicted?  We need this legislation now to stop mass ‘owner occupancy evictions’.”

Rosie and Speaker Quinn Sponsor Resolution Supporting Fair Treatment for People Living with HIV/AIDS: On Sept. 30th the Council passed a resolution calling on the State Assembly to pass and the Governor to sign legislation which would provide that persons living with clinical symptomatic HIV/AIDS and who are receiving shelter assistance not be required to pay more than 30% of their household’s monthly income towards shelter costs.  Although 30% is the typical standard for government policy on how much a household can pay for rent, there is currently no cap for this particular population.  Rosie was shocked by accounts from people living with HIV/AIDS who report that more than half their income often goes to rent, leaving nearly nothing for food, clothing, utilities or other essentials. 

Rosie Writes to Dept. of Parks Regarding Upcoming RFP for Union Square Pavilion: Rosie responded to the Parks Department’s notice of intent to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the pavilion at Union Square, by reiterating the position of Community Board 5 that the RFP not be limited to a café use. She wrote: “I see no reason why other public uses which would provide recreational, educational and/or civic programs could not also be evaluated as part of the RFP.  Any respondent, no matter what the proposed use of the pavilion, would have to offer its professional qualifications, capacity to manage the facility, wherewithal to make the necessary improvements, make fee payments, etc.” However, Rosie was pleased that this notice from Parks clearly mentions that any concession will be for seasonal use only, allowing the pavilion to be used for a variety of public events during the remainder of the year.

Rosie wants the RFP to require that any food service be in the moderate price range, provide takeout service and adjacent public seating, and that amplified music be prohibited at all times. In her letter Rosie expressed her extreme disappointment that neither her office nor Community Board 5 was given a meaningful advance opportunity to discuss how Parks intended to structure this RFP.

Pedestrian Safety Still a Concern on 23rd Street: Rosie wrote a follow-up letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) asking that the agency respond to a September 2008 request from Community Board 6 (CB6) to study pedestrian safety improvements on 23rd Street, specifically at the intersection of 2nd Avenue. Last year, residents living near 23rd St and 2nd Ave contacted Rosie, raising safety concerns about the speed at which vehicles cross and turn on to 23rd St and the inadequate time pedestrians have to cross at the intersection. One year later, residents continue to call Rosie’s office, asking for improvements such as longer walking cycles, red light cameras, narrowing of the intersection, and signage specifying pedestrian priority. Rosie forwarded these concerns to DOT, echoing CB6’s Transportation Committee’s recent requests that DOT take immediate action. Rosie’s letter to DOT also asked that they consider pedestrian improvements along the corridor of 23rd St at other major avenues, such as Park Avenue, which has been listed in the past among the highest crash rate locations in the City.

There are currently no past news updates.

Please check back soon for testimony and letters on important community issues

Everyday Rosie’s office hears from constituents who are not being treated fairly. Rosie and her staff work hard to resolve the problems District 2 residents face, often with substantial results. Here are some examples:

Residents of a small, self-managed cooperative building on 10th Street contacted Rosie after several days without gas service. Plumbing work had been done in the building, which required Con Ed to turn off the gas – but the residents were unable to get the utility company to restore service. After Rosie called, the residents had their gas and hot water restored the next day.

A resident using a wheelchair reported difficulties getting on and off at the M15 limited bus stop at 14th Street. The uneven cobblestones and lack of curb cuts on the median strip between the Stuyvesant Town service road and 1st Ave., where the stop was located, made wheelchair access nearly impossible. Rosie contacted the Dept. of Transportation and the strip was repaved.

A resident of a Mitchell-Lama cooperative faced eviction because of a dispute over her status as a tenant/shareholder. Rosie solicited assistance from MFY Legal Services who proved that the resident was indeed a co-signatory of the original lease, along with her now deceased husband. With MFY and Rosie’s help, the resident retained ownership of the apartment and became the undisputed primary lease holder.

A little league approached Rosie’s office regarding needed repairs for equipment and facilities in the East River Park where the children play ball. For weeks the bathrooms were closed due to leaks and the backstop in the ball field had holes losing dozens of balls into the East River every time a foul ball was hit. Rosie called a meeting with parks officials and the repairs were quickly made.

Each year as part of the City’s budget process, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez has the privilege of granting awards to community organizations that provide services directly in Council District #2. Rosie is proud to have directed approximately $450,000 from the Fiscal 2010 expense budget to nearly 100 non-profit organizations that provide critical services to our youth, the elderly and all citizens of this district. These small contributions, the vast majority of which were for $3,500, help non-profits continue the critical work they do during hard economic times when fundraising is even more difficult than usual.

Click here for a list of the Fiscal Year 2010 Member Item Awardees

Click here for a list of the Fiscal Year 2010 Capital Grant Awardees

Vigil, Memorial Service & Community Mobilization in memory of Jorge Steven López Mercado November 22, 2009

Managing Your Finances In Hard Times: December 1, 2009

Past Community Events:
Miriam Friedlander Memorial November 12, 2009

Community Board 2
3 Washington Square Village, #1A
New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-979-2272
Fax: 212-254-5102
Email: info@cb2manhattan.org
Website: www.cb2manhattan.org

Community Board 3
59 East 4th Street
New York, NY  10003
Phone: 212-533-5300
Fax: 212-533-3659
Email: info@cb3manhattan.org
Website: www.cb3manhattan.org

Community Board 5
450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2109
New York, NY 10123
212-465-0907
Fax: 212-465-1628
Email: office@cb5.org
Website: www.cb5.org

Community Board 6
866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 308       
New York, NY 10017                        
Phone: 212-319-3750
Fax: 212-319-3772
Email: mn06@cb.nyc.gov
Website: www.cb6mnyc.org