ATTENDEE REGISTRATION
EXPO REGISTRATION

VIEW UPDATE (added 6-20-24)

JOINT COMMENTS SUBMITTED BY THE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATIONS (NYCOM, NYSAC AND AOT)

Click HERE to view joint letter from the Associations.

UNFUNDED MANDATE & LIABILITY EXPOSURE

The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed significant changes to the OSHA Fire Brigade Standard (1910.156). If approved in its current form, the rule will impact all fire departments (volunteer, combination, and paid) across New York and the country.

The 608 page document released by OSHA outlining the proposed changes would incorporate costly health and safety standard mandates and expose municipal fire departments to litigation and costly settlements. This one size fits all approach could cripple already fiscally strapped departments and further negatively impact the recruitment and retention efforts of struggling volunteer fire departments. NYCOM fully supports measures that will protect responder safety. However, there needs to be a balanced approach that takes into consideration the realities of each department.

OSHA’s proposed changes has been published in the Federal Register and has a 90-day comment period that closes on July 21, 2024. The time to act is now. NYCOM is currently working with the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (www.fasny.com), the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York (www.afdsny.org) and other fire service organizations in a united effort to get the comment period extended to allow for additional time to fully digest and appropriately respond to the proposed rule changes. For more information on this issue, please contact John Mancini, NYCOM Counsel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The OSHA Emergency Response Standard Proposed Rule Can Be Found Here: Emergency Response Standard; Proposed Rule | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
U.S. Department of Labor Information: Emergency Response Rulemaking | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
Information Webinar By OSHA Training Institute: Webinar: Emergency Response Rule
Federal Register – Submit A Comment: Federal Register :: Emergency Response Standard

Thursday, August 1 (1:00 pm)

NYCOM has been asked to make our members aware of the fact that Fordham University has been selected to receive $40 million from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Thriving Communities Grantmaker Program. This grant is designed to function like a foundation, with Fordham distributing funds to support vital environmental justice projects, programs, and initiatives. Community groups dedicated to advancing environmental justice, including cities and villages, are encouraged to participate.

This webinar will provide you with the opportunity to learn more about this transformative program and how Fordham University can assist you throughout the application process. Specifically, this session will cover:

• The structure of the Grantmaker Program
• Outreach strategie
• Different levels of funding available
• Opportunities for collaboration, and
• Application timelines.

Although the specific guidelines and criteria are still being finalized, the official program launch is set for early fall. This webinar is designed to equip all potential applicants with the resources and knowledge needed to engage in meaningful discussions and prepare for the upcoming application process.

If you have any questions or to request additional information, please contact Surey I. Miranda at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

REGISTER HERE

VIEW BRIEFING (updated 5-21-24)

Applications are due August 15, 2024

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $32 million is now available for shared electric transportation solutions such as micro mobility shuttles, and ride services.

The new Clean Mobility Program will competitively award funding to local governments, transit operators, and community-based organizations for selected community-led planning and demonstration projects that advance innovative clean mobility options to address transportation challenges. Eligible projects include personal or shared bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters, on-demand electric vehicle ride-hailing, and small-scale on-demand public transit services with flexible routes, or shared electric vehicle options, as well as other similar transportation options. The projects will help reduce emissions and solve local transportation needs and connect residents to services, jobs, and other transit with priority given to those in disadvantaged communities.

Interested applicants can find more information on the program’s Planning and Demonstration Tracks, which will accept proposals until August 15, 2024 by 3:00 p.m. ET. A second round of the program may launch in summer 2025 for any remaining funds not committed in Round 1.

Informational Webinar: NYSERDA will conduct an informational webinar, during which the requirements of the solicitation will be discussed and answers to questions will be reviewed.  PON 5739: Clean Mobility Program (Thursday, June 27, 2024) | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Join Webinar

For additional details, please visit the PON 5739 Solicitation Detail Page.

 ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS (ONGOING)

We are excited to kickstart our exclusive One-on-One Consultation service. Elisabeth Dubois, NYMIR’s Cybersecurity Risk Specialist will reach out to you in advance of your renewal, typically 2-3 months prior, to schedule a personalized meeting. During this consultation, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Navigate Cyber Applications: We will guide you through the cyber application process, ensuring all necessary information is accurately completed for a smooth renewal.
• Address Recommendations: If you have received cybersecurity recommendations, we will be on hand to clarify any questions and assist in implementing these essential enhancements.

Click HERE for a description of Cyber Security Service FREE to our NYMIR Cyber Members*

VIEW LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM (added 1-19-24)

Consistent with the final rule issued by the US Treasury, all ARPA funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024. The information below will clarify the amended definition of "obligation" and several related issues.

WEBINAR: U.S. Department of the Treasury: State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: New Obligation FAQs

WEBINAR QUESTIONS AND SLFRF FAQ REFERENCES
The updated obligation-related FAQs are found in the new Section 17: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-FAQ.pdf

• What is an obligation? Please refer to Section 17 of the SLFRF FAQs for the latest information on the obligation requirement and how to meet the obligation deadline of December 31, 2024.
• Do subrecipients have an obligation deadline? No. Refer to FAQ 17.18.
• Are revenue loss funds automatically obligated? No. Refer to FAQ 17.15.
• Questions about personnel costs in 2025 and 2026: Refer to FAQs 17.6, 17.7, and 17.9.
• Questions about flexibilities for contracts after the obligation deadline: Refer to FAQs 17.16, 17.17, and FAQ 17.19.
• What if I have questions about legal and administrative costs after the obligation deadline? For more information on these expenses, refer to FAQs 17.10, 17.11, 17.12, and 17.13.
• What if my community has already obligated all of our SLFRF funds?  Please see FAQ 17.3 and 17.14.  Remember that all SLFRF recipients are required to continue to submit reports to Treasury as outlined in the SLFRF Compliance and Reporting Guidance.

2024

View the publication HERE.

VIEW RESOURCES AND GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Applications Now Open

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar announced the next round of DEC’s Municipal Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate Program, which will provide $750,000 to municipalities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission light- and medium-duty fleet vehicles. These municipal zero-emission vehicles will help New York achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements as part of the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act).

A total of $750,000 is available from DEC for municipalities to apply for funding on a first-come, first-served basis starting April 25, 2024, DEC is accepting applications on a rolling basis through Sept. 27, 2024, or until funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first. Rebates are available to municipalities across the State that purchase – or lease for a minimum of 36 months—an eligible vehicle placed into municipal service at a dealership in New York State between Sept. 30, 2022, and Sept. 27, 2024. All electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are eligible for rebates.

More details can be found in the Request for Applications (RFA) posted on the DEC website. Applications are available through the NYS Statewide Financial System Grants Management System.

Enacted 2024-25 New York State Budget Highlights
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership as part of the 2024-25 Enacted State Budget, $12.5 million was included for the Climate Smart Communities Grant Program as part of the $400 million Environmental Protection Fund, in addition to $2 million for the regional Climate Smart Communities Coordinators.

As part of the Climate Smart Communities Grant Program, this year’s budget authorizes DEC to provide up to 80 percent of the cost of projects to municipalities that meet the criteria for financial hardship and for projects located in disadvantaged communities. State funding will continue to be complemented with support from the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, including $5 million for Climate Smart Communities grants.

For more information on the Enacted 2024-25 State Budget, including accelerating the clean energy transition, read the full press release.

ARPA RESOURCES

CYBERSECURITY RESOURCES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION RESOURCES