The Council will also vote to ban the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes

City Hall – The New York City Council on Tuesday will vote on a comprehensive package of legislative measures to crack down on the improper use of City-issued parking permits, known as placards. This legislation is designed to rein in misuse of placards throughout the City and is among the strongest measures ever proposed to tackle this corruption by the Council.

The package would enhance enforcement of placard abuse and dangerous illegal parking by establishing a six-month pilot program requiring the Police Department (NYPD) to evaluate sites throughout the City based on complaints related to placard abuse and document their enforcement efforts with photographs. The package would enhance enforcement of placard abuse and dangerous illegal parking by establishing a six-month pilot program requiring the Police Department (NYPD) to evaluate sites throughout the City based on complaints related to placard abuse and document their enforcement efforts with photographs. This work would be reviewed by the Department of Investigation (DOI), would be reviewed by the Department of Investigation (DOI), which is now for the first time being tasked with investigations into the enforcement of permit misuse. The City will also have new enhanced penalties for using a fake placard and clear guidelines for revoking the placards of individuals who repeatedly misuse their permit.

In addition, the package creates a standardized application process for City-issued parking permits to better manage the process of receiving a placard and mandates that the City develop a comprehensive plan on the use and distribution of placards. The bills would also expand the ability to report placard abuse and illegal parking by requiring the City’s 311 service to accept complaints and photographs related to illegal parking and misusing parking permits. These bills will also increase the penalty for using a fake placard and sets clear guidelines for revoking the placards of individuals who repeatedly misuse their permit. The package includes legislation requiring periodic reporting on the improper use of placards and reports of illegal parking by official City vehicles. Finally, the package would prohibit official City vehicles from blocking a bike lane, bus lane, crosswalk, sidewalk or fire hydrant.

Additionally, the Council will also vote to ban the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), becoming the largest municipality in the country to do so. The use of e-cigarettes in the U.S. has grown at a rapid pace, with roughly 3.5 million young people having vaped by the end of 2018, and close to 5 million reported to have vaped in 2019. There has been growing concern about youth exposure to the highly addictive nicotine contained in most e-cigarettes, as teenagers’ brains are still developing, and exposure to nicotine can have a detrimental impact on developing brains. Through this legislation, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) would also be required to conduct a public information and awareness campaign to educate the public regarding the availability of free or low-cost smoking cessation medication and services.

Finally, the Council will vote on several land use and finance items.

Transportation – Placard Legislation

Enforcement sweeps of illegal parking by the NYPD and a DOI investigation into placard abuse

Introduction No. 1393-A, sponsored by The Speaker (Council Member Johnson) and Council Members Torres and Chin, wouldrequire the NYPD to evaluate at least 50 sites a week for a period of six months for illegal parking. The sites would be selected based on a review of complaints and summonses relating to the misuse of parking permits and obstruction of a bicycle lane, bus lane, sidewalk, crosswalk or fire hydrant by a vehicle, as well as traffic crashes and moving violations. The evaluations would include photographic documentation of vehicles parked at the site and a list of enforcement actions. DOI would conduct this investigation by September 30, 2020 and publish a report on the issuance of parking permits and enforcement of parking laws, including an analysis of the information submitted by NYPD.

This legislation would take effect immediately.

Prohibit dangerous parking by official City vehicles

Introduction No. 1394-A, sponsored by The Speaker (Council Member Johnson) and Council Members Torres and Chin, would prohibit official City vehicles from blocking a bike lane, bus lane, crosswalk, sidewalk or fire hydrant.

This legislation would take effect in 30 days.

Requires 311 to accept complaints and photographs related to illegal parking and parking permit misuse

Introduction No. 1395-A, sponsored by The Speaker (Council Member Johnson) and Council Members Torres and Chin, would require 311 to accept complaints and photographs related to illegal parking and the misuse of parking permits. Currently, 311 only offers limited ability to specify the type of illegal parking, does not accept photographs for such complaints, and does not allow individuals to specify that a vehicle is an official City vehicle.

This legislation would take effect immediately.

Electronic tracking system for all City-issues parking permits

Introduction No. 927-A, sponsored by The Speaker (Council Member Johnson), would require the NYPD to create a centralized electronic tracking system for all city-issued parking permits. The system would record all summonses issued in relation to the improper use of the parking permits, and would allow NYPD to verify in real time the validity of the permits. 

This legislation would take effect December 31, 2021.

“Placard abuse is corruption, plain and simple, and the City Council is cracking down. Street space in New York City is too valuable a commodity to let placards – both real and fake – have the run of the place. Passing this package of bills is another major step forward in our efforts to make it easier to get around New York City in ways that are efficient, safe, and environmentally sustainable,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

“Together this anti-placard abuse legislative package will allow the city to crackdown on egregious placard and improve street safety for residents, pedestrians and bikers. It is time to stop this corrupt practice,” said Council Member Ritchie J. Torres.

Increases the fine for the use of unauthorized or fraudulent parking permits

Introduction No. 596-B, sponsored by the Public Advocate (Mr. Williams), would increase the existing fine for unauthorized or fraudulent city-issued parking permits from $250 to $500.

This legislation would take effect 30 days after it becomes law.

“Placard abuse is rampant across New York City, and its damaging impact can be seen on side streets and avenues in all five boroughs. The effects of placard corruption are not just an inconvenience, but a danger and a misuse of our roadways. Doubling the penalty for such blatant fraudulent actions will serve as a strong deterrent to this abuse,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams.

Standardized application process for City-issued parking permits

Introduction No. 1422-A, sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers, would create a standardized application process for City-issued parking permits. Applications would be sponsored by City agencies and each applicant would be required to state the need for the permit. Information on the number of permits requested and issued, disaggregated by sponsoring agency, would be posted online.

This legislation would take effect in 90 days.

“Standardizing the application process for placards will address misuse and provide transparency. I am glad this legislation will crack down on those who are parking illegally, especially at a time when we are thinking about how to address congestion throughout the city. I thank Speaker Johnson and my colleagues for taking a comprehensive approach to address this issue,” said Council Member Keith Powers.

Reporting on the improper use of placards

Introduction No. 314-A, sponsored by Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, would require the Police Department (NYPD) to issue periodic reports on the improper use of placards. The reports would include information on the number of summonses the NYPD issued in connection with the improper use of City-issued parking permits, disaggregated by the section of the traffic rules that was violated.

This legislation would take effect immediately.

Revocation parking permits

Introduction No. 932-A, sponsored by Council Member Margaret Chin, would require parking permits to be revoked from individuals who: (1) receive three or more violations related to the misuse of the parking permit; (2) receive any violation related to unauthorized or fraudulent use of a parking permit; or (3) have unpaid parking or traffic violations in excess of $350.

This legislation would take effect 90 days after it becomes law.

“Placard permits are a privilege, not a right. When people abuse this privilege and flout traffic laws, they not only create inconvenience to drivers and cyclists who follow the rules – they make the streets dangerous for everybody. Intro 932, my legislation, creates a three-strike rule to permanently revoke a City-issued placard. I am proud to join Speaker Johnson and my Council colleagues on a strong package of legislation to improve transparency and accountability on this issue, and restore the trust in our City government that has been broken due to flagrant placard abuse,” said Council Member Margaret Chin.

Comprehensive plans for distributing City-issued parking permits

Introduction No. 942-A, sponsored by Council Member Peter Koo, would require the City to develop a comprehensive, citywide plan for the distribution and use of City-issued parking permits. This comprehensive plan would be due by December 2020, and would be posted online. The plan would be reviewed at least once every five years and revised as appropriate.

This legislation would take effect immediately.

“Parking placards are not a right; they are a privilege. For too long, we’ve seen evidence of parking placards being misused by those who should know better. My bill will develop a comprehensive plan regarding the distributions and use of city-issued parking permits so that we can hold those with placards accountable to their actions, and allow for more public scrutiny and transparency to the parking placard system,” said Council Member Peter Koo.

Health Legislation

Bans the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes

Introduction No. 1362-A, sponsored by Council Member Mark Levine, would ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and flavored e-liquids in New York City, including mint, menthol and wintergreen e-cigarettes and e-liquids. The legislation would also create a presumption that an electronic cigarette retail dealer in possession of six or more flavored e-cigarettes, or more than 12 fluid ounces (or 354.882 mL) of e-liquids, has intent to sell or offer for sale. The bill would also require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to conduct a public information and awareness campaign to educate the public regarding the availability of smoking cessation services.

This bill would go into effect on the first day of the month next succeeding the 180th day after it becomes law. The above-referenced outreach campaign would go into effect 90 days after it becomes law.

“Today New York City is finally addressing a public health crisis which has been mounting for years while governments across the nation did next to nothing; we are finally taking on the resurgence of youth nicotine addiction l brought on by the rise of e-cigarettes. Today the City Council is moving to ban the fruity, minty, candy-like flavors of e-cigarettes that have ensnared a new generation of children in this city in the grip of nicotine addiction. These flavors are clearly designed to appeal to young people and they have worked – nearly two-thirds of the thousands of New York City kids who smoke now reporting that they started by using flavored e-cigarettes. As a city, we have an obligation to act decisively now to protect young people and I am proud that the City Council is ready to pass this historic piece of legislation,” said Council Member Mark Levine.

Housing & Buildings Legislation

Provides construction workers with information pertaining to site safety training during site safety orientations and refreshers

Introduction No. 1661-A, sponsored by Council Member Robert E. Cornegy Jr., would require permit holders to make information about site safety training requirements available to each worker during site safety orientations and periodic site safety refreshers. This information would need to be available in each of the designated citywide languages and any other languages required by the Department of Buildings. This bill also includes a technical amendment to Int. No. 720, which the Council recently passed.

This bill would take effect 30 days after becoming law, but the amendment to Int. No. 720 will be deemed to have been in full force and effect on the effective date of that bill.

“New York City is the most diverse city on the face of the planet and continues to be built by people from all over the world. In our effort to enhance and bolster construction site safety, for both workers and the public, we should ensure that permit holders make information about site safety training requirement available, and that the information is available in each of the designated citywide languages, and any other languages required by the Department of Buildings. As the construction boom continues, we must take every step to maximize safety,” said Council Member Robert E. Cornegy Jr.

The Council will vote on the following land use and finance committee items.

Land Use Items

6003 8th Ave Rezoning

6003 8th Ave LLC is seeking a zoning map amendment from  a R6/C1-3 district to a C4-2 on a portion of the east side of 8th Avenue between 60th and 61st Streets (Block 5714, Lots 6-13 and a portion of 14) in Council Member Menchaca’s district. The proposed rezoning would bring an existing 3-story commercial building at 6003 8th Avenue into conformance with zoning.

Finance Committee Items

HCCI 2, in Council Member Perkins’ district in Manhattan, will receive a full, 40-year Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 399 units of affordable housing.

HCCI 2 Phase II, in Council Member Perkins’ district in Manhattan, will receive a full, 40-year Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 207 units of affordable housing.

West 141 Street Cluster, in Council Member Perkins’ district in Manhattan, will receive a partial, 40-year Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 89 units of affordable housing.

1015 Anderson Avenue, in Council Member Ayala’s district in the Bronx, will receive a full, 40-year Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 22 units of affordable housing.

1045 Anderson Avenue, in Council Member Ayala’s district in the Bronx, will receive a full, 40-year Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 49 units of affordable housing.

Timpson HDFC, in Council Member Ayala and Couuncil Member Salamanca’s districts in the Bronx, will receive a full, 32-year Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 178 units of affordable housing.

1415-1417 Wythe Place Pillars, in Council Member Cabrera’s district in the Bronx, will receive a full, 40-year Article XI property tax exemption to preserve 58 units of affordable housing.

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