Council also voted on public safety bills that improve transparency, prohibit housing discrimination, protect students in crisis, and enhance access to mental healthcare for veterans

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council voted to pass legislation that would ban solitary confinement in city jails. All people in city custody would have at least 14 hours of out-of-cell time in shared spaces. The new disciplinary process established by this bill would allow separation from the general population only in instances where a person engages in a violent incident in custody.

The Council also voted on a package of police transparency legislation that would require the NYPD to publicly report on police investigative stops, provide public access to reporting on vehicle stops, overtime and consent searches, and mandate annual reports on donations made to the NYPD that exceed $1 million. Additionally, the Council passed bills that would prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of criminal history, expand access to mental health resources, including for New York City’s veterans, and establish procedures for NYPD responses to children in emotional crisis.

“The Council has taken historic strides to advance justice and safety by banning solitary confinement and improving police transparency,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The physical and psychological harm caused by solitary confinement leads to increased death and violence in jails, endangering those incarcerated, as well as correction officers and staff. When formerly incarcerated New Yorkers eventually return to their communities, the lasting trauma of solitary confinement follows them home, and affects us all as neighbors and members of a shared community. The Council was also proud to advance police transparency legislation that will provide policymakers and the public with basic data and transparency on investigative stops and vehicle stops that disproportionately target Black and Latino New Yorkers, as well as other key information. Transparency helps us have data to inform policy and build the trust with communities that is necessary to make neighborhoods safer. I want to thank my colleagues in the Council for their support and leadership, as well as the advocates, labor unions, and other stakeholders working to secure a safer a city for New Yorkers.”

Banning Solitary Confinement in City Jails
Introduction 549-A, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, would ban solitary confinement in city jails. All people in city custody would have at least 14 hours of out-of-cell time in shared spaces. The new disciplinary process established by this bill would allow separation from the general population only in instances where a person engages in a violent incident in custody. Solitary, even only for a few days, leads to significantly heightened risk of death by accident, suicide, violence, overdose, and other causes. Research shows that people placed in solitary confinement are over seven times more likely to self-harm and six times more likely to commit fatal self-harm. Solitary confinement has also been shown to induce acute anxiety, depression, psychosis, and other impairments which may seriously reduce one’s capacity to reintegrate upon release. In New York City, these disastrous effects are felt almost exclusively by Black and brown people, who make up over 90% of all people in city jails.

“Solitary confinement is inhumane, and its presence in our city is indefensible,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “Committing an infraction in jail can cause you to lose privileges, not basic human rights. People in solitary are isolated, denied human contact and connection, denied support, and come out of these deplorable conditions worse than when they went in – and some don’t come out at all. Banning solitary – not just in name, but in practice – is good for public safety. This bill will make our jails and our city safer, and correct an immoral injustice that has no place in New York. I thank the Speaker and City Council for their support of this bill, and thank the advocates and impacted people and families who have turned pain into purpose and brought us to this historic moment.”

Improving NYPD’s Transparency and Accountability

Introduction 586-A, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Alexa Aviles, would require the NYPD to publicly report on all police-civilian investigative stops. Currently, the NYPD is only required to issue reports on “Level 3” or “reasonable suspicion” stops, where an officer has the legal authority to search and detain someone. In 2001, the New York City Council enacted a local law requiring the NYPD to report data on its practice known as “Stop-Question-and-Frisk,” which are Level 3 encounters. In the fall of 2006, the New York Civil Liberties Union learned that the NYPD had failed to follow the law and provide the City Council with stop-and-frisk reports. After the Department finally released the data under pressure in February 2007,  it was revealed that stops had grown from about 97,000 in 2002 to more than 500,000 in 2006. The data gathered from these reports showed that Black and Latino individuals were subject to being stopped by the NYPD at disproportionately high rates, accounting for over 80% of all stops.

The way NYPD used stop-and-frisk was deemed unconstitutional by a federal court in 2013. Since the decision, the federal court-appointed monitor has repeatedly found the department to be underreporting stops and continuing to conduct unlawful stops. By requiring data reporting for “Level 1” and “Level 2” stops, this law would create a more consistent and uniform reporting standard to address underreporting and close data gaps through improved transparency.

“Effectively producing public safety based on results, not hysteria, means getting critical information about whether and how policing reforms are being implemented on the ground in our communities,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “New Yorkers have a right to know this information, and elected officials have an obligation to create policies based on it to ensure community safety and prevent injustices. Through simple reporting on NYPD stops, we can prevent the kinds of bias-based policing we’ve seen in the past, build trust in often over-policed areas, and continue the work that began a decade ago amid the height of stop, question, and frisk. We should all be working together for better policing and safer streets, and we can only do that if we have transparency about how police and civilians interact in our streets.”

“Today, the City Council voted on the How Many Stops Act, a critical piece of legislation that will help our communities breathe a little easier,” said Council Member Alexa Aviles. “HMSA will allow for policing data related to stops of New Yorkers at the hands of NYPD public information. This data will shed light on what many New Yorkers believe is a pattern of racial profiling from the NYPD and will help increase accountability and transparency.  The relationship between the NYPD and our communities has consistently been filled with tension. With this higher standard of reporting, we can begin to repair harm and establish a consistent structure of accountability. While this legislation will not resolve everything, I want to thank the families of victims of police violence who have worked tirelessly in pursuit of justice, and we honor the memory of their loved ones with the passage of today’s legislation that will bring us closer to true community safety.”

Introduction 585, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, would require the NYPD to turn over body-worn camera footage to the Department of Investigation’s Inspector General for the NYPD within ten days of receiving a request unless disclosure is prohibited by law. If footage is withheld, the Department must provide a written explanation to DOI, within ten business days which includes a citation to the specific law or laws that prohibit disclosure.

Introduction 781-A, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Wiliams, would amend existing reporting requirements on vehicle stops conducted by NYPD officers to include reporting on the justification for the stop, including the type of offense observed and whether such offense is an infraction, violation, misdemeanor, or felony. The report will also include the total number of summonses or arrests, the total number of vehicle searches, and the total number of use-of-force incidents that occurred in connection with vehicle stops.

Introduction 538-A, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson, would expand reporting requirements on NYPD consent searches. The bill would require officers to report on the time, location, and date of any attempt to obtain consent to search a person, including documenting whether consent was sought to search a person, vehicle, home, property, or to collect a forensic sample to be used to test a person’s DNA. The reporting would also be required to indicate whether the officer attempted to obtain consent to search from a person with limited English proficiency and whether the officer utilized interpretation services. In addition, the bill mandates reporting on consent searches, whether a search was conducted or consent to search denied, disaggregated by race, precinct, type of search, and whether interpretation services were utilized.

“The How Many Stops Act is a common sense, good government package that will bring much-needed transparency to the NYPD,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “I’m proud to have joined Public Advocate Williams, Council Member Avilés, and the scores of advocates, namely Justice Committee and Communities United for Police Reform, in the fight to pass this vital legislative package. We must assure our communities that the NYPD will be held accountable and that our City is committed to ending the culture of impunity and abuse that pervades the department. Thanks to the Speaker’s leadership, once law, these bills will give New Yorkers a more complete picture of the police department’s activities in our communities, mandating the full and accurate reporting of police interactions with the public, and ensuring the NYPD is adhering to the City’s Right to Know Act, creating safer communities for us all.”

Introduction 638-A, sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens, would require an annual report on the donations for all donors who, in aggregate, donate more than $1 million dollars in value to the New York Police Department within a year. It would also require information on programs or projects to which the NYPD applied those donations, including capital projects or pilot programs.

“In our commitment to transparency and accountability, the passage of this crucial piece of legislation marks a significant stride towards fostering a harmonious relationship between one of the largest funded agencies in New York City and our community,” said Council Member Althea Stevens. “By mandating an annual report on donations exceeding $1 million to the New York Police Department, we empower our community members with the knowledge of the financial support shaping our law enforcement. This initiative is not only about oversight but about ensuring that resources allocated to the NYPD directly benefit the programs and projects aimed at strengthening our neighborhoods.”

Introduction 944-A, sponsored by Council Member Kamillah Hanks, would enhance current reporting requirements on civil actions filed against the NYPD by removing a limitation on reporting cases that occurred in a five-year period before the issuance of each biannual report. This five-year lookback limitation created a gap for claims resolved recently but filed earlier than five years before the reporting date.

Introduction 948-A, sponsored by Council Member Farah Louis, would expand reporting of overtime and other data by NYPD, and require much of the information currently being reported be posted on the Department’s website. Such reporting includes, but is not limited to, disclosure of information and data related to the NYPD’s use of stop-question-and-frisk, use of overtime spending, and crime status information such as data on criminal complaints, arrests, and summons issued.  The legislation would maintain certain provisions of existing law that permit the NYPD to disclose certain reports solely to City Council, rather than post publicly, and redact information that would compromise the safety of the public or police officers or compromise law enforcement investigations if disclosed.

Introduction 1011-A, sponsored by Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, would require the City’s Human Resources Administration to develop informational materials on reduced fare transit programs, and distribute such materials to individuals identified by NYPD as having been arrested or issued a summons for fare evasion in a New York City Transit Authority subway station or on a New York City Transit authority bus. Such materials will contain information on the criteria for eligibility for the reduced fare program, the nature of the discount provided by the reduced fare program, and the method for applying for the reduced fare program.

“No New Yorker should be denied access to public transit because they cannot afford it,” said Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “We must make every effort not to criminalize New Yorkers with low incomes who seek to access our City’s subways. Fair Fares is a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of residents for whom every dollar counts, and we need to ensure that every New Yorker who can sign up for the program has the chance to do so. I am proud to sponsor Introduction 1011, which seeks to promote Fair Fares to New Yorkers in need, and I look forward to finding additional ways to publicize and expand this invaluable program.”

Resolution 473, sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Caban, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S1099/A1963, which would protect youth during custodial police interrogations.

“Coercing false confessions out of young Black and brown New Yorkers is not public safety, it’s not accountability, and it damn sure isn’t justice,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. “Instead, it’s a way for prosecutors to artificially inflate conviction rates, and a way for our exploitative economy to initiate what becomes at lifelong cycle of poverty and criminalization for too many New Yorkers of color. The overwhelming majority of young people waive their Miranda rights prior to police investigation, and youth are more than three times as likely as adults to falsely confess. Exploiting this is an outrage and a disgrace, and now is the time for our colleagues in Albany to pass and enact these vital protections. I am proud to be the lead sponsor of Reso 473, grateful to the Speaker for her support in passing this resolution, and I cannot wait to see Albany follow suit and advance S1099/A1963.”

Supporting At-Risk Students

Introduction 3, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, would regulate the NYPD’s response to children in emotional crisis within Department of Education schools. Specifically, this bill would establish procedures for NYPD personnel responding to children in emotional crisis and limit the use of mechanical restraints on such children.

Introduction 542, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, would require DOE, ACS, and DOC to issue annual reports on educational programming for juvenile delinquents, juvenile offenders and adolescent offenders, and to post such reports on their respective websites. Required reporting would include statistics on educational programming enrollment, available services, rates of violence for juvenile and adolescent delinquents and offenders, and other related indicators.

“Intro 542 is a vital step towards ensuring that both education and rehabilitation are at the forefront of our city’s juvenile justice system,” said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse. “By requiring the Department of Education and the Administration for Children’s Services to report on educational programming we will help transform these vulnerable lives through education, accountability, and quality care.”

Requiring Transparency for Encampment Sweeps
Introduction 1153-A, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, would require the Commissioner of Social Services to produce two monthly reports, in consultation with the Police Commissioner, the Commissioner of Sanitation, and the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation. The first report would track each time a city agency worked to remove a person experiencing homelessness from a public space, including when the removal was coordinated among multiple agencies and when a person was asked to vacate a public space by a police officer. The second report would track how many individuals were affected by the removal, what housing services they were offered and whether there were any involuntary removals or arrests. Homeless advocates have criticized encampment sweeps, arguing that such action is insufficient in connecting the unhoused population with the services they need.

“Homelessness is a direct result of failed housing policies and is a solvable issue — not something to be swept away or criminalized. For decades, the City has conducted sweeps, cleanups, and other forms of homeless removals without accountability, transparency, or public scrutiny,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “Intro 1153 will begin to shine a light on this practice and help us understand the full breadth and scope of homeless removals, as well as their human and financial cost. Finally, we will know the extent to which our government prioritizes wasting money on sweeps and cleanups, as opposed to investing in housing solutions. I thank Speaker Adams for helping get this bill across the finish line, Council Member Hanif for her partnership, and for the advocates who helped craft and shape this bill throughout the negotiations.”

Protecting Against Housing Discrimination for Justice-Involved New Yorkers
Introduction 632-A, sponsored by Majority Leader Keith Powers, would amend the City’s Human Rights Law to prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of criminal history in New York City, with limited exceptions for certain crimes that are considered “reviewable.” Landlords, owners, agents, employees, and real estate brokers would be prohibited from accessing information about an applicant or potential applicant’s criminal history except for this reviewable criminal history, and any criminal background check process must follow the fair housing process outlined in the bill. Landlords, owners, agents, or brokers who receive criminal history other than the legally reviewable information must be able to show that they did not rely on such information in taking any adverse action against an applicant for housing.

“The Fair Chance for Housing Act will provide thousands of New Yorkers with a second chance to have a stable home, which is the foundation for a stable life,” said Majority Leader Keith Powers. “Mistakes made in the past should not translate into a lifelong struggle to find a place to call home, and it’s time our laws reflect that. Thank you to the many stakeholders that worked diligently with me to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”

Providing Discharge Papers to Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

Introduction 1203-A, sponsored by Council Member Kevin C. Riley, would require the Department of Correction (DOC) to provide a letter of incarceration, also known as discharge papers, to every person at the time of their release from the department’s custody. The letter of incarceration must include the specific date the person entered and the date they were released from DOC custody Federal law prohibits people from collecting from programs like Social Security and Medicaid while incarcerated, proof of release is needed to regain these public benefits. Right now, people in custody must make a request to the DOC Office of Constituent and Grievance Services to receive this letter.

“As we advance Intro 1203-A, our city strengthens its position as a compassionate leader in reforming the criminal justice system,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley. “This legislation, built on the principles of transparency and accessibility, directly addresses the hurdles individuals face when re-entering society from the Department of Corrections. Acknowledging the disproportionate impact on Black and brown communities, the crucial need for prompt access to discharge papers humanizes the re-entry experience, providing individuals with vital documentation for a smoother transition back to society. Essential to our commitment to close Rikers Island by 2027, this bill also serves as a linchpin, supporting re-entry navigation, access to supportive services, and significantly contributing to the reduction of recidivism. Today, I am grateful to the support of my colleagues and all advocates as we reaffirm our dedication to constructing a more just and equitable future for all by recognizing the urgency of Intro. 1203-A.”

Supporting the Fair and Timely Parole and Elder Parole Acts

Resolution 241-A, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson, would call upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, the Fair and Timely Parole Act (S307/A162), which would ensure that the parole release process is based on rehabilitation and risk to public safety, and Elder Parole Act (S2423/A2035), which would establish parole consideration for people at least 55 years old who have served 15 consecutive years in prison. This resolution supports bills that aim to reduce the number of individuals languishing in prison who do not present a public safety risk. Approximately 25 percent of the prison population in New York State is 50 or older, an increase from 12 percent of the prison population in 2008. Incarcerating older people is tremendously expensive due to high medical costs, yet less than two percent of people 55 and older who served prison time for violent crimes return to prison for new crimes.

 
Connecting Veterans with Mental Health Resources

Introduction 1239, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would require the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS), in coordination with the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit and the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, to conduct a targeted outreach and public education campaign regarding the mental health resources available to veterans in the city. DVS would be required to use, at minimum, the internet, radio, print media, digital kiosks, subway or other citywide public advertisement platforms, to provide information on such resources and encourage veterans to contact DVS if they need assistance. This bill would also require DVS to include a link on its website that allows community-based organizations to submit information about the mental health services they offer and to be included in the outreach and public education campaign.

Calling on New York State to Enact Legislation to Join Healthcare Licensing Compacts

Resolution 584, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation to enter the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Nurse Licensure Compact, and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, to enhance the portability of medical and mental health providers to become licensed in multiple participating states.   

“Veterans returning home from their service are often forced to deal with the complex struggles of combat-related trauma as they reacclimate into civilian life. The next phase of our Mental Health Roadmap addresses the difficulties facing so many of our veterans across the city and exemplifies the City Council’s steadfast support. Int. 1239 will serve as a crucial resource to improve outreach and enhance the accessibility of mental health services curated specifically for the individuals who served our country as we combat the mental health crisis for all New Yorkers,” said Council Member Linda Lee. “Additionally, to ensure that every New Yorker can utilize the services our city can provide, we must work to expand access to innovations like telehealth, to provide adequate service delivery for medical and behavioral health.”
 
Introduction 1244, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, would require the Department of Veterans’ Services, in coordination with relevant agencies, to develop and distribute an informational pamphlet that describes the department’s resources and services. Such pamphlet would be distributed to all social services agencies in the city, council member district offices, community board offices, and any other relevant locations for distribution to any individuals seeking social services.  

Introduction 1237, sponsored by Council Member Eric Dinowitz, would require any city agency that collects demographic information through form documents from individuals seeking social services in the city, directly or by contract, to offer all such individuals a standardized and voluntary survey form that contains demographic questions related to veterans status. This bill further requires the Department of Veterans Services to compile all collected survey data and submit a report to the speaker of the council on the total number of veterans who have sought social services in the city.

“The men and women that have dedicated their lives to the security of our country and the protection of our values have earned our utmost respect and deserve our deepest gratitude,” said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. “Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we have leadership in government committed to fixing the historical failures in addressing the mental health needs of our city’s veterans. I am confident that my bill, Int. No. 1237-2023, which will require any city agency to include demographic questions related to veteran status on forms for all individuals seeking social services in New York City, will be a significant step in the right direction. I want thank Speaker Adams for her leadership on this important legislative initiative, the Mental Health Roadmap.”

Introduction 1241, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, would require the Department of Veterans’ Services to submit to the speaker and post on its website an annual report summarizing the mental health services offered and provided by city agencies to veterans and the number of veterans who have applied for and received such mental health services.

“Our veterans have served our nation with distinction, and it’s our duty to ensure that they all receive the support and services they have earned and deserve,” said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse. “An annual report by the Commissioner of Veterans’ Services will help us better understand the needs of our veterans, thus being able to provide them with the best possible services while improving their overall quality of life.”

Introduction 946-A, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson, would require each city agency to have a mental health coordinator to assist and perform outreach to city employees about mental health services and support services available to them, such as the employee assistance program. The bill would require the head of each agency to designate an employee as such agency’s mental health coordinator.

“The New Yorkers that staff our City agencies are among our most committed neighbors, going above and beyond the call of service to deliver for our communities,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “Yet, time and again, we’ve heard from agency personnel and public servants that their work is emotionally taxing; that it leads to burn out; and that they don’t have sufficient resources available to them to continue doing the work they love. The passage of Int. 946 will change this. It will guarantee that every City agency has an in-house mental health coordinator, monitoring and responding to the emerging needs of City workers, and it will help continue to end the stigma surrounding mental health and wellbeing.”

Resolution 837, sponsored by Council Member Robert Holden, wouldcallon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.4717/A.3149, to authorize the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services to provide eligible veterans with financial assistance for purchasing, training, and the upkeep of service dogs and emotional support dogs.

“The alarming rate of veteran suicides, with 143 deaths in New York State alone in 2020, underscores a crisis where many veterans struggle with PTSD without adequate support,” said Council Member Robert Holden. “With a suicide rate among veterans nearly double the state’s general population rate, we must do more in the way of financial assistance for the purchase, training, and upkeep of service dogs and emotional support dogs for these heroes as soon as possible.”

Reusable Beverage Containers in Sports Venues

Introduction 1161-A, sponsored by Council Member Shaun Abreu, would require professional and collegiate sports venues to allow attendees to enter the venue with a reusable beverage container which is composed primarily of aluminum or stainless steel and establish penalties for venues that fail to comply. Sports venues would be able to require reusable beverage containers be empty upon entering the venue and to restrict entry with a reusable beverage container capable of holding more than 24 fluid ounces. This bill would mitigate the thousands of tons of waste produced by stadiums and arenas each year.

“Single-use plastic is a huge part of our waste problem. Think about the lifespan of a bottle of water. Fossil fuels go into producing it and transporting it. Delivery trucks then clog up our streets to deliver it. And after someone drinks the water, the bottle might be recycled or it might end up in a landfill or it might end up as litter on the street. All for a product you can get out of any tap!” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “Many New Yorkers have switched to reusable bottles because they want to be less wasteful, and we should make that switch as easy and convenient as possible. This is our chance to step up to the plate and ensure that the major sports venues that serve hundreds of thousands of fans across our city are doing their part to reduce waste and encourage environmentally-conscious behaviors. This legislation is a win for the fans and a win for our planet.”

Regulating Unlicensed Car Washes
Introduction 1131-A, sponsored by Council Member Rafael Salamanca, would grant the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) authority to impose civil penalties of $100 per day for the unlicensed operation of a mobile car wash. It would also allow DSNY to tow and remove any vehicle or equipment used to operate licensed or unlicensed mobile car washes upon issuance of a notice of violation for Admin Code § 16-118(4) or (6) or § 15-205 (littering from a vehicle into the street; allowing noxious liquid to run into the street; obstructing a fire hydrant). Owners of towed vehicles and equipment could be charged for the cost of towing and for the storage of vehicles and equipment and may be subject to forfeiture proceedings.  Prior to DSNY’s enforcement, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will be required to perform six months of outreach to anyone operating a mobile car wash, to inform them of licensing requirements and the application processes, and related penalties.

“Communities across the five boroughs are all too familiar with the quality-of-life issues caused by illegal mobile car washes,” said Council Member Rafael Salamanca. “Largely unchecked by city agencies in its current form, Intro 1131 takes a two-fold approach in regulating an industry where only 15 operational vendor licenses have been issued to date. I thank my colleagues for their support and look forward to continuing to work with city agencies to ensure those operating on city streets are doing so in a safe and orderly fashion.”

Making Our Streets Cleaner and Safer  

Introduction 145, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would require the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to assist the Department of Parks and Recreation with the removal of fallen tree debris from streets after severe weather. DSNY’s assistance would be required within 10 days after receiving notice of fallen tree debris except during a state of emergency declared by the Mayor, Governor, or President.

Protecting Earned Safe and Sick Time for Workers

Introduction 563, sponsored by Council Member Gale Brewer, would add a right to file a private civil action to the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA) This bill would allow employees who are alleging a violation of their rights under ESSTA to commence a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction within two years from the date that they knew or should have known of the alleged violation.

“I am pleased that the Council is voting on legislation that will add a private right of action provision to the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act. Nearly two thirds of the paid sick time laws across the country have a private right of action, including the New York State law,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “Today’s vote coincides with the 10th anniversary of the passage of the City’s Earned Sick Time Law, which I introduced and fought for alongside an incredible coalition to guarantee paid time off for 3.4 million private-sector workers across New York, including 1.2 million workers who had no access to paid sick time before the law was passed in 2013.”

Requiring Secure Electronic Document Vaults for Procurement
Introduction 1048-A, sponsored by Council Member Julie Won, would require the City Chief Procurement Officer to establish a secure electronic document vault to store procurement-related records. The bill defines “procurement-related documents” to include, but not be limited to, vendor certificates, corporate organizational documents, and financial reports. The purpose of the bill would be to reduce duplicative requests from contracting agencies and streamline document retrieval processes. Documents in the vault would be made available upon request to any authorized agency in furtherance of a contract or procurement.

“The passing of my bill, Intro 1048, is a long overdue victory for our human services providers. For too long, nonprofit partners have labored long administrative hours uploading the same documents for multiple agencies causing significant delays in services and payments for our providers,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Last fiscal year, the median cycle time for vendor payments to human services providers was 624 days, substantially longer than the citywide median cycle time of 595 days. A centralized document vault will save our vendors hundreds of hours from administrative tasks so that they can upload each document once and instead focus on providing services for our City. This is a monumental step in the broader need for contracting reform to create a more transparent, efficient, and accountable procurement system citywide.”

Co-Naming New York City Streets
Introduction 1278, sponsored by Council Member Shekar Krishnan, would co-name 117 thoroughfares and public places, based on requests of Council Members whose district includes the location.  Of these 117 co-names, 10 are a revision to the street sign installed with respect to a previously enacted co-naming.   

“Names carry deep layers of meaning, honoring our past, celebrating our present, pointing to our future,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan. “It is a privilege to sponsor a bill today that will give new names and new meanings to 117 important public spaces across New York City. In my own district, 34th Avenue’s Open Street is the incredible story of a community coming together during a crisis to create new open space, filling it with families, music, and joy. With its renaming to ‘Paseo Park’, I’m proud to officially recognize the space for how it has served Jackson Heights for the last three years, and to re-commit to our vision for what it will become in the future.”

Allowing Advertising Inside For-Hire Vehicles
Introduction 1139-A, sponsored by Council Member Amanda Farias, would allow advertising on the interior of for-hire vehicles. For-hire vehicle drivers, like those who drive for Lyft or Uber, are currently prohibited from displaying advertisements inside their vehicles. This bill would allow tablets which are approved by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (“TLC”) to show advertisements in such vehicles. The tablets would be required to be capable of being turned off, muted, and having their volume adjusted by the passenger. The driver of any vehicle would also be able to choose not to have a tablet in the car they drive. The bill would prohibit any driver from being required to pay for the installation of a tablet. The rules would apply to the driver of the vehicle equally whether they rent, lease, or own the vehicle. 

“As Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and a proud Bronx representative, I am excited that the City Council has passed Introduction 1139-A,” said Council Member Amanda Farias. “This legislation puts drivers first, supports their economic mobility and is leveling the field for drivers and customers ensuring the same experience for every rideshare opportunity they take. This new advertising possibility provides rideshare drivers with an opportunity to earn a passive income from advertisements that allows for more money to stay in the pockets of our hard working drivers and their families. I am proud to pass this bill and find a resolution for a longstanding and awaited opportunity for drivers everywhere.”

Establishing Vessel No-Discharge Zones
Introduction 532-A, Sponsored by Council Member James Gennaro, would require the Department of Environmental Protection to report on the additional construction and installation needed to establish the city’s coastal bodies of water as vessel no-discharge zones, to install at least two pumpout facilities per year until all coastal bodies of water in the city are designated as no-discharge zones or the department determines that it is infeasible for any remaining coastal body of water to do so, to report every two years on progress regarding the foregoing, and to make best efforts to ensure that no-discharge zones continue to meet federal eligibility criteria for no-discharge zones once they are established. 

“As Chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency & Waterfronts, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting Intro 532-A, which aims to safeguard New York City’s coastal waters and aquatic ecosystems,” said Council Member James F. Gennaro. “With a pledge to install at least 2 public pumpout stations in key areas annually, this bill paves the way towards compliance under the Clean Water Act, ensuring our coastal waters stay healthy. Regularly mandated reports every two years will hold us accountable to ensure we stay on track and protect the health of our waters for generations to come.”

Calling Out Hate Crimes Against New York City’s Sikh Community

Resolution 863, sponsored by Speaker Adrienne Adams, condemns recent attacks on members of the Sikh community in the City of New York and seeking a swift end to any discrimination against Sikh New Yorkers.

“As New Yorkers, it is up to us take care of each other, stand up against hate, and educate each other on the beautiful cultures, religions, and beliefs that co-exist in our multicultural city,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Here in our community and around the world, the Sikh community has long been a beacon of grace, love, and compassion. That’s why the uptick in violence against our Sikh community, which deserves safety and respect, is even more heartbreaking. Through our collective efforts to educate each other and reject hate, we can work together to build a more compassionate and understanding society. I thank the Council and advocates for helping to promote safety and the diversity that makes New York City the gorgeous mosaic that we are proud to call home.”

Supporting the Access to Representation Act

Resolution 556-B, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.170/S.999, also known as the Access to Representation Act, which establishes the right to legal counsel in immigration court proceedings and provides for the administration thereof. 

Finance

An amendment to an existing Article V exemption and a renewal of a partial 40-year Article V exemption for three buildings in Council Member Abreu’s district. The amendment is to adjust the taxes due for Fiscal 2024 in keeping with HPD’s current term sheets. The buildings contain 92 units: five studios, 42 one-bedrooms, 44 two-bedrooms including a superintendent unit, and one three-bedroom. All units will be restricted at 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

A full 40-year Article XI exemption for the preservation of eight buildings in Council Member Richardson Jordan’s and De La Rosa’s districts. The buildings contain 195 units collectively: five studios, 74 one-bedrooms, 97 two-bedrooms, and 19 three-bedrooms, including two superintendent units. The scope of work will include window and roof replacements, conversion to LED lighting, façade, electrical, and stairway repairs, steam vent installations, and exterior and unit entry doors. As part of the exemption, the owner will sign an HPD regulatory agreement restricting rents to the following target AMIs: 28 units at 55% AMI, 97 units at 75% AMI, and 68 units at 85% AMI.

Land Use

506 West 135 Street ANCP – New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Developmentrequests approval of anUrban Development Action Area Project (UDAAP), disposition of City-owned property, and an Article XI tax exemption to facilitate the renovation of three partially occupied, City-owned buildings into approximately 63 affordable cooperative homeownership units, in Council Member Abreu’s district. 

West 120-126th Street ANCP Cluster – New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development requests approval of an Urban Development Action Area Project (UDAAP), disposition of City-owned property, and an Article XI tax exemption to facilitate the renovation and preservation of four partially occupied, City-owned buildings. These actions will create 48 affordable cooperative homeownership units, along with one commercial space and community space, in Council Member Richardson Jordan’s district.

Linden Gardens – New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development requests approval of an Urban Development Action Area Project (UDAAP), disposition of City-owned property, and Article XItax exemption for a developer selected by HPD to facilitate the development of 37 affordable cooperative homeownership units under the HPD’s Open Door Program, in Council Members’ Nurse and Barron’s districts. 

New Penn Article XI – The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development requests approvalof an Article XI tax exemption to facilitate the development of 10 new residential buildings with 71 affordable rental units, in Council Member Barron’s district.

A new, approximately 696-Seat Primary School Facility – The New York City School Construction Authority proposed the site selection for property located at 137-31 45th Avenue in Flushing, Queens. These actions will facilitate the construction of a new primary school with approximately 696 seats, which will serve Community School District 25, in Council Member Ung’s district.

A new Approximately 676-Seat High School Facility – The New York City School Construction Authority proposed the site selection for property located at 437-443 Ovington Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. These actions will facilitate the construction of a new high school with approximately 676 seats including D75 Special Education, which will serve Community School District 20, in Council Member Brannan’s district.

541-545 Bay Street Rezoning – Epsilon Enterprises Realty LLC seeks a zoning map amendment from C4-2 to R6/C2-3, and a related zoning text amendment, to create a new subdistrict. Subdistrict F, within the Special Bay Street Corridor District (BSC), will include the project area, and a zoning text amendment to Appendix F to designate a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Area (MIH Options 1, 2, and Workforce Option) coterminous with the project area. These actions will facilitate the development of a mixed-used building with approximately 81 housing units, of which 25 will be permanently affordable, 10,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space, and approximately 42 parking spaces, in Council Member Hanks’ district. The Council is modifying the Zoning Text Amendment to remove the MIH Workforce Option. 

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