Council also voted on legislation to preserve cap on fees restaurants are charged by delivery apps  

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council voted to require the Department of Parks and Recreation to develop a plan for the prevention and mitigation of wildfires in New York City Parks. New York City’s parks, greenways, and natural areas are increasingly vulnerable to brush fires, especially during extended dry spells. With over 30,000 areas of parkland, representing 14% of the City’s total land areas, the risk to these green spaces is significant. In just the first two weeks of November 2024, the FDNY responded to a record-breaking 271 fires across the city, the highest number ever recorded in such a short timeframe.

The Council also voted to preserve a COVID-era law capping the fees that restaurants can be charged by delivery apps, ensuring these protections for the City’s small businesses continue while allowing them to purchase additional services from third-party delivery apps.

“As prolonged dry spells continue to put our city’s parks and green spaces at risk of wildfires, we must continue to take proactive measures to protect our city,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The Council is proud to pass legislation requiring the Parks Department to develop a meaningful plan to safeguard our parks against wildfires.

“To support our small businesses, the Council is taking a critical step to preserve the cap on the fees that restaurants can be charged by third-party delivery apps,” added Speaker Adams. “The Council previously enacted this law during the pandemic, and is ensuring New York City remains one of few cities to maintain this important policy. I thank my Council colleagues for their work to advance these important bills.”

Requiring a Strategic Plan to Mitigate Wildfires in City Parks

Introduction 1185-A, sponsored by Council Member Shekar Krishnan, would require the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to develop a strategic plan to mitigate the occurrences of wildfires in New York City’s parks by March 1, 2026. The plan would have to be posted on DPR’s website and updated regularly. This bill would also require DPR to report annually on wildfires that occur in parks under its jurisdiction.

“Scientists have warned us for years about climate change and sadly we are seeing, feeling, and breathing the impacts,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan. “Our city must be prepared to address climate events that we never thought we would face, including devastating wildfires in our parks like we saw last fall. I am proud that Int. 1185 would require the Parks Department to create a comprehensive plan to address wildfire risks in parks. Thank you to Speaker Adams for moving this bill forward and all of my colleagues that have signed on in support. As we are confronted with these new norms, we must have a plan in place to prevent irreparable damage and danger to our communities.”

Preserving Limits on Fees Delivery Apps Can Charge Restaurants

The COVID-19 pandemic drove rapid and significant growth in food delivery services, but high fees charged by food delivery apps placed significant financial strain on restaurants, especially for small businesses. In response, the Council enacted legislation capping the fees that delivery platforms can charge. While this law provided critical relief, New York City is one of the last of the more than 100 cities that enacted the policy to keep it after the pandemic and lawsuits by delivery app companies. These legal challenges threatened the viability of the protections for restaurants.

The following legislation preserves the existing fee caps, while allowing delivery apps to offer additional optional services for additional, limited fees. It allows restaurants to avoid mandatory, exorbitant fees and instead opt into enhanced services, such as marketing efforts by the apps on behalf of the restaurant, in exchange for a higher fee. The bill also establishes strong protections for those who do not opt in, by clearly defining the basic services that must remain subject to capped rates.

Introduction 762-B, sponsored by Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr., would maintain limits on the fees that third-party delivery services can charge restaurants, while allowing apps to provide optional enhanced services for an additional fee of 20 percent. It would only permit charging an enhanced service fee, however, if the delivery service also offers the option to purchase a basic service plan at a cost no higher than the current fee limits that includes delivery services and being listed and discoverable on the third-party platform.

“Intro 762-B is a long-overdue compromise that serves as a major win for local restaurants and consumers, and is the result of extensive negotiations that ensured small, independent restaurants’ voices were heard and their needs met,” stated Council Member Rafael Salamanca. ‘This legislation ensures that our restaurants can continue to benefit from a strong cap on basic delivery fees, while also giving them an option to opt into enhanced services. Intro 762-B also institutes the strongest food delivery commission cap of its kind in the country. Securing passage of 762-B ends a protracted legal battle between delivery apps and the city that could’ve placed a significant financial burden on the city and taxpayers and led to unintended consequences for restaurants and the countless New Yorkers who utilize third party delivery apps.”

Tracking Student Access to School Libraries and Librarians

Introduction 1125-A, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, would require the Department of Education to report annually the number of licensed and non-licensed school librarians at each school, the number of school libraries, and other data related to student access to library staff and facilities, including compliance with state staffing requirements.

“If the Department of Education is intent on getting serious about promoting literacy for all students across New York City’s public school systems, we need certified librarians and functioning school libraries in every elementary, middle and high school,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “I’m extremely grateful to the passionate librarians, parents, advocates, and PS 261 students who helped make this legislation possible, and to Speaker Adams, Chair Joseph and all my Council colleagues for supporting this legislation.”

Annually Auditing Contract Awards to Minority and Women Business Enterprises

Introduction 23-A, sponsored by Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, would require the City Comptroller to publish an annual report that indicates the total share of City procurement contracts that were awarded to minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE’s) for the most recent fiscal year. The report would include information regarding the contract value, awarding agency, and demographics of the MWBEs.

“Minority- and women-owned businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods and the engine of economic mobility across our city,” said Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “With Intro 23, we are shining a light on how the City invests its dollars—and demanding accountability in ensuring that MWBEs receive their fair share. Transparency is the first step toward equity, and this legislation brings us closer to a procurement system that truly reflects the diversity of New York.”

Requiring Taxis and For-Hire Vehicles to Display Signs for Passengers to Look Out for Cyclists

Introduction 193-A, sponsored by Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, would require all taxis and for-hire vehicles to prominently display a sign on all rear passenger doors warning passengers to look for cyclists before opening the door. The signs would be provided to drivers and vehicle owners at no cost by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC).

“As New Yorkers, we’re used to looking both ways — and that instinct shouldn’t stop when we’re getting out of a cab,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez. “The Mind the Door Act is a simple, life-saving step to protect cyclists by requiring decals on taxi and for-hire vehicle doors reminding passengers to check for bikes before opening the door. These tragedies are preventable, and one moment of mindfulness can make all the difference. Thank you to the Speaker for prioritizing safety in our streets and vision zero initiatives!”

Designating May 10 as Chinese American Railroad Worker Memorial Day

Resolution 844, sponsored by Council Member Susan Zhuang, would recognize May 10th annually as Chinese American Railroad Workers Memorial Day in New York City. Nearly 12,000 Chinese immigrants were employed by the Central Pacific Railroad Company to build a transcontinental railroad. Nearly 1,200 Chinese railroad workers died from accidents, avalanches, and explosions during this work.

“From the point forward, every year New Yorkers will see May 10th and think of the Chinese American railroad workers who worked in deplorable conditions for little pay to give Americans the Transcontinental Railroad,” said Council Member Susan Zhuang. “Their labor was so valuable, they were even sent to work on the Rockaway Branch of the LIRR yet, years later, the same men who profited from their labor supported the Chinese Exclusion Act. I thank my colleagues in the Council for passing this resolution because creating Chinese American Railroad Workers Memorial Day is an act of recognizing the contribution of immigrants at a time where immigrant Americans, including Asian Americans, are under attack. We cannot erase immigrants from the blueprint of the American history they created.”

Recognizing Life, Legacy and Achievements of Judith Jamison

Resolution 741, sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera, would designate May 10th annually as Judith Jamison Day in the City of New York to honor her life and legacy as a dancer, choreographer, and longtime artistic director of the groundbreaking Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

“Judith Jamison was a visionary artist and leader who left an indelible mark on our city and the world,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera. “Her commitment to excellence raised a new generation of brilliant artists and elevated modern dance to new heights. By designating May 10 as Judith Jamison Day, we ensure that her legacy continues to inspire future generations of dancers and creators. Together, we celebrate and reflect on Judith’s legacy, whose passion and artistry will continue to resonate within and beyond the dance world.”

Supporting the Equity in Fertility Treatment Act

Resolution 165-B, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.5545/A.885, the Equity in Fertility Treatment Act.

“Everyone deserves the right to build their family, no matter their background, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status,” said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse. “It is unacceptable that so many New Yorkers are excluded from essential fertility treatments due to high costs or insurance limitations. We are calling on the state legislature to pass S.5545/A.885 to ensure equitable access to fertility services for all, so that every individual and couple has the opportunity to create the family they desire without facing financial or discriminatory barriers.”

Calling for State Legislation to Cap the Cost of Routine Medical Procedures

Resolution 822-A, sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.705/A.2140, which would cap the amount people pay for non-complicated, routine medical procedures at 150% of the cost paid by Medicare for those same services.

“Today’s passage of Resolution 822 is a powerful step toward ensuring that all New Yorkers can access basic, routine healthcare without being price-gouged simply because a hospital owns the building,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “No one should go into debt over a flu shot, an MRI, or IV treatment. The Fair Pricing Act will bring long-overdue fairness and transparency to our healthcare system, and I’m proud that the Council is leading the charge to make New York a national model for healthcare affordability.”

Land Use:

102-51 Queens Boulevard Rezoning – a private application to facilitate a new 17-story, mixed-use building with approximately 216 residential units, 54 of which will be permanently affordable under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH), in Council Member Lynn Schulman’s district.

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