Council also requires transparency on mental health emergency calls
City Hall, NY – Today, ahead of Earth Day, the New York City Council voted to pass a comprehensive legislative package to study how to best increase green spaces in underserved communities, improve public awareness about and access to trails, conduct a pilot program on the use of cool pavement in parks and playgrounds, and create a wildlife management advisory board. The package also includes legislation to require City agencies that prepare and serve meals to separate organic waste and to improve water quality testing within New York City’s waterbodies.
The Council also approved legislation requiring greater transparency from the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health on mental health emergency calls, including how many calls were eligible for and received a B-HEARD response.
“Ahead of Earth Day, the Council is taking action to make our city greener, healthier, and more equitable,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “This package expands access to green space, strengthens environmental protections, and improves how the City manages water and waste. We are also increasing transparency in how we respond to mental health emergencies, ensuring New Yorkers receive the resources they need.”
Earth Day Legislative Package
Introduction 740-A, sponsored by Council Member Ty Hankerson, would require the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and other relevant City agencies, to conduct a study to identify at minimum the 10 community districts with the least green space, and to make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on how to increase green space, including parkland, in those areas.
Introduction 577-A, sponsored by Council Member James F. Gennaro, would require DPR to post a map of trails located in each park or property under DPR jurisdiction on its website. DPR would be required to update the map after it completes any project that improves an existing trail or creates a new one. Under the bill, DPR would have to consider how any project that improves or creates a trail would improve public access.
Introduction 730-B, sponsored by Council Member James F. Gennaro, would require DEP to conduct water quality testing at a minimum of 15 testing sites within New York City’s waterbodies. DEP would be required to choose these testing sites in areas that are used for secondary contact recreation, such as boating and fishing, within 1,000 feet of a combined sewer outfall, and within 5 to 20 feet of a waterbody’s shore or other access point, or as close as possible to a shore or other access point while maintaining 5 feet of water depth. Under this bill, such testing would be required monthly from November to April, and weekly from May to October. Finally, the bill would require DEP to post their water quality testing results online, with bacteria results posted every week, and other water quality indicators posted quarterly.
“As we approach Earth Day, it’s a moment to reflect on what this work really means on the ground for New Yorkers. It’s not always about big, abstract goals – it is also about whether people can actually enjoy their local parks and feel confident accessing our waterways,” said Council Member James F. Gennaro. “That’s why I’m proud to advance Intro 577, which will make it easier for people to find and use trails across our park system; and Intro 730-B, which brings greater transparency and accountability to water quality in areas where New Yorkers boat and fish. These are straightforward, practical steps that make our environment safer and more accessible, and alongside the broader package of climate legislation we’re voting on, they move us closer to a greener, healthier, and more sustainable New York City.”
Introduction 805-A, sponsored by Council Member Phil Wong, would require DPR, along with the Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Environmental Protection (DEP), Transportation (DOT), and the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability to conduct a study and pilot program concerning the use and installation of cool pavement materials on DPR property within, abutting, or directly adjacent to a playground. The study and pilot program are required to be conducted in at least one heat-vulnerable community in each borough. DPR would be required to post the results of the pilot on its website and submit it to the Mayor and the City Council by February 1, 2031.
Introduction 806-A, sponsored by Council Member Phil Wong, would create a wildlife management advisory board to develop a citywide wildlife management plan, analyze wildlife management issues, and recommend policies to preserve and promote biological diversity and the humane treatment of wildlife. All agencies would be required to consider the effect of their actions on wildlife. An annual report would be released by the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare, in consultation with DPR, updating the status of ongoing wildlife management problems.
“These bills are about common-sense quality of life improvements that make our neighborhoods safer and our public spaces better for everyone,” said Council Member Phil Wong. “I thank Speaker Julie Menin for her support in helping advance this legislation for our communities.”
Introduction 355-A, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, would designate organic waste as a recyclable material for City agencies and require the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to establish rules governing the source separation of organic waste that is generated by City agencies in the preparation and service of meals.
“Our City agencies should be leading the way when it comes to reducing waste and composting,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “Whether it be organic waste produced at our schools, hospitals, or shelter system, as a city we should be doing everything in our power to make sure it stays out of landfills and incinerators that heat and harm our planet. The passage of Intro 355 is an important next step in our city’s waste management that moves us closer to our zero waste goals.”
Resolution 351, sponsored by Council Member Harvey Epstein, would recognize the contributions of the federal Endangered Species Act to the natural environment of New York City.
“The protections established under the Endangered Species Act represent one of our nation’s strongest commitments to preserving biodiversity and safeguarding vulnerable species,” said Council Member Harvey Epstein. “Intro 351 builds on those values at the local level, reinforcing our responsibility to protect endangered wildlife, preserve fragile ecosystems, and ensure that future generations inherit a city that respects and sustains the natural world.”
Requiring Mental Health Calls Reporting from the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health
Introduction 722-A, sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman, would require, starting June 1, 2027, that the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health submit twice a year to the Mayor and City Council, and post online, a report on mental health emergency calls from the prior six months. The report would also be required to be posted online. Each report would include: call volume; how many calls were eligible for and received a B-HEARD response versus police or EMS; response times; outcomes, such as treatment, hospitalization, arrest, or involuntary removal; use of force incidents; demographic information; and call locations by precinct and borough. The bill would also require the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) to add new columns to its public 911 call data on the Open Data Portal indicating whether B-HEARD was dispatched and whether it responded, along with a randomly generated ID to enable data linking while protecting privacy.
“Good policy depends on good data,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “While B-HEARD has shown promising results, the City does not consistently report the information needed to fully understand how mental health emergency calls are handled. My legislation requires the City to regularly report and publish data on response times, outcomes, and who is responding to these calls. That transparency will allow us to evaluate what is working, identify gaps, and ensure New Yorkers in crisis receive the care they need.”
Providing Additional Support to Maintain Safety at Nonpublic Schools
Introduction 327-B, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, would expand the City’s program providing reimbursement to qualifying non-public schools for costs related to employing security guards to also include the purchase and installation of video surveillance cameras.
“Every child deserves to learn in a safe environment, regardless of what school they attend,” said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse. “Many nonpublic schools are working with limited resources when it comes to security. Intro. 327 helps close that gap by reimbursing schools for surveillance cameras at their doors. Parents send their children to school expecting them to be protected, and this bill helps deliver on that expectation.”
Land Use:
37-59 Hamilton Avenue Rezoning – will facilitate the development of an 18-story, mixed-use building with 369 units, 111 of which will be permanently affordable under MIH Option 2, as well as 146 parking spaces and outdoor public open space in Majority Whip Kamillah Hanks’ district.
Two applications for revocable consent to operate a sidewalk cafe:
- Sabrosura in Council Member Amanda Farías’ district
- Cicchetti BK in Council Member Darlene Mealy’s district.
Finance:
A Transparency Resolution approving new designations and changes of certain organizations receiving funding in the Expense Budget.
Appointments:
The Council approved the Mayor’s appointment of Nadia Shihata as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI).
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