Council to vote on Speaker’s bills enabling the State Legislature to expand rent regulations for all New Yorkers

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote to extend rent regulation laws in New York City.  The Council will also vote to require the Department of Education (DOE) to provide school-level data regarding students receiving special education services. In addition, The Council will vote to require the New York Police Department (NYPD) to report on the enforcement of marijuana possession. Finally, the Council will vote on a number of finance and land use items, including its FY 19 operating budget.

Extending Rent Regulation Laws

Introduction 600-A and Resolution 188-A, sponsored by Speaker Corey Johnson, would extend the finding that a housing emergency exists in New York City, requiring the extension of rent regulation laws.

“Rent regulation is the most critical tool we have for maintaining affordable housing in New York City. Today, we are taking the first step by renewing the finding that we are still in a housing crisis, so the State can extend rent regulation for another three years.  This year’s Housing Vacancy Survey results are staggering and show that it is necessary for the City to extend rent regulation, and we will continue to work on legislation that protects tenants and we will continue to increase opportunities to access affordable housing. I thank Housing and Buildings Committee Chair Robert Cornegy for his support on this crucial legislation,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

Providing School-Level Data Regarding Students Receiving Special Education Services

Introduction 262, sponsored by Council Member Donovan Richards, would amend Local Law 27/2015, which requires the DOE to report on various data regarding its provision of special education services, to require the report on the number of students in each school who have an individualized education program or IEP.

“This legislation will shine a light on schools that are desperately in need of more resources to address the needs of our students who have the greatest challenges. The only things we should be focused on arming our teachers with are more funding and more resources. They hold the fate of our future in their hands and we must make every effort to ensure they are properly prepared for this tremendous responsibility. I’d like to thank Speaker Johnson and Education Chair Treyger for their support on this issue,” said Council Member Donovan Richards.

Requiring the NYPD to Submit Reports on the Enforcement of Marijuana Possession

Introduction 605-A, sponsored by Council Member Stephen Levin, would require the NYPD to report on a quarterly basis the number of arrests and summonses issued for low-level marijuana possession, disaggregated by the offense charged, race of the offender, gender of the offender, age of the offender, borough in which the offense took place, and the precinct, housing police service area, or transit bureau in which the offense was enforced.

“Our rhetoric needs to match our actions. When it comes to the enforcement of drug laws it is clear there is much left to be desired. Our enforcement of marijuana infractions continues to disproportionately target our City’s young men of color. We know what happens when young people become needlessly involved with our criminal justice system — it’s not something that improves anyone’s life or benefits our communities. The NYPD needs to provide clarity on whether or not its arrests for marijuana possession adhere to our goals of justice and fairness. As it stands now, we are falling short on both,” said Council Member Stephen Levin.

The City Council will also vote on the following finance item(s)…

The Council will be voting on five Article XI property tax exemptions.

The first exemption, for the property located at 346 East 21^st Street in Council Member Carlina Rivera’s district, would preserve 30 units of affordable rental housing. The second exemption, for the Red Hook Gardens property in Council Member Carlos Menchaca’s district, would preserve 62 units of affordable rental housing. The third, fourth and fifth exemptions ‒ for the Manhattanville Phase I – Unit A, Manhattanville Phase II – Unit B and Manhattanville Phase II – Unit C  properties located in Council Member Mark Levine’s district ‒ would construct 20, 7 and 15 units, respectively, for low-income households.

The Council will also vote on its operating budget as prepared by the Council’s Administrative Services division.

The City Council will also vote on the following land use item(s)…

 Jerome Avenue Rezoning

The Council will vote to rezone Jerome Avenue, located in Council Members Fernando Cabrera and Vanessa Gibson’s districts.

“This vote is a major victory after years of community planning, bringing together thousands of residents, business owners, community groups, community boards 4,5 and 7 and elected officials to develop a shared vision of the future of this neighborhood, in which all residents are served.  Our neighborhoods will benefit greatly from major investments in preserving 2,500 units of affordable housing and the creation of new affordable housing. Community School District 10, one of the most overcrowded school districts in the city, will get a brand new 458 seat primary school which will include a youth community center to house an after-school program. We are investing in workforce development and compliance assistance for the auto industry and a $1.5 million grant pool to defray the costs of relocation. Throughout this process, I affirmed my commitment to this community, recognizing the tremendous needs and challenges that we face. The Jerome Avenue Rezoning serves as a primer for all future rezoning projects, setting high standards for collaboration and community input.  I’m proud of the work we have done to build a bright future for the West Bronx,” said Council Member Fernando Cabrera.

“After decades of broken promises and under investment, the Jerome Avenue Neighborhood Plan will bring lasting investment in the West Bronx and its people. I am proud to say the final plan includes significant investment in creating and preserving affordable and deeply affordable housing units, funding for two new schools in our overcrowded school districts 9 and 10, over $60 million for our parks – including 2 brand new parks in Community Board 4 – and funds to fortify our small businesses and their workforce, especially the auto industry along the Jerome Corridor. The commitments secured in this plan are a direct result of input from our passionate community, and I remain thankful to the many advocates, stakeholders, government partners, and colleagues who worked with Council Member Cabrera and I to arrive at the best possible plan for our community’s future. The Neighborhood Plan may be finalized, but our work to revitalize the Jerome Corridor is far from over. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the community to make sure all of the promises made in this plan are truly fulfilled,” said Council Member Vanessa Gibson.

Spofford Campus Redevelopment

The Council will vote to redevelop the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Center, located in Council Member Rafael Salamanca’s district. The project includes 740 affordable housing units between 30-90% AMI, 53,000 SF of commercial and retail uses, 21,300 SF of light industrial space, 26,600 SF of community facility space, and 1.2 acres of publically-accessible open space.

612-Seat and 572-Seat Primary School Site Selections aka P.S. Q375 and P.S. Q341

The Council will vote on two proposed site selections for the construction of a new 621-seat primary school and a new 572-seat primary school, both located in Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer’s district. These schools are being constructed as part of the Hunter’s Point South development and will help to alleviate the badly overcrowded schools in this district.

“These two new schools have been long-promised to the community. Long Island City is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in the country and is in desperate need of more schools. The addition of nearly 1200 seats with these two new schools is a tremendous victory for the children and families of the neighborhood. I fully support these applications and will continue to fight for more schools in Long Island City,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.

Sea Park North Rezoning

The Council will vote to approve the Sea Park North rezoning in Coney Island in Council Member Mark Treyger’s district. This rezoning will facilitate the development of 153 new units of affordable housing. The affordable housing will reach a wide range of low and moderate-income households, with units ranging from 30% of AMI (approximately $25,000 income) to 80% of AMI (approximately $70,000 income).

35-10 Astoria Boulevard Rezoning

The Council will vote to rezone 35-10 Astoria Boulevard, located in Council Member Costa Constantinides’ district. This project will bring 35 new residential units to Astoria, approximately 11 of which will be affordable. The applicant has also agreed to ensure an existing dance studio on the project site will be able to continue to operate in the proposed new development.

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