City Hall – Today, the New York City Council voted to establish a licensing program for NYC hotels. New York City has long regulated businesses in the tourism industry to promote the safety and well-being of visitors. Sightseeing buses, horse-drawn cabs, horse-drawn cab drivers, sightseeing guides, pedicab businesses, and pedicab drivers are all currently required to obtain a license from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to operate legally in the city. These licensing requirements allow DCWP to enforce health and public safety regulations, promote transparent and consistent pricing, and give consumers information needed to report violations.

The Council also passed legislation to provide the Council and the public with additional reporting and data about the outcomes and demographics of justice-involved youth in the juvenile justice system to better understand their needs for successful interventions and rehabilitation. In 2017, the State Legislature passed Raise the Age, which raised the age of adult prosecution to 18 years old. Prior to the passage of the law, New York was one of two remaining states where 16- and 17-year-olds could automatically be tried in adult criminal court.

“The hotel industry is critical to our city’s economy. Licensing will help maintain health, safety and consumer protections and standards,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “New York City has long regulated businesses in the tourism industry, and this legislation is an important step to support the operation of hotels throughout our city for New Yorkers and visitors alike. The Council is proud to pass a bill that provides a better understanding of what is happening in our juvenile justice system, enabling us to respond with more effective interventions and rehabilitative efforts that improve outcomes for youth and public safety. I thank my Council colleagues for their work to advance these important bills that improve our communities across the city.”

Establishing Licensing Program for NYC Hotels

Introduction 991-C, sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin, would require hotel operators to obtain a license to operate. The application term would be two years, and there would be a license fee of $350. Hotel operators would be required to schedule staff for continuous coverage of their front desks, and large hotels would be required to schedule a security guard to provide continuous coverage on the hotel’s premises while any room is occupied. All hotel operators would be required to maintain the cleanliness of each guest room, which would include daily cleaning unless such service is declined by the guest. Hotel operators would be required to directly employ their hotel workers, subject to an enumerated list of exceptions for certain positions. Operators of small hotels, which are defined as hotels with fewer than 100 rooms, would be exempt from the direct employment requirement. Hotel operators would be required to equip their employees with panic buttons and provide them with human trafficking recognition training. Hotel operators that violate the license conditions would be subject to civil penalties.

“I am profoundly grateful for the overwhelming support the Safe Hotels Act has received from across New York City; and, in particular, among my colleagues at the Council with a bipartisan supermajority of 40 members who have signed onto this important public safety and worker protection bill,” said Council Member Julie Menin. “I thank Speaker Adams and the Hotel Trades Council for their support as this legislation represents a significant step forward in ensuring public safety, protecting workers, and maintaining the high standards in service our city is known for in the hospitality industry. The journey to this point has been one of collaboration. We’ve engaged in extensive negotiations, listened carefully to stakeholders from all sectors, and refined the bill to address concerns without losing sight of its core objective of public safety and worker protection. The result is a piece of legislation that will make our city safer and our workers protected. It is a testament to what we can achieve together.”

Expanding Reporting on Outcomes of Youth in Juvenile Justice System

Introduction 87-A, sponsored by Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr., would expand reporting requirements to better understand the demographics and outcomes of youth in the juvenile justice system. The additional reporting is in response to the increased number of justice-involved youth in the care of the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) due to Raise the Age.

Connecting Families with DOE Phone Interpretation Services

Introduction 771-A, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would require the Department of Education (DOE) to provide parents with information about the interpretation and translation services that DOE offers, including information on how to access such services and examples of how these services might be used. The required materials would be made available in English and in the nine most common home languages of students enrolled in DOE schools.

“In a city home to over 700 spoken languages, and over 3 million foreign-born residents, the success of our education system depends on the ability to communicate and provide services in a linguistically accessible way,” said Council Member Linda Lee. “While the Department of Education provides written translations in nine languages, interpretation over the phone is available in another 240 languages. Int. 771 ensures that DOE will proactively promote the information for phone interpretation services to better accommodate the families in our school communities across the city, to ensure that we provide the highest quality learning experiences possible.”

Reinstating Transparency and Reporting for DOE Career and Technical Education Programs

Introduction 733-A, sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens, would require the Department of Education to report annually on information related to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, including: the number of CTE schools and programs available to students, the number and percentage of students enrolled in a CTE program, and the educational and professional attainment of students in such programs. This bill includes provisions previously incorporated as required by Local Law 174 of 2016, which similarly required the DOE to report annually to the Council regarding information related to CTE programs, but which contained a sunset clause and was deemed repealed five years after becoming law. Additional transparency and data on CTE programs will allow the public to better understand and assess their impact for DOE students.

Increasing Reporting on Student Clubs and Organizations

Introduction 797-A, sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens, would require the Department of Education to report annually a list of all student clubs and organizations at each school. The report would also require the DOE to report on the type of faculty advisor for each club or organization, including whether that advisor is a teacher or paraprofessional. Finally, the DOE would be required to report if any student club or organization has authorization to conduct its activities off school grounds.

“As Chair of the Committee on Children and Youth, I am proud to champion two critical pieces of legislation that will bring greater transparency and accountability to our education system, benefiting both the current generation and those to come,” said Council Member Althea Stevens. “Int. 797 will ensure that all students have access to enriching extracurricular activities by requiring the Department of Education to report on student clubs, faculty advisors, and off-campus activities, allowing us to address any gaps and promote equity in these opportunities. Likewise, Int. 793 focuses on preparing our future workforce by enhancing reporting on Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, ensuring they equip students with the skills and credentials needed for success in high-demand industries. These measures will improve educational resources and outcomes, fostering a brighter future for generations of New Yorkers.”

Expanding Information on Traffic Control Devices

Introduction 468-A, sponsored by Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams, would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to make information available on their website regarding traffic control devices and speed reducer requests. Traffic control devices are any signs, markings, or devices for regulating or guiding traffic, while speed reducers include speed cushions and speed humps. The current information available on DOT’s website is sparse and the bill would require more searchable details, including the status of a request, resolution, reason for approval or denial of the request, and a timeline for completion if approved. The increased transparency would provide greater clarity about street safety requests made by the public, community boards, and elected officials.

Designating October as Youth Empowerment Month

Resolution 193, sponsored by Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams, would designate October as Youth Empowerment Month annually in the City of New York to recognize, appreciate, and celebrate the successes of young people and their contributions to school and community life.

Recognizing the Musical Contributions and Talents of Casey Benjamin

Resolution 508, sponsored by Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams, would designate October 10 annually as Casey Benjamin Day in the City of New York to celebrate the genius of his music and unique contributions to a variety of music genres.

“With this vote, we are making our city more transparent, empowering our youth, and celebrating the legacy of a Queens musical genius,” said Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams. “Int 0468-2024 will bring much-needed accountability by making information about traffic control devices accessible to the public. With Youth Empowerment Month and Casey Benjamin Day, we are uplifting the contributions of our young people and honoring Casey Benjamin’s extraordinary musical legacy. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in passing these important measures.”

Celebrating New York Liberty’s WNBA Championship

Resolution 629, sponsored by Council Members Hudson, Cabán and Ossé, would celebrate the New York Liberty winning the 2024 WNBA championship, the first in the history of the sports franchise, and would declare October 20 as New York Liberty Day annually in the City of New York.

“For so many fans, watching and following the New York Liberty has long served as a place of community building and inspiration. Today, more than twenty-five years after the team’s founding in 1997, the New York Liberty remain a bastion of hope for our city. As a coveted professional sports franchise with elite athletes who use their platform to remind us that the fight for equality and justice, while never truly complete, can also be fun to watch, and can yield victories of which we can all be proud,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson, lead sponsor of Reso. 629. “Earlier this week, the New York Liberty did just that—making history by securing the franchise’s first-ever WNBA title while also delivering a basketball championship title to the five boroughs for the first time in fifty years. Today’s resolution is just a small token of gratitude we can offer the New York Liberty franchise, its players, staff, and owners for their unwavering commitment to one another and all New Yorkers both on and off the court. And let’s not forget that when we invest in women, we win! Let’s go Liberty!”

“I could not be more proud to be a life-long New York Liberty fan (I made my mom take me to an open practice in 1998),” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. “The Liberty brings our city world-class athleticism and talent through grit, love and determination. The Liberty are the best of us: working as a team, uplifting one another, and proving that diversity is our greatest strength. Led by queer women, Black women, and immigrant women, the New York Liberty deserve to be honored by our city. I’m proud to be sponsoring a resolution to make October 20 New York Liberty Day in honor of the day they clinched the WNBA Championship. We all we got. We all we need.”

“New York Liberty is Brooklyn’s premier sports franchise,” said Council Member Chi Ossé. “Their championship win was hard-earned and well-deserved. The team is an inspiration to so many and a representation of the best of us and I am proud to co-sponsor a resolution declaring October 20 New York Liberty Day in our city.”

Declaring October as Jamaican Heritage Month

Resolution 518, sponsored by Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, would declare October as Jamaican Heritage Month. Jamaicans are the third largest foreign-born group in New York City, with significant populations in the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Jamaicans also make up the largest number of Black-owned business owners in the city, contributing significantly to our economy. This resolution honors the legacy and continued contributions of Jamaican communities to our city’s economic prosperity, cultural fabric, and political leadership.

“All across New York City, the energy, creativity, and spirit of Jamaica are palpable,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “Our community is enriched not only by the scholars, community leaders, and vibrant arts scene but also by the pioneering scientific achievements that have emerged from Jamaica. I am proud today that our City Council voted to pass Resolution 518, officially declaring October as Jamaican Heritage Month in New York City.”

Land Use

135^th Street Rezoning – will facilitate the development of a seven-story mixed use building with approximately 60 units, including 15 permanently affordable under MIH, as well as commercial, and community facility space in Council Member Shaun Abreu’s district. The Council is modifying the application to require MIH Option 1.

Finance:

Three preconsidered resolutions sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, which would amend and restate the property tax rates for Fiscal Year 2025, in keeping with enacted State legislation.

A transparency resolution approving new designations and changes of certain organizations receiving funding in the Expense Budget.

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, establishing a new 40-year Article XI tax exemption for seven buildings in Council Member Yusef Salaam’s district.

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, establishing a new 40-year Article XI tax exemption for one building in Council Member Rita Joseph’s district.

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, establishing a new 40-year Article XI tax exemption for one building in Council Member Carlina Rivera’s district.

Appointments:

The Council’s appointment of Dr. Mohammad Khalid as a member of the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board

The Queens Borough President’s reappointment of Oudeshram “Raj” Rampershad as a member of the City Planning Commission

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