Council will also vote to require full-service animal shelters in all five boroughs

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council will vote on a comprehensive package of legislation to provide opioid and drug treatment and prevention services to New Yorkers. In addition, the Council will vote to require the construction of full-service animal shelters in the five boroughs. Finally, the Council will vote on several land use items.

 Opioid and Drug Treatment and Prevention Package

Creation of a Syringe Exchange Program

Introduction 615-A, sponsored by Council Member Diana Ayala, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to provide opioid overdose reversal drugs, such as naloxone, to all syringe exchange programs operating in the City. It would also require DOHMH to ensure that all syringe exchange staff members were properly trained in overdose prevention and reversal.

Distributing Educational Materials on Drugs and Opiates Awareness and Prevention to Students

Introduction 618-A, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to develop age appropriate educational materials on drug and opioid awareness and prevention. This legislation would also require the Department of Youth and Community Development and the Department of Education to distribute such materials to youth service programs and students, respectively.

“Misinformation is one of the many deadly forces driving the opioid epidemic. If we emphasize opioid education from an early age, I have no doubt we’re going to save some lives,” said Council Member Justin Brannan.

Requiring the Fire Department to Submit to the Council Reports Relating to the Administration of Opioid Antagonists

Introduction 623-A, sponsored by Council Member Andrew Cohen, would require the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) to report quarterly – to the City Council and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene – on the number of opioid antagonists the department has available, the number of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and other department employees trained to administer opioid antagonists, and the number of opioid overdose reversal drugs administered by EMTs.

“In a time where the amount of opioid overdoses in New York City has continued to rise each year, The Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction believe that it is crucial for the Mayor, City Council, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to have proper up-to-date data regarding the Fire Department of New York use of opioid antagonists. Intro 623-A will require quarterly reporting from FDNY to the City concerning the amount the amount of opioid antagonist that the department is in possession of, how many times these opioid overdose reversal drugs have been administered, as well as the number of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) that are trained to administer opioid antagonist. Thank you to New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Chair; Diana Ayala and my co-sponsors on this bill, Council Members Alicka Ampry-Samuel and Robert Holden for creating legislation aimed at combating this serious epidemic,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

Requiring the Department of Social Services and the Department of Homeless Services to Refer Individuals Receiving Opioid Antagonists for Additional Services

Introduction 667-A, sponsored by Council Member Ritchie Torres, would require the Department of Social Services to refer individuals residing in Department of Homeless Services’ shelters or HIV/AIDS Service Administration (HASA) facilities that suffered a non-fatal overdose to additional services.

Providing Overdose Prevention and Reversal Training

Introduction 668-A, sponsored by Council Member Ritchie Torres, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to provide opioid overdose prevention and reversal training to the public. DOHMH already provides such trainings, but this law would codify existing trainings and ensure they occur as long as necessary.

Requiring the Municipal Drug Strategy Advisory Council to Report on Opioid Antagonist Distribution

Introduction 669-A, sponsored by Council Member Ritchie Torres, would require the Municipal Drug Strategy Advisory Council, a council established by Local Law 48 of 2017 and comprised of health care professionals, advocates, and persons suffering from substance misuse disorder, to include in its biennial report the number of opioid overdose reversal drugs that are distributed to City agencies.

“With the opioid crisis at an all-time high, New York City needs to be taking more deliberate and comprehensive action. This package of bills attacks the core problems catalyzing the opioid epidemic, addiction and a lack of systemic services. Perhaps most importantly, these bills will help educate and prepare every day New Yorkers to join in confronting the crisis in our city. One need not be a doctor to administer naloxone and one need not be a first responder to save a life,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.

Requiring the Police Department to Submit to the Council Reports Relating to Opioid Antagonists

Introduction 717-A, sponsored by Council Member Jumaane Williams, would require the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to report quarterly – to the City Council and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene – on the number of opioid antagonists the department has available, the number of officers trained to administer opioid antagonists, and the number of opioid overdose reversal drugs administered by NYPD Officers.

“Opioid addiction is a public health crisis, and here in New York City, we need to make full use of all of the tools we have available to combat this epidemic. We have the ability to save lives with opioid antagonists like naloxone, and the data collected through the bills we pass today will enable us to effectively use the resources at our disposal to prevent the tragedy of overdose. It is essential that we treat addiction as an issue of health, and address it accordingly, in all communities. I want to thank my colleagues on the Council for their actions on this life-and-death issue, and the Speaker for his leadership in making this issue a city-wide priority,” said Council Member Jumaane Williams.

Calling Upon the New York City Department of Education to Include Drug Awareness Education Concerning Opioids in the School Curriculum

Resolution 197, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would call upon the New York City Department of Education to include drug awareness education concerning opioids in the NYC public school curriculum.

Requiring Full-Service Animal Shelters in all Five Boroughs

Introduction 401-A, sponsored by Council Member Paul Vallone, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to ensure that full-service animal shelters are operated in all five boroughs by July 1, 2024. While the City operates facilities to receive lost, stray, or homeless dogs and cats in the Bronx and Queens, neither borough is currently served by a full-service animal shelter.

“Throughout the last four years, Speaker Johnson and I have fought to make full service animal shelters a reality for Queens and the Bronx. Only one option is acceptable for this city and the residents of Queens and the Bronx – a fully functional animal shelter with adoption, veterinary and educational services. Having animal shelters in every borough reflects our belief that all animals should be protected and given the opportunity to find a home. After almost three decades, five administrations and an uncertain future, we could not afford to wait one more day. I am proud to pass this important legislation as we send a clear message to everyone who has been fighting this battle, even long before we’ve been here, that the greatest city in the world deserves the greatest shelters in the world and this is a legacy we can be proud of,” said Council Member Paul Vallone.

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

Café Tabu

The Council will be approving a sidewalk café at 227 Dykman Street in Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez’s district.

Five Mile Stone

The Council will be voting on the withdrawal of a sidewalk café in Council Member Ben Kallos’s district.

Hudson Blvd & Park Text Amendment

The Council is approving an application submitted by the New York City Department of City Planning for an amendment of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, for the purposes of modifying floor area regulations for Phase 2 of the Hudson Boulevard and Park in Speaker Corey Johnson’s district.

Willow Avenue, Bronx

The Willow Avenue application is for a rezoning and an Article XI tax exemption to develop a new mixed-use building The project is 100% affordable and includes 134 residential units, and 15,000 SF of commercial space and is located in Chair Rafael Salamanca’s district.

280 Richards Waterfront Authorization

The Council will be voting on an application by Thor Equities to modify the design requirements for a waterfront public access area at 280 Richards Street, in connection with the development of a five story commercial building, including a waterfront public walkway, in Council Member Carlos Menchaca’s district.

ANCP 107 West 105 Street, Manhattan

The Council will be voting on an Article XI tax exemption and an Urban Development Action Area Project (UDAAP) to facilitate the preservation of two partially occupied buildings as 100% affordable housing. with 28 residential units and one commercial space in Council Member Mark Levine’s district.

Berean Gardens

Application by HPD for an Article XI tax exemption for Berean Gardens, a 77 unit affordable senior housing facility. The Article XI will assist in resolution of the development’s outstanding tax liens and establish a new regulatory agreement for preservation, in Council Member Mark Levin’s district.

Hudson Piers II, Manhattan

Approval of an Article XI tax exemption to facilitate the preservation of two fully occupied buildings, totaling 83 residential units, as 100% affordable housing in Council Member Mark Levine’s district.

Culver El

The Council will be voting on an application by HPD for an Article XI tax exemption for properties located on 37th Street between 12th and 13th Avenues that compose the “Culver El Phase 1” affordable homeownership project in Council Member Brad Lander’s district.

Van Buren / Greene NIHOP Amendment

Application by HPD for an amendment to a previously approved project for development of 10 two-family affordable homeownership homes. The amendment will ensure that the transaction with the homebuyers will not trigger additional New York State real estate transfer taxes, in Council Member Robert Cornegy’s district.

501 West 51^st Street

Approval of an application submitted by HPD for an Article XI tax exemption for a building containing 22 residential units and 3 commercial units located at 501-505 West 51^st Street in Speaker Corey Johnson’s district.

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