City Hall – The New York
City Council on Tuesday will vote on a package of five bills designed to help
small businesses by providing additional supports, services and information,
and by paving the way to collect data that will create a baseline for smart
policies in the future.

One bill will require the New
York City Department of Small Business Services (“SBS”) to create online,
interactive guides to help small business owners understand rules and laws that
are applicable to them, while another would require the SBS to provide New York
City’s small business community with training and education relating to
efficiency, regulatory compliance and marketing. Three other bills will help
New York City make informed policy decisions by requiring annual reporting on
storefront vacancies, reporting on the storefront business environment, and by
clearly defining the term “microbusinesses” and requiring reporting on what’s
commonly known as “mom-and-pop shops.”

The Council will also vote on a
set of transportation bills, including one that would expand safety benefits to
cyclists by allowing them to follow pedestrian “walk” signals, providing them
with a head start to cross the street before the light for drivers turns green.
Another bill would require the Departments of Education and Transportation to
post information on when public schools are in session over the summer,
simplifying the process of verifying whether parking restrictions are in
effect.

The Council will also vote on a
bill to create a defense to parking violations in cases involving illegible
parking signs. The Council will also vote on a bill to create a pilot program
for pet harbors on sidewalks that would allow owner to leave pets unattended in
safe, enclosed shelters adjacent to commercial establishments for a short
period of time.

Additionally, the Council will
vote on a bill that would focus Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) reporting
requirements on restricted organizations  — those that spend more than 10
percent of their annual expenditures disseminating elected official
communications — by creating separate reporting requirements for unrestricted
organizations that are affiliated with elected officials but do not engage in such
promotional activities. This would relieve smaller organizations of some of the
burden of COIB reporting, without changing reporting requirements for
restricted organizations.

Another bill that the Council
will vote on would co-name 86 thoroughfares and public places. This bill will
commemorate Stan Lee, American comic book writer, editor, publisher and
producer. He co-created numerous fictional characters such as Spider-Man, the
X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Black Panther, Daredevil,
Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch and Ant-Man. The bill will also commemorate Walt
Whitman, an American poet, journalist and essayist who is considered one of
America’s most influential poets. The bill will also commemorate Leif E.
Eikeseth, who volunteered at Ground Zero after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and
later died as a result of 9/11 related illness, Deacon David Ciociari, a police
officer who also died as a result of 9/11 related illness, Police Officer James
D. McNaughton, who was killed while serving in Iraq, Police Officer Rocco W.
Laurie, who was killed in the line of duty while on patrol, Detective Keith L.
Williams, who was killed in the line of duty while returning a prisoner to
Riker’s Island, Police Officer George Scheu, who was killed while he was off
duty attempting to take action during a robbery and Sergeant Paul Michael
Ferrara, who died as a result of 9/11 illness after being a part of the
recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

The Council will also vote on
three resolutions, including one calling on Congress to pass, and the President
sign, legislation permanently authorizing the September 11 Victim Compensation
Fund.

Finally, the Council will vote on
several finance and land use items.

In Relation to Micro
Businesses

Introduction 1000-B, sponsored
by Council Member Mark Gjonaj, would define the term “microbusiness” as a
business that employs between one and nine employees and would require SBS to
report on the number of micro businesses known to be doing business in the City
of New York aggregated by zip code and industry.  The bill would further
require SBS to do a study of a sampling of microbusinesses to identify issues
they face, including use of e-commerce and challenges faced during lease
renewal. 

“I have unceasingly devoted myself
to uplifting and promoting small businesses. Today, it is my incredible honor
to pass Int. 1000-B and Int. 1467. The first will appropriately define
micro-businesses. For the first time, Small Businesses will not be in the same
category as their Goliath competitors. The latter will require the Commissioner
of SBS to compile all of the rules and laws and make it available in plain
language. Small Businesses will finally be able comprehend all the rules and
laws pertaining to their business to avoid violations. Legislation supporting
small business has been long overdue — this is a win for small businesses,”
said Council Member Mark Gjonaj.

In Relation to Information
about City Laws and Rules that Apply to Small Businesses 

Introduction 1467-A, sponsored
by Council Member Mark Gjonaj, would require SBS to create an interactive
online guide to help small business owners understand rules and laws that are
applicable to particular types of small businesses currently operating in the
City. The guide would be updated on a rolling basis to reflect changes in law
going forward and agencies would be responsible for making SBS aware of new
rules changes.

Requiring Owners to Submit
Registration Statements Regarding Ground Floor and Second Floor Commercial
Premises

Introduction 1472, sponsored
by Council Member Helen Rosenthal, would require the Department of Finance
to collect data and establish a public dataset of commercial properties in the
City, disaggregated by council district and census tract, including the median
and average total duration of leases, the median and average remaining term to
lease expiration, the median and average size of rentable floor area per
premises, the number of such premises reported as being leased and vacant, the
median and average rent, information related to vacant properties including the
length of time a property has not been leased as well as construction
information, and the number of such premises whose lease is due to expire
within two years of the current calendar year. The bill would further require
the release of a list of addresses of commercial properties and an indicator of
whether or not such properties are vacant.

“Whether it’s our five
Chinatowns, or the hundreds of Caribbean-owned businesses in Flatbush, or the
South American restaurants and businesses of Elmhurst – successful small
businesses are the backbone of the middle class, particularly for new
immigrants. Unfortunately, we have witnessed the loss of far too many small
businesses in the last several years, leaving only empty storefronts behind. My
‘Storefront Tracker’ legislation will require citywide tracking of commercial
storefront and 2nd floor spaces for the first time, providing comprehensive
data on commercial strips at risk, the location of every vacant storefront, and
more. This essential information will be the basis for solutions which help
keep small businesses in our communities,” said Council Member Helen
Rosenthal.

Requiring the Department of
Small Business Services to Offer Certain Business Training and
Counseling  

Introduction 1471-B, sponsored
by Council Member Helen Rosenthal, would require the SBS to provide small
businesses with training and education relating to efficiency, regulatory
compliance and marketing, which would include advertising skills and utilizing
e-commerce. The bill would also have SBS report to the Council on its progress
related to these trainings, including the types of trainings offered and the
number of New Yorker’s served.

Requiring the Department of
Small Business Services to Assess the State of Storefront Businesses

Introduction 1049, sponsored
by Council Member Carlina Rivera, would require SBS to complete an
assessment of storefront businesses in at least twenty commercial districts
every three years. The assessments include a survey to business owners and
involve coordination with community-based organizations. Results of the
assessments would be made available, as completed, on the SBS website. 
The bill further requires an annual report by SBS in coordination with the
Department of Finance and City Planning. The report would include information
related to storefront business environment, such as the number of storefront
businesses, the types of economic activities, the numbers of employees at such
storefronts, annual sales and sales tax, the number of vacant storefront
businesses, and district demographics.

“I am proud that we are voting on
my bills today that address two of my biggest policy goals – saving our small
businesses and ensuring equitable care in our hospitals. With Intro 1049, we
will finally have access to detailed reporting on individual stores, the level
of access these stores have to agency programs that support small businesses,
and the overall small business economy in our neighborhoods. And Resolution 746
will demand the State Department of Health immediately implement clear and fair
regulations for hospitals on drug testing those who are pregnant or giving
birth, including informing patients of their rights before any discussion of
drug use or drug testing. We must end institutional racism in all facets of our
society, including in our hospitals. I want to thank the Speaker and my fellow
co-sponsors of these bills, and I look forward to voting on them today,” said Council
Member Carlina Rivera.

In Relation to Cyclists
Following Pedestrian Control Signals

Introduction 1457-A, sponsored
by Council Member Carlos Menchaca, would allow cyclists to follow
pedestrian “walk” signals. Leading pedestrian intervals (“LPIs”) provide
pedestrians with a head start to cross the street before the light for drivers
turns green. This has important safety benefits because it allows pedestrians
to get a head start into the crosswalk, increasing their visibility to turning
cars and thus avoiding collisions. This bill would expand this safety benefit
to cyclists by allowing them to use pedestrian signals with LPIs to start
through the intersection before vehicles.

“Treating bicycles like cars
is at the heart of why cyclists continue to suffer and die. That’s why four
years ago I introduced a bill to give cyclists the same advantage as
pedestrians when crossing intersections. This is a no-brainer now, as it was a
no-brainer then. But there were concerns, which we’ve completely overcome now
with studies and a pilot program. With cyclist injury and fatalities
increasing, this preventive measure has turned into a necessity. I want to
thank Speaker Johnson for helping to finally bring this bill to a vote,”
said Council Member Carlos Menchaca.

In Relation to Parking Near
Schools

Introduction 84-A, sponsored
by Council Member Chaim Deutsch, would simplify the process of verifying
whether a particular school building is being used for summer sessions and
therefore whether parking restrictions for when a school is in session are in
effect. This bill would make it more transparent by requiring the Departments
of Education and Transportation to post on their websites by June 30th of each
year information on when public schools, including charter schools, are in
session over the summer.

In Relation to Illegible
Parking Signs

Introduction 570-A, sponsored
by Council Member Mark Treyger, would create a defense to parking
violations for illegible signs and outline the conditions under which that
defense is available. The burden of proof would be on the person receiving the
violation and the defense would apply where both sides of the parking sign are
illegible, though the defense would not apply where an identical sign on the
blockface is legible.

“My bill, Intro 570, will resolve
a frustration for residents that receive a parking ticket when there’s
illegible signage. We’ve heard from a number of people across the city that
signs are faded and illegible. Residents don’t know what the parking regulation
is and get hit with a ticket due to the city’s lack of maintenance. Drivers
absolutely have to do their part to be safe, responsible, and follow all
traffic laws, including parking only in appropriate places. This bill does not
excuse unacceptable behavior. However, the DOT must maintain its infrastructure
and make sure parking signage is available and clear,” said Council Member
Mark Treyger.

In Relation to Pet Harbors

Introduction 886-A, sponsored
by Council Member Rafael Espinal, would create a pilot program for the
placement of pet harbors on sidewalks adjacent to commercial establishments,
allowing pet owners to leave small pets unattended in a safe and enclosed
shelter for a short period of time.

“Instead of supporting the
innovation of a woman-owned and Brooklyn-manufactured business, New York City
took a backwards approach by removing all pet harbors without warning. It’s our
City’s job to create an environment where small businesses can thrive, and this
pilot program will do just that for pet harbors. Pet harbors are a win-win
innovation; they’re good for businesses, good for dog-owners, and good for
dogs,” said Council Member Rafael Espinal.

Amending Reporting and Donor
Disclosure Requirements for Organizations Affiliated with Elected
Officials 

Introduction 1272-A, sponsored
by Council Member Barry Grodenchik, would require separate reporting
requirements for restricted organizations — those that spend more than 10% of
their expenditures in a given year disseminating elected official
communications — and unrestricted organizations. Unrestricted organizations would
be required to report on all donations from a single contributor that were in
aggregate in the prior year above $5,000, a dollar threshold first adopted by
the Conflicts of Interest Board pursuant to an advisory opinion. The name of
the donor, date of donation, and city and state of residence of the donor would
be reported. Provision would also be made for the reporting of anonymous
donations. No requirements on restricted organizations, including reporting
requirements, would be changed by this bill, other than clarifications of how
to determine if a contributor is doing business and that donations should be
considered in aggregate. The bill would also require that the information in
these reports be posted to the Conflicts of Interest Board’s website in a
machine-readable format.

“Today’s
legislation provides a much-needed amendment to local law 181, which requires
reporting and public disclosure by certain organizations. The original intent
of the law was to require disclosure by organizations that acted on behalf of
elected officials.  As originally written, the requirement would have
imposed a significant and unnecessary burden on some of our city’s great
non-profits that serve local communities, not elected officials.  The
amendment provided in this legislation appropriately lowers the burden on these
organizations so that they may use their resources to fulfill their missions
instead of filing unnecessary paperwork,” said Council Member Barry S.
Grodenchik.

In Relation to Naming 86
Thoroughfares and Public Places

Preconsidered Int. No. 1631, would
co-name 86 thoroughfares and public places, based on requests of Council
Members whose district includes the location. Of these 86 co-names, 7 are
either a relocation of a previously enacted co-naming or a revision to the
street sign installed with respect to a previously enacted co-naming.

Calling on Congress to pass,
and the President to sign, the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray
Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11^th
Victim Compensation Fund Act” (H.R.1327/S.546), which would fully finance and
extend authorization for the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund
until fiscal year 2092

Resolution 897-A, sponsored
by Council Member I. Daneek Miller.

Calling upon the New York City
Administration for Children’s Services to implement a policy finding that a
person’s mere possession or use of marijuana does not by itself create an
imminent risk of harm to a child, warranting the child’s removal

Resolution 740, sponsored
by Council Member Brad Lander.

Calling on the New York State
Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation requiring the New
York State Department of Health to create clear and fair regulations for
hospitals on drug testing those who are pregnant or giving birth, including
informing patients of their rights before any discussion of drug use or drug
testing

Resolution 746, sponsored
by Council Member Carlina Rivera.

The Council will also vote on
five Article XI property tax exemptions approved by the Committee on Finance:

The Putnam Portfolio, in
Council Member Ayala and Perkins’ districts in Manhattan, will receive partial,
40-year property tax exemptions to preserve 1,084 units of affordable housing
across four properties.

St. Ann’s Apartments, in
Council Member Ayala, Gibson and Salamanca’s districts in the Bronx, will
receive a full, 40-year property tax exemption to preserve 87 units of
affordable housing.

603 Pontiac Place, in
Council Member Ayala’s district in the Bronx, received a full, 40-year property
tax exemption to construct 25 units of affordable housing in 2016, and the
Council is amending the prior resolution to reflect that the property will have
community facility space that will be included in the exemption.

Finally, the Council will also
vote on the following land use items:

38-01 23^rd Avenue
Rezoning, in Council Member Constantinides’ district for a zoning map
amendment to legalize commercial uses in an existing four-story building.

76^th Drive and Austin
Street Rezoning, in Council Member Koslowitz’s district for a zoning map
amendment to facilitate the expansion of two legally non-conforming medical
offices.

784 Courtlandt Avenue, in
Council Member Rafael Salamanca’s District for Urban Development Action Area
Project designation and project approval, and an amendment to the Melrose
Commons Urban Renewal Plan to facilitate the development of a 20-unit
affordable housing project.

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