Council also voted to approve land use projects and financing that will create or preserve over 2,000 affordable housing units

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council voted to enhance safety measures for emergency medical services workers by requiring that the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) provide body armor, as well as de-escalation and self-defense training, to its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) employees.

Additionally, the Council approved land use applications estimated to produce more than 1,550 new housing units, over 1,400 of which are affordable, and Department of Housing Preservation and Development financing that preserves 655 rent-regulated units. The city legislature also voted to close a loophole that allowed some employers to utilize employment contracts that shorten the statute of limitations for employees to file legal claims and complaints for unlawful practices below timelines established by the City’s Human Rights Law. A resolution to annually recognize April 17 as Giovanni da Verrazzano Day was also passed.

“The Council is proud to pass safety measures that will better protect and support our frontline emergency medical services workers, who save lives and courageously serve our city,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Our essential workers deserve to be safe while performing life-saving duties, and these new laws will help reduce the health and safety risks they experience.

“As part of the Council’s continued efforts to address the city’s housing crisis, our approval of more than 1,550 new housing units, over 1,400 of which are affordable, is an essential contribution to creating more homes,” continued Speaker Adams. “We will continue working with partners across all levels of government to deliver more protections for workers and more affordable housing for New Yorkers to remain and succeed in the city we all love.”

Improving Safety for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Workers

Introduction 126-A, sponsored by Minority Leader Joseph Borelli, would require that the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) provide body armor to employees within the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). This would largely codify existing practices and establish requirements that protective equipment meet ballistic and stab resistance standards of the National Institute of Justice.

Introduction 127-A, sponsored by Minority Leader Joseph Borelli, would require that FDNY provide de-escalation and self-defense training to EMS workers.

During Fiscal Year 2023, EMS responded to 30,306 reported segment one incidents, which are considered life-threatening medical emergencies. Basic Life Support incidents include a wide variety of non-life-threatening conditions. EMS workers have historically faced health and safety risks associated with delivering pre-hospital care. These risks include emotional stress and trauma, threatened and actual assaults, and relatively low financial compensation. Partially due to these employment-related experiences, EMS employee attrition rates have consistently remained high.  

“These brave men and women put themselves in harm’s way every day to save New Yorkers’ lives,” said Minority Leader Jospeh Borelli. “The least we can do is help protect them so they, too can get home safe to their families.”

Prohibiting Job Contracts That Shorten Legal Timeline to File Complaints for Unlawful Practices 

Introduction 69-A, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, would prohibit provisions in employment agreements that shorten the period in which claims and complaints of unlawful discriminatory practices, harassment, or violence may be filed and in which civil actions may be commenced. This bill is designed to close a loophole that has allowed some employers to shorten the statute of limitations in employee contracts, leaving many with limited windows to file claims that are below those established by the City’s Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). Under NYCHRL, employees have one year to file a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights for an unlawful discriminatory practice or act of discriminatory harassment or violence, three years to file a claim of gender-based harassment, and three years to commence a civil action. This bill would void any provision of any employment agreement that purports to shorten these periods.

“New York City workers must be able to rely on our landmark human rights laws to protect them from mistreatment in the workplace,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “Some of the biggest corporations in our City are forcing New Yorkers to sign away their right to fight back against harassment, discrimination, and violence due to an unfair loophole. I’m proud that the passage of our legislation will restore the true spirit of the City’s Human Rights Law and ensure that workers are protected in court and able to hold bad actors accountable. Thank you to Speaker Adams for her strong support of this legislation and to attorney and constituent Anne Clark for bringing this issue to our office’s attention.”

Recognizing April 17 as Giovanni da Verrazzano Day

Resolution 74, sponsored by Council Member David Carr, would recognize April 17 annually as Giovanni da Verrazzano Day. Giovanni da Verrazzano was an Italian explorer, who sailed under the French flag and became the first European to sail into New York Harbor and into the mouth of the Hudson River on April 17, 1524 – 500 years ago next week.

Land Use

396-40 Avenue X Rezoning – PG Realty Investments, LLC, seeks a zoning map amendment from R4/OP to R7A/C2-4/OP and a text amendment to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Area (MIH) Options 1 or 2 (ZR Appendix F). These actions will facilitate a new 46,000 square foot, 7-story mixed-use building in Council Member Justin Brannan’s district. It will include approximately 45 housing units, with 12 affordable units, retail/medical office space and 45 accessory off-street parking. The Council will be modifying the MIH text amendment to remove Option 2, requiring MIH Option 1.

Willets Point Phase II – New York City Economic Development Corporation; Queens Development Group LLC; City Football Stadium Group LLC seeks an amendment to the text of the Zoning Resolution, special permits, and amendments to the City Map in Willets Point within the Queens district of Council Member Francisco Moya. These actions will facilitate the second phase of a long-term area-wide redevelopment strategy that will transform Willets Point into a new mixed-used neighborhood. This phase of the redevelopment will create approximately 1,400 units of permanently affordable housing, a 250-room hotel, a 25,000-seat soccer stadium to be the home of NYC Football Club, 2.8 acres of publicly accessible open space, and 80,000 square feet of local retail space. 

30-11 12th Street Rezoning – 30-11 12th Street Realty, LLC, seeks a Zoning Map Amendment to change existing R6B, R5B and R4-1 zoning districts to R6A and R6A/C2-3 zoning districts, and a Zoning Text Amendment to create a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) area Options 1 and 2. These actions will facilitate a new 62,761 square foot, 8-story mixed-use building with approximately 86 housing units, 26 units will be permanently affordable, ground floor retail and 41 accessory parking spaces in Council Member Tiffany Cabán’s district. The Council is modifying the application to remove MIH Option 2, requiring Option 1 and adding the Deep Affordability Option.

23-01 Steinway Street Rezoning – Efraim Realty, LLC seeks Zoning Map Amendment to change existing R5D/C2-3 and R5D districts to R6A/C2-4 districts, and a Zoning Text Amendment to create a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) area Options 1 and 2 in Council Member Tiffany Cabán’s district. These actions will facilitate a new 27,000 square foot, 6-story mixed-use building plus cellar with approximately 22 housing units, 6 affordable units, ground floor retail space and 6 parking spaces. The Council is modifying the application to remove MIH Option 2, requiring Option 1 and adding the Deep Affordability Option.

Finance

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, authorizing a 40-year Article 11 tax exemption for preservation of two rent-stabilized buildings, collectively containing 15 units, in Council Member Abreu and Salaam’s districts.

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, authorizing a 40-year Article 11 tax exemption for preservation of twenty rent-stabilized buildings, collectively containing 562 units, in Council Member Feliz and Stevens’ districts.

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, authorizing a 40-year Article 11 tax exemption for preservation of one rent-stabilized building containing 78 units in Council Member Hudson’s district.

Rules, Privileges and Elections:

Communication from the Mayor – Submitting the name of Ms. Andrea Bierstein to the Council for its advice and consent regarding her appointment to the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, pursuant to Sections 31 and 2301 of the New York City Charter.

Communication from the Mayor – Submitting the name of Ms. Maria Almonte-Weston to the City Council for advice and consent regarding her appointment as a Commissioner of the New York City Local Conditional Release Commission, pursuant Section 9-207 of the New York City Administrative Code and Section 271 of the New York State Correction Law.

Communication from the Mayor – Submitting the name of Mr. George Goodmon to the City Council for advice and consent regarding his appointment as a Commissioner of the New York City Local Conditional Release Commission, pursuant Section 9-207 of the New York City Administrative Code and Section 271 of the New York State Correction Law.

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers, approving the appointment of Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez as a member of the New York City Commission on Public Information and Communication.

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers, approving the appointment of Ngozi Okaro as a member of the New York City Equal Employment Practices Commission.

###