Legislation will illuminate the City\u2019s process of building and funding quality affordable housing.<\/p>\n
New York, NY- Today, the City Council will vote on a bill to dramatically increase transparency and accountability in New York City\u2019s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) housing projects. The City allocates hundreds of millions of dollars towards housing development, and this bill will help to better assess the number of affordable units created and preserved while shedding light on HPD\u2019s process of selecting and evaluating developers, how the City pays for those projects and whether the developments are well built.<\/p>\n
The Council will also vote to make extensive revisions to the City\u2019s plumbing code, which dates back to 1968 and was last substantially revised in 2008.<\/p>\n
Just a day after the one-year anniversary of the legality of same sex marriage in New York State, the Council will also vote on a resolution to file a Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) amicus brief in the case of Windsor v. the United States.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the Council will vote to approve the New York University (NYU) 2031 expansion proposal.<\/p>\n
HPD Transparency Bill<\/p>\n
For the first time, the HPD Transparency Bill will create a comprehensive listing of affordable housing development projects created or preserved with City money.<\/p>\n
At a hearing in January on this bill, Council Members heard allegations of substandard construction at certain HPD projects, including reports of chronic flooding, sinking foundations, sewage backup and fire hazards. This legislation \u2013 in addition to disclosing the City\u2019s process of building and funding affordable housing \u2013 will also require the agency to post online all construction code violations issued for projects and all complaints received related to poor construction quality. Additionally, HPD must explain its response to such conditions and report on its progress to correct problems.<\/p>\n
This bill will also require quarterly wage reports from certain contractors and subcontractors. These wage reports will include the same information that the state Minimum Wage Theft Prevention Act requires on pay statements and annual notices to employees. Wage reports will be required for employees of contractors and subcontractors with annual gross revenue of at least $2.5 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny time we use taxpayer dollars, especially on a necessity as vital as housing, we must ensure that our money is being spent well and responsibly,\u201d said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. \u201cThis legislation will, at minimal taxpayer cost, bring transparency to the nation\u2019s largest municipal developer of affordable housing. It is a win for affordable housing and a win for conscientious developers who adhere to worker safety mandates and the State\u2019s labor laws.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so proud to sponsor this bill,\u201d said Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. \u201cThis piece of legislation will be used as an effective tool to help promote quality work, transparency and effectiveness throughout HPD. New York City and its residents deserve to receive the highest quality housing and this bill will only prove to strengthen it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Plumbing Code Bill<\/p>\n
The Council will be voting on legislation to make broad revisions \u2013 nearly 200 \u2013 to the City\u2019s plumbing code. Most are technical changes and updates.<\/p>\n
One change will allow for better coordination between the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Department for Environmental Protection (DEP): In the past, owners and the industry have experienced confusion with the permitting process and plumbing code standards. Code revisions will clarify the process, ensuring that DOB\u2019s standards for sewage connections, grease interceptors and other plumbing work are consistent with DEP\u2019s standards.<\/p>\n
In order to help prevent intentional tampering with water supplies as well as unintentional damage from vermin and the like, another revision will require locked, alarmed covers for building water supply tanks.<\/p>\n
DOMA Amicus Brief Resolution<\/p>\n
The Council will vote to file an amicus brief in the case of Windsor v. the United States, currently on appeal, to support the plaintiff\u2019s position that section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional. Section 3 defines the terms \u201cmarriage\u201d and \u201cspouse\u201d under federal law to pertain only to heterosexual unions and individuals.<\/p>\n
Edie Windsor sued the federal government after being made to pay taxes on her late wife\u2019s estate because the government did not recognize her marriage to her partner of over 40 years, Thea Spyer. Under the tax rules applied to heterosexual couples, spouses do not have to pay estate taxes.<\/p>\n
On June 6, a federal judge in New York ruled DOMA unconstitutional and ordered that Ms. Windsor be refunded the money she paid in estate tax. The Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the U.S. House of Representatives, currently defending the constitutionality of DOMA, has appealed the ruling. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will hear the case later this year.<\/p>\n
As courts across the country continue to strike down DOMA\u2019s unconstitutional attack on civil liberties, this case is a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to extend equality to all people.<\/p>\n
NYU 2031 Expansion<\/p>\n
The Council will vote to approve the NYU 2031 expansion proposal.<\/p>\n
The plan secures commitment from NYU to eliminate an additional 17.4 percent density above ground, reduce Mercer Building height, significantly scale back the Zipper Building, fund maintenance and upkeep of open space and immediately improve public open space. Plans now include a community facility or public school planned at the Bleecker Building site.<\/p>\n
Overall, the modified plan represents a 26 percent reduction (352,000 sq. ft.) when compared to NYU\u2019s original proposal, certified in January 2012. Additionally, several immediate improvements will be made to public park strips on the superblocks, including a new seating area on Bleecker Street and a playground on Mercer Street.<\/p>\n
Helping the city\u2019s educational institutions grow and flourish is a priority for the Council as is preserving public access to open space and protecting New Yorkers\u2019 quality of life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank Speaker Quinn for her support on NYU 2031 and for her continued advocacy on behalf of the Greenwich Village community,\u201d said Council Member Margaret Chin. \u201cThe application before the Council today is 26 percent smaller than what NYU originally proposed. This is significant, and it reflects NYU\u2019s willingness to engage in the public process. I modified this proposal to directly address concerns expressed by my constituents, namely, by reducing building heights and preserving open space. I am proud of the victories that have been achieved. This modified proposal meets NYU\u2019s academic needs while providing new amenities and improved green space for Greenwich Village residents. As this plan comes into being over the next 20 years, I am confident that it will not outpace growth in Greenwich Village. I urge my colleagues in the Council to stand with me and vote \u2018yes\u2019 in support of NYU\u2019s 2031 proposal.\u201d<\/p>\n
###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Legislation will illuminate the City\u2019s process of building and funding quality affordable housing.<\/p>\n
New York, NY- Today, the City Council will vote on a bill to dramatically increase transparency and accountability in New York City\u2019s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) housing projects. The City allocates hundreds of millions of dollars towards housing development, and this bill will help to better assess the number of affordable units created and preserved while shedding light on HPD\u2019s process of selecting and evaluating developers, how the City pays for those projects and whether the developments are well built.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n