On July 14, 2022, the City Council voted in favor of creating an Office of the Utility Advocate. The new office will receive communications from utility customers, conduct outreach, and represent customer interests at public hearings like utility rate cases. For CityLand‘s prior coverage of this legislation, click here.
City Council
Council Discusses Bill to Identify Locations of New Public Bathrooms
Advocates highlighted the public health and equity issues New Yorkers face when struggling to find a public restroom. On Wednesday, June 28th, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on a bill which would be the first step in expanding the number of available public bathrooms in New York City. The bill, Int. 258-2022, would require the Departments of Transportation and Parks to collaborate on a report identifying at least one … <Read More>
Council Committee Holds Hearing for Utility Advocate Legislation
The new office would advocate for New Yorkers who struggle with utility companies, but some question if another office is necessary. On June 30, 2022, the City Council’s Committee for Consumer and Worker Protection held an oversight hearing to discuss recent utility rate hikes and Int. 372-2022, a bill that would establish an Office of the Utility Advocate within the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). The bill is sponsored by City Council Speaker … <Read More>
City Council Holds Oversight Hearing on Tree Canopy
On June 23, 2022, the City Council Committee on Parks and Recreation held an oversight hearing to discuss improving the city’s tree canopy. Chaired by Council Member Shekar Krishnan, representatives from both the Parks Department and local community organizations testified before the committee.
City Council Holds Hearing for Creation of “One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal”
The New York City Council Committee on Small Business held a public hearing on a proposed digital portal to centralize the information and paperwork necessary to open and run a small business. On June 9, 2022, the New York City Council’s Committee on Small Business held a public hearing on a proposed bill that would require the City to create and maintain the, “One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal.” The Portal would be an on-line hub … <Read More>
Council Approves Requirement for Self-Closing Doors Inspections
The bill is a part of the Council’s response to the Twin Parks tragedy this past January. On June 2, 2022, the City Council voted to approve Int. 208-A, a bill that requires increased inspections for self-closing doors in multiple dwelling buildings. The bill is sponsored by Council Member Nantasha Williams. Int. 208-A is the most recent in a series of bills passed by the City Council in response to the tragic Twin Parks fire … <Read More>