On August 3, 2023, the City Council voted to pass a bill to establish an Office of the Homeowner Advocate. The bill, Int. 398-A, was sponsored by Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers.
City Council
City Council Votes to Approve Outdoor Dining Plan
After a year and a half since the bill was introduced, the Council finally votes to create a permanent outdoor dining program. On August 3, 2023, the City Council voted to approve Int 31-C, which establishes a permanent outdoor dining program. The program will allow sidewalk cafes to operate annually and roadway cafes to operate seasonally, with removable furniture and decor replacing solid dining shed structures. The program follows the temporary outdoor dining program that … <Read More>
Council Passes Two Bills to Further Strengthen City’s Lead Laws
On July 13, 2023, the City Council passed Int. 193-A and Int. 200-A, two bills aimed to further improve the city’s laws to prevent lead poisoning.
Council Passes Bill to Further Crack Down on Illegal Smoke Shops
The Council passed the bill the same day Governor Hochul announced additional state measures to address illegal smoke shops. On June 22, 2023, the City Council Committee on Public Safety passed a new bill to address New York City’s ongoing problem with unlicensed smoke shops. Int. 1001-B (2023), sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman from Queens, will hold landlords accountable for knowingly leasing a commercial premises to an unlicensed tenant who sells controlled substances or … <Read More>
Council Approves Two Bills to Expand Resources for LGBTQ+ and Runaway Homeless Youth
On June 8, 2023, the City Council approved two bills to expand resources for LGBTQ+ and runaway homeless youth. Both bills, Int. 976-A and 977-A, were sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens.
City Council Creates Mandatory Citywide Residential Organics Collection Program as Part of Zero Waste Act
Residents will be required to sort out organic waste, like recycling. On June 8, 2023, the City Council voted to approve the Zero Waste Act, a package of bills aimed at reducing the amount of organic waste in landfills. The Zero Waste Act consists of five bills, including the creation of a mandatory organic waste curbside collection program.