Image credit: New York City Council.
On October 10, 2024, the New York City Council introduced Bill Int. No. 1075-2024[1] (the “bill”) proposing to improve legislative and procedural knowledge of community boards and other local civic entities. This bill, sponsored by Nantasha Williams of District 27 and Majority Leader, Amanda Faíras of District 18, seeks to assign new responsibility to borough presidents, along with the Civic Engagement Commission (“NYC CEC”). Established in 2018 by the Charter Revision Commission, the NYC CEC’s responsibilities include assisting New York City agencies in developing civic engagement initiatives and aiding community boards.[2]
The proposed bill would require borough presidents and the NYC CEC to provide training on legislative processes and rules of parliamentary procedures to local entities such as to members of community district education councils, precinct community councils, and to the board of directors of district management associations for business improvement districts, within their respective borough.
These community district education councils are entities defined under a New York Law called “Composition of community boards” which will become officially effective on June 30, 2026. The councils consist of nine members for three-year terms. These councils are comprised of parents, local leaders and residents and business owners with an interest in influencing and improving the education of that district. Precinct community councils are organized through the police departments of each precinct and seek to enhance relations between police and community members.
These Procedures include rules set forth in the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order. Robert Rules of Order is a well-respected guide for parliamentary procedure, and includes rules and guidelines for committee actions such as obtaining the floor, debate, motion, amending, and inquiries.
CityLand spoke with Council Member Farias’ office regarding the proposed bill.
In response to the purpose of the bill, Council Member Fairas stated, “Community Boards play an essential role in shaping local policies, especially regarding land use, zoning, and community engagement in citywide initiatives. Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the vital contributions these boards make but also the challenges they face in navigating bureaucratic processes effectively. This bill is motivated by my deep commitment to strengthening local democracy and ensuring that every board has the tools and knowledge to function at its highest capacity. One key challenge I’ve seen is maintaining effective meeting decorum, which is why I believe formal training in processes like Robert’s Rules of Order is critical. We need to make sure that boards can run their meetings efficiently and focus on addressing the real needs of their communities.”
In response to how the bill would impact constituents, Council Member Faíras stated, “The bill would have a transformative impact on how Community Boards and civic associations engage with the broader governmental landscape. By mandating training, we would be empowering hundreds of New Yorkers with a deeper understanding of the often complex bureaucratic systems that influence their neighborhoods. This would lead to more effective advocacy, ensuring that voices from all parts of the city are heard and can meaningfully contribute to decision-making processes. In turn, this would improve the overall transparency and efficiency of government operations, creating a more informed and active citizenry. Ultimately, it’s about making local government more accessible and equipping everyday New Yorkers with the knowledge to shape their communities.”
To date the bill has been assigned to a committee, but a hearing has not been held yet.
By: Daniel Bonaventura (Daniel is a New York Law School student, Class of 2026.)
[1] https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6890440&GUID=EC02A442-918D-4943-B5F9-E09339E3C40E&Options=ID%7cText%7c&Search=1075
[2] https://www.nyc.gov/site/civicengagement/about/about.page