City Council

Could I have your attention, please? At this time, please place all electronic devices, all electronic devices To vibrate, Mr. Majority Leader, it's all yours. Good afternoon and welcome to the stated meeting of September 24, 2026. I am Majority Leader Sean Abreu, and I'd like to thank you for joining us. As a reminder, decorum must be respected at all times.

If you would like to follow along, the agenda for today's meeting is posted on our website. On behalf of the body, I welcome the members of the public who have joined us today. During stated meetings, only members of the council may speak. Members of the public shall remain silent. If you wish to express your support of any remarks, you may make the silent approval gesture.

Thank you.

Please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call. Alderbol. Here. Areola. Present. Aviles. Banks. Present. Brewer. Here. Brooks Powers. Present. Caban. De La Rosa. Here. Dinowitz. Here. Encarnacion. Presente. Epstein. Present. Farias. Present. Felder. Here. Feliz. Here, presente. Gennaro. Gutierrez. Hanif. Hankerson. Hanks. Present. Hudson. Present. Caban. Present. Joseph. Krishnan. Here. Lee. Here. Lewis. Present. Maloney. Present. Marte. Present. Mealy. Moreno. Here. Narcisse. Here. Nurse. Osei.

Here. Ressler. Here. Riley. Present. Salam. Present. Justin Sanchez. Here. Pierdina Sanchez. Presente. Santos Suoso. Here. Schulman. Here. Stevens. Still here. Thomas Henry. Present. Ung. Present. Vernikoff. Williams. I'm here. Wilson. Present. One. Here. Wang. Present. Zhuang. Here. Carr. Present. Abreu. Present. Speaker Menin. Here. Thank you.

We will now have today's invocation, which will be delivered by Rabbi Stephen Exter. of Bayit Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, which is located at 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway in the Bronx. All rise. I rise as a constituent, friend, and admirer of Councilmember Eric Dinowitz with the deepest thanks. Let us pray. Elohei ha'ruchoth lechol basar. God who bestows your spirit upon all flesh, bring your blessing upon the elected legislators of this august body, the City Council of the great city of New York, upon its speaker and deputy speaker, leaders, and all members.

Grant our legislators the wisdom, strength, and moral force to faithfully represent their constituents and to hear their own inner voices so that they might make laws that are fair and just for all citizens, enshrining their freedoms and promoting their health, well-being, and flourishing as children of the Creator of us all. Grant our legislators the sacred chutzpah to reach across the aisle and forge compromises for the greater good.

For what unites us is truly greater than what divides us. 25 years after the most hateful acts our city has known, and just 2 days before the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, The Feast of Booths, in which Jewish tradition understands that the ultimate sukkah, the ultimate dwelling, is the Sukkah Shalom, the canopy of peace. We ask you, God, to guide our city's council members in making this city, New York City, a canopy of peace and welcome.

For all its inhabitants, living free of prejudice and fear, a model city for all cities, of civil discourse and civic friendship, of righteousness and justice, of love and loving kindness, a city of peace. Let us say amen. Amen. Thank you, Rabbi Exler.

I will now ask Councilmember Eric Dinowitz to spread the invocation on the record. Thank you, Mr. Maggiardi. Leader, Rabbi Steven Exler serves as senior rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, the Beit, a large Orthodox synagogue in the Bronx known for inclusivity and welcome and community building for people of all backgrounds. And it is very easy for anyone in a large group, a large congregation, to get lost, maybe not feel at home.

But when the senior rabbi of the institution greets everyone with a warm embrace, both figurative and literal, it means that everyone has a home in the Beit. And it is one of the most, and he is leading one of the most incredible congregations, I think, in our entire city. It is felt in the air every time I go to services there, every time I bring my children there.

His ordination is from Yeshivat Chovavei Torah, a rabbinical school, and he's a Bronx resident for 23 years. He is proud to call himself a New Yorker. And I am proud to call him a constituent, a constituent that I call on often to guide me in Jewish matters both large and small. Even the tiniest of rabbinical questions, I know I can call on him at any time.

And I want to even thank him today for teaching us all a new term, sacred chutzpah, something I'd never heard.

And I make a motion for unanimous consent to spread the invocation in full upon the record. Thank you, Councilmember.

We will now ask Councilmember Amanda Farias for the adoption of minutes. I make a motion that the minutes of the stated meeting of September 10th, 2026 be adopted as printed. Messages and papers from the mayor? None. Communications from city, county, and borough offices? None. Petitions and communications? None. Land use call-ups? None. Thank you.

We will now have communication from Speaker Julie Menin. Good afternoon, everyone. On Tuesday, the council hosted a Climate Week celebration, and that was just one of 1,000 events held in this city where more than 100,000 people from around the world came together to advanced solutions for a more sustainable and safer future. As activists sound alarms of despair, it's up to us as government officials to respond with action and play a leading part in the fight against climate change.

Back in April, the City Council passed a law to increase water quality testing and created an advisory board to develop a wildlife management plan. And in this year's budget, we allocated funding to support Cornell Tech and launch the Generative Canopy Project, investing a quarter of a million dollars to protect New Yorkers from extreme heat and bring environmental justice to the streets that we walk on.

In particular, this project is going to focus on 3 regions that will— and the first ones are Hunts Point and Longwood in Councilmember Sanchez's district, East New York and parts of Councilmember Banks' and Nurses' districts, Corona and Elmhurst in parts of Councilmember Thomas Henry Krishnan's and Wong's districts. The initiative is going to map the location of each tree in the 5 boroughs, as well as the cooling effect that they have, which will inform where it's most effective to plant trees.

And these efforts serve as just one example of the many ways that we are working on building a safer and healthier city.

As part of the budget we passed in June, the council secured the largest expansion of Fair Fares program in its history so that residents earning up to 200% of the federal poverty line will soon qualify for half-price transit discounts on the bus, on the subway, and on paratransit. Expansion now means that nearly 1.3 million New Yorkers can focus on where they're going and not if they can afford to get there.

While this was a major victory for transit affordability and something the council truly prioritized, we still recognize that there are unnecessary barriers to enrolling in the program. As I said in May during our Fair Fares Oversight Hearing, a 40% enrollment rate is a failing grade, especially for such a vital program. So among the bills that we're voting on today, one that Councilmember Krista Hudson introduced will mandate a streamlined process to enroll in farefares.

This effort is even more important given that 340,000 additional New Yorkers are now eligible due to the expansion that the council pushed for in the budget. Another bill introduced by Councilmember Here, Ina Sanchez will extend the J51 tax abatement for certain co-ops, condos, and rental buildings, benefiting up to 300,000 of them. This legislation will make it easier to preserve and retrofit our city's stock of aging buildings at a time when the cost of housing has truly skyrocketed, making it more affordable to complete repairs without shifting the burden onto taxpayers. tenants.

Speaking of affordability, the council also had a very significant announcement yesterday. I was so thrilled that so many colleagues were able to join. We announced that we allocated more than $25 million to Bellevue Hospital to modernize and expand their adult psychiatric department. Our funding is going to add approximately 40 inpatient beds, helping the hospital— Yes, thank you, Councilmember Maloney, for leading the cheering on this.

It's a very important project, helping the hospital fulfill its function as a primary psychiatric institution for Lower Manhattan and really unparalleled in the city. Last year alone, Bellevue treated more than 11,000 adult psychiatric emergency patients, with that unit operating at 98% occupancy. No New Yorker should be forced to linger in pain during their most vulnerable moments, let alone in crowded emergency room.

They should be met with immediate care, and that's what this investment will help ensure. On the subject of health, Sunday was National Opioid Awareness Day, and Sunday the 29th is World Heart Day. 80% of premature cardiovascular deaths can be prevented by mitigating key risk factors. So talk to your doctor and check out the World Heart Federation website to learn more.

Switching gears, we have some special observers with us here today. So on your way in this morning, you may have noticed student art adorning the rotunda. This was all due to 6 student artists, so I'd like to thank the New York City Arts and Education Roundtable for setting this up. We also have brothers from Iota Phi Theta here.

On September 9th, 1960, 12 men formed the fraternity based on the values of scholarship, leadership, citizenship, fidelity, and brotherhood. Since then, the organization has grown to over 300 chapters and has initiated over 75,000 members, making it one of the nation's largest predominantly African American social service fraternities. You are our future, and we hope that you will pursue public service beyond college.

So thank you so much for being here. We also have some celebrations. So happy birthday to Councilmember Farrah Lewis, who celebrates tomorrow, and to Councilmember Chris Banks, who will celebrate his day on the 30th. And lastly, Sukkot starts at sundown tomorrow. For seven days, Jewish people across the world will eat, relax, and recite blessings in their sukkahs.

It's a joyous holiday celebrating the harvest time, and I want to wish all Jewish New Yorkers observing a Chag Sameach.

Now we're going to move on to our stated agenda. First, we're going to vote on the following land use items: 815 Hutchinson River Park. Parkway rezoning will facilitate the conversion of portions of an existing commercial shopping center for retail uses that are not permitted under the current zoning in Councilmember Shirley Aldeval's district. 862-868 Kent Avenue rezoning will facilitate the development of 2 residential buildings with 75 residential units, 18 of which will be income restricted pursuant to MIH and community facilities.

Facility space to include a synagogue in Councilmember Lincoln Ressler's district. The council will disapprove an application by Cali Tejadas Bakery and Restaurant for a revocable consent to operate a sidewalk cafe in Councilmember Chanel Thomas-Henry's district. Introduction 833, sponsored by Councilmember Sandy Nurse, would repeal certain building setback restrictions along portions of Eastern Parkway between Rockaway Avenue and Bushwick Avenue.

Next, we're going to vote on the following finance items: a transparency resolution approving new designations and changes of certain organizations receiving funding in the expense budget. Today, we will also vote on the following pieces of legislation. Resolution 184, sponsored by Councilmember Amanda Farias, would declare October 3rd as Korean Cultural Awareness Day annually in the City of New York to commemorate the mythological beginning of the Korean people and to celebrate their continued pride in their shared ancestry.

Resolution 606, sponsored by Councilmember Althea Stevens, would declare the month of August as Black Pride Month in the City of New York, recognizing the legacy of New York City Black Pride movement of uplifting the Black LGBTQ LGBTQIA+ community and its continuing contributions to creating a more equitable New York City. Resolution 607, also sponsored by Councilmember Althea Stevens, would declare the month of September as African Immigrant Heritage Month in the City of New York to celebrate the contributions made by African immigrants to New York City and to the United States.

Thank you to Regina Paul. Introduction 142-A, sponsored by Councilmember Kevin Riley, would call on the New York State Legislature to pass and the governor to sign legislation to establish a Center for Fatherhood Initiatives under the Office of Children and Family Services. Thank you to Elizabeth Arts and to Rhea Ogusuara. Introduction 1015-A, sponsored by Councilmember Sanchez, would extend extend the J-51 tax abatement for certain alterations or improvements to covered residential buildings, including certain rental buildings, co-ops, and condos.

The program would now include projects completed on or after June 30th, 2026, and before June 30th, 2036. Thank you to William Eck, Austin Malone, Jose Konda, Dirk Spencer, and Rhea Ogasawara. Thank you. Introduction 246A, sponsored by Councilmember Crystal Hudson, would require the Department of Correction to inform persons in custody how much money remains in their commissary account and return all unused commissary funds in cash prior to an individual leaving the department's custody.

Introduction 248-A, sponsored also by Councilmember Crystal Hudson, would require the Commissioner of Social Services to create a streamlined process for eligible individuals to enroll in farefares. Thank you to Hannah Khan and Aminta Kilawan. And thank you for your attention to that. I'm now going to turn it back over to our majority leader. Thank you, Speaker Menin.

We will now move into discussion of general orders, beginning with Councilmember Pierina Sanchez, followed by Crystal Hudson. Thank you, Majority Leader, and thank you, Speaker. We are facing a housing crisis and a climate crisis at the same time, and our aging buildings are at the center of both. These buildings are among our largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, even as they break down around us.

Elevators are failing, stranding seniors and people with disabilities. Roofs, boilers, electrical systems, and other critical infrastructure need investment. And in the Bronx and Queens, we're living the deadly consequences. Consequences of aging housing and fire hazards. While government has a responsibility to set high standards for owners to keep buildings safe, protect tenants, and reduce emissions, we must also help owners make the investments that are being asked of them.

The J51 program is one of the city's key financial tools to do just that, with $212.7 million spent in New York City— by New York City in 2026. This program helps building owners up with the cost of necessary preservation work and upgrades, including installing energy-efficient systems so buildings can comply with Local Law 97. Earlier this year, the state authorized the city to extend J-51 with 3 key changes.

First, a 10-year program. This one will go through June 2036. Second, building owners will now be able to recover up to 100% of the reasonable cost of the rehabilitation, up from from 70% in the past. And finally, co-ops and condos will see a raised assessed valuation cap from $45,000 per unit to $60,000 per unit, which may sound crazy to the average person, but remember, these are Department of Finance assessed values.

And these changes together bring the program's ability to expand the program's ability to reach 300,000 co-ops and condos citywide. 1015 maintains previous accountability mechanisms and adds new comprehensive reporting to how it's being used so we can continue to improve the program. I want to thank the Green Co-op Council, State Senator Brian Kavanaugh, and Assemblymember Edward Bronstein for their leadership on this bill in the state, and of course the Housing and Buildings Committee staff and my staff.

And if I— yep, want to thank Dylan Campos, our incredible fellow, for all of his work on this and everything this past year. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Hudson.

Thank you so much, and good afternoon. I'd like to speak briefly on two of my bills that we're voting on today: Intro 246 and Intro 248. Since entering office, I've advocated for policies that make it easier for New Yorkers to access the benefits and services they deserve. I got into public service to make government more accessible for more people.

Antiquated systems and unnecessary red tape make it nearly impossible for New Yorkers to reach benefits their entire. Entitled to, and that fuels distrust in government. Both of today's bills are about the same basic idea: government should return to people what is already theirs without an onerous process to obtain it. Intro 248 bridges that gap. It creates a streamlined enrollment process for Fair Fares that allows DSS to immediately enroll individuals with their consent into Fair Fares if they're also applying for SNAP or cash assistance.

Intro 246 also works to put cash into pockets of New Yorkers by requiring the Department of Correction to tell every person in city jails exactly how much is in their account and directs the agency to return those funds via cash, check, or preloaded debit card before the individual leaves custody. Together, these bills send one message: whether it's benefits owed to a family or money owed to someone leaving custody, as government, we owe it to our constituents to ensure they get the money and benefits they are entitled to.

I want to thank the advocates who have put pushed for these reforms for years, including Riders Alliance, CSS, Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, Legal Aid Society, Freedom Agenda, as well as the teams at DSS and DOC, the council's committee staff, and my team who helped get these bills across the finish line. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember.

Seeing no one else signed up for general orders, going once, going twice. Report of special committees. None. Reports of standing committees. Report of the Committee on Criminal Justice, Intro 246A, Commissary Accounts. Amended and coupled on general orders. Report of the Committee on Finance, preconsidered Reso 652, Organization Funding. Coupled on general orders. Report of the Committee on General Welfare, Intro 248A, Fair Fares Program.

Amended and coupled on general orders. Report of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, Intro 1015A, Tax Abatements. Amended and coupled on General Orders. Report of the Committee on Land Use, Intro 833A, Eastern Parkway Restrictions. Amended and coupled on General Orders. LU-120 and Reso 659, 815 Hutchinson River Parkway rezoning. Coupled on General Orders. LU-121 and Reso 660 and LU-122 and Reso 661, 863, Coupled.

LU-123 through 128, various applications. Approved with modifications and referred to the City Planning Commission pursuant to Section 197-D of the New York City Charter. LU-141 and Reso 662, Kali Taharas Bakery. Motion to disapprove.

I would now ask the clerk take a roll call vote on all of the items coupled onto day's general orders calendar. Aldebol. Aye. Areola. Vote aye. Thank you. Aviles. Banks. Aye. Brewer. Yes. Brooks Powers. Permission to explain my vote? Permission granted. Um, I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate my colleague, Councilmember Senate on 2 very important bills, one with the Fair Fares Program, streamlining that access for New Yorkers, which is critical, and then also ensuring those coming out of custody are able to receive their funds more timely.

And with that, I vote aye on all. Caban? Aye on all. De La Rosa? Aye on all. Dinowitz. Permission to explain my vote? Permission granted. I just want to highlight that in today's transparency resolution, we're funding for the first time ever a Journalism for All, a brand new initiative entitled Journalism for All. And as journalism in and of itself is one of the most incredible things that we can provide for the education of our students, but as we transition to the Portrait of a Graduate, it is more clear than ever we need to make sure we are doing what we can to invest in the types of rigorous education that work, ask students to be introspective and reflective, get multiple perspectives on an issue.

And we in the City Council are doing that with our transparency resolution today. So I want to thank also publicly the Journalism for All Coalition for all of their work over the past few years on this initiative. And I vote aye on all. Thank you. Thank you. Brooks Powers for disclosure. Sorry about that. I knew I was asking permission for something.

I just wanted to disclose that we're making some changes with Department of Education, and my family is associated with that entity. Thank you. Encarnación. I and all. Epstein. I and all. Farias. I vote aye on all. Felder. Aye on all. Feliz. Aye on all. Thank you. Gennaro. Aye. Thank you, Councilmember Gennaro. Gutierrez. Hanif. Aye on all. Hankerson.

Aye on all. Hanks. Aye on all. Hudson. Aye. Joseph. Aye. Krishnan. Aye. Lee. Aye on all. Lewis. Aye on all. Maloney. I vote aye on all. Marte. Aye. Mili. Morano. I'd like to disclose that the transparency resolution we're funding funds the Department of Education and My son, who just started kindergarten, is associated with that entity. And with that, I'll vote aye on all.

Narcisse. I vote aye. Nurse. Osei. Palladino. Aye on all except for Reso 606, in which I vote no. Councilmember Paladino, I'm sorry, what was the reso? 6— 606. Thank you, thank you. Ressler? Aye. Riley? I just want to state for the transparency resolution that my children are scholars in the DOE, and I vote aye on all. Salam.

I'd like to disclose for the record that my family is associated with the YMCA, and aye on all. Justin Sanchez. Aye. Karina Sanchez. I'd like to disclose on the record that my sibling is associated with CUNY, and I vote aye on all. Santos Suazo. Aye on all. Schulman. Aye on all. Stevens. Aye on all. Thomas Henry. Aye on all.

Ong. Aye on all. Vernikov. Aye on all. Williams. I vote aye. Wilson. Aye on all. Won. I vote aye on all, and I'd like to put on record that my child is a student at the DOE. Thank you. I vote yes on all. I want to put on the record my kids go to public school. Thank you.

I'd like to disclose on the record that in the transparency resolution that we're voting on today, that the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island is funded, and I am associated with that entity. I vote aye on all. I vote aye. Thank you. Councilmember Lewis. I'd like to disclose for the record that my brother works for the MTA and I'm associated with the Parks Department.

Thank you. Speaker Menden. I want to disclose on the record that my daughter participates in a program at Asphalt Green, and I vote aye on all. All items on today's general order calendar are adopted by a vote of 46 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative, and 0 abstentions.

All right. Introduction and reading of bills. All bills have been referred to committee as indicated on today's agenda. Thank you. We will now move into the discussion of resolutions, beginning with Councilmember Arias, followed by Riley, then Stevens.

Thank you. I'm proud to be passing my resolution declaring October 3rd as Korean Cultural Awareness Day annually in New York City. October 3rd marks Korea's National Foundation Day, meaning opening of heaven. It honors a founding story passed down through generations and remains a day of shared ancestry and cultural pride. Nearly 90,000 Korean and Korean American New Yorkers live across across our city, and I have consistently championed culturally responsive legislation because the histories and traditions of the communities that shape New York deserve recognition here in the council.

This resolution gives us an annual opportunity to celebrate Korean heritage and help more New Yorkers understand why October 3rd is so meaningful. Thank you to Deputy Speaker on Cultural Affairs, Committee Chair Dr. Natasha Williams, Councilmembers Julie Won and Linda Lee, And my colleagues who supported and co-sponsored this resolution, Councilman Riley followed by Stevens.

Thank you, Majority Leader. As a father of three, fatherhood is deeply personal to me, and I know the responsibility that comes with being present, being engaged, and showing up for our children every single day. But we also know that too many fathers face barriers that can make fulfilling that responsibility harder, particularly young and new fathers, non-custodial fathers, and fathers navigating.

And reentry. That is why I'm proud to bring Resolution 142A before the council today. This resolution supports the establishment of a statewide center for fatherhood initiatives, creating a robust framework to provide fathers with the resources, support networks, and parenting education they need to strengthen their parenting knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficiency. Because when we give fathers the tools to succeed, the impact reaches far beyond one individual. we strengthen our children, our families, and our communities.

I want to thank Senator Bailey and Assemblymember Diaz for championing this legislation in Albany, and my council colleagues who have joined me in co-sponsoring this resolution. Today, I proudly urge my colleagues to vote yes, and I urge our state partners to advance this legislation and the governor to sign it into law. Fatherhood matters, showing up matters, and every father who wants to be there for their child deserves support to do so.

Thank you.

Councilmember Stevens. Good afternoon. Thank you, Speaker Manor and Deputy Speaker Williams, the chair of the Culture Committee, and all my colleagues for supporting the— and recognizing these 2 resolutions. It is about honoring our history, culture, and the people who have helped shape New York City. First, I'm proud to speak in support of Resolution 606, declaring August as Black Pride Month in New York City.

This history continues to have a strong Bronx connection. Lee Sargens, and a Bronx native, later founded the NYC Center for Brock Pride, which has continued organizing Black Pride celebrations. We're recognizing a movement in our community that has helped expand what inclusion, visibility, and belonging looks like. This year we had a Black Pride celebration in the Bronx, our inaugural Black Pride celebration.

This was a powerful reminder that the borough is not only a place— is a part of this history, but continues to shape it. I would like to give a special shout-out to my staff, Graham Mayhew and Michael Ivory, from the Borough President's Office and Destination Tomorrow, who worked really hard to make sure that this resolution came to fruition.

I'm also proud— in support of Resolution 607, declaring September African Heritage Month. I also want to give a special shout-out to the Bronx Borough President African Advisory Council, who helped advance this legislation. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember. Seeing no one else signed up for resolutions being voted on today, we will now have a voice vote on today's resolutions. If you wish to vote against or abstain from any of today's resolutions, please notify the Legislative Documents Unit by email or by approaching the dais. I will now read today's resolutions into the record.

Resolution 142A calls on the New York State Legislature to pass and the governor to sign legislation to establish the Center for Fatherhood initiatives under the Office of Children and Family Services. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Any abstentions? The ayes have it. Resolution 184 declares October 3rd as Korean Cultural Awareness Day annually in the City of New York to commemorate the mythological beginning of the Korean people and to celebrate their continued pride in their shared ancestry.

All those in favor say aye. All opposed say nay. Any abstentions? The ayes have it. Resolution 606 declares the month of August as Black Pride Month in the City of New York, recognizing the legacy of the New York City Black Pride movement of uplifting the Black LGBTQIA+ community and its continuing contributions to creating a more equitable New York City.

New York City. All those in favor say aye. All opposed say nay. Any abstentions? The ayes have it. Resolution 607 declares September as African Immigrant Heritage Month in the City of New York to celebrate the contributions made by African immigrants to New York City and the United States. All those in favor say aye. All opposed say nay.

Any abstentions? The ayes have it.

We will now move into general discussion. Reminder, you have 2 minutes, and we have 15 folks signed up so far. Councilmember Hanif, followed by Schulman.

Thank you, Majority Leader. This morning, I joined council colleagues, state legislators, future members of Congress, including Brad Lander and Chris Frabb, and hundreds of New Yorkers in an act of civil disobedience. disobedience to reject Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to our city and appearance before the UN. Together, we called for an end to US arms shipments to Israel and an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people.

We can't allow business as usual during a genocide. Millions of people are being displaced and killed across the region. Our federal government has the power to stop it. This is a local issue too. Our constituents are being told there is not enough money for food assistance, healthcare, schools, or housing. Yet there's always money for more bombs. Those are choices, and New Yorkers are living with the consequences.

We will not be silent while the Trump administration cuts lifelines at home and funds devastation abroad. New Yorkers are done paying for endless war. It is time to block the bombs, divest from genocide and endless war, and wars and invest in life. Thank you.

Councilmember— Councilmember Schulman, followed by Thomas Henry. Thank you, Majority Leader. Today I'm introducing Intro 1094, which would strengthen our city's ability to help prevent outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease before they occur. This summer, New York City experienced 2 devastating clusters of Legionnaires' disease, reminding us of the serious health risks that Legionella can pose to New Yorkers. Currently, building owners are only required to report Legionella test results to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene when levels reach at least 1,000 colony-forming units per milliliter.

But by the time Legionella reaches that level, an outbreak may already be imminent. This legislation would lower the reporting threshold to 10 colony-forming units per milliliter. This would give the department earlier notice of elevated Legionella levels, allowing the to take action before conditions become dangerous. The testing level proposed in my legislation is a critical regulatory threshold across Canada.

In fact, 10 bacteria per milliliter is the standard action level there. If a facility's cooling tower tests above 10 bacteria a milliliter, it triggers mandatory immediate decontamination and hypochlorination protocols. This method has proven to be an effective preventive early warning line of defense. We should not wait until Legionella levels reach a point where an outbreak is imminent before the city has the information it needs to act.

By requiring this new threshold, we can give the department a better opportunity to identify potential risks more quickly and intervene before people get sick. This legislation is about prevention and protecting the health of New Yorkers. After this year's clusters, we have an opportunity to learn from what happened and take steps to prevent the next one. And I also want to thank the Speaker for her leadership because we've had more legislation on Legionella this year than at any other time.

So thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember. Councilmember Thomas-Henry, followed by Banks. Thank you, Majority Leader. We can all agree that summer 2026 will go down in history, but at the heart of it was New York welcoming the world. We opened our city, supported public safety and transportation, hosted watch parties, and invested nearly $90 million to make sure that the biggest sporting event in the world could have a home here in New York.

But hosting an event of this magnitude cannot simply be about what New York gives. What my colleagues and I have been shouting from the rooftop is, how would an event of this magnitude benefit New Yorkers? FIFA reportedly committed to providing host cities with a million-dollar legacy contribution to support soccer pitches and other community projects. That's $1 million invested directly back into our communities.

That's a goal we hope all private partners will commit to. But now, with an estimated $15 billion in FIFA revenue, we have to ask, what happened to the million dollars? That money should have translated to the young person in Corona who deserves a safe field to play on. That money could have translated to park preservation where so many of our families celebrated this tournament together.

And of course, it must translate to the small businesses and neighborhoods who preserve the culture and vibrancy of our corridors. My Resolution 655 is simple. FIFA must honor its commitment and deliver a million-dollar legacy contribution promised to New York City. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. And last but not least, happy birthday, Parker. Mommy loves you.

Aww.

Councilmember Banks, followed by Farias. Thank you, Majority Leader, and thank you, Speaker, to your leadership. Today I'm introducing, uh, Introduction Bill 1072, which will expand the outreach and disability of the Rent Increase Exemption, or DREE program, and the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption, better known as SCREE. This legislation will expand the city's existing requirements for the sharing information about SCREE to include DRE and add the Mayor's Office for the People with Disabilities as a participating agency.

It would also require the Department of Finance to provide annual training to designated staff at participating city agencies on eligibility requirements, application and renewal procedures, reasonable accommodations, program benefits, and applicant referrals. Additionally, the Department of Finance would require— would be required to report annually to the council on these trainings and their outcomes. We are in the middle of an affordability crisis, and we hear about it, its effects on every corner of our city.

It is our duty to do everything possible to protect New Yorkers who are especially vulnerable to rising housing costs. That includes our seniors, many of whom are retired and living on fixed incomes, as well as people with disabilities and disabled veterans. SCREE and DREE provide meaningful relief by freezing the rent of eligible New Yorkers, helping them remain in their homes and communities.

However, these programs can only help people if they know the assistance exists and understand how to access it. No eligible New Yorker should miss out on this critical benefit simply because they never received the right information or guidance. By strengthening outreach and improving the agency staff training and increasing accountability, this bill will help connect more eligible New Yorkers with the assistance they need to remain safely and affordably in their house.

Thank you. Thank you.

Councilmember Farias, followed by Wilson. Thank you. Today I'm introducing 4 bills that I would like members to consider supporting. The first, Resolution 647, would establish Consent Awareness Week during the 3rd week of September. Consent affects how we respect one another's autonomy and boundaries, and education gives us a chance to build that understanding before someone is harmed. Secondly, Resolution 648 calls on the state legislature to pass S.5521/A1140, Consent appears throughout New York State's laws governing sexual offenses, but the penal law does not affirmatively define it.

This legislation would establish a clear standard, a freely given, knowledgeable, and informed agreement by someone with the capacity to reason. The 2 resolutions work together, one advancing public education and the other calling for clarity in the state law.

I'm also introducing Intro 1079 concerning the survivor hotline. Operated by the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence. It would require reporting on calls received and answered, wait times, interpretation needs, and referrals, among other measures. If people are waiting too long or leaving before they can access services, the city and this council should be able to see that and be able to respond.

And finally, Resolution 646, which would declare October as Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month in New York City. This request came directly from constituents in District 18. Hindu Americans come from many backgrounds, including communities like those in my district, and have contributed to our city's businesses, institutions, and cultural life. October offers an opportunity to recognize those contributions alongside the traditions and observances that make the month meaningful.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance all 4 bills. Thank you.

Councilmember Wilson, followed by Marano. Thank you, Majority Leader. One-third of New York City households have a pet, yet most New Yorkers cannot afford even a basic veterinary wellness visit. Veterinary prices have increased by 60% over the past decade, driven by the consolidation of the veterinary industry as private equity firms and large corporations purchase independent practices. Today, 50% of veterinary practices and 75% of emergency vet hospitals are owned by large corporations, and pet owners are often unaware that a seemingly independent neighborhood practice is part of a larger chain.

Pets are family, but rising costs have unfairly rendered pet care a luxury good. Tragically, some families face financial euthanasia, which is having to euthanize an animal because of a treatable condition, they cannot afford the necessary treatment. My new bill, the Pricing Equity and Transparency, or PET Act, would require veterinary practices to clearly disclose and display standard charges and price ranges for commonly offered services.

The PET Act will also require practices to provide written or electronic estimates for certain higher-cost services upon request and provide itemized receipts. Additionally, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection would establish and maintain a publicly accessible website to display average prices for common veterinary procedures. The PET Act will allow pet owners to compare prices, evaluate treatment options, anticipate expenses, and make more informed decisions about both their animals' care and the type of businesses they wish to support.

By making it easier to shop around for veterinary services, the proposal would expand consumer choice, promote accountability and fair competition, promote more trusting relationships between vets and their clients, and help more New Yorkers access essential preventative and life-saving care. So thank you to the Legislative Division for their work on this, and I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues to pass this.

Thanks so much.

Councilmember Marano, followed by Brewer. Thank you, Majority Leader. 25 years ago, after the worst day in our city's history, New York made a promise that we will never forget. But never forget has to be more than 2 words that we say every September. And that's why today one of the bills I'm introducing is Intro 1089, to create an Office of Assistance for 9/11 First Responders and Survivors.

Because here's the absurd reality: a firefighter, a police officer, a construction worker, a volunteer, a downtown resident or survivor survivor can spend years dealing with the consequences of September 11th and then have to become an expert in government bureaucracy just to figure out where to turn for help. They survived September 11th. They shouldn't have to survive the paperwork, too.

This office would give first responders and survivors a dedicated place in city government to help them navigate available services, benefits and assistance. We're now a quarter century removed from September 11th. The ceremonies will become fewer. The headlines will become less frequent. But for thousands of New Yorkers, the consequences aren't history. They're living them right now. They wake up with them every morning.

So if we really mean never forget, let's put those words into law. Let's make sure that when the people who were there for their city, and when their city was in need, let's make sure their city is there for them. That's why I hope my colleagues will join me in co-sponsoring Intro 1089. Thank you.

Councilmember Brewer, followed by Santos-Suazo. Thank you very much. Intro 1073 is what I'm calling the supplemental tree planting. We all want more trees in the ground, and the administration announced this, uh, Week. But the city planted 18,261 trees in 2026. That's a lot. We want to build on the progress. The city's Urban Forest Plan says we need 30% tree canopy by 2040, up from 23% today.

That means we need more trees. Parks' Neighborhood Tree Planting Program— I hate that program— prioritizes neighborhoods with the greatest heat vulnerability. I support that approach. But under the new 9-year rotation, some neighborhoods like mine could wait 9 years before we get a damn tree. So we can fill the gap during those 9 years. That's what I'm saying.

Councilmembers have allocated capital funding for additional tree planting in their districts. I can do the same. And I've already allocated half a million dollars in capital funding for trees. But under the plan, Parks no longer accepts council funding or requests for new trees, eliminating a way to plant trees. So I wrote to Parks, and many of you signed the letter asking the agency to continue accepting council funding and requests for trees.

Parks did not make that change, and that's why we have Intro 1073. It restores that supplemental pathway without changing the neighborhood-based program. We can identify additional locations, and if it's feasible, we can plant a tree. This is additional money for additional trees. Parks can continue prioritizing neighborhoods with the greatest need, while dollars can plant a tree in other locations.

We all have to work together for this tree canopy, and we need every dollar. Thank you to Chris Satori, Senior Legislative Counsel, for drafting this bill, and my Chief of Staff, Shula. Puder, and let's make sure that the program, the neighborhood tree planting program, is not the only program for planting a tree. Thank you.

Councilmember Santos-Suoso, followed by Zhuang. Thank you, Majority Leader. I want to speak about my new bill, Intro 1058. Businesses across the city are struggling, including many historic institutions that bring untold value to our city. Despite that, our current commercial eviction laws often favor commercial landlords and often force beloved community institutions to close without ever seeing a judge.

Currently, a commercial landlord can sue to evict a commercial tenant, and if they win in court, they can be reimbursed for their legal fees by the business in question. But in many of these contracts, the same is not true for the tenant. Even if they successfully fight off an eviction, a business cannot— often cannot have a way to make back legal fees that they have accrued in the process.

The result is that landlords can encourage tenants to self-evict without ever having their day in court. This bill simply aims to level the playing field by creating a provision wherein a commercial tenant can recover their legal fees if they successfully successfully fight off an eviction brought by a commercial landlord. It is a common-sense bill which aims to give these tenants a fighting chance when they are faced with eviction, and it is a much-needed tool to keep these institutions open for years to come.

I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting Intro 1058. Thank you so much. Councilmember Juang, followed by Hankerson. Thank you, colleagues. Today I want to recognize the Middle Autumn Festival, a holiday that means so much to me personally. I came to America as an immigrant when I was 20 years old, leaving behind my family, my home, everything I know.

I know it feels like missing people you love and to be far away from your home. For generations, Chinese families have looked up at the moon during the holidays and remember the people they love, and we also burning fake money to the ancestors. We share the mooncake because the circle represents family reunion and the togetherness. I want to thank Councilmember Phil Wong, brought a lot of mooncake today.

If my colleagues, you haven't tried, you should try, but don't eat too much. New York City is very diverse. Our differences are what makes us strong. Every community brings our own traditions, stories, and hope. And together we make New York City the greatest city in the world. No matter where you travel, I want to wish everyone happy Middle Autumn Festival and happy Moon Festival.

And try some mooncake. Councilmember Hankerson, followed by Narcisse. Thank you, Majority Leader. This year Climate Week comes with a heightened sense of urgency as the United Nations has officially declared that the world will not meet the goals set set by the Paris Climate Accord to cap rising temperatures at 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. That is precisely why we need to invest more— even more heavily in reducing New York's carbon emissions and making our city more climate resilient.

As Parks Chair, I see investing in our trees, parks, and various green spaces as one critical way that our city addresses a changing climate. Our 7 million trees are crucial for key keeping our city cool against rising heat. During the peak of summer, the temperature under a single tree canopy can be up to 25 degrees cooler than the surrounding street.

Our trees and parks also play a vital part in helping manage our city's stormwater, something we know all too well in Southeast Queens. As sea levels rise and flooding becomes more and more of a risk, our urban forest is a necessary tool for keeping people safe. But the reality is that these green assets are not distributed equally across New York.

As our city continues to get hotter year after year, it will lead to lives being lost disproportionately in Black and brown communities, which can be up to 10 degrees hotter due to a historical lack of foliage and green space. Black New Yorkers already die of heat stress at double the rate of their white counterparts. Without intervention, this number is sure to increase.

I believe it's the duty of the council to be proactive and do everything within its power to mitigate the worst effects of climate change and to do so equitably. By building a greener infrastructure today, we can ensure that a resilient, thriving New York belongs to every single one of us tomorrow. Happy Climate Week. Councilmember Narcisse, followed by Maloney.

Thank you, Mr. Chair and Madam Speaker and the Deputy for bringing the package, Natasha Williams, and I'm part of it. Today I'm proud to introduce Intro 1091 as part of the council package to protect our city's homeowners. Too often we see New Yorkers losing their homes, their lifeline investment and path to building generational wealth over small little infraction building violation that spiral into unconscionable death that we cannot control, uncontrollable death.

It is not right and it's not okay, like we would say, that these minor issues can lead to the devastating loss of families' most vulnerable asset. My bill takes a crucial step by requiring the department of building to proactively notify property owners when a violation on their property may result in a tax lien if left unaddressed. If left unaddressed, by equipping homeowners with this information early, we can help them take corrective action, connect with resources, and prevent a crisis that threatens their home.

As the affordability crisis puts homeowners further and further out of reach for too many, this package of legislation demonstrates our commitment to supporting homeowners and preserving this vital pathway to stability and equity, which is the buzzword for so many. But when it comes to Black and brown community, we need that equity in New York City and should be our commitment to keep the dream of home ownership alive for generations of New Yorkers.

And thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you. And I encourage all my colleagues to— Thank you. help me get this through. Thank you. Councilmember Maloney, followed by Caban. Thank you, Majority Leader. I am introducing legislation to strengthen sexual assault prevention and response at large public events across New York City. My bill would require events with more than 1,000 attendees, or 500 when alcohol is being served, to designate trained personnel and establish clear trauma-informed protocols to prevent sexual harassment and assault and have a response when an incident occurs.

If you're bringing thousands of people together for a concert, a festival, or a parade, you need a plan to keep them safe. I'm also proud to co-sponsor Councilmember Chanel Thomas-Henry's Resolution Number 655, calling on FIFA to show us the million bucks promised for hosting the World Cup. Thank you again to Speaker Menin and my council colleagues for funding Bellevue in my district, supporting psychiatric help, and again, welcome New York City Arts and Education Roundtable, including Ian, who is a talented artist attending High School of Art and Design in my district.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Cabang, followed by Lewis. Thank you. Each day, thousands of deliveristas move through our streets in heat waves, in storms, in intense city traffic, and they bring us our meals. They keep our city functioning. And yet, when a deliverista or their family member gets sick or needs to seek shelter from violence, they face an impossible choice: take the time and be punished by the apps, or keep riding and risk. their health and safety.

That's not a choice any worker in the city should have to make. I'm introducing Intro 1074 for flexible safe and sick time to give contracted delivery workers unpaid time off for their and their family's safety and health without the risk of punishment. This council has really led the way on protecting delivery workers, whether it's providing for minimum pay, bathroom access, or the right to be treated with basic dignity And this bill represents a sensible continuation of that approach.

And it builds on our previous recognition that no worker should have to choose between a paycheck and their health when we passed earned safe and sick time for employees. So I urge all of you to join me as sponsor.

And I also want to recognize that several colleagues and I joined over 400 fellow New Yorkers in a Jewish-led civil disobedience calling on our government to stop arming Israel amidst its ongoing genocide in Gaza. We took this action as Prime Minister Netanyahu, a war criminal wanted by the ICC, speaks at the UN today and is embraced and funded by Trump.

It is time for elected officials to listen to the vast majority of Americans who demand that our federal government end its support for the Israeli military and fund people, not bombs. Thank you.

Councilmember Lewis, followed by Dinowitz. Thank you, Majority Leader. Today I'm introducing 2 pieces of legislation focused on tenant safety, accountability, and advocacy to make major, long-needed improvements to the city's Alternative Enforcement Program, also known as AEP, both by expanding its reach and strengthening the consequences for owners who allow distressed buildings to remain in poor condition. Intro 1086, would expand the scope of AEP by requiring HPD to identify at least 400 distressed buildings each year, doubling the current statutory threshold.

Importantly, at least 100 of these buildings must be properties that were previously discharged from the AEP program but have once again fallen into distress. The second bill, Intro 1085, addresses the other side of the equation, which is accountability. It would increase fees for inspections, monitoring, and other HPD actions, establishing minimum fees of $1,000 per dwelling unit for building-wide inspections and monitoring, along with additional fees when violations remain uncorrected.

Together, these bills give the city more tools to identify distressed properties, bring more buildings under enhanced oversight and create meaningful financial consequences for owners who fail to correct hazardous housing conditions. I look forward to working with my colleagues, advocates, and the administration to advance these much-needed reforms and strengthen the AEP program as a whole. Our tenants deserve nothing less than a city government with the tools and enforcement mechanisms necessary to protect them.

I encourage my colleagues to sign on to these bills. Thank you.

Thank you. And our last speaker is Councilmember Dinowitz. Thank you. I just have to say, after hearing some of the comments about visitors to the country, however you feel about those individual visitors, you know, this word that I keep hearing, this genocide, this claim of genocide, is a claim that was made before Israel even started retaliating against Hamas after October 7th when they murdered and raped over 1,000 people.

And it's just ridiculous to me that before the retaliation was claims of genocide, after a ceasefire, that same word is being used. And the problem is, what does it do? It obscures the actual issues that are going on there, the actual trauma and the actual destruction that is happening in the region. You are unable— we are unable to have a real conversation and really address actual policy issues because of the demonizing language that existed before there was any military action and after there is a ceasefire in place.

And the demonization causes real harm, and it is very specific to one country. And the reason we know this, the reason we say we should stop doing any aid to Israel, is because the very same people saying that out of one side of their mouth, out of the other side say we should never sanction any country. We should never boycott from any country because that'll only serve to hurt the citizens and the people who live in that country.

But there is a special exception made for Israel, and it is especially okay, apparently, to use this demonizing language without evidence before the war begins and after the ceasefire is in place. Thank you, Majority Leader.

I'll now call on Speaker Julie Menin to close. today's stated meeting. Thank you. The stated meeting of September 24th, 2026 is hereby adjourned.