Also signs legislation authorizing the expansion of DUMBO BID
Mayor de Blasio yesterday signed 12 pieces of legislation on which he previously held a hearing – Intros. 1290-A, 1295-A, 1296-A and 1297-A, in relation to the Percent for Art program; Intro. 865-B, in relation to reporting certain data regarding the Cultural Institutions Group; Intro. 1276-B, in relation to requiring the art commission to conduct an annual report; Intros. 570-A, 860-A and 861-A, in relation to commuter vans; Intro. 1052-A, in relation to agency disposal of electronics; Intro. 1281-A, in relation to the evaluation of economic development tax expenditures; and Intro. 1371, in relation to an extension of the DUMBO Business Improvement District. The Mayor also held hearings for and signed nine other pieces of legislation– Intro. 436-A, in relation to allowing supermarkets and some retail stores to correct first-time price-labeling violations before having to pay civil penalties; Intro. 1024-A, in relation to the dissemination of senior citizen rent increase exemption information; Intros. 1164-A, 1166-A, 1167-A, 1168-A and 1171-A, in relation to three quarters housing; Intro. 1294-A, in relation to requiring the fire department to report on fire-related deaths; and Intro. 1309, in relation to the extension of increases to the maximum qualifying income levels for the City’s Rent Freeze Program, SCRIE and DRIE.
“Public art plays a crucial role in capturing the extraordinary energy and diversity of this city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The improvement of the Percent for Art program strengthens the City’s ability to invest in public works of art and the local artists who create it. This package of legislation is just one of many steps we are taking to ensure the growth and display of New York City’s artistic spirit. I would like to thank the sponsors of these bills, Council Member Laurie Cumbo and Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer. I would also like to thank Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the rest of the City Council for passing these bills.”
“New York City is not only home to great art – it is home to great artists,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “Through implementing enhanced funding provisions and establishing detailed reporting requirements, we ensure that New Yorkers have continued access to information about our citywide public art programs and to the opportunities that allow them to participate in those same programs themselves. I commend the members of the City Council who worked so diligently on these initiatives, and I thank Mayor de Blasio for signing them into law today.”
The first bill, Intro. 1296-A, brings the Percent for Art program into the 21st century, economically speaking. This bill increases the amount the City of New York can spend on public art. The bill provides that one percent of the first $50 million appropriated for public-facing capital projects must be allocated for public art, replacing the existing rule that only one percent of the first $20 million would be allocated for public works of art. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsors, Council Member Laurie Cumbo and Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer.
The second bill, Intro. 1295-A, requires that the Department of Cultural Affairs publish demographic information on its website about the artists whose work has been commissioned by the Percent for Art program, in addition to the information currently published about each commission. This bill will help to show the breadth and diversity of the works and artists commissioned. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsors, Council Member Laurie Cumbo and Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer.
The third bill, Intro. 1290-A, clarifies who must serve on the advisory panels that recommend art for the Percent for Art program. This bill will help to ensure that diverse groups of voices decide what art best represents their communities. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsors, Council Member Laurie Cumbo and Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer.
The fourth bill, Intro. 1297-A, requires DCLA to do citywide outreach to educate the public about how to submit artwork to the Percent for Art program. This bill will help to ensure that all those who have a stake in public art will be able to have a say in public art. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsors, Council Members Laurie Cumbo and Jimmy Van Bramer.
The fifth bill, Intro. 865-B, requires DCLA to report annually on educational partnerships, programs, and visitors to City-owned cultural institutions. This bill will help to highlight the meaningful role that cultural institutions play in the City’s cultural landscape. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer.
The sixth bill, Intro. 570-A, reduces regulatory obstacles for legitimate commuter van operators. This bill makes it easier for commuter van operators to obtain and renew a license. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked Council Member Jumaane Williams.
The seventh bill, Intro. 860-A, requires that the Taxi and Limousine Commission prepare an annual review and report of the City’s commuter van industry and make recommendations for its improvement. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked Council Member I. Daneek Miller.
The eighth bill, Intro. 861-A, increases penalties for operating an unlicensed commuter van and establishes penalties related to operating a commuter van. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked Council Member I. Daneek Miller.
“Commuter vans are an increasingly important and affordable way for many New Yorkers to get where they need to be,” said Taxi and Limousine Chair Meera Joshi. “We appreciate the work of Council Members Miller and Williams in providing these tools to increase safety, and we look forward to continuing to work together to support the licensed commuter van industry in ways that will further enhance their value to passengers and industry members alike.”
The ninth bill, Intro. 1052-A, requires that City agencies erase all data and information when disposing of electronics. This bill underscores the City of New York’s commitment to protecting New Yorkers’ personal information and helps to safeguard the privacy of the City’s people while preserving the integrity of electronic infrastructure. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member James Vacca.
The tenth bill, Intro. 1276-B, requires the Public Design Commission to report annually on the previous year’s work. This bill will help make the City’s public design review process more transparent. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer.
The eleventh bill, Intro. 1281-A, relates to the evaluation of economic development tax expenditures. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.
The twelfth bill, Intro. 1371, allows for an extension of the DUMBO Business Improvement District. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, Chair of the Committee on Finance.
The thirteenth bill, Intro. 436-A, allows supermarkets and some retail stores to correct first-time price-labeling violations before having to pay civil penalties. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Rafael Espinal.
The fourteenth bill, Intro. 1024-A, requires relevant agencies to distribute information to potentially eligible clients regarding enrollment for Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE). In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Fernando Cabrera.
The fifteenth bill, Intro. 1164-A, amends the administrative code of New York City in relation to information regarding unlawful evictions. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Corey Johnson.
The sixteenth bill, Intro. 1166-A, requires quarterly reports on violations issued to three-quarter housing. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Donovan Richards.
The seventeenth bill, Intro. 1167-A, amends the administrative code in relation to posting of a vacate order, re-occupancy of vacated dwellings, and the provision of relocation services. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Ritchie Torres.
“The City’s on-going affordable housing crisis and limited housing options has contributed to the existence of three-quarter houses that take advantage of extremely vulnerable individuals with nowhere to go. The enactment of this package into law will protect tenants from being taken advantage of by abusive landlords who want to make a profit off the Medicaid system and government resources. The bills I proudly sponsored will prohibit landlords from using medical treatment status as a way to discriminate against tenants, and will eliminate time limits for a person to apply for relocation services when a vacate order is in effect for the location where the person lives. These newly-enacted laws will confront the two major problems faced by three-quarter houses’ residents,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.
The eighteenth bill, Intro. 1168-A, relates to improperly conditioning of residential occupancy on medical treatment. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Ritchie Torres.
The nineteenth bill, Intro. 1171-A, relates to verification of occupancy for relocation services. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Jumaane Williams.
“The point of this bill is to better protect those who live in three-quarter houses against abusive landlords who are looking to profit off of their vulnerability and moments of distress. The most troubling part in all of this is that because of the City’s affordable housing crisis, unscrupulous landlords have the opportunity to take advantage of people who cannot afford to go anywhere else. My bill expands identification documents needed for tenants to apply for relocation services. These documents include a lease, government ID, and a statement from a good-actor landlord or nonprofit. This adds certainty and trust to the process for tenants and prospective tenants. My hope is these bills go a long way to remedying this problem and disrupting this unregulated and unethical practice,” said Council Member Jumaane Williams.
The twentieth bill, Intro. 1294-A, requires that the Fire Department reports on the use and type of smoke detectors and smoke alarms in fire-related deaths. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley.
The twenty-first bill, Intro. 1309, extends increases to income eligibility limits for the City’s Rent Freeze Program, SCRIE and DRIE. In his remarks, the Mayor thanked the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Margaret Chin.
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