A hearing on supporting the arts, culture, and history of indigenous peoples in New York City.

Discussions focused on:

• Recognizing and amplifying indigenous voices, particularly those of the Lenape people
• Establishing permanent spaces for indigenous arts and culture
• Increasing funding for indigenous-led organizations and artists
• Improving educational resources and programming
• Addressing challenges such as housing affordability for artists

The hearing also explored partnerships between cultural institutions and indigenous groups, and the upcoming 400th anniversary of Dutch colonization as an opportunity to reframe historical narratives.

Features testimony from the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, Museum of the City of New York, various cultural institutions, indigenous organizations, individual artists, and the public.

A hearing on expanding delivery worker protections, focusing on two proposed bills: Intro 1133 and Intro 1135. These bills aim to extend minimum pay protections and other rights to all contracted delivery workers in NYC, including grocery delivery workers

Discussions centered on the impact of previous minimum pay laws, enforcement challenges, and the need for additional worker protections. Concerns were raised about potential effects on consumer prices, worker earnings, and flexibility.

Features testimony from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), delivery workers, advocacy groups, and the public.

The Stated Meeting happens every 2 weeks (4 weeks in summer), when the council votes on and introduces new legislation.

Notably at this meeting, the council passes the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning text amendment (31-20) and approves a $5 billion City for All housing plan.

The council also passes related bills on basement apartment legalization and accessory dwelling units, and approves Muriel Goode-Trufant as the new Corporation Counsel.

A vote. The committee unanimously passes two bills from the Age in Place 2.0 legislative package:

• Proposed Introduction 1022-A, requiring a study and plan for Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs)
• Proposed Introduction 1054-A, mandating a 10-year plan to support aging in place throughout New York City

A vote. The committee passes two bills:

• Addressing sewer backups by requiring DEP to update its prevention plan every 5 years and share investigation results with homeowners
• Mandating DEP to create and regularly update a flood risk map for both coastal and pluvial flooding, considering sea level rise projections