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Gale A. Brewer explains her vote on Intro 31-C and other items
0:49:26
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Council Member Gale A. Brewer votes aye on all items but expresses concerns and hopes for the implementation of Intro 31-C, which establishes a permanent outdoor dining program in NYC. She highlights various issues that need attention during the rulemaking process.
- Brewer emphasizes the need for proper oversight, especially regarding noise, operating hours, and differences between commercial and residential areas.
- She raises concerns about storage of outdoor dining equipment during off-seasons and the disposal of materials from current structures.
- Brewer also mentions the impact on small businesses, particularly those in Manhattan paying the commercial rent tax, and hopes for reasonable fees for outdoor cafes.
Gale A. Brewer
0:49:26
I'm voting aye on all, but I just wanna talk about 31 c for a minute.
0:49:30
I feel that it has a compromise in its execution, and I do wanna thank the staff.
0:49:36
I do hope that the rule making does take into effect many of the concerns.
0:49:41
Obviously, people are concerned about noise.
0:49:44
They're concerned about the hours that the, roadside will end.
0:49:48
They're concerned, I think, also about, the issue of how commercial and residential have different needs.
0:49:57
Obviously, is more dense often in terms of people living there and experiencing the outdoor cafes.
0:50:03
I'm also concerned because of the storage for the restaurants.
0:50:06
What happens in the time between November and April when they're not outdoors?
0:50:11
How will they be storing their tables, chairs?
0:50:14
I'm concerned about something that is maybe not of concern to anybody else, but when we do take down the current, very large, in some cases, outdoor cafes, what's gonna happen to the planters, the wood, and the things that have been in construction for these many months?
0:50:29
Can it please go not to the landfill, but to something perhaps with schools or places where they are in need of such materials.
0:50:38
I'm also concerned because Manhattan has the commercial rent tax all the way from Murray to 90 Sixth Street, the small businesses already pay a tax.
0:50:46
And I wanna make sure that those that are, paying for their outdoor cafes have a reasonable opportunity that is not too high.
0:50:53
Some people would like it higher.
0:50:54
I do not.
0:50:55
And so, Department of Transportation, okay, fine, that you're gonna be doing this outdoor inspections.
0:51:02
Make sure you have enough inspectors.
0:51:05
This is all based on having good oversight.
0:51:08
I have to say right now, when I have some outdoor cafes that are not operating, I can't get rid of them.
0:51:13
So I'm a yes, but I am a yes with please rule making oversight and pay attention to some of the issues that have been brought to the agency's attention.
0:51:23
Thank you very much.