REMARKS
Communications from Speaker Adrienne E. Adams
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8 min
Speaker Adrienne E. Adams sends condolences for lost community members and announces upcoming events and cultural heritage months.
- Begins with condolences for the passing of individuals from different districts.
- Acknowledges significant dates including March 1st as the 30-year anniversary of Ari Halberstom's death and also mentions Dominican Independence Day, Korean Independence Movement Day, and Women's History Month.
- Highlights the celebration of Greek American Heritage Month, Irish American Heritage Month, and gives birthday wishes to council members.
- Announces her 2024 State of the City address and acknowledges the council staff's hard work in preparation for the meeting's agenda.
- Details legislative actions to be voted on including bills related to mobile vending, lithium-ion battery safety, and the prohibition of vending in bike lanes.
Amanda FarÃas
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Thank you.
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We will now have communication from speaker Adrian Adams.
Adrienne E. Adams
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Thank you very much, Meta majority leader, and good afternoon, everyone.
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Before we begin, I do want to express my condolences to our colleague.
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Council member, Sean O'Brien, on the passing of his beloved umbrella, Francisca Gonzales.
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Our hearts are with you and your family during this time.
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Yorobello will be missed by her family, friends, and her beloved community.
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Our city is also mourning the loss of thirty three year old one, Temaye Ganzi.
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A construction worker who was killed on the job during a partial building collapse and council member Jaegers District earlier this month.
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And just 2 days ago, we also lost thirty six year old Nasim Barry, a Bodega worker and council member Hudson's district, to senseless gun violence.
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Our thoughts are with their loved ones.
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We're also heartbroken by the death of twenty seven year old journalist Fasil Khan, whom we tragically lost during a deadly fire and council member, Salam's district last week.
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Vaisil was known for his generosity and kindness, and he has survived by his 5 siblings.
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Mother and grandmother, we send them our condolences during this difficult time.
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March 1st will mark exactly 30 years since the death of 6 teen year old Ari Halberstom, the beloved son of community leader and my friend, Davora Havelstom.
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Arie was devoted to his family and his community, and his death was heartbreaking.
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But in the 3 decades, since losing her son to senseless violence.
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Devora has worked to keep his memory alive by establishing the Jewish children's museum in Crown Heights in his honor.
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She has sought to combat gun violence and help bridge communities together, and I thank you Devora for channeling your pain and grief into efforts that will continue to impact our city and create a better future for our children, we will always keep Arie and your family in our hearts.
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Yesterday, was Dominican Independence Day.
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New York City is proud to be home to a vibrant and dynamic Dominican community.
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It is critical that we honor the many contributions of our Dominican community to our city and beyond.
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And tonight, the city council, and some of our members will host a Dominican Republican Independent Celebration, so I hope you can join us right here in Chambers this evening for the celebration.
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March 1st is also Independence Movement Day.
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An important day for our Korean American community and commemoration of the March 1st movement for liberation and independence.
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Please join our Korean American neighbors and celebrating this important day.
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And as March is almost here, that means we will be celebrating women's history month.
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I'm so proud to lead this council which has demonstrated to the city and the world what's strong women's leadership looks like.
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Women are the cornerstone of society and the backbone of our families When women are healthy, safe, and have access to opportunities, we all succeed.
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That's why we have advanced solutions that will create a stronger and more equitable city for all New Yorkers.
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And I look forward to continuing our progress together.
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Happy women's history month.
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March is also Greek American Heritage Month and Irish American Heritage Month.
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We look forward to celebrating the cultures and contributions of our Greek and Irish communities right here in New York City and around the world.
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Before I continue, I do want to wish a happy belated birthday to council member Youssef Salam whose birthday was yesterday.
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And a happy early birthday, she's out celebrating to our majority whip Silvina Brooks prop.
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Powers whose birthday is March 1st.
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We wish them both happy happy birthday.
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On Wednesday, March 14th at noon, I will be hosting my 2024 state of the city address at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
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I hope to see you all there.
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Before I continue, I want to thank our council staff, especially our legislative division, and our legislative documents unit, including Ruthie Del Franco and Jillian Jeffries for their hard work in preparation for today's stated meeting.
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Listen to this.
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Over 500 bills.
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Are being introduced today, and I want to acknowledge their dedication for making today possible.
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Now let's move on to our stated agenda.
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First, we'll vote on the following finance items, a preconceived resolution sponsored by council member Justin Brennan, authorizing a 40 year article 11 tax exemption for new construction of a 7 story rent stabilized building and council member Sanchez's district.
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A preconceived resolution also sponsored by council member Brandon amending a previously approved article 5 tax exemption and council member of Obrayou's district.
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The amendment makes necessary technical changes.
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Today, we will also vote on a set of bills sponsored by council member, Julie Menon, related to mobile vending requirements.
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These bills emerged from recommendations made by the vendor advisory board, which was established by local R 18 2021 and consists of various stakeholders, including vendor advocates, and brick and mortar business representatives.
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Together, this package of bills will streamline vending regulations while also ensuring that vending does not her in bike lanes.
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Introduction 49a would allow mobile food vendors to display or store goods on top of their carts.
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And it would simplify the display requirements for general vendors.
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Additionally, this bill would repeal the city's bookkeeping requirements for general vendors, and mobile food vendors.
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Introduction 50a would eliminate the requirement for individual employees of mobile food vending carts or trucks to to each have a New York State Certificate of Sales Tax Authority.
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This bill would also eliminate the requirement that mobile food vendors and general vendors obtain a tax clearance certificate upon renewal of a license or permit.
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And introduction 51a would prohibit general vendors and mobile food vendors from vending in bicycle lanes.
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A bike lane is defined as a portion of the roadway that is marked off or separated for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles.
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This bill would clarify that vendors cannot operate or leave their items in bike lanes.
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Thank you to our staff member, Sarah Swain, Natalie Melcer, David Seitzer, and Rachel Cordero.
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Next, we will vote on 2 bills, sponsored by Council Member, Gail Brewer.
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That aim to increase safety related to the use of lithium ion batteries and powered mobility devices.
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Over the past few years, as ebikes, e scooters, and powered mobility devices have become more prevalent.
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The city has experienced a rapid increase in lithium ion battery related fires in both residential and commercial properties that have resulted in a dangerous uptick in fatalities.
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This legislation is part of the council's ongoing efforts to mitigate the dangers of lithium ion batteries and improve fire safety city wide.
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Introduction 19a would require all businesses that sell ebikes, escooters, and other personal mobility devices powered by lithium ion batteries to post informational materials and guides about battery safety both in their physical stores and on their online retail platforms.
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A violation would be subject to civil penalties ranging from $150 to $350 per violation.
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And introduction 21a would enhance enforcement efforts for the sale and rental of uncertified powered mobility devices such as ebikes and e scooters.
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This bill would give the fire department enforcement authority for these laws.
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Increased penalties for illegal device sales and give the Department of Consumer And Worker Protection and the fire department ceiling authority for repeat violators.
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We thank our staff member Sara Sway, Natalie Meldzer, and David Seitzer, and Rachel Cordero.
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Thank you very much for your attention.
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Now I turn it back over to our majority leader.