QUESTION
Who is responsible for generating new standards for environmental sustainability at the airport?
0:47:25
·
3 min
The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) explains that it's not the airport board's responsibility to generate new standards for environmental sustainability and community impact, but rather the port authority's.
- The EDC reviews information from the port authority about their environmental sustainability goals and strategies.
- Council Member Brooks Powers emphasizes the responsibility of both parties, according to the lease agreement.
- The EDC expresses willingness for community consultation regarding the revision of standards.
- There is mention of missed opportunities for meetings between EDC and Council Member Powers.
Brooks Powers
0:47:25
And the 2021 amendment to the airport board agreement signed by the city and the port authority, both parties committed to engage in a quote unquote the process of updating and revising performance standards, including new standards regarding mental sustainability and community initiatives.
0:47:46
Has the airport board generated those new standards?
Jennifer Sun
0:47:52
It's not the responsibility of the airport board to generate performance standards.
0:47:56
Instead, we do look to the port authority to put forward their point of view of the commitments and the strategies, but the lease
Brooks Powers
0:48:03
says both parties.
Jennifer Sun
0:48:07
Well, again, I think my view is that because the port authority is operating the airport, but you're in a better position.
0:48:16
Okay.
0:48:17
So, again, EDC's role on the airport board can be, and what we are doing is reviewing the information that the port authority shares about, you know, what are their goals and what are their strategies for achieving environmental sustainability and community impact.
Brooks Powers
0:48:37
So based on what the lease says, which prescribes the role that EDC plays, not the role that EDC chooses to play.
0:48:46
I think we need to look at how we establish and update these standards as it is laid out and the lease because it again says both parties.
0:49:06
A follow-up to that, and I would like to see that from EDC.
0:49:09
But a follow-up to that is how has EDC or how will in this case EDC consult with the community or topic area experts to establish these recommendations for the revision of the standards?
Mikelle Adgate
0:49:27
Yeah.
0:49:27
Thank you for the for the question chair.
0:49:29
I think, you know, given EDC's mission for economic development across all five boroughs are definitely open to conversations from the community.
0:49:42
In addition to whatever may be asked or shared at the Community Advisory Council with the Port Authority.
0:49:50
We're happy to have those conversations with you.
0:49:53
I know that we had reached out in October to try to schedule time with you and your team to discuss.
0:49:58
This very topic.
0:50:00
And so I think there is room for us to work together, to better understand what the community's priorities are.
0:50:06
And then more specifically what EDC has the role and venue to help support.
Brooks Powers
0:50:15
No.
0:50:15
And thank you for that.
0:50:16
And I will I welcome and have always welcome meetings with EDC, with the head of EDC who has not been willing to meet with me.
0:50:27
So we've had to revert to a hearing.
Mikelle Adgate
0:50:30
But I'm I'm sorry, Jared.
0:50:32
I do have to push back on that because I know that president and CEO Andrew Kimball has always been willing to meet with elected officials.
0:50:41
I know that we were not able to get it calendar at the end of the year, but I wouldn't characterize it that he was unwilling to meet with you.
Brooks Powers
0:50:51
We get agree to disagree because the feedback from my staff when we requested it was that he was not gonna make himself available.
0:50:57
We were willing to change the date.
0:50:59
But, again, I don't wanna take up space, dispute in that.
0:51:03
Like I said, I could agree to disagree on that.