Q&A
Council Member Vernikov questions MOUA on urban agriculture plan implementation
0:57:43
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96 sec
Council Member Inna Vernikov questions Qiana Mickie, Executive Director of the NYC Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture, about the implementation of Introduction 693, which requires a plan to convert unused industrial areas into urban agriculture sites by January 1, 2026. Mickie discusses the office's readiness, current progress, and potential interagency collaborations for the plan.
- MOUA has already started work on the plan and feels confident about meeting the January 2026 deadline
- While additional resources would be welcome, Mickie believes the current staff capacity is sufficient to meet their goals
- Interagency collaboration is expected, with immediate partners likely including the Department of City Planning (DCP)
Inna Vernikov
0:57:43
Thank you, Chair.
0:57:44
Good afternoon, ladies.
0:57:46
Alright.
0:57:46
So as we discussed here, introduction 693 would require a plan to convert and use industrial areas to urban agriculture by January 1, 2026.
0:57:56
My first question is what initial steps would you take to begin developing the plan?
Qiana Mickie
0:58:03
I'm I'm so sorry.
0:58:05
Can you repeat the question?
0:58:06
It's just not clear for me.
Inna Vernikov
0:58:08
Sure.
0:58:09
What initial steps would you take to begin developing this plan to complete it by January 1, 2026?
Qiana Mickie
0:58:17
Oh, so we've already started.
0:58:18
I think it the next steps are the continued research on building, and refining the Urban Act criterion, identifying any additional needs around land, land use, any future, needs for that, and also any environmental protections.
0:58:35
We will continue to have to be informed by other agencies around that as well.
0:58:40
But this is work that's already started.
0:58:41
I do feel like we'll be able to meet, our goal of January 26.
Inna Vernikov
0:58:46
Okay.
0:58:46
And do you have sufficient staff capacity as well?
Qiana Mickie
0:58:50
While we would always welcome additional staff capacity and resources, I feel like we are on scale to, meet our goals with the staff we have.
0:59:00
But again, we'd love and appreciate any additional capacity and resources to the Office of Urban Ag.
Inna Vernikov
0:59:06
Okay.
0:59:07
And which agencies would you be working most closely with?
Qiana Mickie
0:59:13
With the plan?
0:59:14
I believe that would be, you know, one, we're open to interagency collaboration.
0:59:18
Our current immediate partners would likely be our DP agency,
