PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Tim Laughlin, President of Lower East Side Partnership, on NYC Waste Containerization
2:42:37
·
94 sec
Tim Laughlin, President of Lower East Side Partnership and co-chair of the NYC BID Association Sanitation Working Group, testifies about the need for better collaboration between the Department of Sanitation and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) regarding waste containerization efforts. He emphasizes the importance of consultation with BIDs and the potential financial challenges for smaller BIDs in implementing new policies.
- Congratulates Commissioner Tisch on her appointment to the NYPD and sees an opportunity for new leadership at the Department of Sanitation to collaborate with BIDs and nonprofits.
- Expresses concern about the lack of consultation with BIDs on containerization plans and their willingness to engage in discussions.
- Highlights the potential financial burden on smaller BIDs, which may force them to cease supplemental sanitation services if affordable policies are not implemented.
Tim Laughlin
2:42:37
Chair Reio, chair Juan, thank you for this opportunity to testify.
2:42:40
My name is Tim Laughlin.
2:42:41
I am president of Lower East Side Partnership.
2:42:43
I am also the cochair of the New York City BID Association Sanitation Working Group.
2:42:47
I think I'll be the first to congratulate, commissioner Tisch on her appointment to the New York City Police Department.
2:42:53
On behalf of all bids, we look forward to working with her, to keep our city and our neighborhood safe and clean.
2:42:58
I think that that also provides a unique opportunity, for new leadership at the Department of Sanitation that can collaborate specifically with business improvement districts and nonprofit providers like ACE, more importantly funded by the city council to, have additional service within our community.
2:43:14
Lot of conversation at this hearing about consultation and engagement.
2:43:17
I have been working for over 2 years, with the the mayor, the senior advisers, the deputy mayor, and multiple agency commissioners on truly coming up with what our plan is, what are next steps.
2:43:27
To date, the bids have not really had that opportunity for consultation.
2:43:31
We are open to it, and we are open to containerization, but just making sure that we can really talk about the specifics.
2:43:37
Again, this is the public's trash that we manage, and it's really important that we understand that many small bids will cease operations related to supplemental sanitation services if we can't come up with a policy that they can afford.
2:43:49
We're not talking about the biggest bids in the city, let alone, in the country.
2:43:53
We're talking about some of the smallest organizations that really do that neighborhood work in the outer boroughs, some of which only have budgets annually of $80,000.
2:44:01
I appreciate your leadership on this issue, and we look forward to collaborating, both with you, city government, and the Department of Sanitation on possible and positive next steps.
2:44:10
Thank you for your time.
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Testimony by Maddie Baker, Operations Manager of Bryant Park Corporation and 34th Street Partnership Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
