REMARKS
Council Member Brewer discusses cannabis enforcement bills and affordable housing project
0:04:39
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145 sec
Council Member Gale A. Brewer provides remarks on two bills she sponsored related to cannabis enforcement and reporting, as well as a property in her district receiving a tax exemption for affordable senior housing.
- Intro 557-B aims to collect data on unlicensed cannabis store complaints through 311
- Intro 981-A requires expanded reporting on enforcement actions against unlicensed sellers
- Brewer highlights the importance of Operation Padlock to Protect and the need for better public reporting and complaint systems
- She discusses a 40-year Article 11 tax exemption for a landmark building in her district being converted to affordable senior housing
Gale A. Brewer
0:04:39
Thank you very much.
0:04:39
As you indicated, 557 collects the details of unlicensed cannabis store complaints and sends them to the sheriff's office.
0:04:48
Right now, you call 311.
0:04:50
You don't collect it.
0:04:51
It just goes to the sheriff's office, and nobody knows the data.
0:04:55
So that's what 55 7 b is all about.
0:04:59
981 a requires reporting relating to the expanded local authority to conduct enforcement actions and increase details on the outcomes of each inspection.
0:05:11
We know how important operation padlock to protect is to the credit of the sheriff, and it's an example of building the plane while flying it.
0:05:20
Some essentials were missed such as public reporting on enforcement activity and creating, as I said earlier, a proper three one one complaint system, which the public needs.
0:05:31
The sheriffs have done a great job stealing stores since the start of Operation Padlock to Protect in May, and that enforcement will continue indefinitely.
0:05:41
But we need 2 things, ongoing support from o m b and enhancement to the enforcement process.
0:05:47
As I indicated earlier, right now, if you call 311, the operator directs you to leave a voicemail for the sheriff or send an email.
0:05:55
There's no follow-up and there's no tracking.
0:05:58
So, the existing reporting requirements were created prior to Operation Padlock to Protect and are no longer adequate for this reason.
0:06:05
And I certainly want to thank all the amazing staff members who participated.
0:06:08
I'll list them later when we speak, and particularly Sam Goldsmith from my office.
0:06:13
I also do I talk talk about land use now or wait?
Justin L. Brannan
0:06:17
Talk to that.
Gale A. Brewer
0:06:18
Okay.
0:06:18
So, the chair mentioned, a building in my district for a 40 year Article 11 tax exemption.
0:06:25
This is a building now owned by West, by the, supportive and what's the name of it?
0:06:31
WSSP.
0:06:32
It's basically an organization that supports afford affordable housing for seniors, and this particular building is landmarked.
0:06:42
This particular building had, women in it for many years in terms of, not affordable, but a place that women could go to be safe over the years.
0:06:51
It was originally built by the Vanderbilts many, many years ago, and it's very exciting that it'll be converted with its beautiful architecture inside and outside for affordable, housing.
0:07:02
And so thank you very much.
