REMARKS
Council Member Ariola introduces bill to address illegal street vending
0:51:34
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112 sec
Council Member Joann Ariola addresses the issue of illegal, unlicensed street vendors in New York City and introduces Intro 1164, a bill to create an enforcement information sharing portal for agencies dealing with street vending regulations. She highlights the negative impact of illegal vendors on licensed businesses and the need for better enforcement mechanisms.
- The bill would require the Office of Street Vendor Enforcement to create a portal for sharing enforcement-related information among agencies.
- It aims to protect small business owners, legal street vendors, and ensure the safety of items purchased by New Yorkers.
- Ariola urges her colleagues to support the bill to help legal vendors and small business owners.
Joann Ariola
0:51:34
Thank you.
0:51:35
We have seen an increase in illegal, unlicensed street vendors setting up daily in our business districts throughout New York City.
0:51:45
They take up the sidewalks, often setting up in front of businesses and taking spots that should often be utilized by licensed vendors.
0:51:54
Oftentimes, they're selling the same items at significantly reduced pricing.
0:52:00
Business owners who are paying high rents, taxes, and licensing fees to stay in business are being pushed out by these bad actors.
0:52:10
We're seeing an increase in empty storefronts along these merchant corridors, and mom and pop shops cannot compete with these vendors who are not following health department regulations or laws of our city.
0:52:23
Many times, the police department and DSNY are called, and they have no way of verifying whether or not the vendor is licensed and if they have been subject to enforcement before.
0:52:35
That is why I'm introducing intro 1164, a bill that would require the office of street vendor enforcement to create a portal that would allow all agencies enforcing street vending laws to regulation and share enforcement related information.
0:52:53
The Office of Street Vendor Enforcement would also ensure that each enforcement agency had the capability to verify the authenticity of the vendor's license.
0:53:04
This bill will make sure that New Yorkers are purchasing items that are safe and will protect our small business owners and legal street vendors who are the backbone of our communities from being pushed out.
0:53:16
I appreciate it if all of my colleagues would sign on to this bill.
0:53:20
It really does help our legal street vendors and our small mom and pop shop owners.
0:53:25
Thank you for the time.