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Q&A
Update on rat mitigation efforts and budget in New York City
1:58:04
ยท
146 sec
Council Member Gale A. Brewer inquires about the current status of rat mitigation efforts in New York City, including budget allocation and effectiveness of the program. Commissioner Morse and Deputy Commissioner Schiff provide details on the rat mitigation initiatives.
- The FY 2026 budget for rat mitigation is $4.7 million
- In FY 2024, over 90,000 inspections related to rat concerns were conducted
- There are signs of improvement, with complaints dropping and increased inspections
- Ongoing efforts include the Department of Sanitation's trash containerization and changes to Dining Out New York
- The city provides data on rat inspections through the environmental health data portal and rat information portal
Gale A. Brewer
1:58:04
We won't get into that anymore.
1:58:06
In terms of rats, so obviously they're down between Carolyn Bragdon, who's my hero, and the rat lady.
1:58:13
So how big is that department and what is the budget?
1:58:17
And is it increasing, decreasing?
1:58:19
What's the budget?
Michelle Morse
1:58:21
Our FY twenty six budget for rat mitigation is 4,700,000 And that work includes in FY twenty four, for example, we conducted over a 90,000 inspections related to concerns around rats.
Gale A. Brewer
1:58:38
How does that does that show any improvement?
1:58:41
What's your analysis with all that money?
Michelle Morse
1:58:44
I do think we have seen some changes, but I'm gonna ask our deputy commissioner Corinne Schiff to join me at the table and share a little bit more.
1:58:51
Thank you.
1:58:52
And as she's joining I just want to also mention that the current office of school health at the New York City Health Department is led by Gail Adman.
Nadia Chait
1:59:00
Okay.
UNKNOWN
1:59:03
Good afternoon.
1:59:05
Please raise your right hand.
1:59:07
Do you affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in your testimony before this committee and to respond honestly to council member's questions?
Corinne Schiff
1:59:14
I do, yes.
Aaron Anderson
1:59:15
You may proceed.
Corinne Schiff
1:59:16
Thank you council member for the question about rats and for your ongoing support for that program, and I'll be sure to
Gale A. Brewer
1:59:23
Mostly for Carolyn.
Corinne Schiff
1:59:24
Will be sure to pass on your regards to Carolyn Bragdon and to Kathy Carrotti, who's the city's
Gale A. Brewer
1:59:30
The rat lady.
Corinne Schiff
1:59:31
The so called rat czar, who's been doing a terrific job coordinating efforts among the different agencies that do rat control work.
1:59:40
We are starting to see some improvements.
1:59:43
We've seen complaints dropping, and you heard Doctor.
1:59:46
Morris talk about our increasing inspections.
1:59:50
And I think we will also see ongoing improvements with the Department of Sanitation's efforts to containerize trash and the changes that the council made to the Dining Out New York.
2:00:01
So I think that the trajectory is really good on rats after we had seen a lot of improvements before the pandemic and then lost some ground.
Gale A. Brewer
2:00:10
All right, can you keep the committee updated so maybe in six months to let us know what the improvements are or not?
Corinne Schiff
2:00:17
We sure can.
2:00:18
And then I would also encourage you to look on our environmental health data portal where we provide some of that data and on our rat information portal where New Yorkers can check to see our inspections on their particular properties.