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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Concerns about Intro 1126 (free bins for certain homeowners)
0:09:03
ยท
136 sec
Commissioner Lojan expresses concerns about the implementation of Intro 1126, which requires DSNY to provide free bins to certain homeowners.
- The bill requires DSNY to give free trash bins to one and two-family homeowners enrolled in STAR or E-STAR tax programs
- DSNY lacks access to STAR and E-STAR enrollment data, which are state programs
- Concerns about the complexity of implementing a reimbursement program for those who have already purchased bins
- DSNY proposes prioritizing distribution of free bins to senior and disabled property owners enrolled in city tax programs
Javier Lojan
0:09:03
I know that many members of the council still wanted free bins to be made available to some homeowners as shown by the recent passage of intro eleven twenty six.
0:09:11
While I respect your desire to ease costs to homeowners, no matter how reasonable those costs may be, I must share major concerns about how this bill can be implemented.
0:09:20
The s n
Council Staff
0:09:21
was not given the opportunity to review a final draft version to the bill of the bill until 11PM the night it aged despite long standing practice, and none of the input we offer was taken before it was brought for a vote.
0:09:32
As written, the bill requires the
Javier Lojan
0:09:34
s n y to give an unspecified number of trash bins to one and two family homeowners who are also enrolled in the star or e star tax programs, and provide reimbursements to eligible property owners who have already purchased bins.
0:09:47
As we told council committee staff in vain it turn turns out STAR and E STAR are state programs, and we do not have the data on enrollment.
0:09:55
A property owner would have to submit their tax return to DSNY, and DSNY would have to store that information securely.
0:10:01
As an operational agency, we do not have the resources or expertise to do this safely and effectively.
0:10:07
The bin is affordable, but this law risks away risks taking away sanitation services that benefit all New Yorkers in order to pay for a complex reimbursement program that will benefit relatively few homeowners.
0:10:19
The same is true for reimbursements described in the bill.
0:10:21
Remember, the manufacturer of the bin is a city concessionaire, selling to residents directly.
0:10:26
No money changes hands with the city on either side.
0:10:29
To our knowledge, there has never been before a legislative requirement to reimburse New Yorkers for an item they purchased from a private company, not once in the city's four hundred year history.
0:10:39
We cannot review receipts and mail checks.
0:10:41
This council has created a program ripe for fraud and waste.
0:10:44
We proposed automatic dispersal of bins to property owners enrolled in the city's senior and disabled property owner tax programs.
0:10:52
This would have been simple and straightforward.
0:10:54
While that legislative proposal was rejected, we plan to prioritize these homeowners over those with incomes of close to half a million dollars, and we'll distribute bins subject to appropriation.
0:11:04
This will give a free bin to the most of the people of greatest need and allow containerization efforts to continue.
0:11:11
They are certainly continue.
0:11:12
You all know that 70% of the trash is already covered by the containerization requirements, but we have a plan for the remaining 30.