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Q&A
Council member Louis questions DOT on inter-agency coordination for outdoor dining program
2:24:31
·
3 min
Council Member Farah Louis inquires about the coordination between the Department of Transportation (DOT) and other agencies, particularly the State Liquor Authority (SLA) and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), regarding the outdoor dining program. DOT representatives explain their efforts to ensure clear communication and compliance for businesses.
- DOT confirms regular meetings with agencies and a collaborative relationship with SLA
- Questions raised about businesses' understanding of regulations for outdoor alcohol service and health standards
- DOT commits to addressing any confusion and ensuring proper coordination between agencies
Farah Louis
2:24:31
Thank you, chair, and first deputy commissioner.
2:24:34
Thank you for being here today.
2:24:35
It's unfortunate the commissioner couldn't be here, but glad to see you and your team here.
2:24:40
And I just want to echo some of the sentiments of my colleagues.
2:24:43
We appreciate the efforts of DOT.
2:24:45
Penny has been very resourceful, but we do believe that there are still flaws with this program.
2:24:50
So we're gonna continue to echo that and mention it, but we do hope for change, especially change in agency.
2:24:58
I have a number of businesses in my district, particularly in the Newkirk Plaza area of my district are seeking to adjust their method of operation to serve liquor outdoors.
2:25:08
However, the Department of Transportation has not clearly articulated what is required for these businesses to lawfully operate under the state liquor authority.
2:25:17
So, I wanted to ask what coordination if any is currently in place between DOT and SLA to inform businesses of their obligations when they want to modify their operations of outdoor alcohol service?
2:25:29
And I have a health and safety question.
2:25:31
I have some other businesses in my district particularly in East Flatbush who are unsure how the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene regulations apply in the context of outdoor dining.
2:25:43
So I wanted to know what ongoing inter agency communication mechanisms exist to ensure small businesses are not receiving conflicting or incomplete information from multiple city agencies.
2:25:54
So one is on health and safety standards, the other
Margaret Forgione
2:25:57
one is inter agency coordination.
2:26:00
Okay, I'll answer the second one.
2:26:01
Michelle will answer the first So as far as DOHMH, Michelle mentioned that we do have quarterly meetings with the agencies to make sure that we are coordinating carefully.
2:26:12
We haven't heard that restaurants are confused about the DOHMH guidelines of serving outdoors, but if there's any more to that, and we'll go back and we'll double check with the staff, or if you have any more information, if you let know, we'll make sure we clear up any confusion because we don't want them to be confused between agencies.
2:26:30
In
Michelle Craven
2:26:33
terms of the State Liquor Authority, we've had a number of conversations with them.
2:26:36
They've actually been very collaborative, and they are are recognizing the conditional approvals we've issued for roadway cafes as sufficient approval to move forward with the modification to the liquor license that restaurants need to serve alcohol outside.
Farah Louis
2:26:52
Alright, so what specific efforts is DOT undertaking to ensure businesses do not fall in non compliance due to this lack of coordination, if any?
2:27:03
So how do you make sure that they're compliant?
Margaret Forgione
2:27:06
Yeah, well we're happy to make sure, and as Michelle said, we have an excellent relationship with State Liquor.
2:27:13
Throughout this process it's been some unchartered territory.
2:27:15
They've worked well with us.
2:27:17
If there is anyone falling through the cracks, we are happy to reach out the state liquor authority.
Farah Louis
2:27:22
And you will make sure there's some cross coordination there to make sure that the
Margaret Forgione
2:27:26
business has been Yes.
2:27:26
We have been coordinating very closely with them.
2:27:29
We speak with them all the time.
2:27:30
Alright.
Farah Louis
2:27:31
Thank you, chairs.