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NYC Charter Revision Commission
Initial Public Meeting
Jan 07, 2025
·
12:00 PM
1 hr 17 min
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Summary
The inaugural meeting of the newly formed Charter Revision Commission, focusing on its mission to review the city charter with particular emphasis on housing and planning amidst New York City's affordability crisis.
Discussions included the commission's structure, responsibilities, and commitment to transparency and independence.
The meeting also covered ethics rules for commissioners, the history and structure of the city charter, and processes for proposing amendments.
Features presentations from the Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB), the NYC Law Department, and introductions from the 13 appointed commissioners.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Richard R. Buery Jr. opens the inaugural Charter Revision Commission meeting
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. opens the inaugural meeting of the Charter Revision Commission. He expresses gratitude for the opportunity and outlines the commission's goal to review the city charter, …
0:01:41
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4 min
Richard R. Buery Jr. on upcoming hearings and commission resolutions
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. announces the first two public hearing dates and locations in Brooklyn and Queens, providing the commission's website and email for submitting testimony. He introduces three …
0:06:32
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3 min
Sharon Greenberger on her commitment and relevant experience
Vice Chair Sharon Greenberger expresses her honor in joining the commission and her commitment to incorporating diverse perspectives from all communities. She highlights her current role as President and CEO …
0:10:27
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76 sec
Leila Bozorg on tackling the complexities of the housing crisis through charter review
Secretary Leila Bozorg expresses her honor to serve and emphasizes the severity of the housing and affordability crisis threatening the city's fabric. She argues the issue is more complex than …
0:11:46
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3 min
Richard R. Buery Jr. introduces Reverend A. R. Bernard
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. introduces Commissioner Reverend A.R. Bernard, who was unable to attend the meeting. Buery notes Reverend Bernard's role as a longtime community leader heading the Christian …
0:15:03
•
29 sec
Grace Bonilla on her personal connection to NYC and commitment to affordability
Commissioner Grace Bonilla shares her background of service to vulnerable New Yorkers and her personal connection to the city as a Queens native whose parents immigrated from Ecuador. She expresses …
0:15:37
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90 sec
Shams DaBaron on the importance of lived experience in addressing homelessness
Commissioner Shams DaBaron reflects on his unique position as someone with lived experience of the foster care system and chronic homelessness. He stresses the value of including such perspectives in …
0:17:12
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3 min
Anita Laremont on overcoming NIMBYism to solve the housing crisis
Commissioner Anita Laremont draws on her extensive experience in land use and city planning, including chairing the City Planning Commission. She identifies a key challenge: while most agree more housing …
0:20:16
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121 sec
Dr. Lisette Nieves on the significance of housing policy and representing New Yorkers
Commissioner Dr. Lisette Nieves emphasizes the significance of recent housing policy changes as a critical opportunity for the commission's work. Drawing on her background leading the Fund for the City …
0:22:20
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128 sec
Julie Samuels on housing affordability's link to economic vibrancy
Commissioner Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech NYC, speaks as a "chosen New Yorker" raising her family in the city. She emphasizes the critical link between housing affordability and …
0:24:30
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118 sec
Diane Savino on the challenges of housing development timelines and public engagement
Commissioner Diane Savino brings her extensive experience as a former State Senator and previous Executive Director of a Charter Revision Commission. She shares her personal experience with housing affordability challenges …
0:26:31
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178 sec
Richard R. Buery Jr. introduces Carl Weisbrod
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. introduces Commissioner Carl Weisbrod, who was absent due to a prior commitment. Buery notes Weisbrod's legendary career leading public agencies like the NYC Economic Development …
0:29:30
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37 sec
Valerie White on financing affordable housing and addressing systemic inequality
Commissioner Valerie White shares her extensive background in economic and community development across private, public, and nonprofit sectors, including work at LISC New York, Empire State Development, and the NYC …
0:30:08
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3 min
Kathryn Wylde on updating the charter to support housing production and partnerships
Commissioner Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, notes that the charter itself can sometimes be an obstacle to progress, particularly in housing. She sees …
0:33:50
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110 sec
Conflicts of Interest Board presentation on rules for part-time commissioners, part 1
Alex Kipp from the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) begins his presentation on ethics rules applicable to the commissioners, whom he characterizes as "part-timers but high rollers." He explains …
0:36:59
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5 min
Conflicts of Interest Board presentation on rules for part-time commissioners, part 2
Alex Kipp continues the COIB presentation, outlining rules specific to part-time commissioners. He explains that restrictions on making paid communications on behalf of private parties only apply to communications directed …
0:42:38
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3 min
Conflicts of Interest Board presentation on rules for high-discretion officials
Alex Kipp discusses COIB rules pertinent to officials with substantial policy discretion, like the commissioners ("high rollers"). He covers the two-year post-employment ban on paid appearances before the CRC (largely …
0:46:01
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4 min
Conflicts of Interest Board presentation recap and contact information
Alex Kipp briefly recaps the rules regarding potential misuse of position when a commissioner's outside employer interacts with the commission, distinguishing between participation in open meetings versus non-public meetings and …
0:50:11
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3 min
Q&A on political contribution restrictions for commissioners
Commissioner Kathryn Wylde asks for clarification on political contribution rules discussed by Alex Kipp from the COIB. Kipp confirms commissioners can make personal contributions but are prohibited from soliciting funds …
0:53:49
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154 sec
Law Department presentation on the NYC Charter's structure and legal context
Brenda Cooke from the NYC Law Department's Legal Counsel Division introduces herself and her colleague Ben Miller, offering their division's support to the commission. She provides an overview of the …
0:56:53
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3 min
Law Department presentation on the Charter's history and balancing functions
Brenda Cooke discusses the history of the NYC Charter, starting with the detailed 1897 version after city consolidation and the shift to the current "short form" structure in 1936. She …
1:00:11
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5 min
Law Department presentation on the organization and key chapters of the Charter
Brenda Cooke outlines the organization of the NYC Charter into chapters. She explains that early chapters detail the powers and duties of elected officials (Mayor, Council, Borough Presidents, Comptroller), followed …
1:05:32
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4 min
Law Department presentation on amending the Charter and the powers/limits of commissions
Benjamin Miller from the Law Department explains that, unlike constitutions, the NYC Charter can be amended relatively frequently through various methods, including local laws (sometimes requiring a referendum depending on …
1:10:13
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4 min
Law Department presentation on notable past Charter Revision Commissions
Benjamin Miller concludes the Law Department's presentation by highlighting outcomes from notable recent Charter Revision Commissions. He mentions the 1989 commission eliminating the Board of Estimate, the 2010 commission restoring …
1:15:03
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130 sec