Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
NYC Charter Revision Commission
Staten Island Public Input Session on Government Reform
Apr 09, 2025
·
05:00 PM
2 hr 27 min
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Summary
A hearing on potential charter reforms, including:
- Changing election structures (moving to even-year elections, implementing open primaries or nonpartisan elections, extending ranked-choice voting)
- Streamlining processes for climate and infrastructure projects
- Strengthening fair share provisions
- Creating a mayoral removal process
- Reforming community board appointments
Discussions focused on:
- Increasing voter participation
- Addressing climate resilience
- Improving equity in city services
- Enhancing government accountability
Features testimony from It's Electric, the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ), Solar One, the Manhattan Institute, Citizens Union, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Richard R. Buery Jr. opens the Charter Revision Commission public hearing
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. welcomes attendees to the public hearing, explaining the commission's goal to review the city charter in light of NYC's 400th anniversary. He emphasizes the commission's …
0:00:01
•
95 sec
Testimony by Tiya Gordon, Cofounder and COO of It's Electric, on EV charging infrastructure and charter reform
Tiya Gordon discusses the barrier posed by the lack of public EV charging for city dwellers who park on the street. She introduces It's Electric's model, which harnesses spare electrical …
0:04:30
•
8 min
Testimony by Elijah Hutchinson, Executive Director of MOCEJ, on the climate crisis and ULURP challenges
Elijah Hutchinson outlines the severe climate threats facing New York City, including flooding and extreme heat, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities and the economic costs. He argues for …
0:13:07
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6 min
Commissioner Laremont asks about alternative municipal processes for EV charging deployment
Commissioner Anita Laremont asks Tiya Gordon if other cities offer better models for authorizing private EV charging infrastructure deployment. Gordon cites Boston's approach, where the city manages much of the …
0:20:01
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57 sec
Commissioners seek clarification on EV charging costs and ULURP triggers for climate projects
A commissioner confirms the $13.4 million cost for the initial 50 curbside EV chargers cited by Tiya Gordon. The commissioner then asks Elijah Hutchinson to clarify which actions trigger ULURP; …
0:21:06
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113 sec
Discussion on streamlining franchise/consent processes and alternatives to ULURP for climate projects
Commissioner Leila Bozorg questions Tiya Gordon about the specific barriers in the franchise and revocable consent processes, with Gordon highlighting the need for simplification for smaller companies and a scalable …
0:23:05
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3 min
Commissioner Savino and Elijah Hutchinson discuss ULURP as an impediment to coastal resiliency projects
Commissioner Diane Savino observes that ULURP's negative impact on climate resiliency efforts is a less commonly discussed aspect of the process and asks Elijah Hutchinson for specific examples, mentioning the …
0:26:30
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3 min
Testimony by Steve Levin, CEO of Solar One, on expanding solar energy access in NYC
Steve Levin emphasizes the critical role of solar energy, particularly community solar, in meeting New York City's climate goals, reducing reliance on peaker plants, and providing affordable, clean energy access …
0:31:24
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5 min
Commissioner Laremont requests data on equitable solar project impacts
Commissioner Anita Laremont asks Steve Levin to include specific examples and data in his written testimony to illustrate the positive impacts of equitable community solar projects that Solar One has …
0:36:54
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30 sec
Commissioner Savino discusses member deference and housing development with former Council Member Steve Levin
Commissioner Diane Savino asks former Council Member Steve Levin for his current perspective on member deference, a practice where the full council typically follows the local member's stance on land …
0:37:32
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3 min
Discussion on streamlining NYPA partnerships for solar installations on city property
Commissioner Anita Laremont confirms Steve Levin was referring to the New York Power Authority (NYPA), not NYCHA, regarding streamlined processes. She inquires about the types of solar installations envisioned on …
0:41:01
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138 sec
Chair Buery inquires about streamlining housing development incorporating renewable energy
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. asks Steve Levin if he envisions potential charter changes that could streamline development processes for housing projects offering public benefits, such as high energy efficiency …
0:43:23
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97 sec
Testimony by John Ketchum from the Manhattan Institute on nonpartisan primaries and even-year elections
John Ketchum argues that despite ranked-choice voting, NYC's electoral dynamics show low turnout and limited competition, with primaries often deciding outcomes. He recommends considering nonpartisan primaries open to all voters, …
0:45:39
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5 min
Chair Buery asks about the potential misuse of party labels in open primaries
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. questions John Ketchum about the rationale for suggesting party leader endorsements on nonpartisan ballots, asking if candidates intentionally misusing self-chosen party labels is a significant …
0:51:25
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136 sec
A commissioner inquires about the interplay between even-year elections and campaign finance
A commissioner asks John Ketchum to elaborate on his point that higher turnout in even-year elections increases the "cost" for special interests, questioning if this implies a need for changes …
0:53:49
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102 sec
Commissioner Savino and John Ketchum debate nonpartisan versus open primary models
Commissioner Diane Savino shares her evolving views on nonpartisan elections since the 2003 ballot measure, decrying current partisanship. She asks John Ketchum to compare NYC's nonpartisan council special elections with …
0:55:34
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7 min
Commissioner Laremont seeks clarification on the partisan impact of even-year elections
Commissioner Anita Laremont asks John Ketchum to expand on his statement that research shows moving local elections to even years lacks a discernible partisan impact, acknowledging the political concern that …
1:02:50
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78 sec
Chair Buery discusses potential outcomes of nonpartisan primaries
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. elaborates on the previous point, noting that a nonpartisan primary system could lead to two candidates from the same party (e.g., two Democrats) advancing to …
1:04:08
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131 sec
Commissioner Savino asks about removing party labels to combat national political influence
Commissioner Diane Savino asks John Ketchum whether removing party labels from the ballot in an open or nonpartisan primary might mitigate the problem of national political polarization influencing local races, …
1:06:24
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134 sec
Testimony by Michael Schnall, Member of the Public, on even-year versus nonpartisan elections
Michael Schnall, a Staten Island resident with experience in city government and the 2022 redistricting commission, weighs the arguments for moving city elections to even-numbered years. While acknowledging potential benefits …
1:09:40
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3 min
Testimony by Frank Morano, New York City Council Candidate, on sanctuary city policies, nonpartisan elections, and community board appointments
Frank Morano, a City Council candidate, argues that New York City's sanctuary policies result from an electoral system producing a City Council unrepresentative of the broader populace. He advocates for …
1:12:58
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3 min
Testimony by Julius Tajiddin from Preserve Harlem's Legacy on preservation, planning, and deference
Julius Tajiddin proposes several charter or administrative changes aimed at improving oversight. He suggests adding questions to Department of Buildings and City Planning forms to ensure compliance with state and …
1:16:44
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3 min
Discussion on down-ballot effects of even-year elections and community board appointments
Commissioner Diane Savino engages the panel on their testimony. She asks Michael Schnall about the potential for voter drop-off in local races if city elections move to even years; Schnall …
1:19:57
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173 sec
Clarifications on sanctuary city laws and community board appointments
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. clarifies for Frank Morano that sanctuary city laws establish procedures for cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, rather than prohibiting it entirely. Morano reiterates his belief …
1:23:36
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54 sec
Testimony by Alan Cox from SICA on the injustice of closed primaries for independent voters
Alan Cox, a community health worker and longtime independent voter, argues strongly against New York City's closed primary system. He frames it as a matter of fairness and representation, asserting …
1:25:18
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152 sec
Testimony by Marianne Birch, Member of the Public, advocating for open primaries and voter empowerment
Marianne Birch, a community organizer with decades of experience advocating for independent voters, argues that hyper-partisanship has created a dysfunctional electoral system and that political parties hinder democracy. She contends …
1:28:00
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157 sec
Testimony by Bernard O'Brien from Unite New York advocating for open primaries and general election RCV
Bernard O'Brien urges the commission to put open primaries on the ballot, comparing the current closed system to outdated practices like the Fresh Kills landfill. He argues it's unfair to …
1:30:41
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3 min
Panelists discuss preferences between nonpartisan elections and open primaries
Commissioner Diane Savino asks the panelists whether they prefer a fully nonpartisan election system or an open primary system where voters might still interact with party primaries. Bernard O'Brien indicates …
1:34:03
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110 sec
Testimony by Jeremy Gruber from Open Primaries on the national context and benefits of open primaries
Jeremy Gruber, representing the national organization Open Primaries and identifying as an independent NYC voter, argues that the city's closed primary system is severely outdated and disenfranchises over a million …
1:36:40
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3 min
Testimony by Danny Batista, Member of the Public, on the exclusionary experience of being an independent voter in NYC
Danny Batista, an independent voter and Staten Island resident, shares a personal experience of being immediately dismissed by a campaign worker upon revealing his unaffiliated status. He uses this anecdote …
1:40:25
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3 min
Testimony by Cliff Hagen, New York City Council Candidate, Common Ground Party, opposing changes to ULURP and member deference
Cliff Hagen, a City Council candidate and Community Board 3 member, strongly opposes any weakening of the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP). He argues that ULURP is a critical …
1:44:29
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166 sec
Commissioner Bozorg asks Cliff Hagen about housing development appropriate for Staten Island
Commissioner Leila Bozorg asks Cliff Hagen for his perspective on appropriate housing policies and development types for Staten Island in the context of the city's housing crisis. Hagen suggests the …
1:47:22
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76 sec
Discussion on the merits of nonpartisan versus open primaries for inclusivity
Commissioner Diane Savino highlights Danny Batista's point that campaigns often target only frequent primary voters, further narrowing participation even within parties, and asks both Batista and Jeremy Gruber which electoral …
1:48:42
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165 sec
Commissioner Weisbrod explores distinctions between open primary models and nonpartisan general elections
Commissioner Carl Weisbrod asks Jeremy Gruber to clarify the advantages of open primaries compared to nonpartisan *general* elections using ranked-choice voting. Gruber explains that nonpartisan systems are a type of …
1:51:46
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114 sec
Chair Buery asks about party labels on nonpartisan primary ballots
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. asks Jeremy Gruber if his preferred nonpartisan primary model would preclude candidates from having their party affiliation listed on the ballot. Gruber states he does …
1:53:42
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43 sec
Testimony by Julia Richie, Member of the Public, on the frustration and disenfranchisement of young independent voters
Julia Ricci, a young illustrator and teacher who grew up on Staten Island, testifies about her experience as a lifelong independent voter unable to participate in primary elections. She expresses …
1:55:08
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156 sec
Testimony by Justin Wood from NYLPI on strengthening the charter's Fair Share provisions
Justin Wood from New York Lawyers for the Public Interest calls the commission's attention to the city charter's Fair Share provisions, intended to ensure equitable distribution of city services and …
1:57:49
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3 min
Commissioner Weisbrod discusses potential ways to strengthen Fair Share via charter amendments
Commissioner Carl Weisbrod agrees that the charter's Fair Share provisions have been ineffective and asks Justin Wood for concrete suggestions on how the charter could be amended to improve outcomes. …
2:01:18
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112 sec
Testimony by Ben Weinberg from Citizens Union on even-year elections and a mayoral removal process
Ben Weinberg from Citizens Union reiterates support for moving city elections to even-numbered years, presenting polling data showing strong, cross-partisan voter approval locally and nationally, and highlighting the success of …
2:03:44
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3 min
Testimony by Celia Hardy from Unite New York on the need for open primaries for representation
Celia Hardy, speaking as an independent voter and volunteer with Unite New York, argues that New York City's closed primary system fails to create a representative democracy and disenfranchises the …
2:07:38
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85 sec
Testimony by Richard Fox from Unite New York outlining the benefits of nonpartisan primaries
Richard Fox, a volunteer with Unite New York, urges the adoption of nonpartisan primaries, arguing the current closed system excludes independent voters. He outlines the benefits of nonpartisan primaries, including …
2:09:14
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133 sec
Commissioner Savino challenges the feasibility of an apolitical mayoral removal process
Commissioner Diane Savino expresses strong skepticism about Citizens Union's proposed mayoral removal process, questioning its ability to avoid partisan abuse in the current political climate and drawing parallels to contentious …
2:11:43
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3 min
Commissioner DaBaron echoes concerns about the mayoral removal proposal
Commissioner Shams DaBaron signals agreement with Commissioner Savino's concerns about the potential for political abuse within the proposed mayoral removal process, ultimately choosing not to pose a separate question.
2:15:44
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17 sec
Testimony by Thales Protopapas, Member of the Public, on the unfairness of closed primaries for young voters
Thales Protopapas, an 18-year-old senior at Brooklyn Tech, testifies about the unfairness of New York City's closed primary system from the perspective of a new voter. He argues that because …
2:16:29
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66 sec
Testimony by Linda DiGusta, Member of Unite New York, supporting open primaries and mayoral removal
Linda DiGusta, a Manhattan resident and Unite New York member, advocates for open primaries, admitting she registers as a Democrat solely to participate in them. She finds it illogical for …
2:17:49
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83 sec
Testimony by Kimberly Cruz, Author, Hindsight is 2020, on Board of Elections barriers, housing oversight, and civics education
Kimberly Cruz argues that electoral reform discussions must extend beyond open primaries to address barriers at the Board of Elections (like lack of process for justifying signatures) and a broader …
2:19:21
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3 min
Testimony by Michael Niamehr, Member of the Public, supporting open primaries
Michael Niamehr briefly expresses his support for open primaries, emphasizing the importance of allowing all voters to participate in and have visibility into the primary process, regardless of party registration.
2:23:22
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26 sec
Testimony by Reverend Conrad B. Tillard Sr., Member of the Public, advocating for open primaries based on voter interactions
Reverend Conrad B. Tillard Sr., a clergyman and former political candidate, speaks passionately in favor of open primaries based on his interactions with constituents and students. He observes the significant …
2:24:03
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167 sec