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PRESENTATION
Executive Director Alec Schierenbeck introduces the preliminary report and the commission's timeline
0:04:01
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112 sec
Alec Schierenbeck, Executive Director of the NYC Charter Revision Commission, introduces the preliminary staff report, which summarizes extensive public testimony.
He notes the historical context of charter revisions and outlines the commission's timeline.
- The report is based on 16 hours of in-person testimony and over 400 written comments.
- The City Charter is the city's foundational governing document.
- The commission was formed in December, released its preliminary report in April, and aims to conclude its work in July if ballot questions are decided.
Alec Schierenbeck
0:04:01
Well, I'm delighted to be here this morning to talk to you a little bit in detail about the preliminary report, which was the staff's effort to distill the very thoughtful testimony that this commission has heard over sixteen hours of in person testimony, over hearings in every borough, and as a result of over 400 written comments, some of which are quite detailed and thoughtful and some of which proposed specific amendments to the charter that the commission can continue to consider.
0:04:32
As you know, the charter is our city's foundational governing document.
0:04:37
It is the city's constitution, and it's been amended, many times in the past, often in response to the emergence of new issues.
0:04:49
Time can reveal that changes to the charter are necessary, and that was certainly true in 1936.
0:04:56
You see here a cartoon, asking to throw out the anachronistic old archaic city government charter.
0:05:04
I don't think any idea in this report suggests throwing out the charter altogether, much, much different actually, but, it is it's part of our city's history to take a hard look at the charter, over time.
0:05:19
Next slide, please.
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Now we were formed in December, and we've held our public hearings, through the prior months.
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We just released our preliminary report at the April.
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And if this commission does decide to put questions on the ballot in November, it will conclude its work in July.
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We've announced five more public hearings, one in each borough.
0:05:41
Virtual testimony is is is available and to to to conclude our work, and more meetings and hearings may be scheduled in the future.
0:05:51
Next slide, please.