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Public Advocate Jumaane Williams clarifies his positions on housing and the proposed appeals board
0:45:39
·
3 min
In response to questions from Commissioner Shams DaBaron, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams clarifies his testimony on the housing proposals.
He reiterates his desire for a shortened but still consecutive land use review process and expresses concern over the affordability levels in the fast-track plan.
Williams also elaborates on his suggestion to expand the proposed land use appeals board to five members, arguing it would create a better balance.
- Williams supports shortening the land use review process but not collapsing the review periods for community boards and borough presidents.
- He is concerned that the MIH affordability levels for fast-tracked projects might not be truly affordable for those in need.
- He suggests expanding the proposed land use appeals board from three members to five, including the Public Advocate and the Comptroller, to make it more balanced.
Shams DaBaron
0:45:39
Good to see you, brother Jaman.
Jumaane Williams
0:45:41
You too, please.
Shams DaBaron
0:45:42
Alright.
0:45:42
So I will be honest.
0:45:45
I I didn't I wasn't able to capture everything you said.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
0:45:50
Because I spoke fast.
0:45:51
Yeah.
Shams DaBaron
0:45:55
Please tell me you got written testimony also.
Jumaane Williams
0:45:58
We're gonna have the written testimony for you, in a few days.
0:46:02
But if you want me to repeat any of it, I'm happy to do as well.
Shams DaBaron
0:46:04
Yeah.
0:46:05
If if if I'm saying it correct, if you could kinda articulate the specific points, specifically regarding the housing and what your thoughts are on that.
0:46:19
And then anything else that you think is important.
0:46:22
You also mentioned something about the the civilian Yes.
0:46:28
Each so those things are important.
0:46:30
I just wanna make sure that I I get what you're saying.
Jumaane Williams
0:46:34
So, I guess, one and two, which is primarily shortening the time process, which I think we should.
0:46:42
But I had, some concerns with the fast track particularly around collapsing the community boards and the ball president into I think you had it sixty days.
0:46:52
I still believe community boards should go first and ball presidents go second.
0:46:56
So the timing was less of an issue, but making sure that if it could happen, consecutively.
0:47:01
And I believe it seemed like it was connected to MIH and some of the income bands.
0:47:06
I voted against MIH because I didn't think it brought the kind of affordable housing that we actually needed.
0:47:12
And some of the language in the report was that the area of minimum income will be generally between 4080% of AMI.
0:47:19
I don't know what generally means, and so some some more specifics about what will be built would be helpful.
0:47:27
And for ballot measure number three, for the appeals, I I if we're gonna talk about you know, as when I ran for speaker, I was actually of the only people who talked about the issues of member difference, which might be part of the reason I didn't become speaker.
0:47:44
But, I thought it was a issue then, and it is a issue now, but you wanna find the right balance.
0:47:49
I'm concerned that two votes might be a little too easy for if you this I I would imagine the speaker would not go against the council, it would be the mayor and a particular bar president.
0:48:01
I think having a third person to have to convince might be better off to find that ballot that balance and using three out of fives as opposed to two out of three.
0:48:10
I think it make more sense.
Shams DaBaron
0:48:11
Would that be a a a public advocate or or somebody?
Jumaane Williams
0:48:15
I was recommending having the public advocate under control would be
Carl Weisbrod
0:48:18
Actually, really generalistic.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
0:48:22
Okay.
0:48:22
That's helpful.
0:48:23
So not not necessarily an objection to the process, but expanding the appeals board.
Jumaane Williams
0:48:26
Yes.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
0:48:29
I have a question.
0:48:29
Do you make sure I understood as well.
0:48:31
You're objecting to the proposal for around the city map.
0:48:34
Can you can you say a little bit more about your concern?
Jumaane Williams
0:48:37
So for for my understanding, I it wasn't I thought it might add to help the ball presidents do some of the local things better.
0:48:45
My understanding is that it would take away some of the mapping powers that the ball president does now.
0:48:52
And I feel like they actually are more locally connected, so taking that fully away, I think, is an issue.
0:48:59
And there's also issues with agencies now not having the proper funding they need to focus on things.
0:49:04
And so putting it back all into the agencies, I'm gonna say, will would have the resources that it actually needs.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
0:49:11
Alright.
0:49:11
Thank you, brother.
Jumaane Williams
0:49:12
So if it, you know, if it was just some kind of blend or something, it might make sense, but it it seemed to be taking it fully away.