NYC Council Rules Committee Hearing on Three Mayoral Appointments – September 1, 2026
NYC Council Rules Committee Hearing on Three Mayoral Appointments – September 1, 2026
The New York City Council Committee on Rules, Privileges, Elections, Standards and Ethics, chaired by Councilmember Sandra Ung, met on September 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers to consider three nominations from Mayor Mandani: Lisa Garcia to the NYC Land Bank Board, Dr. Dave A. Chokshi to the Board of Health, and John Mangin as Chair of the Board of Standards and Appeals. All three nominations received hearings but were laid over without a final vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Support for John Mangin: Multiple speakers, including former DCP Chair Dan Garodnick, Open New York Executive Director Ann-Marie Gray, NYU Furman Center Executive Director Brad Greenberg, UHAB Policy Director Ariel Hirsch, community members, and housing advocacy organizations, testified in strong support of Mangin’s nomination. They cited his expertise in land use, his role in creating City of Yes for Housing Opportunity and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, his commitment to transparency, and his ability to fairly apply the law at the BSA.
- Community Concerns about Mangin: Urban planner George James testified against Mangin, stating he was “temperamentally ill-suited” for government, citing a past interaction and alleging misleading statements during City of Yes hearings. One public speaker criticized the committee for prioritizing remote testimony over in-person testimony, but expressed support for Mangin’s nomination.
Discussion Items
Nomination of Lisa Garcia to the NYC Land Bank Board
- Chair Ung introduced the nomination. Commissioner Garcia, currently DEP Commissioner, described her background in environmental justice, community engagement, and law. She stated the Land Bank’s mission is to transition from the lien sale to a more equitable, transparent process, with dual goals of revenue collection and converting delinquent properties to beneficial uses like affordable housing. She emphasized stakeholder engagement and commitment to equity.
- Councilmembers questioned her on the Land Bank’s powers, challenges, and her relevant experience. Garcia noted the Land Bank offers flexibility not available under the current lien sale process. She said a key challenge is ensuring effectiveness and efficiency, and that she would draw on her experience with contentious public meetings.
- Majority Leader Shaun Abreu asked about the publication of lien sale lists, which can target Black and Brown homeowners. Garcia said she would consider improvements to the process. Councilmember Brewer, the bill’s sponsor, asked about the types of projects that might fall under the Land Bank; Garcia could not predict numbers but noted DEP has expanded affordability programs.
Nomination of Dr. Dave A. Chokshi to the Board of Health
- Chair Ung introduced Dr. Chokshi, former NYC Health Commissioner. In his opening statement, he highlighted his work leading the COVID-19 vaccination campaign (6 million New Yorkers in just over a year), declaring racism a public health crisis, and founding the Health and Opportunity Leadership Institute. He identified the greatest challenge as modernizing the health system amid federal funding cuts and coverage losses.
- Councilmembers asked about his accountability to the public, his views on the Board’s role regarding youth screen time, vaccination rates, AI in public health, and mental health. Dr. Chokshi emphasized data-driven decision-making, community engagement, and prevention. He supported the judicious use of vaccine requirements and said the Board must remain responsive to public input.
- Minority Leader David Carr questioned him about COVID-19 mandates and regrets. Dr. Chokshi stood by the decisions, stating the vaccination campaign saved lives. Leader Carr criticized the mandate for city workers, arguing it was not necessary. Dr. Chokshi defended the public health rationale.
Nomination of John Mangin as Chair of the Board of Standards and Appeals
- Chair Ung introduced Mangin, currently Director of the Housing Division at DCP, with a background in fair housing law and city planning. He led City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, and served as policy director for the 2025 Charter Revision Commission which expanded BSA’s powers for affordable housing fast-track.
- Mangin stated he would bring a commitment to openness, transparency, and community voice. He emphasized that BSA decisions are legally constrained and that local voices are paramount but not solely decisive. He committed to improving the BSA website, posting all application materials, and addressing councilmember input in the decision record.
- Councilmembers challenged him on his past academic writings (e.g., calling homeowners “cartels” and comparing NIMBY participation to the Tea Party). Mangin explained these were terms of art from the literature and not directed at New York. He stated he has evolved through on-the-ground experience and would apply the law neutrally.
- Deputy Speaker Williams questioned him about the 2025 Charter Revision’s impact on council powers. Mangin argued the changes were minor adjustments to enable housing where ULAURP had failed. He acknowledged the distinction between historically excluded Black homeowners using democratic process and affluent exclusionary zoning.
- Councilmember Banks pressed him on community benefit agreements and the “cartel” language. Mangin said CBAs are useful tools but must keep feasibility in mind. He denied characterizing all homeowners as cartels.
- Councilmember Brewer criticized the affordable housing fast-track, arguing it should not apply to neighborhoods like the Upper West Side that already want affordable housing but get market-rate. Mangin replied that the fast-track is limited to projects under public control and that the charter language does not mandate 100% affordability but expects it.
Key Outcomes
- All three nominations (M 0087-2026, M 0088-2026, M 0089-2026) were heard by the committee and then laid over without a vote. No final action was taken during the meeting. The committee will consider them at a future date.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to today's New York City Council hearing on the Committee on Rules Privileges Election Standard and ECDIS. At this time, no one may approach the dais. Please silence all electronic devices. Chair, you may begin. Good morning and welcome to this meeting of the Committee on Rules, Privileges, Election Standard, and Ethics. I'm Councilmember Sandra Own, Chair of the Committee. Before we begin, I would like to recognize the other members of the committee who are present. Councilmember Elsie Akarnacion and Minority Leader David Carr and Majority Leader Sean Abu. I will also like to acknowledge the acting counsel to the committee, Maka Ajabi, and committee staff that worked on today's hearing. The director and deputy director of the council's public integrity unit, Permore, Lisa Basel, Associate General Counsel, Amanda Delgrosso, as well as other attorneys and compliance professionals in the Office of General Counsel who helped to prepare this hearing. Today the committee will consider the mayor's nomination of DEP Commissioner Lisa Garcia to be a member of the New York City Land Bank's Board of Directors, Dr. Dave Chukshi to be a member of the Board of Health, and John Manchin to be both a member and the chair of the Board of Standards and Appeals. We began the nomination of Commissioner Garcia. Then we will hear from Dr. Chuck Shi and then conclude with Mr. Manjin. By the letter dated August 7, 2026, and pursuant to local law 56 of 2026, Mayor Mandani requested the council's advice and consent regarding his nomination of DEP Commissioner Lisa Garcia to be a member of New York City Land Bank's Board of Directors. Local Law 56 of 2026 provides that upon the approval of New York State Urban Development Corporation, the City of New York will establish a land bank. There will be seven members of the Board of Directors of the Land Bank, unless adjusted in accordance with its bylaws. A member of the Board of Directors must have appropriate experience, live real estate, and be a resident of New York City throughout their service on the board. The land bank will seek to preserve the ownership and equity interests of homeowners, prevent the displacement of residents from their dwellings, and promote the productive use of tax for clothes, vacant and abandoned properties to meet the needs of the surrounding communities and city. In conjunction with the enforcement of tax liens, individuals initially appointed to the board of directors shall serve as a working group to prepare a necessary application for New York State Urban Development Corporation's approval of the establishment of a land bank. Members of the Board of Directors for a land bank serve a four-year term without pay. We are joined today by Lisa Garcia, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protections. Commissioner Garcia was appointed to lead the agency in February of 2026. In this position, she helped protect the city's infrastructure and environment, ensure that the delivery of the high quality service such as drinking water and sewage treatment, and make sure that city is a global leader in the fight against the climate crisis. Prior to DEP, Commissioner Garcia served the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regional administrator for Region 2, overseeing the Biden administration's environmental agenda in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the eight Indian nations. She ran the Climate Solutions Lab at Griss Magazine, where she worked to elevate climate justice leaders and have served as a vice president for litigation at the Earth Justice as well as Associate Administrator at the EPA. Commissioner Garcia holds a jurisdoctorate degree from Brooklyn Law School. I now recognize the committee council to administer affirmation. Please raise your right hand. Do you affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in your statements before this committee and response to all questions posed by the council members? Thank you. Well, please have a seat. Good morning, Commissioner Garcia. I recognize you now make a opening statement. Sorry. Thank you. Good morning, Chair Owen and members of the committee on rules, privileges, election standards, and ethics. I'm Lisa Garcia, Commission, Commissioner for the Department of Environmental Protection. I'm here today because I have the honor of being considered for the appointment to the New York City Land Bank Board of Directors. Before coming to DEP, I served as Regional Administrator for the US EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, covering New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight Indian nations, mainly upstate New York. I've also worked in environmental journalism, environmental law, and advocacy. Throughout my career, my focus has been on environmental justice, climate protection, and community outreach. I have experience bringing stakeholders together in many different forms and venues to gather input and feedback on a variety of challenging issues, all with the goal of trying to collectively find solutions. Should I be appointed to the land bank board of directors? I would draw from my experience in government, academia, and nonfor-profit organizations representing community groups.
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