Public Meetings - New York City, New York

On September 23, 2026, the New York City Council Committee on Contracts, chaired by Lincoln Restler, held an oversight hearing on minority- and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) utilization in city contracts. The committee also considered four introduced bills: Intro 208 (adding Middle Eastern and North African Americans to disparity studies), Intro 694 (requiring targeted agency outreach when utilization goals are missed), Intro 834 (requiring reporting on subcontracts for human services contracts), and Intro 896 (prohibiting city agencies from procuring non-compostable single-use cups). Present were Councilmembers Restler, Brewer, Stevens, Vernikov, and Farías (sponsor of Intro 694). All introductions were heard and laid over. Public Comments & Testimony - Rana Abdelhamid (Malika, Queens-based organization): Testified in support of Intro 208, urging codification of MENA inclusion in disparity studies to ensure data collection and accountability regardless of administration changes. - Ikrama Romaim (Women’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC): Supported Intro 208, emphasizing that data on MENA-owned businesses is needed to understand disparities and tailor support. - Bayadir Mohammed Osman (Muslim Community Network): Shared a personal story of her father’s bodega and stressed that MENA businesses are invisible in current data, leading to missed opportunities. - Naima Tahir (Arab American Family Support Center): Highlighted that the latest disparity study did not separately identify MENA firms, masking barriers. She urged passage of Intro 208. - Matt Gove (Surfrider Foundation): Testified in support of Intro 896 but warned that allowing compostable cups as a substitute creates a loophole; recommended requiring reusable cups instead. - Eve Fox (Story of Stuff Project): Opposed the compostable exemption in Intro 896, citing health risks from PFAS and bioplastics, climate footprint, and lack of composting infrastructure. - Vicky Abugalium (Story of Stuff Project / Reusable NYC Coalition): Urged removal of compostable language and replacement with reuse systems, such as water bottle refill stations in city buildings. - Yakob Yatsi Liel (Association of Black Contractors): Criticized the M/WBE program as a “mechanism of disenfranchisement,” called for reform, and requested that future hearings include testimony from affected small businesses. - Tanisha Heard (Bronx Chamber of Commerce): Expressed full support for Intros 208 and 694, noting the growing MENA community in the Bronx and the need for stronger outreach when goals are missed. Discussion Items Oversight of M/WBE Utilization Chair Restler opened with data showing that in FY25, M/WBEs received only 5% of total city contracting spend ($2.44 billion out of $46 billion). Among contracts subject to Local Law 174, the share of contract value fell from 17% in FY24 to 8% in FY25. Black-owned firms accounted for 7% of M/WBE contracts, Latino-owned firms 7.9%, black women 1.17%, and Latinas 1.22%. Average M/WBE contract value was $750,000 versus $3.65 million for white-male-owned firms. About 65% of M/WBE contracts were registered retroactively. Since FY22, nearly $33 billion in contracts subject to Local Law 174 had no subcontract records; only 9% of prime contracts had subcontract data. Chief Business and Diversity Officer Michael Garner testified on the administration’s achievements, including achieving the city’s aspirational 30% goal for agencies under Local Law 1 for two consecutive years, $6.9 billion in M/WBE contracts citywide in FY25, and $28 billion over four years. He noted the introduction of the B2G platform to capture real-time prime and subcontract payments from all agencies, including the “big five” non-mayoral entities. Discussion focused on: - The sharp decline in contract value share from FY24 to FY25 (from 17% to 8%). Chair Restler pressed for an explanation; Garner promised to follow up. - The disparity in contract size between M/WBEs and white-male-owned firms. Garner cited access to capital, bonding, and contract bundling as factors, and cited a new $400 million contract awarded to an Hispanic-owned firm (Intercom Security Systems) as progress. - Subcontract reporting failures: Chair Restler noted that 20 agencies reported zero subcontract data over four years. Garner said his office is now directly engaging agency commissioners and monitoring compliance; a report from Mox is expected soon. - The new B2G platform: Garner and Deputy Dwight Flynn explained it will aggregate data from FMS and Passport to provide near-real-time reporting on M/WBE awards and payments. Chair Restler questioned why Passport itself could not be used; Mox Director (John) noted that the “big five” agencies operate under different governance and that B2G allows a single dashboard. The system is expected to go live this fiscal year. - The underrepresentation of Black- and Latino-owned firms and especially women of color. Councilmember Stevens pressed for specific policies and timelines, noting that of 1,000+ M/WBE contracts, only one went to a black woman and one to a Latina. Garner acknowledged the need for improvement and committed to monthly meetings with agencies and a new roundtable on women-owned firms. Councilmember Farías questioned the effectiveness of current improvement plans and outreach. - Councilmember Brewer asked about the complexity of the certification process and the share of certified firms that actually win contracts. The committee discussed that only about 22% of certified M/WBEs (2,478 of 11,382) entered new contracts in FY25. SBS Chief of Staff Harris Khan noted that 76% of firms that won contracts had received SBS services, and that a streamlined state-city certification portal is under discussion. Legislative Deliberations - Intro 208 (MENA inclusion): Garner stated the administration supports the goal of evaluating disparities and looks forward to further conversation. Public testimony strongly supported the bill. - Intro 694 (agency outreach): Support from the administration in principle; Mox supports the intention. Councilmember Farías (sponsor) emphasized that agencies failing to meet goals must conduct targeted outreach to the specific M/WBE categories where they fall short. - Intro 834 (subcontract reporting for human services): Garner said Passport already captures the required information, but Chair Restler expressed skepticism given the low reporting rates (9%) and said the bill would remain necessary unless compliance improves dramatically. - Intro 896 (non-compostable cups): Mox is evaluating the bill. Public witnesses urged removal of the compostable exception, citing health and environmental risks. Chair Restler noted the bill would be shared with sponsor Councilmember Epstein. Administration Responses to Key Questions - Garner confirmed that 33% of certified M/WBEs are Black, 19% Hispanic, 23% Asian, and 26% white women. Women constitute 55% of the program. - On agency accountability: The administration holds weekly “M/WBE CompSTAT” meetings with agencies to review metrics and address barriers. - On certification challenges: Khan described ongoing work to streamline with the state and noted that state-certified firms can receive a city decision within a month. - Garner’s office has 13–14 staff, plus agency M/WBE officers who report to him. Key Outcomes - All four introduced bills (Ints 208, 694, 834, 896) were heard and laid over by the committee. No votes were taken. - Chair Restler outlined three major priorities: (1) drastically improve contracting with Black- and Latino-owned firms, especially black women and Latinas; (2) systematically collect and publish subcontract data to capture true M/WBE participation; and (3) create a deliberate pipeline to help small M/WBE firms win larger prime contracts. - The committee will continue to work with the administration on subcontract reporting improvements, B2G implementation, and targeted outreach. - Chair Restler committed to including more M/WBE firms and advocacy groups in future oversight hearings.

The Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises of the New York City Council met on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Hearing Room 3, 250 Broadway. Chair Farah N. Louis presided. Members present were Carr, Encarnación, Farías, Felder, Salaam, Sanchez, and Thomas-Henry; Schulman was absent; Councilmember Ariola also attended. The committee took no final votes. Three scheduled votes were laid over/deferred, and two public hearings were held on preconsidered rezoning applications. No members of the public testified. Laid-Over Votes and Deferrals - The sidewalk café application LU 0141-2026 by Tedo de Esquina NYC Corp, doing business as Cali Tajadas Bakery & Restaurant, at 45-18 104th Street, Corona, Queens (Community District 4, Council District 21), was scheduled for a vote but laid over until the next day. Its public hearing had been held on September 22, 2026, and Chair Louis stated the hearing remained closed. - LU 0123-2026 and LU 0124-2026 (158-06 Northern Boulevard Rezoning, Northern 158 Holdings LLC, Queens Community District 7, Council District 20) were laid over/deferred without a vote. The application would amend the Zoning Map to change areas from R2 and R5B to R7A, eliminate a C1-2 overlay, establish a C2-4 overlay, and create a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) area. - LU 0127-2026 and LU 0128-2026 (21-31 46th Avenue Rezoning, 21-31 Holdings LLC, Queens Community District 2, Council District 26) were laid over/deferred without a vote. The application would change an M1-4/R6B district to R7X, establish a C2-5 overlay, and create an MIH area. - The minutes record these applications as deferred; Chair Louis described the votes as laid over until tomorrow. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public signed up to testify in person or remotely on either hearing topic. The Chair made final calls for testimony before closing both hearings. No members of the public addressed the sidewalk café application on September 23. - Written testimony was accepted by email to land use testimony at council.nyc.gov up to three days after closure of the relevant hearing. Hearing: 1455 Coney Island Avenue Rezoning (T2026-2576 / T2026-2577) - This preconsidered application by Prospect Park Land LLC would rezone 1455 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn (Community District 14, Council District 44), from an R5 district with a C2-3 overlay to a C4-5D district, and would establish an MIH area. The applicant, represented by Eric Palatnik and architect Anthony Hadziwano, proposed a nine-story, 95-foot-tall, approximately 157,000-square-foot long-term care facility with 300 beds: 240 skilled-nursing beds and 60 assisted-living beds. The applicant cited a FAR of 5.56 and, at different points in the hearing, 28 or 38 parking spaces, plus 55 bicycle spaces. - The site previously contained a long-term care facility in a repurposed bowling alley, which was demolished about five years ago; the lot is now vacant. The applicant said the height and density would be consistent with nearby R7A zoning and smaller than some as-of-right buildings on Coney Island Avenue, including a 148-foot-tall medical building nearby. - The applicant acknowledged that the proposed nonprofit operator, Sephardic Nursing Home, had its contract terminated before Labor Day. The property owner, Centers Healthcare, a for-profit long-term care provider, would develop and operate the facility if negotiations to restore the contract fail. Councilmembers expressed concern about the owner's lack of direct participation, the difficulty of guaranteeing a nonprofit operator, the adequacy of parking, and the possibility that floors could be used for short-term rehabilitation rather than permanent long-term care. Councilmember Felder said Community Board 14 approved the project in good faith as a nonprofit and that the board was now concerned. The applicant said he had updated the district manager and that negotiations were continuing. - The Chair asked about job creation; the applicant estimated roughly 100–150 construction jobs and said operations would hire entry-level staff, with a shuttle bus for employees, residents, and visitors. - The public hearing was closed, and T2026-2576/T2026-2577 were laid over by the committee. Hearing: 135-27 Sapphire Street Rezoning (T2026-2578 / T2026-2579) - This preconsidered application by 135 Sapphire LLC would rezone 135-27 Sapphire Street, Queens (Community District 10, Council District 32), from R4 to R6A and would establish an MIH area. The applicant team, including Richard Lobel and Danielle Drake, proposed a six-story-plus-cellar residential building with roughly 186,000 square feet, 268 dwelling units, 118 parking spaces, and a total height of 65 feet. MIH Option 1 would provide 67 affordable units. The Chair's opening remarks said MIH would require up to 80 permanently affordable apartments; the applicant's presentation specified 67. - The applicant said Queens Community Board 10 voted 29–1 in favor, and that the Queens Borough President and City Planning supported the application. The site is largely undeveloped under R4 zoning dating to 1961. The rezoning would extend an existing R6A district on the block, following a February 2026 rezoning nearby and the Linden Boulevard rezoning. - The design includes a setback sixth floor, green buffers, and cellar-level parking and storage in a flood-prone area. The team said the building was coordinated with the Jewel Streets neighborhood plan and was designed to remain operational if DOT raises street grades by 2 to 10 feet, with a knockout panel and a permeable Gabion wall system. Preliminary sewer analysis submitted to DEP shows existing infrastructure can support the building, subject to a sewer extension along 149th Avenue; a catch basin the team recommended has already been installed. - Councilmember Ariola expressed full support, praised the applicant's community engagement, and called the project a best practice. - The public hearing was closed, and T2026-2578/T2026-2579 were laid over by the committee. Key Outcomes - No votes were taken on any application at this meeting. - The sidewalk café, 158-06 Northern Boulevard, and 21-31 46th Avenue items were laid over/deferred until the next day. - Both public hearings were held and closed, with no public testimony. - The sidewalk café hearing remained closed from the prior day, with no additional testimony. - Both preconsidered applications (1455 Coney Island Avenue and 135-27 Sapphire Street) were laid over by the committee. - The 1455 Coney Island Avenue applicant said negotiations between Centers Healthcare and Sephardic Nursing Home would continue, with a goal of reporting a resolution before final council action; Councilmembers directed the applicant to re-engage Community Board 14.

The New York City Council's Committee on General Welfare, chaired by Crystal Hudson, met on September 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM in Committee Room at City Hall to consider Introduction 0248-2026-A, a local law to streamline enrollment of eligible individuals in the Fair Fares program. The committee heard testimony, considered amendments, and ultimately approved the measure by a vote of 6-0. Discussion Items - Int. No. 248-A – A local law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to streamlining enrollment of eligible individuals in Fair Fares. The committee held a hearing on the proposed introduction, which had been previously introduced and amended. A fiscal impact statement and supporting testimony from prior hearings were included in the record. Key Outcomes - The committee voted to approve Int. No. 248-A by a roll call vote: Affirmative – Chair Hudson, Councilmembers Avilés, Morano, Nurse, Ung, Wilson (6); Absent – Councilmember Mealy (1). No votes in the negative or abstentions. The motion was adopted, and the meeting was adjourned.

The New York City Council’s Committee on Criminal Justice, chaired by Councilmember Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, met on September 23, 2026, at 9:30 AM at 250 Broadway. The committee voted on Proposed Introduction No. 246-A, a bill requiring the Department of Correction to inform incarcerated individuals about funds remaining in their commissary accounts upon release and to establish procedures for returning those funds. Six members were present, one was absent. Discussion Items - Chair Brooks-Powers explained that Int. No. 246-A, sponsored by Councilmember Crystal Hudson, would require the Department of Correction to provide written information about institutional funds before release, allow individuals to receive funds in cash, by check, or via a preloaded debit card (after a specified implementation period), prohibit any fees for returning funds, and establish procedures for transferring funds when an individual is transferred to another facility. The chair noted that ensuring access to these funds is critical for individuals transitioning back into the community and addressing immediate expenses. Key Outcomes - Vote on Int. No. 246-A: A motion to approve the introduction was passed by roll call with 6 affirmative votes (Brooks-Powers, Brewer, Cabán, Morano, Narcisse, and Salaam) and 0 negative votes. Councilmember Feliz was absent. The bill was therefore approved by the committee.

The New York City Council Committee on Education, chaired by Councilmember Eric Dinowitz, held an oversight hearing on the implementation of the New York State "Portrait of a Graduate" (POG) framework. The hearing examined the New York City Department of Education's (DOE) preparedness to shift from Regents exam graduation requirements to performance-based assessments, beginning with the 2027-28 school year. Chair Dinowitz emphasized concerns about maintaining rigor, the need for clear guidance to schools, and the importance of leveraging existing expertise within the city's school system. DOE officials, including First Deputy Chancellor Danielle Junta and Supervising Superintendent Dr. Alan Chang, presented the city's implementation plans and answered questions from council members. Public testimony featured over 30 speakers, including students, educators, advocates, and representatives from community organizations, many highlighting the value of journalism education, performance-based assessment models (e.g., consortium schools), and the need for equitable access to high-quality learning experiences. Public Comments & Testimony - Students from the Youth Journalism Coalition and other schools testified that journalism education inherently develops the POG attributes—critical thinking, effective communication, global citizenship, and academic preparedness. They cited data from Baruch College (2022) that 73% of NYC public high schools lack a journalism program and urged the DOE to integrate journalism into the POG framework. Several students shared personal stories of how reporting helped them find their voice, research complex issues, and engage civically. - Representatives from the New York Performance Standards Consortium, Internationals Network, Outward Bound, and other affinity networks argued that performance-based assessments (PBAs) already in place in their schools align closely with POG. They stressed that the DOE should build on these existing models rather than start from scratch, and called for sustained investment in teacher collaboration, norming sessions, and intervisitation structures. - Advocates from Children's Aid, Ed Trust New York, and Advocates for Children emphasized the need for extensive stakeholder engagement, clear communication to families, and safeguards for students with disabilities and multilingual learners. Ed Trust New York urged the state to delay implementation until districts receive comprehensive guidance, warning that hasty rollout could exacerbate inequities. - Parent and educator testimony highlighted the importance of arts education, trauma-informed support for students in foster care, and the dangers of over-reliance on standardized tests. A parent of consortium school graduates shared that her children thrived without Regents exams, while another educator argued that POG must include culturally responsive curriculum and warned against corporate curricular products like NYC Reads and NYC Solves. Discussion Items - DOE Implementation Plans and Timeline: First Deputy Chancellor Junta and Dr. Chang outlined steps taken so far, including training for all superintendents and principals (45 meetings), creation of a 20-person steering committee, and asset mapping of existing school practices. They acknowledged that the state's regulatory timeline is not fully defined but emphasized that the city is preparing to be ahead of the curve. Chair Dinowitz pressed for specifics on classroom-level changes, noting that many principals and teachers remain unclear about what POG will look like in practice. - Personal Finance Education Rollout: Jane Martinez Dowling, Chief of Student Pathways, reported that nearly 50% of middle and high school students have personal finance instruction scheduled for fall 2026 as part of POG’s phase two. Schools may choose from five vetted curricula, but council members questioned whether assessments and rubrics are standardized across schools. DOE officials stated that all curricula align to state standards and that teacher norming is being implemented to ensure consistency. - Rigor and Accountability: Councilmember Joseph and others asked how the DOE will ensure that performance-based assessments (e.g., capstones, portfolios) remain rigorous and comparable across schools. Dr. Chang cited the consortium schools’ 20-year track record of rubrics validated by CUNY/SUNY, and Superintendent Michael Prayer described the “HEAT” program (healthcare, energy, education, agriculture, technology) in Brooklyn South, where 400 11th graders engage in place-based projects with professional partners. However, scaling such programs to all 31,000 high school students in Brooklyn South alone remains a challenge. - Communication with Families and Schools: Councilmembers Narcisse and Wong noted that many parents and CEC members are unaware of the pending changes. DOE representatives stated that a broader communications plan is in development and that principals are expected to share information through school leadership teams and CEC meetings. The DOE also clarified that for the current school year (2026-27), graduation requirements remain unchanged; the decoupling of Regents exams begins for the class of 2028. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken; the oversight matter was filed by committee. - Chair Dinowitz committed to continued oversight and accountability, stressing the need for enhanced communication, robust professional development, and structural support—including funding—for schools to share best practices and implement POG effectively. - The DOE promised to refine its reporting on journalism access (per Local Law 27) and to accelerate community engagement, drawing on the expertise of affinity networks and consortium schools. - Councilmembers and testifiers called for the DOE to leverage internal expertise rather than rely on expensive external vendors, and to ensure that POG implementation does not diminish rigor or widen equity gaps.

The New York City Council Committee on Public Housing, chaired by Councilmember Chris Banks, held an oversight hearing on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, to examine work order systems used by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and its Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program. The hearing focused on the backlog of open work orders, response times, transparency, and discrepancies between Section 9 (traditional NYCHA) and PACT developments. Councilmembers Banks, Encarnación, Marte, Ossé, and Won were present; Mealy and Restler were absent. Councilmember Nurse also attended. Public Comments & Testimony - Mateen Scarcy (Manhattan Community Board 9 co-chair, NYCHA employee, testifying personally): Described siloed operations at NYCHA, noting that the My NYCHA app does not connect to property management systems, forcing residents to navigate complex scheduling. Urged multi-trade teams and integrated software. - Carla Hollingsworth (Secretary, Stuyvesant Gardens One Tenants Association): Reported that PACT renovations at Stuyvesant Gardens One were failing—new windows fell inward, asbestos was encapsulated not removed, and apartments were altered without resident consent. Questioned contractor oversight and the $380,000 per unit cost. - Keith Ramsey (Eastchester Gardens resident): Highlighted success at his development using Property Mail software, achieving 98% completion of 3,280 work tickets, median 24-hour first response, and 3.3-day average turnaround. Residents rated service 4.1/5 stars. He described a joint bi-weekly tracking list with NYCHA, the first such data-sharing partnership. - Jeremy Estrada (Housing organizer): Shared his mother’s experience waiting two months for kitchen cabinets despite a broken sink and asthma-triggering dust. Noted similar delays in Queensbridge, Astoria, and Ravenswood for asbestos and other repairs. - Patricia Dickey (NYCHA resident, via Zoom): Described work orders being closed without repairs, difficulty reaching customer service, and constant resets. Her kitchen repairs were scheduled for six months out until intervention by Councilmember Banks’ office resolved them in three days. - Layla Glasgow (Democratic District Leader, Chelsea): Reported dangerous gaps at Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea houses slated for demolition: a tenant trapped in her apartment had to be freed by FDNY, and a building entrance door was broken for weeks. The “Meanwhile Plan” meant to prevent deterioration was not being implemented. - Denise Davis (Penn-Workman Houses, PACT resident): Reported persistent leaks, loss of subsidy without explanation, elevator breakdowns, and eviction threats related to non-payment tied to unresolved conditions. - Ms. Eves (PACT resident): Alleged that PACT is designed to remove tenants, citing retaliation for complaints, chronic eviction cases, and safety hazards like falling down stairs 15 times. - Sophia Finn (Legal fellow, New York Legal Assistance Group): Described systemic issues: work orders closed mysteriously, workers taking pictures without repairs, poor scheduling (painters before plaster), and multiple relocations for lead and asbestos that ruined tenants’ belongings. - Amelia Walden (Penn-Workman Houses, PACT): Reported mold removal that only wipes and paints, falsified HPD reports, new elevators constantly out of service, and loss of closet space during renovations. - Cynthia Tibbs (TA president, Wasser Brownstones, via Zoom): Alleged that NYCHA is now requiring non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) from tenant leaders during PACT pre-development, barring them from speaking to elected officials or residents, calling it undemocratic and unacceptable. - Ms. Hines (Elder, Brooklyn): Expressed frustration with systemic failures, mold, asbestos, lead, and paper-thin doors, stating NYCHA should be torn down. Discussion Items - Opening Statement by Chair Banks: Outlined the purpose: understanding two work order systems (SIBO/Maximo for NYCHA, varied systems for PACT), residents’ complaints about disappearing work orders during PACT transitions, and lack of transparency (only one year of public data). - NYCHA Testimony – Daniel Green (EVP Property Management) and Heather Beck (EVP & Chief Real Estate Officer): - Work order volume: NYCHA receives 98,000 new maintenance work orders per month; 2.5 million created in 2025, with 2.49 million closed. Open work orders as of Sept 21, 2026: 606,583 (Section 9 only), broken down into: 17,000 maintenance, 311,000 skilled trades, 58,000 other crafts, 221,371 vendor tickets. Skilled trades backlog reduced 14% since 2024 to 282,000. - Response times: Emergency work orders averaged 11.1 hours (target 24 hrs); non-emergency averaged 55.6 days. Maintenance basic repairs completed in under 4 days. Missed skilled trade appointments reduced from 10.9% (2024) to 2.7% (July 2026). - Aging work orders: 93,000 open for 6–12 months; 332,000 open for over one year (mostly paint). Mold/leak backlog: 63,972 total, 21,968 (34%) older than one year, 58,295 (91%) requiring skilled trades. - PACT work orders: NYCHA collects monthly data on five HUD pillar areas (elevators, heat, leaks, mold, pests). As of Aug 31, 2026, only 409 open work orders across 32,000 PACT units (one per 100 units). Typical resolution within one day. On-time resolution decreased: 90.75% (2023), 87.5% (2024), 74.5% (2025). Total 65 work orders open 100 days. - Inspections: NYCHA now inspects 100% of apartments annually (previously 50% every 4 years). HUD physical inspection (INSPIRE) scores improved from 32.5 (2022-23) to 79.5 (Sept 2026), with 89% passing. - Vacancies: Only 44 skilled trades vacancies out of 1,750; 30 maintenance vacancies out of 750. Plaster academy underway. - Initiatives: Maintenance Cares (1,164 high-need apartments resolved since Feb 2025); Critical Repairs Initiative (CRI) launching with $20M for overtime; Mold & Leaks Restore & Renew (4,000 work orders completed, goal 10,000 over 2 years); Elevator door parts funding ($2M over 3 years, zero repairs to date). - Council Q&A Highlights: - Chair Banks: Pressed on why total work orders aren’t dropping despite PACT conversions (Green cited increased inspections generating more work orders). Questioned seven-month average wait for skilled trades; Green acknowledged it’s unacceptable but cited resource constraints. - Councilmember Encarnación (District 8): Noted that constituent services are overwhelmed tracking work orders; called for proactive management instead of resident-driven follow-up. Questioned how apartment inspections can yield high pass rates when conditions remain poor. - Transparency: NYCHA does not publish work order closures without repair separately. Only one year of Section 9 data is public; 7.5 million work order transactions provided to Council oversight. PAC data published quarterly but less detailed because NYCHA is not the property manager. - Oversight: NYCHA’s quality assurance unit inspects 3,500 closed work orders per quarter; 3% found unsatisfactory. No specific data on disciplinary actions for falsification or referrals to DOI. Independent mold analyst inspects closed mold/leak work orders monthly. - Housing Court: In FY2025, 551 order-to-show-cause HP cases brought 5,312 violations; only 31% resolved as of September 2026. NYCHA now receives daily HPD violation data electronically. Key Outcomes - The Committee held the oversight hearing; the matter was filed without any immediate legislative action. - NYCHA committed to provide additional data requested by the Chair, including historical work order numbers, breakdown by age, and follow-up on disciplinary actions. - Chair Banks emphasized the need for NYCHA to accept independent inspections by HPD and greater transparency for PACT work order data. - Several public testifiers raised concerns about PACT evictions, non-disclosure agreements, and unsafe conditions; NYCHA stated it would take back questions on NDAs and the Meanwhile Plan for further review. - The hearing concluded with no formal votes or directives, but the record will remain open for written testimony submitted within 72 hours.

On September 22, 2026, the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare, chaired by Crystal Hudson, held a hearing on five legislative proposals aimed at improving the City Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFEPS) rental assistance program. The hearing began at 1:00 PM at 250 Broadway. Roll call showed members Hudson, Morano, Nurse, Ung, and Wilson present; Avilés and Mealy absent. Councilmember Brewer also attended. The committee heard testimony from Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Aaron Dalton and his team, followed by over a dozen panels of public testimony from advocates, service providers, and individuals with lived experience. All five bills received hearings and were laid over without a vote. Opening Remarks Chair Hudson opened by stating that New York City faces intertwined crises of an acute affordable housing shortage and widespread homelessness. She cited data from the Coalition for the Homeless showing that 96,528 people slept in NYC shelters each night in July 2026, including 30,824 children, with the total unhoused population likely in the hundreds of thousands. She noted that CityFEPS, established in 2018, had helped 123,762 individuals secure permanent housing through March 2025, with the city budgeting $1.78 billion for FY2026 and $1.97 billion for FY2027. She described the five bills as attempts to remove roadblocks at key stages of the CityFEPS process. Discussion Items Intro 98-2026 (Sponsor: Councilmember Brewer) – Would require the Commissioner of Social Services to deem a dwelling unit habitable before approving CityFEPS assistance for that unit. DSS Commissioner Aaron Dalton testified that while the agency supports the goal, the bill as drafted would limit flexibility and increase processing time. He highlighted a nine-month pilot program that distinguishes between minor and major repairs and uses virtual reinspections for minor fixes. The pilot results are expected to roll out systemwide in early 2027. Committee members questioned the average wait time for inspections (2–3 weeks), failure rates (44% for HRA-conducted inspections on harder units), and specific failure reasons (e.g., water temperature failures 41%, electrical outlet deficiencies 33%). DSS noted they only conduct about a third of inspections; providers handle the rest. Intro 100-2026 (Sponsor: Councilmember Brewer) – Would require DSS to annually report the average time from shopping letter issuance to lease-up. Dalton stated the agency can report this metric but questioned whether it is the best measure, as many factors (low vacancy, geographic preferences) affect timelines. He provided average lease-up times: 244 days in 2024, 221 in 2025, and 236 year-to-date in 2026. The difference between community applicants (21 days from application to approval) and shelter applicants (31 days) was noted. Intro 101-2026 (Sponsor: Councilmember Brewer) – Would require DSS to respond to CityFEPS applications within 15 days (approved, denied, or needing correction). Dalton reported current average processing time of 28 days, improved to 24.8 days in recent months due to reorganization and streamlined review. DSS plans to launch a client-facing portal by end of October 2026 to show real-time status. Several testifiers urged that the 15-day limit should apply to the entire process, including pre-submission steps (e.g., through Home Base). Intro 641-2026 (Sponsor: Councilmember Wrestler) – Would require DSS to issue rental assistance payments no later than seven days before the first of the month. Dalton stated that DSS currently pays on the 26th of the prior month, with electronic transfers arriving within 24 hours and paper checks around the 1st. He noted that the state’s shelter allowance is paid in two installments (beginning and middle of month), which can result in partial payments. DSS provides landlords a payment breakdown but not a full calendar. Preconsidered Intro T2026-1424 (Sponsor: Councilmember Morano) – Would require DSS to create a landlord portal for rental subsidy programs. Dalton supported the goal but said the January 2027 deadline is not feasible given ongoing IT work; enhancements are expected to roll out in phases starting first quarter 2027. Councilmember Morano pressed for a specific commitment date, but Dalton could not provide one. Testifiers from Spony (small property owners) strongly supported the portal as a way to reduce administrative burdens. Public Comments & Testimony The committee heard from multiple panels, all expressing strong support for the five bills while often urging stronger timelines and broader scope. - First Panel (Lived Experience): Judita Francis, a shelter resident with a child, testified that she secured an apartment in April 2026 but still cannot move in due to inspection and approval delays. Akira Morris shared her experience of nearly losing her apartment due to communication breakdowns between Home Base and HRA. Elizabeth Mackey reported that her landlord has not been paid for five months, despite her voucher being active, putting her at risk of eviction. Diana Ramos described a unit with pests, non-working outlets, and plumbing issues; she also had to act as a middleman to ensure payments were correct. - Providers and Advocates: Kathy Batista (Anthos Home), Jade Vasquez (WIN), Maritza Rico (New Destiny Housing), Graham Horn (NYLAG), Helen Strom (Urban Justice Center), Jean Stevens (VOLS), Lauren Price (Brooklyn Defender Services), Yvonne Pena (CSS), Brandon Lloyd (URI), Jerry Hippolyte (HSNY), and Pepper (Homeless Services United) all testified in favor of the bills. Common themes included: the need for rapid response times (15 days should cover pre-application steps), transparency in reporting (including reasons for package rejections and data on lease-up times), and concerns about rent reasonableness reviews causing months-long delays. Testifiers also flagged discrimination by landlords and brokers against voucher holders and called for stronger enforcement of source-of-income laws. - Virtual Testimony: Ann Korchak (Spony) praised the landlord portal bill. Miranda Denovo and Calvin Michael shared personal experiences—Denovo described a friend waiting months for a shopping letter due to case manager turnover; Michael stated CityFEPS works but is underfunded and has payment discrepancies. Key Outcomes - All five bills (Int 98, 100, 101, 641, and T2026-1424) were Hearing Held and Laid Over by the committee (no vote taken). Written testimony may be submitted within 72 hours. - The committee did not take any final action. Councilmembers indicated intent to continue working with DSS and bill sponsors to refine the legislation. - DSS committed to providing additional data requested by committee members, including disaggregation of processing times, reasons for package returns, and estimated shelter cost savings from reduced delays. - DSS noted upcoming improvements: a client portal by end of October 2026, expansion of the inspection pilot systemwide in first quarter 2027, and ongoing enhancements to the landlord portal.

On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM, the New York City Council Committee on Governmental Operations, State & Federal Legislation met at 250 Broadway, 8th Floor, Hearing Room 1, chaired by Gale A. Brewer. Roll call showed Present: Brewer, Dinowitz, Feliz, Morano, Wilson, and Zhuang; Absent: Stevens. Councilmembers Carr, Ariola, and Wong, and Public Advocate Williams also attended. The committee held an oversight hearing on access to city government and the Mamdani administration's civic engagement efforts, then heard four preconsidered local laws on third-party public communications and campaign finance disclosures. Oversight Hearing: DORIS and the Mayor's Office of Mass Engagement Testimony - Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) Commissioner Shonda Smith Cruz testified that DORIS provides access to more than 11.3 million digitized items, 10.5 million historical vital records, more than 74,000 government publications, and roughly 185,000 cubic feet and 400 terabytes of historical records. She said DORIS serves 65 government entities and that the city's Record Point electronic records system is used by 31 agencies, including the Mayor's Office, and manages more than 215 million records. - DORIS described its May 2025 instant-messaging policy: instant electronic messages are transitory by default, with no expectation of retention; if a user determines a message contains substantive content, the user must move it to a format suitable for preservation. DORIS said it strongly discourages city employees from creating substantive instant messages and does not monitor agencies' active communications. DORIS also said deletion of an instant message is not in itself a violation of the citywide policy. - DORIS explained that substantive messages are those that document or relate to the decisions, actions, or policies of a city office or agency. Councilmembers and Public Advocate Williams pressed for clearer definitions; several questioned whether the Signal group's daily talking points, updates, and clips would count as substantive. DORIS responded that communications about records are often transitory while the underlying record itself is what must be retained. - DORIS said Signal cannot currently be archived. Its civic-plus social media archiving tool covers Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Vimeo, Nextdoor, Pinterest, and Flickr, but not BlueSky, Reddit, or WhatsApp. The 2021 social media policy treats social media posts as publications with permanent retention. - Commissioner Tasha Van Aken testified about the Mayor's Office of Mass Engagement (OME), created on the mayor's second day in office. OME consolidated offices including the public engagement unit, NYC Service, faith-based and community partnerships, and other civic engagement functions. She cited outreach statistics: over 240 community board meetings attended by borough organizers; more than 5,800 New Yorkers at 30 events in 30 weeks; over 900,000 people supported through NYC Service programs; and a SNAP outreach effort that knocked on more than 10,000 doors, made more than 40,000 phone calls, and reached about 11,000 New Yorkers. The 2026 People's Money participatory budgeting program drew more than 134,000 ballots, with more than 26,000 cast in a language other than English. - OME stated it does not use Signal and communicates through city email, city phones, and Teams. It said it does not maintain creator or influencer lists and referred detailed questions about influencer work to the Mayor's Office of Communications. OME said it has 20 new staff lines and a roughly $2.8 million budget, but the commissioner did not provide a filled/unfilled breakdown during the hearing. - Minority Leader Carr, Councilmembers Dinowitz, Morano, Wong, Wilson, Ariola, and Public Advocate Williams all expressed disappointment that Mayor's Office of Communications staff, including Amelia Rowland, the director of new media who runs the influencer and Signal operation, were not present. Councilmember Morano entered a memorandum from the mayor's office chief counsel that, according to him, was dated January 15, 2022 but had metadata suggesting January 2026, stating that employees should not use WhatsApp, Signal, or any other communications app or platform for work. Morano raised the possibility of using the council's subpoena power. Preconsidered Legislation and Campaign Finance Board Testimony - Four preconsidered bills were heard: T2026-2555, sponsored by Minority Leader Carr, prohibiting candidates from appearing in certain government-funded third-party communications during an election campaign; T2026-1440, sponsored by Carr, requiring reporting on third-party public communications; T2026-2554, sponsored by Councilmember Feliz, requiring disclosures on third-party public communications paid for with government resources; and T2026-2553, sponsored by Councilmember Wong, requiring campaign finance disclosures in online and digital content and directing the Campaign Finance Board to issue guidance. - First Deputy Executive Director Amanda Melillo of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) testified that the CFB began working with influencers through a vendor in 2021 and brought influencer selection in-house in 2023. In 2025, the CFB worked with 29 influencers, producing more than 70 posts on Instagram and TikTok at a total cost of $626,365, generating more than 6 million views and over 500,000 engagements, with an average engagement rate of about 5%, above the 1-3% industry average. Non-English content in Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, and Bengali generated more than 2.3 million views and more than 4,000 visits to the CFB's NYC Votes website. - The CFB said it had only one week to review the four bills and gave preliminary feedback. It described T2026-2553, Councilmember Wong's bill, as duplicating existing CFB Rules 6-06 and 14-04 on paid-for-by disclaimers and said the charter changes did not appear necessary. It took no formal position on T2026-2555, Carr's bill broadening the existing 90-day government mass-mailing prohibition. It opposed T2026-1440 as drafted, arguing that individual-level reporting would disperse responsibility and produce duplicative or missed reports, and recommended agency-level reporting through existing advertising spending reports. It opposed T2026-2554 as drafted, saying designating the CFB as an enforcing agency was misaligned with its charter role and that shared enforcement with the Conflicts of Interest Board would create complexity and inconsistent standards. Public Comments & Testimony - Dr. Anya Schiffrin, Senior Lecturer at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, testified about her forthcoming working paper, "Mapping New York City Influencers and the Funding of Public Messaging." She said her research found no systemic record keeping on city agencies' influencer relationships, inconsistent labeling and disclosure, and secrecy around hiring and payment. She discussed the mayor's invite-only Signal group, "NYC Creators Announcements," saying it appeared unpaid but raised questions about its function, access, and relationship to the traditional press list. She recommended clear and standardized disclosures, publication of influencer lists, training for city employees and agencies, and possible use of an influencer hub or model disclosure rules. - Rachel Fowles of Reinvent Albany asked the council to pass legislation clarifying that all electronic communications creating public records, including instant messages, be archived and retrievable by FOIL officers. She said the city should define instant messages as substantive or non-substantive rather than treating them as transitory by default. Reinvent Albany also asked the council to revise T2026-2555 and T2026-1440 and not to move forward with T2026-2554 and T2026-2553 as drafted. - Grace Rao of Citizens Union said auto-delete functions should be explicitly prohibited for official city business and that city employees should not be permitted to use any function that automatically deletes or destroys government records. She called for a uniform citywide disclosure standard for paid government advertising and influencer contracts, and said unpaid influencer communication is not inherently wrong but must not come at the expense of reporter access or involve confidential information. - Susan Lerner of Common Cause New York questioned whether the Office of Mass Engagement was promoting a narrow model of civic engagement focused on tenant organizing rather than a broad invitation for New Yorkers to understand and affect government. She supported disclosure labels on city-initiated or city-partnered communications and generally supported the bills while recommending amendments. - Octavio Blanco, executive editor of Uptown Voices, a hyperlocal news outlet, testified that he was not paid to cover the administration, was not on the Signal chat, and communicates with the mayor's office through normal channels. He said Uptown Voices invited all three candidates in a congressional race to appear on its podcast, rejected a $500 payment offered by a campaign, and holds a press pass. He expressed strong concern that trust was his publication's most valuable asset. - A former city employee, Charles Diamond, testified on procurement, saying government media buys should go through procurement with selection, record keeping, and protections against political interference. He said zero-dollar contracts and unpaid work should make the city more suspicious, not less. He criticized the administration's testimony on transitory versus substantive messages as circular and said Signal was not an approved channel. - Content creators Norberto Briseño and Taiwan Green, also known as Mr. Fingers, testified that they had never been paid by the administration and were not directed on how to message their content. Taiwan Green said he lost money by taking time off work to cover events, retains the right to criticize the mayor, and uses access to ask questions relevant to Southeast Queens. Briseño said he made videos about the administration's bus work because his audience needs factual information about city government. - Christopher Leon Johnson, a media press credential holder, disputed those accounts, accusing Mr. Fingers and Uptown Voices of being paid through third-party agencies, saying the mayor's office controls narratives and deletes unfavorable videos, and criticizing the administration's reliance on influencers. Tim Fullerton, founder and CEO of Find Out Media and a former state and federal digital strategy official, defended the Signal group as a distribution list sharing the same information given to the press, said its members were not paid by the administration, and argued that government information is useless if it does not reach people on the platforms they use. Key Outcomes - The oversight item, T2026-2324, was held by the committee and filed. - All four preconsidered local laws, T2026-2555, T2026-1440, T2026-2554, and T2026-2553, were heard and laid over by the committee; no final votes were taken. - Several councilmembers said the Mayor's Office of Communications should appear at future hearings and suggested subpoena power if necessary to obtain testimony about the Signal influencer group and related spending. - OME committed to follow up with borough-by-borough outreach spending, staffing, and event data, and DORIS indicated openness to continued policy discussion with the council on instant-messaging retention. - The CFB said it would provide more detailed legislative comments after further analysis, and written testimony was accepted for 72 hours after the hearing.

On September 22, 2026, the New York City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor, chaired by Councilmember Shirley Aldebol, held an oversight hearing on municipal recruitment strategies and civil service pathways. The hearing examined the city's ongoing vacancy crisis—with an overall 5% vacancy rate and double-digit shortfalls at agencies like the Department of Social Services (15%) and the Human Rights Commission (20%)—and explored DCAS-led initiatives to expand access to civil service jobs through fellowships, internships, fee waivers, and outreach. DCAS Deputy Commissioner Katrina Porter and Assistant Commissioner Katie O'Tar testified for the administration, and four public witnesses offered recommendations for systemic reform. Public Comments & Testimony - Michael Hickey (Chief of Strategy and Operations, Citizens NYC, former NYC public schools leader) described his direct experience as a hiring manager: he was never trained on civil service, faced year-long waits for hiring lists, and was forced to use a cumbersome “rule of three” process. He urged practical training for hiring managers and better alignment between OMB and agency hiring authority. - Rebecca Haywood (former DCAS employee, now government modernization consultant) highlighted findings from a 2019 citywide hiring assessment that has never been made public. She noted that exam schedules (offered every five years or more) and opaque language exclude candidates without insider knowledge, and recommended plain-language standards, continuous recruitment, and agency candidate-sharing mechanisms. - Catherine Vaughan (Co-founder and Co-Executive Director, Abundance New York) emphasized that the largest cost to applicants is time—months of waiting for exams and up to nine months of unpaid onboarding. She called for reducing time-to-hire, eliminating exams for already-licensed roles (e.g., engineers, nurses), adopting banded scoring, and publishing agency-level hiring timelines. - Amari Dujardine (Public Policy Manager, Citizens Union) urged replacing the “rule of three” with banded scoring, asking the state to waive exams for licensed professions, and developing a transparent, plain-language job search tool. He also suggested creating a labor-management committee to advance reforms during contract negotiations. Discussion Items - Opening remarks by Chair Aldebol set the context: despite DCAS programs (Civil Service Pathways Fellowship, Public Service Corps, Civil Service Ambassador Program, fee waivers for high school and first-time test takers), persistent vacancies and hiring delays (often over a year) undermine the city’s ability to staff essential services. - DCAS testimony (Deputy Commissioner Porter and Assistant Commissioner O'Tar) reported: - The Civil Service Pathways Fellowship doubled to 400 slots in August 2026; 75% of graduates transition to full-time city jobs. - The Public Service Corps placed 122 interns across 13 agencies in FY2026, up from 106 across seven agencies in FY2025. - Over 900 interns were hired through the Summer Internship Program in 2026. - 1.8 million applications were submitted via the NYC Jobs website in 2025, leading to 20,000 hires (for non-exam positions). - Free civil service exams for high school students and first-time test takers began July 1, 2026; since then, 2,000 first-time fee waivers and 57 high school fee waivers were requested. - Social media outreach saw an 251% increase in impressions year-over-year, but DCAS could not yet correlate this with actual hires. - The median time from exam administration to list establishment is 101 days (down from 158 days). - Minimum qualifications reviews have covered 116 titles, with requirements amended for 69 titles, impacting thousands of positions. - Councilmember questions covered: - Veteran recruitment (Morano): DCAS relies on partnerships with the Department of Veterans Affairs and fee waivers, but does not track hires from specific outreach events. - Urban Fellows retention (Hudson): Retention dropped from 77% (2024-25) to 38% (2025-26), partly due to factors like relocation and available vacancies; many former fellows are still in the interview process. - Hard-to-recruit titles and emergency hiring (Hudson, Restler): DCAS can shift exam schedules and share applicant pools with agencies, but does not independently track hires at the agency level. - Fee waiver usage and veteran credits (Narcisse): Approximately 25-30% of exam applicants use fee waivers; veterans’ credits are promoted but no specific usage data was provided. - Youth apprenticeship program (Aldebol): DCAS helped create the title but does not manage or track the program (run by Mayor’s Office of Talent and DOE). - Collaboration with Small Business Services (Aldebol): DCAS amplifies hiring hall events but does not centrally manage or evaluate them. - Global accountability from exam to hire (Restler): DCAS is in early stages of developing a system to track the full timeline, acknowledging challenges due to the decentralized hiring environment. Key Outcomes - The hearing was held and filed by the committee; no votes were taken. - Chair Aldebol committed to following up on data requests (e.g., veteran outreach events, time-to-hire breakdowns, fee waiver trends) and to using recommendations from public witnesses to pursue reforms. - Councilmembers urged DCAS to improve transparency, publish agency-level hiring timelines, and work with City Hall to mandate agency cooperation in data sharing. - Public witnesses offered a shared “spreadsheet” of actionable, low-cost city-level reforms (plain language, continuous recruitment, band scoring, training for hiring managers, workforce planning) and called for the committee to press for implementation.