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Council Member Brewer Questions DOT on Adding Setup Status to the Website

New York City Council · Apr 23, 2025 · starts 2:07:25 · 1 min 8 sec

Council Member Gale Brewer asks DOT if the legal or illegal status of outdoor dining setups can be clearly indicated on the agency's public website.

Gale A. Brewer

But it doesn't, we get complaints of we don't know if they're legal or not.

Gale A. Brewer

Obviously, I'm like the you know, the uh person who spent a great deal of time on the illegal smoke shops, as you know.

Gale A. Brewer

So we don't know if they're legal or illegal.

Gale A. Brewer

It doesn't say that on the website.

Gale A. Brewer

Is there some way that that could be added?

Gale A. Brewer

Because people are bringing us, we I don't know if it's legal or not.

Gale A. Brewer

We we can call, but that'll be something that I think people would appreciate.

Gale A. Brewer

If you give them a summons, can that be listed, etc.?

Margaret Forgioni

Okay, so the website will be continually updated, but in the meantime, if there is a question about any setup, if you call us, we are I know I can call you, but I'm just saying, but anybody can call 311 or nyc.gov and we will tell them what the dimensions are supposed to be and whatnot.

Margaret Forgioni

But as we continue along with the program and the final um approvals, the website will be more and more updated and more useful to your constituents.

Gale A. Brewer

About those that are not legal also?

Margaret Forgioni

If they're not in the website, they're probably illegal.

Gale A. Brewer

But then it needs to say that because people don't know that it needs it needs that.

Gale A. Brewer

That's what happened during the smoke shops.

Gale A. Brewer

People didn't know if they were legal or illegal.