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Q&A

Chair Krishnan on $4M needed for 9/11 investigation and public-private partnership question

New York City Council · Jun 2, 2026 · starts 1:02:01 · 1 min 23 sec

Krishnan asks what happens if the $4.5M for the 9/11 investigation isn't funded. Shahada reports the vendor's best and final offer is $4M, which DOI has requested in new needs, but without that funding DOI cannot conduct the investigation at all. Krishnan also asks about public-private partnerships; Shahada says she'll need to look into it.

Shekar Krishnan

And my final question, and I'm sure Councilman Abreu will ask more about this too, but we've got a budget request for about $4.5 million for the 9-11 investigation.

Shekar Krishnan

If that money is not in the budget, do you all see your ability to, will you be able to complete the report?

Shekar Krishnan

Will you be able to finish the investigation or even hire the outside vendor you had in mind?

Shekar Krishnan

What will happen if that money is not in the budget for this critical investigation?

Nadia Shihata

So first of all, the good news is I think we can do it for a little bit less.

Nadia Shihata

We can do it for $4 million.

Nadia Shihata

That's the best and final offer we received from the vendor.

Nadia Shihata

So that is what we've requested in our new needs for the adopted budget.

Nadia Shihata

It's $4 million.

Nadia Shihata

But without that $4 million.

Shekar Krishnan

We'll try to get you the $4.5 million anyway.

Shekar Krishnan

You need the money for other stuff too.

Nadia Shihata

We'll take it.

Nadia Shihata

But without that money, we will not be able to conduct that investigation.

Nadia Shihata

And we would like to receive that money so we can get to work.

Shekar Krishnan

Thank you, Commissioner.

Shekar Krishnan

Thank you, Chair.

Shekar Krishnan

Sorry, just really quickly following up on that.

Shekar Krishnan

Is there a way to, I don't know what the legal parameters are around this, but is there a way to do public-private partnerships, either with other law firms, have MOUs in place to be creative when thinking through the cost?

Nadia Shihata

I'll have to get back to you on that.

Nadia Shihata

I don't know the answer off the top of my head.

Shekar Krishnan

Okay.

Shekar Krishnan

Councilmember Brewer, followed by Councilmember Joann.