John Weinberg Manhattan BP opposes Intro 501

Jonathan Weinberg, Manhattan Borough President's Office.

You have to be sworn in because you're representing the borough president.

All right, we will now hear testimony from the Manhattan Borough President's Office.

Before we begin, I will administer the oath of affirmation.

Please raise your right hand.

Do you affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth before this committee, and to respond honestly to council member questions?

I do.

All right, you may begin when you're ready.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chair Brewer, and thank you to the other members of the council and the members of the public gathered here today.

I'm here on behalf of Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Siegel.

My name is John Weinberg.

I'm general counsel to the borough president, and I'm here to enter into the record official testimony in opposition to Intro 501 on behalf of Borough President Hoylman-Siegel.

And this written testimony is also assigned on to by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.

President Hoylman-Siegel has significant concerns regarding Intro 501, which is drafted would undermine the institutional effectiveness of New York City's community.

Intro 501 would impose term limits on community board district managers.

District managers are professional public servants whose institutional knowledge and long-standing relationships with residents, agencies, and stakeholders are indispensable to the effective operation of community boards.

These positions are not political appointments, nor should they be treated as such.

At a time when land use and service delivery issues are becoming increasingly complex, community boards benefit from experienced administrative leadership.

Mandatory turnover would unnecessarily weaken continuity, diminish expertise,

and impair the ability for boards to effectively serve their communities.

Community board members have universally told us that district managers are quite literally the glue that hold community boards together.

We have heard no concerns whatsoever from our constituents on the performance and dedication of these district managers.

So why disturb something that is working so well?

We know Chair Brewer and other members of the council understand firsthand the important role that community boards play and that district managers specifically play in New York City civil life.

We therefore respectively urge the council to reconsider the bill in its current form.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Thank you very much.

I appreciate this, your testimony, and we will certainly take it under consideration.

Thank you, Chair Brewer.

We appreciate your time and attention.

Thank you.