Council Member Epstein questions DOT on environmental practices oversight
Epstein asks about DOT's role in overseeing environmental agreements. Weidenhoff confirms the agreement will require partners and subconcessionaires to follow environmental laws, and DOT will promote recycling and composting. Epstein asks if the BID will report on environmental compliance; Weidenhoff says specifics will be in the agreement and ongoing conversations, with DOT as backup oversight entity.
Thank you, and thank you for spending time with us as we go through these questions and issues.
I think you and your team have been really, really helpful, so I appreciate that.
So I think we talked a lot about kind of environmental issues, and I think we're all in the same place around trying to become more environmentally friendly.
What role will DOT have in overseeing whatever agreements we come to in the end?
So we've talked with your office about, you know, working in certainly making sure that as part of the agreement itself, that we're being explicit that all of
both our partner and its subconcessionaires need to follow all relevant rules related to environmental law.
We're also committed to, where possible, promoting recycling, composting, and other environmental-friendly practices.
And that's something, again, we'll coordinate closely with the bid on to make sure that where feasible, that's playing out in all the activities.
And is the bid going to report to you on those issues in your agreement with the bid?
So again, there will be some specificity in the agreement itself, but a lot happens outside the agreement in terms of RFP proposals.
things like that.
So that's something we'll be in conversation with them about.
And certainly we know it is a really important value here, but also honestly citywide.
So it's something that, yes, we will be making sure we do to the extent possible environmentally safe practices and operations.
And so if there was an issue, obviously we can go to the bid, but you'll be a backup entity.
Absolutely.
Yes.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
DOT is very committed to, you know, we are the long-term stewards of these public spaces and happy to engage with you at any point.
Yes.