Committee on Finance

Call to order and room quieted

Council staff quiets the room and announces the start of the Finance Committee hearing, reminding attendees to silence devices and not approach the dais.

0:00:41 58 sec

Abreu opens Finance Committee hearing and outlines agenda

Majority Leader Shaun Abreu chairs the hearing in place of Finance Chair Linda Lee, recognizes attending council members, and outlines the two pre-considered items: a transparency resolution on expense budget designations and an intro establishing a temporary ECB judgment resolution program.

0:01:39 1 min 21 sec

Roll call vote begins on coupled pre-considered items

Committee Clerk Matthew DiStefano begins the roll call vote with all items coupled. Abreu votes aye. Several members are called in sequence with votes recorded.

0:03:00 51 sec

Vote

Wong requests bill numbers and casts split vote

Council Member Phil Wong asks for clarification on bill numbers, learns the resolution is Res. 595 and the ECB intro is Intro 1002, and votes yes on 595 but no on 1002.

0:03:51 55 sec

VOTE OUTCOME

First vote tally announced: 9-0 on coupled items

DiStefano announces a vote of nine in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The vote remains open for additional members.

0:04:46 18 sec

Vote

Brooks-Powers discloses conflict and votes aye

Council Member Brooks-Powers discloses that she is funding Larissa Jane Music Performing Arts Program and her child is affiliated with the organization, then votes aye.

0:05:04 37 sec

VOTE OUTCOME

Final vote results: Res. 595 passes 10-0, Intro 1002 passes 9-1

DiStefano announces the transparency resolution adopted 10-0 with no abstentions, and the ECB intro adopted 9-1 with Wong voting no. Abreu leaves the vote open for late arrivals.

0:05:41 1 min 30 sec

Staff discussion on Brooks-Powers disclosure form details

Off-microphone staff discussion about how to properly fill out Brooks-Powers's disclosure form, including whether to list her child's name and relationship to the funded organization.

0:07:11 1 min 37 sec

Staff discussion on workers' compensation penalty issue for funded organization

Staff discuss an organization that has a workers' compensation insurance lapse and penalty, noting the organization needs to pay the penalty to resolve a debarment issue before funding can proceed.

0:08:48 27 sec

Continued roll call: Hudson votes aye

DiStefano calls Council Member Hudson, who votes aye. Vote stands at 11-0 on the resolution and 10-1 on the ECB intro. Abreu keeps the vote open.

0:09:15 6 min 38 sec

Staff continue discussion on penalty payment process

Staff and Brooks-Powers discuss the organization's need to pay the insurance penalty promptly, with staff offering to help expedite the process once payment is made.

0:15:53 1 min 8 sec

Continued roll call: Feliz votes aye on all

DiStefano calls Council Member Feliz, who votes aye on all items. Vote stands at 12-0 on the resolution and 11-1 on the ECB intro.

0:17:01 34 sec

Continued roll call: Morano votes no on transparency resolution

Council Member Frank Morano votes no on the transparency resolution and aye on the rest. Final tally: resolution 12-1, ECB intro 12-1. Hearing adjourned.

0:17:35 3 min 26 sec

Finance Committee hearing adjourned

DiStefano announces the hearing is adjourned. A long gap follows with no substantive content.

0:21:01 1 min

Sound check and AV setup for press conference

Staff conduct audio tests, check closed captioning, and verify lower third graphics with a remote colleague named Christine in preparation for the upcoming press conference.

0:22:01 13 min 21 sec

Lighting panel adjustments in committee room

Staff work to adjust overhead lighting panels, identifying which switches control which lights and trying to find the right configuration for the press conference.

0:35:22 3 min

Door and lighting logistics for speaker arrival

Staff discuss when to open a side door for the Speaker's entrance and adjust lighting, noting that full lighting can be uncomfortably hot and that a step box is needed for shorter council members.

0:38:22 30 min 13 sec

Extended wait period before Speaker's arrival

Approximately 30 minutes of near-silence with periodic staff acknowledgments while waiting for the Speaker and council members to arrive for the press conference.

1:08:34 59 sec

Speaker Menin welcomes attendees and recognizes council members

Speaker Julie Menin opens the press conference, welcomes interns, and recognizes attending council members including Hanif, Restler, Thomas-Henry, Brewer, Morano, Narcisse, Epstein, and Feliz.

1:09:33 47 sec

Menin announces Rafael Rubio granted permanent asylum

Menin shares historic news that City Council employee Rafael Rubio, wrongfully detained by ICE in January, has been granted permanent asylum and returned to work at the Council after a long legal battle.

1:10:20 59 sec

Menin addresses TPS termination for Haitian immigrants

Menin condemns the Trump administration's decision to end TPS for Haitian immigrants, stripping work permits and risking deportation, and expresses solidarity with Haitian council members Narcisse, Joseph, Lewis, and Ossé.

1:11:19 1 min

Menin discusses funding for immigrant children's legal services

Menin addresses the expiration of federal funding for unaccompanied minor legal aid, praises Governor Hochul's $7 million state commitment, and highlights the Council's $82 million budget allocation for immigration legal services.

1:12:19 1 min 26 sec

Menin announces investigation into prediction market platforms targeting minors

Menin announces the Council is launching a legislative inquiry into Kalshi, Polymarket, Coinbase, and Gemini for potentially deceptive advertising practices targeting minors in online betting, citing her experience as a mother and former Consumer Affairs Commissioner.

1:13:44 56 sec

Menin introduces SCOOP Act dog waste legislation package

Menin introduces the SCOOP Act, a package of bills to expand access to dog waste bags, launch a composting pilot at dog runs, establish a public education campaign, and strengthen enforcement, noting over 2,000 dog waste complaints this year.

1:14:41 1 min 37 sec

Menin discusses insurance affordability crisis and new accountability office

Menin highlights rising insurance costs across NYC—small businesses paying 4-5x more, homeowners 26% more, auto insurance 42% above national average—and introduces legislation creating the nation's first Office of Insurance Affordability with claim adjusters to help consumers.

1:16:18 1 min 15 sec

Menin introduces outdoor dining legislation package

Menin previews the outdoor dining bills allowing year-round operation, addressing quality of life concerns including sanitation and noise, setting an 11 p.m. closing time, and establishing penalties for non-compliant restaurant owners.

1:17:33 2 min 32 sec

Menin outlines stated agenda: land use, finance, and legislation items

Menin lists land use items up for vote including rezonings in Queens and a park site selection, finance items including the transparency resolution and ECB intro, and resolutions on James Baldwin Day, insurance costs, and the Staten Island flag.

1:20:05 3 min 55 sec

Morano speaks on codifying Staten Island flag as official city flag

Council Member Frank Morano celebrates his first major legislation, codifying the Staten Island flag as NYC's third official flag, arguing it signals to Staten Islanders that the city sees and values them, and praising Speaker Menin as the best speaker Staten Island has had.

1:24:00 33 sec

Menin introduces Feliz's firearm discharge reporting bill

Menin introduces Intro 935A by Council Member Feliz, requiring NYPD to report weekly on confirmed firearm discharges including date, time, location, and circumstances.

1:24:34 1 min 52 sec

Feliz speaks on shots fired data reporting bill

Council Member Feliz explains his bill addresses a gap in NYPD data, which only tracks shootings where someone is struck, not all discharges. He argues shots fired data is essential for a complete picture of gun violence and resource allocation.

1:26:25 17 sec

Menin introduces Sanchez's certification of no harassment bill

Menin introduces Intro 839A by Council Member Pierina Sanchez, making the certification of no harassment pilot program permanent.

1:26:42 2 min 44 sec

Sanchez speaks on making CONH program permanent and stronger

Sanchez explains the bill makes CONH permanent, expands the harassment definition to include ICE threats, monitors problematic landlord portfolios, creates stronger incentives to clear violations, and clarifies that basic maintenance remains allowed under the program.

1:29:26 27 sec

Menin introduces Hanif's dog waste education bill

Menin introduces Intro 872 by Council Member Hanif, requiring DOHMH and Sanitation to develop a multilingual public education campaign on dog waste removal.

1:29:53 2 min 26 sec

Hanif speaks on citywide dog waste education campaign

Hanif details the public health and environmental hazards of dog waste, citing EPA and CDC data on waterway pollution and bacteria, and explains her bill includes effectiveness evaluation using 311 data to measure progress.

1:32:19 21 sec

Menin introduces Epstein's dog waste composting pilot bill

Menin introduces Intro 864 by Council Member Epstein, requiring Parks to establish a pilot program collecting dog waste from dog runs for composting.

1:32:40 1 min 17 sec

Epstein speaks on dog run composting pilot program

Epstein highlights that NYC dogs produce 500,000 pounds of waste daily, and his bill diverts waste from landfills, reduces methane emissions, empowers dog run users, and produces better soil for the city.

1:33:57 25 sec

Menin introduces Narcisse's dog waste signage bill

Menin introduces Intro 880 by Council Member Narcisse, requiring signage at park entrances and facilities stating the prohibition on leaving dog waste and associated penalties.

1:34:22 3 min 36 sec

Narcisse speaks on park signage bill and addresses Haitian community crisis

Narcisse thanks Menin for supporting Haitian New Yorkers amid TPS termination, then presents her bill requiring clear signage at parks telling dog owners to pick up waste, noting the unfair burden on parks staff who clean up before visitors arrive.

1:37:58 38 sec

Menin introduces her own dog waste bag dispenser bill and insurance office bill

Menin introduces Intro 857A requiring Sanitation to install and fill dog waste bag dispensers on at least 1,200 public litter baskets, and notes the Office of Insurance Affordability bill (Intro 685B) will also be voted on.

1:38:36 17 sec

Menin introduces Restler's year-round outdoor dining bill

Menin introduces Intro 655A by Council Member Restler, expanding the outdoor dining program by removing seasonal restrictions on roadway cafe operations.

1:38:53 4 min 31 sec

Restler speaks on restoring year-round outdoor dining

Restler details how the seasonal program caused a 90% decline in outdoor dining participation due to prohibitive construction and storage costs. His bill restores year-round dining with design flexibility, an 11 p.m. closing time, accountability for repeat violators, and maintained cleanliness standards.

1:43:23 20 sec

Menin introduces Brewer's sidewalk cafe enclosure bill

Menin introduces Intro 894A by Council Member Brewer, allowing sidewalk cafe operators to enclose year-round cafes annually from November 30 through March 31.

1:43:43 2 min 8 sec

Brewer speaks on year-round sidewalk cafe enclosures

Brewer explains her bill makes it legal for sidewalk cafes to operate year-round with covers during cold months, helping restaurants maintain workforce and serve diners, and notes restaurants have a choice between seasonal and year-round options.

1:45:51 54 sec

Menin introduces Sanchez cleanliness bill and Thomas-Henry fee bill

Menin introduces Intro 917A by Council Member Sanchez requiring outdoor dining setups to be clear of trash and vermin, and Intro 918A by Council Member Thomas-Henry allowing quarterly installment payments for revocable consent fees.

1:46:45 2 min 55 sec

Thomas-Henry speaks on quarterly fee installments for outdoor dining

Thomas-Henry presents her first bill to pass, explaining how quarterly fee payments reduce upfront costs for restaurant owners and entrepreneurs, framing affordability as the cost to build a business and dream in NYC.

1:49:40 1 min 7 sec

Q&A on graffiti concerns and quality of life balance in outdoor dining

Menin responds to a question about graffiti provisions, explaining the bills aim to help small businesses while addressing quality of life issues raised by community boards, striking a balance between support and accountability.

1:50:47 1 min 10 sec

Q&A on mayor's reform proposals and outdoor dining interaction

A reporter asks about the mayor's own reform proposals including shortening timelines and removing council veto power. Menin emphasizes the Council's focus on making it easier for small businesses to operate and working with the administration on shared goals.

1:51:57 2 min 18 sec

Q&A on projected number of outdoor dining structures

Restler explains that at peak there were 8,000 roadway dining structures, now under 800, and expects significant new participation based on surveys showing cost was the top barrier. Menin adds concerns about DOT's slow permit approval process and the need for ongoing oversight.

1:54:15 1 min 35 sec

Q&A on dog waste fines vs. dispenser approach

A reporter asks why the Council chose dispensers over raising fines like LA and Chicago did to $500. Menin explains that without enforcement staff, higher fines wouldn't deter behavior, and the holistic SCOOP Act approach targets the problem from multiple angles.

1:55:50 12 sec

Follow-up on waste bag dispenser scope: 1,200 baskets

Menin clarifies the bill covers 1,200 litter baskets, a compromise from the original version that would have covered every basket, and says this is a good start with focus on high-complaint areas.

1:56:02 1 min 11 sec

Q&A on outdoor dining inspection burdens and health inspector timing

A reporter raises concerns about restaurants facing frequent inspections with rulers during construction. Menin says the bills don't address this but the Council is open to looking into it, and also notes concerns about health inspectors arriving during busy lunch service.

1:57:13 3 min 22 sec

Q&A on timeline for outdoor dining legislative changes

Reporter Jesse asks what took so long to fix the outdoor dining program. Menin says she and others raised concerns from the start about giving the program to DOT and making it seasonal. Restler adds the Council is course-correcting quickly after seeing the program fail.

2:00:35 44 sec

Off-topic Q&A on e-bike registration legislation

Menin explains e-bike registration is a state DMV issue, noting NYC DOT has said they lack authority and capacity. She mentions 17 e-bike related bills the Council is pursuing, including licensing third-party apps like DoorDash.

2:01:19 51 sec

Off-topic Q&A on independent expenditures and DoorDash

A reporter asks about speculation regarding independent expenditures from companies like DoorDash. Menin notes independent expenditures are by nature independent and declines to comment, highlighting the Council's work on licensing third-party delivery apps.

2:02:09 1 min 25 sec

Q&A on BSA nominee John Manchin and council housing concerns

Menin addresses concerns about BSA nominee John Manchin, noting some council members have raised concerns about his prior statements on community benefit agreements. She emphasizes the Council is pro-housing, having approved every ULURP and over 7,000 housing units, and looks forward to meeting Manchin.

2:03:34 1 min 26 sec

Riley on council's pro-housing record and BSA nominee concerns

Land Use Chair Kevin Riley defends the Council's housing record, citing Monitor Point as an example of finding consensus, and says concerns about Manchin's opposition to community benefit agreements are significant since CBAs help negotiate community needs during housing development.

2:05:00 2 min 25 sec

Williams on BSA nominee and community benefit agreements

Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams details her concerns about Manchin's record conflicting with the Council's view of its powers, cites her Jamaica Neighborhood Plan with 12,000 units and 82 points of agreement, and emphasizes housing must come with infrastructure investment.

2:07:25 1 min 50 sec

Q&A on consumer protection, DCWP relationship, and prediction market investigation

Menin discusses her strong relationship with DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine, the Council's push for more agency funding, the Kalshi/Polymarket investigation timeline with 60 questions sent to four companies, and her sponsorship of the Deliverate Protection Act in the prior council.

2:09:15 1 min 6 sec