Hearing prepares for public testimony

Thank you.

Actually, keep it down in the chambers.

Please keep it down.

We're starting right now.

Thank you.

Find your seats, guys.

Find your seats.

So if we can keep it down in the chamber.

Guys, keep it down.

I know we have a lot of people who want to come testify.

We have a lot of people signed up.

Please find your seats.

So now we're going to open the hearing for public testimony.

Guys, find your seats, please.

Please find your seats.

Make some room in the middle.

Hey guys, if we want to get through the public testimony, we're going to get kicked out of the chamber today because there's an event happening tonight.

So we really got to go through this quickly.

We have to move to another room.

So the more delays we have, the more issues it's going to be.

Okay, so now this hearing is open for public testimony.

I remind members of the public this is a formal government proceeding and the quorum shall be observed at all times.

As such, members of the public shall remain silent at all times.

The witness table is reserved for people who wish to testify.

No video recording or photography is allowed from the witness table.

Further, members of the public may not present audio or video recording as testimony, but submit transcripts of such recording to the Sergeant at Arms for inclusion in the hearing record.

If you wish to speak at today's hearing, please fill out an appearance card with the Sergeant at Arms and wait to be recognized.

When you are recognized, you have two minutes to speak on the oversight topic.

Our legislation is being heard today.

If you have written testimony and additional written testimony you wish to submit for the record, please submit it to the Sergeant at Arms.

You may also email written testimony to testimony at council at nyc.gov within 72 hours of the hearing.

Audio and video recordings will not be accepted.

We'll now call the first panel.

I would also like to add that we have about 100, more than 170 people testifying today, so I will be consistent on the two-minute cutoff.

Just want you to know I'm going to be very, very fair with it.

But at two minutes, I'm going to ask that you end your remarks.

Thank you.