Public Advocate Jumaane Williams Image Credit: NYC City Council
Public Hearing hinges on interest rates and how property tax deferments affect the City budget. On June 18, 2020, the City Council officially introduced two bills that would defer July 1, 2020, property tax liabilities for COVID-19 impacted property owners. One bill addresses the tax liabilities of primary residences and the other addresses the tax liabilities of businesses affected by the pandemic. The bills were originally heard as preconsidered bills at the June 10, 2020, Committee on Finance public hearing.
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Council Member Antonio Reynoso at the Committee Hearing
Open Restaurants Plan intended for Phase 2 start. On June 4, 2020, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Open Restaurants seating program and the Council Committee on Consumer Affairs and Business Licensing held the public hearing on Intro 1957, a bill that would create the temporary outdoor dining space. The bill is sponsored by Council Member Antonio Reynoso and was introduced at the May 28th, 2020 Stated Meeting.
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Council Member Mark Gjonaj speaking at the May 13, 2020 virtual Stated Meeting Image Credit: City Council Livestream
Council Bills intended to support the restaurant industry and small business. On May 13, 2020 the New York City Council voted to approve two bills intended to restrict the amount of fees third-party delivery services can charge restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic and restaurant closures. Intro 1898-A, which essentially prevents fees to restaurants when no actual transaction results, was approved with 47 votes in the affirmative and three votes in the negative. Intro 1908-B, which restricts third-party food delivery service fees to a maximum 15 percent per order, was approved by a vote of 46 votes in the affirmative and 4 votes in the negative.
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Council Member Mark Gjonaj at the Joint Committee Hearing Image Credit: City Council
Committee hearing calls into question the amount of loans and protections for small businesses during COVID outbreak. On April 29, 2020, the City Council’s Committee on Small Business and Committee on Consumer Affairs and Business Licensing held a joint public hearing on the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses in New York City. Of the thirteen proposed bills, three were specifically labeled as part of a COVID-19 Relief Package. The bills address personal liability for commercial tenants, commercial tenant harassment and fees for sidewalk café licenses. Each bill is discussed in further detail below:
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Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Member Robert Cornegy, and Council Member Andrew Cohen at the April 28th Committee public hearing held through Zoom./Image Credit: City Council
Testimonies at the public hearing revealed concerns about the two bills and their impact on the City’s tenants and landlords. On April 28, 2020, the City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings, and Committee on Consumer Affairs and Business Licensing held a joint public hearing on two bills that will provide protection to residential and commercial tenants who are financially impacted by COVID-19. Introduction 1912, sponsored by Council Speaker Corey Johnson, will prohibit court marshals and sheriffs from enforcing evictions and collecting debt for one month after the federal and state moratoriums on evictions are lifted. Introduction 1936, sponsored by Council Member Ritchie Torres, will make it illegal to harass a tenant based on how they were impacted by COVID-19. The bills were proposed to provide financial relief to tenants who have faced COVID-19 related economic losses and to prevent an increase of homelessness and displacement after eviction moratoriums are lifted.
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