Mayor Announces Changes to NYCHA Leadership Structure

On September 15, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new leadership structure for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). The new structure will split the roles of the NYCHA chair and chief executive officer, which until now had been held together by one person. Greg Russ will step down as the chief executive officer but will remain the chair. NYCHA Executive Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel Lisa Bova-Hiatt will serve as <Read More>


Changes to Open Meetings Law Enable Hybrid Meetings But Present Ongoing Challenges

Community boards often do not have the same resources as City agencies to have hybrid hearings. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many changes on how state and city governments conducted business, including public hearings. New York’s Open Meetings Law was originally designed to promote transparency, requiring hearings to be held in person and open to the public, with notice about how to participate. After meetings went virtual due to the pandemic, discussions began about <Read More>



City Council Changes Penalties for Certain Civil Violations to Help Small Businesses

The bill reduces or eliminates some fines. On June 17, 2021, the City Council voted to pass a bill that reduces fines and allows opportunities to remedy certain violations for 185 civil penalties. Int. No. 2233-A, sponsored by Council Member Vanessa Gibson, provides civil penalty relief from 185 different sanitation, health, transportation, consumer affairs, noise control and buildings violations.