Harvey D. Epstein

This bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT), when installing a new or replacement street lighting fixture on a residential street, to install a shielded fixture that is controlled by a motion sensor to automatically dim at certain times, subject to certain exceptions. DOT would also be required to conduct a study on the possible citywide use of shielded street lighting fixtures that utilize adaptive lighting controls. Until the completion of such study, DOT would be required to submit annual reports regarding its progress on such study, as well as on the installations on residential streets.

This bill would prohibit nighttime illumination of the exterior or interior of any building with a main use classified in group B, E, or M under the New York City Building Code. The Landmarks Preservation Commission may provide a waiver for certain landmarked buildings, and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection may provide a waiver based on a need for lighting for safe pedestrian passage. Buildings may remain illuminated where individuals remain inside at night. Seasonal storefront displays from November 1 through January 15 may be illuminated until midnight, and other storefront displays are permitted limited illumination. Small stores and buildings where nighttime illumination is required by law, rule, or the New York City Zoning Resolution are exempted. There is a civil penalty of $1,000 for a violation. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection must submit an annual report on violations to the Mayor and the Speaker of the Council, and publish the report online.

This bill would require that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) (1) develop and maintain an online map of licensed animal boarding establishments in the City, and (2) conduct a public awareness campaign about the dangers of using unlicensed boarding establishments.

New York City’s Truth-In-Pricing Law currently requires that certain products display item pricing (a price tag on each individual item), while others show the selling price at the point of display. This bill would repeal the item pricing requirement, so that all consumer commodities would be subject to the same requirement: to display the total selling price of an item at the point of display. In all cases, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection would have the power to conduct inspections to verify that advertised prices match the price charged per item. It would still constitute a violation for a seller to charge a higher price than advertised.

This bill would require there to be a distance of at least five feet between a primary building entrance, which is the main entrance used by building residents, and a sidewalk cafe.

This bill would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to establish and maintain at least one veterinary clinic in every borough that would provide low-cost veterinary services for pets. DOHMH would be required to determine the fee for services provided by each veterinary clinic. Households with an income of no more than 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) would be eligible for services at a discounted fee, and households with an income of no more than 30% of AMI or who receive public assistance would be eligible for free services. DOHMH would be required to submit an annual report to the Mayor and the Speaker of the Council on the pets that received veterinary services and any challenges with establishing, operating, or maintaining the clinics.

This bill would prohibit unfair methods of competition and unfair, deceptive, abusive or unlawful acts or practices in or affecting business, trade, or commerce. This bill would be enforced by a private right of action.

This bill would require city contractors or subcontractors who operate a supervised release program to notify the court and all court parties regarding a missed telephone contact or office visit from one of their program participants within 10 days for participants under Tier 1, or lower level, supervision, or within 5 days for participants under Tier 2, or higher level, supervision.

This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a mobile drinking fountain program in coordination with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and other relevant agencies. Such program would, between June 15 and September 15 of each year, deploy mobile drinking fountains to publicly accessible locations on days when the National Weather Service forecasts an outdoor temperature of at least 82 degrees. DEP would be required to maintain a fleet of at least 2 mobile drinking fountains per council district and prioritize deploying mobile drinking fountains in neighborhoods with a high heat vulnerability index. DEP would also be required to post on its website a schedule showing where and when each mobile drinking fountain will be deployed.

This bill would require the Commissioner of Information Technology to provide a searchable website and mobile application that lists agency and advisory body meetings that are open to the public, except for adjudicatory hearings. Users would be able to filter meetings based on convening entity, date, remote participation option, and borough. For each meeting, an agency or advisory body would be required to prepare a notice containing a meeting description, its time and place, known participants’ names, whether it will allow public participation, and remote participation information. Agencies and advisory bodies would be required to submit notices to the Commissioner, or directly publish them on the website and mobile application, at least 72 hours before the meeting if it is scheduled at least one week in advance, or as soon as practicable otherwise. To the extent practicable, the Commissioner would be required to publish submitted notices online before the meeting occurs.