Preconsidered Res. No. 315
Resolution approving the Five-Year Educational Facilities Capital Plan For Fiscal Years 2015 - 2019 submitted by the Chancellor pursuant to Section 2590-p of the New York State Education Law.
By Council Member Ferreras
Whereas, The New York State Education Law Section 2590-p provides for the development and approval, every five years, of a five-year educational facilities capital plan; and
Whereas, The current five-year educational facilities capital plan covers the period from July 1, 2009 until June 31, 2014; and
Whereas, The next five-year educational facilities capital plan will commence on July 1, 2014 and cover the period from July 1, 2014 until June 30, 2019 ("the Plan"); and
Whereas, Pursuant to Section 2590-p of the New York State Education Law, the Chancellor of the New York City Public Schools ("the Chancellor") prepared a proposed five-year educational facilities capital plan in November 2013 as well as a final proposed five-year educational facilities capital plan in February 2014; and
Whereas, The Panel for Educational Policy approved the final proposed Plan; and Whereas, Over the course of the last several months, the Council has engaged in extensive discussions and negotiations with the Department of Education ("DOE") over the content and specifics of the proposed and final proposed Plan which have resulted in changes to the Plan's content and additional specificity; and
Whereas, Additionally, in the Plan, the DOE has implemented one of the Council's priorities as set forth in the Council's Preliminary Budget Response relating to increased funding for school bathroom renovations; and
Whereas, In the proposed plan presented in February, a total of $50 million was allocated towards this project, however, after negotiations with the Council, the DOE has doubled this allocation for a total of $100 million; and
Whereas, These funds will be used to improve bathroom conditions through repairs and upgrades, including fixture replacements, such as sinks, commodes, and urinals; replacing all floor and wall tiles; installing new partitions; replacing bathroom doors; and painting as needed; and
Whereas, Moreover, as a condition to Council approval of such Plan, the Council, the Chancellor, and the Mayor have also agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding, effective on the date of adoption of this resolution, which memorializes, inter alia the parties' intent to balance the need for specificity with regard to the projects to be undertaken in the plan's out-years with the need for flexibility in the planning process required by changing circumstances by providing for amendments to the Five-Year Educational Facilities Capital Plan; and
Whereas, In May 2014, the Chancellor submitted to the Council the Plan with changes and additional information as agreed upon by the Chancellor and the Council; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of The City of New York hereby approves the Five-Year Educational Facilities Capital Plan for Fiscal Years 2015-2019 submitted by the Chancellor pursuant to section 2590-p of the New York State Education Law.
TE 6-23-14
LS 2030