File #: Res 0801-2019    Version: * Name: Grant Community Boards the authority to approve or reject applications related to the sale of alcohol.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Governmental Operations
On agenda: 3/28/2019
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would grant Community Boards the authority to approve or reject applications related to the sale of alcohol.
Sponsors: Fernando Cabrera
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 801, 2. March 28, 2019 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 3-28-19, 4. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - March 28, 2019

Res. No. 801

 

Resolution calling on the State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would grant Community Boards the authority to approve or reject applications related to the sale of alcohol.

 

By Council Member Cabrera

 

                     Whereas, New York City is divided into 59 contiguous community districts, each represented by a Community Board (“CB”); and

Whereas, CBs are composed of up to 50 volunteer members, all of whom must reside, work, or have significant interests in the community district they serve; and

Whereas, Half the members of each CB are appointed directly by the Borough President for the borough where the district is located and half are nominated for appointment by the relevant Borough President by the Council Members for that district; and

Whereas, Borough Presidents must assure adequate representation from different geographic sections and neighborhoods within the district in making their appointments and must consider whether the appointments reflect all segments of the community; and

Whereas, CBs give New Yorkers from each community a forum for providing feedback to City and State agencies, and other government bodies, on how their neighborhoods might be affected by pending regulations and whether public services are effectively delivered; and

                     Whereas, In addition to duties granted to CBs by the New York City Charter, the New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control law directs the State Liquor Authority (“SLA”) to solicit the opinion of CBs in the determination process for granting or denying applications regarding liquor establishments; and

Whereas, Currently, the SLA receives a CB’s vote on a liquor establishment application as a recommendation and can choose to override the CB’s decision; and

Whereas, CBs are designed in the New York City Charter to have a membership that is representative of their community districts; and

Whereas, CBs are better positioned than the SLA to understand the needs of their community district, as their membership is entirely made up of members with significant ties to their district; and

Whereas, As a result, CB votes on liquor establishment applications should be considered binding; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would grant Community Boards the authority to approve or reject applications related to the sale of alcohol.

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2/22/19