File #: Int 0921-2024    Version: * Name: Timelines for the removal of abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances, and the transfer of appurtenances to newly erected poles.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
On agenda: 5/23/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the timelines for the removal of abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances, and the transfer of appurtenances to newly erected poles
Sponsors: Robert F. Holden, Justin L. Brannan
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require owners of utility poles, wires, or appurtenances to remove such poles, wires, or appurtenances within 60 days if they become disused or abandoned, and forthwith if they become dangerous or unsafe. It would also require that, whenever a new utility pole is erected which will feature some or all of the appurtenances already on an existing utility pole, such appurtenance must be transferred within 30 days.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 921, 2. Int. No. 921, 3. May 23, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 5-23-24

Int. No. 921

 

By Council Members Holden and Brannan

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the timelines for the removal of abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances, and the transfer of appurtenances to newly erected poles

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Section 24-411 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:

a. All telegraph, telephone and electric light poles, wires or [conductors] appurtenances

which shall hereafter remain or stand disused, or become disused or abandoned, or which may be dangerous or unsafe, in[,] or over or upon any street, shall be [forthwith] removed within 60 days of becoming disused or abandoned, and forthwith if dangerous or unsafe, but for sufficient cause shown the commissioner of transportation may extend the time for such removal, by one or more orders, for periods not exceeding [one year] 30 days each.

b. The persons owning, operating, managing or controlling poles, wires or appurtenances

which may have been so disused or abandoned, or which may be dangerous or unsafe, shall take down and remove them as described in subdivision a of this section, and upon their failure to do so, the commissioner of transportation shall remove the same forthwith, at the expense of such persons. Before such removal, the commissioner of transportation, except where a condition of danger exists, shall mail a notice thereof to the last known address of such persons, a copy of which shall be posted for a period of ten days on each of such poles prior to its removal.

c. When any new pole is erected to partially or entirely replace an existing pole, any

appurtenances to the existing pole which shall be transferred to the new pole must be transferred by the persons owning, operating, managing, or controlling such appurtenances within 30 days of the erection of the new pole.

d.                     Any person convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be

punished by a fine of not less than $350 nor more than $750[ dollars, imprisonment for not more than ten days, or both]. In addition to or as an alternative to such penalty, such persons shall also be subject to a civil penalty of no less than nor more than $100 per day such person is in violation of any provision of this section. Such civil penalties shall be imposed in the manner set forth in section 19-150.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

Session 13

LS #12303, 13458

1/22/2024

 

Session 12

SRB

LS #12303, 13458

5/22/2023