Res. No. 433
Title
Resolution calling upon Governor Pataki to set objective standards for the award of grants of Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act funds and to give New York City its fair share of the funds distributed.
Body
By Council Member Addabbo, Barron, Rivera, Gennaro, Katz, Serrano, Jackson, Nelson, Perkins, Sanders, Jr., Comrie, DeBlasio, Baez, Brewer, Clarke, Dilan, Felder, Fidler, Foster, Koppell, Lopez, Monserrate, Quinn, Recchia, Sears, Stewart, Vallone, Vann, Weprin and Gerson
Whereas, In 1996 Governor Pataki informed the public that the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act (Bond Act) would provide $1.75 billion to localities for environmental restoration; and
Whereas, The expectation of residents of New York City in voting for the Bond Act was that we would receive a fair share of the available funds; and
Whereas, Since passage of the Bond Act, New York City has received 23% of all Bond Act funds and the Environmental Protection Fund between 1996 and July 2000; and
Whereas, When we look at the fact that 40% of the State's population is in New York City and the City contributes the largest share of the revenues that fund both programs, we see the true disparity in the distribution of funds from these programs; and
Whereas, An example of the disparity is that projects commitments in New York City range from $15.86 per capita in Brooklyn to $48.22 in The Bronx, and that the average per capita project commitment in the other 57 counties of the State was $152; and
Whereas, On the Parks Committee of the City Council heard testimony that there are no objective written criteria for awarding funds; and
Whereas, The Committee was also informed that when an application for a grant is denied, the applicant is not given a written determination as to why; and
Whereas, this lack of uniformity and prescribed rules leads to a biased system that should be corrected immediately, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the City Council calls upon Governor Pataki to set objective standards for the award of grants of Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act funds and to give New York City its fair share of the funds distributed.
HF/JH
H:/LS Requests/Addabbo-Env Bond Act Equity
8/12/02 1:35 pm
LS # 935