Res. No. 1264

Resolution calling upon the State Legislature to pass Assembly bill A.9454 which would establish a Commission on the Infrastructure of New York State to ensure that the infrastructure of the State meets current and future demand and facilitates economic growth, is maintained in a manner that ensures public safety, and is developed or modified in a sustainable manner.

By Council Members Weprin, Gentile, James, Mark-Viverito, Sanders Jr. and White Jr.

Whereas, Major non-City capital expansion projects like Eastside Access, Moynihan Station, ARC Hudson Development, the Second Avenue Subway and the World Trade Center Redevelopment have been proposed in New York City; and

Whereas, An Infrastructure Task Force has been established by the Council to assess the impact such projects have on New York City’s existing infrastructure as well as to monitor the City’s ability to maintain these projects while keeping the existing infrastructure in a state of good repair; and

Whereas, Safety concerns related to how government maintains, manages, and operates its infrastructure have been heightened throughout the country by the failure of the levees around New Orleans and the collapse of the bridge over I-35 W in Minneapolis; and

Whereas, Safety concerns related to the infrastructure of New York City have been heightened due to recent blackouts, the steam pipe explosion in midtown Manhattan and subway flooding; and

Whereas, Legislation is needed to establish an independent body to monitor the condition of important elements of the infrastructure throughout our state, including bridges, tunnels, roads, railways, dams and energy, water and telecommunications facilities, which will ensure that all are maintained in a manner that safeguards the public; and

Whereas, Assembly bill A.9454 would amend the State Finance Law, by adding a new Article 17 (Sections 250 through 252) entitled, “Commission on the Infrastructure of New York State” which would establish the Commission on the Infrastructure of New York State to ensure that the infrastructure of the State meets current and future demand and facilitates economic growth, is maintained in a manner that ensures public safety, and is developed or modified in a sustainable manner; and

Whereas, The Commission on the Infrastructure of New York State shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Governor, with one member recommended by the Speaker of the New York Assembly, one by the Senate Majority Leader, and one by the New York State Comptroller; and 

Whereas, Eligible appointees must have backgrounds in economics, public administration, civil engineering, public works, construction, or related fields; and

Whereas, Assembly bill, A.9454, supported by 25 members of the Assembly, was modeled on The National Infrastructure Improvement Act (S.775), which was passed in the United States Senate and is before the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and 

Whereas, The Commission on the Infrastructure of New York State would help safeguard New York’s interests and better assure that they are carefully considered by the national commission and provide an ongoing vehicle to ensure that New York State receives its fair share of Federal infrastructure aid; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the State Legislature to pass Assembly bill A.9454 which establish a Commission on the Infrastructure of New York State to ensure that the infrastructure of the State meets current and future demand and facilitates economic growth, is maintained in a manner that ensures public safety, and is developed or modified in a sustainable manner.

JPS

LS 4428

O1-30-08 3:45 p.m.