File #: Int 1985-2020    Version: * Name: Requiring the commissioner of parks and recreation to open beaches during the 2020 bathing season in accordance with guidance from the NYS dept of health.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Parks and Recreation
On agenda: 6/25/2020
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to requiring the commissioner of parks and recreation to open beaches during the 2020 bathing season in accordance with guidance from the New York state department of health
Sponsors: Mark Levine, Justin L. Brannan, Peter A. Koo, Ben Kallos, Mark Gjonaj , Kalman Yeger
Council Member Sponsors: 6
Summary: This bill would require the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to open city beaches to the public for swimming in accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines for state beaches and any additional restrictions provided by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene, would also be required to publish and regularly update guidelines for the safe operation of beaches during the season.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1985, 2. Int. No. 1985, 3. June 25, 2020 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 6-25-20, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - June 25, 2020

Int. No. 1985

 

By Council Members Levine, Brannan, Koo, Kallos, Gjonaj and Yeger

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to requiring the commissioner of parks and recreation to open beaches during the 2020 bathing season in accordance with guidance from the New York state department of health

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Section 18-154 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding new subdivisions a-1 and a-2 to read as follows:

a-1. During the 2020 bathing season, the commissioner shall open beaches to the public, including for bathing, in accordance with the New York state department of health’s interim guidance for beach activities during the COVID-19 public health emergency for lake and ocean beaches, and with any additional precautions or restrictions provided by the department of health and mental hygiene.

a-2. During the 2020 bathing season, the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of health and mental hygiene, shall publish on the department’s website and regularly update, as necessary and practicable, recommendations and guidelines to protect against the spread of COVID-19 while beaches are in operation.

§ 2. Subdivision b of section 18-154 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 181 for the year 2017, is amended to read as follows:

b. Notwithstanding [subdivision] subdivisions a, a-1 and a-2 of this section, the commissioner may limit the bathing season for extreme weather conditions, staffing level requirements for beaches or particular facilities, and the safety of the public.

§ 3. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

EB

LS #14775

5/19/20 4:31 PM