File #: Int 0111-2022    Version: * Name: Community engagement with individuals who have limited internet access.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Technology
On agenda: 3/24/2022
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to community engagement with individuals who have limited internet access, and to repeal subdivision c of section 1069.2 of such charter relating to meetings of city agencies upon the expiration thereof
Sponsors: Robert F. Holden, Althea V. Stevens, Julie Won
Council Member Sponsors: 3
Summary: This bill would require that City agencies use methods other than solely virtual methods when carrying out community engagement. However, if an agency determines that the relevant population to be addressed by community engagement does not include anyone with limited internet access, there would be an exception to this requirement that the agency use methods other than solely virtual methods for the community engagement. Agency meetings would be exempt from these requirements until the end of the New York State COVID-19 disaster emergency as declared by Governor Hochul in Executive Order 11 of 2021, as extended.
Indexes: Sunset Date Applies
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 111, 2. Int. No. 111, 3. March 24, 2022 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 3-24-22, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - March 24, 2022

Int. No. 111

 

By Council Members Holden, Stevens and Won

 

A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to community engagement with individuals who have limited internet access, and to repeal subdivision c of section 1069.2 of such charter relating to meetings of city agencies upon the expiration thereof

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 47 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 1069.2 to read as follows:

§ 1069.2. Community engagement for individuals with limited internet access.

a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Community engagement. The term “community engagement” means focused interaction by an agency with members of the public, including conducting any survey, in a local community in the city for the purpose of better understanding the experiences and ideas of such members of the public.

Offline method. The term “offline method” means a method of community engagement that does not require a person to have internet access in order to receive information or otherwise participate. Such term includes, but is not limited to, the use of paper-based materials and in-person interactions.

b. Offline methods for community engagement. Whenever an agency is required by law to carry out community engagement, it shall do so using offline methods, in addition to any other methods the agency uses.

c. Exception. Subdivision b does not apply if an agency determines that the relevant population to be addressed by the community engagement does not include any individual with limited internet access.

d. Temporary exception for meetings. 1. This section does not apply with respect to any meeting of an agency.

2. This subdivision expires and is deemed repealed on the date of the expiration of part E of chapter 417 of the laws of 2021. 

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Session 12

JB

LS #6230

2/12/22 1:09pm

 

Session 11

JB

LS #18021