1 1 2 CITY COUNCIL 3 CITY OF NEW YORK 4 -------------------------------x 5 THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE MINUTES 6 of the 7 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 8 -------------------------------x 9 10 February 13, 2008 11 Start: 3:35 p.m. Recess: 5:07 p.m. 12 City Hall 13 Council Chambers New York, New York 14 15 B E F O R E: 16 JOEL RIVERA MAJORITY LEADER 17 18 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Speaker Christine Quinn Joseph Addabbo 19 Maria Arroyo Tony Avella 20 Maria Baez Charles Barron 21 Gale Brewer Leroy Comrie 22 23 24 LEGAL-EASE COURT REPORTING SERVICES, INC. 17 Battery Place - Suite 1308 25 New York, New York 10004 800-756-3410 2 1 2 A P P E A R A N C E S (CONTINUED) 3 COUNCIL MEMBERS: 4 Bill DeBlasio Inez Dickens 5 Erik Martin-Dilan Matthew Eugene 6 Simcha Felder Lewis Fidler 7 Dennis Gallagher Daniel Garodnick 8 James Gennaro Vincent Gentile 9 Alan Gerson Eric Gioia 10 Sara Gonzalez Vincent Ignizio 11 Robert Jackson Letitia James 12 Melinda Katz G. Oliver Koppell 13 Jessica Lappin John Liu 14 Miguel Martinez Michael McMahon 15 Darlene Mealy Rosie Mendez 16 Hiram Monserrate Michael Nelson 17 James Oddo Annabel Palma 18 Domenic Recchia Diana Reyna 19 Joel Rivera James Sanders 20 Larry Seabrook Helen Sears 21 Kendall Stewart James Vacca 22 Peter Vallone, Jr. Albert Vann 23 Melissa Mark Viverito David Weprin 24 Thomas White David Yassky 25 3 1 2 A P P E A R A N C E S (CONTINUED) 3 STAFF: Billy Martin 4 Council Clerk 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 4 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: There are 3 several proclamations that I want to have my 4 colleagues join us up here and to give the 5 opportunity to my colleagues in the Council, 6 Councilwoman Inez Dickens, to say a few words. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER DICKENS: Thank you so 8 much. 9 The Tuskegee Airmen, as we all know, 10 last year, after all of these years from World War 11 II, because of Congressman Rengal, was able to 12 receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Gold 13 Congressional Medal of Honor. 14 These pilots whom this country refuse 15 to allow them to serve their country in the air had 16 to fight for that right, to fight for this country, 17 and although the pilots did not want their 18 assistance, because of their insistence, their 19 tenacity, their struggles, they were afforded the 20 opportunity that eventually there was not a pilot 21 that wanted to get into the air that had to get into 22 the air that did not want the escort of these 23 Tuskegee Airmen. And I don't think they lost a 24 plane. They did not lose one plane. 25 So, my colleague -- where is Council 5 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Member Bill DeBlasio?-- And I, Council Member Larry 3 Seabrook, and the other members of the Caucus and 4 this body, as well as Council Member Kendall Stewart 5 of Brooklyn, and James Sanders and all of us here, 6 and Tom White, and my leader, where is my leader 7 Joel Rivera?, wanted to bring you down here -- oh, 8 come on up, Charles, I'm sorry -- to recognize these 9 men for what you have done and continue to do. 10 Do you have something you want to 11 say. I didn't think so. 12 You want a hat? Oh, God, they've got 13 all these requests coming in. They don't get it. 14 Charles, what is it you want? I don't 15 hear you. 16 Dr. Roscoe Brown has been a personal 17 mentor and a great friend. He took the lead in 18 education by heading up our Bronx Community College 19 for a number of years. He right now serves as having 20 a radio station, as a format, a program on radio, as 21 a format that allows everyone to come and have his 22 or her say. 23 So, Roscoe, from before you were in 24 World War II, leading up to what you have done for 25 all of us today, this is just a small token to just 6 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 say thank you from the City Council. 3 Clap. It's okay. It's all right. 4 Kendall is going to speak. I'm going to give him a 5 chance, but I mean these are personal friends I grew 6 up with. This gives me a little something to say 7 about them. 8 I just want to say to you, I have 9 known you for at least that many years. Since I was 10 a little, little girl, I'll put it that way. You, in 11 the corporate world, have fought for all people, but 12 in particular people of color to be able to be in 13 the corporate world. 14 You have been a leader. You have been 15 a mentor to young people. And in particular, to my 16 community, my beloved community of Village of 17 Harlem. So, I just want to say thank you to you. 18 Dabney Montgomery, you, I don't know 19 if everyone is aware -- 20 COUNCIL MEMBER SEABROOK: Just to let 21 them know, that Lee was a Lieutenant Colonel. 22 COUNCIL MEMBER DICKENS: That's right. 23 Lieutenant Colonel. Lieutenant Colonel Lee Archer. 24 That's right. 25 Dabney Montgomery, I don't know if 7 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 all of you are aware, but he, and Dr. Martin Luther 3 King had the very same God parents. They grew up 4 together and they remained very, very close friends. 5 And Mr. Montgomery, and his lovely wife is here. 6 Come on up. Come on up. You know I always recognize 7 the first ladies. Come on up. 8 Mr. Montgomery walked in Alabama as a 9 protector and a Bodyguard for Dr. King. He stood 10 beside him and in front of him and behind him to 11 protect Dr. King with his own body, and for that, 12 all of us here owe you a debt of gratitude. And you 13 still continue to fight for the Village of Harlem 14 because you serve on Community Planning Board 10. 15 So, thank you so much. 16 And I apologize, because this last 17 one who was very, very important, really has been 18 brought to us by Dr., my colleague, Council Member 19 Kendall Stewart. 20 COUNCIL MEMBER STEWART: Thank you. I 21 think it's important for you to know now that I am 22 related to this gentleman, ever since I came to the 23 Council I did not want everyone to know that I was 24 related to you Hugh Mulzac, and I was related to 25 John Mulzac, who was one of the Tuskegee Airmen. But 8 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 I'm going to read some of the things that you need 3 to know about this great man. And we used to call 4 him "Daddy," but I'm going to try to leave out Daddy 5 John out of this. 6 Colonel Mulzac is an original 7 Tuskegee Airman, a member of the first group of 8 black World War II fighters, pilots, of the 99 9 Squadron and later incorporated into the 332nd 10 Fighter Group, and then the 477th Burma Group. 11 After World War II, Mulzac went on to 12 fly in the Korean War and the Vietnam War as a part 13 of the Air Force Reserve and then the New York State 14 National Guard. 15 Overall, Mulzac has spent more than 16 15,000 hours flying for the U.S. Air Force. 17 In addition to his service with the 18 Air Force for 41 years, Mulzac also worked as a New 19 York City firefighter for 20 years. Now, his son 20 Robert Mulzac continues as a Lieutenant in the New 21 York City Fire Department. 22 After leaving the New York City Fire 23 Department, Daddy John went on to be in the first 24 group of US Sky Marshalls Flying World with TWA 25 Airlines, and others, during the years of 1970, 1971 9 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 and 1972, if you remember when there was a problem 3 with the airline business. 4 Then he became an instructor, 5 training other Sky Marshalls in Washington, D.C. He 6 is the nephew of Captain Hugh Mulzac, the first 7 black to captain a U.S. Marine Ship in World War II. 8 Mr. Mulzac also -- he is also a 9 voluntary retirement, after 21 years of service, as 10 a United States Customs Inspector in the New York 11 Region, New York and Kennedy Airports, Inspector and 12 Control Division, and Inspector Branch. 13 Mr. Mulzac was born in Baltimore, 14 Maryland, in 1923, and grew up in Bedford 15 Stuyvesant, I think in the Arverne area, where he 16 now resides with his wife Beatrice of 62 years. They 17 have eight children, and 22 grandchildren. I think 18 you would know of his grandson, Channing Frye, who 19 plays for the Portland Trailblazers. I think you 20 know of him. He played for a little while with the 21 New York Knicks. Now Daddy John spends most of his 22 time in real estate, and on the computer e-mailing 23 his six grandchildren in college. 24 Now, I ask him what keep the marriage 25 together, and he told me there are two things you 10 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 gotta remember: you gotta keep your mouth shut and 3 keep your wallet open. 4 LIEUTENANT COLONEL MULZAC: Thank you, 5 Mr. Stewart. 6 There is just one thing I want to 7 say, thank you for the honor, the New York City 8 Council, I am very grateful for. I have spent 20 9 years in the New York City Fire Department as a 10 firemen. One of my sons followed my footsteps as a 11 New York City fireman and retired as a Lieutenant 12 for 20 years. My other son was a New York City 13 detective, a second grade detective, retired from 14 the New York City Fire Department. My third son was 15 a Captain and a Correction Officer in Rikers Island 16 and is retired. And my fourth son was a high school 17 teacher in New York City and retired. 18 We are very grateful to the City 19 Council for giving us these jobs and helping us and 20 thank you so much for this proclamation, that you 21 have given it to me. 22 Mine is going down to Tuskegee, 23 Alabama to present it in the Tuskegee Airmen's 24 Museum, and with all my other things. Thank you. 25 Thank you. 11 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL MEMBER SEABROOK: And Mulzac 3 was a Lieutenant Colonel as well. 4 COUNCIL MEMBER DICKENS: As well. 5 That's right. That's right. 6 And we also have one more that we're 7 presenting to one of the Tuskegee Airmen who cannot 8 be here. So, I'm going to ask my colleague, Council 9 Member Seabrook, for Percy Ellis Sutton. 10 COUNCIL MEMBER SEABROOK: Yes. And as 11 you know, first of all, I just wanted to say this, 12 and this should go on the record, you couldn't find 13 no more true Americans than what you see here, that 14 they represent true Americans, for what service in 15 which they served, and the honor and the level of 16 distinction in which they display. And the courage 17 under all those circumstances that people would 18 never ever imagine what they had to go through and 19 to reach the ranks in which they had. And it's 20 indeed a pleasure to make this presentation to a 21 good friend for many, many years, who could not be 22 here, but would always tell the story of the 23 Tuskegee Airmen to me on many occasions and his 24 experience in the Army, the good and the bad with 25 Percy Ellis Sutton, who was a Captain, and the 12 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 importance of what he did and all that he had to go 3 through and the indignities, but holding his head up 4 high. And this proclamation that we have -- where is 5 that proclamation? I know we have Percy's 6 proclamation. Okay, that proclamation that we are 7 presenting for Percy Ellis Sutton, of what he meant 8 to all of us, and, again, just the level of 9 distinction of what these men had accomplished, and 10 you could find no better character than what they 11 faced. And one of the guys who has been a dear 12 friend of mine who could not be here was Floyd 13 Carter, as well, who was a deal friend, and also 14 Colonel Carter, who flew a lot of missions for many, 15 many years as well. And I tell you, I was so proud 16 that what Congressman Rengal was able to do, after 17 almost 60 years of not being recognized, not even 18 given a medal, that the opportunity to present them 19 with a medal, to say what they were able to 20 accomplish, it means a lot to all of us, and we just 21 want to say that we owe you a tremendous debt of 22 gratitude because you held yourselves out as true 23 men, and gave America the sense that we could be 24 respected and trusted and to show our courage that 25 we had and what we was able to do. 13 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Because remember, you guys, Roscoe 3 shot down the first German plane. People don't tell 4 that story about the first jet plane. And Lee was an 5 Ace, and no one talks about all the stories that 6 have not been told. And I mean, I'll tell you the 7 number of missions that Mulzac had and the courage 8 that this man had to put his life on the line for 9 Dr. King on many occasions, and those stories have 10 to be told, and it's so much, and that's why it's so 11 important for us to have real history taught to our 12 children, so that other people can understand and 13 respect what we have done in this place called 14 "America." And these are true Americans right here. 15 You can't find no better Americans than what you 16 found here. That they live and serve in a segregated 17 army and decided to do what was right, to teach 18 people who could not understand -- sometimes they 19 had to fight their own colleagues. They didn't tell 20 that story. That story needs to be told, too. That's 21 for another Chapter in the book. They had to fight 22 their own colleagues in places, in terms of getting 23 decency and respect. 24 And, so, I'll tell you, all of us owe 25 you all a tremendous debt of gratitude, and love and 14 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 respect, because you all have made us proud. 3 Thank you. 4 LIEUTENANT COLONEL MULZAC: Percy 5 Sutton was a leader of many activities in Harlem, 6 was our Intelligence Officer. He is still busy, he 7 is still working, and he asked me to receive this 8 Proclamation on his behalf. So, on behalf of Percy 9 Ellis Sutton, who has sent us on many combat 10 missions as an Intelligence Officer, gratefully 11 receives this proclamation from the City Council. 12 LIEUTENANT COLONEL ARCHER: (Not 13 identified for the record.) There's not much more to 14 say. This is my town. Born and raised in it. This is 15 my State, raised here. And other than the time in 16 the Service and my service after the Service, I am 17 thankful that New York is saying thank you to me. 18 MR. MONTGOMERY: My name is Dabney M. 19 Montgomery, and one of the things that I am proud 20 of, I'm from Selma, Alabama, by the way, I have been 21 in New York City for 52 years and I have worked with 22 the youth of Harlem for 51 years, without pay. I am 23 very proud to receive this honor. My wife is here 24 besides me, and she says thank you very much. 25 COUNCIL MEMBER DICKENS: Our Majority 15 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Leader, Joel Rivera. 3 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 4 very much. Obviously we have heard from our 5 colleagues on the testimony, testifying to the great 6 acts that you gentlemen have contributed to our 7 nation, and we, you know, can say 1,001 times thank 8 you and that will not be enough, and this 9 proclamation that we are providing today, with our 10 great Majority Whip and our colleague Kendall 11 Stewart and the rest of us, is our humble way of 12 saying thank you for everything that you've done. 13 And being in our second generation, Puerto Rican, 14 being born here in the City of New York, it shows to 15 us the contributions from our great leaders what you 16 have done, and we have to continue the story, and 17 the best way we can do that is by honoring you here 18 today, but also by showing our youngsters what fine 19 men have contributed to our nation, and I just want 20 to say thank you. And if the Clerk could read a 21 portion of the proc? 22 COUNCIL MEMBER SEABROOK: For a point 23 of recognition, this is Captain Mulzac's daughter 24 here. I'm giving her recognition that she is here 25 because her father was a Captain, one of the first, 16 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 so we wanted to recognize you. 3 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you for 4 coming. 5 If we can have the Clerk read the 6 proclamation. 7 COUNCIL CLERK: Council of the City of 8 New York, Proclamation. 9 Whereas: The Council of the City of 10 New York is proud to celebrate Black History Month 11 to honor the following gentlemen: Dr. Roscoe C. 12 Brown, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Lee Archer, Dabney 13 Montgomery, Percy Sutton, and Lieutenant Colonel 14 John Mulzac, all members of Claude B. Govan 15 Tri-State Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, for their 16 inspiring contributions to our nation; and 17 Whereas: The Tuskegee Airmen were 18 America's first African-American pilots, 19 bombardiers, navigators and support personnel 20 trained during World War II. These exceptional 21 military aviators distinguished themselves in the 22 aerial war over North Africa, Sicily and Europe, 23 providing escort to bomber groups and executing 24 devastating strafing runs against the enemy rail and 25 vehicle traffic, surveillance stations and coastal 17 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 emplacements. By the end of World War II, they had 3 flown over 15,553 sorties, completed 1,578 missions 4 and lost not a single bomber to enemy fire; and 5 Whereas: After World World II, Dr. 6 Brown amassed a lengthy and distinguished history of 7 accomplishments in academia, as a student, teacher 8 and administrator. He was a full professor at New 9 York University where he earned his doctorate for 10 more than 25 years and was the founding director of 11 the University's Institute of Afro-American Studies; 12 Whereas: Lieutenant Colonel Archer 13 flew 169 missions with the 332nd Fighter Group and 14 shot down five German planes, three of them on one 15 day. In addition to earning the title of "Ace" among 16 fighter pilots, he was awarded the Distinguished 17 Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 18 Clusters, the 18 Distinguished Unit Citation and many other service 19 medals; and 20 Whereas: Today, Mr. Montgomery 21 continues to build upon his legacy of generous 22 contributions to Harlem. He is an active member and 23 church historian of Mother African Methodist 24 Episcopal Zion Church, on 137th Street, in the 25 Village of Harlem; 18 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Whereas: In addition to Daddy John's 3 41-year career with the Air Force, he provided 4 extraordinary service as a New York firefighter for 5 20 years. He was born in Baltimore and grew up in 6 Bedford Stuyvesant, where he now lives with his wife 7 of 55 years. He joined the Army Air Corps at the age 8 of 18 to fight for his country, to get a getter job 9 and improve his life; and 10 Whereas: Mr. Sutton served in the New 11 York State Assembly from 1964 to 1966, and was 12 Manhattan's Borough President until 1977. His 13 contributions to New York City, particularly Harlem, 14 has been extensive. Now, therefore, 15 Be It Known: That the Council of the 16 City of New York honors Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, 17 Lieutenant Colonel Lee Archer, Dabney Montgomery, 18 Lieutenant Colonel John Mulzac, and Percy Sutton, 19 for their outstanding contributions to our nation. 20 Christine C. Quinn, Speaker for the 21 Entire Council; Bill DeBlasio, Council Member, 39th 22 District; Kendall Stewart, Council Member, 45th 23 District; Inez E. Dickens, Council Member, 9th 24 District, Manhattan. 25 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: And the 19 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Chairman of the Bronx Democratic Organization and 3 Assemblymember Jose Rivera would like to say a few 4 words. 5 ASSEMBLYMEMBER RIVERA: Thank you for 6 giving me this opportunity. 7 I did serve in this great body for 13 8 years, until you guys, something called "term 9 limits" sent me back where I came from. Not Puerto 10 Rico, but to the State Assembly. They might send me 11 back here again. But I'll work with the next 12 Speaker. I would not attempt to run for Speaker. 13 Dabney, I believe is your name? I 14 heard some of your words, even after you served this 15 country, you began to make it as great as it is 16 today, in spite of all the obstacles that you faced 17 in those days, you guys paved the way. So, I heard 18 how you continue to make a contribution, but I also 19 want to acknowledge my kid brother here. You know, 20 Dr. Roscoe Brown, I take my hat off to you, and to 21 all of you. This says "Proud Bronx." And I'm very 22 proud on a day like today because I can recall you 23 did some of the things that a lot of the people 24 don't do. As President of Bronx Community College, 25 1984 to be exact, you brought in Jessie Jackson, and 20 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 I jumped, I piggy-backed on Jessie, and I put up a 3 poster that says Run Jessie Run on Rivera's slate. 4 And I was running for re-election the day before. If 5 you don't believe me, guys, it's no problem. I have 6 it on video. 7 So, it's a great day for all of us. 8 I'm glad to be here on occasion -- I'm glad to be 9 here with Oliver Koppell, Maria Carmen Arroyo, 10 Melissa Mark-Viverito, Maria Baez. I'm only 11 mentioning the Bronx guys. Jimmy Vacca, and of 12 course, this young man, Larry Seabrook, he's the 13 king of the Bronx. 14 But this young man, he happens to be 15 my son. I made it a point when he was about five 16 years ago -- when he was five years old, to take him 17 on a tour of the south. And I took him to the museum 18 in the Lorraine Motel, dedicated to the Civil Rights 19 struggle, where Martin Luther King actually gave his 20 life. Now, I heard that you have a museum dedicated 21 to the airmen of those days. Please convince my son 22 to take me to that museum. 23 Congratulations, Doctor. This is a 24 great day. And I'm glad to be here. And also, 25 another great day for the entire City. I want to 21 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 thank all of the members of the City Council. I want 3 to thank Erik Dilan, everybody from Brooklyn, 4 everybody here, Oliver Koppell, the Bronx 5 Delegation, Queens, Manhattan, Tom White, for making 6 Hector Diaz the next City Clerk in the City of New 7 York. 8 Thank you. It's a great day for all 9 of us. Thank you. 10 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: And Annabel 11 Palma is with us here today. 12 Okay, at this point in time, I want 13 to call up my colleague Councilwoman Rosie Mendez 14 for the next proclamation to Miriam Yeung. 15 Thank you very much, everybody. Now 16 we have Councilwoman Rosie Mendez and the next 17 proclamation to be issued to Miriam Yeung, a great 18 leader within our community that has been active in 19 the LGBT community, doing a phenomenal job. And at 20 this point in time, I want to invite her up with her 21 family and give the opportunity to Councilwoman 22 Rosie Mendez to say a few words. 23 COUNCIL MEMBER MENDEZ: Thank you, 24 Majority Leader, and I would like to invite my 25 colleagues to come up and join me here and today we 22 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 are honoring Miriam Yeung, who has worked for the 3 LGBT center for ten years. She has left the center 4 to go to the National Asian Pacific American Women's 5 Forum. For ten years she has given all of her time 6 to the center and I know that during the years prior 7 to being a Councilperson, Miriam was my go-to 8 person. Whenever I had a question, she would give me 9 all the answers. And then when I got to the City 10 Council, when the Executive Director Richard Burns 11 would call me, I would proudly tell him, no, Miriam 12 spoke to me about that months ago, and gave me the 13 tour. 14 So, I know it's a big loss to the 15 center, but you've put so many things in place there 16 that they will be able to continue their good work, 17 and we look forward to all of the great things that 18 you will continue to do for New York City, for 19 communities of color and for the LGBT community. You 20 were more than just someone I work with, you were my 21 friend and my sister, and I'm so proud to be here 22 with your family today. 23 Thank you. 24 MS. YEUNG: Thank you, Council Member 25 Mendez. It means so much to hear that you are my 23 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 friend. And I'm glad I'm joined by all of my other 3 friends on the Council. 4 I'm really honored and humbled to 5 receive a proclamation on the same day as the 6 Tuskegee Airmen. I feel like my smaller 7 accomplishments pale in their comparison, but I've 8 done seven years of youth work and I always told 9 young people never underestimate or lose the 10 opportunity to celebrate any moment of justice or 11 act of kindness or goodness. And so, out of that 12 humble place I say thank you, and I look forward 13 towards more racial, economic justice and LGBT 14 liberation with you guys. Thank you. 15 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: If the Clerk 16 can please read the proc. 17 COUNCIL CLERK: Council, City of New 18 York, Proclamation. 19 Whereas: The Council of the City of 20 New York is proud to honor Miriam Yeung for her many 21 years of service to the lesbian and gay, bisexual 22 and transgender community, as well as the LGBT 23 Community Center; and 24 Whereas: Miriam, a native of Hong 25 Kong, was raised in Brooklyn and attended New York 24 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 City public high schools before graduating from 3 Stuyvesant High School and New York University; and 4 Whereas: Miriam has fulfilled several 5 important roles for ten years as an employee at New 6 York City's LGBT Community Center, which is now the 7 largest LGBT multi-service organization on the East 8 Coast, and the second largest LGBT community center 9 in the world. 10 Miriam worked in the Center's Youth 11 Enrichment Services Program for seven years and was 12 the driving force behind its Safe Schools Campaign, 13 a project that seeks to erase hate and homophobia 14 from schools through the empowerment, training and 15 support of youth leaders. 16 Miriam eventually became the Director 17 of Public Policy and Government Relations for the 18 LGBT Community Center; now, therefore, 19 Be It Known: That the Council of the 20 City of New York most gratefully honors Miriam 21 Yeung, for her outstanding contributions to the LGBT 22 community. 23 Christine C. Quinn, Speaker for the 24 Entire Council; Rosie Mendez, Council Member, 2nd 25 District, Manhattan. 25 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Please rise 3 for the Pledge of Allegiance. 4 (Pledge of Allegiance.) 5 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 6 very much. 7 Roll call. 8 COUNCIL CLERK: Addabbo. 9 COUNCIL MEMBER ADDABBO: Here. 10 COUNCIL CLERK: Arroyo. 11 COUNCIL MEMBER ARROYO: Here. 12 COUNCIL CLERK: Avella. 13 COUNCIL MEMBER AVELLA: Here. 14 COUNCIL CLERK: Baez. 15 COUNCIL MEMBER BAEZ: Here. 16 COUNCIL CLERK: Barron. 17 COUNCIL MEMBER BARRON: Here. 18 COUNCIL CLERK: Brewer. 19 COUNCIL MEMBER BREWER: Here. 20 COUNCIL CLERK: Comrie. 21 COUNCIL MEMBER COMRIE: Here. 22 COUNCIL CLERK: DeBlasio. 23 COUNCIL MEMBER DEBLASIO: Here. 24 COUNCIL CLERK: Dickens. 25 COUNCIL MEMBER DICKENS: Here. 26 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL CLERK: Dilan. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER DILAN: Here. 4 COUNCIL CLERK: Eugene. 5 COUNCIL MEMBER EUGENE: Here. 6 COUNCIL CLERK: Felder. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER FELDER: Here. 8 COUNCIL CLERK: Fidler. 9 (No response.) 10 COUNCIL CLERK: Foster. 11 (No response.) 12 COUNCIL CLERK: Gallagher. 13 COUNCIL MEMBER GALLAGHER: Here. 14 COUNCIL CLERK: Garodnick. 15 COUNCIL MEMBER GARODNICK: Here. 16 COUNCIL CLERK: Gennaro. 17 COUNCIL MEMBER GENNARO: Here. 18 COUNCIL CLERK: Gentile. 19 COUNCIL MEMBER GENTILE: Here. 20 COUNCIL CLERK: Gerson. 21 COUNCIL MEMBER GERSON: Here. 22 COUNCIL CLERK: Gioia. 23 COUNCIL MEMBER GIOIA: Here. 24 COUNCIL CLERK: Gonzalez. 25 (No response.) 27 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL CLERK: Ignizio. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER IGNIZIO: Here. 4 COUNCIL CLERK: Jackson. 5 COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON: Here. 6 COUNCIL CLERK: James. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES: Here. 8 COUNCIL CLERK: Katz. 9 COUNCIL MEMBER KATZ: Here. 10 COUNCIL CLERK: Koppell. 11 COUNCIL MEMBER KOPPELL: Here. 12 COUNCIL CLERK: Lappin. 13 COUNCIL MEMBER LAPPIN: Here. 14 COUNCIL CLERK: Liu. 15 COUNCIL MEMBER LIU: Here. 16 COUNCIL CLERK: Mark-Viverito. 17 COUNCIL MEMBER MARK-VIVERITO: Here. 18 COUNCIL CLERK: Martinez. 19 COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ: Here. 20 COUNCIL CLERK: McMahon. 21 COUNCIL MEMBER McMAHON: Here. 22 COUNCIL CLERK: Mealy. 23 COUNCIL MEMBER MEALY: Here. 24 COUNCIL CLERK: Mendez. 25 COUNCIL MEMBER MENDEZ: Here. 28 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL CLERK: Monserrate. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER MONSERRATE: Here. 4 COUNCIL CLERK: Nelson. 5 COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON: Here. 6 COUNCIL CLERK: Palma. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER PALMA: Here. 8 COUNCIL CLERK: Recchia. 9 COUNCIL MEMBER RECCHIA: Here. 10 COUNCIL CLERK: Reyna. 11 COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA: Here. 12 COUNCIL CLERK: Sanders. 13 COUNCIL MEMBER SANDERS: Here. 14 COUNCIL CLERK: Seabrook. 15 COUNCIL MEMBER SEABROOK: Here. 16 COUNCIL CLERK: Sears. 17 COUNCIL MEMBER SEARS: Here. 18 COUNCIL CLERK: Stewart. 19 COUNCIL MEMBER STEWART: Here. 20 COUNCIL CLERK: Vacca. 21 COUNCIL MEMBER VACCA: Here. 22 COUNCIL CLERK: Vallone. 23 COUNCIL MEMBER VALLONE: Here. 24 COUNCIL CLERK: Vann. 25 COUNCIL MEMBER VANN: Here. 29 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL CLERK: Weprin. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER WEPRIN: Here. 4 COUNCIL CLERK: White. 5 COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE: Here. 6 COUNCIL CLERK: Yassky. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER YASSKY: Here. 8 COUNCIL CLERK: Oddo. 9 COUNCIL MEMBER ODDO: Here. 10 COUNCIL CLERK: Rivera. 11 COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA: Here. 12 COUNCIL CLERK: Gonzalez. 13 COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ: Here. 14 COUNCIL CLERK: Fidler. 15 COUNCIL MEMBER FIDLER: Here. 16 COUNCIL CLERK: Speaker Quinn. 17 SPEAKER QUINN: Yes, here. 18 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 19 very much. 20 At this point in time, I would like 21 to ask everyone to please rise. The Invocation was 22 going to be delivered by the Reverend Dr. James 23 Green, Jr., Pastor for the Universal Baptist Church, 24 but unfortunately, because of the delay in the 25 hearing he was unable to stay. 30 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 We have our substitute, the great, 3 you know, Council Member/Honorable Reverend/Pastor 4 Larry Seabrook. 5 COUNCIL MEMBER SEABROOK: Thank you 6 very much. And this invocation prayer is in honor of 7 Blacks History Month, and this is by Reverend Dr. 8 James R. Green, Jr., the Pastor of Universal Baptist 9 Church in Brooklyn, New York, who as you know had to 10 leave. He was here for quite some time. 11 Let us bow our heads, please. 12 Eternal and Almighty God, Thou are 13 the God of all the world, and the Divine Father of 14 all mankind. 15 We are grateful that Thou Art no 16 respecter of persons for You are the same yesterday, 17 today and forevermore. 18 Times change and people change, but 19 Thou Art always the same - constant in love for 20 Thine children and ceaseless in supplying all of our 21 needs. 22 Our first words are in thanksgiving 23 to Thee, thanking you for this day, as we celebrate 24 the heritage and legacy for people of color. 25 We must confess to the many 31 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 unjustices and prejudices of which we are all 3 guilty. So, please remove from us all unGodly 4 attitudes and dispositions and lift us above all 5 this, alienate and separate us as brothers and 6 sisters of the human family. Help us to treat all 7 men as brothers, and acknowledging their good 8 God-given rights, as we also recognize our 9 differences, but still have regard for their quality 10 of life and wellbeing. 11 I pray for the health and wellbeing 12 of all the Council members of this legislative body 13 and pray that God will give you the wisdom, 14 knowledge, understanding and good judgment in order 15 to legislate laws that are righteous and just so 16 that all people may dwell in safety and peace. 17 Let us therefore remain strong in our 18 faith in Him, who came that we may have peace in our 19 home, communities and cities and hopefully 20 throughout the world. In the name of Him, who 21 created the Heavens and Earth, the entire universe, 22 the one who said I am the alpha and omega, the 23 beginning and the end, world without end to Him be 24 glory, majesty, domain and power forever and 25 ever....amen. 32 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 3 very much. 4 SPEAKER QUINN: If I can just -- 5 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Council 6 Member Mealy. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER MEALY: Yes, it is an 8 honor and a privilege today to stand before you 9 today, my same colleagues, and all the visitors, to 10 our great Chambers, to gladly spread the Invocation 11 just delivered by Reverend Seabrook, in sted of our 12 Reverend James Green, Jr., into the permanent record 13 of the New York City Council, whose members 14 represent the greatest City of the world. 15 My colleagues should know that 16 Reverend Green is the Pastor of the great church, 17 Universal Baptist Church, located at 742 Jefferson 18 Avenue, in the greatest Borough of this great City, 19 Brooklyn. 20 I can't hear you, Brooklyn. 21 (Applause). 22 COUNCIL MEMBER MEALY: Thank you. 23 Which in the 41st Councilmatic 24 District, which I proudly represent. 25 You should also know that Reverend 33 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Green has been and is still -- he was under the 3 weather, but because he is a man of his word, he 4 still came out today, and in which we know we have 5 to do City government, it takes time, but as long as 6 we do it right. So, I want to thank him in his 7 absence and I want to thank our Reverend Seabrook, 8 in which I didn't know he was a reverend, I know 9 now, and I want to thank you for your presence and 10 patience for today, and for his beautiful words. 11 Thank you, Speaker. 12 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Madam 13 Speaker. 14 SPEAKER QUINN: Thank you. 15 If I could ask my colleagues to rise 16 for a moment, please. 17 And I just wanted all of us to rise 18 in remembrance. Council Member David Yassky's family 19 as suffered a loss, his wife, Fortuna, lost her 20 father, Walter Fortuna, yesterday, and I just wanted 21 all of us to stand in moment and offer our support 22 to the Yassky Fortuna family. 23 (Moment of Silence observed.) 24 Thank you, Mr. Majority Leader. 25 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 34 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 very much. 3 Adoption of the Minutes. 4 Council Member Garodnick. 5 COUNCIL MEMBER GARODNICK: Thank you. 6 Yes, I move that the minutes of the 7 Stated Meeting of December 19, 2007, be adopted as 8 printed. 9 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Messages and 10 Papers from the Mayor. 11 COUNCIL CLERK: M 942. Submitting Jose 12 Maldonado for appointment to the Civil Service 13 Commission. 14 SPEAKER QUINN: Rules, Privileges and 15 Elections. 16 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Communication 17 from City, County and Borough Offices. 18 COUNCIL CLERK: None. 19 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Petitions and 20 Communications. 21 COUNCIL CLERK: None. 22 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Land Use 23 Call-Ups. 24 COUNCIL CLERK: M 943 and M 944. 25 SPEAKER QUINN: Both of those items 35 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 will be coupled on a Land Use Call-Up vote, and if 3 we could please have a roll call on the Land Use 4 Call-Ups. 5 COUNCIL CLERK: Yassky. 6 COUNCIL MEMBER YASSKY: Thank you. I 7 request permission to vote on all of the coupled 8 Land Use -- on the Land Use Call-Ups and also the 9 General Orders and all resolutions. 10 I would like to vote no on 11 preconsidered M 945 and Res 1276 and yes on all 12 other items. 13 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: So ordered. 14 Thank you. 15 COUNCIL CLERK: Addabbo. 16 COUNCIL MEMBER ADDABBO: Aye. 17 COUNCIL CLERK: Arroyo. 18 COUNCIL MEMBER ARROYO: Aye. 19 COUNCIL CLERK: Avella. 20 COUNCIL MEMBER AVELLA: Aye. And I'd 21 like unanimous consent to vote on all General Orders 22 and resolutions. 23 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: So ordered. 24 COUNCIL MEMBER AVELLA: I vote yes. 25 COUNCIL CLERK: Baez. 36 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL MEMBER BAEZ: Aye. 3 COUNCIL CLERK: Barron. 4 COUNCIL MEMBER BARRON: I'd like, you 5 know, to be granted -- 6 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: So ordered. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER BARRON: So ordered. 8 I vote aye on all General Order 9 calendar items, and I vote no on preconsidered Reso 10 M 945. 11 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you. 12 COUNCIL MEMBER BARRON: And the 13 accompanying reso. 14 COUNCIL CLERK: Brewer. 15 COUNCIL MEMBER BREWER: Aye. 16 COUNCIL CLERK: Comrie. 17 COUNCIL MEMBER COMRIE: Aye. 18 COUNCIL CLERK: DeBlasio. 19 COUNCIL MEMBER DEBLASIO: Aye. 20 COUNCIL CLERK: Dickens. 21 COUNCIL MEMBER DICKENS: Aye. 22 COUNCIL CLERK: Dilan. 23 COUNCIL MEMBER DILAN: Mr. President 24 Pro-Tem, may I have a brief moment to explain my 25 vote? 37 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER DILAN: It's Land Use? 4 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Actually, 5 this is the Land Use Call-Ups. I apologize. 6 COUNCIL MEMBER DILAN: I vote aye. 7 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Okay. 8 COUNCIL CLERK: Eugene. 9 COUNCIL MEMBER EUGENE: Yes, I vote 10 aye on all, except preconsidered M 945 and Reso 11 1276. 12 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: This is the 13 Land Use Call-Ups, Councilman. 14 COUNCIL MEMBER EUGENE: I'm sorry. 15 Aye. 16 COUNCIL CLERK: Felder. 17 COUNCIL MEMBER FELDER: Yes. Hi, 18 everybody. 19 I'd like permission to vote on all 20 the items for today. 21 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 22 COUNCIL MEMBER FELDER: Thank you very 23 much. 24 I vote yes. 25 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: You're very 38 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 welcome. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER FELDER: I'm sorry? 4 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: You're very 5 welcome. 6 COUNCIL MEMBER FELDER: I appreciate 7 that. And it's nice to hear your voice. 8 I vote yes on all items, except for 9 preconsidered M 945 and Reso 1276, I vote no. Thank 10 you. 11 COUNCIL CLERK: Fidler. 12 COUNCIL MEMBER FIDLER: Aye. 13 COUNCIL CLERK: Gallagher. 14 COUNCIL MEMBER GALLAGHER: Mr. 15 Majority Leader, I ask unanimous consent of the body 16 to vote on all matters before the Council today. 17 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 18 COUNCIL MEMBER GALLAGHER: On the 19 General Order calendar. 20 I vote aye on all coupled General 21 Orders, with the exception of 104-A and the 22 corresponding resolution, and I vote aye on all Land 23 Use Call-Ups. 24 Thank you. 25 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you. 39 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL CLERK: Garodnick. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER GARODNICK: Mr. 4 Majority Leader, permission to vote on all Land Use 5 Call-Ups and coupled General Orders. 6 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER GARODNICK: I vote aye 8 on all. Thank you. 9 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you. 10 COUNCIL CLERK: Gennaro. 11 COUNCIL MEMBER GENNARO: Yes. 12 COUNCIL CLERK: Gentile. 13 COUNCIL MEMBER GENTILE: Aye on Land 14 Use Call-Ups. 15 COUNCIL CLERK: Gerson. 16 COUNCIL MEMBER GERSON: Aye. 17 COUNCIL CLERK: Gioia. 18 COUNCIL MEMBER GIOIA: Yes. 19 COUNCIL CLERK: Gonzalez. 20 COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ: Aye. 21 COUNCIL CLERK: Ignizio. 22 COUNCIL MEMBER IGNIZIO: Aye. 23 COUNCIL CLERK: Jackson. 24 COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON: Aye on all. 25 COUNCIL CLERK: James. 40 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES: Permission to 3 vote on all Land Use Call-Ups and coupled General 4 Orders. 5 I vote on all Land Use orders. I vote 6 no on preconsidered M 945 and Resolution 1276, and 7 yes on the remaining calendar. Thank you. 8 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you. 9 COUNCIL CLERK: Katz. 10 COUNCIL MEMBER KATZ: Aye. 11 COUNCIL CLERK: Koppell. 12 COUNCIL MEMBER KOPPELL: Aye. 13 COUNCIL CLERK: Lappin. 14 (No response.) 15 COUNCIL CLERK: Liu. 16 COUNCIL MEMBER LIU: Yes on all Land 17 Use Call-Up items and request unanimous consent to 18 vote yes on all items coupled on the General Order 19 calendar. 20 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 21 COUNCIL MEMBER LIU: I vote aye on all 22 matters coupled on the General Order calendar. 23 COUNCIL CLERK: Mark-Viverito. 24 COUNCIL MEMBER MARK-VIVERITO: 25 Permission to vote on all items on the calendar. 41 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER MARK-VIVERITO: I'd 4 like to vote aye on the Land Use Call-Ups, and all 5 items coupled on General Order calendar. Thank you. 6 COUNCIL CLERK: Martinez. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ: Aye on all. 8 COUNCIL CLERK: McMahon. 9 COUNCIL MEMBER McMAHON: Aye on all 10 Land Use Call-Ups. 11 And Mr. Chairman, I request leave to 12 vote on all coupled General Orders and resolutions. 13 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 14 COUNCIL MEMBER McMAHON: I vote aye. 15 COUNCIL CLERK: Mealy. 16 COUNCIL MEMBER MEALY: Aye. 17 COUNCIL CLERK: Mendez. 18 COUNCIL MEMBER MENDEZ: Aye on all. 19 COUNCIL CLERK: Monserrate. 20 COUNCIL MEMBER MONSERRATE: Aye on 21 all, and request unanimous consent to vote on all 22 Land Use Call-Ups and everything in the General 23 Order calendar. Aye on all. 24 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you. 25 COUNCIL CLERK: Nelson. 42 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON: I request 3 unanimous consent to vote aye on all Land Use 4 Call-Ups and all General Order calendar items, 5 except I vote no on Preconsidered M 945, and 6 accompanying resolution No. 1276. 7 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 8 COUNCIL CLERK: Palma. 9 COUNCIL MEMBER PALMA: Aye on all. 10 COUNCIL CLERK: Recchia. 11 COUNCIL MEMBER RECCHIA: Aye. 12 COUNCIL CLERK: Reyna. 13 COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA: Aye on all. 14 COUNCIL CLERK: Sanders. 15 COUNCIL MEMBER SANDERS: Yes to all. 16 COUNCIL CLERK: Seabrook. 17 COUNCIL MEMBER SEABROOK: Yes. With 18 unanimous consent I'd like to vote aye on all Land 19 Use Call-Ups and coupled General Orders. I vote aye. 20 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: So ordered. 21 COUNCIL CLERK: Sears. 22 COUNCIL MEMBER SEARS: I ask for 23 unanimous consent to vote yes on all Land Use 24 Call-Ups. With permission I'd like to vote yes on 25 all items on the coupled General Order calendar and 43 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 all resolutions. 3 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: So ordered. 4 COUNCIL MEMBER SEARS: Thank you. 5 COUNCIL CLERK: Stewart. 6 (No response.) 7 COUNCIL CLERK: Vacca. 8 COUNCIL MEMBER VACCA: May I ask 9 unanimous consent to vote aye on all Land Use items 10 and to vote aye on all calendar items and 11 resolutions? 12 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 13 COUNCIL CLERK: Vallone. 14 COUNCIL MEMBER VALLONE: I vote aye on 15 all Land Use Call-Ups, and ask unanimous consent to 16 vote aye on all coupled General Orders, Mr. Chair? 17 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: So ordered. 18 COUNCIL MEMBER VALLONE: Thank you. 19 COUNCIL CLERK: Vann. 20 COUNCIL MEMBER VANN: Mr. Speaker 21 (sic), I vote aye on all Land Use Call-Ups and 22 unanimous consent to vote on all the coupled General 23 Orders, except I vote no on preconsidered M 945 and 24 accompanying Resolution 1276. 25 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: So ordered. 44 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL MEMBER VANN: Thank you. 3 COUNCIL CLERK: Weprin. 4 COUNCIL MEMBER WEPRIN: Aye on all. 5 COUNCIL CLERK: White. 6 COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE: I vote aye on 7 all Land Use items and ask for unanimous consent to 8 vote on all coupled General Orders. 9 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: So ordered. 10 COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE: I vote aye. 11 COUNCIL CLERK: Oddo. 12 COUNCIL MEMBER ODDO: Yes. 13 COUNCIL CLERK: Rivera. 14 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: I vote aye. 15 COUNCIL CLERK: Speaker Quinn. 16 SPEAKER QUINN: Yes. 17 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Today's Land 18 Use Call-Ups are adopted by a vote of 49 in the 19 affirmative and zero in the negative. 20 Communication from the Speaker. 21 SPEAKER QUINN: Thank you very much. 22 We are voting on a number of 23 important pieces of legislation today. Two important 24 resolutions which we will discuss later under in the 25 Resolution time. 45 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 First Intro. 168-A, which is the 3 Green Ferries legislation. It's a piece of 4 legislation that was sponsored by Council Member 5 Gerson, taken to our Committee by Council Member Jim 6 Gennaro, and also by Council Member John Liu. I want 7 to thank all of those three Council Members for 8 their work on this. 9 I also want to thank Laura Popa and 10 Samara Swanston for their work on this bill. It's a 11 very simple piece of legislation that will have 12 tremendously positive impacts as it relates to air 13 and water quality. 14 It's a bill that will require that 15 ferries which operate in the City of New York, 16 including our great Staten Island Ferry, be green, 17 environmentally friendly, using low sulfur diesel 18 fuels, and have standards in their operations, 19 electronics, et cetera, that are keeping them 20 greener and better for the environment. 21 As we move towards more and more 22 ferries as part of our transportation infrastructure 23 in the City, we want to make sure they are as green 24 and environmentally friendly as possible, and the 25 standards in this bill will make sure that is a 46 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 reality. 3 So, I want to thank everyone who 4 worked on this, and I first want to call on Council 5 Member Gerson. 6 COUNCIL MEMBER GERSON: Thank you very 7 much, Madam Speaker. Thank you very much for your 8 leadership for keeping this Council green. 9 This very important bill continues 10 the path-breaking work of this Council in reducing 11 diesel and particulates and other toxins from our 12 air. 13 With this bill, we will immediately, 14 in just a few months, require all of our ferries to 15 use ultra low sulfur diesel. We will in short order 16 improve the engines, retrofit engines to further 17 reduce particulates, and we will require the 18 retirement of those older ferries which cannot meet 19 environmental standards. 20 As it turns out, the Staten Island 21 Ferry has been one of our City's worst polluters. 22 And that's no surprise to anyone, like myself, who 23 enjoys taking the trip to and from Staten Island, 24 who has ridden the ferry many a time. 25 With this bill, gone will be the 47 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 odors, and more importantly, with the odors gone 3 will be poisons which get into our lungs, both while 4 we're on the ferry and while we're inland. 5 So, this bill will contribute 6 immeasurably to cleaning up our air and will assure 7 that as we go forward with expanded ferry service, 8 all of our ferries will be green and will contribute 9 to an improved environmental quality. 10 Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. 11 SPEAKER QUINN: Chairperson Gennaro. 12 COUNCIL MEMBER GENNARO: Thank you, 13 Madam Speaker. I wish to thank you for your 14 leadership in this regard, for moving this bill, 15 helping us to move this bill forward, for the hard 16 work of your staff. I wish to thank Council Member 17 Gerson for his leadership. It's one more area in 18 which we have created a real step forward for the 19 environment. 20 We've done this with our school 21 buses. We've done it with City heavy duty vehicles, 22 light duty vehicles, City fleets, and it's important 23 that we green all of our modes of transportation. 24 As Council Member Gerson said, this 25 is a retrofit bill, so we're not going to wait for 48 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 the ferries to retire, we're going to retrofit the 3 ones that we have in service now. We're going to 4 make them cleaner and greener. 5 It's a great day for the Staten 6 Island Ferry and for clean air for New York City. 7 This will be a great step forward in reducing 8 asthma, and I'm happy and proud to have been part of 9 it, and I want to thank all of my colleagues for 10 their support of this very important bill. 11 Thank you, Madam Speaker. 12 SPEAKER QUINN: Thank you. And I also 13 want to thank, again, Chairperson Liu for his work 14 on this bill. 15 The other piece of legislation we're 16 voting on today is Intro. 104-A. It's a piece or 17 legislation that sets up an electronic waste 18 recycling program. I want to thank Carmen Cognetti 19 of our Sanitation and Solid Waste Committee. I also 20 want to thank the prime sponsor of the bill, Council 21 Member Bill DeBlasio, as well as the Chair of our 22 Sanitation and Solid Waste Committee, Council Member 23 Mike McMahon of Staten Island. 24 This bill marks the first time that 25 the City has set up an electronic recycling program. 49 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 What this means is now all of the 3 electronics you purchase, a process will be set up 4 where you can send them back to the manufacturer so 5 they will be properly recycled and disposed of in an 6 environmentally safe way. 7 This is very important, because 8 computers, computer screens, televisions, et cetera, 9 they're full of lead and other medals that when 10 they're just thrown into the landfill will leach 11 into the ground, leach into our water supply and 12 potentially have a very negative environmental 13 affect. 14 So, this is an important step forward 15 today in our ongoing efforts to keep this City as 16 environmentally friendly as possible and make it 17 even greener than it already is. 18 In addition to thanking Carmen 19 Cognetta for his work, I want to thank Rob Newman 20 and Maura Keeney, who worked very hard on this 21 legislation. 22 I also want to recognize the support 23 that we received from Apple. I really want to 24 applaud their leadership in the electronic industry 25 for their leadership in supporting this legislation. 50 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 And I want to call on Council Member 3 DeBlasio and then Chairperson McMahon. 4 COUNCIL MEMBER DeBLASIO: Thank you 5 very much, Madam Speaker. 6 I want to thank you for your 7 tremendous leadership on this issue. This is a very, 8 very good day for the environment, and a good day 9 for everyone in New York City. We are not only going 10 to be the first in the nation to do this, but we're 11 also going to help create real momentum all over the 12 country, for additional states to move on this issue 13 and for many municipalities as well. And that's the 14 way we're going to get federal action. 15 We need to protect our environment. 16 When you look at what is happening with electronics, 17 this is an exploding industry, MP3 Players, and TVs 18 and computers of all kinds, and all those toxics are 19 ending up in our air and water. It's time to stop 20 it. 21 You're going to see a real tangible 22 impact on the streets of New York City because 23 you're not going to see those TVs and computers out 24 at the curb anymore. You're going to see 25 manufacturers working with the City to find a way to 51 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 make recycling work for everyone. 3 There are a lot of people to thank. I 4 want to say before I just do some quick thank yous, 5 a special appreciation to Oliver Koppell, who as 6 many of you know has done tremendous work over the 7 years for the environment, most notably the State 8 Bottle Bill. He raised real concerns about making 9 sure this legislation would not disallow the option 10 of deposits if manufacturers wanted to have them as 11 part of the plan they proposed to the City. 12 And I want to emphasize that the 13 wording of this bill certainly does not prohibit 14 that, certainly allows that each manufacturer will 15 propose to the Sanitation Department what they think 16 makes sense and work with the City to come up with a 17 plan that's workable. 18 But in addition to thanking Speaker 19 Quinn, Chair McMahon has been a prince, and has put 20 an immense amount of time into this and his wisdom 21 has helped throughout. Carmen Cognetta, there is no 22 one that has possibly done more work on a piece of 23 legislation ever. He's been tremendously wise and 24 helpful and knowledgeable throughout. 25 I want to thank Jean Weinberg and 52 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Freya Riel or my staff, who have been great. Rob 3 Newman and Maura Keeney, also tremendous work on 4 this legislation. 5 I want to especially thank NRDC, 6 Natural Resources Defense Council, who has really 7 inspired us and guided us throughout. Kate Sindig, 8 Eric Goldstein, Ari Kahn, a lot of other allies and 9 key players in the industry and the community. Wendy 10 Neu, Lower East Side Ecology Center, many, many 11 others. 12 Special thank you to Apple. They not 13 only have really groovy stores, but they have been 14 in the forefront and have really been helping us to 15 make this legislation move forward. And that's what 16 we believe the industry will do. We believe that, 17 like Apple, many others in the industry will embrace 18 this legislation and move it forward, and it's just 19 a tremendous day, something that will really lead to 20 a lasting impact for New York City. 21 Thank you, Madam Speaker. 22 SPEAKER QUINN: It's not every day 23 that you get to use groovy on the floor of the New 24 York City Council. 25 COUNCIL MEMBER DeBLASIO: I was 53 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 looking forward to it for six years actually. 3 SPEAKER QUINN: Well, we're glad we 4 provided the opportunity. 5 Chairperson McMahon. 6 COUNCIL MEMBER McMAHON: Thank you, 7 Madam Speaker. 8 As the hour is late, I will be brief. 9 I will just add, I will say me too to everything 10 Bill said, and just add to that a thank you to the 11 groovy sponsor of the bill, Bill DeBlasio, who 12 worked very hard on this. 13 He pointed out to me that it's no 14 coincidence that an Italian American is the real 15 father of this legislation today, and he said he's 16 not sure, though, if it's himself or Carmen Cognetta 17 from the Committee. 18 I just want to point out my 19 colleagues who serve on the Sanitation Committee, 20 they also put a lot of time in on this. 21 This is a historic moment. This is 22 real legislation. We are setting a trend. This is 23 the first producer responsibility bill, real, in the 24 nation, and something that's done around the world, 25 and this is a fine moment for this legislative body. 54 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 So, I thank you, Madam Speaker, all 3 your staff, and everyone else who Bill thanked as 4 well. Thank you. 5 SPEAKER QUINN: Thank you very much. 6 And finally, we are voting today to 7 appoint Hector Diaz as our City Clerk. So, we look 8 forward to seeing you very soon with the rest of the 9 gang up at the dais. And I want to thank all of my 10 colleagues for their support of Mr. Diaz. 11 He is somebody, who as we have 12 already heard, has an extensive record of service to 13 this City and State, having been a distinguished 14 member of our New York State Assembly for about a 15 decade, for having served as our County Clerk of the 16 Bronx, in a way that was not just impressive but 17 really one that revolutionized the office and 18 brought it to a level of service that the residents 19 of the Bronx deserve, and I want to thank him for 20 being willing to take up this additional 21 responsibility, which we feel very strongly about on 22 behalf of all of the residents of our City, and we 23 have great confidence in the job that you will do as 24 our City Clerk. 25 I want to say that obviously, 55 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 notwithstanding the great confidence we all have and 3 to the degree with which everyone wants Mr. Diaz to 4 succeed, the vote will not be a unanimous vote 5 today, and I just want to say that that is a rare 6 event in the Council when things are not close to 7 unanimous or unanimous, but you cannot agree every 8 day, it is New York. 9 That said, I look forward to what I 10 know will be the case, that all five of our 11 delegations, including my good friends in the 12 Brooklyn Delegation will stand united in all of our 13 efforts moving forward around the most important 14 issues of our City - affordable housing, health 15 care, the fight to support small businesses, 16 encourage economic development, and I want to thank 17 all of my colleagues, but also thank the Chair of 18 the Brooklyn Delegation, Erik Dilan, for the 19 dignified way he has conducted himself throughout 20 this process, and I know he wishes you well in your 21 efforts as well, Mr. Diaz, and I look forward to 22 hearing you count the votes at our next Stated 23 Council Meeting. 24 And that concludes only at quarter to 25 five, Communications from the Speaker. 56 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 3 very much. 4 Discussion on General Orders. We have 5 Council Member Miguel Martinez. 6 COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ: Yes, thank 7 you, Mr. Majority Leader. 8 I want to speak and commend the 9 leadership throughout the years of Hector Diaz. You 10 know, I met Hector Diaz many years ago when he had a 11 mustache, and we were in a bus in Puerto Rico. I was 12 a student at, a college student, and I was there as 13 a member of the leadership, as a student leader, and 14 I had the opportunity to speak with him back then 15 about his role in the Assembly, his career as an 16 elected official and the public service for the City 17 of New York, and I'm truly proud today to be part of 18 a body which today will rectify and confirm his 19 continuing to serve this great City in the capacity 20 of the City Clerk, and I want to commend him and 21 congratulate him and his family. It's usually a 22 family thing for one to get to serve this City and 23 this State for such a long time, so with the 24 congratulations, I want to make sure that I extend 25 it to his close family who is here with him today, 57 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 and wish him the very best of luck. (In Spanish) 3 Congratulations. 4 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 5 very much. 6 Council Member Gonzalez. Sara. No? 7 Okay, Council Member Koppell. 8 COUNCIL MEMBER KOPPELL: Thank you 9 very much, Mr. Majority Leader. 10 I'm going to address Hector Diaz when 11 my name is called. I want to congratulate Council 12 Member DeBlasio and all those who worked on the 13 legislation with respect to e-waste. This is a very 14 important legislation, which makes the City the 15 first city in the country to mandate producers of 16 electronic equipment take that equipment back and 17 recycle it. 18 As Bill mentioned, I've been 19 interested in recycling for many years. I was, of 20 course, the lead sponsor of the Bottle Bill 25 years 21 ago, under which 100 billion bottles and cans have 22 been returned. And that has made me particularly 23 supportive of a deposit system. Because the deposit 24 system encourages people to bring back whatever has 25 a deposit on it to get the deposit returned to them. 58 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 There is no deposit requirement in this bill. 3 However, I wanted to be sure that the bill would 4 allow manufacturers to use a deposit as an 5 incentive, as it turns out that other incentives 6 that they may build in are not adequate. 7 Because I'm concerned that the 8 targets in this bill will not be met, absent a 9 deposit system. And in fact, there is a danger that 10 if the materials are not returned and are no longer 11 picked up by the Sanitation Department, that they'll 12 end up on the roadsides and in dumps. 13 So, I want the opportunity to place a 14 deposit on these electronic goods to be there in 15 case it's needed, and we won't know for several 16 years because this bill has a long phase-in period. 17 So, I'm delighted that the sponsor 18 has conceded or agreed that a deposit could be 19 placed on this by the manufacturers, that this 20 language does not prohibit it. I would support it in 21 any event, because any step that brings us closer to 22 recycling is a good thing, but I particularly 23 support it with that understanding. 24 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 25 very much. 59 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Council Member Dilan. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER DILAN: Thank you very 4 much, Mr. President Pro-Tem. I just want to make 5 some brief comments so that we can get on with our 6 proceedings here today. 7 I think that, as the Speaker 8 mentioned in her opening, that, and I think some of 9 the members have already voted, you know, clearly 10 Brooklyn Delegation has not come to any consensus on 11 the resolution of the position of City Clerk. I have 12 to say that Victor Robles was a proud son of 13 Brooklyn, Council Member Reyna's constituent, 14 political disciple of the great Shirley Chism of 15 Brooklyn, I watched Victor growing up as a kid 16 politically and admired Victor very much. So, for me 17 on a personal level, I'm very sad to see Victor 18 leave. 19 Obviously, myself and the Brooklyn 20 Delegation did not support the nomination of Mr. 21 Hector Diaz. As I said in the Rules Committee, 22 everybody that I have ever met has had nothing but 23 positive things to say about Mr. Diaz, both 24 personally and for his reputation politically as 25 well. 60 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 To Mr. Diaz, I'd like to say, even 3 though the Delegation cannot support your nomination 4 by a vote here today, rest assured as we go forward, 5 we intend to support your work as Clerk on behalf or 6 the entire people of the City of New York, and as a 7 Delegation, we all wish you well in your new 8 endeavor. 9 But with that being said, you know, 10 when my name is called during the roll, I will be 11 voting no on preconsidered M 945 and Resolution 12 1276. And if the Speaker's sentiment is that we all 13 work together beyond this issue, she definitely has 14 a commitment to do so to work together on all other 15 issues. 16 Thank you. 17 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 18 very much, Council member. 19 Council Member Mealy. No? 20 Okay, seeing no others looking to 21 speak, we are now moving on to Reports of Special 22 Committees. 23 COUNCIL CLERK: None. 24 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Reports of 25 Standing Committees. 61 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL CLERK: Report of the 3 Committee on Environmental Protection. 4 Intro. 168-A. Diesel fuel emissions. 5 SPEAKER QUINN: Amended and coupled on 6 General Orders with a Message of Necessity. 7 COUNCIL CLERK: Preconsidered Reso 8 1257. 9 SPEAKER QUINN: Coupled on General 10 Orders. 11 COUNCIL CLERK: Report of the 12 Committee on Land Use. 13 LU 561 and Reso 1265 through LU 661 14 and Reso 1272 on page four. 15 SPEAKER QUINN: Coupled on General 16 Orders. 17 COUNCIL CLERK: LU 672 and Reso 1273. 18 309 Canal Street. 19 SPEAKER QUINN: Coupled on General 20 Orders. 21 COUNCIL CLERK: LU 673 and Reso 1274. 22 Unenclosed sidewalk cafe. 23 SPEAKER QUINN: Coupled on General 24 Orders. 25 COUNCIL CLERK: LU 676 and Reso 1275, 62 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Early Childhood Center. 3 SPEAKER QUINN: Coupled on General 4 Orders. 5 COUNCIL CLERK: Report of the 6 Committee on Rules, Privileges and Elections. 7 Preconsidered M 945 and Reso 1276. 8 Approving the appointment of Hector L. Diaz as City 9 Clerk and Clerk of the Council. 10 SPEAKER QUINN: Coupled on General 11 Orders. 12 COUNCIL CLERK: Report of the 13 Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management. 14 Intro. 104-A. In relation to 15 electronic equipment. 16 SPEAKER QUINN: Amended and coupled on 17 General Orders. 18 COUNCIL CLERK: Preconsidered Reso 19 1248. 20 SPEAKER QUINN: Coupled on General 21 Orders. 22 COUNCIL CLERK: Report of the 23 Committee on Transportation. 24 Intro. 168-A. Diesel fuel and 25 reducing the emission of pollutants. 63 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 SPEAKER QUINN: Amended and coupled on 3 General Order with a message of necessity. 4 COUNCIL CLERK: Preconsidered Reso 5 1257. 6 SPEAKER QUINN: Coupled on General 7 Orders. 8 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: General Order 9 calendar. 10 COUNCIL CLERK resolution appointing 11 various persons Commissioner of Deeds. 12 SPEAKER QUINN: Coupled on General 13 Orders and at this point I'd like to ask for a roll 14 call on all items that have been coupled on the 15 General Order Calendar, please. 16 COUNCIL CLERK: Addabbo. 17 COUNCIL MEMBER ADDABBO: Yes. 18 COUNCIL CLERK: Arroyo. 19 COUNCIL MEMBER ARROYO: Aye. 20 COUNCIL CLERK: Baez. 21 COUNCIL MEMBER BAEZ: Aye. 22 COUNCIL CLERK: Brewer. 23 COUNCIL MEMBER BREWER: 24 Congratulations on the e-waste bill to DeBlasio, and 25 everyone else. And I don't know Hector Diaz, but I 64 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 want to say that he will be a very good City Clerk. 3 I want to thank Council Member Dilan 4 for a very classy statement, and Hector Diaz has 5 gray hair, that's a good thing. I vote aye. 6 COUNCIL CLERK: Comrie. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER COMRIE: I don't know 8 what the gray hair thing means. Well, I have gray 9 hair, so I'm more comfortable with it. Aye on all. 10 Aye on all. 11 COUNCIL CLERK: DeBlasio. 12 COUNCIL MEMBER DEBLASIO: I vote aye 13 on all, except preconsidered Message 945 and 14 companion Resolution 1276 on which I vote no. 15 COUNCIL CLERK: Dickens. 16 COUNCIL MEMBER DICKENS: Aye on all. 17 COUNCIL CLERK: Dilan. 18 COUNCIL MEMBER DILAN: Aye on all, 19 except for M 945 and Reso 1276. And I just also want 20 to add that I'm very proud of the members of the 21 Brooklyn Delegation, especially the members who will 22 return. I won't name them specifically, but you guys 23 know who you are. I think it says a lot about the 24 future Brooklyn will have in this place beyond term 25 limits, and pretty soon it will be up to you guys to 65 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 take the lead, so I know by borough will be in a 3 good place. Thank you. 4 COUNCIL CLERK: Eugene. 5 COUNCIL MEMBER EUGENE: I vote aye on 6 all, except preconsidered M 945 and Reso 1276 I vote 7 no. 8 COUNCIL CLERK: Fidler. 9 COUNCIL MEMBER FIDLER: May I be 10 briefly excused to explain my vote? 11 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 12 COUNCIL MEMBER FIDLER: It's not often 13 that you get to vote on the losing side of a matter 14 in the Council and yet be so very, very proud of 15 what day it is. And I stand here today as a very 16 proud member of the Brooklyn Delegation where for 17 the first time in six years we are united and we can 18 say (In Spanish) without it referring to a 19 Presidential campaign. 20 Clearly, the issues before us 21 regarding the City Clerk appointment have nothing to 22 do with the well-qualified Mr. Diaz. It has 23 everything to do for Brooklyn members with pride in 24 our borough, and it was an incredible process to 25 watch as we actually came together and for once the 66 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 sentence "Brooklyn Delegation" is not an oxymoron. 3 And I want to say with particular 4 pride, because someone has got to say it, and I am 5 extraordinarily proud of our Delegation Chairman 6 Erik Martin Dilan. I am extraordinarily proud of our 7 Rules Chairwoman, Diana Reyna. They have showed 8 class and leadership throughout this process and a 9 very healthy dialogue with the Speaker. We are now 10 able to move forward. We're going to be able to move 11 forward as a unified Council and a unified Brooklyn, 12 and I think that's a great day for this institution, 13 and I just want to, you know, extend my hand again 14 in congratulations to our Chairman Erik Dilan for 15 having done what he has done over the last couple of 16 days. 17 I vote aye on all, with the exception 18 of M 945 and Reso 1276, in which I vote no. 19 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you. 20 COUNCIL CLERK: Gennaro. 21 COUNCIL MEMBER GENNARO: Yes. 22 COUNCIL CLERK: Gentile. 23 COUNCIL MEMBER GENTILE: I vote aye on 24 all, except for preconsidered M 945 and Reso 1276, I 25 vote no. 67 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL CLERK: Gerson. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER GERSON: May I be 4 briefly excused to explain my vote? 5 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 6 COUNCIL MEMBER GERSON: I just want to 7 acknowledge those who worked so hard and well on 8 168-A, the diesel reduction bill. 9 Of course, the leadership of our 10 Speaker joined by the leadership of our Chairs, Jim 11 Gennaro and John Liu. Also David Yassky's 12 contribution and involvement. The work of the 13 environmental organizations, NRDC, especially with 14 Andy Dowell and Isabelle Silberman and Mel Pfeffer, 15 and I'm sorry, that was Environmental Defense Fund, 16 but also NRDC, with the work or Rich Kassle and the 17 American Lung Association, and also the great work 18 of our team here at the City Council, our attorney 19 Samara Swanston and Jeff Haberman, our Director of 20 Legislation, Peter Pastor. I also want to 21 acknowledge the support and the work of the 22 Department of Transportation and the Mayor's Office 23 in making this happen, and, of course, always the 24 work of Chuck Meara and Rob Newman. 25 I just want to add to my earlier 68 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 remarks, in addition to all the immediate benefits 3 here in this City, this bill will prompt a response 4 by industry to improve engines and improve standards 5 which will benefit the environment nationwide. This 6 is a precedent-setting bill, not only for this City 7 but for other municipalities. We saw this happen 8 with Local Law 77 and I know we'll see this happen 9 here with 168 improving the maritime environment and 10 the environment in the surrounding areas. 11 I vote aye on all. Thank you. 12 COUNCIL CLERK: Gioia. 13 COUNCIL MEMBER GIOIA: Thank you. I 14 vote yes. 15 COUNCIL CLERK: Gonzalez. 16 COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ: Aye on all; 17 and no on M 945 and Resolution 1276, no. 18 COUNCIL CLERK: Ignizio. 19 COUNCIL MEMBER IGNIZIO: Yes. No on 20 104-A, aye on all others. 21 And if I may congratulate Hector, as 22 well as this body and the Speaker. Quite frankly 23 there was a disagreement without being disagreeable. 24 This was democracy in action, and I applaud both the 25 Brooklyn Delegation and the Speaker for engaging in 69 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 a dialogue that was worthy, and one which will go 3 forward as a unified body. So, congratulations to 4 all. 5 COUNCIL CLERK: Jackson. 6 COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON: Aye on all. 7 COUNCIL CLERK: Katz. 8 COUNCIL MEMBER KATZ: Aye on all. 9 COUNCIL CLERK: Koppell. 10 COUNCIL MEMBER KOPPELL: May I be 11 excused from voting and explain my reason? 12 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 13 COUNCIL MEMBER KOPPELL: Thank you. 14 We are fortunate to have the choice 15 of Hector Diaz today to be the City Clerk. 16 I know County Clerk Diaz for many 17 years, serving with him in Albany first, and 18 observing him both as a member of this body and as a 19 practicing lawyer in the Bronx. 20 He has done a fantastic job as the 21 County Clerk in the Bronx, modernized the office. It 22 runs with courtesy, respect and efficiency, which 23 cannot be said for other offices of a similar 24 nature. And I can tell you that everyone who enters 25 his office leaves having been served, as I say, with 70 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 courtesy and respect, and I know that's the way the 3 City Clerk's office is going to be run. 4 And I'm not critical of the way the 5 Clerk's Office is run, but I can assure you that 6 improvements will be brought because that's what 7 Hector does. Even in a good office, he makes it 8 better. And, so, as I said in the Committee earlier, 9 we are fortunate, the City is fortunate, as someone 10 of his caliber, and he has important 11 responsibilities under the new laws which require 12 him to keep records of lobbyists and be sure that 13 they obey the rules, with respect to lobbyists and 14 others who approach us. And also, of course, with 15 something that's perhaps the most important, or one 16 of the most important events in New York citizens' 17 lives, and that is them getting married. And we know 18 that on occasion there have been problems there, and 19 we know that occasionally the office has been 20 overwhelmed, and I know he's going to do that with 21 dignity, so that everybody who gets married is going 22 to have a really joyous ceremony. 23 So, again, congratulations, Hector. I 24 am very proud to be able to vote for you today. 25 I withdraw my request and vote aye on 71 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 the calendar. 3 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you. 4 COUNCIL CLERK: Lappin. 5 COUNCIL MEMBER LAPPIN: With 6 permission, I'd like to vote aye on the Land Use 7 Call-Ups, and aye on the General Order calendar. 8 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 9 COUNCIL CLERK: Martinez. 10 COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ: Again, 11 Felicidadas to Hector, and I vote aye on all. 12 COUNCIL CLERK: Mealy. 13 COUNCIL MEMBER MEALY: I vote aye on 14 all and no on preconsidered M 945, Reso 1276. 15 COUNCIL CLERK: Mendez. 16 COUNCIL MEMBER MENDEZ: Aye on all. 17 COUNCIL CLERK: Palma. 18 COUNCIL MEMBER PALMA: Aye on all. 19 COUNCIL CLERK: Recchia. 20 COUNCIL MEMBER RECCHIA: Aye on all, 21 except preconsidered M 945 no, and no on Reso 1276. 22 COUNCIL CLERK: Reyna. 23 COUNCIL MEMBER REYNA: Aye on all, 24 except preconsidered M 945 and Resolution 1276. 25 COUNCIL CLERK: Sanders. 72 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL MEMBER SANDERS: Aye on all. 3 COUNCIL CLERK: Stewart. 4 COUNCIL MEMBER STEWART: I vote no on 5 M 945 and Reso 1276; and aye on the rest. 6 COUNCIL CLERK: Weprin. 7 COUNCIL MEMBER WEPRIN: May I briefly 8 be excused to explain my vote? 9 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Yes, you may. 10 COUNCIL MEMBER WEPRIN: I vote aye on 11 all, and I want to congratulate the Diaz family and 12 our new City Clerk to be, Hector Diaz, who served 13 with my late father, Saul Weprin, for many years in 14 the Assembly, and they were good friends and 15 colleagues, and I remember many fond members of 16 going with my parents to the Selmo Futuro Conference 17 (phonetic) in Puerto Rico with the Diaz's, and I 18 wish them much luck. And I also want to congratulate 19 my colleague, Council Member Erik Martin Dilan for 20 the way he's handled this whole situation, and the 21 Brooklyn Delegation. 22 I proudly vote aye. 23 COUNCIL CLERK: Oddo. 24 COUNCIL MEMBER ODDO: Yes. 25 This just in. No. No on Intro. 104-A; 73 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 yes on all others. 3 COUNCIL CLERK: Rivera. 4 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: I vote aye. 5 COUNCIL CLERK: Speaker Quinn. 6 SPEAKER QUINN: I vote aye. 7 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: All items on 8 today's General Order calendar were adopted by a 9 vote of 50 in the affirmative, zero in the negative, 10 with the exception of M 945 and Resolution 1276, 11 which was adopted by a vote of 34 in the affirmative 12 with 16 in the negative and zero abstentions; and 13 Intro. 104-A, which was adopted by a vote of 47 in 14 the affirmative with three in the negative and zero 15 abstentions; and Reso 1248, which was adopted by a 16 vote of 49 in the affirmative, one in the negative 17 and zero abstentions. 18 Introduction and Reading of the 19 Bills. 20 SPEAKER QUINN: All bills are referred 21 to the Committees as indicated on the agenda. 22 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Discussion of 23 Resolutions. 24 Seeing no one to discuss -- oh, 25 Council Member Gerson. 74 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 COUNCIL MEMBER GERSON: I will be very 3 brief, but I must call attention to the resolution 4 and support the so-called Zadroga Bill, the 5 resolution calling on the Congress to pass the 9/11 6 healthcare bill which will assure health care for 7 all of our brave first responders for volunteers, 8 for all residents, everyone affected and we'll 9 promote research. 10 It's a disgrace that we have not done 11 so already. It is urgent that we pass this 12 resolution and that we rally the nation to pass the 13 Congressional bill. We owe this to all who were 14 victimized by the attack on our nation of 9/11. 15 I want to thank Chairman Addabbo and 16 his team for their work on this bill, and I want to 17 thank Lyle Frank, the attorney for the Lower 18 Manhattan Redevelopment Committee, along with 19 Patrick Mulvihill, and all, Tammy Tow from my office 20 and Speaker Quinn, thank you for your leadership in 21 getting this done. 22 Please, my colleagues, let's have a 23 unanimous vote for this resolution. 24 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 25 very much. 75 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Council Member Mealy. 3 COUNCIL MEMBER MEALY: Yes, I want to 4 thank our Speaker for her leadership, and I want to 5 urge my colleagues to vote for Reso 784, a 6 resolution urging the United States Congress to pass 7 S.453, Deceptive Practice and Voter Intimidation 8 Prevention Act of 2007, introduced by the Senate, 9 which prohibits deceptive practices in federal 10 elections. 11 Reso 784 urges this Council to 12 support legislation that would impose stiff 13 penalties on those who try to intimidate or deceive 14 our voters. 15 Today a bill before the Council, and 16 one that I am proud to be the lead sponsor on, Reso 17 784, seeks to call attention to the fact that this 18 2009 election will be protected. 19 It is my hope that my bill awakens 20 this Council, as well as all Councils across this 21 great land. To stand up for election integrity and 22 protect our citizens' hard fought for right to vote. 23 Thank you, colleagues. 24 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 25 very much. 76 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 Seeing no one else -- Council Member 3 Erik Dilan. 4 COUNCIL MEMBER DILAN: I just want to 5 briefly thank Council Member Mealy on her work on 6 this issue. Certainly none of us wants to see in 7 this year's federal elections a repeat of Florida in 8 2000. Thank you. 9 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 10 very much. 11 Anyone else? 12 Seeing no one else, at this point in 13 time I'm calling for a voice vote on today's 14 resolutions. 15 All in favor, say aye. 16 All opposed, say nay. 17 Any abstentions? 18 The ayes have it. 19 General Discussion. 20 Council Member Weprin. 21 COUNCIL MEMBER WEPRIN: In light of 22 the hour, I'm going to waive my general discussion. 23 (Applause). 24 MAJORITY LEADER RIVERA: Thank you 25 very much. 77 1 STATED COUNCIL MEETING 2 At this point in time, I close 3 today's hearing. Thank you very much, ladies and 4 gentlemen. And congratulations to our new City 5 Clerk, Hector Diaz. 6 (Hearing concluded at 5:07 p.m.) 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 78 1 2 CERTIFICATION 3 4 5 STATE OF NEW YORK ) 6 COUNTY OF NEW YORK ) 7 8 9 I, CINDY MILLELOT, a Certified 10 Shorthand Reporter, do hereby certify that the 11 foregoing is a true and accurate transcript of the 12 within proceeding. 13 I further certify that I am not 14 related to any of the parties to this action by 15 blood or marriage, and that I am in no way 16 interested in the outcome of this matter. 17 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto 18 set my hand this 13th day of February 2008. 19 20 21 22 23 --------------------- 24 CINDY MILLELOT, CSR. 25 79 1 2 C E R T I F I C A T I O N 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 I, CINDY MILLELOT, a Certified Shorthand 10 Reporter and a Notary Public in and for the State of 11 New York, do hereby certify the aforesaid to be a 12 true and accurate copy of the transcription of the 13 audio tapes of this hearing. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ----------------------- CINDY MILLELOT, CSR. 25