A hearing on supporting New York City small businesses' compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and local accessibility laws.

Discussions focused on:

• Challenges faced by small businesses in meeting accessibility requirements
• Concerns about predatory lawsuits
• Proposed legislation to provide support through education, legal assistance, and funding for accessibility improvements

Three bills were discussed:

• Intro 282 (establishing a fund for accessibility improvements
• Intro 639 (requiring training on workplace accessibility)
• Intro 1260 (expanding legal services for accessibility compliance)

Features testimony from the NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), Department of Small Business Services (SBS), and the public.

A hearing on nature-based solutions for climate resiliency and disaster preparedness in New York City.

Discussions focused on expanding green infrastructure, including rain gardens, bioswales, and Blue Belt programs, to manage stormwater and increase climate resilience.

Two bills were discussed:

• Intro 1253 on notifying council members about bioretention system installations
• Intro 1254 on setting green acre targets for MS4 areas

Features testimony from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Parks and Recreation, and the public.

A hearing on street vending enforcement and licensing, focusing on proposed legislation to reform street vending regulations.

Discussions centered on:

• Increasing the number of available vending licenses
• Creating new support services for vendors
• Improving enforcement practices
• Balancing the needs of vendors, brick-and-mortar businesses, and communities

Features testimony from the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Department of Small Business Services (SBS), Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the public, including street vendors, business improvement districts, and small business representatives.

The Stated Meeting happens every 2 weeks (4 weeks in summer), when the council votes on and introduces new legislation.

At this meeting, the council passes several bills including legislation on food delivery app fee caps, reporting on minority and women-owned business contracts, school library resources, and wildfire mitigation planning.

The council also adopts resolutions on healthcare costs, fertility treatment coverage, and recognizing Chinese American Railroad Workers Memorial Day.

New legislation is introduced on topics such as youth trafficking prevention, beauty product safety, protections for intersex individuals, and training for co-op board members.

A vote. The committee unanimously passes Intro 1185-A, a bill requiring the Department of Parks and Recreation to develop a plan by March 1, 2026, to mitigate brushfires in city parks, in response to recent drought conditions and increased wildfire risks.