The New York City Council - File #: Int 1114-2018

• File #: Int 1114-2018
• Version: A
• Name: Creating a task force to examine the monuments, statues, public art and historical markers on city-owned property.
• Type: Introduction
• Status: Enacted
• Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
• On agenda: 9/26/2018
• Enactment date: 7/14/2019
• Law number: 2019/131
• Title: A Local Law in relation to creating a task force to examine the monuments, statues, public art and historical markers on city-owned property
• Sponsors: Inez D. Barron, James G. Van Bramer, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Helen K. Rosenthal, Ben Kallos, Laurie A. Cumbo, Diana I. Ayala, Carlina Rivera
• Council Member Sponsors: 8
• Summary: This bill would create a task force to study and issue recommendations regarding monuments, statues, public art, and historical markers on city-owned property, placing special emphasis on those that have been subject to sustained negative attention or may be viewed as inconsistent with the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. The task force would be chaired by the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs or the Executive Director of the Art Commission. The Commissioners of City Planning, Parks and Recreation, and Transportation would have seats on the task force, as well as the Executive Director of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The remaining five members of the task force would be representatives from each of the five boroughs respectively and have expertise in one or more of the following areas: history, art and antiquities, public art and public space, preservation, cultural heritage, diversity and inclusion, or education.
• Indexes: Council Appointment Required, Other Appointment Required, Report Required

Date	Ver.	Prime Sponsor	Action By	Action	Result
7/18/2019	A	Inez D. Barron	City Council	Returned Unsigned by Mayor
7/14/2019	A	Inez D. Barron	Administration	City Charter Rule Adopted
6/13/2019	A	Inez D. Barron	City Council	Sent to Mayor by Council
6/13/2019	*	Inez D. Barron	City Council	Approved by Council	Pass
6/13/2019	*	Inez D. Barron	Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations	Hearing Held by Committee
6/13/2019	*	Inez D. Barron	Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations	Amendment Proposed by Comm
6/13/2019	*	Inez D. Barron	Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations	Amended by Committee
6/13/2019	A	Inez D. Barron	Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations	Approved by Committee	Pass
2/25/2019	*	Inez D. Barron	Committee on Women and Gender Equity	Laid Over by Committee
2/25/2019	*	Inez D. Barron	Committee on Women and Gender Equity	Hearing Held by Committee
2/25/2019	*	Inez D. Barron	Committee on Parks and Recreation	Laid Over by Committee
2/25/2019	*	Inez D. Barron	Committee on Parks and Recreation	Hearing Held by Committee
2/25/2019	*	Inez D. Barron	Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations	Laid Over by Committee
2/25/2019	*	Inez D. Barron	Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations	Hearing Held by Committee
9/26/2018	*	Inez D. Barron	City Council	Referred to Comm by Council
9/26/2018	*	Inez D. Barron	City Council	Introduced by Council

Int. No. 1114-A

By Council Members Barron and Van Bramer, the Public Advocate (Mr. Williams) and Council Members Rosenthal, Kallos, Cumbo, Ayala and Rivera

A Local Law in relation to creating a task force to examine the monuments, statues, public art and historical markers on city-owned property

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Task force on monuments, statues, public art and historical markers. a. There shall be a task force to examine the monuments, statues, public art and historical markers on city-owned property.

b. The task force shall consist of the following members:

1. The commissioner of cultural affairs or such commissioner’s designee, and the executive director of the art commission or such director’s designee, 1 of whom shall serve as chair of the task force as designated by the mayor;

2. The commissioner of parks and recreation or such commissioner’s designee, the executive director of the landmarks preservation commission or such director’s designee, the commissioner of transportation or such commissioner’s designee and the commissioner of city planning or such commissioner’s designee; and

3. Five members representing each of the 5 boroughs, of which 3 such members shall be appointed by the speaker of the council and 2 such members shall be appointed by the mayor, provided that each member shall have relevant expertise in public art, as well as in one or more of the following disciplines: history, art and antiquities, preservation, cultural heritage, diversity and inclusion or education.

c. The task force shall conduct a comprehensive review of monuments, statues, public art and historical markers on city-owned property, which have been identified by the chair as inconsistent with the values of diversity, equity and inclusion, or for which the chair is aware of substantial public opposition or concerns. The task force shall also:

1. Explore ideas for new permanent monuments and temporary artwork about history;

2. Recommend mechanisms for encouraging and increasing community input with regard to the establishment of new monuments, statues, public art and historical markers; and

3. Recommend or host discussions, public programs and other educational initiatives related to the complex and nuanced histories of the city’s monuments, statues, public art and historical markers.

d. The task force shall meet no less than 4 times per year.

e. No later than 1 year after the effective date of this local law, the task force shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a report that contains its findings and conclusions and any recommendations for policy or legislation, and post online minutes of task force meetings.

f. The task force shall dissolve upon submission of the report required by subdivision e of this section.

§ 2. This local law takes effect January 1, 2020.

AW / BM

LS #7435

5/13/2019 5:00 PM