Int. No. 1126
By Council Members Holden, Borelli, Brannan, Ulrich, Vallone, Yeger, Gjonaj, Ampry-Samuel, Rodriguez, Dromm, Moya, Rose and Ayala
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating an interagency task force on illegal conversions and occupancies
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Article 210 of chapter 2 of Title 28 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 28-210.5 to read as follows:
§ 28-210.5 Illegal conversions and occupancies task force. a. For the purposes of this section, “illegal conversion” means a modification, alteration, or otherwise unlawful action taken with regard to an existing building with the intent to create additional housing units without prior department approval.
b. There shall be an interagency task force to facilitate cooperation on the issue of illegal conversions and occupancies. Such task force shall, at minimum, study and report on the forces contributing to the demand for illegally converted housing units and the prevalence of such illegal housing in the city, the effects such housing arrangements have on the health, safety and welfare of residents and landlords, and the enforcement of existing laws and regulations related to illegal conversions. The task force shall propose changes to the laws, rules, regulations and policies with regard to illegal conversions where appropriate.
c. The task force shall consist of the following members:
1. The director of the office of special enforcement, or their designee;
2. The fire commissioner, or their designee;
3. The commissioner of housing and preservation development, or their designee;
4. The commissioner of buildings, or their designee;
5. The commissioner of health and mental hygiene, or their designee;
6. The director of city planning, or their designee;
7. One member appointed by the public advocate; and
8. Three members appointed by the speaker of the council.
d. Unless otherwise determined by the mayor, the chair of such committee shall be the director of the office of special enforcement or such director’s designee.
e. The task force shall invite representatives from relevant city and state agencies, elected officials and advocacy organizations, as identified by the task force, to participate in the development of task force reports.
f. All members shall be appointed to the task force within 60 days of the effective date of the local law that added this section. The members shall serve without compensation, except that each member shall be allowed actual and necessary expenses to be audited in the same manner as other city expenses. Each member shall serve for a term of two years to commence after the final member is appointed, and any vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
g. Such task force shall meet at least five times a year and shall convene a public hearing in each of the five boroughs.
h. No later than 180 days after the effective date of the local law that added this section, and annually thereafter, the task force shall issue a report to the mayor and the council detailing its activities and recommendations, which shall be made publicly available on the city’s website and the website of the council.
§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.
EL
LS #7335
8/13/18