Int. No. 63
By the Public Advocate (Mr. Williams) and Council Members Louis and De La Rosa
A Local Law in relation to the creation of a commission to rename Rikers Island
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. As New York City works to reform its draconian and racially discriminatory criminal justice system, such work must include a review of the public markers that need to change to align with present day principles. One such opportunity is Rikers Island. The name has historic ties to slavery, and the correctional facility has a reputation for the abuse and neglect of incarcerated individuals. Accordingly, following the mayoral advisory commission on city art, monuments and markers, the Council proposes a commission to rename Rikers Island. This commission will meet formally and may solicit public input.
§ 2. Commission to rename Rikers Island. a. There is hereby established a commission to recommend a new name for Rikers Island.
b. Such commission shall consist of the following seven members:
1. Three members appointed by the mayor, at least two of whom shall have expertise in the cultural affairs sector and civil rights organizations;
2. Two members appointed by the speaker of the council, who shall have expertise in the cultural affairs sector and civil rights organizations, respectively; and
3. Two members appointed by the public advocate, who shall have expertise in the cultural affairs sector and civil rights organizations, respectively.
c. The members of the commission shall be appointed within 90 days after the effective date of this local law.
d. Each member of the commission shall serve for a term of six months, to commence after the final member is appointed. Any vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A person filling such vacancy shall serve for the unexpired portion of the term of the succeeded member.
e. No member of the commission may be removed except for cause and upon notice and hearing by the official who appointed such member or, in the case of a succeeding member under subdivision d of this section, the official who appointed the succeeding member.
f. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation.
g. The commission shall meet at least three times.
h. The commission may solicit public input, which may consist of, but need not be limited to, public hearings and an online survey.
i. No more than six months after the date that the final member of the commission is appointed under subdivision d of this section, the commission shall submit a report to the mayor, the speaker of the council and the public advocate, which shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:
1. The proposed recommendations considered for renaming Rikers Island;
2. A discussion of each proposed recommendation, which shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:
(a) the process for evaluating such proposals;
(b) the information that the commission considered when evaluating such proposals; and
(c) the rationale of the commission for why it did or did not select such proposal as a final recommendation; and
3. A final recommendation for the renaming of Rikers Island.
j. The commission shall dissolve immediately after the date that the report is submitted.
§ 3. This local law takes effect immediately.
Session 12
NLB
LS # 2033
12/28/21
Session 11
NLB
LS# 9310