Int. No. 731
By the Public Advocate (Mr. Williams) and Council Member Louis (by request of the Queens Borough President)
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a water rate task force.
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Subchapter 4 of chapter 3 of title 24 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 24-369.1 to read as follows:
§24-369.1 Water rate task force. a. There shall be a water rate task force to review concerns affecting water rates, water rate equity and other ratepayer issues such as water and sewer infrastructure construction and maintenance costs. The water rate task force may offer recommendations for water rate improvements and conservation measures, including how to address water leaks and unauthorized or unrestricted water use to protect public health and the environment. The water rate task force shall also prepare a biennial report on water rate equity which first report shall be delivered by June 1, 2024 to the speaker of the council and the mayor, and posted online on the website of the department of environmental protection.
b. No member of the water rate task force shall be an employee of the city or a member of the water board.
c. The members of the water rate task force shall include: Two representatives appointed by the speaker of the council from environmental groups including at least one representative from an environmental group who is also a rate payer, and one from a civic organization who is a rate payer and one representative who is a planner and a member of a community based organization. Eight representatives appointed by the mayor including 5 water rate payers, one from each borough including a rate payer property still being billed based upon frontage, one senior citizen property owner ratepayer, one large quantity water user and one representative of a social justice organization who shall serve as chair of such task force.
d. The water rate task force shall hold its first meeting no later than 20 days after the last member has been appointed and may conduct such informal hearings and meetings at any place or places designated within the city for obtaining necessary information or other data to assist it in the performance of its duties, as it deems necessary.
e. Information developed for distribution by the water rate task force on equity among water rate payers and ways to reduce water use shall be made available in the designated citywide languages, as defined in section 23-1101, and any other languages as the department of environmental protection determines to be necessary and appropriate.
§2. This local law shall take effect immediately.
Session 12
SS
LS 348
6/24/22
12:33 p.m.
Session 11
LS # 2197 SS
Int 1577-2019
02-21-19
4:33 p.m.