Loading...
The most consequential moment on November 30, 2010, wasn't the vote. It was the swearing-in of Ruben Wills, representing District 28 in Southeast Queens. Before he took his seat, Wills laid out the stakes for his constituents: rising crime, foreclosures, and a community desperate for representation. He thanked his father, Archie Spigner, and his campaign staff, noting that people had been lining up outside his campaign office. It was a reminder that behind every case number on the agenda, there are people waiting for government to actually work.
But the real political earthquake came from the Environmental Protection Committee. Councilman Jim Jennero used his floor time to announce that New York had passed the nation’s first moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The bill, urging the state legislature to act, had cleared the Senate and Assembly and was heading to Governor Paterson’s desk. Jennero called it a "watershed moment," noting that fracking was largely unregulated by the federal government. New York was standing up, he argued, forcing the issue onto the national stage. This wasn't just local policy; it was a preemptive strike against an industry that threatened the city’s water supply, setting a precedent that would ripple through state politics for years.
On the mundane but vital side, the Council passed two transparency bills that quietly reshaped how New Yorkers interact with city government. Intro 256A, championed by the Small Business Committee, mandated that the city publish annual data on economic development projects. Before this, subsidies and job creation claims were opaque. Now, the public could track whether tax breaks actually created jobs. Simultaneously, Intro 376A, from the Transportation Committee, required the Department of Transportation to publish clear guidelines for traffic calming devices. No more guessing why one block got a speed hump and another got a bike lane. The DOT had to explain its logic online. These weren't flashy victories, but they gave residents the tools to hold officials accountable.
The meeting also honored the late Congressman Steve Solis, a Brooklyn legend who helped bring democracy to the Philippines. His passing was a somber reminder of the human cost of political service. Meanwhile, the Council overwhelmingly approved a slate of land use applications and general orders, including the appointment of Michael Devonshire to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The vote was 46-0-1, with Councilmember Williams abstaining. It was a efficient, if unremarkable, end to a session defined by new voices and old battles.
Watch the governor’s signature on the fracking moratorium. If he signs, New York becomes the first state to ban the practice, potentially killing major gas projects in the Marcellus Shale region. For now, the Council has spoken, and the industry is listening.
Speaker Quinn publicly pivots from Cathy Black opposition to pragmatic engagement on day waiver granted — demonstrates speaker-side conflict-avoidance posture vs. members (Jumaane Williams kept opposi
because it was the Jewish Sabbath, which begins after sundown on Friday, he was no longer carrying his driver's license because Sabbath observed Jews are not allowed to carry items on the
ULURP project for HPD Supportive Housing Loan Program — 40-46 unit affordable supportive housing building for formerly homeless individuals + people with long-term mental health concerns; completed 20
ULURP project (CPC C100453HAM) for Phipps Houses supportive housing development; the assemblage 706-712 E 9th St is on Block 378 between Avenue C and Avenue D. The completed 45-unit building serves fo
Received and referred to committee the certification of Ruben Wills's election as the new Council Member for the 28th Councilmanic District in Queens.
The certificate of Ruben Wills's swearing-in as the new Council Member for the 28th Council District was received and referred to committee.
Referred to committee a base station license communication for Atlixco Fleet Car Service LLC.
with 2 related matters · M 0331-2010 · M 0332-2010
Approved this land use call-up for a sidewalk cafe at 89 Greenwich Avenue in Manhattan.
Approved, By Council — adopted without a recorded per-member roll-call (coupled calendar or voice vote).
Diana Reyna introduced this bill mandating annual reporting from entities holding EDC contracts, calling it "the last piece" of a Local Law progression and thanking Speaker Quinn for her leadership in making it possible.
Approved By Council — adopted without a recorded per-member roll-call (coupled calendar or voice vote).
James Vacca introduced this measure to set standards for approving and installing traffic calming devices, framing it squarely as a pedestrian safety bill rather than a bureaucratic transparency exercise: "This bill revolves around the issue of pedestrian safety.
Approved By Council — adopted without a recorded per-member roll-call (coupled calendar or voice vote).
Approved the slate of Commissioner of Deeds appointments.
Approved, By Council — adopted without a recorded per-member roll-call (coupled calendar or voice vote).
Approved this local law renaming 67 thoroughfares and public places across the city.
Approved this bill governing the maintenance of vacant buildings.
Approved this bill allowing on-site disposal of storm water runoff to improve the quality of the city's waters.
This resolution was introduced and referred to committee, with no further action recorded at the meeting.
Daniel Garodnick introduced this bill requiring DoITT to publish an annual public data directory, directing colleagues to it with a self-aware nod that they "may have glazed over it.
G. Oliver Koppell introduced this "taxi of the future" bill requiring all newly manufactured taxicabs to be accessible to people with disabilities, and invited colleagues to co-sponsor.
Stephen Levin introduced this bill as one half of a two-bill street-vendor package (Intros 434 and 435), reducing the maximum fine for vending-regulation violations and redefining what counts as an unrelated violation.
Approved this bill establishing an alternative enforcement program.
Council Member Mendez introduced this Safe Housing Act measure as part of a broader package of bills brought to colleagues' attention during the session.
This resolution was introduced and referred to committee, with no further action recorded at the meeting.
A resolution to prohibit the placement of cellular towers and related equipment within five hundred feet of any school building in New York City.
A resolution calling on the state Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation to commission a study on the effects of long-term exposure.
A resolution urging renewed negotiations with the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church regarding the future of the church.
A resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass legislation making stalking by technological means illegal.
A resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass legislation that would create a presumption regarding a witness's testimony at trial.
This introduction was laid over after referral, with no further action recorded at the meeting.
Letitia James introduced this resolution calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fully fund the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and solicited colleagues to sign on as co-sponsors.
Approved this UDAAP application for 134 Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn.
Approved this ULURP application covering a project summary, a real property tax exemption, and a regulatory agreement.
Approved this ULURP application bundling a project summary, a conveyance, real property tax exemptions, and related approvals.
Approved the landmarks designation for the 97 Bowery Building in Manhattan.
Approved the landmarks designation for the Eleventh Street Methodist Episcopal Chapel at 545-547 East 11th Street in Manhattan.
Approved the landmarks designation for Loew's Canal Street Theatre Building at 31 Canal Street in Manhattan.
Approved this land use application for a sidewalk cafe at 39 Greenwich Avenue in Manhattan.
Approved this land use application for a sidewalk cafe at 89 Greenwich Avenue in Manhattan.
Approved this land use application for a sidewalk cafe at 753 Washington Street in Manhattan.
Approved this ULURP application for 535-537 East 11th Street in Manhattan.
Approved, By Council — adopted without a recorded per-member roll-call (coupled calendar or voice vote).
Approved this ULURP application for 706-712 East 9th Street in Manhattan.
Approved, By Council — adopted without a recorded per-member roll-call (coupled calendar or voice vote).
Every parcel, owner, and applicant in this meeting, cross-referenced against Zonable’s NYC ownership, enforcement & legislative graph — the record behind the record.
Owner portfolios, open OATH/ECB violations, 311 & DOB permits across every parcel discussed, developer track records, and an “ask this meeting” chat.
Sign in to ask questions
Chat with AI about this meeting. Free account required.