City Council
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NYPD’s Lax Crash Investigations May Violate State Law
Unacceptable. Absurd. "Next to useless."
February 15, 2012
After Hearing, Vallone and Vacca Support Strengthening Careless Driving Law
This morning's City Council hearing on traffic crash investigations is already having an impact. Public Safety Committee Chair Peter Vallone, Jr. and Transportation Committee Chair James Vacca announced today that they will introduce a resolution in support of Albany legislation to make it clear that the police can enforce the state's careless driving law.
February 15, 2012
T.A. Calls For Interagency Traffic Safety Task Force at City Council Hearing
The City Council is holding a first-of-its-kind hearing on NYPD crash investigations today, a joint effort of the transportation and public safety committees. Based on the early reports via Twitter, it sounds like council members are holding NYPD's feet to the fire for failing to investigate serious crashes and letting motorists off the hook for the harm they cause.
February 15, 2012
Q Poll: Chris Quinn’s Parking Agenda Out of Touch With New Yorkers
To hear Christine Quinn tell it, New Yorkers are crying out for relief from unjust parking policies. Over the last two years, it seems that when City Council members weren't flogging legislation to add layers of bureaucracy to DOT's street safety program, they were tripping over themselves to absolve motorists of one responsibility after another.
February 9, 2012
Nothing About Public Transportation in Chris Quinn’s Transportation Report
If you're like most New York commuters, you took a train or bus to get to work today. And like most New Yorkers, you are invisible to the City Council and speaker Christine Quinn.
February 1, 2012
Quinn’s Parking Agenda Gives Nothing to the 54 Percent Who Don’t Own Cars
On Monday we published the revised schedule for this week's City Council hearing in James Vacca's transportation committee. Out with oversight of the MTA budget and its consequences for straphangers, in with bills to make parking more convenient. Maybe we were being a little unfair with that post, because the person who ultimately sets the agenda for the City Council isn't Vacca, but Speaker Christine Quinn.
January 19, 2012
Another Year, Another David Greenfield Parking Bill
The City Council is again looking to placate scofflaw drivers. This time, Council Member David Greenfield of Brooklyn wants to limit cases in which the city can tow vehicles belonging to drivers who have racked up hundreds of dollars in unpaid parking fines. DNAinfo has the story:
January 12, 2012
City Council Bill Would Weaken Bikes in Garages Law, Keep Number of Spaces
Two years after the City Council passed the Bicycle Access to Garages law, which set aside space for bike parking in commercial garages, legislators are turning their attention back to the issue. In response to low demand for the garage spaces, a bill sponsored by Queens rep Karen Koslowitz would loosen up some of the design requirements for the bike parking spaces while maintaining the total amount of bike parking required.
November 29, 2011
Vacca Committee Passes DOT Public Review Bills With Friendly Amendments
Amended versions of two bills adding requirements to the Department of Transportation's public review process passed the City Council's transportation committee unanimously this afternoon. The bills, which mainly codify current practices, would require DOT to consult with other city agencies and compile data on safety and traffic patterns for all major projects. "It is crucial that all the stakeholders are not only fully involved but also fully informed about what is happening in their communities," said committee chair James Vacca.
November 28, 2011
City Council Votes to Increase Oversight of Bike Lane Removal
Yesterday the City Council passed Lew Fidler's Intro 412 -- the bill mandating community board notification about the installation of bike lanes -- setting the stage for some showboating from Fidler, Speaker Christine Quinn and Transportation Committee Chair James Vacca.
November 4, 2011