What's on your ballot, New York City.

What it doesProposed Charter Amendment: Speed Up Process for Granting a Revocable Consent to Use Public Space Simplify process to use public space for uses such as ramps, planters and cafes, by removing mandatory hearings and Council disapproval of sidewalk cafes, while maintaining community and Council input.

What changesProposed Charter Amendment: Speed Up Process for Granting a Revocable Consent to Use Public Space This proposal would simplify the process for the City to grant a “revocable consent” to a property owner to use public property for private use like benches, ramps, planters, and cafes. It would eliminate a requirement that a City agency hold a hearing prior to granting a revocable consent and remove the requirement to publish notice in newspapers in advance of public hearings for revocable consents and franchises. With respect to sidewalk cafes, this proposed Charter amendment would remove City Council’s power to disapprove a sidewalk cafe, while retaining the requirement that notice be provided to the relevant Community Board, Borough President and Councilmember. Revocable Consents Private individuals and entities can use City-owned public space only in certain circumstances and only with permission from the City. A private company offering a public service, like an electrical utility or bus shelters, must obtain a franchise from the City to install their infrastructure. The City grants authority to construct and maintain structures on or under the streets or sidewalks through what is called a “revocable consent.” Revocable consents are often granted to property or business owners to place objects on the sidewalk in front of their property.

What it doesProposed Charter Amendment: Reduce City Contractor Paperwork; Require Regular Meetings of Procurement Policy Board Reduce paperwork for City contractors by authorizing Procurement Policy Board to simplify contractor questionnaire. Require quarterly meetings of the Procurement Policy Board. Remove mandatory hearing for required client services report.

What changesProposed Charter Amendment: Reduce City Contractor Paperwork; Require Regular Meetings of Procurement Policy Board This proposal would make various changes to the City’s laws governing procurement. It would allow the Procurement Policy Board to simplify a questionnaire that contractors must fill out before seeking City contracts to reduce burdens for smaller businesses contracting with the City; remove a requirement that agencies hold a hearing each year relating to a report about client services contracts; authorize the Mayor to delegate authority to approve certain contracts to agencies; and require the Procurement Policy Board to meet at least quarterly to promote transparency in the City’s rules governing procurement. Existing Processes Currently, the Mayor and the Comptroller are required to maintain a questionnaire that prospective City contractors must fill out. The specific questions are set forth in local law and include complex and detailed requirements. All contractors subject to the questionnaire requirement must complete the same questionnaire. The Mayor and Comptroller are jointly responsible for all policy decisions relating to the questionnaire. Agencies that award client services contracts are required to produce a plan and schedule relating to those contracts each year and to hold a hearing prior to finalizing the plan and schedule.

What it doesProposed Charter Amendment: Speed Up Street Safety Projects, Disposition of Unused City Property, Office Leasing Simplify review of street safety projects to reduce construction timelines. Fast track disposition of unused City property with approval from City Planning Commission. Expedite leasing offices used for City workforce.

What changesProposed Charter Amendment: Speed Up Street Safety Projects, Disposition of Unused City Property, Office Leasing Abstract This proposal would simplify the approval process for street safety projects by eliminating certain intra-agency consultation requirements. This proposal would also allow the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) to sell or otherwise dispose of smaller City-owned properties and development rights using an expedited land use review process, make permanent a program allowing DCAS to sell certain undevelopable properties without public auction, and speed up the process for the City’s acquisition of office space for City employees by removing a public hearing before the City Planning Commission and review by the City Council. Street Safety Projects Currently, local law requires City agencies to follow certain procedures before implementing a “major transportation project.” Major transportation projects are defined as projects that realign a roadway, including by removing a traffic lane or parking lane, for over four consecutive blocks or 1,000 feet, and projects that add or remove a bike lane of any length. As part of this process, any agency implementing a major transportation project (most often the Department of Transportation, or DOT) must notify various officials and the local Community Board and give a presentation to the Community Board upon request.

What it doesProposed Charter Amendment: Simplify Building Permitting and Move Waterfront Permitting to Department of Buildings Create centralized construction permits hub to simplify permitting. Move waterfront permitting from Department of Small Business Services to Department of Buildings. Allow construction approval by additional Department of Buildings officials.

What changesProposed Charter Amendment: Simplify Building Permitting and Move Waterfront Permitting to Department of Buildings This proposal would authorize the Commissioner of the Department of Buildings (DOB) to appoint additional deputy commissioners and additional borough commissioners who could approve construction documents as part of the permitting process. This proposal would also direct DOB, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Fire Department, and the Department of Transportation, to develop a centralized construction permit submission and approval system. Finally, this proposal would transfer responsibility for permitting along the waterfront from the Department of Small Business Services to DOB. Existing Processes Currently, the Charter authorizes the DOB Commissioner to appoint only two Deputy Commissioners, including a First Deputy Commissioner. The Charter also directs the DOB Commissioner to appoint one Borough Superintendent in each borough. Construction documents must be approved by either the Commissioner, a Deputy Commissioner, or a Borough Superintendent. Before starting a new construction project, an applicant must obtain permits from various agencies. DOB is responsible for most construction permitting; the Fire Department reviews plans and issues permits for fire alarm installations; the Department of Environmental Protection reviews and approves stormwater pollution prevention plans; and the Department of Transportation issues permits to use street space during construction.

What it doesProposed Charter Amendment: Set Contribution Targets for Rainy Day Fund to Promote Sufficient Budgetary Reserves Set target amount of money to hold in reserve funds, including rainy day fund, to address unexpected financial hardships in future years, and require development of methodology to calculate contributions.

What changesProposed Charter Amendment: Set Contribution Targets for Rainy Day Fund to Promote Sufficient Budgetary Reserves This proposal would set a target amount of funds for the City to maintain in the revenue stabilization fund (also known as the “Rainy Day Fund”) and other reserve funds. The Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget would be required to publish a methodology regarding deposits into the Rainy Day Fund. Deposits would be required in accordance with that methodology, subject to appropriation through the annual budget process. The methodology would be subject to a 30- day public comment period and a public hearing. The City could not withdraw more than 50 percent of the amount of the fund except when the Mayor certifies that there is a compelling fiscal need. Rainy Day Fund A Rainy Day Fund is a fund in which excess revenues from one year are set aside for use in future years to help fill budget gaps caused, for example, by economic downturns, emergencies, or unforeseen decreases in revenue. Rainy Day Funds can provide an alternative to raising taxes and cutting services in times of fiscal necessity. In 2019, New York City voters approved Charter amendments authorizing the City to create a Rainy Day Fund, and in 2020, the Legislature made corresponding changes to State law.