New York City Council Votes Virtually On COVID-19 Relief Package
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York City Council had its first-ever virtual vote Wednesday, on a COVID-19 relief package of bills to help struggling New Yorkers.
A checkerboard of members voted on 11 pieces of legislation from home, thanks to emergency orders passed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, CBS2's Lisa Rozner reported.
One of the most controversial would close off up to 75 miles of streets so pedestrians and bikers have more space to social distance. The mayor called off a pilot program earlier this month, saying it took up too many police resources.
"There are block parties that happen all across New York City every single summer where they shut down the block for a block or two, and you don't have a massive amount of enforcement personnel," Speaker Corey Johnson said. "I've seen plenty of New Yorkers who have been attempting to socially distance in a good, thoughtful way throughout this crisis, but it's hard sometimes if parks are packed with people on nice days."
An "Essential Workers Bill of Rights" would require large companies to give $30 to $75 bonuses per shift to essential workers that are paid hourly.
"There are some businesses that are not, we believe, paying their workers appropriately," Johnson said.
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And to protect tenants, theres a proposal to extend the moratorium on residential evictions from June to April of 2021. Frank Ricci represents landlords of the Rent Stabilization Association.
"They're just playing pandemic politics," Ricci said. "This doesn't help owners or tenants. The city council could move to enact a freeze on water rates. They could lower the property tax rate."
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There's also legislation calling on the city to halt collecting debt from small businesses until Sept. 30. and suspend sidewalk café fees.
Another bill would require the city to give each homeless New Yorkers a private room, like in empty hotels, to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Department of Homeless Services says close to a third of singles living in shelters now have their own room.
Speaker Johnson said the hope is to get some of these measures adopted by June.
Regarding the enforcement of closing streets, the NYPD told CBS2 an official will testify at a city council hearing Friday. In the meantime, the agency referred us to the mayor's office for comment.
