Chapter 1b – UFA Political Action

General Overview

About this Chapter

New York City Council, New York State Assembly and Senate, United States Senators and Representatives, and N.Y.C. Community Boards are all part of the political system that govern and/or bring about meaningful change in the neighborhoods we protect and all of NYC. Laws that affect firefighters and the people we protect are also largely determined through working with persons elected and/or appointed to these offices. This Chapter will give you a brief overview of your Elected Officials & Community Leaders and how the system works. It will also provide you with all contact info you will need to reach each elected official and their office, which can be found either in the included supplement and/or in Guide booklets which are in the inside pocket of the UFA Delegate Manual Binder. See your Company Delegate, who can easily provide you with this info.

UFA Website Political Action Section

On the UFA Website UFA website Political Action Page (www.UFANYC.org) you can quickly write letters directly to all of your elected officials, including U.S. Congress, NYS Senate & Assembly, local Community Boards, the Governor and Mayor. It’s easy–just fill out the online form and hit send! You can also quickly see legislation that the UFA is pursuing and review updates. You can check your reps’ votes by e-mail weekly or send a note to a friend to let them know about this site or get an alert when your involvement can make a critical difference. You will also find the latest UFA political activities such as rallies, pickets, ad campaigns, PR, media, etc. Make sure you set the UFA site in your ‘Favorites’ so you can quickly visit with one click.

New York City Council

Finding Your Firehouse’s City Council Representative

To find the City Council Member(s) who is elected to represent the neighborhood your company is located in and/or responds to, refer to supplement #1 at the end of this chapter, which contains photocopies of the latest

‘Guide to City Council’ Booklet. If the UFA issues each Delegate a Guide booklet in any given year, then photocopies of the booklet may not be included in supplement #1. This Guide booklet is published a few months after election day annually. The UFA will usually supply each Company Delegate with one copy for insertion in the inside pocket of the UFA Delegate Manual Binder. This Guide lists all City Councilpersons, contact info, District numbers and neighborhood names they represent. It also has maps indicating the exact geographical borders of each City Council District.

The Function of City Council

The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It is comprised of 51 members from 51 distinct Council Districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council monitors the operation and performance of city agencies, makes land use decisions and has sole responsibility for approving the city’s budget. It also legislates on a wide range of other subjects. The Council is an equal partner with the Mayor in the governing of New York City.

Budget

The budget is the centerpiece of policy making in government. Through the budget, the Council establishes priorities, allocates resources and sets the policy agenda for the year. It is the single most important municipal document that affects the lives of New Yorkers. While the Mayor proposes the city’s spending priorities for the upcoming year, the Council has final budget approval powers. During the budget process, the Council may change budget priorities and add special “terms and conditions” requiring city agencies to report to the Council on how specific monies are being spent throughout the year.

Land Use

Under the 1989 Charter revision, the Council acquired the power to review land use issues and approve zoning changes, housing and urban renewal plans, community development plans and the disposition of city-owned property. This power gives the Council the most significant voice in the growth and development of our city.

Oversight

The Council holds regular oversight hearings on city agencies to determine how city programs are benefiting New Yorkers and whether budgeted funds are being spent properly.

Legislation

As the city’s legislative body, the Council passes laws governing areas ranging from public safety to health to education. Legislation pending in the Council is called an Introduction. When an Introduction is passed by the Council and signed by the Mayor it becomes a Local Law.

The Committee System

Most of the Council’s legislative work is done in committee. It is there that proposed legislation is initially debated and the members of other government branches and the public are given a chance to comment. Each Council Member serves on at least three standing committees, sub- and select committees. The standing committees meet at least once a month unless the Charter mandates otherwise. Committee assignments are made by the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Elections and voted on by the entire Council. Most Council hearings are held in the Council Chambers or the adjoining Committee Room in City Hall. Hearings are also held in the Hearing Rooms on the 14th and 16th Floors of 250 Broadway. Meetings of the entire Council, referred to as Stated Meetings, are held twice a month at City Hall. For more information, visit NYC Council Website. ‘Committees: What Each Committee Does’ later in this section for a committees list and what function each committee serves. To find who sits on each committee, refer to supplement #1 at the end of this chapter.

The Council Speaker

The Council Speaker is elected by the Council Members and is primarily responsible for driving the legislature’s policy agenda and working to form consensus among the membership.

How the Council Makes Laws

A bill (proposed legislation) is drafted and filed by a Council Member with the Council Speaker’s office.

  1. The bill is introduced during a Stated Meeting and referred to the appropriate committee.
  2. A committee hearing is held on the bill.
  3. If necessary, the bill is amended.
  4. The committee votes on the bill.
  5. If passed, the bill is sent to the full Council for debate and a final vote.
  6. If passed by the full Council, the bill is sent to the Mayor, who holds another hearing on the proposal.
  7. If the Mayor signs the bill, it becomes law.
  8. If the Mayor vetoes the bill, it comes back to the Council with the Mayor’s written objections. At that point, the Council can override the Mayor’s veto with a two-thirds vote.
  9. If the Mayor does not sign or veto the bill within 30 days after receiving it from the Council, it becomes law.

Note: All hearings held by the Council or the Mayor, as well as all Stated Council Meetings, are open to the public. For more information, visit the NYC Council website or watch NYCTV on channel 74.

Committees: Responsibility of Each Committee

To find who sits on each committee, refer to supplement #1 at the end of this chapter.

  • AGING: Department for the Aging and all federal, state and municipal programs serving to senior citizens.
  • CIVIL SERVICE AND LABOR: Municipal Officers and Employees, Office of Labor Relations, Office of Collective Bargaining, Equal Employment Practices Commission, Office of Labor Services, and Municipal Pension and Retirement Systems.
  • CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Department of Consumer Affairs, Business Integrity Commission
  • CONTRACTS: Procurement Policy Board, review of city procurement policies and procedures, oversight over government contracts, Mayor’s Office of Contracts, and collection agency contracts.
  • CULTURAL AFFAIRS, LIBRARIES AND INTERNATIONAL INTERGROUP RELATIONS: Department of Cultural Affairs, Libraries, Museums, Art Commission, New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and International Business, Mayor’s Office of Special Projects and Community Events, Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting.
  • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Economic Development Corporation, Department of Small Business Services.
  • EDUCATION: Department of Education, School Construction Authority
  • ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Department of Environmental Protection.
  • FINANCE: Executive Budget review and Budget modification, Banking Commission, Comptroller’s Office, Department of Design and Construction, Department of Finance, Independent Budget Office and fiscal policy and revenue from any source.
  • FIRE & CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES: Fire/EMS (non-health related issues), Legal, Aid, Department Probation, Correction.
  • GENERAL WELFARE: Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services, Administration for Children’s Services, Department of Homeless Services, Human Rights Commission, Department of Employment, and charitable institutions.
  • GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS: Municipal it governmental structure and organization, Department of Citywide Administrative Service, Community Board Tax Commission, Board of Standards and Appeals, Campaign Finance Board, Board of Elections. Voter Assistance commission, on Public Information and Communication, Department of Records and Information Service, Financial Information Services Agency, and Law Department.
  • HEALTH: Department of Health and mental Hygiene, Health and Hospitals Corporation and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, EMS (health related issues).
  • HIGHER EDUCATION: City University or New York.
  • HOUSING AND BUILDINGS: Department of Housing and Development, Department of Buildings, NYC Housing Authority, and rent regulation
  • IMMIGRATION: Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and other matters affecting immigration.
  • LAND USE: City Planning Commission Department of (In planning, Department of Information Technology Telecommunication, Landmarks Preservation Commission, land use and landmarks review.
  • OVERSIGHT & INVESTIGATIONS: To investigate any matters within the jurisdiction of the Council relating to property, affairs or government of New York City, and the Department of Investigation.
  • PARKS AND RECREATION: Department of Parks and Recreation.
  • PUBLIC SAFETY: Police Department, Courts, District Attorneys, Special Narcotic Prosecutor, Civilian Complaint Review Board, Department of Juvenile Justice, Criminal Justice Coordinator, and Emergency Management Department (OEM).
  • RULES, PRIVILEGES & ELECTIONS: Council structure and organization and appointments
  • SANITATION & SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: Department of Sanitation
  • SMALL BUSINESS: Matters relating to retail business and emerging industries.
  • STANDARDS & ETHICS: Conflicts of Interest Board and Council Ethics.
  • STATE & FEDERAL LEGISLATION: Federal legislation, State legislation and Home Rule requests.
  • TECHNOLOGY IN GOVERNMENT: Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (non land use related issues), and dissemination of public information though use of technology.
  • TRANSPORTATION: Mass Transportation Agencies and facilities, Department of Transportation, New York. City Transit Authority, Taxi and Limousine Commission.
  • MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL RETARDATION, ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ABUSE & DISABILITY SERVICES: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for issues of mental health, mental retardation and alcoholism services and Mayor’s Office for People with disabilities.
  • VETERANS: Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs and other veteran related issues.
  • WATERFRONTS: Matters relating to the waterfront.
  • WOMEN’S ISSUES: Issues relating to public policy concerns of women, domestic violence, Office to Combat Domestic Violence, and Agency for Child Development.
  • YOUTH SERVICES: Youth Board, Department of Youth and Community Development, Department of Employment as related to youth service programs, Interagency Coordinating Council and youth related programs.

New York State & U.S. Elected Officials

Finding Your Firehouse’s N.Y. State Representatives

To find the New York State Elected Official(s) who is elected to represent the neighborhood your company is located in and/or responds to, refer to supplement #1 at the end of this chapter, which may contain photocopies of the latest ‘NYS Legislative Reference Guide’ Booklet, or visit the UFA website at www.UFANYC.org (Political Action section). If the UFA issues each Delegate a Guide booklet for any given year, then photocopies of the booklet may not be included in supplement #1. This Guide booklet is published a few months after election day annually. The UFA will usually supply each Company Delegate with one copy for insertion in the inside pocket of the UFA Delegate Manual Binder. This Guide lists all NYS Elected Officials, contact info, District numbers and neighborhood names they represent. All the following info can be found in the NYS Legislative Guide:

District Numbers Listing

See Subsection #1 above.

Albany Offices & District Offices

See Subsection #1 above.

Listing by Borough, County, City

See Subsection #1 above.

Leadership & Committee Chairs

See Subsection #1 above.

Members of the State Senate

See Subsection #1 above.

Members of the State Assembly

See Subsection #1 above.

Committees: Senate & Assembly

See Subsection #1 above.

U.S. Senate

See Subsection #1 above.

U.S. House of Representatives

See Subsection #1 above.

Community Boards

Overview: Community Board Responsibilities

Although they vary in size and staffing, each Community Board District has an office. Any problem which affects part or all of the community, from a traffic problem to deteriorating housing, is a proper concern of a Community Board. Boards have an important advisory role in dealing with land use and zoning matters, the City budget, municipal service delivery and many other matters relating to their communities’ welfare. The Community Board, its District Manager, and its office staff serve as advocates and service coordinators for the community and its residents. They cannot order any city agency or official to perform any task, but Boards are usually successful in resolving the problems they address. Community Boards play an important role in improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers, but many people don’t know about them. We urge you to learn how your Community Board can help your firehouse better protect and serve the public, and how you may be able to help your firehouse’s Community Board.

Find Your Firehouse’s Community Board Info

To find the Community Board representing the neighborhood(s) your company is located in and/or responds to, refer to supplement #1 at the end of this chapter, or visit the UFA website at www.UFANYC.org (Political Action section > Community Boards). You will find all City Community Boards, locations, Managers’ names, meeting dates, all contact info, website addresses, Board numbers and neighborhood names they represent.

Membership

Community Boards are local representative bodies. There are 59 throughout the city. Each Board consists of up to 50 unsalaried members appointed by the Borough President, with half nominated by the City Council Members who represent the community district. Board members are selected by the Borough Presidents from among active, involved people of each community, with an effort made to assure that every neighborhood is represented. Board members must reside, work or have some other significant interest in the community..

Meetings

Boards meet once each month. At these meetings, members address items of concern to the community. Board meetings are open to the public, and a portion of each meeting is reserved for the Board to hear from members of the public. In addition, Boards regularly conduct public hearings-on the City’s budget, on land use matters, and other major issues, including fire and public safety, to give the people of the community the opportunity to express their opinions.

Committees

Board committees do most of the planning and work on the issues that are acted on at Board meetings. Each Board establishes the committee structure and procedures it feels will best meet the needs of its district. Non-Board members may apply to join or work on Board committees. The most important Committee for Firefighters to be aware of and contact is the Public Safety Committee. Every Community Board has one which usually meets once per month. The Chairperson of this committee will usually be a good person to initially contact and develop a positive working relationship with.

Land Use and Zoning

Community Boards must be consulted on placement of most municipal facilities in the community and on other land use issues. They may also initiate their own plans for the growth and well being of their communities. Also, any application for a change in or variance from the zoning resolution must come before the Board for review, and the Board’s position is considered in the final determination of these applications. This also includes any plans for opening a new Fire or EMS Facility (or joint facility). It is extremely important to have a positive working relationship with your firehouse’s Community Board when it comes to this issue. The more info they have about problems related to joint FD-EMS facilities, the better prepared they will be to vote it down.

City Budget

Community Boards assess the needs of their own neighborhoods, meet with city agencies and make recommendations in the City’s budget process to address them. This also includes budget money to correct your firehouse, apparatus and equipment problems or to make warranted improvements.

The District Manager

Each Community Board has its own office, District Manager and staff. The District Manager and the Board staff are hired by a Community Board and serve at the Board’s pleasure. The District Manager establishes an office, hires staff, and implements procedures to improve the delivery of City services to the district. District Managers play many different roles. They are complaint takers, municipal mangers, information sources, community organizers, mediators, advocates and much more. The main responsibility of the District office is to receive and resolve complaints from community residents. Many Board offices have assumed the responsibility of providing additional services. These might include assisting with Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Forms, Housing Assistance Applications, Half-Fare applications, etc. They also process permits for block parties, street fairs, etc. In addition, some offices may handle special projects, including organizing tenants and merchants associations, coordinating neighborhood cleanup programs, publicizing special events, and more, depending on community needs.

  1. Supplement #1(multiple page insert)
N.Y. City Council List

List is in this section and/or a comprehensive booklet is in the Delegate Manual binder cover pocket.

N.Y. State & U.S. Elected Officials List

List is in this section and/or a comprehensive booklet is in the Delegate Manual binder cover pocket.

Community Boards

List is in this section and/or a comprehensive booklet is in the Delegate Manual binder cover pocket.

Contacts

New York City Community Boards

Find info about CBs: http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/cb_main.shtml Find Your CB: http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/cb_find.shtml

New York City Council

250 Broadway, New York, NY 10007, www.council.nyc.ny.us

A comprehensive contact list may be found in supplement #1 of this chapter and/or a comprehensive contact info booklet may be found in the Delegate Manual binder cover pocket.

City Council Hearing Locations: Most Council hearings are held in the Council Chambers or the adjoining Committee Room in City Hall. Hearings are also held in the Hearing Rooms on the 14th and 16th Floors of 250 Broadway. Meetings of the entire Council, referred to as Stated Meetings, are held twice a month at City Hall. For more information, visit www.council.nyc.ny.us.

City Council Hearing Info: All hearings held by the Council or the Mayor, as well as all Stated Council Meetings, are open to the public. For more info visit www.council.nyc.ny.us or watch NYCTV on channel 74.

New York State Elected officials

A comprehensive contact list may be found in supplement #1 of this chapter and/or a comprehensive contact info booklet may be found in the Delegate Manual binder cover pocket.

NYS Senate:
Address: Albany, NY 12247 Tel: 518-455-2800 (General) Tel: 518-455-3216 (Public Information)
Bill Status Hotline: 518-455-7545 or 800-342-9860

NYS Assembly:
Address: Albany, NY 12248 Tel: 518-455-4100 (General) Tel: 518-455-4218 (Public Information)
Bill Status Hotline: 518-455-4218 or 800-342-9860

U.S. Congress

A comprehensive contact list may be found in supplement #1 of this chapter and/or a comprehensive contact info booklet may be found in the Delegate Manual binder cover pocket.

U.S. Senate:
Address: United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510

U.S. House of Representatives:
Address: United States House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 Tel. Main Switchboard: 202-224-3121

UFA – Uniformed Firefighters Association

204 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010

UFA Website: www.UFANYC.org
UFA General Number & Emergencies: 212-683-4832 (212-683-4UFA) General Fax: 212-683-0710

UFA Legislative Chairman/Vice President:
Tel: 212-683-4832
Fax: 212-683-0710

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