Final Report of the 2019 New York City Charter Revision Commission August 2, 2019* *This report reflects non-substantive technical changes made subsequent to the Commission’s July 24, 2019 meeting in accordance with the resolution adopted at that meeting. It also includes a copy of that resolution, as Appendix F. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ..............................................................................................................................5 Background ..........................................................................................................................................6 Public Outreach and Public Participation ............................................................................................7 Commission Records........................................................................................................................... 10 The Commissioners .............................................................................................................................12 The Commission Staff .........................................................................................................................17 Discussion of Proposals ......................................................................................................................21 Ballot Question #1 – Elections .....................................................................................................22 Ranked Choice Voting for Primary and Special Elections ..............................................22 Background .........................................................................................................22 Proposed Amendment to the Charter .................................................................34 Timing of Special Elections ..............................................................................................41 Background ..........................................................................................................41 Proposed Amendment to the Charter .................................................................43 Timing of Redistricting ....................................................................................................44 Background .........................................................................................................44 Proposed Amendment to the Charter .................................................................46 Ballot Question # 2 – Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) .................................................47 Background .....................................................................................................................47 Proposed Amendment to the Charter – Structure of the CCRB ......................................50 Proposed Amendment to the Charter – Establishing Minimum Standards Related to the CCRB’s Budget .........................................................................................51 Proposed Amendment to the Charter – Deviation from Disciplinary Recommendations ...........................................................................................................53 Proposed Amendment to the Charter – False Material Statements in CCRB Matters ....54 Proposed Amendment to the Charter – Delegation of Subpoena Power .......................55 Ballot Question # 3 – Ethics and Governance .............................................................................57 Post-Employment Appearance Restrictions ....................................................................57 Background .........................................................................................................57 Proposed Amendment to the Charter .................................................................58 Conflicts of Interest Board ..............................................................................................58 Background .........................................................................................................58 Proposed Amendment to the Charter – COIB Structure .....................................60 Proposed Amendment to the Charter – Limiting Political Activity by Members of COIB ...........................................................................................60 M/WBE Citywide Director and Office ..............................................................................61 Background ..........................................................................................................61 Proposed Amendment to the Charter .................................................................62 Appointment of the Corporation Counsel .......................................................................63 3 Background .........................................................................................................63 Proposed Amendment to the Charter .................................................................65 Ballot Question #4 – City Budget .................................................................................................66 Rainy Day Fund ................................................................................................................66 Background .........................................................................................................66 Proposed Amendment to the Charter .................................................................68 Guaranteed Budget for the Public Advocate & Borough Presidents ..............................68 Background ........................................................................................................68 Proposed Amendment to the Charter .................................................................74 City Budget Process -- Revenue Estimate & Budget Modification Timing ......................75 Background .........................................................................................................75 Proposed Amendment to the Charter – Revenue Estimate .................................75 Proposed Amendment to the Charter – Budget Modification Timing ..................77 Ballot Question #5 – Land Use .....................................................................................................80 ULURP Pre-Certification Notice Period ...........................................................................80 Background .........................................................................................................80 Proposed Amendment to the Charter .................................................................82 Additional ULURP Review Time for Community Boards ....................................................83 Background .........................................................................................................83 Proposed Amendment to the Charter .................................................................84 Appendix A – Elections ......................................................................................................................85 Ballot Question ................................................................................................................86 Abstract ...........................................................................................................................86 Proposed Charter Amendment Text .................................................................................88 Appendix B – Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) ...................................................................108 Ballot Question ...............................................................................................................109 Abstract ..........................................................................................................................109 Proposed Charter Amendment Text .................................................................................111 Appendix C – Ethics and Governance ...............................................................................................118 Ballot Question ................................................................................................................119 Abstract ...........................................................................................................................119 Proposed Charter Amendment Text ................................................................................121 Appendix D – City Budget ...............................................................................................................132 Ballot Question ...............................................................................................................133 Abstract ..........................................................................................................................133 Proposed Charter Amendment Text ...............................................................................135 Appendix E – Land Use .....................................................................................................................144 Ballot Question............................................................................................................... 145 Abstract .........................................................................................................................145 Proposed Charter Amendment Text ...............................................................................146