RUTH W.

MESSINGER
COUNCIL MEMBEFI, 4TH DISTRICT, MANHATTAN
CITY HALL
NEW YOA:K, N. Y. 10007
2, 2-566-071 9
OISTFllC:T OFFICE
4S6 A.MSTEROAM AVENUE
NEW YORK, N. Y. 10024
212-799-7400
THE COUNCIL
OF
THE CITY OF NEW YORK
MEMORANDUM
TO: PETER F. VALLONE, VICE CHAIR
FROM: RUTH W. MESSINGER, COUNCIL MEMBER
STANLEY MICHELS, COUNCIL MEMBER
RE: INTRO. # 914A
DATE: JANUARY 25, ,1989
COMf''ITTEl!S:
EDUCATION
TRANSPOFITATICN
GENER.At. \'/Et.FAFlr.
WOMEN

TF.ANSPOFITAT!ON FOR D1sr,e1..co
As you requested when we met we have carefully reviewed the June,
1988 Belgard memo which was never sent to us. Although it does raise
some questions about the Council's jurisdiction over the matter of
commercial rent arbitration, it was clearly available to and used by
Corporation Counsel when they prepared their original memo arguing
for our right to consider such legislation.
We believe all the issues the memo presents are responded to
1
in
the Zimroth submission and the subsequent testimony of both Zimroth
and Friedlander. We remain in agreement with Corporation Counsel on
these questions.
As we said when we met, corp Counsel has also indicated that the
changes we made to #914A, which are outlined in the enclosed memo,
substantially reduce their concerns about its ability to withst?nd a
constitutional challenge.
We are certain that by now you have carefully reviewed the bill
as we proposed to amend it and hopefully you have also been able to
speak with Jeff Friedlander .about it.
We would hope that your staff, in informal consultation with Corp
Counsel, could suggest any further changes in definition, scope or
criteria that might satisfy their or your concerns, and that you
would be able to outline to us in the next 45 days a piece of
legislation that does address the problem of escalating commercial
rents which you cited in your press release and that deals with its
chilling effect on our small business economy.
We would much pref er to have you make
we could then consider for introduction.
will have to consider how to move forward
the Council.
We look forward to hearing from you.
such a proposal to us which
If that does not happen we
some version of our bill in