City Council file advice, consent for November ballot

The battle between the two sides of City Hall over the confirmation of mayoral appointments doesn’t seem to be subsiding anytime soon. .

On Thursday, the City Council filed what’s known as its advice and consent ballot question with the Board of Elections.

“Now it’s up to New Yorkers to exercise their vote and decide its fate,” City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said.

The legislation would give the Council oversight over an additional 20 commissioner-level appointments for agencies like homeless services, parks, sanitation and small business.

The ballot question first passed as a bill back in June with a veto-proof majority in the Council.

Local lawmakers say the bill adds more transparency to the appointment process.

“It’s only right that the public [have] insight, transparency and protection for confirming the leaders of governmental agencies,” Speaker Adams said.

“The public has no idea who these commissioners are. They come into office, they leave office. People don’t know. And they’re really important,” Councilwoman Gale Brewer said.

But the ballot question could be blocked. The mayor called a Charter Revision Commission earlier this year and any ballot proposal they have would preempt the Council’s.

The City Council has called on the commission to delay any charter proposals and let the bill go to voters.

“Nothing and no one, including the mayor’s Charter Revision Commission, should stand in the way of New Yorkers and their democratic right,” Speaker Adams said.

“There should be nothing hostile about putting this ballot question out and for the public to decide,” Councilman Justin Brannan said.

“I hope this Charter Review Commission takes this seriously, [and that] the mayor hears us and gives New Yorkers the choice that they deserve and have the right to have,” Councilwoman Sandy Nurse said.

Mayor Adams has argued the legislation is a power grab. He reiterated his opposition to the bill in an interview with “Mornings on 1” Thursday.

“I believe that the appointment powers of my commissioner is something that I should have the authority to do so because that’s who the people of the city elected,” Mayor Adams said.

Local lawmakers say the mayor’s commission could wait until next year to put a question on the ballot. In June, the commission released an early look at their potential proposals. Advice and consent was not one of them but could make the final cut.

Adams didn’t say whether the commission has weighed waiting until 2025 to make proposals.

“I’m not going to tell them how to do their job. I’m going to encourage them to remain independent,” he said.

The commission is set to have its final public hearing on July 25.