Skip to content

ASCE logoASCE Met Section HomeGo to ASCE National Website

Home arrow Legislative Committee arrow Update on the Proposed New York City Charter Amendment
Update on the Proposed New York City Charter Amendment Print E-mail
City Hall In April 2008, the New York City Council introduced an amendment to a long-standing requirement in the City Charter. The proposed legislation would eliminate the current requirement that the commissioner of the Department of Buildings (DOB) be a licensed professional engineer or a registered architect. On May 19, 2008, the Met Section sent a pdf letter to the New York City Council listing several points in opposition to that bill, which is designated as Intro. 775. In August 2008, an amended version of the draft bill was submitted to the City Council. The amended bill, Intro. 775A, requires that either the commissioner or the first deputy commissioner to be a licensed engineer or architect.

The Met Section also opposed the amended version of the bill, believing that it would likely result in the licensed professional holding only a deputy position and did not address the Section's concerns with the prior version:

  • The DOB Commissioner needs to be a qualified licensed professional with the proper education and experience to make critical decisions related to the safety of the built environment.
  • Without such a requirement, there is a risk that an unqualified individual, who is not bound by any standards of ethical or professional conduct, will be chosen for this important position because of their political contacts and not their professional experience.

The amended version of the bill was approved by the City Council on August 14, 2008 and signed into law by the Mayor on September 3, 2008.

 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]