There will likely be changes to city streets in the coming years with the passage of two bills by City Council on Thursday.

Councilmembers voted 47 to 0 on five bills in total, including the two traffic-related bills.


What You Need To Know

  • Councilmembers voted 47 to 0 on five bills in total, including the two traffic-related bills

  • A bill requiring the city to purchase and convert its vehicle fleet to zero emissions will impact the city’s 30,000 vehicles

  • The bills become law in 30 days unless the mayor vetoes them

One bill creates off-street parking for tractor trailers. Meanwhile the other bill requires the city to purchase and convert its vehicle fleet to zero emissions.

“This is a major milestone, putting our city fleet ahead of other fleets throughout the country, when it comes to converting to electric vehicles,” said Manhattan Councilman Keith Powers, bill sponsor.

This will impact the city’s municipal fleet of 30,000 vehicles with a goal of reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

“I always say New York City should be a leader when it comes to the environment, but we’re also market movers meaning what we and other cities do, will also help to move the entire market around electric vehicles, and help accelerate the process for this country to have the infrastructure and vehicles available to do this throughout the country,” Powers said.

The bill requires the city to purchase only zero emissions, light and medium-duty vehicles after 2025, the city fleet to have zero emissions heavy-duty vehicles after 2028 and for the city to ensure its entire fleet of municipal vehicles are converted to zero emissions vehicles by 2035.

The other bill which was sponsored by Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan will unclog city parking spaces.

The bill would require the city to offer off-street parking for tractor trailers and commercial trucks at three or more locations citywide by 2025.

Police said Queens in the area right outside JFK, Queens-Maspeth Avenue and Midtown Manhattan have the highest amount of illegal parking.

“This is really a win-win. It will get commercial trucks and tractor trailers off residential streets. It will also give truckers a place to park safely and legally, and we could generate some revenue for the city as well,” Brannan said.

Other bills passed on Thursday include: requirements that city employees provide identification when issuing violations, incarcerated New Yorkers who do not have a high school diploma get screened for dyslexia and certain EMS workers will get a one time waiver for the age requirement to apply for the FDNY.

The latter helps EMS workers who would have aged out of getting into the FDNY because of the pandemic.

The bills become law in 30 days unless the mayor vetoes them.

The council can override his veto with a two-thirds vote.