The New York City Council approved reducing a series of fines that for years have been a “shot to the heart” for small businesses.
Bill 845, which was voted on Thursday by the House, codifies Mayor Eric Adams’ executive order, which reduces fines for small business ventures and provides opportunities for business owners to correct the faults, if it is the first time they are committed.
This legislation permanently reduces violations, within 20 sections of the New York City Administrative Coderanging from punishments for running an air conditioner while a door or window is opento allowing car wash companies to remedy record-keeping failures.
In general they change around 30 existing regulations.
The measure fundamentally benefits the small restaurant industry, which is still trying to recover from closures due to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19. Similarly, A respite is given to car washes and businesses in general.
“We have struggled to keep up with the abundance of rules and regulations we try to comply with. Sometimes even the best intentions can result in a fine. We are opening a less punitive path for companieswhich constitute the backbone of our city’s economy,” he reacted Sandra Jaquez, president of the New York State Latin Restaurant and Bar Association.
Correction Opportunity
The new municipal standard is valued by Andrew Rigie, CEO of the New York City Hospitality Alliancesuch as the beginning of a fairer regulatory environment and fewer financial penalties for small businesses.
“What is relevant is that they are currently focusing on education and correction opportunities, not in immediate and unappealable financial sanctions”, highlighted the union leader of bar and restaurant owners, perhaps one of the industries that most benefited from the new regulatory framework.
This draft was presented last year by Councilwoman Julie Menin, who considered that it would give small businesses the opportunity to “cure” the violation before receiving a fine.
“We are allowing solutions and eliminating burdens for small businesses. At the same time mitigating excessive fines and unjustified violations,” he said.
Trying to survive
Small merchants in New York City, as all balance sheets establish, were already experiencing certain difficulties before the pandemic. But the public health crisis, inflation, high electricity costs and changes in business models, due to the emergence of digital, they continue to give many “thrusts” that could be fatal. In this list of difficulties, there were also the fines issued by the City for breaking some regulation.
Already before the appearance of COVID-19, the 75% of family businesses such as beauty and nail salons, wineries, kiosks and restaurants They were trying to survive. Now, union leaders continue to insist that the road to recovery is still long.
In detail: What are the changes?
Las new reforms affect existing provisions at the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):
● Reduce the first violation for running an air conditioner while a door or window is open in any type of business.
● Allow car wash companies correct and remedy maintenance deficiencies of records for the first time.
● Reduce to one warning first violation for failure to post required signage which outlines bicycle safety procedures at the business site.
● Reduce to a warning, the first fine for not properly disposing of organic wasteby commercial establishments.
● Financial sanctions will no longer be imposed on restaurants for failing to post a required sign detailing how to help a choking person and DOHMH will instead be required to provide a sign free of charge.
2023-11-05 14:49:57
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