Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.2342/S.6900, to create a property tax abatement for homeowners and a water and sewer charge abatement for not-for-profit entities that install a sewer line check valve.

Res. No. 473

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.2342/S.6900, to create a property tax abatement for homeowners and a water and sewer charge abatement for not-for-profit entities that install a sewer line check valve.

By Council Members Constantinides, Crowley, Gentile, Gibson, Mendez and Ulrich

Whereas, According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”), under heavy rain conditions where the flow in the sewer rises and meets or exceeds the sewer’s capacity, basement plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, and drains are vulnerable to sewer backups; and

Whereas, When the City’s sewers back up into residential homes it can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage; and

Whereas, The installation of a sewer line check valve could prevent sewer water back up; and

Whereas, When sewer water rises to the level of basement plumbing, the sewer line check valve closes and prevents entry of the sewer water through the plumbing into the home; and

Whereas, DEP encourages the use of these check valves to prevent sewage backup; and

Whereas, The New York State Assembly introduced legislation on January 14, 2013, specifically Assembly bill A.2342, and the New York State Senate introduced legislation on March 27, 2014, specifically Senate Bill S.6900, which would be called the “Sewage Flooding Prevention Act”; and

Whereas, The legislation would provide any homeowner who installs a sewer line check valve in his or her home with a property tax credit equal to half the value of purchasing and installing the check valve, up to two thousand dollars; and

Whereas, The legislation would provide any not-for-profit entity that owns a building or a dwelling and installs a sewer line check valve in that building or dwelling with an abatement of its water and sewer charges equal to half the value of purchasing and installing the check valve, up to two thousand dollars; and

Whereas, According to the State Legislature’s Memorandum in Support of A.2342 and S.6900, the sewer line check valve is an expensive device which makes it difficult or unattainable for many homeowners and not-for-profit entities to install; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.2342/S.6900, to create a property tax abatement for homeowners and a water and sewer charge abatement for not-for-profit entities that install a sewer line check valve.

RC 11-19-2014 4:07pm

LS 2867