COUNCIL MEMBER, 39TH DISTRICT DISTRICT OFFICE 456 5TH AVE, 3RD FLOOR BROOKLYN, NY 11215 (718) 499-1090

FAX: (718) 499-1997 CITY HALL OFFICE 250 BROADWAY, 17TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10007 (212) 788-6969 FAX: (212) 788-8967 lander@council.nyc.gov

BRAD LANDER

COMMITTEES
LANDMARKS, PUBLIC SITING & MARITIME USES, CHAIR

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GENERAL WELFARE LAND USE HOUSING & BUILDINGS WATERFRONTS

October 22, 2013 FOIL Officer: Cynthia Stallard NYC Department of Homeless Services 33 Beaver Street, 17th Floor New York, NY 10004 Re: Freedom of Information Law Request for Records

Dear FOIL Officer: Under the provisions of the New York Freedom of Information Law, Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, I hereby request a copy of public testimony offered at the Contract Public Hearing held on October 17, 2013 on the proposed contract between the Department of Homeless Services and Aguila, Inc. to operate a standalone transitional residence for homeless adults at 165 West 9th Street, Brooklyn NY 11231. I understand that the Contract Public Hearing was facilitated by of the Mayors Office of Contract Services but that each agency, including the Department of Homeless Services, conducted its own hearing for its contracts. For this reason, I am making this request of the Department of Homeless Services, the custodian of the hearing files. At the Contract Public Hearing on October 17, 2013, written testimony was offered in favor of the proposed contract by Alex Brussovansky, the Chief Operating Officer of Aguila, Inc. A representative from the Mayors Office of Contracts announced that the testimony was submitted for the public record; it was not read aloud. It has come to my attention that, after the Contract Public Hearing concluded, a member of the press requested to read Mr. Brussovanskys testimony. However, it was not made available to him. It would stand to reason that testimony offered at a Contract Public Hearing spoken or written is a matter of public record, so it should be made available to the public at a Contract Public Hearing. As you know, the Freedom of Information Law requires that an agency respond to a request within five business days of receipt of a request. If for any reason any portion of my request is denied, please inform me of the reasons for the denial in writing and provide the name and address of the person or body to whom an appeal should be directed.

I understand that fees may be imposed to produce paper copies of these records. I would like to request these records in electronic form, as practical. Should you have any questions, please contact Catherine Zinnel in my District Office at czinnel@council.nyc.gov or 718-499-1090. Sincerely,

Brad Lander