Lawmakers are outraged at Mayor Eric Adams’ new policy requiring elected officials, including city agencies and the NYPD, to fill out a two-page Google Form with 14 questions before meeting with them. They feel that the process shows mistrust and disdain towards them, similar to how the press is treated. The forms ask for information such as the purpose of the request, office address, and phone number. Some council members were not informed about the website until a week after its launch and find it unnecessary and burdensome.
There are concerns about the independence of the review process and who will be checking and approving the forms. Council member Gale Brewer expressed her frustration with the decision, saying she refused to fill out any forms. Another council member, Robert Holden, criticized the move as creating more bureaucracy when they are simply trying to get things done. Confusion has arisen over when the form should be used, leading to delays in requesting meetings or events with city agencies.
The city clarified that the form was intended for scheduling meetings and events, rather than addressing immediate issues. They emphasized the need for efficient processes to streamline services and maximize resources to better coordinate with the public. However, some council members feel that the requirement is unnecessary and only adds more red tape to an already complex system. An email obtained by THE CITY outlined the types of engagements that would require filling out the form, including meetings with commissioners, attending events, official correspondence, and discussing enforcement issues.
The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is responsible for processing all requests submitted through the form. Concerns have been raised about the potential delays in engaging with lawmakers and negotiating legislation due to the new requirement. Some believe that savvy commissioners may choose to ignore the forms to bypass the bureaucratic process. Overall, lawmakers find the new policy to be burdensome and unnecessary, complicating their ability to communicate with city agencies and officials efficiently. The implementation of the form has caused frustration and confusion among council members as they navigate the new process.
