Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management meeting
January 30, 2026, 1:00 PM
The Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management held hearings on two bills: Int 0018-2026, which would create a pilot program using power washing machines to clean commercial corridor sidewalks, and Int 0416-2026, which would pilot cleanliness and snow removal services for bus shelters, bike share docking stations, and other street furniture.
What was discussed
- Call to order The Sergeant-at-Arms conducted a sound check and opened the January 30, 2026 hearing of the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management.
- Chair Justin E. Sanchez opens the hearing on two DSNY cleanliness pilots Council Member Justin E. Sanchez, Chair of the Committee, welcomed members, the DSNY witnesses, and the public, framing the hearing around two pilot bills: Int 0018-2026 on power washing commercial-corridor sidewalks and Int 0416-2026 on cleanliness and snow removal at street furniture operated by
- Witnesses sworn in Committee Counsel Morganne Barrett administered the affirmation to the DSNY witnesses, Acting Commissioner Javier Lojan and Deputy Commissioner Joshua Goodman.
- DSNY Acting Commissioner Lojan testifies on the two pilot bills Acting Commissioner Javier Lojan of the Department of Sanitation, joined by Deputy Commissioner Joshua Goodman, delivered DSNY's opening testimony on Int 0018-2026 and Int 0416-2026, describing the agency as broadly supportive of measures that produce cleaner streets while flagging that details
- How would DSNY enforce cleanliness at concessionaire and franchisee street furniture? Chair Justin E. Sanchez pressed DSNY on enforcement of the concessionaires/franchisees pilot (Int 0416-2026); Acting Commissioner Lojan said DSNY currently has no enforcement authority over those areas—recourse sits with the sister agencies holding the agreements—and that DSNY's 232 field-supervisor
- Could the power washing pilot serve a busy corridor like Flushing that lacks space for a machine? Council Member Sandra Ung raised her congested Flushing commercial corridor and the lack of BID space to house a power washing machine; Acting Commissioner Lojan said DSNY envisions procuring a vendor for the pilot and wants to explore newer technologies rather than assume a single fixed machine.
- Which operators would the concessionaires bill cover, and would it strain DSNY's existing enforcement? Council Member Kayla Santosuosso asked about Citi Bike and which operators qualify under Int 0416-2026; Acting Commissioner Lojan said Citi Bike is not covered (it holds a DOT contract, not a concession/franchise) and that the bill would reach the coordinated street furniture franchisee JCDecaux—bus
- What are the safety, coordination, and timing considerations for the power washing pilot? Chair Justin E. Sanchez asked whether power washing could raise slip-and-fall risk, whether it would need DEP coordination, and whether DSNY could launch the pilot in 2026 before freezing temperatures return; Acting Commissioner Lojan said safety is always paramount for any new operation, that DSNY
- Closing thanks to DSNY and Sanitation workers Acting Commissioner Lojan closed by pledging to work with the Committee and to keep streets clean and clear of snow; Chair Justin E. Sanchez thanked him and DSNY's Sanitation workers for their response during the recent snowstorm before opening the hearing to public testimony.
Agenda
2 items
- Int 0018-2026 A Local Law in relation to a pilot program for power washing machines to clean sidewalk surfaces in commercial corridors Hearing Held by Committee
- Int 0416-2026 A Local Law in relation to a pilot program regarding cleanliness and snow and ice removal from bus shelters, bike share stations, and public communications structures Hearing Held by Committee