City Council members are urging New York City to establish a long-term plan to upgrade what they say is aging infrastructure.  

In a joint public hearing last Tuesday, three City Council committees joined to address their concerns with the current infrastructure.  

“The reality is that Ida was a wake-up call,” said Rohit Aggarwala, the city's chief climate officer and commissioner for the city’s Department of Environmental Protection. “So now that is something that we are now 100% focused on.” 

Council Member Ari Kagan says he and his colleagues will continue to pressure city agencies to ensure the five boroughs are prepared for any future obstacles nature may throw at them.  

“Some of this stuff really doesn't require additional funding,” said Kagan. “But it requires better coordination between agencies. We know it's not a question of if, it's a question of when." 

The Committee on Resiliency and Waterfronts is holding a public hearing on Sept. 15 with the Parks Department to improve Coney Island Beach and its boardwalk.