BILL NUMBER: S7243
SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to extend a term estate and making certain other changes relating
to property known as Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds in the borough of Staten
Island, city of New York
 
PURPOSE:
Extends a term estate and makes certain other changes relating to prop-
erty known as Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds in the borough of Staten
Island, city of New York
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Describes the parties to the agreement and references the
agreement to be extended.
Section 2. Describes the properties in the agreement using survey data.
Sections 3 & 4. Describes the amendment to extend the term of the agree-
ment, allows the DEC Commissioner to waive provisions of the agreement,
and requires the Commissioner to approve the amended agreement.
Section 5. Provides that the bill take effect immediately.
Section 6. Requires UJA to prepare the amended agreement, deliver the
amended agreement to the Commissioner, and record the amended agreement
in accordance with law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill extends by 33 years a pre-existing agreement that permits
United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York,
Inc. ("UJA") to use state-owned land as a part of the Henry Kaufmann
Campgrounds ("HKC"). HKC hosts summer day camps for over 2,000 primarily
middle- and lower-income children, including children with disabilities
from Staten Island, Brooklyn, and lower Manhattan. The bill also allows
the DEC Commissioner to waive provisions of the agreement.
The day camps operated at HKC offer Jewish and non-Jewish children an
opportunity to spend time during the summer in beautiful natural
surroundings in the Staten Island Greenbelt while also learning team-
work, tolerance, and other important skills. They also provide an impor-
tant childcare resource for working parents. Most of the facilities at
HKC were built by UJA in the 195os and 196os. Extending the term of the
agreement will allow UJA to make significant capital improvements,
consistent with the state's conservation purposes and subject to
approval by DEC, which will improve safety and accessibility and will
bring the facilities up to modern camping standards to better serve
campers and their families.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S.6684- Referred to Cities1/A.7284- Referred to EnCon
2023: S.6684- Referred to Cities1/A.7284- Referred to EnCon
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.