News release: “Mayor Bill de Blasio announced [August 10, 2015] a powerful new tool to increase government transparency with the launch of an expanded City Record Online (CROL). CROL is now a fully searchable database for all the notices contained in the City Record newspaper – including schedules for public hearings, land-sales and contract awards in accordance with Local Law 38 of 2014. Until now only a small subset of information was searchable online. Residents and small businesses can also sign up for email notifications and all the data will be available on the Open Data Portal, increasing New Yorkers access to important government information. The expanded database at nyc.gov/cityrecord will let New Yorkers search:

• Contract notices and awards for $1.2 billion of goods and services that are procured by the City each year.

• Schedules for 750+ Public Hearings and Meetings each year, covering neighborhood issues such as zoning changes, liquor licenses, and sidewalk café applications.

• Regulatory changes for 95 City Agencies, Boards and Commissions, including topics related to schools, land use, small businesses, and more.

• Hiring notices and other changes in City personnel.”