Section 247. Council preliminary budget hearings and recommendations

a.
  Not later than the twenty-fifth day of March, the council,  through  its
  committees,  shall  hold  hearings  on the program objectives and fiscal
  implications of the  preliminary  budget,  the    statements  of  budget
  priorities  of  the  community  boards  and    borough boards, the draft
  ten-year capital strategy and the report of the city planning commission
  on such  strategy,  the  borough  presidents  recommendations  submitted
  pursuant  to  section  two  hundred  forty-five  to the extent that such
  recommendations are available at the time of  these  hearings,  and  the
  status   of  capital  projects  and  expense  appropriations  previously
  authorized.   The public and representatives  of  community  boards  and
  borough  boards  may  attend and be heard in regard to all such matters.
  Representatives of  the  director  of  management  and  budget  and  the
  director  of  city  planning  may attend the hearings and ask questions.
  Officials of agencies, when requested by the committees of the  council,
  shall appear and be heard.
    b.    Findings  and recommendations of the council, or its committees,
  including recommendations for any changes in the unit  of  appropriation
  structure which the council deems appropriate, shall be submitted to the
  mayor  and  published not later than the twenty-fifth day of March.  The
  net effect of the changes recommended by the council in the  preliminary
  capital  budget  shall  not result in a capital budget which exceeds the
  maximum amount set forth in the preliminary certificate issued  pursuant
  to section two hundred thirty-five of this chapter.