<p>Funny.
Columbia in 2000 hosted the first rat summit ([Columbia</a> Hosts First Rat Summit; Experts Seek to Control Citys Rodent Population](<a href=“Columbia University in the City of New York”>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/vol26/vol26_iss9/2609_CU_Rat_Summit.html))
Apparently, not quite what you think - not a high-level rendezvous of top rats, but a gathering of experts to control the rodents. Notably, the Deputy Mayor at that time was referred to as a Rat Czar.
Anyway, it is not bad, trust me - it is not the biggest NY problem. Think of it as a feature :)…You can always bring a cat with you. Good luck!</p>