Albany Common Council Meeting, September 4, 2025: Legislation, Appointments, Housing Policy
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Albany Common Council Meeting: Legislation, Appointments, and Housing Policy Discussions
The Albany Common Council met on Thursday, September 4, 2025, in a caucus and work session followed by a regular meeting. The council addressed a range of items including appointments to city boards, introduction of ordinances, housing policy amendments, and a resolution to install a mural on the West Hill Community Center. Public comment included concerns about a proposed youth curfew, water fluoridation, and PEG access board processes. Key debates centered on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and the appointment process for the Community Police Review Board (CPRB).
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from August 4 and August 18, 2025, by voice vote.
- Passed a block of appointments to the Active Transportation Planning Commission (Benjamin Macrow, Edward Brennan, Alicia Bacon) and the Task Force on the Municipal Flag (James Sotile, Jennifer Richardson), each with 14 affirmative votes.
- Appointed OMani ka Akinyemi to the PEG Access Oversight Board (14 affirmative).
- Appointed commissioners of deeds by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Marlon Anderson (Albany resident): Opposed a proposed youth curfew, calling it a "police state mentality" and a "pipeline to prison." He argued that the city should instead examine the root causes of youth incidents, such as the July 4th flare gun incident, and focus on funding police patrols rather than creating "hubs" for youth. He pledged to lead opposition if the curfew moves forward.
- Rick North (Wellesley, MA, member of Safewater Albany): Urged the council not to fluoridate the water, citing studies showing minimal cavity reduction and risks of reduced IQ in children. He referenced a federal court ruling and noted that over 60 cities have ended fluoridation since the ruling. He expressed concern for low-income families who cannot afford to avoid fluoridated water.
- Keith Irish (9th Ward resident): Criticized the PEG Access Oversight Board's ad hoc committee meeting on August 19, 2025, alleging it lacked the required 10 working days' notice. He opposed the reappointment process, claiming the person appointed over him did not want to renew, and that no call for applications was issued. He also criticized the studio coordinator for not promoting Channel Albany at a community event. He urged the council to remove related items from the agenda and reschedule with proper notice.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 69-71-25R (Installation of Mural on West Hill Community Center): Sponsored by Councilmember Joyce Love, the resolution originally honored four individuals but was amended in committee to include five: Henry Johnson, Brother Youssef, Dr. Alice Green, Edwin O'Neill, and Sarah Curry Cobbs. Councilmember Love explained she requested adding Sarah Curry Cobbs to recognize her civil rights work. The resolution passed with 14 affirmative votes after being moved out of committee. Councilmember Love noted it does not preclude adding Nebraska Brace's name in the future.
- Ordinance 68-121-24 (Accessory Dwelling Units): Sponsored by Councilmember Anani, this legislation permits ADUs on single-family lots (max 800 sq ft, 30% of backyard, height not exceeding 24 ft or principal structure). Owner must occupy one unit. Proponents (Anani, Keegan, Johnson, Zamer) argued it expands housing supply, helps homeowners with income, and provides flexible housing options. Opponents (Howie, Clark): raised concerns about fire/police safety, parking, tax impacts on neighbors, and lack of community input. Howie proposed a pilot program, but it was not adopted. The ordinance passed 11-2 (with one present). Keegan noted single-family zoning historically excluded Black residents.
- Ordinance 238-124 (Permitting Single, Two, and Three-Unit Detached Dwellings in MUCI District): Passed with 13 affirmative votes after brief discussion.
- PEG Board Composition (Ordinance 241-25): Replaces St. Rose with University at Albany on the PEG Access Oversight Board. Passed unanimously (14-0).
- Youth Safety and Support Hours: Referenced as future legislation, with council members Robinson and Johnson describing it as a prevention-focused approach (safe spaces, mentors, outreach) rather than a traditional curfew. It remains in development with community input.
- CPRB Appointment (Resolution 102-91-25R): The appointment of Malik Dare to fill the remainder of Dr. V Harden's term (expiring October 26, 2027) was tabled after debate. Councilmembers Anani and Johnson opposed removing a dedicated board member; Councilmember Ballorin noted the request to replace a different member than the longest holdover. The vote to table passed 9-4-1. Councilmember Howie reported the mayor has not filled three of nine CPRB slots.
- Emergency Legal Services (Resolution 110-91-25R): Approves a limited-scope agreement with Michael L. Goldstein to represent the council in three active cases. Passed 13-0-1 (Keegan present). Councilmember Howie expressed concern about the process, noting the council had been aware for "two-plus months" and felt the CPRB was put in a poor position.
- SEQR Resolutions (108-91-25R and 109-91-25R): Declared the council lead agency and issued negative declarations for the ADU and MUCI ordinances. Both passed with some opposition. Councilmember Clark questioned whether the full environmental assessment form was completed and warned of potential legal challenges.
Key Outcomes
- Passed: Ordinance 68-121-24 (accessory dwelling units) with 11-2 vote.
- Passed: Ordinance 238-124 (permitting single, two, three-unit dwellings in MUCI) with 13-0.
- Passed: Ordinance 241-25 (PEG board composition change) with 14-0.
- Passed: Resolution 69-71-25R (West Hill mural) with 14-0.
- Passed: Resolution 110-91-25R (emergency legal services) with 13-0-1.
- Tabled: Resolution 102-91-25R (CPRB appointment of Malik Dare) by 9-4-1.
- Introduced: Ordinances renaming Columbus Day to Cabrini Day, amending sidewalk cafe rules, and repealing the policy document repository, referred to committees.
- Referred: Resolution to rename a portion of North Pearl Street after Maggie Massanelli Cahill to the General Services Committee.
- Upcoming: Finance committee schedule for budget season to be shared by September 8; Youth Safety and Support Hours legislation to be introduced after community feedback.
Meeting Transcript
Oh, so this is Joyce. Okay. Good evening. Welcome to the Common Council Meeting Parks and Recreation Family Service Meeting. Today, Thursday, September 4th, 5 30. Present as Councilmember Joyce Love, Councilmember Jack Flynn, Councilmember Richard Conte. And the topic of discussion is a resolution of the Common Council supporting the installation of a mural on the West Hill Community Center commemorating a significant community. The sponsor is Councilmember Joyce Love. And Councilmember Robertson. Whereas on the fourth, whereas it says as four individuals is five. One, two, three, four, five. That makes a difference. Okay, with that said, is there a motion to any comments, questions? Hold on, the five who are the five. It's uh Henry Johnson, Brother Youssef, Dr. Alice Green, Edwin O'Neill, and Sarah Curry Cobbs. Okay. So the current legislation had four people, and now we're doing it for five people. Right, right. So we just made amending it to put five individuals who threw out their dedication to an efforts on behalf of the community. City and the nation are richly deserving of commemoration of the West Hill Community Center mural. Yes. Can I just ask the sponsor how you just how you came up with the five? I mean, I'm not sure. What happened was they had four people. Um, and I requested Passara Curry Cobbs uh uh to be added on because a lot of people didn't know, don't know who she is. And I think it's a good thing that people know who she is. There's a street naming after her, but she was a council person, and she sat here in Kelly's seat. She also ran for president of the common council. Uh Conte, you must have been here during that time. Uh yeah, okay. Right. And she um sir was back in the civil rights movement, and she marched with uh Mompanut the King and and others, and I think that she's uh figure that should be uh awarded uh this mural. Um I don't have a problem with it, but it was four at first, and then I requested it. That's why we had this amendment, but we should make this five, so we can make it clear. And the other people we all know. I mean, I don't know if you ever met Sarah Curry Cobbs. No, but I heard a lot of great things. Most of you guys know who Brother Youssef, he did a lot with the youth. Um Alice Green just passed, Edward O'Neill was the first uh black uh principal in the Tri-City area. So these are people that I known all besides Henry Johnson all my all my life. So I just think it's a good thing that we're recognizing them. I and some of our history is being faded away, and we need not to let our history fade away. So I think it's a good thing that this mural is going up on the West Hill Community Center. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. I'm gonna like but what was Nebraska Brace part of that? Or that's why I asked that. And you're right, we should be part of it. I get it, I just yeah, you are I I know Councilmember down here.
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