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.

I don't know.

I don't know if I don't know if we had a number.

Uh uh with uh right now.

Y'all I I know Nebraska I know I knew Nebraska very well as well.

I mean, going back even before I came on the council.

Um so does this then uh go through like the new commission?

Do they how did what's the next step after this is passed?

I got uh uh email from Henry is one I couldn't open it up, right?

But it said that uh responded to them, but I couldn't open it up.

And it has something to do with your and stuff about uh yeah, well, because it's it has to be done.

I I don't know well, I hope the mayor is a you know, she's already away the name of the organization.

I don't know if you're gonna be able to do that.

No, probably probably not because the the community centers are already under construction, so I'm not sure, but um, you can I mean you can either uh amend this or I don't know if this is exclusion would preclude his being included anyway.

So I don't know.

I mean, but I I if you I don't know how in terms of names came up from the community.

I you know, I don't want to so the question is how do we amend this so we can get it passed through.

Do this have to go back through the mayor.

Do it have to go back to Harry.

I'm not sure.

So I'm just if we're gonna add Nebraska's name.

I'm not sure how we we do this.

Um just for me, I see that um, you know, the necessity of this legislation to get passed, and uh the mirror has already been budgeted for the cost of construction for the community center.

Um again, this is a resolution as a brief and level document, so if we need to amend as we move forward, um I'm okay with it, but um I believe that there's a mess of necessity to get this out of committee and to get it voted on today to get this done.

I think that I think you're right.

Yeah, so it doesn't preclude further recommendation if you want to move it forward.

Correct.

Correct.

Thank you.

Thank you, uh Jack.

So I'd like to make a motion uh for a positive recommendation uh for resolution sixty-nine seventy-one twenty-five R to go to common council for a vote.

As amended, yeah.

As amended.

And I'll second second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Abstentions.

Nays Motion passes.

Um Resolution sixty seven seventy one twenty-five R as amended will move out of committee with a positive recommendation.

They ays have it.

Um is there any further business?

I make a motion to adjourn.

Is there a second?

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Abstentions?

Nays?

All right.

Motion uh mean adjourned.

How are you doing?

So you really want to play tonight.

But you know, look okay.

I don't know why you would even do that to yourself.

You just hurt yourself.

There's a video I saw the other day.

That's messed up, man.

Someday I'll have a tired why you do yourself like that with me, huh?

You were in good stand or let's have a treat you across the street.

Listen, uh I'm happy to uh you found what you wanted.

I do miss uh that's the stuff you don't miss it.

Just to miss it.

But good to see you don't run.

We're gonna win tonight.

Hopefully we're gonna try to get on the right.

Yeah, I have to look at problems.

We are live.

So are we good?

Are we good?

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

Welcome everyone to the Thursday, September 4th caucus and work session of the Albany Common Council So Work Session prior to our regular meeting.

Ballorin?

Clark?

Here.

Conte?

Here.

Farrell is absent.

Flynn.

Here.

Frederick.

Are we?

Pierre.

Johnson.

Present.

Keegan.

Here.

Kimbrough.

Here.

Love?

Here.

Robinson.

And Zamer.

Here.

Cleven present.

We're also joined by City Clerk Shinequel Jackson, Corporation Council Robert McGee, uh, research counsel Robert Wenner, research counsel Jake Island, legislative director Brian Amenaz, and junior legislative aide, Carly Johnson.

Okay.

So we got a few things to get through here before I jump into the agenda.

Uh we got a c a couple of uh caucus attendees for appointments.

Um we just uh we try to speak to um uh the folks for appointment prior to to appointing them.

So we will start with Mr.

Dare who's on Zoom.

How are you doing, Mr.

Garrett?

Can you hear me?

I'm doing well, I can hear you.

Yes.

So uh basically we're um we're we're looking to point you to our community peace review board and uh just try to have folks meet the members before for the appointment.

So just a brief introduction and why you're interested.

Um joining the board and and we'll go from there.

Okay.

Well, good evening, and sorry that I couldn't join you all in person.

I'm Malik Dare.

I'm currently director at the New York State Senate and the Senate Finance Committee.

I view the CPRB as a way of serving and giving back to my community.

Residents of the city deserve the right to have a robust rapport with the Albany Police Department.

The Albany Police Department deserves to serve a city that respects and appreciates them.

That's why I believe the CPRB is imperative.

This board provides an opportunity to mend and change the narrative between the police and the community.

The city needs a strong police department with strong relationships and ties in the community in order for Albany to be the city that we know it can and should be.

It's an honor to be considered for this position, and thank you for taking time to meet with me tonight.

I'm happy to answer any questions.

So moving right along.

So for the task force on the municipal flag.

Did I pronounce your name correctly?

Wouldn't be the first time.

It's James Sotile.

I live on 47 Tular Street in Albany.

Would do you want me to give an introduction?

Yeah, just basic introduction, why you're interested in the Yeah.

So I have a uh bachelor's degree in production and media communications, uh minor degree uh in art, and I'm also an attorney.

And so I think that I would be uh well suited for the flag commission and um look forward to making the flag a more diverse and uh symbol to represent Albany.

Okay, thank you.

Uh any questions for Mr.

Sotal?

No?

Okay, seeing none, thank you.

Looking forward to working with you, sir.

Okay, next we we have on our list we have uh uh Jennifer Richardson, but she's unable to be with us, correct?

She's not okay, do a uh family merge.

So uh we will hear from her at our next meeting.

So we'll introduce the the resolution and then uh hold it until next meeting when we can hear from her.

So moving on.

Uh next person, uh Alicia Bacon for the Active Transportation Planning Commission.

Thank you.

Just a brief introduction, let us know why you're interested in the uh my name is Lycia Bacon and I'm a longtime resident of Albany.

I have a master's in Africana Studies.

I work in philanthropy, um, and I'm a freelance writer, and I was interested in the committee as a former pedestrian, as a driver in making a difference and improving um the visibility of our pedestrians and our driving experience for people who drive.

Okay.

See you none.

No questions.

Thank you.

Looking forward to working with you.

Uh next we have Benjamin Macrow for the Active Transportation Planning Commission.

Good evening.

Uh Benjamin McCrell.

I live in 109 Manning Boulevard.

Um I am uh a passionate person about active transportation, whether that's uh accessibility through walking, biking, uh moving uh throughout the city by public transit, or um even in fact driving, as uh the press person said.

I'm uh proud parent of an Albany City School uh first grader, first day today, very exciting.

And uh I'm also a board member with Capitol Streets, where uh nonprofit, a um nonprofit group that's focused on exactly those types of active transportation issues, and therefore uh trying to create a more active streetscape throughout the Albany, Troy, and Capitol region to uh benefit not just the folks who live and walk there, but everybody in the whole community.

Okay, thank you for that introduction.

Uh no questions.

Thank you.

Mr.

Ballorin.

Uh thank you.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I just wanted to just let all the members know that all of these individuals uh went for the planning department uh to be uh selected for this commission, uh and they all passed with unanimous consent.

So thank you all for being here again uh to meet with the full council.

Uh and it's a good thing that there's no questions.

That just means we're all uh happy to have you.

Okay, thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Looking forward to working with you.

You as well.

Okay, uh Mr.

Edward Brennan for the Active Transportation Planning Commission.

Good evening, thank you.

My name's uh Brennan of 389 McCormick Road in Albany.

Um long time Albany resident.

Um I drive, ride bicycle, um, walk and use the tra the city buses here or the CDTA buses here.

Um I'm also a president of the Albany Bicycle Coalition.

Um I am assistant director uh for bicycle safety for the New York bicycling coalition.

Uh been a member of the Safe Street Statewide Safe Streets Coalition as a representative of the Albany Bicycle Coalition for a number of years.

We worked for the state passage of the 25 mile an hour law, which which I'm we're so happy that Albany has here.

And um, you know, and still uh active.

I'm retired from my regular job and looking looking to see what we could do here to make the city safer for uh everybody who has to get around, no matter how they get around in in Albany.

Okay.

Anyone have any questions for Mr.

Brennan?

No.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Look forward to can to continuing to work with you.

All right.

Uh next uh we have uh Celeste Roller Harp for the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Hello.

Hi.

So oh basically just introduce yourself and just uh let us know why you want to be uh on the board and members may or may not ask you questions.

Sure.

So my name is Lest Reller Harp.

I'm a trained land use planner, having my master's in urban regional planning from SUNY Albany.

Um I come from a very long line of family members who have volunteered for 30 to 40 to 50 years in my village's um zoning board of appeals and also their planning boards, both my father and both of my grandfathers.

So I'm like third generation just volunteer for planning and zoning.

It's kind of steeped in my blood, I guess.

Happy to volunteer.

I live on 48 South Main Avenue, love Pine Hills, love the city of Albany.

I'm happy to be a resident here and um, you know, frequent user of of our mass transit system, walk our streets every day, many times a day, and um yeah, just looking forward to being a part of the BZA.

Yes, thank you for being willing to be a part of the VZA.

Uh Mr.

Anani.

Yeah, no questions, but I just want to say that I looked over a resume, impressive resume.

I just want to say thank you for everything that you do FAS City and your willingness to serve.

Thank you, so I appreciate that.

Okay.

Thank you.

Looking forward to working with you.

Okay.

Uh we're looking for Paige Barnum for the planning board.

Good evening.

I'm Paige Barnum.

Um a little bit about my backgrounds.

I uh like Celeste, have my uh graduate degree in city planning, city and regional planning from Cornell University.

I've been a practicing uh planner for about a decade now.

I started my planning career in a small town in Mississippi.

Uh however, it was the one of the fastest growing micropolitans in the South, so at more than doubled in size in 10 years.

Um but I think what um part of the reason I'm you know interested in serving is not only do I have experience in rural Mississippi, I also have experience with the city of Los Angeles.

And I'm a native of the Midwest, Wichita, Kansas.

I lived in Chicago, and but Albany is now my home for um going on seven years this week, actually.

So um part of my interest in service is um bringing that professional planning perspective to the board and a variety of experiences and perspectives that I think are good for you know generating debate and thoughtful conversation about land use issues because obviously our built environment affects how we you know live, work, and play in our quality of life.

So thank you for for your interest.

Any questions, comments?

Mr.

Balloran?

Just a quick comment again.

Uh both uh Celeste and Paige did go to the planning committee uh and we'll vote out with possible recommendation.

Uh we actually already voted on both these candidates uh last week, but we do appreciate you taking the time to come and mute with the council and answer any questions that uh council may have uh on your nomination.

So thank you.

Thanks.

Okay, with that, thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, and last but not least, I'm sure I'm gonna butcher this name.

Uh I'm a Nikki Akinemi.

Peg Access.

Yes, almost cool.

Hello.

Hi.

So just a brief introduction, let us know why you're interested in the yes.

My name is Omanika Akinyemi.

I'm interested in serving on the PEG board because I am a filmmaker, dancer, and choreographer.

I've lived in Albany since 2005, and I have an interest in making sure that the public access television station is one that people of Albany can really benefit from, that it's a place where they can also get some training on how to make videos and improve their skills.

I think with public access television, everyone should have an opportunity to be on TV and feel that they are heard to tell stories that happen within our region in their own voice.

And I'm really excited about seeing that happen.

Thank you.

So any uh discussion?

Mr.

Ballorin.

Okay.

I'll be brief again.

Again, she passed our Peg Committee interview with unanimous consent.

Um at that same meeting.

We also voted for us to switch you, Albany from St.

Rose as a community partner for our PEG board.

Um that is on the agenda for today.

You albany is here with the representative representative that they would be selecting to be on the board if uh the body wants to hear from them.

But thank you again for being here and uh take a time to meet with us.

You're welcome.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

It's is that something you want to do?

You want to bring the people want to, yeah.

Who are we talking about?

You are okay.

So is it Mr.

Rumsey or who is uh huh?

Sorry.

Just if if people wanted to meet who you albany is looking to appoint as Dow representative.

Um they're here, so I appreciate the fact this is not something we normally do.

Normally we uh we allow our different community partners to select, and we don't actually even get to meet them.

So the fact that they were here want at least to give them the opportunity to speak with us.

Thank you all.

My name is Mary Hunt.

I'm the director of public engagement for the University at Albany, and that's part of the Office of Government Community Relations.

I'm a U Albany alum with my master's in communications.

I have been Rockefeller College's director of communications for many years, and I'm also a former uh television professional.

I worked at WMHT member supported public TV and radio for over 20 years when it was in Rotterdam and now it's in Troy.

As a producer, a writer, I was their voice talent for many years.

Um, lots of roles.

When you work in public TV, and I'm sure in public access, you you learn lots of different trades.

So I'm delighted to represent you, Albany, if you'll have us.

We're delighted to take this opportunity to help to further the mission and the goals of um Peg.

Thank you.

Any questions?

Okay, seeing none, thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, that rounds out the folks uh that were attending that uh slated for appointment.

And moving right along.

I will jump uh into the agenda.

So uh under approval minutes for previous meeting, um, be offering the August 4th of 2025 meeting minutes as well as the August 18th.

Meaning minutes for approval.

All right.

Uh no local laws.

Uh under onto uh ordinances introduced uh by Mr.

Conte's ordinance 1991 25, ordinance amending chapter 375, USDL of the code in relation to sidewalk and outdoor cafes.

There'll be a referral to the planning committee.

Uh the next also uh by Mr.

Conte's ordinance 2091 25.

Uh it's an ordinance amending um the only parking meeters, chapter 359 uh code uh and uh relation to remain in Columbus Day to Francis Xavier Xavier Cabrini Day.

That will go to law.

The next also by Mr.

Conte's uh ordinance 219125's ordinance to repeal chapter 37, excuse me, chapter 75 policy documents repository of the code of the city of Albany.

There will be a referral to the council operations committee that has to do with uh city court's office.

Um that's it for ordinances introduced.

The next into ordinances held by Mr.

Anani, we'll be dealing with ordinance 238124.

In relation to adding two, three and two unit detached buildings as permitted in the MUCI districts that passed the planning and we're moving forward with it.

That's 238124.

The next ordinance also by Mr.

Anani's uh Kelly.

Um the seeker resolutions.

First, we do five on the first before.

Yeah, we talked about we talked about that.

I'm a little slow on the uptick today.

So uh yeah, on to the next uh ordinance is 6812124 uh ordinance uh amending the USDO in relation to uh permitting uh accessory dwelling units, and again, thanks to Mr.

Conti.

We'll be doing those resolutions for the seeker prior to these.

Uh so we'll be we'll have to take those out of order.

Um the next uh ordinance by Mr.

Ballarance is 24125.

It's ordinance.

Uh it's in relation to Peg access oversight um and changing the composition of the board, and it was adding uh the University at Albany in place of St.

Rose, which we just discussed.

So that was 241 25.

Okay, then next on to resolutions introduced.

Um resolution by Mr.

Ball Rand, 9891 25R, and these resolutions have to do with the the appointments uh 98 9125R.

That was uh Mr.

Macro to the act of transportation.

Uh the next also by Mr.

Balloran 999125R.

It's uh Mr.

Brennan to active transportation uh next um by Mr.

Balloran resolution 1912 R resolution appointing Elisha Bacon uh as member of active transportation.

Um next uh is Mr.

Anani's resolution 1019125R resolution of council appointing Jennifer Richardson as a member of the task force on the municipal flag.

We'll just be introducing that and I guess we're gonna wait until she can attend before we move ahead with passing that.

Um the next uh by Mr.

Howie's resolution 102 9125R.

It's uh resolution of council appointing Malik Dare as a member of the community police review board.

Uh then uh moving on, Mr.

Ballarange resolution 1039125 or resolution uh the council appointing I'm an I'm an Iki Ak and Yemi uh as a member of public uh the peg access oversight board uh the next uh Mr.

Anani's resolution 1049125R uh resolution of the council appointing Ms.

So T Mr.

James Sotal to the task force on the municipal flag and next uh following that uh we will have Mr.

Adams Resolution 1059125R resolution the council celebrating September 1st as uh labor day.

Um we're typically all co-sponsors on that um the next uh resolution is by me uh resolution 106 9125Rs resolution of the council recognizing September a suicide awareness month in the city of Albany then uh next by Miss Frederick's resolution 1079125R is resolution of the council recognizing August 31st, 2025 is international overdose awareness day and support New York State's recognition of overdose awareness day.

Uh resolution one hundred seven ninety-one twenty-five R is resolution of the council recognizing August 31st, 2025 is International Overdose Awareness Day and support New York State's recognition of overdose awareness day.

Uh the next uh we have Mr.

Johnson's um resolution ninety-six ninety-one twenty-five R.

That's the the um the pilot.

Um Mr.

Brennan.

You want to just gonna come up that have to anyone for starters have questions on the pilot um for uh the Steamboat pilot.

There's a uh memo in the packet, it's like a brief that explains what it is.

Anyone no?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Steamboat two.

It should have been highlighted.

It's resolution 9691 25R by Mr.

Johnson.

Anyone Bueller?

No.

Okay, all right.

The memo did the trick.

All right.

Sounds good.

Okay.

Okay.

Uh next on to resolution uh 97, 9125R.

Uh my resolution.

Um excuse me, honoring the contributions of Maggie uh Massanelli Cahill to the city of Albany and renaming the portion of North Pearl Street in her honor.

That's down in front of Cap Capitol Ret.

She's a huge supporter and advocate for CapREP.

And so uh that'll be a referral to the General Services Committee for further discussion.

That's resolution 97 91 25R.

The next uh in resolutions um which we're gonna take out of order is resolution one hundred eight ninety-one um 25R by Mr.

Anani is the resolution uh for the seeker review of ordinance twenty-three.

So what I'll do is I'll do these prior to uh getting into the ordinances.

I'll just front load it, do the two, and then we can we can go through that.

So that's resolution one hundred eight ninety-one twenty-five R and one oh nine ninety-one twenty-five R.

Resolution uh for the seeker for um ordinance sixty-eight one twenty-one twenty-four.

Okay, then uh we have uh an item to add by majority consent by Mr.

Anani.

It's resolution one ten one twenty-five R.

It's a resolution of the council approving an emergency limited scope agreement between Michael L.

Goldstein and the City of Albany Common Council.

That's the uh Mr.

Anani's will add that and then uh move forward with that.

Did I leave anything off?

Mr.

Jimenez or Madam Clerk.

I did there was a new commissioner of deeds.

Oh yes, yes.

I have the uh uh the updated list with maybe about ten names on it.

Oh, you know what?

Yeah, hold on.

Uh let's see.

Resolution.

The number what number was that?

It's uh I don't see it on one second.

I know it's supposed to be on here.

That was resolution sixty-nine seventy-one.

Yeah, it just passed out of committee today.

That it's why it wasn't on the agenda.

I don't recall that we've had a committee meeting on that one just yet.

So want to add to uh under resolutions, well, in resolutions held uh past uh the parks committee tonight uh resolution sixty-nine seventy-one twenty-five R came out with a positive recommendation.

It's the installation of the mural on the West Hill Community Center.

Uh so we'll we'll be moving forward with voting on sixty-nine.

Just to clarify, it does seem like we will be having a general services meeting on the eighth to take care of three honorary street namings, of which Madeir will be included.

What one more time?

There will be a general services meeting on the eighth, where that resolution uh ninety-three eighty-one twenty-five R is going to be discussed.

Okay.

Yeah.

I I have some questions about um one ten ninety-one twenty-five R, the emerging emergency limited scope agreement for um Michael Goldstein.

Yep.

Can we confirm that that's specific to carrying on his ability to represent them in litigation?

And that we aren't going to be seeing bills for other types of legal services as a result of continuing the resolution.

Yeah, I mean, um, I worked with um Mr.

Wenner in drafting this, but it but it was explicitly limited to the litigation that there's act that they have active currently.

There's three cases.

Um and those are referenced in the in the agreement, and then there is a statement to the effect of you know, confirming that this retainer is is just for those cases and nothing else.

Okay, thank you.

Okay.

Sure.

Can we just get an overall update on that?

Because I think we've put the CPR being a poor position here, and it's even to do this resolution now when this litigation has been ongoing for two plus months, and I'm still unsure as to why uh attorney Goldstein is even in this position when uh the contract was signed.

So I I mean I I still feel a little bit in the dark on all of this and uh would like more information.

Yes, and there was uh um we planned an executive session, but uh it's at the end.

Um so I guess if members had issue, I mean we could the idea was to try to get them in you know get them going as as as soon as we could.

I mean, did you have a chance to look at it or no?

You probably just got it.

No, I'm saying that I support the resolution.

I think it's two months too late.

Um I don't have a problem with the resolution, I just have a problem with the overall process.

We've had the CPRB contact us multiple times that they wanted to continue working with this attorney.

Um I we can talk about an executive session, but I still think there's points that should be talked in public comment as well.

Okay, that's fine.

And and he just so for the record, he has been still working for him.

He he's been yeah, he's working for him.

He hasn't left the case, no.

Is there you need any other and again, Mr.

Winter probably would be most helpful because he's been I I just have a follow-up question on that too.

Sure.

Um because when we discussed an executive session, we talked about the the issues surrounding the continuation of the contract and the notification, all of those things.

Um but part of that discussion included having to actually go through a formal RFP process because the contract is had expired.

Are we at risk of violating any form of state or federal finance laws by not actually doing an RFP to bid for the contract?

The work involved in the litigation that we anticipate happening um under this agreement would be below the monastery threshold that will require an RFP.

Right, and and I think the way that we came to be in this discussion was was this suggested by Mr.

Goldstein coming to some kind of agreement on this.

That's right.

So again, I'm not saying I have a problem with tonight's resolution.

So does anyone have further questions for Mr.

Winter or regarding the contract?

No.

Okay.

All right, so now we're at so that was actually it for the agenda.

I think I I covered everything, right?

Yep.

And then of course the Commissioner Deeds at the end there.

Um so with that we uh Mr Ms.

Frederick.

Just an update.

Um for finance committee as well as all council members.

Uh we will be sharing a draft uh finance committee schedule for the upcoming budget season shortly.

I just need to make one tweak here.

Thank you to Brian and team for putting this together.

Um and we ask that you just take a review when you receive it.

And if there's any dates that conflict, please let us know as soon as possible.

Obviously, you need to maintain quorum and want to make sure that we get uh as much representation as we can during these discussions.

Um but that would that should be coming out um if not by tomorrow by first thing Monday.

Mr.

Howie.

Yeah, and uh I'm gonna ask my colleagues for their indulgence.

Um my sister Maureen Duffy passed away this morning and uh from breast cancer.

And uh when we have our moment of silence, I would really appreciate it if you just keep her in your thoughts and if you want some move to say a prayer for our family, especially.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Howie.

All right, so that's uh for the agenda.

Any um further discussion on anything nothing.

Anything you can we can talk about.

All right.

Uh Mr.

Mr.

Ole.

Yes.

Um I thought we were gonna address for time.

Positive things I'd like to talk about is the um we're working uh Jamel and Derek are working on the youth safety hour, and they can probably talk a little bit more, but um uh I'm very excited about it and I'm glad that this legislation is being worked on.

I did miss the meeting today and but I did hear back that was very good.

Um I I don't know if they would like to share anything on it.

I don't mean to put them on the spot, but um I think this is a move in the a positive direction, and uh I'm hoping that this is gonna make a big difference in the city of Albany.

And I want to thank them both for for doing this.

Thank you.

You want Mr.

Robinson, you want um yes, that's still legislation that we're still actively working on.

It's called youth safety and support hours, and it's a legislation uh meant to address and encourage youth to stay at home during certain hours, but also those youth who do are found um outside of the home on certain hours, they have the opportunity to attend support hubs, uh which are recreational spaces that will um recreational spaces that will are meant to um teach them life skills uh and give them support, whether it's you know um housing support, if it's nutritional support, any type of support that the youth may need, um that's kind of the uh intent of them legislation, but uh again, we're holding community meetings, still getting feedback, and so we plan on introducing the legislation uh in a future council meeting.

Yep.

I will just add that it's an opportunity for um other parts of the community to step up to um address you know um the the lack of opportunities for kids um at those hours.

So uh uh I hear people um and their concerns, a lot of it is directed at um law enforcement, but I always say the law enforcement piece is the final piece, and it's opportunities for um us to catch uh kids and and provide them with structure and direction.

So um when people think about this, I think that um it would be beneficial to think about um all the things that are good in your communities that um possibly could lend a um help in hand to what is going on in the inner city.

So um I think that it's an opportunity for us to send a message to um youth that people uh care and are actively trying to figure out solutions to um some of the struggles that they face on a dug day uh daily basis.

So uh I'm looking forward to it, and I think that um it's gonna bring some solutions to some kids that need it.

And and all we have to do is create safe spaces, kids will come to the um and that's saying if you build it, they will come.

This is um a unique opportunity for us.

So thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Johnson.

Uh Mr.

Clark?

Just another question on the CPRB issue.

On the agenda, we typically have communications from mayor, department heads, other city officials, presentation of petitions and communications.

And I just wonder why we continue to get official letters from the CPRB chair, but never have that presented.

So I'm not sure why we have those items listed on the agenda when I I don't even know if I recall if we actually read it into the record or discuss it, but I think we had a recent letter from the chair dated August 29th.

It seems that it'd be appropriate to have that as part of this agenda tonight.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um saying for communications of the mayor department heads and other city officials.

Either that or the presentation of petitions and communications.

If it's not appropriate, I just would like to know why or when we do have those items discussed.

Mr.

Winnie, your thoughts on that.

Mr.

Island's still with us, right?

It has been used in the past.

But very sparingly, and it's probably it, you know, it's it goes way back in terms of what it was meant to be, but really hasn't, you know, really been used as it should.

So I think it where there was a uh a mayor's veto message, for example, would be used there.

Yeah, or if there was a mayor's message of necessity in a local law, it was used there.

Um I think when we receive reports from departments, it should be used there.

So it's formally in the record that we've received a certain report that's mandated.

Uh it could be used more so than it is right now.

I don't know where the CPRB would really fall in since they're not technically a department uh or city official.

It has been used, I know in the past for petitions when we've had a petition on a zoning issue.

Um but it's been used sparingly.

And I think there have been some proposals for reforming the rules that would make some clarifications there.

The rules themselves do need a lot of clear reform.

I mean uh can I just ask, is it are I'm sorry to no no is the are those the communications that we've gotten by email, are those recorded where are they recorded?

Is is the um does the public have access to it?

Yeah, that's a good point.

Um to the uh sensitive nature of the communication in question and the fact that it's related to a specific personnel matter involving a certain employee of the city.

Um it's not something that would be appropriate to publicly notice.

To the extent it's discussed here, it should probably be handled in an executive session.

Right, and then also uh in consideration of any lawsuits or anything like that.

Um would speak to the sensitivity of the matter and its suitability for executive session discussion rather than public notice and public discussion.

Just to clarify, so you're saying any of the formal letters we've received from the CPRB are not would not be considered uh available to the public or public documents?

Oh, I'm not I'm not saying that the public I think the public should have anything that we have to do.

I don't uh I'm just want to make sure I understand is making a distinction in terms of certain communications.

I mean the letters themselves were formal letters.

There is an outstanding issue of CPRB communications not being sent to the council's office, so we aren't able to organize anything unless that happens.

Yeah, I mean I guess um I think like any official communication to the council should be to the city clerk as clerk to the council uh in maintaining those records and then staff would handle that.

So we'll have to direct them to direct it to your the clerk's office and to and again in terms of sharing uh I I know the lawyers are on top of stuff because of any potential legal issues, but uh again if it's public is public, that's the way I look at it.

But the personnel stuff I I know is a different realm.

So why don't I mean we're not gonna figure out in this minute how to address it in this moment, so we'll just have to um be mindful in moving forward.

Anything that isn't sensitive, make sure it's uh provided to become a part of the record.

No, I'm saying moving forward, we'll just make sure the stuff is all included.

As long as it legally can be included, there will we'll add it.

We can add it to the if it comes before a particular meeting and they're presenting it, uh then we can add it to the record.

Okay.

I would also just reiterate that a lot of communication council staff nor myself were not included on those emails.

So we wouldn't be privy to knowing what that is unless it's forwarded over to all either forward it or uh request that the CPRB or whatever uh board it is direct include you in on the communication in that way you'll have it.

All right.

So would that oh Mr.

Ballarin?

I'm I'm gonna be honest before I say this.

I'm a little hesitant to bring this up because I'm not trying to um open up a pendora's box, but I do think it's important that members are award or um we are going to be voting on a um new appointee for the police review board.

Um and I do know that there was some emails that went out um regarding who the board would like for us to consider being uh who we replace with this appointee.

Um so I'm not sure if it's better to hand it as now or during the meeting, just so that we can find a flush it out.

Um I'm not sure, but I'd rather at least have a conversation about it if brief or intense, at least have a conversation about it.

So I'm putting it out there if anyone has any concerns about that.

Mr.

Conzi.

Yeah I actually have I didn't look at the resolution close enough.

But does the resolution itself specify a term because the resolution would specify the term for which the candidate is being appointed.

And I'm not I I didn't look at it and so I'm I'm fumbling now is the resolution number is it?

I guess it's resolution it's 102 9125.

Right I don't I don't believe just thinking about it now that it does have the term in there but it does have the member that's being replaced in there which would speak to the term it should be in there explicitly it should be this uh he's being appointed to fill a vape the vacancy by uh uh vanelia harden yeah uh for a term expiring October 26 2027 okay and I think that I think that was the one that they wanted right that was what the I don't the one that was held up yeah what I mean I mean if I if I read the email correctly and again I I'm like I said I hesitate in bringing this up but I'd rather have a and you want me to explain it yeah so let you mr what Mr.

Barron is saying is that the there was uh a request from the CPRB that we switch members but typically the person that's the holdover and been held over the longest gets replaced not the because the the chair just resigned which she's been out maybe a month month and a half but Dr.

Harden has been held over from last year.

So we typically go the furthest uh the furthest out the longest holdover but they requested that we switch them and and I understand I just wanted to make sure I did the resolution does specify what the term is and who uh who he's replacing any um yeah um uh Mr Anani and then then Mr.

Johnson.

Yeah and I think um what Alfredo's trying to get at is particularly and not speak for him but I think is I get it the end of the individuals that we have interviewed for the C PRB well intended um impressive resume um they're very experienced.

But I do have some concerns that we're getting rid of a board member who hasn't finished out their term to replace someone um I think that that's going to further the distrust particularly with the CPRB and this council.

There are some people on the board we appointed them to finish out their term.

After the term is over we can make a determination if they could continue or move forward.

We cannot do it before their term is up and um that's why I have some concerns about what we're doing with the CPRB and I think a lot of us from high top or other people have some concerns about the decisions that we're making regarding the C PRB and I hope that we're very um we're acting with a sense of sensitivity towards the C PRB but also understand what is at stake and all the trust that we have built with the CPRB.

So yeah so but just to be specific uh Dr.

Hardin's term are it are actually already ended so she's been held over so we're she's not being cut short of her term she's all like almost a year over two I don't know how long but over her term yeah and she's term limited also can I right so just one second Mr Johnson.

So at a time when there's a bunch of um change in the um CPRB I think that um one of the points that it was brought to my attention that there's an open there are open seats that um if we wanted to bring um someone new to the board that they can um fulfill one of those seats I think um it's a lot of undermining going on uh when it comes to the CPRB and um I feel uncomfortable um with how things are going down because we ask people to um come and be a part of this process and you know um for a person who was serving on the um board for 10 years um that that says a lot about her her commitment um to the board and um to be handled like this I'm uncomfortable um treating um someone like that that has been dedicated to um this body of work and um I'm uncomfortable with a lot of things I've I've um share my um feelings and I also listen to how um others feel and I just think that it's a lot of um one way conversations going on and decisions being made or for the one um conversations and when um people um bring rebuttals to um some of the things that are being said

And um I feel uncomfortable um with how things are going down because we ask people to um come and be a part of this process and you know um for a person who has been serving on the um board for 10 years um that that says a lot about her her commitment um to the board and um to be handled like this I'm uncomfortable um treating um someone like that that has been dedicated to um this body of work and um I'm uncomfortable with a lot of things I've I've um share my um feelings and I also listen to how um others feel and I just think that it's a lot of um one-way conversations going on and decisions being made or for the one um conversations and when um people um bring rebuttals to um some of the things that are being said is being ignored and so um I would love to see Dr.

V continue because she's the one that's been doing the actual hands-on work um during a lot of this um transition and and so to take her out of the um conversation you know it was conversation about taking the attorney out of the conversation and these are the many concerns that people um voiced when um the the conversation went uh uh um in the direction of the CPRB coming to the city and so now all of these things um come to the surface I just think that uh it it sends the wrong message um to uh people that um are concerned about the the whole need for CPRB and um as we uh go through these meetings and if you follow Facebook is still um encounters that people are having with with our law enforcement that um show that it's a true need for the um CPRB and um we need people that um really understand what goes on when um people are come in contact with law enforcement and I um fully support um law enforcement being respected by the city but I also fully support um the residents being pr um um respected by law enforcement and that isn't the case when um people are out there one-on-one with law enforcement so um this body needs to be um respected the work that they do is important and the people spoke that they wanted the CPRB to um have a presence in our city and it just seems like um it's been a real difficult way for the work that they're trying to do to um address the issues that are in our city so I just um like I said I'm uncomfortable with some of the things that are um transpiring thank you.

M Mr.

Ho did you were you trying to I just wanted to give a point of information that it was two years Dirk and Dr.

V approached me late last year saying let me stay till January of 2025.

I'll stay there to get the work done.

So when we did the legislation it was before we got that email.

So I just wanted to let you know you know the thing now we have another interview in two weeks.

We have two people applied for one spot and I just want to let you know I did talk to the mayor on Tuesday when I went in to talk about the roads and speed bumps I said you know mayor she and why won't you appoint anybody to the CPRB?

They're down three appointees three.

So we have six people doing the work that's supposed to be nine splitting it up and the mayor goes to me well nobody wants to serve that we ask and I said you really gotta you know it's not fair to the members that we put on that they're doing all the work and you have that capability.

So I just wanted to put it out there that that you understand there's there's a lot more moving parts to this than what just what you say.

Thank you.

Quickly I just um I think this is like a long overdue conversation that we need to to have the council needs to have we have all of us have a lot of questions and um but it's we have a really full agenda tonight so um I don't know if we could call a special meeting to discuss this specifically I feel like what's been going on with the C PRB and the council deserves its own space and um we just have a very long agenda tonight.

So I don't know if we can um have a special meeting or to vote a caucus or um to talk solely about this.

Yeah I mean we can try the the intention was to have a an executive session after this but th there is a long agenda we got a lot of stuff on it.

So um we'll we'll see but Ms.

Yeah we're going back to yeah so maybe that could yeah we could we could and this will be Mr.

I thought he did a really good job in the interview.

We just brought him back today, and I didn't want to see this go down because members have some hesitations based on the emails that we received.

So that's why I'd rather have the kind of the difficult conversation now before we brought this up for a vote versus uh possibly not having the votes to pass it because of uh individuals not having some concerns about the email that we received over the weekend.

So you know, I'm not sure how people feel about moving this forward, or should we table this or what people feel about this specific um uh resolution?

Mr.

Nani, and then we'll we'll um thank you, uh Councilmember Ballorant.

And I also agree, I think we should table resolution 102 9125R.

Um again, the candidate is qualified.

Uh but when I read the last now therefore be resolved, Malik is hereby appointed by the common council as a member of the community police review board to fulfill the remainder of the term harden has been serving expiring October 26, 2027, all right.

So I just think that we should table this legislation.

There are some people that have some concerns about this resolution, and I don't want this to negatively impact uh qualified candidate because people have questions.

We're trying to be voted no.

That and that's fine.

We're trying to get Mr.

Dare on.

I think you're misunderstanding and thinking that for some reason that Miss uh Dr.

Hardin's being cut short.

She's long, she's gone long.

Um, and I I'm one of the people that brought her to the board, so I I believe in her and I believe in the work that she's been doing, but I think you're thinking that we're doing something maybe they don't agree with it.

The email has to do with a request for them saying, you know, can we switch this person for that person?

That's that's not what we usually do.

And so that's that's really what it boils down to.

This discussion to say, yeah, we'll replace this person and not that person, or in any case, Mr.

President.

It is now Thursday, September 4th, 2025, Albany Common Council meeting to order.

Can the clerk please call the roll?

Adams.

Anani.

Ballorin.

Here, Clark.

Here Conte?

Here, Farrell, Flynn, Frederick, here, Hoey, here, Johnson, President.

Keegan.

Kimbrell.

Here.

Love.

Here, Robinson.

Zamer.

Here.

14 present, one absent.

Thank you.

And please stand.

And after that, a moment of silence.

Thank you.

We'll now move on to our public comment period section of the agenda.

Public comment period.

You have five minutes to speak upon any issue you wish to.

When you get to the desk, please state your name and you don't have to give your address, but the city or town that you live in.

Once again, uh council members cannot answer any of your questions during public comment period.

If they choose to comment or answer anything you state, they will do they they will do so later.

Another portion in the agenda later on in the meeting.

So with that being said, can the clerk please call the first speaker?

Marlon Anderson good evening, uh council.

My name, of course, is Marlin Anderson.

I live in City of Albany.

I come forward, and I have a question for you in the council.

When did we in America start running towards having a police state?

When did democracy uh die?

I'm coming forward because I was shocked and appalled to read um proposal that came forth about imposing a curfew on a youth in the city of Albany.

And among other things, having uh hubs to house wayward children.

And again, I asked you the question when did we start running towards a police state?

Again, we have a majority African American city.

And we don't need another pipeline to prison in this city.

We have enough pipelines to prison.

We have our kids that live in that culture all their lives.

We're just going to continue to pile the penile culture on the kids of the city.

Just because one child made a foolish mistake, which we need to examine.

What led to that foolish mistake that we saw that happened on the 4th of July?

Just because one child had a foolish mistake keeping up with a culture that has been cultivated, which is what we really should be focusing on, and not creating a curfew that's penalizing all the children in this city.

You are now gonna put the children under lock and key.

You're gonna force the children to be under lock and key.

Against their will and force their parents to have to come to pick them up.

And as from what I'm understanding, it will progress to the parents eventually being held and picked up.

Again, I asked you when did we become focused on having a police state?

What happened to the concept of freedom?

You want to waste million millions of dollars to create hubs in the city, but you can't fund enough police officers to patrol the streets.

It's called misspent effort and misspent time.

We don't need curfews.

We don't need a police state.

The kids don't need to be held under lock and key.

Just because of the mistake of one foolish child keeping up with the click, keeping up with what's quote unquote cool in the street.

I wonder if anybody even talked to that child about why he felt he had to have a flare gun.

What was the impetus of him having to have that fair gun?

That is the point that we're missing in trying to address youth crime.

What is the impetus?

Where are they getting this from?

And I can tell you right now, a curfew is not the answer, it's just another imposition on the quality of life of black people in this city.

So I can tell you right now, just to let you know, if you move forward with that curfew, I will be front and center and in front of the effort to stop it.

There are better ways and better solutions to address teen issues in the city.

There are more important concerns to be addressed in the city than teen issues, teen violence in this city.

You got a city that's overrun by vagrancy.

You got a city whose quality of life is gone because of vagrancy, and you do nothing about it.

You want to put street psychiatrists on the street.

Take that money and put it towards putting police on the streets.

Get patrols up and down the streets, clear the corners, address the culture, negative culture where it is, but do not penalize the entire youth population of the city of Albany because of the mistake of one poor misled teenager.

And that's basically all I gotta say.

No to curfews, no to police state mentality.

And I just want to remind some of you that might under know.

If you were young enough, when you went to the boys' club, the boys' club itself closed at 9:30.

Thank you.

Rick North.

Rick North.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.

My name is Rick North, and I'm from Wellesley, Massachusetts, and I'm a member of Safewater Albany, having many family and friends here.

My background's in nonprofit health management with a long careers with the American Cancer Society and physicians for social responsibility before I retired.

This summer I read this memoir by James Friedman.

He's the former president of Dartmouth.

He was an English major, he loved to read, and titled his book, Finding the Words.

It hit me that this is exactly what so many of us have tried to do.

Find the words that would inform and persuade you not to make one of the biggest mistakes of your life, fluoridating the water.

Maybe we never found them.

Here's the graph of State Department of Health data showing no difference in cavity rates between fluoridated and non-fluoridated counties.

Here's WHO data showing no difference between fluoridated and non-fluoridated countries.

And the Cochrane review, the gold standard of evaluating effectiveness, showing the fluoridation reduced cavities between zero and a tiny one fourth of one tooth.

It may have worked 40 years ago.

It doesn't now.

Regarding health harms, we've quoted some of the top experts in the world.

Scientist Linda Bernbaum, former director of the National Toxicology Program.

It's time to protect kids' developing brains from fluoride.

Pediatrician Dimitri Christakis, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association pediatrics.

I would not have my wife drink fluoridated water if she were pregnant.

Scientist and dentist, Harvey Leinbach, former president of the Canadian Association of Dental Research.

The evidence the fluoridation is more harmful than beneficial is now overwhelming.

Higher fluoride levels are, quote, consistently associated with lower IQ in children.

Several of the highest quality studies were at levels in fluoridated water.

We presented the landmark ruling of the federal court last September that said fluoridation, quote, poses an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children.

And so many other statements.

Leading scientists equating fluoridation's permanent brain damage to lead.

European nations banning fluoridation because it wasn't ethical, taking away choice, and the right of informed consent and taking a drug.

And a mother whose autistic son suffered extreme pain for years until she quit fluoridated water.

Within a week, he was free from his pain.

According to studies from National Academies of Science Review, at least one percent of the population are afflicted.

That's about a thousand people in Albany who will immediately suffer some kind of reaction.

Joint pain, headaches, rashes, digestive disorders, fatigue, or others, and the vast majority of them will never know why.

Finally, we told you that over 60 cities nationwide have ended fluoridation since the lawsuit ruling, with no cities, zero, starting it for the first time.

Albany is moving backwards while much of the country is moving forward.

James Friedman found the words.

But his book isn't any good unless you read it.

Maybe, just maybe, we also found the words, but they're not any good unless your eyes are open to seeing them, and your ears are open to hearing them.

And I'm profoundly sad for the citizens of Albany who will pay the price with their health.

Especially those low-income families who can't afford to buy expensive filters or bottled water to avoid it and protect themselves and their children.

They have no choice.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please call next speaker?

Keith Iris Good Thursday evening, Common Council members' presence.

As you know, my uh my name is Keith Irish, currently residing in the ninth ward as a lifelong city resident.

I'm before you tonight to discuss at least two items you have on your agenda.

Both relate to public education and government access issues.

Be sure to put your phones and tablets down, as you should for all public commenters to listen carefully to what we say and why we say it.

You might learn something.

Your ad hoc peg committee had a meeting on Tuesday, August the 19th, to which only two of its three members showed, and none of the rest of you attended either.

Also note that that meeting did not have the required 10 working days notice of it being held.

It was only seven calendar days.

First, ordinance 2.41.25 was finally discussed after being introduced back in April.

It is to change one position makeup of the PEG Access Oversight Board.

Though I am fine with the premise of this ordinance changing this makeup, what I am opposed to, as I was three years ago when you had similar legislation, was that again this is the time to reduce the overall size of the PEG Board from its current 11 positions down to seven.

So-called community stakeholders should not be voting members of the board, and it is the as is, and as it is the majority of its members don't care nor know the benefits of what the Peg Board should be doing.

A smaller, leaner amount of positions is much more manageable when the appointed members are actually city residents that know and understand the benefits of PEG issues.

Note too that the two mayor mayor appointees are both empty, one for almost a year.

At the same time, the Peg Board should be meeting monthly on a regular basis by not taking the summer off or skipping months and not changing the week or day meetings are held because one or two of those stakeholders have a conflict.

They are filling a position, not a body, so they should be sending an alternate if they can't attend.

Another reason why they should not be voting members.

The second on your agenda tonight relates to filling a position that the Common Council maintains.

As stated earlier, the ad hoc meeting did not have the required 10 working days' notice of the meeting being held.

So the meeting was an illegally held meeting.

Apparently, the person you appointed one year ago over myself and one other applicant did not want to renew for a full term.

Yet there was an interview of someone for the position.

Note that there was no call for application or CFA issue to fill this vacancy.

For if there were, I sure would have applied again for about the tenth time to be appointed to the PEG board.

This appears to be a gross violation of existing laws.

For some reason, the makeup of your PEG Ag Hot Committee appears to have no clue as to who or why someone qualified should be appointed compared to someone politically connected or has no overall knowledge need for PEG issues.

I strongly recommend that the corporation council remove these two items from the agenda and reschedule both items with proper promotion as well as a CFA for the apparent open position.

Since I have the time, I would like to point out another issue related to the current studio coordinator.

Last month on Saturday, August the 16th, the Palace Theater held a block party in front of the in front of their Clinton Avenue location from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

The production studio has rare posted hours on Saturday from 2 p.m.

to 5 p.m.

Yet I saw that person at the block party not promoting Channel Albany and all things related, but promoting one of another four other prioritized items on her agenda than being the sole part-time studio coordinator.

Other citizens that have produced programs in the studio have been asking me why this person does not return phone calls or emails to set up a schedule to create new programming, to which I tell them to complain to the common council, the plague board, as well as the mayor for underfunding needed of multiple full-time staffing.

I have 30 seconds left, and I am going to take advantage of it.

I'm sorry.

None of you were here to hear that.

So now you're aware.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So tonight's public comment period is deemed closed.

We'll move into approval of amendments previous meeting.

Mr.

Kimbrough.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I offer uh the August 4th of 2025 meeting minutes as well as the August 18th of 2025.

Second meeting minutes for approval.

All those in favor of the motion to move the previous minute.

Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed.

Motion passes.

Moving on to we do not have any consideration of laws.

So we're moving on to uh reports of uh standing committees.

I know we have planning, Mr.

Mr.

Ballon.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh so on the agenda today we have several appointments that have been pushed through the planning committee, uh all of which have passed with unanimous consent.

So I do hope that they can have your support as well today.

Many of them you met uh this earlier during caucus.

I also want to just address the concerns that were brought up by on public comment.

Um, just to be clear, when we met for our Peg AC ACS board um committee meeting on August 19th, we did meet the required calendar days that the state law provides us.

So I just want to make sure that is clear on the public record that we did meet the calendar days required by the state.

Also, we do have an open application process for these positions at this point, so that uh we can fill them as quickly as possible when we have vacancies.

Um, the applicant that you all met here today, uh, to my knowledge has no political affiliations, does not have any political alliances or all is it at a political appointment?

Well, it is a political appointment because they're coming before us.

Um, but uh the resume was strong, their interview was strong, uh, and they were selected by the members uh of the committee based on their credentials.

So again, uh we appreciate everybody's input and we appreciate everybody's um opinion, but I also want to make sure that the record is clear of the process that we followed uh in those elections.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Mr.

Howie.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

The public safety committee met on August 12th, interviewed two um interviewed two applicants for uh uh for seats on the CPRB.

Uh we did pass forward unanimously one of the applicants, and um our next meeting will be on September 15th, where we'll be interviewing two more applicants for the CPRB.

Thank you.

Mr.

Flynn, you want to park and record?

Oh, sorry.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Mr.

We had a parks on recreation committee meeting today where we amended legislation uh, particularly when it comes to adding individual to uh the murals that will be placed on the community center.

Uh that resolution moved out of committee with a positive recommendation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um now we're moving on to consideration of ordinances, ordinances are introduced.

Mr.

Conte.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice the introduction of ordinance 19.91 point 25.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the ordinance?

In ordinance amending chapter 375 unify sustainable development ordinance of the code of the city of Albany in relation to music at sidewalks, sidewalk or outdoor cafes.

Thank you.

Mr.

Kimbrough.

Thank you, Mr.

President, the referral of the council's planning committee.

Thank you.

Continuing on Mr.

Conti.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice the introduction of ordinance 20.91.25.

Can the clerk please read the ordinance?

An ordinance amending Article 13, parking meters of Chapter 359, vehicles and traffic of the code of the city of Albany in relation to renaming Columbus Day to Francis Xavier Cabarini Day.

Thank you.

Mr.

Kimbrough.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Referral to the council's law committee.

Thank you.

And Mr.

Conti.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice in the introduction of ordinance 21 point 21.91 point 95.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the ordinance?

In ordinance to repeal chapter 75, policy document repository of the code of the city of Albany.

Mr.

Kimbrough.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Referral is to council operations.

Thank you.

Now moving on to ordinances held.

Mr.

Anani.

Mr.

Kimbrough.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Make a motion to take uh resolutions 108-9125.

And resolution 109-9125 out of order.

Is there a second on that motion?

Thank you.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Those opposed.

Motion passes.

All right.

Mr.

Anani.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 10891 that 25R and ask for its passage on a roll call there are.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council declaring itself lead agency for the state environmental quality review of ordinance 238124 and issuing a negative declaration.

Discussion on this resolution.

Seeing that, Mr.

Clark.

Just uh a question.

I was trying to get back to the resolution.

Did we identify what type of action underseeker as part of the resolution?

I can't I couldn't hear.

We can't hear up here.

A question on the resolution if we identified the type of action under seeker, not just lead agency and negative declaration.

That was declared in our intent, uh a previous resolution from a couple meetings ago.

Uh it was a type one action, both of them.

And just from the last meeting, I'd asked about comments from the planning board as part of the process.

I was just wondering if we received anything.

I believe we were waiting on comments.

Well to you.

It's Mr.

President.

No, I mean, people, this is a resolution.

That how are we discussing this at a meeting?

This is what committee meetings are for.

If if council members received any notion from planning board, they didn't want to move forward with it.

You should add a conversation with the president pro temp and said, hey, we might want to hold off on this.

We're not going to have a discussion on the resolution that is on the floor that is supposed to be voted on today.

Council members do not feel comfortable doing it.

They should vote their conscience.

Um that is what we're going to do today.

People have to really go to these committee meetings when these things are coming up and discussing this amongst themselves, pick up the phone and call one another to have those discussions.

We should not be having a discussion when we are introducing a resolution.

Uh Mr.

Clark's question was valid.

It's a valid question.

Um, but I will not allow people during a vote on the floor to have someone come and explain uh a position from any department.

So with that being said, uh, any further comments on this resolution.

Seeing none, can the clerk please call the roll?

Adams.

Anani.

Yes.

Ballorin.

Yes.

Clark?

No.

Conte?

Yes.

Flynn.

Frederick.

Yes.

Howie.

No.

Johnson?

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes.

Kimbrough?

Yes.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

13 in the affirmative.

Resolution passes.

Continuing on Mr.

Anani.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 109 9125R and asked for us passage on the roll call.

They are.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council declaring itself lead agency for the state environmental quality review of ordinance 6812124 and issuing a negative declaration.

Thank you.

Before we discuss this, I want to chair will recognize Mr.

Howie.

Yeah, point of information.

Um we only have 14 members.

There was two no's and the clerk read that there was 13 affirmatives.

I apologize.

Yes, that is 12 in affirmative.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Dowa.

Discussion on this resolution.

Seeing none, can the clerk please call the roll?

Adams.

Anani.

Yes.

Ballorin.

Yes.

Clark?

No.

Can you repeat that?

No.

Thank you.

Conte?

Yes.

Flynn?

Yes.

Frederick.

Yes.

Howie.

No.

Johnson?

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes.

Kimbrough?

Yes.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

12 in the affirmative.

Resolution passes.

Now moving back to regular scheduled item on the agenda.

Ordinance is held.

Uh Mr.

Kim, Mr.

Anani.

Uh President.

I notice ordinance 2381 24 and ask for his passage on a roll call there on.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the ordinance?

In ordinance amending chapter 375, Unify Sustainable Development Ordinance of the Code of the City of Albany in relation to adding single two and three unit detached dwellings as permitted uses in the MUCI zoning district.

Thank you.

Any discussion on this ordinance?

Mr.

Anani.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um we're here tonight not just to discuss housing policy, but to face the fundamental question, who gets to live in our community.

As housing prices rises and density debate intensify, accessory dwelling units small, flexible, affordable homes built on existing lot, offer us a powerful, immediate and a humane solution.

This legislation as it stands currently.

For you to have accessory dwelling units, you have to go and get a conditional use permit.

Correct.

Yeah.

I'm just speaking on that.

Is that you might be not the wrong ordinance?

You're picking towards the ordinance 681.

Yes.

Oh, sorry.

Yeah, you got the wrong speech.

Which number is it?

2381.

23.

24.

2381 24.

Yep.

Oh, yes.

You just got your notes mixed up.

My notes messed up a little bit.

Well, no discussion for that one.

I fully support it, ma'am.

Okay.

Any further discussion?

Can the clerk please call the roll?

Adams.

Anani.

Yes.

Ballerin.

Yes.

Clerk.

Yes.

Conzi.

Yes.

Flynn.

Yes.

Frederick.

Yes.

Howie.

Present.

Johnson.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

Keegan.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

Kimbrough.

Yes.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

13 in the affirmative.

Resolution ordinances passes.

Mr.

Anani.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I know this ordinance 68-121-24 and asked for his passage on a roll call thereon.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please call?

Uh can the clerk please read the ordinance.

In ordinance amending chapter 375, unified sustainable development ordinance of the code of the city of Albany in relation to permitting accessory dwelling units.

Mr.

Anani.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

You know, a little bit excited about you know good stuff for the city.

But anyway, as was uh said earlier, we're here to discuss housing policy.

But to face a fundamental question, who gets to live in the city of Albany?

As housing prices rises and density debates intensify, accessory dwelling units small, flexible, affordable homes built on existing lots, offer us a powerful, immediate and humane solution.

The law as it is adopted does not allow ADUs.

However, a number of ABUs already exists and on a radar of city officials despite the standard prohibition that many individuals go through the process to get.

The amendment to this law would allow for ADUs so for their existence can be better regulated and more readily protected.

Some of the requirements to have ADUs in your uh property is it has to be a single unit dwelling, property owner to occupy the primary or the accessory dwelling as primary residents, not to exceed 800 square foot, not to exceed 30% of the backyard, not to exceed the height of the principal structure of 24 feet, whichever is less, and cannot be a mobile home, trailers, etc.

There are many benefits to ADUs, and I was discussed it during committee and multiple committee meetings that we had on this issue.

The more we increase housing, the more supplier there are, the more we could create some affordable affordability for those who are looking for housing.

This increase availability could lead to more affordable rent prices throughout Albany.

There are some people that said, well, with this accessory dwelling unit, we're creating affordable housing in those uh ADUs.

That is not the intent of this legislation.

The intent is to free up other housing so that uh we could create more affordable housing as we move forward as a city.

Another benefit is that increased tax revenue for the city as well.

There are more benefits, provide additional source of income for homeowners, particularly our aging parents, provide space for larger families to remain house secure and together, and provide increased flexibility to homeowners all across our city.

There are some people who had some concerns about ADUs, particularly saying that it will be unregulated.

Despite these concerns, there are still mechanism in place, as I mentioned earlier, to keep Albany residents safe.

The Department of Building and Regulatory Compliance will still be able to inspect ADUs and ensure compliance to all building codes and safety requirements.

The Albany Fire Department and other first responders will still have access to ADUs in case of an emergency.

This proposed amendment contained language intended to promote safety, include fire and building protection measures.

So in closing, this is not the radical when people say that they don't want to change the character of the neighborhood.

I understand that.

These are the people ADUs help.

Passing thoughtful legislation like this, we're saying yes, as a city, we welcome and we don't exclude.

Yes, we believe in smart scale solution, and yes, we believe in housing as a human right.

Thank you.

Mr.

Howie.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I have been opposed to this legislation as written.

I'm not opposed to ADUs.

I'm not opposed an existing building to build in a mother-in-law apartment is the common phrase that they use.

But to allow a separate unit in a backyard or a side yard without all the precautions that we heard.

We heard the chief of the fire department come in and say he had concerns.

We heard the uh chief of building and codes come in and says he has concerns.

We heard the police department say they had concerns.

I did talk to the sponsor.

I went to the golf course when they were opening it up.

I said, can we talk about this?

Can we maybe do a pilot program to see if there is problems that we could do it?

And he said yes.

And then I talked about the square footage, 800 square feet for a unit behind a house.

24 story, 24 feet, three stories.

I I have a lot of concerns here.

And I asked him, can we just do the single, you know, the house, convert that, put it in an apartment in there, and he said yes.

And then at the committee meeting, that all bets were off.

So that's his sponsor bill.

We have reached out.

I posted on next door.

I pissed off a few of my colleagues.

I didn't mean to, but I wanted to get the word out.

Nobody knows what's going on.

That's what I'm hearing.

I have three neighborhood associations asking me to come in September and October because during the summer they don't meet, wanting to understand what this is all about the ADUs, because they're concerned.

They heard Trey Kingston's testimony, the assessor, saying not only will the property that has the ADU want it goes, the taxes go up, but everybody in that neighborhood, the taxes go up.

I got a call today from landlords, just to say uh sidetrack a little here.

Their taxes went up for non-homestead 5.1 percent.

And the landlord goes to me, I'm gonna have to raise everybody's rents.

So I I don't know what we're doing.

We're not really making rents more affordable.

But getting back to the ADUs, I have a lot of concerns, and I want to go on the record with it.

I think it's commendable that you want to come up with a way to um provide housing, but there this is rushing this through in the manner you did.

This was brought up in what, February, March, and now it's it's just the end of August, early September, and we're passing it.

A major change.

And another council member goes to me, well, you know, Albany is a city.

We don't we don't have single family zoning anymore.

And people who invested in this city bought private homes, single family homes.

What are we saying to them?

You invest here, and then oh, all of a sudden you you're not in a single family neighborhood anymore.

There's a lot of problems with parking.

What do we do?

You know, right now we have problems, there's not enough park in the streets.

We have to have a parking permit system.

But you know, it's there's a lot of stuff here.

I understand the what you want, but I think you pushed it too fast.

I don't think you've got the community involved, and I'm not saying neighborhood, I'm saying community.

And uh, you know, I will be voting no, and uh, but again, I just want everybody here to know I don't have any problem with a mother-in-law apartment in the same building.

But when you put a unit in the back where you have to now provide electric sewer, all the utilities, mail, how does the mail get delivered?

A lot of questions there that, well, you we kind of glossed over, we'll figure it out when it happens.

And I brought up colony has this, and what I was told was, oh, colonies law is too strict.

We don't want strict laws.

The colony has an ADU law on the books, so does Troy and other places, but ours is the most liberal or open, and I think there's gonna be problems, and I just want to be on the record.

Um I promise you I will not say I told you so, but this is what's going to happen.

We are gonna have problems in the future.

Thank you.

Ms.

Keegan.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um I want to commend Councilmember Anane on bringing forth the legislation.

Um, and I was happy to be a co-sponsor on this bill.

And I I just want to add to Mr.

Anani's comments.

You know, we we started single family zoning in the United States as a means to ensure that black people could not live in white neighborhoods, and that is a fact.

And single family zoning has been utilized in this country to exclude people from housing since those laws were first first established.

Um we are a city.

This is not going to be the only component of what is going to help alleviate the housing crisis that we're currently in, but that is a significant issue facing our community right now.

And we need to have every tool that we possibly can in our toolbox in order to expand the number of available housing units we have in the city, and we need to strongly consider how we allow density to naturally develop in our city.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Keegan.

Ms.

Aimer.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Just um briefly, I would like to address two points that council member Howie made.

Um and these are these are from extensive conversations I had with planning department and from um this is directly from principal planner Avi Epstein.

The ADU ordinance does not eliminate single family zoning.

A single unit dwelling continues to be the primary structure and primary use of the lot.

ADUs are classified as accessory.

ADUs are prohibited from being sold separately or subdivided from the main lot, unlike some two family homes or duplexes.

The zoning still restricts the number of principal residential structures to one.

And the other point about um taxes going up, which is this is what the assessor explained to us, and this is um this is I just wanted to make sure that this point is clear.

Communities that have allowed ADUs have not seen any clear increase in taxes on nearby properties.

This has held held true even in larger cities where ADUs have been legal for many years.

Yeah, I'll be voting now on this, obviously, because I think I'm the one word that affects the most.

And I don't think it really affects like the 10th word.

And I don't um I did get a lot of emails about this voting knowledge, so to me it's an actually it's an easy vote for me.

But uh you know, I'd like to have Mr.

Nana do a study at one year from now and see if affordable housing does go down as a result of this.

And I hope you're right.

But I don't think it's gonna affect the affordable housing company.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Mr.

Clark and then Mr.

Johnson.

Just um comments I made during the committee meeting as well.

I think uh accessory dwelling units and existing homes, I'm okay with even existing structures such as a garage, but to think about uh some of our lots and uh constraints that we have already to think about a third accessory structure.

I just think is inconsistent uh with the community character.

Um I'll be voting now.

Thank you.

Mr.

Johnson.

I think um thank you, Mr.

President.

I think that uh people's um view is different.

Once again, um a lot of our colleagues, when you go home, you don't see the uh people laying in the streets and not saying that these people will be the people occupying these um units, but we have to um do something.

And um there's many different paths to homeownership, is many different paths to um housing, and and um to not do anything is not the answer either.

And I just think that it's bothersome and troublesome for me is every time the conversation um seems to come from a direction, the the words of the firearm chief and the police chief is used against it.

Um I think that's like weapon weaponry, and it's not fair.

And um I'm just disgruntled um um just listening and just watching how we are moving through stuff, and um uh it doesn't feel um like the process that that um we started when I came into this um this building, you know, we we handled things a little bit differently, a little bit more delicately, and and I just don't like the way that uh one person just comes in here and it's like their word is is uh weighs more than um others, and we we have to do something.

Um people need a place to stay, and uh we have to have different options.

If you look at it, it's you know, I hear people make references to other cities when it's favorable to the points that they're um making, but when we do the same thing, it's like uh you you gotta get it perfect.

And I'm just tired of um our effort or our um thought process is just going through a strained um consideration when it comes to the the 15 the full 15 um member body and and we we just have to do better.

It's time for um people to open up their minds to to other people's um approaches as well.

Thank you.

I will be supporting it.

Thank you.

Since Murthrough, no further discussion.

Can oh, you're other sponsor, so once he speaks, then no one else will be able to address it after Mr.

Anani.

Mr.

Nani.

All right.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

First, I just want to uh thank my colleagues, um, particularly the co-sponsors and also Ben Keegan for um you know really ushering and helping with this process uh of this legislation.

Um this legislation that we don't pass lightly.

I've said it time and time again, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

This legislation is a good bill that is gonna move our city forward.

It is no secret, Albany is in the middle of a housing affordability crisis.

You know it.

I know it.

Anyone who look at classified or online postings, or even trying to buy a house in the city knows it.

This crisis is not something that we can sit down and cross our legs and say, oh well, it is what it is.

We as a council have a responsibility to act, and I want to thank my colleagues for acting time and time again, whether it was good cause, inclusionary zoning, or uh right to counsel form of criteria, council pilot, and now this ADU legislation, and so we stay here today with a policy meant to address the crisis head on, allow homeowners, homeowners, to build accessory dwelling units on their property by doing this.

We give people the option to have grandma and grandpa the ability to live close to home while allowing some semblance of independence when you look at Albany's 2030 plan.

There's been many discussions of wanted to see walkable neighborhoods, but also particularly when it comes to the the grandparents' relations with the community.

We can allow families the opportunity to generate some revenue from their property and allow them to pay off their mortgage or help with household bills, all while expanding the number of units of housing with little to no impact to surrounding neighborhoods.

I emphasize expanding the number of units because that's how we decrease the price of housing, increase the availability of supply, and ultimately the decrease the demand for housing, which helps lower the rent and other prices.

Which is why they passed legislation to lower the cost of building ADUs in the county.

The county did their part now.

We're going to reject tax opportunity tax incentives to residents of the city of Albany while the county just recently did their part.

Now only think that Indus are only the solution to housing affordability crisis.

This is just one tool in figuring out a policy making tool to address this issue and give the breadth of this crisis is incumbent upon us, everyone, to act and address this issue.

So I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation so that we can allow homeowners to build AB use if they want to, and take one step further in addressing the housing affordability crisis that exists.

In closing, this ordinance is about equity, balance, and fairness.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please call the role?

Adams Anani.

Yes, Ballorin.

Clerk.

Noti.

Yes.

Flynn.

No.

Frederick?

Yes.

Howie.

No.

Johnson.

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

Kimbrough.

Yes.

Love?

Yes.

Robinson.

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

12 and the affirmative.

Ordinance passes.

Um Mr.

Ballarin.

Huh?

It's 11.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, I can't.

It's 11.

11 affirmative two.

11.

Thank you.

Mr.

Ballard.

Uh, thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh the resolution two that 41 that 25 be heard and voted on today.

Hold it, wait.

Am I lost?

Wait, wait, am I?

It's an ordinance.

We're in ordinance, sorry.

We're in ordinance.

You said resolution, I thought.

It's an ordinance.

Ordinance two.

Two that 41 that 25 be heard and move forward today.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the ordinance?

In ordinance amending part 38, public public education and government access oversight board peg to of chapter 42 departments and commissions of the code of the city of Albany in relation to the composition of the public education and government access oversight board.

Discussion on this ordinance.

Mr.

Ballon.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Again, this is when we spoke about in committee where we have uh replacing St.

Rose with the University at Albany at uh for our PEG board.

Again, it went to the PEG committee and passed with unanimous consent.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Further discussion.

Seeing none, can the clerk please call the role?

Adams.

Yes.

Anani.

Yes.

Ballorin.

Yes.

Clark?

Yes.

Conte.

Yes.

Flynn.

Yes.

Frederick?

Yes.

Hoey.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

Johnson?

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes.

Kimbrough?

Yes.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

14 in affirmative.

Ordinance passes.

Um that's end of ordinance.

Mr.

Kimbrough.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

Rest of the ordinances on the agenda help.

Thank you, sir.

Moving on to resolutions introduced.

Mr.

Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice 96.91.25R and asked for his introduction and uh passage.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council authorizing the execution of a payment in lieu of taxes, pilot agreement by by and between the city of Albany, Steamboat Square Phase 2, Housing Development Fund Corporation, and Steamboat AHA LLC.

Thank you.

Any discussion?

Mr.

Johnson.

I just want to say that it's important that we keep these pilots in this part of the city.

And we wouldn't want the same thing to happen uptown at uh I'm drawing a blank bleak or terrorist.

So I I would ask everyone to support this pilot.

Um I was um pleased with the work that they did on phase one, and I'm looking forward to the work that's coming with uh phase two.

Thank you.

Mr.

Kimbrough?

No, uh it was my intention and still is to recuse myself on this as a member of the housing authority board, and we kind of took off, so I'm on his resolution.

Seeing none, can the clerk call the role Adams yes co-sponsor Anani?

Yes, Ballorin, yes, co-sponsor, please, Clark, yes, Conti, yes, Lynn, yes, Frederick, yes, Hoey, yes, Johnson, yes, Keegan, yes, love, Robinson, yes, Zamer.

Yes, 13 in the affirmative, resolution passes, Mr.

Kimbrough, Mr.

Kimbrough.

You're up next.

Okay, thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 106.

Oh, resolution uh 979125 R and ask for us introduction.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council honoring the contribution of Maggie Manchinelli Cahill to the City of Albany and renaming a portion of North Pearl Street in her honor.

Thank you.

Mr.

Kimbrough, thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Referral to the council's general services committee.

Thank you.

Uh Mr.

Ballorin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I had resolutions on my mind because we have so many coming through today from planning.

Okay, so let's move forward with resolution.

Cowboys games uh 98 that 91 that 25 are and asked for uh it to be moved forward for a vote.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council appointing Benjamin Macro as a member of the active transportation planning commission.

Discussion on this resolution can a clerk please call the role.

Adams Anani?

Yes, Ballorin, yes, Clark, yes, Conti, yes, Flynn, yes, Frederick, yes, Hoey, yes, Johnson, yes, Keegan, yes, Kimbrough, yes, love, yes, Robinson, yes, Zamer, yes, co-sponsor, please.

14 in affirmative resolution passes.

Ballorin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I ask that resolution 99.91 that 25R be moved forward for a vote.

Thank you.

Can a clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council appointing Edward Brennan as a member of the Act of Transportation Planning Commission.

Any discussion on this resolution?

Seeing none.

Clerk, please call the role.

Adams.

Yes.

Anani?

Yes.

Ballorin.

Yes.

Clark.

Yes.

Comte.

Yes.

Clint.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Frederick.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Howie.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Johnson.

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Kimbrough.

Yes.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

14 in affirmative.

Uh resolution passes.

Mr.

Anani.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 10191 25R and ask for a passage on a roll call.

They are.

We missed one.

Did I just see that's why I got to keep my glasses on?

I was like, did I skip one?

Sorry.

I didn't have my glasses on.

But we're going to do Mr.

We can do Mr.

Anani's.

That's a resolution.

We're doing 101.

Yes.

Okay.

Resolution of the Common Council appointing Jennifer Richardson as a member of the task force of municipal flag.

Any discussion on this resolution?

Yeah.

Oh.

We met with um Jennifer Richardson at our task force meeting with the parks might be patient.

No, it's passage.

No, it's passage.

I got passage.

Yeah.

And um wonderful candidate, wonderful resume, and is excited to move forward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The clerk call the roll.

Yeah.

We all said Adams.

Yes.

Anani.

Yes.

Ballorin.

Co-sponsor.

Yes.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

Clark?

Yes.

County.

Yes.

Flynn?

Yes.

Frederick.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Hoey.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Johnson.

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes.

Kimbrough.

Yes.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

14 in the affirmative.

Resolution passes.

Mr.

Ballorin, resolution 100.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution uh 100.91.25R and ask for a vote.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council appointing Alicia Bacon as a member of the active transportation planning commission.

Discussion on this resolution.

Seeing none, can the clerk please call a roll?

Adams.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Anani.

Yes, co-sponsor please.

Ballorin.

Yes.

Clark.

Yes.

Conte?

Yes.

Flynn.

Yes.

Frederick.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

Hoey.

Yes.

Johnson?

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes.

Kimbrough.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson.

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

14 in the affirmative.

Resolution passes.

Continuing on.

Resolutions have Mr.

Howie.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I am going to request that we move this resolution to the end of business today, if that's possible.

So you do not want to introduce it today.

Well, I want I I'd like.

We were talking about doing an executive session, so I thought we could move it to the end of the agenda.

So what I'm asking, can we um move so you don't want to?

You don't so you don't want to introduce it right at this time.

Oh, I'll introduce no I don't.

I want to introduce it later.

I wanted to wait till the end of the meeting if that's possible.

I'm not sure of the rules after the meeting is over.

No.

To the after rule, our resolutions are over.

I don't know what the difference will be.

Well, going to an executive session.

Exactly.

It would allow us time to get the buttons to do with this resolution.

Executive session will be a private personnel matter.

Um this is about appointing a member, this Mr.

Malik Dare to the board.

Sure.

Well, then I take back what I just said, and uh Mr.

President, I notice resolution 102 9125R and ask for its passage.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council appointing Malik Dare as a member of the community police review board.

Discussion on this resolution.

Mr.

Mr.

Anani.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I'll move to lay resolution 102 9125R for further discussion.

Is there a second on that motion?

Thank you.

We have a motion on the floor.

Uh the second.

All those in favor of this motion.

We just raise our hand, or you got a call.

Can you please state the motion again, Mr.

Yeah?

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I move to lay resolution 102 91.25R for further discussion.

This is the resolution.

Make an appointment regarding the CPRP.

So you're asking to table this resolution.

Okay.

Is there is a second on the floor, Mr.

Johnson?

So I will call uh voice vote.

If I can't understand a voice vote, then we will do individual vote.

All those in favor of tabling this resolution say aye.

Aye.

All those against no one's against it.

So this motion, this resolution.

I said all those in favor of tabling the motion.

Say aye.

Of tabling the resolution.

Everybody didn't say anything.

Yeah, she can stand.

All those in favor, people, let's get it together.

Aye.

All those opposed.

All those who sustain.

The ayes have it.

This motion, this resolution will be tabled.

Moving right along, Mr.

Ballorin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I uh I notice resolution 103.93 dot 25 R and asked for the vote.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council appointing I'm an Amelike.

Alma needs to be a good thing.

I can yield me.

I can as a member of the public education and government access oversight board.

Still love you.

Uh Mr.

Discussion on this resolution.

Seeing none, can the clerk please call the roll?

Adams.

Anani.

Yes.

Ballerin.

Yes.

Clark.

Yes.

Conti.

Yes.

Flynn?

Yes.

Frederick.

Yes.

Howie.

Yes.

Johnson.

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes.

Kimbrough.

Yes.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson.

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

14 in the affirmative.

Resolution passes.

Mr.

Anani.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 104 9125R and ask for us passage on the roll call there on.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council appointing James Saddle as a member of the task force of on municipal flag.

Discussion on this resolution.

Mr.

Anani.

Yeah, but parks and recreation committee met.

James.

Uh wonderful resume.

Um, and is really passionate about doing the work.

So we're really excited, and we move this name out of committee with a positive recommendation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh can the clerk please call the roll.

Adams.

Yes.

Anani.

Yes.

Valoran.

Yes.

Clark.

Yes.

Conti.

Yes.

Flynn.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Frederick.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Howie.

Yes.

Johnson.

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes.

Kimbrough.

Yes.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson.

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

14 in affirmative.

Resolution passes.

Uh, Mr.

Adams.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I'd like to notice resolution 105.9124 25R.

Maxwell's reading the passage.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council celebrating September 1st as Labor Day.

Thank you.

Is discussion on this resolution?

No comment.

Seeing none.

Can the clerk please call the roll?

Yes.

Is there any discussion?

I think they're all co-sponsor.

Oh, you are?

I didn't know.

All right.

So this is a voice vote, then people.

All those in favor.

Aye.

Aye.

Resolution passes.

Continue to move on.

Mr.

Kimbrough.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 10691 25R and S first passage.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the Common Council recognizing September as Suicide Awareness Month in the City of Albany.

Discussion on this resolution.

Mr.

Kimbrough.

Yes.

Uh thank you.

Uh respect.

This resolution recognizes September Suicide Awareness Month here in the city of Albany.

Uh suicide impacts families, friends, and communities across the nation.

And our community is not uh immune to that pain.

Uh by adopting this resolution, we acknowledge the importance of addressing mental health openly and without stigma.

This is about more than awareness.

It's about compassion and action.

It's about creating a community where people feel safe, seeking help, where mental health is valued as much as physical health, and no one has to feel alone.

Tonight, through this resolution, we honor the lives lost, support the survivors, and affirm our commitment to prevention and healing.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Kimbrough.

For discussion.

All the co-sponsors, so this one, uh all those in favor.

Aye.

Aye.

Thank you.

Resolution passes.

Continuing on, Ms.

Frederick.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 107 9125R and X for its passage.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the Common Council recognizing August 31st, 2025 as International Overdose Awareness Day and supporting New York State's recognition of overdose awareness day.

Discussion on this resolution.

Ms.

Frederick.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Overdose impacts our communities every day.

It's a terrible tragedy that impacts not only the individual but also the families, friends, and extended communities of said individual, not only locally, but also extended throughout extended throughout globally.

So we like to do this resolution every year to uh recognize uh the tragedy that overdose faces in our communities and also make sure we're bringing awareness to the issue.

Uh September 10th is the fifth annual New York State Overdose Awareness Day recognition.

There's a virtual session that we encourage everyone to uh listen in to uh spread the word and help reduce the stigma of overdose within our state.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please call the roll?

Adams.

Yes, co-sponsor please Anani?

Yes, co-sponsor please.

Ballorin.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Clark?

Yes.

Conzi?

Yes, co-sponsor.

Flynn.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Frederick.

Yes.

Howie.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Johnson?

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Kimbrough.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson.

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

14 in the affirmative.

Resolution passes.

Uh, Mr.

Kimbrough.

You have a majority consent.

Yes.

Uh, thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh motion to add resolution 110 91 25 by majority consent.

Is there a second on that motion?

Second.

Thank you, Mr.

Howie.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed.

Motion passes.

Mr.

Anani.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 1109125R and asked for the intro and passage on a roll call there on.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the Common Council approving of an emergency limited scope agreement between Michael L.

Goldstein and the City of Albany Common Council.

Is there any discussion on this resolution?

Mr.

Ballorin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I want to thank all the members that have been working on this behind the scenes to try to get this moved forward.

I want to recognize Councilmember Hoya.

I saw what you were trying to do there to try to push the other bill down so we could uh move it on the agenda so we can have a more discussion on it, and I appreciate that.

I just want you to know that.

Um and I also appreciate the work you've done uh behind the scenes uh with trying to solve some of the issues that we uh that have come up.

I also appreciate the work that's been done by council member uh Kimbo uh on this issue.

Um so I know there's a lot of work, a lot a lot of headache, a lot of heartache that has been gone behind the scenes that the public doesn't see to try to uh get some compromise and move some of these difficult issues forward, and I think this is a uh a good compromise to allow uh Mr.

Goldstein to be able to move forward on the legislation on the uh legal issues that they've already been working on uh while we address some of the other issues.

So again, thank you to my colleagues for the work you've done.

It's appreciated.

Uh and uh I will be moving.

I will be voting in favor of this.

Thank you.

For discussion, seeing none, can the clerk recall the role?

Adams.

Yes, Anani.

Yes, Ballorin.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Clark, yes, co-sponsor Conzi.

Yes, Flynn.

Frederick.

Yes, Howie.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Johnson?

Yes.

Keegan.

Present.

Kimbrell.

Yes.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

13 affirmative.

Thank you.

Resolution passes.

Um we have Mr.

Kimbral, Commissioner D.

Do you have uh uh an issue that we have to go back to?

But we're gonna have to vote to be a vote.

Really?

All right.

So the the clerk will enter reintroduce resolution 102.

We have to have a roll call vote on the majority consent to table the note the resolution.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council appointing Malik Dare as a member of the community police review board.

And Mr.

Anani was recognized as requesting table.

Mr.

Johnson was second on that.

Uh request a table.

So we will take a roll call vote on that now.

So can the clerk please call the roll?

Adams.

Yes.

Anani.

Yes.

Ballorin.

Yes.

Clark.

Yes.

Conti.

Yes.

Flynn.

Yes.

Frederick.

Yes.

Howie.

No.

Johnson?

Yes.

Keegan.

No.

Kimbrough.

No.

Love.

Robinson.

Yes.

Zamer.

Present.

Nine, yes, four, no, one present.

Motion passes.

Table.

The commissioner of deeds, Mr.

Kimbrough.

Point of information, uh, Mr.

President.

Uh resolution 6971 at 25R.

That wasn't presented.

That was supposed to be voted on this evening.

Yeah, the mural.

It moved out of committee today.

Oh, that came after, yes.

Where I didn't mention.

I think I think they want to add a oh I don't have a Reverend Robinson to it as the sixth one.

Oh, was that yeah?

I don't have it on my sorry, Mr.

Robinson.

Oh my goodness, is this legal?

Well, we haven't adjourned the meeting, so um the chair recognizes Ms.

Love.

It's not on my list.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice right here.

Resolution 697125 are at Nashville's passage.

Thank you.

Can the clerk please read the resolution?

A resolution of the common council supporting the installation of a mural on the West Hill Community Center commemorating significant community leaders.

Discussion on this resolution.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

So we are living in a time when history itself is under attack, especially African American history.

National efforts are going on to decide which stories are told and which legacies are honored.

Our history matters, our community matters, and in times when the national conversation is fraught with malice and intentional erasing, it falls on us to preserve the truth, to shine the light on our heritage and inspire the next generation with real stories of courage and resilience.

If we don't tell our story, someone else will.

And when they do, they'll leave out our struggle, our strength, and our victory.

This is why this mural matters.

It's not just about honoring the past.

It's about owning our history and telling it in our own voice.

Sergeant Henry Johnson, Alice Green, Brother Youssef Burgess, Edmund O'Neill, and Sarah Curry Cobb.

These are not just names, they are chapters in the history of West Hill and the story of Albany.

And they deserve to be seen, remembered, and honored.

When we preserve our history, we protect our truth.

And when we invest in projects like this, we tell future generations, you come from resilience, from greatness, and from people who made a difference.

I just want to go and recognize as I said in the committee meeting.

Um hopefully we can get Nebraska Brace's name or his uh picture up there also someday.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Further discussion?

See none, can the clerk please call the roll?

Adams.

Yes.

Anani.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Ballorin.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Clerk.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Conte?

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Flynn.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Frederick.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Howie.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Johnson.

Yes.

Co-sponsor.

Keegan.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Kimberl?

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Love.

Yes.

Robinson.

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Uh 14 affirmative.

Resolution passes.

Kimbrough.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Rest of the resolutions on the agenda help.

Thank you.

And uh Commissioner D.

Yes, thank you, sir.

I offer a list of names uh for appointment to Commissioner Deed and wave the reading of the names.

Is there a second on that motion?

Second.

All those in favor.

Aye.

Aye.

Motion passes.

Miscellaneous.

Mr.

Johnson.

Mr.

Clark.

Mr.

Robinson, I got it.

So I um thank you, um, Mr.

President.

I wanted to stand up for this because tonight, while we were doing our business, I'm getting texts um from one of the people that we are discussing in here, and you know, it's tough when you feel like your um character is being attacked and assassinated when you're doing work uh on behalf of the committee and um the community.

And so um it as I said earlier, my spirit was um interrupted when I came in this um space today, and and some of the things were shared with me.

And I I just hope that um we could be more mindfulness of people that um dedicate themselves to the work.

A lot of times we don't understand how um emotionally attached um people are to this work.

They bring it home, they walk around the community with it, they can't get away from it.

You know, um, when you are um and and a representative of hope in our um communities, you'd be surprised how many conversations that you um encounter because each time people see you, they see you as a beacon of hope of um their struggles that they're are are facing on a daily basis.

So, you know, um tonight when I go to sleep and I think about my day, I'm gonna think about um beautiful faces that I saw on the first day of school, but I'm also gonna think about the uh damage that we are doing and the messaging that we're um sending out to people um in tar in in terms of being connected to local government.

Um I don't know if we um are paying attention, but it's a lot of people that are disconnected with what's going on in the city of Albany.

And it's funny because you know, when you sit at the table, you get to hear the many different um stories that that are um passed about people's experiences in every direction in the city of Albany in the last 12 or so years, and um we owe people better than um to say uh that they served on the board, you know, for 10 years and their time is up because it was times that their um expertise was needed and they stayed and they offered their time to us to so to just say oh it's time for them to go.

Um and I'm gonna say this my nephew is the person being considered, and if he had reached out to me, I would have definitely told him um not to uh get involved with what's going on.

So and um um I'm glad that we tabled it and I hope that um I get a chance to talk to him because that will be my direction to him, because I would hate to see a young talented man get caught up in this mess that has um created um with the CPRB, and I I just want to have um my freedom from it because to know that somebody is feeling attacked that you know um has been a blessing that that we have never had any um concern and if it was concerned it was never voiced.

So um um to be a part of the group that you know um is making a person feel like that, I felt it was a need to get up.

I'm not gonna say any names because we all know who we're um discussing, but we have to be mindful of the um impact that some of the things that we do and say on people that are um trying to make Albany better.

Thank you.

Mr.

Clark.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Just on the um seeker issue where I was trying to make comments during um the vote.

I you know, my understanding is that the resolutions were not before the committee.

So, in terms of having a chance to discuss it, um I do have a concern that the resolution states that we went through part two of the full environmental assessment forum, which is a 19-page question document that I haven't seen, and I don't know if any of my colleagues actually went through it uh in the grand scheme of things for this, you know, maybe it doesn't matter, it comes out to a negative declaration, but just for this body moving forward, it does leave us open uh to a challenge because we didn't actually go through seeker.

So it's my my background and that's just wanted to share that with my colleagues.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Clark.

Mr.

Robinson, thank you, Mr.

President.

Just wanted to um address uh Mr.

Anderson's uh comments regarding the youth safety and support hours, and I wish he was here um to listen uh to what I have to say about the youth safety and support hours.

Um, but hopefully he watches and forward before he was against it.

So go ahead, Mr.

Robinson.

So hopefully, if uh he's watching this, um, you know, if he's going to be on the contrary against it, uh he might need to have all the facts.

Um, but he can't have all the facts because the legislation has not even been introduced yet.

So um I will pose a question how much do you love your kids enough to keep them safe?

And as leaders, we need to ask ourselves how much do we love the kitty, the kids of this city to keep them safe.

We should love them enough to face the hard truth that too many of them have already lost their lives to gun violence.

Too many have been caught in the cycle of mass incarceration, too many names read at vigils, too many faces missing from classrooms, and too many futures caught short cut short.

That's why we are exploring youth safety and support hours.

And we need to understand that this is not a traditional curfew, and this is not a police state.

In fact, the legislation has again hasn't been introduced because right now we are meeting with community focused groups, parents, young people, and leaders to get their input.

We are building this with the community and not over the community.

What we're taking is a public health approach, safe spaces, mentors, outreach workers, counselors, and rapid support when young people are the most vulnerable.

This is not about punishment, but is out about prevention.

Cities that have used this model have seen real reductions in shootings and retaliation because prevention works.

And for him to call it wasteful spending, he must understand that what's truly wasteful is a bullet that should have never been fired.

Wasteful is the hospital bed after a shooting that could have been prevented.

Wasteful spending is the 40,000 a year it takes to incarcerate one young person when that same investment can fund mentors and training to keep dozens moving forward.

What's wasteful spending is a funeral cost that it costs parents to bury their child.

So I would say to Mr.

Anderson, um, get the facts first, let the legislation be introduced, then you can make your comments about what you would like to see in this piece of legislation.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Robson.

Once again, he was for it before he was against it.

Two years sitting at that table, so that's for the record as well.

Mr.

Kimbrough.

Oh, I didn't see you.

Mr.

Dallin, sorry.

Yeah, I I I don't know how I'm gonna follow that, but um, so I just want to get the record straight on the uh resolution for an appointment.

Uh and I don't want to discourage anybody from wanting to join this board.

This is a critical board in our city.

This is a critical board that does a lot of work, and we need good people to want to join.

I don't think uh my hesitation with moving forward with the resolution uh wasn't because of the candidate.

The candidate was an excellent candidate.

Uh and I hope and I look forward to be able to vote for that behalf.

Uh it was because we were asked to go outside of our normal procedure.

Our noble procedure is what we were doing.

So I just want to make sure that it that's clear.

We were looking to uh fill a vacancy or fill a holdover that had the longest amount of time held over.

Okay.

That was how we normally do it.

That was part of our our planning uh public safety committee.

However, we got an email last week from board members asking us to fill a different vacancy.

And I felt that deserved consideration and conversation.

But I I so I want to make sure that that's that's very clear to those who are serving now, those who have served for for many, many years, that in no way was was was was that a slight or an attempted slight on anybody, at least I don't I don't think it was an attempted slight on anybody.

And I want to make sure they understand that.

Uh and I also want to encourage more people.

I we have two applicants for this vacancy we have left.

I I want to encourage more people to apply uh because I I I'd like to see it filled.

I'd like to see all of our slots filled constantly.

Um if if we're being told by our our partner in government that they're having a difficult time filling this their slots, I want to have so many applicants that we can't fill our slots that we can tend to share our applicants with our partner so that they can fill their slots so that this body is full.

Um so I uh and I just wanted to say that because I don't want it to seem as if it was a slight on anybody.

It was a I felt I needed more time and more consideration, uh, and I appreciate that.

Thank you.

Uh motion to adjourn all in favor?