OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Albany Common Council and Workforce Ethics Committee Meeting - October 9, 2025

Common Council — Thursday, October 9, 2025
BodyAlbany, New York
SessionCommon Council
DateThursday, October 9, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:39:27
Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Good evening and welcome to the Thursday, October 9th Workforce Ethics and Culture Committee meeting.

0:11

With us this evening is myself, Chair Megan Keegan, Council members Derek Johnson and Sergio Adams, staff, Brian Jimenez, and our intern Ariana Costello.

0:25

We also have Corporation Council in the audience, Rob McGee, in case he happens to come up and join us for the meeting.

0:37

So is anybody planning to submit?

0:40

No.

0:41

Okay.

0:42

So without further ado.

0:48

There is a full meeting following this.

0:50

Caucus will start at 6 30 and the meeting will start at 7.

0:54

Thank you.

1:06

So the purpose of this meeting was really to provide an update on some work that has happened behind the scenes to make sure that we have a record that that has been conducted.

1:18

Since our last meeting in May of 2025, we did submit a uh formal memo that you folks approved.

1:26

Um and we did receive a response from corporation council and clarification on the concerns outlined in that memo.

1:34

Um we also have met with the chief city auditor's office to discuss the scope of the audit that was proposed in last year's budget for fiscal year 2025 that is supposed to support the work and the mission of this committee.

1:53

Um and the reason why we called this meeting is that in September we finally got um an audit plan back from the Office of Audit and Control.

2:04

Um and I just wanted to kind of review um the audit plan with the committee.

2:11

I don't know if you guys have had a chance to take a look at that proposal.

2:17

Um it is currently under review with corporation council.

2:23

I don't know, Rob, is that still under review?

2:29

Yeah, I think my understanding of all that isn't okay.

2:35

Um so the goal of the audit was to evaluate the fairness, consistency, and transparency of city workforce management practices, including promotions, discipline, and workplace culture, and to provide actual recommendations that support a safe, fair, respectful, inclusive, productive, and supportive workplace and culture within the city of Albany.

2:58

Um they will be looking at um January of 2019 through uh December 31st of 2024.

3:07

Um their objectives will be to assess discipline and probationary terminations to review promotions and advanced placement practices and evaluate workplace culture and differential treatment.

3:21

Um, and they have provided specific audit procedures in their recommendations.

3:27

Once this is approved, the next step will be that this is posted for a request for proposal.

3:33

And when a firm is selected, the audit will be conducted and take place.

3:38

So did you guys have any feedback concerns or questions about the planned proposed audit?

3:50

Um, just brief comments in terms of the objectives.

3:53

Um, I think to what you just mentioned that the objectives here um align pretty well with the goal.

4:00

Um the procedures, the audit procedures, um, I think from the one two three four seven bullet points here.

4:08

Um that also um very well aligns with the objectives and some of the things that we've heard over these um last several months to look into.

4:20

Um in terms of the audit procedures, um the next step you mentioned would be doing what and who would have to approve this.

4:31

So then the next step is for full approval.

4:34

So any RFP would go through Corporation Council for its review to ensure both that the funds are being spent appropriately to how they were allocated in the budget, and that the scope of the audit is correct, then it would go out to bid.

4:53

Um, those bids would be reviewed.

5:00

Once a bid is selected, a contract would be negotiated and corp council would again have to review that contract, and once that contract is agreed to and signed, the work can begin.

5:06

One of the things that we want to make sure is that you know the funds are spent down within the fiscal year because if not, um we'd have to reallocate them for fiscal year 2026.

5:18

Anything that's not spent in 2025 goes into the general fund.

5:22

So any concern there in terms of the timeline of the identified if the funds are appropriated this year, that should be fine, as far as I know.

5:44

Um and that was one of the things that I wanted to make sure um occurred.

5:49

So I started pushing for that um several months ago.

5:54

Excuse me.

5:56

The other thing that um I wanted to note um were discussions that sort of took place between myself and the um commissioner for admin services were recommendations on training for department staff.

6:12

Um I can confirm that the city did invest in sending um labor relations leadership from the Department of General Services, the Albany Water Department, and um admin services to pursue certification with Cornell's School of International Labor Relations, so that um those staff can be specifically trained and certified in union negotiations and union interactions in the hopes to improve the city's relationship with ASME by providing that foundational training.

6:49

Um we actually were in school together in September.

6:53

That was quite interesting.

6:57

And those are the only updates that I have for you guys.

6:59

You guys have any questions or concerns the language for the RFP uh who will be is this pretty much like what we have here is this pretty much like the information that would be included in the RFP to the correct and the only additional information would that's not included in here would be the scope of funds that would be awarded in the RFP, which should be 75,000.

7:43

That's what we allocated in for fiscal year 2025.

7:48

Um they would respond and from there a contract would be drawn up about that would specify all the work to be done.

8:00

It would likely closely follow what's in the RFP.

8:09

Okay.

8:13

Okay.

8:14

Do I have a motion to adjourn?

8:18

Do I have a second?

8:19

So a motion to adjourn by council member Adams, second by council member Johnson.

8:24

All in favor?

8:27

So moved.

8:28

Uh meeting has ended.

32:45

We're good.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████37%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Homelessness████████8%
Public Safety████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Workforce Development████4%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Albany Common Council and Workforce Ethics Committee Meeting - October 9, 2025

The Albany Common Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025, preceded by a Workforce Ethics and Culture Committee meeting and a caucus/work session. The committee meeting provided updates on a workforce audit and training investments. The full council meeting included a public hearing, public comment period, introductions of local laws and ordinances, and votes on multiple resolutions and ordinances. Key topics included homelessness, tenant safety, budget proposals, and appointments to city boards.

Workforce Ethics and Culture Committee Update

  • The committee met at 6:00 PM to review progress on a workforce audit funded with $75,000 from Fiscal Year 2025. The audit will evaluate fairness, consistency, and transparency of city workforce management practices (including promotions, discipline, and workplace culture) from January 2019 through December 2024.
  • The audit plan is under review by Corporation Counsel. Once approved, a Request for Proposals will be issued, and a firm selected to conduct the audit.
  • The city invested in sending labor relations staff from the Department of General Services, Albany Water Department, and Admin Services to certification training with Cornell's School of International Labor Relations to improve union negotiations and relationships with ASME.

Public Hearing

  • Ordinance 341-25 (amending cabaret licensing provisions): No members of the public spoke; the hearing was closed.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lisa Johnson (Albany resident): Described her family's homelessness and medical displacement, criticizing the county's system and praising Deborah Marcus's organization. Asked the council to partner with her organization, pass medical hardship eviction protections, and create a rapid response eviction prevention unit.
  • Benzi Johnson (Albany resident): Supported his wife's testimony and proposed using vacant land bank buildings to address homelessness.
  • Jesse Summer (Ward 6 resident): Criticized the city's vision, the $150 million state museum renovation, and the mayor's budget increases. Announced his candidacy for Common Council President and proposed a "revitalization czar" to facilitate development.
  • Chris Francisco (Tivoli Park Apartments tenant): Described declining conditions under Opus management, including pest infestations, neglect, and retaliation against tenants after a fire. Asked the city to hold Opus accountable.
  • Bebin Francis (tenant organizer): Updated on Ida Yarbrough tenant union's progress and highlighted severe fire hazards at Amstel apartments (Amsdell), including boarded exits, exposed wiring, and non-functional sprinklers. Asked for council support for safety improvements.
  • Bridget Savage Spees (Albany resident): Emphasized the danger of code violations and the need for strict enforcement, citing historical fire tragedies.
  • Marjani Aronson (Tivoli Park resident): Described unsafe conditions and feeling dehumanized by management and code enforcement.
  • John Cutrow (Albany resident): Called for community mutual aid networks and council support for non-governmental responses to housing crises.
  • Kyra Bruno (Amstel resident): Detailed loss of heat, frequent fire alarms, and sprinkler tabs left installed. Announced a tenant union with 80% supermajority and a press conference planned for October 11.
  • Helen Cleason (Albany resident): Described the Albany Community Response Team's work and asked the council to fund emergency housing resources, especially as federal funding for nonprofits declines.
  • Keith Irish (9th Ward resident): Criticized the mayor's FY2026 budget for salary increases and new positions, requested a printed copy, and addressed resolutions on Clara Phillips, digital inclusion, and television censorship. Criticized underfunding of Channel Albany.
  • Ian Butler (Albany resident): Defended the inclusionary zoning ordinance against the mayor's criticism, arguing it is essential for equitable development amid state investment. Highlighted high renter costs and the need to address vacant buildings.

Discussion Items

  • Local Laws Introduced:
    • Local Law B-2025 (Civic Inclusion and Rights Protection) – referred to Human Resources/Human Rights Committee.
    • Local Law C-2025 (elective officer salaries) and Local Law D-2025 (curbside waste collection fee) – both referred to Finance.
  • Ordinances Introduced:
    • 27-101-25 through 58-101-25 (FY2026 budget and bond authorizations) – all referred to Finance.
    • Ordinance 24-101-25 (returning affordable housing requirement to original level) – referred to Planning.
    • Ordinance 25-101-25 (zoning change for 540 Myrtle Ave) – referred to Planning.
    • Ordinance 26-101-25 (LLC beneficial owner disclosure) – referred to Law and Code.
  • Resolutions Introduced and Voted:
    • Resolution 113-101-25R (Domestic Violence Awareness Month) – adopted.
    • Resolution 114-101-25R (Italian American Heritage Month) – adopted.
    • Resolution 115-101-25R (Indigenous People's Day) – adopted.
    • Resolution 116-101-25R (Digital Inclusion Week) – adopted.
    • Resolution 117-101-25R (Honoring Clara Phillips) – adopted.
    • Resolution 118-101-25R (Appointing Michaela Robinson to Commission on Human Rights) – adopted, roll call 11-0.
    • Resolution 119-101-25R (Opposing censorship on television media) – adopted.
    • Resolution 120-101-25R (Appointing Warren Hamilton to Community Police Review Board) – adopted, roll call 11-0.
    • Resolution 121-101-25R (Public hearing on eminent domain for 502-506 rab Road) – introduced and referred to Finance.
    • Resolution 122-101-25R (Declaring council as lead agency for SEQR on the rab Road acquisition) – passed 9-1-1 (Councilmember Howie opposed, one present).
    • Resolution 123-101-25R (Property tax base proportions) – introduced and referred to Finance.
  • Ordinances Voted:
    • Ordinance 217-124 (truck parking restrictions) – passed unanimously.
    • Ordinance 552-25 (heavy commercial vehicles on Madison Avenue) – passed 9-2 (two present).
  • Reports of Committees:
    • Law, Buildings and Code Committee reported positive recommendations for ordinances 217-124 and 552-25, and continued discussion on Ordinance 209-125 (renaming Columbus Day).
    • Workforce Ethics and Culture Committee reported on the audit update.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes of September 15, 2025 were approved.
  • Appointments: Michaela Robinson to Human Rights Commission; Warren Hamilton to Community Police Review Board.
  • Audit Process: The workforce audit plan is under legal review; RFP to follow. $75,000 allocated from FY2025 budget.
  • Budget Introductions: FY2026 budget ordinances and bond authorizations were introduced and referred to Finance for committee review.
  • Executive Session: The council entered executive session to discuss a personnel issue after the regular meeting.
  • Councilmember Remarks: Several members expressed frustration with housing conditions, enforcement, and the budget process. Councilmember Johnson highlighted the need for stronger tenant protections and criticized the mayor's attacks on inclusionary zoning.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the Thursday, October 9th Workforce Ethics and Culture Committee meeting. With us this evening is myself, Chair Megan Keegan, Council members Derek Johnson and Sergio Adams, staff, Brian Jimenez, and our intern Ariana Costello. We also have Corporation Council in the audience, Rob McGee, in case he happens to come up and join us for the meeting. So is anybody planning to submit? No. Okay. So without further ado. There is a full meeting following this. Caucus will start at 6 30 and the meeting will start at 7. Thank you. So the purpose of this meeting was really to provide an update on some work that has happened behind the scenes to make sure that we have a record that that has been conducted. Since our last meeting in May of 2025, we did submit a uh formal memo that you folks approved. Um and we did receive a response from corporation council and clarification on the concerns outlined in that memo. Um we also have met with the chief city auditor's office to discuss the scope of the audit that was proposed in last year's budget for fiscal year 2025 that is supposed to support the work and the mission of this committee. Um and the reason why we called this meeting is that in September we finally got um an audit plan back from the Office of Audit and Control. Um and I just wanted to kind of review um the audit plan with the committee. I don't know if you guys have had a chance to take a look at that proposal. Um it is currently under review with corporation council. I don't know, Rob, is that still under review? Yeah, I think my understanding of all that isn't okay. Um so the goal of the audit was to evaluate the fairness, consistency, and transparency of city workforce management practices, including promotions, discipline, and workplace culture, and to provide actual recommendations that support a safe, fair, respectful, inclusive, productive, and supportive workplace and culture within the city of Albany. Um they will be looking at um January of 2019 through uh December 31st of 2024. Um their objectives will be to assess discipline and probationary terminations to review promotions and advanced placement practices and evaluate workplace culture and differential treatment. Um, and they have provided specific audit procedures in their recommendations. Once this is approved, the next step will be that this is posted for a request for proposal. And when a firm is selected, the audit will be conducted and take place. So did you guys have any feedback concerns or questions about the planned proposed audit? Um, just brief comments in terms of the objectives. Um, I think to what you just mentioned that the objectives here um align pretty well with the goal. Um the procedures, the audit procedures, um, I think from the one two three four seven bullet points here. Um that also um very well aligns with the objectives and some of the things that we've heard over these um last several months to look into. Um in terms of the audit procedures, um the next step you mentioned would be doing what and who would have to approve this. So then the next step is for full approval. So any RFP would go through Corporation Council for its review to ensure both that the funds are being spent appropriately to how they were allocated in the budget, and that the scope of the audit is correct, then it would go out to bid. Um, those bids would be reviewed. Once a bid is selected, a contract would be negotiated and corp council would again have to review that contract, and once that contract is agreed to and signed, the work can begin. One of the things that we want to make sure is that you know the funds are spent down within the fiscal year because if not, um we'd have to reallocate them for fiscal year 2026. Anything that's not spent in 2025 goes into the general fund. So any concern there in terms of the timeline of the identified if the funds are appropriated this year, that should be fine, as far as I know. Um and that was one of the things that I wanted to make sure um occurred. So I started pushing for that um several months ago. Excuse me. The other thing that um I wanted to note um were discussions that sort of took place between myself and the um commissioner for admin services were recommendations on training for department staff. Um I can confirm that the city did invest in sending um labor relations leadership from the Department of General Services, the Albany Water Department, and um admin services to pursue certification with Cornell's School of International Labor Relations, so that um those staff can be specifically trained and certified in union negotiations and union interactions in the hopes to improve the city's relationship with ASME by providing that foundational training. Um we actually were in school together in September. That was quite interesting. And those are the only updates that I have for you guys. You guys have any questions or concerns the language for the RFP uh who will be is this pretty much like what we have here is this pretty much like the information that would be included in the RFP to the correct and the only additional information would that's not included in here would be the scope of funds that would be awarded in the RFP, which should be 75,000. That's what we allocated in for fiscal year 2025. Um they would respond and from there a contract would be drawn up about that would specify all the work to be done.

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