Thank you all.

All right, we're live now.

I just want to thank um I'm calling order the uh DGS Health and Services Committee meeting.

Council members present is Art Lupin, Rachel Powell and Zamer, and myself, Jack Flynn.

Uh tonight we're going to be discussing a resolution that was already passed through committee, but due to uh the family was not able to make it, and uh due to uh let legally we had to start a new session.

So this this uh resolution did already go through committee, but we're gonna do resolution six twelve twenty-six R a resolution on the life and legacy of Molly Finney Larson, Molly Quinn Duffy, and James William Larson, and we're naming a portion of Sycamore Street and their honor.

So I am the uh sponsor of this.

Uh just say a few words.

If you don't know Chief Larson, was a fireman for over 40 years, he was also the chief.

His wife Molly Quinn Duffy, uh, very active in the school district.

She was a nurse, very involved, doing a lot of volunteering for our community, and their daughter Molly Duffy uh was just a tremendous every year.

She made Christmas cookies for the kids.

Uh very did a lot of volunteering for Monte Christi school and was just another advocate for our youth in the city of Albany.

Um I've known the family probably since the eighties, since uh I went to St.

Catharines and they uh their family went to St.

Teresa, so I have a lot of history with the family, but when you talk about families in the city of Albany, the Larson family is well deserving of this.

And unfortunately, Molly, you know, the father and uh Molly uh the Duffy uh died tragically, so it's an honor that we have this name in their honor.

And uh not only that, but the all that worked at their son Jimmy's done with uh San Speedo run, you know, it's active in the AIDS community, and uh their son Chris fouled in their footsteps as being a firefighter also with the uh family.

So um with that, uh any community have any uh thing to say also thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

I just want to thank you, Councilmember uh Flynn for bringing this forward for for getting this going.

It's a it's well deserved.

Um I've also known the family for a long time and uh proud to be supporting this.

Thank you.

Anything else?

Uh uh, yes.

I saw President is Councilmember Hoey and President Potem, Jenny Frell.

Uh Council Hoey on the uh thank you.

Thank you, Jack.

Um Molly Duffy was actually my niece.

She was married to my nephew, and I just like to point out also she worked for the water department for many years.

Um, and actually, I got into an argument with her about a bill, not realizing that she was married to my my nephew.

So um, but I know the family.

I met them not as long as you, of course.

Um, but very very nice people, very community-oriented, and uh I think this is a nice honor for them.

So uh thank you for supporting this.

Thank you.

Uh Jenny, do you have anything to say?

I know you've known the family, but I know you're just getting here.

I think it is absolutely a wonderful thing to do.

Um I look forward to co-sponsoring it when it comes to the floor.

And um, sometimes you have an example of the reason why we do street renamings, and I think this is one of them.

So thank you.

Thank you.

I'd like to make a motion to move resolution six point twelve point twenty-six R out of committee with a favorable recommendation.

I'll second.

All right, or second.

All in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any nays?

Any abstentions?

Thank you.

It'll go to the full floor tonight for a vote.

Can I get a motion to close?

Go ahead.

I'll make the motion closed.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any abstentions?

Any nays?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

It was wonderful.

Good evening, everyone.

Uh welcome to caucus.

And if I could have I never remember if it is Brian or Brian call the roll up for everyone.

Adams.

Anana.

Ballarin.

Brody.

Here.

Farrell.

Flynn.

Here.

Howie.

Present.

Johnson.

Jones.

Present.

Keegan.

Here.

Lumpkin.

Powell.

Here.

Robinson.

Williamson.

Zamer.

Here.

10 present.

We're also joined by Council President Kelly Kimbrough.

Deputy City Clerk Demetro Brown.

Senior Assistant Corporation Council, Martha Mahoney, Research Council Robert Winter, Legislative Director Brian Mena's, Junior Policy Analyst Alyssa Kamara, Junior Legislative Aide, Carly Johnson.

And we're also joined today by Assemblymember Gabrielle Romero and her chief of staff Jake Island.

They're in the audience.

Good evening, everyone.

So we'll go through the agenda.

That will go to finance.

Mr.

Howie, do you want to say anything this evening?

Yes.

A lot of uh older people, you know, especially when they get up into their 60s and 70s and 80s, they forget to file the exemption on the property tax that the city offers.

And um what we're trying to do is uh you know, trade kingston, our assessors really conscientious about making sure that the people who deserve the break get it.

So um we had looked at a couple of different things.

One, we were gonna talk to the state legislature about making changes, but what came out um is that we're gonna make it that if you apply five years in a row for this exemption that you're automatically in it for the rest, you know, the rest of your life.

So um it's a good thing for our seniors, and again, people do get star, but star only applies to the educational tax by the uh Albany School District.

This would be for the city of Albany tax.

Thank you.

Um and as I oh statement to that.

Sure, but we are gonna be like talking about it in committee and things like that, but go ahead.

Yeah, just to add um Councilmember Hoey.

Um one of the things I was looking into the last meeting where we were discussing this was just uh partial language in terms of trying to possibly add um language that will allow for seniors who are on fixed incomes to um not get priced out of certain programs due to um maybe their social security or benefits increasing when it does.

Um so just wanted to throw that out there as a consideration as it gets in the committee.

Sounds good.

And um certainly something that we might want to invite trade to come to the committee meeting, make sure that because there's state law and then there's city law.

I don't know, they kind of overlap sometimes.

Yes, yeah, it can definitely get complicated when you're looking at that.

Um next we have Councilmember Keegan's local law C of 2026, which is to add in the majority web position.

That will be going to finance councilmember Keegan.

And I just wanted to note that um staff and I worked on updating this to ensure that we're treating all of these equitably.

Um there's much discussion about the um salary increases and additional staff positions in the administration, so the same data and information will be attached to that legislation.

So it will demonstrate exactly how we're gonna pay for this this year as well as do the fiscal year 2027 impact.

Thank you very much.

And local law is held.

We have councilmember Zamers local law A of 2026.

We'll be voting on that this evening.

That did pass through the finance committee with a positive recommendation, I believe, unanimously.

Councilmember Zamer, did you want to say anything?

Um no, just wanted to note that on the um on the supporting memorandum for this for local law A, there was an addition under fiscal impact, just to give a little bit more context to why there's actually no fiscal impact to the city of Albany, which can sound kind of confusing.

So if you're interested, we did put a little bit of a uh defining paragraph at the end there.

Thank you very much.

And ordinances introduced, we have Councilmember Anane's ordinance 12126, um, which is an ordinance amending chapter 21 and 22 of the code of the city of Albany in relation to prohibiting smoking products and limiting their proximity to risk populations.

That will go to law.

Next, we have council member Williamson's ordinance 22126, um, which will grant a pre permanent easement to Nash to Niagara Mohawk that will go to finance.

There were now something else.

In resolutions introduced, we have council member Anane's resolution 82126R, which is honoring Black History Month and the contributions of African Americans and directing the mayor to raise the pan-African flag on City Hall annually in Solidarity.

We are all co-sponsors with that, so that will be a voice vote this evening.

Um next, we have my resolution 92126R, um, which is celebrating lunar new year and recognizing its cultural and historical significance.

We are all co-sponsors on that, so that will also be a voice vote.

Um next, uh I have a resolution 102126R to appoint our very own Dear Brody as board member up to the Lark Street area bid.

Um we'll be voting on that this evening.

And um next we have councilmember Johnson's resolution 112126R, um, which is commending council member or sorry, assembly member Gabriela Romero for her first year within the state legislature.

We'll be voting on that this evening.

We're actually going to take that out of order, so we'll take that first.

Um Councilmember Romero is here, and um so we'll be voting on that in the beginning.

Councilmember Flynn.

And don't forget about mine, 612-26R.

You want to take that out of committee?

That just passed the DGS committee.

I haven't gotten to resolutions held yet.

So that's my next part.

Um, so we'll be voting on the council member Romero is one taking that out of order and voting on that first.

Next in resolutions held, we have uh ferrile resolution 4126R, um which passed through the finance committee on Thursday.

That's approving a transfer of budgeted funds and a change in the authorized positions included in the 2026 budget.

Um councilmember Keegan.

So we we pass this through committee with the caveat that the administration provides some financials which were not provided prior to the finance committee meeting as requested by me.

Um they did provide uh stronger information in the legislative intent memo with regards to how they plan to account for this within the salary cap.

One of the other things that we had asked for was the fiscal impact going into fiscal year 2027.

So while this may not have significant impact this year if they hold certain items vacant for a period of time, it would be a significant period of time in order to account for the salary increases in the bill.

Um it it will impact department budgets in fiscal year 2027, and they did not provide that analysis to us this evening.

So I I continued to have some reservations about the decision to do this and particularly the decision to do this so early in the year.

So is this something?

Why don't we hold on voting on this until we have that?

Because if we're waiting for another piece of information, um we can easily vote on it at our next that I mean that was how we left it with them on Thursday that if we did not have that information by the meeting this evening, that we would not be planning to vote on the legislation this evening.

Okay.

Excellent.

Um so I will we will hold on voting on resolution 4126R.

Um next we have Councilmember Flynn's resolution 6126R, which is a resolution honoring the life and legacy of uh many different people in the Larson family who have done a lot for our community that did just pass through the General Services Committee with a unanimous vote.

Uh Councilmember Flynn.

Yeah, I just wonder if we could take that order also after uh Gabriella's resolution.

We absolutely can, yes.

So hear that, Mr.

President.

We got a second one out of order.

Um and then next up is uh my resolution uh 7126R, which is a resolution of the common council approving a transfer of budgeted funds and a change in the authorized positions uh for the chief city auditor.

Um that go ahead, Councilmember Keegan.

That did pass through committee.

Um to provide some greater context to the body on this, um both the administration and the chief city auditor um were provided opportunities to make budget requests for fiscal year 2026 um prior to the announcement of the budget.

At that time, the chief city auditor had only requested to have a communication staff person, and that position was granted on a part-time basis to the office, so they expanded their staffing to a certain extent.

We spoke with the chief city auditor and invited um chief city auditor elect and invited him in to present his department budget um during the budget session in fiscal year 2026.

At that time, which was I think a few weeks before the budget passed, he asked for us to add additional staffing positions to the department, and there was much discussion back and forth.

We essentially explained to him that he needed to live within the confines of his budgeted total.

He said he at the time he was willing to give up contracted services, and those contracted services were specifically allocated to be able to perform independent audits in the city.

We took a look at that as the finance committee.

That was not sufficient, particularly when you consider that roughly 90,000 of those funds have to be utilized for an independent fiscal audit that is mandated by the state.

Um, so you you cannot remove that that total line item.

You have to have funds reserved for that.

We took a look at the remaining roughly 75,000 and determined that we could award him the second auditor position at the time he told us that he wanted to bring that work in-house, and um he'd be able to perform that independent contracted work with a second auditor position.

This bill is essentially asking us to eliminate both that additional auditor position as well as the communications person in order for him to have a chief of staff.

He has still yet to provide a real clear explanation as to how that staffing change will allow the auditor's office to continue to perform at the rate that the office has been performing over the last several years in terms of both being able to keep up with the day-to-day work as well as perform additional audits.

So I I have significant reservations at the same time.

He's an independently elected person, um, and you know, to some extent should be able to staff his office as he sees fit.

But I I have concerns that this does not necessarily benefit the people of Albany as a whole.

Thank you, Councilmember Keegan.

Councilmember Ballarin.

Thank you.

Sure.

Uh so two quick points.

Um I I think one is if people don't feel comfortable voting for this, then we should just have an up and down vote on this.

Um versus pushing it on uh to another meeting to another meeting.

Um I know we did ask for some information.

I know some information was provided, it wasn't exactly everything we wanted.

I get that.

Um, but at the same point, uh we I think all of us, um, and I'm talking about let me just be clear.

I'm talking about the auditors as well as the mayor's administration position, just to be clear on that, just so that people know what I'm talking about.

Sorry for that.

Thank you for making sure I'm on point.

Um because the numbers are never gonna work.

Just want to make sure people understand that.

You know, the there's never gonna be a place where you're gonna find this type of money does not have some type of an impact on the future budget.

It's gonna have an impact on the future budget.

We're gonna have to either make some cuts elsewhere, or we're gonna have to find new revenue somewhere to make up this left to make up these expenses.

Um I think that's important for us to understand.

If we're not gonna vote on it, that's okay.

This is not the first time the council has not agreed with the administration on salary increases.

I think it was my second year.

I want to say like five members didn't vote on the full budget because there was some disagreement with some increases for um, you know, non-union staff.

Uh and this was at a time where we had a lot of uh outstanding union contracts.

Um so I'm saying that because we can we can kick it down the vote and that's fine, but if we're gonna deal with it, let's just deal with it and put an up and down vote on it.

Um because uh we did one of these individuals, you know, started today.

Um and we have other individuals that we held off on that, you know, people need to know they're gonna have employment on that.

Um and I'm just thinking we need to give people clarity, or people are gonna, you know, this affects people's lives.

If someone is leaving their employment to come here, then if we're gonna vote it down, let's just vote it down.

Just Mr.

Ballorin, I will say we're talking specifically about the auditor position where that has not been hired.

So conflating the two, we've already decided not to vote on the we have not gotten all the requested information on the mayor's piece, so we will not be voting on that.

So just to be clear, the auditors piece that that has not been hired.

So that is a separate.

I just want to make sure that we're not conflating the two.

Well, I'm I'm um I guess I'm talking about the the one that we we already we have.

Let me clear, I'm talking about four, twelve, twenty six all.

Um, because th those individuals so uh we've already we're not going to be voting on that because we did not get all of the information.

So we've already discussed that.

If right now I'm talking specifically about the auditor one.

I'm just saying, just put it out there.

If people are expecting to be working for the city and people are leaving their jobs to come work for the city, okay.

I just I want to make sure we're not let's talk specifically about the auditor one and then we can talk about the other one when we're going to vote on it, which is not this evening because we did not get all of the information requested from the administration to vote on it tonight.

Well, no, because we're going to we have to start in six minutes.

So what I would like to do right now is uh to quickly uh to and I actually I appreciate Councilmember Ballarin's desire to move forward with the subject.

I personally um I think it would be my personal preference if we as a council are not going to pass through the auditor provision that we not bring it to the floor because I think there are people here that are not comfortable voting for this that still fully support Mr.

Fine as auditor and still fully support his mindset on things and would not particularly want an act of counsel to go down on Mr.

Fine's on this specific thing.

So I I think that if it's something that's not going to move forward, that's the conversation we can have with the auditor and say, listen, the votes were not there.

Um I don't think he would want something coming to the floor that would not be voted for.

So before I take anything else, I would love to take a straw poll to see where people are on this.

Um if I could get just for the auditor, we're not voting on the mayoral positions tonight.

So if people can if you're voting yes for the auditor position.

Quick question for this.

Um the information that was sent from the auditors uh office today, is that the most updated information that we're deciding on?

Yes.

That came out today that was sent.

Yes.

From him, yes.

Okay.

Yes.

And I'm I'm sorry, but I I had my my hand up before it.

Um I want to be able to support this resolution absolutely.

Um I mean, we're if we're waiting for information that you know, we are we are fiscally responsible we're not waiting on any information for the auditor office.

I thought we're just doing the said it wasn't the full the information from the auditor's office is that he will have to delay hiring, so all of the auditor positions are currently vacant in the auditor's office.

He will have to delay hiring the traditional auditor position that's been in there and forego hiring the second auditor position that was planned for both the communications and the second auditor position would be essentially eliminated from the office permanently if we approve the staffing and to to what council member ballorin uh implied that people's you know lives and employment are in the balance.

Nobody's not getting paid currently for getting paid.

He's talking about he was talking about a different piece of legislation, which was which is why I was saying it's important to not conflate them.

Um, because they are two separate things.

They're we did want to deal with them in the context of the budget together because we were bringing the same people here for a similar conversation, but they are two separate things that should not be conflated.

Um so if we could just take a quick strop poll and then um Mr.

Adams had his hand up, Mr.

Anani had his hand up, and Mr.

Johnson had his hand up, but just a reminder that we are three minutes from starting.

So I'm sorry, okay, great.

Um so for auditor, who is comfortable moving forward with this?

If you could put your hands up.

Okay, so we do have enough votes for that to move forward.

Um so we will be voting on that this evening.

Generally, we do not we generally allow things to come forward or not, um, but it is something, as I said, I don't think anyone's intention is to not necessarily support Mr.

Fine.

So Mr.

Adams, did you want to well Mr.

Johnson also had his hand up?

Go ahead, Mr.

Johnson, and then Ms.

Powell.

So one of the things that I share with the auditor is I just had a uh problem with um people wanting something because I heard the mayor is doing it and the and the um treasurer is doing it.

Um what I asked of him is to have specify you know speak to the needs of the his office, and and so I don't want us to set a precedent that every time the mayor um does something that it trickles down to the um treasurer's office and and so on and so forth.

So um uh that's something that I'm trying to be mindful of, not um encouraging just because one office gets something that means that everyone has to get it.

Um I don't think that that's how um government works, and I think that you know um to what Mr.

Balloran was um touching is that going forward, you know, we're gonna be responsible to figure this out.

So and I know you're talking about two different things, but it still uh marries in because they're adding on um the uh axing for something and and uh it hasn't been full um fully uh thought out.

Uh I that's what I was hearing.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Johnson.

An excellent point.

We definitely appreciate you communicating that.

Ms.

Powell.

No, I'm sorry, I just wanted to ask.

I I wasn't aware that this passed through finance committee.

I thought this was an item that was being held.

The auditor possession.

It correct, it did pass through the finance committee.

Okay.

It passed with the requisite that we would get additional information in advance of tonight's meeting, just like the other one did for the two positions the mayor's requested.

And and that information was updated in the legislative intent memo.

So we we did we did get that.

The bill regarding the creation of the recreation commissioner is the one that was held for discussion on Wednesday, and that will be brought up as Councilmember Keegan said on Wednesday.

So with that, we're ready to begin.

Do you mind taking mine first?

Because I just got told the son has to go to a baseball game.

Oh if possible.

Thank you, Mr.

Flynn.

All right.

Uh now 7 p.m.

Welcome.

Welcome to the Monday, February 2nd uh meeting of the Albany Common Council.

Um Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Adams.

Present.

Anani.

Present.

Ballorin.

Here.

Brody.

Present.

Foreau.

Farrell.

Flynn.

Present.

Hoey.

Present.

Johnson.

Present.

Jones.

Present.

Keegan.

Here.

Lumpkin.

Present.

Powell.

Here.

Robinson.

Here.

Williamson.

Present.

Zamer, present.

Fifteen.

Council members are here.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh so would you please stand with me for the pledge?

And a moment of silence.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

One nation, on the God, individually.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um no public hearing.

Ms.

Ms.

Farrell, do you want to do the moving?

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I would like to take resolution 6126R.

And resolution 11.

Oh we have to introduce the uh the other response.

I'd like to take resolution 612-26R out of order.

We'll start with that.

But you don't want to do them both.

You can do them.

You want me to you want me to introduce the other one first?

Oh I'll do that.

Can I get a second?

All is in favor say aye.

Aye.

Okay, that motion passes, moves.

You want to just move the other one in and we'll just go through them.

Uh however you want to do it, we'll do it.

With with that, uh Mr.

Flynn.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution six twelve twenty-six R and ask for its passage.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, would you please read the resolution?

Oh, resolution six twelve twenty-six R sponsored by Councilmember Flynn, a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Molly Finney Larson, Molly Quinn Duffy, and James William Larson, and renaming a portion of Sycamore Street in their honor.

Thank you.

Uh Mr.

Flynn for coming.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh, I'd like to thank the Larson family and the Duffy family for coming here tonight.

Uh it's been a few months since we've been able to uh get the whole family together.

So uh renaming the street in honor of the Larsons family is a is a great honor.

They've done so much to for the city of Albany.

Uh Mr.

Larson has a call, he was a fire chief for over 40 years.

Uh Molly uh was great uh a teacher in the Albany School District with the nursings.

Molly Duffy uh did a lot of stuff during her volunteer to work with uh Christmas with the St.

Patrick's Day Parade, and it's just a uh, you know, when people drive down hacking the White Hall Road and want people to know who the Larson family was and uh all the work that Jimmy's done, even Chris following following his father's footstep as a fire uh fire person is just great great.

So I appreciate all support and I'll be some time for other people as they gotta go.

Okay, any further discussion, comments.

Okay, uh Madam Clerk, please call the role.

Oh Mr.

Hoey once it's thank you.

Um you know I I met um uh James and um Molly through their daughter, Molly uh Duffy, who's married to my nephew Brian Duffy, and uh just a past funny story.

We were having trouble with the water department, and I was talking to a Molly at the Water Department, and when Brian introduced us at a later date, found out that it was the same Molly that it was arguing with on the phone.

So um we all had a good laugh about it, but but it's just one of those things.

Um, you know, a lot of people call Albany Small Body World.

And it is, it is small to me, and uh it's a great place for and especially their family did so much for the city.

So I'm glad that we're we're doing this tonight.

Thank you, Mr.

Holy.

Mr.

Flynn.

I just want to say we're gonna do a street naming April fourth uh this year, assuming that none of the kids have any activities.

So that'll be the date that we're gonna do the official announcement at ten o'clock.

Thank yes, April fourth.

Thank you, Mr.

Flint, Madam.

Oh Mr.

Johnson.

Thank you, uh Mr.

President.

I don't know the Larsons personally, but I'm an Albany guy, and I know I've been hearing the Larson's name for uh many years, and I just want to say congratulations to you.

Um I'm glad that you were able to be here to participate in this.

And you know, um much I'll take my hat off if I have one on um to the work that you did for this family for the city and um thank you to the whole family.

Thank you, Mr.

Johnson.

Um Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Adams.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Anani.

Yes, co-sponsor Ballorin.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Brody, yes, co-sponsor, please.

Pharrell.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Flynn.

Yes.

Holy?

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Johnson.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Jones.

Yes.

Keegan.

Keegan.

Yes.

Co-sponsor, please.

So again.

Abstain.

Powell.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Robinson.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Williamson.

Co sponsor, please.

Zamer.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Councilmember Lumpkin, would you like to uh co-sponsor?

Co-sponsor, yes.

Okay, thank you.

Fifteen, yes.

Okay, thank you.

The motion passes.

I can pass that on the show and uh see if we can get it up in the past.

I don't know if you have to make up some other areas again.

Three, you can two.

Yeah.

So we have to we're gonna hold on, hold off till after public comment to to move the other one.

Okay.

Um we're gonna hold on, hold off till after public comment to to move the other one.

Okay.

So with that, uh we'll begin public comment period.

Um speakers have well, you gotta say your name and address.

You've got five minutes to talk on any subject you so desire.

Uh just be aware that members cannot engage you during this time.

It's not a back and forth.

Just you're you're commenting and delivering information to us, which members may or may not speak to later in the meeting.

So with that, we call the first speaker.

First, we have Adam Delasquez.

Just provide your name and address for the record.

And start whenever ready.

Adam Daskalakis, 11 Farlon Av, Albany, New York 12203.

Members of the Common Council, my name is Adam Daskalakis.

A lifelong Albany resident, born, raised, educated in Albany.

So I've done the whole Albany troop here.

Uh here tonight to talk about public records.

Uh public records serve as the essential cornerstone of a free and open society, acting a primary mechanism for fostering trust between government institutions and the public at large.

By providing a transparent window into governance, these records empower citizens to fact-check the positions, statements, and agendas of elected and appointed officials against their actual recorded actions.

This level of oversight ensures that the leadership remains tethered to the public interest and that they are held accountable for their actions and decisions, and that the proper recognition for achievement can occur.

A robust public record system is mutually beneficial to all stakeholders because it effectively eliminates the information gaps that lead to public friction.

By allowing the media, private businesses, and residents to obtain the same verified facts simultaneously, the city reduces misunderstandings between these different parties, eliminates the perception of bias, and builds a culture of trust based on proactive actions.

For example, on January 11th, the Times Union reported receiving residential occupancy occupancy permits information from the City of Albany after filing their own FOIL request.

Those records which were reviewed and released were not made available to the public.

As of today, 16 days have elapsed, and the only notification received is the automated messages produced by the city clerk's office upon an initial FOIL request submission.

Another FOIL request filed with the city clerk's office requested records pertaining to the to all approved and partially approved FOIL requests in 2025, such as the request ID, the full text of the initial request, the department of record, high-level description of the information, the data fields, the quantity of data, the FOIL request date, the approval and release date.

First, the position the city to take first, it eliminates the biases, excuse me, for not receiving uh for not favoring individuals or institutes or business agendas.

A logic repository for these digital assets is the Albany data uh open website, uh, which has much of the structure needed to search for and to categorize key information.

Utilizing this or similar platform can provide critical metadata for every uh for disclosure.

The departments responsible for that request and the dates of fulfillment uh and the number of records and so on, ensuring that the data is not only available but also searchable and organized.

However, as noted earlier, the site is inaccessible.

Another simple step to improving transparency would be to make any contract the city signs with a vendor publicly available once we enter into it.

The cite perception, this is not to invite criticism, but rather have Albany lead a new movement that holds private companies, individuals uh responsible that want to do business with public funds and uh yeah.

Returning to the four records real quick.

Uh a hurdle faced by anyone seeking the records is understanding the available records that are curated at different departments.

A simple solution is to provide public record examples.

Um today, and finally, I just want to note that uh this goes beyond the broader government landscape.

Albany finds itself at a crossroads, and we can embrace the status quo, or we can start a new uh path forward where we embrace a uh more open government.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Des Calaskis.

Next speaker.

Keith Irish.

Good evening.

You're gonna get a treat out of me tonight because I didn't write up my speech.

I'm gonna wing it.

My name is Keith Irish, lifelong city resident, currently in the ninth ward.

I have a lot of things to touch on and hope I get through all of them.

Uh local law A and B should be passed unanimously as soon as possible.

No question asked there.

Any of these budget items that are being considered, whatever they are, however they were configured, should not be approved across the board because the budget was approved back in November, and the budget is the budget and should not be altered until the next budget comes out.

I don't care who it is, what it is, what the position is, they should not be altered.

Next, where am I?

Oh like to comment about uh assemblymember Romero behind me for the uh resolution that Mr.

Johnson proposed.

Uh we go for we uh approve that very well.

Um couple of weeks ago at the Peg Access Oversight Board meeting on the 15th of January.

Uh there was again no agenda posted, no recording of the meeting again, and things are just not right with that board, and I'm gonna complain about that constantly, but you know that I hope.

Now, the big item for tonight is the snow.

Everybody's been complaining about the snow, and I agree with them.

This DGS did a terrible job.

DGS does not know what they're doing.

DGS does not have their priorities in effect as to where and how things should be done and cleaned.

Residential streets should be first, not business districts, not Central Avenue.

The residential streets that you can't get through, where there's still snowbirds, where there's barely one lane to pass, should be the priorities.

Plus, a snow emergency should not be declared.

A snow emergency should be automatic, not three days after the fact, but it should be automatically applied when a storm is predicted, when the plows are going to be coming out, it should be automatic.

There are so many municipalities that do this already.

They will be telling people don't park on this street, don't park on that side of the street, etc.

etc.

And the only way that's going to be changed is legislation that you guys put in.

Because it should be an automatic item, not a declared item.

A declared item would be a massive snowstorm where it'll take days to clean up and will require towing.

And towing should not just apply to downtown, which it seems to be, because there are many uptown locations that are not towed.

Just today, I still saw three snowbirds.

Still today I saw three of them.

No tickets on them, no attempt to tow them, no attempt to clean them out.

It was terrible.

And people are coming to me, and most of you know that people come to me and complain.

And I say, don't complain to me.

Complain to City Hall.

Complain to DGS.

Complain to the common council.

Now why they're not here, I don't know.

Maybe it's a little too cold for some of them.

But I'm here.

So I'm complaining.

DGS priorities are totally backwards.

They're totally not for the residents of the city that they should be for priority and automatically applied when snowstorms are coming.

So it's an automatic thing, so people will know.

Oh, I didn't hear this, I didn't hear that.

BS.

If it's automatic, you will know you have to park on a certain side of the street all the time.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Irish.

Mr.

Irish was our last public speaker.

Public comment is officially closed.

Okay.

Ms.

Farrell.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I move that we move resolution 11, 1220.

Sorry, 1121 26R and take it out of order.

Second.

All in favor.

Okay.

Madam Clerk, please.

Read the resolution.

1121 26R, sponsored by Council Member Johnson, a resolution of the Common Council commending assemblymember Gabrielle Romero for her advocacy throughout her first year within the state legislature.

Okay, comment.

Mr.

Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I wanted to do this one like we uh started out doing when we entered in here.

We used to stand up.

But um tonight.

I didn't yes.

Well, I notice resolution 11.21.26R and asked for it to be read, which was already in for a voice vote.

All right, well we'll do this again.

Um Madam Clerk, could you please read the resolution?

Sorry.

1121 26R, a resolution of the Common Council can commending assembly member Gabriela Romero for her.

I can't talk.

A resolution of the Common Council commending assemblymember Gabrielle Romero for her Agabath Acabatine throughout her first year within the state legislature.

Thank you.

Johnson, thanks.

Again, thank you, Mr.

President.

But I mean, assembly woman, you see what you do when you come, you create a whirlwind.

But um tonight uh I thought it was important to recognize assemblywoman um Gabriela Romero on her first year of work because um I've been watching the news and you hear about the the checks that have been coming to our neighborhoods and they have been outstanding, they have been large.

Um I just say uh when you walked into this chamber, you know, um you took me by storm.

Um it was a hard chase, but you chased me down, and um you earned my respect.

Uh you earned my respect because you came in here and you had the real difficult conversations.

Um you uh attacked issues that um normally people look left and right and make sure the the um coast is clear before um they touch them, and I think that uh you uh displayed the same vigorous and attitude um on the state level, and a lot of times people who do stuff for our communities never really hear the proper thank you.

And I wanted to make sure, because I speak for a lot of people when when I um I'm speaking tonight that have been uh pleased that have um benefited from your fierceness and making sure Albany isn't forgotten.

Um, I had to write down a couple of things.

I said you can count on her to show up, not only when it's beneficial to her, um, she steps up for the difficult conversations by herself sometimes.

I have grown to admire that in her.

Our city is and um definitely certain parts of our city have been overlooked for far too long.

Then came assemblywoman Gabriella Romero to save the day.

We have seen some large checks again, touchdown in places that um we were not used to seeing.

I'm grateful to have you on my team, blessed that you have welcomed me as your teammate, and together we are gonna make um change and difference.

So I just um felt it was important because you do things that people hear about and see, but it's a lot of things that you do behind the scenes that never get the um press or the notoriety, and I just want you to keep um knocking them down.

You remember when you won, I said to you um, I think that law degree is just gonna be a piece of paper on the wall.

And I think your first year um showed that.

And I just want to again say thank you and keep the checks coming, keep that fierce fierceness going, and um more power to you, sister.

Thank you.

Um Mr.

Robinson.

Thank you, Council President.

I also rise.

Uh I get uh email from assemblywoman.

You know, Councilman Elect Robinson.

Can you meet me at Nummer Chapin Umstitute?

I didn't know why.

You know, absolutely.

You know, when you call, I'm coming.

So when I arrive, like uh my colleagues said, he didn't even come just for a show to photo shoot.

She came with a check in hand, a grace's check.

So then at that, I guess another even oh, by the way, we asked Planburn Park.

I got some announcements up there.

So in the same day, you know, we you know, two checks with that was desperately needed, you know, in my community.

So I commend you.

Um everything that's happening today is well deserved, and I'm happy to be a team member of yours also.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Robinson.

Uh Mr.

Nani.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, again, just uh gonna share the same sentiment I was shared for many of my colleagues.

Uh Gabriel is um, you know, you're a down-to-earth person.

Uh from the day for the first day I met you.

I always knew that uh you were going to be a voice for this generation.

Uh I didn't realize how soon that was.

I wish I would have waited a little bit, but uh no, you have been the champion for uh this city.

Uh this city's gone through a lot of challenges, but I'm optimistic about the future of this city, and you know, not just more checks, but you know, you being intentional about where those grants are going is so important because rising ties lift all boats, and I feel like there are some communities that have been neglected in the past, but I believe that those checks are gonna go a long way and uplifting those communities.

Um things I don't just want to one thing I appreciate about you, but just your willingness not to compromise your values.

It's it's really important in government, and I think that individuals need to be really intentional uh about the work that we do and uh the people that we represent.

And when you was on the council, you were very intentional about you know, making sure that um you know housing advocates and uh developers are working together to uh promote more housing, you know, whether it's our youth, making sure that our youth have some of youth employment programs, whether it's making sure that our seniors have programs, you have been a champion for all demographs all across our city.

So again, thank you for all the work that you're doing at the state assembly.

And uh again, if you're a proud of her, you haven't seen nothing yet.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um Mr.

Adams Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, just want to thank Assemblymember Romero for all her hard work and dedication that she has put into this first year of her term.

And as much as we miss you on the council, she has very much stayed a part of the council over these last two years.

And that says a lot because it tells us and shows us that she has not forgotten about Albany and that she is dedicated and committed to continuing that communication between the council and state government and really enhancing that for us to be able to be the very vocal advocate.

She has been and continue to be um every day new video somewhere, champion, pushing an initiative, um, and really inspiring uh younger people to want to get involved in politics, to take a listen to what she has to say, and uh we can't thank you enough for your hard work.

Uh, we look forward to this next uh legislative session and all the work that you're going to bring, uh, not just for the city of Albany, but for the whole 108th district.

So continue the great work.

You have a great team, and we appreciate you.

Thank you, Mr.

Adams.

Mr.

Ballarin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Everyone else got up.

I'm gonna get up too.

Um thank you, Cabriella.

Thank you for your hard work, thank you for your uh dedication.

Thank you for bringing resources to our community.

Uh I know that it's not easy to be out go out there as somebody new, fresh, one year in with your work is being shown by the resources that you bring in to neighborhoods and to organizations that have not had resources in the in the past and bringing in new revenue.

Now I'm gonna put a challenge on you since we have you here.

We need more revenue.

Um you know the city has a lot of great things ahead of them, and there's a lot of great work we're hoping to do in the next four years and hopefully the next eight and twelve years.

Um so happy to have you as a partner as we look to get more of our fresher from our state.

Uh and thank you for coming back time and time again and keeping that contact and communication open.

Um I think that's important for us to be able to share with you what we're seeing on the ground, as well as you share with us what you think can be uh can be uh prosperous.

So thank you again for your service.

Uh, and it's only been one year.

We look forward to the future.

Okay, Mr.

Howie.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh Gabriella, it's it was an honor to work with you for three years, and we're so proud of you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um actually I just like to add real quick, this again, like uh all of our colleagues here.

You you're covering a lot of ground.

You're you're like the local version of Paul Tonko.

I mean, you got you're cover you're hitting all cylinders, you're everywhere.

You're you're pulling the council and its leadership in the and these things that you have going on.

You you've kept contact and uh appreciate you you for that and you doing good things for the city, so much success.

Okay, you call the role.

Uh I believe we're all co-sponsors, so we just do a voice vote.

Yes.

So yes, all in favor say aye.

Okay.

Motion passes.

Yeah, that's not building.

So, James Cameron.

Uh yeah.

Okay, back to our regular Ms.

Farrell for approval of minutes from a previous meeting.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

We have the January 22nd, 2026 minutes for approval.

Second.

Okay.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Okay.

The motion passes.

Next uh reports of standing committees.

Any Miss Keegan.

Thank you.

Finance uh met last Thursday, January twenty-ninth to discuss local law A, resolutions four dot twelve dot twenty-six R, five.

Um resolution five dot twelve dot twenty-six R was held for amendments, and we are meeting again on Wednesday, February fourth at six p.m.

Thank you.

Any other uh Mr.

Howie?

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um the public safety committee will be meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, February third, and we will have uh brief introduction of uh Chief Gregory, the Albany Fire Department Chief, and then uh Brendan uh Chief Brendan Cox, Albany Police Department, and uh just to familiarize themselves with the public safety committee, and it just gives us a chance to to talk to them.

And while I got the microphone, I just want to add that um uh Chief Gregory from the fire department invites every member of the council if they would like a tour of the fire department facility um just to let them know, and they they have it like a program that they'd like to do, and we'll talk a little bit more about that tomorrow, but that's for the whole council if you want to you know cease get a tour of the fire department.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Howie.

Any further okay?

All right, moving on uh to consideration of local laws.

Mr.

Howie.

Thank you again, Mr.

President.

Um I notice local law B of twenty twenty-six and ask for its introduction.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Please read the local law.

Local law a local law amending Article Three, Senior Citizens Tax Exemption of Chapter 33, taxation of the code of the City of Albany to allow for the signing of an affidavit to replace the filing of annual renewal applications for property owners who have received the exemption for five years, five consecutive years.

Thank you, uh Ms.

Farrell.

That will go to finance.

Thank you.

Okay, moving on.

Uh Ms.

Keegan.

I would like to notice local law C and ask for its introduction.

Madam Clerk, please read the local law.

C of 26, a local law amending section 42-263, annual salaries, elective officers of the code of the City of Albany in relation to adding a majority with position for the Common Council in the salaries of elected officers.

Thank you.

Ms.

Farrell.

Thank you.

Next on to local law as hell, Ms.

Zamer.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice local law A of twenty twenty-six and ask for its passage.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Local law.

A local law amending Article Three, Senior Citizens.

Tax exempt of Chapter 33, taxation of the code of the City of Albany to increase the maximum exempt exemption percentage levels applicable to the exemption.

Thank you.

Discussion.

Ms.

Aymer.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, first of all, I want to thank Mr.

Keith Irish for uh Albany's tireless advocate and ethics whisperer for your support of this bill, your vocal support of this bill.

Um this is really about helping doing what we can to help our seniors age in place, stay in their homes.

Um anything we can do to relieve their tax burden as taxes rise and their incomes stay the same is something that we all um I think support and um I look forward to this uh helping out our seniors.

I have so many uh trying to age in place in my ward.

So thank you.

I appreciate all your support on this.

Okay, thank you.

Any further discussion?

Uh Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Mr.

Ballard.

I'll be quick.

I just want to thank uh Councilmember Zimmer for putting this forward.

Uh this is going to help our residents that uh at the low income level was the home they live, the home they own, maybe the largest asset that they have uh and making it easier for them to be able to afford their home and stay in their home and stay in our neighborhoods is huge, and I appreciate uh Councilwoman Seymour putting this forward.

Thank you.

Mr.

Robinson, I also want to echo um my colleague.

Um and I will be co-sponsoring this bill because I can't wait to get to my elderly constituents and you know let them know if they're not aware this is coming down, so make sure that they apply.

They have an apply.

But um, I think this bill is long overdue, and I just think of for our effort for bringing it forward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any further can you madam clerk please call the role?

Adams.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Anani?

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Valoran, yes, co-sponsor, please Brody.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Farrell, yes, co-sponsor, please.

Flynn.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Johnson?

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Jones.

Yes, co-sponsors, please.

Keegan.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Lumpkin.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Powell.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Robinson.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Williamson.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

And Zamer, yes.

15.

Okay, the motion passes.

Thank you, Mr.

Zamer.

For that.

Uh moving on.

Ms.

Farrell for closing out local laws.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

There are no more local laws to consider, so we can move on.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh on to ordinances introduced.

Uh Mr.

Anani.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice ordinance 12126 and asked for the introduction.

Thank you.

Um Madam Clerk, please read the ordinance.

An ordinance amending chapter 251, Parks and Recreation, and Chapter 232, Streets and Sidewalks of the Code of the City of Albany in relation to comprehensively prohibiting smoking products and limiting their proximity to at-risk populations.

Thank you.

Ms.

Farrell.

That will go to the law committee.

Okay.

All right.

Next ordinance introduce uh Mr.

Williams.

Williamson.

No problem.

221 26.

Actually, intuition, please.

Do we need for introduction?

Madam Clerk, please read the ordinance.

22126, sponsored by Councilmember Williamson, an ordinance authorizing and directing the grant of an of a permanent easement over a portion of a city-owned property at 5 Mill Road Tax Map parcel number 7.0-2-8 to Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation for upgrades to the Norman Skill Gas Regulator Station Project.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Ms.

Farrell.

Excellent job, Mr.

Williamson, on your first introduction, and that will go to finance.

Thank you.

Okay, we're on to I believe we don't have any more ordinances.

So we're good there.

On to resolutions introduced, uh Mr.

Anani.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I know this resolution 82126R, and I asked for his introduction on passage.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please read the resolutions.

A resolution of the Common Council honoring Black History Month and the contributions of African Americans and directing the mayor to raise the pan-African flag on City Hall annual and on City Hall annually in solidarity.

Thank you.

Discussion, Mr.

Anani.

Yeah, thank you, Mr.

President.

This is just more this is more than just a month of celebration.

This is a month of recognition.

Recognition that black culture has been suppressed for generations.

Recognition that for people of color never get a fair shot.

Recognizing that black history is American history.

When we sit down and talk about Black History Month, we need to celebrate more than Black culture.

We need to celebrate the heroes who made America, those who lost their lives due to the color of their skin, those who stood up and caused good trouble, people like Albany's own, Sergeant Henry Johnson, who after coming home as a hero from World War One, instead of giving uh a speech on racial harmony, called out and rejected the racism he and his fellow soldiers were met with when he uh was in the trenches.

Black history is fundamentally to the American history.

The success of our ancestor struggles helped us elected our first black mayor in the city of Albany.

It is a success that helped become an elected official.

I stand on the shoulders of individuals like Nebraska Brace, who was the first African-American council member elected in the city of Albany.

Uh this is a resolution that we pass on a yearly basis.

I just want to thank all my colleagues for the continued support.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Unani.

Any further discussion?

We're all you're all co-sponsors on this, who will do a voice vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Motion passes.

Next, uh councilmember Farrell.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 92126R and ask for its introduction and passage.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please read the resolution.

A resolution of the Common Council celebrating lunar new year and recognizing its cultural and historical significance.

Thank you.

Any further any discussion?

Ms.

Farrell.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

This is an important event for the Chinese New Year, and I will note it is the year of the fire horse, which is an especially auspicious year.

So an excellent time in our city to ponder.

Good luck for and good tidings for things to come.

Thank you, Ms.

Farrell.

Anything further?

No.

Seeing none.

Um we're all again co-sponsors on this, listed as co-sponsors.

So voice vote.

All in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Motion passes.

Resolution passes.

Thank you.

Um to the next resolution.

Uh Ms.

Farrell.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 102126R and ask for its introduction and passage.

Thank you, Ms.

Farrell.

Madam Clerk.

A resolution of the Common Council appointing Deirdre Brody as a board member to the Lark Street Area Business Improvement District Management Association.

Thank you.

Do you wish to say anything?

Okay.

Actually, yes, I would just like to thank my colleague for her willingness to serve on this important organization.

Um bids do a lot for our community, and uh the Lark Street bid is an important part of her neighborhood, but it's Lark Street is also one of the important parts of Albany.

So we appreciate your service in this.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Adams.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Anani.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Ballorin.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Brody.

Yes.

Co-sponsor.

Farrell.

Yes.

Howie.

Oh, sorry, Flynn.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Hoey.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Johnson.

Yes.

Jones?

Yes, co-sponsor.

Keegan?

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Lumpkin.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Robin Powell, sorry.

Powell.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Robinson.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Williamson.

Co-ponsors, please.

Zamer.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

15 and that's thank you.

The motion passes.

Thank you.

Yes.

Okay, so uh moving uh along.

So uh resolution 4126R was we do we agree to not move ahead?

Correct.

Yes, we did not get all of the information that was requested in the finance committee meeting, so we'll be voting on that in the next council meeting.

Okay.

Thank you.

Okay, so then we'll move in on to uh Ms.

Farrell, the next one.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 7126R and ask for its introduction and pass.

And I'm sorry.

I notice resolution 7126R and ask for its passage.

Thank you, Madam Clerk, please read the resolution.

A resolution of the common council approving a transfer of budgeted funds and a change in authorized in the authorized position, including in the 2026 city budget, which will affect a salary rate or salary total.

Discussion.

Okay, all right.

Uh seeing none.

Uh Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Yes, sir.

Adams.

Yes.

Anani?

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Ballorin.

Yes.

Brody.

Yes.

Farrell.

Abstain.

Flynn.

Yes.

Holly?

Yes.

Johnson?

Yes.

Jones?

Yes.

Keegan.

Abstain.

Lumpkin.

Yes.

Okay.

Powell?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Williamson?

Yes.

Zamer.

Abstain.

We have three.

And 12.

Yes.

Okay.

The motion passes.

Right.

Okay.

Ms.

Farrell on the rest of resolutions.

The rest of the resolutions are held.

Thank you.

Moving along.

To uh miscellaneous.

Mr.

Ballorin.

I'll be quick.

I just wanted to say one thing.

I just, you know, I think it's important to hear from our public, but I also think it's important that when our public says something we don't agree, that we we state that.

Um I'm glad Central Avenue got the attention as someone who represents a large part of Central Avenue.

I'm glad Central Avenue got the attention that deserves.

I think all of our neighborhoods and all of our streets deserve uh audio attention when we get these snowstorms.

Um I never want to pivot one street against another street because all of our streets um need uh people need to be able to get out, get to work, and be able to drive uh in critical times.

So just wanted to say that since Central Avenue is a large part of what I represent.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Ballorin.

Mr.

Howie.

Yeah, thank you, Mr.

President.

Um I just want to report that I did attend the uh nightcom uh conference uh yesterday and uh today.

And um I was it was proud to be with my fellow uh council members, the the new council members, um appreciate it.

One of the things that came up, and um I'm looking over at Bobby.

They were talking about the open meeting laws um going over it, and I'm I'm questioning on some of our boards and um committees.

Do we really need to do open follow open meetings law?

Because one of the things that came up, and I'll send you the um I don't have my notes with me, but it was kind of interesting that you said that uh you know people appointed don't you don't have to follow the open meetings law.

I mean we could if we we wanted just to be open, but the reality is a lot of times we don't have quorums and stuff, but I would ask you to could we look into that and uh it would make life a little bit easier if it turns out that we don't you know need to have um you know people like we we could do remote meetings and stuff like that the way I read it.

Thank you.

Yeah, absolutely.

I know in general um best practices that we follow are to err on the side of overcaution as far as open meetings law compliance for any public bodies, um but I'd be more than happy to review any information you send over and see how um it comports with state law and any local requirements that we have.

Thank you, uh Ms.

Farrell.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I two points.

Um one I wanted to uh thank my constituent for coming in and speaking about FOIL.

He's been um talking a lot about FOIL for a long time, and it's a very important conversation.

Um it is something that we've been considering pursuing legislation on, and um I just wanted to speak to it on the floor and hope that he'll continue to work with us on it because he's somebody that is passionate about data in general, but also data being publicly available, which is something that we all should be as passionate about, but we're thankful for yours passion, um and my next point is I just wanted to note that this is the last council meeting of our incredible um legislative analyst um Alyssa Kamara, and we are so lucky that you worked with us for the length of time that you did.

You are an incredible person.

You are amazing at your job.

We can't wait to see the great things that you do, and um we hope that you'll keep working with us to make Albany better and please consider all of us a resource.

Um and I just wanted to note that for anybody that is available, we will be socializing afterwards to raise our toes to Alyssa.

So thank you.

Any further discussion comments?

Okay.

Motion to adjourn.

Can I get a motion?

Motion to adjourn.

Motion second.

All in favor say hi.

Hi.

All right, we've got