Albany Common Council Meeting: February 19, 2026

The Albany Common Council met on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM with 14 members present and one absent. The meeting featured a special presentation honoring African American inductees into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, extensive public comment on a wide range of community issues, and debate and votes on several local laws and resolutions, including the funding of a new majority whip position and salary increases for appointed officials.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the February 2, 2026 meeting (voice vote).
• Approved a list of Commissioner of Deeds for the term ending December 31, 2026 (voice vote).
• Passed local law B of 2026 (14-0), amending the senior citizens tax exemption to allow an affidavit in lieu of annual renewal after five consecutive years (sponsored by Councilmember Hoey).
• Passed an ordinance authorizing a permanent easement to Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation for upgrades to the Normanskill Gas Regulator Station (voice vote, 15-0).
• Confirmed the appointment of Miriam Dixon as Commissioner of Administrative Services (15-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donna Starks Hillman spoke on behalf of her brother, Herb Bowen, a basketball legend, thanking the council for recognizing him.
• Belinda Rosa read a statement from her cousin Joe Roberts Jr., an inductee who could not attend, expressing deep gratitude.
• Cricket Thomas Hodell (2024 inductee) spoke about her 27-year career as a basketball referee and highlighted a significant shortage of referees, quoting Shirley Chisholm and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on service.
• Ricky Wilcox (2024 inductee) thanked his mentors and family, noting he retired on good terms.
• Brian Hines thanked Councilmember Williamson and Rennie LaRue for the Hall of Fame; he is the founder of the Duncan Hines basketball classic (25 years).
• Troy Turner (inducted in 2012) shared his personal story of using basketball to escape poverty, eventually winning an NCAA Division III national championship at SUNY Potsdam. He urged the council to work together and "be undefeated."
• Rennie LaRue thanked the council, noted that the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame is seeking a permanent home (preferably downtown Albany), and named Brian Hines to lead that project.
• Lakeisha Chalmers accepted the honor on behalf of her brother Lionel Chalmers Jr., an NBA assistant coach, thanking the community for shaping his journey.
• Patrick Robinson raised a quality of life issue: lack of parking in his neighborhood due to Palace Theatre events, leading to repeated tickets despite having a residential parking sticker.
• Anaya A began by discussing housing, drugs, and crime, but pivoted to a positive message after the basketball ceremony. She revealed she is currently experiencing homelessness despite having a college degree and working with the NBA. She advocated for young Black men with ankle monitors and for more community advocacy.
• Papa John Gadden spoke about facing one year of probation, being homeless despite working 40 hours a week, and asked for programs to help the homeless population, especially those affected by domestic violence.
• Sylvia Robson Jordan expressed that while cranes fill Albany's skyline, Black and brown residents are not being hired on those construction projects. She demanded that jobs go to local people, including those returning from incarceration.
• Ernest Lattimore (owner of 217 Central Avenue recording studio and original member of the Minority Contractors Association) provided a solution: creating a local apprentice program (Step Up) modeled on a successful initiative from 2000 that trained minority contractors. He urged the council to include such programs in the budget.
• Joseph Dixon Jr. (47-year resident) complained about overgrown trees damaging his property and sidewalks, causing him to break his foot in 2024. He also noted that union construction jobs are often given to family and friends, not minorities.
• Daniel Butterworth (Executive Director of RISE) raised urgent concerns about the immigrant and refugee community, citing increasing ICE activity (approximately 10 detentions per week). He called for practical policy solutions and partnership from the city, APD, and institutional partners to protect neighbors.
• Sherry DeCosta raised two issues: (1) dog waste not being cleaned up by owners, despite an ordinance, and (2) deer from the Tivoli Nature Preserve entering yards, posing health and safety risks. She supported the call for immigrant protection.
• Tabora Marcus (West Hill community member) spoke passionately about the unhoused population, emphasizing that many are employed, educated, and have been brought to Albany from other municipalities. She urged the council to keep the unhoused at the forefront of budget discussions.
• Professor Sue (researcher at Wadsworth Center) explained that a new two-hour parking limit on Morton Avenue (near Lincoln Park) is harming the ability of postdocs, PhD students, and undergraduate volunteers to conduct research at the lab. He proposed three solutions and will follow up with Councilmember Adams.

Discussion Items

• Majority Whip Position Funding (Local Law C of 2026) : The council debated funding a new majority whip position at $3,000. Several members (Johnson, Adams, Robinson) opposed, arguing it was unnecessary in a majority-Democrat body, that the duties were already covered by the majority leader and pro tempore, and that the funding was taken from a vacant violence prevention coordinator position. Others (Council President Kimbrough, Ballard, Keegan) supported it, citing increased council responsibilities (e.g., police review board) and the need for an outward-facing communications role. The finance chair (Keegan) noted the $3,000 came from savings from a vacant position and that a budget-neutral plan would be developed for FY 2027.
• Resolution 4126R (Deputy Mayor/Admin Services Salary Changes) : Councilmember Brody and others voiced strong opposition, citing per-capita administrative spending ($254 in Albany vs. $116 upstate average) and a 200% increase in the mayor's office personnel costs since 2019 (an $850,000 annual increase). They argued there was no plan to offset these costs in 2027. Supporters (Ballard, Johnson, Anani) argued the mayor needs to build her team to move the city from "good to great" and that competitive salaries are necessary to attract talent.
• Resolution 5126R (Workforce Development & Parks Commissioners Separation) : Councilmembers Farrell and Anani argued that splitting the combined parks/workforce development role into two dedicated positions is necessary to properly focus on workforce development beyond just the summer youth program. Councilmember Hoey noted this would reduce the paperwork burden for families and help older job seekers. The administration provided a budget-neutral offset by eliminating a position in corporation counsel.

Key Outcomes

• Local Law C (Majority Whip funding) passed 8-6-1 (one abstention). The position had already been created; this vote was solely about funding it.
• Resolution 4126R (Mayor's salary changes) passed 9-3-3 (three abstentions/present).
• Resolution 5126R (Workforce Development/Parks split) passed 13-1 (one 'no' from Brody). The position was created with a budget-neutral offset.
• Rennie LaRue announced that the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame is seeking a permanent home in Albany, with Brian Hines leading the project.
• Multiple council members (Johnson, Hoey, Keegan) committed to following up on public concerns: dog waste enforcement, parking issues near the Palace Theatre, the immigrant community's safety, and the need for minority hiring on local construction projects.