Albany Common Council Meeting: March 5, 2026
Albany Common Council Meeting: March 5, 2026
The Albany Common Council met on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM with 14 of 15 members present. The meeting included public comments on tobacco/vape litter, smoke intrusion at St. Peter's Hospital, a Harriet Tubman Scenic Byway proposal, inclusionary zoning concerns, homelessness, cannabis revenue allocation, and government transparency. The council passed local laws and resolutions, including moving the Office of Cultural Affairs under the mayor and updating smoking prohibitions to include cannabis and vapes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Simona Fish (Albany resident, Capital District Tobacco Free Communities): Urged protection from secondhand e-cigarette vapor, citing health risks and the environmental hazard of disposable vape waste (an estimated half a million thrown away daily in the U.S.).
- Joshua La Icona (Regional Director of Safety and Security, St. Peter's Health Partners): Described cannabis smoke infiltrating the sterile clean room and adjacent cardiac surgery operating room at St. Peter's Hospital, causing delays in sterile compounding and medication preparation for high-risk patients. Strongly supported the proposed ordinance.
- Sage Hamilton Hazarika (Brooklyn, NY, part of a statewide coalition): Requested a council resolution supporting the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway, a 550-mile route across New York State. Noted that the first phase (Niagara Falls to Auburn) has secured municipal resolutions; the second phase extends through Albany. Stated the byway would preserve abolition history and drive economic development for cultural sites.
- Bridget Savage Spees (Capital District DSA, housing committee): Opposed the proposed changes to inclusionary zoning, arguing the $50,000 buyout is insufficient to help existing low-income residents. Criticized the governor's downtown Albany initiative for prioritizing new luxury units over fixing substandard conditions (blocked fire exits, mold, pests) in current housing. Urged the council to push the governor's office for easier rent control opt-in.
- Tabora Marcus (President, West Hill Neighborhood Association): Raised concern about furloughed homeland security workers (starting February 13, 2026) facing homelessness and urged the council to identify and direct cannabis revenue to impacted communities (West Hill, South End). Also called for emergency preparedness planning given national tensions.
- James Gia Cologne (33 Trinity Place, 2nd ward): Argued against reducing the inclusive housing requirement, citing the downtown Albany Strategy (DTAS) report that lacks affordability requirements for state grants (Empire State Development). Warned that planned improvements will displace low-income residents, as the South End median household income ($42,000) is already below the current affordability threshold. Urged pairing any zoning changes with rent control protections.
- Keith Irish (9th ward resident): Criticized the city's cable access coverage, stating the new camera system is not being used correctly (single mislocated camera, no close-ups or member identification). Called for better scheduling and promotion of mayoral events (noting a noon event with ~50 attendees). Urged coverage of other agency meetings (Planning Board, Zoning, etc.).
Discussion Items
- Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (5-31-26): Introduced by Councilmember Ballorin to amend the USCO (Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance) adjusting the affordable housing requirement and adding exceptions. The public comment period featured strong opposition from multiple speakers who argued the changes would displace low-income residents, especially in the South End and West Hill. Councilmember Johnson (chair of the housing committee) expressed disappointment, saying he felt the council "caved in to developers" ahead of state investment, and thanked public speakers for their advocacy.
- Smoking Prohibition Ordinance (121-26): Introduced by Councilmember Anani to update existing code to include cannabis, vaping, and other smoking products. Supported by Councilmembers Flynn and Keegan, who emphasized protecting hospital patients and staff. Councilmember Johnson opposed, citing lack of enforcement and potential selective application, and questioned where cannabis revenue is going. Councilmember Robinson framed it as a matter of respect and responsibility. The vote was 12 in favor, 1 no (Johnson), 1 abstention.
- Office of Cultural Affairs Move (Local Law D): Moved from the Department of Administrative Services to directly under the mayor's office. The administration described it as administrative, with no change in staffing or salary. Councilmember Ballorin and others supported it as part of "turning the lights back on" and increasing vibrancy. Passed 14-0.
- Women's History Month Resolution (1331-26R): Councilmember Farrell spoke about ongoing issues (sexual harassment, pay equity, threats to women's rights). Councilmember Keegan referenced poet Adrienne Rich and noted Albany's historical role in organizing women to vote for school boards. All council members co-sponsored; passed unanimously by voice vote.
- Councilmember Johnson's Concern: Asked who requested the CPRB program director's letter regarding Paul Collins Hackett, stating it was problematic and that Hackett deserves defense from the council.
Key Outcomes
- Local Law D (Office of Cultural Affairs move): Passed 14-0 and will proceed to the general meeting.
- Ordinance 121-26 (Smoking prohibition update): Passed 12-1 with one abstention.
- Ordinance 5-31-26 (Inclusionary zoning): Introduced and referred to the Planning Committee for further discussion on Monday, March 9.
- Resolution 1331-26R (Women's History Month): Passed unanimously by voice vote.
- Resolution 1431-26R (CRC reauthorization): Introduced and referred to the Planning Committee for Monday, March 9.
- Resolution 1531-26R (Thomas Mueller reappointment to Commission on Human Rights): Introduced and referred to Human Rights/Human Resources Committee.
- Commissioner of Deeds list: Approved for term ending December 31, 2026.
- February 19, 2026 minutes: Approved.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening everybody. Thank you for joining us here at the community work committee. We've got one item on our journey. Now we turn out local role D staff to be local. Umphabetical order. Uh Councilmember uh Ballin. And then Councilmember Harrell. Here. Council member Johnson is absent. Councilmember Williamson is currently absent. And Councilmember Damon. Thank you very three out of five. We're also joined with um the mayor's office, Liv Maria Penn as well as Peter Malays. Okay. Well thank you, everybody. Uh thank you joining us today a little earlier than our normal meeting. Um the docket we have local order D. Always go changing the position of cultural affairs uh the administrative services office to uh directly under the mayor. Uh do you have anyone from the administration here? Hello. Yeah. Um so in regards to this amendment, um, it really just uh clarifies the responsibilities of the Department of Administrative Services and its oversight of the Office of Cultural Affairs, um, formally adding the office to the list of functions administered by the department. And so really adding a key piece to the mayor's uh efforts to turn the lights back on. Um Keith and his team are vital to this work, whether it's uh a press conference, working with local uh small businesses across the city and also to um leading on large initiatives and events. Um this aligns with city code with the change in reporting structure and the amendment is primarily administrative in nature. Uh we do not anticipate a change in staffing function or salary. And Keith is with me. Um, you know, also too to share any uh insights to his office and and the work that his him and his team does, so if you have anything, but just wanted to give him the opportunity as well. Hey guys, I I'm sure most of you guys know what we do, so if you guys have any questions, we're here to answer. But um this is a transition that we've been uh hoping for for a while. I think it it it makes sense to to join the mayor's office because uh most of our initiatives line up with what our initiatives are, which is to have uh fun and uh exciting events for the city of Albany and to do it in uh an efficient and uh financially responsible way. Okay, uh any questions from committee members. Okay, there's no question from community members. Is there any uh other Jenny guess what? Oh no, I it's really helpful to know, and of course we know who keep this and so appreciate everything I do, but it's very helpful to know that this is something that um all parties are very excited about the movement of and um I'm thrilled to see the potential of what cultural affairs can become. I think that you've done amazing things over the years, but um perhaps more when you're more in unison with the mayor's office, there'll be even better things. Thank you. Any additional questions to move local law D of 2026 out of committee with a transfer recommendation? I'll make a motion to move local law B of 2026 out of committee with a positive recommendation. Okay, all in favor. Okay. Thank you. This now moves out of committee and to uh general meeting. Thank you. Uh do I have a uh and thank you. Thank you both for taking the time to be here today. Thank you. Uh do I have a motion to adjourn? Second. Okay.
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