Albany Common Council Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Albany Common Council met on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM (estimated) in the Council Chambers. The meeting featured major actions on two key pieces of legislation: a controversial amendment to the Inclusionary Zoning law (passed 14-1) and establishment of the Office of Violence Prevention (passed 15-0). The Council also heard extensive public comment on housing affordability, violence prevention, and neighborhood safety.

Consent Calendar & Unanimous Actions

• Resolution 29-42-26R (Community Benefits Agreement) was taken out of order but held to a future meeting.
• Resolution 30-42-26R celebrating the 70th season of Westland Hills Baseball and Softball was adopted by voice vote, with Councilmember Powell and others recognizing the league's contributions to youth sports.
• Resolution 31-42-26R declaring April 22 as Earth Day in Albany was adopted by voice vote.
• Minutes from the April 6 meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gabriel Silva (Pine Hills): Spoke in support of the existing Inclusionary Zoning policy, urging the Council not to lose sight of human impact. Also supported the Office of Violence Prevention.
• Timothy Siegrist (New Scotland Avenue): Argued for retaining Inclusionary Zoning, citing benefits like reduced segregation and improved school outcomes. Criticized the proposed compromise as inadequate.
• Bruce Pollock (Mansion Neighborhood): Took a middle ground, noting the need for more housing of all types. Suggested density bonuses, easing permitting, and state programs like AMP Up. Encouraged continued work beyond the current amendment.
• Eduardo Hernandez (6th Ward, Citizen Action of New York): Voiced strong opposition to any weakening of Inclusionary Zoning, accusing developers of intentionally halting construction to force rollbacks. Called for centering people over profit.
• Keith Irish (9th Ward): Criticized mismanagement of the PEG (Public, Educational, Government) board, including missed meetings, lack of agendas, and open meeting law violations. Urged restructuring.
• Bishop Avery Comethair (Elijah Missionary Church, Pastors on Patrol): Addressed gun violence, advocating for reviving previous street-level initiatives rather than creating new ones. Invited Council to visit different wards to understand the issues.
• Lukey Forbes (Sheridan Avenue, We Are Revolutionary): Called for the Office of Violence Prevention to be built in partnership with community-based groups, especially those with lived experience. Emphasized peer advocate leadership.
• Cheryl DeCosta (5th Ward): Urged support for Local Law G (Violence Prevention) and Inclusionary Zoning. Thanked Councilmembers Keegan and Robinson for attending neighborhood meetings. Expressed frustration with being left out of city surveys.
• Maxine DeWitt (5th Ward, Olive on Livingston Avenue): Complained about drug activity and lack of police action on North Swan Street near a police outreach center. Demanded immediate intervention.
• Aliyah Brickley (youth organizer, We Are Revolutionary): Supported the Office of Violence Prevention, stressing that youth need safe spaces and that programs like theirs address trauma and offer alternatives.
• Fajra (14, youth organizer): Spoke on the need for violence prevention from a youth perspective, asking to be part of the solution.
• Asia Evans (youth organizer): Credited the We Are Revolutionary program with changing her life and urged creation of the Office.
• Courage Stone (21, state-wide organizer): Framed violence as produced and preventable. Called for a coordinated coalition and sustained investment in upstream solutions.
• Jayaden Bishop (youth organizer): Asked for the Office of Violence Prevention to give young people opportunities to stay out of trouble and learn workforce skills.
• Anaya Davis (youth advocate): Rejected punitive approaches to youth behavior, advocating for trauma-informed, reformative redirection. Supported We Are Revolutionary as a model.
• Naisha (youth organizer): Endorsed the Office of Violence Prevention and We Are Revolutionary as a partner.
• John Coutrew (727 Madison Avenue): Proposed naming the office "Office of Community Connection." Shared experience with restorative practices in the refugee community. Emphasized building social fabric one room at a time.
• James Davis (lifelong resident): Urged support for the Mayor's violence prevention vision, comparing it to understanding a dangerous animal's nature. Praised Lukey Forbes for organizing youth.
• Tim Sarver (last speaker): Argued against amending Inclusionary Zoning, citing rising rents and doubled home prices. Stated the amendment favors wealthy developers over struggling tenants. Called for keeping the current law.

Discussion Items

• Inclusionary Zoning Amendment (Ordinance 531-26): Councilmember Ballorin, the sponsor, detailed the history from the 2017 5% requirement to the 2023 tiered system, and the near-passage of a much weaker bill in December 2025. He explained the compromise: 70% AMI for affordable units (down from 100% in the proposed rollback) and a $50,000 per-unit buyout (up from $10,000). He emphasized that the enforcement and data collection provisions are new and critical. Councilmember Johnson announced he would vote no, arguing the compromise forces out long-time residents and sends a message that developers can wait the city out. Councilmember Robinson supported the amendment, saying it at least provides funds for impacted neighborhoods and a starting point for homeownership. Councilmember Adams highlighted that the funds ($50k/unit) can be directed to housing programs for 3-4 bedroom units and prevention of evictions. Councilmember Farrell praised the oversight and accountability measures. Councilmember Anani, a previous defender of the 2023 law, said the amendment is needed to restart market-rate development ahead of state investments like the Erie Canal. The vote was 14 in favor (Adams, Anani, Ballorin, Brody, Farrell, Flynn, Howie, Jones, Keegan, Lumpkin, Powell, Robinson, Williamson, Zamer) and 1 opposed (Johnson). Motion passed.

• Local Law G of 2026 (Office of Violence Prevention): Introduced as an out-of-order item. Councilmember Howie, chair of Public Safety, noted the law had passed committee unanimously. He spoke emotionally about the need to reduce violence, especially among youth, and said the office is a first step. Councilmember Robinson clarified that he had initially voted no at introduction but would now support it after Local Law F (a competing bill) was withdrawn. Councilmember Johnson supported the resolution but stressed that boots-on-the-ground groups like We Are Revolutionary must be central. Councilmember Flynn called the office a "hub" to coordinate all existing violence prevention efforts. Councilmember Brody reminded that the office is administrative infrastructure; funding will come from grants and foundations. The roll call vote was 15-0 in favor.

Key Outcomes

• Inclusionary Zoning Amendment (Ordinance 531-26): Passed 14-1 (Johnson opposed). New law sets affordable units at 70% AMI (instead of 100% in the proposed rollback) and allows a $50,000 per-unit buyout for developers who opt out. Funds from buyouts will go to tenant protection and first-time homebuyer programs. Includes enforcement and data collection mandates.
• Office of Violence Prevention (Local Law G of 2026): Passed 15-0. Establishes the office under the Mayor, amends Chapter 183, and creates a Violence Prevention Task Force. Next steps: the Mayor's office will seek grant funding.
• Local Law F of 2026: Withdrawn by sponsor Howie after the passage of Law G.
• Ordinance 84-26 (Green Streets): Introduced and referred to the Planning Committee. Aims to update the Complete Streets ordinance with climate-resilient green infrastructure.
• Ordinance 94-26 (Cottage Courts): Introduced and referred to Planning. Would permit construction of cottage/bungalow court affordable housing.
• Resolutions: Honoring Mother Clara Lumpkin (Swan Street naming), Reverend Reginald Graham (2nd Avenue naming), and computer disposal policy were introduced and referred to General Services.
• Community Police Review Board: Council President announced 12 applications received; interviews to be scheduled to fill four vacancies.
• Directive: Council President asked Public Safety Chair Howie to follow up with APD on the North Swan Street drug activity complaint raised by a resident.