Good evening, everyone.

So hi everyone.

Uh if everybody could we're gonna go through the agenda quickly and then um we'll give everybody a few more minutes to chat with our students.

Carly, let me know when we're live.

Good evening, everyone.

Welcome to Caucus this evening.

Um if someone wouldn't mind um saying who is here.

Uh Adams.

Present.

Uh Nani.

Ballerin Brody.

Present.

Barrel.

Here, Lynn.

Present.

Howie.

President Johnson.

President.

Jones.

Present.

Keegan.

Here.

Lumpkin.

Present.

Powell.

Robinson.

Williamson.

Present.

Zamer.

Present.

Um also present.

We have Council President Kelly Kimbrell, myself, Shenica Jackson, City Clerk, um, research council Robert Winner, and Corporation Council Martha Motzkowitz.

We're also joined by Councilmember um Robinson.

Thank you so much.

And um Council Policy Analyst Carly Johnson.

I apologize.

We also are joined by um Carly Johnson.

Just because she's got her new title now, so I was like, oh, I get to flex the new title.

Um so welcome to Youth and Government Night, everyone.

Um what we're going I'll go through the agenda.

But this evening, um what we're going to have is this is an opportunity for the students to kind of go through a meeting and see how things go.

So they um Brian has been kind enough to provide scripts for everyone, I believe.

Um also you're I we kind of leave it up to the council member, but we'll often allow uh encourage our students to vote for us.

So if you're going to be voting for a law or something like that and you want to co-sponsor it, just tell the student yes, co-sponsor please, or um yes or no, however you want to vote on that.

Um we also will be um so that's the main thing tonight.

And feel free to take a few moments and chat with them and kind of go through things.

Um so what we'll do is we'll go through the agenda.

Um this evening we have the May 4th minutes.

Um and a quick note for the committee section.

Unless you have something typed up for your student to read, you can just take care of that yourself if you have uh if you're doing a committee report.

Um in local laws introduced, we have local law I of twenty twenty-six from council member Keegan.

That will go to finance.

Um councilmember Keegan, did you want to say anything about that?

Just very quickly.

So this um will uh improve the definitions of what counts towards the four percent mark um when it comes to uh monies that are moved through the board of estimate and apportionment.

One of the issues and concerns that were raised regarding the budget crisis was that um over the years uh the city has moved funds and counted them as appropriations, which does not count towards the four percent calculation.

Um so whereas the city has sort of exceeded that four percent of budget transfers when you account for appropriations and therefore should have triggered count more oversight from the council.

That was not happening.

So this is kind of going back to uh address changes that the council had put through in 2021 and flush out the intent of those changes so that um we don't have those issues going forward.

Thank you so much.

Uh next we have we'll be introducing local law J of 2026 from Councilmember Howie that will go to council operations.

Do you want to say anything, Councilmember Hoy?

Yeah, um, real fast, I brought this up at um Caucus last week.

Uh the reason we we have this is kind of an emergency, get this local law passed.

Um when we did the local law about seven years ago, we left out that if there's an emergency a need for an emergency meeting, you'd be able to have it because right now you have a 10-day uh notice that you have to give to get uh legislation introduced.

So this local law will take care of that um and allow for emergency meetings um to take place, you know, under certain circumstances.

Thank you.

The rest of the local laws will be held and ordinances held.

Um we don't have any ordinances introduced this week.

Um we have ordinance 105126 from councilmember Keegan.

We'll be voting on that this evening.

Um from Councilmember Adams, ordinance 115126.

We'll be voting on that this evening.

Um did you want to say anything?

Councilmember Keegan.

I know that's ours is a that one's a pretty straightforward one.

Yeah, I mean it's it's essentially allowing an easement to put in a rain garden onto the property because they are not able to attach uh or have uh the location of the property is unable to connect with um stormwater.

Um the sewer lines for stormwater.

Um, and so they are building a uh rain garden um and filtration system to address that issue.

Excellent.

Councilmember Adams, did you want to say anything about ordinance 1151 26?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, just as a um update from our previous um committee meeting again, the ordinance here seeks to address the updating and monetization of vending throughout the city.

Uh we've updated the terms and definitions within the legislation to also include healthy foods as well as mobile vending opportunities.

Um so we look at this as an opportunity to bring economic development here to the city by spurring entrepreneurship.

Um we also look at this as a way to provide access to foods and uh food deserts.

So I hope this evening you can support this legislation as we look to move um the city of Albany forward and grow our economy.

And I'll share this with the other co-sponsor for a few words.

Thank you, Councilman Um Adams.

And um like the councilman stressed, uh entrepreneurial ship is very important in this day and age in the communities where we live.

And I believe, you know, instituing a healthy um uh diet are fools that can be accessed, you know, and within the community, it would bring um um economic and also can teach our kids economics, uh, can teach our kids responsibility, can teach our kids, you know, it is more ways to make money than just doing devious things in the streets.

So I look forward to everybody um signing on to this bill, having it pass anonymous meeting tonight.

Thank you.

Excellent.

In resolutions introduced uh from council member Adams, we have resolution resolution 3652 26.

Um, we are all co-sponsors of that.

Um that is honoring May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Um next, we have resolution 3752 26R from Councilmember Flynn.

We're all co-sponsors on that.

That is recognizing and celebrating May as mental health awareness month in the city of Albany.

Next, we have resolution 3852 26R from Councilmember Adams.

We are all co-sponsoring.

Um that is recognizing May 2026 as bike month in the city of Albany.

Um next, we have from Councilmember Powell resolution 3952 26R.

Um that will go to CECRA.

That's for sorry, that will go to planning.

That is for a CRUM review resolution for the Rap Road Transfer Station.

Um, and then we have a lot of very exciting resolutions introduced via majority consent.

Um, and I'm going to go through them.

Some of them I think we will be co-sponsor.

Well, I'll offer to all co-sponsor.

I don't there's a couple that I would we might want to individually vote on, so I will just kind of hold back on those.

So um resolution 4052 26R from Councilmember Anane.

That will be to recognize youth in government, the youth and government event.

Um, all co-sponsors on that one is that yes.

Um next from council member Balloran, resolution 4152 26R, um, a resolution to encourage the state legislature to pass um the New York Health Plan, and I will allow that to go individual vote because that's specific legislation.

Um from Councilmember Brody, resolution 4252 26R, a resolution recognizing May 20th as World B Day in the City of Albany.

Um, all co-sponsors on that one.

We'll say that is a yes.

Um next from uh myself, Councilmember Farrell, resolution 4352 26R, recognizing May 31st as World No Tobacco Day in the City of Albany.

All co-sponsors also as a yes.

Um next from council member Johnson resolution 4452 26R, a resolution celebrating the growth of the South End Children's Cafe that provides food security enrichment to our community's children.

All co-sponsors.

Everyone should be a co-sponsor on this one.

Um uh next from Councilmember Jones, resolution 4552 26R.

Um, a resolution recognizing May 4th through 7th as National Air Quality Awareness Week.

All co-sponsors on that one.

Um next from Councilmember Lumpkin, resolution 4652-26R resolution declaring May Monday, May 25th to be Memorial Day in the City of Albany and honoring America's fallen soldiers.

All co-sponsors.

Um next we have um from councilmember Robinson, resolution 4752 26R, a resolution recognizing May 3rd through May 9th as National Small Business Week and celebrating entrepreneurship in the city of Albany.

All co-sponsors.

Yes.

Um next from Councilmember Williamson, resolution 4852-26R, resolution of the common council recognizing May is ALS Awareness Month.

I don't usually pronounce that first word, but we're gonna stick with ALS.

Um all co-sponsors on that.

Yes.

Um next from Council Member Zamer, resolution 4952 29R, resolution of the common council celebrating the 78th annual tuna tulip festival in the city of Albany.

Co-sponsors, everyone.

Yes.

Um from Councilmember Flynn, we have resolution 5052 26R, resolution urging the city of Albany to halt installation of a battery storage system um until the council's adopted new legislation that we will be doing individual votes on.

Um councilmember Flynn, did you want to say anything about that's no?

No, I have a little speech written up for her, but basically we're just we just want the city to haul any operations until we get further data and information.

Excellent.

Councilmember Keegan.

If I may, as one of the co-sponsors, um how this sort of came about or the conversation came about is that National Grid has put out a bid for battery storage.

Um and it is incredibly important for the city to have that technology.

It it provides sort of a safety net for the system overall, but we don't currently have anything on the books that says where and when that battery storage can happen.

And the current site that's been proposed is in significantly close proximity to residential housing and residential property.

Um one of the things that I would note is that there's really no way to put out fires if they catch on fire, they just burn out, um, which means that you would have for an unknown period of time a potential pretty toxic fire going near a highly residential area.

Um we have had meetings with the planning department, which has included councilmember Zemer, Councilmember Flynn and myself to kind of go over what the um proposed guidance from NYSERTA is.

Um, and one of the other things that we asked for the planning department sort of take back from that conversation was to also take a look at the potential for city-owned property to be utilized for this and for the city to actually bid on the lease because it would produce significant income for the city if we had an appropriate parcel.

Um, and so uh it's just important that folks in the room have some of the background context as to why um we were looking at that resolution.

Um thank you.

Thank you so much.

So this evening, what we will do is we will go through the normal course of the agenda.

Students, so you are aware, um, you'll see an agenda on the desk, but basically we do uh the roll call, we do council president will do a welcome and go right into the pledge of allegiance, and then we do a moment of silence.

Um we do that.

There used to be a prayer a long time ago, and the council, I think before any of us were on it, um, made the choice to shift to a moment of silence so that anybody could think about whatever blessing they would like to bestow our proceedings.

Um after that, we will have public comment.

I don't think we're taking anything out of order today.

Are we taking anything out of order?

Absolutely.

Um, people here from the South End.

Oh, yes, they are again.

Yeah, so um council president.

Um we're gonna take the South End Children's Cafe one out of order.

So we'll have to uh maybe we can Bobby.

Should we introduce do all of the MCs or at that point, or just the if we want to take the um take the South End Children's Cafe one out of order?

Should we should we just take like MC that one or should we MC the whole list and then just take that one out of order?

Probably easier to just MC the whole list then and take that one out of order.

Okay.

Saves a little time.

All right, so we'll be MCing everything, then we'll take that one out of order, and we can do that before public comment.

Um so we'll do that before public comment.

So for students, a lot of times we're fortunate to have people come into the chamber when we do a resolution, and so what we'll do is we'll often take things out of order.

Um we love for people to stay for our meetings, but sometimes people don't necessarily want to or or have time to stay through the entire meeting.

They'd prefer to watch it at home, or maybe they're not watching it this evening, and um they'll be able to watch actually get the resolution.

Um, we usually take a picture and then we can move on to the rest of the meeting agenda, and then the people are able to stay, of course.

We love people staying, but they um can also go forth and do other good things.

Um, and in the example of the South End Children's Cafe, we know that they're doing great things.

So um we'll be taking that one out of order that will be before public comment, then we'll get into public comment.

Um before we do any of that, we're going to do a special dispensation to allow the students to speak for us officially in our procedures.

So that's something that we actually say that we allow the students to do that.

And then what I'd like to do is maybe during miscellaneous, we can defer that time to the students, and we can have each of our students introduce themselves, say you know what's what they're doing, um, what year they are in school, if they're if they're a senior and they have any idea what they're doing next year, maybe give us a little bit of info on that.

But just briefly tell us who you are during miscellaneous so we can get to know a little bit, and then for any of your parents that are watching at home, they can like get to see you on the screen too.

Um so with that, I will turn it over to council president.

Okay.

It is now 701.

Uh and uh let's start the meeting.

Uh welcome everyone to the Monday, May 18th meeting of the Albany Common Council.

Um please read the role.

Adams.

Present Anani.

Present, Valoran.

Present, Roddy, present, Farrell, present, present, Hoey, present, Johnson, present, Jones, present, Keegan.

Present, Lumpkin, present, Powell, present Robinson, present.

Williamson.

Present.

Zamer.

Present.

15 present.

Okay.

We have a quorum.

Okay.

And to the welcome, uh, again, welcome.

Monday, May 18th meeting of the council.

It's our youth and government night.

Welcome to all the students here.

My understanding is most of you, if not all, are from Albany High.

Right?

Is that correct?

So thank you all for being here.

Uh with that.

Um, let's stand for the pledge, followed by a moment of silence.

Thank you.

Okay, we'll start with uh Ms.

Farrell.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I move to temporarily amend the rules of procedure to allow the Albany Common Council youth and government representatives to make motions, offer committee reports, and read legislation on behalf of their assigned committee council member or city official for the duration of the May 18th, 2026 meeting of the Albany Common Council while their assigned member or official is presently in the chambers and has authorized that action.

Second we get a second second, Mr.

Holy.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion passes.

Again, welcome students.

Ms.

Farrell.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I move to add resolution 40 52 26R through 50 52 26 R to the agenda via majority consent.

Can I get a second?

Second.

Mr.

Howie again.

Excuse me, Miss Keegan.

Okay, uh all in favor.

Aye.

Okay.

Any opposed?

See none.

The motion passes.

Okay, Miss Farrell.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I move to take resolution 4452 26R out of order.

Second.

Mr.

Howie, in keeping with tradition.

Well all in favor.

Aye.

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Mr.

Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 4452 26R and ask for its introduction and passage by voice.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please read the resolution.

A resolution of the common council celebrating the growth of the South End Children's Cafe that provides food security and enrichment to our community's children.

Discussion, Mr.

Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

As you see, um it says the South End uh Children's Cafe, they address food securities, but they do a lot more.

And at in a time where you can have something today and it can be gone tomorrow, I think it's important for us to you know put the spotlight and um send a message to uh the people that are doing the work in the second world that the common council is watching, and we appreciate their effort.

And um, you know, it's a lot of turmoil in my um ward, but the one good constant positive thing is the South End um Children's Cafe.

And you know, I extended invitations before um to my colleagues.

But if you want to see excellence with our kids, if you want to see um what a little love um does for our kids, come down to the um cafe.

Um my my best friend, his name is Reverend Alander Lewis.

You know, he just actually said D, do things out of love.

If you try to do things out of love, you usually land where you need to be.

And you know, um I I felt it was important um to bring Tracy here as well.

I'm glad to see Antoinette with her or um the president, the board president of the um cafe, but they lead out of love all the time.

And that's important because sometimes the only consistent love that our kids get is when they go places, they go places in our community and they um come in um contact with special adults, and you know, whenever I get a chance to speak at the cafe, I always talk about the consistency that they um provide our kids.

And you know, um it's actually magic because sometimes I see those same kids from eight to four, and they're totally different.

But when you go to the cafe, they have they have the um ability to receive whatever message, whatever goal, whatever um project that they're working on.

So uh from the bottom of my heart, you know, um I'm thankful for the consistency that they um bring, and again, we are in the business of trying to highlight the positive things that are going on in our community, and you know, I wanted to take this time out tonight to uh make sure that um they receive their flowers and and and uh much more and again I say thank you for what you do night in and night out any further discussion, Mr.

Nanny.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

I also want to thank uh councilmember Johnson for introducing this uh resolution.

Sorry, um I've known Tracy for quite some time now, and she's a friend and former resident of the 10th World neighborhood, and I just want to say I appreciate everything that you're doing for our city.

Um, you know, I'm a big supporter of many of us in this room are big supporters of after school programs because you know what?

Kids are always learning, and when the three o'clock bell ring doesn't mean that they stop learning, is uh it's who they learn from at the time.

And I just want to commend you for um always uh investing in our youth and investing in the South End.

I know we uh again we're so proud of you, and uh hopefully you get enough resources where you can expand to maybe the Pine Hills Children's Cafe.

Uh so thank you so much for everything you're doing.

Thank you for South and True Cafe.

Ms.

Farrell.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I just wanted to add my thanks to my colleague for bringing this forward, but also huge thanks to uh Tracy and Tony for all of their work that they do.

Um the South End Children's Cafe is based in the South End and it's made a huge difference there, but that impact can be felt citywide, and it is absolutely incredibly important, and we're so lucky for all of the work.

And I will say, if there is ever any time or resources that anybody has, if there's anybody that can put you to work and to help use those resources, it is the people at the South End Children's Cafe.

So I I really commend their ability to um create magic out of a lot of different tiny pieces all over the place and weaving them together to just something amazing.

So thank you.

As long as I can say that I was doing charity work in my community, so was the South and Children's Cafe.

When I was doing Feed Albany with the county legislative, um late Matt Peters, South End Cafe was on the South End doing that what they had to do to touch these kids.

Even if it was from a mill to get them to the doors and then teach them educational and life skills, they done that.

Okay.

So do a voice vote.

All in favor, say aye.

Any opposed?

Okay.

Motion passes so uh Tracy and Tony, we would love for you to come up and um we'll take a picture, and I would assume that you would actually love the students in the picture with that.

Yeah, so everybody, let's we're gonna just squeeze in and we're gonna make it work.

Okay, we're gonna start our public comment period.

Can they hear me?

Okay, we're about to start public comment period.

Uh public comment period is a uh period during the meeting where uh the public can uh have a seat and speak for five minutes on the topic of their choice.

It's a period in the meeting where you're providing comment to the council, we're not interacting with you with receiving comment.

Uh when you won't you sit uh give us your name and address, and then you may begin.

There is a light on the uh table there, the it counts down, so be mindful of that as you move forward.

Please call a the first speaker, madam clerk.

Our first speaker is Carl Yorich.

Hi, I'm Carl Urick.

I live on Lennox Av in Alban.

Um just a bit off script.

I mean it's really exciting to see students from Albany High here uh to see sort of the good and the bad and the easy and the difficult of how democracy works.

So congratulations for taking some time to participate tonight.

So I I previously have spoken about our budget, our budget process, our city's finance finances.

Tonight I'll share some quick thoughts on the city requesting assistance from the state controllers division of local government accountability.

In last week's finance committee meeting, council members discussed requesting assistance from the controller's office.

As council member Keegan noted, several City of Albany residents have already reached out to the division of local government accountability.

The ball is rolling, and the controller's office is wondering if any city of Albany government official will be reaching out to them.

I'm one of the people who's made a formal request to the controller's office.

I know of at least two other people who have made a similar request.

First of all, why did I make this request?

The city, in my opinion, is is facing an existential crisis.

If the city makes all the right moves for the next three to five years, we can stabilize the finances of the city.

Given that we need as much brain power and financial crisis management expertise as possible.

The controller has this expertise.

Why do I believe the controller can help us?

I didn't make this request lightly on a lark on a whim.

Here are three of several reasons why I believe it's a good thing to bring the controller in.

First of all, because Robert Ward said so.

And thirdly, because second opinions are a good thing.

You know, if if I needed a major medical procedure, I'd get a second opinion.

And even if we have the smartest, most capable finance team for the city of Albany, I would still want to bring in more people to get their points of view to validate or provide a contrarian point of view.

I can appreciate that supporting a request to the controller might concern members of the common council.

You might think that we're making a hasty decision.

To which I reply that the clock is ticking, and we can't afford to waste a day.

Lastly, there may be political concerns.

They're requesting the controller's assistance.

So I'm not sure what to say other than think about what is best for the citizens of Albany now and long term.

So I've said all that to say this.

Please consider signing on to the common council's request for assistance from the controller's division of local government accountability.

It's the right thing to do.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, sir.

Madam Clerk, please call the next speaker.

Our next speaker is Anaya A.

Bonsoir, common.

Oh, Bien?

Ah, somebody speaks a little French here.

Good evening, it's your Gerlinia A.

I am Haitian American.

I mentioned that a little bit before when I was here, I think.

I'm not sure.

Um, either way, I'm a new resident of Albany, and this evening I'm not coming to start any trouble or share any bad news, because you guys have been doing a lot better.

First of all, give it up for yourselves, guys.

You can, yes, yes, yes.

No, I'm saying that to say in the past couple of months, real quick before I get to this next part.

I have been watching and I've been seeing a lot of changes in the community as of late.

So for me, that's outstanding because of the political agenda that we're in presently.

But also, whenever you see somebody doing an effort or making an effort as you young people are getting older, please always acknowledge them, and that will help change the narrative in a lot of our communities.

So when I see the changes, when I see the events, when I see the positive remarks on other people's pages in regards to what you guys are doing, it really makes me happy.

With that being said, this evening I wanted to talk about Haitian Flag Day real quick.

I am Haitian American, and it's unfortunate that I don't even have my Haitian flag with me due to the past few months and the circumstances that I've been dealing with as I've relocated from the city to Albany.

But that doesn't mean that I'm not going to represent for my country, for my people, and share just a few words about what Haiti means to myself and so many people during these times.

Right now we're going through a lot in Haiti as the president was assassinated a few years ago.

If you guys haven't heard, tonight you'll understand that Haiti is in a very bad situation.

However, people like myself have a lot of hope.

We are going to continue to fight for the country.

Haiti has been under attack for many years.

We got our freedom in 1804 after fighting for justice and forth slavery around the world.

We were the first freed slaves or encaptured people, and we try to help every nation, including the United States of America.

We sent over 500 soldiers to fight for this country.

If the Haitian soldiers did not fight over 500 of them, believe it or not, you all would be speaking French as well.

So with that being said, I wanted to acknowledge my people and share that there's a lot of misconceptions, excuse me, misconceptions about Caribbean countries, African countries, and those that are just different from people here in America.

But I think God has given me the strength and the power to share certain things with different communities so that we can all live happily under God's green earth or on God's green earth under his blue skies, right?

So with that being said, I wanted to say merci beaucoup.

Madam Quick called the next speaker, please.

Next speaker is Edward Brennan.

Thank you very much.

Um my name's Ed Brennan, 389 McCormick Road.

Um speaking here on two um respects is president of the Albany Bicycle Coalition about the bike resolution and also as a acting president of the Norman Skill Neighborhood Association with respect to the uh the battery um proposal in the area.

As president of Albany Bicycle Coalition, uh we've at the bicycle coalition, we've been happily spinning our wheels here in Albany for the past 21 years.

Um, and we want to thank the many uh members of the council that joined to introduce the uh bike the resolution to make uh May Bike Month for the City of Albany.

We've been seeing a lot more people on bicycles.

Uh we're happy to say that infrastructure has been improving in Albany for uh people that ride bikes.

Uh and also with respect to the 25 mile an hour speed limit that that city put in place, uh the speed humps on residential roads and the school zone speed cameras.

Uh, we have to say our roads are safer and they feel safer, and this is getting more people to be to be able to get out there on bicycles.

Along with ABC in the past few years, uh, we've also seen a lot more um uh so uh groups like Capitol Streets that are uh like us, they're uh advocates for active transportation.

We've seen Albany social cycling, uh getting more people exploring the city of Albany on bicycles.

And we also now have the free volunteer uh Albany bike valet service that has been uh here at a couple of um festivals and events around the city, so people can enjoy riding their bicycle to events, leaving their cars at home, less parking, uh less parking problems and congestion for everybody.

Um the city has a very good uh bicycle and pedestrian plan.

Uh, it does have a long way to go.

We are hopeful that the active transportation advisory commission that this uh common council created uh uh about a year ago, that this uh this uh commission will uh become active and put into operation so that we can see some progress uh in that bike ped plan.

As president of the Albany uh the Normandskill Neighborhood Association, I want to speak in favor of uh Mr.

Flynn's resolution.

A few weeks ago, uh we had over 80 people at our Normandskill neighborhood association, which was the biggest um turnout we've had for many years uh in the neighborhood.

Um I don't recall any of the neighbors speaking in favor of putting the lithium ion battery unit uh near our homes.

And uh generally given um concerns about fires and toxic fumes uh that can come from those fires, it is not appropriate for really any residential area in any part of the city.

But uh thank you all very much.

Thank you, Mr.

Brennan.

Our next speaker is Tessa Hughes, good evening.

My name is Tessa Hughes.

I recently closed on a home on Zuni Street.

I purchased this home believing I was joining a quiet residential neighborhood, not potentially living next to beside a battery storage system.

Buying my first home at the age of 25 was one of the proudest and biggest decisions of my life.

I chose this neighborhood because it is quiet, safe, and felt like the kind of place I could build my future.

Had I had known that this was being considered for the residential area, I likely never would have purchased the home.

I support responsible clean energy development, and I am not denying the need for these facilities.

But these kind of facilities do not belong in residential areas where families live, children's play, and where emergency access may already be limited due to the neighborhood layout.

The past few weeks, since hearing about this proposal from my new neighbors, I have done some research on these types of facilities and reading articles on the tragic incidents involving battery storage facilities like the one that is being proposed in our neighborhood.

While I do not believe that I am the person who should educate decision makers on the risk in real life incidents that have already occurred, a quick Google search reveals countless concerns raised by communities, firefighters, and experts around the country.

These facilities may have a place, but many residents, including myself, do not believe that the place is within a quiet residential neighborhood where families have invested their lives, homes, and futures.

When doing research, I came across a quote from a New York State Senator in regard to these facilities and the decision making around the location that stuck with me.

He said, Our children's safety in our community's peace of mind must always remain our number one priority.

I am requesting that the decision makers have the same priority in mind, making their final decision on this proposal.

In the end, this is not about opposing progress or clean energy.

It is about protecting the safety, character, and future of the neighborhood that so many of us chose to call home.

We invested in this community, believing it would remain a quiet residential area, not becoming the site of an industrial scale infrastructure.

I respectfully ask that the concerns of the residents who have who live here every day be generally considered before any decision that can permanently change the place we work so hard to be a part of is banned.

Thank you, ma'am.

Our last speaker is Omar Robinson.

Test test, Charles Obar, Robinson, 404 Livingston Avenue, Albany, New York.

Graduate of Albany High School, class of 78.

Top 15 percentile in the class of a thousand, graduated, SUNY New Pauls, 1984.

Albany High prepared me very well.

I did very well in college, thanks to Albany High.

Government of the people by the people for the people.

But I lived a life that constantly contradicts that.

I look around this room, I don't see, I might see one person that's as old as me or older in me.

I know what I live through.

We evolved to something currently, right now, that for the first time in my physical journey in life, I'm seeing something, starting with this common council, this body.

I could have been born 400 years later.

But it's the now.

That's why it's called the present, because it's the true gift in all our lives.

Now, when you talk about this budget, I'm a business person, and I'm down here trying to figure out last year.

I paid me alone.

My business played 400,000 in taxes.

Taxation without representation.

Taxation without representation.

All my life I've been taxed.

I've been chasing this money because when they first came out with this legislation talking about cannabis taxation, the money was supposed to go back to the neighborhoods that was most affected from the war on drugs.

And now, four years later, three years later, that money is just sitting in a bank account, being managed by the powers that be.

Now y'all have a deficit now.

You know, of course, the treasurer that nobody's talking about is going to say he don't want a controller.

Why?

Because when it comes to currency, when it comes to paper money, the first tech the first count is always the best count.

When it comes to paper money, who's ever counting paper money first, five for me, two for you.

Three for you, two for me.

You think they're not getting ears on it off the top?

They've always gotten ears off the top.

That's the way politics work.

That work, that's why it's called politics as usual.

It's called politics as usual.

Now y'all going to beat around the boost concerning this deficit.

And at the end of the day, I'll bet anybody a dollar in here.

You're still gonna bond your way out of this situation.

Because that's the only way you're gonna be able to get out of this situation of 37 million dollars.

They're gonna bond your way out of this situation.

So y'all can go through the rhetoric and talk, uh, but at the end of the day, you're gonna bond your way out of this situation, so you might as well begin the process now.

Because nearly room, you never try to reinvent the wheel.

You get on the wheel and you ride the wheel.

I came down here to talk about bonding, getting out of this deficit.

You're gonna have to start someplace, so you might as well start now.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Robinson.

That concludes our public comment period.

What we'll do now is uh part of the meeting where council members get to speak to comment.

Yeah, what comments were made.

So, Mr.

Johnson, we'll start with you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

You know, normally when the gentleman comes and he speaks about the budget, I'm always interested in what he has has to say.

And I want to say thank you for your honesty, because I uh I think that it is in haste that uh we are moving.

I think um it's troublesome for me because some of the same people that I heard stand up in here and uh congratulate each other on that budget are some of the first people to say that we need to uh bring someone else in.

And I just say this, you know, um maybe that is the uh response, you know, but I think um the way that this administration has been pounced on in the first uh five or six months is to me it's not fair.

I think that um they did a lot of uh addressing um bringing in new talent in those um departments, and I think that they should be given a chance to um work us out of this uh situation.

I think um, you know, uh everybody has a lot of great ideals when you're number two and number three, but when you get a chance to be number one, you should be given the opportunity to show what you can do.

And I don't think that um our response to the numbers has been um fair to this administration.

I think that um to immediately just say that we should bring another um voice to the conversation.

Um makes it it projects the image like they are the reason that we got to where we are right now.

So um I just wanted to say I always appreciate your um perspective because you can point out things that I can't see for myself, and you know, it's it's nice to hear it coming from the community.

You know, um the community is a big uh part of what we do and why we do what we do.

We should be always operating in the best interest of the community, and so I um offered at caucus on Wednesday.

I said that I think that we should figure out how to get our arrows working together in the system that we already have, and this system that we have been dealing with, I've been listening to complaints for forever about.

And you know, times like this make us look at it and and and um make the necessary adjustments in the in-house.

I'm an athlete.

And you know, you don't you you don't start out winning the game.

And sometimes, you know, when you find out in the game, it's a game of runs and life is you know, things are going smooth and things are rough.

You you have um both you you want things to be more smooth than it is rough, but sometimes things get rough and we can't just make knee-jerk reactions.

forever about and you know terms like this make us look at it and and and um make the necessary adjustments in the in-house I'm an athlete and you know you don't you you don't start out winning the game and sometimes you know when you find out in the game it's a game of runs and life is you know things are going smooth and things are are rough you you have um both you you want things to be more smooth than it is rough but sometimes things get rough and we can't just make knee jerk reactions and so you know our our voicema um fillings on Wednesday about um I think the real conversation we need to have is is addressing the in-house stuff the stuff that um should be working for us the conversations that should be have and um held in a timely manner so that we can talk to our constituents which we don't um get a chance to do about um what's really going on and we won't you know even if it is bad they won't be finding out like they they have so I just wanted to say thank you for your honesty and um I hope that we um put some deeper thought into um the fast move that we're making thank you thank you Mr.

Johnson Mr.

Flynn I just want to thank Ed Brennan and Tess for coming out and speaking on behalf of uh batteries uh Tess you were great I was test as basketball coach years ago you did a great job of speaking Tess thank you because you may not be around for the meeting because it could be long thank you Mr Flynn Mr.

Robinson thank you council president um I also want to echo the words of my colleague councilman john this is not my first rodeo in city government my first term on council I never voted on the previous administration's budget because every budget they made it was doomed from the start uh my colleague Frank Jr who was the chair of the finance committee along with Judd Crasher they had a real tune in on what the budget or how the operations of the of the past administration was proposing and running across council and council dare after year passed this budget and it wasn't even balanced so what we are facing today is not it did not happen overnight it happened from when the previous administration first took office you know and for us to just immediately say let's bring in the controller a hundred days into the new administration's term without even giving her or her her her team uh even you know just giving them time to get a hold of this you know and move it in the right direction we as a council we are the one that passed these budgets so let's not point fingers let's not say hey is is is this current administration they knew about it council after council after council pass these budgets so I you know I definitely have to agree with my colleagues we we you know rushing to bring in the controller without giving the the the um the current administration you know I'm saying time to wrap their heads around this and they hands around this and if it comes to bonding their way out of it or whatever you know I'm saying solution they come up with we should at least give them the opportunity just like we gave the past administration the opportunity to do what they was doing what got us here today.

Thank you.

Thank you Miss Brody Thank you.

I would recognize I think a lot of what my colleagues have said about needing to be a collaborative city hall about making sure that we're walking the walk that we are talking as well and we're looking at the data um with a very um a sort of a curiosity that I think probably has not been looked at the data in a long time to your point uh council member Robinson um I think where we might differ is that I I think because I agree with what you're saying about needing to validate the data about making sure that this administration has the chance I would include all the new council members in that net new administration as well.

And not having had the privilege to question or uh raise uh different topics during the debating of this year's uh current fiscal situation and the budget that that we're currently in um I think it's actually totally reasonable while we are short staffed in the budget department while most of us are new um to be calling in the expertise in a non-punitive purely informational fashion an office of state comptroller budgetary review is not an audit it will not go into um a blame game of any type it is as far as I understand it literally just to understand the current facts of today's budgetary situation and our financial outlook we cannot fix our problem if we have not defined it and I know uh we heard from the treasurer on Wednesday I unfortunately was not able to attend that meeting but I know I forwarded a a letter to to all of my colleagues as well um the treasurer gave great you know updates but that information is by default old the quarter four report is the most recent

It is, as far as I understand it, literally just to understand the current facts of today's budgetary situation and our financial outlook.

We cannot fix our problem if we have not defined it.

And I know uh we heard from the treasurer on Wednesday.

I unfortunately was not able to attend that meeting, but I know I forwarded a a letter to to all of my colleagues as well.

Um the treasurer gave great you know updates, but that information is by default old.

The quarter four report is the most recent financial and budgetary information we have, and that was relevant as of December 31st, 2025.

We're now almost halfway through 2026, and the departments are going to start, us included, are gonna start putting together their budget asks for 2027 within the next four to six weeks.

That means those departments need to know whether they're being told to cut, how much to cut, and when those cuts are going to need to be fulfilled, whether it's in 2027 or in an ongoing fashion.

Um so I think I agree wholeheartedly with the idea of needing to work collaboratively and to just define the current problem in ways that reflect our finances today, and that give us all a fresh perspective on where we might be able to collectively come together to understand how we solve our problems going forward.

We're not gonna get anywhere blaming anybody, we're not gonna get anywhere doing, you know, he said she said gotcha sort of games, and that is not what an Office of the State Comptroller Budgetary Review does.

Um I was pleased that the administration also afforded council staff access to the enterprise the ERP system in the spirit of sharing data.

Um I think that's not only um a reasonable thing to do, but I think it it gives us additional um opportunity to ask questions and approach this with curiosity because like you said, Councilmember Robinson, I'm not interested in passing anything that we haven't had full access to the data on and understanding the consequences thereof.

Um, and I also think you know, there's been the idea of um promoted by by other council members, uh, councilmember Farrell um promoted this idea first of sort of a financial working group.

We need to roll up our sleeves.

It's not just the mayor's responsibility to do that.

Um, they're doing a lot of the heavy lifting, and I think it's incumbent upon us as a council to also uh propose solutions.

It's easy to tell everybody what the problem is, but I think we need to be part of the solutioning and pulling on some of the minds that we're very lucky to have in the city of Albany and within our own council to come up with those solutions and evaluate paths forward is really something I think um I would like to see this body shift towards, and I've raised my hand as being very willing to be part of that and pulling in people in the community who would as well and getting started as soon as as people would like to get started.

Um I don't think this is anything that we can expect, you know, the mayor can't wave a magic wand and get us out of this by herself.

She's gonna need us um to come up with some of those solutions and for us to be collaborative partners.

And I think the way we we we start is by um a totally public um open, honest conversation about where our numbers are today, so that we can um we can collectively solution going forward.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Brody, Mr.

Howie.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I would just like to remind my colleagues and the public that the council has very very little control over the budget.

If we don't vote to pass the budget, it passes anyhow.

There's very little change, just like with the school budget.

You vote no tomorrow on the school budget, the budget that'll go in its place is very little bit cut back.

So, you know, if we really want to do something long term, we really should look at the charter.

Last time the charter was adjusted was back around 2000.

Um, you know, if we want to have a little bit more say, we would have to, you know, propose a charter change, and that would be a referendum.

But the only power that we have, it was brought up last week, is uh bonding.

We can control the bonds.

So if that's the way you know, to kind of work things out, that's what we might have to do.

But again, I want to work with with the administration, we need to get out of this problem, but long term we really should look at what type of power does the common council have.

And we're kind of more democratic, where each one of us comes from a different part of the city, and I think that long term that this council should look at and plan in the next few years to do a charter change.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Hoey.

Mr.

Ballorin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I want to thank all my colleagues for having this discussion.

I think this is part of what we need, and we need more of.

Um, I think we all have different ideas and different perspectives and different experiences, and I think actually having these difficult conversations more would actually help us guide us into a better uh process and a better decision making.

Um, with that said, does some want to follow up on some of colleagues' comments?

I I think we do have to look at our bonding.

I think we have to look at the bonding we've already issued.

I think we should relook at that bonding and see what we want to continue to move forward and what we want to possibly bring back to the table for another vote.

I think that's very important.

I mean, if we want to lower the debt, we still have a say in that if that money hasn't been spent.

Um, when it comes to bonding ourselves out of this, I don't think that would be the best solution in my personal opinion.

I think our best solution is to get our first share from the state.

I'm gonna say that and say it time and time again.

Um, we are in this mess because the state has not given us our first share.

It's as if, and I'll say it for those who've heard it many times.

You're gonna say the same story you say time and time again.

If you have a landlord and your tenants don't pay you your rent, it's hard for you to pay your bills.

And if you own a hundred units and sixty percent of those tenants aren't paying your rent, and then those sixty percent tell you, well, if you charge the other 40 percent more money, you'd be able to do some more repers.

Well, that's not the problem.

The core of the problem is the state has not given us our first share for decades, and that has created a compound effect that has affected our budgets for decades, which has put us more and more in debt so that we can fix any infrastructure that we could fix with debt.

So there's been a lot of lost opportunities because of that, and I think any request that we put forward should have a request for an analyst, analyzing the data of what would be our first share and how much that would be times 30 years, and how much of an impact would that have affected our city if we would have gotten that.

So I say that because I appreciate this public discussion.

I think it's needed.

I think it's it's part of what people want to see more of, and I'm glad we were able to do it as a full body.

Uh and I look forward to it.

And I look I I say I look forward, but I really don't.

But to be honest with you, because it's difficult conversations, and it's difficult decisions.

Because if we go back to our bonds and say what projects we're not going to support, those are projects in our neighborhoods that we make careful, that we have to say we can't afford that right now.

So that's not fun.

Uh and and so when I say I look forward to the conversations, but I don't look forward to the work ahead.

Uh it's because I know that the work ahead means making some difficult decisions.

That means some projects that we may want to have seen, we have to say we just simply can't afford now.

Uh, and that is um not a good place to be.

So, with that said, again, I appreciate all my colleagues.

I appreciate the public coming and speaking on this issue uh and your different perspectives.

I think that's good, and I think that uh makes us a better city.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Bower.

Okay, all set.

Okay, next moving on to uh to approval of minutes, Ms.

Farrell.

I offer the May 4th, 2026 regular meeting minutes for approval.

Second.

Second by Mr.

Hoey.

All in favor?

Thank you.

Motion passed.

Next uh reports of standing committee.

Ms.

Keegan.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice local law.

Oh, sorry.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

The Finance Assessment and Taxation Committee met on May 13th to discuss ordinance 1051 26th regarding the granting of an easement over a portion of Broadway and the City of Albany's finances with Treasurer Dirich How Hinder.

Okay.

Thank you, Mr.

Johnson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

The Housing and Community Development Committee met on May 11th to discuss the Albany Community Development Agency budget.

The committee is currently scheduling another meeting on May 27th to discuss the local law H of 2026, which would add protections against housing discrimination and increase the enforcement of fair housing violations.

Thank you, Mr.

Johnson.

Ms.

Damer.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

The planning, economic development, and land use committee met on May 12th to discuss ordinance 115126 regarding vending in the city of Albany and voted it out with a favorable recommendation.

Thank you.

Mr.

Howie.

The public safety committee will meet on Wednesday, May 20th to interview CPRB candidates.

Thank you, Mr.

Howe.

Okay.

It's moving on to consideration of local laws.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice local law.

I asked for its introduction.

That's local law.

I thank you, Madam Clerk.

Please read the law.

A local law amending the charter of the city of Albany in relation to clarifying and revising requirements related to budget transfers after adopting adoption of budget.

Excuse me.

Thank you.

Ms.

Farrell.

Local law I of 2026 will be referred to the council's finance committee.

Thank you.

Next, uh Mr.

Howie.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice Law J of 2026 and ask for its introduction.

Thank you, Mr.

Howie.

Madam Clerk, please read the local law.

A local law amending section 34-2 public notice of meetings of boards and commissions and committees, boards, commissions, and committees of the code of the city of Albany in relation to adjusting the requirements to notice public meetings to remain in compliance with New York State Open Meetings Law and allowing for short notice emergency meetings.

Thank you, Madam Clerk, Ms.

Farrell.

Local law J of 2026 will be referred to the council's operations committee.

With that, the rest of the local laws on the agenda are held.

Thank you.

Okay, on to our ordinances.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice ordinance 105126 and acts for its passage by roll call vote.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Please read the ordinance.

An ordinance authorizing and directing the grant of an easement to Center Square LLC over a portion of the city right of way adjacent to 1233 Broadway, also known as 33 Center Street, tax map parcel number 66.29-2-59.

Thank you.

Discussion.

No discussion.

No discussion.

Okay.

Seeing none, uh, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Adams.

Iani.

Yes.

Bro uh Ballarin, excuse me.

Yes.

Brody.

I.

Farrell.

Yes.

Flynn.

Yes.

Howie.

Yes.

Johnson.

Yes.

Jones.

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes.

Lumpkin.

Yes.

Powell.

Yes.

Robinson.

Yes.

Williamson.

Yes.

Zamer.

Yes.

15 in the affirmative.

The motion passes.

Moving on.

Uh, Mr.

Adams.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice ordinance 115126 to add for its passage by roll poll vote.

Thank you, Mr.

Adams.

Madam Clerk.

In ordinance of the common council amending chapter 363, vendors of vendors, part two general legislation of the code of the city of Albany in relation to expanding mobile vendor opportunities in the city of Albany.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Um discussion, Mr.

Adams.

Ordinance 115126 expand mobile vending throughout the city, allowing for more opportunities for residents to sell goods, but also now include service outside the traditional food vending.

As we look to move Albany forward, we must look to the new innovative ways people are creating businesses, business and support residents here in the city of Albany.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mr.

Robinson.

Thank you, uh Mr.

President.

Being a sponsor of this bill, um, we went back and forth through dreads, you know what I'm saying, for several weeks.

And it's very important that we look at how hard it is to actually put fool on our table and to be able to be creative because for so long, you know, um entrepreneurship or small businesses didn't have the opportunity to vent without the city without paying high vendor fees or being um deemed to be associated in one um um demographic area.

You know, now with this um this bill, you know, it gives the residents the opportunity to you know um really um you know put their entrepreneurial um um spirits and uh uh create you know up I mean okay I mean economic opportunities not only for themselves but for their children, you know, because for so long um you know our children haven't had the opportunity to learn, you know, the finances, all the economics or the business early in life, you know how it is that you know you can take, you know, I'm saying a small amount and you can invest that small amount in something that you feel that you just like kids, you know, growing up with lemonade stands, you know, that's their first teacher of of learning finance, you know, and you know, by this bill being passed tonight, you know, it would give that broad spectrum across the city where you will see a lot of young entrepreneurs, you know, really putting their craft to work to try to earn a living.

And I think that's needed.

I think it's past due.

And I, you know, I definitely want to commend my colleague, you know what I'm saying, Councilman Adams, for doing such a deep dive and also corporate council working hard, you know, I'm saying, and making this legisl legislation something that whereas that we as a city we're not gonna um you know really you know fine and fee our way out of our our deficit through this bill, but we will give residents the opportunity, you know, to try to, you know, really, you know, I'm saying, um, make extra income to make ends meet.

So again, you know, I just urged my colleagues to um you know pass this bill and um let's see the city move forward.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Robinson, Mr.

Johnson.

So I just want to say um I'm not a business owner, but a lot of times I hear people talk about their experience and trying to get established and and when you think about vendors, you know, I just think about Lincoln Park.

I think about the hot dog man, it was Mr.

Jones, he was out there for years who worked in the city school district and you know, uh was able to not only make a living um as an entrepreneur, but he also provided kids who didn't have money opportunities to have um food coming out of the um pool.

And I just think that um it's our job to try to help streamline that process so that um people can have that that that opportunity to get their feet wet in business.

Um when I go outside of the city, you see people start out small and and over across course of time they their business grows.

So, you know, um I would love to see that opportunity happen more in Albany, and I just want to say again say thank you, and I hope everybody is support this.

Thank you, Mr.

Johnson, Ms.

Brody.

I've always wondered why food trucks are only a part of the capital.

I think this is uh a great move.

Um living on the other side of the Capitol.

I would like them to be in my neighborhood sometimes too.

I know a lot of my constituents would as well.

Um my only question is about um, and I know uh the clerk and I had talked briefly before about um maybe thinking through where vendors are able to go in Washington Park and other parks, that being part of the actual licensing review process, not the legislation.

So I think um I'm looking forward to working with with this body and with the clerk on making sure we're giving those vent new vendors under this uh as much guidance as possible to make it as seamless a process as possible.

Um my one question was about having come from the county previously, um sort of how the county department of mental of uh public health uh how their um uh health inspections might apply to this.

I didn't know if that was something that was discussed, if it's gonna be any different or if anybody from the county had uh weighed in.

I just didn't know if that was part of the discussion.

And I don't know.

I'm I'm looking around because I'm not even sure exactly who to direct the question to I'll just go off what I know and I can pass it.

Um based on the type of business, uh whether they're selling foods or the uh beverage, um, or again, whatever product that they're selling, if that falls under the uh food administration guidelines or state guidelines, um those business owners or people will still have to follow the same processes uh as far as I know and uh make sure that they have the proper documentation uh so when they come to the city to complete or fill out a permit that all that documentation is provided for them to have a good look or assessment on who to approve or what's missing from the application.

And I can um speak to the um fresh uncut um future and vestibules part of the legislation.

You know, you don't need any um you doesn't you do not pay taxes on fruits and vegetables as it stands.

So um to my understanding, as long as it's fresh and uncut, you don't have to go to the guidance of um New York State Health Department.

It comes in New York Health Department comes to the point where when you fry in foods or um you know vending trucks, they know that and um like Councilman Adams said when they come to the city that um documentation must be presented to the must be presented to the city before the city even issue um the um variants to either been with a um to commit okay so if it's not cut if it's whole fruit, for example, no health department need be involved exactly yeah so yeah once you cut it there's a hook comes a whole different story so I let I let this go on, but that that's the kind of discussion that should have occurred in the committee meeting where you we walk through all of that stuff.

So I apologize for not being there, I couldn't make it no no I it wasn't directed.

It's just a general statement about it.

But that that's what the committee structure is for.

You can that you can dive deep, get all those questions answered, even bring people from the state in or other places to to um address any questions you might have, but um we were roll call.

All right, Adams.

Yes, Anani.

Yes, Valoran, co-sponsor, yes, co-sponsor.

Brody, yes.

Farrell.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Flynn.

Yes.

Hoey?

Yes, Johnson, yes, co-sponsor.

Jones.

Yes.

Keegan.

Yes, co-sponsor, please, Lumpkin.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Powell.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Robinson.

Yes.

Williamson.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Zamer.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

15 in the affirmative.

The motion passes.

Okay, moving on.

Mr.

Adams.

Uh resolutions introduced.

Excuse me.

Uh Miss Farrell.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 49.

Oh.

Okay.

The rest the rest of the ordin ordinance ordinances on the agenda are held.

Thank you.

Okay, on to resolutions, Mr.

Adams.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 3652 26 are an acts for its introduction and passage by police note.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please read the resolution.

A resolution of the Common Council honoring May 2026 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the City of Albany.

Thank you.

Any discussion, Mr.

Adams.

As we celebrate black excuse, wow, black HC.

Yeah, sure.

As we celebrate as we celebrate bike history month, uh just want to thank everyone for signing on to this.

But I can't forget to mention.

No, no, Mr.

It's uh AAPI.

Oh, excuse me, wrong one.

All right, 38, 36.

All right, 36.

Um grateful to sponsor this legislation for another year.

The Asian American Pacific Islander community has created roots here in the Capitol region for many years.

Uh, we want to acknowledge their resilience and hard work uh to make Albany a greater place.

And we thank you for your contributions to our great city.

Thank you.

Further discussion.

Seeing none, we're all co you're all co-sponsors.

So all in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

No.

Okay.

The motion passes.

Next.

Uh Mr.

Flynn.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 37.52.26R and ask for its introduction and passage by voice vote.

Thank you, Mr.

Flynn.

Madam Clerk, please read the resolution.

A resolution of the common council recognizing and celebrating May 2026 as mental health awareness month in the city of Albany.

Okay, discussion, Mr.

Flynn.

Okay.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none.

All co-sponsors.

So we'll do a voice voice vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

No.

Motion passes.

Next, Mr.

Adams.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice this report.

38.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 3852-26R and acts for its introduction and passage by voicemail.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please read the resolution.

A resolution of the Common Council recognizing May 2026 as bike month in the city of Albany.

Discussion, Mr.

Adams.

Resolution.

Resolution 3852 26R.

As we celebrate bike history month, I cannot forget to mention how cycling has helped shape the design of our neighborhoods and city, allowing for better transportation modes to exist on the road.

Enjoy our great trails here in the city of Wilkins.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Council President.

It's an honor to be a co-sponsor on this bill.

First, I want to thank CDTA.

Today they dropped off 40 bikes to our location in West Hill.

And within an hour, all 40 of them bikes was given away to a child.

That we've been having going on for the last five years.

And just to see the smiles on these kids' bike, I mean on these kids' faces, you know, when they can take home a new bike, you know, is just extending.

And not only that, you know what I'm saying, through our program, once they have their bike, um, they can come back and they can learn how to you know fix a flat, adjust their stand, assess the um their um their the bars, their seats, um, oil they change.

So it's not just that we're giving them a bike and they ride it off.

We engaging with them all summer with you um just saying having the equipment out there for them to come to a certain location and just sit down and engage in conversation and um and just watch them grow.

Um so you know, for the bee honoring, you know what I'm saying?

This month as um bike month is it's just they came at such a great time because like I say, the um the venue we had this morning, it was just real touching to my heart, and I look forward to just working with these kids throughout the summer and making sure that they have bikes to ride and making sure they have a place to come and fix their bikes.

Thank you, Miss Robinson.

Any further discussion?

Seeing none, uh, we're uh you're all co-sponsors on it.

Uh voice vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

No.

Motion passes.

Okay.

Next, uh, Ms.

Powell.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 3952 26 are an accurate introduction.

Thank you, Ms.

Powell.

Madam Clerk.

A resolution of the Common Council declaring itself to be lead agency for the state environmental quality review of the rap role transfer station project, declaring such action to be a type one action and making a negative declaration as to the environmental impact of such action.

Thank you, Ms.

Farrell.

That will be referred to the council's planning committee.

Thank you.

Okay, next uh Mr.

Anani.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 4152 26R and ask for its introduction and passage by voice vote.

40.

4052 626R and ask for its introduction and passage by voice vote.

Thank you, Mr.

Anani.

Uh Madam Clerk.

A resolution of the Common Council recognizing and welcoming the students participating in the 2026 youth and government events.

Thank you.

Uh comment, Mr.

Anani.

Good morning, everyone.

It is truly an honor to welcome all of you to City Hall for government day.

I want to thank students, parents, and organizers who made today possible.

To all the students here in this building, this building belongs to you.

City Hall is where ideas become action, where communities come together to solve problems, and where leaders are called to serve.

Today is not just about learning how government works, it is about understanding that your voice matters right now, not someday in the future.

Many of the the challenges we face as a city, public safety, education, housing, mental health, and environment, and economic opportunity will ultimately be solved by your generation.

That is why your ideas, creativity, and leaders leadership is so important.

I encourage each of you stay engaged, ask questions, speak up about issues you care about, volunteer in your community, vote when you are eligible, never believe that you are too young to make a difference.

I hope today inspires you to see the government not as something distant, but as something you can shape.

Your generation has the power to bring fresh solutions, greater compassion, and new energy to public life.

Enjoy your day at City Hall.

I look forward to seeing you all accomplished in the years ahead.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Anani.

Further discussion.

No comments?

Okay, Mr.

Robinson.

So the main reason why I came here tonight was to see the inner workings of the common council and how um how we all can work together to vote on what we could use for to invent our community, which um I would love to see, and I would love to I am very happy that I'm experiencing this right now.

So I could thank everyone here for giving me this opportunity to come here and see how this works.

Thank you.

Any further okay?

Uh all uh co-sponsors on this, so we're gonna get a voice voice vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

No.

Motion passes.

Okay.

Mr.

Ballorin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 4252 26R and asking for its introduction and passage by roll call vote.

It's 41, right?

Yeah, 41.

Sorry about that.

I should say it again.

Okay.

I notice resolution 41526R and acts for its introduction and passage by row call vote.

Thank you, Mr.

Ballorin.

Madam Clerk, please read the resolution.

A resolution of the Albany Common Council calling on the New York State Legislature to pass Senate Bill S 3425 and Assembly Bill A 1466 and establish the New York Health Plan before end of the 2026 legislative season or session excuse me.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Discussion.

Mr.

Ballorin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I just want to thank uh thank all the students for being here, but I also want to thank the fact that we are here.

Part of what we can do is we can advocate for uh other bodies uh of government to pass different laws.

So this is a resolution asking the state to move forward uh with bill uh s 3425 uh in the Senate and the Assembly A 1466.

What does these bills basically do is they ask for our state to create a single single payer health care benefits for our residents.

So just a little bit about why this would benefit state of New York residents.

One, uh it would give a guaranteed health insurance, uh quality health insurance to all residents.

It would make it so that families don't uh feel vulnerable when they lose their jobs or may have a gap between employment uh and not have the the benefits that they would need it.

Also would make it so that one of the biggest expenses that families face um would uh would would be decreased.

Not just families would benefit, but actually state uh well local governments would benefit as well.

Uh if we as the city would save close to want to say eight digits, eight eight digits, that's tens of millions of dollars a year if we didn't have to pay uh if if we didn't have to pay for health insurance and if it was under a single care system.

And finally, as individuals, number one reason for bankruptcy is because of health care related bills.

Um so this w statewide bill uh would would make it so that uh people at their most vulnerable when they're sick, when they may be not be able to uh keep their employment would have benefits that would uh give them uh a safe landing path.

So uh this is part of what we can do as a local government, which is to encourage the state government to push for uh uh policies that we support.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Ballorin, and uh Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Adams Yes Anani.

Yes, yes, co-sponsor.

Ballerin.

Yes, Brody.

Yes, Barrell.

Yes, Flynn.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Howie.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Johnson, yes.

Jones, yes, 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.

Zamer.

Yes.

15 in affirmative.

The motion passes.

Thank you.

Uh next, uh Ms.

Brody.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 4252 26R and ask for its introduction and passage by voice vote.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

A resolu a resolution of the Common Council recognizing May 20th, 2026 as World B Day in the city of Albany.

Okay, discussion, Ms.

Brody.

Um, so I actually will say something because I have worked on a lot of legislation involving bees because our bee population is diminishing.

Um a lot of it is because of the different pesticides that are used that are we're now curbing the use of in New York State.

So hopefully that population will come back.

But bees are an integral part of our ecosystem, and um it's pollinating things, but it goes beyond that.

So bees and they're also incredible creatures that communicate, they work in hives, they do amazing things.

So most bees that you see will not sting you if you leave them alone.

This is different from wasps that are just big fat jerks, um, but also important to our ecosystem.

But um I think that recognizing B Day in the city of Albany is a truly wonderful thing, and I appreciate my colleague for bringing this forward, and I look forward.

Oh, well, I've already said I was gonna co-sponsor it, but I just think it's a great thing that we're doing.

Okay.

You ready, Ms.

Brody?

Okay.

I rise today to recognize May 20th, 2026 as World B Day in the city of Albany.

World B Day is an opportunity to celebrate one of our smallest yet most essential creatures in our ecosystem.

Bees are responsible for pollinating nearly three quarters of the world's flowering plants, and about one-third of the food we eat, from apples and blueberries to cucumbers, pumpkins, and almonds.

Bees play a direct role in maintaining the healthy, diverse food supply that our communities rely upon every day.

Without pollinators like bees, food production would decline dramatically, price would rise, and many nutritious foods would become far less accessible.

Bees are not simply important to agriculture, they are vital to food security across the globe.

Beyond our farms and gardens, bees also support biodiversity by helping plants reproduce and thrive.

Healthy plant ecosystem ecosystems provide cleaner air, healthier soil, stronger water systems, and habitats for countless other species.

In many ways, bees help sustain environmental balance that supports all life.

Unfortunately, bee populations around the world continue to face serious threats from habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change, and disease.

That is why communities like Albany must continue promoting sustainable practices, supporting green spaces, planting pollinator-friendly flowers, and educating future generations about environmental stewardship today.

As we recognize World B Day, let us also recognize our shared responsibility to protect pollinators and preserve the ecosystems that nourish our city, our state, and our planet.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Howie.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, as a former beekeeper, I've died off with the uh the hive wasting uh disease that is going around.

Um but I can't tell you how exciting it is to actually raise bees and get your honey.

Um and you you you open up a hive and there's like millions of these bees buzzing around you.

I mean, you wear protective gear.

But I just want to talk real fast that one of the biggest problems is that we're um with food production, we've introduced gene splicing like into corn, where we take the nematoid from um from a plant uh and actually splice that gene into the corn stalk.

And that's what's killing a lot of our bees.

So a lot of times the science is too far ahead, and they're not looking at the the consequences of what's going on, and hopefully, as a society we can take care of this problem.

Thank you.

Thank you for that, Mr.

Howie.

Further discussion.

All co-sponsors, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed none.

Motion passes.

Okay, Miss Uh Farrell.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 4952 26R and ask for its introduction and passage by voice vote.

443.

Yes, apologies.

Uh 4352 26R.

Okay.

Madam Clerk, please.

A resolution of the Common Council recognizing May 31, 2026 as World No Tobacco Day in the City of Albany.

Thank you.

Ms.

Farrell, discussion.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

It is World No Tobacco Day is an important day to recognize the importance of not using tobacco for the health of our residents, and we think it is an important thing to recognize.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, further discussion.

Seeing none.

All co-sponsors.

Roll call.

All in favor, say aye.

Any opposed?

Okay.

Motion passes.

Mr.

Jones.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 4552-26R and ask for its introduction and passage by voice vote.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

A resolution of the Common Council recognizing May 4th through May 7th as tw as 2025 National Air Quality Awareness Week.

Thank you.

Any discussion.

Air quality awareness week provides an opportunity for individuals to reflect on preemptive action and responses for events and environments affected by poor air quality.

It is essential to disseminate knowledge on the impact human behavior has on air quality and how pollutants can impact human health.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk.

Oh excuse me, no, no, we're all co-sponsors.

Say aye.

Aye.

Be opposed.

Motion passes.

Mr.

Lumpkin.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 4652 26R and ask for its introduction and passage by voice vote.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

A resolution of the Common Council declaring Monday, May 25th, 2026 to be Memorial Day in the City of Albany in honoring Americans fallen soldiers.

Discussion, Mr.

Lumpkin?

Today, I am honored to introduce this resolution declaring May 25th of 2026 as Memorial Day in the City of Albany.

This day reminds us to pause and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

Their courage, dedication, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

And we owe a lasting debt of gratitude to them and to their families.

Thank you.

Okay, all co-sponsors uh all in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

See none.

Motion passes.

Mr.

Robinson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I noticed resolution 4752 26 and ask for its intro and passage by voice vote.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk.

A resolution of the Common Council recognizing May 3rd through May 9th as National Small Business Week and celebrating entrepreneurship in the city of Albany.

Thank you.

Discussion, Mr.

Robinson.

Being an entrepreneur of requires a great business idea.

Financials.

Discipline and deep resilience.

Yeah, resilience.

It it takes ability and ability to navigate market changes, strategy, strategic neck work networking to build partnerships and the die and the hive to consistency market.

Your part of as uh as that often takes up the bulk bulk of your daily task.

Thank you.

Okay, uh all co-sponsors.

So voiceful all in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

None.

Motion passed.

Uh next, uh, Mr.

Williamson.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 4852 26R and ask for its introduction and passage by voice vote.

Uh Madam Clerk.

A resolution of the Common Council recognizing May 2026 as ALS awareness month.

Thank you.

Any discussion?

Yes.

Yes.

Mr.

Williamson.

Yes.

Whereas amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, known by many as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease in which a person's brain loses connection with the muscles, slowly taking away their ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe.

Um and with no cure available, most patients diagnosed with ALS only survive two to five years from the time of diagnosis, a prognosis faced by at least one in 20,000 upstate New York residents.

And whereas people who have served in the military are more likely to develop ALS and die from the disease than those with no history of military service, and 90% of cases occur without a family history.

And whereas securing access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and communication technologies is of vital importance to people living with ALS.

And this year celebrates the 12th anniversary of the Ice Bucket Challenge through a renewed commitment to galvanize public awareness and support funding leading to significant investments in ALE ALS research.

And the ALS Association, as the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research globally, has committed over 154 million dollars to support more than 550 products across the United States and 18 other countries.

And whereas ALS Awareness Month increases the public's awareness of people with ALS, dire circumstances, and acknowledges the terrible impact this disease has, not only on the person but on his or her family and the community, and recognizes the research being done to eradicate this disease.

Thank you.

All co-sponsor so uh do both voice vote all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

None.

Motion passes.

Uh Ms.

Zamer.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 3952 26R and ask for its introduction and passage.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Please read the resolution.

A resolution of the Common Council celebrating the 78th annual Tulip Festival in the City of Albany.

Uh discussion, Mr.

Mrs.

Zamer.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I've been to countless tulip festivals.

It's always a great time, and I am happy to recognize it tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you, all co-sponsors.

Voice vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

None.

Motion passes.

Next, uh, Mr.

Flynn.

Um Thank you, Mr.

President.

I notice resolution 5052 26R and ask for its introduction and passage by voice vote.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please read the resolution.

A resolution of the Common Council urging the city of Albany to halt installation of a battery storage system until the council has adopted new legislation that aligns with the guidance of NISERTA and incorporates the concerns of residents.

Thank you.

Discussion, Mr.

Flynn.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um my name is Charlotte Baldis.

I would like to speak on resolution 5052-26R and urge my colleagues to vote in favor.

In September, Councilmember Jack Flynn met with Morris Cox, owner and CEO of adaptive infrastructure partners.

Their goal is to put battery stations behind 11 Hopi Street, which is a residential area.

Instead of me going into pros and cons, I'm asking my colleagues to research battery stations themselves.

Councilmember Jack Flynn said a meeting with Brad Glass, Councilmember Zamer, and Keegan and other city staff for an hour and discuss possible legislation, USDO issues, and other issues that may pertain to battery stations.

Jack Flynn then scheduled a neighborhood meeting at Martell's with Morris Cox and his team to give a presentation.

They give a very formal presentation and took questions from the audience.

Most of the residents had major concerns about traffic, public safety, and noise.

The New York Senate just passed S2484, which directs the State Energy Planning Board to conduct a study on time frames for preparing renewable energy facilities for clean energy storage and distribution, demonstrating the growing need to research the impact of battery storage systems before construction.

The intent of this resolution is to let the city and council members aware that we need legislation, rules, and regulations to deal with deal with and tackle battery stations as this affects the whole city.

I'm not for or against battery stations, but I want to make sure the city doesn't take any projects or applications until proper procedures are followed.

I remind I urge my colleagues to vote in favor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any further discussion?

Ms.

Keegan.

While battery storage facilities help to make our electric grid more sustainable and therefore are a benefit to the Albany community.

It is important that we pause in implementation to ensure we have appropriate regulations in place to ensure the safety and welfare of the public.

Thank you.

Any further discussion?

Okay.

Seeing none.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Adams.

Yes.

Anani.

Yes.

Valorin.

Yes.

Brody.

Yes.

Farrell.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Flynn.

Yes.

Powie.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Johnson?

Yes.

Jones.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Keegan.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Lumpkin.

Yes.

Powell.

Yes, co-sponsor.

Robinson.

Yes.

Williamson.

Yes, co-sponsor, please.

Zamer.

Yes.

Fifteen in the affirmative.

The motion passes.

Okay.

All right.

So Ms.

Farrell.

The rest of the resolutions on the agenda are held.

Okay, thank you.

Moving on to uh miscellaneous or unfinished business.

Uh Mr.

President, if we could instead of doing our regular miscellaneous, have each of our new council members introduce themselves.

Perfect.

Start with the first ward and if the member, if each member Oh, you want me to call?

Yeah.

Um if each member could maybe you could start with the first word and move on, and then if each member could introduce themselves, so tell us your name, uh, where you go to school, uh, what year you are, maybe neighborhood, something about yourself.

If you are a senior and you have an idea of what you're doing next year, some may, some may not.

If you could tell us that too, that'd be great.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Okay, we'll start with the first ward.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, my name is Carmen Sampona.

I go to Albany High School.

I'm a senior.

Um, I intend to go to SUNY Sonybrook next year uh to pursue nursing.

Uh fact about me.

I'm uh one of two student board members with my colleague Cleano over there.

Um, and we're the first for the City School District of Albany to serve that position.

Thank you.

Second board.

Um, hello.

My name is Savannah Sessums.

Um, I'm a senior at Albany High School.

Um I plan to go to RIT, Rochester Institute of Technology for Biomedical Engineering.

Um, a fun fact about me.

Um I always go with I like to draw.

So Thank you.

Okay.

Third ward.

Hello, my name is Harriet Weston, and I'm a senior at Albany High School.

Um, my plan for next year is to go to Wellesley College to study political science and philosophy.

And I'm currently working on a resource map um for the city of Albany.

So if any of you guys in this room have uh government services or volunteer organizations that have been particularly impactful to your constituents, I would love to hear it.

And also if there are any immigrant um languages that are spoken and are very prevalent in your wards, I would also love to hear that information as well to make sure that my project can be um the best tool it can be to the Albany community.

Thank you.

Hi, my name is Anya Miller.

I'm also a senior at Albany High School.

I'm planning to go to Brown University to study linguistics and political science.

And I'm very excited about the chance of having ranked choice voting happen in Albany.

And hopefully it'll pass by your desks very soon.

Thank you.

Um I'm Miguel Venezuela.

I am a junior at Albany High, and my plans for the future are to continue.

Um to continue to be active in their student government and to continue with supporting the community in any way I can.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Six.

Hello, my name is Clean Bramel.

I currently attend Albany High School.

Uh I'm a senior, and my plans after high school are to go to U Albany to study political science, then participate in their three plus three law program, so I get to graduate early and attend Albany Law School.

And as my quote member has said before, we are the student board members of Albany City School District.

And funny enough, uh, she's also the president, I'm the vice president of our school student government.

So yes.

Thank you.

Yes.

Yes.

Okay.

Next seven.

Okay, hi.

My name is a dream pow.

I go to Albany High School.

I'm a junior.

And I want to go to the Paul Mitchell um odontology school after I graduate.

Yeah, um.

Oh, if I'm back.

Oh, I like horses.

So are you coming back next year?

Yeah, okay.

All right.

Eight.

Um, my name is Charlotte Baldis.

Um, I attend Albany High and I'm a junior.

Um, after college, I don't know where I'm going, but I know that I would like to continue on just anything in politics or government.

And a fun fact about me is um I just I do everything music involved at the high school because I play percussion.

Okay.

Thank you.

All right.

Nice.

Hello everyone.

My name is Grace Corlet, and I am a junior at Albany High School.

Um I'm not exactly sure where I would like to go after I graduate from high school, but I know that I would like to have a career as a criminal defense attorney.

And with trying to get to that goal, I am a part of the mock trial team at Albany High School.

Kate 10?

Hello, my name is Daily Ford.

Um, I'm a senior at Albany High School.

Um fact about me is I'm big into just learning, but after high school, I'm going to SUNY Skinnectity to study for culinary arts.

Um, hello, my name is Angelica Diaz.

I'm a senior at Albany High School.

Um after high school, I plan to attend SUNY Del High for Baking and Pachy Management.

And a fun fact about me is I speak two languages.

Cool.

Thank you.

13.

Good evening.

My name is Olivia Stoyer.

I'm a senior at Albany High School.

I plan on attending Stony SUNY Stony Brook.

Um as a majoring in social work and minoring in women in gender studies.

Um a fun fact about me is I am the managing editor editor of the NES newspaper, and I am the treasurer, treasurer, and vice president of the chemistry club at Albany High School.

Cool.

A lot, a lot going on.

14.

Hi, my name is EJ Verhoff.

I'm a senior at Albany High School.

Shout out to the 14th district.

And I'm attending St.

John's University in Queens on an advanced master's program in education with a minor in international relations.

And a fun fact about me is that I love Cher.

Thank you.

Okay.

All right, so how about we end on a round of applause for our to celebrate our motion to adjourn.

Second.

All in favor.

Hi.