OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Albany Common Council Meeting - August 17, 2026: Pesticides, Street Renamings, CPRB Appointments, and Ranked Choice Voting Petition

Common Council — Monday, August 17, 2026
BodyAlbany, New York
SessionCommon Council
DateMonday, August 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:48:41

Transcript — Verbatim
0:55

Good evening, everyone.

0:57

It's 533.

0:59

I'm calling to order the General Services Health and Environment Committee.

1:04

Committee members present is Councilmember Powell, Councilmember Zamer, and myself, Jack Flynn.

1:10

Also present.

1:11

Councilmember.

1:12

Jeannie Farrell.

1:14

Today we've got three topics tonight.

1:16

We're going to discuss ordinance 1271 26 and ordinance amending chapter 259 pesticides of the code of city of Albany in relation to allowing the use of pesticides on city plank fields.

1:27

Also resolution 848126R.

1:31

Councilmember Robinson and resolution of the common councilman on the life and legacy of Nathaniel pulling in and renaming a portion of Henry Johnson Boulevard in his honor.

1:40

And resolution 858126R by Councilmember Lumpkin, a resolution of the common council honoring the lives and legacies of George and Helen Torian in renaming a portion of Tenbrook Place in their honor.

1:54

We're going to start off with resolution 848126R by Councilmember Robinson, who's currently not here.

2:13

So he's within the law to do a street naming.

2:24

Very honorable of the uh the street naming.

2:28

Does anybody have any questions about the street naming?

2:31

Any objections?

2:33

I mean uh he's not here to speak on his behalf, but I'm sure he'll be here later to speak on the resolution to himself.

2:41

So can I get a motion?

2:42

Favorable recommendation.

2:44

Make a motion.

2:45

Oh, go ahead.

2:47

Okay.

2:48

Um I'll make a motion to move resolution 80 for 8126R.

2:56

Out of committee with a positive recommendation.

2:59

Second.

3:00

All those in favor say aye.

3:02

Aye.

3:02

Aye.

3:02

Any nays?

3:04

Thank you.

3:05

Uh we're gonna discuss resolution 858126R by Councilmember Lumpkin, who's also currently not here.

3:13

Uh renaming a portion of the streets and George and Helen Torian.

3:19

Uh again, this is actually on behalf of Councilmember President Kimbrough, because Councilmember Lumpkin has uh exceeded his amount of streets namings for the city of Walmart this year.

3:33

So this is on behalf of Councilmember Kimbrough.

3:37

Um also join us now is Councilmember Johnson.

3:45

Uh is there any discussion?

3:48

Derek, we're discussing uh on the life and legacy of George and Helen Toring right now.

3:53

Uh I don't if any does anybody object or any comments.

3:57

Councilmember Johnson.

4:03

Thank you, Chair.

4:05

Guess I say right on time.

4:07

Um we talked about Ms.

4:09

Torian, right?

4:10

Ms.

4:10

Torian was my uh science teacher.

4:15

And um unlike today where kids grow up and they see a lot of African Americans leading the uh classroom, that wasn't the case in 1986.

4:28

And for her to be at uh Albany High.

4:32

Um it was it was definitely a pleasure.

4:36

Um she had a uh distinguished voice and um she would call each kid by their last name because she knew a lot of our families, but one of the things that was most um intriguing about Ms.

4:50

Torian is that later on I would find out that she had a uh insurance company that she ran out of her house over on um just below Swan Street.

5:01

So Ms.

5:02

Torian was a um pivotal uh figure in our community.

5:06

Um those that know her know that she was um outspoken, she spoke up for what she uh believed in and this uh um honor to be a part of the street renaming on behalf of Ms.

5:20

Torrean.

5:20

I know a lot of her former um students are excited.

5:24

Thank you.

5:26

Thank you.

5:27

I just want to uh for the record, uh it is George and Helen Toringway.

5:31

It's I assume that it was approved by the DGS uh by Bay Trad to put that long name on the uh on the street sign.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████21%
Parks and Recreation████████████████16%
Community Engagement███████████████15%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Youth Programs███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
Voting Systems██████6%
Historic Preservation████4%
Arts And Culture███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Albany Common Council Meeting - August 17, 2026

The meeting began with the General Services Health and Environment Committee, chaired by Councilmember Jack Flynn, to discuss three agenda items: a pesticide ordinance, and two street renaming resolutions. The full Common Council then convened at approximately 5:33 PM, with 12 members present. Key actions included passage of a pesticide ordinance allowing city application on ball fields, appointment of two new members to the Community Police Review Board (CPRB), approval of street renamings, and referral of a ranked choice voting petition to the law committee. Public comment focused on opposition to Flock license plate readers and strong support for ranked choice voting.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolutions 92-126R (Mount Zion Baptist Church anniversary), 93-126R (CPRB appointment of Tamel Anderson), and 94-126R (CPRB appointment of John Raphael Picardo) were moved to the agenda via majority consent and passed by roll call vote (11-0 for each, with multiple co-sponsors).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tor Looney (441 Partridge St, Albany) spoke strongly in favor of terminating the city's contract with Flock Safety, arguing the cameras are used for surveillance beyond license plate reading, stalk women, and share data with ICE. He distinguished Flock from simpler automated enforcement cameras.
  • Mika Leslie (364 Madison Ave, Albany) called on the council to let voters decide on ranked choice voting, addressing concerns about fusion voting and party control. She urged the council to let the petition go to a vote.
  • Charlotte Collett (1 Englewood Place, Albany), co-chair of Ranked Choice Voting Albany, stated that over 2,600 validated signatures were collected from every ward. She criticized the council for delay and disrespect toward constituents, insisting the law allows voters to decide.
  • Danny Boudreau (6th Ward) argued that ranked choice voting would include unaffiliated voters in primaries, saying that shutting out over a third of Albany voters is undemocratic.
  • Michelle Sweeney (2nd Ward) shared her experience as an unaffiliated voter feeling disenfranchised by the current primary system and urged the council to put ranked choice voting on the ballot.
  • B.J. Costello (30 Berkshire Blvd, Albany) promoted the Lock One Erie Canal excavation project and praised LaSalle School's program.
  • Mary Ann Archoge (address not stated) opposed Flock cameras, citing nationwide actions and concerns about data sharing with ICE and lack of transparency.
  • Zora Sidney (address not stated) voiced support for ranked choice voting, claiming it would solve global issues.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance 1271-26 (Pesticides on City Fields): Councilmember Powell introduced the ordinance, explaining it allows the city to apply pesticides safely on ball fields and golf courses under DEC regulations. Deputy Commissioner Frank Zioli stated that volunteer groups are currently applying chemicals without oversight, and the city can ensure safe, licensed applications. Little League organizations support the measure. Councilmember Zamer confirmed reaching out to leagues. The ordinance passed 10-1 (Councilmember Farrell opposed).
  • Resolution 848-126R (Nathaniel Pullium Street Naming): Councilmember Robinson's resolution to rename a portion of Livingston Ave in honor of Nathaniel Pullium was carried by Councilmember Flynn and passed as amended (changed from Henry Johnson Blvd to Livingston Ave). Unanimous voice vote on amendment, then roll call 11-0.
  • Resolution 858-126R (George and Helen Torian Street Naming): Councilmember Johnson carried the resolution on behalf of Councilmember Lumpkin, honoring his former science teacher and community leader. Unanimous roll call 11-0.
  • Local Law Q of 2026 (Tax Exemptions Repeal): Councilmember Keegan introduced a local law to repeal certain PILOT exemptions (485A and B), requiring developers to go through the IDA process for community benefits. Effective date March 1, 2027. Referred to finance committee.
  • Local Law R of 2026 (Rental Registry): Councilmember Bernani introduced a local law to establish a rebuttable presumption for rental dwellings. Referred to housing committee.
  • Local Law P of 2026 (Police Disciplinary Procedures): Councilmember Hoey's local law, passed unanimously 11-0, clarifies vague language in the original 2022 law.
  • CPRB Appointments: Tamel Anderson and John Raphael Picardo (JR) were appointed to the CPRB. Both spoke about their backgrounds. JR previously served as council attorney and helped draft the 2023 CPRB legislation. Anderson has human rights commission and jail oversight experience. Both appointments passed unanimously (11-0). CPRB Director Garrett Schaff announced hiring of two investigators, full staffing expected by 2027, and community learning sessions on August 26 and September 19.
  • LaSalle School Program: David Wallace presented a new youth peer support program opening September 1, 2025 (sic, but transcript says 2026) at 391 Western Ave, funded by a $500,000 annual NYS OMH grant. Program serves ages 12-24 with non-clinical services. Several councilmembers asked about hours, location, staffing, and data collection.
  • Presentation of Petitions: The city clerk certified 2,624 valid signatures for the "Petition for Single Unified Election and Ranked Choice Voting in the City of Albany" (2,402 required). Councilmember Farrell referred the petition to the law committee.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 1271-26 (Pesticides) passed 10-1, allowing city to apply pesticides on ball fields and golf courses.
  • Resolution 848-126R (Pullium street naming) passed as amended unanimously.
  • Resolution 858-126R (Torian street naming) passed unanimously.
  • Local Law P of 2026 (Police disciplinary procedures) passed unanimously.
  • CPRB appointments of Tamel Anderson and John Raphael Picardo approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 86-126R (Title changes for council staff) passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 92-126R, 93-126R, 94-126R passed on consent.
  • Ranked choice voting petition referred to law committee; a meeting on the petition and related legislation (Councilmember Flynn's) is scheduled for September 9, 2026.
  • A benefit for injured DGS and fire department employees is set for August 29, 2026, 2-6 PM at Fidon's Brewing Company.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. It's 533. I'm calling to order the General Services Health and Environment Committee. Committee members present is Councilmember Powell, Councilmember Zamer, and myself, Jack Flynn. Also present. Councilmember. Jeannie Farrell. Today we've got three topics tonight. We're going to discuss ordinance 1271 26 and ordinance amending chapter 259 pesticides of the code of city of Albany in relation to allowing the use of pesticides on city plank fields. Also resolution 848126R. Councilmember Robinson and resolution of the common councilman on the life and legacy of Nathaniel pulling in and renaming a portion of Henry Johnson Boulevard in his honor. And resolution 858126R by Councilmember Lumpkin, a resolution of the common council honoring the lives and legacies of George and Helen Torian in renaming a portion of Tenbrook Place in their honor. We're going to start off with resolution 848126R by Councilmember Robinson, who's currently not here. So he's within the law to do a street naming. Very honorable of the uh the street naming. Does anybody have any questions about the street naming? Any objections? I mean uh he's not here to speak on his behalf, but I'm sure he'll be here later to speak on the resolution to himself. So can I get a motion? Favorable recommendation. Make a motion. Oh, go ahead. Okay. Um I'll make a motion to move resolution 80 for 8126R. Out of committee with a positive recommendation. Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any nays? Thank you. Uh we're gonna discuss resolution 858126R by Councilmember Lumpkin, who's also currently not here. Uh renaming a portion of the streets and George and Helen Torian. Uh again, this is actually on behalf of Councilmember President Kimbrough, because Councilmember Lumpkin has uh exceeded his amount of streets namings for the city of Walmart this year. So this is on behalf of Councilmember Kimbrough. Um also join us now is Councilmember Johnson. Uh is there any discussion? Derek, we're discussing uh on the life and legacy of George and Helen Toring right now. Uh I don't if any does anybody object or any comments. Councilmember Johnson. Thank you, Chair. Guess I say right on time. Um we talked about Ms. Torian, right? Ms. Torian was my uh science teacher. And um unlike today where kids grow up and they see a lot of African Americans leading the uh classroom, that wasn't the case in 1986. And for her to be at uh Albany High. Um it was it was definitely a pleasure. Um she had a uh distinguished voice and um she would call each kid by their last name because she knew a lot of our families, but one of the things that was most um intriguing about Ms.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com