Albany Common Council Meeting - October 5, 2026

The Albany Common Council met on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM. The meeting included approval of minutes, committee reports, introduction of local laws and bond ordinances, passage of several resolutions, confirmation of two key appointments (Water Commissioner and Corporation Counsel), and significant discussion on the city budget, violence in Pine Hills, and state aid. A total of 14 council members were present.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from September 24, 2026.
• Introduction and referral to finance of local law S-2026 (overriding tax levy limit for FY2027), ordinance 16-10126 (FY2027 budget adoption), and bond ordinances 17-10126 ($3.25M for police IT), 18-10126 ($571,000 for police vehicles), 19-10126 ($161,000 for streetlights), 20-10126 ($1.3M for playgrounds), and 21-10126 ($12M for waste management facility).
• Introduction and referral to finance of resolution 109-10126R (establishing homestead/non-homestead tax base proportions).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marlon Anderson (214 Lark Street, Center Square) criticized the council for past rubber-stamping of budgets, urged zero-growth budgets, and called for an aggressive anti-loitering program in Pine Hills to reduce street violence, referencing a homicide of a 15-year-old.
• Richard Conte (Center Square) thanked the council for adopting Francis Xavier Cabrini Day and Indigenous People's Day, noting Albany is the first local community to make that change.
• Keith Irish (9th Ward) criticized the PEG board's lack of activity and poor access, urged centralization of city purchases, opposed a 15% tax increase and new sales tax, and argued for reducing excessive management. He also noted a charter bus for kids' programs while senior programs are cut.

Discussion Items

• Member Comments: Councilmember Johnson offered condolences for the 15-year-old victim and urged proactive budget approaches. Councilmember Ballerin credited Councilmember Adams for originally pushing the Cabrini/Indigenous People's Day resolution. Councilmember Robinson expressed frustration that his youth safety curfew legislation remains stuck in committee, stating “that blood is on our hands” after the Pine Hills homicide.
• Committee Reports:
  • General Services (Flynn) met Sept. 30, positively recommended confirmation of Justin Schivelbean as Water Commissioner and the Toon family street renaming resolution, and discussed the waste transfer station.
  • Law (Anane) met Sept. 29 and Oct. 1, discussed ranked choice voting petitions and positively recommended John Riley for Corporation Counsel.
  • Finance (Keegan) will begin budget deliberations Oct. 6, 7, and 14.
• Appointments:
  • Justin Schivelbean, nominated for Water Commissioner, introduced himself (18 years at water department, RPI mechanical engineering degree). Councilmembers praised his working his way up and the water system's quality. Confirmed unanimously (14-0).
  • John J. Riley Jr., nominated for Corporation Counsel, introduced himself (born in Albany, worked at large law firms in Boston/DC, nine months in mayor’s office). He outlined plans to rebuild the law department (centralization, staffing lanes, retention). Councilmembers debated experience: supporters cited his education (Georgetown, Boston College Law), energy, vision, and commitment to the city; Councilmember Brody expressed reservations due to only two years since NY bar admission. Confirmed 11-1-2 (11 yes, 1 abstention [Brody], 2 present not voting [Farrell, Keegan]).
• Resolutions Passed:
  • 105-10126R: Honoring October 12, 2026 as Francis Xavier Cabrini Day and Indigenous People’s Day – passed by voice vote (all co-sponsors).
  • 106-10126R: Commemorating October as Italian American Heritage Month – passed by voice vote.
  • 107-10126R: Honoring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month – passed by voice vote. Councilmembers Keegan and Farrell shared personal survivor stories.
  • 108-10126R: Declaring Oct. 4-10 as Digital Inclusion Week – passed by roll call (all co-sponsors).
  • 101-92-26R: Honoring the Toon family and renaming a portion of Delaware Street – passed unanimously (14-0).
• Budget and State Aid Debate: Councilmember Ballerin argued for a commuter tax, a $35M PILOT for Harriman Campus, and permanent state funding (not one-time). Councilmember Keegan cautioned against oversimplifying, noting the state’s property value is about $35M in foregone taxes and that the city also hosts many nonprofits (hospitals, universities) that should contribute. Councilmember Johnson added that temporary state aid leaves the city in “welfare mode.”

Key Outcomes

• Confirmed: Justin Schivelbean as Commissioner of Water and Water Supply (14-0).
• Confirmed: John J. Riley Jr. as Corporation Counsel (11-1-2: 11 yes, 1 abstain, 2 present).
• Passed unanimously: Five resolutions (Cabrini/Indigenous People’s Day, Italian American Heritage Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Digital Inclusion Week, and Toon family street renaming).
• Referred to Finance: Local law overriding tax levy limit, FY2027 budget adoption, five bond ordinances, and resolution on homestead/non-homestead tax proportions.
• Next Steps: Finance committee begins budget hearings Oct. 6; Public Safety committee will meet to discuss Councilmember Robinson’s youth curfew legislation.