The New York City Council held a stated meeting on June 11, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included adoption of minutes, reports from standing committees, approval of numerous tax exemptions and local laws, introduction of new legislation, and discussion of key priorities including affordable housing, the city budget, and animal welfare. The meeting also featured a reunion of former council members and an invocation by former Council Member Deborah Rose.
Our perspectives differ. Strengthen our commitment to justice, equity, and the dignity of every person. Help us to remain mindful of those who are struggling, the vulnerable, the marginalized, and those whose voices are too often unheard. Bless the first responders who protect our communities, the educators who shape future generations, the healthcare workers who bring comfort and healing, and the countless public servants and community leaders whose daily life sustains this great city. As we undertake the work before us today, may we be inspired by the resilience, diversity, and the hope that defines New York City. May our actions reflect our highest ideals and contribute to the well-being of all who call this city home. And may we leave this chamber having served not our personal interests, but the greater good. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. I move to spread the invocation delivered by the honorable Deborah Rose on the record. Thank you, Debbie, for being here with us today. I'll now ask Councilmember Shirley Aldaball for the adoption of minutes. Good afternoon. I make a motion that the minutes of the stated meetings of May 14th, 2026 and May 20th, 2026 be adopted as printed. Thank you, Mr. Majority Leader. Today I am pleased, and I stand to welcome former council member Deborah Rose back into the council chamber and thank her for delivering today's invocation. As the first African American woman elected to public office on Staten Island. She made history and helped open doors for those who would follow. As someone who has now had the privilege of representing the North Shore and the 49th district, I recognize a significance in her service and the path she helped to pave. A proud Staten Island native, a descendant of historic Sandy Ground community, council member Rose dedicated many years, 12 serving our borough and advocating for her constituents. I want to thank council member Rose and all of the alums here today, including former Staten Island Council members Fred Cerillo, Jimmy Otto, Vinnie Ignizio, Sal Albanese, and Seaman Fayala. And with that, I make a motion for unanimous sorry, unanimous consent to spread the invocation upon the record. Go next. Alright. Messages and papers from the mayor. None. Communication from city county and borough offices. Preconsidered M78. Budget modification. Referred to finance. Received order printed and filed. Petitions of communications. None. Land use columns. None. Thank you. We'll now have communication from Speaker Julie Minon. Okay. How exciting is this in the chambers today? Nick's and five, right? Okay. Well, before I begin with what we're going to discuss on the stated agenda, we have for the first time ever in city council history invited back all of the former council members. Back to the chambers. We have nearly 50 former city council members here for our alumni reunion. And so among them are former commissioners, controllers, former U.S. Congress members, as well as current state senators, current state assembly members, and we are so grateful for their service to our city in the past and everything they've continued to do since leaving their post. I'm sure the air of nostalgia is very vivid and plenty of fond memories resurfacing, and I just hope that you're enjoying coming back to the chambers and we're going to make this an annual tradition. Alright, so first of all, I want to acknowledge all of the members who returned.