New York City Council Stated Meeting of July 16, 2026

The New York City Council held a stated meeting on July 16, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included votes on major land use applications adding over 3,200 housing units, legislation providing a $10,000 workforce stabilization payment for paraprofessionals, and a resolution declaring August 6 as Fatman Scoop Recognition Day. Speaker Julie Menin and Majority Leader Shaun Abreu presided. 49 members were present, with Council Members Mealy and Paladino absent.

Consent Calendar

• Land Use Call-Ups: M 0085-2026 (Flatiron NoMad Major Concessions) and M 0086-2026 (Queens CD 2 Walk to Park Site Selection/Acquisition) were approved by a consent roll call vote of 48 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative.
• Numerous land use resolutions and committee reports were adopted by consent, including landmark designations (Public School 15 Annex, Church of Saint Mary, Lithuanian Alliance Building), zoning amendments, and special permits across all five boroughs.
• Int. 0812-2026-A (Wellness checks on older adults during extreme weather) passed by consent.
• Int. 0692-2026-A (Workforce stabilization payments for paraprofessionals) passed by consent as part of the consent agenda (see Discussion Items for separate vote details? Actually it was on the consent calendar and passed unanimously as per minutes - note: the transcript shows separate votes? The minutes show it was passed by consent roll call. However, the transcript shows many members speaking on it before the vote. The minutes list it under Reports of Standing Committees and then under Coupled on General Orders with a motion to approve by consent roll call. The vote tally at the end shows all consent items passed 49-0. So it was part of the consent agenda, not a separate roll call. But the transcript suggests a roll call? Actually the transcript has a roll call for land use call-ups, then later for the consent agenda. The paraprofessional bill was on the consent agenda. So I'll list it under consent, but note the extensive discussion.)
• Int. 0955-2026-A (Red Tape Relief Act – coordinating business inspections) passed by consent.
• Int. 0496-2026-A (Study and report on potential installation of art acknowledging the 1863 Draft Riots) passed by consent.
• Int. 0398-2026 (Annual disclosure of financial interests) passed by consent with a Message of Necessity.
• Res. 0371-2026 (Fatman Scoop Recognition Day – August 6 annually) adopted by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the stated meeting; only council members addressed the body.

Discussion Items

• Paraprofessional Workforce Stabilization (Int. 0692-2026-A): Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa, the sponsor, emphasized that starting paraprofessional salary is $32,500 per year and there are 1,600 to 3,000 vacancies citywide. The bill provides a one-time $10,000 payment in four installments for the 2026–2027 school year. Multiple council members (Banks, De La Rosa, Dinowitz, Epstein, Hanks, Hudson, Joseph, Lee, Louis, Maloney, Morano, Narcisse, Restler, Schulman, Thomas-Henry, Williams) spoke in strong support, citing the essential role of paraprofessionals, the inadequacy of pattern bargaining, and the need to retain staff. Councilmember Ariola called for similar action for EMS workers. No opposition was voiced.
• Land Use Approvals: Speaker Menin summarized major projects: Monitor Point (1,324 units, 50% affordable, including 161 senior units and 110 supportive housing units, plus $300,000/year for 99 years for Bushwick Inlet Park and a new ADA-accessible G train elevator); DeWitt Clinton Park North (1,064 units, 286 affordable under MIH, plus air rights purchase for Hudson River Park Trust valued at $29.7 million); 2950 West 24th Street (408 deeply affordable units for Coney Island); 1166 Bedford Avenue (144 affordable senior units); 198-208 Richmond Terrace (118 units, 35 affordable); 1160 Pugsley Avenue (104 units with ground-floor supermarket); and 164th Street Rezoning (80 units, 24 affordable). Councilmember Restler noted that Monitor Point’s affordable housing was nearly tripled from the original proposal. Councilmember Brewer expressed a desire for more affordable units in Manhattan. Councilmember Santosuosso highlighted the need for quality maintenance at 2950 West 24th Street.
• Police Officer Exam Age Limit (Int. 0913-2026-A): Sponsored by Councilmember Farías, raising the maximum age for the civil service exam from 35 to 43 to align with state law. Councilmember Feliz supported expanding the candidate pool. Passed 48-1 (Cabán opposed).
• Unincorporated Business Tax Credit (Int. 0972-2026): Sponsored by Councilmember Lee, decreasing the credit against city personal income tax for residents’ share of UBT paid by partnerships. Councilmember Wong opposed, stating it would increase city taxes. Passed 43-6 (Ariola, Carr, Felder, Morano, Vernikov, Wong opposed).
• Elected Official Compensation (Int. 0983-2026-A): Sponsored by Councilmember Williams, implementing an 18.2% salary increase for the mayor, public advocate, comptroller, council members, borough presidents, and district attorneys, based on the Quadrennial Advisory Commission report. Councilmember Epstein supported the need to attract leaders; Councilmember Wong opposed due to constituent hardships. Speaker Menin abstained. Passed 42-6-1 (Ariola, Carr, Morano, Vernikov, Wong, Zhuang opposed).
• Other Introductions: Councilmember Louis introduced Int. 0978 (increasing income limits for SCRIE/DRIE for seniors and disabled). Councilmember Wong introduced Int. 0984 (establishing a NYPD street takeover unit). Councilmember Riley introduced Int. 0981 (task force to study a municipal public bank). Councilmember Hanif introduced Int. 0971 (study on private equity impact on small businesses). Councilmember Dinowitz introduced Res. 0548 (calling for Council representation on Panel for Educational Policy). Councilmember Thomas-Henry introduced Res. 0561 (calling for utility rate freeze). Councilmember Morano introduced Res. 0555 (calling for state legislation on utility transparency).
• General Discussion: Councilmember Sanchez raised concerns about NYPD misconduct in the 46th Precinct and called for accountability. Councilmember Santosuosso noted a July 4th shooting in Coney Island injuring eight, including two children. Councilmember Avilés condemned ICE killings of two individuals in Maine. Council members recognized interns and staff.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Int. 0972-2026: 43 in favor, 6 opposed (Ariola, Carr, Felder, Morano, Vernikov, Wong).
• Vote on Int. 0983-2026-A: 42 in favor, 6 opposed (Ariola, Carr, Morano, Vernikov, Wong, Zhuang), 1 abstention (Speaker Menin).
• Vote on Int. 0913-2026-A: 48 in favor, 1 opposed (Cabán).
• Consent Agenda: All items passed with 49 affirmative votes.
• Land Use Call-Up Votes: Both M 0085 and M 0086 approved 48-0.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned to the next stated meeting scheduled for August 13, 2026.