Common Council Caucus & Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingAlbany, NY · June 15, 2022
Minutes
MINUTES OF CAUCUS
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
The Common Council was convened at 5:30 p.m. and was called to order by Council President
Ellis
Members Present: Adams, Anane, Balarin, Clarke, Farrell, Hoey, Keegan, Kimbrough, Love,
Romero and Zamer
Staff Present: Danielle Gillespie, John-Raphael Pichardo, Brett Williams, and Ethan Samuel
Discussion/Questions:
Jasmine Higgins, Matthew Toporowski, Esq and APD Deputy Police Chief presented the
General Order Revision process.
Council Member Keegan asked for them to go into detail about policy about something,
in which the APD Deputy Police Chief responded to.
Council Member Romero asked when the levels of force cops use are reasonable and if
there are more detailed outlets of the use of force and the use of deescalating of force, in
which APD Deputy Police Chief responded to.
Council Member Keegan asked if the people reviewing the reports are looking for certain
language, in which APD Deputy Police Chief responded to.
Council Member Hoey asked if this new policy will change how the city works with
transparency with deadly force, in which APD Deputy Police Chief responded to.
Council Member Keegan asked we are taking proactive steps for quality control because
we have body cameras and seeing the interactions between the police and community, in
which APD Deputy Police Chief responded to.
Council Member Romero asked how they will be able to identify if a police officer turns
off their body camera and who is going through the footage especially if an officer
disregards the rules, in which APD Deputy Police Chief responded to.
Council Member Anane asked if there is a way to have the cameras turn on when they
leave the station, in which APD Deputy Police Chief responded to.
Council Member Kimbrough asked if there are cases where officers have to turn off the
camera, in which APD Deputy Police Chief, Matthew Toporowski, Esq responded to.
Council Member Hoey asked what research have they done to show that the tear gas is
non-lethal, in which APD Deputy Police Chief and Matthew Toporowski, Esq responded
to.
Council Member Romero discussed her concern of the language related to tear gas.
Council Member Romero asked for detailed explanation for the language with the use of
tear gas, in which APD Deputy Police Chief and Matthew Toporowski, Esq responded to.
Council Member Anane asked what was the previous language with the use of tear gas,
and asked something else, in which all three responded to.
Council Member Keegan asked how they came up with a bias screening and what
resources did they use to create training, and what general response training are police
officers receiving and how often are they receiving it, in which APD Deputy Police Chief
responded to.
Council Member Hoey asked a question about the curriculum, in which APD Deputy
Police Chief and Matthew Toporowski, Esq responded to.
Council Member Kimbrough asked about the recommendations and writing in clearer
language, in which Jasmine Higgins and Matthew Toporowski, Esq responded to.
Council Member Kimbrough discussed the Agenda for the June 23rd Regular Meeting,
Council Member Romero, Senior Assistant Corporation Council Brett Williams
discussed Local Law H of 2022.
Council Member Anane asked if Senior Assistant Corporation Council Brett Williams
could send an email out saying all of the amendments done to Local Law H.
Senior Assistant Corporation Council Brett Williams discussed Council Member Clarke’s
Ordinance.
Council Member Anane discussed his resolution.
Council Member Love discussed her resolution.
Council Member Zamer discussed legislation she is working on.
Council Member Keegan discussed her issue with the language related to people with
disabilities.
Council Member(s) Farrell and Kimbrough and City Clerk Danielle Gillespie discussed
money that is needed for the reappointment commission.
Council Member Hoey asked about where the server software would be for the
reappointment commission.
Council Member Kimbrough discussed the cannabis legalization committee.
Council Member Farrell discussed having leadership having a survey, reminded people of
the pins,
Council Member Adams asked about the software company helping the constituents.
President Pro Tem adjourned the meeting at 7:15pm
Link to meeting recording:
https://www.facebook.com/albany.commoncouncil/videos/549006063523784
Respectfully Submitted,
Ethan Samuel
Legislative Aide
Agenda
AGENDA
FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
OF
THE ALBANY COMMON COUNCIL
Thursday, June 23, 2022
The Common Council meets the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. (note: when Monday falls
on a legal holiday or day of special observance, the Council meeting is ordinarily moved to the following
Thursday). This meeting will be held in the Common Council Chambers in City Hall and live streamed on
Facebook. If we experience any technical difficulties on Facebook, the video will be streamed to YouTube.
For more information on how to be heard please visit our website. If you wish to speak during the meeting or
provide written comments, they must be received by 12noon on the day of the meeting. All comments are
memorialized on our Facebook page, website, and are subject to FOIL.
ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Roll Call
Welcome
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
Public Hearings
Public Comment Period (30 Minutes)
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meetings
Consideration of Local Laws
Communications from the Mayor, Department Heads and other City Officials
Consideration of Vetoes
Presentation of Petitions and Communications
Reports of Standing Committees
Reports of Ad Hoc Committees
Consideration of Ordinances
Consideration of Resolutions
Additional Public Comment (30 Minutes)
Miscellaneous or Unfinished Business
Adjournment
1
LOCAL LAWS INTRODUCED
H of 2022 A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 231 (HOUSING) OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF ALBANY IN RELATION TO CREATING A PUBLIC CODE
VIOLATION DATABASE
2
LOCAL LAWS HELD
1. Johnson LOCAL LAW C-2022
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 42 (DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONS)
OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN RELATION TO CREATING A PUBLIC
SAFETY COMMISSION
*Referred to Public Safety
2. Balarin on behalf of committee LOCAL LAW D of 2022 (MC)
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING PART 4 (HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION) OF
CHAPTER 42 (DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONS) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY
OF ALBANY IN RELATION TO THE DEADLINE FOR THE HISTORIC RESOURCES
COMMISSION’S ANNUAL REPORT ON EMERGENCY DEMOLITIONS AND
STABILIZATION PROCEDURES
*Referred to Planning, Economic Development, and Land Use Committee
3. Hoey LOCAL LAW F of 2022
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING PART 3 (DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY) OF
CHAPTER 42 (BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
ALBANY
*Referred to Public Safety
4. Balarin on behalf of committee LOCAL LAW G OF 2022
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING PART 4 (HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION), PART 13
(PLANNING BOARD OF CITY OF ALBANY), AND PART 35 (BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS)
OF CHAPTER 42 (DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONS) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
ALBANY IN RELATION TO REDUCING THE SIZE OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES
COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATE MEMBERS TO
THE HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION, CITY PLANNING BOARD, AND BOARD OF
ZONING APPEALS
*Referred to Planning, Economic Development, and Land Use Committee
3
ORDINANCES INTRODUCED
15.62.22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART 38 (PUBLIC, EDUCATION AND
GOVERNMENT ACCESS OVERSIGHT BOARD [PEGAOB]) OF CHAPTER 42
(DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONS) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
ALBANY IN RELATION TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE PUBLIC,
EDUCATION AND GOVNERMENT ACCESS OVERSIGHT BOARD
4
ORDINANCES HELD
1. Balarin Ordinance 4.21.22
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 375 (UNIFIED SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN
RELATION TO INCREASING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENT IN
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
*Referred to Planning, Economic Development and Land Use
2. Balarin Ordinance 7.41.22
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 359 (VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN RELATION TO THE PARKING OF ELECTRIC
VEHICLES
3. Romero Ordinance 9.41.22
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE II (SKATEBOARDS) OF CHAPTER 255
(PEACE AND GOOD ORDER) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN
RELATION TO THE REGULATION OF SKATEBOARDING IN THE CITY OF
ALBANY
*Referred to Law, Buildings and Code & Code Enforcement*
4. Flynn Ordinance 11.51.22
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE TO
SHWANA ADKISON OF CITY-OWNED LAND BORDERING 24 SWARTSON COURT
AND 26 SWARTSON COURT (DARTMOUTH PAPER STREET)
*Referred to Finance, Assessment and Taxation*
5. Clarke Ordinance 12.51.22
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CLOSING OF ANTHONY STREET
IN THE CITY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK AND DEDICATING ANTHONY STREET TO
WESTLAND HILLS PARK FOR PARK PURPOSES
5
6. Robinson Ordinance 13.52.22
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE TO THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF
ALBANY OF 56 NORTH LARK STREET (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 65.65-4-1)
*Referred to Finance, Assessment, and Taxation
6
RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED
67.62.22R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RECOGNIZING JUNE,
2022 AS CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN THE CITY OF
ALBANY
7
RESOLUTIONS HELD
1. Hoey Resolution 13.21.22R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL REQUESTING THE
ALBANY WATER BOARD TO FLOURINATE THE WATER OF THE CITY OF
ALBANY
*Referred to General Services, Health & Environment Committee*
2. Hoey Resolution 14.21.22R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL EXPRESSING ITS DESIRE TO
CREATE A BIKE/WALKING TRAIL ALONG THE NEW YORK STATE
THRUWAY
*Referred to Parks, Recreation, and Family Service*
3. Love Resolution 51.52.22R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIVES AND
LEGACY OF ADAM BLAKE, JR. AND CATHERINE BLAKE AND RENAMING
STEUBEN STREET IN THEIR HONOR
*Referred to General Services, Health & Environment Committee*
4. Hoey Resolution 55.52.22R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE AND
LEGACY OF SANTA COPPOLINO PASQUINI AND RENAMING A PORTION OF
FOUNTAIN AVENUE IN HER HONOR
*Referred to General Services, Health & Environment Committee*
5. Balarin Resolution 63.61.22R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL REAPPOINTING ZACHARY
SIMPSON TO THE PUBLIC, EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT ACCESS
OVERSIGHT BOARD
*Referred to PEGAOB Ad Hoc Committee*
6. Balarin Resolution 64.61.22R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL REAPPOINTING DONALD
HYMAN TO THE PUBLIC, EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT ACCESS
OVERSIGHT BOARD
*Referred to PEGAOB Ad Hoc Committee*
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