Common Council Caucus & Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingAlbany, NY · August 30, 2023
Minutes
MINUTES OF CAUCUS
Monday, August 30, 2023
The Common Council was convened at 5:36 PM in the Council Chambers on the Second Floor of City Hall,
24 Eagle Street, and was called to order by President Pro Tempore Kimbrough. It livestreamed on YouTube
and Facebook.
Members Present: Anane, Clarke, Farrell, Flynn, Hoey, Johnson, Keegan, Kimbrough, Love, Robinson,
Romero, and Zamer
Staff Present: Shaniqua Jackson, Jake Eisland, Bryan Jimenez, Max Thierry, and Juliette Geraghty
Invitee(s):
Craig Waltz Jr (Chair of the Commission on Municipal Internet Service)
Martin Robinson (Member of the Commission on Municipal Internet Service)
Discussion/Questions:
The agenda for the September 7, 2023 regular meeting was discussed.
President Pro Tempore Kimbrough called Commission on Municipal Internet Service Chair Craig
Waltz Jr and Commission Member Martin Robinson up to speak.
Craig Waltz Jr provided an overview of the Final Report on the Feasibility of Municipal Internet
Broadband Internet Services for the City of Albany.
Martin Robinson and Craig Waltz Jr discussed the commission's aim to offer cost-effective solutions
for municipal internet and the recommendations provided.
Council Member Keegan spoke on federal guidelines for broadband funding and the appropriations
going to, at the lowest level, counties. Council Member Keegan asked if the recommended actions
would allow for the capacity that would be required for resolving the internet equity issues in
underserved communities to which Craig Waltz Jr responded yes the system could have the capacity,
though it would depend on the funding provided to the program.
Council Member Flynn asked who drafted the report to which Craig Waltz Jr responded that it was a
collaborative effort.
Council Member Robinson asked what the cost would be for implementation of the Municipal
Internet recommendations to which Martin Robinson responded that it depends on the final
implementation desired and contracts negotiated.
Council Member Robinson asked about building system capacity over time to which Craig Waltz Jr
responded that that would be the best approach and described the process the commission
recommends.
Council Member Anane thanked the Commission on Municipal Internet Service for their work in
developing a plan for providing internet access to city residents. Council Member Anane also spoke
on his hope for the provision of free internet to City of Albany residents.
Council Member Anane asked what the next steps are for pursuing implementation of the municipal
internet service to which Craig Waltz Jr responded.
Council Member Anane spoke about states receiving federal funding for broadband expansion and
Craig Waltz Jr elaborated on it.
Council Member Farrell thanked the Commission on Municipal Internet Service for the work they've
done in putting the report together.
President Pro Tempore Kimbrough thanked Council Member Anane for his work with the
commission.
Council Member Zamer discussed there being a community organization gathering at City Beer Hall
that would be occurring after the caucus/work session.
Council Member Romero discussed an event by Capital District Latinos honoring the lives lost by
overdose.
There being no further business, the President Pro Tempore called for a motion to adjourn. Council Member
Flynn moved to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Anane, and the caucus/work session was adjourned
at 6:30 PM.
Link to meeting recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTRa7K3KRgE
Respectfully submitted,
Bryan Jimenez
Senior Legislative Aide
Agenda
AGENDA FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE ALBANY COMMON COUNCIL
Thursday, September 7, 2023
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
Page 1 of 7
Local Laws Held
1 Johnson C of 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 Planning 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 & Land Use*
3 Romero I of 2022
A LOCAL LAW CREATING A COMMUNITY COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ENACTMENT OF
REPARATIONS REMEDIES RELATED TO THE SALE OF CANNABIS IN THE CITY OF ALBANY
*Referred to Joint Finance and Human Rights Committee*
4 Romero J of 2022
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING ARTICLE VIIB (ALBANY POLICE DEPARMENT INTERACTIONS) OF
PART 1 (DEPARTMENT OF POLICE) OF CHAPTER 42 (DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSION) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN REALTION TO PROHIBITING THE ALBANY POLICE
DEPARMENT FROM PURCHASING, STOCKPILING, AND USING KINETIC ENERGY MUNITIONS
*Referred to Public Safety*
5 Romero K of 2022
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING ARTICLE VIIB (ALBANY POLICE DEPARMENT INTERACTIONS) OF
PART 1 (DEPARTMENT OF POLICE) OF CHAPTER 42 (DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSION) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN RELATION TO PROHIBITING THE ALBANY POLICE
DEPARMENT FROM PURCHASING, STOCKPILING, AND USING CHEMICAL WEAPONS
*Referred to Public Safety*
6 Kimbrough L of 2022
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING ARTICLE VIIB (ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT INTERACTIONS) OF
PART 1 (DEPARTMENT OF POLICE) OF CHAPTER 42 (DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONS) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY WITH REGARD TO THE USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND
KINETIC ENERGY MUNITIONS ON CIVILIAN POPULATIONS
*Referred to Public Safety*
7 Zamer M of 2022
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 359 (VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) REDUCING THE SPEED LIMIT
OF THE CITY OF ALBANY FROM 30 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR
*Referred to Public Safety*
8 Anane D of 2023
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING SECTION 5 OF LOCAL LAW 1-2016 IN RELATION TO THE EXPIRATION
THEREOF
*Referred to Law, Buildings & Code Enforcement*
Page 2 of 7
Local Laws Held
9 Keegan E of 2023
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 255 (PEACE AND GOOD ORDER) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY
OF ALBANY BY ADDING THERETO A NEW ARTICLE XI TO BE ENTITLED “HARASSMENT OF A
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICER, OR TRAFFIC SAFETY AIDE”
*Referred to Law, Buildings & Code Enforcement*
10 Adams F of 2023
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING PART 4 (RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY PERMIT AND RENTAL DWELLING
REGISTRY) OF CHAPTER 231 (HOUSING) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN RELATION
TO REQUIRING SUCH PERMITS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL DWELLING UNITS
*Referred to Law, Buildings & Code Enforcement*
11 Zamer H of 2023
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 42 (DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONS) OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF ALBANY BY ADDING A NEW PART 41 THERETO CREATING THE CITY OF ALBANY
COMMISSION ON MONUMENTS AND PUBLIC ART
*Referred to Law, Buildings & Code Enforcement*
Page 3 of 7
Ordinances Held
1 Farrell 16.72.22
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I (BICYCLES AND ALL MOTOR VEHICLES) OF CHAPTER 359
(VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN RELATION TO THE
REGULATION OF SKATEBOARDING ON SIDEWALKS
*Referred to Law, Buildings & Code Enforcement*
2 Love 19.91.22
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART 21 (COMMON COUNCIL) OF CHAPTER 42 (DEPARTMENTS AND
COMMISSIONS) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY ENACTING A SUMMER RECESS IN
LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS
*Referred to Council Operations & Ethics*
3 Anane 49.121.22
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART 3 (DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY) OF CHAPTER 42
(DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONS) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN RELATION TO
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
*Referred to Public Safety*
4 Anane 5.21.23
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I (LOITERING; DISTURBANCES; DEFACING PROPERTY) OF
CHAPTER 255 (PEACE AND GOOD ORDER) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN RELATION
TO SIMPLIFYING THE ENFORCEMENT GUIDELINES FOR LOITERING.
*Referred to Public Safety*
5 Romero 15.41.23
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE V (COMPLETE STREETS) OF CHAPTER 323 (STREETS AND
SIDEWALKS) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN RELATION TO PEDESTRIAN
SIGNALIZATION AND PEDESTRIAN INTERVALS
*Referred to Law, Buildings & Code Enforcement*
6 Farrell 16.42.23
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE V (UNNECESSARY AND UNUSUAL NOISES) OF CHAPTER
255 (PEACE AND GOOD ORDER) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY
*Referred to Law, Buildings & Code Enforcement*
7 Kimbrough 18.52.23
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 375 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY (UNIFIED
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE) CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF 27
MAIN STREET FROM “MIXED-USE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER” (MU-NC) TO “LIGHT INDUSTRIAL”
(I-1) AND AMENDING THE ZONING MAP ACCORDINGLY
*Passed the Planning, Economic Development & Land Use Committee*
8 Kimbrough 26.61.23
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 48 (EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROTECTIONS) OF THE CODE
OF THE CITY OF ALBANY IN RELATION TO EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF MINORITY AND WOMEN-
OWNED AND CONTROLLED BUSINESSES
*Referred to Human Resources & Human Rights*
9 Keegan 28.62.23
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 313 (SOLID WASTE) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
ALBANY BY ADDING A PERMITTING SYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL HAULERS OF SOLID WASTE
*Referred to General Services, Health & Environment*
Page 4 of 7
Ordinances Held
10 Balarin 29.71.23
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 375 (UNIFIED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE)
OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR CANNABIS
DISPENSARIES AND CONSUMPTION SITES
*Referred to Planning, Economic Development & Land Use*
11 Balarin 32.81.23
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 375-405 (PARKING AND LOADING) OF CHAPTER 375
(UNIFIED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY
IN RELATION TO REQUIRING OFF-SITE PARKING FOR THE DURATION OF A PROJECT
*Referred to Planning, Economic Development & Land Use*
12 Adams 33.82.23
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CITY-OWNED PARCELS AT 34 IRVING STREET (TAX
MAP PARCEL NUMBER 76.40-2-10), 38 IRVING STREET (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 76.40-2-9),
AND 181 MYRTLE AVENUE (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 76.40-2-37) TO CAPITAL ROOTS, INC.
*Referred to Finance, Assessment and Taxation*
Page 5 of 7
Resolutions Introduced
1 Adams 90.91.23R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CELEBRATING SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 AS LABOR
DAY
2 Kimbrough 91.91.23R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER AS SUICIDE
AWARENESS MONTH IN ALBANY
3 Robinson 92.91.23R
A RESOLUTION IN ENCOURAGING THE CITY OF ALBANY TO SEEK ENVIRONMENTAL BOND
ACT FUNDING FOR THE PATROON CREEK GREENWAY
4 Romero 93.91.23R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RECOGNIZING AUGUST 31, 2023 AS
INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY AND SEPTEMBER 13 AS NEW YORK’S
STATEWIDE OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
5 Balarin 94.91.23R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RECOGNIZING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
AND CELEBRATING THE HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF LATINOS IN THE UNITED STATES
AND THE IMMENSE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LATINOS TO THE UNITED STATES
Page 6 of 7
Resolutions Held
1 Hoey 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*
2 Hoey 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 & Family Services*
3 Clarke 9.21.23R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE OF BEVERLY BARDEQUEZ
AND RENAMING A PORTION OF RAPP ROAD IN HER HONOR
*Passed the General Services, Health & Environment Committee*
4 Balarin 76.71.23R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF SHADI
KHADIVI TO THE CITY OF ALBANY PLANNING BOARD
*Referred to Planning, Economic Development & Land Use*
5 Balarin 77.71.23R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF RACHEL
BREIDSTER TO THE CITY OF ALBANY PLANNING BOARD
*Passed the Planning, Economic Development & Land Use Committee*
6 Balarin 82.72.23R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE REAPPOINTMENT OF PAIGE
BARNUM TO THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
*Referred to Planning, Economic Development & Land Use*
7 Balarin 83.72.23R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF JELLISA
JOSEPH TO THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
*Referred to Planning, Economic Development & Land Use*
8 Flynn 88.82.23R
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC TO REFRAIN FROM
GIVING MONEY DIRECTLY TO INDIVIDUALS SEEKING MONEY FROM OTHERS
*Referred to General Services, Health & Environment*
9 Kimbrough 89.82.23R (MC)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF ANN MARIE
SALMON AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
*Referred to Finance, Assessment and Taxation*
Page 7 of 7
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