Public Safety Committee

COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETING COMMON COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Thomas Hoey, Chair DATE/TIME: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 5:30 PM LOCATION: Council Chambers-2nd Floor. City Hall PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: YES TOPIC(S) OF DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION:  RESOLUTION 7.12.24R A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ALBANY’S COMMON COUNCIL CALLING THE CITY OF ALBANY TO MATCH COUNTY FUNDING TO PERFORM A TRAFFIC STUDY ON RUSSELL ROAD AND BERKSHIRE BOULEVARD  RESOLUTION 9.12.24R (MC) A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RECOGNIZING INCREASED VIOLENCE IN THE CITY OF ALBANY AND REAFFIRMING THE COUNCIL’S COMMITMENT TO A PERMANENT END TO VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES Material in strikethrough to be deleted. New material is underlined. Council Members Hoey and Zamer introduced the following: RESOLUTION NUMBER 7.12.24R A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ALBANY’S COMMON COUNCIL CALLING THE CITY OF ALBANY TO MATCH COUNTY FUNDING TO PERFORM A TRAFFIC STUDY ON RUSSELL ROAD AND BERKSHIRE BOULEVARD WHEREAS, the safety and efficiency of traffic flow are very important for the residents of the City of Albany; and WHEREAS, Russell Road, also known as County Road 204, and Berkshire Boulevard are important thoroughfares that have experienced significant traffic-related issues, potentially impacting the well-being and safety of the community; and WHEREAS, Albany County has recognized the necessity of a traffic study for Russell Road and Berkshire Boulevard and has allocated funding towards this effort; and WHEREAS, the City of Albany acknowledges the importance of this study in identifying and addressing the existing traffic concerns and potential improvements for these roads; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Albany Common Council hereby declares its support for the traffic study of Russell Road and Berkshire Boulevard; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Albany should match the funding provided by Albany County for the said traffic study, thereby demonstrating a commitment to the safety and well-being of its residents and to the improvement of its infrastructure. To: Shaniqua Jackson, Acting City Clerk From: Jake Eisland, Esq., Research Counsel Re: Request for Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: December 29, 2023 Sponsor: Council Members Hoey and Zamer RESOLUTION NUMBER 7.12.24R TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ALBANY’S COMMON COUNCIL CALLING THE CITY OF ALBANY TO MATCH COUNTY FUNDING TO PERFORM A TRAFFIC STUDY ON RUSSELL ROAD AND BERKSHIRE BOULAVARD GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION To express the Council’s support for the county’s traffic study for Russell Road and Berkshire Boulevard. FISCAL IMPACT(S) N/A Council Members Love, Hoey, and Frederick introduced the following: RESOLUTION 9.12.24R (MC) A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RECOGNIZING INCREASED VIOLENCE IN THE CITY OF ALBANY AND REAFFIRMING THE COUNCIL’S COMMITMENT TO A PERMANENT END TO VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHEREAS, the Common Council recognizes the uptick in gun violence in the City of Albany and other municipalities in New York State; and WHEREAS, the number of homicides last year was 20; and WHEREAS, the number of actual gun discharges reported last year in the City of Albany was in the hundreds; and WHEREAS, city residents are concerned for their safety; and WHEREAS, the Albany Police Department is reporting that most gun violence in the City of Albany is committed by and against individuals that are familiar with one another; and WHEREAS, the Council has created a new Violence Prevention Coordinator position to help guide the Violence Prevention Task Force and recommend and help implement actions to reduce violence in the City of Albany; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council calls for those in possession of handguns, whether legal or illegal, to stop using these weapons in moments of anger or retribution and instead calls for individuals to reach out for help in settling disputes or arguments; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council calls on Governor Hochul, Assemblymembers Fahy and McDonald, and Senator Breslin to work with the New York State Legislature to create a Gun Violence Hot Line to counsel those wanting to use violence to settle disputes and allow those who are threatened by violence a place to report it; BE IT EVEN FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council asks our state representatives to consider toughing laws regarding the use and possession of illegal handguns. Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. New material is underlined To: Shaniqua Jackson, Acting City Clerk From: Max Thierry, Junior Policy Analyst Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: January 10, 2024 Sponsors: Hoey, Frederick, and Love RESOLUTION NUMBER 9.12.24R (MC) TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RECOGNIZING INCREASED VIOLENCE IN THE CITY OF ALBANY AND REAFFIRMING THE COUNCIL’S COMMITMENT TO A PERMANENT END TO VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION To recognize increased violence in the City, reaffirm the Council’s commitment to permanently ending violence in our communities, and call upon state representatives to consider statewide legislative actions to help address gun violence. FISCAL IMPACT(S) None. Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. New material is underlined