NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.
Created by Uzair Qadir
Inspired by Vikram Oberoi's City Meetings
New York City Council
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Majority Leader Shaun Abreu opens the July 16, 2026 stated meeting, welcomes the public, and reminds attendees that only council members may speak during stated meetings. He notes the agenda is available online.
Council staff invites everyone to join in the Pledge of Allegiance before the roll call.
Council staff conducts the roll call, with members responding present or here. All 51 members are confirmed present, establishing a quorum.
Rev. Dr. Gamel Delesbore of New Jerusalem Worship Center in Jamaica, Queens delivers a brief invocation praying for wisdom and guidance for the council members.
Council Member Ty Hankerson moves to spread the invocation in full on the record and delivers a detailed biographical tribute to Rev. Dr. Gamel Delesbore, covering his Queens roots, spiritual journey, theological training, community service, and family life.
Abreu moves through adoption of minutes (none), messages and papers from the mayor (none), and communications from city offices. OMB submits M84, a Declaration of Capital Financing Need, referred to the Finance committee. Petitions and communications are none.
The clerk conducts a roll call vote on two land use call-ups: M85 (Flatiron NoMad Major Concessions) and M86 (Queens CD 2 Walk to Park Site Selection). Members vote aye individually. Council Member Stevens is denied permission to leave early due to quorum concerns.
Majority Leader Abreu announces the land use call-ups are adopted by a vote of 46 in the affirmative and zero in the negative.
Speaker Julie Menin reports on yesterday's 10-hour hearing on Romange's Law, named after Romange Mahajan who died after being thrown from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park. She thanks Council Member Shulman and all who attended, and notes the Council will consider amendments as the process continues.
Menin introduces a bill she sponsored establishing a quadrennial commission to ease permitting, licensing, and inspections for small businesses, noting 5,000 closures last year. She also highlights legislation by Council Member Zhuang to cut bureaucratic red tape, sharing that some business owners wait years to open.
Menin announces the Council secured $1.5 million in the budget for 60,000 free swim lessons for an additional 3,000 second graders, building on a pilot program with the Gray Foundation and Asphalt Green that already served 6,000 students. She notes the announcement at Lehman College in the Bronx.
Menin advocates for paraprofessionals and the Respect Act, noting starting salary of $32,500, 1,600 DOE vacancies, and $1.5 billion spent on Carter cases. She shares that some paras live in shelters and cannot afford groceries, calling it unconscionable and urging passage of legislation to address it.
Menin wishes early birthdays to Council Members Justin Sanchez (July 17), Elsie Encarnación (July 19), and Rita Joseph and Tiffany Cabán (July 24). She also notes excitement for the Spain-Argentina World Cup final at MetLife Stadium and the colorful international visitors across the five boroughs.
Menin marks July 24th as National Disabilities Day, commemorating the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She recalls the Capitol steps protest by nearly 60 activists and calls on the Council to continue their effort to make the city more equal for all.
Menin welcomes the Consul General of Lithuania and Lithuanian Alliance members, noting New York's history as an entry point for Lithuanian immigrants. She also welcomes interns from Senator Chuck Schumer's office and students from the Bronx Scholars Institute at Hostos College.
Menin outlines the day's land use votes, which will facilitate 3,242 new housing units across all five boroughs with nearly 1,700 affordable. She thanks Land Use Chair Kevin Riley and details projects including Monitor Point (1,324 units, 50% affordable), DeWitt Clinton Park North (1,064 units), 2950 West 24th Street (408 units), 1166 Bedford Avenue (144 senior units), 198-208 Richmond Terrace (118 units), 1160 Pugsley Avenue (104 units), and 164th Street (80 units).
Menin covers LPC designations of three immigration-related landmarks (PS 15 Annex, Church of St. Mary, Lithuanian Alliance building), an 801-seat high school at 25 Wall Street, and two HPD applications for preserving existing affordable housing at 511 West 171st Street and East Harlem El Barrio.
Menin outlines finance items including a transparency resolution approving new designations for expense budget funding and a pre-considered introduction by Council Member Linda Lee decreasing the city personal income tax credit for residents' share of unincorporated business tax paid by partnerships.
Menin previews Resolution 371 by Council Member Salaam declaring August 6 as Fat Man Scoop Recognition Day, Intro 398 by Council Member Restler amending annual disclosure law, and Intro 913A by Council Member Farias raising the NYPD civil service exam age limit from 35 to 43.
Menin covers Intro 812A by Encarnación requiring wellness checks on older adults during weather emergencies, Intro 496A by Williams requiring a study on acknowledging the 1863 draft riots, and a pre-considered introduction increasing elected official salaries by 18.2% per the Quadrennial Advisory Commission report.
Menin outlines Intro 955A by Council Member Zhuang requiring coordinated inspections and plan reviews to help businesses open faster, and Intro 692A by Council Member De La Rosa providing up to $10,000 in workforce stabilization payments to eligible school paraprofessionals in four installments.
Council Member Gale Brewer discusses the 629 West 54th Street and 801 11th Avenue applications in her district, noting 1,064 units with 286 affordable under MIH. She highlights $29.7 million for Hudson River Park Trust, concerns about park shadows, the need for more affordable housing in Manhattan, and the developers' dependence on 485X.
Council Member Lincoln Restler expresses support for the 40 Quay Street Monitor Point project, noting affordable housing tripled from 247 to 662 units (50% of total), with deeply affordable units for seniors and 110 supportive housing units. He highlights 50,000 square feet of green space, $300,000 annual park maintenance contributions, ADA-accessible G train elevator, and MTA facility relocation.
Council Member Kayla Santosuosso speaks in support of the 2950 West 24th Street development bringing 408 permanently affordable units to Coney Island. She emphasizes that affordable housing must also be quality housing, and shares that the developer has promised clean, dignified living conditions with prompt repairs.
Council staff reads all standing committee reports and general orders items including Aging (Intro 812A), Civil Service and Labor (Intro 692A), Cultural Affairs (Intro 496A), Finance (Intro 972, Reso 551), Governmental Operations (Intro 398, Intro 983A), Land Use (multiple LUs and Resos), Public Safety (Intro 913A), and Small Business (Intro 955A), coupling them for a single roll call vote.
Council Member Shirley Aldebol discloses her brother-in-law works for the Department for the Aging. As Civil Service and Labor Chair, she explains her support for Intro 692A, calling paraprofessionals vital to public education and arguing the non-pensionable stabilization payment does not interfere with collective bargaining. She votes yes on all items.
Council Member Joann Ariola discloses her son works for DSNY. She votes aye on all items except Intro 972 and Intro 983A, and echoes calls for the same collective effort to support EMS workers as is being done for paraprofessionals.
Council Member Chris Banks discloses a brother at NYC Parks Department and another at Department of Juvenile Justice. He delivers an extended statement supporting Intro 692A, describing paraprofessionals as hardworking New Yorkers who support the most vulnerable students, and arguing the one-time payment recognizes their commitment while broader bargaining continues.
Council Member Gale Brewer discloses she teaches at CUNY and votes aye. She thanks the Quadrennial Commission members including Carl Weisbrod, Dr. Lillian Paoli-Barrios, and Dr. Larry Angelo for their expertise and city experience.
Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers shares her deep personal connection as a proud auntie of an autistic child who depends on paraprofessionals daily. She commends Council Member De La Rosa, the labor chair, and the Speaker for moving the bill forward, and votes aye on all.
Council Member Carmen De La Rosa strongly supports the 511 West 171st Street ANCP application, which will allow tenants to buy their apartments for $250 and build generational wealth. On 692A, she thanks the Speaker, UFT, and colleagues, details the $32,000 starting salary and $54,000 after 15 years, notes 1,600-3,000 vacancies, and urges remaining council members to co-sponsor.
Council Member Eric Dinowitz discloses his affiliation with CUNY (Hunter). He delivers an extended statement supporting Intro 692A, describing paraprofessionals as the people who care most for the most vulnerable students and arguing the Council must demonstrate gratitude through action, not just words. He votes an emphatic yes on all items.
Council Member Harvey Epstein thanks De La Rosa, the Speaker, and Chair Aldebol. He shares that paras were critical to his own children's education, calls $32,000/year unlivable, and calls the bill a wise investment. He also supports the elected official salary increase, noting council pay is below nonprofit salaries from over a decade ago.
Council Member Oswald Feliz expresses pride in supporting Intro 913A by Council Member Farias, which raises the maximum age for the NYPD civil service exam from 35 to 43. He notes progress on police headcount and calls the bill a way to expand the candidate pool. He also congratulates De La Rosa on the para bill.
Council Member James Gennaro votes aye on all items and asks unanimous consent to also vote on the land use call-ups, which is granted without objection.
Council Member Ty Hankerson, noting he is one of the youngest council members, shouts out specific paraprofessionals who became like family to him in school: Ms. Barnes, Ms. V, Ms. Cookie, and constituent Ms. Talia who called him daily about the bill. He votes aye on all.
Council Member Kamillah Hanks highlights two projects in her district: a Curtis High School expansion with a nursing program and the 198-208 Richmond Terrace development with 117 apartments including 30 affordable workforce units. She also shares that her mother started as a paraprofessional, and votes aye on all.
Council Member Farah Louis explains her support for Intro 692, calling paraprofessionals the backbone of public schools who provide individualized attention to children who need it most. She thanks the UFT, Speaker Menin, and Council Member De La Rosa. She discloses her brother works for the MTA and votes aye on all.
Council Member Maloney discloses her mother teaches at Hunter College. She expresses pride in co-sponsoring Intro 692 for the para respect check and excitement for Intro 955 making it easier to open small businesses. She urges colleagues to sign onto Intro 875, the stop clock bill, and recognizes summer interns Dylan, Jade, and Nathan. Abreu reminds her to speak only on items being voted on.
Council Member Christopher Marte thanks De La Rosa and the Speaker on the para bill, and thanks his community for organizing and petitioning to landmark St. Mary's Church on Grand Street. He names Norma Ramirez, Sandra Stothers, Ray Klein, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative, and the Archdiocese for their support.
Council Member Frank Morano votes yes enthusiastically on Intro 692, congratulating De La Rosa and recognizing former Council Member Keith Powers. He notes regret that a para from his district, Ellen Santarelli, retired the day before and won't receive the benefit, wishes the payment were pensionable, and criticizes the administration's opposition. He votes no on Intro 972 and 983A.
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse discloses her son works for a funded nonprofit and her husband is a doctor at NYU. She delivers an extended statement supporting paraprofessionals, noting their $32,000 starting salary is unsustainable, sharing that she has sat with them in her office and seen their work with vulnerable children firsthand. She votes aye on all.
Council Member Lincoln Restler explains he would have preferred resolving para compensation through collective bargaining, but pattern bargaining is failing the lowest-paid workers. He notes a 3% raise means little at $32,500/year and calls on OLR and the Mamdani administration to create equity tables prioritizing low-wage workers. He votes aye on all.
Council Member Pierina Sanchez discloses her sibling works at CUNY. She congratulates De La Rosa and the Speaker on Intro 692, agrees with Ariola that EMTs also deserve more, noting NYPD patrol cars are transporting people to hospitals in her district due to EMT shortages. She highlights that median income in her district is $25,000/year and calls for taxing the rich.
Council Member Lynn Schulman calls paraprofessionals the backbone of classrooms who support students with special needs. She says Intro 692A corrects wage disparities created by years of pattern bargaining and sends a clear message that the city cannot deliver quality education without investing in the people who make it possible. She votes aye on all.
Council Member Althea Stevens associates her remarks with Pierina Sanchez's, highlighting that average income in her district is $36,000/year. She calls for the same energy for nonprofit workers, whose average income is about $40,000, and urges the Council to continue prioritizing all workers struggling with low wages. She votes aye on all.
Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry discloses her daughter participates at Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. She acknowledges a constituent and family friend, Ms. Gina Lewis, a paraprofessional who introduced her to the bill before she was elected. She thanks De La Rosa and the Speaker and votes aye on all.
Council Member Inna Vernikov moves for unanimous consent to vote on land use call-ups and general orders, which is granted. She votes aye on all except Intro 972 and Intro 983A, on which she votes no.
Council Member Nantasha Williams discloses her CUNY affiliation. She explains her support for the Quadrennial Advisory Commission recommendations on elected official compensation as a transparent process, and for Intro 496A acknowledging the 1863 draft riots. She thanks her constituent Nia Clark and Cheryl Wills of NY1 for renewed attention. She also shares that her staffer Kate was formerly a para.
Council Member Wilson speaks proudly about District 3 as a beacon for dreamers and highlights the Lithuanian Alliance Building in Chelsea, whose landmark designation he supports. He describes how the building served as a first port of call for newly arrived Lithuanian Americans, offering housing and employment assistance. He welcomes the Consul General of Lithuania and votes aye on all.
Council Member Phil Wong, noting many constituents live paycheck to paycheck and that he advocated for budget savings, says he cannot consciously vote to increase his own salary. He votes no on Intro 983A and no on Intro 972, which would increase city taxes. He votes aye on all other items.
Council Member Joann Ariola, in a second explanation, celebrates Intro 955A as a big win for small business owners who are the backbone of NYC's economy. She describes how the bill coordinates inspections and plan reviews across agencies, cites the prior New Business Acceleration Team model, and notes the bill requires public reporting for accountability. She votes aye on all except 983A.
Abreu announces all items on the general orders calendar are adopted by a vote of 49 in the affirmative, zero in the negative, and zero abstentions, with exceptions for specific bills noted separately.
Abreu announces Intro 972, decreasing the city personal income tax credit for unincorporated business tax, was adopted by a vote of 43 in the affirmative and six in the negative.
Abreu announces Intro 983A, increasing elected official salaries by 18.2%, was adopted. The initial count is read as 43 in the affirmative, 6 in the negative, and 0 abstentions.
Abreu announces Intro 913A, raising the NYPD civil service exam age limit from 35 to 43, was adopted by a vote of 48 in the affirmative and one in the negative.
Abreu announces the revised land use call-ups vote is 48 in the affirmative and zero in the negative, reflecting additional members who received unanimous consent to vote.
Abreu corrects the Intro 983A vote tally to 43 in the affirmative, 5 in the negative, and 1 abstention, reflecting Speaker Menin's abstention on the salary increase bill.
Abreu calls for introduction and reading of bills. Speaker Menin states all bills have been referred to committee as indicated on today's agenda.
Council Member Yusef Salaam speaks in support of Resolution 371, declaring August 6 as Fat Man Scoop Recognition Day. He describes Fat Man Scoop (Isaac Freeman III) as a Harlem-raised artist, Grammy winner, and his personal friend who showed up at his inauguration. Salaam notes Scoop died on stage at 56 on August 30, 2024, and asks colleagues to vote yes.
Council Member Farah Louis shares that Fat Man Scoop was her boss at Hot 97, where she pulled his press clips and broke news stories. She describes how he encouraged her journalism ambitions, pushed her to keep fighting, and taught her to use equipment. She proudly votes in support of the resolution.
Abreu conducts a voice vote on Resolution 371, declaring August 6 annually as Fat Man Scoop Recognition Day in the City of New York. The ayes have it.
Abreu provides a final revision of the Intro 983A vote, now reported as 42 in the affirmative, 6 in the negative, and 1 abstention.
Council Member Nantasha Williams gives a shout-out to her District 27 summer interns Avani, Ryan, Maribel, Eric, and Owen, thanking them for their hard work, curiosity, and commitment to public service.
Council Member Farah Louis introduces Intro 978, which would increase the qualifying income limit for seniors and persons with disabilities for SCRIE and DRIE programs. She cites Manhattan median rent of $5,295 and Brooklyn $4,350, and a report of 26,000 applications for just 84 affordable senior units, urging colleagues to support the bill.
Council Member Phil Wong introduces Intro 984, establishing a permanent citywide NYPD street takeover unit, prompted by a dangerous April 18th takeover in his district involving 100 vehicles and a fire between two gas stations. The bill would codify Patrol Borough Queens North's approach, expand it citywide, and require NYPD reporting to the Council.
Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry, as Small Business Chair, introduces Resolution 561 calling on utility companies and the Public Service Commission to freeze utility rates. She describes utilities as the operating system of communities and argues families and small businesses cannot absorb another increase. She also acknowledges an SYEP intern and her nephew.
Council Member Kayla Santosuosso calls on the mayor and police commissioner to cooperate with investigations into sexual misconduct allegations against two successive commanding officers at the NYPD 46th Precinct, one leading to a criminal indictment. She notes a homicide the previous night at a lounge she had previously flagged, commends Commissioner Tisch for firing an officer, and calls for swift action on substantiated misconduct against Black and brown New Yorkers.
Council Member Gale Brewer addresses a horrific July 4th shooting in Coney Island where eight people were shot including children as young as six and seven at a NYCHA courtyard barbecue. She thanks the 60th Precinct for apprehending the shooter and calls on experts and community members to contact her office to collectively solve gun violence in Coney Island.
In a second statement, Brewer thanks Council Member Lewis for the SCRIE/DRIE bill and then recognizes her summer interns by name and school, including students from Middlebury, McGill, Barnard, Oberlin, Macaulay Honors, NYU Tisch, Stuyvesant, and Trinity School.
Council Member Tiffany Cabán echoes calls for swift NYPD action on killings of Black and brown New Yorkers, not just violence against co-workers. She then acknowledges outgoing Progressive Caucus Executive Director Emmett Turan for his thoughtful, driven leadership, noting he is joining Council Member Hanif's staff.
Council Member Frank Morano introduces Resolution 555 supporting state legislation for better notice before utility rate hikes, requiring regulators to consider family impacts, strengthening consumer protections, and improving transparency. He frames it as a nonpartisan kitchen table issue affecting homeowners, tenants, and small business owners alike.
Council Member Kevin Riley introduces Intro 981, establishing a task force to study the feasibility of creating a municipal public bank in New York City. The task force would evaluate governance, capitalization, regulatory compliance, and sustainability, bringing together experts in community banking, labor, and consumer advocacy. He thanks co-prime sponsors and gives a shout-out to an intern.
Council Member Alexa Avilés mourns two people killed by ICE agents this month: Joan Sebastian Guerrero, a 26-year-old father killed on his way to work in Maine, and Lorenzo Araujo, a father of three and construction company owner killed while driving co-workers to a job. She notes ICE admitted neither was a target of any investigation, condemns the killings, and calls to abolish ICE.
Council Member Eric Dinowitz introduces Resolution 548 calling on the state legislature to grant the City Council representation on the Panel for Educational Policy and give Community Education Councils more oversight over DOE hiring decisions. He notes the PEP oversees school closures, co-locations, and massive contracts affecting 1 million students, yet no voting member is selected by the Council.
Council Member Shahana Hanif introduces Intro 971, requiring DCWP to study the impacts of private equity ownership on workers, consumers, and small businesses across industries including healthcare, dental, veterinary, child care, and hospitality. She also marks Disability Pride Month, celebrating the disability community's leadership and recommitting to accessibility and disability justice.
Council Member Crystal Hudson takes a moment to shout out her summer interns serving the 35th District, naming students from Cornell, Touro College, Spelman College, Yeshiva University, Stanford, Rochester Institute of Technology, and York College.
Majority Leader Abreu briefly recognizes his intern and constituent Theo Crombie, who has joined the meeting in the chamber.
Council Member Justin Sanchez, celebrating his 35th birthday the next day, reflects on his mother Ruth Sanchez who was a scared 18-year-old when she had him. He thanks her for her struggles and fights, and delivers an inspirational message to Black and brown children across the city, saying this city belongs to them and that New Yorkers never stop.
Abreu calls on Speaker Menin to close the stated meeting. Council staff announces the stated meeting of July 16, 2026 is hereby adjourned.