Stated Meeting

Majority Leader Abreu welcomes public and reviews decorum rules

Majority Leader Shaun Abreu welcomes the public to the August 13, 2026 stated meeting, reminds attendees that only council members may speak during stated meetings, and directs people to the agenda on the council website.

0:03:10 23 sec

Pledge of Allegiance

Council staff invites everyone to join in the Pledge of Allegiance before the roll call.

0:03:33 4 min 39 sec

ROLL CALL

Roll call of council members

Council staff calls the roll of all council members, with members responding present or here. Speaker Menin is announced as present.

0:08:12 3 min 36 sec

INVOCATION

Invocation by Father Eric Cruz of Church of St. Anselm and St. Roch

Father Eric Cruz delivers an invocation invoking the Statue of Liberty's words, blessing council members, and calling on them to serve the homeless, immigrants, and vulnerable New Yorkers with justice and compassion.

0:11:48 1 min 51 sec

Council Member Encarnación spreads invocation on record and honors Father Cruz

Council Member Elsie Encarnación moves to spread the invocation in full on the record, praising Father Cruz's ministry in the South Bronx and highlighting the St. Anselm affordable housing apartments that brought hundreds of affordable homes to the community.

0:13:39 35 sec

Adoption of minutes, mayoral messages, and city communications

Council Member Stevens moves to adopt minutes from June 30 and July 16, 2026. Mayor's communications M87-M89 are referred to rules, M90 city clerk transmittal is received and filed, and petitions and land use call-ups are noted as none.

0:14:14 1 min 31 sec

Speaker Menin: Council employee Rafael Rubio granted permanent asylum

Speaker Menin announces that council employee Rafael Rubio has been granted permanent asylum after being wrongfully detained by ICE in January and placed in solitary confinement. She notes the council's $82 million allocation for immigration legal services.

0:15:45 46 sec

Speaker Menin: Trump administration ends TPS for Haitian immigrants

Speaker Menin condemns the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants, stripping work permits and leaving them vulnerable to deportation. She names council members Narcisse, Joseph, Louis, and Ossé as mobilizing to assist Haitian New Yorkers.

0:16:31 49 sec

Speaker Menin: State funding for unaccompanied minors legal aid

Speaker Menin addresses the expiration of federal funding for legal aid for immigrant children, praises Governor Hochul's announcement of $7 million in state funding for unaccompanied minors, and reaffirms New York's commitment to immigrant neighbors.

0:17:20 1 min 29 sec

Speaker Menin: Investigation launched into prediction market platforms

Speaker Menin announces she sent letters to Kalshi, Polymarket, Coinbase, and Gemini launching an investigation into predatory marketing practices targeting minors on prediction market platforms, with 60 questions for each company.

0:18:49 31 sec

Speaker Menin: Scoop Act to expand dog waste management

Speaker Menin announces the Scoop Act package, which will expand access to dog waste bags, launch a composting pilot program for dog runs, establish a public education campaign, and strengthen enforcement of dog waste rules.

0:19:20 1 min 26 sec

Speaker Menin: Rising insurance costs burdening New Yorkers and small businesses

Speaker Menin details rising insurance costs: homeowners insurance up 26% annually, liability insurance up 10%, small businesses paying 4-5 times the national average, and auto insurance 52% higher than other states. She announces an investigation into insurance pricing.

0:20:46 1 min 3 sec

Speaker Menin: Outdoor dining package allowing year-round operation

Speaker Menin announces a package of bills allowing sidewalk cafes to operate 365 days a year, providing vital revenue for restaurants while addressing sanitation concerns including debris, trash, and rats.

0:21:49 29 sec

CEREMONY

Speaker Menin: Birthday wishes for Council Members Hankerson, Carr, Vernikov, and Mealy

Speaker Menin wishes happy birthday to Council Member Ty Hankerson (32), and early birthdays to Minority Leader David Carr, Council Member Inna Vernikov, and Council Member Darlene Mealy.

0:22:18 1 min 24 sec

CEREMONY

Speaker Menin: August recognitions including Black Business Month, Women's Equality Day, and Independence Days

Speaker Menin recognizes National Black Business Month, Women's Equality Day on August 26, and multiple Independence Days including Jamaican, Ecuadorian, Pakistani, Indian, Ukrainian, and Trinidad and Tobago.

0:23:42 40 sec

CEREMONY

Speaker Menin: Farewell to Parliamentarian Jeff Campagna

Speaker Menin thanks Parliamentarian Jeff Campagna for his contributions, professionalism, and dedication as he leaves the council, wishing him well on his next chapter.

0:24:22 1 min 33 sec

Speaker Menin: Land use items overview including rezonings and park site selection

Speaker Menin outlines four land use items: 50-20 108th Street rezoning (196 units, 51 affordable), 6302 Fresh Pond Road rezoning (54 units, 13 affordable), Queens CD2 Walk to Park site selection, and Flatiron Nomad Major Concessions expansion.

0:25:55 22 sec

Speaker Menin: Finance items overview including transparency resolution and ECB judgments

Speaker Menin outlines two finance items: a transparency resolution approving new designations for expense budget funding, and a preconsidered introduction by Council Member Linda Lee to establish a temporary program resolving outstanding ECB judgment penalties.

0:26:17 56 sec

Speaker Menin: James Baldwin Day resolution and Certification of No Harassment overview

Speaker Menin previews Resolution 218 by Council Member Hudson declaring August 2 as James Baldwin Day, and Introduction 839A by Council Member Pierina Sanchez making the Certification of No Harassment pilot program permanent.

0:27:13 16 sec

Speaker Menin: Staten Island flag codification overview

Speaker Menin previews Introduction 320A by Council Member Frank Morano, which would codify the current flag of the borough of Staten Island as its official flag into city law.

0:27:29 1 min 12 sec

Speaker Menin: Insurance resolutions and Office of Insurance Affordability overview

Speaker Menin previews Resolution 395 (homeowners insurance rate cap), Resolution 389 (auto insurance consumer information), Resolution 387 (property insurance for affordable housing), and Introduction 685B establishing an Office of Insurance Affordability.

0:28:41 1 min 17 sec

Speaker Menin: Scoop Act dog waste bills overview

Speaker Menin previews four dog waste bills: Intro 872 (public education campaign by Hanif), Intro 864 (composting pilot by Epstein), Intro 880 (park signage by Narcisse), and Intro 857A (dog waste bag dispensers on 1,200 litter baskets).

0:29:58 25 sec

Speaker Menin: Firearm discharge reporting bill overview

Speaker Menin previews Introduction 935A by Council Member Feliz, requiring NYPD to report quarterly on confirmed firearm discharges including date, time, location, and circumstances.

0:30:23 1 min 55 sec

Speaker Menin: Outdoor dining bills overview

Speaker Menin previews four outdoor dining bills: Intro 655A (year-round roadway cafes by Restler), Intro 895A (sidewalk cafe enclosures by Brewer), Intro 917A (sanitation requirements by Justin Sanchez), and Intro 918A (quarterly fee installments by Thomas-Henry).

0:32:18 1 min 55 sec

Council Member Wilson on Flatiron Nomad Major Concessions agreement

Council Member Carl Wilson speaks in support of the Flatiron Nomad Major Concessions agreement, highlighting the BID's stewardship of the Broadway corridor, expanded revenue for public spaces, cleaning services, compost bins, and potential public bathrooms. He thanks Council Member Epstein and council land use staff.

0:34:13 1 min 44 sec

Council Member Epstein on Flatiron Nomad concessions and Scoop Act composting

Council Member Epstein thanks Wilson for partnership on the Flatiron Nomad concession, praising commitments for water fountains, public restrooms, and compost bins. He also thanks the Speaker for the Scoop Act and highlights his dog waste composting bill, and thanks the council for pet food pantry budget allocations.

0:35:57 2 min 7 sec

Council Member Thomas-Henry on outdoor dining fee installment bill

Council Member Thomas-Henry speaks about her first bill to pass, Intro 918, which allows outdoor dining operators to pay revocable consent fees in quarterly installments instead of upfront, easing the financial burden on small business owners.

0:38:04 1 min 52 sec

Council Member Pierina Sanchez on permanent Certification of No Harassment program

Council Member Pierina Sanchez speaks on Intro 839A, making the Certification of No Harassment program permanent and stronger by expanding harassment definitions to include ICE threats, monitoring problematic portfolios, and strengthening violation clearance incentives.

0:39:56 2 min 13 sec

Council Member Restler on restoring year-round outdoor dining

Council Member Restler discusses the outdoor dining legislation, noting the 90% decline in restaurants offering outdoor dining after Adams-era reforms. He highlights year-round operation, design enhancements, modified operating hours, accountability metrics, and thanks Speaker Menin and staff.

0:42:09 1 min 59 sec

Council Member Narcisse on dog waste signage bill

Council Member Narcisse speaks on Intro 880, requiring signs at park entrances about dog waste rules and fines. She also acknowledges the passing of Andre Lewis, father of Council Member Farah Louis, and thanks the Speaker for advancing the Scoop Act.

0:44:08 1 min 23 sec

Council Member Brewer on sidewalk cafe winter enclosure bill

Council Member Brewer discusses her bill allowing sidewalk cafe operators to enclose their cafes from November 30 to March 31, enabling restaurants to retain staff year-round and providing clearer standards than in the past.

0:45:31 2 min 10 sec

Council Member Morano on codifying Staten Island flag into city law

Council Member Morano speaks on Intro 320, his first bill to pass, codifying the Staten Island flag into city law. He frames it as a message that Staten Island matters and is seen by city government, thanking the Staten Island delegation and flag designer Amal Micah.

0:47:41 48 sec

Standing committee reports coupled on general orders

The Speaker couples committee reports on general orders: Consumer and Worker Protection (Intro 685B), Finance (Intro 1002, Reso 595), Governmental Operations (Intro 320A), Housing and Buildings (Intro 839A), and Land Use (LU 114 and Reso 611).

0:48:29 13 sec

VOTE OUTCOME

LU 115-119 approved with modifications and referred to City Planning Commission

The Speaker approves LU 115, 116, 118, and 119 (various applications) with modifications and refers them to the City Planning Commission pursuant to Section 197D of the New York City Charter.

0:48:42 1 min 14 sec

Remaining committee reports coupled on general orders

The Speaker couples remaining committee reports: LU 117 and Reso 612 (Flatiron Nomad), Parks (Intros 864A, 880A), Public Safety (Intro 935A), Sanitation (Intros 857A, 872A), Transportation (Intros 655A, 894A, 917A, 918A), Resos 592 and 605, LU 96-97 and LU 104-105 rezonings, and Commissioners of Deeds resolution.

0:49:56 37 sec

ROLL CALL

Roll call vote on all general orders calendar items

The Speaker calls for a roll call vote on all items coupled on the general orders calendar. Members vote with several disclosing conflicts and explaining their votes on specific items.

0:50:33 1 min 19 sec

Council Member Brewer explains abstention on Intro 864A dog waste composting

Council Member Brewer discloses she teaches at CUNY and explains she abstains on Intro 864A because she is unsure how it impacts parks workers interfacing with dog runs.

0:51:52 41 sec

Council Member Felder explains votes against multiple items

Council Member Felder votes yes on most items but no on Intro 655A and accompanying Reso 592, Intro 839A, Intro 864A, and Intro 894A and accompanying Reso 605.

0:52:33 1 min 30 sec

Council Member Feliz on firearm discharge reporting bill

Council Member Feliz explains his shots fired bill (Intro 935A), noting that NYPD data only tracks shootings when someone is struck. His bill requires reporting on all confirmed firearm discharges including date, location, borough, precinct, and time. He thanks Speaker Menin and co-sponsor Council Member Ariola.

0:54:03 1 min 53 sec

Council Member Hanif on dog waste education campaign bill

Council Member Hanif speaks in support of Intro 872A, her legislation creating a multilingual public education campaign on dog waste removal. She highlights public health risks including E. coli and salmonella, and notes the bill requires effectiveness evaluation using 311 data.

0:55:56 1 min 17 sec

Council Member Hanks on Staten Island flag recognition

Council Member Hanks votes yes to officially recognize the Staten Island flag, praising the borough's rich mix of communities and standing with Council Member Morano and Minority Leader Carr to make the recognition permanent.

0:57:13 49 sec

Council Member Maloney explains vote and congratulates Thomas-Henry

Council Member Maloney discloses her mother teaches at CUNY, congratulates Council Member Thomas-Henry on her first bill (Intro 918A), and thanks Speaker Menin for leadership on the Scoop Act. She votes aye on all.

0:58:02 4 min 21 sec

Council Member Morano explains vote and amends to yes on 894A

Council Member Morano votes aye on all except 894A, 839A, 864A, and Reso 595, voting no on those. He later amends his vote to yes on 894A after realizing his intent.

1:02:23 4 min 21 sec

Council Member Carr opposes roadway dining, supports Staten Island flag

Council Member Carr opposes the roadway dining legislation (Intro 655A) because it lacks a call-up option for community input, criticizing DOT's approach to community engagement. He supports the Staten Island flag bill, discloses association with a JCC funded in the transparency resolution, and votes no on several items.

1:06:44 1 min 6 sec

VOTE OUTCOME

Vote outcomes on general orders calendar items

Speaker Menin announces results: most items adopted 42-0; Intro 864A adopted 37-4 with 1 abstention; Intro 655A adopted 37-5; Intro 839A adopted 36-5 with 1 abstention; Intro 894A adopted 38-4; Intro 1002 adopted 41-1; Resos 592/605 adopted 38-4; Reso 595 adopted 39-3.

1:07:50 1 min 16 sec

Council Member Hudson on James Baldwin Day resolution

Council Member Hudson speaks on Resolution 218, honoring James Baldwin as a groundbreaking essayist, novelist, playwright, and civil rights activist who fought racial and sexual discrimination. She highlights his legacy of fearless truth-telling as a Black gay man.

1:09:06 1 min 17 sec

Council Member Dinowitz on auto insurance consumer information resolution

Council Member Dinowitz speaks on Resolution 389, calling on the state to pass the Automobile Insurance Consumer Information Act. He notes NYC residents pay an average annual premium of $4,223, nearly twice the national average, and the bill would require DFS to publish premium and complaint data.

1:10:23 1 min 17 sec

Council Member Morano on homeowners insurance rate cap resolution

Council Member Morano speaks on Resolution 395, his first resolution, urging Albany to prohibit homeowners insurance rate increases exceeding 25% per year. He notes average premiums rose over $1,000 since 2020 and nearly half a million NYC homeowners are uninsured.

1:11:40 1 min 10 sec

Council Member Brewer on property insurance for affordable housing resolution

Council Member Brewer speaks on Resolution 387, urging the state to address rising property insurance costs for affordable housing providers. She notes the resolution supports state legislation to improve transparency, study cost drivers, and establish an insurance relief fund.

1:12:50 25 sec

Voice vote on Resolution 218: James Baldwin Day

The Speaker reads Resolution 218 declaring August 2 annually as James Baldwin Day in New York City. The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

1:13:15 28 sec

Voice vote on Resolution 387: Property insurance for affordable housing

The Speaker reads Resolution 387 calling on the state legislature to pass bills mitigating rising property insurance costs for affordable housing. The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

1:13:43 22 sec

Voice vote on Resolution 389: Automobile Insurance Consumer Information Act

The Speaker reads Resolution 389 calling on the state to pass the Automobile Insurance Consumer Information Act (S1196/A3893). The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

1:14:05 36 sec

Voice vote on Resolution 395: Homeowners insurance rate cap

The Speaker reads Resolution 395 calling on the state to pass S6356/A4188 prohibiting homeowners insurance rate increases exceeding 25% per year. The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

1:14:41 21 sec

Council Member Thomas-Henry recognizes summer interns

Council Member Thomas-Henry thanks her summer interns Nancy Munoz, Candace Charles, Elijah Anderson, and LaTroy Glenn for their contributions, wishing them success and safe travels back to school.

1:15:02 1 min 40 sec

Council Member Maloney on Legionnaires disease and e-bike safety bills

Council Member Maloney introduces three bills: strengthening cooling tower cleaning requirements following a Legionnaires outbreak that killed seven, requiring DOH public service announcements during outbreaks, and addressing e-bike accidents up 28%. She also recognizes her summer interns.

1:16:42 1 min 6 sec

Council Member Won on Daniel's Law mental health crisis response

Council Member Won introduces a resolution with Public Advocate Williams calling for Daniel's Law, ensuring localities have plans for mental health crisis response. She notes NYPD officers have fatally shot at least 20 individuals in mental health crises in eight years.

1:17:48 1 min 15 sec

Council Member Hanif recognizes departing staff and summer interns

Council Member Hanif thanks departing staff member Jackie Neitschmidt, legislative fellow Anisha Upal-Sullivan who is joining full-time, new senior advisor Emmett Teran, and summer interns Sada Afroz, Ronan Shatsky, So Tun, and Ezra McNally.

1:19:03 2 min 12 sec

Council Member Narcisse on Haitian community TPS crisis

Council Member Narcisse urges colleagues not to ignore the Haitian community's suffering after TPS termination, noting they were invited legally. She calls for support of S-4814 in the Senate and thanks the Speaker and mayor for addressing the issue.

1:21:15 2 min 3 sec

Council Member Morano on 9/11 first responder outreach and service bills

Council Member Morano introduces two bills ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11: one requiring DOH to strengthen outreach about benefits for first responders and survivors with a notification system, and another establishing an annual 9/11 Week of Service.

1:23:18 52 sec

Council Member Hanks on MTA motorcycle toll rebate inequity

Council Member Hanks introduces Reso 594 calling on the MTA to correct an inequity in its resident rebate program, where motorcycle riders do not receive the same lower effective toll that the MTA recognizes for motorcycles under regular toll structure.

1:24:10 2 min 13 sec

Council Member Banks on small capital projects efficiency bill

Council Member Banks introduces Intro 991 requiring DDC to establish a catalog of pre-approved standard designs for small capital structures, streamlining planning, reducing design costs, and accelerating construction timelines for neighborhood infrastructure.

1:26:23 1 min 41 sec

Council Member Carr on police hearing protection pilot program

Council Member Carr introduces Intro 997 with Council Member Feliz, creating a pilot program requiring NYPD to provide in-ear electronic hearing protection to officers, citing studies showing 34% of law enforcement officers suffer noise-induced hearing loss.

1:28:04 1 min 59 sec

Council Member Zhuang on older adult outreach and SCHE tax exemption

Council Member Zhuang introduces Intro 1019 requiring city agencies to study which platforms older adults use for information, noting Chinese American seniors use WeChat where agencies don't advertise. She also introduces a resolution for SCHE property tax exemption and recognizes her summer interns.

1:30:03 2 min 9 sec

Council Member Brooks-Powers on pregnant detainee and child arrest bills

Council Member Brooks-Powers introduces Intro 995 requiring NYPD training on laws governing restraints on pregnant or postpartum people in custody, and Intro 996 requiring quarterly reporting on arrests where children were present. She also recognizes her summer interns.

1:32:12 22 sec

Council Member Gennaro defers statement due to time constraints

Council Member Gennaro notes his statement will exceed two minutes and defers, stating he will issue a public statement instead to get his full message out.

1:32:34 1 min 55 sec

Council Member Marte on municipal retiree healthcare protection bill

Council Member Marte reintroduces Intro 1008, prohibiting the city from diminishing healthcare coverage for Medicare-eligible retirees, including forcing them into privatized Medicare plans. He emphasizes the bill preserves collective bargaining rights.

1:34:29 1 min 41 sec

Council Member Epstein on Legionnaires testing and Lights Out legislation

Council Member Epstein introduces Intro 999 to set up clinics for Legionnaires testing in affected developments, and reintroduces Intro 998 (Lights Out legislation) addressing 250,000 migratory bird deaths annually from lit buildings, noting environmental and human health impacts.

1:36:10 1 min 27 sec

Council Member Schulman on Legionnaires disease hotline bill

Council Member Schulman introduces Intro 1016 requiring DOH to establish a Legionnaires' disease hotline during summer months and outbreaks, staffed with healthcare providers to answer questions and connect callers to medical guidance. She announces a September oversight hearing.

1:37:37 2 min 16 sec

Council Member Gutierrez on Colombia earthquake and summer interns

Council Member Gutierrez shares condolences for Colombia after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake, noting collapsed buildings and rising death tolls. She thanks volunteers and businesses organizing collection drives, recognizes council staff with Colombian families, and thanks her summer interns.

1:39:53 34 sec

Council Member Nurse recognizes summer interns

Council Member Nurse recognizes her summer interns Leilani Davis-Warner and Afan Chowdhury, praising their excellent work and expressing excitement for their future endeavors.

1:40:27 2 min 12 sec

Council Member Pierina Sanchez on district violence and J-51 reauthorization

Council Member Pierina Sanchez describes escalating violence in her district including arson, open-air drug sales, and a 15-year-old killed by gun violence. She introduces J-51 tax incentive reauthorization legislation and pleads for help from city and state leaders.

1:42:39 2 min 16 sec

Council Member Brewer on pedicab regulation bills and summer interns

Council Member Brewer introduces three pedicab bills: Intro 992 (city-approved meters and ID), Intro 993 (moving oversight to TLC), and Intro 994 (insurance requirement). She notes 850 pedicab plates with 1,500 operating and 172 complaints, and recognizes her summer interns.

1:44:55 1 min 8 sec

Council Member Hankerson recognizes summer interns

Council Member Hankerson thanks his summer interns including Madison, Kaleah, Quinn, Constance, Hamad, and Russell, expressing gratitude for their service to District 28 and wishing them well.

1:46:03 1 min 50 sec