Stated Meeting

Staff instructs attendees to silence electronic devices

Council staff asks attendees to place electronic devices on vibrate and yields to Majority Leader.

0:00:59 32 sec

Majority Leader Abreu opens stated meeting and outlines decorum

Shaun Abreu welcomes attendees to the September 24, 2026 stated meeting, reminds public of decorum and silent approval gesture, and notes only Council members may speak.

0:01:32 22 sec

Pledge of Allegiance

Council staff leads the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:01:53 3 min 15 sec

ROLL CALL

Roll Call of Council Members

The clerk conducts a roll call of all Council members, with members responding present or here.

0:05:08 2 min 45 sec

INVOCATION

Rabbi Steven Exter delivers invocation

Majority Leader Abreu introduces Rabbi Steven Exter of Bayit Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, who delivers an invocation asking for wisdom, compromise, and peace for the City Council.

0:07:53 1 min 48 sec

Council Member Dinowitz moves to spread invocation and praises Rabbi Exter

Eric Dinowitz thanks Rabbi Exter, describes his leadership at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, and moves for unanimous consent to spread the invocation in full upon the record.

0:09:41 12 sec

Adoption of Minutes from September 10, 2026

Majority Leader Abreu calls on Council Member Amanda Farías, who moves to adopt the minutes of the September 10, 2026 stated meeting as printed.

0:09:53 13 sec

Messages, Communications, Petitions, and Land Use Call-Ups: None

The Council notes there are no messages or papers from the Mayor, no communications from city, county, or borough offices, no petitions or communications, and no land use call-ups.

0:10:07 1 min 42 sec

Speaker Menin highlights Climate Week and environmental initiatives

Speaker Julie Menin discusses the Council's Climate Week celebration, water quality testing law, and the Generative Canopy Project to map trees and address extreme heat in Hunts Point, East New York, Corona, and Elmhurst.

0:11:49 1 min 13 sec

Speaker Menin discusses Fair Fares expansion and Intro 248

Speaker Menin announces the largest Fair Fares expansion, making nearly 1.3 million New Yorkers eligible, and highlights Council Member Crystal Hudson's bill to streamline enrollment.

0:13:02 30 sec

Speaker Menin discusses J-51 tax abatement extension

Speaker Menin highlights Council Member Pierina Sanchez's bill to extend the J-51 tax abatement for co-ops, condos, and rental buildings, benefiting up to 300,000 units and aiding retrofits.

0:13:32 1 min 2 sec

Speaker Menin announces $25 million for Bellevue Hospital psychiatric expansion

Speaker Menin announces over $25 million allocated to Bellevue Hospital to modernize and expand its adult psychiatric department, adding about 40 inpatient beds.

0:14:34 21 sec

Speaker Menin recognizes National Opioid Awareness Day and World Heart Day

Speaker Menin notes National Opioid Awareness Day and World Heart Day, urging New Yorkers to talk to doctors and check the World Heart Federation website.

0:14:55 20 sec

Speaker Menin recognizes student artists in rotunda

Speaker Menin thanks the New York City Arts and Education Roundtable and six student artists whose work is displayed in the rotunda.

0:15:15 43 sec

Speaker Menin welcomes Iota Phi Theta fraternity

Speaker Menin recognizes brothers from Iota Phi Theta fraternity, founded in 1963, and thanks them for their presence and values of scholarship and leadership.

0:15:58 16 sec

Speaker Menin celebrates birthdays of Council Members Louis and Banks

Speaker Menin wishes happy birthday to Council Member Farah Louis, celebrating tomorrow, and Council Member Chris Banks, celebrating on the 30th.

0:16:13 17 sec

Speaker Menin wishes Jewish New Yorkers a happy Sukkot

Speaker Menin notes Sukkot begins at sundown tomorrow and wishes all Jewish New Yorkers observing a Chag Sameach.

0:16:30 1 min 3 sec

Speaker Menin outlines land use items for vote

Speaker Menin lists land use items: 815 Hutchinson River Parkway rezoning, 862-868 Kent Avenue rezoning, disapproval of Cali Tejadas Bakery sidewalk cafe, and Intro 833 on Eastern Parkway restrictions.

0:17:33 12 sec

Speaker Menin outlines finance transparency resolution

Speaker Menin notes a transparency resolution approving new designations and changes to organizations receiving expense budget funding.

0:17:45 1 min 2 sec

Speaker Menin outlines resolutions on Korean Cultural Awareness, Black Pride, and African Immigrant Heritage

Speaker Menin describes Resolution 184 declaring Korean Cultural Awareness Day, Resolution 606 declaring Black Pride Month, and Resolution 607 declaring African Immigrant Heritage Month.

0:18:47 1 min 35 sec

Speaker Menin outlines introductions on fatherhood, J-51, commissary, and Fair Fares

Speaker Menin describes Intro 142-A for a Center for Fatherhood Initiatives, Intro 1015A extending J-51, Intro 246A on commissary funds, and Intro 248-A on Fair Fares enrollment.

0:20:22 10 sec

Majority Leader Abreu moves to discussion of general orders

Abreu thanks Speaker Menin and announces discussion of general orders, beginning with Council Member Pierina Sanchez, followed by Crystal Hudson.

0:20:33 2 min 8 sec

Council Member Pierina Sanchez speaks on J-51 tax abatement extension

Pierina Sanchez discusses the housing and climate crises, the need to retrofit aging buildings, and the changes to the J-51 program extending it through 2036 and increasing cost recovery to 100%.

0:22:41 1 min 36 sec

Council Member Hudson speaks on Intro 246 and Intro 248

Crystal Hudson explains her bills to streamline Fair Fares enrollment and require the Department of Correction to return commissary funds to people leaving custody, emphasizing government accessibility.

0:24:17 9 sec

No further general orders speakers; proceed to committee reports

Majority Leader Abreu thanks Hudson, notes no one else signed up for general orders, and moves to reports of special and standing committees.

0:24:26 33 sec

Committee Reports: Criminal Justice, Finance, General Welfare, and Housing

The clerk reads reports from the Committees on Criminal Justice (Intro 246A), Finance (Reso 652), General Welfare (Intro 248A), and Housing and Buildings (Intro 1015A), each amended or coupled on general orders.

0:24:59 40 sec

Land Use Committee Reports: Eastern Parkway, Hutchinson River Parkway, Kent Avenue, and Others

The clerk reads Land Use reports: Intro 833A on Eastern Parkway, LU 120/Reso 659 on 815 Hutchinson River Parkway, LU 121/Reso 660 and LU 122/Reso 661 on 862-868 Kent Avenue, LU 123-128 approved with modifications, and LU 141/Reso 662 on Cali Tejadas Bakery motion to disapprove.

0:25:39 7 sec

Speaker Menin calls for roll call vote on general orders calendar

Speaker Menin asks the clerk to take a roll call vote on all items coupled on today's general orders calendar.

0:25:46 13 sec

ROLL CALL

Roll Call Vote on General Orders Calendar Begins

The clerk begins the roll call vote, with initial votes from Aldebar, Ariola, Aviles, Banks, and Brewer.

0:25:59 29 sec

Council Member Brooks-Powers explains vote on Fair Fares and commissary bills

Selvena Brooks-Powers congratulates Council Member Hudson on her two bills streamlining Fair Fares access and returning funds to those leaving custody, and votes aye on all.

0:26:28 58 sec

Council Member Dinowitz explains vote on transparency resolution and Journalism for All

Eric Dinowitz highlights the new Journalism for All initiative in the transparency resolution, thanks the coalition, and votes aye on all.

0:27:26 18 sec

Council Member Brooks-Powers discloses family ties to Department of Education

Selvena Brooks-Powers discloses that her family is associated with the Department of Education, which is funded in the transparency resolution.

0:27:43 1 min 8 sec

Council Member Morano discloses son in DOE and votes aye on all

After a stretch of name-only votes, Frank Morano discloses that his son, a kindergartener, is associated with the Department of Education, and votes aye on all.

0:28:51 29 sec

Council Member Paladino votes aye on all except Resolution 606

After name-only votes for Narcisse through Palladino, Vickie Paladino votes aye on all except Resolution 606, on which she votes no.

0:29:20 15 sec

Council Member Riley discloses children in DOE and votes aye on all

Kevin Riley discloses that his children are scholars in the Department of Education and votes aye on all.

0:29:35 9 sec

Council Member Salaam discloses YMCA association and votes aye on all

Yusef Salaam discloses that his family is associated with the YMCA and votes aye on all.

0:29:44 11 sec

Council Member Pierina Sanchez discloses sibling at CUNY and votes aye on all

Pierina Sanchez discloses that her sibling is associated with CUNY and votes aye on all.

0:29:54 30 sec

Council Member (One) discloses child in DOE and votes aye on all

After name-only votes for Santos Suoso through One, a Council member discloses that their child is a student at the Department of Education and votes aye on all.

0:30:24 12 sec

Council Members Wang and Zhuang vote yes and no, disclose children in public school

Council Members Wang and Zhuang vote yes and no on the items and disclose that their children attend public school.

0:30:36 3 sec

Council Member Carr discloses JCC Staten Island association and votes aye on all

David Carr discloses that the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island is funded in the transparency resolution and that he is associated with that entity, voting aye on all.

0:30:39 20 sec

Council Member Farah Louis discloses brother at MTA and Parks Department association

After Abraayu votes aye, Farah Louis discloses that her brother works for the MTA and she is associated with the Parks Department.

0:30:58 8 sec

Speaker Menin discloses daughter at Asphalt Green and votes aye on all

Speaker Julie Menin discloses that her daughter participates in a program at Asphalt Green and votes aye on all.

0:31:07 22 sec

VOTE OUTCOME

General Orders Calendar adopted 46-0-0

Majority Leader Abreu announces that all items on today's general orders calendar are adopted by a vote of 46 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative, and 0 abstentions.

0:31:28 18 sec

Introduction and reading of bills; all bills referred to committee

Abreu moves to introduction and reading of bills; Speaker Menin states all bills have been referred to committee as indicated on the agenda.

0:31:46 54 sec

Council Member Farías speaks on Resolution 184 for Korean Cultural Awareness Day

Amanda Farías speaks in support of her resolution declaring October 3rd as Korean Cultural Awareness Day, honoring Korea's National Foundation Day and the city's Korean community.

0:32:41 1 min 12 sec

Council Member Riley speaks on Resolution 142A for Center for Fatherhood Initiatives

Kevin Riley speaks on his resolution supporting a statewide Center for Fatherhood Initiatives, emphasizing support for fathers facing barriers, including young, non-custodial, and reentry fathers.

0:33:52 1 min 19 sec

Council Member Stevens speaks on Resolutions 606 and 607

Althea Stevens speaks in support of Resolution 606 declaring August as Black Pride Month and Resolution 607 declaring September as African Immigrant Heritage Month, highlighting Bronx connections and contributions.

0:35:11 20 sec

Majority Leader Abreu proceeds to voice votes on resolutions

Abreu notes no one else signed up, instructs members to notify the Legislative Documents Unit for any no votes or abstentions, and reads the resolutions into the record.

0:35:31 20 sec

Voice Vote on Resolution 142A: Center for Fatherhood Initiatives

Abreu reads Resolution 142A calling on the state to establish a Center for Fatherhood Initiatives; the ayes have it.

0:35:51 24 sec

Voice Vote on Resolution 184: Korean Cultural Awareness Day

Abreu reads Resolution 184 declaring October 3rd as Korean Cultural Awareness Day; the ayes have it.

0:36:15 26 sec

Voice Vote on Resolution 606: Black Pride Month

Abreu reads Resolution 606 declaring August as Black Pride Month; the ayes have it.

0:36:41 20 sec

Voice Vote on Resolution 607: African Immigrant Heritage Month

Abreu reads Resolution 607 declaring September as African Immigrant Heritage Month; the ayes have it.

0:37:00 11 sec

General Discussion begins; 15 members signed up

Abreu moves into general discussion, reminds members of the two-minute limit, and notes 15 members have signed up.

0:37:11 1 min 8 sec

Council Member Hanif speaks on Netanyahu visit and Gaza

Shahana Hanif describes joining civil disobedience against Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit, calls for an end to U.S. arms shipments to Israel, and argues local issues like food assistance and housing are connected to war spending.

0:38:19 1 min 52 sec

Council Member Shulman introduces Intro 1094 on Legionnaires' disease reporting

Lynn Schulman introduces Intro 1094 to lower the Legionella reporting threshold from 1,000 to 10 colony-forming units per milliliter, citing recent outbreaks and Canada's standard.

0:40:11 1 min 36 sec

Council Member Thomas-Henry calls on FIFA to honor World Cup legacy contribution

Shanel Thomas-Henry discusses New York hosting the World Cup, asks what happened to FIFA's promised $1 million legacy contribution, and introduces Resolution 655 urging FIFA to deliver it.

0:41:48 2 min 2 sec

Council Member Banks introduces bill to expand SCRIE and DRIE outreach

Chris Banks introduces Bill 1072 to expand outreach for the rent increase exemption programs SCRIE and DRIE, add the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, and require annual training and reporting.

0:43:50 1 min 47 sec

Council Member Farías introduces four bills on consent, survivor hotline, and Hindu American month

Amanda Farías introduces Resolution 647 for Consent Awareness Week, Resolution 648 on defining consent in state law, Intro 1079 on the survivor hotline, and Resolution 646 declaring Hindu American Awareness Month.

0:45:36 2 min

Council Member Wilson introduces PET Act for veterinary price transparency

Carl Wilson introduces the Pricing, Equity, and Transparency (PET) Act to require veterinary practices to disclose standard charges, provide estimates, and create a public website of average prices.

0:47:36 1 min 36 sec

Council Member Morano introduces Intro 1089 for 9/11 first responders office

Frank Morano introduces Intro 1089 to create an Office of Assistance for 9/11 First Responders and Survivors, arguing they shouldn't have to navigate bureaucracy alone.

0:49:13 2 min 12 sec

Council Member Brewer introduces Intro 1073 for supplemental tree planting

Gale Brewer introduces Intro 1073 to restore a supplemental pathway for Council-funded tree planting, citing the city's nine-year rotation and her $500,000 allocation for trees.

0:51:24 1 min 24 sec

Council Member Santosuosso introduces Intro 1058 on commercial eviction legal fees

Kayla Santosuosso introduces Intro 1058 to allow commercial tenants to recover legal fees if they successfully fight an eviction, leveling the playing field with landlords.

0:52:48 1 min 19 sec

Council Member Zhuang recognizes Mid-Autumn Festival

Susan Zhuang speaks about the Mid-Autumn Festival, sharing her immigrant experience and the traditions of mooncakes and family reunion, and wishes everyone a happy festival.

0:54:07 1 min 52 sec

Council Member Hankerson speaks on Climate Week and equitable tree canopy

Ty Hankerson discusses Climate Week, the importance of trees and parks for cooling and stormwater management, and the disproportionate heat impacts on Black and brown communities.

0:55:59 2 min 14 sec

Council Member Narcisse introduces Intro 1091 on homeowner violation notifications

Mercedes Narcisse introduces Intro 1091 to require the Department of Buildings to notify homeowners when violations may result in a tax lien, protecting against loss of homes.

0:58:14 1 min 16 sec

Council Member Maloney introduces bill on sexual assault prevention at large events

Virginia Maloney introduces legislation requiring large events to designate trained personnel and trauma-informed protocols for sexual harassment and assault prevention and response.

0:59:29 1 min 39 sec

Council Member Marte introduces Intro 1070 for delivery worker sick time

Christopher Marte introduces Intro 1070 to provide contracted delivery workers unpaid safe and sick time without risk of punishment, building on previous delivery worker protections.

1:01:08 1 min 45 sec

Council Member Louis introduces bills to strengthen Alternative Enforcement Program

Farah Louis introduces Intro 1086 to expand the Alternative Enforcement Program to at least 400 distressed buildings yearly and Intro 1085 to increase fees for inspections and uncorrected violations.

1:02:54 2 min 9 sec

Council Member Dinowitz responds to genocide claims and defends Israel

Eric Dinowitz responds to earlier comments, disputing claims of genocide, arguing the term is used before and after military action, and defending Israel against what he calls demonizing language.

1:05:03 22 sec