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New York City Council
Increasing the maximum income level qualifying for exemption from rent increases granted to certain senior citizens and persons with disabilities and adjusting the income requirements related thereto
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Council staff welcomes attendees to the New York City Council Committee on Finance vote and asks everyone to silence electronic devices. Staff tells the chair she may begin.
Council Member Linda Lee identifies herself as Chair of the Committee on Finance. She reads the committee members present, including Majority Leader Abreu, Morano, Marte, Narcisse, Sanchez, Hudson, Aldebol, Brooks-Powers, Wong, and Gennaro.
Chair Lee says the committee will consider and vote on several items. She introduces Proposed Introduction 978-B, sponsored by Council Member Farrah Lewis, to raise the income limit for exemptions from rent increases for certain seniors and people with disabilities.
Chair Lee introduces a transparency resolution sponsored by herself. It would approve new designations and changes in designations of organizations receiving funding in the expense budget.
Chair Lee describes five preconsidered resolutions sponsored by herself. They would approve Department of Housing Preservation and Development requests for real property tax exemptions under Article 11, including 300 West 17th Street, MHANY Cluster, and Albans HDFC.
Chair Lee introduces Proposed Resolution 666. It would schedule a November 19, 2026 public hearing on legislation to authorize budget increases for eight business improvement districts, including 34th Street, 82nd Street, East Mid-Manhattan, Myrtle Avenue, Bay Ridge 5th Avenue, Southern Boulevard, Greater JFK, and West Village.
Chair Lee asks whether any colleagues want to share remarks on the agenda. She then recognizes Council Member Justin Sanchez.
Council Member Sanchez says the T2026-2688 tax exemption would fund repairs at 917 Eagle Avenue, a five-story walk-up with 123 recorded violations including 41 Class C violations. He describes additional serious violations across 14 Manny properties in his district, including rats, lead, roof issues, lack of heat or hot water, mold, and exposed electrical wires.
Sanchez argues the violations are not just spreadsheet numbers but daily living conditions for families. He says the city cannot hand out tax exemptions without accountability and calls for developers and property managers to provide safe, stable, dignified homes after tenants move in.
Sanchez acknowledges the MHANY cluster extends beyond his district but announces he will abstain on T2026-2688. He says Manny provided a plan and timeline, but residents deserve independently verified repairs and lasting solutions.
After an apparent interruption, staff and Chair Lee clarify that the committee is not yet voting. Chair Lee apologizes for the confusion.
Chair Lee notes that Council Members Ressler, Felice, and Felder have joined. She asks again for any comments or remarks and then calls the vote.
Committee Clerk Ben Jacobs begins the roll call vote for the Committee on Finance. The roll call covers all items before the committee.
The clerk calls Chair Lee, who votes aye on all, and Council Member Gennaro, who also votes aye. The clerk then calls Council Member Brooks-Powers.
Council Member Brooks-Powers asks permission to explain her vote. She discloses that the committee is moving funds with the Department of Education and that she has a family member associated with that entity, then votes aye.
The clerk continues the roll call through Council Members Felice, Rao, Velas, Hudson, Marte, Mealy, Narcisse, Ressler, Williams, and Aldebol. Aye votes are recorded for those called.
The clerk calls Council Member Maloney and then Council Member Sanchez. Sanchez votes aye on all items except T2026-2688, for which he abstains, along with any accompanying resolutions.
The clerk calls Council Member Wong. Wong votes aye on all items.
The clerk calls Council Member Morano. Morano votes aye on all items except the transparency resolution, on which he votes no.
The clerk reports that all items except the MHANY cluster land use item and the transparency resolution passed 13-0. The transparency resolution passed 12-1 with no abstentions, and the MHANY cluster item passed 12-0 with one abstention; the items are adopted.
Chair Lee thanks the committee. She declares that the Finance Committee vote is concluded.