2026-10-14 - Common Council Caucus

Summary

Built from the official caucus minutes; no agenda was posted for the caucus itself.

Convened 5:34 PM and called to order by President Pro Tempore Farrell; adjourned 6:26 PM on her motion, without objection. Livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.
Present: Anane, Brodie, Farrell, Hoey, Johnson, Jones, Keegan, Lumpkin, Powell, Robinson and Williamson; Balarin and Adams arrived later. President Kimbrough was also present.
Farrell previewed the October 19 regular meeting agenda and reported on a recent meeting of City leadership. The main topics were the FY2027 budget and the stalled violence prevention ordinance. No votes were taken other than adjournment. Staff present: Robert Wenner, Carly Johnson (who recorded the minutes) and Martha Mahoney.

Farrell said a change in the Enterprise Resource Planning system had delayed the budget process, and the Administration had contacted State partners about sales tax.
A sales tax change (see Sales Tax Increase) needs a home rule message from the State legislature, which Farrell said would not come until 2027. Asked by Robinson, she said there would be no separate vote like the tax cap override; it would be voted as part of the whole budget.
Keegan: if members do not want the sales tax, the revenue must be replaced by other revenue or cuts.
Farrell said the "embellishment" fee (as worded in the minutes) could not be targeted to nonprofits, and that a 2013 study pointed to about $500,000 of revenue (see Special Event Costs and Fees). Special event costs are higher because of added safety needs; 911 calls are a significant cost.
Robinson raised concern about unrealistic revenue projections; Keegan said the Finance, Assessment and Taxation Committee shares the concern.
Johnson asked what voting down the budget would achieve given Albany has no contingency budget. Farrell said the Charter has no such provision and that if the tax cap override failed the Mayor would have to amend the budget for the lost revenue.
Balarin: despite disagreements on revenue, members must work together on a balanced budget. Robinson urged members to follow the budget-related committee meetings; Farrell said the committee would ask questions on behalf of members who cannot attend.

Farrell said Ordinance 13.72.26, tied to the Office of Violence Prevention, needs Mayor's Office involvement to move forward. Robinson thanked the Mayor's Office for contacting him about it.
Hoey discussed sentiments about remarks on the ordinance at the previous regular meeting. Farrell said Robinson was expressing frustration at the legislation not moving; Robinson clarified his remarks from the August 11, 2026 Public Safety Committee meeting.
Johnson discussed the purpose of Miscellaneous Business and remarks at the October 5 regular meeting after recent gun violence. Farrell said she appreciated the Public Safety members' passion and hoped it would be used to better the city.

Resolution 113.102.26R: Johnson spoke on it. Resolution 114.102.26R: Keegan asked for the contract; counsel said there had been an oversight and it would be distributed. Resolution 116.102.26R: Williamson spoke on it.
Special event barriers (see Special Event Costs and Fees): Johnson asked about infrastructure changes; Keegan said they were put in place because of increased terrorism acts.