City Council - Regular Meeting

Ready when you are. Okay. Thank you. Good evening everyone and welcome to the organizational meeting of the Troy City Council. Today is January 5th. Uh I'd like to ask you all to join me in the pledge of allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I want to thank you all for joining us tonight for the city council's first meeting of 2026. Tonight marks the start of a new term for the council and one that will bring big changes to city hall. The voters delivered a strong mandate to the city council to restore the balance of power and the fundamental need for checks and balances. I'm honored to serve with my new colleagues Phil Dorenzo, Shicole Struber, Norin McKe, Janna Favro, and Greg Campbell Cohen, along with council member Katie Spain McLaren, who returns for another two-year term. Tonight's agenda establishes the rules of the council for the next two years, but we also welcome new staff members. Before we get to the evening's business, I'd like to recognize two notable anniversaries in the long history of our great city. One that coincides with tonight's meeting and another later this year. On January 5th, 1789, exactly 237 years ago today, a group of settlers gathered in a local tavern along the banks of the Hudson River to select a new name for their little community, then known as Vanderhiden or Ashley's Ferry. The result of that meeting was published in the Albany Gazette, and I'd like to read that to you at this time. To the public this evening, the freeholders of the place late lately known by Vanderhiden's or Ashley's Ferry situate on the east bank of Hudson River about seven miles above Albany met for the purpose of establishing a name for the said place when by a majority of

voices it was confirmed that in the future it should be called and known by the name Troy. From its present improved state and the more pleasing prospect of its popularity arising from the natural advantages in the merkantile line, it may not be too sanguin to expect at not no very distant period to see Troy as famous for her trade and navigation as many of our first towns. 5th January 1789. Tonight, exactly 237 years later, Troy's city council gathers together to begin the business of our city. The decision made by that group of local residents to promote a tiny community's place as a center of commerce and industry along the Hudson River was a consequential one. It was the spark that preceded meteoric growth for Troy, placing us at the heart of Americans industrial revolution as a center of manufacturing, which shaped Troy's physical development, construction of iconic architecture, and layout of our neighborhoods. Troy's early reputation for shipping and industry was what attracted Samuel Wilson to make Troy his home long before he was known as America's Uncle Sam. Many of the buildings that dot our landscape are the direct result of that early growth. We obviously suffered through consequent subsequent decades of disinvestment, near bankruptcy, and urban renewal that made deep cuts into our community's urban landscape, dividing neighborhoods by racial and socioeconomic background.

But our city has persevered in no small part to the passion of the people of our city. The vote in 1789 is also a reminder of our own place in Troy's ongoing history and the potential impact of the decisions we as council members make that will shape the future of Troy. That's why it's so incredibly important we bring our full attention, focus, and our individual perspectives and experiences to the work before us. Later this year, our community will mark the 210th anniversary of Troy's incorporation as a city. 10 years ago, we celebrated Troy's bsentennial, and we look forward to working with the administration to recognize the third century of Troy history and its diverse people, culture, heritage, and events that shaped the last 210 years in our community. To my council colleagues, I look forward to working closely with each of you on issues of all sizes, both big and small, as we make decisions to keep moving Troy forward in the right direction. As I've said, this is a new era for Troy's local government, and we will need the help and assistance of others to ensure we meet our charge as the city's legislative branch. We're incredibly fortunate to welcome new staff tonight who will be essential to ensure the smooth delivery of service to taxpayers and improve communication to the public. Looking back at 2025, I see missed opportunities for collaboration and partnership among Troy's elected officials to make our community a better place. But despite it, I remain hopeful

that the new council and mayor will endeavor to collaborate, cooperate, and compromise. There will be disagreements. There will be bumps in the road. There will be debates over the best path forward for Troy. But I strongly believe by working together, we can ensure our city works for everyone. financial transparency, affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, accelerating lead pipe replacements to protect public health, just to name a few. So again, thank you for being here with us tonight on this monumental night to us. Um, I'd like to now turn it over to my colleagues and invite them to introduce themselves. Council member Dorenzo.

Thank you, Council President. Um, my name is Phil Dorenzo. I'm honored to be introducing myself to everyone as the District 1 uh city council member. Um I just wanted to do give a little bit of background on myself. Um I am an auditor for my day job. Um and I'm really hoping to bring those skills uh to the city and hopefully use them to benefit the city in any way possible. Um, in my free time up until now, I did a lot of volunteering um, in Lancingburg at the Nickerbacher Park. And so I hope to uh, you know, I hope to use the community service that I have and the skills that I have in auditing to benefit the city. Um, really looking forward to serving everyone. I want to pride myself on being an accessible and active member uh, of the city council. Um, so, uh, in terms of reaching me, um, if everyone if anyone needs to reach me, you can find my information on my website, which is philfory.com. Um, there's also, uh, phone and email contact information on the city's website on the city council page. Um, and on top of that, I plan to attend, uh, the monthly meetings uh for the Lancingberg Neighborhood Association. Um, so if you're looking for me, you can find me there. And um with that, I'll turn it over to Shakle.

Council member Struber. My name is Shaqu Struber. I'm going to speak right into the mic.

My name is Shakle Struber. Proud to be representing District 2 for the next couple of years. I am in cyber security for my day job. Uh community builder outside of my day job. So that leads very well into city council representation. Um, I wanted to get involved because District 2 has been struggling and I really want to bring it up to what I know its potential can be. Um, reaching me like Phil mentioned, uh, contact information on my campaign website, shakalfory.com. All information on the city's website as well. I will also be at the Lancingberg Neighborhood Association meeting meetings. Uh they are the second Tuesday of every month starting at 7 PM at the Lancingberg Boys and Girls Club and I'm going to be doing monthly office hours as well. The first one going to be on the 24th of January at the Kate Malini House.

Nice one. Council member McLaren.

Hi, I am Katie Spain McLaren. Um proud uh to represent district three of the city council. Um, I was reelected uh this time, so I'm starting my second term. Um, I teach in Troy. Um, I'm actually a lifelong resident, not just of Troy, but actually of District Three. Um, whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, um, is up for, uh, debate, I suppose. Um but uh I love district 3 and um will look forward to meeting with people. My information is also on the city council page. Um my phone number and website and uh I feel like I'm very accessible. Um not not hard to reach and very responsive um when people try to get in touch with me. Um I too will be holding office hours um which will be announced um through socials and in my newsletter um which will be coming out soon. Thank you.

Council member McKe. Thank you. I'm Dorine McKe. I'm honored to I think that's um

Can you hear me? How's this? Yeah, better.

Technical difficulties. Um I'm Narin McKe and I'm honored to represent district 4 on the city council. I uh come to the council with a strong background in finance and accounting. Um I also had 25 years experience in the investment management business. Retired um as the chief financial officer for an investment firm in New York City. I've lived in Troy, downtown Troy, uh for 14 years. Um this is my home. This is where my grandchildren live. And um this is where I hope to make a difference uh and provide uh bring my skills to make life better for all the citizens in Troy. And um um you can reach me um on my campaign uh website mck fortroy.com and I also have um uh contact information on the city's uh uh website. Um, I too will be having office hours. Um, and that will be announced soon in my newsletter. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Favro.

Hi there. My name is Janna Favro. Feel like I'm leaning into this here. Um, my family and I live up on the east east side behind Emma Willard. We've I've been in Troy for over 20 years now. My day job, I'm the manager of administration and finance for the upper Hudson Library System. So, I'm basically a consultant for the 36 public libraries in Albany and Winsler County. I have an extensive background in finance with my MBA and I also was a small business owner here in Troy for 5 years before selling our business in 2016. So, a lot of the Troy gear that you wear um we designed that. That's pretty cool to see that people are still loving that. The Troy pride is pretty strong. But echoing what a lot of my colleagues have said, I too will be hosting office hours will be very reachable via email cell phone number which is on my website jonna the number4 uh troygmail.com or excuse me that's my website for troy uh.com but of course it's on the website as well but really looking forward to this.

Council member Gamble Cohen. Thank you, Council President. Uh my name is Greg Campbell Cohen, and I'm privileged to represent District 6, which is South Troy, Hillsview Heights, Stow Avenue, um Burden Avenue, and a few other far-flung places, but those are the big ones. Um, uh, I now work as a grants writer, but previously spent a long time working as a policy expert dealing with housing and environmental health issues, including lead paint and lead pipes, uh, which has been a big part of the journey that brings me to the other side of this table here today. Um, uh, my career is, uh, entirely focused on serving the public interest and, uh, doing that in in collaboration with the public. Uh and I invite everybody in the district to reach out and be a part of that process. Um you know it's uh tough to make decisions on behalf of the public if uh if you don't know what they're thinking and um I don't want to end up on the wrong side of that. So please do reach out um use the contact information on the website and uh like everybody else I will also be having a newsletter and office hours um that'll be available online shortly. Thank you. Thank you all. Um, just a housekeeping uh item. We have an audience beyond the room. So, we need to be mindful that we are speaking into our mics at all times. So, um, make it comfortable for you. But, um, that's I think it also helps the those here in the audience to hear better. So, at any rate, um I want to thank you all for that introduction and I would ask the clerk to please read the role.

Council member Dorenzo, present. Council member Stuber, present. Council member Spay McLaren, present. Council member McKe, present. Council member Fabro, present. Council member Campbell Cohen, present. Council President Steel, present. All are present.

Thank you. Uh this evening's agenda includes ordinances and resolutions. Um I'm going to divert a little bit from what is printed and um offer a public forum. If anyone has any comments on the agenda that's at the back of the room, uh we would welcome you to come forward and speak on any agenda item. Um at this time seeing none, we'll move along. Um we have one ordinance. Ordinance one.

No. Ordinance one. An ordinance fix fixing the form and amount on of the bond covering the city clerk, city fiscal officers, and department heads as required by sections C-7 and C-46 of the city charter. Council President Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member McLaren with a second by council member Strer. Discussion on the ordinance. All in favor? I opposed. Seven I zero nos. Ordinance one passes.

At this time I would make a motion to reconsider resolution 122 2025. I'll second that. This is a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into contracts for vehicle towing and storage. Uh on the motion to reconsider. All in favor? I I I on the uh reconsidered resolution.

Uh Council President, I'd like to make a motion that we uh make an amendment to the motion to the resolution that was passed um resolution 122. And that amendment would be to that amendment would be to go back to revert back to the original resolution that was presented at the agenda that night. Okay. So this would be amendment to remove the amendment. Right. Is there a second to that?

I will second that. So we have a and just for the public's edification uh reconsideration is when we have acted upon a resolution um we at the next meeting any council member who voted for it may bring it forward again to reconsider. So council member Spain McLaren and myself were present on the 30th when this was adopted. So we are the only two who can move or second. The action can be voted on by the rest of the the full body though. So, we have a motion on the floor to amend uh the resolution 122. And what it essentially does is remove the amendment that was made on the 30th and goes back to the original uh resolution as was presented to the council. Is everyone clear on that amendment?

All in favor of the amendment? I opposed. The amendment is adopted. 700 moves. Right. Resolution 122 passes. No, we need to we need to act on the resolution, the new resolution as amended. Okay. Which is the way it was before. Yeah. Okay. Hang on. We we did the amendment. Now we're on the resolution. Okay. All in favor? I I opposed. Seven I zero knows. Resolution 122 fully passes.

Okay. Thank you very much for that. Uh now we're moving on to resolution one. Resolution one. Resolution adopting rules of order for the Troy City Council pursuant to Cse section 18 and C section 22 of the Troy City Charter. Council President Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member McKe with a second by council member McLaren. Discussion on the resolution. All in favor? I I opposed. 7 I zero nos. Resolution one passes. Resolution two. Resolution two. Resolution setting the dates of the regular monthly meetings of the Troy City Council. Council President Steel. Is there a motion?

Motion. Council member Favro with a second by second. Second. Council member McLaren,

we have a motion. The resolution has been moved and seconded. Uh, is there discussion on the resolution? All in favor? I opposed. 7 I zero nos. Resolution two passes. Mayor apologize. Thank you. Council presenting council Um, quickly I tried to uh come up here for resolution one. I just um was wondering if you could walk me through the rules. I compared the new to old and I know we had talked about Yeah, I'm not sure if it's working. Johnm

no. Let me see. here. K just use this. Uh just quickly I just want to make sure that I understand we understand the administration the process for drafting etc. So, I compared the rules from the prior two years um to the new rules and I I did notice um one major thing I guess I'll hit this first that I saw taken out was the fiscal impact will um legislation that has to do with finance or fiscal impact not go to the finance committee because that language is pulled out of the new

that language is in the charter. So that's that's a given. Um I just found Yeah, but you still have to put it in the rules because there's a $5,000 amount if something's over $5,000 and it has to do, you know, with Could we work this out? Uh sidebar, I mean, is this Well, you're passing the rules. has them. I I know. Well, I I do also just for us have to understand the process and I'd be happy to work walk through them with you. Okay. Can you do that? Absolutely. Cool.

Yep. Um, you know, the first thing what I saw in the language council president is that two weeks prior to the regular council meeting, the legislation has to be approved by a committee to then go to committee meeting. And that's the exact language that was in the previous rules. No, the the prior um I'll show you the prior actually was all legislation

drafted at the request of the corporation council be referred to the president at least one week before the next. Now you have language in there that states at least two weeks prior we have to get the legislation to the council and then the council would schedule a standing committee and I guess just my question if you think about like look maybe at March so say the first Thursday of March there's four weeks in that month the first Thursday is the meeting what we are going to have to do internally because don't forget a lot of the legislation has to be worked on behind the scenes etc. And so we will send it to the corporation council normally a week before the meeting. So then it gets to the council a week before the finance meeting. So now you're pushing it up two weeks. So we'll essentially only have a week to work on legislation. So, picture the first week, that's your regular meeting. Second week, nothing. Third week, we'll have to get the legislation to you, which basically means you're giving us one week to work on legislation. And staff, remember, this comes from staff, not just obviously the

we'll work we'll certainly work with you, but I think it was intentional. Um, things have been coming to the council in the last two years, last minute. And we are intentionally trying to slow that down and and make it more uh transparent one thing, but uh primarily to allow the council appropriate time to study the the legislation. So um I think that I think it's going to work fine just the way it is.

I I get that. But at the same time, I was on the council. You and I were on the council with the same rules prior. There were no problems back then. But the reason I'm asking is is your intention to have meetings two weeks prior to the regular meeting and then I I I guess I want to see how that flows. We discussed this in our private meetings, but you had never said that that we would we would have the we would hold the as has been the practice on Thursday, the two weeks after the regular meeting.

Well, it's three weeks. Now you're pushing in two weeks. That's my only question. The finance meeting is three weeks after the regular meeting. So, it's two weeks before the regular meeting, but it's a set meeting. In this legislation, you're stating that you're scheduling the meeting two weeks prior. It says it right here, at least two weeks prior to the regular council meeting, that it has to be received two weeks prior and by the approval by majority vote of the standing committee. And then by majority vote, the standing committee will then schedule a meeting. So I'm not sure.

No. Well, I you know what I'm saying? Like if we get it to you two weeks prior, we'll be meeting a week prior to the regular meeting, the first. And so what's the way we're doing it now? Um the the third Thursday of every month we have a finance committee meeting as we discussed that would be the committee meeting night. So when you won't vote that night it'll just be a standing committee. I guess that's what I'm trying to understand. We're trying to involve the committees more. I love that.

And and um this will accomplish that. Mhm. Um it really follows the calendar as we have done for years. So you'll have SAP meetings. This is my only question on that Thursday. On that Thursday on that Thursday. Okay. That was not Yeah, we discussed that in our private meetings, but we never got that like making the sausage that detailed as you know. So I thought we had essentially we didn't we sorry for any misunderstanding. So you'll have standing committees two weeks prior to the council meetings. You'll have the same night as the finance meeting.

So you'll have So will you say it's a a planning issue? Will you put it into planning and then go right into finance that same night? We will it's going to be case by case, mayor. We'll see how it how it goes. Um, I would think that yes, it would it would go to planning and then or they could keep progress moving. Well, and that's that's our intent as well and thank you for perusing them.

Well, I appreciate that, but I still don't quite understand how it's going to work, but we'll work as we go along. I don't really think that's super transparent, but we'll figure it out. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you. Okay, we're moving on to resolution three. Resolution three. Resolution selecting Katie Spay McLaren as president prom of the Troy City Council and setting the amount of compensation to be paid to the president prom in addition to her regular annual salary as a council member. Council President Steel. Is there a motion?

Motion. Second member Struber with a second by council member Dorenzo. Discussion. All in favor? I opposed. Seven I zero no nos. Resolution three passes. I just want to say welcome aboard. Prom. Looking forward to this working together. Happy to help. Uh resolution four. Resolution four. Resolution appointing Addie K. Thompson as city clerk and setting the annual salary of the city clerk. Council President Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member McKe. Second. Second. Council member Campbell Cohen. Discussion. All in favor? I.

Opposed. Seven. I zero nos. Resolution four passes. Welcome aboard, Addie. Maria. Thank you. Yes. Thank you, Maria. Thank you. Resolution five. Resolution five, resolution approving and confirming the city clerk's appointment of Nathaniel Haynes as deputy city clerk and setting the annual salary of the deputy city clerk council president's steel. Is there a motion? Motion.

Oh well, I'm going to give it to council member Favro with a second by council member McLaren. Discussion on the resolution. All in favor? Opposed? Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution five passes.

And Nathaniel, would you stand up so we can recognize you, please? Welcome aboard. Resolution six. Resolution six, resolution approving and confirming the city clerk's appointment of Cheryl Christensen as part-time assistants to the city clerk and setting the annual salary of part-time assistant to the city clerk. Council president Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Second. Council member Stuber with a second by council member Dorenzo. Discussion. All in favor?

Opposed? Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution six passes. Cheryl, you want to stand and be greeted? Welcome aboard. Resolution seven. Resolution seven. Resolution approving and confirming the city clerk's appointment of Michael Greg as part-time assistant to the city clerk and setting the annual salary of the part-time assistant to the city clerk. Council president's deal. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member McLaren. Second. Second. Council member McKe. Discussion. All in favor? I.

Opposed. Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution seven passes. Michael, please stand so we can welcome you.

Resolution eight. Resolution eight. Resolution appointing Jeffrey Nich as city auditor and setting the annual salary of the city auditor. Council president's steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member Campbell Cohen. Second. Second. Council member Favro. Discussion. All in favor? I opposed. Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution eight passes. Jeff, welcome back. Resolution nine.

Resolution nine. Resolution appointing Anasha Cummings as legislative assistant to the council and setting the annual salary of the legislative assistant to the council. Council President Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member McKe. Second. Second. Council member Struber. Discussion. All in favor? I. Opposed. Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution nine passes. Anasha, welcome back in another role.

Resolution 10. Resolution 10. Resolution appointing Jessica Camaro, Jamie Mcgher, and John Ashley to serve as city marshals for the city of Troy. Council President's Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member Dorenzo. Is there a second? Second. Oh, we have a tie on that one. Okay, we'll go with Council Member Stubber. Discussion on the resolution. Council President. Council member Stur. Motion to amend the resolution to fix the name of the first marshall removing Camaro and inserting Karco. C A L A R C O

correct. Uh and that would be in the title of the index as well as the resolution. So we have a motion to amend. Is there a second? Second. Motion was made by council member Stuber, seconded by council member McLaren. Everyone is clear on the resolution. All in favor? I I opposed. That's on the amendment. Now on the amended resolution. Motion. Motion.

I I think we're good. We did that. Yeah. Okay. Um any discussion on the amended resolution? All in favor? Opposed? Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution 10 passes and that's 10 as amended. 10 as amended. Right. Uh resolution 11. Resolution 11, resolution appointing Ian Silverman as legislative counsel to the Troy City Council and setting the annual salary of the legislative council. Council President Steel.

Um at this time I would move to uh table that resolution. Uh at this time we uh need to have it go through civil service even though it's in the charter. Uh so I would move that we table. Second. It's been made by council president and seconded by council member McLaren. Discussion on the table. All in favor? I opposed. It's been tabled. Resolution 12. You're doing fine.

Resolution setting the amount of compensation to be paid to the president of the city council in addition to her regular annual salary as a council member. Council President Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member McLaren. Second. Second. Seconded by council member McKe. Discussion. All in favor? I opposed. Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution 12 passes. Resolution 13. Resolution 13. Resolution appointing members of the standing committees of the Troy City Council. Council President Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member McLaren with a second by Council Member McKe. Discussion.

All in favor? I opposed. Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution 13 passes. Resolution 14. Resolution 14. Resolution designating the record as the official newspaper of the city of Troy. Council President Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member McLaren. Second. Second. Council member Campbell Cohen. Discussion. All in favor? I I opposed. Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution 14 passes. Resolution 15.

Resolution 15. Resolution designating Pioneer Commercial Bank as the official depository of the city of Troy. Council President Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member Struber. Second. Seconded by Council Member Dorenzo. Discussion. All in favor? I. Opposed. Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution 15 passes. Resolution 16. Resolution 16. Resolution confirming appointments to the Troy Industrial Development Authority. Council President Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member Stuber. Second. Second.

Council member McKe. Seconds. Discussion. All in favor. I opposed. Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution 16 passes. And resolution 17. Resolution 17. Resolution approving appointment of Norin McKe to the Troy Local Development Corporation. Council President Steel. Is there a motion? Motion. Council member McLaren. Second. Second. Council member Favro. Discussion. All in favor? Opposed.

Seven eyes, zero nos. Resolution 17 passes. Thank you. At this time, is there anyone who wishes to address the council on any item? Does not necessarily have to be an agenda item. It doesn't work.

It's not a good mic night. Thank you. Good evening, council members. I just wanted to thank you all for the professional Frankie. I know I'm sorry. Some of us some of us may not know who you are, so please give your name and please.

I apologize. I'm Frankie from Troy. Um, and I just wanted to thank you all for the professional and respectful way you conducted business this evening. It's a refreshing change to have a collaborative council interested in prioritizing effectiveness and productivity. I and many others in Troy welcome this new way of operating and we look forward to many more constructive sessions over the next two years. Thanks so much. Thank you.

Thank you, Frankie. Uh, hi. I'm Francis uh from South Troy and I echo Frankie's uh analysis of this meeting. This was so quick, so lovely. Um, and I also wanted to say I do support the resolution that um, breaks things up into committees more and doesn't rush through all the legislation. I think that is something that we definitely need in this city. Instead of stacking everything together to push it past, we actually think about it would be lovely. Thank you.

Thank you, Francis.

Does anyone else wish to address the council on any item? Seeing none, um I'll close the public forum. I would want to share with the public um as we adopted tonight our monthly meetings. The charter calls for the council to have a monthly meeting. Uh so we will be having a meeting on Thursday. At this point there's no legislation to be considered. So I would uh invite any community group, any individual to come and speak to us about their priorities for this term. We we have some new members. We'd like to get better acquainted with community groups. Um and we'd like to know what you're looking for in the coming months, weeks, years. So, um, I welcome anyone Thursday at 7 o'clock. Any other announcements from anyone? Seeing none, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn.

Motion. Council member Stuber. Second with a second by Council Member McLaren. All in favor? I opposed. We're adjourned.