City Council seeks probe into NYPD brass' 'intimidating and dangerous' social media activity * Brooklyn Paper
The City Council has called for an investigation into the use of the NYPD's official social media accounts for publicly criticizing officials and members of the press. [ more ]
Tense City Council hearing sees members slam Mayor Adams' new engagement form | amNewYork
City Council members questioned the need for a new online engagement form, citing it slows down communication with agency heads and adds unnecessary bureaucracy. [ more ]
Richmond leaders may end practice of letting family members join city boards
The Richmond City Council is considering a nepotism ordinance to prevent councilmembers and staff from appointing family and business associates to city positions.
The ordinance would allow current family members on boards to finish their terms but prevent new appointments. [ more ]
City Council launches strategy team' to advance solutions to the migrant crisis | amNewYork
The City Council announced the formation of the New Arrivals Strategy Team to address challenges in handling the influx of migrants in New York City. [ more ]
Speaker Adams again blasts new City Hall meeting form, says she believes it was well intended | amNewYork
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams criticizes new online form for meetings with city agency heads, highlighting its potential hindrance to effective governance. [ more ]
Opinion: Spenger's parking lot deal shows Berkeley has a leadership crisis
The fate of Berkeley's controversial parking lot was resolved in a complex deal involving $1.5 million from the general fund.
The deal raises questions about the City Council's approach to solving critical city issues and the impact on affordable housing and tax revenue. [ more ]
NYC Council Women's Caucus called out for suddenly caring about crime after several women sucker punched: 'Height of hypocrisy'
Members of the City Council's Women's Caucus are being accused of hypocrisy for suddenly caring about crime after being criticized for laws that they voted for which constrained the NYPD.
The Women's Caucus called for an investigation into attacks against women in NYC, but some council members criticized them for not addressing broader crime issues such as penalties for recidivists. [ more ]
A New Plan to Hire Thousands of Workers to Help N.Y.C. Families in Need
Adrienne Adams announced an effort to hire New Yorkers for vacant city jobs to improve services and provide good-paying jobs.
New York City has over 20,000 unfilled municipal jobs causing delays in services for vulnerable residents, despite recent hiring efforts to reduce delays. [ more ]
Mayor Adams Dismisses Council's Override on 2025 Reelection Bid
Mayor Eric Adams loses battle with City Council as they vote to override his vetoes on criminal justice reform bills.
Adams continues to prioritize public safety over his own political career, stating that his focus is on protection and preventing harm to innocent people in New York City. [ more ]
Council appears headed for pause on HealthSouth redevelopment plans - Austin Monitor
City Council leaning towards delaying selection of redevelopment plans for former HealthSouth site due to high interest rates and real estate pipeline.
Presentation included four development scenarios focusing on affordable housing, Capitol View Corridor restrictions, and incentives. [ more ]
Lawsuit pending? City Council empowers Speaker Adams to sue Mayor Adams over housing voucher inaction | amNewYork
The City Council has passed a resolution giving Council Speaker Adrienne Adams the power to sue Mayor Eric Adams' administration over its refusal to enact laws expanding access to city housing vouchers.
The resolution allows the council to pursue legal action, but no final decision has been made on whether to take the mayor to court. [ more ]
Adams vs. Adams: New York's Top Democrats Clash on City's Path
City Council speaker Adrienne Adams has emerged as a critic of Mayor Eric Adams, leading the Council in overriding his vetoes of two bills.
Adams has questioned the mayor's management of the budget and criticized his approach to handling migrants, prompting the Council to pass bills against his objections. [ more ]
As Council moves to adopt HOME 2, groups call on Council to reject it or make major changes - Austin Monitor
The City Council discussed proposed amendments to make it easier to build more housing on smaller lots, including the consideration of a minimum lot size. [ more ]
Texas attorney general threatens Austin over City Council's effort to protect health care for transgender people - Austin Monitor
City Council in Austin passes resolution to protect transgender and nonbinary individuals amidst escalating anti-trans rhetoric within the Republican Party. [ more ]
Judge rules that city is violating open meetings law and the city charter - Austin Monitor
City of Austin was found to be violating the Texas Open Meetings Act by limiting speakers to two minutes, overturned to three minutes per item. [ more ]
NYC commits $500 million for at-risk education programs
NYC Mayor Eric Adams and City Council pledge $514 million to save essential public school programs, covering half of the impending budget shortfall from expiring federal stimulus dollars. [ more ]
Council hears proposed changes to city charter for November ballot - Austin Monitor
Council received proposed city charter revisions, including 3.5% signature threshold for petition requirements, to be discussed for potential action in May and on the November 2024 ballot. [ more ]
City eyes code amendments to increase affordable housing for UT students - Austin Monitor
The City Council is considering amendments to the University Neighborhood Overlay program to improve housing affordability for University of Texas students and potentially bring a grocery store to the area. [ more ]
Speaker tells Council to ignore City Hall's 'inefficient' new meeting policy
The City Council Speaker rejects the new communication policy from the Adams administration, calling it bureaucratic and inefficient.
The City Council members are concerned that the new policy would lead to delays in serving their constituents and could be used as a means of punishment. [ more ]
HOME returns to Council and Planning Commission for public hearing - Austin Monitor
The second phase of the HOME initiative focuses on reducing minimum lot sizes for single-family zoned properties in Austin.
The joint hearing by City Council and the Planning Commission will address proposed changes related to single-family properties, ETOD, citywide compatibility, and electric vehicle charging. [ more ]
Everything you need to know about the latest proposal in 'City of Yes'
The 'City of Yes' plan aims to modernize zoning regulations to boost economic growth and help local businesses expand.
The proposal includes 18 initiatives to update citywide zoning rules, such as filling vacant storefronts and enabling businesses to grow in new areas. [ more ]
Wu says city will not expand free museum program during pilot period
The program offering free admission to cultural institutions for public school students in Boston excludes METCO, charter school, and private school students.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu reiterated that the program will not be expanded until the pilot ends. [ more ]
Chicago's search for new revenue focuses on video gaming, wealth taxes, heliport, downtown digital ads
The City Council subcommittee is considering new revenue ideas like video gaming, expanded helicopter service, and digital advertising. Freshman Ald. William Hall supports taxing salaries over $100,000 and assets of wealthy residents for a fair tax distribution. [ more ]
Council passes a resolution calling for greener procurement practices - Austin Monitor
City Council in Austin passed a measure for sustainable procurement practices to reduce environmental impact.
The resolution aims to prioritize sustainable options in purchasing decisions and create a market for industries transitioning to greener practices. [ more ]
City seeks feedback on density, planning framework for South Central district - Austin Monitor
The city's plan for the southern shoreline of Lady Bird Lake emphasizes incentives for developers to opt-in for community benefits through increased density.
The revised guidelines allow for a floor area ratio of 24:1 on certain parcels, reflecting increased land prices since the adoption of the vision plan. [ more ]
City Council joins suit to enforce housing voucher reforms
The City Council is intervening in a lawsuit against Mayor Adams' administration over the CityFHEPS housing voucher program reforms.
The lawsuit aims to address concerns that the Adams administration failed to implement new changes to expand assistance to those facing eviction. [ more ]
In brief: Berkeley special election April 16 for District 7 council seat
Eligible voters in Berkeley's District 7 have tight deadlines to get on the ballot or register to vote in a special election.
Registered voters in District 7 can file nomination papers by Feb. 16 to run for City Council, and must register to vote by April 1 for the April 16 election. [ more ]
NYC Council Flips Mayor Vetoes on Policing, Solitary Confinement
The City Council voted to overrule Mayor Eric Adams' veto on two measures: the How Many Stops Act bill and the ban on solitary confinement in city jails.
The How Many Stops Act bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in police encounters, but Mayor Adams and police officials argue it will burden officers with more paperwork. [ more ]