Albany Common Council

Message from the President


Council President
Hon. Corey Ellis

Welcome to the Albany Common Council which serves New York's capital city!

I and the fifteen members of the Common Council are proud to represent the citizens of Albany. As elected officials, we know it is our duty to serve our constituents to the best of our ability, as well as to preserve, protect, and improve the quality of life for city residents.

As president, I place a great deal of importance on governing in a manner that is both open and transparent. My goal is to facilitate discussion that results in good governance. Broadly defined, good governance includes the ability to bring innovative solutions to long established challenges and create effective partnerships with all communities in our diverse city. Effective partnerships are characterized by government empowering individuals and groups to step forward and dedicate themselves and their ideas to wrestling with and solving the challenges we may face now and in the future. Your participation is vital to accomplishing our goals. I hope you will work with your Common Council by attending our meetings as well as committee meetings. Join us in ensuring that balance exists; one that has at its core the best interests of residents, businesses, and all who have a reason to experience what Albany offers. Should you have questions or need additional information, please don't hesitate to contact us.

— Common Council President Corey Ellis

Office of the Common Council

Phone: 518-434-5087
Email: commoncouncil@albanyny.gov

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Overview

In accordance with the City Charter, Albany is divided into 15 legislative districts or wards. Each ward is represented by a City resident who is elected by their constituency to serve a four-year term. Collectively the elected ward representatives and the Common Council President comprise the Common Council, which serves as the legislative branch of Albany's government.

Each councilmember functions to regulate and protect the interests of residents within their ward, and is authorized to introduce, adopt, amend or repeal local laws, ordinances, resolutions and regulations pertaining to property and government affairs within the City.

Ward boundaries are established by the Common Council. On February 21, 2013, the Common Council voted in favor of the current ward boundaries as proposed by the Reapportionment Commission. These boundaries have been adjusted to best represent protected groups and communities of interest per the 2010 U.S. Decennial Census.

To organize their work, councilmembers elect a President Pro Tempore and a Majority Leader. Along with the Common Council President, these officers comprise Common Council leadership. For more information on leadership and to find your councilmember, please visit the following pages or click their photo below:

Common Council Leadership
Common Council Members and Wards

October 2023

S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 1 2 3 4

  1. Thu Oct. 5

    Law, Buildings and Code Enforcement Committee Meeting
    Law, Buildings and Code Enforcement Committee Meeting

  2. Wed Oct. 11

    City of Albany Common Council Caucus / Work Session
    City of Albany Common Council Caucus / Work Session

  3. Mon Oct. 16

    Caucus/ Work Session Followed by Regular Meeting of the Albany Common Council
    Caucus/ Work Session Followed by Regular Meeting of the Albany Common Council
View All Events

Standard Record of Activities

In accordance with Regulation 315.4 (c) of the New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations (NYCRR) elected and appointed officials are required to report their Standard Record of Activities (ROA). As required, the ROA will be posted for a minimum of 30 days.

Caucus & Regular Meeting

The Common Council meets on the first and third Mondays at 6:30 PM caucus and 7:00 PM regular meeting each month in the Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall (Note: when Monday falls on a legal holiday or day of special observance, the Council meeting is ordinarily moved to the following Thursday).

The Common Council also meets for a caucus on Wednesday during the week prior to each regular meeting. These caucuses are scheduled for 5:30 PM and include a discussion of the upcoming agenda and miscellaneous business.

View 2023 Meeting Schedule

Basic operating procedures for these meetings and more can be seen in the Rules of Procedure .

§ 34-4 Videoconferencing

In addition to the City of Albany's Common Council, all public bodies of the City of Albany are authorized to use videoconferencing technology to conduct their meetings in accordance with the provisions of section 103-a of the Public Officers Law . In June of 2022 the Albany Common Council passed Local Law E of 2022 which established rules for public bodies of the City of Albany to follow should members need to participate in a meeting via videoconferencing.  

The public still has the right to attend virtually and we will continue to live-stream meetings to allow for virtual participation. Our goal is to continue to make the legislative process transparent and accessible and we will continue live streaming on the Common Council Facebook page and/or the Common Council YouTube Page.  Your patience, participation, and commitment to local government is greatly appreciated. 

Agendas, Minutes & Meeting Documents

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Agendas with Support Legislations, Active Calendar and Minutes

Regular Meeting: 7:00 PM
  Caucus: 6:30 PM
  Council Chambers
Caucus: 5:30 PM
  Council Chambers  
January 5 (Thu)
January 19 (Thu)January 11
February 6February 1
February 23 (Thu)
February 15
March 6
March 20
March 20
March 15
April 3
March 29
April 17
April 12
May 1
April 26
May 15
May 10
June 5
May 31
June 22 (Thu)
June 14
July 6 (Thu)
June 28
July 17
July 12
August 7
August 2
August 21
August 16
September 7 (Thu)
August 30
September 18
September 13
October 2
September 27
October 16
October 11
November 6
November 1
November 20
November 15
December 4
November 29
December 18
December 13

Public Comment Submission

Public comment is open to anyone wishing to speak or write on an item on the Common Council agenda. Please note that any information you enter below will be shared with all Common Council members and/or read for the Record at our meeting.  All public comment is memorialized on our website and our social media platforms.