city council

Nithya Raman and Karen Bass are both being blamed for a 3.4% increase in this year’s homeless numbers. Raman, who has focused her career on addressing homelessness through nonprofit and local government work, shares responsibility for the issue.

A proposed ban on horse-drawn carriages in Central Park is being reconsidered by New York City Council amid debate over their future. The discussion has intensified following the death of a tourist, with both sides of the issue being presented.

Wilmington Mayor John Carney vetoed legislation aimed at preventing water shutoffs for households with senior citizens, people with disabilities, and children under 5. The bill, sponsored by Councilwoman Shané Darby, passed the City Council 7-4 but was rejected by Carney, who argued it could incentivize non-payment of public utilities.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) approved five City Charter changes for a November ballot to streamline government processes, but faced criticism from the City Council over speed and reduced public oversight. The proposals include faster approvals for outdoor dining, construction permits, and street projects, though advocates argue they don't go far enough.

The City Council will vote on August 3 to place a parcel tax on the November ballot to fund upgrades for the Pasadena Fire Department. A poll is currently testing voter support, with some locals advocating for more studies. The author urges ending the poll, referencing the Eaton Fire's impact on residents.

Erika Foy uses the metaphor of a puzzle box to emphasize the importance of a holistic approach in community planning. She highlights her decade-long participation in City Council meetings, Planning Commission hearings, and neighborhood workshops to address local issues.

Developers have withdrawn their application to build the Mill Stone Energy Center battery energy storage system in Chesapeake, Virginia. The project was set for a city council vote but was pulled on the day of the scheduled public hearing.

The City Council strengthened laws related to Legionnaires’ disease, but Mamdani's administration was criticized for lacking urgency, transparency, and leadership. The failure is linked to a deadly outbreak in New York.

City councilmembers are demanding transparency from the Health Department regarding a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak on the Upper East Side, which has resulted in four deaths and 74 confirmed cases.

The City Council approved a $282,744 contract with OpConnect Inc. to supply fast-charging equipment for electric vehicle infrastructure at Pasadena Water and Power maintenance yards. The contract includes a $257,040 base amount and a $25,704 contingency for potential changes, covering equipment purchase and delivery but excluding installation.

The City Council is considering a parcel tax to fund Fire Department upgrades, but residents express skepticism about taxes, accountability, and whether alternatives were explored, despite supporting emergency services. Some community members demand proof of necessity before agreeing to pay.

Pasadena's City Council voted to repeal two interim urgency ordinances that banned denser rebuilding in the Eaton Fire burn zone, allowing lot splits and multiple homes in high fire risk areas. The repeal clears the way for Senate Bill 9 applications within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones affected by the Eaton Fire.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced over 50 red-tape reforms for small businesses in NYC, including expanding the NYC BEST program to provide dedicated project managers and compliance education. Business groups praised the plan but emphasized it is a first step amid ongoing challenges like high operating costs and thousands of rules. A proposed City Council bill (Intro. 955-A) aims to institutionalize coordination for business inspections.

The union for New York City's horse-carriage drivers released an attack ad condemning City Council Speaker Julie Menin as a traitor for supporting legislation to ban the rides. The ad accuses Menin of betrayal over her stance on the bill.

New York City is allocating $3 million in the 2027 budget to continue the Community Syringe Redemption Program (CSRP), which pays participants 20 cents per syringe for safe disposal. The program, operated by Addiction Response Resources, collects used syringes via mobile vans in multiple boroughs and includes harm reduction education. The initiative has collected over 2 million syringes since its 2025 launch, addressing public safety concerns about syringe litter.

The City Council will continue debating two tax measures for the Nov. 3 ballot — a parking occupancy tax and a parcel tax to fund fire department infrastructure and street maintenance. The discussion follows the elimination of other proposals, including a quarter-cent transaction and use tax and a real property transfer tax, during last week’s meeting.

The City Council is considering a $282,744 contract with OpConnect Inc. to supply fast-charging equipment for Pasadena Water and Power's electric vehicle infrastructure. The contract includes a base amount of $257,040 and a 10% contingency for potential changes, covering purchase and delivery but not installation.

The City Council approved an 18.2% pay raise for itself and other elected officials, increasing Council member salaries by nearly $30,000 annually. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin publicly stated they would decline the raise, but the legislation is poised to become law despite their opposition.

The City Council failed to implement an Empty Homes Tax, but Oʻahu voters may still decide on the issue. The initiative aims to keep existing and new housing available for local families.

Pasadena's City Council is set to consider equipping all city buses with public Wi-Fi and real-time digital route displays, funded by local Proposition A/C Local Return funds and a $2.4 million Metro grant that offsets bus-purchase costs without affecting the General Fund. Currently, only 30% of the active fleet has these features.

Minneapolis' Board of Estimate & Taxation (BET) approved a resolution to propose a city charter amendment allowing alternates to achieve quorum when members are absent. The board also recommended a voluntary payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program for non-taxed entities like churches and hospitals to fund public asset improvements.

Chicagoans experienced a heat wave and poor air quality due to Canadian wildfire smoke, while mourning victims of ICE-related deaths in Texas and Maine. The week also featured community events, including a Pride Parade and a statue regilding in Jackson Park.

Wrigleyville neighbors are opposing the Chicago Cubs' plan to expand the Camry Lot parking area by incorporating the former House of the Good Shepherd property, citing environmental, traffic, and privacy concerns. Over 1,600 signatures have been collected for a petition demanding compliance with city regulations, particularly after the removal of 29 mature trees from the site. The Cubs argue the expansion will improve accessibility and add more trees than currently exist.

The City Council approved a one-time $10,000 payment for public school paraprofessionals in an effort to improve retention and recruitment. Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized the bill as violating state labor law, while Councilmember Carmen de la Rosa highlighted the affordability crisis and low starting salaries for paraprofessionals. The program, costing $244 million, would distribute payments in four installments starting in 2027.

The NYPD may allow older recruits under a new council bill that raises the maximum age for the civil service exam by eight years. The legislation will be reviewed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The City Council approved a one-time $10,000 payment for public school paraprofessionals to address retention and recruitment challenges, with a total cost of $244 million. Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized the bill as a violation of state labor law, while Councilmember Carmen de la Rosa and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew supported the initiative despite legal concerns.

New York City has raised the age limit for NYPD police officer applications from 35 to 43. The City Council unanimously approved the legislation, aligning the city with similar changes elsewhere.

Berkeley residents will vote in November on a proposal to double the city's tax on distributors of sugar-sweetened beverages from one cent to two cents per fluid ounce. A citizen-led initiative to implement this change was officially placed on the ballot by the City Council during its regular meeting.

Hundreds attended a City Council hearing on a bill to ban carriage horses in NYC. Previous mayors had failed to ban the industry, but the Council appeared close to passing the bill.

The NYPD may expand eligibility for applicants by raising the age limit from 35 to 43. This change is proposed by City Council Member Amanda Farías as part of new legislation in the City Council.

The City Council approved a mixed-use apartment building in North Lawndale, featuring 59 units, 48 of which are affordable, along with retail spaces and community amenities. The project, called Lawndale ReDefined, is part of the city’s Invest South/West initiative and includes transit-served location benefits reducing required parking.

City Council approved a $580 million Woodlawn Central master plan by the Apostolic Church of God, including housing, retail, and entertainment. The first phase, a 14-story building with 104 residences and a hotel, is expected to begin construction in 2027. The project aims to create up to 999 housing units across future phases, though opponents raised concerns about building size and past controversies involving Byron T. Brazier.

Charlotte residents can now register their yards as natural habitats to protect pollinator gardens from code violations and support the city's climate goals. The registry, approved by city council, allows residents to exempt intentionally planted gardens from potential citations, addressing declining insect populations due to urbanization. Over 161 residents have already applied, highlighting community interest in creating native plant habitats.

QTS Data Center in McKinley Park is reviving its expansion plans for a Chicago Riverfront facility but faces delays due to a voided permit from inactivity. The proposed expansion includes new buildings and amenities, though concerns about environmental impact and infrastructure strain have prompted calls for stricter regulations.

The City Council is set to vote on Wednesday regarding a public subsidy to fund infrastructure for the Chicago Fire's new stadium in the South Loop.

Culver City's City Council voted 4-0 to extend a moratorium on new drive-thru permits, keeping the ban in place into next year. The extension follows concerns about air quality and pedestrian safety from a proposed In-N-Out location, with city staff drafting a potential permanent ban for future council approval.

Culver City residents opposed a new bike lane project on Overland Avenue during a passionate city council meeting. The City Council unanimously approved the traffic project and extended a temporary ban on new drive-thrus.

App drivers, including former Lyft driver Elena Zerkal, protested Uber and Lyft's legal challenge against a New York City law aimed at preventing sudden deactivation of ride-hailing drivers. The law, Local Law 52, was approved by the City Council to provide due process protections for drivers, but Uber and Lyft are contesting it in federal court. Drivers argue they are abruptly deactivated without explanation, as in Zerkal's case where she was removed after intervening in a passenger's harassment.

Over 500 cooling towers in Manhattan have not submitted required monthly Legionella tests, raising risks of outbreaks. Recent cases in Upper East Side and Carnegie Hill sickened 60 New Yorkers, prompting calls for stricter compliance and disinfection measures.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged to release hundreds of NYC public school contracts to the City Council 'in the coming weeks' amid a dispute with Council Speaker Julie Menin, who threatened a subpoena. The Council seeks 579 contracts related to school services and noncompetitive procurement, but the Department of Education has delayed by providing summaries instead of full agreements.