City Council meeting
February 12, 2026, 1:30 PM
The Council confirmed Steven Banks as Corporation Counsel of New York City and passed four bills, including Int 0005-2026 adding criminal penalties for false information in city contracting, Int 0510-2026 creating an online public procurement interface, and Int 0018-2026 launching a pilot for power washing machines on commercial corridor sidewalks. The meeting also approved several Queens land use rezonings and introduced more than 150 new bills and resolutions for committee referral.
What was discussed
- Stated Meeting convenes with roll call and invocation Majority Leader Shaun Abreu gaveled in the Stated Meeting of February 12, 2026, the clerk took the roll, and Reverend Patrick Henry Young, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Corona in East Elmhurst, delivered the invocation after an introduction by Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry.
- Speaker Menin's address: Code Blue deaths, a detained Council employee, and the Stonewall flag Speaker Julie Menin opened her communications by mourning 19 New Yorkers who died during the Code Blue cold, giving an update on Council employee Rafael Rubio—detained by ICE nearly a month earlier and, she said, illegally held, with the Council fighting his bond denial on appeal—and recapping
- Schulman presents Int 437-A to simplify the childcare permitting process Council Member Lynn C. Schulman introduced Proposed Int 437-A, which would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to give prospective childcare programs a clear, step-by-step roadmap of every required permit, license, and approval, arguing that opening a childcare program should not
- Minority Leader Carr explains his no vote on confirming Steven Banks Minority Leader David M. Carr thanked Corporation Counsel nominee Steven Banks for meeting with his delegation but said Banks's history of legal activism on issues like the right to shelter and sanctuary cities gave him philosophical concerns, and that he and colleagues would vote no on the
- Council confirms Steven Banks as Corporation Counsel and adopts the General Order calendar The Council adopted its coupled General Order calendar 49-0, confirming Steven Banks as Corporation Counsel by 42-6-1 (M27/Res 316) and passing Int 5-A on contracting-fraud penalties (48-0-1), Int 510-A on a public procurement interface, Int 437-A on childcare permitting, Int 18-A on a sidewalk
- Council debates and adopts Res 269 defending the Stonewall Monument's history Members debated Res 269, which calls on Congress to respect the true history of national park sites including the Stonewall National Monument: Minority Leader David M. Carr said he wanted the flag flown but could not support the resolution, while co-sponsors Tiffany L. Cabán, Lynn C. Schulman
- Thomas-Henry honors former Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry for Black History Month Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry recognized her mentor, former Assembly Member Jeffrion L. Aubry, who represented Queens's District 35 for 32 years, led the reform of the Rockefeller drug laws, championed the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, and invested in institutions like the Louis Armstrong
- Chris Banks calls for NYCHA investment and preserving Section 9 housing Council Member Chris Banks laid out priorities for Public Housing Committee oversight, citing NYCHA's estimated $80 billion in capital needs and recent emergencies at Mitchell and Boston Secor Houses, warning that limiting capital work to safety-only categories cannot become an excuse for
- Brewer previews bills on uniform contract paperwork and evidence preservation Council Member Gale A. Brewer flagged two bills for hearings: Int 516, creating uniform contract and invoice paperwork across city agencies to cut duplicative documentation, and Int 517, raising standards for the NYPD's preservation of biological evidence following a fire at the Erie Basin storage
- Morano introduces Int 624 to exempt buildings that can't fit trash bins Council Member Frank Morano introduced Int 624, which he said would bring common sense to trash-containerization rules by creating automatic exemptions for small mixed-use buildings that physically lack space to store bins and a fair application process for others, arguing it strengthens
- Zhuang introduces a bill to expand access to gifted and talented programs Council Member Susan Zhuang introduced a bill she said would expand access to gifted and talented programs, arguing that children in the outer boroughs, from lower-income and non-English-speaking families, and in Black and Brown communities have less access, and that the city should expand rather
- Pierina Ana Sanchez introduces the Safer Homes Act to foreclose on the worst landlords Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez introduced Int 657, the Safer Homes Act, to reform the city's dormant municipal-foreclosure (third-party transfer) power so it can remove chronically negligent owners of the roughly 10,000 hazardous homes citywide and move buildings toward responsible or tenant
- Dinowitz mourns a teenager killed in a shooting and thanks educators Council Member Eric Dinowitz told the chamber that a 16-year-old, Chris Redding, was shot and killed in his district in a shooting involving three teenagers, and, amid the community's grief and anger, expressed gratitude for the daily work of principals, teachers, paraprofessionals, and coaches who
- Cabán reintroduces the Delivery Protection Act Council Member Tiffany L. Cabán announced she was reintroducing the Delivery Protection Act with the Teamsters present, arguing that Amazon's PR campaign disclaiming responsibility for drivers in Amazon vans is a dodge and that the bill advances both street safety and worker dignity.
- Hanif introduces Res 210 condemning the ICE Operation Metro Surge killings Council Member Shahana K. Hanif rose in support of Res 210, her resolution condemning the fatal shootings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti and others following the Department of Homeland Security's Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, demanding accountability and affirming the city's
- Marte rallies to protect the Merchants House Museum from adjacent development Council Member Christopher Marte voiced support for the Merchants House Museum—Manhattan's first individually landmarked building and, he noted, a recently discovered Underground Railroad safe house—against a threat from adjacent development, drawing a parallel to today's immigration enforcement and
- Restler reintroduces Int 655 to bring back year-round outdoor dining Council Member Lincoln Restler reintroduced Int 655 to restore year-round outdoor dining, noting that pandemic-era roadway dining reached 6,000–8,000 restaurants but only about 355 now hold permits, and urged colleagues to co-sign so it can pass in time for spring.
- Stevens introduces a resolution to fully fund Raise the Age Council Member Althea V. Stevens introduced a resolution, with Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams, Lincoln Restler, and Sandy Nurse, calling on the state to remove the tax-cap and hardship-waiver barriers that have locked New York City out of nearly $1 billion in unspent Raise the Age funds, noting
- Stated Meeting adjourned After brief closing remarks from members, Speaker Julie Menin adjourned the Stated Meeting of February 12, 2026.
Agenda
324 items
- LU 0024-2026 Application number C 240145 ZMQ (78-08 Linden Boulevard Rezoning) submitted by Linden Canyon LLC, pursuant to Sections 197-c and 201 of the New York City Charter for an amendment of the Zoning Map, Section No. 18b, eliminating from within an existing R4 District a C1-2 District, changing from an R4 Approved, by Council
- LU 0025-2026 Application number N 240146 ZRQ (78-08 Linden Boulevard Rezoning) submitted by Linden Canyon LLC, pursuant to Section 201 of the New York City Charter, for an amendment of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, modifying APPENDIX F for the purpose of establishing a Mandatory Inclusionary Approved, by Council
- LU 0026-2026 Application number N 240147 LDQ (78-08 Linden Boulevard Rezoning) submitted by Linden Canyon LLC, for the cancellation of Restrictive Declaration D-19 pursuant to Section 8 of said Restrictive Declaration, Borough of Queens, Community District 10, Council District 32. Approved, by Council
- LU 0027-2026 Application number C 250252 ZMQ (247-56 90th Ave Rezoning) submitted by Philip Mathai, pursuant to Sections 197-c and 201 of the New York City Charter for an amendment of the Zoning Map, Section No. 15c, changing from an R4-1 District to an R4 District, Borough of Queens, Community District 13 Approved, by Council
- LU 0030-2026 Application number D 2550015858 SWM (Ethyl's Alcohol & Food) pursuant to Section 19-160.2 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, for a revocable consent to establish, maintain, and operate a sidewalk café located at 1692 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10028, Borough of Manhattan, Community Approved, by Council
- M 0027-2026 Communication from the Mayor - Submitting the name Steven Banks to the Council for its advice and consent regarding his appointment to be the Corporation Counsel, pursuant to Section 31 of the City Charter. Approved, by Council
- M 0038-2026 Communication from the Mayor – Submitting the name of Stephen Loffredo to the Council for its advice and consent regarding his appointment to the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board pursuant to Section 2602 of the New York City Charter Referred to Comm by Council
- M 0039-2026 Communication from Council Member Erik D. Bottcher - Submitting his resignation from the office of New York City Council Member of the 3rd Council District effective February 4, 2026. Rcvd, Ord, Prnt, Fld by Council
- M 0040-2026 Communication from the Speaker - Submitting an annual report pursuant to Rule 2.120(a) in relation to complaints of sexual harassment as defined by the Council’s Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy. Rcvd, Ord, Prnt, Fld by Council
- Int 0005-2026 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to criminal penalties for providing false information in contracting and maintaining information on subcontractors Approved by Council
- Int 0510-2026 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to an online public procurement interface Approved by Council
- Res 0255-2026 Resolution approving the new designation and changes in the designation of certain organizations to receive funding in the Expense Budget Approved, by Council
- Int 0437-2026 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to guidance relating to the child care program permitting process Approved by Council
- LU 0017-2026 Application number C 250332 ZMK (1417 Avenue U Rezoning) submitted by 1417 Avenue U Holding LLC, pursuant to Sections 197-c and 201 of the New York City Charter for an amendment of the Zoning Map, Section Nos. 28c and 29a, eliminating from within an R5 District a C1-3 District, changing from an R5 Approved with Modifications and Referred to the City Planning Commission pursuant to Section 197-(d) of the New York City Charter.
- LU 0018-2026 Application number N 250333 ZRK (1417 Avenue U Rezoning) submitted by 1417 Avenue U Holding LLC, pursuant to Section 201 of the New York City Charter, for an amendment of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, modifying APPENDIX F for the purpose of establishing a Mandatory Inclusionary Approved with Modifications and Referred to the City Planning Commission pursuant to Section 197-(d) of the New York City Charter.
- LU 0019-2026 Application number M 250334A LDK (1417 Avenue U Rezoning) submitted by 1417 Avenue U Holding LLC, for the cancellation of Restrictive Declaration D-48 pursuant to Section 5 of said Restrictive Declaration, Borough of Brooklyn, Community District 15, Council District 48. Approved with Modifications and Referred to the City Planning Commission pursuant to Section 197-(d) of the New York City Charter.
- LU 0022-2026 Application number C 250268 ZMQ (63-12 Broadway Rezoning) submitted by Broadway Realty LLC, pursuant to Sections 197-c and 201 of the New York City Charter for an amendment of the Zoning Map, Section No. 9d, eliminating from within an R5 District a C2-2 District, changing from an R5 District to an Approved with Modifications and Referred to the City Planning Commission pursuant to Section 197-(d) of the New York City Charter.
- LU 0023-2026 Application number N 250269 ZRQ (63-12 Broadway Rezoning) submitted by Broadway Realty LLC, pursuant to Section 201 of the New York City Charter, for an amendment of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, modifying APPENDIX F for the purpose of establishing a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Approved with Modifications and Referred to the City Planning Commission pursuant to Section 197-(d) of the New York City Charter.
- Res 0311-2026 Resolution approving the decision of the City Planning Commission on ULURP No. C 240145 ZMQ, for a Zoning Map amendment (L.U. No. 24). Approved, by Council
- Res 0312-2026 Resolution approving the decision of the City Planning Commission on Application No. N 240146 ZRQ for an amendment of the text of the Zoning Resolution (L.U. No. 25). Approved, by Council