I'm Noreen McKee, and it is an honor and a privilege to serve as the District 4 Councilmember for the residents of Troy.
I've always believed in the importance of local civic participation, which has a direct impact on the quality of our daily lives and how we live responsibly in community with each other. Having lived in Troy for almost 14 years I have come to embrace its uniqueness, its beauty and its vibrancy. I ran for office because I am very concerned about the state of the City's finances and priorities. It is my hope to bring transparency, fiscal discipline, and strategic investment aligned with community needs to City government.
I decided to run for city council last February when I realized that the Trump administration was determined to damage if not destroy our democracy. Believing that change starts at the grass roots level and having had some success as an activist to bring early voting to Troy, I decided to run for City Council.
I am concerned about many issues that we face in Troy, including the lack of adequate housing for working people, safe streets, old and neglected infrastructure, bringing transparency and accountability to City Hall, as well as promoting diversity and economic development, and protecting the environment.
Council has introduced legislation in February to adopt the Good Cause Eviction law, protecting tenants from unreasonable rent increases and retaliatory landlords, as well as a videoconferencing law that will allow council members to attend meetings remotely during emergencies that prevent them from attending in person. It will also expand public access to Council meetings by allowing the public to participate through videoconferencing and to participate without having to attend in person. Most importantly, by expanding access it gives all of Troy's citizens the opportunity to actively participate in its government.
Additionally, we are considering laws to enhance public safety on our city streets, prioritizing lead pipe replacement, and ensuring that the city's finances are sound and transparent to provide better economic opportunities for residents and businesses.
As a new member of the city council, I appreciate having an open dialogue with you and I hope that this monthly newsletter will provide the information you need to become informed about the issues that affect your lives. And, eager to hear directly from you about your concerns, I will continue Aaron Vera's office hours held monthly at a café/restaurant in the district. You can also reach me by phone at 518-285-0650 or by email: Noreen.mckee@troyny.gov.
Items to Note
Black History Month
Founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month was first celebrated on February 1, 1926 and ever since 1976, it has become a nationally recognized month-long celebration held each year to pay tribute to African-Americans and their achievements. This year the Council is recognizing Troy citizens who have made or continue to make contributions to our society to achieve equality and advancements in civil rights, law, engineering, and social justice. They are: Garnet D. Baltimore, Frederick A. Chew, George Briddle Kelley, Edward P. McCabe and Pamela Sharp.
Black History Month Event:
The Justice Center of Rensselaer County is sponsoring a Black History Month event on Sunday, February 22nd at 1:00 p.m. The PBS film, “Harriet Tubman: Vision of Freedom” will be shown at Christ Church Troy United Methodist (35 State St.) Dr. Jennifer Burns, University at Albany lecturer in African-American and 19th century history will give a brief lecture before the film and take questions after. This is a free event.
Office Hours
Fostering a dialogue with constituents and exchanging ideas is one of the most important ways I can best represent my district. This month, I will be hosting office hours at Cafe Euphoria (225 River St) from 1-3pm.
Please stop by to share your ideas, concerns, or just introduce yourself. I look forward to seeing you there.
State of the City
Today, Wednesday, February 11, Mayor Carmella Mantello will present her annual State of the City address at Brown’s Revolution Hall (425 River St) at 6pm. This event is an opportunity for the mayor to update constituents on current projects and outline the administration’s goals for the coming year.
With BID Board Appointment, Kurzejeski returns her focus to the downtown business community.
Former deputy mayor Monica Kurzejeski joins the Downtown Troy BID board, discusses the future of the organization.
Monica Kurzejeski has worn a lot of hats in the City of Troy, from managing the Downtown Farmer’s Market to various roles in the Madden administration, including deputy mayor. Since leaving City Hall in 2022, Kurzejeski has become the executive director of the Albany Convention Center Authority, a critical driver of economic growth in the Capital’s downtown.
Kurzejeski is still active in Troy, sitting on both the board of the Troy Community Land Bank, and as of January, the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District as the City Council appointee.
Earlier this month, the BID launched a community survey to collect input and feedback to better position its services moving forward. Kurzejeski was kind enough to talk a bit about her experience and current challenges facing downtown businesses.
NM: From your time at the Farmer’s Market and in your various roles at City Hall, you’ve observed a great deal of change in downtown Troy. What are some of the lessons you’ve picked up along the way?
MK: A resilient city is sustained by the residents, organizations, and businesses that call it home. City leaders always need to have a pulse on the people and place and allow for input and feedback. Places also change over time; organizations and leaders need to anticipate that and be ready and able to navigate the ebb and flow that is naturally occurring. But we can never let the foot off the pedal. And most importantly, no one can do the work alone.
NM: A lot of local business owners are feeling squeezed by current economic conditions. What are some ways you envision the BID providing structure and support to small organizations in this environment?
MK: Yes, businesses are running into challenges in today’s climate. I think it also goes beyond just economic conditions, it is also behavioral changes that have become mainstream post pandemic; food delivery, online ordering, remote work, plus all the economic challenges put pressure on Main Street business. Troy is special because it still maintains its sense of place and pride. Other communities throughout the country are trying to figure that out and we’ve just got a knack for it. Go back to my previous answer first sentence on how that happens in Troy. The mission of the BID isn’t to back stop individual businesses. Its mission and purpose are to provide services above and beyond what the city of Troy can provide. The organization is at a defining moment. The survey that was sent out was a first step in hearing from the members and businesses of the district what exactly they want their organization to provide, obviously within legal and financial ability.
NM: There is a perception that the BID, in an attempt to simultaneously serve local businesses, resident interests, and the property owners whose taxes underwrite operations, suffers from mission creep. What can the BID do, within its limited budget, to enhance conditions for different populations of stakeholders? Does the current strategic plan align with current community needs?
MK: The survey just sent out is the first step in hearing what the BID members want to see; what worked well, what didn’t. I hope that the return rate on the survey is significant. Engagement with all the members is key to creating the next successful chapter of the organization. The last strategic plan was done prior to the pandemic I believe, so an update wouldn’t be unreasonable, but sometimes you must go back to the basics so that you can realign and move forward together.
NM: Downtown Albany is receiving a great deal of financial support to revitalize its downtown core. Does the City of Troy need investment at a similar level? What are some of the more urgent areas which require attention?
MK: The City of Troy and its private partners have received significant NYS grant dollars over the years and completed some significant projects. We should focus on the foundations we do have and look forward to how we build from there. Troy isn’t Albany and Albany isn’t Troy although from my travel and conversations across the country, many people would love to have what we have. From my perspective, Monument Square, vacant parcels and properties, as well as empty storefronts and upper floors should be top of mind for everyone involved.
NM: Last year, the BID managed only a fraction of its requested increase to the tax levy. What can the downtown community expect from the organization moving forward?
MK: First and foremost, we need the members to take the survey and that will start laying the framework for what comes next.
The next board meeting of the Downtown Troy BID takes place 8:30 am, Feb 19 at the Tech Valley Center of Gravity, 30 3rd St.
City Council Meeting Recaps
January 5 – Organizational
On January 5th Council held an organizational meeting and made the following appointments for City Clerk (Addie Thompson), legislative assistant (Anasha Cummings) and legislative counsel (Ian Silverman). These roles are critical to City operations, and we welcome each new member to the team.
Standing Committees:
General Services:
- Jona Favreau, Chair
- Greg Campbell-Cohen
- Phil DiLorenzo
Law:
- Katie Spain McLaren, Chair
- Noreen McKee
- Greg Campbell-Cohen
Planning:
- Phil DiLorenzo, Chair
- Shikole Struber
- Noreen McKee
Public Safety:
- Noreen McKee, Chair
- Jona Favreau
- Shikole Struber
Public Utilities:
- Greg Campbell-Cohen, Chair
- Jona Favreau
- Katie Spain McLaren
Science & Technology:
- Shikole Struber, Chair
- Phil DiLorenzo
- Katie Spain McLaren
January 8th – First Regular Meeting
Since Council did not have an agenda for this meeting we invited the public to speak about the issues important to them. They came and spoke for over 2.5 hours. This was a most valuable meeting for the new Council because we heard from many about passing the Good Cause Eviction law, what to do with vacant buildings, affordability, zoning issues, etc.
January 22nd – Standing Committees, Finance Committee
Several committees met before Finance to take up several issues on the agenda:
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The Science & Technology Committee led by Shikole Struber addressed an ordinance proposed by the Mayor to place a 6-month moratorium on the development, construction, or establishment of lithium ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the City. These battery storage facilities are large scale units that store energy from renewables when it is cheap and abundant and releases it when demand is high. The administration has environmental and safety concerns surrounding the primary risks of fire and the release of toxic gases when fires occur. Fire Chief Celluci has concerns about the department’s emergency preparedness. Council passed the resolution unanimously and included an amendment calling for progress reviews every two months showing progress and due diligence to address the mayor’s concerns, such as establishing critical zoning and code requirements and addressing the fire department’s safety and emergency preparedness needs.
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The Public Safety Committee met with top members of the Troy PD including Chief Dan DeWolf to pass a resolution to approve an agreement between Troy and Colonie to share police tactical team services. Troy PD has shared these services with Colonie for 25 years and currently there are 16 members of the department who work on the tactical team, with 30 tactical team operations during 2025. The committee asked the Chief about the recent tactical team raids directed by the State Police in Troy that occurred on January 15th for the illegal sales and possession of firearms in which several people were arrested.
Council members have heard multiple complaints from neighbors about the raid on 4th street and several showed up at the meeting describing the raid as terrorizing. Among their concerns was the treatment of children who lived in the targeted home and the amount of force that was used described as “excessive.” I asked the Chief if in the future and after the raid is completed and the situation secured, if the police could communicate directly with the neighbors about what happened. The Chief was responsive to this suggestion and we will continue to discuss that and other ways to mitigate the traumatizing effects on the innocent individuals affected during these tactical team operations. The Council unanimously passed the resolution.
At the end of the meeting, President of the Council, Sue Steele, discussed the new Council’s proposed rescission of a $6 million bond that was passed by the previous Republican-dominated council during a hastily called special meeting by the administration on December 30th. The administration presented the bond as a vehicle for the purchase of a pavilion and new playground equipment plus tennis and pickleball courts at Frear Park. However, the bond can only be used to purchase the pavilion. Council members also had serious concerns about compliance with the environmental law (SEQRA); the validity of the legal notice of estoppel giving the public twenty days to challenge the bond; and about the bond’s impact on Troy’s debt limit and bond rating. For the reasons stated above and because the administration stonewalled our request to speak with our bond counsel and fiscal advisors, we decided to put forth a rescission to be undertaken at a special meeting.
After a special meeting was scheduled, the administration quickly put together a conference call finally allowing us to speak with and question the bond counsel and advisors. On the conference call, we were informed that despite the twenty day estoppel period, an underwriter already had been chosen to sell the bonds and was getting customer commitments to purchase them. Thus, if the rescission was adopted, any future business dealings with the underwriter would have been jeopardized having the added effect of putting at risk Troy’s ability to get the most favorable interest rate. In addition, we were informed that Troy risked going into default on a payment due on January 30th, the day after the estoppel period expired. Any default certainly would have put our S&P “A” bond rating at risk. For these reasons, the Council decided to take rescission off the table.
This experience has given me greater insight into how the administration engages with the Council, and it has reinforced my skepticism about its willingness to communicate openly and collaborate effectively for the benefit of Troy. We must provide vigilance and be persistent in demanding facts—especially regarding the budget and spending—to avoid a return to austerity and State oversight that lasted for 25 years until 2022. The heavy debt burden that built up for years stemming from the 1980’s and 1990’s was caused by severe fiscal mismanagement and the accumulation of debt to cover budget shortfalls. We will not allow this to happen again on our watch.