At the March 19th Finance meeting, Council took up the renewal of Troy's contract with Flock Safety, whose automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras operate citywide 24 hours a day..
Rather than vote on the two-year renewal, Council tabled it. We needed more information about how Flock uses, retains, and shares the data it continuously collects, as well as an opportunity to research and address technology-related cybersecurity concerns. A company representative attended the meeting via Zoom but could not answer questions satisfactorily, including several submitted in advance. Over 100 residents packed the meeting to voice strong objections, with every speaker citing concerns about privacy rights and, critically, the potential for license plate data to be shared with ICE to track and detain immigrants.
To be clear: we support giving police the tools they need to solve crimes. However, ALPR cameras operating 24/7 and Flock's in particular raise serious civil liberties questions that require regulation, and we are actively drafting that framework now.
The Mayor Calls A State of Emergency
On April 2nd, Mayor Mantello announced that the Flock contract had auto-renewed on April 1st, bypassing the Council's legislative authority to review and approve city contracts. She then declared a state of emergency to override Council's authority entirely. The Mayor's emergency power "covers any public emergency such as fire, riot, storm, earthquake" or similar physical disasters. It is not a tool for solving disputes between two equal branches of government. The Mayor's action threatens the democratic process and democracy itself at the local grassroots level, and should not be taken lightly.
This is not merely a procedural dispute. The Mayor takes an oath to support the constitutions of the United States and the State of New York. The oath contains no carve out for emergency declarations, and it does not subordinate constitutional government to executive preference. The Council remains committed to preserving the democratic process in Troy and is reviewing its options.
In response to the Mayor's actions, Council President Sue Steele directed City Auditor Jeff Nasich to withhold all payments to Flock pending Council approval. What followed was deeply troubling. Nasich informed the Council that $78,000 covering year one of the two-year contract was paid to Flock on April 1st without his knowledge or required authorization.
I can be reached by phone at 518-285-0650 or by email: Noreen.mckee@troyny.gov.
Items to Note
Upcoming TCSD Board of Education Election
Maintaining strong communities means providing opportunities and support to youth, and schools play a vital role in preparing the next generation with the tools they need to step confidently into an ever-changing world.
Troy City School District will hold an election to its Board of Education on Tuesday, May 19. Three seats are available on the Board for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026.
Anyone interested in joining the board must submit their completed nominating petition no later than 5 pm on April 29. For information on candidate eligibility, absentee ballots, or to check your polling location, contact the Board of Education office by phone or email.
Office Hours
This month, I will be hosting office hours at Little Peck's (211 Broadway) on Saturday, April 25 from 11am-1pm.
Please stop by to share your ideas, concerns, or just introduce yourself. I look forward to seeing you there.
Improving Public Access to City Council Meetings
Last month, Council passed Local Law #2, allowing remote participation for members of public bodies during personal or family emergencies. As part of the implementation, Troy City Council now allows members of the public to attend its meetings and provide comment via Zoom, so those wishing to participate in the deliberative process but unable to attend in person may still do so.
To access links to join meetings via Zoom, please refer to the 'Meeting Notice' in the Agenda Center for the meeting you wish to attend. Public comments are allowed at the beginning of the meeting (for agenda items) and at the end of the meeting (for all other topics you might wish to discuss.)
Livestreams and meeting recordings can be found on the Troy City Council Youtube page.
Earth Day in Troy
Get yourself involved in Neighborhood Cleanups, Recycling, and Beautification Events for Downtown Troy.
Earth Day is today, April 22, and since its inception in 1970, it has spread across the globe and acted as a constant reminder that, through diligence and cooperation, we can be good stewards of our shared world.
To that effect, here are a few related events happening in our City:
BID Beautification Fundraiser — The Downtown Troy BID's Beautification Committee, responsible for plantings and flowers throughout downtown, is hosting a Beautification Fundraiser at Mean Max Brewery (251 River St) today, April 22, at 5pm. Tickets start at $40, and proceeds will benefit the Downtown Troy BID.
Neighborhood Cleanup Day — There will be a Neighborhood Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 25 from 1-3 pm, starting at the corner of Jacob and Fifth, where supplies will be provided (if you have your own gloves and tools, you are encouraged to bring them.)
If you have any questions, please email the organizer.
Paint Recycling — There will be a free paint recycling day at HVCC (80 Vandenburgh Ave, Parking Lot K, South Drive Entrance) on Saturday, April 25, 9 am-1 pm. Registration is required. More information can be found here.
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal — There will be a Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event at the Troy Transfer Station (3000 Main St) on Saturday, May 9. Disposal is free but registration is required.
Recycling keeps our landfills empty, our streets clean, and our outdoor spaces beautiful.
If you have any questions or would like to organize your own neighborhood cleanup, please reach out to me at noreen.mckee@troyny.gov.
City Council Meeting Recaps
April 9th Council Regular Meeting
Good Cause Eviction: We overrode the Mayor's veto of Local Law #1, enacting tenant protections into law.
Frear Park Pub: Authorized a license agreement with Babblingbrookny for pub management. New construction replaces the current facility and completion is expected by next April. Meanwhile, the tent used last year to provide food service is up and running.
Community Development Block Grant: Authorized a public comment period (March 26 – April 27) on the One Year Annual Action Plan, which includes a $1,139,397 CDBG investment in the Little Italy neighborhood. Submit written comments to City Hall or email carolin.skriptshak@troyny.gov.
Sustainability: Confirmed appointments to the revived Sustainability Task Force and established a new Climate Smart Community Task Force.
Proclamations: Designated April as Autism Acceptance Month, April 22nd as Earth Day, and recognized the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The next meetings of City Council will be the Law and Finance Committees on April 23rd, beginning at 6:15 pm. Agendas and Zoom links for these meetings can be accessed here.