Albany Common Council

Back in June, the state legislature gave Albany the green light to launch a five-year pilot program deploying automatic red light ticketing cameras at up to 20 intersections. City officials signed on to the idea, and the common council passed a resolution in support of exploring the program. The proposal has gained steam and, if Tuesday night's council meeting is any indication, could be resolved by year's end.

The Albany Common Council voted 12-3 last night on a watered-down resolution in support of a Rensselaer casino project by Hard Rock International. The Times Union reports the council’s support was won with a number of last-minute conditions added to the resolution, including a decade’s worth of $1 million dollar payments to the city. But the measure didn’t preclude lawmakers from also supporting a casino project in neighboring East Greenbush from Churchill Downs and Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The Capital Region is slated to receive one of the state’s four casino licenses.

The Albany Common Council could decide tonight to expand its smoking ban in city parks. If passed, the measure would carry a 50 dollar fine and go into effect immediately.

It is already against the law to smoke on playgrounds or ball-fields in the city. Back in 2012, the Albany Common Council approved a limited ban on smoking in areas of parks where children gather, including playgrounds, athletic fields and swimming pools.

A relatively minor oil spill at the Port of Albany has apparently set the scene for a summer of scrutiny, with county officials putting crude-by-rail transporter Global Partners LLC under the microscope.

Albany's river port has emerged as a major hub for rail and barge shipments of crude oil. A series of incidents involving rail cars moving crude oil internationally has prompted concerns about spills and fires from some residents and environmental groups.  A weekend spill underscores those concerns.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan highlighted key initiatives launched during her administration’s first hundred days this morning at the Washington Park Lakehouse.

One form of so-called "conversion therapy" has captured the attention of an Albany councilman -

Albany residents alarmed about a plan to build a crude oil heating facility at the port of Albany have rallied their forces after meeting to discuss neighborhood safety issues -  they are meeting again --- tonight --- Wednesday, February 12, 2014, 6:00 p.m. at Giffen Elementary School-274 South Pearl Street.  

Municipal operations are about to undergo a major overhaul in Albany.

The meeting was led by former mayoral candidate and community activist Marlon Anderson, who believes community commitment is key to solving gun violence and conquering Albany's "gun culture." Anderson told the gathering he wanted their ideas. He circulated a clipboard around the room so meeting-goers could jot down their concerns and suggestions.

Transportation is the buzzword in many mid- to large-sized North American cities. Albany is no exception as commuters seek out alternatives to driving to work.

A new America THINKS survey from infrastructure firm HNTB Corporation finds people are getting on board with public transportation as the cost to own and operate a vehicle rises and consumers look for ways to save money.

According to the study, 76 percent of Americans are open to taking public transportation instead of driving, up from 69 percent in 2010.