Council Member Julie Menin is scheduled to be elected as the next Speaker of the New York City Council during its Charter Meeting on Wednesday. Menin, a moderate Democrat representing Manhattan's Upper East Side, has secured a coalition for the leadership position, succeeding over other candidates.
The vote for speaker is anticipated to occur after 12 p.m. on Wednesday. While the precise vote count is pending, a significant majority is expected. Former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams was elected by a 49-2 vote in 2022, and reelected unanimously two years later.
Leadership Team Appointments
Following her election, Menin is slated to announce her full leadership team on Wednesday afternoon. Expected appointments include:
- Chief of Staff: Miguelina Camilo, who previously served as Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie's counsel.
- Deputy Chief of Staff: Simone Jones, current chief of staff for Council Member Kevin Riley.
- Chief Adviser: Bhav Tibrewal, political director for the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council.
- Adviser Role: John-Carlo Bautista, from the Department for Citywide Administrative Services.
These appointments were initially reported by the Daily News. Changes in central staff are expected, with some current staffers from the previous administration having departed or awaiting clarity on their future roles within the new speaker's office. Key supporters of Menin, such as Council Members Linda Lee, Shaun Abreu, and Kevin Riley, are anticipated to receive prominent committee assignments and leadership posts.
Upcoming Council Business and Operational Changes
The council will also formally address 19 vetoes issued by former Mayor Eric Adams on his last day in office. These bills include provisions to expand a cap on street vending licenses and allow non-profits to purchase certain apartment buildings. Menin stated that her office would "be taking a very serious look at each and every one of them" and plans for "a significant number of overrides." The council has 30 days from Wednesday to vote on these overrides, requiring a two-thirds majority.
Regarding council operations, Menin has pledged to improve meeting punctuality. She stated, "I am a stickler for punctuality. Stated (meetings) is going to start on time. We're going to move Land Use and Finance (committee hearings) to the day before, and the stated meetings will start on time. We're going to respect everyone's time." The City Council has been known for meetings frequently starting an hour or more beyond their scheduled times.