2023 New York City Council Members Retreat

City & State is hosting our New York City Council Members Retreat. Esteemed speakers, officials and public policy leaders discuss a broad array of topics new and long time Council Members are usually expected to learn, operate and implement on the job. We are inviting all Council Members (and other levels of NYC government), with previous Council Members and more joining the discussions.

This is a closed event not open to the public. It will be only for new and existing councilmembers, invited speakers and sponsors of the event.

9:00 AM	Networking Breakfast and Registration
9:30 AM	Welcoming Remarks by Emcee Ralph Ortega, Editor in Chief, City & State NY
9:35 AM	Introduction to Keynote Speaker by Beth Finkel, State Director, AARP
9:40 AM	Keynote Remarks by Former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, President & CEO, Win
9:55 AM	The Budget: Influencing Spending Priorities Every year, the New York City Council passes a budget that now exceeds $100 billion, funding a wide array of programs and services – from education to housing to law enforcement – in line with the values and priorities of its members. This panel will delve into the complicated process, including balancing demands from various factions, adapting to an ever-evolving fiscal situation and negotiating with the mayor’s office. Topics may include public-sector labor contracts, reserve funds, spending and staffing cuts, the economic outlook, federal stimulus and the financial impact of the migrant crisis. Julie Greenberg, Executive Vice President, Kasirer (Moderator) Council Member Justin Brannan, Chair, Finance Committee Council Member Farah N. Louis, Chair, Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Sitings, and Dispositions Council Member Julie Won, Chair, Committee on Contracts Louisa Chafee, Director, New York City Independent Budget Office
10:40 AM	Sponsor Remarks by Rodney Capel, Vice President of State Government Affairs, Charter Communications
10:45 AM	Affordable Housing: Rezonings, Member Deference, Tenant Protections Affordable housing remains one of the most pressing issues in New York City, especially given Albany’s inability to reach a compromise on the governor’s housing agenda in 2023. Amid a persistent housing shortage that has contributed to displacement and homelessness, there have been signs growing support for rezonings that pave the way for more affordable housing. This panel explores how the New York City Council is addressing these issues while tackling senior housing, supportive housing and alternative housing models as well as tenant protections and ensuring every New Yorker’s living conditions are healthy and safe. Ross Moskowitz, Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP (Moderator) Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President Council Member Kevin Riley, Chair, Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises Leroy Comrie, State Senator, Chair, Committee on Corporations, Authorities & Commissions Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese Justice Favor, Director, Strategic Partnerships, Greater NY LECET
11:30 AM	Transportation & Infrastructure New York City has one of the biggest and busiest public transit systems in the world, which means it requires significant investments each year to keep it running. In recent years, the state has pushed for more funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from the city, which is also dealing with other high-priority transportation matters such as improved bus service, safer streets and infrastructure challenges like fixing the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. This panel identifies the biggest transportation and infrastructure needs in the city and which ones are moving forward. David Meyer, Deputy Editor, Streetsblog NYC (Moderator) Ydanis Rodriguez, Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Chair, Transportation Committee Council Member Amanda Farías, Chair, Committee on Economic Development Barbara Y. Roberts, Senior Business Development Leader, Conduent, Inc
12:15 PM	Introduction to Keynote Speaker by Robert Parker, VP, Business Development, Boldyn Networks
12:20 PM	Keynote Speaker Richard A. Davey, President, New York City Transit, Metropolitan Transportation Authority
12:40 PM	Lunch
1:00 PM	Introduction to Lunch & Learn by Dr. Daniel Baker, Executive Director of Lenox Hill, Northwell Health
1:05 PM	Lunch & Learn: Public Spaces and Public Health Hosted by Council Member Linda Lee and Council Member Shekar Krishnan Trip Yang, Founder, Trip Yang Strategies, Member, City & State Advisory Board (Moderator)
1:30 PM	Sponsor Remarks by Gary P. Jenkins, Managing Director, Not‑for‑Profits & Social Services, Oaktree Solutions
1:35 PM	Health Care: Medical Costs, Expanding Coverage, Food and Wellness Policies The New York City Council seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of New York in myriad ways, whether it’s combating COVID-19, diabetes or monkeypox, improving maternal and reproductive care or expanding mental health services. Over the past year, lawmakers have taken aim at patient costs at hospitals while also seeking to increase hospital capacity and expand access to care. Other efforts have been launched to improve wellness and to account for broader social determinants of health. This panel will lay out the latest initiatives underway or in the works to make New Yorkers healthier. Beth Finkel, State Director, AARP (Moderator) Vanessa Gibson, Bronx Borough President Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair, Health Committee Council Member Julie Menin, Member, Health Committee Todd Rogow, CEO, Healthix, Inc. Dr. Talya Schwartz, President & CEO, MetroPlus Health Melanie Hartzog, CEO, The New York Foundling
2:20 PM	Education Issues: School Spending, Standards, Mental Health Educational policy is perennially a hot topic in New York City government. The New York City Council and the mayor’s office hash out school funding levels each year. Student performance is also under a microscope, amid debates over curriculum, charter schools and early childhood education. Meanwhile, mental health and wellness have also become a focus for educational policymakers. The panel sheds light on all these topics and much more. Sahalie Donaldson, City Hall Reporter, City & State NY (Moderator) Council Member Rita Joseph, Chair, Education Committee State Senator Robert Jackson, Member, Education Committee Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Member, Education Committee, and Chair, Higher Education Committee Michael Mulgrew, President, United Federation of Teachers
3:05 PM	Success Stories: How to be An Effective Legislator Getting elected to the New York City Council is just the beginning. Once in office, members thrive by identifying important policy issues to tackle, crafting effective legislative solutions, collaborating with constituents and stakeholders, forging strong alliances with colleagues and generating positive press. This panel offers insights into how to stand out and how to move up, whether it’s securing leadership roles or powerful committee chairs within the legislative body or building coalitions and political capital to buoy future runs for higher office. John Celock, Special Projects Editor, City & State NY (Moderator) Keith Powers, New York City Council Majority Leader Council Member Gale Brewer, Chair, Committee on Oversight and Investigations Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate, New York City
3:55 PM	Sessions Conclude

Inclusion is one of the core values of City & State. Our goal is to create a company climate accessible to all, and proactively plan events free of physical, communication and/or other barriers so all individuals may meaningfully participate in our activities and events.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend City & State sponsored events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event, please contact Alexis Arsenault at aarsenault@cityandstateny.com or Isabelle Poulard at ipoulard@cityandstateny.com.

Please contact us for the full policy.

We require that ALL attendees be vaccinated at least 2 weeks prior to the event and submit to a temperature check upon arrival, to help ensure the safety of all attendees. Please remember to bring a copy or photo of your vaccination card or your Excelsior pass to gain entry. We will space out all attendees in a large room to maintain social distancing. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

All attendees will be required to provide government-issued photo ID upon entry. Walk-in registrants will be charged an additional fee and will be required to provide credit card payment on-site.