Incoming New York City Councilmembers Retreat

Meet the Class of 2022

City & State is hosting an incoming New York City Councilmembers Retreat. Esteemed speakers, officials and public policy leaders discuss a broad array of topics incoming Councilmembers are usually expected to learn on the job. We are inviting all Councilmembers (and other levels of NYC government), with Council speaker candidates joining the discussions.

As of now, we are hosting this event in-person, but as we get closer, we may have to move to virtual, depending on COVID numbers. Check back in for updates!

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.

Click HERE to view photos from the event.

9:00 AM	Welcome By Emcee Jeff Coltin, Reporter, City & State NY
9:05 AM	Introduction By Rudolph Wynter, President, National Grid
9:10 AM	Keynote Speaker: Melissa Mark Viverito, Former City Council Speaker
9:25 AM	Introduction By Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York City Council FAQ: Good Government and Ethics, Constituent Services and Life in the Council There's a lot more to being a City Council member than budgets, laws and land use. This panel delves into government transparency, ethical guidelines and good government policies; how to serve constituents effectively; how to interact with the media; and adapting to life as a public figure, including dealing with the media, handling social media, collaborating with new colleagues and managing relations with interest groups. Mark Weprin, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig (moderator) Dan Garodnick, President & Chief Executive Officer, Riverside Park Conservancy and former Council Member Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, District 10 Council Member Helen Rosenthal, District 6 Susan Lerner, Executive Director, Common Cause New York Michael Nieves, President & CEO, HITN Fred Cerullo, President & CEO & former NYC Council Member, Grand Central Partnership Samara Daly, Partner, Bolton St. Johns
10:10 AM	Special Presentation by Lou Coletti, President & CEO, Building Trades Employers' Association
10:40 AM	Introduction: Keyla Antigua, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, Bolton St. Johns NYC Budget Process and Legislation The panel will address the process to ensure each year’s budget meets the needs of our diverse neighborhoods, the analysis and hearing process that ensues and the drafting of non-fiscal laws and how they are processed. Annie McDonough, Reporter, City & State NY (moderator) Jacques Jiha, Ph.D., Director, New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget Council Member Daniel Dromm, District 25 Ronnie Lowenstein, Director, New York City Independent Budget Office Ashley Thompson, Principal, Capalino Rose Christ, Senior Principal, Cozen O’Connor, Trustee, Citizens Budget Commission of NY and Co-Chair, New Leaders Group Bob Harding, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig Zachariah Hennessey, Vice President, Neighborhood Health, Public Health Solutions
11:40 AM	Lunch
12:20 PM	Protect Your Information with Google Security Tools Andrea Holtermann, Civics Outreach, Google
12:35 PM	Introduction By Rodney Capel, VP, State Government Affairs Charter Communications City Council Speaker Candidate Debate Participating candidates will debate all major issues surrounding the City Council Speaker election to be held in December. Ken Fisher, Member, Cozen O'Connor (moderator) India Sneed, Associate, Greenberg Traurig (moderator) Council Member Adrienne Adams, District 28 Council Member Diana Ayala, District 8 Council Member Justin Brannan, District 43 Council Member-Elect Gale Brewer, District 6 Council Member Francisco Moya, District 21 Council Member Keith Powers, District 4 Council Member Carlina Rivera, District 2
1:25 PM	Introduction By Josh Gold, Director, Public Policy & Communications, Uber Navigating Political Issues The panel will address how to work with all sides of the political spectrum to do what is best for the city and its people. Kay Dervishi, Reporter, City & State NY (moderator) Brad Lander, Council Member & NYC Comptroller-Elect Council Member Joseph Borelli, District 51 Vanessa Gibson, Council Member & Bronx Borough President-Elect Patrick B. Jenkins, President, Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates Max Kramer, Partner, Tucker Green & Company Suri Kasirer, President, Kasirer Brian W. Simon, Founder and Managing Partner, Hollis Public Affairs Edward Wallace, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
2:10 PM	Introduction By Lizzie Kirshenbaum, Associate Director of Government Relations, Weedmaps Land-Use/ULURP Process New York City regulates how land is used throughout the five boroughs. As regulations tend to change throughout the year, the City Council must study, agree upon and approve with proposed changes. Rebecca Lewis, Reporter, City & State NY (moderator) Donovan Richards, Queens Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Council Member & Brooklyn Borough President-Elect Council Member Kevin C. Riley, District 12 Basha Gerhards, Senior Vice President of Planning, REBNY John P. Albert, Partner, Bolton St. Johns
2:55 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 Amanda Cortez at acortez@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.