Eric Adams’ Charter Revision Commission to meet in Randy Mastro’s office on 4/20

The Charter Revision Commission convened by former New York City Mayor Eric Adams on his final day in office plans to meet for the first time on April 20, kicking off a process likely to raise legal questions – and a clash with the Mamdani administration.

Former First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro will host the meeting at his law firm Dechert LLP. The 13-member group, a somewhat odd assemblage many of whom are Adams’ allies, is expected to consider whether to change the City Charter to open up the city’s primary elections. Official notice of the public meeting is slated to be published in the city record Thursday. 

Despite doubts that the zombie-like commission would move forward with its creator no longer in office, the upcoming gathering is further confirmation that the group isn’t giving up despite the logistical challenges. Mastro, who played a significant role in crafting the commission, is offering the group pro bono legal representation in addition to space for the first meeting. 

That answers at least some of the initial questions about how the commission might proceed after City & State reported that the group was exploring the possibility of accepting private contributions to fund its operations and whether to retain legal representation should the Mamdani administration try to block its efforts. Many expect Mayor Zohran Mamdani to attempt to starve the commission of resources, hence the group’s efforts to solicit outside aid. (Though that too is legally cloudy.) Other questions are still unanswered – like who will serve as the commission’s chair. Martin Connor, the person Adams initially appointed, failed to file the necessary paperwork on time, Politico New York first reported, creating a leadership void that Mamdani could likely seize upon if he wished.

A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said the city law department is reviewing the actions Mastro is taking.

Kayla Mamelak Altus, a commission member and Adams’ former press secretary, said that the group will review the entire City Charter with a focus on “delivering real results for New Yorkers.” But she confirmed the group intends to specifically consider a non-partisan, open primary system for city elections. This is something a prior commission considered under Adams, but ultimately dropped, choosing to focus on several ultimately successful land use and affordable housing-related measures instead. If the commission is able to get such a proposal on the ballot and it's approved by New Yorkers, voters of any party would be permitted to vote in primary elections. Democratic socialists like Mamdani generally oppose such measures, which are thought to benefit candidates who are closer to the political center. 

“We will take a thoughtful look at how we can continue to modernize city government and increase public involvement in our local democratic process,” Mamelak Altus said in a statement. “This will be an open, public process, and we look forward to engaging New Yorkers every step of the way.”

What’s to come is uncharted territory. There is little if any precedent of a charter commission established by a former mayor operating without approval from the new administration. And while Mamdani doesn’t have the authority to dismiss the group outright, he still wields a lot of power over its fate.

One of the main purposes of the commission’s upcoming meeting is to discuss the appointment of a new chair, according to Mamelak Altus. It’s unclear whether commission members will seek to do this internally. Several good government experts previously told City & State that only the current mayor has the power to fill openings and appoint the group’s chair. Some have also questioned whether the commission will actually be able to accept private donations as typically, those would pass through Mamdani’s budget office. 

Both matters could amount to legal clashes with Mastro and the city law department duking it out in court. Mastro, a prominent litigator, did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication. 

For now, the first meeting looms. While it’ll be open to the public and streaming through Microsoft Teams, attendees will have to wait to weigh in on open primaries or the group’s broader view of the city charter. The commission plans to hold at least one public hearing in each borough between now and August, according to Mamelak Altus.