POUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie Common Council held their reorganizational meeting on Tuesday and made some personnel changes. As agreed on by the members in late 2022, the council will be chaired by Councilwoman-at-Large Natasha Brown. Fourth Ward Councilman Nathan Shook has been named vice-chairman of the council.
Second Ward Councilman Evan Menist has been selected to serve as majority leader for the nine-member council, and Fifth Ward Councilwoman Yvonne Flowers, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to run for mayor, has been named chairwoman of the finance committee. First Ward Councilwoman Debra Long was introduced as the chairwoman of the newly-created Housing Solutions Committee.
When asked what the legislative priorities of the council would be for this year, Chairwoman Brown said, “We are caucusing on Monday, January 9, to develop a collective council agenda.” Brown told Mid-Hudson News that she has three priorities that the council will address.
Brown plans to address housing in the city, including “housing preservation which includes lowering property taxes and increasing property values, housing sustainability, and affordable housing options.” Brown, an employee of the Poughkeepsie City School District, also plans to address what she calls “Positive Youth Development” which includes arts and recreation programming. Brown is also seeking to discuss mental health and economic development, with the Northside’s economy being the focus. Brown said the council’s agenda will be more defined after next Monday’s caucus.
The council also adopted the rules of conduct as it pertains to their meetings. The rules can be found here.
