Schenectady council introduces 'good cause' eviction local law but defeats motion to schedule public hearing, 4-2

The Schenectady City Council on July 14 introduced a local law to add Article 5, §2-10-20 to the Schenectady City Code, a measure described in the meeting as a local prohibition of eviction without good cause. After about two hours of public comment from tenants, landlord representatives, advocates and other residents, the council voted down a motion to call a formal public hearing on the proposal by a 4-2 margin.

The local law language was read into the record at the start of the meeting; Council Member Mutavarin moved to call a public hearing and Council Member Patrick seconded the motion. During the roll call on the motion, Council Member Porterfield explained she was voting yes because “this is simply calling for a public hearing, giving the public an opportunity,” but the motion failed. Council members who were recorded saying “no” during the roll call included Mancini, Mutavarin and Patrick; the clerk recorded two affirmative votes and the presiding officer later stated the motion was defeated 4 to 2.

Why it matters: supporters say the measure would protect tenants from arbitrary or retaliatory displacement and curb steep rent increases; opponents — including groups representing small landlords and some individual property owners — warned it could increase costs, vacancies or legal burdens on owners. The debate drew roughly two dozen speakers and a mix of local and regional tenant-research data presented to council members.

Supporters’ arguments and testimony

Tenant advocates…