# 🔴 LIVE: Speaker Julie Menin, Joined by Council Members, Discusses Today’s Stated Meeting


**Body:** New York City Council
**Date:** September 25, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Professional Services, Grants & Funding, Regulatory Compliance


The New York City Council held a stated meeting on September 25, 2026, where several procurement and budget-related items were discussed and voted on. Key highlights included the allocation of $250,000 in grants to Cornell Tech for the generative canopy project aimed at environmental justice and urban heat mitigation, and a $25 million budget allocation to Bellevue Hospital to modernize and expand its adult psychiatric department, adding approximately 40 inpatient beds. The council also discussed and prepared to vote on land use and finance items, including rezoning to facilitate residential development and funding designations for various organizations. Significant legislative actions included the reauthorization and improvement of the J51 tax abatement program to support building preservation and upgrades, with an extension through 2036 and increased valuation caps for co-ops and condos. Additionally, bills were introduced to streamline enrollment in the Fair Fares transit discount program and to improve the return of unused commissary funds to individuals leaving Department of Correction custody. The council emphasized efforts to increase accessibility to benefits and support affordable transit, alongside upcoming hearings on AI regulation and transportation safety. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were detailed in the transcript, but the budget allocations and grant funding represent notable procurement-related decisions.

**Source:** New York City Council