Perhaps predictably, the Common Council passed the resolution adopting the Good Cause Eviction Law.
Because the Council Chamber and the lobby of City Hall were filled with people bearing signs urging the Council, in English and Spanish, to pass the law, Council president Tom DePietro suggested, after a presentation by Starr Whitehouse about plans for the Furgary, that they go directly to what he called "the main event": voting on the resolution to adopt the Good Cause Eviction Law. There was just one hitch: Dewan Sarowar (Second Ward) wasn't there in person. Because of what he described as "personal business," Sarowar was attending virtually. According to the law, councilmembers attending a meeting virtually can vote only if their cameras are turned on and they can be seen by the audience and other members of the Council. Sarowar's camera was not on, and he was not visible to the rest of the Council.
There were eight members of the Common Council present in person at the meeting. Rich Volo (Fourth Ward) and Vicky Daskaloudi (Fifth Ward), who had recused themselves from consideration of the Good Cause Eviction Law, were not present at the meeting. Dominic Merante (Fifth Ward), who also had recused himself from the issue, was present. Before the vote was taken, DePietro asked Merante to explain why he was recusing himself. Merante explained that because he was a renter he might benefit financially from the law, and for this reason he felt ethically compelled to recuse himself. For this, he was berated by the audience member.
Obviously, with just seven people present to vote on the issue, DePietro felt Sarowar's participation was critical. He determined the Council should postpone "the main event" and consider other matters before them while Sarowar tried to get his camera to work. When there were only three items left on the agenda, Sarowar's colleague, Mohammed Rony (Second Ward), managed to get an image of Sarowar on his phone. The vote was taken, with Rony holding up his phone so the other members of the Council could see Sarowar. Of the eight members who had not recused themselves, only one, Margaret Morris (First Ward) voted no, explaining as she has in the past that, although the intent of the legislation was good, she believed it would have a negative impact on renters. There was a smattering of boos from the audience when Morris cast her no vote.
The resolution needed six affirmative votes to pass; it got seven.
There were cheers from the audience after the vote was taken, with someone declaring repeatedly that the Council was "on the right side of history." The meeting was paused while the jubilant crowd made its way out of the building.
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