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City Clerk
Message from the City ClerkOver the past few years, everyone in the Office of the City Clerk has worked hard in an effort to provide better services to the residents and taxpayers of Albany. We want to ensure that what we do on your behalf is done efficiently, thoroughly and in a cost-effective manner. Many of these changes have involved the computerization of records and the expediting of processing time.
We have also worked to forge stronger relationships with the agencies that oversee or mandate our functions, or work cooperatively with us to serve your needs: Albany County and New York State Departments of Health, New York State Racing and Wagering Board, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the Albany County Clerk.
We make it our business to give you friendly service. If we can’t help you, we will refer you to agencies and organizations that can further assist you in providing a service or solving a problem.
Please contact me at any time if you have suggestions or want to discuss any of the services or functions provided by the Office of the City Clerk.
John Marsolais
OverviewThe Office of the City Clerk assists the taxpayers and residents of the City of Albany by providing a variety of diverse services. These services include: processing birth, death and marriage certificates; licensing of taxi drivers, vendors, cafes, games of chance and bingo, and other municipal licenses; issuing dog licenses; the administration of elections within the City of Albany; providing access to public records; and, all bidding and contract processing on goods, products and services purchased by the City of Albany in excess of $10,000 for goods and $20,000 for services. The divisions within the Clerk’s Office are: General Licensing and Permitting (Room 202, City Hall) Vital Statistics (Room 254M, City Hall) Board of Contract and Supply (Room 202 City Hall)
The City Clerk is also Clerk to the Common Council. It is the Clerk’s responsibility, in cooperation with the Corporation Counsel, to prepare two Council meeting agendas per month and to distribute all materials to Common Council Members. The Clerk attends all caucuses and Common Council meetings and is responsible for calling the roll, recording all votes. The Clerk keeps the names of all speakers at the Public Comment Period and at Public Hearings. The Clerk prepares and advertises notices on all committee meetings and public hearings, and prepares the minutes of the Common Council meetings. All minutes of the Common Council and the Albany City Code, are available at www.generalcode.com and on the city web site at www.albanyny.gov. A hardcopy version can be reviewed in the Office of the City Clerk.
In addition to the minutes, the Clerk prepares certifications on all Ordinances, Local Laws, and Resolutions passed by the Common Council that need signatures by the Mayor, Common Council President and the Clerk. Also, the Clerk of the Common Council files legal documents with the state. The Clerk performs miscellaneous tasks for individual members, and provides staff assistance scheduling and communicating processes for Council appointments and other special activities such as the annual Youth in Government Day. The Clerk receives and distributes U.S. Mail and inter-departmental mail for Council Members. It is the Clerk’s responsibility to prepare the official calendar and brochure detailing the Common Council schedule, meeting dates and committee activities. In addition, the Clerk oversees the Common Council Chamber maintenance and scheduling and arranges for use of facilities for constituent meetings, committee meetings and other activities. Online Resources
Contact Information Room 202
City Hall
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 434-5090
Fax: (518) 434-5081
E-mail: cityclerk@ci.albany.ny.us
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