NYC Council Members Seek More Control Over Community Boards

New bill would give council members power to appoint up to half of community board members.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:17pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty community board meeting room, with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows and casting deep shadows across the empty chairs and tables, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation over the future of local governance.The proposed changes to community board appointments could shift the balance of power in key neighborhood-level discussions.Staten Island Today

A new bill proposed by New York City Council Member Frank Morano (R-Staten Island) aims to give City Council members more authority in appointing members to the city's 59 community boards. Under the proposed legislation, council members would be able to appoint up to 50% of the 50 volunteer members on each community board.

Why it matters

Community boards play a crucial advisory role in local land use and development decisions, so giving council members more control over board appointments could shift the balance of power and influence in these important neighborhood-level discussions.

The details

The current process for appointing community board members involves a mix of recommendations from the borough president's office and the council member representing that district. Morano's bill would give council members the ability to directly appoint up to half of the members on their local community board.

  • The new bill was proposed in the New York City Council in April 2026.

The players

Frank Morano

A Republican New York City Council member representing Staten Island.

New York City Council

The legislative body of New York City that is considering the new bill to change community board appointments.

New York City Community Boards

The 59 local advisory boards that provide input on land use, zoning, and other neighborhood issues in New York City.

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What they’re saying

“Council members are the ones closest to the neighborhoods. We're the ones people call when there's a problem.”

— Frank Morano, New York City Council Member

What’s next

The New York City Council will debate and vote on Morano's bill in the coming months.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation reflects an ongoing debate over the balance of power between local community boards and elected city council representatives in shaping the future of New York City neighborhoods.