Binghamton City Council voted 6-0 to override Mayor Kramm’s veto and adopt Local Law 25-01, amending City of Binghamton code section 2-65 to add chapter 4 establishing a local good-cause eviction regime.

The measure, introduced on the council floor as a motion to override the mayoral veto by Council member Raffmel, passed after public comment that included repeated objections from local landlords and real-estate professionals and appeals from council members to protect vulnerable tenants. The council recorded six affirmative votes; Council President Dunton was absent.

Council member Raffmel moved to override the veto “to adopt local law 25 0 1, a local law amending the City Of Binghamton code section 2 65 to add chapter 4 for good cause eviction,” and the motion was seconded (recorded in the transcript as “K.”). The clerk then called the roll: Council member Rathbone, Council member Madametzky, Council member Kavanaugh, Council member Middleton, Council member Murray and Council president pro tem Hotchkiss all voted aye; Council president Dunton was absent. The motion passed 6-0.

Why it matters: supporters on the council said the law provides protections that can keep long-term tenants, seniors and other vulnerable residents from sudden displacement while the council pursues complementary housing measures. Opponents — including multiple written submissions and public commenters representing local real-estate interests — warned the ordinance could reduce rental supply, prompt sale or abandonment of units, and push up rents.

Public comment and written submissions emphasized potential landlord impacts. Joe Gale, who identified himself as the local president of the Broome County Board of Realtors, told the council, “It will cause higher rents for tenants, decreased property maintenance because the landlords will not get the rent that they need to fix up their properties.” Dozens of written commenters and speakers argued the law could encourage owners to sell or leave units vacant, increasing “zombie properties.” One speaker read written materials summarizing New York State’s Good Cause Eviction Law (effective April 20, 2024) and noted the state law currently applies only to New York City but allows localities to opt in.

Council discussion acknowledged the trade-offs raised by commenters. Several council members said the law was not a comprehensive housing solution and described it as one tool among others, pointing to ongoing programs such as a vacant rental improvement program through the land bank and proposed landlord training. A council member recounted a case of an older tenant facing a sharp rent increase to illustrate the stakes for vulnerable residents.

Council members committed to monitoring the ordinance’s effect and to collecting data and feedback during implementation. Council members said they will meet with local stakeholders, including the Greater Binghamton Association of Realtors (GBAR), consider additional landlord training, and reassess the local rules after implementation data are available.

The ordinance text adopted by the council (referred to in the meeting as Local Law 25-01) mirrors the city code change described on the record: it would add a chapter establishing good-cause grounds for eviction and exemptions consistent with the local law language presented in the council packet. Specific operational details — such as required landlord notices, exemptions for certain rehabilitated or newly certified units, and any local modifications to thresholds described in the state statute — will be determined through the ordinance’s implementing process and subsequent administrative guidance.

Votes at a glance: Override of mayoral veto to adopt Local Law 25-01 (amend City code §2-65 to add chapter 4, good-cause eviction) — Motion made by Council member Raffmel; second recorded as “K.” — Roll-call: Rathbone (Aye), Madametzky (Aye), Dunton (Absent), Kavanaugh (Aye), Middleton (Aye), Murray (Aye), Hotchkiss (Aye) — Outcome: approved, 6-0.

Next steps: Council members said they will track eviction-court filings and housing inventory, hold follow-up meetings with landlords and tenant groups, expand landlord training sessions and revisit aspects of the law as evidence emerges.