A Charter Revision Commission formed on the final day of former New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration held its first meeting Monday, completing a brief procedural session that focused on selecting interim leadership and outlining next steps.
The meeting, which lasted roughly 10 minutes, was limited to organizational matters only. Commissioners voted to appoint Gilford Monrose as acting chair, Menashe Shapiro as acting vice chair and Kayla Mamelak Altus as acting secretary and spokesperson. All three previously served in Adams’ administration.
The temporary titles reflect uncertainty over whether the authority to formally appoint leadership rests with the current mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Legal questions surrounding the commission’s structure could lead to potential court challenges.
Mamelak Altus emphasized the commission’s intended openness, stating, “This will be an open public process, and we look forward to engaging New Yorkers once again every step of the way.” She explained that the group will gather public input before deciding which proposals may be placed on the ballot.
Among the issues under consideration is a possible shift from the city’s closed primary system to an open primary format. Future meetings are expected to include opportunities for public comment.
The commission begins its work without confirmed funding or staffing from the current administration, raising concerns about how it will operate. Despite these challenges, members indicated they plan to move forward with reviewing the city charter and presenting potential reforms for voter consideration.
