ALBANY, N.Y. -- Albany Common Councilman Corey Ellis says city department heads shouldn't head for the city limits at the end of the day. Ellis says if they work in the city, they should have to live here.

“I do not believe that the best and brightest people do not live in Albany,” Ellis said.

Right now, there is no residency requirement for Commissioners and their deputies. Mayor Jerry Jennings says that having a residency requirement limits the talent pool for the jobs.

“High ranking city officials? Mr. Ellis should do a reality check when it comes to government and when it comes to paying salaries,” Mayor Jennings said.

Both Troy and Schenectady have residency requirements but Electric City Mayor Brian Stratton agrees with Jennings and says he has made exceptions for some in his administration.

Ellis says they will work out if current department heads who live outside the city should be grandfathered in. Some think the legislation is just common sense.

“It just seems important that most people who work here want to live here too,” said Common Councilman Willard Timmons.

“We saw a problem within the county, where Chris Delasandro was made to move back into the county if he wanted to be Chief Investigator for David Soars and it worked out just fine,” said Albany resident Vincent Riguso.

“We've taken a long time to catch up to what is right, what is just,” said Ellis.

The Common Council will now hammer out the details of what the law will look like in its final form. In the end, it will be up to the mayor if the law goes on the books or goes away.