City Council - Regular Meeting

Can we please rise for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of America to the stands nation indivisibley and justice for all. Clerk, can you please take the role? Council member Murray is absent. Council member Kavanagh, present. Council member Hodkus, present. Council member Mavetski, present. Council member Rathmemell present. Council member Dunan is absent. Council President Prom Middleton present. Thank you. Thank you so much. We will begin by approving the minutes from the business meeting on April 22nd, 2026. Do I have a motion?

A motion. A second? Second. All in favor? Any opposed? Thank you. We will now move on to reports from committees and appointments. Would the finance and planning committees like to report on their recent introduced legislation?

Sure. I would uh like to briefly discuss the introduction of local law LL26-01. Um this uh is a piece of legislation that's coming down the pike. It's a local law which means it has to kind of rest in its final form on our virtual desks. um before it can be introduced as formal legislation, but we've uh been talking about it in committee for some time. We had uh uh public RL requests submitted as well about um about reassessment and we had a press conference this morning announcing the uh legislation and the initiative. Um so I want to actually introduce a business meeting a little bit here and give some background. Um, essentially the city of Bingmpington uh has not had a property tax reassessment since 1993. Uh, the property tax assessment uh is how are the amount of property tax the prop the amount of property tax that the city needs to collect is decided in the annual budget process. How that is spread out among all of the parcels of property in the city of Bingmpington is what the assessment rule is for. In order to do that fairly, the valuations in that assessment role have to reflect reality, the fair market value of properties. Because we have not done a full reassessment since 1993, we are relying on increasingly outofdate data to make that fair market value uh assessment. It is only right and fair that people's tax that the tax that people are asked to pay in the city of Bington be based on the best data available. It's simply good government. It is very very basic. What this local law does is put Bingmpington on a five-year reassessment

cycle so that we will remove the reassessment question from the realm of politics and put it into the realm of basic government. We will be able to plan and budget for reassessment and then we will be able to keep our roles far more current than they are now. That is the purpose of reassessment. That is a purpose of this law. Um in conjunction with that, uh we need to correct the severe assessment deficit, if you will, that we're in now because we haven't done it since 1993. So, the hope will be to get an RFP put together and put out by this summer to get responses uh from uh the uh firms that that handle large scale reassessment and then uh be able to budget for that reassessment process in the budget for next year uh by the time we we take that up in the fall. Um so looking to kick off the reassessment that we desperately need and looking to put guard rails in place for the future uh to take to make this part of our regular governmental process. Um reassessment and property tax assessment is not the easiest thing to explain. It's not the most exciting thing to explain, but it is the bedrock of how uh municipalities are able to collect taxes and function. And having that system be as fair as possible to all the property owners in the city of Bingmpington is a very good goal. Something I hope that this legislation will help achieve. And uh I'm ready uh to uh hone my presentation

about uh tax assessment and reassessment and the difference between um tax taxation and the the amount of property tax being collected versus the assessment and the rates and how that that how that pie is sliced. um to help everybody understand and to make this process fair and equitable and uh robust. So that's my little pitch. I'll figure out how long that took in a minute, but I don't quite have it down to elevator length, but thanks. That's very good. Thank you.

And do you want to share the tenative date to vote on it? So yeah, so the uh we're we're polishing up the uh the five-year cycle legislation now that'll that will end up on our desks again according to local law process um uh before the 12th. Uh so it can be on the agenda as first re legislation on the 20th is our next meeting. Yeah. So that would be the timeline for for that. Where can people find the draft version for the draft version is not out there yet. It will be out there by but we can post it by the 12th if you want. Anybody else?

Okay. I'll just uh remind people that uh traffic board has its next meeting on May 14th uh at 9:15 a.m. right in here. And there is a public comment section at the beginning of that meeting uh if you have any traffic related um issues. So, uh please feel free to come and speak to that that group. Um it includes um engineering, DPW, um police department, um the the county that um the BMTS uh Bingmpington Metropolitan uh transit study um which helps advise um the city of Bingmpington and other municipalities around here um and uh the deputy mayor. So if you have a traffic related issue, that is really a great place to come and uh have everybody who can maybe do something about it hear from you directly. Um environmental commission is uh May uh 21st and um there was a planning commission meeting last night um with a public hearing relating to Conklin a and I I'll maybe speak more on that during uh district concerns time but great.

Anyone else? Yeah, just real quick. Uh the human rights commission has established a subcommittee that is going going to be study the impact of ICE on our local immigrant community um in various ways. So that's my update from there.

Thank you, Nate. Thank you, Council Member Hodkus. Sorry. Uh uh we have no public hearings to set or hold today. So we'll move on to public comment. Please come down to the microphone and introduce yourself by first name and indicate whether you whether you live or work in the city of Bingmpington. Each speaker has five minutes to address city council on city issues. So you can come up if you'd like to speak for public comment. Good evening. My name is Dr. Misty Kirby. I am a resident um of Bingmpington and have been for just over four years going on five in November. Um and I also work in the city of Bingmpington and I have a child in our public schools. Um, so I'm here tonight just to uh ask a couple of questions and I know it's not a Q&A, but just um mostly because I know when you bring up the bill later that you'll talk about it. Um, first, uh, when will the public notification be for the fireworks for the Pride Coalition? I mean, I probably will be at the event, but just in case, um, you know, what do I where do I uh what do I do with the dogs? So, I just kind of wanting to know um when the public will be notified of that. Um and my second thing is just to um deliver my strong support for as I'm going here um for a resolution um tonight around inspections of rental properties. I think this is something that the city has long needed and I'm

glad to see some um more proactive action that is pro uh tenant that is actually coming to the table um despite what might be a interesting time in Bingington politics with the mayoral veto. Um so we will see how all this plays out but I am certainly happy that it's getting on the agenda and that we are finally taking um again a more proactive approach. Um having you know a family close to me on the brink of being evicted on the 11th and um this is a real need. Um, we still need to work uh to build our housing and our housing um just I guess our housing portfolio. And I'm been very glad uh to see a couple of properties um in the old Carol Street neighborhood that has uh that's looking that it may be going to Habitat for Humanity. Um so I know that we're looking at housing stock and other options. I think things like that we definitely need to keep doing. Um, and that is actually it. I just want to express my approval for that finally making the agenda. Um, and um, thank you very much for your hard work so far. Thank you so much. If anyone else would like to come down. Hello. Okay. Hi, my name is Aaron Zipman. I uh live on the west side of Bingmpington. I'm a renter and so I

would just like to thank the council for considering ordinance 2646 uh for proactive code. This is a common sense piece of legislation. Uh if restaurants are getting regular inspections, why is housing not getting a regular inspection? I would venture to say that this makes corporations think twice about gobbling up buildings and parsing them into tiny units for student housing given each unit will need to be paid and accounted for. The program is self- sustaining. So that's great as a taxpayer to hear uh the mom and pop landlords that I know might that they tend to show out for these sorts of pieces of legislations. If they're living in the building with one other rented unit, they're not included in this legislation. And so that is interesting to see. And I know if landlords are doing the right things that this law makes sense. This will help weed out our bad actors. Uh we can't just rely on landlords promising they'll do the right thing. The market does not incentivize doing the right thing for landlords and legislation like this will. So thank you for the for considering this and I would just like to show my support for this ordinance. Thank you. Anyone else that would like to come down and speak?

Come on down.

Sure. Come on down. I might regret I had something written down to say I might regret whether you guys believe it or not. 71 days ago, I was here before you guys. And I told you that I was assaulted and I told you the man was a liar. I told you that I was being retaliated against. I wish there was a way to play the video now, but I know most of you have seen it. Keep these. Go home tonight. watch the video again and then read this police report, which I insist I don't care how long it takes. You can take me out of here in handcuffs. It won't take more than five minutes, but if it does, sit there and wait. This is the police report of Ed Skinner, the guy that attacked me. And I promise you, listen, open your ears, and I'm going to show you how it directly affects 700 days later. There's now somewhere dead and there's four kids in jail. This could have been prevented. I sat right here and I said, listen to it back because I listened to it just this morning. I told you this would happen. I told I specifically said somebody was

going to get killed. In fact, in the video I said that. I'm sorry to pet to Peter's family. On the above date and time, this was written by Ed Skinner. On the above date and time, Broom dispatch dispatched me to Greater Bingmpington bus whatever for an assault that just occurred. Upon arrival, BPD was already on scene as well as medics. I learned from Clark that the Vic McKon had just been arrested two hours earlier. Okay, but let's not blame the victim. I'll read on and released. Okay, so we've established somebody was arrested and released. He walked back to the bus station to catch his bus back to New York City. At some point as some kids were in the area, the same kids that I sat here, at least one of them, I sat here and said he couldn't be more than 12 or 13. Boy, I have a good sense because guess what? The ones arrested were 14 or 15. Count it off. 701 days. It shocks me that nobody Apparently that guy, which I saw earlier in the day, too, bombed harassing people because they were Jewish. I'll give that to you. He did commit a crime. In my book, he he was harassing people on Court Street. He should have been detained by the the police. They they handled it. They brought him to the bus station. That doesn't mean he deserved

to be attacked. What I'm going to tell you, it's me. That is the unidentified male. He knew exactly who I was. I heard a scream. Listen to 701 days ago what I what I told you. My story hasn't changed an iota. Anybody listening online, please watch the video, read this police report. As I was going to speak to Sergeant Tanner, an unknown white male approached me aggressively. Yeah, that's the part where I said, "Excuse me, sir. May I ask you a question?" "Yeah, you please." That's how aggressive I was. Incidentally, I was approached by two Broom County security guards soon after that. and told that their version of the video shows a completely different story. Have any of you seen it yet? Because I sure haven't. I'd love to see it because my story hasn't changed. And I'm going to show you a little something. He was rec He approached me aggressively. First lie. As uh sorry, he was recording on his phone. True. I was and told me that this is the second night in a row. Right there. One of the few truths he says about me. It was the second night in a row. Why did the mayor call it an isolated incident? If his own police report said two nights in a row, two nights is not isolated. Um I I'm sorry, my vision is not good.

Um, and I'm nervous. As I was going to speak, Sergeant, I was recording on my phone, me and told me that this is the second night in a row someone has been attacked there and asked me what was I going to do about it. You piece of crap. There's nothing you could do about it because you're a clown. Yes, I did this AI. It's a beautiful thing. And Mr. Mayor, I found some interesting things about you. Mr. Mayor, I would suggest you ask AI simply, "Hey, Gemini, tell me what are some of the common terms that Mayor Jared Cra always uses when he's referring to homeless people?" It's a laugh. Do it when you get home tonight. Bottom line, I've already established right there. I'm not even going to read you more. Read it yourselves. He's a liar. Ed Skinner is a liar. It's proven. You show me one point between now and 701 days. I know 701 days because I listened to after I spoke several people later. Ken, you all know Ken sent an email to you guys and said 21 days since I was attacked. 21 days no response. 21 days. The man's right. And it hit me and I said, "Hey Gemini, how many days have gone by since I think it was June 4th, 2024? The number 701 days." The difference is somebody's dead. Now, if you can't see that the moment that I got there, I heard screams that sent me there. Help. I went over as a witness, an eyewitness. I saw which way they went. I was met by the first cop. I

don't know because I don't get to look at police records without a foyer. How am I going to do a foyer if Skinner broke my phone? How am I going to sue you the county when I only have 90 days to do it? Most of those 90 days I still haven't been reimbursed for my phone. That's not the greatest country in America, guys. I don't care what side you're on. There's a direct correlation. Think about it. I went there as a witness. I tried to give witness information and when I dared question his comment, he was when I got there, it was within two minutes. The man was still on the ground being tended to by the ambulance and Skinner and Sheamus were telling homeless people, "I'm not going to argue with you. Get out of here." So basically, they were taking when they knew somebody was there, kids were there attacking people. Had he listened to me, maybe he wouldn't have made this decision. I would hope not. I mean, the man does have a badge and a gun. And he took people from what's that saying? Out of the fire. No, out of the frying pan into the fire. The same kids. I I I promise you, all you got to do is look because there are records of me on TV in front of you. I mentioned certain things about a kid that couldn't have been more than 12 and 13 years old. My birthday was April 30th. That's the day I found out that Peter had gotten killed. When I saw his picture, I didn't know Peter by his name. When I saw his picture, I realized he's been to my house and he's dead because Skinner through these. He doesn't care about homeless people. Neither does the mayor. And I know you guys all know this.

What's it going to take for people? I think at this point I will say come and get me. Put me in jail. I'm a clown as an officer. No, I found only United I don't even at some BTC.

to tell people they can't go outside and Thank you so much.

That's why I know what happened. going the wrong way. You're welcome.

Happy birthday, Anybody else that would like to come up for public comment? Okay. Can you read those into the record, please? Thank you. There were two comments that we received via email to be read into the record. One from Michael Pachelli. Good afternoon, Clerk Denhoffer. I'm writing to you to express my support for the proactive code that will be discussed at tonight's city council meeting. The proactive code is an important measure in making sure that rental properties in Bingmpington are maintained at safe standards for those living in them and for the upkeep and value of the surrounding properties. Too many landlords in Bingmpington refuse to meet the health and safety standards that the city has put in place and rely on intimidation to prevent their tenants from seeking help through the appropriate departments. This measure will give tenants, neighboring property owners, and the city the ability to ensure that every property in Bingmpington is habitable and remains that way into the future. Thank you for your consideration. From Kelly Philhower, owner of Off Hours Auto Repairs, Inc. to whom it may concern. I am writing to formally advise the city of Bingmpington that our organization Off Hours Auto Repairs, Inc. currently has an active application submitted for inclusion in the municipal towing rotation. This application was submitted on February 6, 2026 in good faith and in full compliance with the city's existing towing rotation policies and requirements. Despite multiple follow-ups, the city failed to provide

any termination, approval, denial, or request for additional information for a period exceeding two months. I understand that the city is contemplating the adoption of new regulations which may restrict the number of towing companies authorized to participate in this rotation. Accordingly, I respectfully request that my pending application be duly reviewed and considered prior to the enactment of any forthcoming legislation or limitation affecting towe company eligibility. This correspondence is intended to ensure that my application receives equitable consideration accordance with all mun existing municipal guidelines and procedures. Should any further documentation or information be required in support of my application, please do not hesitate to contact me. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you to everyone who spoke tonight. We will now move on to our first read legislation. First, we have introductory ordinance 026-44 introduced in finance. Excuse me. 026-44 introduced in finance. Council member Kavanagh,

I'd like to motion to adopt uh 026 almost to 25 02644 an ordinance from the 2026 ament Johnson City joint se treatment facility budget to authorize an increase for owner requested flow study. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion?

Um basically uh we've been asking for a flow study. uh which would be preliminary to a entire flow management plan and will also help implement the sewage uh tax credit I'm sorry uh the sewage credit program not tax credit sewage credit program um we need to pay for it somehow uh the sewer uh sewer treatment plan has a fund balance that's been established for expenditures like this uh it's quite healthy uh this is a very reasonable dip into it agreed to by the board and the uh financial manager at the plant and our comproller. So I think it is wise to pass.

Any other discussion? Clerk, can you please take the role? Council member Rothwell I. Council member Mabetsky. Hi. Council member Hodkus. Hi. Council member Kavanagh. Hi. Council members Marie and Dundan are absent. Council President Pro Middleton. Thank you. That is 5. Thank you so much. Next we have introductory ordinance 026-45 considered in public works. Council member Hodkus make a motion to adopt introductory ordinance 026-45. This is an ordinance to amend the 2026 capital fund budget for gutters on Ross Park carousel.

Second. I have a first and a second. Any discussion? So, the engineering department had reviewed some of the plans for the the Ros Park carousel and made the observation that it did not have any gutters. Um, so we we need this to make sure that there's gutters on that to protect our very long project in trying to get it back up and running and maintain its longevity.

Any other discussion? Um the uh main source of funds for this is a uh parks equipment capital line. Um that's uh doesn't have a set purpose this season for yet. Um it's it's often used as a as a contingency for if something large breaks. Um so just uh be aware that if there's an eventuality like that happens, we may need to replenish this line somewhere else from somewhere else down the line. Um, but it's it's not sort of earmarked for any particular purchase at this moment. I'll just bring up that um at our work session on Monday um I did uh request a postmortem on this project um some sort of a report generated so that we can see how we can do these types of projects um better um make sure things are reviewed um and I appreciate uh the city engineer um agreed on Monday that uh to pull something together the completion of the project.

Any other discussion regarding this? Clerk, can you please take the role? Council member Rothwell, I. Council member Mavetski, I. Council member Hodkins, I. Council member Kavanagh, I. Council members Murray and Dundon are absent. Council President Prom Middleton I. Thank you. That is 5-0. Thank you. Hold one second. I'm sorry. Sorry about that. We will now have uh next we'll have introductory ordinance 026-46 considered in planning with council member Rathmel.

Thank you council president promp middleton. I'd like to make a motion to adopt ordinance 26-46, an ordinance to repeal and replace section 2656 of the city code to create a new proactive rental housing inspections program. I have a first. Do I have a second? Second. First and a second. Any discussion regarding this?

Uh, this legislation was first introduced in March of last year. We held two town halls. We've had four public planning committee meetings. Um, a lot of community engagement. The emphasis of the proactive rental housing inspection program is in its title. We're transforming what is currently a reactive code enforcement response, one that is initiated only after property conditions have visibly deteriorated or safety concerns have surfaced, into a proactive code enforcement response. This approach will significantly enhance our understanding of the rental landscape within the city, increase our capacity to identify patterns of non-compliance and address property issues before they become health hazards. Um, for the sake of summary summarizing, I do just want to take a moment to represent how this program will roll out. Uh, there are three phases within this legislation. Effective January 1st, 2027, property owners operating rental housing within the city will be required to register their buildings. Uh this will include, among other things, their contact information, the names of the LLC's they operate under, as well as details about the number of units and conditions of each property. Registration will be required annually and includes a $50 per unit fee, which shakes out to $4 per unit per month for property owners. So, nominal um to compel property owners who may be less inclined to comply based solely on this being a new requirement. Effective January 31st, 2027, landlords who wish to file a summary proceeding in Bingmpington City Court um will be required to show proof that they submitted the registration and fee or risk having their eviction case

dismissed due to a deficient petition. The second phase begins January 1st, 2028. Administrative inspectors will be deployed to complete partial exterior inspections of registered properties in order to ensure that properties with the most severe deficiencies are being scheduled for full code enforcement inspections first. These administrative inspectors will assess key external components that indicate structural or safety issues and refer only buildings that demonstrate significant deferred maintenance to the code department for follow-up. Um, if violations found during the full code inspection are not remedied, a notice of compliance with the program will not be issued. And in addition to following existing housing court protocol, payments for any judgment, fee, cost, or charge not made within six months will be automatically levied to the owner's tax bill. Uh finally, we do anticipate full implementation will take three years. And so the third phase effective January 31st, 2030. It will be unlawful in the city of Bingmpington for any landlord to allow a unit to be occupied or to collect rent from a tenant in any property or unit that does not have a valid notice of compliance. For tenants in units that lack that notice of compliance, the city will establish an escrow account with a third-party financial institution that rent can be paid into by tenants and either issued to the landlord or returned to the tenant at a 90-day frequency depending on whether compliance has been duly obtained.

I just want to say thank you so much uh Council Member Rathmemell for bringing forth this legislation. I know that you and everyone else has worked really hard on it. So, thank you so much. I think a lot of the calls that I do get from my constituents, uh people, you know, with the housing stock being short, a lot of people just deal with um their housing being a certain way because they can't afford to move and they don't have a place to go. And with um the housing stock being so short, it's hard to come up with a security deposit and to look for another place um when you're on a fixed income. So this kind this gives a relief to renters who, you know, are looking for that relief so that way they know that they can live in a healthy and stable home. So thank you so much for that. Yeah, I guess I just would would add to my support of this legislation. I think it's it's going to be a a really big shift. It's going to take some time to get rolling and moving forward, but it's it's so comprehensive that it's going to have like a really meaningful impact on our our local rental stock. So, I'm I'm excited for that. Um but also recognize that it's going to there's going to be a a roll out period. Um part that I'm like kind of reluctant to to share, but it also represents like the reality for for tenants in Bingmpington. Um my most recent apartment that I moved into, I there was a very obvious like roast roach infestation. Um but it was like the only landlord that had responded to me and so it was like my only option. So, I just had to take what I could and then try to

deal with that problem myself. Um, I don't think that's the the best standard for for Bingmpington residents and people shouldn't have to deal with that. Um, and theoretically a pre-insspection would would solve that type of problem and increase the quality of housing stock. So, it's it's personal for me and I hope it's going to be better for everybody in Bingington. That's all. Um, I know we, as already kind of mentioned, we've had many conversations around this and all of that. Um, but just if people are just tuning in for the first time tonight, um, this is not like completely new idea. Um, I know, uh, several of us went up to Rochester. They have a slightly different version of this, but other other cities are doing this. This is not um I mean it it's innovative. There's there's things that are are good and new and I don't want to downplay that, but for people who are looking at this being like what a wild uh idea. How could it be possible that a city could actually do this? Like um that might be some people out there's immediate reaction to this. Um this type of thing is working other places in the way it's intended to. Um, and so I this people shouldn't be concerned that that this is something that just can't done be done or that this is pie in the sky. So just wanted to kind of reiterate that.

Thank you. Anybody else?

So, uh, Bingmpington has a rental registry on the books. There was an attempt at an outcome similar to this about gosh almost 20 years ago now I think um the process this time has been uh lengthy uh deliberative has went through several iterations of of approach and form of legislation and and steps and phases and we've gotten to I think the uh structure structure of a feasible program that is going to be gradually brought into force um with uh you know due evaluation and deliberation. Um it might not be perfect yet. we may run into some administrative hurdles or or implementation hurdles and I think we will stand ready to uh meet those challenges and uh amend if necessary amend the process amend the the uh the law but this is the step to take now to have a philosophical shift in how we approach code enforcement in the city and concrete steps to put that philosophy into practice. Um certainly up for tweaking that implementation as as needed as we go along. Um to make it workable and uh welcome the feedback from the folks that are on the ground implementing this, but I think it is time to to take this step.

So I will vote in favor. Anybody else? I think everybody spoke. Clerk, can you please take the role? Council member Rathol I. Council member Medavetski. I. Council member Hodkus. Hi. Council member Kavanagh. I. Council members Murray and Dundan are absent. Council Prom Middleton. Thank you. That is 50. Thank you so much, Clerk. Next, we have introductory ordinance 026-47 considered in rules and procedures and special studies. Council member Metavitzki.

Okay. Like to make a motion for introductory ordinance 026-27, an ordinance to amend section 327-2.6 of the city code entitled outdoor cafe permits to remove the liquor liability insurance requirement. I have a um a first. Do I have a second? Sorry. Second. I'll second. First and a second. Discussion.

All right. Um, so this was introduced on Monday and the purpose is to lower the barrier for city businesses that want to have um an out outdoor seating. I think a lot of us like outdoor seating. Uh we want our businesses to thrive. Um, and it was becoming a barrier um, as the cost of the liquor liability insurance was increasing um, throughout the state um, from the time that it was initially put on the books. Um based on our attorney's presentation on Monday, um we haven't really been when there's been issues, we haven't had we haven't gone through the liquor liability insurance to recoup and we still have other ways of recouping if there are um problems. Um so we want to have a thriving outdoor enjoyable spring summer when it's not raining. Um so that's uh my summary.

Any other discussion? I think I think I think the long and short of it is that when this law was originally put in place, the the liquor liability insurance was a reasonable ask and a reasonable burden to expect a business to undertake. And that has become an undue, unreasonable burden that's impacting uh the outdoor dining scene and business is willing to uh expand and take advantage of it. So cut a little red tape tonight. Anything else? Clerk, can you please take the role? Council member Rathnell. Hi. Council member Mavavezky. Hi. Council member Hodkus. Hi.

Council member Kavanagh. Hi. Council members Murray and Dun are absent. Council President Proto Middleton I. Thank you. That is 5 Z. Thank you so much. Now I' I'd like to um Now we have introductory resolution R 26-32 considered in public works and parks. Council member Hatchas. Make a motion to adopt introductory resolution R26-32. This is a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Barton and legitis um DPC for preliminary engineering services. I have a first. Do I have a second? Second.

First and a second. Any discussion regarding this? Uh this was kind of a periodic update to an engineering plan that that is kind of in the uh funding pipeline from the state. Um we need to keep those uh up to date as they're working through them and it uh makes us also eligible to continue to apply for other sources of funding. Um so that's why it's a kind of a small amount. It's uh basically updating a plan that's already in existence. Anybody else? Clerk, can you please call the role? Council member Rathmemell.

Hi. Council member Madetsky. Hi. Council member Hodkins. Hi. Council Kavanagh. Hi. Council members Murray and Don are absent. Council President Prom Middleton. Thank you. That is 50. Thank you so much. Next we have introductory resolution R26-33 considered in municipal and public affairs. Council member Rethmau. Thank you, Council President Proent Middleton. I'd like to make a motion to adopt R26-33, a resolution authorizing the Bingmpington Pride Coalition to conduct a fireworks display in 2026. I have a first. Do I have a second? Second. First and a second. Any discussion?

Uh this and this question was asked earlier, I believe. Uh but the Bingmpington Pride Coalition will conduct a fireworks display on June 13th of this year and uh have requested permit requirements for authorization from this council. It is a single fireworks display and will be carried out over on a platform on the water uh I believe behind the Martin Luther King prominade. Am I correct on the location? Okay. Uh yeah, it's Thank you. by the bridge. Yeah.

Any other discussion?

Yeah. Um so since this was introduced, um I did reach out to the firework company to get a little um additional information. Um this show is estimated to be around 12 minutes long. Um and um we chatted a little bit about um you know the types of um fireworks that are used. The company that's doing this is the company that does um basically all of the fireworks here. Um and they use one type of display firework. I also met with the fire marshall um to talk a little bit about that as well. There's basically one type of display display display firework that um is recommended by most fire marshals between here and Rhode Island. This company serves New York and multiple states in this area. Um I did ask about like if there was an option for quieter fireworks. Um and uh this this is basically this is the the type um that is what uh for fire safety is recommended. Um so I just I guess I wanted to share that I am going to be um asking uh our clerk to see about putting um onto our permitting process a spot for the duration of the fireworks show. Um, and uh, I believe I'm pulling up the emails, uh, follow-up emails here. Um, it sounds like other applications for other cities do have that duration time on the application. So, this is not a weird request, but that will help the transparency in terms of the public understanding what's being voted on as well as council members understand. And

most shows, this one again was estimated around 12 minutes. Um, most of the shows are seven to 10 minutes with um longer shows um in Bingmpington on Fourth of July and New Year's Eve um sometimes closer to like 25 minutes. Um and those longer shows are often while there tends to be more fireworks, um it's also just spaced more. So, um, it there's there's some some leeway and some discussion when we we come back to a kind of a community discussion on fireworks. Um there may be some ability to have discussions about like if it's a bigger show, do we want like bigger and more compact or you know stretched out or you know so there's there's some levers to play with as we continue to just discuss um fireworks and we my understanding is we will be getting another request for a permit for fireworks display in August that we haven't approved. Um, I don't know if there'll be more in the pipeline, but there's at least one more that it sounds like is going to be coming to us. You know, more than one? Oh, I don't remember, but they mentioned that there's one for that they were approached about for August. Um, but uh I guess just wanted to make sure that the public knew that we were taking their concerns um about uh fireworks seriously and looking into it and trying to understand a little bit more about uh the process and the different things that we might be able to uh fine-tune to make it fun for for the community and as tolerable for those that are most impacted in a negative way as possible. Thank you.

Any other discussion regarding this? Clerk, can you please take the role? Council member Rathmo. I council Madavitzki I. Council member Hodkus. Hi. Council member Kavanagh. I. Council members Murray and Dunan are absent. Council President Prom Middleton. Hi. Thank you. It is 50. Thank you so much. Next we have introductory resolution R26-34 considered in finance. Council member Kavanagh. I'd like to motion to adopt R 26-34, resolution authorizing an urban development action grant, uh, special project loan in the amount not to exceed $120,000 from the Bingmpington Local Development Corporation to Casey Kane LLC. I have a first. Do I have a second?

Second. A first and a second. Discussion.

Uh, we discussed this pretty comprehensively during uh, work session. Um, this is a loan made out of the urban development action grant fund uh that's administered by the BLC uh to a small business uh on the south side uh that's uh managed to get up and launched uh but needs some uh some support to to uh restructure some some really predatory debt um and this is Bingmpington's uh acting as kind of a uh I don't want to say savior but but stepping in uh providing needed support and relief uh from a fund that is meant to uh to do that to foster um business sustainment and growth. Um this is uh uh first type of this loan that that has come before city council. Uh so we were kind of took some time to uh to get a a little bit more of comprehensive view of it. Um, but I I think it's a wise a wise use of of this loan fund and uh hope that we can make similar support available to uh other businesses that are in similar need and that have taken the steps to uh to show that they're going concerns that just need uh a little helping hand.

Thank you so much. Any other discussion regarding this? Clerk, can you please take the role? Council member Rathmemell I council I council member Hodkus hi. Council member Kavanagh I council me indented are absent. Council president Bro Middleton I think that's 50. Thank you so much. Next we have introductory resolution R26-33 considered in planning with council member Raph.

Thank you council president proent middleton. I'd like to make a motion to adopt R26-35, a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an amended agreement with Williams Auto Group for the purchase of a portion of 400 Court Street. Second,

a first and a second. Any discussion? This is the portion in question or identified within this resolution. Uh will be used as a location for the construction of a new pump station to abate flooding on the east side and in that area of court street. Um the city previously entered into an option agreement for the purchase of a portion of the property uh last April. We've negotiated an amended option agreement uh spec specified here in the resolution. The city will hold an opt option to purchase at a price of $275,000 for the construction of the pump station. The cost of the option to purchase uh a portion of the property is $5,000.

Any other discussion regarding this? I guess I'd just add that uh I know for council president Dundon this uh trying to get a pump station at that location is very important for the the east side and that section of Cord Street. So um I think this is a good stop gap solution till we can move forward with the purchase and construction. Thank you. We don't have any other discussion. Clerk, can you please take the role? Council member Rathmo. Hi. Council member Mat Maveetsky. Hi. Council member Hodkas. Hi. Council member Kavanagh. Hi. Council members Murray and Dundon are absent. Council President Proto Middleton. I.

Thank you. It is 5-0.

Thank you so much. Um clerk. Now we will move on to communication from council. I just want to thank everyone for tonight. Um and we'll start with district six. Council member Rathmemell. Thank you. Um I am thrilled about the passing of Proactive Code, but the primary thing on my mind this evening is uh Peter Benedan and his family. I do want to thank community members who showed out to Peter's vigil yesterday afternoon, as well as community members who gave financially to cover the cost of Peter's medical and and now funeral expenses. While this tragedy is no doubt indicative of larger systemic issues within the city in my 20 years of working in homeless services, I can say with gratitude that it is consistently local residents who respond with compassion and concern. I was doing direct street outreach during COVID and when nonprofits wouldn't support, it was community members who responded to give thousands of dollars so we could put unhoused individuals in hotel rooms. Uh lives were saved that way. The continue continue the community continues to show up. Many have asked what they can do, how they can get involved in meaningfully addressing the increases in homelessness we've all seen. Um, this council certainly does not presume to have all of the answers, but we are hosting a community conversation on homelessness next Wednesday, May 13th. We'll start at 6:00 PM in the Decker Room at the Broom County Public Library. I want to thank the library and

the community foundation for partnering with us to host this conversation. We'll talk through what we know from reports that have been completed over the last decade identifying what we're facing and recommending solutions. Um we'll talk a bit. We want to hold space for the community not only to process uh together but to hear from residents their experiences uh and their ideas. And then we want to unite on a path forward to make sure that this never happens again. So again, uh, next Wednesday, the 13th, 6 pm, in the Decker room at the Broom County Public Library.

Thank you so much for that, Council Member Mavetski.

Thank you. Um, I want to thank um, Councilwoman Rathell, Councilwoman Middleton, um, I think I saw um, nice statements from uh, Senator Webb and Assemblywoman Leardo and um, former Councilman Burns. Um, some people have been quite eloquent and um, their reactions and responses uh, to um, this ugly, horrible um, murder um, here in Bingmpington. Um, I'm not so eloquent with the words, but I want to just appreciate some of the people that did put out, um, meaningful statements that definitely, um, sat with me. Um, okay. Um, so, uh, Southside announcements. We have a Southside second Sundays, um, starts May 10th, um, in the Southside Commons. Um, so that's Mother's Day. Um, I believe it's 2:00 p.m. I think it's 2 p.m. I'm going to If you're if you're interested in coming and you're you're unsure, you can look at the Southside Neighborhood Assembly uh Facebook page or my uh council Facebook page or email me and I will find it and send it to you. But it is um this May 10th and I believe they're also doing a plant sale as well. Um it's always a good time. Um there's some really 2 PM I was right. Um there's going to be some fun uh fun music. It'll be a good time. Bring your own um camping chair if you want to sit. Um get up and dance. There's at least one band that I know uh makes me want to dance that'll be there. So that's um going to be a good time. Um I wanted to thank parks, DPW, BPD sponsors, the chamber of

commerce, the runners, the fans. Um Bingham Bridgeun was awesome. Um and uh we you know we ran all across the city. Um we stuck with it despite all the construction. Um but it was uh it was cold but uh sunny and uh really appreciate everyone that that came out. Um our pacemaker uh pace setter uh only my second half um was uh came up from Pennsylvania. He's been doing it for years. He never probably would have been in Bingmpington if we didn't have these races. said, um, working with the chamber, um, and the city, it's very, um, smooth event. So, shout out to all those folks. Um, Harper Stand's um, community cleanup is coming up. I saw it on Councilwoman Milton social. Um, so that's May 16th, 10:00 a.m. to noon, and it's going to be out of the different um, like elementary schools. So, um, if you have questions or want to follow up, their email they posted was prbingschools.org. Um, I want to thank everyone speaking of cleanups that came out um for the greenway cleanup. Um, we had a really good time um and cleaned up a lot a lot a lot of trash. Um, new benches are in on the 434 greenway. I think there's five new benches. Uh so I wanted to thank um so we we had passed legislation accepting some donations for the concrete. So um our corporate uh donors there uh as well as the um Broom County Health Department which uh believe was working with state money for a pass through grant to help us uh with with that. So the the benches look great. Um looking forward to sitting on

them. Uh, BookFest is coming up um, I think it's also the 16th. Um, at 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Discovery Center. Uh, and there's free admission with a library card. Um, and they actually will have librarians on hand to sign you up for a library card if you do not have one. Um, so you can get your free admission to the Discovery Center. Um, and it's not just a regular Discovery Center day. The Tri Cities Opera, which I like to say, District 5 is home to the actual opera singers. They are my constituents. Um, they will be performing u an opera of the Three Little Bears. I think it's like a Goldilocks spin-off kind of uh situation. Um, so that will be at the Discovery Center. Um, so you can introduce uh the little ones in your life to opera and books and a library card. Um, I mentioned at the beginning that uh the planning commission uh had their um public hearing yesterday relating to uh Conklin A uh property um technically in district six but across the across the street from district five. um relating to um possible um convenience store um that that wants to open there that would um that is looking for a waiver on the um tobacco law that we recently passed. Um so that's heads up to folks here. But also if um I I did post the initial planning commission meeting, not the public hearing yet, but the the the meeting before the hearing um with the timestamps up on my Facebook. So if you're interested in um seeing the

initial presentation from the uh business owner or property owner um that is looking for this waiver, you can hear his own words and I would uh love to hear feedback on that. and I've suggested um you know to CC counciloman Rathmel and myself um on it so we can um hear your thoughts. Um there was also um was in the news um we got the press release for a rather large u drug bust on conclav. So, I want to um thank uh SIU over um getting some harder drugs off the street. So, out of Southside, thank you,

Council Member Hodkus.

No comment tonight. Thanks. Thank you, Council Member Kavanagh. No comment either.

Thank you all. Um I just wanted to start um by saying that I do love this well oh I'll start with saying I do love this community. I think uh one of the reasons why I decided to run for this seat is because I I love this community. Um even though to people it it may look like we don't have a lot here, we do have a lot of love. Um, I've watched like situations happen in this community and people who don't have have it to give has given. And to me that says a lot about our community that we want even if we're not okay, we want everybody else to be okay. And I'm happy to be a part of that. Um, I I know I said in my Facebook post that I posted regarding this tragedy that, you know, I myself I I need to do better. Um, and I still feel that way. But I'm happy to serve with six people who really care about this city. And sometimes it may seem like to the news and to the media that we are out of our minds when when it comes back to everyone. It looks like, oh, council's at it. They're doing crazy things again. But we're not. We are committed to serving people. and to sometimes it may look crazy or you may read the headline, but each and every one of us, we all care and our own perspectives and we all really want the best for Bingmpington. Um, hold on. I wrote I wrote a bunch of things. I always like get like to weeds in my thoughts. Um, uh, rest in peace to Peter. This is a tragedy that, you know, shouldn't have happened. uh like coun council member Wrath Rathmemell stated that she is in the process of putting together a town hall for um regarding the issues that we've

been having with the house list and regarding housing issues. I am in the process of meeting with uh people um this week will meet to discuss things that we have active inside of for youth inside of Bingmpington. I think one of the things is that we do have a lot of programs, but we're maybe we're not uplifting them the way that we should. So, one of the things I want to do is get together with people and get together with organizations and stakeholders that focus on youth um things that they do so that way we can see what is needed. I think all these programs, we can uplift them, but we also need the support of parents in the community. Um, I think that's one of the things speaking with um the high school principal and my daughter going to Bingmpington High, they have a lot of programs, they have a lot of sports, but a lot of the times kids aren't showing up to a lot of these things. So, if we can kind of get some incentive or something out of that to kind of make these things popular again. So, if anyone is interested um in discussing that, that's just the first part. The second part will be a town hall, but if you're interested or if you have any ideas, feel free to reach out to me, my clerk, or any of us on city council. Um we would be delighted to have your ideas because just because we sit in these seats, we don't know everything. It's really the community that the community and everyone that brings the uh the ideas to life. We bring those ideas to life. So, thank you so much for that. I have two more things. On Saturday, May 9th, uh we are having our Westside neighborhood cleanup. Uh it was postponed because of the boring rain. So, we are going to be out there. We're going to meet at Thomas Jefferson and it's going to be from 10 to noon. So, if you'd like to come out, help clean up

the west side. Myself and Council Member Kavanaaugh would be very grateful for that. Also, just a reminder, on May 28th, we have our westside neighborhood meeting. Please come out if you are on the west side. We want to increase our attendance. And like I said before, your input is very important to us. And if I don't have anything else, I would like to take a motion to adjurnn. A motion. We have a second. All in favor? I. We are adjourned. They help.