City Council - Special Meeting

What you got, girl?

Huh?

I told you you didn't like to eat me up like a whole snack, girl.

Welcome, everybody. It's Binghamton City Council Special Business Meeting. Today is Tuesday, July 21st. It is 7.45 p.m., and I'd like to call the meeting to order. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Madam Clerk, can we do a roll call, please?

Council Member Murray? Present. Council Member Middleton? Present. Council Member Cavanaugh? Present. Council Member Hotchkiss? Present. Council Member Medvedsky? Present. Council Member Rathmell? Present. Council President Dundon? Present. Thank you.

So there is no one here for public comment, and no one has sent any public comment in to the Clerk, so we are gonna move on to first read legislation. It's Introductory Ordinance O26-10, considered in Municipal and Public Affairs, and I'll hand it over to Council Member Middleton.

Thank you, President Dundon. I'd like to make a motion for ordinance 026-10, an ordinance to authorize the sale of 42 Fayette Street to Paul Sadorski. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Discussion?

Go ahead. Sure, so, and I shared this on record during our business meeting on the 15th as well, for those who have been following along, but 42 Fayette is one of about two dozen buildings that was acquired by the city through a 2023 settlement with Isaac Anzerudt. A United States Coast Guard veteran who served in the 70s, Mr. Sadorski has resided at 42 Fayette for over five years, and addressed critical repairs throughout his tenancy that had been ignored by Anzarut. Those repairs included replacing the furnace, resolving delinquent water bills, fixing utility equipment, and maintaining the grounds. He made an offer to purchase in 2024 when he learned that the city had acquired ownership, but his offer was rejected by the mayor's office in favor of a $250 offer from the owner of the adjacent parking lot who had plans to demolish the building and add more parking spaces. You'll recall Council first brought public attention to the property last February. At the time, Mayor Cram claimed that the building was uninhabitable and initiated eviction proceedings against Sadorski. This Council opposed, forcing Mr. Sadorski out, and we also questioned whether demolition was actually necessary. A subsequent building and code inspection requested by council identified deficiencies but none that were not remediable. And a second opinion prepared by Delta engineers at the request of Council President Dundon came to the same conclusion regarding the property's rehabilitation potential. Meanwhile, Mr. Sadorski obtained legal counsel to fight his eviction, completed Metro Interfaith's first time home buyer course, secured financing for immediate repairs, proof of which was sent to the city's attorney last week, and sought assistance from multiple local organizations to support the property's rehabilitation. And we have sponsor letters received from at least one of those organizations. He has also made several attempts to pay the water bill, but the city has refused those payments So we are nine months after this particular legislation was first introduced and over 20 months Since mr. Sadursky first indicated his interest in purchasing this property. I believe we're at the point of advancing the sale Does anyone else have anything they'd like to say

Councilmember Rathmell, thank you. I couldn't have said it any better or even wanted to attempt to try. So we will move on to a vote. Madam Clerk?

Councilmember Rathmell? Aye. Councilmember Matavetsky? Aye. Councilmember Hotchkiss? Aye. Councilmember Cavanaugh? Aye. Councilmember Middleton? Aye. Councilmember Murray? Aye. Sorry. Aye. Council President Dundon? Aye. Thank you, that is 7-0.

With nothing else on the agenda, can I entertain a motion to adjourn?

I'll make a motion.

Motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Meeting adjourned. Thank you.