Common Council - Regular Meeting

Hey everybody, welcome to the January 6 meeting. We have some uh o of office to take off first. I mean this is the first time I had a mayor come back as a council who was here. That's right. I have I should I should have known that and then maybe it's the first time that we had a council member that was appointed got reelected. I guess that's probably too much. No, but I was kind of thinking that it was kind of

interesting way to go about it. So, all right. Well, you guys just want to stand up and we'll do a office. I state your name. I Brian Tolvin Tomlin do solemnly swear do solemnly swear do solemnly swear I will support the Constitution of the United States I will support the Constitution of the United States I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York and the Constitution of the State of New York and that I'll faithfully discharge the duties and I will faithfully discharge the duties I'll ward counsel first I'll counsel first according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. Okay, perfect. guys on sign.

Looks like you were left over the shoulder. Thank you very much. traffic.

All right. Thank you. Um public hearing number one uh which is a second public hearing for CDG microiz microenter enterprise assistance program number 285 MP S64-24. This is the second public hearing as required of the community development block grant program and is held during the administrative phase of the CDBG grant. The purpose of this second hearing is to be held during the administrative phase. to solicit public comments on the effectiveness of the administration of the CDBJ program and any ideas of news they may have to support a report on activities and progress towards goals. The city has received 212,500 to provide financial assistance professional training to microenterprise businesses with five or fewer employees including the owners. The funding is 10 applications, seven projects committed, four existing, three startup ownership, five are low to moderate income LMI owners, two are LMI owners and job impact is three FTEES positions created and retained and a project completion all funds have been committed. Program will be fully expended and all activities completed by November 2026. Does everybody here speak to that? We'll go around two. Is anybody here to speak to this um second public hearing for the CDG Microenterprise Assistance Program number 285M S64-24. Last call. call anybody here to talk about this for the second public hearing CPG micro interface assistant program. It's not on here. We'll close that public hearing. Public hearing number two is the second public hearing for the CBG ladder truck replacement rand 133-44 here speak about how great that truck

is. Firefighters know it's probably already set in the station. Second public hearing for the CBPG ladder truck replacement grant 285 PF133-24. Last call by second public hear ladder truck replacement grant 285 PF133-24. We'll close that public hearing and we'll move to the meeting and call to order please. Council member Toba present. Council member Sllivan present. Lane here. Member Conley here. Council member Car here.

Council member Beckwith. Council member Michaels here. Okay. Rise to super America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible.

Here to speak the privilege of four or public comments. Seeing none, we'll continue with uh reports and presentations. So we have three documents to receive a following documents. Motion

Mr. Colin. Uh so the mayor's appointment is uh for acting mayor the memorandum uh for the county council to uh appoint leaison and the county council regular meetings all those rece so it's been pretty busy uh December uh the city was awarded $1 million for community development the five he was talking about for the leafing pumper truck. Um the u the uh participated in the holiday lighting judging contest the community court community center. Those will be announced next week. Uh the city was awarded also was awarded $6 million after our state development program for the purpose of improving home AB. Uh the city was also and then 12:30 we received the 3.8 for the deer swim grannon park and um so those and those are the grants that we received and then the um we had a new year's our first New Year's Eve party thanks for the youth bureau of the fire department and Andrea for helping and Jade especially too were putting that all together with the school districts was included in that. Um, you know, we had at the youth center next year, I think that Parker, the weather's not good. We fit more people in there, but it was out the door. I'm sure other council members will talk that were there. It was a fun event. It was great. And it was exciting for the first one to have that many people. There's people talking to me from Syracuse that came down Thursday night. And then Midnight on Maine was uh well attended. It was got some snow. It made a little bit magical. And there's quite a few people with them then. And then just uh uh the other night I attended the American Ukrainian friendship celebration at Country Music Park. That was fun. Got to

meet some great people there and have fun there. Uh upcoming tomorrow, the I have asked the Courtland uh county traffic safety board in their meeting to to discuss a crosswalk timer of our street lights across the city. So the idea there is right now uh there's only one light that's left in the city that the uh DOT has not changed which is red uh when all the lights are red when the crosswalks go. Of course we had a tragedy incident downtown on Main Street. So we're looking to apply they won't change back to the old system but apply a temporary delay like 10 seconds. Let's so that when the light turns green or before the light turns green the crosswalk people have a 10-second head start. Again, that wouldn't necessarily have solved the problem that we had the other day, but I think it could have hurt some other problems in the future. So, I've asked them to look into that and make some recommendations and give us a support letter for that. Um the insurance cards all went out and uh say where they're sent off, right? Most received on Friday. There's different ones. There's an H. They're in process uh and uh they can now access them online through email and get account through your Apple Pay or whatever phone line you have on be able to do that to get your temporary cards while you wait for them to come in on the H side. Um, and the Spanish four plants, Blue Cross Blue Shield had they they put the wrong employer on all the cards, so they had to redo it. So, there's slight delay getting them out. So, I know that adds to everybody's anxiety on the insurance, but all those are coming through and we're working through that process. It's very busy in the in the HR world. Um just uh over the weekend we rolled over the budget roll over and yesterday it became apparent that uh there were some incorrect numbers in the budget line as presented on the 2026. So it doesn't balance. So we've been working on

solutions for that to u to present to council measure next week. So um we're not sure I'm not sure exactly how the solution is going to look on that or what that's going to be but we'll present that to everybody. We need to do more work. We'll address it then. I just want everybody to be aware and we're that is something we're dealing now. All right. Any questions? Any questions on that one? All right. So, we'll move to uh board.

Very good. Sorry. Um actually was able to enjoy the sledding hill over Bodri Park a couple of times over the last couple of weeks. It's been really good opportunity and if you have kids, it's a grand old time. See a lot of families out there. The new no New Year's Eve celebration, I was down there. I was supporting my nine-year-old who was one of the counter. She was ask what's that? She was number 10. You've got a good eye. Yeah.

And I do have access to my email. Uh the W one. Uh very appreciative. The help desk has been very helpful. I even sent some questions over the weekend because initially looking at it there was only about 20 emails in the inbox. So I sent another email asking for additional access to uh past emails and uh was able to send to administration a list of questions and we've traded some emails but asking about some of the financials. So heading into this year, um looking forward to further conversation about that and at some point love to hear updates about the 24 audit and about getting rolling on an RFP or if we're going to go with Vincero again for the 2025 audit.

Perfect. Great. Thank you, Miss. Well, first I'd like to wish everybody a happy new year and I hope that 2026 is even better than 2025 and I'd like to welcome Brian to council and hope to be sitting next to you in my chair uh eventually. Um I look forward to working with Joe McMahon, department head of wastewater treatment as the liaison. I worked for a long time with his predecessor Bruce. I was also able to attend the noon celebration on New Year's Eve to watch my son Jack Ghard play guitar. It was so well attended and the balloon drop was really spectacular. Um I was surprised at how many kids were there. I was in the back up against the wall fully masked because I came out of hibernation for that. But um that was thrilling. Classes at Sunni start on the 26th. Student neighbors are trickling back. Um I talked to Mike, head of DPW, about a problem with otter damning the creek. That would be Otter Creek under the bridge on Graten A. And he said he needed to discuss with the DEC how to relocate the culprits. So, it's been a real problem. They've been selling trees over there. Um, and I look forward to getting an update from Mike on how his conversation with the DEEC went. And that's it from the second ward.

Right. Thank you.

Okay. So, just to piggyback on what Katie's saying, um, we do have or did have an issue again with a beaver in our tree, but it's been resolved. It's been taken care of. So, beaver's gone. Um, at least this one is. And also, uh, toward the end of January, first part of February, I'm going to have a ward meeting at the waterworks. I want to coordinate everybody's schedules, the mayors, DPW, um I've already talked to the county legislature in our district and so we will get together and so more to come on there and other than that we're good on the third.

Mary Claire, thank you. I got my animals wrong. I said otter and it's beavers. Yeah. Yeah. They're the bane of the existence, let me tell you. Yeah, we're not we're not going to rename the creeps. No. What was I thinking? But this time they didn't they were able to trap and remove the rack. Well, yeah, but I mean because the last time it was Well, that's how they deal with it. They can trap and remove, but it doesn't they can't transfer it to another place. Well, then what are they? Don't neither. Um,

yes. Yeah. Um, hanging in your garage, Bab. Have you ever luck? I don't get me going on this. Um, fourth board's been quiet. Um, the students, the majority of the students are are still uh home for the holidays. Uh, I did attend the uh the extravaganza at the youth bureau and Katie, I have a really good picture of Jack when he was on stage and your granddaughter is standing with a balloon right in front. So, and I have print and it's in a frame and I'll drop it off at your house. Okay.

Thank you. You're welcome. It was a great event. It was there were tons of kids and Miss Tammy read stories and it was and I didn't have to stay up till midnight. So yeah, Jack played our Courtland song and Jack played our Courtland song. So that's it. Thank you for attending the spell.

Well, first and foremost, happy new year to everyone. Um over the last couple weeks, a number of street lights that were out on South Main were replaced. So, I'd like to thank uh Director Wise, DPW, uh Jade, and the mayor for their help on that. Uh other than that, you know, a little slow with the holidays. I'm working on setting up another board meeting coming up. It'll probably be beginning of February, but I'll be working on getting information out on that as well. And that does fill the fiscal. Thank you, Mr. Har.

Um this like the mayor mentioned, the swims grants coming in that came in and u $3.8 $8 million that instructional start in 2027. That's what I want to thank Andrea and Rosie for uh getting that through and it's very big for that area. It's really nice and we've done a great job of having her also walk through that and well um thank you for that. I talked to Randall about the H cards. Apparently there's some sort of delay on that, but hopefully we'll be patient. Um Chrissy Brown's been great with giving information. and you've been awesome with you know getting that kid to help us through that. So hopefully those H cards will come through because that's how we pay for our prescriptions. So I mean your email you can get that get it temporary

for the H card. Okay. Well they're they're also say in conversation that somebody's missing the car has received here they can come and get a temporary

Yeah. that I can always earlier, but yes, the people that didn't get their car yet because there was a confusion or mess up the companies that some reason desperately need a card, reach out and they'll give you a temporary car. Other than that, the balloon was great at the youth barrel. I had to go for surgery the other day because open at the beginning, but we got hurt your arm. just let me know where to send that to. Uh the traffic thing you mentioned about the traffic lights. I just clarification. What's what's the county have to do with when they're on state roads? Uh they're just so I know

the county safety committee that the DOT takes recommendations from them for the whole county. So any recommendations they do better dealing with everybody just they put some I just was wondering that what's deal there's appointed people. I think Chief Greer is on it.

Okay. Uh so there's representation of various different police officers firing uh and representatives in different ways. Because I know there has been conversation for years since I've been on the board, especially Pomemoroy Street, another one of them streets that don't if you got a ride on red off the Pomeroy, you can go even though the light said you can't go and pedestrian got the right away. But just keep in mind the pedestrians I believe have the rightway because it's just it's a tough situation, but every you know all across the state it's everywhere. Not very many intersection like you mentioned there complete stops because it just ties up traffic. Uh, real quick, other than that, just a reminder, the sidewalks had been built with all the snow we had on that we've accumulated in the last month, but there are still a lot of them that need attention. And just to remind people that if you don't do it within 24 hours, you'll get a citation. I uh attended the annual youth bureau Christmas dinner was uh hosted by our staff deputy director Heather Johnson, our youth services specialist, Matt Marcy. Uh many thanks for those individuals putting that together. Uh I always always enjoy a good ham dinner whenever whenever I latch on to one. also also attended the Parker School renovated gymnasium ribbon cut. Uh really well attended event. Uh lot of lot of kindergarten and first graders were there to welcome us. I want to give many thanks to the Franco family for their generous donation and uh as well as our youth bill director Andy Pettic Gage for spearheading all these renovations. that uh took place in just a matter of a few months. Received a text from a constituent uh that his dead end street uh uh wasn't

getting plowed. I referred this to uh Mike Weiss of our DPW superintendent. Uh Mike got right back with me uh with a text and uh it's being taken care of now and the individual that placed the call uh is very happy. said that's been missed several times over the past several years. So, so hopefully we've got that result. Thanks again, Mike, for jumping on that. Uh I was also at the uh New Year noon uh celebration with some of our other council persons and u think maybe maybe next year we'll get a a stronger stronger vote for yh. So this individual doesn't pull a shoulder out.

They said you have to pull a heart. I was waiting for the stranger to brave.

That was that was a great explain that we were so many happy kids in one spot that especially that many bones too and also also was at the downtown New Year's Eve celebration at midnight. uh my wife uh she went to bed and I ended up going downtown just to just to catch the event and while I was downtown I decided to see if I locate my grandson. I had a feeling that uh he was amongst the 300 plus individuals there and after about 15 20 minutes I found him and I introduced to the mayor and that was that was really a nice event to spend that time with his grandson.

Which part was it at? I was in front of uh not old enough yet. No, he is. No, it's his uh first year at Sunni Court. No, he is old enough.

That was great. It was really I was down there too. I didn't mention earlier, but just the afternoon event, the evening event, whoever's involved, you can absolutely give up. Absolutely. DBW pull that off. Mayor's office and Jade Derek Ber was there. Troopers were there, sheriffs were there. As far as I know, there was no problems. City police. Yeah, that was great. So that's uh that's all I have. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. Approval minutes. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes from last second? Mr. back. Any questions? All those in favor?

I resolutions agenda item number one, designate official newspaper of the city of Portland. Resolve the city of Cland County Council does hereby repeal resolution number 27 of 2025, which designated the Syracuse Post Standard as the city's official newspaper. It be it further resolved that the county council does hereby designate the Courtland Standard as the official newspaper of the city of Courtland for a period ending December 31st, 2027 or is otherwise determined by resolution of the county council.

Can I get a motion? Mr. Beck questions, please. I council member Sil. I council member Canelo. Hi. Council member Laney. Hi. Council member Conley. Hi. Council member Carpenter. Hi. Council member Beckwith. Hi. Council member Michaels. Hi. Agenda item number two. Appoint commissioner of deans for the city of Portland.

Resolved with the city of Portland council. Oh, I'm sorry. I jump here. Uh. Oh, sorry. I got to go back. It's not on my agenda. Sorry. That's two agenda items approved. Yeah. See, we changing numbers 280.

I just won't follow that sheet on the phone. All right. Agenda. Sorry. Start over. Agenda item number two. Confirm mayor's appointment to police commission. Resolved that the city of Por County common council does hereby confirm Mayor Steve's appointment of Elizabeth Star to the police commission for a term ending December 31st, 2030. You need to look this way. Yeah, really. Who would like to say? I'd like

we got a motion. We got a second. Any questions? No. Council member Tobit. Hi. Council member Silhou. I. Council member Felo. Hi. Council member Lane. Hi. Council member Conville. Hi. Member Carpenter. Hi. Council member Beckwith. Hi. member Michaels I please note agenda this is agenda item number three not to again appoint commissioner of deeds to the city of

resolve that pursuant to New York state executive law section 139 council appoints Tracy Hatfield as commissioner of deeds for a term of January 6 2026 through December 31st 2027 be it further resolved that the city clerk shall file a certificate of appointment. The county clerk specify notification of appointment by the county clerk, the appointee shall exeute the oath of office before the county clerk within 30 days from the date of a second.

Go ahead, Brian. Second question, please. Council member to. Council member Silhouette. I council member Canelo. Hi, Lane. Hi, Council Member Conler. Hi, Council Member Carpet. Hi, Council Member Beckist. Hi, Council Member Nos. Hi, we'll give Katie a chance on the next one, right? Ready, Katie?

Uh, agenda item number four. Uh, note this number four, confirming appointment of Kelly Tobin to the Portland Housing Authority Village. Resolve that the city of Portland County Council hereby appoints Kelly Tobin to the Portland Housing Authority Board for term expiring December 31st, 2013. A motion. So moved. Second. Okay, I was going to say just point of information, Kelly is my wife. Uh I assume that I can vote because there's no monetary value in terms of the position.

If there is, I won't be on that board. sort of everybody identifies that from I can assure you that there's not

anybody uh anybody else have questions. Council member Toler I council member Sllivan I council member Danello hi. Council member Lane I council member Conley hi. Council member Hi. Council member Beckwith. Hi. Council member Mobos. Hi.

Agenda item number five. Authorized agreement with Crown City ladder and host company. Resolved with the city of Portland County Council authorizes Nerste to enter into an agreement with the Portland Fire Department's volunteer contingent, Brown City Ladder and Post Company in the amount of $35,000 for volunteer firefighting services for the period January 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2026. December 36. Miss Lane. Yes. Second, any questions? didn't know we could speak on a Saturday. Council member Tobin. Hi. Council member Silhouan.

Hi. Council member Panelo. Hi. Council member Lane. Hi. Council member Pala. Hi. Council member Carpenter. Hi. Council member Beckwith. Hi. Council member Michaels. Hi. Agenda item number six. Authorized participation in county mutual meeting. Resolved that the city of Corland County Council affirms the participation of the city of Portland Fire Department in the Courtland County Fire Service Mutual aid plan for a two-year term beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2027 and authorizes the mayor to sign the agreement. Back with second Michaels, any questions, please?

Council member Tolbert. Hi. Council member Sil. Hi. Council member Canelo. Hi. Council member Lane. Hi. Council member Conso. Hi. Council member Carpenter. Hi. Council member Beckwell. Hi. Council member Nichols. Hi. Agenda item number seven. Accept and recognize donations to the police department and youth.

Resolve that the city of Corland County Council on behalf of Mayor Steve, the police department, and the youth bureau expresses its gratitude for the generosity of the donors below. The offer resolved that the county council hereby accepts the donations listed below appropriates them to the accounts and for the purposes designated below. A donation in the amount of $1,000 from Philip and Marie Rumsy for the police K9 fund. Donation $200 from John Densen for the K9 fund. Uh $300 donation from Masonry for the police department shop with the cop. uh $700 from the Portland Community Foundation for Boards of Youth Bureau, $500 from Bond and Michelle Funk for uh boards the youth bureau rec center. $25 from Susan Soprano for the Youth Bureau rec center. Any questions? Again, thank you for those donations that helped fund things and makes nice a lot of making this.

Council member Toller, I council member Ser. Hi, Council Member Canelo. Hi, Council Member Lane. Hi, Council Member Con. Hi, Council Member Parker. Hi, Council Member Duffler. Hi, Council Member Mos. Hi.

Okay. Um and I'd like to accept a motion to enter in the indicative session uh the public's office for discussions regarding uh current litigation K when we get there. So I get a motion for that. So back second to executive session hall and we'll go that Yeah, we'll be right back.

For those attending virtually, we will pause the recording and bring you back in February. Yes, for the uh I can end and start a second, but I can't I'll take a look how it gets kicked out. No, but the recording would be in two separate parts and you'd have to combine them somehow to get them on YouTube.

Oh, yeah. I mean, you can you want to try to show me? We can let it Yeah. I don't I didn't do it. Is this Let it run. Put it on. I don't I've never done I I literally just So Katie, she's muted. Yes. something else going to happen. I don't expect it to promise.

Yes. Is it under more? Well, I was looking at making sure.

You can see it right here. And she's able. We don't have the capacity to people. All right, it's just that's 656. We're back.

You guys are muted. What? We're muted. Oh, can you hear us now? Katie, can you hear me? Yeah. Yeah, I cannot hear you. She can't hear. Does she have to do it or can you do it? We've got We've got feedback. It's on. Okay. Check your mute, Katie. No, audio. I can hear her. Oh, now I can't. So, that was my fault. Okay. Okay. So, we have this same motion to come back in executive session. Uh, anybody else have anything else for discussion?

Motion coming out of executive session. Approve. We did it coming in. Mr. Con the same second. John, you want to wait on this? Yeah. Well, we can talk about it right now. Um, so they're in the calendar of events. It's just something to consider. June 2nd, which I think is usually one of my favorite days of the year is the dairy parade. Right. So wasn't mine last year. Right in the back of that police car. Yeah. So if if everybody's all right with it, I think if if we need another meeting at that time, we'll just omit that. That's what we did last year. We just omit that meeting as not being or let that be council decision.

Yes. If everybody's okay with it, then we'll just submit that and then just go for the June 16th. If something else needs to happen, uh it go special. Is everybody good with that? So, we just scratch that. Yeah. So, we'll make that note send that calendar out, please. Yes. Anybody else have anything else for the next meeting? Okay. I got a motion for the journal. Second. All those in favor? I thank you proceed. They got it.