Common Council - Regular Meeting

Mer, Dale Mer, and John Cole. I don't know if you're all gonna speak or Juan's gonna speak. Well, it's gonna be me. His mouth. Okay. I brought video with me, but um it's 10 minutes long and the instructions say I only got 3 minutes. So, I'll try to be quick. You can share that with us.

We're here um to talk about a traffic pattern change on Wheeler Avenue. We have a problem. From 7 o'clock to 9:00, both sides of the street are lined. They block the driveways. They block the fire hydrants. And um from 1:30 to 3:30, the same thing, only it's more congested. So, we went to DPW yet uh last week and asked for a signage change from no parking to no standing. that wouldn't allow Chief Guerrera to tell his folks that they could write tickets. So, um, and then we would like to initiate a traffic pattern change that would go down Wilson Place, swing around the back parking lot, and come back out instead of congesting Wheeler Avenue. Now, myself and my son and John, um, we have endured astonishingly entitled behavior from parents coming to pick up their kids. Astonishingly entitled. I've been called names that wild horses will not drag out of me because I have challenged people and said, "What are you doing on my property?" They park in my driveway. They park in John's driveway. They block our driveways. They block uh my neighbor across the street, block his driveway. The neighbor across from John, block his driveway that block the fire hydrants. It's astonishingly entitled behavior. [clears throat] And we would like it to end because we've put up with it for long enough. And I'm going to start getting really snotty with these people. In fact, one day a gentleman came parked in my

driveway. I said, "Who are you?" "I'm waiting for my kid." That wasn't the question, sir. The question was, "Who are you?" "I'm waiting for my kid." "Well, I'm going to start with a tire iron, your headlight, side view mirror, tail light, and I walk my way around. And I'll al also call the police so they can uh watch me do this and maybe drag your stinking carcass off my property. They trash my property. They drive up on the ement because [clears throat] when they um pave repaved Wheeler A two years ago, they left us with curbs like this. They didn't give us the nice granite curbs that Floral A has. And I'm kind of buttth hurt about that, I can tell you. Um, but we just uh we're just tired. We're tired of I'm tired of cigarette butts. I'm tired of trash. I'm tired of being called names. Uh, John um somebody was leaning up against his house, waiting on his porch. Well, it's raining. I'm waiting for my kid. Who cares? get off our property. We have tried to be good neighbors to the school, but they are not being good neighbors to us and we just want to we have to we went to DBW last week. They told us they were going to kick it to you because Wilson Place is yours is belongs to the city and um but the board of ed we're going to go to the board of education next which with a proposal that they just swing that circle like they do at Barry go to the back parking lot. It can be done. I've walked it. My

video shows it and there's no reason why it can't be done. We maybe have to widen [clears throat] Wilson Place a little bit. I don't know. That's not not for me to say because I don't know how that's that's done. But we're just getting a little tired and we're requesting a change. Thank you. I had a question. I'm not familiar with where Wilson Place is. So, are you familiar with the armory? It's the road that goes around there. It's right down. It's perpendicular to Wheeler A. Okay. I don't know if they teach perpendicular in schools anymore, but it is perpendicular. Have you seen your video?

I have not. Mayor's office or council member. I'm sorry. I'm done. Video. Can you send us the video email or send drop it off at the mayor's office or secretary? Well, I've got it, but I know I'm not supposed to speak more than three minutes. I probably exceeded that. Help you out. I can I can do that. Yes. Thank you. I'm sure Chief's aware. So, we'll talk about it more. Thank you for And you won't drop it off at his office? Yes. Yep. Okay. We'll make sure we share. Yeah. When When will Do I need to attend another common council meeting?

No, we'll we'll look into it and we can get we'll be reached back out to you. Now, is that common council speak for no or am I going to hear from you again? You hear from us. You'll hear from us. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. I expect your support. We have another one. Eric, I'm gonna get this wrong. H.

Good evening. Good evening. My name is Eric Casey. Most likely none of the common council members here know anything about me. Down the road, I was born in Portland Hospital. I went to Courtland and Homer schools. I was married in a church a mile away from here. And actually, the photographers in the presence of us today. I am a local business owner and have sold a million dollars of products to local and regional businesses. Hence, I collect sales tax from Portland. Of about 250 salesmen, I am currently number three in the country.

I've been doing business with the city of Portland for many years. My two sons are very active in a local volunteer fire department. I have helped build and run an active radio station, Courtland Christian Radio. And I am the head chaplain of Courtland and Tomkins County jails and a traveling preacher of my own land in Portland. I'm not saying this to portray that I am good. I am trying to make the point that we are a part of the local community. The city of Portland's website states that we are interested always interested in your concerns and as a mayor I will work every day to help the city of Portland and businessfriendly safe community offering programs to help enrich the quality of life for residents and business owners and visitors. End of quote. That also says working with all city staff to provide the best possible services we can to all citizens. End of quote. And again, it says to handle citizens requests and needs promptly. This rhetoric should be removed from the mayor's website if he's not going to live up to his own words. Today I am here because of three past due invoices from the city of Portland that are up to 19 months past due. [clears throat] There's been no issue of the products or services. And when I'm asked why I'm not being paid, I get no answers from the mayor, Steve Scott, or the accountant, Casey Hardy. I've been told many times that I would be paid. And at this point, the city owes me $2,31.50 50 cents. In the past year or so, I have left messages, emailed, stopped in over 20 times. They have never returned my inquiry. I'm asking this board of city councilors to look into this matter to help the city be responsible and to save face and to get this behind us. Thank

you, Eric H. If anyone would like a copy, I have. And I do have I have the invoices with me if anybody wants those. Take a look at the letter as well. You okay? Do you want the invoices? Uh if you have it, I'll take a look. I I have three invoices. Yeah. This this is all I have. Okay.

All right. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else here for public comments? Okay. Um, finance reports. Perfect timing, right?

Uh, I think everybody received was uh attached was the uh with the supporting documents was the year to date that Beth had done in 2025. Um, so I just want to go through a few things because uh obviously Beth's not here and we have we'll talk about the next person uh in the next agenda item [clears throat] update on the 2024 audit. Uh so they're they have uh I believe they have everything they need for that and they're waiting for their scheduled their in-person field visits. So, the fur field work dates, they're scheduling those to come in to do the 2024 audit. And um we're currently closing the 2025 uh books for uh last year with uh journal entries and trying to get them closed out so we can get ahead of those better than last year. Um the other worked on the uh payroll entries uh with new contracts and pay rates to get those changes all in. Been working all weekend with them with the HR directors, get them taken care of. Uh trying to get the tax bills out, getting all the levies and all that adjusted to get that done. Uh new tax software implementation, new credit card machines and trying to get them installed and get that worked out. switch over from the AS400 to the new softwares tax software. Uh continue getting journal entries for 2025 closeouts and then um H update. So there's four persons uh that are looking seeking cash reimbursement for a total of $126.32. That was in the beginning of uh before the cards were issued. they had paid out cash and there's 35 claims totaling

$6,57728 a year to date with 1,000 of them being on FSA instead of HR. So we're about $5,500 so far that's uh cashed from that's been paid out on HR. So with that, we have um a bunch of watch list items that we're going to put the watch list and that's the sales tax obviously HR which we just discussed about uh code revenues and parking collections uh as well as the reimbursement for um in wastewater. So we identified um previously uh our concerns within the budget with a new person starting uh as tomorrow. The idea would be to go back through the budget items. There's there's some concern areas that we just identified as a watch list. I want to make sure that those revenues are realistically anticipated and go back to to make sure that the current administrator uh finance administrator has the same values and venues of what we're trying to do. make sure that those are all correct and make sure that those are those engagements happening properly. Uh and make sure that that's uh they're all realistic revenues before we make the journal entries um recommended journal entries in discussion with him to do that. Um because some of those revenue areas are under but I just want to make sure there's not revenues that are over uh budgeted for so we can make sure that happens. Um, and I think, um, you know, that's the So, we're going to need some good working relationships to get those things resolved as far as that goes, uh, to get that stuff taken care of.

So, I don't know what we have any questions on the budget stuff. When will we likely be voting on modifications to the the gap we have? Uh, I would say by the next meeting. Okay. I would the the only reason I held back was um I didn't want to make without going through that whole budget. So his priority will be that two weeks is plenty of time to get that done and get a even hopefully a more accurate financials so we can get a better everyday approach.

And then with the PE cards I read the article in the Gordland standard was there not a policy for the PE cards when we rolled those out? Um there was there was there was a policy written for the pec cards but there was no detailed policy within the financial department to deal with those to deal with those pec cards. So the policy was dealt with so that you can make the purchases but there was no reconciliation mechanism within the department done itself and do we have a time frame on when we'll likely adopt a policy on that? Um that is being we have to build that structure right now. So again I would think uh probably three or four weeks. Yeah, Scott the biggest issue was through the bank.

Somebody goes to Napa and charges something and it goes back to Chase Bank. They don't know whether to separate categorize it. Yeah, that's they pretty much got to create their own software. They go to Nap or Tractor Supply or Builder's Best, right? To be able to separate that, get it back to a purchase what it was for. That's the problem. It's a software issue or something, right? So they they do have access, correct? They can see what purchases were made and from which vendors.

Um yeah, Chase, Chase has the detailed accounting of what where they were and who purchased them. We have those details. So, it' be like a credit card statement, if you will, and it' be, you know, Jane Doe or John Doe who per made the purchase and where they were for and the amounts and they're all requisitioned for so that we all know where they are, but they're just not hitting our chart of accounts in our financial reports to keep that accurate, if that makes sense.

So, everything's being accounted for, but it's not being accounted for for the right person, the right department. So it say somebody made a purchase for a part for a firetruck and and Wayne had the purchase for the firetr would hit as chase instead of maintenance line number xyz to for the fire department. So it's an added step. They have to go in and look at the purchase and who made it.

Well, yeah. What it is is an uploading accounting mechanism that sends from Chase that goes to Munis and then it's done under the requisition for the chart of accounts. So, it's a little more uh the gatekeepers, whoever is making the purchase has when they do the purchase offer has to tie that to it. But, uh which they're doing, but they're not tying it. It's not it doesn't tie itself back to the accounts. And there's somebody in finance that keeps track and make sure is making sure the bills are paid and is verifying that they're legitimate purchases,

right? And making sure they're not doubled. So we were when the PE cards were first issued there was charges let's say make it up Meldrums and you know Meldrums was being done on the PE card but they would also take that receipt and turn that receipt in to get paid so that bill could have been double paid. So those are all being recognized too. So there's there was inherent errors and in the flaw of implementation of the key cards. So if a purchase is made, is the information going from the city employee that makes the purchase to finance directly as well?

That's correct. So the purchase offer system is purchase offer is happening. So they add it's actually preapproved. So they're actually pre-approving it before they're making the purchase.

Very good. Other questions on the finance stuff? Um the the health reserve account that's something that I think it' be great to see the numbers as it's progressing in terms of council meetings. Um it's something new. It's different. So being able to keep us updated would be I think well definitely something I am interested in for sure and appreciate the feedback about the 24 audit and then 25 we want to talk about either extending the current contract or doing an RFP but sooner would be better than later in terms of moving so the 25 audit can start in a timely manner.

Agreed. Um and good point, but the um currently um is is not typical to put RFP out which we don't have to put RFP or extend it without having I'm curious to see the new person's res where he's worked with prior and we're also when and during the interview process we discussed with him about as far as are we providing what we should be auditing and what what level of detail too much too little so I think all those conversations should happen first but absolutely I would think by uh April is typically the timeline that they'd recommend to do those RFPs because if your other one isn't closed out, which is the primary focus at this point. If they're not closed out, it's not necessarily a good good time to put it.

One last one, the financial restructuring board for local governments. Um I don't know if you have an update currently as to where things stand in the submission of that. Um but if you don't have one now, I'd appreciate. Yeah. So in the conversations we have with them which make direct contacts and that would that information will be passed along to the next but we have to have our AFR done. So as soon as we get this audit done then we can then we're going to employ get them here and they're going to do that. So they're kind of waiting in the wings to be able to do that. Once we get their AFR or this uh uh for 2025 entered then they can come in. Okay. So we're still case be able to submit that once that's

this year. That's kind that was the plan last year but our AFR didn't get done till this year. So we we we won't accept that and we want to try to make that not happen. Anything else? Anybody else? But as far as back to the Mr. Mr. Tobin, back to your question about the HA. I mean, that's will that'll be in the financial report required from the other one as well as you know some of the other areas where the suggested uh fix to uh cover up with the revenues is we had a I think it was 20 Randall helped me out $280,000 of receivables that were on parking tickets that were we that were out there uh that around 280,000.

Yeah. was about $280,000 worth of parking revenues are out there and that's another one as we receive them. You know, that was an off that was a suggested offset by Miss Greenwood to offset our budget gap which I don't know that I really feel comfortable that we're going to get all that. So I feel you know so that's one of the watch list items I guess I want to say and the H code revenues I feel you know again we'll go through this in more more detail once we get the new finance person doing I feel like that might have been overzealous on some of the code revenues I feel that was overbudgeted I'm going to keep an eye on those the parking collection we just talked about and then wastewater too will keep track of the reimbursements for the u uh nerta monies that we had talked about as well as we just doubled our daff half a little over two times two and a half times our daff and sludge uh reclaim. So we're anticipating a $200,000 revenue. So that would be another one to to the good that we would benefit uh with that too. But those are I think those are all those new items or especially the HR that can be you know there was there was money allocated or anticipated in savings with that. So, we got to keep a good handle on that. And again, that could fluctuate, you know, we, like I said, we just spent, you know, $6,500, $5,000 in that. Now, year to date, it could go 50 in a week. So, but we got to keep an eye on it because it's all new to all of us.

So, that's Katie has a question. Yes, Katie. Hi. Um, I appreciate that that the new director of finance is going to need some time to get up to speed, but I was wondering, um, since we since we know we want to get the audit started on time, would it be possible to get that contract and approve it, have council approve it so that when we're ready to roll, we can roll?

Um, it's just a matter of an engagement letter. Um and uh so typically we can uh make that happen pretty quickly based on where we're at and we'll see what we come across now. And again we went yeah absolutely once we get his opinion and get that uh the new um finance manager. That's the idea. And then we can get some of these other issues that we have problems with um taken care of and get to the bottom resolve of vendors that are outside the that aren't getting paid so we can get those looked at as well. Thank you. Anybody else? Yeah. U Chief Herrera.

Yes. Um not necessarily for tonight, but I'd be interested in getting caught up. So I remember many years ago the boot program and that brought in revenue in terms of parking tickets. And then at some point maybe it'd be helpful to give council an update in terms of enforcement of that dollar number that's out there, the over 200,000. what might be reasonable because some of it might be so old and people moving on but what the department has been doing in terms of um following up on overdue parking tickets. So not tonight but at some point if you can Mr. Drew, wasn't attached in the agenda minutes some of that parking um those parking data stuff that was part of that? I believe it was in that uh

there's a list of there was a list in there because they did vet that list. The company vetted that list to make sure they weren't too old because originally I was being told f numbers of 500,000 which weren't there but I think it does list a level of detail in that attached was in the agenda attachments uh supporting docs for this meeting or

yeah for this meeting I I believe it was in the supporting docs that were there um but but yeah it's uh there is that whole level of detail of who they are and some of them will find some that's why I don't know that 283,000 or whatever it was was is a realistic number because we just had one the other day that got a $100 parking ticket but and we went to look at it and they wrote down the wrong license plate the wrong so this poor guy would have got a ticket and he wasn't even here. So um so I I'm there's some of that that happens and some of the other issues. So I don't know that all of that's tangible but there was a we put a heavy hit on this when I first came in. We tried to get a bunch of them in and it was it was helpful but it doesn't come back as well as you would think and but now with DMV putting leans on or holds on their registration that really helps. So, uh I [clears throat] do have documentation that was not part of the um supporting documents uh that there is estimated or this is pulled out of passport uh system $328,760 in collected tickets.

Yep. So maybe you can forward that information to everybody if you just that gives them the report with maybe help that would be helpful. And how far back does that go? That's after it's vetted. Correct. That's that's after the 10-year event. So I there's so many so many years they could go back and uh that's where it is. But I thought it was a supporting docs, but I read it somewhere else. Um it was a part of information. So as those collections come in, we'll keep track of what that revenue is and keep that source done.

If you all remember and my biggest was, you know, some of the money that we did these small businesses that defunct on us because nobody ever paid attention to when it's pretty much the same or here. This money should have been collected prior to now and I'm sort of x amount of money which shouldn't happen now. But that's the problem. we nobody's ever paid attention even we've been through hell since you've been here with turnovers and everything else but it's just something that's got to be on and Louis is I'm sure on it now but yeah write off a lot but going forward we got to be more pundit or strict [clears throat] x amount of days it goes to DMV and then it get goes on your registration you go renew your car guess what you're going to pay it right yeah

you get pulled over they're going to impound your car

well I think that's something for the future we're meeting about is talking about what that amount is that goes to DMV. Those are numbers or amounts, how much the parking tickets are, how much to escalate them to and which would increase that amount which make us able to get it to DMV quicker and then also uh you know they charge us for the collection which goes back on to that. So we try to make that happen. And u last thing mayor appreciate the deeper dive back in reviewing numbers that you mentioned earlier. um fully support and recommend and I think council speak everybody speaks for themselves but I would support uh in terms of department heads hey there's budget lines and being accountable that hey we can't exceed on budget lines and I know there were some budget transfers and some other changes and yes things change but going through the process my hope is that as you're reviewing if anybody does [snorts] have potential issues that they would bring them to your attention. Yes. And that's that's the idea even with liaison. I know in the past if a fire truck had an engine problem, something was unanticipated and they were doing budget transfers, not only is it discussed with them ahead of time, but also with this council when we are making those budget any budget mods will go through this group. So you'll be able to see every one of them too. And again, I encourage you to come in review the packet. You can review those payables uh you know right as they're going out as I do as well. And certainly if you do it I won't have to. So that'd be helpful too. But anytime I encourage you to help what we review those too, I think it'd be helpful and understand the process because that's your leazison. That'd be great. Anybody else? So with that, we'll move to uh Can I get a motion to receive and file the finance report as given?

Beck, can I get a second? Miss Lane. Anybody else? Any questions? All those in favor? I approve.

Okay. Uh mayors move forward. All right. So, um downtown holiday window decorating contest. Uh so, The Rock got the one. We gave that one out. And uh St. Mary's School, which did the Brew uh decorated the brew 64. So, Brew got the second one. And as far as a community one, I was able to attend that uh contest award ceremony. and uh John Sarone, John and Nicole Sarone and Andrew Pierce. One second. Um the uh was just before this meeting uh Chief Dur and I attended the future development of Micron meeting at the uh Central New York Living History Museum. Um I think the impact on our community is going to be positive and negative. Um, so I think uh some of the speakers that were there were really talking about you know I I see a lot of our trades getting hit and uh you know getting used up there and and uh so I think that's going to put some pressure on us. We're going to lose staff members whether it's you know maintenance workers at buildings, janitors, all that. Um you know a lot of people don't believe it's real, but I've actually seen the drawings and the plans of just the site, the parking lot and the site of um you know where the trailers and the construction are. I've seen that preliminary site and you know it's going to be like let letting them all out all at once. That's just the con construction end of it. So, you know, it's a four-year process. Um, but I look at some of the buildings and some of the areas and the properties we have. We get ahead of it and housing one of end of it alone. We already have a housing problem and I think it's going to become a problem because a lot of these people are coming in. Some of the her things we heard this afternoon was, you know, people coming from other countries to work here, you know, whether it's for the construction or permanently and they're not going to immediately buy a home. So, I guess he's sales skyrocket, but rentals are a problem and we already have a a working rate, rental housing problem as we as we talk. So, I think it's something to really consider being a problem.

Um, so um so we got to continue to work on what our goals and streamlines have been and continue with that. Um on the 28th I have a downtown stakeholders meeting with all the local downtown businesses just to talk about uh the trash program and how that's going to roll out uh and how the uh how we can invest our time into uh you know other projects and things that are happening on Main Street. Uh there's the Pinewood Derby for the Cub Scout is a YMCA on the 28th as well. Um, and then Reuse is having a murder mystery series on the uh February 6th. And um, and then there's a on the 28th at the um, at the Courtland Elks, the SPCA will have a pause of math raffle fundraiser, love of paws, for the love of paws basket raffle fundraiser to to support the SPCA. So, it's going to be an exciting fun event. There's some great raffle tickets that'll be put in there.

That is the 28th, February 28th from 1 to 4. Um, so as far as progression, so we have a lot of things going on in the finance department. Obviously, we have a lot of things going on in uh HR end of it, but we also uh yesterday uh were able to complete the Wi-Fi on Main Street. Uh so that's pro that thing is uh which is the final for all of our fiber optics that have run to our parks and our Wi-Fi. So there's still a little bit of admin admin projects we got to work on on that uh to make them so that we renew. So I'm thinking the way we're going to do it is you would you would sign up to do it and after 3 months that would expire. You have to sign up again. So, just so that everybody doesn't keep renewing it that way. And we'll probably do the same passport at our parks as we do on Main Street uh to be able to do that. Today, we had a meeting again for the Randall Park design for the pavilion uh bath/bs 88 uh and uh bathrooms to get that up to speed. Uh so, that's pretty exciting as well uh to get that moving forward. So, we'll have should have final prints on that, drawings to bring to everybody on that. So, we can get that and that'll go out to RFP as well. All right, that's all I have for the mayor's report. If you want to look to um council uh council members of a board reports, Mr. To. Excellent. Thank you. I've been following up on some past issues regarding cats in the neighborhood, stray cats that are occupying private properties. Talked to code about that. also a business in an R1 that's essentially non-conforming use that's been granted a variance and I did speak with Whitney back in the fall about her concerns. Um I did talk to somebody more informally on the school board but uh kind of see the issue. It's a lot of traffic. Wheeler is a street that can get people traveling fairly quickly as

well and with the number of people in and out it's a potential concern. Uh, appreciate the feedback. I had a couple of things in terms of questions and you checked a lot off the list. Thank you. And then uh I will I'm going to follow up with Mike Weiss in terms of DPW just updating for 2026 trash collection. I put my stuff out on Sunday and then it was picked up day later. I was under the impression that this was not a holiday, but it was and just I did have a couple two people that reached out asking and I misinformed. So, I'm going to try to be a little bit sharper on that.

Okay. I think all the national holidays are because of the confusion they they recognize this year. They changed it. That's what was all recognized before. We had those conversations before. Sorry for that. But that has all changed. So, all the national holidays are recognized now and they're moving. So, that just moves everybody back back a day. So, I know somebody else reached out today. I believe Jay too. So, everybody that was Monday will go to Tuesday, Tuesday go to Wednesday, Wednesday go to Thursday, Thursday go to Friday. The good news is being earlier is better than being late. So, right. That's true. That's for sure. All right, Miss Silvin.

Hi. It's pretty quiet in the second board. We don't have all of our neighbor student neighbors back yet and it's um even if they were back, it's too cold to corouse, I think. Um I did drive around my board recently. I haven't been able to walk it in a long time. And I noted that there are no houses with red X's. Um there are some that have had exes and have been uninhabitable for a long time, for many, many years. And I'm so pleased and I need to convey that to the codes department. Um, I've seen evidence of people fixing things up, things that have been left um left alone for a long time and they're starting to fix things up and that's that's just great. So that's it for the second one.

Thank you. On that uh on Elm Street, what I'm addressing now is their 99th. So we're almost to 100. Okay. Um, Miss Lane, uh, I too misinformed some people about [clears throat] trash removal this week because I went onto the sheet that I received in the mail and MLK Junior Day was not on there. So, I also said, "Oh, no. It'll go out, you know, it'll it'll be picked up Thursday." So, I will contact them and let them know that it will not be picked up on Thursday. as we picked up on Friday. And other than that, it's been quiet and fourth. Thank you, Mr. Connor.

Uh, unfortunately, it's been very loud in the fifth. Um, we're having an issue with crows greasing in the neighborhood. Um, my understanding with some conversations I've had, including with Councilman Tobin, is that in the past there was some machinery that uh projects noises that helps scare them away. Um, so I've reached out to some folks at the county. I don't know if anyone else is. This was a decade or so ago. I sold the last I was miss park and you couldn't even see through the It was crazy.

I was in college at the time. So I uh was not in town. Um but so I'm working on seeing what can be done about that. Um I will be having another monthly ward meeting. This one will be on February 23rd in Bodri Park at 6 PM. Uh, and I've also heard from some folks uh with concerns over crosswalks. I know we uh uh especially the the Tomkins [clears throat] intersection. I know we were uh looking at seeing what could be done. I know there's state action that needs to be taken. Um any update on that front or we still waiting to to hear back essentially? uh the counsel the support the agency did the support to go to write to DOT to support us the county uh safety committee did write to support that and do that in that venue so now we're wait for the state

and probably our time frame we're aware of in terms of response the state I'm aware just clarify yes probably tomorrow would be Nice. Yes. And that doesn't effective. Well, as far as the crows, I um those pointed laser pointers which are they do the trick. They they scare them away, too. But I don't know. I don't want to cause all kind of problems for the police department later, but but that was a suggestion. That's that does work. Okay. So, that kind of gets me nervous.

All right, Mr. Beck with your last one. Just real quick on the parking thing over there on where we are at. Um the street that they were referring to, is that the one that turns in along the armory that goes into the school? Is that the name of that street? Do you know you have name? Yeah. Um I think they're talking about the road that it doesn't outlet out behind the armory. Yeah.

Was there anything we can do with the army? Make this the pulling pull out just in the armory. Use that parking lot. It's pretty much empty unless the fire department trained or passing away. I think and so we we did talk about this briefly before but we have the issue not just there but we have it on Delaware too. Um and um you know so we're actually looking at options over there to do something different to be able to do so if we get the buses out if we get the buses out of that circle then then they could use the armory way to be able to do that. But I think some of the easier situation is to not allow parking on that street from those time periods because it is I go by that way quite a bit and probably Brian does too. You go through there and there's cars on both sides and it gets really and people stand outside the car and uh I would say brazen would be an appropriate word for some of that. Um, but they uh uh but I think I think that could be alleviated some of that to be able to do that. And then I think we talked about talking with the school district to be able to have a way to have the kids be able to come out in those groups even after and so that the buses are out of the way. They could be lined up down the street come in the opposite because they could line up.

There would have to be no standing because there's already I think no parking, right? But they're not parking. They're standing, right? still have to be standing, right? I'm just throwing that out. That's a huge part of it. I would think we can do something and just pull in and pull out. I'm just throwing that out there. Well, I mean, when people are going on people's porches because it's raining and they're pulling in driveways. I mean, that's that's unacceptable. I agree with you there. The only thing I had real quick about a couple things you mentioned about fight [clears throat] jobs and all that. You think you're going to try to steal people?

For sure. I mean, I I know I don't know necessarily they're stealing, but I think because of the wages, because something that we can't offer, they're I mean, you you were around when they built the U Amazon building up there. I mean, that took every electrician from here to Rochester and probably are going to suffer and that's what's going to happen. So, then we got, you know, the project that you got coming up across from the hospital is going to be coming up. You're going to have a hard time getting people to fill it. Pour pouring concrete's hard enough now. So and the other thing about parking the plans for park. Yeah. Part of the design, right?

I'm just thinking to make sure as much as we know if we need it, we got to make it full. Yeah, for sure. Yep. Main way. I just we got to make it easier.

Okay. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Other hands. Quiet. Okay. All right. Can I uh Next is approval of minutes. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes? Mr. Colin, Miss Beck with second. I opposed. All right. Carried. Agenda item number one, uh, confirm mayor's appointment of director, admin, and finance. Resolved that the common council does hereby confirm the appointment of Clarence E. Shaker, Jr. to the position of director of administration, finance is filed with the city cler. Mr. Beckwith, can I get a second? Mr. Shelvin, any questions?

When do they start? Uh, tomorrow. If upon your council's you know approval then he will start tomorrow and uh you know I encourage everybody at some point to stop by and meet him and some have interviewed but some to stop by and do them and certainly sure Mr. Tobin will be in touch with him too. I've heard from him so ahead oh sorry this this appointment came about so quickly I think it would help the public to to know that Um this candidate previously applied for the same position.

Yes. So he Yeah. So just to clarify, so uh he comes from, you know, certainly he's got his resume speaks for itself. He's got 10 years in Bingmpington. You Bingington, which your budget is what, three times, Andy? I three times more than three times what our budget is. Then he went to Johnson City. He took to Johnson City. So he interviewed here uh for uh it was by the way just for clarification for the media it was a year and a half ago that summer when Beth had started not this summer it was a year it was prior to so she had been here a year and a half so uh he had interviewed for the position and then uh declined it to go to Johnson City which is very Johnson Johnson City is a village but it's still the same size as what we are uh and um but I think uh he was able to identify by just reviewing our AFR. He was able to identify what our issues and what our problems are right off the bat. So excited to have him come in and be able to hit this hit this pretty hard. But yes, so this is not a rash over decision, but coincidentally uh he uh had that change over at the end of the year and it worked out for in our benefit in this case or both our benefits.

Has he met with the staff with the city? Uh no, he has not yet. Okay. Has he had any conversations with Miss Greenwood about the status of things, workflow, deadlines, things of that nature? Uh, no. We have a list of items to deal with and uh was determined that it would be better not to have that happen based on the way things were. Me and Brian were [clears throat] able to meet across the hall last week with him and Brian actually great. I think we all did, but Brian probably had the most. He drilled pretty hard and he was I doubt he did everything professionally and point blank and he's willing to give it a run. I think he's going to do a great job.

I wish I had been there. For the record, Pat was there. Thank you, Brian. Say your words. I You wouldn't talk. Okay. So, did did that did that help? Did that answer your question, Miss Minan? That helped? Yeah. I don't know if there's anything else anybody wants to add that was in the interview. Anybody else have something that I mean I think

just the the uh this came about quickly and you know I discussed it with you and it's good to talk publicly. my preference. Hey, if you get somebody interim and then go through a search uh with the candidate and what was occurring, I thought there was a good number of boxes checked and um I feel like this is a good option for the city. Um is it still true executive session to discuss I guess in looking back at Randall if we needed an executive session to discuss personnel that this could potentially fall under that? there are further questions regarding the individual or

yeah again I think it's always good to talk publicly I open about it I mean if there's something that's really personal or somebody really has grave concerns will certainly go into executive session as always but for sure how wide of a search was it we just review the applicants from the last time there was the opening or I I've heard from a lot of people you know uh Miss Sman alluded to it today that had just found out about the resignation of Miss Greenwood uh and we're a a little surprised that we already had someone in the works that we'd be voting on tonight. Um I'm not sure if that I'm trying to figure the question here.

How was the search simply going over past applicants the last time the job was open? How wide of a search was this? Um it really wasn't a search. which was a a matter of uh having somebody available that knows the job and has the ability to be able to do that that coincidentally came to light at the same time. So um an email had been sent he had sent me an email saying you know that uh he was back in the back in the uh ring to running it and the position was still available and here we are. Okay. and he he has the experience and

and he was in the loop before it wasn't like we just bang bang we already interviewed the guy prior so maybe the answer would be there there was no cast out so that that was there was no there was not a search there was not a search

and I think we made personally I think we made the right decision to stop the situation we're in trying to get over time an RFP out and deal with two three months trying to find I think based on other if that wasn't the availability or the competency or the experience that was there then I certainly would have led to doing something in term it would have changed dramatically how everything was handled including our budget gap and and all those issues. So I think those are all important questions and I guess you know I don't know if there's anything nefarious about any of it you know I mean it was I'm sure

yeah so I mean if somebody is uh um you know has a high experience as a police chief not picking on the chief but if you know I mean and they have those credentials in there and you have that opening that makes sense then it makes sense to fit and he's fully aware of our situation he's not used that He did. He did his homework before he showed up. He did.

And I appreciate all that. I'm glad that those that were present were satisfied and I I trust their judgment. Um since I wasn't a party to the meeting, I will be voting no. I just want to explain that it's not necessarily an issue of qualifications or anything like that. I just think I have some questions I would like to ask Mr. and shaker. Uh that I haven't had the opportunity to, but I'm glad my colleagues in the council uh seem to be supportive and I hope they're good fit for the role. I look forward to meeting with him and and getting to work. Okay. I'm sorry. to the next step in terms of the number that we need

um in terms of the budget cap or what are you referring in terms of approval? Yeah. Yeah. So I guess for a question for the city clerk uh for this to pass we have five people present. Correct. You have five people present to vote. We need four. Correct. You need uh five yes votes to confirm to the point

in future. Would it be appropriate to potentially table the motion or and then give the opportunity for further discussion? I need a star. Yeah. I can't like you just everything I just said is not true for another two weeks. Yeah. I mean, trust me, those guys. If it's a matter of passing this, I will support it. But in future deliberations over department heads, I would appreciate the full council uh had the interview bee available to them to ask questions. Okay. There there would be an issue with that doing that.

Yeah. Well, we could do it independently. So there we you know in this in the past we have we had you know multiple rounds and I left everybody meet with people and we went through the whole process but based on where we're at audit's got to get out AFR's got to get out so I can get the you know the support from the I'm not looking to road future your point is well taken and certainly uh the threat of it is not so [laughter] that good But I appreciate that too, but I didn't think of that. But thanks for catching the vote part. Um, anybody else? All right, so move it, please. Council member Tobin,

I. Council member Sllamon, I. Council member Lane, I. Council member Conlin, I. Council member Beck, I motion uh is approved. Mr. Shagger is confirmed. All right. Going to pass uh down for signature that his motion for his appointment was confirmed.

All right. Agenda item number two. Authorized collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 317 representing wastewater treatment facility employees. Resolved that the collective bargaining agreement between the city of Courtland and Teamsters Local 317 is hereby approved and ratified. Be it further resolved that Mayor Steve and designated city officials are hereby authorized to execute said collective bargaining agreement on behalf of the city of Courtland with the team's local 317 for a 4-year contractual term dated January 1, 2026 through December 31st, 2020. I get a motion. Mr. Beckwood, can I get a second? Lane, uh, Mr. Lewis, do you mind just coming up and presenting this? So, um just in I did talk to um our weight uh wastewater Joe McMahon uh about this and I did excuse him for this meeting because it was his daughter's first basketball game uh I think in uh so I I did excuse him and I just wanted I just ask him a couple of questions make sure that number one that the salary rates were in the budget budgetary numbers which Randall and him both had confirmed that Those were all done and um all and the other item will reflect later to a resolution that we'll talk about as far as being the monies being funded as far as paying for that grant and that funding. So, uh if you just want to hit the highlight parts I know everybody got kind of the highlights, but maybe hit some of what you would do with the Teamsters.

Yeah, this is our first year working with Teamsters on this. Before the wastewater union was an independent union they worked did not have national representation. So they signed on during the past contract to be represented by teams 317 out of Syracuse. So we had two folks [clears throat] from the Syracuse office that came down and worked with us on the contract. We were able to negotiate a 4-year agreement with them. Um that puts them on a different schedule in police and fire. So we're not being hit with all of our contracts the same go around again. Um the first year they received a market rate adjustment. Our wastewater plant was well behind what other similarly sized plants were across the state. And then we we went with a hourly adjustment in years 2, three, and four. Um they proposed they preferred to do it with a rate um of 75 cents a dollar.75 versus a percentage rate. it comes out actually a few cents less than a percentage rate would have came out that they felt it was important for unity across the bargaining unit. They wanted to all get the same raise in years 2, three, and four versus a percentage that would have given some a little bit more than others. Um we reduced both the lensure stipen and insurance opt out adjustments to an hourly rate. This is something we've got on all the contracts and this prevents from getting payroll errors um in calculating overtime payments because sometimes when it pays a lump sum it can get a little muddy with units as to how it calculates the overtime rates. Um we swapped out Columbus Day with them for Junth to standardize city holidays. Um they do technically have a 13th holiday which the rest of the city doesn't have but they have one less personal day. Their 13th holiday is a floating holiday. So essentially it ends up being the same thing, but they didn't want to change it from a personal day to a holiday. So I that's fine, whatever. It all comes out the same. You get you get 12 and four or 13 and three. So it's the same in the long run. Um we standardize the vacation approval with other

bargaining units. It starts on January 1st. We also got rid of the convoluted system of getting a week after 6 months, then your allotment on January 1st, then another week after 12 months. Now we just prorate it as of the data hire. So it makes it much more simple in the system and there's no need to manually go back in and add a six months, manually go back in and add it a year. Cleaned up a bunch of language issues with them. Um we created a new position in the bargaining unit of wastewater treatment safety coordinator. Um this was something Teamsters was p pushing for. We had had the position not as a standalone position but as a stipen being paid. So basically we created a position that used that stipen with the rate an operator would have been getting and the position that's been created is primarily safety for the wastewater plant, secondarily safety for the city as a whole and third would still be used to fill an operator role. It's as the need arose. So it kind of is it's a hybrid position. Um and last week we clarified um an out of title bargaining unit member covering the overall plant operations and there was an issue there because in the past that position had been paid the rate of the deputy operator of the plant. That person was eligible for overtime. So their base pay was much lower than when we redid these positions. Now they're an overtime exempt employee, so their base was higher. So it created in this person seeing a much bigger jump in what that stipen should be. They were in full agreement with it. So we were able to negotiate it down with an increase, but it saved the city about $6 an hour um on that rate and they readily admitted the rate was too high for what it should have been because it was being driven

partially by the overtime payment. So we fixed that problem as well. Uh, council was given the cover sheet as well as the new contract and the old contract. So, anybody has any questions? Anybody have any questions? I have a question.

Sure. Um, forgive me, but when I when my union bargains, we get a percentage. And I know that you said that they that the teamsters want to work with the same. They don't want to do percentages. They want to keep it the same across the board. But from my understanding, I would like to know how much a percentage raise does this represent? It varies across the board because when you take it from a percentage to a fixed dollar amount, those at the high end of the pay scale, it equates to a to a lower percentage. Those at the bottom, it equates to a higher percentage. But if you average it out, it's a 3% raise and it's slightly less than a 3% raise in years 2, three, and four. If you average the three years, it comes out almost at 3%. Um, I tell them when we negotiate the contract, I look at as if that we have a pie to split up for the most part. I don't care how they cut the pie up, but this is the amount that we were going to put towards wages. If they choose to divide it out equally hour by hour across the bargain unit versus a percentage that benefits each of them based on where they stand. I don't have a major objection with it unless it's going to lead us to a point that could cause recruitment issues. It's not raising a position enough or something like that.

Thank you.

All right. So, I hear I heard you say 3%. When I look at the contracts, the public market rate adjustment for the first year that seemed fairly significant and then the change to longevity seemed fairly significant. Um, I I'm having a hard time supporting because I heard what you said that it's budgeted, but I would feel more comfortable seeing the numbers in terms of projected cost because without the direct comparison based upon current employees in terms of job title and years that they have, it's not just going to be the salary increase, it's the longevity and how that impacts. Um I I would prefer that we table this today because um Tom, your last the last item on same vote as you on this one. I'm not comfortable supporting it tonight. When we budget to do the contract negotiations, we look at the bargaining unit as a whole and we map out what they would make in each year of the contract. So, we bring it down um based on we look at base versus base and then we look at what the overtime was in each of the previous years versus overtime and that's done position by position. Um I don't have the one for this one. Miss Greenwood did, but I know it was done. I've seen it. I have the one that we're using for CSEA right now because that we're still in negotiations with, but we I mean we go through this line by line. So, I'm very confident that the budget covers these numbers. Um, additionally, not that we should rely on extra revenues of all the city departments, Wastewater is in the one that's in a position that has some flexibility with the fact that they've been able to significantly increase the rates that they're charging for their dairy waste and that they also have other state monies coming in. So, I'm extremely confident we're fine in this one um just because of the fact

that I know there's revenues that aren't budgeted coming into wastewater probably close to a million and this is nowhere near that and I don't I don't I don't think it's it's fair to we've passed every other contract and if if Randall is is confident Um I I don't think it's fair to to say, "Okay, we're not going to p pass wastewater. We passed everybody else, but we're not going to pay pass wastewater because now we're watching, you know, the bottom line. Now we're counting our pennies." So I will be

Katie, did you have something to say?

Yeah, I was wondering um how far behind wastewater is compared to the other contracts we've been passing. Are they making considerably less than other city professionals? Um I it's funny uh just tonight I was talking to the marathon mayor about uh wastewater and I think he's losing his class 4 operator which we had that uh situation earlier this year. Um, but I know that, you know, as far as what they're being paid, they were behind as far as the hourly rate before. I mean, certainly I'm sure I could find that documentation, Mr. Tobin, that we could that Miss Greenwood would have. So, if that's something you want, I'm sure it's she did it right. You say, so I never saw it, but I could certainly I'm sure we could get that to do that. I think I I don't know um if two weeks I'm not would make a difference here. We're going to retro it anyways. uh am I miss I mean I I don't would that become a tenuous thing I mean to say that you know we need to review more documents again this is this is the problem of doing it live instead of in in the executive session but you know I appreciate the you know the honesty of speaking about it

well it's proactive I wouldn't think I wouldn't think so but I I I don't want as long as not I think it's most important part is not pervade that this is against it necessarily just seeing what the long-term impact which wants to see which which was what the which is what the which is what the council's here for right so I think that's a reasonable ask I don't know I don't you know I don't want to cause aid to them but it's all how we dispel that so if we can get ahead of them before the med they read the media that would be helpful probably not be able to do radio quite quick cover that

I can email Sean do I think the teamsters and senators are going to be terribly happy with this no is it the end of the world Probably not. Um, you know, would I do I really want to start our foot with Teamsters being their new union we're dealing with saying, "Well, yeah, but we don't know about your contract." Not really. I mean, do I understand Brian's point? Absolutely. I do. I think we should pull the information and get that to council. Well, I don't think Brian's got a problem with the contract. He just wants to make sure he wants to see the numbers, right? The long-term impact.

Yeah. the uh and Pat to your point uh the the concern with past contracts etc. Uh there has been some issues in terms of overspending personnel lines and just being able to know what is the financial impact and having that upfront I think is critical in signing these contracts that there it's clear what the cost will be and that the budget can sustain it you'll feel better and if we can't find that stuff I know Chrissy and I can recreate the numbers you want relatively easily I just that's a problem because she's gone for two weeks All right. It may, but we'll we'll I'm sure it's there, but I we'll look tomorrow.

Katie, did you have something else to add? No, I do appreciate how you were able to negotiate out some of the um things that may get messy like this. I think that's good. And I do want the wastewater department to be fairly compensated for their for their work. I I don't think anybody's saying that. Just clarify that. Nobody's saying that. We're only saying we'd like some more information to make a rational decision. That's all. You'll definitely want to reach out to their local leadership because yes, they will get more than the guys inside. I'll try to get over there this I'll try to get over there tomorrow morning at 6:30. Okay.

All right. Anybody else? So, can I get a motion to table Mr. Tobin? Mr. Con, a second. This is the motion to table the meeting. All those in favor? I So agenda item no meet no minutes Jack till 7 tomorrow. Yeah. Don't start out at six.

All right. So agenda item uh number two will be uh uh table to the next meeting. Okay. Um agenda item number three reappoint members of the board of assessment review. Resolved that the common council hereby reappoints board of assessment review members Shaun T. Mack for a term ending September 30th, 2029 and Jeff Smith for a term ending September 30th, 2030. Be it further resolved that the city clerk shall file an updated board of assessment review member listing reflective of the appointments with the Corland County Office of Real Property Tax Services.

A motion. Katie, you want to move a motion? All right. Okay. I move it. Second. Brian or Miss Tobin. Uh, any questions? Okay. Move it, please. Council member Tobin. I. Council member Lane. Hi. Council member Cotton. Hi. Council member Beckwith. Hi. Agenda. August. 12. Did you say Katie? I don't think you called. Oh, I'm sorry. Um, council member Sel, did I skip over? Yes, you did.

I'm sorry. Agenda item number four, approve event permits for family fun in Second Park on July 18th, 2026. Resolve that the city of Corland County Council does hereby approve the issuance of permits without fee as described below. The event is the family fun fest sponsored by the Southern Tim J uh JC's to be held July 18th, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 400 p.m. at Sugget Park issuing a special event permit and a sound device permit without fee. Be it further resolved that the city clerk shall issue set permits conditioned on fulfillment of applicable state and local code requirements. I get a motion to Mr. Allen. Uh, it's great to have the JC's involved in our community. They've been I don't think they've been around for a while, but this group is bringing them back and we're excited to have them involved. We met with them briefly to just try to get their overview of what they're going to do and I think it'll be fun and it'll grow. Sounds like they're they're starting small and going to start growing from there. So, we're excited to have them. Okay. Okay. Please.

Council member Tobin. I. Council member Silivan. I. Council member Lane. Hi. Council member Connley. Hi. Council member Beckwith. Hi. Agenda item number five. Authorize agreement with Common Sales and Service for inspection, maintenance, and service of water department generator. Resolved that the city of Corland County Council does hereby authorize Mayor Steve or his designate to enter into a two-year inspection, maintenance, and service agreement with coming sales and service for the water department generator and an amount not to exceed $4,84242. Mr. Beck with a second. Mr. Colin, any questions?

This a just a new contract that they've been moving just prior. Um, I don't know that Miss Cumins has been doing it. There's been different somebody else has been doing them. Uh but now we're trying to get the same one to do all of our generators at the same time. It's a it's a small number, but it fits within what was budgeted in terms of maintenance. Yes. No. Yes. That must be confirmed. Yes. Okay. Please. Council member Tobin. I. Council member Silhan. Hi. Council member Lane. I. Council member Conland. Hi, Council Member Beckley.

Agenda item number six, authorize agreement with BCA Architects Engineers for grant writing and engineering services for New York State DOT grant application. Resolved that the city of Portland County Council hereby accepts a proposal from BCA Architects Engineers and authorizes Mayor Steve to enter into a no cost agreement with the firm for assistance in preparing the New York State Department of Transportation Transportation Alternative Program grant application for improvements to pedestrian multimotal features along pedest major pedestrian routes with emphasis on the Homer Avenue corridor. Can

I get a motion? Okay, Miss Silman, Mr. Beckworth. So, just to clarify a couple things on this. So, uh the this grant application, the reason it's done this way is it's no cost to us and they're basically do some design work and some uh work to try to get the TAP grant to put that information out there. As you remember, we have $6 million grant towards HomeP. We still have a shortfall. We want to make sure everything's covered before we can do it. So, this is a way we can get the TAP grant. A lot of the grants now require us to have engineered drawings for those. So if we didn't do it this way and put it out to RFP and award it this way in RFP, that would preclude BCA who has a lot of our infrastructure information from being able to bid on it. So you can either if we don't do it RFP for them to do it for nothing and donate their time, then we have to do an RFP for bid later when we do do the design. So this all this does is not preclude them from being able to bid on it in the future. We did have some good interest as you can see there's uh four four others that were interested to do it. Um so that's how this no cross agreement works that

so is it all for home or could Tom Street be a part of this cross?

Yeah. So um yes. So some of this is uh we are looking to do some of the other tap grant information is some of the other crosswalks for example which is still on Homer a across from the hospital or you know some of the other safety areas sidewalk areas and some other areas that we have back in Troy's area on Elm Street down in that way there's some intersections you can only you can't use a wheelchair to get you have to go to the driveway because there's literally you can't cross I mean So there's areas like that that we put is is in high need and need then we put it as part of the T grant. So that was information that was discussed but the priority focus is home at but if we can add those other ones into it then they'll add it into the grant application.

Does that make sense? Okay. Anybody else? Right. Move it please. Council member Tolin I. Council member Sllivan. Hi. Council member Lane. Hi. Council member Connley. I council member Beckwood. Hi.

Agenda item number seven, authorized memorandum of agreement with parking enforcement officer for clothing items. Resolved that the city of Corland County Council hereby authorizes Mayor Steve Berdesme to enter into a memorandum of agreement with parking enforcement officer James Burns for the purpose of providing reimbursement in an amount not to exceed $300 annually for clothing items required to perform his assigned duty safely and effectively. I get a motion please.

Mr. Colin, Mr. back with um again this is all in the budget right chief it's all planned for um and this is the way this he's a part-time he's using one the only part-time keeper we have anybody have any questions please council member Tolin I council member Sllin hi council member Lane I council member Conlin I council member Beckwood hi

agenda item number eight authorized agreement with Cedarwood Engineering ing services for the water quality improvement project at the wastewater treatment facility. Resolved that the city of Corman County Council hereby authorizes Mayor Steve to enter into an agreement with Cedarwood Engineering Services in an amount not to exceed $218,500 for professional engineering services as described within their proposal to prepare technical scoping bid documentation and construction oversight for this project to replace and upgrade equipment and irriation systems at the wastewater treatment facility.

Mr. back with I got a second miss. Um yeah, so this is uh the awarded ground we got 2.2 2 million and change the to do this project and um again this is part of the engineering and aspects that some of that will be reimburseable some will not be but it's budgeted amount to budgeted um did not exceed amount was budgeted as as a total in case it didn't cover so uh is what um I told by Mr. man. So, anybody else questions?

We doing this. I know we got to do it because the DC, but anytime we we seem to do a lot, invest a lot of money in the wastewater treatment plant, rightfully so. Is anybody preparing for like [clears throat] another big expansion in Courtlandville? Yeah. Um, so I I or hopefully the city, but I I don't know any we're almost out of land, but I don't know any big expansions, but if we did have manufacturing, we we have availability in our water and our sewer to do that, but our sewer plant needs a lot of work. This is just a not just doing it to get keep it going. this so outside of the

so our permit the goal right we our permit is something we've been trying to work on for a while now to try to get that permit up up to date um and our permit is do it so this is part of the aeration that gets our our nitrates level down to where they need to be because we're basically paying you know credits if you will spending money to be able to do that. So, this upgrade is is going to be huge because it's going to long-term help us to save, you know, $300 and some thousand a year. But, um, so I think but there's plenty of other like it's still it's still we're still way behind. And we're doing an upgrade right now on our generator, which is uh down right now, but that that's coming Thursday uh to upgrade that generator to come up with a better filtration system so that that doesn't go down. But the daff uh that we have with burned dairy or that it wasn't originally daff it was whey and that has changed they've changed their process to this new yogurt now daffft is a big thing so um Mr. McMahon was able to renegotiate those prices to two two and a half times more than what we were getting for daff before and then with burn cam with increasing so that that revenue is going to be there. So, these are all improvements we need to modernize to what we're receiving, but more importantly, just dated, you know, the buildings all the set.

I'm just making sure that, you know, we got to redo this and say get another $100 up to make sure we're going outside the bubble. We have to redo it another two years. Oh, yeah. We We need about $20 million to fix that place. So, just be ready. Not a lot more than that. Yeah. So, uh Yeah. Anybody else? Was this a competitive bid process or how were they selected?

Yes, they were uh it was a competitive bid when we talked way back. I don't know maybe it's two years ago now Brian I think we had it and uh they were competitively bid to uh to seek that for the design process but we never went through the award process. we thought it was in the the documentation. Typically, we'll do is if we go to a grant, we'll say all documents that need to be approved and done towards making that happen so we can not have to drag it out. But then when we start following through with our grant docs, we realized this wasn't done so we needed to do it formally. Anybody else? Okay, move it, please. Council member Tobin. Hi. Council member Sllament. Hi. Council member Lane. I. Council member Conland.

I. Council member Beckwood. Hi. Agenda item number nine. Accept and recognize donations to the police department.

Resolve that the city of Corland County Council on behalf of Mayor Steve and the police department expresses its gratitude for the generosity of the donors listed below. Be it further resolved that the county council hereby accepts the donations listed below and appropriates them to the accounts and for the purposes designated below. Uh from Shirley K. Hill and the Courtland Community Foundation, $5,000 donation for safety equipment for officers and service dogs and uh from Summit Federal Credit Union, $250 for the K9 program. I get a motion, Katie.

Okay, Mr. Tobin, Katie, uh we'll take those. Um, it's great these dogs keep selling to people, I guess, right? They do. We need to drive some of that with the SPCA as well. Uh, but uh and and certainly the SNAP program for cats. Uh, but but let's thank for their donation. That's great. That's a big jump and it's it can be an expensive proposition for sure. Uh, but thank you for that. Move it, please. Council member Tobin. I. Council member Sllamon. Hi. Council member Lane. Hi. Council member Cona. Hi. Council member Beckwood. Hi.

Okay. With that, does anybody else have anything else they would like to discuss in the next meeting? Okay. So, we'll um