Common Council - Regular Meeting

Okay, it's 7.15, and this is public session time. There is no one signed up on the sheet, and I will ask, is there anybody in the room that would like to speak that hasn't signed up? So all you have to do is come up to the podium and state your name, and you're in. I don't see anybody rushing up there, so I assume that's a no. So at this point, I will close public session and we will convene the meeting promptly at 7.30, which is 15 minutes away. 730. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please call the roll. Here.

Councillor Kennedy. Here. Councillor Ashland. Here. Councillor Lawton-Sack.

Here.

Councillor Fitzgibbon. Here. Councillor Meyer. Here. Councillor Plunkett. Here. Councillor Thompson. Here. All present.

Thank you. I have a couple items in the mayor's report I'd like to share with everybody. It has been a very busy couple weeks since our last meeting on June 8th. and i just wanted to share a few things that happened during that time as always the mayor's office receives a ton of constituent calls emails every day and there were a ton of staff meetings during that time to discuss various city issues number one on my hit list here is i want to wish everybody happy father's day in the council chambers i know it's a day late but i just want to make sure that i recognize all the fathers in the room Number two on my list, on Friday, June 12th, I attended the State University College of Oswego event honoring hockey coach Ed Gozic on his retirement. On behalf of the Common Council in the city of Oswego, I presented Ed with a proclamation along with the State Senator Chris Ryan and Assemblyman Will Barkley. I will not read the entire proclamation, but I did pick out a couple highlights that I wanted to share because he was not only a great coach, but he was a great ambassador to the city of Oswego. And I think it's something I want to include in the public record. Coach Gozic began his coaching career at SUNY Oswego as an assistant coach before being named head coach of the Lakers men's hockey program in 2003, a position in which he served with distinction for over 20 years. He established himself as one of the most successful coaches in SUNY Oswego athletics history, guiding the Lakers to numerous SUNYAC championships, NCAA tournament appearances, and a national prominence while complying an impressive record of achievement on and off the ice. Under his leadership, the Lakers captured the NCAA Division II, or Division III, rather, National Championship in 2007 and consistently competed among the nation's elite programs, bringing pride and recognition to SUNY Oswego and the city of Oswego. Coach Gozic posted an incredible 427 to 142 with 36 ties overall record. achieving more victories than any coach in the history of Oswego State men's hockey program and cementing his legacy as one of the most accomplished coaches in NCAA Division III hockey. Congratulations on a great career and a well-deserved retirement, Coach Gozic. Item number three, on Monday, June 15th, I attended the Oswego County Micron Strategy Steering Committee. which I have the program from that meeting. I am a member of the steering committee, and I was very interested to attend that meeting. That was the third annual meeting of our group. I was held out at the college as well. And there are nine, in case you don't know, there are nine work groups that are trying to do their best to prepare our county for the micron invasion, you might call it. So the nine working groups, I thought it would be interesting to share the nine groups' names, childcare, economic development, education, healthcare, hotels slash restaurants slash tourism, housing, public and private infrastructure, transportation, and workforce development. The mission of this committee that I'm a part of, is to help prepare our county for the most significant private investment in New York State history. An investment of $100 billion by Micron, as well as millions of dollars by companies who would be coming in to support Micron. As I think we all can agree, the city of Oswego will see changes as this investment becomes a reality. We're going to see people move here to the city of Oswego because of what we offer. What we've done in the last decade, improving our parks, improving our waterfront, improving our roads, it all will attract people who want the quality of life that we offer here in the city of Oswego. So this committee is in position to help not just the city of Oswego but all the communities with that onslaught of people who are going to be moving here for the construction phase as well as the operation of the facility. Item number four. Thursday, June 18th, I attended Operations of Suego County annual meeting. It was the 74th annual meeting. I have that report here as well. And both of these reports are online if anybody wants to read them in detail. They're quite interesting. I want to thank Councilor Plunkett who also attended and was there. I think this is the second or third time you've gone to that meeting. So I appreciate you attending on behalf of the council. Yeah, again, I'm not going to give you the total report information, but I thought I picked out a couple things I thought might be interesting for everybody to hear. In 2025, there were 43 projects that Operation Oswego County was involved with. The capital investment of $196 million in Oswego County, with the creation or retention of 1,422 jobs, with a payroll of about $18 million. Since 1953, their mission has been the creation and retention of job opportunities, diversification, and strengthening of our economic base and developing the local economy in a planned, collaborative, organized, and environmentally friendly atmosphere. I'd like to congratulate Operation Oswego County and Austin Wheelock, who's their director, on another successful year. Item number five. Also on Thursday, same day, during the farmer's market in downtown Oswego, there was the longest day event. I'm not sure if anybody in the chamber was there, but that particular event during the farmer's market is recognizing and raising awareness and support for those affected by Alzheimer's disease. I want to thank Sarah Sundy and Elizabeth Weimer from the Oswego County Office for Aging who organized this event. As we have all seen, there are many good causes and reasons for us as a community to come together for, and fighting this insidious disease should be on that list. Thank you to Oswego County Office for the Aging for doing that. Item number six. On Saturday, June 20th, I attended the 100th birthday celebration for Oswego resident Fran Enright. I believe this was important for many reasons. I've gone to several 100th birthdays in the last two and a half years as mayor, but this one to me was personal and it was very important because of who she is and what she's done for our community. I presented a proclamation that included some of the following information. Again, I won't read the whole proclamation because in 100 years, the woman accomplished a lot, and we would be here probably until 9 o'clock if I listed everything that the woman did. But I picked out a few things that I thought were important for everybody, not just in this chamber, but people watching. Her professional contributions to the city of Oswego, she worked in the clerk's office. She worked at the Cullinan Ice Skating Rink and the Oswego County Board of Elections, which reflected a longstanding commitment to public service. And that was after having how many kids, Eva, six? Seven. Seven kids. So she was busy before she went into the workforce. And then afterwards she got into the workforce. Then Mrs. Enright's connection to the Fort Ontario area and her personal relationship with Safe Haven refugees inspired her continued support and advocacy for the Oswego Safe Haven Museum. A few years ago when we had the 75th anniversary for Safe Haven, she was honored because she had made friends with the refugees through a chain link fence. And she actually corresponded with them and offered friendship to her. So she certainly epitomizes what Oswego should be, a welcoming community. She also dedicated her time, as if she had time, as a volunteer at Oswego Hospital. She also led bingo at the St. Joseph's Church and actively participated in organizations including the Columbiettes, the St. Anne's Society, and the Red Hat Club. In addition to her work with the American Red Cross, where she served as County Blood Drive Coordinator, she continued to make meaningful and lasting impact on the health and well-being of the community. On top of all that, she may have been the only person. I haven't talked to our city attorney to verify this, but I'm going to make a claim here. She might have been the only person to receive a proclamation on her 90th and 100th birthday from the mayor of the city of Oswego. So I'm gonna see the facts on that one, but 10 years ago, Mayor Barlow presented a proclamation to her and on Saturday I gave her one. And I believe that she might be in the record books for that as well. As you can tell, an amazing woman. And congratulations to her and the legacy that she's created with all the children, the grandchildren. The party was attended by probably 100 people and half of them were Enrights. It was just an amazing gathering of an outpouring of love for Frannie Enright. Item number seven. I'm pleased to report that the new pickleball courts that are planned for Gallagher Park will take a giant step forward tonight with the vote that you all will be taking tonight and hopefully approving the archeological study at Fort Ontario complex, which is required by the grant before work can begin. The grant we received, which I explained in detail at the committee meeting last week, but I'll just mention, the grant was received in 2024 The grant from New York State Parks was for $179,250. And the total estimated cost for the project is $239,000. And hopefully they don't find any famous soldiers' bones in the ground and we can continue with the work after the archeological study. So looking forward to actually starting construction on that. Item number eight. speaking of projects i want to provide possibly the last update for the west first street project the contractor has currently completed the road work and has the following items left to address and by the way earlier today i sent this information to the common counselor to keep them updated as i have during the whole course of this project Item number one, monitor turf establishment closely. Water and reseed as needed until the first mowing and adequate coverage is achieved. Item number two, ensuring plantings establishment. The bioretention swale and two trees planted this spring and water as necessary. Item number three, program the Opticom system. I mentioned that this system is what the fire department would use as they're approaching a light to make sure that it turns to the appropriate color so there's no accidents when a emergency vehicle goes through. Next item, remove work zone devices and signs. Final cleanup of the yard, which I went by today in the Shapiro lot, which was the lay down area for the piles of dirt and stone and pipe and equipment is pretty much cleaned up as of today. And the last item would be remove the erosion control measures. So that's the update on that project. Item number nine. This is really right up to the minute here. Today at 5 p.m. I had the pleasure of attending the Girl Scout Troop 10566 and 10567 of a Swiggle slash Minetto award and honor ceremony which was held at the Scriba Fire Hall. 36 young girls were recognized as some girls would be bridging to their next level of scouts and received the recognition pins and awards. I was asked to attend and provide certificates of achievement. Five girls receiving their bronze award were given these certificates of achievement from myself, representing the city of Oswego, and by New York State Senator Christopher Ryan. I'd like to thank Senator Ryan. There's not too many senators, state senators, that would come for a awards ceremony in the town of Scriba. And I commend him for his attention to our community and all he's done for our community. Congratulations to all the Girl Scouts. And once again, thank you for inviting me and Senator Ryan. The last item on my report. concerns a visit we received last week from New York State comptroller's office. I want to let everybody know that this was a routine review conducted periodically to ensure municipalities across the state are maintaining proper financial practices. The auditors examined a range of our financial records, including payments, policies, and internal procedures. I am pleased to report that the four-member audit team, which worked in this chamber and sat at your desks, I don't know if you noticed anything was moved, but they sat at your desk and did all this work. They confirmed that the city of Oswego is following accepted accounting standards. They did offer a recommendation to incorporate a couple of additional reports into our regular process, but otherwise expressed satisfaction with the way we maintain our financial records. The meeting that I had with two of the lead auditors gave me this information verbally. They said they will send me a letter and also copy the common counselors as well. So you'll get a copy of what I just told you, probably with more details. I do at this time want to extend my sincere thanks to City Chamberlain Deb Code and her staff for her professionalism and for assisting the auditors in gathering all the information they needed. They asked a lot of questions, asked a lot of details, and looked very deeply into our financial pictures, and they gave them everything they asked for, very cooperative. So thank you to Deb. And as we all know, Deb has been here for such a long time, she probably could point them in the direction without even looking up the number of the account. So that is the last item on my report. Please call resolution 201.

Approve minutes common council meeting held June 8th, 2026.

Councillor Meyer, Councillor Plunkett.

Comments? Please call the roll. Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland.

Yes.

Councillor Lautensack.

Yes.

Councillor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call resolution 202.

Authorize use of public space, Magdalena Rivera, owner of a multiple family dwelling located at 123 East 3rd Street in order to install a four foot fence.

Councillor Ashland, Councillor Lautensack, any comments?

Please call the roll. Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lautensack.

Yes.

Councillor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call resolution 203.

Authorized use of public space, Courtney Doucette, owner of single family dwelling located at 57 West Van Buren Street in order to install a four foot fence.

Councilor Kennedy, Councilor Plunkett, comments? Please call the roll.

Councilor Plunkett? Yes. Councilor Thompson? Yes. Councilor Kennedy? Yes. Councilor Ashland? Yes. Councilor Lautensack? Yes. Councilor Fitzgibbons? Yes. Councilor Meyer? Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call Resolution 204.

Authorize use of public space, Brittany's Way, LLC, leasing of commercial property located 75-79 East Bridge Street in order to place an A-frame sign and planters.

Councillor Kennedy, Councillor Ashland. Comments? Please call the roll.

Comment.

Oh, I'm sorry. I went too fast, didn't I?

A little bit. Thank you.

There's a Yankee game on. Maybe that's the reason.

I need to recuse myself from discussion and voting due to a conflict of interest due to family ties. That's all.

OK. All right. Noted in the public record. All right. Call the roll.

Councillor Plunkett? Yes. Councillor Thompson? Recuse. Councillor Kennedy? Yes. Councillor Ashland? Yes. Councillor Lautensack?

Yes.

Councillor Fitzgibbon? Yes. Councillor Meyer? Yes. Resolution passes 6-0-1.

Call Resolution 205.

Authorize use of public space, Eric Filkins, in order to host the Jordan Way Block Party on Sunday, July 5th, 2026.

Councillor Thompson? Councillor Ashland. Comments?

Please call the roll. Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lautensack. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbon. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call Resolution 206.

Authorize use of public space Catholic charities in order to host a violence prevention event at Wright's Landing Marina on Friday, August 7th, 2026.

Councilor Loutensack, Councilor Meyer, comments? Seeing none, please call the roll.

Councilor Plunkett? Yes. Councilor Thompson? Yes. Councilor Kennedy? Yes. Councilor Ashland?

Yes.

Councilor Loutensack? Yes. Councilor Fitzgibbons? Yes. Councilor Meyer? Yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

Call Resolution 207.

Authorize use of public space, Syracuse Shakespeare in the Park, in order to host the performance of the Taming of the Shrew at Veterans Stage on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026.

Councillor Ashland, Councillor Plunkett. Comments?

Please call the roll. Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lawson. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call Resolution 208.

Authorize use of public space, Chance Kennedy, in order to host the Indivisible Oswego County Community Picnic at Brightbeck Park on Saturday, September 19th, 2026.

Councilor Ashland, Councilor Lautensack. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councilor Plunkett. Yes. Councilor Thompson. Yes. Councilor Kennedy. Recuse. Councilor Ashland. Yes. Councilor Lautensack. Yes. Councilor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councilor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 6-0-1.

Call Resolution 209.

Authorize use of public space, Farnam Family Services in order to host Voices of Recovery, a community music festival at Veterans Stage on Saturday, September 19th, 2026.

Councilor Kennedy, Councilor Plunkett. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councilor Plunkett. Yes. Councilor Thompson. Yes. Councilor Kennedy. Yes. Councilor Ashland. Yes. Councilor Lautensack. Yes. Councilor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councilor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call Resolution 210.

Authorize use of public space Christy Salvador in order to host the Hooters Crew Breast Cancer Walk at Brightbeck Park on Sunday, October 4th, 2026.

Councilor Loutensack, Councilor Meyer. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councilor Plunkett. Yes. Councilor Thompson. Yes. Councilor Kennedy. Yes. Councilor Ashland. Yes. Councilor Loutensack. Yes. Councilor Fitzgibbon. Yes. Councilor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call Resolution 211.

Approve use of public space of Swiggo Bookmobile summer program.

Councillor Thompson, Councillor Kennedy. Comments? Please call the roll. Councillor Plunkett.

Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lawson. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbon. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0. Call Resolution 212. Accept bench donation from Dolores Irizo to be placed at Hill Pier.

Councillor Meyer, Councillor Lowndesack. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lowndesack. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call resolution 213.

Accept bench donation from Kathy Mottot to be placed in Veterans Park.

Councilor Hashline, Councilor Fitzgibbons. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councilor Plunkett. Yes. Councilor Thomson. Yes. Councilor Kennedy. Yes. Councilor Hashline. Yes. Councilor Lawton-Sachs. Yes. Councilor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councilor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call resolution 214.

Authorize Mayor to execute Cohen incorporated agreement amendment for elevator maintenance.

Councillor Plunkett, Councillor Kennedy. Comments?

Please call the roll. Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lawson. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call resolution 215.

Approve standard work day for appointed and elected officials.

Councillor Lautensack, Councillor Ashland. Any comments? Councillor Thompson.

I'll be recusing myself from this discussion and voting because this record of activities is for me.

All right, so noted.

Please call the roll. Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Recuse. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lautensack.

Yes.

Councillor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 6-0-1.

Call Resolution 216.

Authorize City Chamberlain to complete a transfer of funds in the total amount of $7,750 to the community development ORP account for the Gallagher Park archeological study.

This is one of the items that I was talking about in Mayor's report that this is a giant step forward in the construction of the four pickleball courts over at the Fort Ontario complex. So I hope that this will pass. Can I have a motion? Councilor Thompson, Councilor Meyer. Please call the roll.

Council Plunkett? Yes. Councilor Thompson? Yes. Councilor Kennedy? Yes. Councilor Ashland? Yes. Councilor Lautensack? Yes. Council Fitzgibbon? Yes. Councilor Meyer? Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call resolution 217.

Wave rules the common council to present resolution number 218 through 224 from the floor without committee consideration.

Councilor Plunkett, Councilor Meyer. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councilor Plunkett? Yes. Councilor Thompson? Yes. Councilor Kennedy? Yes. Councilor Ashland? Yes. Councilor Lawton-Sack? Yes. Councilor Fitzgibbons? Yes. Councilor Meyer? Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call Resolution 218.

Authorize City Chamberlain to advance funds in the amount of $18,887 in order to purchase a digital forensics computer and further authorize Mayor to execute all contracts associated with the purchase.

Council Thompson, Council Lotzak, any comments? Please call the roll.

Council Plunkett? Yes. Council Thompson? Yes. Council Kennedy? Yes. Councilor Ashland? Yes. Councilor Lotzak? Yes. Council Fitzgibbons? Yes. Councilor Meyer? Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call resolution 219.

Motion to rescind resolution number 192 dated June 8th, 2026.

Councillor Ashland, Councillor Meyer. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lautensack. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call Resolution 220.

Approve use of public space Michelle Merritt in order to host St. Mary's Bazaar to be held Friday, July 17th and Saturday, July 18th, 2026.

Councilor Kennedy, Councilor Meyer. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councilor Plunkett. Yes. Councilor Thompson. Yes. Councilor Kennedy. Yes. Councilor Ashland. Yes. Councilor Lautensack.

Yes.

Councilor Fitzgibbon. Yes. Councilor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call resolution 221.

Motion to rescind resolution 194 dated June 8th, 2026.

Councillor Ashland, Councillor Kennedy. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lawson. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution Path 7-0.

Call Resolution 222.

Prove use of public space, Janet Anderson, in order to host the Spiegel Porch Fest on Sunday, September 20th, 2026.

Councillor Meyer, Councillor Kennedy. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lautensack. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbon. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Resolution 223.

Motion to rescind resolution 195 dated June 8th, 2026.

Councillor Thompson, Councillor Kennedy. Comments? Please call the roll.

Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashton. Yes. Councillor Lawton. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbons. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Call Resolution 224.

Authorize fee waiver request sunset concert series.

Councillor Launcet, Councillor Kennedy. Comments? Please call the roll. Councillor Plunkett.

Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lautensack. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbon. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

That was the last item on the agenda. Is there any unfinished business from the council? Seeing none, can I have a motion to adjourn? Councillor Plunkett, Councillor Ashland. Please call the roll.

Councillor Plunkett. Yes. Councillor Thompson. Yes. Councillor Kennedy. Yes. Councillor Ashland. Yes. Councillor Lautensack. Yes. Councillor Fitzgibbon. Yes. Councillor Meyer. Yes. Resolution passes 7-0.

Thank you everyone.