Common Council - Regular Meeting

We are going to start our regular meeting and let's stand for the pledge of allegiance. 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. And then we have Reverend Abrams come to do our blessings. Good morning everyone. Good morning. It's a pleasure to be standing here before you.

Okay. It'll make a noise. Okay. All right. Good. Okay. Perfect. All right. May we bow our heads? We will be praying um today for the council for for the city, the people that lives in the vicinity of the city. Amen. Amen.

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we come with thankful hearts. We thank you for life today. We thank you for health being able to stand and move about on our own. Today we come asking for continued mercy and guidance especially for the common council. We have a few requests today that we know that you are public public servants and we thank you for what you have done so far and what we are waiting for you to do in the near future. We pray that disagreements will be short. As always, when we disagree, we sooner or later at some point, we would agree. We prayed for the seniors, the babies, and the poor. We pray also for the leadership, especially the president of the city council, and the new mayor. Last request is that we continue to grow together, understand each other, have patience with one another, and know that love heals all things. Love carry us safely through in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Amen. Thank you. We declare to please call the role. Yes, madam president. Councelor Codwell present. Councelor Mitchel here. Councelor Aaron Ray. Councelor Hudson here. Councelor Nab here. Councelor Moore present. Councelor Williams here. Councelor Jones Rouser. Sorry. Councelor Mato here. All present with exception. Rouser. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of meeting on March 23rd? So moved. Yes. In favor I We need a second.

Oh, second. Second. Second. We need a second. Second. Oh, Donna. All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Okay. All right. Any petitions? Committee. Any petitions? No. Madam, no committee reports. Yes, Madam President. Uh on this morning 11:00 a.m. the economic development opportunity committee had a meeting to discuss operations of the code enforcement department. Thank you. Any other

uh yes on Thursday uh March 26th, public safety committee met to um discuss the amending of contracts with various community organizations to fulfill the US Department of Justice community violence intervention grant. Thank you. Any other committee reports? Thank you. Any communications?

Yes, madam president. I have several. I have one from the honorable Alex Marian, our city auditor. This annual report for director of budget, Evan Owens. I mean, Evan Owens, Evan Loveven, the midyear report from the commissioner of finance recommending no changes to the city of Syracuse investment policy from Syracuse University, accepting the terms and condition of ordinance number 128, 2026. From Syracuse University, accepting the terms and condition of ordinance number 129, 2026. from Syracuse University accepting the terms and conditions from ordinance number 130 2026. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh and then we move on to our agenda. Councelor Williams. Thank you, Madam President. Um I have local law 8A and that is ready. I would like to introduce nur adoption. Thank you. Item eight. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? I oppose. Unanimous. No resolutions today, right? No. No. That'll be item nine will be withdrawn.

Um, councelor Majok. Thank you, Madame President. I have item 10 to 18. I would like to introduce them and urge the adoption. Thank you. Item nine. Any objections? Item 10. Oh, I'm sorry. Item 10. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? Oppos? Item 11. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Item 12, any objections? Any discussion? Please call the RO.

All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Item 13, any objections? Any discussion? Please call the RO. All in favor? Oppos? Item 14, any objections? Any discussion, please call the RO. All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Item 15, any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? Oppos. Item 16. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the RO. All in favor? Oppos? Unanimous. Item 17.

Any objection? Any discussion? Please call the RO. All in favor? I. Oppos. Unanimous. Item 18. Any objection? Any discussion? Wait, I'm sorry. Doesn't 18 have to be tabled. 18. It has to be introduced. Yeah, 18. Oh, I'm sorry. 18 is introduced and tabled. Okay. Yes. All right. Um, counselor. So, that was uh Shaw. Yes. Um, thank you, Madame President. I have item N. Councelor Error Wright and myself have item 19. I would like to introduce it and urge it adoption.

Um item can you stop again counselor is go back to 18 because that needs to be introduced and table. Okay. Um item 18 uh is to be introduced and tabled. Thank you. Uh item 19 uh council right and myself have this item would like to introduce it and urge the adoption. Item 19. Any objections? Any discussion? Yeah, I'd like to say something.

Okay. um at the urging of some people in our community um with concerns of um doing business with companies that also do business with ICE. Um I think this is a really good resolution. Um it may not solve all the problems, but it certainly asks for a check checkbox um to provide us information if they share or disclose any client or customer information to third parties. So, it's a step in the right direction and I fully support it. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else?

Yes. I would like to thank a couple of people. I would like to thank the my colleagues here. I would like to thank Councelor Erin Wright especially for working diligently with me on this one. I want to thank uh Michael Collins uh uh director Evans and uh Council Joe Barry and his team on helping us uh bring it to this point. I also want to extend appreciation to our community members who have been advocating for this. Any members of DSA here today? Would you stand please? Thank you for your advocacy to get us to this point. Uh we appreciate you fighting for every voice here and although this is as council mo said this may not solve all our problems but at least it move us closer to where we need to go and I want to deeply thank you for your advocacy. All right thank you uh madame president that will be all for me. Any other council would like to make a remark and we move forward. Madam

President, I would just like to thank Councilman Jo and Aaron Reich for their leadership on this. I know that it took a little while, took a lot of iterations. Um, but appreciate you guys doing the hard work and putting the time in. Thank you. I will also say that council majuk has been incredibly dedicated with this and has been looking for every area and every avenue that we can put in place to make sure that all of our neighbors and all of the city services that we provide are safe, legal, and friendly to everyone who lives in the city.

Thank you, Madam President. I want to say that in my comment council district, ICE has targeted many of my constituents and um it's very unfortunate. So I I appreciate my colleagues certainly support this. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? All right. Um thank you to everybody. Councelor Eron.

No, we have to vote. I'm sorry. We need to vote. We need to vote. Okay. Introducing item 19. Uh any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Oh. Okay. No. Council.

Thank you, Madam President. I have items 20 through 25 that I wish to introduce and urge their adoption. And then I have item 26 um which is a resolution to that we will also discuss a little bit. Okay. Item 20. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? I oppose. Unanimous. Item 21. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? I opposed.

Item 22. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? Opposed? Shan. Item 23. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the RO. All in favor? I oppose. Unanimous. Item 24. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the RO. All in favor? Opposed? Item 25. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role.

All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Item 26. I would like to introduce an urgent adoption, but first I would like to present the resolution if I may. Absolutely.

And I would like to um welcome uh Jean Leer uh the executive director of the Central New York chapter of the Autism Society of America. This is a resolution to recognize April 2026 as autism awareness awareness month in the city of Syracuse. Uh, autism spectrum disorder ASD is a developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction. It impacts individuals differently and to varying degrees. I do want to move beyond a little bit of this language to say that autism is part of our spectrum. We are all on a diversity of of beautiful abilities and I am so delighted that they are here to join us today. April has widely been excit recognized as autism awareness month across the United States as an opportunity to educate the public, foster acceptance and inclusion, and highlight the challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum. Increasing awareness can help reduce stigma, encourage early diagnosis and intervention, and promote policies and programs particularly on the municipal level um that support individuals with autism throughout their lives. As a city, embracing the full spectrum of neurodiversity means recognizing and valuing the unique strengths, perspectives, and contributions of all individuals while working to ensure that everyone has equitable access to opportunities and community life. Please join us for a statement.

Thank you very much for that recognition and for the invitation to be here today. My name is Gan Lier and I'm rec I'm from the Central New York chapter of the Autism Society. We are one of about 70 affiliates located throughout the country. I think it's safe to say that everyone here today probably has a friend, a relative, a colleague, a neighbor who is whose life is impacted by autism. And I'd even bet that most likely there's someone here like myself that has an amazing, incredible child whose life is impacted by autism. This Autism Acceptance Month, we invite everyone to be part of a movement that centers on inclusion, understanding, and celebrating the strengths of the autism community. Did you know that one in 31 children today are diagnosed with autism? These individuals are able to take steps towards independence and live purposeful lives when afforded the support system and opportunities that each and everyone deserves. Acceptance is often one of the biggest barriers to being valued and finding and developing a strong support system. Fostering acceptance is critically important in improving opportunities in education, employment, accessible housing, affordable health care, and comprehensive long-term services and supports. We know the need for services continues to increase, and we know that more people than ever before are living with autism and needing help. On Saturday, April 25th, we are hosting our OneStep at a Time Autism Acceptance Walk at Jamesville Beach Park. This is our largest annual event and fundraiser. Monies raised will enable our organization to continue to enrich our community with collaborative programming, educational opportunities, recreational programs, and general support to families living in the Central New York area. We are about creating opportunities and options for all on the spectrum. And our mission is to create a place where each person with autism is valued, respected, and provided the

opportunity to maximize their quality of life each and every day. We are grateful for the support of this great community coming together to spread awareness, foster acceptance, and empower everyone in the autism community with the resources to live fully. I appreciate you all for listening to me talk for a minute or two. And I'll close with a reminder that while April is recognized as autism acceptance month, for those with a loved one on the spectrum, it's really every month of the year. On behalf of my son and the entire autism community, I thank you. I just wanted to to um say an additional thank you from the bottom of my heart. I was hosting a radio show last week uh that was uh all about awareness in the autism and the spectrum while I did the research to find out how the numbers have increased in the Hispanic community specifically because of lack of access uh early detection and and management. So, thank you for the work you do to get our children served. Thank you very much. Madam President, could I um offer a friendly change to the resolution? Uh it should have said autism acceptance month and not awareness month. Could we modify that on the fly? Thank you so much.

Go ahead. Go ahead. I want to actually echo the sentiments. Exactly. Um, I had an aunt that was on the spectrum that was autistic and then when she was born it was always said to institutionalize her and my grandmother refused to do that and she kept her and she taught her and my aunt actually lived to be 70 years old and when she passed away so I am have someone very close to me. So thank you for all the work that you're doing. Councilors, can you say um what you want changed in the resolution by motion, please? I would like to make a motion to add uh recognizing April 2026 as autism acceptance month in the city of Syracuse.

Second. All in favor? Opposed? And also, if your invitees would like to stay a little longer afterwards, we have a resolution signed by the council president for you all. Thank you. Okay. Are are you all set? Yes. Thank you. Okay. Councelor Hudson. Thank you. I have item 27 through 29. I would like to introduce them and ask your adoption. Thank you. Item 27. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? I oppose. Unanimous.

Item 28. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Item 29. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you, Councelor Moore. Thank you, Madam President. I would like to I have items 30 through 38. Um 34 is being held or withdrawn. Okay. Um the rest I'd like to introduce and urge their adoption.

Thank you. Item 30. Any dis objections? Discussion, please call the role. Discussion, please. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.

Yes. So, um these items 30 through 33 is all about the gun violence program in our community that we know has touched the Syracuse community and the surrounding areas of our community. Um, and we are working really diligent to to uh work on changing that factor. I can say I was one of the first people when the gun violence task force came about four years ago and there was some money that came through through ARPA when I said yes, let's try something. We have to not ignore the situation. As well as I believe we still need to. My biggest concern is, and I'm speaking it out to all of our community, our senators, our state assembly, the mayor's office, is that we are spending tons of monies on gun violence, and we're spending money on um individuals, about 40 individuals, millions of dollars when exactly on item 21 in this page, in this booklet today, we taking 210 kids to a park for $12,000. So, I say this. Yes, we need to continue to build on gun violence. Yes, we need to uh address the situation. But our children who just are just moving and weaving out the way, our children who are just walking every day, our children who are going to school every day, they want to be included. They want to be a part. So, just as much energy that we put in for this, we need to make sure that we make the gun violence um something that is not normal, right? and we need to start putting more money into our children who are doing great things in our community. So, as well as I'm not saying that this is not a needed program because it is, but just as much energy and money and funding that we're putting into uh individuals who are doing bad, we have children in our community who are doing successful. And like I said in item 21, we're spending $12,000 on 210 kids. That ain't that's not enough by far. Thank you.

Thank you. I'd like to add something as well. I want to echo what um Rashidita just said. I think a lot of times we spend money on fixing problems when we could prevent problems by having more programs for our kids. Um I think that having more evening programs for our kids is super important. Um I know there were ideas floated last year on the council to open schools in the night and have some night programs, basketball, and whatever else we can do to keep our kids busy. Um, and I would like to urge that um, the city looks at some of those efforts to try to keep those kids engaged with um, positive um, activity and positive adults um, just to continue to um, encourage them and support them um, in doing the right thing in our community. So, I just want to I want to second that. And I also believe that this program is necessary, but I do think that we need to be looking at both issues. So, thank you.

Any additional comments? Okay. Um item 30, please call the vote. All in favor? I opposed. Unanimous. Item 31. Any objections? Discussion. Please call the RO. All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Item 32. Any objections? Discussion. Please call the RO. All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Item 33. Any objections? Discussion, please call the RO. All in favor? I oppose. Unanimous.

Item 34 will be withdrawn. Item 35. Any objections? Discussion, please call the RO. All in favor? I oppose. Unanimous. Item 36. Any objections? Discussion, please call the RO. All in favor? I. Opposed. Unanimous. Item 37. Any objections? Discussion, please call the RO. All in favor? I opposed. Item 38. Any objections? Discussion. Please call the role. All in favor? I opposed. Unanimous. Thank you. Councelor Williams.

Thank you, Madam President. Only one item today. Item 39. I would like to introduce Nurg's adoption. Thank you. Item 39. Any objections? Discussion. Please call the role. All in favor? I oppose. Unanimous. Councelor Caldwell. Caldwell for for Rouser. Thank you, Madam President. I'm introducing councelor rouseer's um items. She item 40 will be introduced and urged their adoption and 41 will be held. Thank you. Thank you. Item 40. Any discuss objections? Discussion please call the role. All in favor?

Oppos? Item 41 will be held again. Council are you going to take that too? I can well coun right here. I'm sorry. Yep. I have item 42. I would like to introduce it and adoption. Thank you. Item 42. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? Oppos.

Thank you, President Paga. I have items 43 through 46. I will introduce them and urge their adoption. Thank you. Item 40. Item 43. Any objections? Discussion. Please call the role. All in favor? I oppos. Unanimous. Item 44. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the role. All in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Item 45. Any objection? Yes, madame president. Um discussion discussion discussion. Okay. So any discussion and we're going to go to Marty. Go ahead Marty.

Thank you madam president. Um the reason why I am opposing this and it's not because of the family who's owns the property. In the area of Assumption Church, there's a food pantry where people come every day for food and in the vicinity of Tilly's Touch, which is an afterchool program for children to learn soccer and to get an education. And I know it's a block or two away. However, I believe the New York State Department of Cannabis Management when they look at these proposals, they should look at the neighborhoods and we're trying to revitalize it. And I know there's an illegal business going on right now across the street. And I know it's legal, but I believe that uh for the city of Syracuse district counselors, they should have more involvement. So, so should its residents. And I brought this up at my district meeting and uh they were concerned. Um, I do not tell my colleagues how to vote. Vote as you see fit. Um, I have met more than once with the Kapani family. They're good people. But, uh, I'm just expressing my opinion. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other comments? Okay. Item 45, please call the RO. Councelor Cwell. Yes. Macho. Yes. Councelor Aaron Wright. Yes. Councelor Hudson. Yes. Councelor Councelor NAV. No. Councelor Moore. Yes. Councelor Williams. Yes. Councelor MTO. Yes. Item passes with a 61 vote. A 71 vote. Thank you. Item 46. Any objections? Any discussion? Please call the RO.

All in favor? Oppos? Unanimous. Oh, add motion to adjourn. So, second meeting adjourned.