Common Council - Regular Meeting

How are you, Marty? Uh, I'm doing okay.

I was another one. What's that? I got up like4 to 7. The cat's like, "Never mind." I got up. I I was all do my thing. Free the cat.

Good afternoon everybody. We're going to start our session. All right. I'm just catching my breath. Give me a minute. Okay, here we go.

All righty. So, we have two public hearings coming up. H the first relative to the DPW municipal sidewalk program that will be May 4th at 100 pm. The second one relative to the annual estimate of the city of Syracuse and the city school district fiscal year and that would be tonight, April 29th at 5:30 p.m. We'll go through more conversation during the meeting. Uh councelor Monto. Thank you, President Piagua. Um I have 9A and that one is ready. We tabled that last time, right? Um Yep. Thank you. So it's ready.

Yep. Okay. And we have a resolution approving appointments. Is that ready? Not yet.

Not yet. Okay. So not ready. Uh then we have a resolution alongside uh Council Cotwell and Erin Rec. Thank you. Um which is um with the appreciation day for the city of Syracuse Shelcare has been a continuous this is for the Shark Hill Solutions. They have an appreciation day uh for their providers and it continues to be the lifeline of for families and comm community and communities serving as a critical foundation of our local economy. So we're going to build a resolution uh to hand uh give them on next Monday.

Okay. Is everyone on board? Oh my board. So councelor I just want to verify that. So you're giving the resolution to childcare solution. Yes. I'll make sure um some it is through. Yes. Yeah. I'll make sure some of the changes u are made because it's kind of like a resolution appreciation of So they have their own pro the providers that they serve and this is for those providers. Okay. Okay. All right. Look at that, I guess. Okay. Yeah.

Okay. Thank you. All righty. Um I'm taking councelor Codwell's number 12. Okay. Thanks.

Good afternoon, counselors. Uh Craig Whitmer with the Office of Analytics, Performance, and Innovation. Um item number 12 is um seeking permission to enter into an agreement uh with SU's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. We have a uh 10-week fellowship program uh looking to provide an opportunity for a graduate student to um based on their proposal engage uh with the city uh through our office uh to conduct a 10-week study and offer a work product to our office. that will hopefully enable us to um take some action or make some improvements internally. We have uh two really great candidates that we're interviewing uh tomorrow for it and uh hope that this is the start of a really great uh continued and deepened partnership. Uh the amounts uh reflected here, it's $5,000 uh from the city side that's coming from API's uh summer intern budget already and 2500 from uh Maxwell. The reason for the difference there is that we're going to uh take the work product and kind of get something out of it more than Maxwell.

Um the correction you make the correction. The correction is made on the on the agenda. It's just in your book. I just did it today. Okay. Okay. Are there any questions? Yeah. Do we have to accept the money from Maxwell? Was that a se this is like a So they'll be invoicing us and we will be paying them. Oh, okay. Okay. All right. That's it. Yeah. All righty. Thank you. Thank you, councelor Mok. Thank you, Madame President. I have item counselor speed. I have item 13 to 24. Who's from DPW going to take item 13?

13 and 14. You know, that's uh uh budget related. So, going keep pushing 15. You're right. We should so there's a there's need to be a revision in this number. We just came from the leadership meeting and the it's a 4 million five. It should be the same number in 13 and 14. Oh, sure. So the 3 million and the four they should all be 4.5, right? Okay, we got it. Whichever it is, but the same 4.5 for both of them. Yeah. Numbers. Okay. All right. Now go on. Uh item 16. What about 15? 15 is all the companion item from uh 15.

Wait, wait. You're right. You're right. You're right. So 13 and 14 are the same, right? Uh 15. I'm excited. Okay, Ken, come on. Managers. Um items 15, 16, and 17 are all related to the new sensors we're going to put in the street lighting platform. 15 and 17 are for the issuance of bonds and to authorize uh not to exceed $3 million for the purchase of the sensors item. Wait quickly is not to exceed 3 million or is it 4.5? No, we're on 15 different. Yeah. Okay. All right.

So, so what we were saying is item 13 has four 4,543. Are we at and then and then you you see the discrepancy between 13 and and 14. Yeah. Uh so those are companion and then 15 and 16 is it? Yeah. 15 and 16 are companion and 17 15 and 17 are the bonds and the authorization to spend not to exceed $3 million. And then 16 is to enter an agreement with uh Zo also known as best and ubiquia to supply the sensors for us. These are the software. This is the software and the hardware that we talked about on Monday at the committee meeting. Okay. Okay.

And I I do have a question on this. $3 million is the upfront cost. Is there any other costs additional after the 3 million for maintenance? What? Oh, for maintenance? No. So, uh if we need to buy hardware down the road, we will have to purchase it and I'll put that in my budget every year. Um there is a 10-year warranty on the sensor. So, if we need new sensors and they're their problem and not an accident, for example, uh they'll supply them to us. But I saw that there's a 10-year warranty, but we only have a 5-year contract with them. Right. Correct. With a one-year, 5-year extension. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Any any other questions? Well, can I want to really appreciate you for the work you do? Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Um, so item 18 and 19. 18 and 19. 18 and 19 are companion pieces. Man, I like the way this is moving. Good afternoon, counselors. Mary Robinson, city engineer. So, this is for the um new parking lot for the police at uh 11:53 West Fet. This is at the corner of Magnolia Street in FET. We received bids and unfortunately the bids came in higher than our budget. So, I'm asking for an additional um bonding and project authorization in the amount of $250,000, bringing the total cost to be 1.65 million.

How many bids did we have? I was about to say, well, not even Go. No. How many bits? I think it's four. We We only have four. About four. Yep. That's pretty good. That's pretty good. Can we get a Can we get a list of the parking lots for that? Uh just because every week is different ones. If we can get a list that says this lot, that lot, that lot. Three lots that we're doing. This is the first one. Um and the next one is um between Fowler High School and 1153, a lot a small lot by Harbor Brook.

And to councelor Joan Rouse point, when you sent us those three lots, we know they've been all over. Yep. Try to consolidate the amount of money as well that we are investing into those three lots as well. Estimated cost. Okay. The cost as well. Okay. Thank you. The one in the plaza, right? The separate that one is a separate one where we're leasing. Yes. I want portion of the plaza. And if we're owning them and leasing them, I want I want all of that information and one sheet. Okay.

That that works. Mary, given the location of this lot, is there any engagement with Save the Rain Project? Are there are we doing um any permeability in this pavement? Is there any cost savings as opposed to the hardcaping solutions that we have bid on that we could be doing on green infrastructure? We are installing standard pavement um porous pavement. We don't have the city doesn't have a vacuum to because that has to be maintained in vacuum to clean up the sediment. We are building a storm water collection system to catch the storm water. Um but no I mean and there are some grass areas to also catch the runoff.

You may not know this just if you do. Is this a combined sewer overflow area? Has that already been remediated? Um actually it's separated. It has been separated. Okay great brooks right there. I I understand that the maintenance requirements in terms of permeable pavement. What about pavers? Uh, I mean, I know the cost of cement is going through the roof and I'm sure asphalt is similar. Well, it's going through the roof because of the fuel cost. Um, could we look for an alternate solution and fees? It's kind of too late cuz we already bid the project and they need the parking lot.

I think that would be even more expensive and I would worry about differential settlement with paver. Uh, you could put it, I suppose, on concrete, but we don't typically do that in a parking lot. Sidewalk. Yes. Or walking space. So, there's no way to avoid the $1.4 million bond here. No. No. Um, I propose a bake sale. Think we could raise some money to cover the cost of the extension here? I like I like baked goods, so I'll spend money. My other question, Mary, is how many spots total are there going to be for the police when this is done? I don't know that the exact number, but it's a little over 100

and that they're all going to be used cuz I I did get some complaints from some of the neighboring businesses that their parking areas are being taken up, especially the gear factory who has apartments upstairs and they're trying to attract a business downstairs that they'll have absolutely no place to park for people. I'm It's going to be used for patrol vehicles. So, um I've I've been advised that we need they need every parking space they can get. And this was a a vacant not a vacant lot. It was a it's part of the school district property. Um there was no parking here previously. It was all for school district storage.

Sorry. Good afternoon, council. Eric uh with the mayor's office. We have been h also having conversations from property owners like the gear factory and some of the other uh stakeholders in the westside neighborhood. Um we in conversations with Syracuse police and with our team it is um in the immediate need we know as the facility is opening the ability to address those parking needs and challenges. We're also thinking about the long term as well and looking at as the Gatistry area and as the corridor there continues to grow how parking will be a factor in that. So there is to to some extent we're looking both short-term and long-term and that's been part of the conversation with some of the stakeholders including the gear factory um on ways to do that and I know there was a request just made counselor for a map. So there there's a few different areas in which parking is helping contribute but we are looking at this as well from the global perspective of the nearby property owners as well.

Okay. All right. Yeah. I know he had a business interested in going into his downstairs area and they can't come without parking. Yeah. I was over there earlier this week actually just having that conversation with with that property owner. So So yeah, absolutely. No, we're we're still actively talking with them though. Appreciate it. Any other questions? Uh item. Thank you, Mary. Um Eric, you taking item 20?

Yes. Just to to speak to this this uh what is before you would be a um request for authorization for the 90-day extension. So, as we've had conversations uh before, previous 90-day extension was one or a 90-day uh period was administratively uh authorized, but this would be a 90-day extension through the end of June. Uh conversations we realize are ongoing, but this ultimately would bring the current um status of the project and the ongoing construction and closure into compliance through the end of June as as our dialogue continues.

And uh Eric, I want to thank you for all the works you have put in to this. Um we there's there's so much that is not right with the legislation and the way is getting enforced and many of us here including you do identify a rooms for opportunities to really improve this legislation and the efficiency of it and letting this go and allowing ourselves to really dig into the legislation and how we've been doing business is going to take a comprehensive Look, and we are already scheduling that to make sure that that that conversation take place. And so this this is uh this is something that was already in the books. We're going to push it through.

Not the extension though. Not the extension.

Well, I have a I have some work itself. Turns out I'll express. Um, so when we heard from the um I don't know if they were developers or SU, I'm not sure who it was, but um when we heard about this project, well, maybe it was you, but the dates were all over the place. Um, so as far as like the narrowing down of exactly when the 90day did start, um, I don't know if we have that information. Um, and I think that we're well beyond that or even possibly that they started far before that. Um, before the dates that were given because they were they were multiple dates. Um, so the start date was one date at one point and then it was another date thrown out there. So, um, I just don't know when the 90 days began.

Okay. Um, and then the other thing is the collection of fees. Um, and where are we with that? But that can be sure I can and I'll speak to both those points. So the timeline what I'll do is go back and and share I know there had been a few different communications that I had previously provided. Um the timeline was approximately late December. I just don't have the the dates immediately offhand but late December through uh late March and then ultimately then the 90-day extension would bring us through the end of June. So I will go back and make sure that those dates you know consistent with what was shared previously with my email and make sure that we have those dates before. There was there was like something that was shared for August a

and I'm sorry August of the previous year. Yeah. Okay.

Okay. What we were doing was ultimately when the actual date in which the road closure began. So that those are the dates that I'll be able to go back and share. I'm not familiar with the August date, but what I can do is I'll share that information of the timeline um based on the information that we have um regarding the fees. So counselor just to share with you. So in total um and I know we've had the discussion around both refundable and non-refundable. So right now as it stands today the payments that have been contributed and made um by combination of the university and Hanner Hoy take us through the end of June. So and that's consistent with the legislation that's before you that total for non-refundable is $197,198. In addition, there is the refundable portion which requires the right of way improvements to be done to city standard, but that is refundable for $679,744. I don't have the cumulative right now, but I can share that information with you again. Um, and that is strictly for the road closure itself. There's other fees, non-refundable fees that have been contributed for other permits and elements of the project, but that is through that would be through the end of June consistent with the extension request that's before you. And then we realize that this any anything going beyond June would come back to the council.

And the refundable um fees are is is that in the cash form or are those in bond? That is a there is cash deposit or letter of credit. Bond is not something that's Yeah. So yeah, they they paid by check. Okay. Okay. Eric, could you get the total of everything, refundable, non-refundable, fees? Could you get that whole total number? Yep. Absolutely. I'll pull the communication and and then make sure those numbers are up to date and reflected as of today. Well, Eric, has this contractor ever bonded for work with the city and then failed to perform? I don't I can I'll verify and I'll just confirm now.

Yep. So, one of my one of my issues um with this is um you know, we're looking at the budget season right now. We're going to go into our reserve fund this year again. And um SU is is um while it's a benefit to our city, it's also a burden at times. And um being that they're tax exempt, it it just it doesn't sit well with me to continually wave fees for them when we're going into our reserves. And it feels to me that we're not being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers. That's just me feeling that way.

Um so are they going to be paying any fees over this next 90 days or is this just going to be we're waving all fees for 90 days?

Well, as council, I appreciate the question. the I think the only thing I would just say is the terminology of the waving of the fees is not not the approach that we're taking with this or or how we're looking at this. This is the fee schedule based on again the information that we've had available to us. But the payments that have been contributed those numbers that I had just shared would are are paid through the end of June. So with the 90-day extension in mind that is before you um there are additional fees that have been also contributed through other permits. And one of the things too is there's the construction building permit for the actual development that is always standard for any project. Um that number we are still you know finalizing but that also will be an additional non-refundable payment. So that I anticipate as that permit gets ready to be issued that will be another contribution uh financially. Um but it's not a waiver of fees. There's not a waiver of fees uh included as part of the arrangement. And I as we've shared more information that we've been able to compile in terms of how the right of way has been getting utilized. Um, some of that is, I think, what what councelor Majoke referred to of, um, you know, understanding and going back through some of the things that weren't fully contemplated as part of uh, of the fee schedule when was originally proposed. But there I can share that information again financially of all the contributions that have been made, non-refundable and refundable, and as well as sharing the other permits. Um, I

I think at this point that the the non-refundable are most important. Yep. because the refundable we'll never we won't we wouldn't know until the end of the project. So I think that's what they're asking for that that that um to to line by line what would that look like the fee structure and you send that to me. Sure. All all assumptions and all calculations.

Yep. Okay. H and I'm happy to sh I know there's been requests for that information so I can share that information again and again just make sure that um we're being transparent and sharing all the data we have. Again, Eric, thank you for all the work you have put into this and we appreciate it and we look forward to those those details. And again, this is this is the beginning of a larger conversation like I said and um my hope is we will be in a better place than we are right now cuz like there there's a level of discomfort but we we see where this is going and we want to correct it and we are glad that we are working together to really get to that place. We just want to make sure we the city gets what is due to the city. Sure.

No, council and I know this has been a a dialogue that's been evolving. Um the only point I just want to make I know I made it a moment ago. So we'll share all that information and again if there's questions myself and others are happy to answer those. Um this is a the 90-day period and then ultimately any requests going past that would also have to come back before the council. So thank you. while you there. Um, this is off of this part, but in front of Krauss hospital that turned to a portion of it changed.

Yes. So, that is unrelated to to this specific project, but but it is that this was changes made related to the IE1 construction um further as part of Alman Street and some of the construction that's currently underway as part of the New York State DOT contract. So there are some changes in the traffic pattern at Irving and Waverly. It might be um and so there there are traffic pattern changes there, but that that ultimately is is the state conducting projects as part of I 81. Okay. So we wouldn't we didn't get notification prior to that. It didn't come through here.

Uh I don't know about that. I know there's been certainly a lot of coordination we have with New York State DOT, but that implementation has been reflected based on the and there's even been some more recent changes within the past week because we understand that there have been some traffic challenges and backups that have taken place in that area. Okay. Okay. All right. Um, other questions? Other question. Thank you, Eric. All right. Thanks.

Item 21. Good afternoon, councilors. Robert Brandt, Commissioner Water. This is to uh extend our contract with Cornell for the year of 2026. They manage our watershed education program. Um and it's not to exceed 102,000 94. Commissioner, how long have we been doing this? I think we've been doing it for a while, haven't we? Long time. Yeah. It's part of the watershed program. It's part of us keeping our filteration waiver. Um, we have to, you know, educate the farmers, the new homeowners and everything in during our watershed.

Okay. Any question? Council, am I right? You seem like you have one. I just don't know what this is. Uh, I understand the explanation, but essentially what we're trying to do is make sure that there's no farm runoff happening in the Skinny Atlas wershed that would pollute Syracuse's water source. Correct? Yep. Okay. And so we send people to farms to do that education. Do they also do monitoring and soil samples and water testing? Yep, they do that as well. Um, they let them know what they can use, you know, for their pesticides and they educate new farmers, new homeowners, what they can do around the wershed. They hold a few classes a year um for this program and they're constantly out there working with the wershed.

Who are we sending? Is is this Yep. Yeah. And do they have any enforcement mechanism like if a farmer is using something that is in fact we have an enforcement mechanism and the DC has all right and again this is tied to our permit. Y okay thank you commissioner and I I don't know how how much of heavy lifting this need this need to to take but can can we some see some sort of report of effectiveness of this because they've been happening for a while. Yeah they they send us a report every year. I could probably get you that of what's what they're doing and you can read that. I I would require drinking to read that. Okay. Like manure.

Yeah. Yeah. So, but it's part of our you know to keep our filteration waiver. Um we have to educate and you know our wershed is a huge you know it's a never- ending project for us to keep that safe. Yeah. So Okay. Okay. Yeah. That that at least that report. So we going to have it somewhere. Somebody want to go into all of those stuff. They can read and understand it as well. I'll get you that. You'll be excited. I know that. Oh, very excited. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Appreciate. Um 22.

Hello. Uh 22 is requesting agreement with the New York State or US Department of Interior US Geological Survey um to operate and maintain the Spencer Street gauge station along Anadaga Creek so that we have data of the flow in the creek um that can assist us with flood mitigation um grants that we're continually researching to do improvements to Anadaga Creek. It's a 5-year um contract uh for a total cost not to exceed $39,558. And my excuse me, in my letter, it breaks down the cost each year. Um we do USGS does maintain a a gauge on Dorwin A, but that really only captures the water coming into the city, whereas Spencer Street is in the northern part of the city. So it would monitor the flow that the city is actually including the water coming from outside the city and the city the water that the city is contributing.

So I'm I'm just a little confused. So we're just managing managing this for the first time or it's a continuing Yep. Okay. The other agreement um just expired. We don't have an agreement. So it's from April 1st through March 30th. So we're going to do an an additional 5 years. Right. Is is are the residents in that in in that area in any kind of flood alert or of some kind? Why are we doing this? That's just where the station is, but it it really does represent a lot of, you know, the flow in the city. We don't put gauges everywhere. That would be cost prohibitive. So,

okay. Um do we have any engagement with an dugger um environmental institute with this or why are we using the US geological survey? Uh because they in conjunction with DEEC they um have already collaborated and have these gauge stations. So if we don't do this they probably will turn off that gauge station that gauge station and we would just have Darwin and that doesn't really capture the true city flow. Okay, thank you. Any other questions? No. Uh 23

23 is a revocable permission with SU for related to the SU Graduate Hotel project. They want to install underground electrical communication duck banks um crossing Harrison Street, the 900 block. Um they this is our standard revokable permission and they'll pay us an annual fee. um which is outlined in paragraph 29 of the letter. Um it's estimated to be uh $655 a year. Um but we do increase the amount um adjusting it by the US CPI every year. So it the price will go up based on inflation.

Mayor, you may or may not know this. Do we get taxes from this hotel that they're building there? I don't know that. Uh you say for students yes they say yes you say yes say yes referring to others you think Mary will say hello commissioner we expect nothing less than a yes we expect nuance counsel that u commission of assessment but we don't usually predict these things uh hypothetically I I do anticipate when we've got a completed project that um The applicant will or won't apply for a nonprofit exemption and will review it in the course of business.

Say that again. They will they will apply. They may or may not. They may or may not. They may or may not. December December 31st of uh the year after which they get a CFO. We'll have a better sense of that. Thanks, Council. You good? Thank you. Yep. They are they own, operate, and maintain it. Okay. Is there going to be student housing that hotel? Thank you. Fine. Anything else? No. No. Thanks, Mary.

Um, item 24 is a resolution honoring our nurses. We all know that nursing profession is under attack these days and our nurses put so much work into honor the work of every individual that is seeking holistic healing and health. Uh it is an effort to join them in honoring them and acknowledging the work they do throughout. So this is what this is and the nurse week starts early May to miday. I would like to sign on to this. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Everybody right?

Right. You all do. Okay. Okay. So that would any comment question? If not, you're all set. I'm all set. Councelor Erin Mack. Thank you, Madam President. I have resolutions. I have items 25 through 27. I believe that they are all ready to go in item 25 there. You just need to fix the 400,000. Oh, it's already fixed. Oh, not in my book. You know, not in the not in y'all books. Everybody else got it fixed. Okay. Do do you do do we have any other questions? I'm sorry. What needs to be fixed? The It's just a typo here in the missing is Oh, I see. Okay, got it. Sorry.

Read write it too fast. Fool nuance. Anybody have any questions on item 25? Thank you very much, Steve. I think we're good. Um, item 26. Just a quick changeover, right? Yeah. Good. Hey, if my staff want to represent, I like them to be here, so I honor that. Um, number 26 to amend um a donation of $50,000 from Bana Stewart Foundation to funnel through the Syracuse Conservancy. um they work via nonprofit and it's easier for it to funnel through conservancy 27.

No, I thought I thought Bri we were amending this because Briana heard us and council cow were going to ch You might have scared her away. No. And she wanted to give us some more money. Hey, maybe in the next delicate touch. This is um it was it there she's part of a nonprofit like cohort group and it's just easier to to move the money through a nonprofit so it'll flow through Yeah. Syracuse Conservancy. Um you did a great job getting that money. Thank you. Thank you.

27 is the um authorization for payment of game land. It's on wheels. It's a game vehicle for um Big Rig Day which will be May 16th at Bernett Park. So be there. That's your invitation. Any other questions? Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. You're all set. I'm all set. Council Moe 28 through set to go. Okay. Anybody have any questions or comments? You want to have conversation? You want to speak to something? Item 28. I'm happy to answer any questions. Stephanie Pascal, chief strategy officer.

Yeah. Yeah. We We want to hear more of this because So, this is where everyone 28. Is that Are you taking it? Taking it. Okay. Could you walk us through this because yes, we know uh uh McMan advocacy. We know the work they do is is the bridge over to what we are trying to do that that

Yeah. No, I appreciate that. You guys may have seen the a mobile vehicle that they have parked in their in their lot. Um they've asked to partner with um the mayor's office to reduce gun violence and some of our partners to respond both to um incidences where there is gun or other violence, but also in a proactive manner to attend to show up at some parks and to show up at different events around the summer. Um where inside the vehicle they do have spaces to sit. They we can offer counseling. Um we could just offer um a quiet space for people to meet with service providers. So, there's no cost to the city and no city employees will be driving or anything. It really is just participating in partnership with the um mobile unit.

They partner with them recently over at Southwest. Weren't they there that day? I thought I I Okay. Yes. Councelor Hudson says yes and I believe her. Okay. Stephanie, the therapists are coming from Salvation Army. Salvation Army. Okay. There was no discussion of having their lead um their lead mobile truck partnered with that at the same time. Their lead testing mobile truck. Um McMahon Ryan. I didn't know McMahon Ryan had a lead truck. Not McMahon Ryan. I'm sorry. It's a county. That's okay. Ryan McMahon. McMahon Ryan.

We certainly though particularly for the proactive summer events. Um we certainly could connect with them. That's a great idea. Gotcha. Okay. Thank you. Uh item 29.

Good afternoon everyone. Dave Mets, investigations bureau chief. This is to enter an agreement with New York State DCGs for the 2627 give initiative. Uh this essentially provides us the ability to go out and do everything from proactive enforcement, um youth engagement, trust building. It provides us with a couple salary positions to do data analysis, have a give coordinator, um all reimburse, no local match required. This uh is kind of the backbone of of everything we do specific to community outreach, gun violence prevention, enforcement, and uh really gives us a real shot in the arm as far as going out and and being proactive any one of those means. So, yeah, we're at

Yeah, we're at give 13 right now. So, this is the 13th iteration of it. So, so the positions that you mentioned, the antiviolence coordinator and the nonfatal shooting specialist, they're already in the budget as we discussed it a few a couple a week ago, right? Yeah. So, this will help offset some of that cost. Yes. Okay. Thank you for the work that you do. Perfect. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 30 is uh to approve an installation of an honorary sign um at the intersection of Austin and Belleview in honor of a Charlotte Burkov Vicki. I probably Burkovi. Um this was requested by some of her neighbors. Um she's deceased, but she was a longtime resident of Austin and was the grandmother to most of the neighborhood kids. So we'll read that in next week. Thank you. Yep. All right. Um, thank you, um, Councelor Moore. Uh, Councelor Williams.

Thank you, Madam President. Um, item 31 is just a reminder for the public hearing to be held on the budget tonight at 5:30 p.m. Um, we welcome and invite anyone in the public that has a, you know, an opinion, a perspective on the budget, please come and let us know. All right. Uh, are you sorry, Madam President, where can people uh, in the of the public find information about the budget? Yep. So typically I just Google city of Syracuse budget and we have a budget page with each of the budget documents for the past maybe five or eight years that they can find the full budget on that page. Right. And at the public hearing tonight in the structure of public hearings, people will tell us their thoughts but we will not respond. Correct. That is correct. We are listening.

All right. Thank you. Uh in the past we might have had two people. Just just so y'all can know not to expect a room full of people. Maybe five. Okay. Yeah. All right. Um, C number 32 will be council. This is our local law. Um, with the help of Katherine Carri, we had a couple additions, changes made to the legislation. Um, I did forward it to the counselor group. I thought that it was going to end up in the in the packet today. Um, it did not. uh the local law the which local law

32 but I did forward it to the council um at about 12:00 today after we got here and realized it wasn't in the packet um but please you know take a peek review and hopefully we can have that as part of the supplemental packet for Monday Joe we can um we can make that we can make that happen uh to vote to um tint in it and table it Right. I think 32 is here. Yeah. If it's in final form. Yeah. Unless there's an update. I see it in here. I'm sorry. What you What anybody What you said about you said in final form, right? If it's in and it's in final form, right?

No, sounds like the letter. It had been changed since we initially provided it to you. Um I believe the the the document that you forward us Joe from Katherine was April 22nd 23rd. Um I I'll make sure you have the the final latest iteration. Um and council me requested to be added to this. All right. Are we all set? Um yeah. Um, Councelor Jones Browser mentioned to me that on May 5th, um, the attorney general will be in Syracuse.

Um, talking about similar surveillance oriented legislation at the state level. Um, she'll be in support. Yep. Um she'll be appearing with Senator May who this legislation is based off of and they will be trying to advocate for additional legislation at the state level. Thank you. All right. Uh Council Jones Rouser.

Thank you, Madam President. I have items 33 and 34. Item 33 will continue to hold um until we hear further. Um item 34 was requesting uh an amendment to ordinance 164 of 2024. This was authorizing the conveyance of 145 Forest Avenue to the land bank. We're changing the description to reflect uh the demolition of the structure. It is now a vacant lot. So did did we demote the structure? Uh I'm not certain. Was it a lot already when we It It wasn't. Um and I suspect we did, but I I will find out for you. Okay. Cuz my concern is what

is there plan for that lot? Cuz it looks to be quite small. It is. Um so is it just something that they plan to split between neighbors or have the neighbor purchase versus build on it? I'll find out the answer and uh email you. Okay, cool. Any other questions? Nice suit. M. That's nice. You different. Are you all set? Yes. You're all set. Okay. Council Monto. Thank you. Thank you, Counc. I have items 35 through 40.

35. We are looking for authorization for a license agreement with Huber Brewer. Uh they're um building the first phase of the redevelopment of the former Syracuse Developmental Center. Uh we've got adjacent property that they need for construction staging. We propose to enter into a license agreement for a term of up to 18 months. Uh will be remunerated about $94,000 for use of our space. So no road closure, no rightaway in this one. Streets up there live again. Uh streets up there at this time are only paper streets. They're they're being built out as we go forward. I just want to make sure that's clear so we're not confusing. That is clear. This is strictly real property right now.

You I'm sorry. And you said it was going to be some staging. Yeah, they're they are um in terms of material storage, construction, staging, everything to do with building the two apartment buildings on the adjacent site. Um they need our land for that purpose.

Okay. So, I'm just bringing this up because I've been getting a ton of calls in the last two weeks about the 81 project near the like MLK and the Piner Homes um central village. um with those staging areas down in that um location where the I mean they know that the work is happening. They know that it's going to continue to happen, but a lot of the traffic is happening at like 6:00 and 7 in the morning with large backup noises, breaking sounds and all kind of stuff. Um so it's becoming a little bit of a disturbance for the people in the neighborhood. Um although they know that you know they want growth in the city but they want it to be at a respectable time. So just moving forward for that next area that

understood. This is down down south of the elementary school Leon Oakwood those streets. Yes. I've noticed that too. Yeah. Um I also heard a complaint along those line that says that the truck that carry the debris that they don't cover. They don't get a little bit dust dust. Yeah. Yeah. I think they're usually pretty diligent about watering down the sites, but yeah, as far as um spraying down the truck, covering the truck. Sure. Um we can certainly talk with our um liaison with nice dot about that. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Thanks, Matt. Thanks all. 36 and Okay.

Good afternoon, council. Jake Dishaw, deputy commissioner of code enforcement and zoning. Items 36 and 37 are to amend a bond ordinance seek authorization to increase the amount by $317,000 to cover the expense to backfill the site uh after the demolition. Um I'll explain briefly. Uh the owner was committed to doing uh that after the demolition but didn't and it left like a 10-ft gaping hole um at the site which we felt was very dangerous for people to potentially fall in. So, um, this this was an emergency basis. So, this is just to increase that amount to cover that expense. Yeah.

And we talked about this earlier, but so we're actively trying to get our money from Yes. Yep. Uh, Sue Catzov and her team are considering all options. Okay. And did we have a um did we have uh hold of the finances that get held? What is it? No, this was a No, this was a court decision that let us tear it down. It's the big red big red uh brick building on Erie on my way. Okay. Yeah. Okay. We we did it last year and I guess I guess Wow. So so so because of what was left, this is the additional cost that the city has to Correct. Okay.

Is the owner going to be liable for any of that? Um the there's a lean for it. Yes. Um, so hopefully I don't want to talk about legal strategies or what Sue is going to do or not do, but yes. I just want to know if that liability that's all. Yeah. Yep. For sure. We're trying to get it. If it works. Okay.

Thanks, Jake. Um similarly items 38 and 39 are to request a new authorization and approval to bond for another uh emergency demolition. Uh about 7 to 10 days ago um I can get the exact date. Uh we got a call that the south facing wall at this structure 800 1800 North Salina Street was buckling. went up and looked at it and it was definitely threatening to spill out into the three lanes on North Salina Street um headed towards 81 on-ramp. Uh we closed off three lanes, declared an emergency, um got bids. Um so seeking up to uh approximately $600,000 to cover that expense.

We've already started to take it down, right? We have. I I couldn't wait. Yeah. No, no, I I mean it looked like it was just going to fall into the road. Jake, are we going to get any reimbursement from video? Um, that'll I'm not sure what uh resources the owner really has, but yeah, we'll again, we'll use Sue and her team to try to get what we can related to that parcel andor, you know, the owner or future sale. Um, all that has to be settled upon a sale. So, you got to close down Exchange Street as well cuz you got to go that wall. Uh, yeah. I mean, the the contractor would do their best to Okay. Um, you know, limit impact, but

it it's pretty much almost probably a zero lot line. The building comes all the way out pretty close to the to the street. Yeah. Thank you. Uh, and then lastly, item number 40 is a zone change. Uh, this was the result of a city-owned property sale. So, owner bought the side lot, combined it with his house, and it created a split zone parcel. So, per what we've done a bunch of times with with you is just to avoid a split zone parcel is just reszone it um all to be the same. Okay. Jake, don't leave. No, not don't leave the room. Okay. Thank you.

Uh is there anything else anybody want to bring up? All right. So, motion to adjurnn. All in favor?