Common Council - Regular Meeting

I'd like to start this meeting today.

And the first piece that we have is authorization, authorization, excuse me, sale of beer and wine to the American Legion Post 229, which I am a happy member of, a local member. Venice, are you a part of this post? Post 229?

I was, I got a rehab.

All right, let me know, I'll get you an application.

All right, so everybody good with that.

The next one of the ordinance authorizing sale or disposal of surplus city equipment. And this is from from the mayor's office. Anybody would like to speak on that from the mayor's office?

So the only question that I have is.

Well, let me ask them first then.

Yeah, no, I mean, I'm a council.

Does anybody here like to speak on it?

I'm a council representative. And then I'll have Samantha speak. So I would like to speak first. All right, go ahead.

So the only thing is that unless we did this differently, the only thing that I see that it says further ordained, if in the opinion of the mayor or his authorized representatives, the condition of the property is such that offering for sale at public auction would be I mean, basically not sellable. So what else would he do with that? Would it be deemed like...

mean that's the first time i saw this in the this is legislation that's that's the standard language that we always use the only language i added in was if if they choose to trade in which we have done in the past before um in other circumstances everything else the ordinance remains the same the only change was um giving an option to trade in if it was deemed the most um and that would go against another like vehicle that we're actually purchasing or so um i can have um dave speak on that but i believe there are two tractors that work

two mower, riding mower that we're gonna get in place of these two. It's an even exchange.

Oh, okay, perfect. Okay, so that's by the language. Yes.

Yeah, we did this very similar last year, too.

Yeah, I mean, maybe I wasn't paying attention to the language. That's fine. These are for sale.

They're being traded in. They're being traded in.

Oh, okay.

Any other questions on this?

No, thanks, Dave.

Okay. All right. So we're good? Everybody good? Yeah. Next was a resolution to approve and endorse the city's Department of State BOA pre-development application for the Oriskany Street corridor. Somebody like to speak on this at all?

Yeah, this is just a consolidated funding application grant that's due at the end of the month, part of the state's grant application round. We submitted an application last year to put together a plan for Riskeny Boulevard through West Utica, and it was not approved last year, so the Department of State has encouraged us to. so we we haven't received any money for brownfields this year this year yet i thought i just saw something on that right yeah maybe you could discuss that yeah epa just granted uh 3.8 million i believe in change for the remediation of the former melee manufacturing site right in west utica as well as a 500 000 assessment grant which will allow us to do phase one and phase two environmental assessment

that's great I'd like to thank the administration for getting that done thank you next one is proclamation recognizing the inaugural old-school classic youth basketball tournament this is from

would you like to just real quick i want to speak on this um this was my first proclamation i've ever done so i did not ask everybody on the council if they wanted to be on the proclamation i'm sorry about that i thought i did let the organization know before we did it that there would be others that probably would be added and that we were still voting on this um tags are really great organization in the city they're doing a lot for kids in basketball but not only basketball mentoring and other things like that but i do want to apologize for those i didn't ask it's a learning curve for me and Can we make this a full Council.

Yeah, he knows on this. Are you good go. OK so full Council on this. Thank you.

The only other thing that I would like to have a discussion on is especially regarding the flag legislation. That's something that we're going to have to discuss as a body and what proclamations we present, what we don't present as a legislative body that's part of the application process for the flag raising. There is no approval process in that legislation. So the one thing that I'm gonna ask the council is that we go back and revisit it and figure out what we've got to do with that. And that's all.

Thank you. If you feel need be, I'm sure we could put something together.

Well, I mean, you would actually have to actually reconsider the legislation because as it's drafted now, there's no approval process. So anything that's submitted is going to be approved with approval or with disapproval. And that's a problem.

Okay, the next one is a ENA transfer for fiscal year 2026 and 2027, animal enforcement wages, police contracted services. Everyone okay on this?

So the only question I have, was this done through the table of organization as well?

Yes.

Okay, so what did we add to the table of organization and what did we take away? So this is it OK and everybody I'm in a group that okay, thank you.

Everybody good. Next one is a resolution approving agreement with County of Oneida for the funding for crisis response team program.

I don't see anybody here right right so this is one that we've been doing right along but I don't think there's anybody here with could speak on it apparently I mean I can comment it's a standard agreement that we've done in the past we've been getting funds from the settlement fund for the crisis response team this is just another contract that we have it's a reimbursable fund for the program. I believe it partners police officers with mental health professionals within the county for mental health calls and emergency response.

Any questions on this across the board? Thank you. We're good. And that's going as a bond ordinance authorizing the issuance of a $3,485,000 serial bond of the City of Utica, Oneida County, New York to finance the cost of various capital projects. Anybody with any discussion on this?

So the only thing that I'm going to say is if Elmir can touch base on what we talked about today about the bond debt service, what's coming off, what's going on, and how this $3.4 million relates to that. And can the city handle it?

Yeah.

I would appreciate that.

Thank you. So the current budget year when the... Short-term debt service is $4.4 million. Next year, it's going to be $4.7 million. The year after, $5.3 million.

What is, I'm sorry, what's going to be $4.3 million? Short-term debt.

Okay. Now, the long-term debt over the next two years is going to decrease by $1 million. $606,000 next year, $350,000 the year after. What's coming off?

i'm pretty sure it's a bond that from the one about one of the bond principles from 2017 and the other ones like from 2013. yeah that's what i mean that's coming up yeah he's talking about not the fans he's talking about bonds absolutely correct i know okay thank you very much

to finish. So next year, even with this capital plan, we're still going to see overall a $340,000 decrease. The year after, it's going to be a $253,000 increase. So overall, you're still going to be decreasing.

That's the bands that are...

now that obviously depends on interest rates um it also depends on sometimes the controller's office will pay the bands sooner if they've got you know maybe half a payment one year due they might pay it off in full that's happened

So, Elmira, I mean, you're right. We're $343,000 off the debt schedule next year, bringing back $253,000 once everything's rolled over into that schedule. So we're still saving about $100,000.

So what's the band principal going to be for next year estimated then? 4.1.

And we're at... All right. Let's start and we'll go across. Go ahead, Katie. You got any questions?

Yes. So the band principal this year was $2.9 million and the band interest is $1.5 million. What is next year's band principal and band interest with this passed?

I don't have it in front of me. I don't have the breakdown, but it's $4.7. $4.7?

Okay, so we're at $4.5 and it'll be $4.7. Now, are you...

just going off of are you referring to do you want me to forward it to you so you can see it katie i'm going to forward you this hang on so on page 98 of our city budget okay

that's why I'm gonna keep going through and please all right Bob you have any questions right now okay Joe you're good

So they actually please

She got the email.

So two weeks ago, the last meeting, I did say during the department update, I did say that I sent the clerk's office a breakdown of exactly this. So that's been with you. And then just today, from the department heads, I had them all send a more detailed list of what it is. So the $1.4 million, the majority of that includes $1.1 million of ADA funding, ADA compliance, which is $1.1 million this year is gonna cost.

That's for the playgrounds?

Yeah, well, yes. ADA for, it's not actual playground equipment, it's for... Right, I got you, right. Hang on, hang on. I can't speak for the details. I'll come back to you. I think we're on either year three or year four, I believe. I think we're still working on finishing up year three from last year. But this funding is for year four. They have the list of what parks...

I mean, I would like to see all that.

They've got that.

With B, the $250,000, is this for more paving?

No, so this is specifically guide rails. So I think it's on River Road, the bridge that's over Rios Creek. Yeah, I think it is. It's for the railing. It's not for paving. The state... cited us for it and said we had to get that fixed. And the reason why it's so expensive is because correct me if I'm wrong, Dave.

Say again?

The reason why it's a little bit more expensive than you might think is because there is that river, so you've got to just contain the area to make sure it doesn't run off into the water.

Underground cables and all that stuff.

I don't mean that. I'm just familiar with the project.

It's more involved than just fixing the bridge. Joe, do you know the project? Yeah. I've been waiting it for three years. Why don't you tell us about it then? So the project, when you come over the North Utica Bridge, and Mark and Dave can add, if you're coming toward, like going toward the river side while you go over there, There's a problem with, and correct me if I'm wrong on any of this, there was underground wiring there that killed the streetlights that we couldn't use. That was part of it. And all the railings that are guarding the bridge are, what they're saying, destroyed and they need to be fixed for the state.

So it's a lot of it.

So that's that's for the arterial lighting repairs. I believe it's the lights right around the burst on.

bridge there's lights that flicker and it's an underground wire issue and it's been causing a lot of problems i mean there's been a lot of complaints to get that fixed but we own all that and that's something that we would have to do thank you katie i'll come back to you uh i was just going through the dpw the heavy equipment for 435 000 what does that cover

It's a loader. Which one, wood loader? Loader and two F-550 trucks that are all-season vehicles for salt, plowing, green waste, leaves, everything that we do on a daily basis with the loader and the two F-550s. Two F-550s. And then we can add a salt spreader.

Salt spreader?

Yeah, basically on them. So whatever that we get down, we just need that for our vehicles. We're down vehicles.

So the summary is coming around to everybody. I don't know if everybody got that in an email. So you can kind of see the breakdown and what the costs are. It goes from fire, DPW, parks.

But everything is a seasonal day-to-day thing.

No, I'm not against this stuff. I've been wanting capital improvements as well. And we all need it. And I just want the breakdown of exactly, like, it helps to know it's the two F50 trucks. And same with, so it parks with a service truck. Which truck is that? Is that like another?

That's the mechanics truck. Mechanics?

What kind of vehicle would that be?

It's an F350 4x4 utility box where you can put all his tools. He's a mobile repair shop, pretty much. He can go out in the field. He can fuel up tractors, pull out tractors if they get stuck.

so I see the various parts and repairs is 310,000 under parks that's separate then from the 1.4 million oh wait no it must be on top of the one point so that's 310,000 what is that part going to that's not the ADA so what parts are we looking at with that it could include anything

Possibly adding a court.

Which parks?

I'm not sure. I have various fencing throughout the city. West, north, south, east, corn hill. Small repairs that we've been putting off for the last several years.

Nurses Park, I mean, that fence has been down for quite some time.

Nurses Park, wooden fence has fallen apart. Kemble, the fence has fallen apart. I have ball fields with the back stops. The bottom fencing is protruding up, so it's a hazard to play. It's just general repairs just to get all the fencing back into place.

When this money comes in, and say we approve it and stuff, how do you decide which ones to do and when? I imagine we need even more than $310,000.

So we would go out for estimates on everything, and then we have to, I try to make sure that every part of the city gets hit, at least with a project. Spread it where it can, see what the funding comes in at. With the tariffs on steel, who knows what the prices are going to be.

Sure.

You don't know what the bidding is going to be either when we bring it out.

Do we have a fence guy? How does that work?

Well, you have to get three quotes, and the bid comes in, and the bid might be higher than what we asked for, and that's why the money is the way we asked for the money.

Thank you. And then for the, nobody here is here from fire, but what were the three response vehicles then for the fire department?

So it says it right to you in the email that you got today. It says the fire apparatus lift is needed for our mechanic to replace our previous lift. They failed inspection approximately two years ago. That's not what I asked. In taking out of service, this was...

But guys, I mean, it's everything right here.

It explains everything. So it's got to be right into the record.

This is money that the city's going to spend. I mean, I just wanted this.

I wanted to have this same, you know, emphasis on the $9 million bond.

so this just says the response suvs will be used to replace the 2009 suburban and i'm asking what exactly is it that we're looking to buy then i know what we're replacing but like the other trucks we were told two f50s those are the response the response truck will replace the 2005 chevy 2500 so we're getting the so the truck Are response vehicles trucks? Like a pickup truck?

You can literally read this email. I'm reading it right here with this. Just read it from fire down and that explains everything.

It really doesn't, though. It says the ambulance will be purchased to replace a 2013 model. We don't know which kind, but that's fine. The response SUVs will be used to replace a 2009 Suburban. What kind of SUVs? These are the parts where I was hoping, like last time when we did the vehicles, I was looking to get a make and model of what we're aiming for.

Yeah, so I don't want to speak for fire, but the SUVs will be used as they have to be classified the same way. They'll be used by, I believe, captains and deputies.

Are the SUVs technically the three response vehicles then?

Well, yeah, one's a truck. Okay. And also some, they'll be used for actual responses. They'll also be used for training, various training that they might have to do. um and it's listed here too you know for schools community details uh fleet repairs things like that so okay it's kind of like a multi-purpose the truck is more of a um i believe more of a response vehicle for the captains and the deputies that won't be used for training and things like that thank you and then i see the

There's a $90,000 here for motor vehicles. So some of it's confusing because the spreadsheet that I'm looking at, it is more detailed, which is helpful. But then when I go back to, say, like section K for motor vehicles, which $90,000 was that for?

That's for the truck.

That's for the fire truck? For the fire department truck?

Yeah, yeah. So the bond order, it's hard to read because sometimes things just fall into the same category. and then the machinery and apparatus so a last page of page M 15,000 to 30,000 which apparatus was that for the DPW

Oh, that's the Piston Bully. Oh, OK. What's that?

So Dave, do you want to answer this? The Piston Bully?

The Piston Bully? The Piston Bully? Yeah. The Piston Bully is replacement tracks for the current machine. It's a 1999. It's aluminum tracks. They've worn down where it's harder to bite into the snow to go up the valve bilis. Sure. So we're looking to replace those.

Thank you. And yeah, I just want to note that this email that everybody is frustrated with that we didn't know sooner. It came in.

It's just that you didn't ask these questions in 2023. Out of $9 million.

Okay, we're going to push back on this. I still have the floor. So this email, I'm glad. This is the email that helps me pass these things. This came in at 4.50 p.m. Point of order.

You don't know what's going on, but yet you continue to ask these questions.

Quit interrupting people, please. I'm not interrupting people. Yes, you are.

So if I may finish, this email came in at 4.50 p.m. and this is just the details that I'm looking for. And I brought this up in our email exchange today if anybody wants to look at it. But the last administration was, for me, easier to communicate and ask these questions ahead of time. A lot of it sometimes wasn't on the floor, but we knew the answers and I could tell people.

sometimes we don't have that current setup and the dynamics and expectations have changed from the administration from the mayor so from the previous mayor that's why we're down here have you ever gonna break down from the previous mayor in any bond you voted on I can show you so many it's ridiculous she has the floor it's actually more in depth on every single thing that you do she has all the right in the world to ask questions

she does it's she has all the questions thank you to all the department heads for answering that i appreciate that and okay are you done i'm done all right i'll go around bob you got any more joe do you have any more questions okay frank no brennan i heard joe no i just got a couple questions for you if you're going to start causing issues or complaining are you going to vote are you happy with this yes okay yeah i am but i want to just

Ask him a couple questions. Thank you. And I want to ask you two a couple questions.

You don't have to ask me nothing. Well, I do. You can ask me a question later.

So, Amir, when these, all these lines here, so again, this is kind of like the budget time. We bring the department heads in, they tell us what they need, and nobody listens to them. So, on these lines here, okay, so... came from the administration you went through this i'm sure the controller looked at it i'm sure everybody looked at this stuff right i'm sure some lines and these projects might be under and i'm sure some might be over but i believe we have a ceo of the city which is the mayor who's requesting this through his department heads i've been on this council for seven years my question was going to be is there new technology now because the other bond ordinance You were here as long as, you were here longer than me. You were here too. These things came out five minutes before meeting. You're going to have a bond ordinance and it went through. And I got no problem with anybody asking the questions. That's fine. That's what we're supposed to do. But you know what? Let's go back and I'll challenge the clerks to go back through any of these ordinance.

So, Joe, you're just saying it's a good idea that we're asking these questions. It is.

So why are you trying to make a point?

Because I asked the questions and I was shut down.

What I'm trying to say is we never got this much information.

I never got it, period. We never got this much information. All right. Did you make your point? Yes. Okay. Do you have any, because we have to move on. It's just not working for your study.

Because they don't answer questions when it comes to that. Heather, are you done? No. Okay. No, I'm good. All right. Great, thank you.

All right, I'm okay with this, if everyone else is okay. Is everybody okay with this?

And do we have anything from committee? We have the Underground Railroad piece.

All right, is everything on this bond? Are you good on it?

I'm good with my questions.

Is everybody good on this bond? I'm fine with it.

We can't take a straw poll. So if I had more questions, I would let you know.

Well, you don't do a straw poll. She hasn't done you for a straw poll. She hasn't done you for a straw poll.

All right, we're going to the next one.

Next one is City of Utica Proclamation honoring Thomas Caputo of the Daily Sentinel.

Just for the record, I talked to him. He's not going anywhere.

He is.

He emailed us. He's still staying in the City of Utica, and he said he will be there to report whenever... The girl that's there now is not available. So he's staying in the county. I mean, if you want to recognize him, he was kind of taken back that you were recognizing him. Did you talk to him?

I absolutely talked to him. He was not taken back by it.

He did not know about it.

So I think this is, you know, the media is the fourth checks and balance. There are official paper of record. It was just a simple thing. He was getting promoted and covering county.

I would appreciate full counsel. He's not going anywhere. So he'll still be here.

all right does everybody go with this yeah all right next is a uh a local law amending section 2-045 of the city utica charter uh this this is to uh relieve the city of of uh exams for police officers for people that just live in the city it's not exams it's not at all it's it's no it's not it's not not even close it's please read the legislation i'm not going to read the whole thing i think it is letting people take the exam who don't live in the city the county council city has been advised that more than 12 vacant positions exist in the complement of the members of the utica police department they have been further informed that the number of vacancies will increase throughout the year this cannot continue for its its effect

it affects the ability of the utica police department to continue to provide safety for the persons and property of the city of utica actually stop you right there this waves the residency right for officers right not not the exam okay well so if deputy chief holt can you please explain a little bit what this means and how this helps your department it waves the residency so it's

it's a resolution to, so residency we have found is a roadblock for, you know, recruitment. And so the, the chief and other members of the council talked about it and this was put forward to try to remove that roadblock because we are having issues with- Temporarily. Temporarily.

This is just during the council term.

I don't know what was put forth at the end of the day, but I don't know if it was a five-year referendum or anything like that, but five-year referendum is what the chief was looking for. That'll take us into 2032 on the residency, and that'll cover us for a peak of retirements that we're going to have in this next five-year window between now and 2032. So it could be revisited in 2032 after we've gotten through all these retirements. We're getting about just, you know, obviously I talked about the fact that it's a roadblock. We are... Our applicants are down just like the fire department's applicants are down significantly. We're getting about 100 applicants for each test. That amounts to maybe, maybe, you know, maybe on a good on a good day 20 20 to 25 viable applicants uh at the end of the day when we can that we can try to choose from maybe less so um that's why we're looking to take any roadblocks we're looking to eliminate any roadblocks or any type of obstacles so that we can get as many applicants and consider as many people interested as possible i don't see any sunset law in this reading it right now And that's why I didn't see a sunset law on there either, but the chief said that if there was, he would recommend a five-year referendum.

First of all, you never sunset an ordinance, and I've said this plenty of times when it comes to an ordinance or a local law. So what we're doing is we're suspending the requirement for a residency. So, Judge Garamond, thank you for providing this to us. The only thing I would say that this local law shall take effect at the time it is legally passed. The only thing that I would say is that this has to be brought back in front of the council after a five-year time frame. That's not a sunset clause. I mean, I'm not reverting anybody's jobs or anything like that. But after five years, this law expires.

Or it has to go.

No, it expires. Because guess what? That's a sunset, and I don't like sunsets on local laws or ordinances or anything like that.

This is just to let them take the test. 110%. For a job.

No, you're being hired. You're being hired. So this is waiving.

It's not like when there's money being paid.

No, so you can take the test up to the fifth year, and then after that, it's done. You could revote on it after that, Frank. So there's no sunset, this law takes effect. I mean, again, we're going past our council term, which is probably something that we shouldn't do.

Well, if you did it for three years, it would give the next council.

I would go five. And that's something that we're able to do. to give him enough time as a department to know that they can vet candidates, because it takes how much time to go through the academy?

Well, from test to hire, you're looking at you know so six you know six months and then then through the Academy you know you're looking at another you know nine months and that's so I mean you're looking at you know it's it's it's about a year process at the end of the day so would you be comfortable comfortable with three or five The chief was looking for five, because in the next five years, that window, there's going to be a high volume of retirements.

So I think that we could take this local law and see the strikeouts. We don't have to take any of that away. The only thing we do is the effective date is that we shall waive this law for the next five years, and that's that. And that's it.

Sir, I apologize. I didn't. So I I know that this this law was going to come to you, uh, you know, to be considered. I didn't know what the final context of it was, so I didn't know if the five year referendum or whatever you want to call it.

We were discussing that earlier anyways.

I think that you don't have to change anything because we have a local law. So, I mean, you waive this local law for five years and withstand that after the fifth year is done, then it reverts back.

Well, on this effective date, would you put the local law shall take effect at the time it is legally passed? Yes. For the next five years? No.

So I would say this local law shall take effect at the time set of five years bring it back in that year date or what are you saying stop i mean that's the only thing that i could think of i mean we're waving i don't want to change anything in the law that was passed by

I am in a similar position to Deputy Chief Holt. I have not seen a final version. This is what I'm seeing. I knew this was coming down, but I had not viewed this. So this is the first time I'm looking at it. And I didn't, other than having a brief discussion with police, know that they had also wanted some language about some things included. So to comment right now, I can't.

really i can't really comment on anything this is actually kind of important to them so within the next week can you draft us something or or comment on it that we can reconvene with another meeting but they've got to have that it's very important to them

Well, we can just put it in right now.

No, you can't because once you lay it on the table, it's a local law. You have to amend it on the table.

I'm not comfortable with that.

No, because then you have to re-lay it on the table. So I'd rather be comfortable with Stephanie and the deputy chief. They give us something, let us know when it's ready. We can have a meeting, lay it on the table, and then have another meeting after that.

you're saying on this this does not waive the residency so if they do get married they have to move to the city no no so it's suspended it suspends i believe it's suspended suspending the residency is what i specifically said yes right that's what i was saying yeah and if they after five years if they waived it again yeah but i was saying that this waves for the exam no no no why are you saying that because that's civil service well okay so no you can take the exam but it's waving it's waving the residency law they can live in they can live outside of the city no no they can't they have to take the they have to take the requirement that's required by civil service law The whole thing for this is that after five... But once they're hired, they can live outside the city. Yes. Right, that's what I said.

No, they can't. After five years. No, once they're, if it reverts back, if you turn that five-year window, they're good for good.

Well, they're going to be grandfathered in on that, right?

Yeah, so the current employees right now And the current employees, and tell me if I'm wrong, Steph, current employees, once they're hired, they have a six-month window to move into the city. And once they move in, there's a time period of five years where they have to stay in the city. Then they can give notice and move out. And I don't know if there's any other stipulations there. This would suspend that clause, the requirement for them to live in the city once they are hired, okay? So to be hired, You don't have to, once you get hired, you don't have to essentially live in the city. You have six months to move in. You wouldn't have to move in after the six months.

That suspends that.

But it only suspends it for people that are hired after that date that you enact the law. Everybody else there that is subject to the prior law is still subject to the prior law.

But out of those people in that five-year window, say we passed this, they're hired, the next council gets rid of it, they're still grandfathered in, they don't have to.

They would be grandfathered in. Was there something that should say that on the legislation?

No, because that's actually law. You can't change law on something that's already been done. It's called ex post facto.

Right now, the current law is in effect. They have a six-month window to move in once they're hired. They don't necessarily have to live in the city to be hired. They have a six-month window to move in. Correct. That will remain in effect until if you, well no, that'll remain in effect unless you enact another law. And once you enact that law.

Then anyone hired after that date?

Anyone hired after that date, and whether or not, if you put a five-year window on it, so anyone hired within that five-year window after that date would not have to move into the city.

Do you know when the next hirings are going to be? They've already started.

So the next test I believe is in September. And these are the people that would be hired off of that test? If the law is enacted before that test, before those hirings happen, yes. Correct.

And they're not going to get hired until after they take the test. They go through the physical.

Yeah, so the process is to take the test. Establish a list. Once the list is established, and I believe it's test and then PT test, and then the list is established at that point. Once the list is established, then the hiring process starts.

So when do you think that this law would actually come into effect for the people that are being hired?

um hopefully after a week i would i would sometime after i mean so september would be the test new york state has to grade it that that's usually a couple month window i would think the next academy would be sometime in the january time frame maybe february maybe february february time frame um

No, I'm not calling.

Right, so what I'm saying, the day that this, let's say we get this passed today. Yes, sir.

You can't.

That's impossible. Just stop. Please mind your business.

Today.

Let's say we get this passed, okay? Yes. The next time we hire somebody is probably going to be, you're saying a year from now?

No. No, no, no, no. Six months from now? No. Yeah, so September would be the test. September would be the test. Then New York State has a couple month window to grade them, get the grades back to the civil service office. And again, I'm talking out of line here because I'm not involved, but just from the outside looking in.

Approximately what month

with the first person that would get hired we typically try to run an academy usually in the february-ish time frame it's going to be several months yeah yeah yeah so february 2027 right this doesn't have to be passed today doesn't have to be So it would be advantageous to get it passed as quickly as possible so that we can put that out there and get applicants to be interested in taking that test in September.

Right now they're discouraged from taking the test. I just wanted to get that out there to let them know that the people who actually get hired, this would actually be for the hiring sometime after the first of the year. Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Yes, sir. And Sam, I don't need it, all right? I'm asking a question. You're rude as all hell. And you should be ashamed of yourself. All right. No, we didn't. Please, stop. You're embarrassing us. You're embarrassing this council. All right. Is everybody good? We're going to hold this. Joe, go ahead.

Yeah, no, just a point. So I'm in favor of eliminating barriers for the police department to make it easier to hire. My only concern is thinking about those officers who are hired in that one- to four-year window already who this won't apply to. So think about someone who was hired last year, and we enact this, and now the person who was hired is saying, wow, the timing is a little tough. So I think that's something that... something that maybe we something is something we may may want to consider and think about because I think about those year one to four officers I mean obviously year four you know year five it wouldn't matter as much anyway but the officers who were just hired in years one to two because as councilwoman Testa mentioned the expo ex post facto component where it wouldn't apply retroactively but if there is a way to consider that and think about it I think we should out of out of general fairness but it's my only point with this

Well, Joe, if you'd like to come up with maybe something to change the wording on this, I would look at it. We'll see what we can come up with. Thank you.

So we want to put this into committee tonight?

Joe, I would appreciate you, but I think that somebody else has a better piece of legislation. But, I mean...

And if we're done with this one, I have one more piece of legislation.

Hang on, I'm going to ask you any questions on this? Joe? Go ahead.

Is there any way that we could help those people that are on the enemy or not?

Well, that's what Joe said, and that's what I said, if you could come up with something with that.

So it's like, again, like I stated, Tier 5 and Tier 6, all right? We got really screwed if you were a Tier 6,

sucked if you were terrified you had to get your paperwork in at that same time yeah but on that same time we don't have the authority to amend that on that same time if you look at it okay and we're struggling to get people and you got a guy that's been there for a year and now all of a sudden he's offered a job you know with maybe the same money and he doesn't have to live you know maybe he's going to kirkland or one of those places i mean he may leave you may lose a guy so you joe with all due respect i live in utica so i hope everybody that works for the city lives in the city of utica this is very frustrating i get what you're saying and i kind of agree too but we're talking on both sides of our face when we're saying that so you're saying we're going to waive it for five years you got a guy that started one year okay or two years or whatever and he's going to have to stay here for three years There's a chance that guy packs up and leaves, so we're kind of doing, you know, I don't know if that makes sense, but it kind of.

I just got this. I can't really comment a lot on this right now.

We've looked for input for me on this. That's a point, too. Heather, anything? Any last ones on this?

um not on this one but we have resolution eight the underground railroad i don't know uh councilwoman samantha claus montesta you i just had them pass out what you submitted to us i think that's great everybody does anybody have any issue i'm for it i think it kind of you know went through everything every question that we had ellie do you want to speak so if you don't mind coming up for just a couple seconds and kind of just explaining up there please So we kind of talked about, like, what amendment that we had to make in order for us to go through this, what concerns everybody had. So if you can, please clarify that. Sure. Because what we talked about yesterday, I put in an amendment, and hopefully we can get this passed tonight.

Yep, sounds good. So that's just a little change from the other highlighted section. I took a look. That's also language that I provided in an email that directly comes from the federal byway and state byway regulations. So it matches that from DOT's standpoint for what they require. that's in there and it really says, basically it says the not allowing of permitting of new off premise signage, which is billboards. That language breaks that down a little bit and says that it's per DOT, which is essentially what that is there. So from our organization and from DOT's standpoint, that language looks fine to me uh and i really appreciate your review and you get other municipalities that have had this similar language in their approval process yes and it's also been approved yes we're kind of one of the last municipalities that have yeah this language here so some has been changed across a few different municipalities um this language is specific here for utica but it matches what needs to be there so just reviewing it and what i sent me an email i know that that lines up with what is needed in terms of the billboard

essentially the billboard uh clause from dot does anybody have any issues with that any questions questions for me any questions okay so i think that was the last thing that we needed to clarify on that so thank you ellie i appreciate that thank you so much for coming and then i have an ordinance amending limited parking in the city of utica code ordinances the dealer ordained limited parking 15 minutes business hours the city of utica uh

the two parking spaces south of main street directly in front of 330 main street sunday through saturday this is from uh councilman beatrice yeah so what that is and i've gotten information from the clerk and from uh

okay they do a ton of takeout there's no parking over there and so they're just asking if two spots can be designated 15 minute parking so people can run in and get their food and come back out i'm fine with everybody fine with that okay i'd like to end this meeting thank you

we're going to take out the railroad so i'm going to have a meeting in the next couple of weeks on a lot of things that are in committee i just gotta i gotta have some time it expires i believe today So that's all we're going to do is extend it. Can we do it another month? Sure. Okay, one month, and then just kind of come back. Can we do two months? Because we're going to be gone.

What's our next council? August 26th.

So I think until August, maybe September 1st.

September 1st.

And then give us a little time to kind of figure that out. So can we take that out and do the amendment until September 1st? All right, perfect. Thank you. Are you guys okay with that? No, no.

this meeting is ended motion to adjourn

Come to order.

The city clerk will call the roll.

Aiello, Burmaster, Vitar, Carcone, Urban, Beatrice, Wazluski, Colasimo, Testa, Lamedico, Geruzzi, all present.

Please rise for the pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence for the deceased members of the common council. Is there a motion and a second to dispense the reading of minutes from the previous meeting? Public comment period allows three minutes per speaker. Our first speaker is Dawn Laguerre. Hi, Don. Common Council has provided you a copy of section 3244, public comment period. Are you in agreement?

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Don.

Brevity is not my strong suit, but I'm going to try for two minutes and 58 seconds. Good evening, president of the council, council members of the common council, and fellow residents. In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony begins his famous speech with the words, I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. Tonight, I stand before you to borrow Shakespeare's words, but with an important twist. I come to praise Councilman Joseph Batar, not to bury him. Typically residents come to public comment to advocate, critique policies, or deliver memorable sound bites. Lord knows over the years I have done my fair share of advocating, especially when it comes to the condition of Barton Avenue in South Utica. As someone who worked for the city of New York under Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and developed respiratory and mobility challenges as a result of my experiences following 9-11, I rely on transportation to medical appointments, which is not simply a convenience for me. It is necessary. For years, whenever utility crews or the water authority dug up our streets with little or no notice, it created significant hardships. On at least five occasions this year, my caller bus transportation service was unable to access Barton Avenue, forcing me to make last minute arrangements to get to important medical appointments. When I raised concerns about residents not being notified, I was informed that the required notification was provided to county officials under, rather than direct residents whose daily lives were affected. THROUGHOUT THOSE YEARS, I REPEATEDLY AND PERSISTENTLY SOMEWHAT RELENTLESSLY APPROACHED COUNCILMAN JOSEPH BUTAR AT COMMUNITY EVENTS, PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND NEIGHBORHOOD FUNCTIONS TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE DETERIORATING CONDITIONS OF BARTON AVENUE AND THE NEED FOR PAVING. QUITE FRANKLY, I AM AMAZED HE DOESN'T HAVE A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST ME. or instinctively turns and walks in the opposite direction whenever he sees me approaching. Yet, every time he listened, he repeatedly assured me that he was advocating for Barton Avenue to be paved. Having spent many years working around politicians in New York City, I must confess that I viewed those insurances with somewhat of a jaundiced eye. I was skeptical. Then something remarkable happened. The city of Utica provided residents on our block with advanced notice, not once, but twice, that road work would be occurring. And on June 30th, 2026, the paving process has officially begun. Today I stand before you as a very happy taxpayer. I want to publicly thank Councilman Joseph Batar for his advocacy, persistence, and service to the residents of South Utica. I also want to recognize the frontline workers, engineers, and construction crews whose labor often goes unnoticed. The notice left at our homes explain the paving process. First, the roadway is milled, meaning the existing surface is removed. Next, a binder coat. The rocky foundation level is installed. Then crews adjusted critical infrastructure such as curb, catch basin, sewers. corner ramps and sidewalks. Finally, the top coat of asphalt is laid, followed by restoration work. This is difficult, skilled, and essential work that improves our quality of life. Councilman Batara's advocacy has restored some of my faith in government. That persistence, public service, AND RESPONSIVENESS STILL MATTERS. IN ADDITION, DURING HIS RECENT ASSEMBLY CAMPAIGN, HE DEMONSTRATED DIGNITY, DIPLOMACY, AND RESPECTFUL QUALITIES THAT ARE INCREASINGLY RARE IN PUBLIC LIFE. SO TONIGHT, I RISE NOT IN CRITICISM, BUT IN GRATITUDE. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN BETAR, for hearing one person's resident's concerns, for advocating on behalf of Barton Avenue, and for reminding us that good government can still work. And speaking as a grateful resident and taxpayer, I look forward to watching your continued service in this city, and what I believe may well be your future ascension to higher office. Thank you very much.

STEPHEN MOBISKI. STEPH, THE COMMENT COUNCIL HAS PROVIDED YOU A COPY OF SECTION 3244 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ARE YOU IN AGREEMENT?

Yes, I am. Thank you, sir. Stefan Rubitsky. I'm a resident of Utica, South Utica. And first of all, happy 4th of July, everyone. Hopefully everyone has a great holiday weekend. Over on Oneida Square or Oneida Circle, whatever you call it these days, it's kind of an eyesore. The statue there, people sit on it, and it's a historic statue. It needs to be protected. Maybe a fence should go around it. It's very historic, and it needs to be protected. People are lying on it, sitting on it, and making a mess of it. It needs to be protected, and as council people, as the mayor uh try to work with the mayor and all your fellow council members to uh protect this statue for uh years to come thank you thank you stephen our next speaker rosa ventura

rose of the common councils provide you a copy of section 3244 public comment period are you in agreement yes sir yeah go ahead thank you hello everyone my name is victor rodriguez and i am a resident of oneida square yes the infamous oneida square i appreciate the opportunity to speak tonight in front of all of you Um, and I've been hearing a lot about programs and resources that help tenants and understand why those exist. But I also want to ask what support is available for responsible landlords who are dealing with tenants who don't pay rent intentionally damaged property or drive up utility costs. Is the city considering any programs or resources that help protect landlords in those situations as well? Fairness should go both ways. I also want to express a concern about the condition of our neighborhoods with the funding the city receives. Why does so much of Utica, especially areas like Oneida square continue to look neglected? There's litter, illegal dumping, overgrown lots, and a general lack of cleanliness. It affects residents, businesses, property values, and just the overall image of our city. My question is, what specific steps is the city taking to improve the cleanliness and appearance of neighborhoods like Oneida Square, and how can residents and landlords work with the city to make those improvements happen? Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Francis Brown.

Before you go, you're not a line baker for the Buffalo Bills or anything like that?

Francis, the Common Council has provided you a copy of section 3244, public comment period. Are you in agreement?

Yes.

Thank you.

Though the law itself is fair on its base and impartial in appearance, yet if it is applied and administered by a public authority with an evil eye and an unequal hand, so practically to make it unjust and illegal discriminations between persons in similar circumstances, materials to their rights, and the denial of equal justice still stands with the prohibition of the Constitution. Peoples versus Utica Dogs Drug Company, at the time of this court decision, there were two locations here in Utica. This case clarifies that you cannot apply the law to one person, but not the other. Utica Police have been quick to issue me charges on someone's verbal complaint, but will not investigate the crimes I have pointed out. Some include how the 18th floor partner's owner, Jimmy Wilkinson, who has not let the fire department do their inspections in their building, This devastating fire on John Street was another one of his properties and the day before on Lansing. This last Friday was a very suspicious microwave fire in my building. When you have his employees lying to the police saying that I am harassing them in the morning, my body camera and poll camera shows differently. Now I am trespassed from the office so I cannot make complaints. One employee put the wrong address on the eviction papers with the intent I would not receive them. Did the police charge her even after my numerous complaints? No. Why? Because they have money. Will the police go after Jimmy Diaz for his spray painting of the city curb? for his own personal parking? Of course not. They used his bathroom on Barrick Street during the St. Patrick's Day party. Plus, good friends with the mayor. Why do you think he got a street sign after opening his six months under the current LLC? Yeah, Oskany Pizzeria with its 112 year history in Utica does not have one. The day of the incident, I received charges that I was harassed and had an eaten chicken wing thrown right in my face, which is technically assault with a weapon. Do Utica police do anything about it? No. Why? They do not like my audits on how they like to sit around in the parking lots claiming they are doing paperwork, but instead they are on their personal phones. So... that until they decide to put a bullet in my head, or like what they did, did not spotlight. I am not having an honor to face white on rights. For one does not get along with nothing personally, yet I will take the charge. You're done.

Go. Francis, you went too far. This is UPD being criminals themselves.

Come on, Walt, come put me in cuffs so I can bring these out to the goddamn judge.

Francis, you went too far.

They just tried to shoot me the other night. Go after the real criminal.

Francis, you're going to have to be removed. You got to leave. Can you please remove him? THERE'S NO GUEST SPEAKER, NO COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR. REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS. WE'LL START WITH DEPUTY CHIEF NOON FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I'LL NOT JUST DECIDE EVERYBODY. OBVIOUSLY, IF THEY'RE AWARE OF THE HEAT WAVE TAXING ON EVERYONE, WE DO HAVE EXTRA APARATUS IN SERVICE. TRYING TO LIMIT.

WAS THAT IN HERE? OH, CAN YOU SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE, PLEASE?

Does that go out here? I thought that was just a YouTube thing. All right. Yeah, just due to the heat wave, we do have extra personnel on duty, an extra ambulance, advising people to do the best they can to stay cool, stay in their house, not do too much. As far as the department, we've got... believe 13 opens openings currently we are in the hiring process we had some good interviews so hopefully we'll get to fill a lot of those slots we're we're short every day so trying to fill those thank you stephanie de georgio from corporation council nothing to report thank you brian thomas server no nothing to report deputy chief holt

Just real quick so July 4th is upon us. There'll be some some some events on Saturday July 4th I'm in charge of you know the event planning as far as public safety is concerned Just want to give some pertinent timeline Consideration so On Saturday for the parade, the parade will start at 10 o'clock in the morning. Road closures, so the parade route will be from the former Lady of Lourdes Church. It'll start there. It'll head northbound on Genesee Street to the parkway and then take a right on the parkway eastbound to the rec center. It'll end at the rec center. That parade starts at 10 o'clock. Road closures will begin right around 8.30. We should expect roads to be open by 12.30, somewhere in that area. We have all the contingencies covered as far as operations planning. We're in a good spot. There'll be a press release going out soon regarding everything I just talked about regarding the parade. If anybody has any questions, they can get a hold of me at the police department, and I can answer whatever other niche questions you may have. That'll bring us to Saturday evening. We have the party and fireworks at Harbor Point. So there will be some minor traffic closures for that event. that event starts at 6 p.m fireworks will go off sometime around sunset 21 or so 9 45 and everybody should be everything should be open right around 10 30 11 o'clock road closures for that event will begin at 4 30. there isn't going to be any any road closures, there'll be lane closures on Genesee Street. There'll also be a shuttle service. Shuttle service will go from the Nexus Center parking lot to the event at the harbor. That starts right around 5.30. So the shuttles, their personnel report at 5 o'clock, their plan A shuttle's active by 5.30. People could also walk from the Nexus Center up over the bridge to the harbor. Anybody walking can access the harbor right at the front gate in between Starbucks and Home 2 Suites. Any handicapped can access the harbor. There is a special parking lot for handicapped and for any staff that are associated with the event. They will need to go to Wells Ave. Wells Ave runs between Delmonico's and Tovalo. Go to Wells Ave. Go down Wells Ave, you'll meet a police officer at the Wells Ave gate to the harbor. He'll direct you in. And again, everything, all contingencies are covered there.

as far as you know anything and everything you can think of they're all covered if you have any questions or concerns you can give me a call at the police department i'll be happy to answer any of your niche questions i i have one question deputy chief and you've done a great job at my in my neighborhood when the fireworks were there so i always appreciate and i respect the work that you've done there the only question i have is people were concerned about where their viewing areas are And there was a there was a little parcel in the map that the city brought out. And I know that there's a lot more parcels that people can go view those fireworks at. So can you kind of explain even going down to where the nexus is going up Genesee Street around there and around those areas? How can the people going to view that, you know, go to and where they park and how could they view that area?

Yes. So that'll bring me to parking. So parking and viewing. Parking, obviously if you're going to, the best place to park and the best way to get to the harbor would be the shuttle. If you don't want to use the shuttle and you want to view or park somewhere else and either walk in or just park and watch, There's obviously a lot of commercial lots around all throughout North Genesee Street. I can't tell you you can park there, but there'll be a lot of open lots. The lots that I can tell you that you can park at are New York State DOT has a lot. It's the park and ride lot down right under the bridge, right across from Roser Community Center. It's the old Aquavino, Portofino now. There is that lot there. There is the lot under the North Genesee Street Bridge. There is the Handshake City lot. You can't park there, but you can view there. we are not going to be extremely um you know we know that people are going to park on the side of the road down on whitesboro um down uh in that area on whitesboro street we're not going to we're not gonna we're not gonna ticket you but we are gonna have patrols down there that are going to move you along if you're in a problematic spot um there um know works have will be uh available to pull over on the side of the road and watch the fireworks there's going to be a lot of places a ton of places to pull over on the side of the road to go into a parking lot and watch it if you don't want to go to the harbor we will have a lot of patrols out and if there are if you're in a problematic area please just be compliant and move along if we ask you to move along The only place I will tell you that you cannot pull over and watch would be on Route 12. Don't do that. Don't do that. That's going to be problematic. Don't pull over on Route 12. You remember the old days where on 5S they would have the fireworks at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds. Everybody would pull over on 5S and watch the fireworks, and that was a disaster waiting to happen. Don't do that on Route 12. There's more than ample places to pull over and watch if you want to do that. And that just brings me to You know, the party at FT Proctor Park had a ton of public safety concerns, and I just want to say that the fireworks and the party at the harbor is way less problematic as far as public safety is concerned than the party was at FT Proctor Park.

and can you explain that because i think i think that people don't really understand the safety concerns that were in the neighborhoods and what you had to do because it was 10 years in the actual neighborhoods i'm upset that they left but i mean it was a concern and what you guys had to do in order to cut off roads what people had to do in order to prepare for that and what it brings to an actual more commercial area like north genesee street going from there

So all I can say is that the party at FT Proctor Park was awesome, loved it. One of my favorite, right? But as far as event planning from a public safety point of view, it was extremely problematic, not only in terms of parking, ingress and egress, access control, trying to get everybody in and out safely, shuttle service, getting everybody in and out of there. It was very problematic.

i could go on for days about it but i'm not going to and it was one thing i'll say but it was vandalism to homes and stuff like that that did happen that people really didn't see that kind of took on the responsibility of having the fireworks in their neighborhood that wasn't right either i mean you were there you knew what i had to go through on a daily basis of of having those fireworks there so i always appreciated your work but that's something that had to be said and whatever we'll see how it goes

um i just want to say of course it's going to probably seem like it's a lot more controllable because it fits a lot less people in there um that i mean that's that but it's still hard to know that there are going to be lots of people this is just my opinion that aren't going to have access to be able to get to fireworks and won't be able to enjoy it like they do and have to sit in their car and not be able to bring lawn chairs

not be able to have kids run around not have cookouts like we normally do so I mean I appreciate all the work that you guys are doing for it but I do feel like this event is wrong and the location is wrong as well that's all just one question is there a number you're looking at at the harbor itself or cut off on the amount of people that are gonna be there and how do you gonna let the people know that are coming that it's full is there gonna be something are you gonna address that

So as far as occupancy is concerned, it's an open air event. The fire department will be down there with crowd managers. They would have the jurisdiction on cutting the event off if it was overcrowded. I don't think that's going to happen. I think there's going to be a lot of area that would have to be taken up there for that to be overcrowded.

Well, in the event, though, is there any planning for that?

In the event, the plan is the fire department will be on site. Fire marshals will be there. Crowd managers will be there. They have jurisdiction over whether or not it's a public safety issue in regards to overcrowding, and they will take action.

Deputy Chief Doon, have you considered that at all?

yeah i would agree with uh deputy chief holt that there's a lot of space there so uh i don't suspect that it'll be so crowded that we'd have to stop people from coming in uh the obvious thing would be to stop the shuttle if it was getting that packed but there's plenty of space even if the police hadn't turned people around at the gate there's still the starbucks parking lot there's still plenty of standing area too so mr just just so just to talk about real quick and not get into the weeds here but

The park was wide open, it looked like there was a ton of space there. We never had any, there was no overcrowding issues there. But it was a public safety nightmare because it was an open air event and we couldn't control that. And I worry about control, right? That's what I'm paid to do, especially when there's an event like that. At the harbor, it's fenced in. There's an ingress and egress. Well, there's a few ingress and egress points. The single ingress and egress point for people to come in, walk in, will be right at Starbucks. All the other, everything else is fenced. There are other gates that would be opened if there was an emergency. We could get emergency ingress and egress. But there's only three gates and those gates will be manned by police officers. And that is huge for me because I can vet everybody coming in and out. And so as far as a public safety purview, it will it will increase um my control over the event and making sure that it's safe um exponentially vice having it in an open open air air uh lot like ft proctor park all right well thank you very much i have a question deputy chief yes sir um a lot of people from different districts usually walk to the fireworks um and a lot of people have been

voicing concerns about having to walk down to the harbor point location because we're going to downtown you get a lot of people are afraid of the safety issues of having to walk down are you going to have any type of police officers anywhere outside of harbor point that are gonna be on watching for um people that are speeding and driving erratically for people that are walking because it's going to be a little bit tougher for them than walking to practice park because they were walking through residential neighborhoods yes sir so um again if you're looking to come down and park and walk

the nexus center is going to be the best spot and that is going to be the best spot because i will have a dedicated a few dedicated patrols down there patrolling that area making sure that everybody that chooses to walk will be will be will be will be watched over and anybody that parks there their vehicle be watched over and they're you know we will have a strong we will have a strong presence outside of the harbor in that entire north genesee street Whiteboro Street area from Oriskany Street to Wellesley yes sir thank you chief our DPW Commissioner Mark Sokolowski just wanted to say that the Parks Department and DPW has been working hard on

Getting the harbor ready for this weekend. Also on the Boilermaker. And it looks like we're getting a little rain out there, so. We'll be ready to rock and roll tonight. and it's 90 i rather have it rained in snow so thank you oh and one other thing to the gentleman that talked about another square we are there daily picking that up i know you don't see that but we are there and it's just a non-ending battle but we are being there and we are picking up that's all i got there's no cash report

petitions from access and appeals we'll start with first district council member katie ell

Thank you, Mr. President. Nothing really tonight. Just wishing everyone a happy, healthy 4th of July and Boilermaker. And thank you in advance to all the teams who will be out there helping clean and put it on and make it another successful event. Thank you.

Thank you. Second district council member, Robert Burmaster. Thank you, Mr. President. I have nothing to pass tonight, but thank you. Thank you, Robert. Our third district council member, President Pro Temp and Committee of the Whole, Joseph Bitar.

Thank you, Mr. President. Just first, thank you for everyone who spoke tonight during public comment. Thank you, Don. Appreciate the words. Other than that, happy Independence Day to everyone coming up. Biggest thing, have fun. Also, stay safe, and we'll see you at the next meeting. So thank you, everyone. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you.

Fourth District Council Member Frank Carcone. Yes, I went by Buckley Pool this morning while they were giving the swim lessons and I want to just compliment Chalakanti for it was so well run. The lessons were being run. The people there were pleasant, enjoying working with the kids. They were given very good instructions. I was watching them. I talked to a bunch of parents that were there. They were super pleased with the program. It's great that these kids have that opportunity. So on that point, it's a good place for the kids to go and it's a great opportunity. And as far as this five year, this is just the beginning of what we gotta do to help the police, get more police and keep the police here. So I hope this council is still aware. There's a lot more we gotta do than just raise a five year residential. We gotta get police here and we gotta work on that.

thank you fifth district council member Venice Ervin thank you mr. president the impact Center project on West Street right off South Street is coming along pretty good I know construction workers don't work when it's raining so they got to be behind us when it's drizzling a little bit they don't come out so but it is coming along and I did see up on James Street I think it's Neilson and James they've cleared that out and getting ready for the second half of that project up there. So it's going along pretty good. Everybody please be careful if you're going to go to the fireworks. There's a lot of concerns. But Deputy Chief Holt said they're going to do the best they can to keep everybody safe. So just make sure when you're walking or you're driving that you're paying attention. And make sure you're safe on the fourth for the fireworks. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member. Sixth District Council Member Joseph Petras. Thank you, Mr. President.

The only thing I have, I have two things. We only have one meeting, so the North Utica meeting will be before our next meeting on 7-27. And it's kind of important that two guest speakers will be Heather Tian from the DOT um you know she can go over the bridge replacements that's going on in north utica and uh nick bredenbacher our city engineer will be there and then the only thing i got going is um i pray to god everything works out tonight my daughter is in labor and i'm waiting for my second grandson so i um that's all i can say so everybody have a prayer and thanks for everything good great support congrats

council member at large I got a couple things I want to piggyback off of what Frank said about the pool my son's already gone to the pool he's already started a pickleball youth program that's free in the city and it's Chet does do a great job and his employees do too there there's been a lot of great events this past weekend um that happened uh and the weekend before um also i think also for fourth of july voice of the voiceless uh they are also having a i believe a fourth of july thing downtown on howard potter's property so i just want to make sure that people know that it's another spot you can go to enjoy for the day and watch the fireworks um And also, Joe, you ran a great campaign. We're proud of you, and you did a good job. And that's it. That's it for today. Thanks.

Thank you. Council Member At-Large, Minority Leader Samantha Coles-Maltesta. Still can't get it right. Can't help himself.

There is a resolution that the council has that was in committee that I did not get the chance to discuss tonight. It's a resolution authorizing supplemental military leave benefits. It's something that mimics the county. The only thing that I can ask council is that you could support it tonight. I'm gonna pull it out for a vote. It's been in committee for quite some time. the only thing we're doing is mimicking the county um and asking for that support on behalf of the council if the city chooses not to do that that's on their behalf but this is just a request a request that they can um with that said uh thank you ali for coming on behalf of uh harriet tubman freeway and hopefully we can get that done on on the railroad tracks and honestly that's it council i i know we are doing picking back against one but there's a lot of good stuff that we do do that gets ignored so and thank you to the clerk stuff that's for all you do

Thank you.

Council member at large and majority leader, Jack Lamedico.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to wish everyone a safe 4th of July. Enjoy yourself this weekend and through the rest of the summer. We also have the Boilermaker coming up. And just remember, fireworks are supposed to be for the 4th of July, not 12 o'clock at night. And I just appreciate everybody coming tonight, and thank you very much.

Mr. President, can I say one more thing? Yeah, absolutely. Thank you. If you see people at the swimming pools, after they close don't call the cops on them. They're actually working there because the city was having problems with people jumping the fence afterwards. And those people actually work for Workforce Investment Board and we have them working there from 5 to 11 to make sure that nobody's jumping the fence and jumping in the pool. So last year they called the cops on a couple of them. I'm just letting you know, let it be known that they do work there.

okay thank you and you'll see them in the same color shirts as the dpw people we bought them shirts thank you thank you council member uh we have a motion a second to introduce proposed resolution number one mr president can i start with a resolution number nine if everybody's okay with that for the proclamation i'd like to actually anybody thomas motion and a second for that yeah proposed resolution number nine

So today here is the proclamation for Thomas Caputo from the Daily Sentinel.

Whereas Thomas Caputo is a lifelong resident of the Mohawk Valley and a proud alumnus of Utica University's journalism program whose commitment to serving and informing the community has benefited the city of Utica and the Mohawk Valley, And whereas, since 2022, Thomas has reported on the City of Utica for the Daily Sentinel, providing coverage of local government, economic development, public safety, business, community events, and the people who call Utica home. And whereas, during Thomas's tenure, the Daily Sentinel was designated the official newspaper of record for the City of Utica. and through his award-winning reporting and dedication to fair thorough and community-focused journalism thomas has helped inform residents foster civic engagement and transparency and preserve an important historical record of the city now therefore be it proclaimed that the common council of the city of utica hereby recognizes thomas caputo for his dedicated service to the residents of utica his commitment to local journalism and his role in documenting and preserving the history and progress of the city of utica for generations and be further proclaimed that this proclamation shall forever be inscribed into the official minutes of the city of utica common council meeting held on this first day of july 2026 as a lasting expression of appreciation for thomas caputo's contributions to the community thank you your votes

i'm not sure what to say um i am now the um county reporter for the daily sentinel and it's been an honor and a privilege to cover the city of utica for the past four years following you all on this journey of making the city the best city in the county thank you no i'm not i'm still with the daily so i'm not going anywhere you're not getting rid of me thank you everybody i really appreciate it thank you you both votes please

have a motion a second to introduce proposed resolution number one motion authorizing sale of barren wine to american legion post 229 american legion post 229 fifth annual parking lot party saturday august 22nd um from 12 p.m to 5 p.m american legion post 229 409 herkimer road utica new york votes please 90s adopted Okay, I have a motion and a second to introduce proposed ordinance number two.

Motion. Second. Thank you.

Ordinance authorizing sale and or disposal of surplus city equipment. Your votes please.

Nine yeas adopted.

motion and a second to introduce proposed resolution number three resolution to approve and endorse the city's Department of State brownfield opportunity area program pre-development application for the Riskeny Street West corridor your votes please have a motion and a second to introduce proposed resolution number four motion proclamation record recognizing the inaugural old-school classic youth basketball tournament whereas strong communities are built by investing in young people and creating opportunities that encourage leadership teamwork mentorship and personal growth whereas the nargo old school classic youth basketball tournament to be held on june 27th and 28th 2026 at kimball park in utica represents the beginning of what organizers hope will become a lasting summer tradition that celebrates youth athletics mentorship and community pride whereas hosted by tag basketball in partnership in the mid utica neighborhood preservation corporation the tournament brings together youth athletes families community organizers local businesses and residents from across central New York in a celebration of sportsmanship healthy competition and community engagement whereas the tournament showcases Campbell Park as a gathering place for families and neighbors while highlighting the strength diversity and pride of Utica's neighborhoods whereas the event includes middle school, high school divisions, a free youth skills clinic, family activities, local vendors, entertainment, and community resources that make the tournament accessible and welcoming to the residents of all ages. whereas the organizer, Demonte Izarba, Jordan Voss, Storm Robinson, have demonstrated vision, leadership, and commitment to creating positive opportunities for young people while strengthening connections throughout the community. Now therefore be it proclaimed that the Utica Common Council hereby recognizes June 27th, 28th, 2026 Old School Classic Weekend in the City of Utica and commends the organizers, participants, volunteers, sponsors, community partners for their dedication to youth development, community unity, and civic engagement. Further proclaim that this resolution be inscribed in the minutes of the Common Council meeting on July 1st, 2026. Your votes please. nine a's adopted motion to introduce proposed ordinance number five e n a transfer fiscal year two thousand twenty six two thousand twenty seven be ordained that the controller for the city of utica is hereby authorized and directed to make the following transfer of funds animal and forced wages thirty one thousand five hundred dollars police contracted services votes please

Nine yays, adopted.

We have a motion and a second to introduce proposed resolution number six.

Motion. Second. Thank you.

A resolution approving agreement with County of Oneida for the funding for Crisis Response Team Program. Votes please.

Nine yays, adopted.

A motion and a second to introduce proposed ordinance number seven. motion thank you bond ordinance dated july 1st 2026 the bond ordinance authorizes the issuance of three million four hundred eighty five thousand dollars serial bonds of the city of utica and ita county new york to finance the cost of various capital projects your votes please heather yep nine e's adopted motion a second to introduce proposed ordinance number eight motion limited parking comes from UPD doesn't In the City of Utica Code of Ordinances, be ordained that the Section 216.368, Scheduled M, Limited Parking, 15 minutes during business hours of the City of Utica Code of Ordinances be amended as follows. The two parking spaces on the south side of Main Street, directly in front of 330 Main Street, Sunday through Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Further ordain that the proper signage markings be erected and applied. Votes, please. nine yeas adopted motion a second I think for proposed resolution number eight stated 121 so the only thing is you just have to read the amendment as is into the resolution yep whereas the Common Council has determined that the provisions of the resolution regarding off premises outdoors advertising signs are governed by applicable state and federal law including 23 usc 131 and those provisions supersede any conflicting provisions of the city's existing code of ordinances and relating to signage according to the new york state department of transportation 23 usc 131 prohibits the erections of new off-premises outdoor advertising signs along the designated scenic byways and restricts modifications to existing off-premises signs the purpose of this federal law is to preserve the scenic and stark charter of designated byways by limiting visual distractions Signs permitted under 23 U.S.C. 131 including official and directional signs on premises, businesses signs, public notices and signs advertising the sale or lease of the property on which they are located remain permissible. temporary signs may also be allowed where otherwise authorized by law while new permanent off-premises advertising signs are prohibited along the designated scenic byway corridor your votes please nine a's amended and then your votes mr president i am oh sorry thank you

So Mr. President the one thing I would like to introduce as a local law and it's a local law amending section 2-045 of the City of Utica Charter I would actually like to lay it on the table as a suspension until the end of our council term, until we can figure out what we have to do with that. Just to get the local law on the table. If we have to amend it, that's what Deputy Chief Holt was talking about. In regards to that, yeah, I mean, I think that's kind of the route we have to take.

Can you just explain the rationale?

So the rationale is we have a local law that's already on the books. If we suspend it, I think that we kind of have the authority in our legislative year to actually do that without changing the actual law. So, I mean, I think we have the authority. The only thing that would have to happen is that if a new council comes in, they would have to extend that suspension on that. why lay it on the table instead of commit at this point right i know it's a local law we have to lay it on the table before voting but i mean i i assume we plan to make amendments i mean i don't know i kind of thought that making a suspension on it until the end of our council term and making it rehash i i thought that that would kind of be we don't have to actually change the law and we just do it every year and to the end of our council term, rather than the local laws would take effect legally. I mean, we're changing the entire legality of the law, according to what this is saying. I think that if you suspend it to the end of your council term, which obviously would be the end of this year, that a new council would have to renew that and figure out what they would have to do from that point. right so that's why i'm i'm that's what i'm saying i would just like to introduce local law number two of 2026 no amendments and just kind of uh all right because there's a lot there we'd have to kind of reverse engineer all right then i'd just like to lay it on the table rather than because you obviously you can't amend everything on the floor you make sense do you want to no you're 100 right because i didn't move to commit at this point i would you don't want to lay it on the table well there's a lot there that we'd have to if you wanted to leave it as is and just suspend it because we have a lot of strike through there you kind of have to all right i would like to make the amendment that we keep the original law and then suspend it to the end of next year or to the end of this year i mean that's that would be my motion on the floor I mean, I know it sounds crazy, and I'm putting this on you guys at the last minute, but you keep the original amendment as 2-04 of the Utica City Charter. Don't supersede our council year, and then whoever comes into the next council term just has to renew it. That way we're not actually changing any of the law. We're just suspending it until the end of our council term, and then they would have to renew it. that's that's what i'm asking for yeah there's a i mean just my two cents there's there's a lot there i mean i don't have a problem with what you're saying do you understand in terms of putting it in so that you don't have to amend the whole entire law i mean that's that's what i'm more concerned about because there's a lot there's a there would you rather discharge at this point and submit it discharge and then resubmit it that would make more sense so we won't even commit it right it doesn't exist yet yeah yeah i mean it's there's too much in there for me to have to support so i i don't mind discharging it and then suspending it until the end of our council term and reintroducing it wasn't introduced was it yep it wasn't introduced so we can just so would you guys mind if i introduce anyone introductory introductory local law amending or just putting that section in suspending it um and laying that on the table would that be something that you guys would be opposed to i mean obviously we don't have to pass it but

No, I mean, I like the idea, but I just want to make sure we're able to suspend a portion of the charter. Yeah. You know, that's all.

Why don't you guys just discharge it? Yeah.

Yeah, I don't like the way it's written. There's a lot of language in there that really turns me off. Do we have a motion to discharge?

Motion to discharge it.

Second.

I would also, if we can move on, I think there was an ordinance 76.

i'm sorry could we just looking at this could we just commit and then go from there so we could actually let's have i don't want to i don't like this at all we could submit something new after that yeah so i would like to discharge this and submit something just so we could and i understand what you're saying i don't even like this on the table or in the or in committee i'd like to make a motion to discharge it's done we already did it we already got a second then that's fine okay no

uh there was a veto message from the mayor for ordinance 76 for the chips and i'd like to make a motion to reconsider the veto can you recon can you so that's that's that's the one where it doesn't matter that the council passes it because it's not in their actual budget like we did with the arpa funding like it's the three points eight three point eight yes it's 50 50 there's one budget line that includes it in your transfer the other budget line is new so that is not included where did you where did that budget when did that budget transfer open when did the actual line item open when did it open no it's not and it's under a different line item if you actually go to munis and you look that up i got the page right here okay so i'm gonna second that we vote over right

Yeah, I think so. He's giving the veto message now. I don't feel like a legal opinion on this because other councils, any funding that comes in goes through the council.

We have it in there. But it's also, it came through... There is no H55197 in our budget.

uh so yes is to override and re-establish it no it's gonna vote it down so ordinance number 76 yes of 2026 we got a motion motion to reconsider i'm making a motion to reconsider and i was just clarifying if yes was to override it and reinstate this through the council and no is to vote it down you don't want to vote for it

Does that make sense? Can we vote? I, yeah, somebody else.

Councilperson Ayal, yes is what?

Yes is to vote in favor of this.

So yes is to vote in favor.

Is to override. Yes is to override. No is to vote it down and to agree with the mayor's veto.

this line item is not in our budget it was passed by the common council as a budget transfer it's on page 126 of the city budget that's approved 2026 2027 and it's the top line on top of it says paving revenues where is it in our actual budget as as okay it's revenue but where is it where's it an expenditure right i know but we don't approve that part of the budget just like we don't approve if you guys don't approve fine it's your duty to here's the here's the problem though we approve what goes on upstairs it's called the gulf commission we approve in our budget we approve a lot of other lines mr president i'm calling for a vote hey i'm voting it's in the book it doesn't mean you approve it it's not a line item that you expend mr president yeah wow okay thank you motion reconsider

Mr. President, I just get one more point of clarification. The difference between, I remember our initial position was to transfer to the H account, but I thought we took steps to make that transfer to the A account inside the general fund during the budget process.

It was in the paving process. do we have a motion

I can't see the room.

Four to six. Sorry, how many reds are there? Five. Five. Forget the key.

um did you have another piece of legislation the only other one was a resolution authorizing the supplemental military leave benefits um this is something that it mimics the county i would hope that the city would include that into their their their formal process um obviously this is resolution it only requests that um that's all and it's been in committee and it's something that i i wish we voted on before I didn't I forgot about it during the pre-committing but there's not much other than what's in the actual resolution so a motion and a second for proposed resolution number five

Resolution authorizing supplemental military leave benefits. Whereas on October 24th, 2001, August 28th, 2002, April 30th, 2003, and October 29th, 2003, the Oneida County Board of Legislators respectively adopted resolution numbers 396, 261, 113, and 280 authorizing pay differential for county employees on ordered military leave whose military pay is less than their county salary. further resolve that the mayor or his duly appointed representative is hereby authorized to execute any agreements documents or papers approved is to form by the city attorney or the city labor's attorney as may be necessary to implement the intent and purpose of this resolution and further resolve that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to the human resources department corporation council civil service the city controller and all those collective bargaining agents representing city employees votes

the last one a moratorium extending facilities in city of Utica that was just presented to us they submitted that for September 1st 2026 so this will give us August 26 meeting yep they already updated it Drew actually typed us a whole new thing

facilities september 1st nine days motion to adjourn we have it second adjourn