Annual Meeting

Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. January 2, 2026 COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS COUNTY OF CATTARAUGUS STATE OF NEW YORK The Annual Meeting of the Olean Common Council of the City of Olean was held on Tuesday, January 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Alderman Bennion, Alderman Elect Keary, Alderman Forney, Alderman Elect McCall, Alderman Crawford, Alderman Elect Robinson, and Alderman Elect Anastasia ABESENT: None OFFICIALS:Amy Sherburne, Mayor Elect;; Brad Camp, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Frank Caputo, City Clerk; Keri Kerper, Community Development Program Coordinator; Lens Martial, City Auditor; Greg Piechota, City Assessor; Ron Richardson, Police Chief; Kris Shewairy, Youth and Recreation Supervisor; James Sprague, Director of Public Works, and Tiffany Taylor, Managerial Confidential Administrative Secretary. OTHERS: Hon. Ronald Ploetz The meeting was called to order by Mayor Elect Sherburne. The meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor Gerry Zimmerman, followed by the pledge to the flag. OATH OF OFFICE – ALDERMEN Judge Ploetz proceeded with the Oath of Office to the elected and reelected Aldermen, Joe Keary, Sonya McCall, Vernon Robinson, Jr., and Dave Anastasia. OATH OF OFFICE – MAYOR Judge Ploetz proceeded with the Oath of Office to the elected Mayor, Amy Sherburne. ELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT Mayor Sherburne asked for a nomination for Council President. Alderman Robinson was nominated by Alderman Anastasia, seconded by Alderman Crawford. Absent any additional nominations, roll call vote, ayes all. Motion carried. Alderman Robinson elected as Council President for 2026. STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS Good evening to the City of Olean and Guests, I want to begin by thanking my family, my husband Bob, our children and grandchildren, my father Jim and my two brothers and their families. Your support has been immense. Thank you, Olean Common Council members. I look forward to working with you to restore public confidence with transparency and professionalism. As an elected official of your ward, it is important to me that you are successful representing your constituents. I would like to thank the City of Olean Department Heads and city employees for their years of service to our great city. I look forward to being part of the team, together we will build a path to a successful and sustainable future. I would like to thank Attorney Michael Morgan, and his family, for being with us tonight. I am excited at the prospect of working with Mr. Morgan, as we are navigating new proposals and opportunities for a safe and thriving Olean. I would like to thank Cattaraugus County Judge Ronald Ploetz for presiding over the Swearing in Ceremony. Thank you to Gerry Zimmerman, for public service to this community and your insightful invocation tonight. And I would like to thank my supporters, and the many public servants past and present, who have dedicated their time, energy, and heart to this city. Olean is stronger because of you. Tonight is not just about a change in leadership; it is about a commitment and a shared belief in the future success of our city. “Energy and persistence conquer all things,” a famous quote made by Benjamin Franklin. That is what the job of Mayor requires, this is what our city deserves. I take this oath with gratitude and humility and with the unshakable belief in this city and its people. I will lead our city with a comprehensive plan to includee a responsible budget to meet the needs of the services the city provides with a fair assessment of revenues. Daily road maintenance, replacement of streets with serious issues, and maintenance of parks and our downtown will be more stable. The persistent issues with our aging water and sewer infrastructure will be addressed. My administration will work with State and Federal officials to secure grants to defray the costs to the city taxpayers. The re-accreditation of the levees, the issues with discharge into the Allegheny River, unfinished projects, and the pending RAISE Grant for $25 million to address the safety and aging infrastructure of West State Street will be top priority with fiscal guardrails. Our Department of Public Works provides vital services of water and sewer that sustains our daily lives. I heard more than once, “we provide a service to people they shouldn’t have to think about.” This gives me insight into their level of excellence I hope to build upon. We are moving forward with critical maintenance and upgrades to our infrastructure. These are not just "pipes in the ground"; they are the literal foundation of our city and surrounding communities’ health. By being responsible stewards of our water and sewer systems now, we will prevent the budget-breaking problems and emergencies of tomorrow. The security of our community forms the foundation for our well-being, sustained by the dedicated efforts of our first responders. The Olean Police Department consistently works to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. The dedication of our officers is a key factor in providing the high quality of life that residents have come to expect. Their commitment is evident in recent initiatives, such as applying for and receiving a federal grant through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. This funding opportunity allows the department to hire additional officers to fill open positions, strengthening our ability to serve and protect. Innovation is also at the forefront of the department’s mission. The implementation of the Drone Program, initiated by our officers, demonstrates their forward-thinking approach. This program has become an invaluable tool, enhancing both officer safety and our ability to solve crimes more effectively. It stands as a testament to the department’s ability to identify pressing needs and deliver meaningful solutions. Beyond enforcement initiatives, the Olean Police Department is deeply invested in building strong relationships within the community. Programs such as Shop with a Cop and Car Seat Safety Checks reflect their commitment to positive engagement and public service. Looking ahead, I am committed to deepening our partnership with city schools and creating new opportunities to connect with families throughout Olean. However, ensuring a safe future for our children and all residents also requires addressing the challenges that threaten our streets. To that end, my administration will remain fully dedicated to supporting the Southern Tier Drug Task Force. This vital partnership strengthens our efforts to protect Olean and the surrounding region from the dangers posed by illegal drugs and related criminal activity. The Olean Fire Department men and women are the definition of "diligent." They do more than just answer the bell; they are innovators. I want to highlight the department’s incredible success in grant writing. By aggressively pursuing federal and state funding, they have secured funds to hire additional firefighters, and the equipment and technology necessary to keep our community safe. They are a model of how a department can provide for its own necessities through relentless effort. The positive aspect of extensive training is essential, and I aim to make sure each shift has highly skilled staff so we can best serve our community's needs. We are not just training for fires of today, we are training for the medical emergencies of tomorrow. The case is to develop and broaden training opportunities, turning Olean into a learning center for the Southern Tier that offers advanced training to both our department and the wider region. In turn, financial stability of this department is achievable through the multi-faceted approach of training our department while creating a new opportunity to generate revenue. I will work with our Fire Department and identify how we can build this plan. The Codes Department, in my estimation, is critical to the safety and well-being of the community. There has been significant concern for the blight in some of the most historic areas of our city and neighborhoods. Moving forward, my priority is to create an environment that rewards the responsible homeowners and to raise the standard of codes our department will enforce. And to hold neglectful property owners responsible. I will be restructuring our efforts to be proactive rather than reactive. My goal is to ensure that no resident should experience the value of their home or the safety of their street diminished by neglect. I am committed to holding property owners accountable, ensuring that every block in Olean reflects the pride we feel in our community. Along with our Community Development Department, this administration will be working to turn Olean into a prosperous, buzzing hub for events. I will be revitalizing our marketing efforts to attract new developers, businesses, and visitors, making use of our beautiful downtown area and parks to host events that bring our community together. A thriving city is where the sidewalks are full and the shops are busy. We have an opportunity to revitalize the Mall property. I will make every effort to open the door wide to investors who want the best outcome for our city’s success. Community Development is the engine of growth. It is not just about brochures; it is about changing the external perception of Olean to drive internal economic success. This department is the voice that tells our story to the world. I will shift my responsibilities of maintaining our city to aggressively marketing a destination. We have faced the questions of the past and now I am going to provide the answers for the future. My intention for this administration is simple: you deserve the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. Moving forward, I am committed to a level of communication that is both proactive and clear. In closing, the people of this city elected for change, and change is going to come. And together we will build an Olean that is not just a place to live, but a place to thrive. Thank you and God Bless the City of Olean, God Bless the United States of America. APPOINTMENTS OF THE MAYOR RESOLUTION #01-26 PL #NONE By Alderman McCall, Seconded by Alderman Keary TO CONFIRM THE MAYORAL APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL A. MORGAN AS CITY ATTORNEY WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Olean, New York, is authorized to appoint a City Attorney to act as counselor and advisor of the City and departments, as well as to prosecute and defend suits and prepare contracts, bonds and other instruments; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 3.002 of the Charter of the City of Olean, New York, any appointment of a City Attorney by the Mayor must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Common Council; and WHEREAS, the Common Council feels that the appointment has been made with the best interests of the City of Olean staff and residents in mind; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Olean Common Council hereby confirms the Mayoral appointment of Michael A. Morgan as the City Attorney. RESOLVED, that this Resolution is effective immediately. ROLL CALL, AYES ALL. MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Alderman Forney, Seconded by Alderman Crawford to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m.  _______________________ City Clerk Frank Caputo ___________________________ Mayor Amy Sherburne I hereby approve the foregoing minutes Dated: STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF CATTARAUGUS CITY OF OLEAN I, Frank Caputo, City Clerk of the City of Olean, do hereby certify that the foregoing minutes of the Common Council of the City of Olean is the true and correct copy of the whole thereof. City Clerk Frank Caputo