Common Council

Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. June 24, 2025 COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS COUNTY OF CATTARAUGUS STATE OF NEW YORK A Regular Meeting of the Olean Common Council of the City of Olean was held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. PRESENT: Aldermen Crawford, Bennion, Forney, McCall, Robinson, and Anastasia ABSENT: None (Ward 2 vacant) OFFICIALS: Mayor William Aiello; Frank Caputo, City Clerk; Lens Martial, City Auditor; Bridget Marshall, City Attorney; James Sprague, Director of Public Works; Kris Shewairy, Youth and Recreation Supervisor; Eric Maurouard, Fire Chief; Capt. Dave Bauer, Code Enforcement Supervisor; Keri Kerper, Community Development Program Coordinator, and Tiffany Taylor, Managerial Confidential Administrative Secretary. At this time a prayer was given by Frank Caputo, followed by a salute to the flag. READING, CORRECTING & APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS REGULAR MEETING A motion to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2025 meeting was made by Alderman Crawford, seconded by Alderman Bennion. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS & UNFINISHED COUNCIL BUSINESS Report from Committee of the Whole on PL #72-25, to award the Marcus Park Collaboration Project site work portion to Gardenville, LLC in an amount not to exceed $849,000. Committee recommends approval. Referred to City Attorney for Resolution. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR Special Proclamation for Juneteenth Special Proclamation for Pride Month MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS Notice of Intent to Open – Retail Recreational Cannabis Dispensary – Bud Brothers, 1315 East State Street, Olean CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS Monthly Report of the City Auditor – month ended May 2025 Quarterly Report of the City Auditor – 4th Quarter – March 1, 2025 through May 31, 2025 Financial Summary as of May 31, 2025 PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND REFERRALS  Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. June 24, 2025 PL #70-25: (Crawford) To authorize the installation of a STOP sign on King Street at its intersection with Crown Street. Referred to Public Safety Committee by Council President. PL #71-25: (Crawford) To amend the City of Olean Code of Ordinances Section 5- 1 to amend the amount of fowl allowed to 24. Referred to Strategic Planning Committee by Council President. PL #72-25: (Aiello) To award the Marcus Park Collaboration Project site work portion to Gardenville, LLC in an amount not to exceed $849,000. Referred to Committee of the Whole Tuesday, June 24, 2025 by Council President. FINANCE / BILLS By Alderman Crawford, Seconded by Alderman Forney The Auditor has processed bills and claims against the City of Olean as per list submitted to each Alderman and recommends payment thereof. WHEREAS, the Auditor has presented to the Common Council, bills and claims against the City of Olean totaling $2,346,512.49 for the budget and recommends payment thereof. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the same be and are hereby audited and allowed, and the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to draw warrants for the payment thereof at the amounts set opposite each respective claim. ROLL CALL, AYES ALL. MOTION CARRIED. RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION #72-25 PL #70-25 By Alderman Robinson, Seconded by Alderman McCall TO AWARD THE MARCUS PARK COLLABORATION PROJECT SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT TO GARDENVILLE, LLC IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $849,000 WHEREAS, the City of Olean Common Council desires to proceed with a project to rehabilitate Marcus Park into an accessible park, the first of its kind in the City of Olean, to include a playground, dog park, restroom, picnic areas, connections to the existing Allegheny River Valley Trail, and accessible parking area, identified a priority project in the draft 2025-2045 Comprehensive Development Plan; and WHEREAS, the park is a much needed recreational resource for families and children, both disabled and non-disabled, to play together like all children should be able to do; and WHEREAS, the City of Olean is collaborating with Intandem, created in 2017 by the joining of The Rehabilitation Center, based in Olean, New York, and Opportunities Unlimited, based in Niagara Falls, New York, is a unified brand honoring a six-decade history within the communities in which it serves, honoring both the heritage of each agency and the combined mission to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities; and WHEREAS, through Intandem fundraising efforts, businesses, individuals, and families within the community who understand the importance of having an inclusive playground  Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. June 24, 2025 in Olean have come together to support the Project to provide a total contribution of $600,000 towards the Project; and WHEREAS, in order to proceed with the project; the City of Olean Common Council entered into an agreement with Molly Vendura Landscape and Design Architects, PLLC for the design and construction administration of the Marcus Park Collaboration Project with Intandem; and WHEREAS, the Common Council and Intandem have received and reviewed the design plan from Molly Vendura Landscape and Design Architects, PLLC and desire to continue with the construction phase of the Marcus Park Collaboration Project; and WHEREAS, funding currently available for said Project is as follows: Empire State Development $752,675.20, NYS Office of Parks $500,000, Intandem $600,000; City of Olean $205,853; and WHEREAS, the City of Olean advertised for proposals for landscaping and site improvements including, but not limited to, the removal of the existing restroom and concessions building and the construction of a new dog park, site granting and storm water drainage, asphalt pathways, concrete curbing/walkways/plaza/bench pads/seat wall, entrance archways, water line to dog park drinking fountain, catch basin and fire hydrant relocations, tree planting and site furnishings; and WHEREAS, the City has received and reviewed said bids and recommends the contract for site work be awarded to Gardenville, LLC, the lowest responsible bidder, in an amount not to exceed $849,000; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council authorizes the award of the Marcus Park Collaboration Project site work portion to Gardenville, LLC in an amount not to exceed $849,000. RESOLVED, that this Resolution is hereby effective immediately. ROLL CALL, AYES ALL. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC COMMENT Alderman McCall explained the fire and police did a great job at the North 9th Street fire. She explained downtown businesses did a great job collaborating as well for a recent event and are looking again to do something in August. Alderman Crawford explained he would like to give accolades on the Juneteenth celebration. He explained he heard it was well attended and a great celebration. Sonya Mackenzie explained she lives at 145 South Union Street on the corner of East Henley, and there is a rotted maple tree that she would like taken down on the corner of her property. She explained the roots have lifted the sidewalk and it will cause a fire if it comes down due to where it is near the electric line. She explained the City also needs to prune trees and remove the dead ones in the park where branches are falling down. Deb Jimerson of the Seneca Nation of Indians explained she came here to listen for an update about the sewage problems. She explained she would like to hear updates at all of the Council meetings. She explained she wants to know their efforts were not forgotten. Glen Wahl of Little Valley asked why it took the threat of a lawsuit and bad publicity before the City did anything about the sewage issue. He asked if there is still a compelling reason  Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. June 24, 2025 to investigate the lift stations if we have found household liquid segregation would help the issue. He explained no one knows how the City will fix this and he feels it is almost too late to take action. Faith Boyce of 139 South Union Street explained she was here a couple of weeks ago about a sidewalk issue that was fixed just a few days later, and she appreciates the people who helped her out. She explained a project consisting of 24 wind turbines in the Town of Olean has been brought to her attention and to her knowledge, the State is overruling the Town’s rules to push the project. She explained the City of Olean should support the town in efforts to keep the wind turbine project from continuing. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Crawford, seconded by Alderman Bennion. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:25 p.m. _______________________ Frank Caputo, City Clerk _____________________ Mayor William J. Aiello _____________________ John Crawford, Council President 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. _____________________ Frank Caputo, City Clerk