Common Council

Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. November 4, 2025 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, November 4, 2025 at 7:10 p.m. PRESENT: Aldermen Robinson, Bennion, Keary, Forney, McCall, and Anastasia ABSENT: Alderman Crawford OFFICIALS: Frank Caputo, City Clerk; Lens Martial, City Auditor; James Sprague, Director of Public Works, and Tiffany Taylor, Managerial Confidential Administrative Secretary. At this time a prayer was given by Mr. Caputo, followed by a salute to the flag. READING, CORRECTING, AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS REGULAR MEETING A motion to approve the minutes of the October 28, 2025 Regular Meeting was made by Alderman Robinson, seconded by Alderman Anastasia. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS & UNFINISHED COUNCIL BUSINESS Report from Committee of the Whole on PL #126-25, to support OWH Properties, Inc. (Operation Warm Hearts) application for exemption from real property taxes pursuant to Section 420-A of the Real Property Tax Law for the 2026 general tax year and the 2025-2026 school tax year assessment rolls. Committee recommends approval. Referred to City Attorney for Resolution. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR None MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS None CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS None PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND REFERRALS PL #126-25: (Aiello) To support OWH Properties, Inc. (Operation Warm Hearts) application for exemption from real property taxes pursuant to Section 420-A of the Real Property Tax Law for the 2026 general tax year and the 2025-2026 school tax year assessment rolls. Referred to Committee of the Whole Tuesday, November 4, 2025 by Council President. PL #127-25: (Aiello) To authorize the Mayor to execute a Change Order with Millennium Construction for the Walkable Olean Phase III – East State Street Project in an amount of $58,394 for quantity overruns, as well as work on decorative lighting and lighting circuit  Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. November 4, 2025 wiring for ornamental Christmas lighting in the vicinity of the Barry Street roundabout. Referred to Committee of the Whole Tuesday, November 4, 2025 by Council President. FINANCE / BILLS None RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION #122-25 PL #126-25 By Alderman Robinson, Seconded by Alderman McCall TO SUPPORT OWH PROPERTIES, INC. (OPERATION WARM HEARTS) APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION FROM REAL PROPERTY TAXES PURSUANT TO SECTION 420-A OF THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW FOR THE 2026 GENERAL TAX YEAR AND THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL TAX YEAR ASSESSMENT ROLLS WHEREAS, OWH Properties, Inc. (Operation Warm Hearts) has requested an exemption from real property taxes pursuant to Section 420-A of the Real Property Tax Law for the 2026 general tax year and the 2025-2026 school tax year assessment rolls; and WHEREAS, the City of Olean Common Council supports such application and requests the State of New York review and accept said application, and authorize the Assessor of the City of Olean to accept the application for exemption for the 2026 general tax year and the 2025-2026 school tax year assessment rolls; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council supports OWH Properties, Inc. (Operation Warm Hearts) application for exemption from real property taxes pursuant to Section 420-A of the Real Property Tax Law for the 2026 general tax year and the 2025-2026 school tax year assessment rolls. RESOLVED, that this Resolution is hereby effective immediately. ROLL CALL, AYES ALL. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC COMMENT Alderman Robinson explained he thinks the Halloween festivities in the City were great, and next year he would like to see the City hand out candy in Lincoln Park again. Ellen Gleason of 1226 Brook Street explained she is having issues with the rental property next door to her. She explained the landlord is flying under the radar and evicted the tenants, but now she is letting them back in the house. She explained it seems the neighbors and landlord get away with a lot and she doesn’t understand why. Edith VanDixon of 1245 Brook Street asked what can be done so there are not people walking up and down their street pulling wagons and pushing shopping carts. She explained tonight someone was almost hit when a neighbor was backing out of their driveway and not paying attention. She explained she knows it is not just Olean, and she knows people who would rather live in states that are not New York. Glen Wahl of Little Valley explained he was disappointed a few meetings ago that the Council voted to support Nick Langworthy’s bill. He explained the Federal government is always touting state’s rights but then they have no problem trying to step in when they don’t like what a state is doing. He explained oil and natural gas are finite sources and electric-only new construction are helping to transition us from fossil fuels that are causing environmental damage.  Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. November 4, 2025 ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Robinson, seconded by Alderman Bennion. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:25 p.m. _______________________ Frank Caputo, City Clerk _____________________ Mayor William J. Aiello _____________________ Vernon Robinson. Jr., 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