Common Council

Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. December 16, 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, December 16, 2025 at 6:45 p.m. PRESENT: Aldermen Robinson, Bennion, Keary, Forney, McCall, Crawford, and Anastasia ABSENT: None OFFICIALS: Mayor William Aiello; Frank Caputo, City Clerk; Lens Martial, City Auditor; Bridget Marshall, City Attorney; James Sprague, Director of Public Works; Eric Maurouard, Fire Chief, 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 December 9, 2025 meeting was made by Alderman Robinson, seconded by Alderman Forney. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS & UNFINISHED COUNCIL BUSINESS None COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Aiello read: “I would like to thank the residents of Olean for giving me the honor and privilege to serve as Mayor for the past 12 years. It has been a very rewarding experience and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I would like to thank the Common Council’s with whom I have worked. Under the leadership of Council Presidents, Ann McLaughlin, Jim Finch, Adam Jester, Paul Gonzalez, John Crawford and Vernon Robinson, we have reimagined and rebuilt our beautiful city. Starting with former Mayor Witte’s bold decision to apply for the TiGER grant, we have refurbished North and South Union Street, East State Street, the William O. Smith Recreation Center, Lincoln Park, Bradner Stadium, and Oak Hill Park. Our brown fields off Buffalo Street sat idle for a generation—today they are active and generating income and power for our City. The First National, also spending a generation vacant, has been renovated and shines brightly. Many of our business district buildings were also fortunate enough to get grant funded renovations. In addition, our downtown is now a cohesive district. Upcoming in the spring, the inclusive playground in Marcus Park and the Splash Park will open. However, the elected officials only played a small role in our renaissance. It was the department heads and the staff that have done the hard work. From the grant writing to administration, to the proposal requests and the issuance of contracts and follow-up, the departments have been very busy. I do not have the words to thank  Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. December 16, 2025 them for their dedication and commitment to our community. They work so well together. When I was first elected, I was given the mandate to clean up the blight. I started a Blight Taskforce that pretty much included a representative from every department. Generally, a group of that size does not function. But the departments – Community Development, DPW, Codes, the City Attorney, IT, Assessor, the Auditor and Clerk— all worked together and found unique ways to contend with the horrendous blight that we were facing. They were so effective that, when the State had money to help us in our endeavors, they awarded the City three grants, thus giving Olean the resources to put an effective anti-blight program in place. I tell this story because it gives a good indication of how well the City departments work together and how hard they work for the City. The Water and Sewer departments get called out at all hours in bad weather to attend to glitches in the systems, the Streets and Parks Department are out plowing on holidays when the rest of us are home with the families. And in the summer, they are all maintaining our beautiful city and infrastructure. I thank all of them for their hard work. During my tenure, a police officer saved a woman from a burning building and firefighters aided a woman along as she gave birth. Not necessarily, items in their job descriptions, but that is what they are called to do when they are on duty. The police are always putting their personal safety at risk when keeping our streets safe. And the firefighters rush in to flames while the rest of us back away. I want to thank members of both departments and commend them for their dedication to Olean. A City is not a community if there is no quality of life. And through Olean’s youth and recreation department, a vibrant schedule for both the seniors and the youth of our community has been established. In the summer, there are weekly concerts in the park that draw large crowds and the ice in our recreation center is a hot commodity bringing in many skaters and hockey leagues. Olean is unique in so many ways and we have so much for which to be thankful. During my tenure, litter was a problem and numerous residents volunteered to pick up the litter. The gardens on North Union Street became over run with weeds-- volunteers put together a plan, recruited other volunteers and made our gardens bloom with color and beauty. Other volunteers helped us understand our homelessness problem, helped us update our City Charter, helped us to prepare various documents required by the state of New York, and worked with us to create a warming or cooling center for our residents who cannot tolerate the weather extremes. I want to thank everyone who has helped us along the way in these volunteer positions. I also want to thank members of the Olean Urban Renewal Agency, The Olean Local Development Corporation, the Planning Board, the Police Review Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals for lending Olean their expertise and time. All of these boards have an important role in our community and the members work hard for the betterment of our community. I want to thank the staff that I work with in the City Building. These are the people that are face of the city. They work with our residents and businesses on daily basis. Over the years, I have received numerous compliments on the efficiency, consideration and problem-solving skills that City of Olean employees demonstrate. I would be remiss if I did not recognize Michiko McElfresh my Secretary. Earlier today at the annual City Building Christmas lunching the staff recognized Michiko for her service and dedication. They identified her as a National Treasure. I want  Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. December 16, 2025 to thank my wife Patty, my family, friends, coworkers, the people of Olean and the surrounding communities. I truly have lead a blessed life. Finally I want to wish Mayor Elect Sherburne well as she takes on the position of Mayor.” Alderman Robinson read: “When it comes to public service, you often hear how thankless the positions are. Thankless… defined as difficult or unpleasant and not likely to bring one pleasure or the appreciation of others. In all of the conversations that I’ve had or heard in relation to Mayor Aiello, I’ve never heard him say that he “wasn’t proud to serve this City”, thanklessly. Whether you agree or disagree with his policies, he has shown his pride in his statements and in his actions. Here’s a quick look at his sacrifice in serving our community: 32 years as Olean Police Officer to include Juvenile Officer where he received a Youth Officer Award. Numerous part-time instructor positions with both JCC and BOCES. 6 years as a County Legislator with 2 years as the Majority Leader. NYCOM Executive Board since 2018 where he is currently the President. 12 years as the Mayor of Olean. And there are numerous other accolades and accomplishments that are unseen yet shine a light on his dedication to Olean. I’m 54, when you do the math, you have 50+ years of thankless service. Sorry Mayor. July 2020, the Mayor saw something in my resume and appointed me to the Common Council. With that decision, he made history by appointing the first African American councilman. Another feat considering I had no political ties, democrat or republican. I’m sure when he made his decision, he didn’t think he’d selected a future Council President. On behalf of the African American community, we’d like to thank you for having the fortitude to make history during a time where race relations and the “Me Too” movement were in the forefront. Advice he gave me early in my tenure has since been engrained. He said, “Most of the time, constituents want to call and talk to someone… they want to be heard. As long as you do that, you will do just fine.” I can tell you there have been countless conversations with constituents throughout this City that I’ve had personal conversations and I just listened. After each conversation, I was thanked with gratitude. Those are the heartwarming feelings that help you to feel like you’ve done your job. So thank you again Mayor for that advice. Whenever I describe the Mayor, I always say that “he’s the guy you want to sit around a campfire or living room, drinking coffee, and hear his stories.” Mayor Aiello has that type of aura that you enjoy conversations. And now, he’ll be able to relax and enjoy those conversations, spend time with the Misses, their kids, and grandchildren. Mayor, on behalf of the City of Olean, the Common Council, the City of Olean employees, and the residents of Olean, we want to thank you for your immeasurable and thankless service to this City. God bless.” MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS None CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS None  Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. December 16, 2025 PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND REFERRALS None FINANCE / BILLS By Alderman Robinson, Seconded by Alderman McCall 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 $1,637,702.95 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 Alderman Crawford explained he wants to ensure the City Attorney has reviewed this to alleviate any concerns about freedom of speech. Alderman Robinson explained he agrees and thinks this should be postponed so that the City Attorney can review the wording. Alderman Bennion suggested amending the resolution to change the order of the agenda, and allowing the rest to be reviewed by the City Attorney and reintroduced after the first of the year. A motion to suspend the rules was made by Alderman Robinson, seconded by Alderman Anastasia. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. A motion to amend Resolution #130-25 to remove amendments to Section 2-60 was made by Alderman Robinson, seconded by Alderman McCall. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. RESOLUTION #130-25 PL #132-25 By Alderman McCall, Seconded by Alderman Robinson TO AMEND THE CITY OF OLEAN CODE OF ORDINANCES SECTION 2-40 TO AMEND THE ORDER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA RESOLVED, that the City of Olean Code of Ordinances Section 2-40 is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 2-40. Regular meetings; order of business. The business of all regular meetings of the Common Council shall be transacted in the following order: (1) Roll call; (2) Invocation; (3) Pledge; (4) Reading, correcting, and approving previous minutes; (5) Committee reports and unfinished Council business; (6) Communications from the Mayor; (7) Miscellaneous communications and petitions;  Journal of Proceedings OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLEAN, N.Y. December 16, 2025 (8) Reports from other City officials; (9) Proposed legislation and referrals; (10) Finance/bills; (11) Public Comment/input; (12) Motions/resolutions; (13) Adjourn. RESOLVED, that this Resolution is hereby effective immediately. ROLL CALL, AYES ALL EXCEPT ALDERMEN FORNEY AND CRAWFORD, WHO VOTED NAY. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC COMMENT Alderman Anastasia explained it has been a pleasure to work with Mayor Aiello, and he hopes he enjoys his retirement. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Robinson, seconded by Alderman Anastasia. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:15 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