Finance Committee

FINANCE Tuesday, August 26, 2025 – 7:15 p.m. Council Chambers – Olean Municipal Building Present: Members: Chairman McCall, Alderman Bennion, Alderman Keary, Alderman Robinson, and Alderman Anastasia. Others: Mayor William Aiello; Frank Caputo, City Clerk; Bridget Marshall, City Attorney; James Sprague, Director of Public Works, and Tiffany Taylor, Managerial Confidential Administrative Secretary. 1. Roll Call Alderman McCall called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. and asked that the record show that all committee members were present except Aldermen Forney and Crawford, who were excused. 2. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Committee Meetings (Tuesday, July 22, 2025) A motion to approve the minutes of the July 22, 2025 committee meeting was made by Alderman McCall, seconded by Alderman Bennion. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. 3. Unfinished Business a. Capital Fund #235 – Ash Trees Alderman McCall thanked Director Sprague for the memo he sent to the Council ahead of the meeting. Director Sprague explained there are about 60 ash trees remaining in the City and ten are in need of attention quickly or at least soon. He explained later tonight the Council will consider the tree removal contract and when that is in place they will be able to make the assignment to get the trees addressed. Alderman Bennion explained when Mr. Thompson was director he gave the Council a total number to address all of the ash trees and he believes that was around $150,000. He asked how much we originally budgeted and Alderman Anastasia explained he believes he asked for $75,000 but the Council gave him the full $150,000 to address all of the ash trees. Alderman Bennion explained the funds should theoretically be there and available to deal with all of the trees. Director Sprague explained he can’t remember how much is in the Capital Fund but he did look at it earlier and is confident we have enough for the ten that are in trouble. He explained when we get contract numbers he will be able to see how many trees total the funds will be able to take care of. Alderman McCall explained the goal was to take all of the ash trees down. Alderman Bennion explained that is what the Council funded and he would like to see if we have enough funding and if we don’t why the funding amount is so far off. Alderman McCall explained she would like to see how many are down, how much funding is left, and if we are short to take them all down and why. Alderman Bennion explained he would like to get a report by the next meeting and Director Sprague explained it will not take long to get this together. 4. New Referrals for Consideration None 5. Committee Reports None 6. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made by Alderman McCall, seconded by Alderman Anastasia. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:25 p.m.