Common Council Meeting Minutes

City of Utica Common Council – Regular Meeting January 05, 2022 The meeting is called to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Michael Galime, Common Council President; Katie Aiello, 1st District Councilmember; Robert Burmaster, 2nd District Councilmember; Celeste Friend, 3rd District Councilmember; Frank Meola, 4th District Councilmember; Delvin Moody; 5th District Councilmember; Joseph Betrus, Jr., 6th District Councilmember; Mark Williamson, Councilmember at Large; Samantha Colosimo-Testa, Councilmember at Large; Frank DiBrango, Councilmember at Large Absent: None. Also Present: Anthony Garramone, Esq., Common Council Attorney; Zach Oren, Esq., First Assistant Corporation Counsel; Stephanie DiGiorgio, Esq., Assistant Corporation Counsel; Heather Mowat, Budget Director; Scott Ingersoll, Fire Chief; Brian Thomas, Commissioner of Urban & Economic Development Department; Melissa Sciortino, City Clerk; David Butler, Deputy City Clerk A motion is made by Councilmember Williamson to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Meola; none opposed. A motion is made by Councilmember Friend to end the executive session. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Meola; none opposed. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to waive the reading of the minutes of the Common Council meeting held on December 15, 2021. The motion is seconded by Councilmember DiBrango; none opposed. President Galime acknowledges that nobody is signed-up to speak during the public hearings on the following properties: 126 Eagle Street, 1007 Stark Street, 1319 Steuben Street, 1100 Schuyler Street, 701 – 703 Jay Street, and 1110 Blandina Street; President Galime closes the public hearings on said properties. A motion is made by Councilmember DiBrango to waive the Thursday Rule for the duration of the meeting. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Meola; none opposed. A motion is made by Councilmember Williamson to take Pro. Ordinance #21, Authorizing the Chairman of the URA to enter into a contract in order to sell 126 Eagle Street for $5,000.00, from committee. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Meola; none opposed. • PRO. ORD. 21 APPROVING THE DESIGNATION OF JOSE RAIMER DE LA CRUZ HERNANDEZ AS AN ELIGIBLE AND QUALIFIED PROJECT SPONSOR PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 15 OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SALE OF 126 EAGLE STREET. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #1 of 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to take Pro. Ordinance #23, Authorizing the Chairman of the URA to enter into a contract in order to sell 1007 Stark Street for $25,000.00, from committee. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Burmaster; none opposed. • PRO. ORD. 23 APPROVING THE DESIGNATION OF PRISCILA ALVEREZ ARMIJOS AS AN ELIGIBLE AND QUALIFIED PROJECT SPONSOR PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 15 OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SALE OF 1007 STARK STREET. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #2 of 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to take Pro. Ordinance #25, Authorizing the Chairman of the URA to enter into a contract in order to sell 1319 Steuben Street and 1100 Schuyler Street for $500.00, from committee. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Burmaster; none opposed. • PRO. ORD. 25 APPROVING THE DESIGNATION OF RAMON COLLADO AS AN ELIGIBLE AND QUALIFIED PROJECT SPONSOR PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 15 OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SALE OF 1319 STEUBEN STREET AND 1100 SCHUYLER STREET. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #3 of 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to take Pro. Ordinance #27, Authorizing the Chairman of the URA to enter into a contract in order to sell 701 – 703 Jay Street for $12,000.00, from committee. The motion is seconded by Councilmember DiBrango; none opposed. • PRO. ORD. 27 APPROVING THE DESIGNATION OF CONGREGA DI SANTA ROSALIA, INC. AS AN ELIGIBLE AND QUALIFIED PROJECT SPONSOR PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 15 OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SALE OF 701 – 703 JAY STREET. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #4 of 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to take Pro. Ordinance #29, Authorizing the Chairman of the URA to enter into a contract in order to sell 1110 Blandina Street for $20,000.00, from committee. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Aiello; none opposed. • PRO. ORD. 29 APPROVING THE DESIGNATION OF RAYHANAH MYINT AS AN ELIGIBLE AND QUALIFIED PROJECT SPONSOR PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 15 OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SALE OF 1110 BLANDINA STREET. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #5 of 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to appoint City Clerk Melissa Sciortino and Deputy City Clerk David Butler as marriage officers. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Williamson; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 1 APPOINTING CITY CLERK MELISSA SCIORTINO AND DEPUTY CITY CLERK DAVID BUTLER AS MARRIAGE OFFICERS FOR THE ENSUING TWO YEARS, 2022 – 2023. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Resolution #1 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to appoint Common Council President Michael Galime and Councilmembers Katie Aiello, Robert Burmaster, Celeste Friend, Frank Meola, Delvin Moody, Joseph Betrus, Jr., Mark Williamson, Samantha Colosimo-Testa, and Frank DiBrango as marriage officers. The motion is seconded by Councilmember DiBrango; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 2 APPOINTING COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT MICHAEL GALIME AND ALL COUNCILMEMBERS AS MARRIAGE OFFICERS FOR THE ENSUING TWO YEARS, 2022 – 2023. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Resolution #2 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Ordinance #3 entitled “Ordinance Establishing a Capital Reserve Fund to Finance Flood Mitigation; Section 2-2-106.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Williamson; none opposed. • PRO. ORD. 3 ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A CAPITAL RESERVE FUND TO FINANCE FLOOD MITIGATION; SECTION 2-2-106. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #6 of 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Ordinance #4 entitled “An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Various City-owned Vehicles.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Burmaster; none opposed. • PRO. ORD. 4 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF VARIOUS CITY-OWNED VEHICLES. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #7 of 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Ordinance #5, authorizing a transfer of funds for the purpose of adjusting for unexpected camera and phone installation and purchases. The motion is seconded by Councilmember DiBrango; none opposed. • PRO. ORD. 5 AUTHORIZING A TRANSFER OF FUNDS IN 2021 – 2022 FISCAL YEAR FROM A57130-102 (INFRASTRUCTURE – WAGES) TO A51989-423 (OTHER – TELEPHONE); $30,000.00 TOTAL. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #8 of 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Ordinance #6, authorizing a transfer of funds for the purpose of adjusting for unexpected replenishment of expired body armor and gear. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Williamson; none opposed. • PRO. ORD. 6 AUTHORIZING A TRANSFER OF FUNDS IN 2021 – 2022 FISCAL YEAR FROM A53123-113 (POLICE UNIFORM – CLOTHING ALLOWNACE), A53124- 113 (POLICE CID – CLOTHING ALLOWNACE), AND A53121-441 (POLICE ADMINISTRATION – CONTRACTUAL) TO A53122-204 (POLICE ADMINISTRATIVE – UNIFORMS); $25,000.00 TOTAL. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #9 of 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to place Pro. Resolution #7 entitled “Creating a Flood Mitigation Task Force for the City of Utica, New York” into the committee of the whole. The motion is seconded by Councilmember DiBrango; none opposed. Pro. Resolution #7 is committed. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #8 entitled “Encouraging Support in the Creation of a Flood Mitigation Task Force for the City of Utica, New York and Participation Therein.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember DiBrango; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 8 ENCOURAGING SUPPORT IN THE CREATION OF A FLOOD MITIGATION TASK FORCE FOR THE CITY OF UTICA, NEW YORK AND PARTICIPATION THEREIN. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Resolution #3 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa to place Pro. Ordinance #9 entitled “Amending the Composition of the Bureau of Police for the City of Utica, New York” into the committee of the whole. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Meola; none opposed. Pro. Ordinance #9 is committed. A motion is made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa to place Pro. Ordinance #10 entitled “Amending the Composition of the Bureau of Fire for the City of Utica, New York” into the committee of the whole. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Betrus; none opposed. Pro. Ordinance #10 is committed. A motion is made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa to place Pro. Resolution #11 entitled “Requesting the Administration Add More Members to the Utica Parks Department” into the committee of the whole. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Meola; none opposed. Pro. Resolution #11 is committed. A motion is made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa to place Pro. Resolution #12 entitled “Urging the City of Utica to Create Inclusive Playgrounds” into the committee of the whole. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Meola; none opposed. Pro. Resolution #12 is committed. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to place Pro. Ordinance #13 entitled “Transfer of Funds 2021 – 2022 Fiscal Year Re: Flood Mitigation Reserve Fund” into the committee of the whole. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Betrus; none opposed. Pro. Ordinance #13 is committed. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #14 entitled “Discharge Ordinances and Resolutions Referred to Committee in 2020 – 2021.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Williamson; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 14 DISCHARGE ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE IN 2020 – 2021. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted as Resolution #4 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #15 entitled “Amending Sec. 3-2-41.1. of the Common Council Rules of Order.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember DiBrango; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 15 AMENDING SEC. 3-2-41.1. OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, DiBrango – 6 Nays: Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa – 3 Adopted as Resolution #5 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #16 entitled “Amending Sec. 3-2-43. of the Common Council Rules of Order.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Friend; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 16 AMENDING SEC. 3-2-43. OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, DiBrango – 6 Nays: Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa – 3 Adopted as Resolution #6 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #17 entitled “Amending Sec. 3-2-46. of the Common Council Rules of Order.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Moody; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 17 AMENDING SEC. 3-2-46. OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, DiBrango – 6 Nays: Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa – 3 Adopted as Resolution #7 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #18 entitled “Amending Sec. 3-2-47. of the Common Council Rules of Order.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Burmaster; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 18 AMENDING SEC. 3-2-47. OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, DiBrango – 6 Nays: Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa – 3 Adopted as Resolution #8 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #19 entitled “Amending Sec. 3-2-48. of the Common Council Rules of Order.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Friend; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 19 AMENDING SEC. 3-2-48. OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Williamson – 6 Nays: Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 3 Adopted as Resolution #9 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #20 entitled “Amending Sec. 3-2-49.1. of the Common Council Rules of Order.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Burmaster; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 20 AMENDING SEC. 3-2-49.1. OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, DiBrango – 6 Nays: Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa – 3 Adopted as Resolution #10 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #21 entitled “Amending Sec. 3-2-56. of the Common Council Rules of Order.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Burmaster; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 21 AMENDING SEC. 3-2-56. OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, DiBrango – 6 Nays: Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa – 3 Adopted as Resolution #11 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #22 entitled “Amending Sec. 3-2-57. of the Common Council Rules of Order.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Burmaster; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 22 AMENDING SEC. 3-2-57. OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, DiBrango – 6 Nays: Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa – 3 Adopted as Resolution #12 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to vote on Pro. Resolution #23 entitled “Amending Sec. 3-2-59. of the Common Council Rules of Order.” The motion is seconded by Councilmember Burmaster; none opposed. • PRO. RES. 23 AMENDING SEC. 3-2-59. OF THE COMMON COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 8 Nays: Betrus – 1 Adopted as Resolution #13 of January 05, 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Moody to place Pro. Resolution #24 entitled “Establishing the Dates and Times of the Standing Meetings of the Committee of the Whole for the Common Council of Utica, New York” into the committee of the whole. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Meola; none opposed. Pro. Resolution #24 is committed. A motion is made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa to place Intro. Local Law #1 of 2022 entitled “Registration and Posting of Owner and Manager Information and Designation of Agent” into the committee of the whole. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Moody; none opposed. Intro. Local Law #1 of 2022 is committed. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to take Pro. Ordinance #15 entitled “Rescind Sec. 2-2-27 of the City of Utica Code of Ordinances” from committee. The motion is seconded by Councilmember Moody; none opposed. • PRO. ORD. 15 RESCIND SEC. 2-2-27 OF THE CITY OF UTICA CODE OF ORDINANCES. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, DiBrango – 6 Nays: Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa – 3 Adopted as Ordinance #10 of 2022. A motion is made by Councilmember Meola to adjourn the meeting. The motion is seconded by Councilmember DiBrango; none opposed. The meeting is adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Melissa Sciortino, Secretary