Common Council Meeting Minutes

City of Utica Common Council – Regular Meeting March 3, 2022 The meeting is called to order at 7:03 p.m. Melissa Sciortino, City Clerk; 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; Stephanie DiGiorgio, Esq., Assistant Corporation Counsel; James Noon, Deputy Fire Chief; Lt. Ashley Berger Police; Brian Thomas Commissioner of Urban & Economic Development Marquees Phillips, Commissioner of Codes A motion to waive the minutes from the previous meeting made by Councilmember Friend The motion is seconded by Councilmember Meola None opposed: Minutes waived Public Comment: Motion made by Councilmember Meola to allow council to ask questions to speaker Anita Vitullo Motion seconded by Councilmember DiBrango President Galime read the Mayors Message A motion to waive the Thursday Rule on all pieces needing waiver Motion made by Councilmember Friend Motion seconded by Councilmember Meola None opposed: Thursday Rule Waived A motion to move PRO. ORD.1 by Councilmember Meola motion seconded by Councilmember Williamson Councilmember Betrus Qualified Vote: Any person who brings their cat to the shelter to please contact him so he can follow up. PRO. ORD 1 BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND APPORTIONMENT FROM ARPA – FORECLOSURE PREVENTION COUNSELING $150,000.00 TO ARPA – ANITA’S STEVENS SWAN (PET POPULATION CONTROL) TO RE- ALLOCATE DUE TO ORIGINAL PROJECT APPLICATION BEING FUNDED ELSEWHERE. Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Motion to move PRO. ORD. 2 BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND APPORTIONMENT FROM POLICE BENEFITS- RETIREMENT $42,000.00 TO POLICE ADMINSTRATION- GAS & OIL. TO ADJUST FOR UNEXPECTED INCREASE OF TRAVEL AND GAS PRICES by Councilmember Meola Motion seconded by Councilmember Friend Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 PRO ORD. 3 BUILDING CODES BUDGET AMENDMENT A motion to place in Committee PRO. ORD. 3 to hire a Codes inspector trained in Elevator Inspections+ $45,000.00 made by Councilmember Friend The motion seconded by Councilmember Meola Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 None opposed: Placed into Committee A motion to place in Committee PRO. ORD. 4 to hire an inspector trained in interior lead inspections and to hire a Codes inspector to oversee Vacant Buildings Registry. Made by Councilmember Friend The motion seconded by Councilmember Meola Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 None opposed: Placed into Committee A motion to place in Committee PRO. ORD. 5 to pay for necessary repairs to Fire Station #4 on Shepherd Place. Made by Councilmember Friend The motion seconded by Councilmember Meola Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 None opposed: Placed into Committee A motion to place in Committee PRO. ORD. 6 to increase pay for Engineers such that the City can more easily recruit these essential City employees. Made by Councilmember Friend The motion seconded by Councilmember Meola Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 None opposed: Placed into Committee A motion to place in Committee PRO. ORD. 7 to better respond to flooding throughout the City Made by Councilmember Friend The motion seconded by Councilmember Meola Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 None opposed: Placed into Committee A motion to place in Committee PRO. ORD. 8 to hire one additional DPW employee Made by Councilmember Friend The motion seconded by Councilmember Meola Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9  Nays: 0 None opposed: Placed into Committee A motion to place in Committee PRO. ORD. 9 Adding Artive IV Firearms Shooting Ranges Made by Councilmember Friend The motion seconded by Councilmember Meola Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 None opposed: Placed into Committee A motion to move PRO. ORD. 10 Calling for a Public Hearing RE: Annual Estimate 2022-2023 by Councilmember Williamson Motion seconded by Councilmember Meola Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted. A motion to place PRO. RES. 11 Requesting Each District Councilperson Allocate Funding To Establish A Business Directory App To Help Support And Revitalize The Businesses of Utica into Committee by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa motion seconded by DiBrango Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 None opposed: Placed into Committee A motion to Amend PRO. RES. 12 acknowledgment of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole for the Common Council of Utica; 2022-2023 by Councilmember Friend to Add Councilmember DiBrango as Chair and Councilmember Aiello as Vice Chair Motion seconded by Councilmember Meola Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, DiBrango – 6 Nays: 3 Opposed Opposed Amendment: Councilmembers Betrus, Williamson and Colosimo-Testa A motion to Amend PRO. RES. 12 to read Councilmember DiBrango as Chairperson and Councilmember Betrus as Vice Chair made my Councilmember Colosimo-Testa Motion seconded by Councilmember Williamson Ayes: Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango, Williamson, Betrus – 4 Nays: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody –5 Motioned Defeated A motion to move PRO. RES. 12 acknowledgment of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole Chairperson DiBrango and Vice Chairperson Aiello Motion moved by Councilmember Friend Motion seconded my Councilmember Meola Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, DiBrango – 6 Nays: Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, Adopted. A motion to Discharge PRO ORD. 9 Amending The Composition Of The Bureau Of Police For The City Of Utica, New York made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa motion seconded by Councilmember DiBrango None Opposed: Legislation Discharged A motion to Discharge PRO RES. 11 Requesting the Administration add more members to the Utica Parks Department made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa motion seconded by Councilmember Meola None Opposed: Legislation Discharged A motion to Discharge PRO RES. 12 Urging the City of Utica to Create Inclusive Playgrounds made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa motion seconded by Councilmember Meola None Opposed: Legislation Discharged A motion to pull from committee PRO ORD. 2 Amending Composition of the Bureau of Fire made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa motion seconded by Councilmember Betrus Ayes: Colosimo-Testa, Betrus, DiBrango- 3 Nays: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Williamson – 6 Defeated- Stays in Committee A motion to Discharge PRO RES. 9 Resolution in Support of the Replacement of all Lead Service Lines (private and public property in Utica made by Councilmember Friend motion seconded by Councilmember Aiello Councilmembers Coloismo- Testa and Aiello Qualified their Votes Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, - 5 Nays: Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango Discharged Motion to adjourn made by Councilmember Friend Motion seconded by Councilmember Meola President Galime Adjourned: 8:15P.M