Common Council Meeting Minutes

City of Utica Common Council – Regular Meeting March 16, 2022 The meeting is called to order at 7:15 p.m. Melissa Sciortino, City Clerk; Andrew Castilla, Deputy 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; Scott Ingersoll, Fire Chief; Captain Holt 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 Burmaster None opposed: Minutes waived Public Hearing was held for the Annual Estimate. Public Hearing closed as No Speakers were present. President Galime read the Mayors Message A motion to move PRO. RES. 1 by Councilmember Aiello Motion seconded by Councilmember Meola PRO. RES. 1 NAMING ALMA MUJANIC AS COMMISSIONER OF DEEDS Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted Motion to place in Committee PRO. RES. 2 A RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PATRICIA JEAN ZAJAC Motion to place in Committee by Councilmember Burmaster Motion seconded by Councilmember Betrus Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 None opposed: Placed into Committee A motion to waive the Thursday Rule on all pieces needing waiver Motion made by Councilmember Meola Motion seconded by Councilmember Betrus None opposed: Thursday Rule Waived A motion to move PRO. ORD. 3 TRANSFER OF FUNDS 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR TO ADJUST FOR UNEXPECTED 811-DIG SAFELY USAGE $33,005.00$$ Motion made by Councilmember Friend The motion seconded by Councilmember Moody Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, DiBrango – 8 Nays: 0 Councilmember Colosimo-Testa Adopted A motion to move PRO. ORD. 4 TRANSFER OF FUNDS 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR TO ADJUST FOR UNEXPECTED EXPENSES RELATED TO FIRE TRUCK REPAIRS $30,000.00 Motion made by Councilmember Meola The motion seconded by Councilmember Williamson Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted A motion to place in Committee PRO. ORD. 5 BOND ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $5,415,000 SERIAL BONDS OF THE CITY OF UTICA, ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK TO FINANCE THE COST OF VARIOUS CAPTIAL PROJECTS Motion made by Councilmember Meola The motion seconded by Councilmember Friend Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 None opposed: Placed into Committee A motion to move PRO. RES. 6 RESOLUTION DETERMINING THAT ACTION TO UNDERTAKE CERTAIN PROJECTS WILL NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT Motion made by Councilmember Meola The motion seconded by Councilmember Aiello Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted A motion to pull from committee the Annual Estimate 2022-2023 total $30,224,651.00 The motion seconded by Councilmember Delvin Moody Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted Councilmember Friend Qualified her vote stating its very worrisome that four years in a row we would not raise taxes and not compensate for the rate of inflation. She objects to having a flat tax rate year after year. Motion to pull from committee PRO. RES. 7 Creating a Flood Mitigation Task Force for the City of Utica A motion made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa The motion seconded by Councilmember Betrus None opposed: Pulled from Committee Councilmember Colosimo-Testa motioned to amend Section A Motion seconded by Williamson Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Amended Councilmember Colosimo-Testa motioned to amend Section B Motion seconded by Betrus Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Amended Councilmember Colosimo-Testa motioned to amend Section C Subsection 1 Motion seconded by Williamson Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Amended Councilmember Colosimo-Testa motioned to amend subsections of Section D Motion seconded by Friend Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Amended Councilmember Meola Qualified his vote stating the legislation is a great idea but the County Executive already put it into action for the whole County and it would be redundant to have the same thing here in the City of Utica. He does not like duplication of services, so he will be voting against it. PRO. RES. 7 Creating a Flood Mitigation Task Force for the City of Utica Ayes: Aiello, Friend, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango –7 Nays: Burmaster, Meola, Adopted Councilmember Friend motioned to Discharge Budget PRO ORD. 3,4,5,6,7,8 Motion Seconded by Councilmember Meola None Opposed: Discharged Motion to move PRO RES. 7 Proclamation to recognize Delvin Moody Made my Councilmember Meola Motion seconded by Samantha-Colosimo-Testa Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Friend, Meola, Moody, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, DiBrango – 9 Nays: 0 Adopted Motion to adjourn made by Councilmember Friend Motion seconded by Councilmember Meola President Galime Adjourned: 8:15P.M