Common Council Meeting Minutes

City of Utica Common Council – Regular Meeting July 2nd, 2025 The meeting is called to order at 7:00 P.M. Melissa Sciortino, City Clerk Joseph Betar, 3rd District Councilmember & President Pro-Temp; Present: Katie Aiello, 1st District Councilmember; Robert Burmaster, 2nd District Councilmember; Joseph Betar, 3rd District Councilmember & President Pro-Temp; Frank Carcone, 4th District Councilmember; Venice Ervin; 5th District Councilmember; Joseph Betrus, 6th District Councilmember; Samantha Colosimo-Testa, Councilmember at Large; Jack LoMedico, Councilmember at Large Also Present: Anthony Garramone, Esq., Common Council Attorney; Brian Bansner, Captain UPD; Scott Ingersoll Chief, UFD Brian Thomas, Commissioner, UED; Chris Lawrence, Planner, UED Mark Sokolowski, DPW; Marcus Phillips, Commissioner of Codes Nicholas Bridenbecker, Engineering; A motion to waive the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting made by Councilmember Aiello The motion is seconded by Councilmember Carcone None opposed: Minutes accepted and reading waived 3 Speaker signed up for Public Comment Period PRO. RES. 1 – RESOLUTION APPROVING INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH THE VILLAGE OF WATERVILLE FOR DEMOLITION SERVICES A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 1 Motion seconded by Councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES. 2 – RESOLUTION A TRIBUTE TO MARK WILLIAMSON A motion by Councilmember LoMedico to Amend Pro. Res. 2 Motion seconded by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Amended Nays: 0 A motion by Councilmember LoMedico to place in Committee Pro. Res. 2 Motion seconded by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 COMMITTED Nays: 0 PRO. ORD.3 – AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT A motion by Councilmember Betrus to move Pro. Ord. 3 Motion seconded by Councilmember LoMedico Ayes: Betrus, LoMedico, Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Colosimo-Testa – 8 Nays: 0 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #73 of 2025 PRO. RES. 4– RESOLUTION TO APPROVE ENDORSE FLAVOREDLAYERS LLC – MAIN STREET APPLICATION A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 4 Motion seconded by Councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES. 5 – RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ENDORSE THE CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF STATE BOA PREDEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR THE BARNES AVE NEIGHBORHOOD A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 5 Motion seconded by Councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES. 6 – RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ENDORSE THE CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF STATE BOA PREDEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR BROAD STREET A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 6 Motion seconded by Councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES. 7 – RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ENDORSE THE CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF STATE BOA PREDEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR THE FORMER HOWARD JOHNSON SITE AND LELAND AVE A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 7 Motion seconded by Councilmember LoMedico Ayes: Aiello, LoMedico, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa– 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES.8 – RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ENDORSE THE CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF STATE BOA PREDEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR THE NEXUS CORRIDOR A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 8 Motion seconded by Councilmember LoMedico Ayes: Aiello, LoMedico, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa– 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES. 9– RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ENDORSE THE CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF STATE BOA PREDEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR THE FORMER MELE MANUFACTURING SITE AND ORISKANY ST. W. CORRIDOR A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 9 Motion seconded by Councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES .10 – RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ENDORSE THE CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF STATE GROWTH APPLICATION FOR AN UPDATED CITY-WIDE MASTER PLAN A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 10 Motion seconded by Councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES. 11– RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ENDORSE THE CITY’S REGIONAL COUNCIL CAPITAL FUNDS APPLICATION FOR BAGG’S SQUARE WEST. A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 11 Motion seconded by Councilmember LoMedico Ayes: Aiello, LoMedico, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa– 8 Nays: 0 ADOPTED PRO. RES. 12– RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE SALE OF WINE AND BEER TO VALLEY VIEW GOLF COURSE. A motion by Councilmember Carcone to move Pro. Res. 12 Motion seconded by Councilmember Aiello A motion to amend by councilmember Aiello Motion seconded by councilmember LoMedico Ayes: Aiello, LoMedico, Carcone, Burmaster, Betar, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa– 8 Nays: 0 AMENDED Ayes: Carcone, Aiello, LoMedico, Burmaster, Betar, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa– 8 Nays: 0 ADOPTED PRO. RES. 13– RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ENDORSE THE CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF STATE LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR HARBOR POINT A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 13 Motion seconded by Councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES. 14– RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE SALE OF WINE AND BEER TO GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 14 Motion seconded by Councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES. 15– RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE SALE OF WINE AND BEER TO THE DINGHY BAR BOILERMAKER CELEBRATION A motion by Councilmember Aiello to waive the Thursday Rule Pro. Res. 15 Motion seconded by Councilmember Betrus Rules Waived A motion to introduce Pro. Res. 15 made by councilmember Aiello Motion seconded by councilmember Betrus Ayes: Aiello, Betrus, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES. 16– RESOLUTION TO APPROVE HOUSING BLANKET A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 16 Motion seconded by Councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. RES. 7 AUTHORIZING SALE OF BEER AND WINE TO BABY WAYNE MOVEMENTS A motion to pull from committee Pro Res. 7 by councilmember Aiello Motion seconded by councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. Res. 11 AUTHORIZING SALE OF BEER AND WINE TO SOUL ONE12 RESTAURANT A motion to pull from committee Pro Res. 7 by councilmember Aiello Motion seconded by councilmember Burmaster Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 8 Nays: 0 Adopted A motion to adjourn made by Councilmember Burmaster Motion seconded by Councilmember LoMedico President Pro Temp Betar Adjourned: 7:33 P.M.