Common Council Meeting Minutes

City of Utica Common Council – Special Meeting July 21st 2025 The meeting is called to order at 12:00 P.M. Melissa Sciortino, City Clerk Andrew Castilla, Deputy City Clerk; Rocco Giruzzi, Common Council President Present: Katie Aiello, 1st District Councilmember; Robert Burmaster, 2nd 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: Mark Sokolowski, DPW Commissioner PRO. RES. 1 – RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ENDORSING MUNSON IN ITS APPLICATION TO NYS REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL’S CONSOLIDATED FUNDING APPLICATION FOR INTERIOR RENOVATIONS TO ITS HISTORIC MUSEUM OF ART A motion by Councilmember Aiello to move Pro. Res. 1 Motion seconded by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 6 Nays: 0 Adopted PRO. ORD. 2 – ORDINANCE WAIVING RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION OF LABORER A motion by Councilmember LoMedico to move Pro. Ord. 2 Motion seconded by Councilmember Aiello Ayes: Aiello, Burmaster, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 6 Nays: 0 Adopted as Ordinance #74 of 2025 A motion to adjourn made by Councilmember Colosimo-Testa Motion seconded by Councilmember Aiello President Giruzzi Adjourned: 12:02 P.M. Certify To: Budget, Comptroller Resolution: 1 CITY OF UTICA Department of Legislation Common Council July 21st, 2025 Sponsored by: Councilmembers Aiello, Burmaster, Betar, Carcone, Ervin, Betrus, Williamson, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ENDORSING MUNSON IN ITS APPLICATION TO NYS REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL’S CONSOLIDATED FUNDING APPLICATION FOR INTERIOR RENOVATIONS TO ITS HISTORIC MUSEUM OF ART. WHEREAS, Munson (formerly Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute) desires to apply for up to $1,500,000 in financial assistance through the 2025 Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) under the New York Parks, Main Street, and Regional Council Capital Funds Programs, and WHEREAS, the application proposes funding to assist property owner Munson to better serve the community in its historic national and state register-listed Museum of Art building; and WHEREAS, the proposed funding will contribute to ongoing community revitalization efforts and augment an ongoing Downtown Revitalization Initiative; and WHEREAS, the grant application requires that the applicant obtain the approval and endorsement of the governing body of the municipality in which the project will be located; RESOLVED, that the Common Council of Utica, NY approves and endorses the 2025 New York Consolidated Funding Application for assistance, prepared and to be submitted by Munson. Yeas: Aiello, Burmaster, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 6 Nays: 0 Adopted. STATE OF NEW YORK, CITY OF UTICA ) City Clerk’s Office ) ss. ) I hereby certify that I have compared the foregoing copy of a Resolution of the Common Council with the record of proceedings of the Common Council of said City of Utica, duly made and on file in this office, and that same is a correct transcript therefrom and of the whole of said Resolution. In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto affix the Corporate Seal of said City, and subscribe my name, this 21st day of July, 2025 ____________________________________________________________________________ Melissa R. Sciortino, City Clerk Certify To: Budget, Comptroller Ordinance #74 of 2025 CITY OF UTICA Department of Legislation Common Council July 21st, 2025 Sponsored by: Councilmembers Burmaster, Williamson ORDINANCE WAIVING RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR THE POSITION OF LABORER WHEREAS, the City has recently lost several DPW/Parks employees due to resignation and injury and needs qualified and hard-working candidates to fill the vacant positions, especially during the summer season; and WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson would be an asset to the department, as he is very eager to learn and ambitious; WHEREAS, the individual currently resides in Rome; and WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson would like to continue to reside outside the City limits; and WHEREAS, §2.045(b) of the Utica City Charter authorizes the Common Council by ordinance to waive the residency requirement in certain situations; and ORDAINED, pursuant to §2.045(b) of the Utica City Charter, and for the reasons cited above, the Common Council of the City of Utica hereby waives the residency requirement provided for therein to permit the appointment of Barron Robinson, 311 N. Madison Street, Rome, to the position of DPW Laborer in the City of Utica. ORDAINED, this waiver applies to this individual in this position only, and will not be applicable to any future applicants for the position, unless otherwise determined by the ordinance of the Common Council. Yeas: Aiello, Burmaster, Ervin, Betrus, Colosimo-Testa, LoMedico – 6 Nays: 0 Adopted. STATE OF NEW YORK, CITY OF UTICA ) City Clerk’s Office ) ss. ) I hereby certify that I have compared the foregoing copy of a Ordinance of the Common Council with the record of proceedings of the Common Council of said City of Utica, duly made and on file in this office, and that same is a correct transcript therefrom and of the whole of said Ordinance. In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto affix the Corporate Seal of said City, and subscribe my name, this 21st day of July, 2025 ____________________________________________________________________________ Melissa R. Sciortino, City Clerk