Syracuse City Council Voting Session - September 24, 2025

The Syracuse City Council met on the afternoon of September 24, 2025, to vote on a wide-ranging agenda covering park donations, police department contracts, animal sheltering services, tax write-offs, property transfers, and more. Several items were held for further discussion, while the majority were approved. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session.

Public Comments & Testimony

• None recorded.

Discussion Items

• Items 10–12: Councilor Caldwell presented three donations: an in-kind wooden bench valued at $1,885 from the Eastwood Neighborhood Association for Bridgewood Park; a monetary donation of $1,430.40 from Katie Scott to purchase and install a bench and memorial plaque honoring Mr. Jimmy Walker in Schiller Park; and a $200 donation from Westside neighborhood residents to purchase and install two memorial plaques honoring Joe Haw and Emma Iraqi Kelly on existing benches in Leavenworth and Burnett Park. All were accepted.
• Item 13: Held to incorporate recommendations from a public hearing and committee meeting regarding police policy.
• Item 14: Renewal of a one-year contract extension for Benjamin Tallini to instruct Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the police academy. A lieutenant explained that the training reduces the likelihood of strikes and uses less injurious techniques. The council approved the renewal, with a future RFP planned.
• Items 15–16: Renewals of contracts with Friends Forever Animal Rescue and Humane CNY for sheltering animals in cruelty cases. An officer noted that the city handles over 600 animals per year (300 strays, 300 cruelty cases) and that space is the primary constraint. Approved.
• Item 17: Contract with IMA group to provide medical services (e.g., fit-for-duty exams) for police officers outside workers' compensation. The mayor indicated he would review the RFP waiver. Approved.
• Item 18: Funding for the police awards banquet. The outstanding balance of $10,292 was presented after a $2,500 union payment. The council agreed to accommodate the full amount.
• Item 19: Compensation for national anthem singer Sydney, related to the awards banquet. Approved.
• Item 20: Citizen Review Board request for a one-year contract with evidence.com to enable real-time case review. Chairman Johnson stated it would expedite cases and reduce IT costs. Approved.
• Item 21: Withdrawn.
• Item 22: Office of Human Resources accepted a gift from Wolf Goodrich and Goldman (workers’ comp attorneys) of $800 to send risk and safety manager Lisa Schmidt to a conference. Approved.
• Item 23: Contract with LAS (three-year term). A councilor inquired about the term length, and it was noted to be consistent with past contracts. Approved.
• Item 24: Youth permit with New York State DOT for the Clinker project at Park Street Bridge. Kevin Booser explained that hanging balls will be installed to prevent vehicles from hitting the bridge, with CHIPS funding covering costs. Discussions with the railroad company are ongoing. Approved.
• Item 25: Tax exemption for an affordable housing project (100% exemption; properties pay either 10% of gross rent less utilities or $525 per unit). Approved.
• Item 26: Zoning changes – held for further discussion due to outstanding questions from councilors.
• Item 27: Held.
• Item 28: Fiber installation contract for the police and fire relocation at 1153 West Fayette Street. A question about the monthly charge was noted; the answer would be provided later. Approved.
• Item 29: Authorization to hire an appraiser for 1039 East Fayette Street to determine property value as part of a local law process. Approved.
• Item 30: Write-off of delinquent city and school taxes totaling $38,000 for four parcels (Taylor and Oneida streets) near the JMA factory to facilitate future development. The county had already compromised its delinquent taxes. Approved.
• Item 31: Motion to go into executive session. Approved.
• Items 32–35: Approved contracts for the Financial Empowerment Center (United Way), land bank exterior repairs in problem-oriented policing areas (up to $150,000 from DCJS), a blight busting program with nine firms, and an amendment to the resident advisory board ordinance for the Housing Strategies Corporation.
• Items 36–49: Transfers of 14 properties (mostly vacant land, plus two structures at 116 Burnett Park Drive and 243 Richmond Ave) to the land bank after foreclosure. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• All items except those held (13, 26, 27) were approved.
• Items held: 13 (police policy recommendations), 26 (zoning changes), 27 (unspecified).
• The council moved to executive session after completing the agenda.