Syracuse Common Council Meeting - November 5, 2025

The Syracuse Common Council held a regular session on November 5, 2025, under the leadership of Council President Helen Hudson. The meeting covered a wide range of routine approvals, contract amendments, and policy discussions, including public safety upgrades, infrastructure maintenance, and broadband expansion. The city clerk confirmed the meeting was properly noticed and began shortly after 4:49 PM ET.

Consent Calendar

• No separate consent calendar was identified; however, numerous items were passed without debate or objection. These included routine contract extensions, name corrections, and approval of minor expenditures.

Discussion Items

• Items 10–13 (Parks): Commissioner Burr presented agreements: with Terry Horse for landscape architect services (not to exceed $125,000); with Enest Tech for e-gaming software ($4,800 for one year); acceptance of a $200 donation from Near West Side Resident Padrisco for memorial plaques at Leavenworth and Burnett Parks (with spelling correction: 'Rocky' with a Y); and with Route 80 Stables for horse-drawn carriage services ($5,200 for holidays at Burnett Park).
• Item 14 (Withdrawn): Councilman Lich withdrew the item to allow further discussion.
• Item 15 (Exalt Program): Janet Burke, Director of Research, described a $1.5 million DCJS grant to replicate the Exalt program from NYC. A committee meeting was scheduled for the next day to answer questions.
• Item 16 (Syracuse 8 Street Designation): Councilman Lich proposed naming a street after the Syracuse 8, athletes who protested treatment and equity issues in the 1970s. The dedication is set for November 28th at Waverly and Walnut. Several councilors expressed strong support, noting the historical significance.
• Items 17–21 (Public Safety):
  • Item 17: First Deputy Chief Richard requested approval for a U.S. Department of Justice grant up to $141,000 (with $70,000 local match) to purchase 50 body-worn cameras for the SWAT team. Discussion included a missing 'Signal Sidearm' trigger mechanism (to activate cameras when a weapon is drawn); the IT sergeant confirmed it was never ordered. Council directed staff to trace the prior item.
  • Items 18–19: Fire Chief Michael Mons requested funding for fire station maintenance and rehabilitation, focusing on oil/water separators, exhaust removal, and general repairs at stations 2, 5, and 9 (all over 50 years old). He noted ongoing capital planning and eventual need for new stations. Councilor Hogan highlighted station 2's condition and potential expansion.
  • Items 20–21: $31,000 for communications equipment, including portable radios and mobile data terminals.
• Item 22 (Name Correction): Director Rick Alsever corrected a vendor name to align with the parent company, necessary for payment.
• Items 23–24 (Parking Lot Amendment): Commissioner OJ (Assessment) proposed amending earlier bonding to allow construction of a parking lot adjacent to the new Public Safety Building (1153 West Fayette). Originally intended as a shared municipal lot, it will now be exclusively for police and fire use. Public parking is available on-site (14 spaces) and on-street. Councilor Williams expressed concern about public parking, but staff noted improvements over current conditions.
• Items 25–27 (DPW):
  • 25: Amendment to Collier Engineering contract for traffic signal interconnect system due to construction delays.
  • 26: New contract with Waste Tech (Rubicon route) for snow plow routing technology. Councilor questioned impact detection; staff referred to Samsara GPS systems.
  • 27: Amendment to add 10 tablets for sanitation routing.
• Items 28–34 (Fuel, Salt, Waiver):
  • Fuel contracts with Andrew County, school district, and Syracuse Housing.
  • Salt contracts with Upstate Central and Syracuse Housing Authority.
  • A waiver for a fabric building on concrete blocks for recycling/trash cart storage at Pete Street location.
• Items 35–40 (Land Use):
  • 35: Special permit (no details).
  • 36–37: Problem property on Geddes Street; public hearing scheduled for evening to maximize input, though Councilor Hogan noted low attendance.
  • 38: Street naming after President Hudson (jocular remark, but no formal action).
  • 39–40: Approval for Cathedral Candle factory expansion (Stiegelwall family) – strongly supported by Councilors Hogan and others.
• Items 41–48 (Finance, IT, Broadband):
  • 41: Held.
  • 42: Amendment to FUST contract to include fraud examination services (no cost change).
  • 43: Easement to bury conduit for internet redundancy at Public Safety Building.
  • 44: Agreement with Spectrum for fiber connection at 1153 Fayette ($1,800/month for 10 gig). Discussion included franchise fee status; Corporation Counsel noted a 10-year franchise agreement signed in 2023.
  • 45–46: Payment of outstanding invoices to Northland Communications (three invoices from FY2024, ~$50,300 total) pending new RFP.
  • 48: Rooftop lease agreement with Loretto for Surge Link broadband expansion at Bernardine Apartments in the Valley. Director Jen TIF reported the network currently serves 1,300–1,400 subscribers, aiming for 7,800 total. Pricing is $15/month (low-income) and $37/month (standard). The city is exploring tiered service and small business options. Staff will hold a committee meeting for updates.
• Items 49–52 (Housing & Compliance):
  • 49: Held; council expects draft code provisions.
  • 50: Amendment to transfer a property (vacant after emergency demo) – held for further review.
  • 51: Extension of contracts with 12 qualified contractors for emergency repair program, plus addition of J Jones Plumbing.
  • 52: Replacement of compliance officer for NYS DOT reporting (Sheryl Pace stepping aside).

Key Outcomes

• All items except those noted as held (14, 41, 49, 50) were moved forward for final approval at the next meeting (scheduled for Monday, November 7, 2025, at 1:30 PM).
• A committee meeting was scheduled for November 6, 2025, at 1:30 PM to discuss the Exalt program.
• Staff will investigate the 'Signal Sidearm' trigger mechanism for body cameras.
• The DPW will explore impact detection on snow plow vehicles.
• A committee meeting will be held to update council on Surge Link broadband progress and potential cost savings for city camera systems.
• The meeting adjourned after unanimous approval of the motion.