Syracuse Common Council Meeting - November 10, 2025

The Syracuse Common Council met on November 10, 2025, beginning with a prayer and roll call. Councilors present included Codwell, Michelle, Paniagua, Gathers, Nave, Hogan, Williams, and Mato; Councilor Jones Rousser was absent. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved unanimously. Several committee reports and communications were presented, followed by the introduction and voting on numerous agenda items, most of which passed unanimously.

Committee Reports

• Neighborhood Preservation Committee (reported by Councilor Jones Rousser via President Hudson): Met on Monday at 2:00 p.m. to follow up on the Land Bank annual report.
• Public Safety Committee (reported by Councilor [not specified]): Met on November 6 to discuss alternative-to-incarceration programs.

Communications

• The City Auditor submitted an audit report for sidewalks and a café permit for 634 South Getting Street.
• Empire State Development submitted letters regarding the Solaristry Mixed Use Project and Bullfitch Buell Pub Capital Project.
• A letter from W.L. accepting terms and conditions of Ordinance No. 765 was received.

Consent Calendar (Unanimous Approvals Without Discussion)

• Approval of minutes from the November 10 meeting.
• Items 10, 11, 12, 13 (introduced by Councilor Caldwell) – adopted unanimously.
• Items 15 through 21 (except 14, which was withdrawn) – adopted unanimously, with discussion on items 15 and 16.
• Items 22 through 34 – adopted unanimously.
• Items 35, 36, 38, 39, 40 (Item 37 held) – adopted unanimously.
• Items 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 (Item 41 held) – adopted unanimously.
• Items 51 and 52 (Items 49 and 50 held) – adopted unanimously.
• Items 53 through 57 – adopted unanimously after a motion to waive rules.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 (amendment to local law, Section 8-115): Councilor Gathers asked to introduce and table the item. No objections; the item was tabled.
• Item 15 (EXALT program): Councilor Gathers expressed appreciation for administration, Director Latif, and all involved in deterring violent behavior. He stated his hope that EXALT would not be "just another program" with no results, but would make a difference and be managed in line with the city’s goals and vision. The item passed unanimously.
• Item 16 (honorary street signs for Syracuse 8): Councilor Gathers introduced the item, describing it as honoring eight brave Syracuse University athletes who protested racial inequities in 1970. Former County Legislator and SU athlete Carmen Harlow spoke emotionally on behalf of the group. He detailed the history: the players’ protest over unequal treatment (medical care, tutoring, envelopes after games), many being barred from the team but persisting to earn degrees, and later being honored by SU (Chancellor Cantor, Athletic Director Darryl Gross). Harlow thanked the council for remembering them off-campus and committed to working with the city clerk and DPW to schedule the sign installation to align with members' availability. The item passed unanimously.
• Item 43 (local law): Councilor Williams initially said it needed to be reintroduced as a local law. After clarification that it was already a local law, it was introduced from the table and tabled for later consideration.
• Items 53-57 (comprehensive package): Councilor Gathers noted extensive work from Chief Man, Mike Lehman, Deputy Mayor, budget department, and staff. A motion to waive rules for these items passed unanimously, then each item passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items voted on (except those held or withdrawn) passed unanimously.
• Item 8 (unidentified) was withdrawn by the President.
• Items 14, 37, 41, 49, and 50 were held.
• Item 9 and Item 43 were tabled.
• The council adjourned by motion.

Note: No public comments section was present; the only comment from a non-council member was by Carmen Harlow on Item 16.