Syracuse Common Council Study Session - November 19, 2025

The Syracuse Common Council met on November 19, 2025, for a study session to discuss a broad range of legislative items, including council rule changes, park events, police department relocation logistics, infrastructure contracts, land bank transfers, and a proposed battery storage project. The session involved detailed questioning of city staff and department heads, with several items held for further discussion or public hearing.

Discussion Items

• Rules and Procedures (Item 11): Councilor Panny Agua co-sponsored a proposal to adopt changes to the 2024-25 Cyclist Common Council rules and procedures, including renaming committees and creating a new committee. Councilor Deathers questioned why a public meeting was not scheduled, emphasizing transparency. Corporation Counsel Joe Barry noted that amending rules requires six votes during the session. The council decided to hold internal discussions before deciding on a public meeting.
• Park Events and Donation (Items 12-13): Commissioner Bird presented item 12, an authorized payment to Eric Jones for a performance at the home for the holidays tree lighting on November 28 at 6:00 p.m. (tree lit at 7:00). Councilor Caldwell suggested expanding tree lightings to other parks in 2026. Item 13 accepted a bronze statue, granite base, and benches valued at $63,716 from the Tip Hill Neighborhood Association to honor two fallen officers. The description letter will be corrected.
• Police Department Cable Agreement (Item 14): Deputy Chief Rashaw requested an agreement with Spectrum for 25 cable TV boxes at $7/month each, plus fiber-based internet service, for the new public safety building at 1153 West Fayette Street, at an approximate monthly cost of $387.50 and a one-time installation fee of $625. Councilors questioned why Spectrum was needed when the city has its own broadband (Surge Link). Director of Digital Services Vinny Scipion explained that redundancy requires multiple providers on different routes. The three-year contract will not begin until the building is occupied.
• Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) for Relocation (Item 15): Deputy Commissioner Lehman requested authorization to hire two additional vendors (Contract Ink for lockers, Design Specialists for window treatments) and add funding for Syracuse Office Environments for storage/shelving, using funds from an already-bonded $1 million. Two remaining categories (appliances and audio-visual) will be brought to the next meeting. Councilors inquired about the bidding process and the disposition of old equipment.
• Parking Lease for Police (Item 16): The council considered a one-year lease for 225 parking spaces at 500 West Fayette Street as supplemental parking for the police department during the relocation. Deputy Chief Mark Russ explained the dynamic parking needs (currently ~152 spaces at the PSB, plus 178 from Patrol East). Councilors asked about public parking availability and alternative lots.
• Sanitary Sewer Offsets (Items 17-18): City Engineer Mary Robson presented two offset agreements: Syracuse University dorms (lining 12- and 18-inch combined sewer on Harrison Street) and the Rescue Mission exchange building (lining two sewer manholes). No questions.
• Right-of-Entry Agreement (Item 19): A request for a right-of-entry agreement with New York Susquehanna & Western for a completed beautification project at South State Street. Approved.
• Telecommunications Franchise (Item 20): Permission for Northland Networks to construct and operate a telecommunications network (underground and aerial) citywide. The annual fee is $1.90 per linear foot for 4-inch conduit, adjusted annually. A letter correction was noted.
• Water Department Contracts (Items 21-24): Item 21: no-cost time extension with GHC for intake extension. Item 22: $47,000 increase with Onondaga County Soil and Water for watershed inspections. Item 23: permission for a homeowner to replace a wooden deck. Item 24: waiver of competitive bidding for water bill postcard paper. All approved.
• Battery Storage Project (Items 25-26): Councilor Williams noted a public hearing is scheduled for item 25. For item 26 (special use permit for two 5-MW battery projects at 426 East Brighton), Terrence Nolan from New Leaf Energy gave a brief overview. Fire Chief Mike Mons reported that the proposal as submitted does not meet fire code, and the fire department does not typically review land use permits at this stage. The council decided to hold a public meeting on the project.
• Payroll Modernization (Item 27): Held pending contact with Josh Sarrison to discuss selection of UKG Pro.
• JSCB Phase 3 Financing (Items 28-29): Commissioner of Finance Mike Kinsara requested increasing the bond ordinance from $2 million to $4 million (with a future increase to $10 million) for JSCB phase 3. The short-term debt will not affect the city's bond rating. Approved.
• 485-A Tax Exemption Fix (Item 30): An amendment to local law 12 of 2019 to correct discrepancies between the local law and state enabling legislation for the mixed-use conversion tax exemption. The amendment requires filing with the state, a 6-7 week process.
• Technical Amendment (Item 31): Correcting a drafting error in a settlement ordinance for the full tax year. Approved.
• Item 32: Held pending state review.
• Land Bank Support (Item 33): Planner Calen Hubbard requested a resolution (not an ordinance) to support the Greater Syracuse Land Bank's application to fund their Move-In New York program. The council agreed to consider the resolution.
• Demolition Contractor Renewal (Item 34): Deputy Commissioner Jake Dishaw requested renewal of six emergency demolition contracts for one year (budget $633,934). The RFQ will go out next year. Approved.
• Land Bank Transfers (Items 35-89): Planner Hubbard discussed the batch of property transfers to the land bank. Several properties were withdrawn (e.g., item 53 on Grays Street) or questioned (e.g., West Brighton). Hubbard will resend the list and clarify.
• Executive Session (Items 90-91): The council moved into executive session for these items.

Key Outcomes

• Items 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, and 34 were approved or advanced without opposition.
• Item 11 (rules changes) was held for internal council discussion and possible public meeting.
• Item 26 (battery project) will be the subject of a public meeting (date not specified).
• Items 27, 30, 32, 33, and 35-89 were held or amended pending further information or procedural changes.
• A public hearing is scheduled for item 25.