OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Syracuse Common Council Study Session - March 18, 2026

Public Meetings — Wednesday, March 18, 2026
BodySyracuse, New York
SessionPublic Meetings
DateWednesday, March 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:31:59

Transcript — Verbatim
4:15

So good afternoon, everybody.

4:17

Thank you for joining us in our study session.

4:20

Um we're gonna start let me see where we start here.

4:24

Uh in resolutions.

4:27

Okay.

4:28

Um and then counselor.

4:32

I have it.

4:35

And it's asked in the increased municipalities along with President.

4:41

So if there's anybody questions?

4:52

Yes, please.

5:01

Oh, Ron.

5:02

Run.

5:03

Run, show.

5:09

Thank you.

5:11

Counselor Majuk.

5:12

Oh, it's me?

5:13

Yes.

5:18

That was that quick.

5:19

Rashida?

5:21

So thank you, Madam President.

5:23

I have item 11 to 23.

5:27

Who's taking the uh first item?

5:35

Good afternoon, Council.

5:36

Neil Burke BPW.

5:38

Item number 11 is uh a revision to the traffic code to allow two-way traffic on a select number of currently one-way streets in the campus west area.

5:54

So I I had I mean, I I want to thank all of you for for providing the study for this.

6:04

And but I I had a couple of concerns uh considering that the the streets that we want to turn to two ways are predominantly around busy areas such as um residential hall for students and and you know often time we know we don't look at college students as quote unquote kids, but the there's a lot of them that are kids.

6:32

Yeah, you know, and and considering the the traffic, the hospital is right there, the VA and you know, all the dormitories.

6:41

It's just it's it's a concern for me to see that we are converting these streets into two ways in which you know it it's it it does yield more vehicular access to those spaces and then the kids and student that we've changed the word the students are maneuvering around those areas.

7:03

So could somebody just calm my nerve down a little bit by certainly and I believe our uh friends from SU were here.

7:11

I just want to clarify that this didn't come out of DPW, this was a request of Syracuse University that came to us.

7:18

Sumil, what is the intention of looking at a kind of a like a larger level?

7:23

Why do we have one waves at all?

7:26

One ways were very popular many decades ago when everything was intended to be.

7:33

What have what have we learned in the meantime?

7:35

We've learned that you know, one ways have a place.

7:37

Uh Syracuse, like many cities overdid them.

7:41

And you've seen some projects in the past, like a Clinton Street, where we've taken a hard look and said, I think true way can serve us better here, and we did the engineering studies behind that.

7:51

Um as for these streets, these are kind of unique.

7:54

Um they're kind of tucked away, they serve a specific purpose, especially as it relates to large events, and again, um from a network standpoint as a whole, these changes I don't believe will have a significant impact on our operations.

8:09

Um and again, they were handed this was requested of us and uh DPW was tasked with just reviewing the traffic study.

8:17

Does it make sense?

8:17

Does it work?

8:18

And we agree that it does, but again, I'll defer to my police counterparts.

8:24

What are were they involved in this at all?

8:26

They were involved in the original discussions, um, but again, I I wasn't brokering those.

8:32

Um so if the SU um individuals were going to speak on it, can you just also speak to how this plays into the um roundabout with the DOT and that's sure that was a matter in I believe looked at in the traffic study as well as broached with nine stop, but I'll defer to my uh counterparts from SU to answer any specifics.

9:00

Hello, Jennifer Bibe.

9:01

I'm associate director for planning with Syracuse University Campus Planning Office, and thank you for having our item on the agenda.

9:09

I'm going to turn to our transportation engineer whom we hired to do the traffic study that was included in your packet to respond to the specific questions about uh safety concerns regarding two-way versus one-way.

9:24

But before and she's the pro uh traffic engineer, but I thought it would be helpful to add a little bit of background information how this came about.

9:33

And uh essentially the thinking was that with the I-81 work and with Fineview and Renwick already closed, and the proposed business loop at Van Buren, um, coupled with the fact that the original reason for those streets having been changed from two-way to one-way no longer exists.

10:00

Essentially, those streets were designed and built and operated as two-way, and then we're switched to one way in 1979 to facilitate the dome shuttle traffic for that area west of campus.

10:08

That route changed quite a long time ago, and the uh dome shuttle brings um people to a different part of campus.

10:16

So all of these things converging, the uh Fine View and Renwick being closed, the emerging change with the business loop and the fact that the shuttle that services the dome no longer goes in that area seem to make everyone think these should really be returned to two-way so that it will improve the traffic flow overall.

10:38

And um Amy will explain how two-way traffic actually is safer for pedestrians.

10:44

Um but also want to add that this actually had a trial run of sorts because it has operated as such where these streets are two-way for the dome events of this past year.

10:58

And by all accounts, it's worked extremely well.

11:02

And so my understanding, as Neil can elaborate on, is that the relevant city departments, police and fire have been in favor of this.

11:11

So let me turn it to Amy who has the more technical explanation about the safety of two-way traffic.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety███████████████████19%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████18%
Public Safety██████████10%
Grant Management█████████9%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Youth Programs████4%
Domestic Violence Response████4%
Procurement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Syracuse Common Council Study Session - March 18, 2026

The Syracuse Common Council held a study session on March 18, 2026, to discuss a range of resolutions, capital projects, grants, and policy changes. The meeting covered traffic modifications, DPW infrastructure, parks improvements, public safety grants, and administrative items. No votes were taken; action is expected at the next legislative session.

Traffic Code Revision for Campus West Area (Item 11)

  • Councilor Rashida Majuk expressed safety concerns about converting one-way streets to two-way near student dormitories. DPW's Neil Burke noted the request came from Syracuse University. Jennifer Bibe (SU) explained the original one-way designation (1979) is no longer needed due to I-81 work and Dome shuttle changes. Traffic engineer Amy Dake stated two-way streets reduce speeds and improve pedestrian safety, citing confusion from one-way streets. Councilor questioned crash data; Dake said the study did not include crash analysis. The change would involve minor signage and striping costs absorbed by SU.

DPW Salt Barn and Equipment (Items 12-17)

  • Salt barn (Items 12-13): $4 million for a new salt barn at DPW, 100% CHIPS reimbursable. Existing barn will be torn down; two buildings planned (treated and untreated salt). Completion target: October 15, 2026. Councilor questioned cost and timeline.
  • Road reconstruction equipment (Items 14-15): CHIPS-reimbursable equipment purchases.
  • Capital equipment (Items 16-17): Non-reimbursable equipment replacement.

Infrastructure Projects (Items 18-22)

  • Inner Harbor sidewalks (Item 18): Agreement for sidewalk improvements on Van Rensselaer and West Kirkpatrick Street, including a new sidewalk on the bridge. 80% federally funded. Councilor requested a committee meeting to review all trails.
  • West Side Trail (Item 19): Preliminary design for trail along West Fayette Street. 80% federal funding. Councilor noted ongoing festivals in the area.
  • Lower Dice Street (Item 20): Cost increase of $125,000 due to higher bids.
  • James Street Improvement (Item 21): $29,000 increase for preliminary design. Councilor raised concerns about a dangerous intersection.
  • Chafi Ev pedestrian bridge (Item 22): Reapplying for grant funding.

Hazard Mitigation Plan (Item 23)

  • Resolution to adopt the 2025 county hazard mitigation plan, required for FEMA flood insurance discount (15%). Councilor expressed concern about flood zone designations, but no opposition.

Parks and Recreation (Items 24-27, 54-57)

  • Rose garden plaques (Item 24): Donation accepted.
  • Inner Harbor railings (Items 25, 56-57): $3 million bond for new waterfront railings to make the area safe and permit events. Commissioner Saisha Bird noted Clinton Square will be unavailable in 2027 due to I-81 construction, so Inner Harbor must host large festivals (e.g., Pride with 27,000 attendees). Councilor supported the need.
  • Hemlock tree treatment (Item 26): Agreement with Soil & Water Conservation to treat 200 trees. No public health risk.
  • Connect Kids grant (Item 27): $20,000 for field trip transportation.
  • Inner Harbor playground and adaptive equipment (Items 54-55): $500,000 bond for an inclusive playground, shipping container rental stand, and ADA pathways. First all-inclusive playground.

Public Safety and Grants (Items 31-40)

  • Fire compliance software (Item 31): No-cost agreement for code compliance software.
  • Police IT services (Item 32): Amendment to Not An Associates contract (increase to $200,000) while RFP is pending. Police and fire move to 1153 building progressing.
  • Gun violence prevention grants (Items 33-36): Rescission of contracts with Unbelievable and OGs (due to non-performance/expiration). Funds reprogrammed to Syracuse Model Neighborhood (Item 34), Mothers Against Gun Violence, Southwest Center, and Good Life. Councilor requested a meeting to evaluate capacity.
  • Exalt program (Item 37): Budget for year two held pending further details.
  • Strive grant (Item 38): Year two of intimate partner violence reduction grant, funding detectives and a high-risk team.
  • PAL program grant (Item 39): $50,000 for anti-violence initiative supporting uniforms, field trips, barbershop program, and CPR certification.
  • Auditor review (Item 40): Council requested city auditor to conduct an independent review of police and fire budgets within existing resources.

Administrative and Zoning Items (Items 41-53)

  • Tax cap waiver (Item 41): Annual preventive measure.
  • Records management grant (Item 42): Apply for grant to digitize City Hall basement records.
  • Lease renewal (Item 43): Two-year renewal for water department apartment, 5% rent increase.
  • Appraisals (Items 44-45): For Parkside Commons property and ongoing litigation.
  • Tax roll correction (Item 46): Modify tax rules for billboards on railroad property to restore full taxation.
  • Executive session (Item 47): Deferred to Monday.
  • Entertainment license reform (Item 52): New ordinance creating two license types based on capacity (350-person threshold). Annual license for small venues; per-event for larger. Councilor questioned revocability and pre-scheduling.
  • County planning referral exemption (Item 53): Exempt certain minor projects from referral to Onondaga County Planning Board to speed approvals.

Key Outcomes

  • Council agreed to hold a committee meeting to review all city trails and the Cold Brook plan.
  • Council requested additional information on gun violence program budgets and capacity.
  • Several items will be voted on at the next legislative session on Monday, March 20, 2026.
  • Council directed staff to provide crash data and Vision Zero alignment for the two-way street proposal.

Meeting Transcript

So good afternoon, everybody. Thank you for joining us in our study session. Um we're gonna start let me see where we start here. Uh in resolutions. Okay. Um and then counselor. I have it. And it's asked in the increased municipalities along with President. So if there's anybody questions? Yes, please. Oh, Ron. Run. Run, show. Thank you. Counselor Majuk. Oh, it's me? Yes. That was that quick. Rashida? So thank you, Madam President. I have item 11 to 23. Who's taking the uh first item? Good afternoon, Council. Neil Burke BPW. Item number 11 is uh a revision to the traffic code to allow two-way traffic on a select number of currently one-way streets in the campus west area. So I I had I mean, I I want to thank all of you for for providing the study for this. And but I I had a couple of concerns uh considering that the the streets that we want to turn to two ways are predominantly around busy areas such as um residential hall for students and and you know often time we know we don't look at college students as quote unquote kids, but the there's a lot of them that are kids. Yeah, you know, and and considering the the traffic, the hospital is right there, the VA and you know, all the dormitories. It's just it's it's a concern for me to see that we are converting these streets into two ways in which you know it it's it it does yield more vehicular access to those spaces and then the kids and student that we've changed the word the students are maneuvering around those areas. So could somebody just calm my nerve down a little bit by certainly and I believe our uh friends from SU were here. I just want to clarify that this didn't come out of DPW, this was a request of Syracuse University that came to us. Sumil, what is the intention of looking at a kind of a like a larger level? Why do we have one waves at all? One ways were very popular many decades ago when everything was intended to be. What have what have we learned in the meantime? We've learned that you know, one ways have a place. Uh Syracuse, like many cities overdid them. And you've seen some projects in the past, like a Clinton Street, where we've taken a hard look and said, I think true way can serve us better here, and we did the engineering studies behind that. Um as for these streets, these are kind of unique. Um they're kind of tucked away, they serve a specific purpose, especially as it relates to large events, and again, um from a network standpoint as a whole, these changes I don't believe will have a significant impact on our operations. Um and again, they were handed this was requested of us and uh DPW was tasked with just reviewing the traffic study. Does it make sense? Does it work? And we agree that it does, but again, I'll defer to my police counterparts. What are were they involved in this at all? They were involved in the original discussions, um, but again, I I wasn't brokering those. Um so if the SU um individuals were going to speak on it, can you just also speak to how this plays into the um roundabout with the DOT and that's sure that was a matter in I believe looked at in the traffic study as well as broached with nine stop, but I'll defer to my uh counterparts from SU to answer any specifics. Hello, Jennifer Bibe. I'm associate director for planning with Syracuse University Campus Planning Office, and thank you for having our item on the agenda. I'm going to turn to our transportation engineer whom we hired to do the traffic study that was included in your packet to respond to the specific questions about uh safety concerns regarding two-way versus one-way.

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