5:00Under God in the global and then you have Reverend Abrams come to our blessings.
5:13Good morning, everyone.
5:16It's a pleasure to be standing here before you read up a time.
5:30May we bow our heads?
5:43The people that lives in the vicinity of the city.
5:50Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we come with thankful hearts.
5:55We thank you for life today.
5:57We thank you for health, being able to stand and move about on our on today.
6:03We come asking for can you continue mercy and guidance, especially for the common council.
6:13We have a few requests today.
6:18That we know that you are public servants.
6:23And we thank you for what you have done so far.
6:28What we are waiting for you to do in the near future.
6:33We pray that disagreements will be short, which always when we disagree, we sooner or later at some point we would agree.
6:46We pray for the seniors, the babies, and the poor.
6:52We pray also for the leadership, especially the president of the city council and the new mayor.
7:01Last request is that we continue to grow together, understand each other, have patience with one another, and know that love heals all things.
7:13Love carry us safely through.
7:15In Jesus' name, amen.
7:41Councillor Jones Rouser.
7:48President with exception and Jones Rowler.
7:52May I have a motion to approve the minutes of meeting on March 23rd?
8:05Oh, don't all in favor.
8:23Yes, madam president.
8:25Um, this morning at 11 a.m.
8:27The economic development opportunity committee had a meeting to discuss operations of the code enforcement department.
8:36On Thursday, uh March 26th, public safety committee met to um discuss the amending of contracts with various community organizations to fulfill the U.S.
8:47Department of Justice Community Violence Intervention Grant.
8:52Any other committee reports?
8:57Yes, madam President.
8:59I have one from the Honorable Alex Marion, our city auditor.
9:09I mean, owens, Evan Lovins, the mid-year report.
9:16From the Commissioner of Finance.
9:18Recommending no changes to the City of Syracuse Investment Policy from Syracuse University, accepting the terms and conditions of ordinance number 128, 2026 from Syracuse University, accepting the terms and conditions of ordinance number 129, 2026 from Syracuse University.
9:39Accepting the terms and conditions from ordinance number 130, 2026.
9:49And then we move on to our agenda.
9:54Thank you, Madam President.
9:56Um I have local law 8A, and that is ready.
10:00I would like to introduce Nerd's adoption.
10:10Please call the roll.
10:15No resolutions today, right?
10:19That'll be withdrawn.
10:22Oh, item nine will be this withdrawn.
10:28Um, Councillor Majok.
10:31Thank you, Madam President.
10:32I have item 10 to 18.
10:35I would like to introduce them and urge the adoption.
10:44Oh, I'm sorry, item 10.
10:50Please call the roll.
11:00Please call the roll.
11:09Please call the roll.
11:19Please call the roll.
11:28Please call the roll.
11:38Please call the roll.
11:48Please call the roll.
11:58Please call the roll.
12:08Doesn't 18 have to be tabled.
12:1418 is introduced on tables.
12:22So that was uh show.
12:24Um thank you, Madam President.
12:27Councilor Ernold Wright and myself have item 19.
12:30I would like to introduce it and urge its adoption.
12:40Go back to 18 because that needs to be introduced and tabled.
12:43Um item 18 uh is to be introduced and tabled.
12:52Uh Councilor Error Wright and myself have this item.
12:57Would like to introduce it and urge its adoption.
13:06I I'd like to say something.
13:10Um at the urging of some people in our community um with concerns of um doing business with companies that also do business with ice.
13:22Um I think this is a really good resolution.
13:26Um, it may not solve all the problems, but it certainly asks for a checks check box to provide us information if they share or disclose any client or customer information to third parties.
13:38So it's a step in the right direction, and I fully support it.
13:46Yes, I would like to thank a couple of people.
13:48I would like to thank the my colleagues here.
13:51I would like to thank Councillor Enerwright, especially for working diligently with me on this one.
13:57I want to thank uh Michael Collins, uh Director Evans, and uh Council Joe Barry and his team on helping us uh bring it to this point.
14:09I also want to extend appreciation to our community members who have been advocating for this.
14:14Any members of DSA here today?
14:17Would you stand please?
14:20Thank you for your advocacy to get us to this point.
14:23Uh, we appreciate you fighting for every voice here.
14:27And although this is as council more has said, this may not solve all our problems, but at least it move us closer to where we need to go.
14:36And I want to deeply thank you for your advocacy.
14:39All right, thank you.
14:41Uh, Madam President, that will be all for me.
14:46Any other counselor would like to make a remark?
14:49Madam President, I would just like to thank Councilman Joke and Aaron Right for the leadership on this.
14:53I know that it took a little while, took a lot of iterations, um, but appreciate you doing the hard work and putting the time in.
15:00I will also say that Councilman Chuk has been incredibly dedicated with this and has been looking for every area and every avenue that we can put in place to make sure that all of our neighbors and all of the city services that we provide are safe, legal, and friendly to everyone who lives in the city.
15:21Madam President, I want to say that in my common council district, I has targeted many of my constituents.
15:30And um it's very unfortunate.
15:32So I appreciate my colleagues.
15:35Strongly support this.
15:45Um thank you to everybody.
15:47Councillor Aaron Rick.
15:49Nope, we have to vote.
15:51Oh, I'm sorry, we need to vote.
15:54Okay, introducing item 19.
16:04All in favor, opposed, unanimous.
16:13Councillor Aaron Rick.
16:15Thank you, Madam President.
16:16I have items 20 through 25 that I wish to introduce and urge their adoption.
16:23And then I have item 26, um, which is a resolution to that we will also discuss a little bit.
16:42Please call the role.
16:43I'm in favor, aye, oppose, unanimous.
16:50Any discussion, please call the role.
17:02Please call the role.
17:12Please call the role.
17:25Please call the role.
17:38Please call the role.
17:45I would like to introduce an urgent adoption, but first I would like to present the resolution if I may.
17:50And I would like to um welcome uh Jean Leaker, uh, the executive director of the Central New York chapter of the Autism Society of America.
17:59This is a resolution to recognize April 2026 as Autism Awareness Awareness Month in the city of Syracuse.
18:07Uh autism spectrum disorder, ASD is a developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction and impacts individuals differently and to varying degrees.
18:17I do want to move beyond a little bit of this language to say that autism is part of our spectrum.
18:24We are all on a diversity of beautiful abilities, and I am so delighted that they are here to join us today.
18:32April has widely been excited recognized as Autism Awareness Month across the United States as an opportunity to educate the public, foster acceptance and inclusion, and highlight the challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum.
18:44Increasing awareness can help reduce stigma, encourage early diagnosis and intervention, and promote policies and programs, particularly on the municipal level, um, that support individuals with autism throughout their lives.
18:56As a city, embracing the full spectrum of neurodiversity means recognizing and valuing the unique strengths, perspectives, and contributions of all individuals while working to ensure that everyone has equitable access to opportunities and community life.
19:09Please join us for a statement.
19:15Thank you very much for that recognition and for the invitation to be here today.
19:20My name is Jean Liker, and I'm rec I'm from the Central New York chapter of the Autism Society.
19:26We are one of about 70 affiliates located throughout the country.
19:49This autism acceptance month, we invite everyone to be part of a movement that centers on inclusion, understanding, and celebrating the strengths of the autism community.
20:00Did you know that one in 31 children today are diagnosed with autism?
20:04These individuals are able to take steps towards independence and live purposeful lives when afforded the support system and opportunities that each and everyone deserves.
20:14Acceptance is often one of the biggest barriers to being valued and finding and developing a strong support system.
20:20Fostering acceptance is critically important and improving opportunities in education, employment, accessible housing, affordable health care, and comprehensive long-term services and supports.
20:33We know the need for services continues to increase, and we know that more people than ever before are living with autism and needing help.
20:40On Saturday, April 25th, we are hosting our one step at a time autism acceptance walk at Jamesville Beach Park.
20:47This is our largest annual event and fundraiser.
20:50Money's raised will enable our organization to continue to enrich our community with collaborative programming, educational opportunities, recreational programs, and general support to families living in the central New York area.
21:03We are about creating opportunities and options for all on the spectrum, and our mission is to create a place where each person with autism is valued, respected, and provided the opportunity to maximize their quality of life each and every day.
21:16We are grateful for the support of this great community coming together to spread awareness, foster acceptance, and empower everyone in the autism community with the resources to live fully.
21:27I appreciate you all for listening to me talk for a minute or two.
21:30And I'll close with a reminder that while April is recognized as autism acceptance month.
21:35For those with a loved one on the spectrum, it's really every month of the year.
21:39On behalf of my son and the entire autism community, I thank you.
21:56From the border of my heart.
22:18So thank you for the work you do to get our children served.
22:24Thank you very much.
22:25Madam President, could I um offer a friendly change to the resolution?
22:29It should have said uh autism acceptance month and not awareness month.
22:33Could we modify that on the fly?
22:38I want to actually echo the sentiments exactly.
22:42Um I had an aunt that was on the spectrum that was autistic.
22:46And when she was born, it was always said to institutionalize her.
22:51And my grandmother refused to do that, and she kept her and she taught her.
22:56And my aunt actually lived to be 70 years old when she passed away.
23:01So I am have someone very close to me.
23:04So thank you for all the work that you're doing.
23:09Can you say uh what you want changed in the resolution by motion, please?
23:14I would like to make a motion to add uh recognizing April 2026 as autism acceptance month in the city of Syracuse.
23:22All in favor, aye, opposed.
23:25And also, if your invitees would like to stay a little longer afterwards, we have a resolution signed by the council president for you all.
23:43I have item 27 through 29.
23:45I would like to introduce them and urge their adoption.
23:56Please call the role.
23:57All in favor, aye, oppose, unanimous.
24:06Please call the role.
24:16Please call the role.
24:24Thank you, Madam President.
24:25I would like to I have items 30 through 38.
24:30Um, 34 is being held or withdrawn.
24:34Um, the rest I'd like to introduce and urge their adoption.
24:46Please call the role.
24:49Yes, so um these items 30 through 33 is all about the gun violence program in our community that we know has touched the Syracuse community and the surrounding areas of our community.
25:01Um, and we are working really diligent to uh work on changing that factor.
25:07I can say I was one of the first people when the gun violence task force came about four years ago, and there was some money that came through through ARPA.
25:16When I said yes, let's try something.
25:18We have to not ignore the situation, as well as I believe we still need to.
25:23My biggest concern is, and I'm speaking it out to all of our community, our senators, our state assembly, the mayor's office is that we are spending tons of monies on gun violence, and we're spending money on um individuals, about 40 individuals, millions of dollars when exactly on item 21 in this page in this booklet today.
25:44We're taking 210 kids to a park for 12,000.
25:51Yes, we need to continue to build on gun violence.
25:53Yes, we need to uh address the situation, but our children who just are just moving and weaving out the way, our children who are just walking every day, our children who are going to school every day, they want to be included, they want to be a part.
26:07So just as much energy that we put in for this, we need to make sure that we make the gun violence um something that is not normal, right?
26:15And we need to start putting more money into our children who are doing great things in our community.
26:20So, as well as I'm not saying that this isn't not a needed program, because it is, but just as much energy and money and funding that we're putting into uh individuals who are doing bad.
26:30We have children in our community who are doing successful, and like I said, in item 21, we're spending 12,000 on 210 kids.
26:39That ain't that's not enough by far.
26:43I'd like to add something as well.
26:44I want to echo what um uh Rashida just said.
26:49I think a lot of times we spend money on fixing problems when we can prevent problems by having more programs for our kids.
26:57Um, I think that having more evening programs for our kids is super important.
27:02Um I know there were ideas floated last year on the council to open schools in the night and have some night programs, basketball and whatever else we can do to keep our kids busy.
27:12Um, and I would like to urge that um the city looks at some of those efforts to try to keep those kids engaged with um positive um activity and positive adults um just to continue to um encourage them and support them um in doing the right thing in our community.
27:34So I just want to I want to second that and I also believe that this program is necessary, but I do think that we need to be looking at both issues.
27:44Any additional comments?
27:48Okay, um item 30 please call the roll.
27:54All in favor, aye, opposed, unanimous item.
28:03Discussion, please call the roll.
28:06All in favor, opposed, unanimous.
28:12Discussion, please call the roll.
28:15All in favor, aye, opposed, unanimous.
28:21Discussion, please call the roll.
28:23All in favor, aye, opposed, unanimous.
28:26Item 34 will be withdrawn.
28:34Discussion, please call the roll.
28:43Discussion, please call the roll.
28:53Discussion, please call the roll.
28:55All in favor, opposed, item 38.
29:02Discussion, please call the roll.
29:04All in favor, aye, opposed, unanimous.
29:09Thank you, Madam President.
29:12I would like to introduce an urgent adoption.
29:20Please call the roll.
29:26Coldwell for Rousser.
29:29Thank you, Madam President.
29:30I'm introducing Councilor Rouser's items.
29:33She item 40 will be introduced and urged their adoption, and 41 will be held.
29:42Any discuss objections?
29:46Please call the roll.
29:51Item 41 will be held.
29:57Are you going to take that too, Rashida?
30:00Well, how counselor is that?
30:05I would like to introduce it and urge this adoption.
30:16Please call the roll.
30:22Thank you, President Panagua.
30:23I have items 43 through 46.
30:25I will introduce them and urge their adoption.
30:36Please call the roll.
30:45Please call the roll.
30:59So any discussion, and we're gonna go to Marty.
31:04Thank you, Madam President.
31:06Um the reason why I am opposing this.
31:12And it's not because of the family who owns the property.
31:22It's in the area of uh assumption church.
31:28There's a food pantry where people come every day for food and in the vicinity of Tilly's Touch, which is an after school program for children to learn soccer and to get an education.
31:41And I know it's a block or two away.
31:45However, I believe the New York State Department of Cannabis Management when they look at these proposals, they should look at the neighborhoods, and we are trying to revitalize it.
32:01And I know there's an illegal business going on right now across the street, and I know it's legal, but I believe that uh for the city of Syracuse district councillors, they should have more involvement, so should it's residents, and I brought this up at my district meeting, and uh they were concerned.
32:26Um I do not tell my colleagues how to vote vote as you see fit.
32:33Um I have met more than once for the Capani family, they're good people, but uh I'm just sort of expressing my opinion.
32:46Okay, item 45, please call the roll.
32:50Councilor Thagwell, yes, Councilor Machot, yes, Council Aaron Wright, yes, Councilor Hudson, Councillor Councillor Nave, no, Councilor Moore, yes, Councilor Williams, yes, counselor Mato, yes item passes with a six-one vote, uh seven-one vote.
33:20Please call the roll.
33:21All in favor, opposed, unanimous.
33:26Oh, and motion to adjourn.
33:28So second meeting adjourned.
