Syracuse City Council Meeting - April 29, 2026

The Syracuse City Council convened on April 29, 2026, at approximately 3:55 PM to discuss a broad agenda including budget amendments, contracts, emergency demolitions, and community partnerships. Two public hearings were announced: the DPW municipal sidewalk program on May 4 at 1 PM and the annual city and school district budget estimate later that evening at 5:30 PM.

Scheduling Announcements

• Two public hearings were scheduled: May 4 at 1 PM (DPW sidewalk program) and April 29 at 5:30 PM (budget estimate).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during this session. A separate public hearing for the budget was held later in the evening.

Discussion Items

• Item 9A: A previously tabled resolution was declared ready for approval.
• Item 12: Craig Whitmer of the Office of Analytics, Performance and Innovation presented a 10-week fellowship agreement with Syracuse University's Maxwell School. The city will pay $5,000 from its summer intern budget, and Maxwell will contribute $2,500. The program aims to pair a graduate student with the city for a research project.
• Items 13-14: Budget-related resolutions for the Department of Public Works required a correction to $4.5 million (originally listed as $3 million and $4 million). The companion items will be adjusted.
• Items 15-17: Three resolutions concerning new sensors for the street lighting platform. Items 15 and 17 authorize bonds not to exceed $3 million for sensor purchases; item 16 is an agreement with Zio (Best in Ubiquia) for sensor supply. The sensors carry a 10-year warranty; the contract is for 5 years with a 5-year extension. No additional maintenance costs are expected.
• Items 18-19: City Engineer Mary Robison presented a request for an additional $250,000 in bonding for the new police parking lot at 1153 West Fayette Street (corner of Magnolia and Fayette), bringing the total to $1.65 million. Bids came in over budget. The lot will provide over 100 parking spaces for patrol vehicles. Nearby businesses, including the Gear Factory, expressed concerns about parking displacement. Discussions included permeable pavement feasibility and stormwater management in a separated sewer area.
• Item 20: Eric from the Mayor's Office requested a 90-day extension (through June) for a road closure related to the Syracuse University Graduate Hotel project. Non-refundable fees paid through June total $197,198; refundable fees for right-of-way improvements amount to $679,740 (paid by check). Councillors expressed concerns about fee calculations, timeline discrepancies (start date originally cited as late December), and the financial burden on taxpayers given SU's tax-exempt status. Eric confirmed that any extension beyond June would require council approval.
• Item 21: Water Commissioner Robert Brandt presented a one-year contract extension with Cornell University (not to exceed $102,494) for the watershed education program, required to maintain the city's filtration waiver. The program educates farmers and homeowners, monitors soil and water, and coordinates with DEC enforcement. A report on program effectiveness was requested.
• Item 22: A five-year agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to operate and maintain the Spencer Street gauge station on Onondaga Creek (cost $39,558 over five years). The station provides flood mitigation data; the previous agreement expired.
• Item 23: A revocable permission for SU to install underground electrical and communication duct banks crossing Harrison Street in the 900 block. Annual fee is about $65, adjusted by CPI. The city will consider property tax implications.
• Item 24: A resolution honoring nurses during National Nurses Week (early to mid-May). All councils signed on.
• Items 25-27: Councilor Mick presented: Item 25 required a typographical correction ($400,000); Item 26 authorized a $50,000 donation from the Brianna Stewer Foundation to be funneled through the Syracuse Conservancy; Item 27 authorized payment for a game vehicle for Big Rig Day on May 16 at Burnett Park.
• Item 28: Chief Strategy Officer Stephanie Pasqual introduced a partnership with McMahon Ryan to deploy a mobile response unit for gun violence reduction. The unit will provide counseling and support proactively and in response to incidents. No cost to the city; no city staff involved. Councillors suggested coordination with other mobile units.
• Item 29: Investigations Bureau Chief Dave Matzis presented an agreement with NYS DCJS for the GIVE 13 initiative, which supports proactive enforcement, youth engagement, and gun violence prevention. The initiative reimburses the city for related positions; no local match required.
• Item 30: Approval of an honorary street sign at Austin and Bellevue in memory of Charlotte Burkovicki, a longtime resident.
• Item 31: Councilor Williams reminded of the budget public hearing at 5:30 PM and directed the public to the city website for budget documents.
• Item 32: Councilor Williams introduced a local law on surveillance, with amendments sent via email. It was tabled for further review and will be included in the next meeting's packet. State-level legislation on similar topics was noted.
• Items 33-34: Councilor Jones Roser held item 33; item 34 amended a previous ordinance to reflect demolition of the structure at 145 Forest Avenue (now a vacant lot). The lot's future use will be determined.
• Items 35-40: Councilor Monto presented: 35 - License agreement with Huber Brewer for construction staging at the former Syracuse Developmental Center; 18 months, $94,000 fee. 36-37 - Bond increase of $317,000 for emergency backfill of a dangerous hole left by a demolition. 38-39 - Bond authorization of up to $600,000 for emergency demolition of a collapsing wall at 1800 North Salina Street. 40 - Zone change to resolve a split-zone parcel from a city-owned property sale.

Key Outcomes

• All items except 32 and 33 were moved and approved unanimously (motion to agree, all in favor). Item 32 was tabled; item 33 was held.
• The two public hearings (sidewalk program and budget) were scheduled as announced.