Syracuse Common Council Regular Meeting - July 13, 2026

The Syracuse Common Council convened at 1:00 PM on July 13, 2026, with President Paniaca presiding. The meeting included routine approvals, a debate on right-of-way closure fees, discussion of funding priorities for a historic staircase and youth programming, and several votes on bonds, fees, and land use items. Key votes were split on a new fee ordinance, a convenience store license, and a historic preservation funding item.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the June 29 meeting (unanimous).
• Acknowledged public hearings held on July 6, 2026, at 5:30 PM regarding naming of the Homer Wheaton Park concession stand to the Alphonse Gunn Concession Stand and the McChesney Community Center Basketball Court to the Dennis Pardinet Ball Court (pursuant to Revised General Ordinance of the City of Syracuse Chapter 17, Article 5).
• Items 11-12 (introduced by Councilor Cardwell), Items 14-39, Items 43-46, Items 49, 51-61 (with noted exceptions), Items 62-69, Items 71-81 (with noted exceptions), Items 85-88, and Item 89 were all adopted unanimously or with only one opposing vote as noted below.
• Items 41 and 42 were held (bond side and related legislation).
• Item 47 was passed, and Item 48 was held (both per objection process).

Discussion Items

• Item 13 – Right-of-Way Closure Fee Ordinance (Amendments): Councilor Mato thanked the Public Works Committee, council staff, corporation counsel, and the Department of Public Works for months of work on the legislation. Councilor Hudson expressed skepticism about the square footage calculation and monitoring capacity with current staff. Councilor Aaron Wright stated the proposed changes swing “the pendulum too far in the other direction,” moving from an area-based fee to an overly simplified administrative fee. He noted the ordinance builds on council ideas but still had reservations. Senior Corporation Counsel Megan Ryan confirmed that if the item did not pass, operations would continue under the 2025 ordinance. The item passed 5–4 (Councilors Cardwell, Michel, Nave, Jones Rouser, Mato in favor; Councilor Aaron Wright opposed; Councilors Hudson, Moore, Williams opposed).
• Items 47-48 – Westminster Staircase and Youth Programming Funding: Councilor Jones Rousser objected to Item 47 (and later upheld for 48). She argued the Westminster staircase has reached a point where preservation is no longer feasible, recommending that DASNI reallocate $600,000 to memorialize the steps and redirect $3.3 million in repair funds to youth programming (playgrounds, sports leagues, summer camps, after-school programs, job creation). She cited the Kirk Park pedestrian bridge closure as a similar case where one neighborhood was prioritized over another. She also suggested the funds could develop 10–12 three-bedroom houses to address the city’s housing shortage. Councilor Michel moved to hold Items 47–61, but that motion failed (3–6). Ultimately Item 47 passed, and Item 48 was held for the next agenda.
• Item 50 – Parking Lot Gating and Pump Track Relocation: After a vote had passed, Councilor (unidentified) successfully moved to revisit Item 50. That councilor stated they would vote no because of confusion over payment responsibility and because gating the parking lot would prevent local residents from parking after removal and relocation of the pump track, noting that a nearby plaza parking lot is not gated. The item then passed 8–1.
• Item 70 – Boot Fee Increase: Councilor Williams introduced the item, noting the deputy clerk updated the short title to “total costs not to exceed $75” for a one-year term. She expressed concern about the cumulative burden of increased taxes, water rates, red-light fines, school bus fines, sidewalk fees, and taxes on residents living paycheck to paycheck, but stated she would not vote no. Councilor Aaron Wright responded that the city has a revenue issue not a boot-fine issue, and that the fee adjustment is needed to enforce parking violations without losing more than $100 per enforcement. The item passed unanimously.
• Item 75 – Honored Dog Historical Association: Councilor Mato urged the association to continue defending and protecting all historical monuments, noting that many monuments were built with private funds and represent the heritage of all immigrant groups. He expressed concern about selective preservation and asked that new Americans also be recognized in the future. The item passed unanimously.
• Item 83 – Large Item Collection (Commercial/Larger Items): Councilor Jones Rousser introduced the item with updated information. Councilor Aaron Wright voted no. The item passed 8–1.
• Item 84 – Convenience Store Licensing Near Schools: Councilor (likely Moore or Williams) spoke against the item, highlighting that some convenience stores near schools sell illegal drugs, tobacco, and alcohol to children, and called on state legislators to change laws allowing such proximity. The item failed 4–5 (Councilors Michel, Nave, Williams, possibly Jones Rousser? – actual roll call: Cardwell no, Michel yes, Aaron Wright yes? opposed? unclear but final tally 4-5).

Key Outcomes

• Item 13 (Right-of-Way Closure Fee Ordinance) passed 5–4, amending the 2025 fee structure.
• Item 47 passed; Item 48 (bond for Westminster staircase) held for next meeting.
• Item 50 passed 8–1 after a motion to reconsider.
• Item 70 (boot fee increase) passed unanimously.
• Item 83 passed 8–1.
• Item 84 (convenience store license) failed 4–5.
• All other listed items passed either unanimously or with a single dissenting vote where noted.
• Meeting adjourned after the vote on Item 89.