Syracuse Common Council Meeting - July 29, 2026

The Syracuse Common Council convened on July 29, 2026, to address a broad agenda covering health insurance contracts, infrastructure bonds, technology upgrades, public safety equipment, fiscal policies, and various resolutions. The meeting included detailed discussions on several high-cost items and multiple votes on bond authorizations and contract approvals.

Insurance & Health Benefits

• Item 9: Approved a one-year extension with Excelis for health insurance administration, citing projected savings of $8.5 million split among the city, school district, and county. The city is self-insured, and the consortium model reduces administrative costs. The city will begin an RFP in January for the following year.
• Discussion noted that the savings are built into the original contract and market changes have made the extension advantageous. No formal employee survey has been conducted, but few complaints have been received.

Water & Environmental Infrastructure

• Items 10-11: Authorized a $10 million bond for converting the chlorine gas system at Scene Atlas Lake to a liquid hypochlorite system. The project is required for safety (chlorine gas is a hazardous material). A $5 million state grant application was submitted; the bond approval was necessary for eligibility. The bond amount may not be fully used if the grant is awarded.
• Item 12: Approved $94,000 for two new SUVs for the Water Department to replace vehicles that failed inspection. Discussion covered lack of hybrid options due to maintenance concerns and vehicle lifespan (8-10 years).

DPW & Public Works Waivers (Items 13-17)

• Approved waivers of competitive bidding for various repair services and parts: Binghamton Truck Body (trash packer parts), Echelon Supply (hydraulic repairs), Fleet Pride (drive shafts), SW Services (fuel island repairs), and Syracuse Truck & Trailer (trailers). Vendors are localized or sole source.

Engineering & Streets

• Item 18: Accepted three street lights installed by Syracuse University at no cost; city will own and maintain them.
• Items 19-20: Amended ordinances to switch $410,000 in local funds to federal funds for a state DOT project.
• Items 21-23: Increased East Calvin Street paving project cost by $1,032,500 due to higher bid prices.
• Item 24: Approved revocable permit amendment reimbursing a property owner up to $100,000 for sidewalk and lighting improvements on Bank Alley using DASNY grant funds.
• Item 25: Amended revocable permit for Alliance Energy to install a high-pressure gas main on Fineview Place due to I-81 construction; annual fee increased to $19,152.
• Items 26-27: Two revocable permits for Syracuse University to install underground duct banks (fees: $2,565 and $1,040.72 per year).
• Items 28-31: Amended SEQR and bonding for Creek Walk phases: Phase 3 (Calvin Street to Dorwin) and design phase (Kirk Park to Ballantyne Road) costing $886,000. Items 29-31 were held for further resident questions.

Parks & Recreation

• Items 34-35: Authorized $1.7 million bond for Westminster stairs reconstruction (total project $3 million). Stairs will use pre-cast concrete slabs; contractor selection pending. Goal to start spring 2027.
• Item 36: Approved $45,103.10 agreement with Onondaga County for deer intake management program. Discussion noted increased tick prevalence and need for proactive measures.

Technology & IT

• Item 37: Waived competitive bid for fleet management platform (current vendor, will RFP next year).
• Item 38: Approved a three-month free trial of an asset and work order management platform as a potential successor to CityWorks.
• Item 39: Entered a five-year enterprise agreement with Cisco for networking hardware and licenses, total not to exceed approximately $1 million over five years. Agreement is cancelable for convenience. Includes firewalls and cybersecurity protections.
• Item 50: Appropriated $150,000 in cash capital for server upgrades.
• Item 51: Appropriated $400,000 for replacing broken COPS cameras (street cameras).

Public Safety & Police

• Item 43: Approved agreement with Auburn Hospital for emergency medicine supplies for paramedics.
• Item 44: Waived RFP for Galaxy Media to market police hiring (due to expedited exam schedule). Deadline September 1.
• Item 45: Approved $25,000 for department chaplains.
• Item 46: Approved $18,000 agreement with Prime Info for tactical operations software (closed loop, data stored internally).
• Item 47: Increased award for hard tokens (MFA) for staff.
• Item 48: Authorized application for a $1 million law enforcement technology grant (cameras, computers, speed trailers, etc.). Held for committee until technology list provided.
• Item 49: Approved grant application ($75k split with sheriff) for soft-target security barriers and emergency response equipment.
• Items 52-53: Authorized $380,000 bond for rifle-rated vests for all sworn officers (level III/IV). Lifespan ~5 years.
• Items 54-55: Proposed increase of $1 million (to total $1.75 million) for a mobile command post vehicle. Discussion highlighted need for larger capacity; potential $1 million federal earmark. Held for committee meeting.
• Items 56-57: Proposed $1.75 million bond for new records management system (replace 30+ year old system). Held for committee.
• Items 58-59: Authorized $3.34 million bond for replacement of 31 marked police vehicles and unmarked units. Discussion on hybrid/electric feasibility; current evaluation deems not cost-effective for 24/7 use.

Fiscal & Administrative

• Item 60: Amended sewer rates, increasing from $1.25 to $1.35 per 100 cubic feet (8% increase). Finance noted sewer fund balance is low even with increase.
• Item 61: Increased scope and funding by $100,000 per year for audit services from Bonadio.
• Item 62: Approved hiring appraiser for 3614 Burnett Avenue (dog shelter).
• Item 63: Executive session deferred to Monday.
• Item 64: Approved contract with Downtown Syracuse Foundation for cultural festival funds.
• Item 65: Re-awarded RFP for authorized contractors as two separate ordinances per law department recommendation.
• Item 66: Approved community solar agreement with Power Market for city facilities, guaranteeing 10% savings with no cost to city.
• Item 67: Extended battery energy storage system moratorium for up to six months (likely shorter, pending final regulations).

Resolutions & Honors

• Item 33: Adopted resolution thanking governor for data center moratorium and urging passage of comprehensive state legislation.
• Item 40: Unanimously approved resolution honoring Sharon (business owner and daycare provider) for decades of community service.
• Item 42: Introduced ordinance for honorary street sign for the Lombardi family at Butternut and Low Dye streets (56-year-old family business).

Key Outcomes

• Approved one-year contract extension with Excelis.
• Authorized $10 million bond for water treatment conversion, contingent on grant.
• Approved multiple waivers and contracts for vehicle purchases, repairs, and technology.
• Advanced various infrastructure projects through bond authorizations and grant applications.
• Held several items for further committee review: police technology grant (48), command post (54-55), records system (56-57).
• Increased sewer rates by 8%.
• Extended battery storage moratorium.