Syracuse Common Council Regular Meeting - August 24, 2026
Syracuse Common Council Regular Meeting - August 24, 2026
[Introductory paragraph summarizing overall meeting.]
The Syracuse Common Council held its regular meeting on August 24, 2026, with President Pro Tempore presiding. The council approved minutes from August 3, 2026, received committee reports and communications, and voted unanimously on a series of resolutions and local laws. Notable actions included a resolution honoring community leader Mark Cass, the tabling of two local laws, and the unanimous adoption of a resolution to rename a street in honor of Father Jim Matthews upon his retirement.
Committee Reports
- Public Works and Infrastructure met on Wednesday, August 5, to discuss the chlorine conversion project at a lake (location unclear).
- Public Safety met on Tuesday, August 11, to discuss held items including a command post, take-home vehicles, and new vehicles requested by the police.
Communications
- The Clerk acknowledged receipt of a letter from City Auditor Alex Marriage regarding the report "Legislative Year and Review: Understanding the Work of the Syracuse Common Council 2025."
- A letter from CRB commissioner Michael Kinwell resigning.
- Letters acknowledging terms and conditions of specific ordinances: Parkside Commons (471-2006) and Syracuse University (548-2006, 556-2006, 557-2006, 475-2006).
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the minutes from August 3, 2026 (motion by Councilor Hudson, seconded).
- Items 8, 10–15, 17–21, 22, 24–41, 44–48, 50–53, 54–61 were introduced and adopted unanimously without objection.
- Item 9 was withdrawn.
- Item 16 was held to September 13, 2026, at the request of family and friends.
- Items 42 and 43 (local laws) were introduced and tabled.
- Item 49 was withdrawn.
Discussion Items
- Recognition of Mark Cass (Item 23): Councilor Nave presented a resolution recognizing Mark Cass for his lifelong dedication to Syracuse's North Side and New American communities, particularly through the Northside Learning Center. The resolution highlighted his work providing educational opportunities, English language support, mentorship, and resources to refugee and immigrant families. The council adopted the resolution unanimously.
- Street Naming – Father Jim's Way (Items 52 and 53): Councilor Jones Rouser introduced a resolution to name a portion of road "Father Jim's Way" in honor of Father Jim Matthews of St. Lucy's Church, who is retiring on his 90th birthday. Councilors shared personal remarks praising Father Matthews for creating a welcoming, inclusive community, serving the poor, and supporting refugees. Councilor Machoke noted the significance for LGBTQ+ Catholics. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes from August 3, 2026.
- Adopted numerous resolutions and ordinances (items 8–61) with unanimous votes, except where noted.
- Held item 16 to September 13, 2026.
- Withdrew items 9 and 49.
- Tabled local laws items 42 and 43.
- Adopted resolution recognizing Mark Cass.
- Adopted resolution to name a street "Father Jim's Way."
Adjournment
- A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and passed.
Meeting Transcript
I don't really have no questions. I don't know how you have this stuff. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and City Republic or which aim one nation under guard individual with liberty and justice for all the listen well to one another all to women and passionate words to allow to build and welcoming place here and require my voice thank you would the clerk please call the roll yes president prouncelor cottwell present council machoke counselor and right counselor Hudson Counselor Nave here Councillor Moore here Councilor Williams Councillor Jones Rouser Councilor Monto are present with deception of council to approve the minute the council Hudson and uh and right sorry over there I have a motion to approve the minutes from August 3rd so moved second second all in favor aye one of those why not anyway over here too please I'm okay with are there any petitions no sir clerk committee reports yes um public works and infrastructure had a meeting on Wednesday August 5th to have a discussion around chlorine conversion project uh at an adag uh not uh at lake uh public safety had a meeting on Tuesday October or sorry august 11th we're not told we up um we discussed some of the held items which was a command post take home vehicles and the new vehicles um the police were asking for any communications yes president uh quote i have several i have a letter from actually first i have a report from the honorable alex marriage and our city auditor the name of the report is legislative year and review understanding the work of the Syracuse Common Council 2025 I have a letter from CRB or one of their uh commissioners is resigning Michael Kinwell and I have a couple letters acknowledgment of terms and conditions of specific ordinances that was passed one from Parkside Commons that is 471 2006 and several from Syracuse University 548 2006 556 2006 557 2006 475 2006 and that's it thank you clerk counselor Williams thank you president pro tem um I have item eight a that it's ready I'd like to introduce an urge its adoption item eight a are there any objections discussion please call the roll all in favor aye opposed unanimous item nine will be withdrawn counselor caldwell oh without oh thank you bless us all everybody today I hope everyone's having a blessed day I have items number 10 and 11 I'd like to introduce them and urge their adoption item ten are there any objections discussion please call the roll all in favor opposed unanimous item eleven are there any objections discussion please call the roll all in favor aye opposed unanimous councilor majoke I have item twelve to fifteen I would like to introduce them and urge the adoption twelve are there any objections discussion please call the roll all in favor aye opposed unanimous thirteen any objections discussion please call the roll all in favor opposed unanimous 14 any objections discussion please call the roll all in favor aye opposed is unanimous fifteen any objections discussion please call the roll all in favor aye opposed unanimous counselor m'joke thank you pro tem I have item sixteen uh we will hold this item out of the request of the family and friends would like to hold it for the next voting session which is going to be on Opposed. Unanimous. 14. Any objections. Discussion. Please call the roll. All in favor. Aye. Opposed. It's unanimous. 15. Any objections? Discussion. Please call the roll. All in favor. Aye. Opposed. It's unanimous. Councilor Majoke. Thank you, Pro Tem. I have item 16. Uh, we will hold this item out of the request of the family and friends. I'd like to hold it for the next voting session, which is going to be on. September. September is something like something. Uh what is the 12th, 13th? September 13th. September 13th. We'll move it to September 13th. All right. Item 16 will be held. Uh Councillor Jones Rouser for Counselor Aaron Rike. Thank you, Pro Temp. Counselor Aaron Reich has items 17 through 21. Uh items are ready. I introduce and urge their adoption. Item 17, are there any objections? Discussion, please call the roll. All in favor, aye. Opposed, unanimous. 18. Any objections? Discussion. Please call the roll. All in favor. Aye. Opposed.
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