Syracuse Common Council Meeting - September 14, 2026\n\nThe Syracuse Common Council held its regular meeting on September 14, 2026, at 4:55 PM. The meeting began with an invocation by Father Jean Dollinger and a roll call, followed by the approval of the minutes from August 24th. The Council handled a public hearing, a petition, committee reports, communications, and adopted numerous resolutions, including several ceremonial recognitions and legislative items. Most items were passed unanimously.\n\n### Consent Calendar\n- Approval of the minutes of August 24th (unanimous).\n- Items 9A and 9B (introduced by Councilor Williams) adopted unanimously.\n- Items 14 through 24 (introduced by Councilor Majok) adopted unanimously.\n- Items 25 through 30 (introduced by Councilor Aaron Wright) adopted unanimously. Councilor Williams recognized the late Gloria Sage during discussion of item 25.\n- Items 31 through 36 (introduced by Councilor Moore via Councilor Hudson) adopted unanimously.\n- Items 37 through 39 (introduced by Councilor Williams) adopted unanimously.\n- Item 40 (introduced by Councilor Jones Rousser) adopted unanimously.\n- Item 41 (introduced by Councilors Monto and Jones Rousser) adopted unanimously.\n- Items 42 and 43 (introduced by Councilor Monto) adopted unanimously.\n- Items 46 and 48 (introduced by Councilor Monto) adopted unanimously.\n- Item 49 (introduced by Councilors Monto and Williams) – a resolution urging adoption of state legislation limiting use of license plate reader data – adopted unanimously after brief discussion.\n- Item 50 – a resolution recognizing Jubilee Homes of Syracuse on its 40th anniversary (introduced by Councilor Abraham) – adopted unanimously.\n- Item 51 – a resolution recognizing September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Syracuse (introduced by Councilor Nave) – adopted unanimously.\n- Item 13 – a resolution to name a portion of Park Street as "Brother Marcus Way" in honor of Mark Cass (initially withdrawn, later brought back by motion) – adopted unanimously after testimony.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- Petition: A petition from Joseph Tallalino with 36 signatures opposing the use of offices at 1115 East Coblin Street was presented by Councilor (name not given).\n- Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Isabel Petito, a volunteer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and member of the planning committee for the local Out of the Darkness walk, thanked the Council for the resolution. She noted that suicide affects many families in Syracuse and that prevention is possible through education, advocacy, and support.\n- Honoring Mark Cass: Dr. Yusuf Soule spoke in support of the resolution to name Park Street after Mark Cass. He described Cass as a person who was present for the community, from pre-K children to elders. Councilor Majok also highlighted Cass's legacy and introduced two young people, Asina Adam and Hussein Yarrow, who were uplifted by Cass's work at the North Side Learning Center.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- Public Hearing: A public hearing was held on a local law enacting Section 421-F of the New York State Real Property Tax Law, authorizing a partial exemption for capital improvements to residential real properties. No public comments were made, and the hearing was declared closed.\n- Committee Report: The Charters Committee met on September 11th regarding charter changes with a capital improvement plan.\n- Communications: The auditor submitted an analysis of the Syracuse University PILOT agreement with the city, and Lions Energy Group acknowledged terms and conditions of an ordinance.\n- Item 49 (License Plate Reader Data): Councilor Williams explained that the resolution supports state legislation limiting the use of license plate reader data to specific law enforcement purposes such as locating stolen vehicles, missing persons, or vehicles with outstanding felony warrants, and for traffic enforcement and toll collection. The bill is being carried in the Assembly and Senate.\n- Item 51 (Suicide Prevention Month): Councilor Nave read the resolution and shared personal statistics: people with Tourette syndrome are roughly four times more likely to die by suicide; gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults face a suicide risk six times greater than heterosexual adults; and 37% of gay/lesbian youth seriously consider suicide.\n- Item 13 (Street Naming): Councilor Majok moved to bring back the item after initial withdrawal. Testimony from Dr. Yusuf Soule and Councilor Majok emphasized Mark Cass's impact on the North Side community and the North Side Learning Center. The installation of the street sign is scheduled for two weeks from the meeting date.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- Public Hearing Closed: No action taken on the 421-F local law; hearing closed.\n- Petition Received: Petition opposing office use at 1115 East Coblin Street was received and referred (no further action noted).\n- Unanimous Votes: All resolutions and items (except those held or withdrawn) were adopted by unanimous voice votes.\n- Items Held: Item 11 and 12 were introduced and tabled; Item 44, 45, and 47 were held. Item 45 will be subject to a committee meeting on September 21, 2026 at 5:30 PM. Item 13 was initially withdrawn but later brought back and adopted.\n- Next Steps: Street naming installation for Brother Marcus Way to occur in two weeks. Committee meeting on Item 45 scheduled.\n- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by motion.