Public Meetings - Syracuse, New York

The Syracuse City Council held a budget hearing for the Bureau of Accounts (BOA) on April 13, 2026. The meeting was chaired by a council member and included Finance Commissioner Diane Nestry, who presented the department's proposed budget for fiscal year 2027. The discussion focused on the proposed budget reduction, staffing vacancies, revenue challenges, and opportunities for operational efficiencies. Discussion Items - Budget Overview: The BOA's adopted budget for fiscal year 2026 was approximately $839,000. The proposed FY27 budget is about $820,000, a reduction of $19,000. Commissioner Nestry attributed the decrease to fewer funded positions: one accountant three vacancy was removed, and the deputy commissioner salary (a new role unfilled for a year) was reduced, along with the commissioner's salary. - Staffing and Vacancies: The department currently has two vacancies (accountant three and accountant one). The FY27 budget funds only one accountant three instead of two. The deputy commissioner position remains unfilled. Out-of-title pay covers interim responsibilities, including Nestry's transition from assistant director to commissioner. - Interest Income: Projected interest income decreased from $9.5 million to $7 million, reflecting a conservative estimate due to market uncertainty and lower cash reserves. - Operational Efficiencies: Nestry plans to consolidate the city's 30 bank accounts to reduce administrative work. She also aims to automate manual journal entries and improve integration of accounting software, particularly assisting the Neighborhood Business Development (NBD) department in fully transitioning to PeopleSoft. - Partnerships and Training: Nestry praised the audit partnership with Bonadio Group and noted the value of the FUST contract for professional support. She expressed interest in benchmarking with other cities (e.g., Rochester, Buffalo) and emphasized the need for more professional development funding, such as LinkedIn Learning, to build team capacity. - Cross-Departmental Collaboration: The commissioner highlighted ongoing collaboration with the Budget office, FinOps, and NBD. She noted that the BOA currently does not have any positions funded through SORA but will discuss SORA staffing during the FinOps budget hearing. - Reporting and Grants Management: Nestry wants to improve budget-to-actual reporting and ensure faster reimbursement from grants by better organizing grant project management. The Center of Excellence initiative is helping to revamp grant processes. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken on the budget during this hearing. The council will continue budget discussions in subsequent sessions. - The proposed FY27 budget reflects a $19,000 reduction from the previous year, driven by salary adjustments and vacancy management. - Commissioner Nestry committed to exploring bank account consolidation, automation of accounting processes, and enhanced cross-departmental training as priorities for the coming year.

On April 13, 2026, the Syracuse City Council held a budget hearing for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Budget Director Evan Loving and his team presented the office's budget, procurement updates, and equity compliance initiatives. The discussion focused on budget process improvements, procurement reforms, and staffing priorities. Discussion Items - Budget Overview: Director Loving presented the OMB budget, noting that most changes are year-over-year due to personnel shifts. One employee moved from the SURA fund to the general fund, and contractual services on SURA were zeroed out. All positions except one vacancy in equity compliance are filled. - Budget Process Priorities: Loving outlined goals for a year-long budget process starting July 2026, improving the budget book's usability, taking a fresh look at the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and enhancing revenue forecasting and projections. - Procurement and Purchasing: The division is working on new guidance for waivers of RFPs and bids, finalizing a Bloomberg procurement transformation grant ($400,000 remaining) before it ends in September 2026, re-evaluating the Interlocal Agreement (IMA) with the county (currently expired), and aligning procurement with the school district. Councilor Moore suggested centralized office supply purchasing to save money. - OpenGov and Savings: Councilors discussed measuring success of OpenGov, noting increased vendor participation but lack of a formal evaluation framework. Sheryl Pace (Assistant Director of Equity Compliance) explained that while subcontracting by MWBEs has increased, fewer respond as primes due to bonding, insurance, and access to capital barriers. Efforts include unbundling contracts, education, and proactive outreach. - Equity Compliance and Social Impact: The division has one vacancy. Loving emphasized defining "social impact" and integrating equity goals into procurement processes, such as waivers. Councilor Nave asked about the "social impact analyst" role, which is still being refined. - Staffing and Training: Loving stressed cross-training and succession planning to avoid single points of failure, and plans for citywide training on budget, procurement, and equity compliance. Key Outcomes - No votes or formal decisions were taken. The hearing was informational, with OMB outlining priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. - Councilors expressed support for OMB's proposed reforms and requested continued evaluation of procurement outcomes, especially for MWBE participation. - The next hearing was scheduled for the following morning with the Auditor.

The council committee met on April 13, 2026, to review the City Payment Center (Treasury) operations, including tax and fee collection, delinquent tax management, and opportunities to improve revenue collection and payment accessibility. Key officials present included Deputy Commissioner Vicky, Commissioner of Assessment Matt OJ, and several councilors. Discussion Items - Overview of City Payment Center: Deputy Commissioner Vicky explained that the Treasury collects tax, water, parking, and school zone payments, processes cash payments, and bills for police overtime, board-ups, cut-and-cleans, demolitions, emergency repairs, and PILOT/shelter rent payments. The center employs five cashiers, eight control clerks, and three information aides. - Delinquent Tax Collection and Seizure Process: Vicky described the seizure process: after 2.5 years of tax delinquency, the city sends a 60-day notice, and seizure takes 6–9 months. Commissioner OJ noted a property with delinquencies dating back to 1955 and confirmed that tax petitions are on his desk, with seizure anticipated on the 16th. A councilor asked about the timeline and how to deal with out-of-state owners who abandon properties; Vicky said the best approach is to proceed with seizure quickly. - Revenue Enhancement and Late Charges: Vicky reported that collection rates have increased every year due to proactive outreach, working with delinquent taxpayers, and assessing late charges on PILOTs and shelter rents. Late charge income has risen dramatically. A councilor asked whether adding a staff position would pay for itself; Vicky indicated current staffing is adequate except for the new school zone fine program, which has generated 700 refunds due to vendor errors (tickets issued on snow days or when equipment wasn't ready). The refunds are time-consuming. - School Zone Fine Refunds: Vicky explained that the vendor (Yenoptic) approved tickets incorrectly; the city is processing refunds for 700 tickets. Councilor questioned the approval process; Vicky noted both SPD and the vendor are supposed to review. - Payment Accessibility: A councilor asked how to help people pay more easily. Vicky mentioned the mayor suggested extended hours (open until 7 PM on Mondays) and that the Invoice Cloud portal allows online payments for many fees. She noted that mail delivery issues in some neighborhoods cause missed tax bills, and the center now sends courtesy notices and delinquent notices, which have improved collection. - Booting Fee and Paylock: Vicky noted the city pays a 28% fee to the booting vendor on outstanding parking tickets, costing a couple hundred thousand dollars annually. She said they are working to incorporate school zone fines into the booting system and may raise the booting fee and reduce the percentage paid. - Late Fee Waivers: Vicky stated there are strict guidelines; to waive a late fee, a resident must show proof they stopped payment on a lost check. A councilor suggested promoting the option to mail tax payments directly to City Hall, and Vicky agreed to check if there is room on the tax bill to add that information. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken. The council thanked Vicky and her staff for their work. - Vicky agreed to follow up on adding a mailing option to the tax bill and to check on the Invoice Cloud portal issue. - The council will continue to explore ways to improve payment accessibility and recover delinquent taxes, with a focus on the booting fee reduction and extended hours. - A motion to adjourn was made and seconded.

This meeting was a budget hearing for the City of Syracuse's Bureau of Accounts (BOA), led by newly appointed Finance Commissioner Diane Nestry. Discussions focused on the department's budget, operations, and long-term fiscal sustainability. Discussion Items - Commissioner Introduction: Diane Nestry, recently stepping into the role of Commissioner of Finance, provided an overview of BOA's responsibilities, including accounting for all city transactions, overseeing bank accounts, and reconciliations. She noted a slight reduction in the budget due to vacancies and a decrease in the deputy commissioner position (created last year but never filled). Two vacancies exist (Accountant 3 and Accountant 1), with only one Accountant 3 funded this year. The commissioner's and deputy commissioner's salaries were also reduced. - Out-of-Title Pay: Nestry explained that out-of-title pay covers the interim commissioner (herself) and other staff in transition, compensating for pay variances. - Budget and Structural Challenges: Council members acknowledged the department's efforts to limit year-over-year increases but noted that expenses are rising faster than revenues. Nestry discussed strategic use of debt service, fund balance, and savings to bridge cash flow gaps until state aid and other revenues arrive. She emphasized improving reporting and spending oversight. - Audit Partnership: Nestry described the Bonadio Group as a great audit firm, noting the lengthy but informative process. The contract is bid every three years. An RFP for accounting consulting services is underway, and a support staff from FUST assists with grants management. The "center of excellence" project aims to improve grant reimbursement efficiency. - Operational Efficiencies: Nestry expressed a desire to consolidate the city's 30+ bank accounts to reduce administrative work, and to better utilize accounting software to automate manual journal entries. She advocated for increased training and professional development funding, noting that only four LinkedIn Learning licenses were used last year. - Interest Income: Interest income is projected to decrease by $2.5 million (from $9.5M to $7M) due to a conservative estimate and slightly lower invested cash reserves. - Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Nestry noted partnerships with Budget, FinOps, and Neighborhood & Business Development (NBD) to integrate NBD into PeopleSoft accounting software, aiming to centralize processes. She expressed interest in learning best practices from other cities (e.g., Rochester, Buffalo). Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions were taken; the hearing was informational. The council acknowledged the department's prudent budgeting. Nestry committed to continuing work on consolidating bank accounts, improving software integration, and enhancing training opportunities. Further discussion on fee collection was deferred to the CPC budget hearing.

On April 9, 2026, the Syracuse City Council held a work session focused on proposed updates to Chapter 22 of the city code, which governs public trees along streets and in parks. The presentation was led by Karen Firehock, consultant with the Green Infrastructure Center, and Steve Harris, City Arborist with the Syracuse Parks Department. Councilors discussed new standards for tree protection, replacement, and a dedicated tree fund, as well as broader plans for future zoning changes affecting private development. Public Comments & Testimony - No formal public testimony was taken during this work session. However, Councilors raised questions and concerns on behalf of residents, including: - Councilor Donamore expressed concern about utility companies (Spectrum and National Grid) topping and pruning trees without regard for tree health or neighborhood aesthetics, stating trees are left in “V-shapes” and looking “undignified.” - Councilor Wright inquired about flexibility in the tree fund to allow partnerships with entities like CNY Land Trust or cemeteries for reforestation on non-city-owned but publicly accessible land. - Councilor Donamore asked about mechanisms for community volunteer engagement (e.g., designated pruners or master gardeners) and whether the city has a formal wood utilization program for storm-damaged trees. - Councilor Donamore also asked about a specific tree damage complaint on Holly Avenue, where a tree has uprooted a sidewalk, and requested an inspection. - Councilor Wright raised concerns about whether private arborists are refusing to service certain parts of the city (South Side, South Valley, North Side), potentially due to insurance or bonding requirements, characterizing it as a “tree version of redlining.” Discussion Items - Overview of Tree Benefits: - Karen Firehock and Steve Harris presented data on the stormwater control, heat island mitigation, and public health benefits of trees. They noted that on a 79°F day, there can be a 12°F temperature difference between forested areas (71°F near Webster Pond) and paved lots (87°F at Destiny USA). - Large trees are valued at approximately $7,411 in ecosystem benefits, while smaller trees are valued at about $450 (U.S. Forest Service data). - Proposed Changes to Chapter 22 (Public Trees): - New Tree Advisory Board: An eight-member appointed board to focus on public awareness and education, meeting at least quarterly. This aligns with Tree City USA standards. - Tree Design Manual: A companion technical manual (not codified) to establish best practices for planting, pruning, and species selection, allowing easy updates without council votes. - Prohibitions Against Damaging Public Trees: Expanded list of harmful activities (e.g., storing heavy materials on roots, applying de-icing brine near trees). - Permits for Construction Near Public Trees: Required fencing and protection for trees during construction. - Replacement Standards: Replacement on a one-inch-per-one-inch basis for removed public trees, with trees planted in the same neighborhood to recover canopy faster. - Tree Fund: Establishes a designated fund for fines, fees, and donations (e.g., from private citizens or settlements). Money must be used for tree planting, establishment, and maintenance. - Surplus Wood Utilization: Allows the city to sell high-value wood (e.g., walnut) from removed public trees to local carpenters, with proceeds going to the tree fund. - Foraging Language: Clarifies that foraging edible plants in public parks is permitted, addressing conflicts with ordinances that prohibit picking flowers. - Emergency Provisions: Allows immediate tree removal in emergencies (e.g., storms) with 48-hour notification to the city. - Future Zoning Changes (Article 4.5): - Karen Firehock previewed planned updates for private development, including requirements to preserve large trees on development sites, off-site mitigation options, bonding for two-year tree survival, and more flexible parking lot tree placement. These changes will be part of a broader zoning code update, still 80% complete. - Community Engagement: - The city conducted significant outreach: multi-stakeholder committee with citizens, advocacy groups, and developers (consensus reached); online survey positive for tree protection; presentations to all TNT neighborhood sectors; two public open houses; and a developer forum in spring 2025 (about 30 attendees). Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken at this work session; the meeting was informational and for discussion. - Councilors provided several requests for clarification and modifications: - Councilor Wright requested that the tree fund language allow flexibility for partnerships with non-city entities (e.g., CNY Land Trust, cemeteries) for reforestation on publicly accessible land. Staff agreed to review the wording. - Councilor Donamore asked about a mechanism for city-funded mitigation when city tree work causes unintended harm. Staff clarified the ordinance already commits to replacement planting. - Councilor Donamore requested that the city develop guidelines for utility tree pruning to avoid “V-shapes” and preserve tree health. - Staff committed to inspecting Councilor Donamore’s reported tree issue on Holly Avenue. - The ordinance will likely be brought before the council for formal consideration at a future meeting, incorporating feedback from this session.

This hearing, chaired by Councillor Hudson and joined by Councillors Moore, Callwill, Mashog, and Aaron Rick, reviewed the proposed budget for the Office of the Mayor for fiscal year 2026. Corey Driscoll, Chief of Staff, presented minimal changes and answered questions on staffing, travel, and salary comparisons. Discussion Items - Staffing and Position Changes: Corey noted the headcount reduced from 9 to 8 positions (confidential aide moved out). Titles changed: Chief Strategy Officer (Stephanie Pasquale), Chief Development Officer (Eric Ennis), Chief Operating Officer (Kevin Henry, now in Office of Administration budget). The Office of Administration may be eliminated next year. Councillor Hudson questioned the addition of multiple 'chief' positions while the mayor's salary remains low. - Travel and Training (Line 1600): Proposed budget $8,250, down from $20,000 adopted last year and actual spending of $13,000 in FY25. Corey attributed lower projected spending to being in the last year of administration. - SURA Positions: Two positions (I-81 Director and Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator) are funded through SURA, including fringe benefits. The contracted services line (54170) showed higher projected than adopted; Corey will follow up on the discrepancy. - Mayor's Salary: Councillor Hudson asked how Syracuse mayor's salary ($150K) compares to other cities (Rochester, Buffalo, Albany). Corey will research other municipalities' structures. - Night Mayor (Nightlife Director): Clarified that this position is in the NBD (Neighborhood Business Development) budget. Key Outcomes - Corey will provide explanation for the proposed increase in contracted services (line 54170) to Councillor Hudson. - Corey will research and report back on salary and staffing structures in comparable cities. - No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational.

The Syracuse Common Council met on April 9, 2026 to discuss the council office budget, including changes to staffing, professional services, and chamber upgrades. Councillors Hudson, Moore, Coldwell, and Mashok were present, along with staff Patricia McRae and Brian. Discussion Items - Budget Adjustments: The council office budget was reviewed. Notable changes include elimination of temporary services ($30,000) as a new full-time secretary for the council president was hired. Professional services were increased to $200,000. An additional $30,000 was allocated for chamber upgrades. - Training Emphasis: The importance of training through NICON was stressed, particularly for staff in DPW, zoning, ARC, and finance. - Staffing Upgrades: A councillor suggested upgrading secretaries to legislative aides or policy analysts, similar to other cities, to improve tracking and follow-up on legislation. The council president’s secretary was noted as also coordinating communication. - Legislative Follow-up: Concerns were raised that legislation often passes without proper follow-up, and a policy analyst or communication coordinator could help. Key Outcomes - The budget changes presented were acknowledged; no formal vote was recorded during this discussion. - A motion to adjourn was made and seconded.

The Syracuse City Council held a budget hearing for the fiscal year 2026-2027 on April 9, 2026. Councilmembers Hudson, Caldwell, Moore, Majok, and Machuk were present, along with Rita Paniagua presiding. City Clerk Trisha McBride presented the clerk's office budget, which remains largely steady with modest increases. Discussion Items - Clerk's Budget Overview: Clerk McBride reported that the budget has not changed significantly. Proposed increases include: - Temporary Services: An increase of $20,000 to accommodate two part-time positions (currently one retiree working evenings and occasional mornings), staying within personnel guidelines. - Professional Services: A new $15,000 request for record-keeping consulting to explore better digital storage and records management, building on a prior grant that digitized approximately 15 years of high-demand records. - Office Supplies: A small increase attributed to high paper usage by the council. - Digitalization and Accessibility: In response to councilmember questions, Clerk McBride stated that the office is working toward making agendas and minutes searchable online and complying with recent ADA accessibility legislation. The city website currently offers language options, but the agenda book is not translated. The clerk agreed to look into providing multilingual services and noted that language interpretation services are required by law and may be free of charge, though no invoice has been received. - Grant History: Clerk McBride noted that a grant obtained two years ago (facilitated by Janet Burke) helped convert about 15 years of frequently requested records to digital format. She hopes to reapply for a similar grant to continue digitization. - Budget Line Items: Councilmember questions clarified: - Out-of-Title Pay (page 98): Covers pay differential for staff temporarily covering a vacant position. - Travel, Training, and Development: Budget of $1,340, with actual spending of $843; the clerk attends the Nikon conference. - Professional Services: The $15,000 is for the record-keeping consulting as previously mentioned. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken during this hearing; it was informational only. - The clerk will follow up on digitalizing records, exploring ADA-compliant online tools, and investigating multilingual access for city services. - The hearing was recessed briefly before moving to the next budget item.

This was a regular meeting of the Syracuse City Review Board (CRB) held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The board addressed routine approvals, staffing updates, upcoming events, and heard public comment on the investigator position and budget. Public Comments & Testimony - Barry Guwanter, a resident of Ryder Avenue in the Strathmore neighborhood, spoke during public comment. He noted that the city's budget hearings are scheduled for April 21, 2026, and encouraged the CRB to publicize its own budget hearing so the public can attend. He asked whether the board is including all current positions, including the investigator, in its budget proposal for the next year. The board chair confirmed they are. Mr. Guwanter also inquired about the status of the alternative approaches to the investigator (the board had previously discussed a "la carte" approach) and the board's desire for an advisory committee to suggest law amendments. The chair responded that they are still waiting for legal advice from Joe Barry on those matters. Discussion Items - Attendance & Quorum: Roll call showed six members present—Octavia, Hari, Peggy, Javier, and Desire (others absent). The board determined a quorum existed. - Approval of March Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the March meeting. The minutes will be posted on the website by the afternoon of April 8. - Chairman’s Report: - Staffing: The board is still seeking an investigator for the CRB. The position is posted on LinkedIn, and they have decided to hire a full investigator rather than using a la carte alternatives. - Board Status: The board has made a final decision on the remaining board member, which must be approved by the City Council. An announcement will follow once confirmed. - Administrator’s Report: Tabled due to the administrator's illness. - Upcoming Events: The board announced a community resource fair on April 8, 2026, from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Dunbar Center, co-hosted with the county legislator. The community engagement specialist, Adonia Wade, noted the event was added late and is listed on the website. - Committee Reports: No reports yet; committees are still being formed. - Case Hearing Outcome: The board is drafting a resolution on the outcome of a recent hearing. The document will be shared with the board for approval before being sent to the chief of police, likely within the next week. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approved: The March 2026 meeting minutes were adopted unanimously. - Investigator Recruitment: The board will proceed with hiring a full-time investigator and has posted the position on LinkedIn. - Board Member Finalization: A new board member has been selected and will be submitted to the City Council for approval. - Legal Guidance Pending: The board is awaiting advice from legal counsel (Joe Barry) on the feasibility of forming an advisory committee to propose amendments to the CRB ordinance. - Meeting Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned via a motion and second, with all in favor.