Public Meetings - Syracuse, New York

The Common Council met on February 4, 2026, to consider a lengthy agenda of bond authorizations, contract extensions, grant applications, and property matters. The meeting began with a morning session and continued into the afternoon. Council members heard presentations from city department heads and staff, deliberated on several items, and held or tabled multiple agenda items for further review, committee meetings, or future votes. No formal votes were recorded during this session; items were presented, discussed, and generally held for subsequent meetings (e.g., Monday, February 6, or a Friday committee meeting) or tabled automatically for legal review. Discussion Items - Item 10 – Safety Program Expansion: Mike Messersmith (Human Resources) presented a continuance of the slip-trip-fall simulator contract, proposing to double employee participation to reduce work-related injuries. No questions were raised. - Items 11-26 – Bond Sales and Contract Extensions (DPW, Water, Finance): Ann Portock (First Deputy Commissioner, DPW) presented numerous bond authorizations for capital projects: Items 11-12: Dig One Street Streetscape Repair – sale of bonds. Items 13-14: Fiber optic trunk replacement. Items 15-16: City-owned building improvements ($800,000). Councilor Majok requested a detailed breakdown of improvements (e.g., HVAC, roofs, carpets). Corporation Counsel Joe Barry noted that bond council requires an exhibit listing the useful life of work. Staff agreed to provide a schedule. Items 17-18: Sanitary and storm sewer reconstruction. Items 19-20: DPW road reconstruction program. Councilor inquired about prioritization for 2026; staff confirmed the roads were on the list for that year. Items 21-22: CHIPS reimbursable sidewalk project – sidewalks done concurrently with road projects. Councilor asked for a full list of sidewalks for the year and raised concerns about past CHIPS reimbursement shortfalls. Ry Deegan (Finance) reported that all past outstanding claims have been submitted (as of February 2026) and a new streamlined process with two DPW liaisons, monthly meetings, shared documents, and vendor photo submissions is in place to prevent future gaps. Item 23: Recurring term agreements with outside engineering firms for traffic services (Neil Park, DPW, presented). Items 24-26 (Beth Smith, Water Department): Extend contract with American Leak for leak detection; extend printing services (EPA mailings, lead-related); and change ownership on a right-of-way crossing. Councilor asked about cost savings from leak detection; staff could not provide a figure but noted water loss prevention. - Item 27 – License Plate Reading Cameras (Axon): Mary Robinson (City Engineer) stated this item is linked to Item 39. A committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, so the item was held. - Items 28-29 – Parks Chainsaw Training: Saisha Bird (Parks Commissioner) presented an agreement with Dan Grover/Olympic Tree for chainsaw operation training at Heath Park for Onondaga Earth Corps. Amended language was distributed; the item was automatically tabled for law review. - Items 30-32 – EV Charging Infrastructure at Progress Park: Items 31 and 32 seek authorization to apply for two grants (New York State and National Grid) for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. A third item (waiver of competitive bid) was removed from the agenda. City staff (likely Owen or Jacob) explained the proposal: a turnkey pilot project with vendor JCOM (Canadian) to design, procure, install, and maintain two level-three chargers at Progress Park at no cost to the city. Revenue from chargers would go to the city. Councilors expressed concerns about the lack of advance notice, the RFP waiver, and the need to promote minority businesses and union workforce. Budget Director Zevin questioned whether waiving the RFP was good practice. Staff committed to provide more information in the future. Both grant applications will proceed; the RFP waiver was not part of the agenda. Items were held for Monday’s meeting. - Items 33-34 – Police Department Move to 1153: Chief Richard Trudel (Police) requested $1 million in bonds to complete the move from PSB to 1153. Funds include movers, gym equipment, radio antenna, signage, project management, tactical training shoot house (simulation, no live rounds), audio-visual equipment, museum displays, and contingency. Councilor asked about recurring costs for training ammunition; chief acknowledged replacement costs. - Items 35-38 – Fire Department Apparatus & Ladders: The Fire Chief presented: Items 35-36: Bond for a new hazardous materials apparatus (replacing 16-year-old unit). Contract off the Sourcewell/HGAC program. Councilor asked about preparedness for train derailments; chief cited a Type 1 hazmat team (highest in NY) and mutual aid from the state. Items 37-38: Bond to purchase ground ladders (aluminum, extension and roof ladders) due to 18-month lead times. Moving from operating to capital budget to avoid losing funds across fiscal years. Councilor asked about high-rise capability; chief explained aerial ladders are used for buildings over four stories. - Items 40-43 – Miscellaneous: Item 40: Agreement with Mosaic (payroll modernization). Existing funds ($6.25M approved, $3.7M spent, $2.5M remaining) – no new money requested. Councilor clarified the need to approve the contract, not additional funding. Item 41: Scheduled for executive session (legal settlement). Item 42: IT waiver of RFP for purchasing additional licenses (police department adoption). Vendor used for 6–12 years; sole provider. Item 43: Assessment roll corrections for railroad properties reclassified by the state as non-sealing, making them exempt above the ceiling (no financial impact to city). - Items 45-50 – Property Matters: Caelan Hubbard (MBD) presented: Item 45: Ordinance amendment for 102 Elmhurst (vacant land after demo). Items 46-49: Transfers to create building lots in housing strategy areas. Items 50,47,48: Three vacant residential properties (foreclosure completion). All held for further discussion. - Items 51-52 – Held: Item 51 held for financial questions; Item 52 held for committee meeting on Friday. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken during this session. All items were presented with discussion and then either: Held for subsequent council meetings (Monday, February 6, or later), Tabled automatically for legal review (Item 28-29), Referred to committee (Item 27 and 52), Placed on hold for additional information or executive session (Item 41, 51). - Staff committed to providing additional documentation (e.g., breakdown of building improvements, list of sidewalks for 2026, details on cost savings from leak detection). - The EV charging grant applications will proceed; the related RFP waiver was not on the agenda. - The meeting concluded with a move to executive session to discuss a legal settlement (Item 41).

On February 4, 2026, the Syracuse Transportation Committee, chaired by Councilor Nave, met to discuss the renewal of the contract with Veo (vehicle bikes). Veo representatives Reed Neal (Partnerships and Policy Manager), Paul Calabufo (Operations Manager), and Jeffrey Hoover (Director of Government Partnerships) presented updates on program performance, investments, and future plans. Councilors expressed concerns about safety, parking, enforcement, equity, and community outreach while acknowledging the program's benefits. Discussion Items - Veo Performance and Investments (2025): Reed Neal reported that Veo made approximately $250,000 in new financial investments, including $50,000 in trip fees paid directly to the city, $130,000 in direct rebates to riders, and grants to the Creek Rats. Automated tip-over detection was launched, reducing cure time from 16 hours to 4 hours and 45 minutes (a 70% improvement). The virtual parking coach prevented over 10,000 instances of bad parking. Response times for requested retrievals improved: median dropped from 2 hours 33 minutes to 2 hours 11 minutes, with 92% resolved within the three-hour cure time (up from 77%). - Ridership Growth: Rides increased 34% year-over-year, with 73% occurring on weekdays. Rides per vehicle per day rose 13% to 1.7 (a benchmark of 1.0 is considered good). The program served over 30,000 unique riders (a 20% increase), and the median trip fee decreased by 2%. The low-income VO Access program grew 90% year-over-year. - Rider Demographics: Most riders are not students; a significant proportion lack driver's licenses and live in low-income households. Ridership does not hinge on Syracuse University’s calendar—summer utilization is higher. - Revenue Share: Veo paid the city 15 cents per trip (excluding discounted trips), totaling nearly $50,000 in 2025. - Opportunity Zones: Riders ending trips in designated opportunity zones receive an automatic $1 refund. Over $130,000 was refunded to riders. Zones were selected based on low car ownership, low income, and limited transit options. The map was expanded during the year. - Enforcement and Violations: Veo issued 51% more violations in 2025 (outpacing the 34% ride increase). Violations include warnings, monetary fines, and suspensions. Nearly 200 riders were suspended and required to pass a quiz on rules before riding again. - Local Team Investments: The van fleet increased by 33%, labor hours by 22%, and over 40 Syracuse residents were employed (80% from the city proper). - Future Initiatives: Veo plans to launch new vehicles (a three-wheeled trike for mobility-impaired riders and a cargo bike for grocery trips), a partnership with Centro offering a $1 rebate for rides connecting to bus stops, an equity working group, AI-powered helmet detection (carrot approach), and a cognition test for intoxication. They also introduced larger pre-authorizations to prevent abrupt ride cutoffs. - Councilor Concerns: - Safety: Councilor Nave raised concerns about intoxicated riders, children riding without helmets, and abrupt stops due to low funds. Veo noted the cognition test and helmet detection tools, and that state law does not require helmets for those over 18. They also explained that the motor cuts off gradually and that pre-authorizations help prevent sudden stops. - Parking and Racks: Councilors noted complaints about bikes left on lawns; Veo reported 44 bike racks in the city (25 pre-existing) and expressed willingness to add more in partnership with DPW. - Liability: A councilor asked about damage to cars caused by riders. Veo stated they require a subpoena to release personally identifiable rider data and recommended working with SPD. - Battery Safety: Veo detailed battery inspection, UL certification, cell block fire suppression, and a warehouse with licensed electrical work. Batteries are swapped every 10 rides. - Equity and Outreach: Councilor noted success with a multilingual outreach event on the north side, which correlated with high VO Access usage. Veo committed to forming an equity working group and providing marketing materials. - Children Riding: Councilor questioned how minors access bikes despite age restrictions. Veo explained that terms of service require users to be 18, but enforcement is difficult; they are exploring technical solutions but face legal and insurance barriers. Key Outcomes - No formal vote was taken, but the committee discussion indicated support for contract renewal with continued improvements. - Veo committed to providing a map of existing bike racks, collaborating on an equity working group, and increasing community outreach. - The committee emphasized the need for better advertising of reporting mechanisms (email hello@veoride.com or phone number on bikes) and continued enforcement of parking and safety rules. - The meeting was adjourned with thanks to the Veo representatives.

This regular meeting of the Syracuse Citizen Review Board (CRB) convened at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The board reviewed case statistics, approved minutes, discussed committee work, heard public comment, and voted to establish a new oversight review board. Several operational updates were provided, including progress on data analysis, community outreach, and translation of materials for immigrant communities. Public Comments & Testimony - Barry Gwanter, a Syracuse resident (13207), asked whether the January case investigation training covered use-of-force analysis, search procedures, and scene arrival protocols. He also noted that the 2024 annual report lacked breakdowns of complaint types (e.g., use-of-force, demeanor) and outcomes (founded/unfounded), urging that such data be included in future reports. He expressed concern that any decision to fill the investigator position with alternatives should be discussed in a public meeting, not behind closed doors. Regarding the February 28 data training for board members, he requested it be open to the public. On translation of educational materials, he cautioned that accurate translation requires professional services and suggested consulting the city's Title VI coordinator and DSS for language data. He also asked whether the newly formed oversight review board would consider amendments to the CRB legislation. Discussion Items - Minutes Approval & Roll Call: Minutes from the prior meeting were approved by voice vote (all in favor). Roll call showed members present: Elise, Don, Mike, Peggy, Octavia, Desire; absent: Rinda, Linda, Mary, Samya. (Harry arrived later.) - Chairman’s Report: Chair thanked the board for returning, acknowledged the re-election of Chair Peggy Chase and Vice Chair Peggy (sic), and noted the appointment of Donna Moore to the city's Safety Committee. He also thanked former liaison Cho for his service and expressed optimism about the new mayor’s administration. - Administrator’s Report (Lolita): Reported on meetings with new safety committee member Donna Moore (full access to her) and thanked Cho for past support. In January, activities included strategic coordination, police retraining, internal board development, attending the mayor's inauguration (Jan 3), quarterly meeting with Chief Rustin's cabinet, and continued discussions with Bosque regarding hearings. Weekly staff meetings are held every Friday. The board presented at the Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) multiple times. Case statistics: 10 cases reviewed in January; 5 slated for that evening's executive session. Legal secretary Julie opened 11 new files, closed 9, sent 20 letters (11 acknowledgements, 5 closings, 3 jurisdiction-dismissed). Investigator position remains vacant; options to fill it (including continuing with Freelander, a private investigation firm at $95/hour) will be presented to the board. Data analyst Chris is building a master spreadsheet, creating maps for the 2024 annual report, and working on a new report format for 2025; a technical backup system was purchased. A data training for board members is scheduled for February 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the CRB office. Board members are required to sponsor an event in their district by February 28. - Old Business: Token access to the case management system remains unresolved for some members (Mike, Peggy, Ada). A motion to establish a seven-person oversight review board was moved by Mike, seconded, and passed by voice vote (no opposition). The board's purpose: review CRB bylaws and make recommendations. Board members must submit their recommendations for the board (three CRB members and three city residents, plus the director) by the March 3 meeting. Desire strongly advocated for translating CRB educational materials into multiple languages to reach immigrant and new American communities, emphasizing the need for confidence in reporting incidents. Chair assured this would be prioritized. - Committee Reports: The Police Relationships Committee (Mike, Elise, Linda) reported on a meeting with the new police administration. They met Chief Rustin's cabinet (described as young, well-educated, articulate) and discussed a trickle-down effect of national police conduct. The committee also reviews cases pre-meeting to identify potential pattern issues and offers suggestions to the department. Key Outcomes - Motion to approve minutes was carried by voice vote (all in favor). - Motion to establish a seven-person oversight review board for bylaw review passed unanimously (no opposition). Board members must submit nominations by the March 3 meeting. - The board will work on translating educational materials into multiple languages; costs and resources will be explored (e.g., city Title VI coordinator). - The February 28 data training may be opened to the public pending legal advice; the administrator promised to clarify. - A motion to enter executive session to review pending cases was carried (all in favor). - The vacant investigator position will be discussed with options at a future public meeting; the administrator will seek legal guidance on transparency requirements. - The next meeting is scheduled for March 3, 2026.

The Finance Committee of the Syracuse City Council held a long-awaited meeting on February 3, 2026, to discuss the payroll modernization project, specifically the proposed agreement with Mosaic Consulting Group to proceed with the next steps of implementing a new Human Capital Management (HCM) system. The meeting included a presentation from city staff detailing the project's history, current challenges, accomplishments, and the path forward. The council expressed hesitancy due to past project delays and costs, but staff outlined key improvements in strategy and vendor selection. Discussion Items - Presentation Overview and Project History: Josh Syerson (Project Manager, API) and Mike (HR/Payroll representative) presented a comprehensive review. The project began in 2020 with an initial focus on Oracle Fusion, which was ultimately abandoned due to integration issues and high costs. The city has spent approximately $7.8 million over 5-6 years, with about half going to SWC (timekeeping) and half to Oracle. The new direction is to adopt UKG Pro, a cloud-based HCM platform, with Mosaic as the implementation partner. The presenters emphasized that UKG is already the parent company of the city's current timekeeping systems (SWC and Telestaff), simplifying integration. They stressed that the new approach is a software-as-a-service model ("leasing a car" rather than "building a car"), reducing maintenance burdens. - Current Challenges and Accomplishments: Staff described the current payroll system as highly manual, relying on the aging AS400 and paper timesheets. Examples included a 40-hour effort to correct retro payments for 24 police officers, and a check issued for $10,000 to a water worker due to errors. There is distrust in payroll accuracy among employees. Accomplishments in 2025 included moving the bi-weekly payroll to an arrears state (Sunday-to-Saturday period), which allows better use of the SWC system, and extensive business process mapping. The rollout of SWC digital timekeeping is 70% live, with another substantial portion ready but pending bandwidth for support. - Budget and Staffing Concerns: Councilor Williams questioned why this attempt would be different from past failures. Staff responded that they have a better internal strategy, more cohesive leadership (including the Deputy Mayor, Director of HR, CFO, and First Deputy Commissioner of Finance), and have done thorough process mapping. They noted that the city has already reduced the number of vendors from many to just a few. Regarding staffing, the project currently has about 5-6 full-time dedicated staff, with potential to add 1-2 more during implementation. Staff argued that the new system would free up existing staff for higher-value work, not lead to layoffs. - Technology and Functionality: Councilor Moore asked about the possibility of using a third-party processor like ADP or Paychex. Staff explained that they evaluated ADP but found costs prohibitive (tens of thousands per month) and that employees prefer picking up checks locally. UKG Pro will include modules for demographic data, payroll, position management, employee self-service, applicant tracking, and compliance. The system will allow employees to view W-2s online and update their own information. The timeline for decommissioning the AS400 for payroll/HR is July 1, 2027, pending successful implementation. - Training and Change Management: Councilor Gardner asked about resistance to change among departments. Staff acknowledged initial resistance but cited examples from the Water Department, where after five months of live usage, employees reported fewer paycheck errors and appreciated visibility into hours. Training includes department-specific sessions, office hours, and an employee-facing website with videos and courses. New hires will receive training as part of onboarding. The system is web-based, so employees could potentially access it remotely, but the city does not have a formal remote work policy. Key Outcomes - No formal vote was taken on the proposed agreement with Mosaic. The item is a holdover from the previous council session, and the council expressed caution about approving another major expenditure after past project costs. The committee agreed to continue discussions, with staff promising to provide a projected timeline and detailed cost breakdown (including the $7.8 million spent to date) for the next meeting. - Staff indicated that the implementation timeline for UKG Pro with Mosaic is approximately 12-18 months, with a target go-live by June/July 2027. Without Mosaic, the city would attempt a self-implementation that could take 3-5 years and would risk losing support for the current SWC system (end of life March 2027). - The council requested that any future contract include built-in benchmarks and performance milestones before funds are dispersed. - The meeting was adjourned with a motion.

The Syracuse Planning Commission convened on February 2, 2026, to approve minutes, act on several development applications, and conduct a workshop on a proposed moratorium for battery energy storage systems (BESS). The meeting resulted in approvals for a special use permit, the Parkside Commons project, the West Genesee redevelopment, and the South Krauss apartment project, along with a discussion on the BESS moratorium. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the January 12, 2026 meeting. The motion carried with all in favor. Public Comments & Testimony - SP-25-26 (401 Pond Street): Councilor Martinabe spoke in favor of the application but raised concerns about ongoing vehicle parking issues, including unlicensed vehicles and vehicles blocking the sidewalk. She requested clarification on where vehicles will be parked after the project is completed. The applicant responded that the parking issues are caused by an adjacent property owner, not his own lot, and that he plans to install curbing and signage to prohibit parking on the grass and sidewalk. No other public speakers appeared for or against this application. For all other agenda items, no public speakers came forward. Discussion Items - Old Business – Withdrawal of BESS Applications: The commission noted that three companion applications for a battery energy storage system at East Brighton Ave (resubdivision, special use permit, and major site plan review) were withdrawn by the applicant. No further action was taken. - SP-25-26 – All-American Market (401 Pond Street): The applicant, Jesus Ibrahim of TMB Properties, presented revised site plans addressing DPW comments on ADA access, bike parking, sidewalk, and parking area. The commission acknowledged compliance with the SEPTED report. Discussion focused on parking enforcement and neighbor disputes. The special use permit was approved with seven conditions. - Parkside Commons Project (193 units, Westmoreland Ave & East Fayette St): The applicant (Ed Martin, Passero Associates; Connor Kenny, developer) presented six companion applications (master plan review, zoning map amendment, two resubdivisions, two major site plan reviews). Key features: 143 units in Parcel A (5-story, now compliant after adding a strip of land), 50 units in Parcel B. Parking: 82 interior, no exterior lot. The developer noted relocation of existing residents from the eastern portion of the campus into new construction, with the western portion (200 units) to be substantially rehabbed. Safety measures include 24-hour security and an office for Syracuse Police. All applications were approved individually with conditions. - 1207 West Genesee Redevelopment Project: Ben Harrell (CHA Consulting) proposed a 6,900 sq ft retail/office building on 0.93 acres, with demolition of two existing buildings. The project includes 55 parking spaces, landscaping, and bicycle parking. Discussion included a county planning board recommendation for additional screening at the rear; the applicant agreed to consider adding trees. The resubdivision and major site plan review were approved. - 201 South Krauss Apartment Project (88 studio apartments): Brian Bouchard (CHA Consulting) presented a five-story building with preservation of the historic Ignatius Feisinger House (1010 East Washington) as an amenity space. The house will be renovated with an ADA lift enclosure approved by the Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board. The project includes 12% affordable units (30-year affordability period). The resubdivision and major site plan review were approved with conditions, including outstanding taxes noted. - Workshop on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Moratorium: Staff outlined the proposed six-month moratorium to allow the city to study BESS safety, fire prevention, decommissioning funding, and zoning updates. The commission clarified this was an information session only; no recommendation to council will be made. Discussion included the 80-kilowatt threshold (based on DeWitt's model), interactions with the fire code, and upcoming educational symposia. No public comments were offered. Key Outcomes - Minutes: Approved unanimously. - SP-25-26 (All-American Market): Approved (motion carried with conditions: hours of operation, no neon signage, no cooked food, photographic evidence of site improvements within 90 days, no tobacco sales, DPW conditions including 5-ft sidewalk and turf grass with parking prohibition). - Parkside Commons – Master Plan Review (MASPR-25-27): Approved with two conditions (obtain all city approvals, continue working with departments). - Parkside Commons – Zoning Map Amendment (Z-29-18): Approved as a recommendation to the Common Council (after correction of vote procedure) with two conditions. - Parkside Commons – Resubdivision (R-25-72): Approved with condition to file map within 62 days of council approval of Z-29-18. - Parkside Commons – Major Site Plan Review (MASPR-25-25): Approved with five conditions (council approval of zoning amendment, affordable units compliant with city restrictions, certification by DNB). - Parkside Commons – Resubdivision (R-25-73): Approved with condition to file map within 62 days of approval. - Parkside Commons – Major Site Plan Review (MASPR-25-26): Approved with four conditions (affordable unit compliance, certification by DNB, 30-year affordability, necessary land use approvals before commercial use). - 1207 West Genesee – Resubdivision (R-25-61): Approved with condition to file map within 62 days. - 1207 West Genesee – Major Site Plan Review (MASPR-25-30): Approved with four conditions (curbing/landscaping to prevent sidewalk parking, snow storage on site, updated floor plans for tenants, coordination with county WEP). - 201 South Krauss – Resubdivision (R-25-64): Approved with condition to file map within 62 days (note: outstanding taxes must be paid before map signing). - 201 South Krauss – Major Site Plan Review (MASPR-25-31): Approved with ten conditions (including 6 covered bike spaces, 12% affordable units, compliance with city income/rent restrictions, certification by DNB, 30-year affordability, coordination with I-81 project, county water capacity insurance, ADA lift enclosure details per Landmark Preservation Board). - BESS Moratorium Workshop: Informational only; no vote. The proposed moratorium will be submitted to the Common Council for consideration within the next few weeks.

Mayor Sharon Owens delivered her first State of the City address at Nottingham High School, outlining a vision for a growing, diverse, and opportunity-rich Syracuse. The evening included opening performances by the Syracuse Drumline and Nottingham Varsity Cheer Team, an invocation by Reverend Matif Johnson Kinsey, presentation of colors, Pledge of Allegiance, and National Anthem. Student Ambassador Kylie Cooper shared her personal journey and aspirations, and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Henry (Nottingham alum) introduced Mayor Owens. Opening Ceremonies & Recognitions - Invocation by Rev. Matif Johnson Kinsey (Director of Mayor's Office to Reduce Gun Violence) prayed for wisdom, justice, and unity. - Student Ambassador Kylie Cooper (Nottingham senior) spoke about overcoming anxiety and anger through therapy, and her goal to become a therapist to help youth. - COO Kevin Henry praised Mayor Owens as a leader who "walks the walk." - Mayor Owens recognized elected officials (Congressman Manion, State Senators May and Ryan, Assembly members, County Executive McMahon, School Board, etc.), her transition team, senior leadership, city employees, and her family, dedicating the address to her late mother, Pastor Esther L. Daniels. - High School Roll Call – Mayor invited cheers for Corcoran, Fowler, Henninger, ITC, and Nottingham (host). Keynote Address by Mayor Sharon Owens Immigration & Community Standing - Reaffirmed that Syracuse Police will not enforce federal immigration law. - Expressed support for the New York for All Act, which would prohibit local enforcement of federal immigration law and require judicial warrants for federal entry. - Condemned recent wrongful detentions and shootings in the community. Housing & Neighborhood Development - 1,000+ housing units under construction, including East Adams neighborhood transformation (256 units) and Chimes Building renovation (152 units). - Syracuse Developmental Center (SDC) site will bring 261+ housing units, new roads (Jensen Avenue, Helen D. Hudson Boulevard), and 27 townhomes for first-time homebuyers via Home Headquarters. - 50+ AHOP (Affordable Housing Opportunity Program) projects underway. - 52 additional modular cross-mod homes pledged by New York State after successful pilot with Syracuse Land Bank. - Lead hazard remediation – $4.1 million HUD grant pending to remediate 100+ units; continued partnership with Onondaga County. - 1,700 lead water service lines to be replaced in 2026 (crews tripled). - Housing Strategies Corporation expanding curb appeal and home improvement programs into new neighborhoods. - Homelessness – emphasis on deeply affordable supportive housing and regional collaboration. Sustainability & Infrastructure - Climate Action Plan to be released for public input this spring, with adoption by end of 2026. - Hiawatha Boulevard water transmission line replacement (24-inch line, shut off for 20 years) will improve north side water pressure. - Care Team (Constituent Assistance Resource Employees) – new team to provide single-point-of-contact for residents accessing city and community services. Economic Development & Job Creation - Micron groundbreaking celebrated – Mayor committed to attracting semiconductor suppliers and activating commercial spaces. - SUNY Upstate emergency room/burn unit expansion ($450M state investment) moving to design phase. - Inner Harbor & Lakefront – investments in Progress Park, Creek Walk, pedestrian/bicycle connections. - ONRAP (One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnership) – workforce innovation hub at former Sears Building (1300 S. Salina St.), master developer selection underway, ground breaking later in 2026. - Apprenticeship expansion with local unions and Mathney. - CDL driver recruitment – city seeking drivers for DPW; phone number provided. Transportation & Mobility - Vision Zero – hired coordinator, moving to implementation; school zone traffic enforcement rollout. - 42 intersections to get pedestrian safety upgrades; James Street and South Salina Street signal improvements. - Deputy Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility created (funded within existing budget). - I-81 community grid – 2026 milestones; Mayor seeks city ownership of former viaduct land. Public Safety - Homicides at lowest rate in a decade under retired Chief Joe Cecil. - New Police Chief Mark Russon introduced, along with command staff. - Residency requirement pilot for new recruits – paused for one year to boost applicant numbers. - Command school for lieutenants/captains, one of few in New York State. - Community panel discussions to instruct academy recruits on historic context of policing. - Fire Department – answer nearly 26,000 calls; citywide average response time 2 minutes 42 seconds (best in Central NY). - New public safety facility at 1153 West Fayette Street opening spring 2026, housing police and fire departments. Youth & Quality of Life (Generation Next) - Two new Gen Next sites to open in 2026. - Clinton Square ice rink to become a summer roller rink – Commissioner Byrd tasked with implementation. - District and Nightlife Coordinator to support entrepreneurs, nightlife, public safety, and arts. Fiscal Strategy - Citywide revaluation to be conducted in coming months. - Land value tax explored as incentive for development. - Budget transparency – Mayor will meet with Common Council in February and March for pre-budget discussions. - Review of all city fees and technology improvements to streamline processes. Key Outcomes - Creation of Care Team (Constituent Assistance Resource Employees) led by Chief Strategy Officer Stephanie Pasquale. - Deputy Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility position established. - District and Nightlife Coordinator role created. - Two new Gen Next sites announced for 2026. - Summer roller rink at Clinton Square confirmed. - Police residency requirement paused for new recruits via pilot agreement with PBA. - Police command school and community panels to be implemented in 2026. - New public safety facility on West Fayette Street opening spring 2026. - Citywide property revaluation to begin in coming months. - Land value tax to be explored. - Pre-budget collaborative meetings with Common Council scheduled for February and March. - Climate Action Plan public input period this spring. - ONRAP workforce hub at former Sears Building to break ground later in 2026. - 1,700 lead service line replacements planned for 2026. - Syracuse Land Bank has increased local property taxes by $2.6 million annually. - 52 additional cross-mod homes pledged by New York State.

Meeting held on January 29, 2026. Program manager Joe provided updates on the comprehensive plan phase three, engineering services, construction management RFP, Project Labor Agreement (PLA), and the 2025 annual report. Two resolutions were approved unanimously. Discussion Items - Comprehensive Plan Phase Three: Submitted to the Office of State Comptroller and the New York State Education Department. Comments received and responded to; staff anticipate final approval soon, which would allow contracts for architect/engineers and design to begin in spring. - Engineering Services: Letters of intent sent to two firms; bond, insurance, and utilization plan submissions pending. Contracts expected in February after board authorization and comprehensive plan approval. - Construction Management Services RFP: Updated for phase three, similar to phase two process. RFP to be advertised the following week; an RFP committee will be formed with board and staff members. - Project Labor Agreement (PLA): Von Schrank and King retained as PLA counsel; Tim Sealer (engineer) engaged for cost studies, as done in phases one and two. PLA anticipated to be presented to the board in February. - Annual Report for 2025: Completed and filed for board review and comment. - Draft Feasibility Study: Final version expected within the next week after addressing last comments. Key Outcomes - Resolution 1 of 2026: Payment resolution for invoices received – approved unanimously with no objections or abstentions. - Resolution 2 of 2026: Authorized issuance of the construction management services RFP – approved unanimously with no objections or abstentions. - Next Steps: Board to review the annual report; comprehensive plan approval pending; contracts for architect/engineers targeted for February; CM RFP proposals anticipated by early March with award in second quarter. The meeting adjourned after brief discussion, with the chair noting that future meetings will become busier as phase three progresses.

The Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board held a regular meeting on January 29, 2026, with members Trish, Nicole Fragnito, Jeff Romano, Lilie Donegan, Martha Hertzberg, Amber Dallan, and Kate Awitter present. Kyle and Julia were excused. The meeting included a public hearing for a certificate of appropriateness, preliminary review of a minor site plan for facade alterations, review of another minor site plan, and discussion of two national register nominations. Public Hearing: Certificate of Appropriateness for 300-310 Montgomery Street (St. Paul's Church) - Applicant Terry Horst (Terry Horst Landscape Architecture) proposed repaving the existing parking lot, improving circulation with a dedicated entrance and exit, installing a guardrail along the church building, removing a wall and two trees, and planting new trees with a lower wall. The goal was to address sinkholes, potholes, and pedestrian safety conflicts. - Board members asked about the retention of a sculpture near the front entrance (confirmed it would be retained), the guardrail material (steel box beam), and the retaining wall material (Hanover Precast with random ashlar pattern to match the building). The board requested the specific color selection be submitted via email to staff. - No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during the public hearing or during general public comment (none was scheduled). Old Business: Minor Site Plan Review 2025-163 for 713-715 East Genesee Street (Hampton Hotel) - Applicant Manesh Patel presented preliminary proposals for facade alterations, including replacement of approximately 336 windows, application of EFIS (exterior insulation and finish system) to most of the building, changes to the roof line, new signage, and a new rear entrance. - The board discussed the proposed windows (vinyl, fixed double-hung, black matte) and expressed concerns about material longevity, preferring wood, fiberglass, or aluminum. Dimensions and glazing area comparisons were requested. - The majority of the board indicated strong opposition to covering the historic brick facade with EFIS, particularly on the south (front) elevation and the four-bay side elevations. They recommended preserving the front and side elevations as a historic renovation project. The north (rear) elevation facing the parking lot could be clad in EFIS with brand colors. One board member (Bob) was open to EFIS on the east and west walls as well, but Nicole and Howard preferred only the north elevation. - The board advised removing the large rooftop sign (Park View Hotel) and placing branding only on the front canopy. The proposed rear entrance and landscaping were supported. - No vote was taken; the board offered preliminary feedback for the applicant to take back to the brand. New Business: Minor Site Plan Review 2026-5 for 911 North Salina Street - Applicant Tom Bitulio (Thomas J.D. Leo Architects) described scope: replacing an aluminum door with a wrought-iron security door, repairing and repointing the brick facade, replacing a limited number of bricks with historically matched materials, cleaning and painting existing canopies, and installing an illuminated channel letter sign on the second floor. - The board commented positively, noting the repair work preserved historic fabric and the door design was aesthetically pleasing. They confirmed the sign meets zoning requirements. - The board expressed support and noted the project would proceed to the City Planning Commission for final approval. National Register Nominations - The board reviewed two nominations from the State Preservation Office: the Fiesinger House at 1010 East Washington Street and the Coughlin Brothers/Babson Brothers factory (candy and peanut factory) near the inner harbor. The latter includes a Quonset hut. - Board members expressed enthusiastic support for both nominations, citing architectural and historic significance. Key Outcomes - Approved (with condition): Certificate of Appropriateness for 300-310 Montgomery Street – motion carried unanimously. Condition: applicant to submit color selection for precast stone to staff via email. - Preliminary feedback provided for 713-715 East Genesee Street: board directed applicant to preserve front and side elevations as historic, consider alternative window materials, remove rooftop sign, and limit EFIS to the north (rear) elevation facing the parking lot. - Support given for 911 North Salina Street: board commented positively; project will proceed to City Planning Commission. - Endorsed both national register nominations for forwarding to the State Review Board. - Meeting adjourned.

On January 26, 2026, the Syracuse Common Council held a public hearing to gather community input on a proposed six-month moratorium on zoning approvals for battery energy storage systems (BESS) within the city. The hearing followed a separate vote earlier that day on a special use permit for a BESS facility on East Brighton Avenue. City officials and seven members of the public provided testimony. Public Comments & Testimony - Jake Dishaw (Deputy Commissioner of Code Enforcement): Clarified that the hearing was separate from the earlier special use permit vote. He outlined the purpose of the proposed moratorium: to allow city agencies time to assess benefits and concerns including siting, environmental impacts, fire risk of lithium-ion batteries, and decommissioning. He emphasized that BESS can reduce reliance on fossil fuel peaker plants, improve air quality, and reduce respiratory illnesses. - Rhea Jaser (Syracuse resident): Expressed strong support for BESS, noting Syracuse's leadership in climate action and the necessity of energy storage for renewable energy. She invited council members to an upcoming energy symposium covering BESS safety. - Peter Plumley (Syracuse University): No prepared remarks, but expressed interest in pumped hydro storage as an alternative, citing examples in New York State. - Dorian Kessler (Southern Comstock neighborhood): An environmental scientist, stated that any development reducing fossil fuel use is beneficial and voiced support for BESS. - Matt Geitner (Park Strategies, representing New Leaf Energy): Stated his firm's intention to work with the city and neighborhoods on BESS projects. - Tilde Jensen (Syracuse resident, off-grid solar/battery user): Generally supportive of renewable energy and BESS, but raised safety concerns about lithium-ion batteries. She proposed non-toxic, non-flammable water-based battery technology (EOS Energy) as a safer alternative. She expressed hope that the discussion would not lead to a ban or moratorium, suggesting instead a focus on selecting safe technologies. - Kate Mercer (131 Alden Street, near proposed Brighton Ave site): Expressed support for the moratorium to allow the city to establish proper regulations, while also supporting greener alternatives. - Pam Peter (126 Gene Avenue, near proposed site): Stated that while substantial research on fire safety is needed, she strongly supports green energy and the proposed battery storage facility to increase infrastructure, attract residents and businesses, and boost the tax base. Discussion Items - The hearing was solely for public comment; no council deliberation or discussion occurred during the hearing. Key Outcomes - No votes or decisions were taken. The public hearing was closed, and the legislation regarding the proposed moratorium will be considered during the regular order of business at a future council meeting.