Auburn City Council
Meeting #27
May 25, 2006
6:00PM
Roll Call – Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith and Dempsey, Mayor Lattimore - Present.
Staff Members Present –John Salomone, City Manager; Thomas Leone, Corporation Counsel; Debra McCormick, City Clerk; Nancy Hussey, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Lisa Green, Comptroller; Trish Geer, Secretary to Corporation Counsel; Gary Giannotta, Police Chief; Jerry DelFavero, Superintendent Public Works; Frank DeOrio, Superintendent Municipal Utilities; Steve Lynch, Director of Development, Sue Chandler, Assessor, Mike Long, CIP Manager.
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The Mayor asked for a moment of silent prayer or reflection.
Presentations and Proclamations - Mayor Lattimore welcomed Cayuga County Legislative Chairman George Fearon and invited him to speak. Chairman Fearon commented on the City’s budget issues. He suggested and welcomed discussion of combining the City and County Planning Departments. He also announced that the County was giving the City of Auburn a one-time contribution of $132,000 to help offset some of the budget shortfall.
Mayor Lattimore thanked Chairman Fearon.
The City Manager’s Report – The City Manager asked to move the budget discussion up in the agenda. No Council member objected.
Councilor Dempsey introduced Paul Dutton from Barton and Lugutice Engineers. Mr. Dutton along with the City Manager, Frank DeOrio, Municipal Utilities Director and City Councilor Dempsey presented Council with details of expanding the landfill tonnage limit from 76,000 to 96,000. They went over the issues involved and Council discussed and debated them. These topics of interest and concern included:
§ DEC permit modification process
§ Fee increase options
§ Use of air space
§ Methane extraction options
§ History of financial problems with Cells 1&2
§ Paying debt
The City Manager asked for Council’s permission to start the process for expansion. He reported that the process would take 1- 2 months. Councilor Smith expressed his opposition to moving forward, the remaining Councilors agreed to begin with the expansion process.
The City Manager presented Council with a power point presentation and handouts, to explain a proposed reorganization that would consolidate 8 departments into four. The Manager explained that together with the Landfill plan the reorganization plan, if feasible would reduce the tax increase and save city services and programs.
The City Manager asked that Council give direction on signage for the Connector Rd. He suggested that if there was no consensus on a name, that signs could be created by the city at a later date. All agreed.
Public to be Heard –
James Moore Upstate CSEA President spoke about the proposed layoffs of union members. He discussed the roll of CSEA jobs in the quality of life in Auburn. Mayor Lattimore responded.
Chief Giannotta escorted a gentleman in an orange union tee shirt out of the Council Chambers after shouting and disrupting the meeting.
Tom Gabak, Local CSEA President, commented on the budget. He referred to a March 31, 2005 meeting when Council voted on the CSEA contract, and the manager stated the city could afford the contract with out layoffs. The City Manager responded to Mr. Gabak, in defense of his March 31st comments. Mr. Moore stood up to speak, the Manager tried to continue to speak, and Mr. Gabak joined the discussion. The Manager and Mr. Moore shouted at each other and exchanged harsh words. Chief Giannotta asked Mr. Moore to leave and escorted him out of the room. The City Manager followed them.
Tony DeCaro, Union representative spoke to ask for information on the new plan for reorganization. He thanked all of the CSEA members that picketed prior to the meeting.
Earl Starring, Jr. 8 McConnell Ave., spoke to Council in opposition to the layoffs.
Vicki Trojnor, 19 Chase St., spoke to Council about landfill issues.
Mary Lou Picciano, 32 Cayuga St., spoke of her issue with the police department. She asked that Council pass a resolution to ask the District Attorney to investigate her charges.
Mayor Lattimore asked for a recess at 8:05PM. The meeting resumed at 8:10PM.
Public Announcements – The Clerk read.
Committee or City Official Reports – None
FIRST READING
The City Clerk read the following Ordinance for the record. Ordinance #10 of 2006 authorizing amendment to the Code of the City of Auburn, Chapter 305 entitl4d “City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance. Steve Lynch, Planning Director, explained what changes would mean. Councilor Smith asked question about the Kayak Park plans.
After discussion Councilor Leone suggest if there were no objections, that Council vote on this Ordinance. All agreed. Vote on Ordinance #10 of 2006: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Resolutions
Council Resolution #91 of 2006 authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract addendum with McLaughlin Rincon, Ltd., for additional engineering work on Phase I of the Owasco Riverfront Kayak & Angler’s Park Project. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #92 of 2006 authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids for the planned Downtown Auburn Public Improvements Projects. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #93 of 2006 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract for the administration of Police and Fire Workers’ Comp claims. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #94 of 2006 authorizing the Mayor to execute a grant application for the National Park Service “National Underground – Network to Freedom” Program. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Sidewalk Resolution #95 of 2006 authorizing the financing of sidewalks for property owners to pay for in conjunction with their taxes on the 2005 Revolving Loan Sidewalk Program. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #96 of 2006 approving the expenditures presented for payment and authorizing the Comptroller to process the payment of same. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Appointment Resolution #97 of 2006 appointing John M. Brennan as t Civil Service Commissioner. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Second Public to be Heard –
Joe Leogrande, East Genesee St. and recently elected School Board Member spoke regarding the budget. Mayor Lattimore commented.
Other Business –
Councilor Smith asked about amending the agenda to address other business at the beginning of the meeting to accommodate issues while the public is in attendance. He also inquired about the status of Casey Park for the summer. He suggested considering corporate sponsors to help underwrite expenses.
Tom Leone, Corporation Counsel, responded to a request from the Mayor earlier in the meeting regarding whether or not the Mayor and Council can obtain outside legal counsel for certain issues. Mr. Leone’s research found that they cannot unless it is for personal reasons.
Lisa Green, Comptroller and Chief Giannotta attempted to discuss parking fee rate increases and water rates with Council for direction. Council asked that due to the late hour, that these issues be brought back at the next meeting.
Council adjourned to executive session at 9:40 PM and returned at 10:10PM
Adjournment – Council adjourned at 10:10PM.
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