Newsletter #13
PUBLIC COMMENT IS POSSIBLE
While the public cannot join us in Council Chambers, it is nonetheless easy to participate in Public Comment: simply email the Clerk no later than 3pm on the day of the Common Council meeting. (She will place you on the list, and you will then get an email back with instructions on how to call in to the meeting.) You can email the Clerk at cityclerk@cityofutica.com. As of the next meeting, on Wednesday, March 3rd, the Council meetings will be held back in our Chambers.
Remember all meetings of the Council are live streamed on the City's YouTube channel, and I encourage you to watch our meetings from home. And all of the legislation under consideration is available online at this link.
CONSTITUENT HOURS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
I will not hold regular Constituent Hours in March because I will be too busy using that regular time to collect petition signatures so that I can be on the ballot in the Fall. But come April, I will return to my regular schedule.
NEW MID-MONTH NEWSLETTER
I am now writing an extra Newsletter, and aiming to send it out in about the middle of the month. I'm calling it "How Utica Works", and its aim is to explain one particular feature of our local government in detail. My first "How Utica Works", on snowplowing, was a big hit. I If you missed it the first time around, YOU CAN READ IT HERE. You can read my second one, on PAVING, HERE.
I have another one of these Newsletters in the works, all about housing in Utica. If you like these "How Utica Works" newsletters and think others would find them informative as well, please encourage them to sign up for my Newsletters by visiting our website and signing up.
SAVE THE DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 9TH, 7PM
I will hold an online Town Hall on Tuesday, March 9th at 7pm. Keep an eye out for another email with all the details on how to sign up. There will be much to discuss, including updates on flood mitigation, paving, the budget, and police reform.
COOL UTICA-ORIENTED PAGES ON FACEBOOK
Every month, I like to feature a Facebook page that you may not know about. Have a favorite Facebook page about Utica that you want to promote? Drop me a line!
The Parkway Center is a terrific local community center. It offers programing for our older neighbors, as well as Youth programming and a gym. And of course it is home to our very own Ski Chalet. While it is still closed to the public because of Covid, we look forward to it opening up and continuing to be a terrific neighborhood resource for everyone in Utica.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LOCAL BUSINESS!
This month, we are spotlighting a local business that is very dear to my heart: South Utica's original java joint.
Cafe Domenico
2011 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501
(Next door to The Other Side and across from The Uptown Theater)
(315) 798-8077 Monday-Friday 7am-3pm and Saturday 9am-3pm
http://theothersideutica.org/cafe-domenico
The Cafe has been Utica’s Genuine Java Joint since 2002. Domenico’s serves only 100% organic Mayorga Coffee that is responsibly sourced from small farmers. The Cafe serves a full range of hot or cold coffee and espresso beverages, as well as a variety of Republic of Tea teas. They have plenty of locally baked pastries, bagels from Bagel Grovel and fabulous peanut butter toast using Heidelberg Bakery bread. You can even pick up a dozen organic eggs from Jones Farms. Domenico’s not only offers coffee, tea, food,great music, used books, and Wifi--Domenico’s offers a beautiful space to hang out with friends and neighbors.The Cafe is a true neighborhood gathering spot.
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL FOR FEBRUARY 3rd & 17th, 2021
Hats off to my friend Dennis Dewey for suggesting a much better way to organize and present this section of the Newsletter. I hope that this is an improvement over what I was doing earlier.
Resolutions I voted for: Marriage Officers for Denise Gregory and David Butler; Commissioners of Deeds for Kimberly Bohling, James Zecca, Russell Brooks, Marianne Brooks, Michael Galime, Michael Gentile, Sandra DePerno, Samantha Testa, Regina Venettozzi, Lauren Venettozzi, Lois Ann Pirro, Michael Kinsella, Emilie Raymond, Mark Williamson, Ronal Vincent, Robert Burmaster, Thela Hunter, Stephanie Tighe, Lucille Vincent, Michele Navedo; Resolution Authorizing the Execution fo a Grant Agreement Under the Green Innovation Grant Program
Resolutions I voted to Send to Commitee: Utica Garden Walk,
Ordinances I voted for: Transfer of Funds from Youth Bureau to Comptroller Office, New Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance Relieving Matthew Faffley of Residence Requirement,
Here it is: the third in our series of “How Utica Works” Newsletter, meant to inform you of some of the important ways in which our local city government functions. This month our subject is a complicated one: Codes.
Like any City, Utica has a large number of Ordinances that regulate all sorts of things, from where we can and cannot park our cars, to dogs, litter, sidewalks, noise, dumpsters, signage, lights, grass and other plantings, etc. Regulating these sorts of things is necessary to any City and to people being able to live comfortably together within an urban setting. These Codes are created, as a matter of law, by Ordinances passed by the Common Council. (The Common Council has authority to pass Resolutions, Ordinances, and Local Laws. Each of these kinds of laws have to meet different standard in order to pass, and have differing degrees of legal authority. Most codes of the City are the product of Ordinances.)
The City’s Codes are enforced by, not surprisingly, the Department of Codes. Citing directly from their page on the City website: “The City of Utica Codes Department is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of the City of Utica through the enforcement of the New York State Building and Property Maintenance Code. The City of Utica Codes Department works closely with property owners, neighborhood groups and organizations in an attempt to improve the appearance and safety of all buildings and property within the City of Utica.” Their job is to enforce all the sorts of Codes listed above (and more), but also to enforce general New York State building codes. As such, they are the department responsible for issuing building permits and for inspecting that all construction in the City is conducted legally and meets safety standards. The Codes Department does a lot, and has a great deal of responsibility for keeping the City safe and looking good.
How do Codes actually get enforced? It happens in many stages. First, and in most instances, it is instigated by a complaint. Except in particularly egregious cases, we enforce the Codes that residents are complaining about; we do not go out looking for infractions that are not bothering anyone. The Codes Department will send out an officer to inspect the situation. They must be able to see the problem from the sidewalk or road: they have no legal authority to enter onto private property without an owner’s permission. They then issue a citation, which gives the property owner formal, legal notice that they are not compliant with the law. They can either fix the problem, becoming compliant, or the City will pursue enforcement from the Courts.
For example, if a garage is beginning to fall down, and a neighbor decides that it is both unsightly and unsafe, that neighbor can call Codes. An Officer then visits the property, sees the half-fallen-down garage, and writes the property owner a citation or “ticket”. The owner can then make necessary repairs or tear the garage down, and the Officer can return and see that the property is no longer violating Codes, and the citation is dismissed. But if the property owner decides to ignore the citation, then they will end up with a date to go to Court, and the property owner will go before a Judge who will be able to enforce the law, and require the property owner to either do necessary repairs or tear the garage down. The Judge may require that the owner return to Court within some time frame and show that they have become compliant with the law. If they don’t become compliant then the Judge may fine, or even imprison them for contempt of court orders. (This rarely happens.) To summarize then, enforcing Codes has several steps and can under some circumstances take weeks or even months. (And during this Pandemic, with Courts having to close, it has been taking longer.)
In a few cases, the City can take more direct action to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods and residents. We have some “abatements” in our laws, which allow the City to fix certain problems using our own employees, and then charge a reasonable fee for that service by attaching that fee directly to that property’s taxes. Examples of abatements include grass cutting, trimming hedges that are creating a hazard to pedestrians or traffic, and boarding up and securing empty houses. In these instances, owners are still given the opportunity to fix the problem themselves, but after a reasonable period of time, the City can fix it themselves. This is good for everyone.
Like so many important government functions, this description I've just given you only really scratches at the surface. There are many more details and complications to this subject. But I hope that nonetheless, you understand a little better how our City works.
Have a topic you'd like to see covered in this mid-month Newsletter? Drop me a line. I'm always happy to hear from you.
Newsletter #12
PAVING
It's that time of year - when the Department of Engineering gets ready to pave our roads. At our last Council meeting, on January 20th, an Ordinance was brought out for discussion which would, for the second year in a row, reduce the amount we spend on paving from $5million to $3million. There was much discussion, led most clearly by Councilman Betrus from North Utica, about how problematic it would be to once again not honor the clear desire of voters to spend $5million a year on paving. In the end, the Ordinance was placed into committee. I expect that we will be voting on it this Wednesday. I will only vote for the Ordinance if we first amend it to return our spending to the full $5million this year. (Be aware: the Council can Ordain that we should spend $5million and we might nonetheless spend less simply because it turns out to be impossible to get that much paving done by October, after which time we cannot pave.) Keep an eye out for my next "How Utica Works" Newsletter, which will be all about paving.
PUBLIC COMMENT IS BACK
Two meetings ago, when it finally sank in that we would continue to meet remotely for the foreseeable future, I brought a Resolution to allow the public to call in to comment at our Council meetings. I am grateful to my colleagues for their support: the Resolution passed unanimously. It is easy to participate in Public Comment: simply email the Clerk no later than 3pm on the day of the Common Council meeting. (The next meeting is Wednesday, February 3rd.) She will place you on the list, and you will then get an email back with instructions on how to call in to the meeting. You can email the Clerk at cityclerk@cityofutica.com.
Remember all meetings of the Council are live streamed on the City's YouTube channel, and I encourage you to watch our meetings from home. And all of the legislation under consideration is available online at this link.
COMMUNITY FRIDGE IN ONEIDA SQUARE
Times are tough, and many people in our community are hungry. And, yes, there are ways for them to get food: food stamps and pantries, for example. But some young people in our community wanted to provide at least one more way for people to feed themselves and their families, so they started a "community fridge". The rules are pretty simple: take what you need and give what you can. Anyone is welcome to contribute food of any type, perishable and non-perishable. And anyone can take any food they need at any time. The fridge is located in front of the Oneida Square Market at 1331 Oneida Street. So if you have food to give to members of our community, please feel free to bring it to the Community Fridge.
CONSTITUENT HOURS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
I will continue to hold my regular Constituent Hours on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 4-6pm at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. Please come with a mask and plan to practice social distancing. As always, I am happy to take your texts or phone calls at 315-725-5987 or your emails at celeste4utica@gmail.com. I work on Constituent Services 7 days a week, so reach out anytime. My first Constituent Hours of 2021 will be on Tuesday, February 2nd.
BUY NOTHING UTICA
Shulamis Ossowski, who operates Hodge House, a daycare on Oneida Street just south of Higby Road, has started a new group on Facebook. The group is called "Buy Nothing Utica (South), NY". The idea behind this group and project is pretty simple: buy less of what we need by finding it right within the community. Members of the group can ASK for things they need, and GIVE away things they don't need. (Think of parents sharing clothing their babies and children have outgrown and you get the idea.). You can ask for anything, and give anything: no judgments, no questions asked. You can ask to join the group by clicking on this link: Buy Nothing Utica (South).
NEW MID-MONTH NEWSLETTER
Beginning last month, I am now writing an extra newsletter, and aiming to send it out in about the middle of the month. I'm calling it "How Utica Works", and its aim is to explain one particular feature of our local government in detail. I am enjoying it because it gives me a good excuse to learn something new every month and to help you become more informed about how YOUR government goes about OUR business. My first "How Utica Works" was a big hit. I heard back from dozens of people about how helpful they found it. If you missed it the first time around, YOU CAN READ IT HERE.
I am looking forward to writing more of these Newsletters, and am currently working on one on an important topic for many of you: paving.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LOCAL BUSINESS!
One of the truly wonderful things about Utica is its variety of great restaurants. Covid-19 has hit these businesses especially hard. So for the next few Newsletters at least, our Local Business feature is going to shine a light on places in South Utica where you can get take-out. Keep your business in your community and keep your community in business!
Rintrona's Bistro
470 French Road, 315-864-8050
Hours: Wednesdays - Thursdays 4-10, Fridays 11:30 -10
Saturdays 12 -10, (closed Sunday-Tuesday)
Hours will change in Spring
FB: Rintrona's Bistro, Email: rintronasbistro470@gmail.com
Owner: Maria Rintrona
Dine in or take out
Rintrona's Bistro is one of the newest Italian restaurants and sports bars in South Utica, having opened in July 2020. The Bistro offers a set menu along with a daily special posted on the restaurant's Facebook page. The dining room is newly remodeled and spacious, with a large outdoor space open when the weather is warmer. Maria wants her patrons to feel at home. Her restaurant’s motto is, “Rintrona’s . . . a place your feet may leave, but your heart never does."
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
January 6, 2021
I voted AYE on a number of Resolutions appointing several people as Commissioner of Deeds. (Being a Commissioner of Deeds allows people to collect petition signatures for ballot access on different party lines.) We passed these Resolutions for: Nadine Barroncini, Celeste Friend, Andy Zygmunt, Tim Julian, Delvin Moody, and Tracy Maycock. I voted AYE for a Resolution recognizing the recent heroism of Lieutenant Gerry Alsante, Firefighter Brian Hartnett, and Firefighter Brian Devins. I voted AYE to approve and endorse The Center's (formerly known as The Refugee Center) application for a grant that they depend on. I voted AYE to transfer funds from one budget line to another. I voted AYE to commit three Resolutions to appoint people to our Municipal Ethics Board. I voted to dispense with a piece of legislation I had placed into committee some months back, because I had decided it needed to be substantially rewritten. Most important, I voted AYE for my own Resolution to restore PUBLIC COMMENT during our virtual meetings. When the City went into a State of Emergency early last year, the Common Council suspended its Rules of Order. This meant that during our virtual meetings, we have not had the benefit of public comment. I did at one point over the Summer, while we were for a short while meeting in person, try to bring the public back into the meetings. But as City Hall is under the purview of the Mayor, others determined that there was no way for us to do so. We then went back to Virtual Meetings, as the Mohawk Valley's positivity rate climbed. So I then decided that we could no longer wait for things to return to "normal" before we restored Public Comment. After much discussion about how this would work, I was very pleased that my colleagues voted unanimously to restore this important means of communication between the Council and the public. Anyone can now email the Clerk at cityclerk@cityofutica.com by 3pm on the day of the meeting and ask to be placed on a list for public comment.
January 20, 2021
I voted AYE to appoint 16 people as Commissioners of Deeds. (See explanation above. See our minutes for a full list of these people.) I voted AYE for an Ordinance to change parking hours on Bleeker Street. I voted to Commit a Resolution determining that paving our streets this year is a Type II action for purposes of SEQR Act. I voted AYE to commit an Ordinance that would allow the City to borrow $500,000 for this year's paving. We discussed this at great length, with many members of the Council arguing that we should in fact borrow $2.5 million, as required by the recent paving referendum. I have decided that we should borrow the full $2.5 million, and I will not vote for an Ordinance that requires that we borrow less than that amount. I voted AYE to appoint Emilie Raymond to the Municipal Ethics Board. And finally I voted AYE to allow the Mayor to enter into a permit agreement with the NYS Depart of Transportation to create public parking lots on land owned by NYS.
Beginning this month, I am sending out a mid-month Newsletter devoted to one particular topic of government in the City of Utica.
The idea is to explain in adequate detail one particular facet or function of government. It is January, and it is snowing, so snow plowing seems like a good place to begin. Have an idea of something you’d like explained? Let me know. Think I got some detail wrong, or left some part out? Again, let me know. I’m always glad to hear from you.
Utica has 248 miles of roads. For purposes of snowplowing, the City is divided into 13 routes, spread out pretty evenly across the City. (South Utica has two routes.) A single route is made up of many separate and contiguous “loops” and takes anywhere from 6-8 hours to complete. Each street takes at least two passes to be cleared of snow. Wider roads, such as Genesee, take at least four. Plowing starts in the center of the road, and works the snow out to the edge. Each route is assigned permanently to one of our DPW plow drivers. Because they are permanently assigned to their routes, they learn the route, its streets, and the particular challenges that route presents. Each plow truck has two people in it: a driver and a “wingman” who helps guide the driver. We start plowing as soon as the snow starts falling, and keep plowing until the streets are clear. This means that in a major storm, drivers are plowing all night, and well into the day, until the streets are clear. (When practical, the DPW prefers to plow at night, when there is less traffic to contend with.) So if you think that a lot of snow has already fallen, but your street isn’t clear yet, it may simply be that your street got cleared, but snow has continued to fall and build up on the streets.
Snow plowing is a matter, most basically, of scraping the snow that has fallen onto the street, and pushing it to the side of the road. As snow continues to fall, and continues to be pushed to the side of the road, it builds up and creates a snow bank. Part of the skill of plowing is to be able to use the plow to both scrape the road and pile the snow up into a bank. But this also means that there is simply no way to move snow from the road to the side of the road and not deposit some of it at the ends of our driveways. And yes, that snow is wet, compacted, and heavy. It is easy to be frustrated to clear your own driveway and then have the plow come by and deposit more snow there. But, and THIS IS IMPORTANT, there is simply no other way to move the snow off the road.
Major arteries and roads with bus routes get first priority because they get the most traffic. If your side street has been plowed, but Genesee Street or Sunset Ave hasn’t, then you still can’t get anywhere. So be patient. They will get to you.
The City currently owns 12 trucks, of a few sorts, including two-tier Mack trucks, which can be equipped with a salter in the winter, and a dump truck for the rest of the year. The DPW works hard to maintain these trucks, and the oldest is 33 years old! Plows, and those two-tier trucks, can cost as much as a quarter of a million dollars, so for those who suggest that we need to buy more plows and trucks, please consider which other City service you would be willing to forgo so that the streets get cleared a little quicker.
A City like Utica is challenging to plow. There are lots of short streets, we have plenty of hills (think Higby, or Holland where it joins up with Oneida), and there are cars, poles, low curbs, and so on to deal with. So plowing a City like Utica is not at all like plowing the arterial or the thruway, which is essentially one long straight road, and considerably easier to plow than our City. It is also a challenge to fully staff the DPW. Most of our drivers are young. Applicants must have a CDL permit, and the DPW will finish their training and help new employees get their license. (“CDL” is a Commercial Driver’s License, and allows licensees to drive the plows that the City uses.) The DPW does not get nearly as many applicants as it used to, and this is true for other cities as well. (So, if you know a young person who wants a good stable job with good benefits, encourage them to look into getting a CDL permit. This is another one of the trades jobs that are too often overlooked by young people who want good, well-paid work.)
The biggest challenging to plowing is the problem of predicting how much snow will fall and when. As a City, we have to be prepared for the snow if it does come, but when it doesn't, we have set aside resources that we may not end up using. And these days, in a climate that HAS changed, this has become even more challenging.
Want to help? Please keep your cars out of the road and out of the way! In a Snow Emergency, this is absolutely required. But anytime the City is plowing, cars parked on the road are in the way and force plow drivers to leave a lot of snow in the roads. Don’t move snow out of your driveway and INTO the roads, especially after the plows have already come through. Try to resist calling the DPW to complain that they haven’t done your road yet, especially while the plows are still out and everyone is working hard. And lastly, please keep in mind that these plow drivers are working hard, and by the time you see them they may have been working hard all night. So give them a grateful wave as they drive by.
So there you have it. Now you know the basic facts about how plowing works here in Utica. I hope that you now know more about how this part of your government works. Stay tuned for future “How Utica Works” newsletters. And as always, spread the goodness by forwarding this email and encouraging others to sign up for themselves.
Newsletter #11
COVID-19 RAGES ON
As you are surely aware, Covid-19 is only getting worse and worse here in the Mohawk Valley, and in particular in Oneida County. You can track how Covid-19 is affecting us here at the Oneida County Covid-19 dashbooard, by just clicking here.
So, it is long since time for all of us to buckle down and follow ALL the rules. The lives of our neighbors, and especially of healthcare workers, are literally depending on all of us being willing to do what we need to do to protect each other. So mask up anytime that you are with people other than members of your own household, avoid large gatherings, wash your hands frequently, and stay home as much as you can.
If you missed my recent Newsletter explaining the new vaccines that are on their way, and why I hope that everyone who can get one will get one, just click here.
THE ZBA AND SUNSET AVE CONVENIENCE STORE
On Sunset, near the intersection of Arnold Ave, there are a few commercial buildings. One of them has been vacant for quite a while, having most recently housed a small travel agency. A man applied for a special permit from Urban and Economic Development to open a convenience store in that location. Neighbors were notified of a special public hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on December 15th. These convenience stores often create problems when they are located in residential neighborhoods, and so I decided it would be best for all fo us for this application to be denied. I canvassed the neighbors and talked to several people who live near the site of the proposed store. I went to the ZBA hearing (online of course) and spoke out against the permit. Several of the neighbors and neighboring business owners did as well. We made good arguments, and the ZBA was convinced. The permit was denied and that area of Sunset will remain quiet and clean.
SNIPE SIGNS AROUND TOWN
You have probably seen them around South Utica - commercial signs, sometimes handmade and sometimes printed up, in the city right of way along the street, or attached to telephone poles. The signs that we have seen lots of in the past year feature a phone number if you want to sell your house for cash fast. The signs are a problem for at least three reasons: they contribute to what we could call "sign pollution" and simply make the city less attractive; they violate City codes; and especially in the case of these signs offering to buy up houses quickly, they are almost certainly preying on more vulnerable members of our community. So, in short - take them down whenever you see them! They are called "snipe signs" and they violate City laws. Feel more than free to remove them, and if you don't want to have to dispose of them yourselves, then I'm happy to have you put them on my porch at 37 Emerson Ave. Many thanks to Mark Thompson on Sunset Ave, who is really vigilant about this problem, and who always lets me know when he starts to see them popping up again. And thanks to my brother who, while visiting, was more than happy to pull down any signs I pointed out to him - he's the tall fellow in the photo on the left.
CONSTITUENT HOURS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
I will continue to hold my regular Constituent Hours on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 4-6pm at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. Please come with a mask and plan to practice social distancing. As always, I am happy to take your texts or phone calls at 315-725-5987 or your emails at celeste4utica@gmail.com. I work on Constituent Services 7 days a week, so reach out anytime. My first Constituent Hours of 2021 will be on Tuesday, January 5th.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021
This is my first Newsletter of this New Year. In 2021, I am aiming for a total of 12 regular Newsletters. I am also going to start sending an additional email, in about the middle of each month, to make a series I'm going to call "Utica: Know Your Government". It will explain one particular aspect of our local government and how we do what we do. Is there some aspect of local government you've always wanted to know more about? Let me know!
January affords me extra time, and especially this year, as my Spring semester doesn't begin until February. So I am also planning on working on a Legislative Year in Review for 2020. And I am hoping to produce a short video describing what we accomplished in the outgoing year. So, many things to look forward to.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LOCAL BUSINESS!
One of the truly wonderful things about Utica is its variety of great restaurants. Covid-19 has hit these businesses especially hard. So for the next few Newsletters at least, our Local Business feature is going to shine a light on places in South Utica where you can get take-out. Keep your business in your community and keep your community in business!
Bone Yard BBQ
244 Roosevelt Drive, Utica, NY 13502
315-733-0364
www.boneyardbbqcny.com
FB. Boneyard BBQ
Owner: Craig Manderson
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11am- 9pm, Sunday 11am- 6pm, Monday Closed
Bone Yard BBQ, opened in 2016, is a full menu BBQ restaurant and catering business with a full bar. Bone Yard was recently highlighted on Food Network TV. Because they smoke every day, it is easy to find. Just follow the smell of the smoker.
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
December 2, 2020
I voted NAY to lay on the table a Local Law that is an alternative to my legislation that would return term limits to 8 years for every elected official in Utica, as mandated by a majority of voters in 1992. This Local Law, sponsored by Councilmembers Meola, Burmaster, McNeil, LoMedico, and DiBrango, was carefully constructed so as to allow some elected officials to serve 12 years. I voted AYE to place in committee an Ordinance, sponsored by Councilmember Moody, requiring video surveillance on certain apartment buildings.
December 16, 2020
I voted AYE for transfers of funds to adjust for an unexpected use of the City's sidewalk program and to adjust for unexpected unemployment costs due to Covid-19. I voted AYE to appoint four members of the Common Council and Thomas Allard as Commissioner of Deeds in the City of Utica. I voted AYE for a Proclamation to Honor Frank Shackleford. I voted AYE to place in Committee an Ordinance to amend the City Code for FOIL requests, to charge modest copying fees for FOIL requests when copying is required.
I, along with Delvin Moody, Joe Betrus, and Mark Williamson, voted NAY for a Local Law that allows some elected officials to serve for 12 years, while nonetheless returning term limits to 8 years for others. This was a Term Limit law that was introduced as an alternative to the one that I had introduced in November that would have returned term limits to the 8 years for EVERYONE. But their Law passed 5 votes to 4. So for now, the term limits as established by the voters in 1992 has been returned for some of Utica's elected officials, but not all.
Remember all meetings of the Council are live streamed on the City's YouTube channel, and I encourage you to watch our meetings from home. And all of the legislation under consideration is available online at this link.
Newsletter #10
TERM LIMIT LEGISLATION
As most of you are already aware, at the last Common Council meeting, on November 18, I submitted legislation to return term limits to the 8 consecutive year limit as voted into law by a majority of voters in 1992. I brought legislation intended to make a new Local Law which would reenact that 1992 referendum. I brought the legislation to the Council at the urging of a group of my Constituents who had circulated on online petition asking me to do this.
My legislation was contentious, both ahead of and at the meeting. Some objected that I had agreed not to bring such legislation this year. I assure you that I had not made any such agreement. I have been and continue to be committed to transparency and accountability, which means that I do not enter into back room agreements with my colleagues. I was also told that I was "grandstanding", apparently because I had discussed the legislation on the radio and on social media. Communication is key to transparency, so I am simply not interested in taking such claims seriously.
In any case, the meeting was contentious with many ideas exchanged. One thing became clear: many members of the Council would only be willing to vote for this legislation if it was not effective until January 1, 2022. This would mean that three elected officials would be able to run again in 2021, even though the 1992 referendum would not have allowed them to do so. Those three elected officials are Jack LoMedico and Mark Williamson, Councilpersons-at-Large, and Bill Moorehouse, our Comptroller.
We meet again tonight, and we will be discussing three different potential term limit laws. If you want to listen in, you can do so on YouTube - just search for "City of Utica".
THE NEW ZONING ORDINANCE
The Common Council continues to study the new zoning ordinance and make what we see as necessary adjustments in the process of adopting a new Zoning plan. The hope is that this will give all of us a new, streamlined, and environmentally updated zoning code as we move into a bright new future. A recent water bill contains a notification from the City about this Zoning update. The Council will have to weigh in by passing this zoning plan as an Ordinance. If at least 10 people are interested, I would be happy to arrange a meeting for South Utica about this Zoning plan. So please let me know if you would come to such a meeting. You can check out the new zoning code here. http://cityofutica.com/departments/urban-and-economic-development/zoning-update/index
There is a PUBLIC HEARING at the regular Common Council on December 16th. Please weigh in on this important legislation. And reach out to me in the meantime with questions or concerns.
UTICA YOUTH COUNCIL
This Fall, Councilperson Delvin Moody brought legislation to the Council that reinstituted the Youth Council, which Delvin had served on while a student at Proctor. The Common Council supported this project, and we now have a full Youth Council. It is advised by Stephanie Heiland, who directs the "Pathways to Justice Careers" program supported by a grant from Working Solutions. The members of the Youth Council are: Widad Ibrahim (President), Victoria Vo (President Pro Temp), Eh Moo Serr, Diego Landaverde, Olivia Tobiasz, Yasmin Wilson, and Emma Ferguson, who is from South Utica. Each member of the Youth Council was appointed by the Common Council. They are already taking initiative and doing some great things for our City. So if you know them or meet them, be sure to thank them for working on behalf of Utica and for making sure that young voices are included in our democracy.
CONSTITUENT HOURS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
I will continue to hold my regular Constituent Hours on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 4-6pm at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. Please come with a mask and plan to practice social distancing. As always, I am happy to take your texts or phone calls at 315-725-5987 or your emails at celeste4utica@gmail.com. I work on Constituent Services 7 days a week, so reach out anytime. My next Constituent Hours will be on Tuesday, January 5th.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021
This is my tenth Newsletter this year. I had intended to do one every month, but well, Summer... But still, I'm pleased to have gotten ten done, and I always like to have room to improve. So next year my aim will be to send out a Newsletter every month. AND, I am going to start sending an additional email, in about the middle of each month, to make a series I'm going to call something like "How Your Government Works". It will explain one particular aspect of our local government and how we do what we do. So, it will delve into such topics as: paving, solid waste, code enforcement, open meetings, the police department, and the like. (And I probably won't b able to resist the occasional one from a more theoretical point of view about the nature of government, the law, and so on.) Is there some aspect of local government you've always wanted to know more about? Let me know!
The upcoming year will also bring my first campaign for re-election. I loved running the first time, and I'm excited to get back at it. If you are interested in being involved in our campaign in any way, drop me a line. We will take all the support we can get.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LOCAL BUSINESS!
Help the Conservancy Maintain our Parks!
In Utica, as elsewhere nationwide, public parks are more popular because of Covid. This shouldn’t be surprising. Public health research shows that time spent in them confers significant physical and mental health benefits—our parks serve these needs.
The Conservancy is a nonprofit that helps to restore and maintain Conkling Park, the two Proctor parks, and the beautiful Parkway that connects them. We plant 30-50 trees annually to renew the system’s canopy, absorb rainwater and carbon, and provide beauty, shade, and cooling, and twice annually we plant flowers on the Parkway. And this year, we launched a multi-year campaign to restore F.T. Proctor Park for the 2023 centennial of its donation to the people of Utica.
This work is very costly—and money unfortunately doesn’t grow on trees! Our endowment covers only about 70% of this cost. Our current Fall Appeal seeks to raise the rest, and we greatly appreciate the very real power of many hundreds of modest gifts. You can donate by sending a check to the Conservancy at 1641 Genesee Street, Utica, 13501, or by giving online at www.uticaolmstedparks.org (under “Support Your Parks”)
Thank you!
Phil Bean, Executive Director
philip.bean@uticaolmstedparks.org
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
November 4, 2020
I voted AYE for my own legislation, "An Ordinance Entitled Article IV Refuse and Garbage. New Section to Sec. 2-22-73" This Ordinance tightens up the City's codes surrounding refuse and garbage that some property owners allow to accrue on their properties. It is now against City code for people *to accrue piles of scrap metal outside on their properties. There are many other details to this new code. In general, it gives the City the teeth it needs to protect property values in our neighborhoods. I was happy to bring such legislation, and I appreciate the unanimous support of my colleagues. I voted AYE for a Resolution calling for a Public Hearing on the new Zoning Ordinance. I voted AYE for a new Ordinance that requires neighborhood stores to be licensed. We hope that this will give the City the ability to better regulate neighborhood stores when they become a nuisance to the City and its neighborhoods. I voted AYE for a Resolution, originally sponsored by Councilperson Mark William, to encourage New York State to enforce and strengthen laws about resisting arrest. (This Resolution was contentious, and I raised many objections. In the end it was sufficiently amended so that I was willing to vote for it.)
November 18, 2020
I voted AYE to schedule a Public Hearing for December 16, 2020 on the subject of the Zoning Ordinance currently under consideration by the Common Council. (A previously scheduled hearing had to be cancelled because we inadvertently did not get it into the newspaper in time.) I voted AYE to place into Committee by Term-limit Local Law. (See above.) I voted AYE to place into Committee an Ordinance establishing a Minority and Women Business Certification Program". And finally, I voted AYE to appoint Dennis Bova to the Upper Mohawk Valley Regional Water Board.
Newsletter #9
ELECTION 2020
Last week we saw record voter turnout all across America. Here in NYS, people were able to vote in all sorts of ways that they found convenient: by absentee/mail-in ballots, during Early Voting, and on Election Day. This high voter turnout is extremely encouraging for the future of American democracy. I am a Democrat, so obviously I cast my votes for Biden/Harris and for Anthony Brindisi, and it is my fervent hope that they win. (I voted early, on October 25th, at MVCC.) But more than that, I hope that this time of increased voter participation and active citizenry is here to stay. No matter who wins this year, there will work to be done, and we need active and engaged citizens to do it.
FLOODING
A few days ago marked the one year anniversary of the terrible Halloween floods that harmed so many in our communities. In that time different agencies have made efforts towards mitigating the risk of flooding. Here is a summary of those efforts:
City of Utica
Over the last year, the City of Utica has, through the hard work of its Engineering Department, worked hard to clean out storm drains, sewer lines, and catch basins. They have done this across the City, often by contracting with private companies such as National Water Main Cleaning Company. Here in South Utica, they rebuilt a culvert that runs behind Oneida Street, just next to Calvary Cemetery and rebuilt the concrete headwall where that water heads under Oneida Street.
Sauquoit Creek Basin Intermunicipal Commission
I continue to attend these monthly meetings of the Commission tasked with addressing the various flooding issues posed by the Sauquoit. The Commission has just hired a local engineering firm to do an extensive study of the Creek, and develop a plan that the municipalities can then use to remove debris from the creek bed and stabilize the banks so that more debris doesn't accumulate. (I am friends with one of these engineers, Maggie Reilly, who presented to one of the flooding meetings I held last year.) There is also discussion of creating some water storage facilities upstream from Utica, which can help to alleviate flooding by decreasing the rate of water flow after heavy rains.
FLOODING RELIEF STILL AVAILABLE
I was contacted recently by a representative of the First Presbyterian Church of Utica. They still have funds to distribute to people in Utica who were impacted by last year's floods. If you would like to apply for these funds, please email Pastor Jeanne Kumbalek. Her email is kumbalekj@gmail.com.
THE NEW ZONING ORDINANCE
The Common Council continues to study the new zoning ordinance and make what we see as necessary adjustments in the process of adopting a new Zoning plan. The hope is that this will give all of us a new, streamlined, and environmentally updated zoning code as we move into a bright new future. A recent water bill contains a notification from the City about this Zoning update. The Council will have to weigh in by passing this zoning plan as an Ordinance. If at least 10 people are interested, I would be happy to arrange a meeting for South Utica about this Zoning plan. So please let me know if you would come to such a meeting. You can check out the new zoning code here.
RIDE ALONG WITH THE UPD
On Friday, October 23rd, I was given the opportunity to go on a "Ride Along" with the Utica Police Department. I joined Sergeant Kerry Carville for the second half of the 4pm to midnight shift. Sergeant Carville is a shift supervisor, so her duties included being out in the field assisting other officers as they patrolled their areas and responded to calls. It was an extremely instructive four hours, and I gained an insight to the life of our city that I could not have gained in any other way. I am very appreciative to Sergeant Carville for helping me to learn more about how policing works here in Utica, and to Deputy Chief Ed Noonan for affording me this opportunity.
CONSTITUENT HOURS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
I will continue to hold my regular Constituent Hours on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 4-6pm at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. Please come with a mask and plan to practice social distancing. As always, I am happy to take your texts or phone calls at 315-725-5987 or your emails at celeste4utica@gmail.com. I work on Constituent Services 7 days a week, so reach out anytime.
OLD BENDIX SITE
Over the last few months, Constituents have repeatedly reached out to me about the status and condition of the old Bendix site, located at the corner of French Road and Seward Avenue. I have been able to establish a regular contact with the property manager of the site, who works out of Syracuse. He did arrange to get much of the trash picked up along the fence on Seward Ave. The sidewalk remains in bad shape, with broken glass, gravel, and sand covering portions of it. The property manager is in the process of hiring a local custodian who will be able to take regular care of the property, and I am confident that with continuing communication from me, that property can be maintained appropriately. I did some basic research at the Assessor's office and determined that the wooded property on each side of Lyon Place is also part of the same property. There is some illegally dumped materials and miscellaneous trash to be cleaned up there. I have asked the property manager to clean this up as well, and he has assured me that the new custodian he is hiring will do this very soon. I will stay on top of this until that entire area is clean.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LOCAL BUSINESS!
And now that we are bit by bit returning to normal, I thought it was time to bring back our "Spotlight on Businesses" in South Utica. I am grateful to my friend Theresa Smith for taking on this portion of the Newsletter. (Have an idea for a business to highlight? Let me know.)
Stathis Greek Restaurant & Gyro
Stathis, our local South Utica Greek restaurant, opened about two years ago. You can eat in the cozy restaurant or order delivery or take out. The owner, Stathis Koulouris says: “It has always been my dream to open up my own restaurant.”
1900 Genesee Street, Utica
Hours: Monday- Saturday 11:00 am- 8:00 pm,
Sunday closed
Telephone number: 315-624-0323
www.stathisgreek.com
FaceBook: Stathis Greek Restaurant & Gyro
Email stathisuticagreek@gmail.com
CALLING ALL SOUTH UTICA GARDENERS!
There are many terrific gardens and gardeners in South Utica. Gardens can do a lot to beautify our neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all of us. There is now a new group of gardeners in South Utica who are looking forward to sharing their knowledge and more come Spring. Email me if you would be interested in joining them.
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
October 7, 2020
I voted AYE to appoint Nedim Mujic as a Commissioner of Deeds for the City of Utica. I voted AYE to schedule five public hearings for properties to be sold by the URA, and to place the legislation for the sale of those properties into committee.
I also voted AYE to place other pieces of legislation into committee: an Ordinance to adjust the fees and charges for the use of the City-owned bandshell, and a non-binding Resolution to encourage NYS lawmakers to revise laws surrounding resisting arrest.
October 21, 2020
I voted AYE for five Ordinances to sell five separate properties through the URA. I voted AYE on two Resolutions that allow Utica to pursue grants for the identification, assessment, and remediation of brownfields here in Utica. I voted AYE to reduce some interests, penalties and fees for a property now owned by the Mohawk Valley Land Bank.
I voted to appoint Emma Ferguson to the City of Utica Youth Common Council, and was very happy to do so. Emma is a senior at Proctor High School, and plans to go to college to study political science. Emma is a very smart, committed young person who I'm sure will continue to make Utica proud. I am looking forward to getting to know her better.
I voted AYE to adjust the fees and charges for the rental of the city-owned bandshell. Lastly, I voted AYE for a Resolution that would change the legal designation of a portion of Herkimer Road. This is a problem that Councilmember Joe Betrus has been working very hard on, in response to concerns of his Constituents who are very much bothered by the heavy truck traffic that travels on that road. This was Councilmember Betrus's Resolution, but he had everyone's support, so this was sponsored by the Full Council.
We also placed into Committee my Ordinance on Refuse and Garbage. This was my piece of legislation, that was requested by Codes Commissioner Marques and written for me by Judge Garramone. (More about this legislation in my next Newsletter.)
I voted AYE on my own Resolution requesting that the Mayor again allow the public to attend Common Council meetings. The Council Chambers are under the jurisdiction of the Council alone, but we need the Mayor to allow people to pass through the City Hall lobby, and he is not yet ready to do so, for a number of practical and safety reasons. I miss having the public present at our meetings, and am looking forward to the day when we are all together again. Meanwhile, all meetings of the Council are live streamed on the City's YouTube channel, and I encourage you to watch our meetings from home.
Newsletter #8
THE YOUTH COMMON COUNCIL NEEDS A SOUTH UTICA REPRESENTATIVE
The Common Council, under the leadership of Councilperson Delvin Moody, recently voted to re-establish the Youth Common Council. They have just begun meeting, but they are still missing a representative from South Utica. If you know of a Junior or Senior high school student who wants to be involved in local politics, please let me know.
FLOODING
This month will mark the one year anniversary of the terrible Halloween floods that harmed so many in our communities. In that time different agencies have made efforts towards mitigating the risk of flooding. I will be holding a meeting to update you on this progress. So reserve the evening of Tuesday, October 27th for this meeting. More details will come in a future email.
THE NEW ZONING ORDINANCE
The City is in the process of adopting a new Zoning plan. The hope is that this will give all of us a new, streamlined, and environmentally updated zoning code as we move into a bright new future. This month's water bill contains a notification from the City about this Zoning update. The Council will have to weigh in by passing this zoning plan as an Ordinance. If at least 10 people are interested, I would be happy to arrange a meeting for South Utica about this Zoning plan. (My cat James has already made his opinion known. The new zoning map is very comfy.) So please let me know if you would come to such a meeting. You can check out the new zoning code here.
VOTE FOR CAFE DOMENICO!
Utica's Genuine Java Joint, Cafe Domenico, located in the heart of South Utica, has been nominated for the Observer-Dispatch's 2020 Best of the Best Awards. Give our local cafe, and South Utica, a boost by voting for the Cafe today. Just follow this link, register, choose your category, and cast your votes!
GREEN WASTE - DO IT RIGHT!
For two periods a year, you can place your green waste loose at the curb and the City will pick it up for free. So starting on September 30th and running until December 2nd, we are welcome to pile our green waste by the curb, but not in the street. (Please, no logs or tree stumps.) But after December 2nd, we will be back to putting our green waste into barrels or other containers. Please follow the green waste rules. When we put leaves and grass clippings out in the street during other times of the year, we risk them being washed into our storm drains, which increases the risk of flooding. So, by all means, take advantage of the City'a green waste service, but please, play by the rules, for the sake of all of us.
CONSTITUENT HOURS RESTARTED SEPTEMBER 15th
I hold my regular Constituent Hours every 1st, 2nd, and 4th Tuesday of the month from 4-6pm at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. Please come with a mask and plan to practice social distancing. But do drop in, I'd love to see you!
NEW FOREST CEMETERY
As many of you are aware, the New Forest Cemetery, just to the North of the Forest Hill Cemetery, has recently fallen on hard times. It is a separate cemetery from Forest Hill, and operates independently from it. (They are separated from each other by Master Garden Road.) After worries that New Forest might simply be abandoned, a new group, led by Mr. Craig Minor in South Utica, has stepped up and formed a new Board and found a new volunteer Superintendent. The Cemetery is now on the road to recovery. I have met with the Board, and am trying to help them as they pursue financial resources. I have great confidence in the new Board, but the road ahead for them is steep. They are currently intending to make some basic capital investments, which can help to create a more secure financial future for the cemetery. Financial contributions are welcome, and can be sent to: New Forest Cemetery, PO Box 424, Utica NY 13501
Spotlight on Local Business!
And now that we are bit by bit returning to normal, I thought it was time to bring back our "Spotlight on Businesses" in South Utica. I am grateful to my friend Theresa Smith for taking on this portion of the Newsletter. (Have an idea for a business to highlight? Let me know.)
Vanity Hair & Beauty Parlor
Vanity Hair & Beauty Parlor is a new and beautifully remodeled unisex salon located in Ridgewood Plaza. The salon has experienced stylists and specializes not only in haircuts but all hair services including colors, highlights, lowlights, and much more. Walk-ins welcome.
2514 Oneida Street Utica 13501
Telephone number: 315-922-7335
Facebook: Vanity Hair & Beauty Parlor
E-mail: vanityhair&beautyparlor@gmail.com
Owner/Operator: Dakotah Schaaf
Hours: Monday 11-4
Tuesday 10-7
Wednesday 10-7
Thursday 10-6
Friday 9-5
Saturday 9-2
CALLING ALL SOUTH UTICA GARDENERS!
There are many terrific gardens and gardeners in South Utica. Gardens can do a lot to beautify our neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all of us. I will be arranging a meeting of people who would be interested in organizing a South Utica Garden club. I have already heard from several people, but there is still time to get in on the ground floor of this new club! Email me if you would be interested in this.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS
We are only a few weeks out from November's General Election. There are three ways that you can vote this year:
1) If you are concerned about voting in person because of the Pandemic, you can request an Absentee Ballot on the basis of "temporary illness". You can apply for an Absentee Ballot now. Those Ballots will begin to be mailed out in just a few days. Follow this link for an application for an Absentee Ballot. Once you receive your ballot, fill it in, sign it, and return it to the Board of Elections.
2) You can vote during the Early Voting period, which this year will run from Saturday, October 24th until Sunday, November 1st. Early Voting is a great way to vote in person safely, without worrying about being around crowds of people. And stay tuned for a video that a friend and I are producing to explain all the details of how to Vote Early.
3) You can vote in person on Tuesday, November 3rd at your regular polling place.
Anyone who is a citizen and has resided at their current address for at least 30 days is eligible to vote. You can learn more here about how to register to vote.
Follow me on Facebook, where we have posted all sorts of helpful details about all of the above.
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
September 2, 2020
I voted AYE to adjust Solid Waste service charges. I voted AYE to Resolve that there are no negative environmental consequences to a proposed Downtown Utica Parking Improvement Project. I voted AYE to discontinue and sell a portion of Burrstone Road. (This is a sliver of Burrstone Road that years ago was incorporated into a new entrance for Utica College. The Council was merely formalizing this fact.) I voted AYE for legislation I sponsored to add a stop sign on Emerson Ave where it intersects with Howe St. I voted AYE for legislation I sponsored to allow a resident on Lomond Place to place an 8 foot fence in her side yard. I voted AYE on two Resolutions to place proper signage on Herkimer Road in relation to heavy trucks. I voted AYE on an Ordinance for No Parking on a section of Herkimer Road.
And finally, I voted AYE on an Ordinance sponsored by the entire Council, to designate a section of Kemble Street as "Essential Workers Way". The Council agreed that it was important to recognize the sacrifices that so many essential workers have made during this pandemic. I was proud to co-sponsor this legislation, and happy to vote for it.
September 16, 2020
I voted AYE on a Resolution to honor long term Democratic Commissioner of the Oneida County Board of Elections Angela Pedone Longo. Ms. Longo had long served the City and I was happy to vote for this Proclamation to honor her. I voted AYE to Ordain that a portion of Warren Street be made one-way. I voted AYE for an Ordinance that I sponsored that would make a portion of Ballantyne Brae, where it narrows and joins Genesee Street "No Parking At All Times". I voted AYE on two Ordinances to amend the current fence ordinance to simplify the fees for fences. And lastly, I voted AYE on an Ordinance to allow a resident to add 2 feet of fencing to the top of a pre-existing fence.
Newsletter #7
THE NEWSLETTER IS BACK!
Over the summer, I allowed myself a little Newsletter break - but I've been busy in the Ward, and although summer was great and productive, it is definitely that time of year when I welcome the return of a more regular, structured schedule. So welcome back to the Newsletter! (And, if you like hearing from me once a month, and you think others would as well, please forward this email to them and ask them to sign up to get it themselves.)
NEW STREET LIGHTS ARE UP THROUGHOUT SOUTH UTICA
At one of our first meetings of the current Council, we voted to move forward with a bond that would allow us to replace the streetlights throughout Utica with new LED lights. This is saving us money in two important ways: we now own the equipment itself, so we are no longer paying to lease it monthly from National Grid, and the lights are very efficient, so we are saving money every month on the City's electric bill. I was happy to vote Yes to authorize this bond, and so I was very pleased to see the new lights going up throughout South Utica this summer.
CONSTITUENT HOURS RESTART SEPTEMBER 15th
Although we still need to wear a mask when around others, and practice social distancing, things are easing up, and we are freer to get together. My Constituent Hours will resume beginning on Tuesday, September 15th, from 4-6pm, at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. I will hold Constituent Hours the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Tuesday of every month. Drop in!
CONSTITUENT SERVICES
The Summer of 2020 was, of course, the Pandemic Summer, and for me personally, it was the Gardening Summer, but it was also most certainly, the Summer of Constituent Services. I fielded lots of request for a wide variety of issues, and I learned how many City services worked, who to call, how to get things done, and so on. The staff at Congressman Brindisi's office was very helpful in giving me advice on how to organize both these requests as they came in and my follow up (hence the three-ring binder pictured below). This Summer, we got some road lines repainted, filled a bunch of potholes, got speed limits signs, stop signs, a Deaf Child sign placed. We had the fence on Brookline that had been knocked down by last year's Halloween floods replaced (this time with a gate). There was lots to be done, and I worked with the City to get lots of it done. If you have a problem that you need addressed, here is how to reach out: Text me at 315-725-5987, Call me at the same number, Email me at Celeste4utica@gmail.com, or send me a message on Facebook. (This last way is my least favorite as I don't always see those messages right away.) And, by all means, if I don't get back to you in a timely manner, try, try again.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS
We are less than two months out from November's General Election. There are three ways that you can vote this year:
1) You can vote by requesting an Absentee Ballot. If you are concerned about voting in person because of the Pandemic, you can request an Absentee Ballot on the basis of "temporary illness". You can apply for a an Absentee Ballot now. Those Ballots will begin to be mailed out in just a few days. Follow this link for an application for an Absentee Ballot. Once you receive your ballot, fill it in, sign , and return to the BOE.
2) You can vote during the Early Voting period, which this year will run from Saturday, October 24th until Sunday, November 1st. Keep an eye out for a video that I am producing to explain all the details of Early Voting. Early Voting is a great way to vote in person safely, without worrying about being around crowds of people.
3) You can vote in person on Tuesday, November 3rd at your regular polling place.
Anyone who is a citizen and has resided at their current address for at least 30 days is eligible to vote. You can learn more here about how to register to vote.
Follow me on Facebook, where we have posted all sorts of helpful details about all of the above.
CALLING ALL SOUTH UTICA GARDENERS!
There are many terrific gardens and gardeners in South Utica. Gardens can do a lot to beautify our neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all of us. I will be holding a meeting of people who would be interested in organizing a South Utica Garden club. Email me if you would be interested in this.
MAKE SURE TO BE COUNTED!
The Census is very important - it is the way we can make sure that our state and our region gets what it deserves, both in terms of representation and resources. So far, 85% of New Yorkers have been counted, and the Census will continue until the end of September.
To fill out the Census online, just go here. It couldn't be much easier!
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
June 17, 2020
In response to a Constituent's request, I asked the Police Department to study the parking legislation for Symonds Place. There were NO PARKING signs on the South side of the street before it was rebuilt last year, and they were never reinstalled. The Police Department did their due diligence and discovered that the prior signs had never been properly legislated. Therefore, I sponsored and voted AYE for an Ordinance to make the South Side of Symonds Place in the Third Ward NO PARKING.
I voted AYE to place into Committee my own legislation that would require that certain police personnel records be placed on the City website. I had submitted this legislation the previous week. Soon thereafter, the Mayor and Police Chief Williams announced that they would be doing exactly as my legislation suggested, so the Council deemed it appropriate to place my legislation in Committee.
The "Thursday Rule": On June 17th, I introduced legislation to change our Rules of Order. In the past, there has been something nicknamed the "Thursday Rule", which required that legislation introduced to the Council had to be submitted at least 5 days prior to the meeting at which it was being first introduced. When the current Council adopted its Rules of Order, which every new Council does, we voted to exempt from this rule so many government departments that it became an empty rule. As a result, legislation was being given to us at the last hour (in one instance, it literally came to us at 6pm for a 7pm meeting.) This put the Council in a very difficult position, where we were being asked to vote on legislation that we could not properly vet or carefully consider. I therefore introduced a new, stricter version of the "Thursday Rule", which re-instituted the requirement that all legislation, including that introduced by the Council itself, in a timely fashion. I voted for this legislation, obviously. It passed 8-1, with only Councilperson Mark Williamson voting against it.
I voted AYE on a Resolution to approve a traffic ticket diversion program between Oneida County and the City of Utica. I voted AYE to make Alma Mujanic a Commissioner of Deeds in the City of Utica. I voted AYE for an Engineering Planning Grant Agreement. I voted AYE to change the Summer Common Council meetings to July 15 and August 12. I voted AYE that a section of the City Code regarding Heavy trucks on the Parkway be rescinded and that the Code be amended in a different manner. I voted AYE to place in Committee the appointment of a Representative to the Towing Licensing Commission. I voted AYE to place in Committee a Resolution regarding the NYS repeal of 50a of the Civil Rights Law. I voted AYE on a Resolution to honor our Essential Workers in the City. I voted AYE to place into Committee a number of appointments to the new Youth Council. I voted AYE for some new STOP signs in the vicinity of Leland and Wurz Avenues. I voted AYE for a Resolution commending the NYS Legislature for repealing 50a of the Civil Rights Law. I voted AYE to place into committee legislation that I brought to guarantee that neighborhoods would receive adequate notification about large developments. I will return to this legislation as the Council works its way through the new Zoning Ordinance. And finally, on July 17th, I voted AYE to amend the City ordinance regarding towing. This legislation was carefully considered and amended by the Council before we passed it.
July 15, 2020
In response to Constituents' requests, I asked the Police Department to study the traffic safety at the intersection of Holland and Prospect. The Department concluded that STOP signs on Holland Ave would slow down traffic, thereby making it safer. I thereby sponsored and voted AYE to to add stop signs at Holland and Prospect to make it into a four-way stop.
I voted AYE to place a stop sign on Brayton Place, to add three NO PARKING AT ALL TIMES signs to Brayton Place, and to appoint Mike Mahoney to the Towing Rotation Licensing Commission. I voted AYE to placing in Committee a Resolution to create a quiet zone along the train tracks along the northern border of Utica. I voted AYE to make the Common Council the lead agency in a SEQR Coordinated Environmental Review in relation to the new Zoning ordinance. I voted AYE to place the New Zoning Ordinance in committee. (This is an important piece of legislation, and I will be reporting on this in much more detail in the near future.) I voted AYE to appoint six members to the newly re-formed Utica Youth Council. I voted AYE to allow the Mayor to extend the Intermunicipal agreement to establish the Greater Mohawk Valley Land Bank, and to appoint Councilperson Robert Burmaster to the Land Bank. I voted to Ordain the transfer of funds between different budget lines for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. I voted to adjust the Solid Waste Service Charge for 2020-2021. And finally, I voted AYE to grant to MVHS easements which will allow them to build a pedestrian bridge.
August 12, 2020
I voted AYE for an Ordinance that would prohibit the specific noises produced by fireworks and for an Ordinance to allow UMHA to erect an 8 foot fence on Seymour Ave. I voted AYE for a Resolution requesting that ARC Oneida-Lewis funding be preserved by the State of New York. I voted AYE for five Ordinances allowing for the transfer of funds between budget lines for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year. I sponsored and voted AYE for a Resolution calling for Hazard pay for Essential Workers. I voted to place in Committee an Ordinance to rename a section of Hobart Street "Essential Workers Way". I voted AYE for a Resolution to share services with the NYS DoT and for a Intermunicipal agreement with BOCES for certain automotive repair services. I voted AYE to authorize the sale of surplus City equipment and to renew an intermunicipal agreement for shared police services between the City and New Hartford. I voted for a Public Hearing on the matter of discontinuing a portion of Burrstone Road and selling it to Utica College. I voted AYE for an Ordinance to establish a Liability Reserve Fund for Employee Benefits.
I will report on my September votes in my October Newsletter.
UPCOMING NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 1st
My next newsletter will be sent on October 1st. In that Newsletter, in addition to reporting on all my votes taken in September, I will discuss progress made by both the City and the Sauquoit Creek Basin Intermunicipal Commission to address the problems of flooding in South Utica. (And stay tuned for a community meeting on flooding later in October.) I will also discuss the new Zoning Ordinance that is currently before the Council, and the current state of affairs with the New Forest Cemetery. I will also remind everyone of the City's policies regarding green waste, and why complying with those policies is in the interest of all of us.
Newsletter #6
OUR STATE OF EMERGENCY CONTINUES
Yes, we are beginning to open up, slowly and carefully, as dictated by the State. But Utica remains under our state of emergency, and I caution everyone to remain on guard against this terrible disease.
YOU CAN READ MORE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE
Tune in tomorrow to the Common Council meeting on YouTube, where the meeting will be livestreamed. (The Council has moved forward with meeting in person, but per State orders we cannot yet allow the public to attend.) There are two separate meetings scheduled for Wednesday:
6pm: Pre-conference meeting of the Whole
7pm: Common Council Meeting.
JUST FOLLOW THIS LINK TO LIVESTREAM THESE MEETINGS FROM YOUTUBE
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
June 3, 2020
I voted AYE to sell a URA property at 611 Spring Street for $250. I voted AYE to make the Common Council the "Lead Agency" for a State Environmental Quality Review Act review on a parcel of City owned property to be developed into a parking lot that will serve the Bagg's Square neighborhood. I voted AYE to a number of transfers of funds within the budget that had been approved by The Board of Estimate and Apportionment. I voted AYE to appoint Joseph Marino as a marriage officer in the City of Utica. (It sounds like Joe has some fun summer activities planned...) I voted AYE to pass an amendment to modernize and improve the City's Electrical Ordinance. I moved and voted AYE to place in Committee my own legislation to enact a Neighborhood Notification and Meeting clause to the City Codes. (See more on this below.)
UPCOMING LEGISLATION (See more about these below)
I have three pieces of legislation currently before the Common Council:
1) Neighborhood Notification and Meeting Clause - this will require that residents who live near proposed large developments are informed in advance of those developments by way of a neighborhood meeting. The results of such a meeting will have to be included in any application for development in the City.
2) Police Transparency and Accountability Act of 2020 - this will require that certain personnel records of police officers be made readily available to the public through the City's website.
3) Amendment to the Common Council's Rules of Order - this will put in place a clear rule requiring that all proposed legislation be submitted to the Council at least five business days (excluding Sundays) before Regular Meetings.
IF YOU SUPPORT ANY OF THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION, PLEASE LET THE COUNCIL KNOW. EMAIL ME. YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL THE CLERK, WHO WILL FORWARD YOUR EMAIL TO THE ENTIRE COUNCIL BY 2PM ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17TH: CITYCLERK@CITYOFUTICA.COM - MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
NEIGHBORHOOD NOTIFICATION AND MEETING CLAUSE
After the Kelberman development controversy, it became clear to many people throughout Utica that people were not being adequately informed about large developments in their neighborhoods. And since development is an ongoing fact of life (and that is a good thing...), then this is important to everyone throughout the City. So, this Ordinance is meant to ensure that people are made aware of large developments in their neighborhoods that affect the quality of their lives. It doesn't mean that we will always get what we want, since in a democracy different people want different things. But it does mean that we will get to participate in our government.
POLICE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2020
On June 12, Governor Cuomo signed into law the repeal of New York State Civil Rights Law Section 50-a. This was a shield law that prevented citizens from seeing the personnel records of police officers. Citizen can now use FOIL laws to see those records. Since I have always been committed to transparency in government, I crafted this law to go one step further and make these records available on the City website. I believe that residents of Utica should be able to easily and readily see certain records of the officers who have taken an oath to serve and protect us.
THE "THURSDAY" RULE
Those who regularly attend the Common Council meetings are probably familiar with what is generally called the "Thursday Rule". This has been the rule that legislation submitted to the Council must be done so on the Thursday prior to the meeting. In January, the new Council adopted its Rules of Order. Among other changes, the Thursday Rule was relaxed, and a number of Departments were exempted from it. In recent meetings, important and complicated legislation has been submitted to the Council at a very late date. (In one case, some changes to an important contract came to us only an hour before the meeting began.) I made it clear at these meetings that I very much objected to this. In order to be a responsible legislator, I must insist that the Council be given several days to read through, study, and vet all legislation, especially when it is complicated. So I am now putting forward an amendment to our Rules of Order that would reinvoke the "Thursday Rule", whereby all legislation, no matter who submits it to the Council, must be received 5 business days (except Sunday), before our Regular Meetings. As long as our Regular Meetings continue on Wednesdays, this will mean that legislation must be received by Thursday, hence the nickname for the rule.
CONSTITUENT HOURS
Things are easing up, and we are freer to get together. I am looking forward to resuming my Constituent Hours as soon as I can work out the details. Stay tuned.
THE NEW STREETS LIGHTS ARE IN PROGRESS!
Because of Covid-19 and the restrictions that it created, the City was forced to delay the installation of our fancy, new, modern LED streetlights. But they are finally being installed. This is a great program developed by the Mayor and his team, and I really applaud them for it. We are going to have great new lights, and we will also be saving $1.5 million dollars a year at the same time. As I write this, I am not sure where in the City they are being installed, but if you see the work being done, drop me a photo!
MAKE SURE TO BE COUNTED!
The Census is very important - it is the way we can make sure that our state and our region gets what it deserves, both in terms of representation and resources.
To fill out the Census online, just go here. It couldn't be much easier!
I WILL BE IN TOUCH AGAIN AS SOON AS I HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT.
MEANWHILE, REMEMBER THAT AS A COMMUNITY, AS A CITY, AND AS A COUNTRY, WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS. BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. BE SAFE, AND REACH OUT ANYTIME.
Copyright © 2020 Committee to Elect Celeste Friend, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.
Our mailing address is:
Committee to Elect Celeste Friend
37 Emerson Ave
Utica, NY 13501-5621
NEWSLETTER #5
OUR STATE OF EMERGENCY CONTINUES
Yes, we are beginning to open up, slowly and carefully, as dictated by the State. But Utica remains under our state of emergency, and I caution everyone to remain on guard against this terrible disease.
YOU CAN READ MORE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE
Tune into Tonight's Common Council on YouTube, where the meeting will be livestreamed. There are three separate meetings scheduled for tonight:
5pm: a meeting of the Public Safety Committee
6pm: Pre-conference meeting of the Whole
7pm: Common Council Meeting.
JUST FOLLOW THIS LINK TO LIVESTREAM THESE MEETINGS FROM YOUTUBE
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
(an explanation of why I voted how I voted on important issues before the Council)
April 15, 2020
I voted to lease a parcel of land belonging to the City to the Memorial Auditorium. I voted to sell a parcel of land on Whitesboro Street to the Adirondack Cooperage for a new manufacturing operation as well as restaurant and distillery. I voted to authorize the URA to sell a piece of property on Lansing Street. I voted, obviously, for the Rent Relief Resolution sponsored by myself and Councilmember Delvin Moody. We were very happy that after we had made our arguments for the Resolution, and had happily incorporated some suggestions by our colleagues, it passed with unanimous support. I also voted for the "Memorializing Resolution" supporting healthcare workers and first responders and encouraging the Federal government to get the support they need to do their work during this ongoing national emergency. This Resolution was originally sponsored by Councilmembers LoMedico, Betrus, and Burrmaster, but it ended up being "Full Council", meaning that it was sponsored by every member of the Council.
May 6, 2020
I voted NO on Local Law No 3, of 2020, which sought to overturn a 2008 referendum passed overwhelmingly by the citizens of Utica to require police to live in Utica. We all argued forcefully. In the end, Councilmember Frank Meola and I were the only two members of the Council to vote against the Law. I voted for a Public Hearing on the sale of some property by the URA on Spring Street. I voted to authorize taking 311 Turner Street (formerly the Charlestown Mall) off the tax rolls. (We had voted on this previously, but a technicality required us to vote on this again.) I voted to amend the "Citizen Participation Plan" so that public input into the use of CDBG funds can go forward during the constraints of the pandemic.
FERAL AND HOMELESS CATS
Feral cats are a problem in many parts of our City. Many people spend their resources taking care of these cats who have been abandoned by other people. But sometimes this presents a problem for their neighbors who find themselves living in close proximity to large cat colonies. We need to address this problem in a long-term, humane, and smart way. The Council has begun the process of researching the best way to address this issue. Stay tuned for updates on this issue, and always feel free to reach out with your concern on this or any other issue.
THE OLD BENDIX SITE
Many residents near and around French and Seward have noticed increased activity at this location. I talked to Brian Thomas at City Hall. This is work being done by the property owners, not the City. They are doing some basic remediation of the property (e.g., fixing the fencing, cleaning up dead trees, etc), most likely in order to be able to sell the land. My understanding is that the land is contaminated in such a way that it is very unlikely to ever be developed for residential purposes. But it is possible that it could be sold and then developed for something like light industrial or commercial use. This will depend on how that property is zoned once the city overhauls its zoning regulations. Stay tuned. If I learn more, I will certainly let you know.
CONSTITUENT HOURS
Until the Governor, under the advice of experts, gives us permission to ease up on our social isolating, I will be suspending my Constituent Hours. I will happily resume them as soon as possible. Meanwhile, call or text or email me anytime. I am looking into what it would take for me to hold a Tele-Town Hall. So stay tuned.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT HELPLINE
The State of New York has gathered mental health professional volunteers from all over the state - over six thousand of them! - to staff the NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline at 844-863-9314. It is staffed 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. The phone line is staffed with specially trained volunteer professionals who are there to listen, support and refer if needed.
MAKE SURE TO BE COUNTED!
The Census is very important - it is the way we can make sure that our state and our region gets what it deserves, both in terms of representation and resources.
To fill out the Census online, just go here. It couldn't be much easier!
I WILL BE IN TOUCH AGAIN AS SOON AS I HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT.
MEANWHILE, REMEMBER THAT AS A COMMUNITY, AS A CITY, AND AS A COUNTRY, WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS. BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. BE SAFE, AND REACH OUT ANYTIME.
NEWSLETTER #4
OUR STATE OF EMERGENCY CONTINUES
In response to the Cornavirus pandemic Mayor Palmieri declared a state of emergency starting at noon on Monday, March 16th. He has extended the state of emergency and I think we should assume that he will continue doing so until the State of New York lifts its statewide state of emergency. City Hall is closed to the public and public meetings are being conducted online.
YOU CAN READ MORE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE
RENT RELIEF RESOLUTION
Over six million Americans have filed for unemployment in the last two weeks! The Coronavirus Crisis is also, not surprisingly, an economic crisis. Here in Utica, as in many places across the country, one group of people who we know will be hard hit by this crisis is low-income renters. Governor Cuomo has enacted a 90-day suspension of all evictions, but not rents themselves, so when the crisis does lift, and people can go back to work, many people here in Utica are apt to be severely behind on their rent and could face eviction then. After the recession of 2008, there was a large spike in homelessness here in Utica. We are at risk of seeing another spike in homelessness. And this is bad for everyone - for the people who are made homeless, for the landlords who do not want to evict people but may have little financial choice, and for all of us. We need rent relief for these people, and we need it NOW.
Delvin Moody, Councilmember for the Fifth Ward and I, are bringing to the Council a Resolution calling upon the City and Mayor Palmieri to use extra funds, coming to the City via the Federal CARES act, to help people stay in their homes. These are Emergency Solutions Grants, specifically meant to address and mitigate against homelessness. Councilmember Moody and I believe that this money is best spent on rent relief NOW, in order to ensure that people do not become homeless down the road. You can read about Congressman Brindisi's announcement here. Emergency Solutions Grants funds secured by Congressman Brindisi These funds, to be clear, are not in any way part of the City budget. These are funds coming to Utica from the federal government, as part of the relief act signed by President Trump, to mitigate against the economic hardships caused by Covid-19.
We will be presenting the "Rent Relief Resolution: Covid-19 Emergency Assistance" to the Common Council on April 15th. (To be clear, a Resolution is an expression of the will of the Common Council. It does not have the force of law. In the end it will up to Mayor Palmieri to decide how to allocate these funds. But we hope that he and the Council agree that keeping people in their homes is best for all of us.)
We are happy to have Citizen Action's support for this Resolution. Please consider signing their petition. And if you agree with us, please tell other members of the Council and the Mayor that we need Rent Relief NOW.
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
(an explanation of why I voted how I voted on important issues before the Council)
March 20, 2020
The Common Council met at a Special Meeting to vote on the 2020-2021 Budget and Mayor's Raise and on the budget itself. I voted against amending the budget to give the Mayor a raise of approximately $10,000 a year, and the Comptroller a raise of approximately $8,000 a year. I had been leaning towards voting for it, even though it was slightly higher than I would have liked. I think it is important that when we think about salaries, we not think about the particular persons occupying those positions, but rather that we think of the role. And I do in fact believe that the Mayor of a city such as Utica should be compensated proportionately to the job and in a way that is comparable to other similar cities. So I had been inclined to vote for the raise. But by the time we actually got to the point of voting on this, Covid-19 had already reared its ugly head. It was clear to me that the pandemic was going to have terrible economic consequences. We were already in a state of emergency. It was obvious that sales tax revenues would not meet our expectations. And so I thought that the only responsible thing to do was to vote to keep the budget leaner if we could. So I voted against the amendment and against the Local Law that is required to adjust the Charter. I was in the minority on both votes. I then voted for the Budget. Overall I had gone into the vote thinking that the Budget was well thought out and appropriate. It includes a small property tax increase of 1.9%, which is well within the range of inflation. It is a good budget, and I voted for it despite the amendment that I did not like because the entire budget was acceptable.
April 1, 2020
I voted to set reasonable fees for the use of the new Sal Longo Field. I voted to change our Rules of Order to allow the Common Council to meet via live online video conferencing until such a time a we are again allowed to meet in the Council Chambers. I did try to amend the new Rules of Order to state that as soon as possible we would include Public Comment in these meetings. My amendment received no support in our Pre-Conference meeting, so I did not pursue it during our regular Council meeting, but I did qualify my vote as to that one qualm I had with our new Rules of Order. I voted to reduce the amount we would borrow for paving by $2,000,000. So we are now borrowing $500,000 for paving rather than $2,500,000. This will give us a total of $3,000,000 to spend on paving this year. I felt very torn about this vote, and struggled with it up to the very last minute. On the one hand, I do know how important paving is to all of us. And I know that the voters voted by way of a referendum to allow the city to borrow money to pave the streets. So I did not feel at all good about overriding those decisions made by my Constituents. But at the same time, given the budget crisis that we may very well be facing next year, I decided that the most fiscally responsible thing to do was to tighten our belts as much as we could. I feel that my vote to reduce the paving and my vote not to give the Mayor a raise were consistent with one another: both were votes meant to prepare us for a future in which we might have to make much harder choices. I voted to change the rate of compensation members of the Board of Assessment Review from $750 a year to $500 a year. Finally, I voted to authorize the City to borrow $785,000 to finance the cost of various capital projects.
COMMON COUNCIL ADAPTS
Because of the current situation, our Council meetings will continue to be held online, via WebX. I realize that this limits the possibility of public comment. No one cares more about public comment than I do. (You Can Read My Views About That Here.) I expect us to accomodate public comment as soon as we can figure out how to do so under the current circumstances.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO, HERE ARE A COUPLE OF OPPORTUNITIES:
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT HELPLINE
The State of New York has gathered mental health professional volunteers from all over the state - over six thousand of them! - to staff the NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline at 844-863-9314. It is staffed 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. The phone line is staffed with specially trained volunteer professionals who are there to listen, support and refer if needed.
NEED BLUE BAGS?
Many people are taking the advice to "STAY HOME, STAY SAFE, SAVE LIVES" very seriously, not even venturing out to the grocery store. Good for them! But if you need a couple of blue bags to get you through, please drop me a line. I am happy to distribute some blue bags to those who are self-isolating.
CONSTITUENT HOURS
Until the Governor, under the advice of experts, gives us permission to ease up on our social isolating, I will be suspending my Constituent Hours. I will happily resume them as soon as possible. Meanwhile, call or text or email me anytime. I am looking into what it would take for me to hold a Tele-Town Hall. So stay tuned.
PLEASE: STAY HOME, STAY SAFE, SAVE LIVES
We all need to do our parts in order to protect everyone in our community. Staying home, practicing social distancing, and only going out when you absolutely have to, these are the right things to do.
The CDC has lots of excellent information, which you can link to here.
MAKE SURE TO BE COUNTED!
The Census is very important - it is the way we can make sure that our state and our region gets what it deserves, both in terms of representation and resources.
To fill out the Census online, just go here. It couldn't be much easier!
I WILL BE IN TOUCH AGAIN AS SOON AS I HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT.
MEANWHILE, REMEMBER THAT AS A COMMUNITY, AS A CITY, AND AS A COUNTRY, WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS. BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. BE SAFE, AND REACH OUT ANYTIME.
NEWSLETTER #3
Here it is - our Third Newsletter! This Newsletter keeps residents of South Utica informed on a variety of issues. Please share it with your friends and neighbors and direct them to our website where they can sign up for it themselves. We hope that this Newsletter will help to keep South Utica a vibrant place in which to live and work, where you have a strong voice in your government and community.
REGULAR MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Meeting of the Common Council: Wednesdays, March 4th & March 18th, 6pm for pre-meeting, 7pm for regular meeting, public welcome to both meetings, arrive by 6:55 to sign up for public comment
South Utica Neighborhood Association: Second Monday of every month: Monday, March 9th, 6pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, just off Genesee Street
Constituent Hours: 1st, 2nd, 4th, (and sometimes 5th) Tuesday of every month, The Other Side gallery, 2011 Genesee Street, March 3rd, March 10th, March 24th, March 31st - 4-6pm
Please note: Common Council meets THIS Wednesday, March 4th. The pre-meeting conference is at 6pm and the regular meeting is at 7pm. BOTH meetings are open to the public. Please attend! If you wish to sign up for public comment, you need to arrive no later than 6:55pm.
MY VOTES ON THE COMMON COUNCIL
There have been two meetings since the previous Newsletter: February 5th and 19th. Here are my votes at those meetings:
February 5th
1) I voted NAY on waiving the reading of the minutes because there were no minutes to be read. (See more below.)
2) I voted AYE to authorize the URA to lease a parcel of land to the Compassion Coalition.I also voted AYE to authorize the URA to sell parcels owned by the city to private owners.
3) I voted to AYE to appoint Stephanie Tighe and John Mirante as Commissioner of Deeds.
4) I voted AYE to appoint David Roefaro as a marriage officer in the City of Utica.
5) I voted AYE to approve the Board of E&A's transfer of funds between budget lines.
6) I voted AYE to authorize the DPW to sell some of its old equipment.
7) I voted AYE to reaffirm that a certain section of sewer be designated a "Type II" action. The original project was changed such that it now has a smaller footprint than before. We voted to reaffirm that it is nonetheless still a "Type II" action and does not require further environmental review.
8) I voted AYE to authorize the city to acquire the Wells Ave Parcel. This parcel of land is necessary to the development of the Inner Harbor in Utica.
9) Rules of Order
I voted NAY on the new rules of order, along with Delvin Moody and Joe Betrus. Five members voted for the new rules, and so the motion passed. I had several objections to these new rules of order. But most problematic is the fact that these new rules of order dissolve all the standing committees of the Council. We now have nine standing committees, each one of which is composed of all nine members of the Council. In other words, we no longer work with committees. We will be doing all of our work as a Committee of the Whole. No other city council conducts its business this way. Members will no longer be assigned to committees based on expertise or interest. This will make it easier to rush legislation through the Common Council without being vetted by an appropriate committee. Time will tell as to how many problems these new rules of order will create. I remain skeptical.
February 19th
1) I voted AYE to waive the reading of the minutes! Our Clerk provided minutes to the Council just before the meeting began, so I was happy to vote to waive them. We are still working to make the minutes easily accessible to the public through our website, but I believe that we are moving in the right direction. I encourage anyone who is interested in transparency and accountability in government and who wants to know what the Council has done, to ask at the Department of Legislation for the minutes of our meetings.
2) I voted AYE to authorize the URA to sell two properties to private individuals. These properties are located on Pellettieri Ave and Lansing Street. I also voted AYE to grant an overhead utility easement on Edward Street to Matt Brewing Co. I also voted AYE to grant an easement for gas service to Niagara Mohawk for the new NYPA Visitor Center.
3) I voted AYE on a resolution, sponsored by Councilperson Jack LoMedico and co-sponsored by every other member of the Council, to keep the Medicaid promise. The Resolution urges State leaders not to cut necessary funding to Medicaid and Medicare.
4) I voted AYE on a resolution that Spectrum/Charter Communications should reimburse their customers for the loss of service in early February.
5) I voted AYE on a resolution to reinstate The City of Utica Youth Common Council and to appoint Stephanie Heiland as the advisor for this Council.
6) I voted to remove the Charlestown Mall from our tax rolls. The derelict Mall is delinquent on their taxes, but is also owned by an LLC, so the City has no means by which to recover those back taxes. Keeping the Mall on our tax rolls therefore creates a number of financials problems for the City, including that we are required to pay the portion of school taxes incurred by the Mall. It is also not a good idea for the City to foreclose on the property. We do not want to own it, as that would give rise to enormous liability issues for the City. Taking the property off the rolls is the best way for us to cut our losses and protect the City.
GREAT AMERICAN CLEAN-UP
In late April, Utica will participate in the Great American Clean-up, where people from all across the city will come together to clean up the city and make it a better and more beautiful place to live. If you know of an area in South Utica that could use some TLC, please let us know. And if you are willing to spend a couple of hours on a weekend helping us, let us know that too!
SPECIAL NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING FOR RESIDENTS NEAR AND AROUND THE INTERSECTIONS OF HOLLAND AVE & MEMORIAL PARKWAY, AND ONEIDA STREET & GREENWOOD COURT
Good things are coming to South Utica, in particular to the area near the Parkway Recreation Center! Join Celeste and Steve Bulger, the Executive Director of iCan/Kids Oneida for a meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 5:30 at the Parkway Recreation Center. Get the skinny on this exciting project before iCan goes public with a big reveal on Wednesday morning.
NEWSLETTER #2
Welcome to our second Newsletter. We will use this as a way to keep residents of South Utica informed on a variety of issues. First and foremost, we will announce all the places you can find Celeste, such as Constituent Hours, Council meetings, and so on. Celeste will explain each of her votes on the Council here every month. And this month we will be introducing a regular feature by our good friend Theresa Harden Smith: "Spotlight on Local Business". We hope that this Newsletter will help to keep South Utica a vibrant place in which to live and work, where you have a strong voice in your government and community.
REGULAR MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Meeting of the Common Council: Wednesday, February 5th & February 19th, 6pm for pre-meeting, 7pm for regular meeting, public welcome to both meetings
South Utica Neighborhood Association: Monday, February 10th, 6pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, just off Genesee Street
Constituent Hours: 1st, 2nd, 4th Tuesday of every month, The Other Side gallery, 2011 Genesee Street, February 4th, 11th, & 25th
Please note: Common Council Meets THIS Wednesday, February 5th. The pre-meeting conference is at 6pm and the regular meeting is at 7pm. BOTH meetings are open to the public. Please attend!
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Flooding Mitigation Efforts with Local Officials
Join Celeste and representatives from several local elected officials and offices as they explain their efforts to mitigate the harm of flooding: Tuesday, February 11th, 7-9pm, The Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee Street
Town Hall: Get Involved and Stay Engaged!
This will be Celeste's first Town Hall. She is looking forward to listening to her Constituents and learning what is most important to them. She will share her ideas for upcoming Legislation as well as report on what she has already achieved. Celeste will also introduce some ways that we can all be more engaged in the civic and political life of our community. Monday, February 24th, 7-9pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, Genesee Street
MY VOTES ON THE COMMON COUNCIL
There has been one meeting since the previous Newsletter. That meeting was on January 15th. Here are my votes there:
1) I voted NAY on waiving the reading of the minutes because there were no minutes to be read. I will continue to work with our new Clerk and the President to make sure that both members of the Common Council and the public are provided with complete and accurate minutes in a timely and accurate way. Minutes of meetings of all public bodies are required by NYS Open Meeting Law.
2) I voted AYE on selling four properties by the URA back to private individuals. These sales are of properties owned by the city to private owners. These properties are then placed back onto the tax rolls, which is good for everyone. I voted AYE on transferring funds between accounts. This vote was requested by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, which oversees the city budget throughout the fiscal year. I voted AYE to rescind limited parking on a section of Park Ave and AYE to replace it with No Parking. I voted AYE to appoint Stephanie Tighe as a Commissioner of Deeds in the City of Utica. I voted AYE to authorize the sale of old DPW equipment. I voted AYE to refund the Solid Waste Service Charge to the Armory, who pays for their own trash hauler. I voted AYE to authorize the city to spend $570,000 to for the Utica Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. This will allow the City to participate in federal funding for this project. The City fully expects to be reimbursed by federal grants for this expenditure.
3) I voted AYE to allow certain exceptions to the Thursday rule, which allow some City Hall departments to submit proposed legislation later than the Thursday preceding a regular meeting of the Common Council.
4) I voted AYE for new rules for Public Comment. I voted for the new rules because I am fundamentally committed to preserving public comment. However, I did qualify my vote as I had and continue to have grave misgivings about the new rules. The old rules were, in my view, inconsistent and unclear and they did not prohibit speakers from abusing the privilege of public comment. The new rules, however, are, in my view, even worse. Although they solve some of the problems in the old rules, they are far more restrictive in the content of what people can say. In particular, they prohibit speakers from being "disparaging" of anyone in public office or City Department Heads. I find this an unjustifiable infringement of speakers' rights. The rules are also flawed in being logically inconsistent and therefore unenforceable. I worry that if they are enforced as written, we may well be in violation of the First Amendment. I intend to continue to advocate for better rules to govern public comment.
5) I voted AYE to table a number of other resolutions, concerning the granting of an easement over Edward Street, and an easement for gas service at the Utica Zoo. I also voted AYE to table three resolutions dealing with the Rules for the Common Council.
CONSTITUENT SERVICES
Flooding I continue to work on educating myself and my Constituents about flooding in our area. I am attending the Sauquoit Creek Basin Intermunicipal Commission every month so that I can keep track of the joint efforts that Utica is part of. I held an educational meeting on flooding on January 28th. We had about 20 people in the room, and we all learned a lot from local Civil Engineer, Margaret Reilly.
Vacant Properties I have been working to track down the ownership status of a number of vacant properties in South Utica. I have begun to work on legislation that I hope can provide an incentive to owners to sell or rent out their properties that are currently sitting empty.
Cleanup I am collecting addresses of places in South Utica where we want to clean up. I am planning on including those addresses in the Great American Cleanup, which will happen in April/May. Want to help us cleanup the neighborhood? Drop us a line.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL BUSINESS
by Theresa Harden Smith
The Beer Hub at 2643 Genesee Street
Open Monday to Saturday 12:00 pm until 10:00 pm.
Owners Colin Hubbell and his father Chris Hubbell
Opened July 2018
The Beer Hub is a neighborhood bar with a Belgian pub atmosphere, housed in a restored train depot that was part of the now defunct Delaware Lackawanna Western Railroad.
They have a large and well-curated selection of beers from various breweries representing classic styles and including German and Belgian beers. With 26 beers on tap, some rotating, the knowledgeable bartenders can find a beer even for the person who doesn’t think they like beer. They also have two drafts dedicated to wine--a Cabernet and a Chardonnay. Utica Club is always available, a nod to our city and Saranac brewery.
The Beer Hub has food service with daily sandwich specials and a larger selection on Fridays and Saturdays. Every day you can order a fresh pretzel from the Kneady Baker. You can also fill a growler or purchase some hard to find beers to go.
Facebook page: The Beer Hub. Instagram: @the.beer.hub
UTICA RISING
(a regular feature where we talk about things in Utica we love)
Did you know that Utica College offers FREE films on Thursday nights at 7pm? For eight weeks at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester, Jeff Miller of UC's Communication Department offers up free films. This film series has been going strong for 20 years, and is an amazing way to see wonderful films from all over the world that you might never otherwise even hear about. Just click here for all the information you need.
Newsletter #1 from Councilperson Celeste Friend for South Utica
Welcome to my very first Newsletter! I will use this Newsletter to make sure that you have a voice in City Hall. The Newsletter will list upcoming events and meetings where I can be found and you can participate in the life of our city. It will also keep you informed of my votes and legislation that I am working on. It will also explain various things going on in the city at large, as well as spotlight local, independent businesses. We hope that this Newsletter will help to keep South Utica a vibrant place in which to live and work, where you have a strong voice in your government and community.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
South Utica Neighborhood Association: Monday, January 13th, 6pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, just off Genesee Street
Constituent Hours: Tuesday, January 14th, 4-6pm, The Other Side gallery, 2011 Gen
esee Street
Meeting of the Common Council: Wednesday, January 15th, 6pm for pre-meeting, 7pm for regular meeting, public welcome to both meetings
Constituent Hours: Tuesday, January 28th, 4-6pm, The Other Side gallery, 2011 Genesee Street
Water 101: A Meeting About Flooding with Engineer Maggie Reilly, Tuesday, January 28th, 7-9pm, Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee Street
TOWN HALL: I will be holding my first Town Hall for the entire Ward, which I'm calling "Get Involved, Stay Engaged" on Monday, February 24th, 7-9pm, Notre Dame Elementary School - more information to come
My Votes on the Common Council
Common Council met on January 2nd for our "Organizational Meeting". This meeting is stipulated by New York State Law and is where we make basic decisions about how to organize ourselves, including who to appoint to the positions of City Clerk and Attorney for the Common Council. I voted to retain Michelle George as City Clerk because I had no reason of my own to believe that she had not done her job well over the previous two years and because I believe that at least some of the objections to her were political. I lost that vote (4-5). The Council then voted to appoint Melissa Sciortino. Although I supported Michelle George, I have full confidence that Melissa Sciortino will do the job well and I am looking forward to working with her. I voted against reappointing Judge Garramone to the position of Attorney for the Common Council. Judge Garramone has done the job well and has a deep knowledge of the law. It is my opinion however, that he has served for too long and this his long tenure has created a situation where he has undue influence over the policy decisions of the Council, which only the elected members of the Council should have. As has been reported upon, at the last meeting of the previous Council, Judge Garramone tried to introduce legislation to eliminate public comment period, despite the fact that no individual Council member came forward to sponsor the legislation. Lastly, upon the recommendation of both Comptroller William Morehouse and Budget Director Heather Mowat, I voted to allow the city to secure financing through bonds for an improved street light system, which was clearly in the best financial interest of the city.
Constituent Services
Flooding: Back in November, 82 people came to a meeting I organized to talk about the Halloween Flooding. I have begun attending the Saquoit Creek Basin Intermunicipal Commission in order to keep track of efforts by both Utica and our neighbors to address the ongoing problem of flooding. I have scheduled two more meetings to continue to discuss floods and mitigation efforts with Constituents. Meanwhile, I am continuing to educate myself about the complicated problem of flooding so that I can best advocate for the residents of South Utica.
Street Lights: A constituent alerted me of a dark street light. We took care of that immediately. If you notice that street lights have gone dark, please take note of the pole number, the closest street address, and the closest street intersection. Pass that information along to me, and I can contact National Grid. They usually make repairs in less than a week.
Quality of Life: We called Oneida/Herkimer Solid Waste Authority on behalf of a resident on Emerson Ave and helped to get a pile of trash in front of a house taken care of. We called the Codes Department and let them know that a landlord had not fixed a broken window of an occupied house.
Spotlight on a Local Business
We will begin this feature next month, so stay tuned!
Going on in the City
Each month, I will keep you informed of new things going on in the city, such as the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the recent Tree Inventory, or the great new street lights that we will begin to see installed this Spring, and which will be a great improvement. So stay tuned for this regular feature!
NEWSLETTER #2
Welcome to our second Newsletter. We will use this as a way to keep residents of South Utica informed on a variety of issues. First and foremost, we will announce all the places you can find Celeste, such as Constituent Hours, Council meetings, and so on. Celeste will explain each of her votes on the Council here every month. And this month we will be introducing a regular feature by our good friend Theresa Harden Smith: "Spotlight on Local Business". We hope that this Newsletter will help to keep South Utica a vibrant place in which to live and work, where you have a strong voice in your government and community.
REGULAR MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Meeting of the Common Council: Wednesday, February 5th & February 19th, 6pm for pre-meeting, 7pm for regular meeting, public welcome to both meetings
South Utica Neighborhood Association: Monday, February 10th, 6pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, just off Genesee Street
Constituent Hours: 1st, 2nd, 4th Tuesday of every month, The Other Side gallery, 2011 Genesee Street, February 4th, 11th, & 25th
Please note: Common Council Meets THIS Wednesday, February 5th. The pre-meeting conference is at 6pm and the regular meeting is at 7pm. BOTH meetings are open to the public. Please attend!
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Flooding Mitigation Efforts with Local Officials
Join Celeste and representatives from several local elected officials and offices as they explain their efforts to mitigate the harm of flooding: Tuesday, February 11th, 7-9pm, The Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee Street
Town Hall: Get Involved and Stay Engaged!
This will be Celeste's first Town Hall. She is looking forward to listening to her Constituents and learning what is most important to them. She will share her ideas for upcoming Legislation as well as report on what she has already achieved. Celeste will also introduce some ways that we can all be more engaged in the civic and political life of our community. Monday, February 24th, 7-9pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, Genesee Street
MY VOTES ON THE COMMON COUNCIL
There has been one meeting since the previous Newsletter. That meeting was on January 15th. Here are my votes there:
1) I voted NAY on waiving the reading of the minutes because there were no minutes to be read. I will continue to work with our new Clerk and the President to make sure that both members of the Common Council and the public are provided with complete and accurate minutes in a timely and accurate way. Minutes of meetings of all public bodies are required by NYS Open Meeting Law.
2) I voted AYE on selling four properties by the URA back to private individuals. These sales are of properties owned by the city to private owners. These properties are then placed back onto the tax rolls, which is good for everyone. I voted AYE on transferring funds between accounts. This vote was requested by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, which oversees the city budget throughout the fiscal year. I voted AYE to rescind limited parking on a section of Park Ave and AYE to replace it with No Parking. I voted AYE to appoint Stephanie Tighe as a Commissioner of Deeds in the City of Utica. I voted AYE to authorize the sale of old DPW equipment. I voted AYE to refund the Solid Waste Service Charge to the Armory, who pays for their own trash hauler. I voted AYE to authorize the city to spend $570,000 to for the Utica Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. This will allow the City to participate in federal funding for this project. The City fully expects to be reimbursed by federal grants for this expenditure.
3) I voted AYE to allow certain exceptions to the Thursday rule, which allow some City Hall departments to submit proposed legislation later than the Thursday preceding a regular meeting of the Common Council.
4) I voted AYE for new rules for Public Comment. I voted for the new rules because I am fundamentally committed to preserving public comment. However, I did qualify my vote as I had and continue to have grave misgivings about the new rules. The old rules were, in my view, inconsistent and unclear and they did not prohibit speakers from abusing the privilege of public comment. The new rules, however, are, in my view, even worse. Although they solve some of the problems in the old rules, they are far more restrictive in the content of what people can say. In particular, they prohibit speakers from being "disparaging" of anyone in public office or City Department Heads. I find this an unjustifiable infringement of speakers' rights. The rules are also flawed in being logically inconsistent and therefore unenforceable. I worry that if they are enforced as written, we may well be in violation of the First Amendment. I intend to continue to advocate for better rules to govern public comment.
5) I voted AYE to table a number of other resolutions, concerning the granting of an easement over Edward Street, and an easement for gas service at the Utica Zoo. I also voted AYE to table three resolutions dealing with the Rules for the Common Council.
CONSTITUENT SERVICES
Flooding I continue to work on educating myself and my Constituents about flooding in our area. I am attending the Sauquoit Creek Basin Intermunicipal Commission every month so that I can keep track of the joint efforts that Utica is part of. I held an educational meeting on flooding on January 28th. We had about 20 people in the room, and we all learned a lot from local Civil Engineer, Margaret Reilly.
Vacant Properties I have been working to track down the ownership status of a number of vacant properties in South Utica. I have begun to work on legislation that I hope can provide an incentive to owners to sell or rent out their properties that are currently sitting empty.
Cleanup I am collecting addresses of places in South Utica where we want to clean up. I am planning on including those addresses in the Great American Cleanup, which will happen in April/May. Want to help us cleanup the neighborhood? Drop us a line.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL BUSINESS
by Theresa Harden Smith
The Beer Hub at 2643 Genesee Street
Open Monday to Saturday 12:00 pm until 10:00 pm.
Owners Colin Hubbell and his father Chris Hubbell
Opened July 2018
The Beer Hub is a neighborhood bar with a Belgian pub atmosphere, housed in a restored train depot that was part of the now defunct Delaware Lackawanna Western Railroad.
They have a large and well-curated selection of beers from various breweries representing classic styles and including German and Belgian beers. With 26 beers on tap, some rotating, the knowledgeable bartenders can find a beer even for the person who doesn’t think they like beer. They also have two drafts dedicated to wine--a Cabernet and a Chardonnay. Utica Club is always available, a nod to our city and Saranac brewery.
The Beer Hub has food service with daily sandwich specials and a larger selection on Fridays and Saturdays. Every day you can order a fresh pretzel from the Kneady Baker. You can also fill a growler or purchase some hard to find beers to go.
Facebook page: The Beer Hub. Instagram: @the.beer.hub
UTICA RISING
(a regular feature where we talk about things in Utica we love)
Did you know that Utica College offers FREE films on Thursday nights at 7pm? For eight weeks at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester, Jeff Miller of UC's Communication Department offers up free films. This film series has been going strong for 20 years, and is an amazing way to see wonderful films from all over the world that you might never otherwise even hear about. Just click here for all the information you need.
PUBLIC COMMENT IS POSSIBLE
While the public cannot join us in Council Chambers, it is nonetheless easy to participate in Public Comment: simply email the Clerk no later than 3pm on the day of the Common Council meeting. (She will place you on the list, and you will then get an email back with instructions on how to call in to the meeting.) You can email the Clerk at cityclerk@cityofutica.com. As of the next meeting, on Wednesday, March 3rd, the Council meetings will be held back in our Chambers.
Remember all meetings of the Council are live streamed on the City's YouTube channel, and I encourage you to watch our meetings from home. And all of the legislation under consideration is available online at this link.
CONSTITUENT HOURS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
I will not hold regular Constituent Hours in March because I will be too busy using that regular time to collect petition signatures so that I can be on the ballot in the Fall. But come April, I will return to my regular schedule.
NEW MID-MONTH NEWSLETTER
I am now writing an extra Newsletter, and aiming to send it out in about the middle of the month. I'm calling it "How Utica Works", and its aim is to explain one particular feature of our local government in detail. My first "How Utica Works", on snowplowing, was a big hit. I If you missed it the first time around, YOU CAN READ IT HERE. You can read my second one, on PAVING, HERE.
I have another one of these Newsletters in the works, all about housing in Utica. If you like these "How Utica Works" newsletters and think others would find them informative as well, please encourage them to sign up for my Newsletters by visiting our website and signing up.
SAVE THE DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 9TH, 7PM
I will hold an online Town Hall on Tuesday, March 9th at 7pm. Keep an eye out for another email with all the details on how to sign up. There will be much to discuss, including updates on flood mitigation, paving, the budget, and police reform.
COOL UTICA-ORIENTED PAGES ON FACEBOOK
Every month, I like to feature a Facebook page that you may not know about. Have a favorite Facebook page about Utica that you want to promote? Drop me a line!
The Parkway Center is a terrific local community center. It offers programing for our older neighbors, as well as Youth programming and a gym. And of course it is home to our very own Ski Chalet. While it is still closed to the public because of Covid, we look forward to it opening up and continuing to be a terrific neighborhood resource for everyone in Utica.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LOCAL BUSINESS!
This month, we are spotlighting a local business that is very dear to my heart: South Utica's original java joint.
Cafe Domenico
2011 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501
(Next door to The Other Side and across from The Uptown Theater)
(315) 798-8077 Monday-Friday 7am-3pm and Saturday 9am-3pm
http://theothersideutica.org/cafe-domenico
The Cafe has been Utica’s Genuine Java Joint since 2002. Domenico’s serves only 100% organic Mayorga Coffee that is responsibly sourced from small farmers. The Cafe serves a full range of hot or cold coffee and espresso beverages, as well as a variety of Republic of Tea teas. They have plenty of locally baked pastries, bagels from Bagel Grovel and fabulous peanut butter toast using Heidelberg Bakery bread. You can even pick up a dozen organic eggs from Jones Farms. Domenico’s not only offers coffee, tea, food,great music, used books, and Wifi--Domenico’s offers a beautiful space to hang out with friends and neighbors.The Cafe is a true neighborhood gathering spot.
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL FOR FEBRUARY 3rd & 17th, 2021
Hats off to my friend Dennis Dewey for suggesting a much better way to organize and present this section of the Newsletter. I hope that this is an improvement over what I was doing earlier.
Resolutions I voted for: Marriage Officers for Denise Gregory and David Butler; Commissioners of Deeds for Kimberly Bohling, James Zecca, Russell Brooks, Marianne Brooks, Michael Galime, Michael Gentile, Sandra DePerno, Samantha Testa, Regina Venettozzi, Lauren Venettozzi, Lois Ann Pirro, Michael Kinsella, Emilie Raymond, Mark Williamson, Ronal Vincent, Robert Burmaster, Thela Hunter, Stephanie Tighe, Lucille Vincent, Michele Navedo; Resolution Authorizing the Execution fo a Grant Agreement Under the Green Innovation Grant Program
Resolutions I voted to Send to Commitee: Utica Garden Walk,
Ordinances I voted for: Transfer of Funds from Youth Bureau to Comptroller Office, New Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance Relieving Matthew Faffley of Residence Requirement,
Here it is: the third in our series of “How Utica Works” Newsletter, meant to inform you of some of the important ways in which our local city government functions. This month our subject is a complicated one: Codes.
Like any City, Utica has a large number of Ordinances that regulate all sorts of things, from where we can and cannot park our cars, to dogs, litter, sidewalks, noise, dumpsters, signage, lights, grass and other plantings, etc. Regulating these sorts of things is necessary to any City and to people being able to live comfortably together within an urban setting. These Codes are created, as a matter of law, by Ordinances passed by the Common Council. (The Common Council has authority to pass Resolutions, Ordinances, and Local Laws. Each of these kinds of laws have to meet different standard in order to pass, and have differing degrees of legal authority. Most codes of the City are the product of Ordinances.)
The City’s Codes are enforced by, not surprisingly, the Department of Codes. Citing directly from their page on the City website: “The City of Utica Codes Department is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of the City of Utica through the enforcement of the New York State Building and Property Maintenance Code. The City of Utica Codes Department works closely with property owners, neighborhood groups and organizations in an attempt to improve the appearance and safety of all buildings and property within the City of Utica.” Their job is to enforce all the sorts of Codes listed above (and more), but also to enforce general New York State building codes. As such, they are the department responsible for issuing building permits and for inspecting that all construction in the City is conducted legally and meets safety standards. The Codes Department does a lot, and has a great deal of responsibility for keeping the City safe and looking good.
How do Codes actually get enforced? It happens in many stages. First, and in most instances, it is instigated by a complaint. Except in particularly egregious cases, we enforce the Codes that residents are complaining about; we do not go out looking for infractions that are not bothering anyone. The Codes Department will send out an officer to inspect the situation. They must be able to see the problem from the sidewalk or road: they have no legal authority to enter onto private property without an owner’s permission. They then issue a citation, which gives the property owner formal, legal notice that they are not compliant with the law. They can either fix the problem, becoming compliant, or the City will pursue enforcement from the Courts.
For example, if a garage is beginning to fall down, and a neighbor decides that it is both unsightly and unsafe, that neighbor can call Codes. An Officer then visits the property, sees the half-fallen-down garage, and writes the property owner a citation or “ticket”. The owner can then make necessary repairs or tear the garage down, and the Officer can return and see that the property is no longer violating Codes, and the citation is dismissed. But if the property owner decides to ignore the citation, then they will end up with a date to go to Court, and the property owner will go before a Judge who will be able to enforce the law, and require the property owner to either do necessary repairs or tear the garage down. The Judge may require that the owner return to Court within some time frame and show that they have become compliant with the law. If they don’t become compliant then the Judge may fine, or even imprison them for contempt of court orders. (This rarely happens.) To summarize then, enforcing Codes has several steps and can under some circumstances take weeks or even months. (And during this Pandemic, with Courts having to close, it has been taking longer.)
In a few cases, the City can take more direct action to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods and residents. We have some “abatements” in our laws, which allow the City to fix certain problems using our own employees, and then charge a reasonable fee for that service by attaching that fee directly to that property’s taxes. Examples of abatements include grass cutting, trimming hedges that are creating a hazard to pedestrians or traffic, and boarding up and securing empty houses. In these instances, owners are still given the opportunity to fix the problem themselves, but after a reasonable period of time, the City can fix it themselves. This is good for everyone.
Like so many important government functions, this description I've just given you only really scratches at the surface. There are many more details and complications to this subject. But I hope that nonetheless, you understand a little better how our City works.
Have a topic you'd like to see covered in this mid-month Newsletter? Drop me a line. I'm always happy to hear from you.
Newsletter #12
PAVING
It's that time of year - when the Department of Engineering gets ready to pave our roads. At our last Council meeting, on January 20th, an Ordinance was brought out for discussion which would, for the second year in a row, reduce the amount we spend on paving from $5million to $3million. There was much discussion, led most clearly by Councilman Betrus from North Utica, about how problematic it would be to once again not honor the clear desire of voters to spend $5million a year on paving. In the end, the Ordinance was placed into committee. I expect that we will be voting on it this Wednesday. I will only vote for the Ordinance if we first amend it to return our spending to the full $5million this year. (Be aware: the Council can Ordain that we should spend $5million and we might nonetheless spend less simply because it turns out to be impossible to get that much paving done by October, after which time we cannot pave.) Keep an eye out for my next "How Utica Works" Newsletter, which will be all about paving.
PUBLIC COMMENT IS BACK
Two meetings ago, when it finally sank in that we would continue to meet remotely for the foreseeable future, I brought a Resolution to allow the public to call in to comment at our Council meetings. I am grateful to my colleagues for their support: the Resolution passed unanimously. It is easy to participate in Public Comment: simply email the Clerk no later than 3pm on the day of the Common Council meeting. (The next meeting is Wednesday, February 3rd.) She will place you on the list, and you will then get an email back with instructions on how to call in to the meeting. You can email the Clerk at cityclerk@cityofutica.com.
Remember all meetings of the Council are live streamed on the City's YouTube channel, and I encourage you to watch our meetings from home. And all of the legislation under consideration is available online at this link.
COMMUNITY FRIDGE IN ONEIDA SQUARE
Times are tough, and many people in our community are hungry. And, yes, there are ways for them to get food: food stamps and pantries, for example. But some young people in our community wanted to provide at least one more way for people to feed themselves and their families, so they started a "community fridge". The rules are pretty simple: take what you need and give what you can. Anyone is welcome to contribute food of any type, perishable and non-perishable. And anyone can take any food they need at any time. The fridge is located in front of the Oneida Square Market at 1331 Oneida Street. So if you have food to give to members of our community, please feel free to bring it to the Community Fridge.
CONSTITUENT HOURS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
I will continue to hold my regular Constituent Hours on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 4-6pm at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. Please come with a mask and plan to practice social distancing. As always, I am happy to take your texts or phone calls at 315-725-5987 or your emails at celeste4utica@gmail.com. I work on Constituent Services 7 days a week, so reach out anytime. My first Constituent Hours of 2021 will be on Tuesday, February 2nd.
BUY NOTHING UTICA
Shulamis Ossowski, who operates Hodge House, a daycare on Oneida Street just south of Higby Road, has started a new group on Facebook. The group is called "Buy Nothing Utica (South), NY". The idea behind this group and project is pretty simple: buy less of what we need by finding it right within the community. Members of the group can ASK for things they need, and GIVE away things they don't need. (Think of parents sharing clothing their babies and children have outgrown and you get the idea.). You can ask for anything, and give anything: no judgments, no questions asked. You can ask to join the group by clicking on this link: Buy Nothing Utica (South).
NEW MID-MONTH NEWSLETTER
Beginning last month, I am now writing an extra newsletter, and aiming to send it out in about the middle of the month. I'm calling it "How Utica Works", and its aim is to explain one particular feature of our local government in detail. I am enjoying it because it gives me a good excuse to learn something new every month and to help you become more informed about how YOUR government goes about OUR business. My first "How Utica Works" was a big hit. I heard back from dozens of people about how helpful they found it. If you missed it the first time around, YOU CAN READ IT HERE.
I am looking forward to writing more of these Newsletters, and am currently working on one on an important topic for many of you: paving.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LOCAL BUSINESS!
One of the truly wonderful things about Utica is its variety of great restaurants. Covid-19 has hit these businesses especially hard. So for the next few Newsletters at least, our Local Business feature is going to shine a light on places in South Utica where you can get take-out. Keep your business in your community and keep your community in business!
Rintrona's Bistro
470 French Road, 315-864-8050
Hours: Wednesdays - Thursdays 4-10, Fridays 11:30 -10
Saturdays 12 -10, (closed Sunday-Tuesday)
Hours will change in Spring
FB: Rintrona's Bistro, Email: rintronasbistro470@gmail.com
Owner: Maria Rintrona
Dine in or take out
Rintrona's Bistro is one of the newest Italian restaurants and sports bars in South Utica, having opened in July 2020. The Bistro offers a set menu along with a daily special posted on the restaurant's Facebook page. The dining room is newly remodeled and spacious, with a large outdoor space open when the weather is warmer. Maria wants her patrons to feel at home. Her restaurant’s motto is, “Rintrona’s . . . a place your feet may leave, but your heart never does."
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
January 6, 2021
I voted AYE on a number of Resolutions appointing several people as Commissioner of Deeds. (Being a Commissioner of Deeds allows people to collect petition signatures for ballot access on different party lines.) We passed these Resolutions for: Nadine Barroncini, Celeste Friend, Andy Zygmunt, Tim Julian, Delvin Moody, and Tracy Maycock. I voted AYE for a Resolution recognizing the recent heroism of Lieutenant Gerry Alsante, Firefighter Brian Hartnett, and Firefighter Brian Devins. I voted AYE to approve and endorse The Center's (formerly known as The Refugee Center) application for a grant that they depend on. I voted AYE to transfer funds from one budget line to another. I voted AYE to commit three Resolutions to appoint people to our Municipal Ethics Board. I voted to dispense with a piece of legislation I had placed into committee some months back, because I had decided it needed to be substantially rewritten. Most important, I voted AYE for my own Resolution to restore PUBLIC COMMENT during our virtual meetings. When the City went into a State of Emergency early last year, the Common Council suspended its Rules of Order. This meant that during our virtual meetings, we have not had the benefit of public comment. I did at one point over the Summer, while we were for a short while meeting in person, try to bring the public back into the meetings. But as City Hall is under the purview of the Mayor, others determined that there was no way for us to do so. We then went back to Virtual Meetings, as the Mohawk Valley's positivity rate climbed. So I then decided that we could no longer wait for things to return to "normal" before we restored Public Comment. After much discussion about how this would work, I was very pleased that my colleagues voted unanimously to restore this important means of communication between the Council and the public. Anyone can now email the Clerk at cityclerk@cityofutica.com by 3pm on the day of the meeting and ask to be placed on a list for public comment.
January 20, 2021
I voted AYE to appoint 16 people as Commissioners of Deeds. (See explanation above. See our minutes for a full list of these people.) I voted AYE for an Ordinance to change parking hours on Bleeker Street. I voted to Commit a Resolution determining that paving our streets this year is a Type II action for purposes of SEQR Act. I voted AYE to commit an Ordinance that would allow the City to borrow $500,000 for this year's paving. We discussed this at great length, with many members of the Council arguing that we should in fact borrow $2.5 million, as required by the recent paving referendum. I have decided that we should borrow the full $2.5 million, and I will not vote for an Ordinance that requires that we borrow less than that amount. I voted AYE to appoint Emilie Raymond to the Municipal Ethics Board. And finally I voted AYE to allow the Mayor to enter into a permit agreement with the NYS Depart of Transportation to create public parking lots on land owned by NYS.
Beginning this month, I am sending out a mid-month Newsletter devoted to one particular topic of government in the City of Utica.
The idea is to explain in adequate detail one particular facet or function of government. It is January, and it is snowing, so snow plowing seems like a good place to begin. Have an idea of something you’d like explained? Let me know. Think I got some detail wrong, or left some part out? Again, let me know. I’m always glad to hear from you.
Utica has 248 miles of roads. For purposes of snowplowing, the City is divided into 13 routes, spread out pretty evenly across the City. (South Utica has two routes.) A single route is made up of many separate and contiguous “loops” and takes anywhere from 6-8 hours to complete. Each street takes at least two passes to be cleared of snow. Wider roads, such as Genesee, take at least four. Plowing starts in the center of the road, and works the snow out to the edge. Each route is assigned permanently to one of our DPW plow drivers. Because they are permanently assigned to their routes, they learn the route, its streets, and the particular challenges that route presents. Each plow truck has two people in it: a driver and a “wingman” who helps guide the driver. We start plowing as soon as the snow starts falling, and keep plowing until the streets are clear. This means that in a major storm, drivers are plowing all night, and well into the day, until the streets are clear. (When practical, the DPW prefers to plow at night, when there is less traffic to contend with.) So if you think that a lot of snow has already fallen, but your street isn’t clear yet, it may simply be that your street got cleared, but snow has continued to fall and build up on the streets.
Snow plowing is a matter, most basically, of scraping the snow that has fallen onto the street, and pushing it to the side of the road. As snow continues to fall, and continues to be pushed to the side of the road, it builds up and creates a snow bank. Part of the skill of plowing is to be able to use the plow to both scrape the road and pile the snow up into a bank. But this also means that there is simply no way to move snow from the road to the side of the road and not deposit some of it at the ends of our driveways. And yes, that snow is wet, compacted, and heavy. It is easy to be frustrated to clear your own driveway and then have the plow come by and deposit more snow there. But, and THIS IS IMPORTANT, there is simply no other way to move the snow off the road.
Major arteries and roads with bus routes get first priority because they get the most traffic. If your side street has been plowed, but Genesee Street or Sunset Ave hasn’t, then you still can’t get anywhere. So be patient. They will get to you.
The City currently owns 12 trucks, of a few sorts, including two-tier Mack trucks, which can be equipped with a salter in the winter, and a dump truck for the rest of the year. The DPW works hard to maintain these trucks, and the oldest is 33 years old! Plows, and those two-tier trucks, can cost as much as a quarter of a million dollars, so for those who suggest that we need to buy more plows and trucks, please consider which other City service you would be willing to forgo so that the streets get cleared a little quicker.
A City like Utica is challenging to plow. There are lots of short streets, we have plenty of hills (think Higby, or Holland where it joins up with Oneida), and there are cars, poles, low curbs, and so on to deal with. So plowing a City like Utica is not at all like plowing the arterial or the thruway, which is essentially one long straight road, and considerably easier to plow than our City. It is also a challenge to fully staff the DPW. Most of our drivers are young. Applicants must have a CDL permit, and the DPW will finish their training and help new employees get their license. (“CDL” is a Commercial Driver’s License, and allows licensees to drive the plows that the City uses.) The DPW does not get nearly as many applicants as it used to, and this is true for other cities as well. (So, if you know a young person who wants a good stable job with good benefits, encourage them to look into getting a CDL permit. This is another one of the trades jobs that are too often overlooked by young people who want good, well-paid work.)
The biggest challenging to plowing is the problem of predicting how much snow will fall and when. As a City, we have to be prepared for the snow if it does come, but when it doesn't, we have set aside resources that we may not end up using. And these days, in a climate that HAS changed, this has become even more challenging.
Want to help? Please keep your cars out of the road and out of the way! In a Snow Emergency, this is absolutely required. But anytime the City is plowing, cars parked on the road are in the way and force plow drivers to leave a lot of snow in the roads. Don’t move snow out of your driveway and INTO the roads, especially after the plows have already come through. Try to resist calling the DPW to complain that they haven’t done your road yet, especially while the plows are still out and everyone is working hard. And lastly, please keep in mind that these plow drivers are working hard, and by the time you see them they may have been working hard all night. So give them a grateful wave as they drive by.
So there you have it. Now you know the basic facts about how plowing works here in Utica. I hope that you now know more about how this part of your government works. Stay tuned for future “How Utica Works” newsletters. And as always, spread the goodness by forwarding this email and encouraging others to sign up for themselves.
Newsletter #11
COVID-19 RAGES ON
As you are surely aware, Covid-19 is only getting worse and worse here in the Mohawk Valley, and in particular in Oneida County. You can track how Covid-19 is affecting us here at the Oneida County Covid-19 dashbooard, by just clicking here.
So, it is long since time for all of us to buckle down and follow ALL the rules. The lives of our neighbors, and especially of healthcare workers, are literally depending on all of us being willing to do what we need to do to protect each other. So mask up anytime that you are with people other than members of your own household, avoid large gatherings, wash your hands frequently, and stay home as much as you can.
If you missed my recent Newsletter explaining the new vaccines that are on their way, and why I hope that everyone who can get one will get one, just click here.
THE ZBA AND SUNSET AVE CONVENIENCE STORE
On Sunset, near the intersection of Arnold Ave, there are a few commercial buildings. One of them has been vacant for quite a while, having most recently housed a small travel agency. A man applied for a special permit from Urban and Economic Development to open a convenience store in that location. Neighbors were notified of a special public hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on December 15th. These convenience stores often create problems when they are located in residential neighborhoods, and so I decided it would be best for all fo us for this application to be denied. I canvassed the neighbors and talked to several people who live near the site of the proposed store. I went to the ZBA hearing (online of course) and spoke out against the permit. Several of the neighbors and neighboring business owners did as well. We made good arguments, and the ZBA was convinced. The permit was denied and that area of Sunset will remain quiet and clean.
SNIPE SIGNS AROUND TOWN
You have probably seen them around South Utica - commercial signs, sometimes handmade and sometimes printed up, in the city right of way along the street, or attached to telephone poles. The signs that we have seen lots of in the past year feature a phone number if you want to sell your house for cash fast. The signs are a problem for at least three reasons: they contribute to what we could call "sign pollution" and simply make the city less attractive; they violate City codes; and especially in the case of these signs offering to buy up houses quickly, they are almost certainly preying on more vulnerable members of our community. So, in short - take them down whenever you see them! They are called "snipe signs" and they violate City laws. Feel more than free to remove them, and if you don't want to have to dispose of them yourselves, then I'm happy to have you put them on my porch at 37 Emerson Ave. Many thanks to Mark Thompson on Sunset Ave, who is really vigilant about this problem, and who always lets me know when he starts to see them popping up again. And thanks to my brother who, while visiting, was more than happy to pull down any signs I pointed out to him - he's the tall fellow in the photo on the left.
CONSTITUENT HOURS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
I will continue to hold my regular Constituent Hours on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 4-6pm at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. Please come with a mask and plan to practice social distancing. As always, I am happy to take your texts or phone calls at 315-725-5987 or your emails at celeste4utica@gmail.com. I work on Constituent Services 7 days a week, so reach out anytime. My first Constituent Hours of 2021 will be on Tuesday, January 5th.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021
This is my first Newsletter of this New Year. In 2021, I am aiming for a total of 12 regular Newsletters. I am also going to start sending an additional email, in about the middle of each month, to make a series I'm going to call "Utica: Know Your Government". It will explain one particular aspect of our local government and how we do what we do. Is there some aspect of local government you've always wanted to know more about? Let me know!
January affords me extra time, and especially this year, as my Spring semester doesn't begin until February. So I am also planning on working on a Legislative Year in Review for 2020. And I am hoping to produce a short video describing what we accomplished in the outgoing year. So, many things to look forward to.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LOCAL BUSINESS!
One of the truly wonderful things about Utica is its variety of great restaurants. Covid-19 has hit these businesses especially hard. So for the next few Newsletters at least, our Local Business feature is going to shine a light on places in South Utica where you can get take-out. Keep your business in your community and keep your community in business!
Bone Yard BBQ
244 Roosevelt Drive, Utica, NY 13502
315-733-0364
www.boneyardbbqcny.com
FB. Boneyard BBQ
Owner: Craig Manderson
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11am- 9pm, Sunday 11am- 6pm, Monday Closed
Bone Yard BBQ, opened in 2016, is a full menu BBQ restaurant and catering business with a full bar. Bone Yard was recently highlighted on Food Network TV. Because they smoke every day, it is easy to find. Just follow the smell of the smoker.
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
December 2, 2020
I voted NAY to lay on the table a Local Law that is an alternative to my legislation that would return term limits to 8 years for every elected official in Utica, as mandated by a majority of voters in 1992. This Local Law, sponsored by Councilmembers Meola, Burmaster, McNeil, LoMedico, and DiBrango, was carefully constructed so as to allow some elected officials to serve 12 years. I voted AYE to place in committee an Ordinance, sponsored by Councilmember Moody, requiring video surveillance on certain apartment buildings.
December 16, 2020
I voted AYE for transfers of funds to adjust for an unexpected use of the City's sidewalk program and to adjust for unexpected unemployment costs due to Covid-19. I voted AYE to appoint four members of the Common Council and Thomas Allard as Commissioner of Deeds in the City of Utica. I voted AYE for a Proclamation to Honor Frank Shackleford. I voted AYE to place in Committee an Ordinance to amend the City Code for FOIL requests, to charge modest copying fees for FOIL requests when copying is required.
I, along with Delvin Moody, Joe Betrus, and Mark Williamson, voted NAY for a Local Law that allows some elected officials to serve for 12 years, while nonetheless returning term limits to 8 years for others. This was a Term Limit law that was introduced as an alternative to the one that I had introduced in November that would have returned term limits to the 8 years for EVERYONE. But their Law passed 5 votes to 4. So for now, the term limits as established by the voters in 1992 has been returned for some of Utica's elected officials, but not all.
Remember all meetings of the Council are live streamed on the City's YouTube channel, and I encourage you to watch our meetings from home. And all of the legislation under consideration is available online at this link.
Newsletter #10
TERM LIMIT LEGISLATION
As most of you are already aware, at the last Common Council meeting, on November 18, I submitted legislation to return term limits to the 8 consecutive year limit as voted into law by a majority of voters in 1992. I brought legislation intended to make a new Local Law which would reenact that 1992 referendum. I brought the legislation to the Council at the urging of a group of my Constituents who had circulated on online petition asking me to do this.
My legislation was contentious, both ahead of and at the meeting. Some objected that I had agreed not to bring such legislation this year. I assure you that I had not made any such agreement. I have been and continue to be committed to transparency and accountability, which means that I do not enter into back room agreements with my colleagues. I was also told that I was "grandstanding", apparently because I had discussed the legislation on the radio and on social media. Communication is key to transparency, so I am simply not interested in taking such claims seriously.
In any case, the meeting was contentious with many ideas exchanged. One thing became clear: many members of the Council would only be willing to vote for this legislation if it was not effective until January 1, 2022. This would mean that three elected officials would be able to run again in 2021, even though the 1992 referendum would not have allowed them to do so. Those three elected officials are Jack LoMedico and Mark Williamson, Councilpersons-at-Large, and Bill Moorehouse, our Comptroller.
We meet again tonight, and we will be discussing three different potential term limit laws. If you want to listen in, you can do so on YouTube - just search for "City of Utica".
THE NEW ZONING ORDINANCE
The Common Council continues to study the new zoning ordinance and make what we see as necessary adjustments in the process of adopting a new Zoning plan. The hope is that this will give all of us a new, streamlined, and environmentally updated zoning code as we move into a bright new future. A recent water bill contains a notification from the City about this Zoning update. The Council will have to weigh in by passing this zoning plan as an Ordinance. If at least 10 people are interested, I would be happy to arrange a meeting for South Utica about this Zoning plan. So please let me know if you would come to such a meeting. You can check out the new zoning code here. http://cityofutica.com/departments/urban-and-economic-development/zoning-update/index
There is a PUBLIC HEARING at the regular Common Council on December 16th. Please weigh in on this important legislation. And reach out to me in the meantime with questions or concerns.
UTICA YOUTH COUNCIL
This Fall, Councilperson Delvin Moody brought legislation to the Council that reinstituted the Youth Council, which Delvin had served on while a student at Proctor. The Common Council supported this project, and we now have a full Youth Council. It is advised by Stephanie Heiland, who directs the "Pathways to Justice Careers" program supported by a grant from Working Solutions. The members of the Youth Council are: Widad Ibrahim (President), Victoria Vo (President Pro Temp), Eh Moo Serr, Diego Landaverde, Olivia Tobiasz, Yasmin Wilson, and Emma Ferguson, who is from South Utica. Each member of the Youth Council was appointed by the Common Council. They are already taking initiative and doing some great things for our City. So if you know them or meet them, be sure to thank them for working on behalf of Utica and for making sure that young voices are included in our democracy.
CONSTITUENT HOURS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
I will continue to hold my regular Constituent Hours on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 4-6pm at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. Please come with a mask and plan to practice social distancing. As always, I am happy to take your texts or phone calls at 315-725-5987 or your emails at celeste4utica@gmail.com. I work on Constituent Services 7 days a week, so reach out anytime. My next Constituent Hours will be on Tuesday, January 5th.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021
This is my tenth Newsletter this year. I had intended to do one every month, but well, Summer... But still, I'm pleased to have gotten ten done, and I always like to have room to improve. So next year my aim will be to send out a Newsletter every month. AND, I am going to start sending an additional email, in about the middle of each month, to make a series I'm going to call something like "How Your Government Works". It will explain one particular aspect of our local government and how we do what we do. So, it will delve into such topics as: paving, solid waste, code enforcement, open meetings, the police department, and the like. (And I probably won't b able to resist the occasional one from a more theoretical point of view about the nature of government, the law, and so on.) Is there some aspect of local government you've always wanted to know more about? Let me know!
The upcoming year will also bring my first campaign for re-election. I loved running the first time, and I'm excited to get back at it. If you are interested in being involved in our campaign in any way, drop me a line. We will take all the support we can get.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LOCAL BUSINESS!
Help the Conservancy Maintain our Parks!
In Utica, as elsewhere nationwide, public parks are more popular because of Covid. This shouldn’t be surprising. Public health research shows that time spent in them confers significant physical and mental health benefits—our parks serve these needs.
The Conservancy is a nonprofit that helps to restore and maintain Conkling Park, the two Proctor parks, and the beautiful Parkway that connects them. We plant 30-50 trees annually to renew the system’s canopy, absorb rainwater and carbon, and provide beauty, shade, and cooling, and twice annually we plant flowers on the Parkway. And this year, we launched a multi-year campaign to restore F.T. Proctor Park for the 2023 centennial of its donation to the people of Utica.
This work is very costly—and money unfortunately doesn’t grow on trees! Our endowment covers only about 70% of this cost. Our current Fall Appeal seeks to raise the rest, and we greatly appreciate the very real power of many hundreds of modest gifts. You can donate by sending a check to the Conservancy at 1641 Genesee Street, Utica, 13501, or by giving online at www.uticaolmstedparks.org (under “Support Your Parks”)
Thank you!
Phil Bean, Executive Director
philip.bean@uticaolmstedparks.org
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
November 4, 2020
I voted AYE for my own legislation, "An Ordinance Entitled Article IV Refuse and Garbage. New Section to Sec. 2-22-73" This Ordinance tightens up the City's codes surrounding refuse and garbage that some property owners allow to accrue on their properties. It is now against City code for people *to accrue piles of scrap metal outside on their properties. There are many other details to this new code. In general, it gives the City the teeth it needs to protect property values in our neighborhoods. I was happy to bring such legislation, and I appreciate the unanimous support of my colleagues. I voted AYE for a Resolution calling for a Public Hearing on the new Zoning Ordinance. I voted AYE for a new Ordinance that requires neighborhood stores to be licensed. We hope that this will give the City the ability to better regulate neighborhood stores when they become a nuisance to the City and its neighborhoods. I voted AYE for a Resolution, originally sponsored by Councilperson Mark William, to encourage New York State to enforce and strengthen laws about resisting arrest. (This Resolution was contentious, and I raised many objections. In the end it was sufficiently amended so that I was willing to vote for it.)
November 18, 2020
I voted AYE to schedule a Public Hearing for December 16, 2020 on the subject of the Zoning Ordinance currently under consideration by the Common Council. (A previously scheduled hearing had to be cancelled because we inadvertently did not get it into the newspaper in time.) I voted AYE to place into Committee by Term-limit Local Law. (See above.) I voted AYE to place into Committee an Ordinance establishing a Minority and Women Business Certification Program". And finally, I voted AYE to appoint Dennis Bova to the Upper Mohawk Valley Regional Water Board.
Newsletter #9
ELECTION 2020
Last week we saw record voter turnout all across America. Here in NYS, people were able to vote in all sorts of ways that they found convenient: by absentee/mail-in ballots, during Early Voting, and on Election Day. This high voter turnout is extremely encouraging for the future of American democracy. I am a Democrat, so obviously I cast my votes for Biden/Harris and for Anthony Brindisi, and it is my fervent hope that they win. (I voted early, on October 25th, at MVCC.) But more than that, I hope that this time of increased voter participation and active citizenry is here to stay. No matter who wins this year, there will work to be done, and we need active and engaged citizens to do it.
FLOODING
A few days ago marked the one year anniversary of the terrible Halloween floods that harmed so many in our communities. In that time different agencies have made efforts towards mitigating the risk of flooding. Here is a summary of those efforts:
City of Utica
Over the last year, the City of Utica has, through the hard work of its Engineering Department, worked hard to clean out storm drains, sewer lines, and catch basins. They have done this across the City, often by contracting with private companies such as National Water Main Cleaning Company. Here in South Utica, they rebuilt a culvert that runs behind Oneida Street, just next to Calvary Cemetery and rebuilt the concrete headwall where that water heads under Oneida Street.
Sauquoit Creek Basin Intermunicipal Commission
I continue to attend these monthly meetings of the Commission tasked with addressing the various flooding issues posed by the Sauquoit. The Commission has just hired a local engineering firm to do an extensive study of the Creek, and develop a plan that the municipalities can then use to remove debris from the creek bed and stabilize the banks so that more debris doesn't accumulate. (I am friends with one of these engineers, Maggie Reilly, who presented to one of the flooding meetings I held last year.) There is also discussion of creating some water storage facilities upstream from Utica, which can help to alleviate flooding by decreasing the rate of water flow after heavy rains.
FLOODING RELIEF STILL AVAILABLE
I was contacted recently by a representative of the First Presbyterian Church of Utica. They still have funds to distribute to people in Utica who were impacted by last year's floods. If you would like to apply for these funds, please email Pastor Jeanne Kumbalek. Her email is kumbalekj@gmail.com.
THE NEW ZONING ORDINANCE
The Common Council continues to study the new zoning ordinance and make what we see as necessary adjustments in the process of adopting a new Zoning plan. The hope is that this will give all of us a new, streamlined, and environmentally updated zoning code as we move into a bright new future. A recent water bill contains a notification from the City about this Zoning update. The Council will have to weigh in by passing this zoning plan as an Ordinance. If at least 10 people are interested, I would be happy to arrange a meeting for South Utica about this Zoning plan. So please let me know if you would come to such a meeting. You can check out the new zoning code here.
RIDE ALONG WITH THE UPD
On Friday, October 23rd, I was given the opportunity to go on a "Ride Along" with the Utica Police Department. I joined Sergeant Kerry Carville for the second half of the 4pm to midnight shift. Sergeant Carville is a shift supervisor, so her duties included being out in the field assisting other officers as they patrolled their areas and responded to calls. It was an extremely instructive four hours, and I gained an insight to the life of our city that I could not have gained in any other way. I am very appreciative to Sergeant Carville for helping me to learn more about how policing works here in Utica, and to Deputy Chief Ed Noonan for affording me this opportunity.
CONSTITUENT HOURS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
I will continue to hold my regular Constituent Hours on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 4-6pm at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. Please come with a mask and plan to practice social distancing. As always, I am happy to take your texts or phone calls at 315-725-5987 or your emails at celeste4utica@gmail.com. I work on Constituent Services 7 days a week, so reach out anytime.
OLD BENDIX SITE
Over the last few months, Constituents have repeatedly reached out to me about the status and condition of the old Bendix site, located at the corner of French Road and Seward Avenue. I have been able to establish a regular contact with the property manager of the site, who works out of Syracuse. He did arrange to get much of the trash picked up along the fence on Seward Ave. The sidewalk remains in bad shape, with broken glass, gravel, and sand covering portions of it. The property manager is in the process of hiring a local custodian who will be able to take regular care of the property, and I am confident that with continuing communication from me, that property can be maintained appropriately. I did some basic research at the Assessor's office and determined that the wooded property on each side of Lyon Place is also part of the same property. There is some illegally dumped materials and miscellaneous trash to be cleaned up there. I have asked the property manager to clean this up as well, and he has assured me that the new custodian he is hiring will do this very soon. I will stay on top of this until that entire area is clean.
SPOTLIGHT ON A LOCAL BUSINESS!
And now that we are bit by bit returning to normal, I thought it was time to bring back our "Spotlight on Businesses" in South Utica. I am grateful to my friend Theresa Smith for taking on this portion of the Newsletter. (Have an idea for a business to highlight? Let me know.)
Stathis Greek Restaurant & Gyro
Stathis, our local South Utica Greek restaurant, opened about two years ago. You can eat in the cozy restaurant or order delivery or take out. The owner, Stathis Koulouris says: “It has always been my dream to open up my own restaurant.”
1900 Genesee Street, Utica
Hours: Monday- Saturday 11:00 am- 8:00 pm,
Sunday closed
Telephone number: 315-624-0323
www.stathisgreek.com
FaceBook: Stathis Greek Restaurant & Gyro
Email stathisuticagreek@gmail.com
CALLING ALL SOUTH UTICA GARDENERS!
There are many terrific gardens and gardeners in South Utica. Gardens can do a lot to beautify our neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all of us. There is now a new group of gardeners in South Utica who are looking forward to sharing their knowledge and more come Spring. Email me if you would be interested in joining them.
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
October 7, 2020
I voted AYE to appoint Nedim Mujic as a Commissioner of Deeds for the City of Utica. I voted AYE to schedule five public hearings for properties to be sold by the URA, and to place the legislation for the sale of those properties into committee.
I also voted AYE to place other pieces of legislation into committee: an Ordinance to adjust the fees and charges for the use of the City-owned bandshell, and a non-binding Resolution to encourage NYS lawmakers to revise laws surrounding resisting arrest.
October 21, 2020
I voted AYE for five Ordinances to sell five separate properties through the URA. I voted AYE on two Resolutions that allow Utica to pursue grants for the identification, assessment, and remediation of brownfields here in Utica. I voted AYE to reduce some interests, penalties and fees for a property now owned by the Mohawk Valley Land Bank.
I voted to appoint Emma Ferguson to the City of Utica Youth Common Council, and was very happy to do so. Emma is a senior at Proctor High School, and plans to go to college to study political science. Emma is a very smart, committed young person who I'm sure will continue to make Utica proud. I am looking forward to getting to know her better.
I voted AYE to adjust the fees and charges for the rental of the city-owned bandshell. Lastly, I voted AYE for a Resolution that would change the legal designation of a portion of Herkimer Road. This is a problem that Councilmember Joe Betrus has been working very hard on, in response to concerns of his Constituents who are very much bothered by the heavy truck traffic that travels on that road. This was Councilmember Betrus's Resolution, but he had everyone's support, so this was sponsored by the Full Council.
We also placed into Committee my Ordinance on Refuse and Garbage. This was my piece of legislation, that was requested by Codes Commissioner Marques and written for me by Judge Garramone. (More about this legislation in my next Newsletter.)
I voted AYE on my own Resolution requesting that the Mayor again allow the public to attend Common Council meetings. The Council Chambers are under the jurisdiction of the Council alone, but we need the Mayor to allow people to pass through the City Hall lobby, and he is not yet ready to do so, for a number of practical and safety reasons. I miss having the public present at our meetings, and am looking forward to the day when we are all together again. Meanwhile, all meetings of the Council are live streamed on the City's YouTube channel, and I encourage you to watch our meetings from home.
Newsletter #8
THE YOUTH COMMON COUNCIL NEEDS A SOUTH UTICA REPRESENTATIVE
The Common Council, under the leadership of Councilperson Delvin Moody, recently voted to re-establish the Youth Common Council. They have just begun meeting, but they are still missing a representative from South Utica. If you know of a Junior or Senior high school student who wants to be involved in local politics, please let me know.
FLOODING
This month will mark the one year anniversary of the terrible Halloween floods that harmed so many in our communities. In that time different agencies have made efforts towards mitigating the risk of flooding. I will be holding a meeting to update you on this progress. So reserve the evening of Tuesday, October 27th for this meeting. More details will come in a future email.
THE NEW ZONING ORDINANCE
The City is in the process of adopting a new Zoning plan. The hope is that this will give all of us a new, streamlined, and environmentally updated zoning code as we move into a bright new future. This month's water bill contains a notification from the City about this Zoning update. The Council will have to weigh in by passing this zoning plan as an Ordinance. If at least 10 people are interested, I would be happy to arrange a meeting for South Utica about this Zoning plan. (My cat James has already made his opinion known. The new zoning map is very comfy.) So please let me know if you would come to such a meeting. You can check out the new zoning code here.
VOTE FOR CAFE DOMENICO!
Utica's Genuine Java Joint, Cafe Domenico, located in the heart of South Utica, has been nominated for the Observer-Dispatch's 2020 Best of the Best Awards. Give our local cafe, and South Utica, a boost by voting for the Cafe today. Just follow this link, register, choose your category, and cast your votes!
GREEN WASTE - DO IT RIGHT!
For two periods a year, you can place your green waste loose at the curb and the City will pick it up for free. So starting on September 30th and running until December 2nd, we are welcome to pile our green waste by the curb, but not in the street. (Please, no logs or tree stumps.) But after December 2nd, we will be back to putting our green waste into barrels or other containers. Please follow the green waste rules. When we put leaves and grass clippings out in the street during other times of the year, we risk them being washed into our storm drains, which increases the risk of flooding. So, by all means, take advantage of the City'a green waste service, but please, play by the rules, for the sake of all of us.
CONSTITUENT HOURS RESTARTED SEPTEMBER 15th
I hold my regular Constituent Hours every 1st, 2nd, and 4th Tuesday of the month from 4-6pm at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. Please come with a mask and plan to practice social distancing. But do drop in, I'd love to see you!
NEW FOREST CEMETERY
As many of you are aware, the New Forest Cemetery, just to the North of the Forest Hill Cemetery, has recently fallen on hard times. It is a separate cemetery from Forest Hill, and operates independently from it. (They are separated from each other by Master Garden Road.) After worries that New Forest might simply be abandoned, a new group, led by Mr. Craig Minor in South Utica, has stepped up and formed a new Board and found a new volunteer Superintendent. The Cemetery is now on the road to recovery. I have met with the Board, and am trying to help them as they pursue financial resources. I have great confidence in the new Board, but the road ahead for them is steep. They are currently intending to make some basic capital investments, which can help to create a more secure financial future for the cemetery. Financial contributions are welcome, and can be sent to: New Forest Cemetery, PO Box 424, Utica NY 13501
Spotlight on Local Business!
And now that we are bit by bit returning to normal, I thought it was time to bring back our "Spotlight on Businesses" in South Utica. I am grateful to my friend Theresa Smith for taking on this portion of the Newsletter. (Have an idea for a business to highlight? Let me know.)
Vanity Hair & Beauty Parlor
Vanity Hair & Beauty Parlor is a new and beautifully remodeled unisex salon located in Ridgewood Plaza. The salon has experienced stylists and specializes not only in haircuts but all hair services including colors, highlights, lowlights, and much more. Walk-ins welcome.
2514 Oneida Street Utica 13501
Telephone number: 315-922-7335
Facebook: Vanity Hair & Beauty Parlor
E-mail: vanityhair&beautyparlor@gmail.com
Owner/Operator: Dakotah Schaaf
Hours: Monday 11-4
Tuesday 10-7
Wednesday 10-7
Thursday 10-6
Friday 9-5
Saturday 9-2
CALLING ALL SOUTH UTICA GARDENERS!
There are many terrific gardens and gardeners in South Utica. Gardens can do a lot to beautify our neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all of us. I will be arranging a meeting of people who would be interested in organizing a South Utica Garden club. I have already heard from several people, but there is still time to get in on the ground floor of this new club! Email me if you would be interested in this.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS
We are only a few weeks out from November's General Election. There are three ways that you can vote this year:
1) If you are concerned about voting in person because of the Pandemic, you can request an Absentee Ballot on the basis of "temporary illness". You can apply for an Absentee Ballot now. Those Ballots will begin to be mailed out in just a few days. Follow this link for an application for an Absentee Ballot. Once you receive your ballot, fill it in, sign it, and return it to the Board of Elections.
2) You can vote during the Early Voting period, which this year will run from Saturday, October 24th until Sunday, November 1st. Early Voting is a great way to vote in person safely, without worrying about being around crowds of people. And stay tuned for a video that a friend and I are producing to explain all the details of how to Vote Early.
3) You can vote in person on Tuesday, November 3rd at your regular polling place.
Anyone who is a citizen and has resided at their current address for at least 30 days is eligible to vote. You can learn more here about how to register to vote.
Follow me on Facebook, where we have posted all sorts of helpful details about all of the above.
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
September 2, 2020
I voted AYE to adjust Solid Waste service charges. I voted AYE to Resolve that there are no negative environmental consequences to a proposed Downtown Utica Parking Improvement Project. I voted AYE to discontinue and sell a portion of Burrstone Road. (This is a sliver of Burrstone Road that years ago was incorporated into a new entrance for Utica College. The Council was merely formalizing this fact.) I voted AYE for legislation I sponsored to add a stop sign on Emerson Ave where it intersects with Howe St. I voted AYE for legislation I sponsored to allow a resident on Lomond Place to place an 8 foot fence in her side yard. I voted AYE on two Resolutions to place proper signage on Herkimer Road in relation to heavy trucks. I voted AYE on an Ordinance for No Parking on a section of Herkimer Road.
And finally, I voted AYE on an Ordinance sponsored by the entire Council, to designate a section of Kemble Street as "Essential Workers Way". The Council agreed that it was important to recognize the sacrifices that so many essential workers have made during this pandemic. I was proud to co-sponsor this legislation, and happy to vote for it.
September 16, 2020
I voted AYE on a Resolution to honor long term Democratic Commissioner of the Oneida County Board of Elections Angela Pedone Longo. Ms. Longo had long served the City and I was happy to vote for this Proclamation to honor her. I voted AYE to Ordain that a portion of Warren Street be made one-way. I voted AYE for an Ordinance that I sponsored that would make a portion of Ballantyne Brae, where it narrows and joins Genesee Street "No Parking At All Times". I voted AYE on two Ordinances to amend the current fence ordinance to simplify the fees for fences. And lastly, I voted AYE on an Ordinance to allow a resident to add 2 feet of fencing to the top of a pre-existing fence.
Newsletter #7
THE NEWSLETTER IS BACK!
Over the summer, I allowed myself a little Newsletter break - but I've been busy in the Ward, and although summer was great and productive, it is definitely that time of year when I welcome the return of a more regular, structured schedule. So welcome back to the Newsletter! (And, if you like hearing from me once a month, and you think others would as well, please forward this email to them and ask them to sign up to get it themselves.)
NEW STREET LIGHTS ARE UP THROUGHOUT SOUTH UTICA
At one of our first meetings of the current Council, we voted to move forward with a bond that would allow us to replace the streetlights throughout Utica with new LED lights. This is saving us money in two important ways: we now own the equipment itself, so we are no longer paying to lease it monthly from National Grid, and the lights are very efficient, so we are saving money every month on the City's electric bill. I was happy to vote Yes to authorize this bond, and so I was very pleased to see the new lights going up throughout South Utica this summer.
CONSTITUENT HOURS RESTART SEPTEMBER 15th
Although we still need to wear a mask when around others, and practice social distancing, things are easing up, and we are freer to get together. My Constituent Hours will resume beginning on Tuesday, September 15th, from 4-6pm, at The Other Side at 2011 Genesee Street, right next to Cafe Domenico. I will hold Constituent Hours the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Tuesday of every month. Drop in!
CONSTITUENT SERVICES
The Summer of 2020 was, of course, the Pandemic Summer, and for me personally, it was the Gardening Summer, but it was also most certainly, the Summer of Constituent Services. I fielded lots of request for a wide variety of issues, and I learned how many City services worked, who to call, how to get things done, and so on. The staff at Congressman Brindisi's office was very helpful in giving me advice on how to organize both these requests as they came in and my follow up (hence the three-ring binder pictured below). This Summer, we got some road lines repainted, filled a bunch of potholes, got speed limits signs, stop signs, a Deaf Child sign placed. We had the fence on Brookline that had been knocked down by last year's Halloween floods replaced (this time with a gate). There was lots to be done, and I worked with the City to get lots of it done. If you have a problem that you need addressed, here is how to reach out: Text me at 315-725-5987, Call me at the same number, Email me at Celeste4utica@gmail.com, or send me a message on Facebook. (This last way is my least favorite as I don't always see those messages right away.) And, by all means, if I don't get back to you in a timely manner, try, try again.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS
We are less than two months out from November's General Election. There are three ways that you can vote this year:
1) You can vote by requesting an Absentee Ballot. If you are concerned about voting in person because of the Pandemic, you can request an Absentee Ballot on the basis of "temporary illness". You can apply for a an Absentee Ballot now. Those Ballots will begin to be mailed out in just a few days. Follow this link for an application for an Absentee Ballot. Once you receive your ballot, fill it in, sign , and return to the BOE.
2) You can vote during the Early Voting period, which this year will run from Saturday, October 24th until Sunday, November 1st. Keep an eye out for a video that I am producing to explain all the details of Early Voting. Early Voting is a great way to vote in person safely, without worrying about being around crowds of people.
3) You can vote in person on Tuesday, November 3rd at your regular polling place.
Anyone who is a citizen and has resided at their current address for at least 30 days is eligible to vote. You can learn more here about how to register to vote.
Follow me on Facebook, where we have posted all sorts of helpful details about all of the above.
CALLING ALL SOUTH UTICA GARDENERS!
There are many terrific gardens and gardeners in South Utica. Gardens can do a lot to beautify our neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all of us. I will be holding a meeting of people who would be interested in organizing a South Utica Garden club. Email me if you would be interested in this.
MAKE SURE TO BE COUNTED!
The Census is very important - it is the way we can make sure that our state and our region gets what it deserves, both in terms of representation and resources. So far, 85% of New Yorkers have been counted, and the Census will continue until the end of September.
To fill out the Census online, just go here. It couldn't be much easier!
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
June 17, 2020
In response to a Constituent's request, I asked the Police Department to study the parking legislation for Symonds Place. There were NO PARKING signs on the South side of the street before it was rebuilt last year, and they were never reinstalled. The Police Department did their due diligence and discovered that the prior signs had never been properly legislated. Therefore, I sponsored and voted AYE for an Ordinance to make the South Side of Symonds Place in the Third Ward NO PARKING.
I voted AYE to place into Committee my own legislation that would require that certain police personnel records be placed on the City website. I had submitted this legislation the previous week. Soon thereafter, the Mayor and Police Chief Williams announced that they would be doing exactly as my legislation suggested, so the Council deemed it appropriate to place my legislation in Committee.
The "Thursday Rule": On June 17th, I introduced legislation to change our Rules of Order. In the past, there has been something nicknamed the "Thursday Rule", which required that legislation introduced to the Council had to be submitted at least 5 days prior to the meeting at which it was being first introduced. When the current Council adopted its Rules of Order, which every new Council does, we voted to exempt from this rule so many government departments that it became an empty rule. As a result, legislation was being given to us at the last hour (in one instance, it literally came to us at 6pm for a 7pm meeting.) This put the Council in a very difficult position, where we were being asked to vote on legislation that we could not properly vet or carefully consider. I therefore introduced a new, stricter version of the "Thursday Rule", which re-instituted the requirement that all legislation, including that introduced by the Council itself, in a timely fashion. I voted for this legislation, obviously. It passed 8-1, with only Councilperson Mark Williamson voting against it.
I voted AYE on a Resolution to approve a traffic ticket diversion program between Oneida County and the City of Utica. I voted AYE to make Alma Mujanic a Commissioner of Deeds in the City of Utica. I voted AYE for an Engineering Planning Grant Agreement. I voted AYE to change the Summer Common Council meetings to July 15 and August 12. I voted AYE that a section of the City Code regarding Heavy trucks on the Parkway be rescinded and that the Code be amended in a different manner. I voted AYE to place in Committee the appointment of a Representative to the Towing Licensing Commission. I voted AYE to place in Committee a Resolution regarding the NYS repeal of 50a of the Civil Rights Law. I voted AYE on a Resolution to honor our Essential Workers in the City. I voted AYE to place into Committee a number of appointments to the new Youth Council. I voted AYE for some new STOP signs in the vicinity of Leland and Wurz Avenues. I voted AYE for a Resolution commending the NYS Legislature for repealing 50a of the Civil Rights Law. I voted AYE to place into committee legislation that I brought to guarantee that neighborhoods would receive adequate notification about large developments. I will return to this legislation as the Council works its way through the new Zoning Ordinance. And finally, on July 17th, I voted AYE to amend the City ordinance regarding towing. This legislation was carefully considered and amended by the Council before we passed it.
July 15, 2020
In response to Constituents' requests, I asked the Police Department to study the traffic safety at the intersection of Holland and Prospect. The Department concluded that STOP signs on Holland Ave would slow down traffic, thereby making it safer. I thereby sponsored and voted AYE to to add stop signs at Holland and Prospect to make it into a four-way stop.
I voted AYE to place a stop sign on Brayton Place, to add three NO PARKING AT ALL TIMES signs to Brayton Place, and to appoint Mike Mahoney to the Towing Rotation Licensing Commission. I voted AYE to placing in Committee a Resolution to create a quiet zone along the train tracks along the northern border of Utica. I voted AYE to make the Common Council the lead agency in a SEQR Coordinated Environmental Review in relation to the new Zoning ordinance. I voted AYE to place the New Zoning Ordinance in committee. (This is an important piece of legislation, and I will be reporting on this in much more detail in the near future.) I voted AYE to appoint six members to the newly re-formed Utica Youth Council. I voted AYE to allow the Mayor to extend the Intermunicipal agreement to establish the Greater Mohawk Valley Land Bank, and to appoint Councilperson Robert Burmaster to the Land Bank. I voted to Ordain the transfer of funds between different budget lines for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. I voted to adjust the Solid Waste Service Charge for 2020-2021. And finally, I voted AYE to grant to MVHS easements which will allow them to build a pedestrian bridge.
August 12, 2020
I voted AYE for an Ordinance that would prohibit the specific noises produced by fireworks and for an Ordinance to allow UMHA to erect an 8 foot fence on Seymour Ave. I voted AYE for a Resolution requesting that ARC Oneida-Lewis funding be preserved by the State of New York. I voted AYE for five Ordinances allowing for the transfer of funds between budget lines for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year. I sponsored and voted AYE for a Resolution calling for Hazard pay for Essential Workers. I voted to place in Committee an Ordinance to rename a section of Hobart Street "Essential Workers Way". I voted AYE for a Resolution to share services with the NYS DoT and for a Intermunicipal agreement with BOCES for certain automotive repair services. I voted AYE to authorize the sale of surplus City equipment and to renew an intermunicipal agreement for shared police services between the City and New Hartford. I voted for a Public Hearing on the matter of discontinuing a portion of Burrstone Road and selling it to Utica College. I voted AYE for an Ordinance to establish a Liability Reserve Fund for Employee Benefits.
I will report on my September votes in my October Newsletter.
UPCOMING NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 1st
My next newsletter will be sent on October 1st. In that Newsletter, in addition to reporting on all my votes taken in September, I will discuss progress made by both the City and the Sauquoit Creek Basin Intermunicipal Commission to address the problems of flooding in South Utica. (And stay tuned for a community meeting on flooding later in October.) I will also discuss the new Zoning Ordinance that is currently before the Council, and the current state of affairs with the New Forest Cemetery. I will also remind everyone of the City's policies regarding green waste, and why complying with those policies is in the interest of all of us.
Newsletter #6
OUR STATE OF EMERGENCY CONTINUES
Yes, we are beginning to open up, slowly and carefully, as dictated by the State. But Utica remains under our state of emergency, and I caution everyone to remain on guard against this terrible disease.
YOU CAN READ MORE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE
Tune in tomorrow to the Common Council meeting on YouTube, where the meeting will be livestreamed. (The Council has moved forward with meeting in person, but per State orders we cannot yet allow the public to attend.) There are two separate meetings scheduled for Wednesday:
6pm: Pre-conference meeting of the Whole
7pm: Common Council Meeting.
JUST FOLLOW THIS LINK TO LIVESTREAM THESE MEETINGS FROM YOUTUBE
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
June 3, 2020
I voted AYE to sell a URA property at 611 Spring Street for $250. I voted AYE to make the Common Council the "Lead Agency" for a State Environmental Quality Review Act review on a parcel of City owned property to be developed into a parking lot that will serve the Bagg's Square neighborhood. I voted AYE to a number of transfers of funds within the budget that had been approved by The Board of Estimate and Apportionment. I voted AYE to appoint Joseph Marino as a marriage officer in the City of Utica. (It sounds like Joe has some fun summer activities planned...) I voted AYE to pass an amendment to modernize and improve the City's Electrical Ordinance. I moved and voted AYE to place in Committee my own legislation to enact a Neighborhood Notification and Meeting clause to the City Codes. (See more on this below.)
UPCOMING LEGISLATION (See more about these below)
I have three pieces of legislation currently before the Common Council:
1) Neighborhood Notification and Meeting Clause - this will require that residents who live near proposed large developments are informed in advance of those developments by way of a neighborhood meeting. The results of such a meeting will have to be included in any application for development in the City.
2) Police Transparency and Accountability Act of 2020 - this will require that certain personnel records of police officers be made readily available to the public through the City's website.
3) Amendment to the Common Council's Rules of Order - this will put in place a clear rule requiring that all proposed legislation be submitted to the Council at least five business days (excluding Sundays) before Regular Meetings.
IF YOU SUPPORT ANY OF THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION, PLEASE LET THE COUNCIL KNOW. EMAIL ME. YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL THE CLERK, WHO WILL FORWARD YOUR EMAIL TO THE ENTIRE COUNCIL BY 2PM ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17TH: CITYCLERK@CITYOFUTICA.COM - MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
NEIGHBORHOOD NOTIFICATION AND MEETING CLAUSE
After the Kelberman development controversy, it became clear to many people throughout Utica that people were not being adequately informed about large developments in their neighborhoods. And since development is an ongoing fact of life (and that is a good thing...), then this is important to everyone throughout the City. So, this Ordinance is meant to ensure that people are made aware of large developments in their neighborhoods that affect the quality of their lives. It doesn't mean that we will always get what we want, since in a democracy different people want different things. But it does mean that we will get to participate in our government.
POLICE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2020
On June 12, Governor Cuomo signed into law the repeal of New York State Civil Rights Law Section 50-a. This was a shield law that prevented citizens from seeing the personnel records of police officers. Citizen can now use FOIL laws to see those records. Since I have always been committed to transparency in government, I crafted this law to go one step further and make these records available on the City website. I believe that residents of Utica should be able to easily and readily see certain records of the officers who have taken an oath to serve and protect us.
THE "THURSDAY" RULE
Those who regularly attend the Common Council meetings are probably familiar with what is generally called the "Thursday Rule". This has been the rule that legislation submitted to the Council must be done so on the Thursday prior to the meeting. In January, the new Council adopted its Rules of Order. Among other changes, the Thursday Rule was relaxed, and a number of Departments were exempted from it. In recent meetings, important and complicated legislation has been submitted to the Council at a very late date. (In one case, some changes to an important contract came to us only an hour before the meeting began.) I made it clear at these meetings that I very much objected to this. In order to be a responsible legislator, I must insist that the Council be given several days to read through, study, and vet all legislation, especially when it is complicated. So I am now putting forward an amendment to our Rules of Order that would reinvoke the "Thursday Rule", whereby all legislation, no matter who submits it to the Council, must be received 5 business days (except Sunday), before our Regular Meetings. As long as our Regular Meetings continue on Wednesdays, this will mean that legislation must be received by Thursday, hence the nickname for the rule.
CONSTITUENT HOURS
Things are easing up, and we are freer to get together. I am looking forward to resuming my Constituent Hours as soon as I can work out the details. Stay tuned.
THE NEW STREETS LIGHTS ARE IN PROGRESS!
Because of Covid-19 and the restrictions that it created, the City was forced to delay the installation of our fancy, new, modern LED streetlights. But they are finally being installed. This is a great program developed by the Mayor and his team, and I really applaud them for it. We are going to have great new lights, and we will also be saving $1.5 million dollars a year at the same time. As I write this, I am not sure where in the City they are being installed, but if you see the work being done, drop me a photo!
MAKE SURE TO BE COUNTED!
The Census is very important - it is the way we can make sure that our state and our region gets what it deserves, both in terms of representation and resources.
To fill out the Census online, just go here. It couldn't be much easier!
I WILL BE IN TOUCH AGAIN AS SOON AS I HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT.
MEANWHILE, REMEMBER THAT AS A COMMUNITY, AS A CITY, AND AS A COUNTRY, WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS. BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. BE SAFE, AND REACH OUT ANYTIME.
Copyright © 2020 Committee to Elect Celeste Friend, All rights reserved.
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Utica, NY 13501-5621
NEWSLETTER #5
OUR STATE OF EMERGENCY CONTINUES
Yes, we are beginning to open up, slowly and carefully, as dictated by the State. But Utica remains under our state of emergency, and I caution everyone to remain on guard against this terrible disease.
YOU CAN READ MORE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE
Tune into Tonight's Common Council on YouTube, where the meeting will be livestreamed. There are three separate meetings scheduled for tonight:
5pm: a meeting of the Public Safety Committee
6pm: Pre-conference meeting of the Whole
7pm: Common Council Meeting.
JUST FOLLOW THIS LINK TO LIVESTREAM THESE MEETINGS FROM YOUTUBE
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
(an explanation of why I voted how I voted on important issues before the Council)
April 15, 2020
I voted to lease a parcel of land belonging to the City to the Memorial Auditorium. I voted to sell a parcel of land on Whitesboro Street to the Adirondack Cooperage for a new manufacturing operation as well as restaurant and distillery. I voted to authorize the URA to sell a piece of property on Lansing Street. I voted, obviously, for the Rent Relief Resolution sponsored by myself and Councilmember Delvin Moody. We were very happy that after we had made our arguments for the Resolution, and had happily incorporated some suggestions by our colleagues, it passed with unanimous support. I also voted for the "Memorializing Resolution" supporting healthcare workers and first responders and encouraging the Federal government to get the support they need to do their work during this ongoing national emergency. This Resolution was originally sponsored by Councilmembers LoMedico, Betrus, and Burrmaster, but it ended up being "Full Council", meaning that it was sponsored by every member of the Council.
May 6, 2020
I voted NO on Local Law No 3, of 2020, which sought to overturn a 2008 referendum passed overwhelmingly by the citizens of Utica to require police to live in Utica. We all argued forcefully. In the end, Councilmember Frank Meola and I were the only two members of the Council to vote against the Law. I voted for a Public Hearing on the sale of some property by the URA on Spring Street. I voted to authorize taking 311 Turner Street (formerly the Charlestown Mall) off the tax rolls. (We had voted on this previously, but a technicality required us to vote on this again.) I voted to amend the "Citizen Participation Plan" so that public input into the use of CDBG funds can go forward during the constraints of the pandemic.
FERAL AND HOMELESS CATS
Feral cats are a problem in many parts of our City. Many people spend their resources taking care of these cats who have been abandoned by other people. But sometimes this presents a problem for their neighbors who find themselves living in close proximity to large cat colonies. We need to address this problem in a long-term, humane, and smart way. The Council has begun the process of researching the best way to address this issue. Stay tuned for updates on this issue, and always feel free to reach out with your concern on this or any other issue.
THE OLD BENDIX SITE
Many residents near and around French and Seward have noticed increased activity at this location. I talked to Brian Thomas at City Hall. This is work being done by the property owners, not the City. They are doing some basic remediation of the property (e.g., fixing the fencing, cleaning up dead trees, etc), most likely in order to be able to sell the land. My understanding is that the land is contaminated in such a way that it is very unlikely to ever be developed for residential purposes. But it is possible that it could be sold and then developed for something like light industrial or commercial use. This will depend on how that property is zoned once the city overhauls its zoning regulations. Stay tuned. If I learn more, I will certainly let you know.
CONSTITUENT HOURS
Until the Governor, under the advice of experts, gives us permission to ease up on our social isolating, I will be suspending my Constituent Hours. I will happily resume them as soon as possible. Meanwhile, call or text or email me anytime. I am looking into what it would take for me to hold a Tele-Town Hall. So stay tuned.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT HELPLINE
The State of New York has gathered mental health professional volunteers from all over the state - over six thousand of them! - to staff the NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline at 844-863-9314. It is staffed 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. The phone line is staffed with specially trained volunteer professionals who are there to listen, support and refer if needed.
MAKE SURE TO BE COUNTED!
The Census is very important - it is the way we can make sure that our state and our region gets what it deserves, both in terms of representation and resources.
To fill out the Census online, just go here. It couldn't be much easier!
I WILL BE IN TOUCH AGAIN AS SOON AS I HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT.
MEANWHILE, REMEMBER THAT AS A COMMUNITY, AS A CITY, AND AS A COUNTRY, WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS. BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. BE SAFE, AND REACH OUT ANYTIME.
NEWSLETTER #4
OUR STATE OF EMERGENCY CONTINUES
In response to the Cornavirus pandemic Mayor Palmieri declared a state of emergency starting at noon on Monday, March 16th. He has extended the state of emergency and I think we should assume that he will continue doing so until the State of New York lifts its statewide state of emergency. City Hall is closed to the public and public meetings are being conducted online.
YOU CAN READ MORE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE
RENT RELIEF RESOLUTION
Over six million Americans have filed for unemployment in the last two weeks! The Coronavirus Crisis is also, not surprisingly, an economic crisis. Here in Utica, as in many places across the country, one group of people who we know will be hard hit by this crisis is low-income renters. Governor Cuomo has enacted a 90-day suspension of all evictions, but not rents themselves, so when the crisis does lift, and people can go back to work, many people here in Utica are apt to be severely behind on their rent and could face eviction then. After the recession of 2008, there was a large spike in homelessness here in Utica. We are at risk of seeing another spike in homelessness. And this is bad for everyone - for the people who are made homeless, for the landlords who do not want to evict people but may have little financial choice, and for all of us. We need rent relief for these people, and we need it NOW.
Delvin Moody, Councilmember for the Fifth Ward and I, are bringing to the Council a Resolution calling upon the City and Mayor Palmieri to use extra funds, coming to the City via the Federal CARES act, to help people stay in their homes. These are Emergency Solutions Grants, specifically meant to address and mitigate against homelessness. Councilmember Moody and I believe that this money is best spent on rent relief NOW, in order to ensure that people do not become homeless down the road. You can read about Congressman Brindisi's announcement here. Emergency Solutions Grants funds secured by Congressman Brindisi These funds, to be clear, are not in any way part of the City budget. These are funds coming to Utica from the federal government, as part of the relief act signed by President Trump, to mitigate against the economic hardships caused by Covid-19.
We will be presenting the "Rent Relief Resolution: Covid-19 Emergency Assistance" to the Common Council on April 15th. (To be clear, a Resolution is an expression of the will of the Common Council. It does not have the force of law. In the end it will up to Mayor Palmieri to decide how to allocate these funds. But we hope that he and the Council agree that keeping people in their homes is best for all of us.)
We are happy to have Citizen Action's support for this Resolution. Please consider signing their petition. And if you agree with us, please tell other members of the Council and the Mayor that we need Rent Relief NOW.
MY VOTES ON THE COUNCIL
(an explanation of why I voted how I voted on important issues before the Council)
March 20, 2020
The Common Council met at a Special Meeting to vote on the 2020-2021 Budget and Mayor's Raise and on the budget itself. I voted against amending the budget to give the Mayor a raise of approximately $10,000 a year, and the Comptroller a raise of approximately $8,000 a year. I had been leaning towards voting for it, even though it was slightly higher than I would have liked. I think it is important that when we think about salaries, we not think about the particular persons occupying those positions, but rather that we think of the role. And I do in fact believe that the Mayor of a city such as Utica should be compensated proportionately to the job and in a way that is comparable to other similar cities. So I had been inclined to vote for the raise. But by the time we actually got to the point of voting on this, Covid-19 had already reared its ugly head. It was clear to me that the pandemic was going to have terrible economic consequences. We were already in a state of emergency. It was obvious that sales tax revenues would not meet our expectations. And so I thought that the only responsible thing to do was to vote to keep the budget leaner if we could. So I voted against the amendment and against the Local Law that is required to adjust the Charter. I was in the minority on both votes. I then voted for the Budget. Overall I had gone into the vote thinking that the Budget was well thought out and appropriate. It includes a small property tax increase of 1.9%, which is well within the range of inflation. It is a good budget, and I voted for it despite the amendment that I did not like because the entire budget was acceptable.
April 1, 2020
I voted to set reasonable fees for the use of the new Sal Longo Field. I voted to change our Rules of Order to allow the Common Council to meet via live online video conferencing until such a time a we are again allowed to meet in the Council Chambers. I did try to amend the new Rules of Order to state that as soon as possible we would include Public Comment in these meetings. My amendment received no support in our Pre-Conference meeting, so I did not pursue it during our regular Council meeting, but I did qualify my vote as to that one qualm I had with our new Rules of Order. I voted to reduce the amount we would borrow for paving by $2,000,000. So we are now borrowing $500,000 for paving rather than $2,500,000. This will give us a total of $3,000,000 to spend on paving this year. I felt very torn about this vote, and struggled with it up to the very last minute. On the one hand, I do know how important paving is to all of us. And I know that the voters voted by way of a referendum to allow the city to borrow money to pave the streets. So I did not feel at all good about overriding those decisions made by my Constituents. But at the same time, given the budget crisis that we may very well be facing next year, I decided that the most fiscally responsible thing to do was to tighten our belts as much as we could. I feel that my vote to reduce the paving and my vote not to give the Mayor a raise were consistent with one another: both were votes meant to prepare us for a future in which we might have to make much harder choices. I voted to change the rate of compensation members of the Board of Assessment Review from $750 a year to $500 a year. Finally, I voted to authorize the City to borrow $785,000 to finance the cost of various capital projects.
COMMON COUNCIL ADAPTS
Because of the current situation, our Council meetings will continue to be held online, via WebX. I realize that this limits the possibility of public comment. No one cares more about public comment than I do. (You Can Read My Views About That Here.) I expect us to accomodate public comment as soon as we can figure out how to do so under the current circumstances.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO, HERE ARE A COUPLE OF OPPORTUNITIES:
- We all know that healthcare workers are on the frontline of this crisis - they are the truly "essential" workers who can't stay home. Consider writing thank you notes and notes of encouragement to these workers. Deliver them to me and I will distribute them.
- Help me figure out who in South Utica might be isolated and alone, and is in need of extra social support. I can get them some help, but first I need to know who needs some extra support. So check in with your neighbors (from a safe distance) and let me know if someone is in need.
- Have a sewing machine, some basic sewing skills, and some extra time? Consider making protective masks for healthcare workers. Follow this link for instructions. (Drop them off to me, and I can get them where they need to go.)
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT HELPLINE
The State of New York has gathered mental health professional volunteers from all over the state - over six thousand of them! - to staff the NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline at 844-863-9314. It is staffed 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. The phone line is staffed with specially trained volunteer professionals who are there to listen, support and refer if needed.
NEED BLUE BAGS?
Many people are taking the advice to "STAY HOME, STAY SAFE, SAVE LIVES" very seriously, not even venturing out to the grocery store. Good for them! But if you need a couple of blue bags to get you through, please drop me a line. I am happy to distribute some blue bags to those who are self-isolating.
CONSTITUENT HOURS
Until the Governor, under the advice of experts, gives us permission to ease up on our social isolating, I will be suspending my Constituent Hours. I will happily resume them as soon as possible. Meanwhile, call or text or email me anytime. I am looking into what it would take for me to hold a Tele-Town Hall. So stay tuned.
PLEASE: STAY HOME, STAY SAFE, SAVE LIVES
We all need to do our parts in order to protect everyone in our community. Staying home, practicing social distancing, and only going out when you absolutely have to, these are the right things to do.
The CDC has lots of excellent information, which you can link to here.
MAKE SURE TO BE COUNTED!
The Census is very important - it is the way we can make sure that our state and our region gets what it deserves, both in terms of representation and resources.
To fill out the Census online, just go here. It couldn't be much easier!
I WILL BE IN TOUCH AGAIN AS SOON AS I HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT.
MEANWHILE, REMEMBER THAT AS A COMMUNITY, AS A CITY, AND AS A COUNTRY, WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS. BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. BE SAFE, AND REACH OUT ANYTIME.
NEWSLETTER #3
Here it is - our Third Newsletter! This Newsletter keeps residents of South Utica informed on a variety of issues. Please share it with your friends and neighbors and direct them to our website where they can sign up for it themselves. We hope that this Newsletter will help to keep South Utica a vibrant place in which to live and work, where you have a strong voice in your government and community.
REGULAR MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Meeting of the Common Council: Wednesdays, March 4th & March 18th, 6pm for pre-meeting, 7pm for regular meeting, public welcome to both meetings, arrive by 6:55 to sign up for public comment
South Utica Neighborhood Association: Second Monday of every month: Monday, March 9th, 6pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, just off Genesee Street
Constituent Hours: 1st, 2nd, 4th, (and sometimes 5th) Tuesday of every month, The Other Side gallery, 2011 Genesee Street, March 3rd, March 10th, March 24th, March 31st - 4-6pm
Please note: Common Council meets THIS Wednesday, March 4th. The pre-meeting conference is at 6pm and the regular meeting is at 7pm. BOTH meetings are open to the public. Please attend! If you wish to sign up for public comment, you need to arrive no later than 6:55pm.
MY VOTES ON THE COMMON COUNCIL
There have been two meetings since the previous Newsletter: February 5th and 19th. Here are my votes at those meetings:
February 5th
1) I voted NAY on waiving the reading of the minutes because there were no minutes to be read. (See more below.)
2) I voted AYE to authorize the URA to lease a parcel of land to the Compassion Coalition.I also voted AYE to authorize the URA to sell parcels owned by the city to private owners.
3) I voted to AYE to appoint Stephanie Tighe and John Mirante as Commissioner of Deeds.
4) I voted AYE to appoint David Roefaro as a marriage officer in the City of Utica.
5) I voted AYE to approve the Board of E&A's transfer of funds between budget lines.
6) I voted AYE to authorize the DPW to sell some of its old equipment.
7) I voted AYE to reaffirm that a certain section of sewer be designated a "Type II" action. The original project was changed such that it now has a smaller footprint than before. We voted to reaffirm that it is nonetheless still a "Type II" action and does not require further environmental review.
8) I voted AYE to authorize the city to acquire the Wells Ave Parcel. This parcel of land is necessary to the development of the Inner Harbor in Utica.
9) Rules of Order
I voted NAY on the new rules of order, along with Delvin Moody and Joe Betrus. Five members voted for the new rules, and so the motion passed. I had several objections to these new rules of order. But most problematic is the fact that these new rules of order dissolve all the standing committees of the Council. We now have nine standing committees, each one of which is composed of all nine members of the Council. In other words, we no longer work with committees. We will be doing all of our work as a Committee of the Whole. No other city council conducts its business this way. Members will no longer be assigned to committees based on expertise or interest. This will make it easier to rush legislation through the Common Council without being vetted by an appropriate committee. Time will tell as to how many problems these new rules of order will create. I remain skeptical.
February 19th
1) I voted AYE to waive the reading of the minutes! Our Clerk provided minutes to the Council just before the meeting began, so I was happy to vote to waive them. We are still working to make the minutes easily accessible to the public through our website, but I believe that we are moving in the right direction. I encourage anyone who is interested in transparency and accountability in government and who wants to know what the Council has done, to ask at the Department of Legislation for the minutes of our meetings.
2) I voted AYE to authorize the URA to sell two properties to private individuals. These properties are located on Pellettieri Ave and Lansing Street. I also voted AYE to grant an overhead utility easement on Edward Street to Matt Brewing Co. I also voted AYE to grant an easement for gas service to Niagara Mohawk for the new NYPA Visitor Center.
3) I voted AYE on a resolution, sponsored by Councilperson Jack LoMedico and co-sponsored by every other member of the Council, to keep the Medicaid promise. The Resolution urges State leaders not to cut necessary funding to Medicaid and Medicare.
4) I voted AYE on a resolution that Spectrum/Charter Communications should reimburse their customers for the loss of service in early February.
5) I voted AYE on a resolution to reinstate The City of Utica Youth Common Council and to appoint Stephanie Heiland as the advisor for this Council.
6) I voted to remove the Charlestown Mall from our tax rolls. The derelict Mall is delinquent on their taxes, but is also owned by an LLC, so the City has no means by which to recover those back taxes. Keeping the Mall on our tax rolls therefore creates a number of financials problems for the City, including that we are required to pay the portion of school taxes incurred by the Mall. It is also not a good idea for the City to foreclose on the property. We do not want to own it, as that would give rise to enormous liability issues for the City. Taking the property off the rolls is the best way for us to cut our losses and protect the City.
GREAT AMERICAN CLEAN-UP
In late April, Utica will participate in the Great American Clean-up, where people from all across the city will come together to clean up the city and make it a better and more beautiful place to live. If you know of an area in South Utica that could use some TLC, please let us know. And if you are willing to spend a couple of hours on a weekend helping us, let us know that too!
SPECIAL NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING FOR RESIDENTS NEAR AND AROUND THE INTERSECTIONS OF HOLLAND AVE & MEMORIAL PARKWAY, AND ONEIDA STREET & GREENWOOD COURT
Good things are coming to South Utica, in particular to the area near the Parkway Recreation Center! Join Celeste and Steve Bulger, the Executive Director of iCan/Kids Oneida for a meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 5:30 at the Parkway Recreation Center. Get the skinny on this exciting project before iCan goes public with a big reveal on Wednesday morning.
NEWSLETTER #2
Welcome to our second Newsletter. We will use this as a way to keep residents of South Utica informed on a variety of issues. First and foremost, we will announce all the places you can find Celeste, such as Constituent Hours, Council meetings, and so on. Celeste will explain each of her votes on the Council here every month. And this month we will be introducing a regular feature by our good friend Theresa Harden Smith: "Spotlight on Local Business". We hope that this Newsletter will help to keep South Utica a vibrant place in which to live and work, where you have a strong voice in your government and community.
REGULAR MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Meeting of the Common Council: Wednesday, February 5th & February 19th, 6pm for pre-meeting, 7pm for regular meeting, public welcome to both meetings
South Utica Neighborhood Association: Monday, February 10th, 6pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, just off Genesee Street
Constituent Hours: 1st, 2nd, 4th Tuesday of every month, The Other Side gallery, 2011 Genesee Street, February 4th, 11th, & 25th
Please note: Common Council Meets THIS Wednesday, February 5th. The pre-meeting conference is at 6pm and the regular meeting is at 7pm. BOTH meetings are open to the public. Please attend!
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Flooding Mitigation Efforts with Local Officials
Join Celeste and representatives from several local elected officials and offices as they explain their efforts to mitigate the harm of flooding: Tuesday, February 11th, 7-9pm, The Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee Street
Town Hall: Get Involved and Stay Engaged!
This will be Celeste's first Town Hall. She is looking forward to listening to her Constituents and learning what is most important to them. She will share her ideas for upcoming Legislation as well as report on what she has already achieved. Celeste will also introduce some ways that we can all be more engaged in the civic and political life of our community. Monday, February 24th, 7-9pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, Genesee Street
MY VOTES ON THE COMMON COUNCIL
There has been one meeting since the previous Newsletter. That meeting was on January 15th. Here are my votes there:
1) I voted NAY on waiving the reading of the minutes because there were no minutes to be read. I will continue to work with our new Clerk and the President to make sure that both members of the Common Council and the public are provided with complete and accurate minutes in a timely and accurate way. Minutes of meetings of all public bodies are required by NYS Open Meeting Law.
2) I voted AYE on selling four properties by the URA back to private individuals. These sales are of properties owned by the city to private owners. These properties are then placed back onto the tax rolls, which is good for everyone. I voted AYE on transferring funds between accounts. This vote was requested by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, which oversees the city budget throughout the fiscal year. I voted AYE to rescind limited parking on a section of Park Ave and AYE to replace it with No Parking. I voted AYE to appoint Stephanie Tighe as a Commissioner of Deeds in the City of Utica. I voted AYE to authorize the sale of old DPW equipment. I voted AYE to refund the Solid Waste Service Charge to the Armory, who pays for their own trash hauler. I voted AYE to authorize the city to spend $570,000 to for the Utica Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. This will allow the City to participate in federal funding for this project. The City fully expects to be reimbursed by federal grants for this expenditure.
3) I voted AYE to allow certain exceptions to the Thursday rule, which allow some City Hall departments to submit proposed legislation later than the Thursday preceding a regular meeting of the Common Council.
4) I voted AYE for new rules for Public Comment. I voted for the new rules because I am fundamentally committed to preserving public comment. However, I did qualify my vote as I had and continue to have grave misgivings about the new rules. The old rules were, in my view, inconsistent and unclear and they did not prohibit speakers from abusing the privilege of public comment. The new rules, however, are, in my view, even worse. Although they solve some of the problems in the old rules, they are far more restrictive in the content of what people can say. In particular, they prohibit speakers from being "disparaging" of anyone in public office or City Department Heads. I find this an unjustifiable infringement of speakers' rights. The rules are also flawed in being logically inconsistent and therefore unenforceable. I worry that if they are enforced as written, we may well be in violation of the First Amendment. I intend to continue to advocate for better rules to govern public comment.
5) I voted AYE to table a number of other resolutions, concerning the granting of an easement over Edward Street, and an easement for gas service at the Utica Zoo. I also voted AYE to table three resolutions dealing with the Rules for the Common Council.
CONSTITUENT SERVICES
Flooding I continue to work on educating myself and my Constituents about flooding in our area. I am attending the Sauquoit Creek Basin Intermunicipal Commission every month so that I can keep track of the joint efforts that Utica is part of. I held an educational meeting on flooding on January 28th. We had about 20 people in the room, and we all learned a lot from local Civil Engineer, Margaret Reilly.
Vacant Properties I have been working to track down the ownership status of a number of vacant properties in South Utica. I have begun to work on legislation that I hope can provide an incentive to owners to sell or rent out their properties that are currently sitting empty.
Cleanup I am collecting addresses of places in South Utica where we want to clean up. I am planning on including those addresses in the Great American Cleanup, which will happen in April/May. Want to help us cleanup the neighborhood? Drop us a line.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL BUSINESS
by Theresa Harden Smith
The Beer Hub at 2643 Genesee Street
Open Monday to Saturday 12:00 pm until 10:00 pm.
Owners Colin Hubbell and his father Chris Hubbell
Opened July 2018
The Beer Hub is a neighborhood bar with a Belgian pub atmosphere, housed in a restored train depot that was part of the now defunct Delaware Lackawanna Western Railroad.
They have a large and well-curated selection of beers from various breweries representing classic styles and including German and Belgian beers. With 26 beers on tap, some rotating, the knowledgeable bartenders can find a beer even for the person who doesn’t think they like beer. They also have two drafts dedicated to wine--a Cabernet and a Chardonnay. Utica Club is always available, a nod to our city and Saranac brewery.
The Beer Hub has food service with daily sandwich specials and a larger selection on Fridays and Saturdays. Every day you can order a fresh pretzel from the Kneady Baker. You can also fill a growler or purchase some hard to find beers to go.
Facebook page: The Beer Hub. Instagram: @the.beer.hub
UTICA RISING
(a regular feature where we talk about things in Utica we love)
Did you know that Utica College offers FREE films on Thursday nights at 7pm? For eight weeks at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester, Jeff Miller of UC's Communication Department offers up free films. This film series has been going strong for 20 years, and is an amazing way to see wonderful films from all over the world that you might never otherwise even hear about. Just click here for all the information you need.
Newsletter #1 from Councilperson Celeste Friend for South Utica
Welcome to my very first Newsletter! I will use this Newsletter to make sure that you have a voice in City Hall. The Newsletter will list upcoming events and meetings where I can be found and you can participate in the life of our city. It will also keep you informed of my votes and legislation that I am working on. It will also explain various things going on in the city at large, as well as spotlight local, independent businesses. We hope that this Newsletter will help to keep South Utica a vibrant place in which to live and work, where you have a strong voice in your government and community.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
South Utica Neighborhood Association: Monday, January 13th, 6pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, just off Genesee Street
Constituent Hours: Tuesday, January 14th, 4-6pm, The Other Side gallery, 2011 Gen
esee Street
Meeting of the Common Council: Wednesday, January 15th, 6pm for pre-meeting, 7pm for regular meeting, public welcome to both meetings
Constituent Hours: Tuesday, January 28th, 4-6pm, The Other Side gallery, 2011 Genesee Street
Water 101: A Meeting About Flooding with Engineer Maggie Reilly, Tuesday, January 28th, 7-9pm, Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee Street
TOWN HALL: I will be holding my first Town Hall for the entire Ward, which I'm calling "Get Involved, Stay Engaged" on Monday, February 24th, 7-9pm, Notre Dame Elementary School - more information to come
My Votes on the Common Council
Common Council met on January 2nd for our "Organizational Meeting". This meeting is stipulated by New York State Law and is where we make basic decisions about how to organize ourselves, including who to appoint to the positions of City Clerk and Attorney for the Common Council. I voted to retain Michelle George as City Clerk because I had no reason of my own to believe that she had not done her job well over the previous two years and because I believe that at least some of the objections to her were political. I lost that vote (4-5). The Council then voted to appoint Melissa Sciortino. Although I supported Michelle George, I have full confidence that Melissa Sciortino will do the job well and I am looking forward to working with her. I voted against reappointing Judge Garramone to the position of Attorney for the Common Council. Judge Garramone has done the job well and has a deep knowledge of the law. It is my opinion however, that he has served for too long and this his long tenure has created a situation where he has undue influence over the policy decisions of the Council, which only the elected members of the Council should have. As has been reported upon, at the last meeting of the previous Council, Judge Garramone tried to introduce legislation to eliminate public comment period, despite the fact that no individual Council member came forward to sponsor the legislation. Lastly, upon the recommendation of both Comptroller William Morehouse and Budget Director Heather Mowat, I voted to allow the city to secure financing through bonds for an improved street light system, which was clearly in the best financial interest of the city.
Constituent Services
Flooding: Back in November, 82 people came to a meeting I organized to talk about the Halloween Flooding. I have begun attending the Saquoit Creek Basin Intermunicipal Commission in order to keep track of efforts by both Utica and our neighbors to address the ongoing problem of flooding. I have scheduled two more meetings to continue to discuss floods and mitigation efforts with Constituents. Meanwhile, I am continuing to educate myself about the complicated problem of flooding so that I can best advocate for the residents of South Utica.
Street Lights: A constituent alerted me of a dark street light. We took care of that immediately. If you notice that street lights have gone dark, please take note of the pole number, the closest street address, and the closest street intersection. Pass that information along to me, and I can contact National Grid. They usually make repairs in less than a week.
Quality of Life: We called Oneida/Herkimer Solid Waste Authority on behalf of a resident on Emerson Ave and helped to get a pile of trash in front of a house taken care of. We called the Codes Department and let them know that a landlord had not fixed a broken window of an occupied house.
Spotlight on a Local Business
We will begin this feature next month, so stay tuned!
Going on in the City
Each month, I will keep you informed of new things going on in the city, such as the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the recent Tree Inventory, or the great new street lights that we will begin to see installed this Spring, and which will be a great improvement. So stay tuned for this regular feature!
NEWSLETTER #2
Welcome to our second Newsletter. We will use this as a way to keep residents of South Utica informed on a variety of issues. First and foremost, we will announce all the places you can find Celeste, such as Constituent Hours, Council meetings, and so on. Celeste will explain each of her votes on the Council here every month. And this month we will be introducing a regular feature by our good friend Theresa Harden Smith: "Spotlight on Local Business". We hope that this Newsletter will help to keep South Utica a vibrant place in which to live and work, where you have a strong voice in your government and community.
REGULAR MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Meeting of the Common Council: Wednesday, February 5th & February 19th, 6pm for pre-meeting, 7pm for regular meeting, public welcome to both meetings
South Utica Neighborhood Association: Monday, February 10th, 6pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, just off Genesee Street
Constituent Hours: 1st, 2nd, 4th Tuesday of every month, The Other Side gallery, 2011 Genesee Street, February 4th, 11th, & 25th
Please note: Common Council Meets THIS Wednesday, February 5th. The pre-meeting conference is at 6pm and the regular meeting is at 7pm. BOTH meetings are open to the public. Please attend!
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Flooding Mitigation Efforts with Local Officials
Join Celeste and representatives from several local elected officials and offices as they explain their efforts to mitigate the harm of flooding: Tuesday, February 11th, 7-9pm, The Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee Street
Town Hall: Get Involved and Stay Engaged!
This will be Celeste's first Town Hall. She is looking forward to listening to her Constituents and learning what is most important to them. She will share her ideas for upcoming Legislation as well as report on what she has already achieved. Celeste will also introduce some ways that we can all be more engaged in the civic and political life of our community. Monday, February 24th, 7-9pm, Notre Dame Elementary School, 11 Barton Ave, Genesee Street
MY VOTES ON THE COMMON COUNCIL
There has been one meeting since the previous Newsletter. That meeting was on January 15th. Here are my votes there:
1) I voted NAY on waiving the reading of the minutes because there were no minutes to be read. I will continue to work with our new Clerk and the President to make sure that both members of the Common Council and the public are provided with complete and accurate minutes in a timely and accurate way. Minutes of meetings of all public bodies are required by NYS Open Meeting Law.
2) I voted AYE on selling four properties by the URA back to private individuals. These sales are of properties owned by the city to private owners. These properties are then placed back onto the tax rolls, which is good for everyone. I voted AYE on transferring funds between accounts. This vote was requested by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, which oversees the city budget throughout the fiscal year. I voted AYE to rescind limited parking on a section of Park Ave and AYE to replace it with No Parking. I voted AYE to appoint Stephanie Tighe as a Commissioner of Deeds in the City of Utica. I voted AYE to authorize the sale of old DPW equipment. I voted AYE to refund the Solid Waste Service Charge to the Armory, who pays for their own trash hauler. I voted AYE to authorize the city to spend $570,000 to for the Utica Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. This will allow the City to participate in federal funding for this project. The City fully expects to be reimbursed by federal grants for this expenditure.
3) I voted AYE to allow certain exceptions to the Thursday rule, which allow some City Hall departments to submit proposed legislation later than the Thursday preceding a regular meeting of the Common Council.
4) I voted AYE for new rules for Public Comment. I voted for the new rules because I am fundamentally committed to preserving public comment. However, I did qualify my vote as I had and continue to have grave misgivings about the new rules. The old rules were, in my view, inconsistent and unclear and they did not prohibit speakers from abusing the privilege of public comment. The new rules, however, are, in my view, even worse. Although they solve some of the problems in the old rules, they are far more restrictive in the content of what people can say. In particular, they prohibit speakers from being "disparaging" of anyone in public office or City Department Heads. I find this an unjustifiable infringement of speakers' rights. The rules are also flawed in being logically inconsistent and therefore unenforceable. I worry that if they are enforced as written, we may well be in violation of the First Amendment. I intend to continue to advocate for better rules to govern public comment.
5) I voted AYE to table a number of other resolutions, concerning the granting of an easement over Edward Street, and an easement for gas service at the Utica Zoo. I also voted AYE to table three resolutions dealing with the Rules for the Common Council.
CONSTITUENT SERVICES
Flooding I continue to work on educating myself and my Constituents about flooding in our area. I am attending the Sauquoit Creek Basin Intermunicipal Commission every month so that I can keep track of the joint efforts that Utica is part of. I held an educational meeting on flooding on January 28th. We had about 20 people in the room, and we all learned a lot from local Civil Engineer, Margaret Reilly.
Vacant Properties I have been working to track down the ownership status of a number of vacant properties in South Utica. I have begun to work on legislation that I hope can provide an incentive to owners to sell or rent out their properties that are currently sitting empty.
Cleanup I am collecting addresses of places in South Utica where we want to clean up. I am planning on including those addresses in the Great American Cleanup, which will happen in April/May. Want to help us cleanup the neighborhood? Drop us a line.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL BUSINESS
by Theresa Harden Smith
The Beer Hub at 2643 Genesee Street
Open Monday to Saturday 12:00 pm until 10:00 pm.
Owners Colin Hubbell and his father Chris Hubbell
Opened July 2018
The Beer Hub is a neighborhood bar with a Belgian pub atmosphere, housed in a restored train depot that was part of the now defunct Delaware Lackawanna Western Railroad.
They have a large and well-curated selection of beers from various breweries representing classic styles and including German and Belgian beers. With 26 beers on tap, some rotating, the knowledgeable bartenders can find a beer even for the person who doesn’t think they like beer. They also have two drafts dedicated to wine--a Cabernet and a Chardonnay. Utica Club is always available, a nod to our city and Saranac brewery.
The Beer Hub has food service with daily sandwich specials and a larger selection on Fridays and Saturdays. Every day you can order a fresh pretzel from the Kneady Baker. You can also fill a growler or purchase some hard to find beers to go.
Facebook page: The Beer Hub. Instagram: @the.beer.hub
UTICA RISING
(a regular feature where we talk about things in Utica we love)
Did you know that Utica College offers FREE films on Thursday nights at 7pm? For eight weeks at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester, Jeff Miller of UC's Communication Department offers up free films. This film series has been going strong for 20 years, and is an amazing way to see wonderful films from all over the world that you might never otherwise even hear about. Just click here for all the information you need.
