Ogdensburg, City of - Comptroller

The Council Meeting agenda included several key items requiring action. Public hearings were scheduled regarding a zoning map amendment (Bill #88) to rezone parcels from Moderate Density Residential to Residential/Business, a resolution to apply for a $500,000 EPA cleanup grant for asbestos abatement and demolition at 212 Ford Street (Bill #90), and a Local Law to amend sections of the Ogdensburg City Charter (Bill #91). Items for Council Action included authorizing the City Manager to purchase a 2019 John Deere Backhoe Loader (Bill #94), approving the sale of former Paper Hayward Street property for $1,500 (Bill #95), declaring surplus property for a public auction (Bill #96), calling for a public hearing on an ordinance amending parking restrictions (Bill #97), retaining Gray & Gray Certified Public Accountants to complete the 2021 budget following the Comptroller's retirement (Bill #98), and appointing a legal firm for Labor and Employment counseling services (Bill #99). Old Business included updates on Workplace Violence Complaints and Sales Tax Distribution, while New Business addressed Waterfront Property and Police Reform.

The agenda for the Council Meeting included a presentation on an Environmental Behavior Survey by Dr. Kearney Coupland and an overview of the 2025 Brush Collection Process by the City Manager and Public Works Director. Two public hearings were scheduled regarding proposed ordinances: one to amend Chapter 27-22 concerning the Code of Ethics (Bill #14) and another to delete §199-39 regarding local incentives (Bill #15). Items for Council Action included resolutions to approve the ethics code amendment and the deletion of the local incentives ordinance, authorizing a professional services agreement for grant writing with Strategic Development Specialists (Bill #23), authorizing temporary remunerations for department heads assuming extra duties due to a vacancy (Bill #24), and opposing the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's decision to discontinue the walleye restocking program (Bill #25). The meeting concluded with three separate resolutions to adjourn to executive session for discussions concerning litigation, personnel matters, and matters imperiling public safety.

The agenda for the Council Meeting includes initial segments such as the Pledge of Allegiance, Call to Order, Presentation, Public Hearing, Personal Appearance, Correspondence, and the Consent Agenda, which covers approval of previous minutes and warrants. Key actions involve appointments to various boards, including re-appointments to the Zoning Board, Planning Board, and Ogdensburg Land Bank. Council action is scheduled for a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order #7 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Improvement Project with Jett Industries, Inc. Old Business items include the 2020 Budget Closeout, Police Reform, Sales Tax Extension Update, and Fire Department Update. New Business topics cover the 2021 Budget Update, Sewer Rate Projections, Zombie Program Update, Demolition Projects Update, and the Bass Nation Fishing Tournament. The meeting structure concludes with Discussion, Citizen Participation, Executive Session, and Adjournment.

The key discussion topics for this council meeting included the voting and appointment of a replacement for a vacant City Council seat, a presentation on the Sales Tax Update by the City Comptroller, and several items for council action. Action items comprised a Local Law amending Article XIX of the City Charter concerning Transitional Provisions, a resolution classifying a SEQRA action and negative declaration for the East David Street Replacement Project, resolutions to approve the sale of surplus property to the Ogdensburg Land Bank Corporation and Parent Properties, L.P., and a resolution introducing an ordinance regarding the sale of city-owned properties to the Ogdensburg Land Bank Corporation. Additionally, the council addressed a resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute a technical services agreement with DANC for the Inflow and Infiltration EFC Grant, and a resolution to approve a property tax levy in excess of the amount otherwise prescribed in General Municipal Law §3-c. The agenda also listed time set aside for an Executive Session to discuss confidential personnel or corporate history matters, and a general discussion item regarding Overnight Use of Parks Fees.

The agenda for the Council Meeting included a presentation by the Director of Planning and Development regarding the CDBG VPCP Grant application, followed by a Public Hearing on the same grant application. Key items for Council Action involved a resolution calling for a public hearing and notice for a proposed ordinance to license municipal property at the Dobisky Visitors' Center to The Dirty Gringo, and a resolution to call for a special City Council Meeting on July 15, 2024, to discuss challenges experienced by the city's sewer system during major storm events. The meeting proceedings noted that Councillor Cilley would attend remotely.