The Auburn City Council recognized National Parks Week and Arbor Day, addressed parking concerns near Auburn Community Hospital, and approved two major resolutions during its meeting Thursday evening at Memorial City Hall.
Mayor Jimmy Giannettino issued proclamations honoring National Parks Week and Arbor Day. Ahna Wilson, superintendent of the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, and Laura Olleyette from the Harriet Tubman Boosters, attended to accept the National Parks Week proclamation. The mayor highlighted Harriet Tubman’s historic use of spirituals and hymns as coded signals along the Underground Railroad and celebrated the contributions of the Harriet Tubman Singers, a choir of Genesee Elementary School fourth graders.
The Arbor Day proclamation was presented to Dominic Gambaiani, recognizing the City of Auburn’s longstanding Tree City USA designation and the efforts of the Grow Auburn’s Trees program. Mayor Giannettino also announced a series of Earth Day-related events including a dam tour, river cleanup, and community swap shop.
During the public comment period, resident John Berry of Lansing Street expressed concerns regarding parking shortages affecting his family business, Fangels Hair Salon. Berry urged the Council to address parking issues tied to Auburn Community Hospital’s ongoing expansion, which he said had negatively impacted customer access for decades. Mayor Giannettino and Corporation Counsel Nathan Garland informed Berry that parking would be a consideration in future Planning and Zoning Board reviews and committed to notifying Berry if related hearings are scheduled.
The Council unanimously approved minutes from the April 10 meeting and then moved to key resolutions.
First, Council Resolution #45 of 2025 authorized a settlement with McDonald’s Real Estate Company concerning property tax assessments for parcels on Grant Avenue and Genesee Street. Garland stated the settlement froze existing assessments without requiring refunds, describing the agreement as reasonable following extensive negotiations.
Council next passed Resolution #46 of 2025 establishing a one-time retirement incentive for eligible city employees. The program offers two options: a $12,500 lump sum payment or a $17,500 health insurance credit for those retiring by June 30, and a second tier with lower incentives for retirements by August 31. City Manager Jeff Dygert said the program, last updated in 2017, aims to create budget savings through workforce turnover.
The meeting also featured the start of the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget presentations. Jack Hardy, Chair of the Civil Service Commission, presented a trimmed-down department budget, noting cost-saving measures such as utilizing local schools for civil service testing. City Clerk Chuck Mason highlighted vital records management and a new contract for animal control services, replacing longtime contractor Carl Collier. Future budget presentations for Corporation Counsel, City Manager, and Finance Department were also scheduled.
City Manager Dygert reported that the city was awaiting New York State budget figures to finalize the 2025 road program and noted that Northern Asphalt would soon complete leftover paving projects from last year. He also announced a public information session on April 30 regarding New York State Department of Transportation plans to repave Auburn’s arterial roadways during the 2026 construction season.
The Council adjourned without tabling any items. The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 1, 2025.
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