The Auburn City Council met last week to address a slate of resolutions and public concerns, including the approval of a new ambulance service agreement, land sales, and updates to various city policies and operations.
What did City Council do last week?
They voted unanimously to approve several key resolutions:
- Ambulance Services Agreement: The Council passed Agreement Resolution #69 of 2025, authorizing an inter-municipal agreement between the City of Auburn and the Town of Owasco for the provision of ambulance services in Owasco.
- Land Sale Policy Update: Council Resolution #70 of 2025 approved an amended City of Auburn Land Sale Policy, aiming to streamline the city’s property disposition procedures.
- Property Disposition: The Council authorized the sale of 72-74 Garrow Street under Land Sale Resolution #71 of 2025.
- Occupancy Tax Public Hearing: Council Resolution #72 of 2025 scheduled a public hearing to consider a local law amendment to Chapter 265, Article XII of the City Code, concerning implementation of an occupancy tax.
- ERHC Funding: Council Resolution #73 of 2025 authorized the acceptance of operational funds for the Equal Rights Heritage Center from the Auburn Business Improvement District.
What did the public say?
During the public comment period, Melody Smith Johnson of 128 Genesee Street addressed the Council about a credible threat made against the Harriet Tubman Memorial AME Zion Church. She urged the Council to provide increased security during upcoming Juneteenth events, emphasizing, “Any credible threat to a Black person anywhere is a credible threat to a Black person everywhere”.
Pamela Czach raised concerns about the lack of legal representation for citizens when interacting with city officials, questioning why the city always has counsel available while citizens are penalized for seeking legal advice.
Rebecca Dixon, a homeless resident, spoke about systemic issues affecting unhoused individuals. She described personal hardships and called for better local services and support.
City manager gives report and budget talks continue
Newly seated City Manager Jennifer Haines reported on open bids for various infrastructure projects, including the Burgess Street culvert replacement and the North Street and Standart Avenue intersection improvement. She also detailed refuse services, affirming that Auburn provides “robust curbside collection,” including bulk item pickup and disabled resident support.
Councilor Terry Cuddy supported maintaining funding for essential city services such as the ambulance system and the Casey Park pool. He emphasized prioritizing resident needs over private haulers and suggested reviewing city programming levels amid budget constraints.
D-Day proclamation shared with community
City Clerk Chuck Mason presented the annual D-Day proclamation on behalf of Mayor James Giannettino. June 6, 2025, was formally declared D-Day National Remembrance Day and 299th Combat Engineer Battalion Day. The proclamation honored local servicemen who served on D-Day, including those from Auburn’s own 299th Combat Engineer Battalion, six of whom died in the Normandy invasion.
Infrastructure and fee schedule updates
The Council received presentations on city transportation projects and proposed changes to the fee schedule:
- Transportation: The city has allocated over $6.1 million in state funds for road, bridge, and sidewalk improvements, including Lake Avenue Bridge and the North Street Improvement Project.
- Fee Schedule: Comptroller Mary Beth Leeson outlined changes to ambulance, fire, parking, code enforcement, and recreational fees. These include new charges for lift assistance and revised building permit structures designed to recover more service costs.
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