The Canandaigua City Council met this week to address staffing, infrastructure, and policy updates, voting to add a firefighter position, approve major contracts for the city’s wastewater treatment plant, and urge improvements to regional electric infrastructure.
Council approves firefighter position
Council voted 6-1 to approve a resolution authorizing the creation of an additional firefighter position to address staffing shortages and increasing overtime costs. Councilmember Doug Merrill introduced the resolution, citing a 2018 public health report that recommended maintaining four on-duty firefighters at all times. According to Merrill, the city budgeted $160,000 for overtime in 2024 but has already spent over $200,000 with more than three months remaining in the year.
Councilmember Michael Mills voted against the resolution, stating he supports public safety but believes the Council should wait for the results of a delayed public safety staffing study. “This is an effort to add more full-time staff, but we are still going to have the budget need for overtime,” Mills said.
Councilmembers Thomas Lyon and Sim Covington acknowledged the concern over the pending study but supported immediate action due to current understaffing.
$4.6 million in contracts approved for WRRF resiliency project
By unanimous vote, the Council adopted a resolution awarding two contracts for the Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) resiliency project. The general construction contract was awarded to American Contracting & Environmental Services, Inc. for up to $3,939,000. Hewitt Young Electric, LLC was awarded the electrical contract for up to $687,000.
City Manager John Goodwin explained that funding would likely come through a bond anticipation note (BAN), with long-term financing to follow. The Council had previously authorized bonding for the project.
The WRRF upgrades will replace outdated equipment and increase the facility’s capacity to manage wet weather flows.
Public hearings set for tax cap override, code changes
Council passed a resolution to schedule a public hearing for September 22 on a proposed local law allowing the city to exceed the state-mandated property tax cap.
The Council also scheduled a public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapters 648 and 669 of the Municipal Code. The ordinances address traffic regulations, parking restrictions, and water use, including backflow prevention compliance with state sanitary code requirements.
The related ordinances were formally introduced during the meeting but tabled pending the hearings.
Resolution urges state action on electric infrastructure
In response to energy capacity concerns affecting new housing developments, the Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging Rochester Gas & Electric and the New York State Public Service Commission to prioritize investment in electric infrastructure.
Councilmember Mills, who introduced the resolution, cited findings from Ontario County’s 2023 housing needs assessment, which identified the need for at least 1,500 additional housing units. He said inadequate electric transmission infrastructure is a growing obstacle to residential and economic development.
The resolution calls on state and regional leaders to act and will be forwarded to Governor Kathy Hochul, state legislators, and the Ontario County Board of Supervisors.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., including multiple public hearings.
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