The Geneva City Council is scheduled to meet Wednesday with two public hearings tied to potential real estate and parkland actions, along with a vote on a parking and traffic ordinance and several proposed resolutions that would set the council’s meeting schedule and adjust internal rules.
The regular council meeting is set to begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, in Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 47 Castle St. An executive session is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. to discuss collective negotiations under civil service law and the proposed sale of real property, according to the agenda.
Public hearings: Middle Street sale and Loomis Woods change in use
The agenda lists two public hearings:
- Sale of 32 Middle Street
- Change in use for Loomis Woods from a city park and recreation area to sale for housing
Following those hearings, the council is scheduled to take up unfinished business that includes a resolution “supporting the sale of surplus real estate” at 32 Middle Street. A city manager briefing included in the packet states the city acquired the property through foreclosure and that staff recommends accepting a sale for $1,000, with the purchaser intending to demolish an existing single-family residence. The briefing also states an alternative would be a $21,000 payment if the city first demolishes the structure.
Parking ordinance: Lower Washington Street “controversial topic”
The council is also scheduled to vote on the second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 335 of the city code, “Vehicles & Traffic,” related to Lower Washington Street. The agenda item briefing says the area between 101 Washington Street and 117-119 Washington Street has been a “controversial topic” regarding property ownership and parking, and that the director of public works has established the area is city-owned and connected to Washington Street.
The proposed ordinance would add time limits and restrictions for what is described as the Washington Street Parking Lot, including a two-hour parking limit Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with Saturdays and Sundays excepted) and an overnight restriction in winter months on certain days. The briefing estimates about $2,500 annually for snow removal, and notes fine collection from violators.
New business: meeting schedule, official newspaper and depositories
In new business, the agenda includes resolutions that would:
- Establish the regular council meeting night as the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., beginning in February 2026, according to the draft resolution and city manager briefing.
- Designate the Finger Lakes Times as the city’s official newspaper of record.
- Designate official depositories by allowing any state-authorized bank with a branch in the city limits to serve as a depository for city funds.
Procedural and policy resolutions: sponsorship rules, bail-law advocacy, ethics commitment
The council is also set to consider a resolution proposed by Mayor Jim Cecere that would amend the council’s rules of procedure to require that resolutions have a primary sponsor and at least one co-sponsor, and undergo a mandatory 30-day review period before being placed on a regular meeting agenda, with limited exceptions for administrative or emergency matters certified by the city manager with the mayor’s concurrence.
Another resolution on the agenda would urge the state to amend New York’s bail laws to allow judges to consider public safety in pretrial release decisions. The draft resolution describes the current bail framework as limiting judges to appearance-based criteria and calls for statutory authority to consider dangerousness, while stating that detention decisions should be based on risk rather than wealth.
A separate resolution would affirm the city’s Code of Ethics and establish a council commitment to professional conduct, including standards for civility, transparency, stewardship of resources, confidentiality and collaboration. The packet also includes a “City Council Commitment Statement” dated Jan. 7 with signature lines for the mayor and councilors.
Committee and board appointments
The agenda lists formation of a Finance Ad Hoc Committee and includes council and liaison assignments and a deputy mayor appointment, all attributed to Mayor Cecere.
Under board and commission appointments, the council is scheduled to consider:
- Lowell Dewey – Recreation Advisory Board
- Jim Norwalk – Shade Tree Committee
- James Cardinale – Zoning Board of Appeals
The agenda also includes consideration of minutes from several December meetings and a proclamation for Martin Luther King Day.
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