Canandaigua City Council moved quickly through a focused agenda Monday, approving a key appointment, greenlighting a youth fishing event, and advancing infrastructure and development projects tied to parks and housing growth.
The April 20 meeting, held at the Hurley Building, marked the formal appointment of a new Ward 1 representative while also addressing routine but consequential items tied to city operations and planning.
Council unanimously appointed Teale Fox to fill the vacant Ward 1 seat through the end of 2026, following a recent resignation. Fox was sworn in during the meeting and immediately joined council for subsequent votes.
Mayor Thomas Lyon said the appointment followed a review and interview process by council, calling it a “careful selection” to fill the vacancy.
The move triggered a secondary shift, with council approving Gwen Van Laeken as its representative to the Canandaigua Local Development Corporation and appointing Bill Wright to the Planning Commission, filling the remainder of Fox’s previous term.
City outlines ongoing Main Street work
In his report, City Manager John Goodwin highlighted ongoing infrastructure work along Main Street, where crews are preparing for a state-led repaving project later this year.
“We’re trying to do as much as humanly possible before they pave,” Goodwin said, noting work is underway on catch basins and water valves ahead of the project, which is expected to take place in late summer.
The paving effort will stretch from the Tops plaza to the city pier, with work expected to occur overnight to minimize disruptions.
Goodwin also promoted an upcoming public event focused on emergency response, aimed at educating residents on how city departments handle severe weather and other emergencies.
Council approves youth fishing event
Council approved a permit for the “Live Like Jackson Youth Fishing Experience,” a nonprofit-led event scheduled for June 13 at the city pier.
The event is expected to draw about 50 participants and is designed to introduce young people to fishing through hands-on instruction and outdoor learning.
Organizers plan to use tents and demonstration areas along the pier, with activities focused on skill development, safety and community engagement. The event will run from early morning through midday and will include instruction, supervised fishing and a raffle.
As part of the approval, council required compliance with city safety rules, including inspections for tents and a prohibition on alcohol at the event.
Storage building project moves forward
Council also approved a contract to purchase materials for a new Parks Bureau storage building, a project aimed at improving how the city stores equipment and seasonal assets.
The contract, awarded to New Holland Supply, totals $33,702.58 and falls within the $50,000 budget allocated for the project.
Officials said the structure will be built using city staff and will provide storage for maintenance equipment, benches, trash cans and other assets currently stored in less efficient locations.
Goodwin said the project reflects a cost-saving approach tied to a previous decision to repurpose an existing structure rather than build a new one from scratch.
“It saved us $300,000,” he said, describing how relocating and reusing an existing building allowed the city to significantly reduce overall project costs.
New subdivision streets named
In its final action, council approved names for two new streets within the Waterchase subdivision, continuing development on the city’s north side.
The new roads will be named Kennedy Court and Boyce Street, honoring families with historical ties to the community.
Officials noted the Kennedy name reflects a long-standing family presence in local business and civic life, while the Boyce name recognizes the family’s role in operating Roseland Park for decades.
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