Canandaigua City Council advanced a major water infrastructure project Monday night, authorizing up to $15.5 million in borrowing for the next phase of improvements at the city’s water treatment plant.
The bond resolution, approved unanimously, allows the city to finance Phase II of the water treatment plant project while continuing to pursue state or federal grants that could offset costs.
Council members also approved several other measures, including a new civil service position, a downtown special event, electrical upgrades at Fire Station No. 1, and a contract to update the fire department’s policies and procedures manual.
Resident asks for police presence at protests
One of the lengthiest discussions came during public comment, when resident Tom Bulger, a member of We Dissent, asked the city to consider a more consistent police presence at larger demonstrations.
Bulger said some protesters, including older residents, have felt unsafe during demonstrations because of vehicles allegedly swerving, “rolling coal,” or harassing participants. He urged the city to consider a policy requiring police presence when protests reach a certain size.
Mayor Thomas Lyon said the city has a special event process that can include police coverage when requested, but Police Chief Mathew Nielsen said the issue is more complicated.
Nielsen said the department is already thinly staffed, especially on weekends, and that assigning officers to protests often requires overtime. He said officers typically monitor demonstrations from a distance unless circumstances require a more visible presence, such as when opposing groups are expected to converge.
City Manager John Goodwin said the city has handled numerous demonstrations over the years by trying to protect First Amendment rights while keeping enough distance to avoid appearing to take sides.
Councilmember Gwen Van Laeken suggested the issue could be reviewed by the ordinance committee if further policy discussion is needed.
Downtown events and summer season highlighted
Downtown Canandaigua Business Improvement District Director Denise Chappell gave council an update on recent and upcoming downtown activity.
Chappell said the recent international festival drew more than 65 cars and included restaurant specials, an international tea trail, African drumming, Irish dancing, and other programming.
She also highlighted the return of downtown art walks under a new “Final Fridays” format, with the first event scheduled for May 29. Canandaigua in Bloom is scheduled for June 6, the same day as the opening of the summer farmers market and the grand opening of Central on Main.
Goodwin also reminded residents that the city’s Memorial Day parade is scheduled for Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the American Legion, proceed along Main Street and Buffalo Street, and end at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Kershaw Beach is scheduled to open Sunday, May 24, with hours from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Council approves special event, fire station upgrades
Council approved the Unity in the Chosen Spot Singing Bowl Event, scheduled for Aug. 8. The event is expected to draw about 1,000 people and will include activities along Main Street sidewalks, Central on Main, the Coach Street parking lot, and closures of Coach and Phoenix streets.
The city also awarded a $45,969.51 contract to Colacino, of Newark, for electrical upgrades at Fire Station No. 1, which also serves as the city’s emergency operations center. The work is intended to ensure the full building can operate on generator power during an outage.
Council also approved a $19,389.14 contract with Lexipol LLC to develop and implement a new fire department policies and procedures manual. The city authorized up to $20,000 from contingency funding for the work.
City opposes state biosolids moratorium
Council added one resolution to the agenda Monday night opposing proposed state legislation that would place a five-year moratorium on the sale and use of biosolids.
Councilmember Doug Merrill said the legislation is aimed at reducing PFAS and PFOA exposure but could create major cost and operational issues for wastewater treatment facilities.
Merrill said Canandaigua’s wastewater treatment plant produces about 2,000 tons of biosolids annually and already treats them to a high standard. He said forcing disposal at landfills would cost the city roughly $174,000 and add pressure to landfill capacity.
The resolution calls on state officials to rely on science-based DEC regulations and focus more directly on preventing PFAS from entering wastewater systems in the first place.
Council approved the resolution by voice vote before adjourning.
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