Auburn city councilors will take up a hefty agenda tonight that includes a proposed $13.03 million overhaul of the city’s water system, an amended contract for City Manager Jennifer Haines and a new three-year agreement covering Auburn City Ambulance employees.
The council will also consider updated compensation and health insurance policies for senior management employees, extend development deadlines for four city-owned properties and hear an update on efforts to protect Owasco Lake. The business session begins at 5 p.m. at Memorial City Hall.
$13 million water system plan moves forward
The largest item on the agenda is the first reading of a bond ordinance authorizing up to $13.03 million in borrowing for improvements to Auburn’s water system.
The project grew out of an engineering review that initially focused on rehabilitating the Franklin Street water reservoir. That work had been estimated at roughly $2.5 million, but the study found the system needs broader investments to address water pressure, infrastructure conditions and water quality.
The city’s preferred plan calls for constructing a new 500,000-gallon tank at the reservoir site, upgrading equipment at the Lower Pump Station, rehabilitating the existing reservoir and replacing about 500 feet of transmission main between the reservoir and Franklin Street in the town of Sennett.
Estimated costs include $4.5 million for construction, $4.25 million for water system equipment and $1.2 million for design, permitting and inspection. The total also includes nearly $3 million for contingencies, financing expenses and other costs while the project remains in preliminary design.
Thursday’s first reading will not include a final vote. The city expects to consider authorizing the ordinance July 23, allowing officials to submit a funding application to the state Environmental Facilities Corp. before a July 27 deadline.
Auburn plans to seek the maximum $5 million available through the state Water Infrastructure Improvement grant program. The city will also pursue federal funding, hardship financing and other subsidies.
Without grant assistance, officials estimate the project could cost the Water Fund approximately $19.6 million when interest is included. A $5 million state grant could reduce the city’s total projected cost to about $12.1 million, according to the agenda materials.
Design and permitting would continue into spring 2027, with construction starting as early as July 2027. The city is targeting completion in July 2028.
City manager contract and management policy
Councilors will vote on an amended employment agreement for Haines, who became city manager in May 2025 after serving several months as assistant city manager.
The proposed contract would continue through June 30, 2028, with the possibility of one- or two-year extensions subject to council approval. Haines’ base salary is listed at $150,000, with an automatic 2% increase each Jan. 1.
The agreement also provides 37 paid vacation days per year, up to three personal days and sick leave under the city’s senior management policy. Haines would contribute 21.7% toward health insurance premiums after the required notification period, increasing to 23.4% in July 2027 and 25% in July 2028.
If the city terminates the agreement before its expiration, Haines would receive 12 months of salary and six months of continued health, dental, prescription and vision insurance. She would be required to provide at least 90 days’ notice if she voluntarily leaves the position.
A separate resolution would adopt an updated personnel policy covering department heads, professional employees and nonunion management support staff.
The revised policy includes a 2% wage increase for the current fiscal year and future cost-of-living increases tied to inflation and property tax growth factors published by the state comptroller. Annual increases would be capped at 3%, with a minimum increase of 1%.
Employee health insurance contributions would gradually rise to 25% by July 2028. The city says the changes are expected to produce a net benefit for the General Fund, although the final savings will depend on the insurance decisions made by individual employees.
The proposed salary schedule covers positions ranging from department heads and corporation counsel to administrative support staff. Top-step salaries would range from about $65,000 for the mayor’s secretary to nearly $150,000 for corporation counsel.
New ambulance employee agreement
Councilors will also consider approving a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Emergency Medical Technicians of Auburn City Ambulance, Local 5379 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
The agreement would run retroactively from July 1 through June 30, 2029, providing 2% wage increases in each contract year. It covers full-time emergency medical technicians, advanced EMTs, paramedics and lead paramedics.
Under the proposed wage schedule, hourly pay for EMTs would range from $20.06 to $28.23 during the first year. Paramedic wages would range from $27.86 to $39.21, while lead paramedics would earn between $30.09 and $42.34.
By the final year of the agreement, top hourly rates would rise to $29.37 for EMTs, $40.79 for paramedics and $44.06 for lead paramedics.
The contract also sets minimum staffing requirements. Auburn City Ambulance would maintain at least four staffed ambulances between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., including three operating at the advanced life support level. Overnight staffing would include at least three ambulances, two of them at the advanced life support level.
The agreement creates procedures for mandatory overtime when staffing drops below those levels and includes stipends for long-distance patient transfers, critical care certifications and employees who take on responsibilities involving vehicles, medical supplies or facilities.
Union members would pay 25% of their health insurance premiums, with the city covering the remaining 75%.
Housing project deadlines could shift to 2029
Another resolution would extend deadlines connected to the sale and redevelopment of four tax-foreclosed properties: 17-19 Derby Ave., 19-21 Venice St., 41 Lansing St. and 197 State St.
The city previously approved selling the properties to Housing Visions Consultants Inc., with renovations originally required to be completed by Dec. 31, 2027.
Housing Visions now anticipates seeking financing through New York State Homes and Community Renewal. Its schedule calls for funding awards in April 2027, closings by March 2028 and an approximately 18-month construction period.
Under the proposed amendments, Housing Visions would have 90 days after closing to obtain necessary permits, rather than 30 days. Construction would have to be completed by Dec. 31, 2029, providing several months of flexibility beyond the developer’s projected substantial completion date in September 2029.
The amendments would also remove clauses that allow the properties to revert to city ownership if the development conditions are not met. Other terms of the original sale agreements would remain unchanged.
City staff said the extensions would align the contracts with the developer’s financing schedule and support an application due later this month.
The meeting will conclude with a presentation from Adam Effler, executive director of the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council, on the organization’s work and current conditions within the watershed.
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