Common Council Meeting with Committee of the Whole Meeting February 4th, 2026

The Committee of the Whole discussed Councilman Joseph Betrus, Jr.'s proposal to prohibit keeping large industrial and commercial vehicles in residential districts, with Marques Phillips saying it would give codes staff a complaint-based enforcement tool; the council later pulled it from committee and adopted it 9-0. Members also discussed codes workload issues, convenience store signage, vacant-property and apartment contact requirements, billboard limits, battery energy storage regulations, and proposed Valley View ski rates, with a special meeting planned for Monday at 6 p.m. on ski rates. In the regular meeting, residents commented on an unshoveled sidewalk near 501 Bleecker Street that affects seniors walking to Price Rite, and Francis Brown spoke about taxes, public access, carbon monoxide safety, and owner/manager registration legislation. The council approved several items 9-0, including fund transfers, a DPW residency waiver for Michael Britton, a demo-related transfer, moving the February 18 meeting to February 25, nominating Mark Ford to the Upper Mohawk Valley Regional Water Board, and public hearings for billboard and battery storage zoning changes. Sewer-rate proposals, billboard restrictions, battery storage ordinances, and a student-recognition resolution were placed in committee, and the council also held an executive session on a lawsuit update after a 6-yes vote.

1. 15:25 Commercial vehicle ordinance The Committee of the Whole opened with discussion of proposed limits on large commercial and industrial vehicles in residential districts.
2. 26:11 Codes workload and gaps Council members asked Marques Phillips about zoning-code gaps, convenience store signage, vacant properties, LLC ownership, and staffing limits.
3. 40:26 Ski hill fee debate Members debated proposed Valley View ski rates, balancing affordability for residents and children with operating costs.
4. 1:10:28 Pre-meeting agenda review The council reviewed agenda items including police sick-time funds, a DPW residency waiver, sewer-rate proposals, demolition costs, meeting dates, and a water board nomination.
5. 1:21:27 Billboard zoning proposal Officials explained a proposal to prohibit new billboards while allowing existing billboards to remain under nonconforming-use rules.
6. 1:32:05 Battery storage regulations The council reviewed draft zoning rules for battery energy storage systems and discussed safety, siting, and public hearing requirements.
7. 2:08:28 Public comment concerns Residents raised concerns about an unsafe unshoveled sidewalk on Bleecker Street, taxes, carbon monoxide, and landlord accountability.
8. 2:14:37 Executive session and reports After one executive-session request failed, the council approved a lawsuit-related executive session and then heard city officer reports.
9. 2:52:14 Council member remarks Council members announced neighborhood meetings, thanked first responders and DPW, discussed the budget process, and addressed lead-poisoning commentary.
10. 2:59:26 Formal votes and referrals The council adopted several fiscal and administrative items, committed multiple proposals, set public hearings, and adopted the commercial vehicle ordinance.
11. 3:10:16 Audit presentation scheduling After adjournment was reconsidered, members discussed scheduling Bonadio to present the audit before or during budget talks.