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The only thing is, there's a couple of pieces, and I'm still working on some things, so I appreciate everybody giving me some time leaving this stuff into committee. One of the local laws that's introduced is the registration and posting of owner and manager information. I would still like to see how passing the two ordinances that we had in regards to the city being able to go after property owners, I would like to keep that one in there. Obviously, the loitering, aggressive begging and soliciting, camping, um, that didn't have any teeth. I mean, we could probably dismiss that one. I have sent Chief Williams a couple pieces of legislation in regards to our Parks Department. I'm working on him with a couple things that might add that into it. So if we want to, we can dismiss, um, rescind and replace ordinance number 2. Um, as far as ordinance number 4, I'm still working on that one. Ordinance number 3—

36:00

The only thing is, there's a couple of pieces, and I'm still working on some things, so I appreciate everybody giving me some time leaving this stuff into committee. One of the local laws that's introduced is the registration and posting of owner and manager information. I would still like to see how passing the two ordinances that we had in regards to the city being able to go after property owners, I would like to keep that one in there. Obviously, the loitering, aggressive begging and soliciting, camping, um, that didn't have any teeth. I mean, we could probably dismiss that one. I have sent Chief Williams a couple pieces of legislation in regards to our Parks Department. I'm working on him with a couple things that might add that into it. So if we want to, we can dismiss, um, rescind and replace ordinance number 2. Um, as far as ordinance number 4, I'm still working on that one. Ordinance number 3—

57:46

I've got a point of order because I've got a serious question that actually relates to the Common Council in regards to legislation tonight. So Miss Aiello sent us a proclamation in regards to Juneteenth. Okay, no problem with that because usually you do proclamations all the time, no problem. She said, hi everyone, attached is a proclamation honoring Utica's role and significance in Juneteenth to be introduced and voted on tonight. Please let me know who would like to have their names added as a sponsor, as a sponsor, and we'll get this ready for tonight's meeting. So I responded to her, I said, dear Councilmembers, I have a genuine question. I promise it is not intended to be sarcastically. Do proclamations simply serve to recognize a month or cause, or does supporting a proclamation also imply support for a related flag raising? I ask because in the past the Pride Month proclamation and flag raising seemed to coincide. And I'm not— and I'm trying to better understand the distinction. If a councilmember supports proclamation recognizing a particular month or group, does that necessarily mean that they also support raising the associated flag, or are those considered separate actions? Thank you for clarifying this for me. And Miss Aiello responded, any and all ordinances, resolutions, or proclamations are deemed city expressions. People and organizations can fill out an application for a flag-raising ceremony for any number of city expressions. Now here's the thing, I mean, you're also now tying this to the flag because again, in that ordinance, it states that you have to have a resolution that supports that in order to have that raised.

43:07

She's going to come again in regards to that if there's anything else that needs to change.

44:00

In regards to what fees should be established and how many in the city meeting last year and voting that on roll call stuff. So maybe we can ask Mayor Galime I think we need to give some, a rundown on what the cost was and expected to see what we need to do with those costs. The next one is an ordinance amending Section 2-29-7 of the zoning code, and furthering battery energy storage systems. Do we have any update on that?

46:02

Matches to the last piece of legislation in regards to fees, what the city does, what the city doesn't. And again, we're talking about new softball, things like that. I mean, there's definitely fees that go into this. So this is something that we can't call a meeting.

46:33

Hold on. No problem with ever language that, I mean, I'm still talking in regards to Debbie Longstreet.

46:41

And it was attached to the previous piece of legislation in regards to the Can I finish my sentence on this? But anyways, go ahead, you have the floor.

1:29:09

Again, the only issue that I'm asking is that if this ties to the flag raising in regards to this, how could the city fulfill it and what obligation do we have as a city once this proclamation is passed as far as the application goes through, if there's anything else that the council needs to do? Do, because again, this just came before us today, and I, I just, again, like the last proclamation that we passed, I want to make sure that we're consistent on what we do, um, as far as that goes.

She's going to come again in regards to that if there's anything else that needs to change.

In regards to what fees should be established and how many in the city meeting last year and voting that on roll call stuff. So maybe we can ask Mayor Galime I think we need to give some, a rundown on what the cost was and expected to see what we need to do with those costs. The next one is an ordinance amending Section 2-29-7 of the zoning code, and furthering battery energy storage systems. Do we have any update on that?

Matches to the last piece of legislation in regards to fees, what the city does, what the city doesn't. And again, we're talking about new softball, things like that. I mean, there's definitely fees that go into this. So this is something that we can't call a meeting.

Hold on. No problem with ever language that, I mean, I'm still talking in regards to Debbie Longstreet.

And it was attached to the previous piece of legislation in regards to the Can I finish my sentence on this? But anyways, go ahead, you have the floor.

Again, the only issue that I'm asking is that if this ties to the flag raising in regards to this, how could the city fulfill it and what obligation do we have as a city once this proclamation is passed as far as the application goes through, if there's anything else that the council needs to do? Do, because again, this just came before us today, and I, I just, again, like the last proclamation that we passed, I want to make sure that we're consistent on what we do, um, as far as that goes.

Thank you, Mr. President. Before we go any further on this, um, I know that Joe made a motion to go in executive session. I'd like to make a re-motion to go in executive session, um, in regards to an update on the lawsuit that was filed on this council's behalf. I think that, um, Corp Counsel Stephanie DiGiorgio would be sufficient enough to give us an update, and I would just like to know what's going on. So I'd like to make a motion to go in executive session in regards to lawsuits.

2:19:34

Thank you, Mr. President. Before we go any further on this, um, I know that Joe made a motion to go in executive session. I'd like to make a re-motion to go in executive session, um, in regards to an update on the lawsuit that was filed on this council's behalf. I think that, um, Corp Counsel Stephanie DiGiorgio would be sufficient enough to give us an update, and I would just like to know what's going on. So I'd like to make a motion to go in executive session in regards to lawsuits.

2:55:19

Thank you, Mr. President. Um, there was just a recent letter to the editor, um, that was written about me in regards to my absence of a meeting, and I responded, and I just wanted to read it on the record at the council, on the council floor. So it says, correcting the record on, on the lead, on correcting the— excuse me, correcting Correcting the record on the meeting regarding lead poisoning. In response to recent commentary from a member of the community regarding my absence from a meeting on lead poisoning in Utica, it's important to correct the record. In 2022, I introduced legislation specifically aimed at addressing lead poisoning. That legislation was placed in a committee on February 2nd and discharged from committee on March 3rd. Councilmembers Aiello, Burmaster, Fran Meola, and Moody voted to discharge the legislation rather than to continue the discussion in committee. Myself, along with Councilman— Councilmembers Betrus, Williamson, and DiBrango voted to keep the legislation in committee so the discussion could continue in a meaningful and substantive way before any final action was taken. I have participated in and supported multiple presentations and efforts related to lead poisoning. The appropriate and effective channel for that work is through committee meetings and the presentation of legislation where dialogue and transparency and accountability an impossibility can occur. In this instance, I had a prior obligation to my children and properly informed those organizing the meeting that I was unable to attend the 6 PM meeting, providing sufficient notice for the meeting to be rescheduled so that all interested parties could participate. I did, however, attend the 7 PM meeting where I received the full presentation of materials directly from the same presenter who spoke at the earlier meeting. Rather than acknowledge these facts, the writer who represents the Democratic Women's Party of Oneida County chose to single out a mother honoring a family commitment instead of engaging honestly with the legislative history and process surrounding this issue. This is particularly troubling coming from individuals and organizations that claim to support women. I encourage Heather, who sits next to me, whom the right of clarity supports, and to present the legislation on this issue, perhaps even the same legislation I introduced in 2022, which could be co-sponsored and thoughtfully advanced through the proper proper process. Lead poisoning is a serious issue that deserves more than performative discussion. It deserves sustained legislation, legislative action, and I remain committed to addressing it through the proper channels. I wanted to read that on the floor because I think that it's important to explain my position in the history that's been done by this body. With that said, my my son got Student of the Month today for optimism. Um, it's amazing through all the negativity that I encounter, um, not only as a councilperson but on a day-to-day basis from some people that surround me, that I am fortunate enough to have such— to raise kids with such positive attitudes. So I want to congratulate my son on that, and, uh, that's it. Thank you, Mr. President.

1:49:57

5— is there any possibility? Because I actually like to call a public safety meeting, um, to go over some complaints that I've received in regards to, uh, pest complaints and a couple of other things that I think that it needs to be addressed.

1:51:25

Um, the only other thing, I mean, Stephanie, we do have that local law, so you're here and you've been here a couple of times in regards to it. So if you want to speak on it tonight, I mean, I have no problem bringing that local law out. I mean, it's, it's been sitting on the table, so we've got you here here, and I don't want to waste your time to come for no reason.