Joseph Betar · Utica Common Council Records

Activity over time

January 2, 2026 June 17, 2026

Talks most about

committee 18 monday 12 yeas adopted 7 committed 9 legislation 9 corporation counsel 5 resolution 8 talking 8 special 8 oclock 7 betrus 6 summer 6 call 6 members 6

Meeting appearances

The bar under each meeting marks when they spoke during it.

Common Council Meeting with Committee of the Whole Meeting June 17th, 2026

June 17, 2026 8m 53s speaking 4% of speaking time 68 remarks

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

February 4, 2026 5m 53s speaking 5% of speaking time 52 remarks

Common Council Meeting January 21st, 2026

January 21, 2026 2m 35s speaking 3% of speaking time 11 remarks

Common Council Meeting January 2nd, 2026

January 2, 2026 1m 47s speaking 8% of speaking time 11 remarks

Frequent dialogue partners

Immediate transcript handoffs around Joseph Betar: who speaks next, and who Joseph Betar answers.

They reply Joseph Betar replies

Samantha Colosimo-Testa 87 handoffs · 4 meetings 45 / 42 balanced Rocco Giruzzi 54 handoffs · 4 meetings 25 / 29 balanced Stephanie DiGiorgio 27 handoffs · 3 meetings 14 / 13 balanced Joseph Betrus, Jr. 27 handoffs · 3 meetings 18 / 9 Joseph Betrus, Jr. replies more Jack LoMedico 26 handoffs · 4 meetings 10 / 16 Joseph Betar replies more Katie Aiello 22 handoffs · 4 meetings 9 / 13 balanced Frank Carcone 5 handoffs · 2 meetings 3 / 2 balanced Marques Phillips 3 handoffs · 1 meeting 1 / 2 balanced

What they said

Joseph Betar 7:41

This is a meeting of the Common Council Committee of the Whole. Councilman Betrus requested this meeting, so we'll turn the floor over to him.

Joseph Betar 24:29

Let's, let's transition here. We have Councilman LoMedico, I think, has a few questions.

Joseph Betar 34:34

This is Rome's entire ordinance on this?

Joseph Betar 34:39

This is a tough sell. With reading this, I mean, Stephanie, it looks like there's an automatic lien on the property without any court order. Yeah, I mean— 20% upcharge for inspection and additional costs.

Joseph Betar 35:18

All that aside, I mean, yeah, just the language here.

Joseph Betar 35:50

Any other questions? All right, we can move on to anything else in committee that anyone has any questions on specifically. Any pieces?

Joseph Betar 36:59

Can you give the dates associated with these multiple—

Joseph Betar 37:03

So you're starting at the top?

Joseph Betar 37:06

So ordinance number 2 from 8/27?

Joseph Betar 42:25

It looks like the subcommittee piece will die in the vine here. Discharge?

Joseph Betar 42:40

Anyone have anything on resolution number 8, committed 120-126?

Joseph Betar 45:30

For Corporation Counsel, 10 and 11 read together or separate?

Joseph Betar 45:36

All right, we can move on to resolution number 8.

Joseph Betar 45:41

You wanna keep it?

Joseph Betar 45:53

All right, and this next one was introduced by Councilwoman Colosimo-Testa, too. Ordinance number 4, Committee 225-26.

Joseph Betar 46:31

Can I—

Joseph Betar 47:18

Hold on, hold on. If we want a committee meeting on this, our summer session is close here. So do we want a meeting?

Joseph Betar 47:28

Hold on, hold on. We're going to call a committee meeting for—

Joseph Betar 47:32

July 1st, 5:00 to discuss these.

Joseph Betar 47:41

The fees, because I think our summer meetings are early July, then late August, so there's a gap there. Maybe we want to get this straightened out before, uh, before the summer because there's swimming pool rates and whatnot. That's what we're calling. Does this Is this read together with— hold on, so ordinance number 4 dated 2/25/26.

Joseph Betar 48:17

Wait, hold on, we're talking about two different things. We're talking about the next committee meeting, what it addresses first. So the next committee meeting is going to address ordinance number 4 committed 2/25/26 And below that, ordinance number 8, committed 2/25/26. We're going to pull out and vote on tonight resolution number 8, committed 2/4/26. That's Councilwoman Testa's class proclamation.

Joseph Betar 48:51

Really?

Joseph Betar 48:54

So we can do that, but the thing is with Ordinance number 4 and ordinance number 8, they take into consideration—

Joseph Betar 49:00

hold on— they contemplate the— wait, hold on— they contemplate the pool rates for the summer and the golf rates for the summer. So that's why those two are specifically important.

Joseph Betar 49:12

Well, I mean, we can, but I think the others are more important because they're going to affect fees for the summer and we're going to be out of session. Okay, hold on.

Joseph Betar 49:25

Let's move through this because we have a few minutes left. We want to get— hold on, Councilwoman. We want to get through all this.

Joseph Betar 49:36

All right, so we discussed that. We're going to have a committee meeting on ordinance number 4, ordinance number 8, both committed 2:25, 2:26. Next, battery storage, ordinance number 14, committed 2:25, 2:26. Corporation Counsel, is this one to be read together with ordinance 10 and 11 that that we discussed earlier, or is it separate? Yes.

Joseph Betar 49:55

All right, next introduction, uh, local law number 1 of 2026, committed 3:18. Yeah, hold on, come on, let's, let's finish this meeting, then we could figure everything else out. Hold on, hold on, let's finish this. We have 2 more to get through. Local law number 1 of 2026. I do want to amend the date that this becomes effective from April 1st, 2027 to January 1st, 2027. So there's time for people to apply by the March 1st deadline that's required by state law.

Joseph Betar 50:36

So I'm waiting on the assessor. I spoke with Dave today to verify the number of households that are projected to be affected.

Joseph Betar 51:00

So for, are we talking about the same one where at first there was an—

Joseph Betar 51:05

Okay, so let's, okay, coming up next.

Joseph Betar 51:16

Just want confirmation. Just want confirmation on the number of projected households to be affected by the raising income levels. Is there information you'd like from the assessor's office regarding resolution number 5? Say again, I'm sorry.

Joseph Betar 51:37

Okay. Anyone else?

Joseph Betar 51:39

Any other issues before we adjourn?

Joseph Betar 54:04

Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. So we only have a, we only have a, hold on, we have a few a few minutes left, so let's, let's be efficient. The question from Councilwoman Aiello to—

Joseph Betar 54:42

Councilwoman, could we do this? Can Corporation Counsel, before 2 weeks ago, can you explain the process of how someone—

Joseph Betar 54:50

Could you take us through that process just so we all understand it?

Joseph Betar 54:53

Before we passed this and overrode the veto.

Joseph Betar 55:27

So can I ask this about the past policy? You mentioned it could be approved by the Mayor or not. What were those criteria that would be considered?

Joseph Betar 1:00:08

Let's stay on track because—

Joseph Betar 15:25

We will call this meeting to order. This is a meeting of the Committee of the Whole. It's about 5:10 PM on February 4th. We're here to discuss Councilman Betrus's legislation that was put into committee, proposed ordinance number 7, date committed January 21st of this year. Councilman Betrus, you have the floor.

Joseph Betar 25:44

Anyone want to go around for any questions, anything?

Joseph Betar 25:59

Yep, thanks Marques and Joe for drafting this.

Joseph Betar 39:42

So historically speaking with the billboards, once a special use permit's granted, is that in perpetuity or is there a time limit to that once it's granted?

Joseph Betar 40:53

No, I think, uh, generally speaking, we should probably look at other municipalities in similar situated circumstances so we could talk about that.

Joseph Betar 44:44

Hold on a minute.

Joseph Betar 44:49

You guys, hold on, hold on. I, I get both, both arguments. I mean, we— you got to find a balance though of making it affordable so people actually go, because that would also close the ski, the ski lift in the area if it's too expensive. But then if it's too cheap and you're operating at a loss, I mean, it's the same scenario. So I think we have to research this further and find that sweet spot.

Joseph Betar 46:57

Hold on, hold on.

Joseph Betar 46:59

hold on, I was just going to say, piggyback on what Councilman Betrus mentioned, if we want to call a specific committee meeting for this topic, we can certainly do so. But right now, Councilwoman Wasielewski has the floor.

Joseph Betar 47:41

So I just want to— I think a special meeting for tomorrow would be up to the President. I think I think he's the only one who could call.

Joseph Betar 47:51

Thank you.

Joseph Betar 48:09

Well, that's fair too. I think in the past several weeks we've We've gotten memos from the administration seeking ski patrol volunteers and then— Yeah, I was talking to— Do we have a final list of if there's been any hires, any potential interviews?

Joseph Betar 49:33

Yeah, we'll need the President to call a special meeting. I think that's the 24-hour notice requirement.

Joseph Betar 49:46

We have to provide proper, proper notice if we're going to do it within a day.

Joseph Betar 50:39

Yes, Judge, go ahead.

Joseph Betar 57:14

No, Judge, thank you. And I think I think the point is well taken. Right now we have a few minutes until our pre-meeting gets started at 6:00, and we could further this discussion then along with the other legislation.

Joseph Betar 58:39

Thank you, Councilman Carcone.

Joseph Betar 59:38

If, uh, if no one has anything else, we could adjourn this meeting and take a few minutes before the pre-meeting begins.

Joseph Betar 59:47

All right, we're adjourned.

Joseph Betar 1:15:40

And I think, Ted, would you—

Joseph Betar 1:24:40

Joe? Yeah, just to follow up a bit from our discussion at the Committee meeting. So once a special use permit is granted, is there a renewal time down the line, or is it in perpetuity? Once it's granted, it's granted.

Joseph Betar 1:24:53

Okay. So, and I understand in this ordinance it does make mention of the fact that existing billboards are grandfathered in.

Joseph Betar 1:25:03

wouldn't it be best practice to put put that in the language of the code itself?

Joseph Betar 1:25:21

Okay, so it essentially says it's no longer— or strike that— billboard signs expressly prohibited, prohibited but for the signs already existence. That's within the code, the 2-2. Yes.

Joseph Betar 1:25:43

Okay, so what we're looking at now is whatever's locked in, if this is passed, that's it?

Joseph Betar 1:28:32

Just a quick question, do we know the exact date the moratorium runs?

Joseph Betar 1:49:22

Well, two questions. Um, first, I think we have to schedule a special meeting for the ski rates. I think that has to be 72 hours notice. Does Monday work?

Joseph Betar 1:49:39

Do we have a quorum that—

Joseph Betar 1:49:46

5:30 work?

Joseph Betar 1:53:01

Just, just those two housekeeping items again. So did we pin down a special meeting for Monday for the ski rates?

Joseph Betar 1:53:08

Do we say 6 o'clock?

Joseph Betar 1:53:11

Okay. And also, um, our budget meetings. So we recently received From our clerk, the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday dates— we have some members who are unavailable on Monday. Would everyone be okay with Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday? So you're just shifting, and we could put this in writing, just shifting that Monday meeting to Thursday. So we have Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. That would be police, fire, IT, purchasing, Civil Service, and Mayor moving from Monday to Thursday. Everything else stays the same. That's right.

Joseph Betar 1:53:49

Okay, same time. All right, all right.

Joseph Betar 2:53:19

Thank you, Mr. President. Um, just a couple, couple things as we, we approach, um, the month of February and March here. We received our audit, uh, copies our here recently as a council and members of the public listening. We of course have our budget meetings coming up later this month, and I think February and March are certainly our busiest as far as the finances of the, the city go. So I encourage members of the public to continue to attend, continue to stream YouTube, and continue to reach out to the council members with any questions you have as we make our way through the budget so we can incorporate that into our, into our questions. Other than that, thank you, Mr. President.

Joseph Betar 3:04:06

Yeah.

Joseph Betar 3:10:50

We're meeting on Monday with a special meeting already.

Joseph Betar 3:11:02

But we're meeting at 6 o'clock that day, so that might—

Joseph Betar 3:11:32

Well, hold on, our first budget meetings are at the end of February, but we want to make sure we give Bonadio enough notice here. You think they're going to be able to come by Monday?

Joseph Betar 3:11:43

No, no, no, well, you're talking about meeting on Monday, huh?

Joseph Betar 3:11:57

Can you wait a minute to schedule them? Yeah. Oh, okay. We have a special meeting on Monday, this coming Monday that we're talking about.

Joseph Betar 34:55

Thank you, Councilman Betrus. Thank you, Marques, for putting this together. I will say, in South Utica, in the Third Ward, I have gotten calls about this over the years, uh, Proctor Boulevard, also off Sunnyside, regarding commercial vehicles. So we, we do see it in the Third. Um, I suppose if, if anyone does want to have to have a committee meeting on this. I know, Joe, you want to address this before we're faced with the budget here, so I would recommend the first meeting in February if anyone feels compelled to have a committee meeting.

Joseph Betar 41:20

Yeah, thanks. So the way this, uh, came up with, with Marcus, I think I reached out to you last week. We had a resident reach out and this issue was, uh, right along Oneida, and you and I had a conversation and you mentioned something was in the works for this. So, you know, we do see this come up, um, in South Utica as well. So anything that, you know, we're able to move toward enforcement.

Joseph Betar 53:06

Yeah, thank you for coming, uh, with those statistics. Um, they're unfortunate statistics, but ones that, you know, I wasn't, uh, wasn't aware of. So as we continue this conversation, hopefully we can remain in touch and move forward in the right direction.

Joseph Betar 1:38:38

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to echo what the other council members and Thank you everyone for who's coming, who came tonight, and our guest speaker, and all those who participated in public comment. It's appreciated to, to hear everyone's perspective. Just a piece on the legislation we received regarding the AIM funding. I know we didn't have an opportunity to speak about it in pre-meeting. Me, from a personal perspective, certainly on board with it. I would like to see a, a statement from our Comptroller's Office confirming the figures. There's a lot of figures in that document related to inflation percentages and other numbers that I think we should at least have a statement from the Comptroller's Office before we pass. So with that said, thank you, Mr. President, and thank you everyone again.

Joseph Betar 1:46:45

Commit.

Joseph Betar 1:49:32

Okay. Yep. So, uh, so if it works with everyone, committee meeting February 4th, 5 PM, to discuss the following: local law number 3 of 2025. It was submitted, uh, or committed rather, on 11/5/25, the 311 notification legislation. Ordinance number 7 from tonight and resolution number 8 from tonight as well. Those will be the, the 3 pieces. What time was that meeting discussion? 5 PM.

Joseph Betar 1:50:10

So if you want to do it earlier on that same day or, uh, a different day, I mean, who, who would be able to be—

Joseph Betar 1:50:54

Yeah, Councilwoman Testa, would you, would you want to check with each department or—

Joseph Betar 1:51:10

Do we have a quorum for that availability on the 28th or 5 o'clock.

Joseph Betar 1:51:47

Corporation Counsel feels comfortable speaking on that now, or would like to leave it to you?

Joseph Betar 1:52:56

Is, is it's been laid on the table for quite a while, so I mean, people are comfortable with pulling it.

Joseph Betar 12:48

So last session we also ran into the sponsorship where a department submitted a piece of legislation and it would state sponsored by majority or minority leader. I just recommended a disclaimer with the statement. This is Section 3-2-56. With the disclaimer, co-sponsorship of this proposed legislation does not necessarily mean the majority and minority leaders support this piece. Rather, their sponsorship is a requirement of Section 3-2-56(b) and another section as well. So that's the second change, just to note.

Joseph Betar 13:54

Yeah, we could open this up. Has it been introduced? Motion and seconded, just so we could talk about it.

Joseph Betar 14:05

Okay, motion to introduce what's been designated as resolution number 2.

Joseph Betar 14:09

Now we could open.

Joseph Betar 14:19

Second.

Joseph Betar 17:17

Yes.

Joseph Betar 18:53

I have nothing for now, Mr. President. Just, um, you can move on to the other council members if they have any questions.

Joseph Betar 20:23

Yeah, number—

Joseph Betar 20:56

Yeah, if I may, so the resolution number 5, what I have in front of me as well, has the standing committees, bottom of page 2, top of page 3. So our rules of order from the previous term didn't have standing committees, just the Committee of the Whole. I believe this copy was submitted the beginning of 2024, the beginning of our last term, correct, along with the proposal for Committee of the Whole. So I'm looking at this now, as far as I can tell, resolution number 5 isn't what the council adopted during its last term.

Joseph Betar 34:37

Joe, 5 o'clock committee meeting, or—

Joseph Betar 34:42

Sure, does that work for everyone? 5 works for 5 on Wednesday.