Rocco Giruzzi · Utica Common Council Records

Activity over time

January 2, 2026 June 17, 2026

Talks most about

state 28 agreement 25 ordinance 25 provided 20 copy 19 district 18 board 18 speaker 15 name 14 francis 14 committee 14 funding 14 street 13 property 13

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 25m 36s speaking 12% of speaking time 124 remarks

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

February 4, 2026 8m 59s speaking 7% of speaking time 67 remarks

Common Council Meeting January 21st, 2026

January 21, 2026 14m 40s speaking 16% of speaking time 64 remarks

Common Council Meeting January 2nd, 2026

January 2, 2026 9m 59s speaking 43% of speaking time 108 remarks

Frequent dialogue partners

Immediate transcript handoffs around Rocco Giruzzi: who speaks next, and who Rocco Giruzzi answers.

They reply Rocco Giruzzi replies

Samantha Colosimo-Testa 120 handoffs · 4 meetings 57 / 63 balanced Katie Aiello 73 handoffs · 4 meetings 38 / 35 balanced Jack LoMedico 68 handoffs · 4 meetings 34 / 34 balanced Joseph Betar 54 handoffs · 4 meetings 29 / 25 balanced Joseph Betrus, Jr. 48 handoffs · 4 meetings 23 / 25 balanced Stephanie DiGiorgio 22 handoffs · 3 meetings 11 / 11 balanced Frank Carcone 19 handoffs · 2 meetings 10 / 9 balanced Melissa Sciortino 17 handoffs · 1 meeting 9 / 8 balanced

What they said

Rocco Giruzzi 15:10

The question is though, who's going to be the person that's going to go in their backyards and say this is dangerous? Well—

Rocco Giruzzi 21:52

Are you just seeing what Rome did and you thought this was an idea?

Rocco Giruzzi 22:52

Number one, we can't do it.

Rocco Giruzzi 22:55

If we're going around cutting people's backyards, we're never going to cut the trees.

Rocco Giruzzi 26:08

And one other thing, if you decide to do this tree thing, it's going to go into where we put snow on somebody's lawn, we're going to—

Rocco Giruzzi 35:22

You're not going to go into tree business and then you got a great job.

Rocco Giruzzi 37:04

I'm not—

Rocco Giruzzi 1:24:49

I would expect that you're going to bring a bunch of people here.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:04:14

Come to order. The City Clerk will call the roll.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:04:28

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for the deceased members of the Common Council. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Is there a motion and a second to dispense the reading of minutes from the previous meeting?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:05:05

Okay, we have a motion and a second to waive the rules for a proclamation.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:05:12

Councilwoman Betrus, um, we have a motion and a second to introduce proposed resolution Resolution number 10.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:05:22

Yep. Councilman Betrus.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:09:25

Councilmembers, votes please.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:10:26

Public comment period allows 3 minutes per speaker, so we have a lot of speakers tonight, so maybe we'll do it in a block. Um, Timmy Julian, you want to start it off?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:10:46

Um, Tim, who's in your block?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:10:54

yeah, Common Council has provided you a copy of Section 3244 public comment period Are you in agreement?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:11:00

Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:13:23

Tom Allard. Hi, Tom. Common Council's provided you a copy of Section 3244, public comment period. Are you in agreement?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:13:50

Thank you, Tom.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:18:21

No, thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:18:23

Thank you, Tom.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:18:29

Next speaker, Gary Heenan.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:20:25

Anyone here with the good cause? Jack Santa Croce. Jack, you want to speak? Yeah, Jack Santa Cruz is up.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:22:09

Mm-hmm.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:24:29

Thank you, Jack.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:24:45

You got more. Just state your name, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:24:54

You can come up, speak. I'll let a couple people speak. How much time do we have? 3, 4 minutes. State your name, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:25:17

okay, I'm in charge. I'm in charge of the meeting.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:25:25

You can come up. 3, 4 people can speak. They've had 3, 4 people. 3, 4 minutes.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:25:31

State your name, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:26:52

Thank you. Please state your name.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:28:42

Thank you. Please state your name.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:30:56

Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:31:11

State your name, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:33:49

Please state your name.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:36:51

You're going to have to finish.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:37:52

That's it. Next speaker will be Ron Vincent, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:38:10

Ron, the Common Council provided you a copy of Section 3244 public commentary. Are you in agreement?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:41:43

Is there a Sherman Stein? Sherman, the Common Council has provided you a copy of Section 3244 public comment period. Are you in agreement?

Rocco Giruzzi 46:54

so you could, you could go ahead.

Rocco Giruzzi 53:33

we do have all three hills now, Joe.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:49:46

5:30?

Rocco Giruzzi 1:53:47

Good.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:07:28

Come to order. The City Clerk will call the roll.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:07:43

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for the deceased members of the Common Council.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:08:16

Is there a motion and a second to dispense the reading of minutes from the previous meeting?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:08:28

Public comment period allows 3 minutes per speaker. Our first speaker is Francis Brown.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:08:50

Yeah, Francis likes to go second. Kamel, um, Faraday? Yeah, Faraday. Okay, Kamel, uh, Common Council will provide you a copy of Section 3:44 public comment period. Are you in agreement?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:10:51

Thank you. Okay, our next speaker, Francis Brown. Francis, Common Council's provided you a copy of Section 3244 public comment period. Are you in agreement?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:14:33

Thank you, Francis.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:15:15

Do a vote, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:15:36

There's no Common Council guest speaker, no communication from the mayor. Report of city officers. We'll start with Fire Chief Ingersoll.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:19:12

Correct.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:20:04

I need a second.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:50:11

to start the meeting.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:50:14

Okay, we'll go back to city officers.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:50:53

Thank you, Commissioner. Um, our DPW Commissioner Mark Sokolowski.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:51:15

Thank you. Deputy Police Chief Ed Noonan.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:52:01

Brian Thomas, urban renewal. Nothing to report. Thank you. Stephanie DiGiorgio, Corporation Assistant Council?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:52:14

There's no cash report. Petitions from our Assistant Appeals, we'll start with First District Councilmember Katie Aiello.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:52:34

Thank you. Second District Council Councilmember Robert Burmaster.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:53:01

That's smart.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:53:11

Yep, thank you. Third District Councilmember, President Pro Temp, and Committee of the Whole, Joseph Betar.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:53:58

Fourth District Councilmember Frank Carcone.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:54:22

5th District Councilmember Venice Ervin.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:55:02

Thank you, Councilmember. 6th District Councilmember Joseph Betrus.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:55:08

Councilor-at-large Heather Wasielewski.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:55:12

Thanks, Mr. President. Councilmember and Minority Leader Samantha Colosimo-Testa.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:58:08

Councilmember-at-large and Majority Leader Jacqueline Mattacall.

Rocco Giruzzi 2:59:26

Thank you, Councilmember. Can I have a motion, a second to introduce proposed ordinance number 1?

Rocco Giruzzi 2:59:35

Yep. Be it ordained that the Comptroller for the City of Utica is hereby authorized and directed to make the following transfers of funds: A53-123-105 Police Unused Sick, $20,000, to A59-089-805 Unpaid employment benefits, $20,000. Can I have your votes, please?

Rocco Giruzzi 3:00:09

Okay, have a motion, a second to introduce proposed ordinance number 2.

Rocco Giruzzi 3:00:14

Thank you. Ordinance waiving residency requirement for position of laborer Whereas the city has scheduled multiple interviews for the laborer and individuals either do not show up or they do not meet qualifications. We are looking for individuals that are eager, eager to learn and willing to work the night shift. Whereas Mr. Britton would be an asset to the department as he is very eager to learn and ambitious. Whereas the individual currently resides in Little Falls. Whereas Mr. Mr. Britton would like to continue to reside outside the city limits. Whereas 2.045(b) of the Utica Charter authorizes the Common Council by ordinance to waive the residence requirement in certain situations. Now it be ordained, pursuant to 2.045(b) of the Utica City Charter, and for the reasons cited above, the Common Council Council of the City of Utica hereby waives the residency requirement provided for therein to permit the appointment of Michael Britton of Burt Road, Little Falls, 13365, to the position of DPW laborer in the City of Utica. Further ordain that this waiver applies to the individual in this position only and will not be applicable to any future applicants for the position unless otherwise determined by the ordinance of the Common Council. Can we have your votes, please?

Rocco Giruzzi 3:02:35

Proposed ordinance number 3, can I have a motion and a second? Motion.

Rocco Giruzzi 3:02:41

Anyone opposed?

Rocco Giruzzi 3:03:09

Motion and second, uh, for proposed ordinance number 4.

Rocco Giruzzi 3:03:14

Okay, anyone opposed?

Rocco Giruzzi 3:03:19

Motion and second to introduce proposed ordinance number 5.

Rocco Giruzzi 3:03:25

Second. Be it ordained that the Comptroller for the City of Utica is hereby authorized and directed to make the following transfers of funds: demo contractor services, $33,700. Your votes, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 21:27

Oh, it's, it's the same areas.

Rocco Giruzzi 57:49

It also just falls under Oneida County.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:07:22

This meeting will come to order.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:07:35

The City Clerk will call the roll.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:07:50

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for the deceased members of the Common Council. A special moment of silence for Joan Scalise, who to this day is the only female Comptroller. Joan also served on the Common Council for many years. Her dedication to the city will not be forgotten.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:08:42

Is there a motion and a second to dispense the reading of minutes from the previous meeting?

Rocco Giruzzi 1:08:51

Public comment period allows 3 minutes per speaker. Our first speaker is Carolyn McLeese.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:09:17

Carolyn, the Common Council has provided you a copy of Section 3244, public comment period. Are you Agreement? in Yes. Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:10:13

Thank you, Carolyn. Our next speaker, Shania, uh, how do you pronounce the last name? Shaina Dallin. Shaina, the Common Council has provided you a copy of Section 3244 public comment period. Are you in agreement?

Rocco Giruzzi 1:10:44

Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:13:55

Thank you. Don Laguerre. Hi, Dawn. Common Council has provided you a copy of Section 3244 public comment period. Yes, sir. Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:18:37

Thank you. Carol Gable. Carol, Common Council has provided you a copy of Section 3244 public comment period. Are you in agreement?

Rocco Giruzzi 1:18:59

Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:20:02

Miranda Hoffelt. Miranda, the Common Council has provided you a copy of Section 3244, public comment period. Are you in agreement? Yes. Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:23:16

You're going to have to finish up, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:23:31

Our next speaker, Clara O'Brien. Clara, Common Council has provided you a copy of Section 3244, public comment period. Are you in agreement?

Rocco Giruzzi 1:25:52

Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:25:56

Francis Brownfield. Francis, Common Council provided you a copy of Section 3 2:44 public comment period. Are you in agreement? Yes, sir. Thank you, Francis.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:29:32

Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:29:36

There's, uh, no Common Council guest speaker. We do have community communication from the mayor, uh, at proposed resolution number 11. The mayor's writing to request your support and adoption of the attached resolution calling on the state of New York to permanently adjust aid and incentives for municipalities' funding to reflect inflation, state budget growth, and the needs of our local property taxpayers. AIM was designed as structural funding, is unrestricted state revenue sharing that helps cities fund everyday operations and essential services. Because AIM has remained flat for years, it has become disconnected from real costs and from the financial reality municipalities are expected to manage. New York State has demonstrated it can respond to inflation. The state funded over $2 billion in one-time inflation relief payments to individuals and households. This resolution is not some asking for more money. It's asking to restore equitable revenue sharing and to rebuild a balanced municipal funding structure that has eroded over time. The state-level fix is modest in the context of the overall budget. I'm requesting that the council adopt this resolution so we can present, present a united front through our state delegation. Thank you for your consideration and for continuing to work as we advocate for the funding structure that better reflects the reality cities are being asked to manage. So you guys want to vote on this tonight or put it in committee?

Rocco Giruzzi 1:31:14

Yeah, when we get to that, we'll put it in committee.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:31:19

Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:31:20

Report of City Officers. Start with, uh, Katie Aiello, first board. I mean, oh, excuse me, Marques Phillips. I know, Commissioner of Codes.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:34:06

Our DPW Commissioner Mark Sokolowski.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:34:36

Thank you. Deputy Fire Chief Noon.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:35:44

Thank you. Deputy Police Chief Ed Noonan.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:37:03

Thank you. Stephanie DiGiorgio, Corporation Counsel.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:37:12

Do have a cash report.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:37:29

Petitions, remonstrances, and appeals. We'll start with First Ward, Katie Aiello.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:37:51

Thank you. Second District Councilmember Robert Burmaster.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:38:31

Thank you, Robert. Third District Councilmember, President Pro Temp, and Committee of the Whole Chair Joseph Betar.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:39:22

Thank you, Councilmember. Fourth District Councilmember Frank Carcone.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:39:49

Thank you. 6th District Councilmember Joseph Betrus.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:40:44

Thank you, Councilmember.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:41:10

So thank you. Councilmember-at-large, minority leader Samantha Colosimo-Testa.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:41:20

Councilmember-at-large and Majority Leader Jack LoMedico.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:42:03

Can I have a motion, a second to introduce proposed resolution number 1?

Rocco Giruzzi 1:42:11

Thank you. Board of Assessment Review appointment. Be it resolved that pursuant to Section 523 of the Real Property Tax Law, the following person is hereby appointed as a member of the Board of Assessment Review for the current 5-year term, which commenced on October 1st, 2025 and ends on September 30th, 2030. Eugene Sakola, no, Sakola, 31 Bonnie Prey, Utica, New York, 13501. Your votes, please, to introduce proposed resolution number 2.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:42:49

Handicap parking sign required. Be it ordained that Section 216.378, Schedule W, handicap parking locations of the Utica City Code be amended to include the following: to place one handicap parking sign in front of 185 Genesee Street at Adirondack Bank Center, be it further ordained that the proper signage be erected where necessary. Your votes, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 1:43:26

We have a motion and a second to introduce proposed resolution number 3.

Rocco Giruzzi 4:50

This meeting will come to order.

Rocco Giruzzi 4:52

Oh, there he is. Okay, go ahead.

Rocco Giruzzi 4:59

This meeting will come to order.

Rocco Giruzzi 5:02

The City Clerk will call the roll.

Rocco Giruzzi 5:11

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for the deceased members of the Common Council.

Rocco Giruzzi 5:17

Tonight's meeting is to discuss the organizational meeting.

Rocco Giruzzi 5:45

Order of business will be as follows: appointment of City Clerk, appointment of special counsel attorney, President Pro Temp, majority and minority leaders, rules of order, official newspaper, chair of Committee of the Whole, Board of E&A, Board of Contract and Supply, Urban Renewal Agency.

Rocco Giruzzi 6:10

Can I have a motion and a second to introduce proposed resolution number 1?

Rocco Giruzzi 6:16

Second.

Rocco Giruzzi 6:18

Okay, City Clerk 2026-2027, be it resolved that Melissa Sciortino—

Rocco Giruzzi 6:33

I beat you to the punch.

Rocco Giruzzi 6:38

And here is hereby chosen and elected as City Clerk of the City of Utica, New York, pursuant to the provisions of Section 32 of the Second Class Cities Laws, for the ensuing 2 years. Every vote, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 7:02

No worries.

Rocco Giruzzi 7:04

Can I have a motion and a second to introduce proposed resolution number 2?

Rocco Giruzzi 7:09

Motion.

Rocco Giruzzi 7:10

Thank you. Yeah, majority and minority leader, Common Council Attorney 2026-2027.

Rocco Giruzzi 7:20

Second.

Rocco Giruzzi 7:22

Okay, be it resolved that the Common Council of the City of Utica, New York, does hereby retain Anthony Garramone as Council Attorney for the period of January 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2027.

Rocco Giruzzi 7:41

Guys, uh, what will the fee be?

Rocco Giruzzi 7:53

Yeah. Further resolved that said attorney shall receive the current fee to be paid biweekly. The county council attorney is not an employee of the City of Utica and does not request, nor shall they receive, any benefits for retirement, medical, or health. The council attorney should be responsible for their own deductions for taxation and attorney registration fees. Can I have your votes, please?

Rocco Giruzzi 8:25

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

Rocco Giruzzi 8:26

Thank you.

Rocco Giruzzi 8:29

We have a motion and a second to introduce proposed resolution number 3.

Rocco Giruzzi 8:36

Thank you. Majority and minority leader, President Pro Temp 2026-2027.

Rocco Giruzzi 8:48

Second. Be it resolved that Joseph Betar be and is hereby elected President Pro Temp of the Common Council of the City of Utica, New York, for the ensuing 2 years. Your votes, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 9:12

We have a motion and a second for proposed resolution number 4.

Rocco Giruzzi 9:18

Motion.

Rocco Giruzzi 9:55

Yeah, if they agree.

Rocco Giruzzi 9:58

Thanks.

Rocco Giruzzi 9:58

So we have a Majority Leader.

Rocco Giruzzi 10:29

Yeah, be it resolved that the Common Council of the City of Utica, New York, acknowledge Jack LoMedico as Majority Leader and Samantha Colosimo-Testa as Minority Leader for the ensuing 2 years.

Rocco Giruzzi 10:40

Your votes, please.

Rocco Giruzzi 10:55

Do you have a motion and a second to introduce proposed resolution number 5?

Rocco Giruzzi 11:02

Motion.

Rocco Giruzzi 11:05

Thank you. Rules of order, be resolved that the Common Council of the City of Utica, New York, does now hereby approve Chapter 3-2 Administration, Article 2 Common Council Division 2, rules of order.

Rocco Giruzzi 11:36

Committee of the Whole.

Rocco Giruzzi 11:56

Rocco Giruzzi 11:58

Rocco Giruzzi 12:45

Rocco Giruzzi 13:30