May 2023 Committee Update
May was a busy month at the Onondaga County Legislature, with Republican Legislators once again leading the way in making our community a better place to live.
The County Facilities committee, led by Chairperson Debra Cody (5th District), had a great discussion regarding the county’s acquisition of land at 439 and 451 Solar Street in the City of Syracuse. This area is the preferred location on which a public aquarium would be constructed and operated. The property is currently owned by COR Solar Street II Company, LLC and COR Solar Street IV Company, LLC who have agreed to sell the property to the County for the amount of $1,713,000.00.
“It’s important to note this is no new money we’re approving today, it’s just the acquisition of land through what we’ve already approved” Chairperson Cody said at the meeting.
Onondaga County Attorney Benjamin Yaus shared specifics of a comprehensive State Environmental Quality Review Act review, commonly called SEQRA. “We’re building really upon many prior reviews here” he said to Legislators. “As you know, Oil City was across from there. This is not a remedial site but there are concerns in this area generally and we are going to abide by DEC standards for any soil removal and testing to determine where it goes.”
Yaus said a traffic study was also completed and current roadways are sufficient for increased traffic and there are no concerns from the city or state at this time.
Committee member Colleen Gunnip (4th District) asked Mr. Yaus, “Are there existing sewers there at the site?”
Mr. Yaus responded, “Yes, county owned sewers” and added they were recently enhanced and slip lined so they are ready to go.
Commissioner Archie Wixson from Onondaga County’s Department of Facilities Management also took part in the discussion.
The committee advanced the resolution to the Ways & Means Committee, as well as a number of transportation related resolutions, including:
Making funds available for use in connection with the New York State Pave-Our-Potholes (POP) Program and the New York State Pave-NY Program
To accept Extreme Winter Recovery funding and additional CHIPS funding from the New York State Department of Transportation
Funding for projects on Old Liverpool Road, Onondaga Boulevard and Teall Avenue
The transfer of an unused portion of County Road 221 in the Town of Geddes to 1200 State Fair Blvd., LLC in consideration of $20,000
“We are in a position this year in our work plan we’re not asking for bonding” Onondaga County’s Commissioner of Transportation Martin Voss told committee members. “We’re going to use cash as was budgeted in the budget you passed in the fall. So, we are going to be able to accomplish both our paving program and our federal aid projects this year without borrowing.”
Members of the Environmental Protection committee, which is led by Chairperson Julie Abbott (6th District), also had some informative discussions during their meeting. One topic was the acceptance of grant funds to assist with the digital mapping of every catch basin and pipe within the CNY Storm Water Coalition area.
Onondaga County is receiving $396,000 from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant Program for the Protection and Restoration of Water.
Chairperson Abbott asked how long the mapping will take to be completed.
“That’s a good question” answered Mr. McKeon. “A three year contract would be ideal. I think over three summers we should be able to do it.”
The resolution was advanced to the Ways & Means Committee, as were several from the Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection related to work in the Onondaga County Sanitary District:
Phase I of the Ley Creek/Liverpool Force Mains Replacement/Rehabilitation Project and authorization of $25,000,000 in bond funding
The Clarifier and Gallery Asset Renewal Project at Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant and authorization of $69,000,000 in bond funding
Mr. McKeon also shared details with the committee regarding watershed planning in Central New York. Basically, it's a plan allowing all interested parties the opportunity to work together to determine which projects to pursue and which grants they can apply for.
There was also a discussion of 9 Element plans, as required by New York State and covering two bodies of water with Onondaga County: Skaneateles Lake and Otisco Lake.
The Planning & Economic Development committee also had an informational presentation. Katelyn Wright, Executive Director of the Greater Syracuse Land Bank, shared details about what they’re doing in our community.
The agency takes over abandoned properties and either demolishes them or starts the improvement process. Currently, they have about 900 properties in their inventory, 500-600 of which are vacant lots.
Ms. Wright adds that the current housing market and so few homes for sale has forced more local buyers to consider purchasing a Land Bank home, but she says the condition of many creates a challenge for them.
“Year after year, it looks like you have less demolition candidates than you’ve had in the past” says Committee Chairperson Timothy Burtis (3rd District). “Is that true? How is that holding up?”
Ms. Wright responded, “We did a record number of demolitions last year, 94 in one calendar year, and that was largely because of the financial support we got from the city with the ARPA funds.”
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE LAND BANK'S WEBSITE.
The Committee also heard from Onondaga County’s Director of Community Development, Martin Skahen, who shared details about the 2023 Action Plan for entitlement grants totaling $3,267,206.
Entitlement grants are non-competitive grants received from Housing and Urban Development based on various economic and population factors, and are received in 3 forms: Community Development Block Grants, Home Grant, and Emergency Solutions Grant.
You can see above that Onondaga County and the Town of Clay are separate. This is because Clay is large enough to apply for and receive their own entitlement grants.
This resolution was advanced to the Ways & Means Committee, as was one which would amend Onondaga County’s Charter and Administrative Code to establish a county Department of Planning. For years, Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse have had a joint planning department, but recently, Mayor Walsh suggested the two separate.
“For the most part it’s a clean break” Director Dan Kwasnowski of the Syracuse/Onondaga County Planning Agency said while addressing the committee. “I think its actually really good for the city because they do have have a lot of technological goals and kind of stream lining of processes and accounting for things that I think is really interesting and really could be a leading example of what modern communities can do as far as development processes and approvals.”
Mr. Kwasnowski says they will continue to work with and assist the City with planning as needed.
Committee member David Knapp (12th District) asked, “So just from a payroll standpoint, so July 1st what is ours is ours and what’s the cities is the cities. There’s no more reimbursement for salaries or anything like that?”
Mr. Kwasnowski confirmed the answer to that question is yes.
At the Ways & Means Committee this month, all the above resolutions which came before the committee were advanced to June Session.
The committee also advanced the adoption of the annual budget for Onondaga Community College for the Fiscal Year September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024. The proposed budget totals $61,630,855 and the college is not asking for any increase in support from Onondaga County.
OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton shared details about it at a special meeting with Legislators earlier in May. He said salary, wages and benefits remain their highest expense. A voluntary early retirement incentive recently offered was taken by 28 full and part time regular faculty, which Dr. Hilton says will result in “a significant cost savings on an annual basis moving forward.”
“There’s no increase in operating expenses, lots of evidence of good adjustments and adaptations to market and conditions and trends that OCC has experienced over the past few years, and we have a responsible budget in front of us that doesn’t amount to increased costs to taxpayers” says Committee Chairperson Brian May (1st District).
The number of degree programs OCC offers continue to increase, and tuition is proposed to go up just slightly – $50/semester or $4/credit hour - much smaller amounts than at most other higher learning institutions around the state and country. Both should help make OCC more attractive to prospective students and hopefully help boost dwindling enrollment numbers.
Following his presentation, Dr. Hilton explained how in this day in age, OCC can present a budget with no increase in operating expenses.
“I give credit to our staff and faculty for continuing to make our education at OCC affordable and using taxpayers’ dollars wisely” Dr. Hilton said. “We’ll continue to do that and we’ll continue to build out academic programs that meet the needs of our community and help us to increase our enrollment.”
OCC's proposed budget will be voted on during June Session, scheduled for June 6.