FULTON – On February 6, the Fulton City Common Council opened its meeting with a full council in attendance and a proposed change in procedure.
The change impacts the public comment period, splitting it into two. The one to start meetings will allow residents to speak on items from the agenda, while the second will be held at the end of common council meetings for topics not related to the agenda. The changes also require public speakers to sign up ahead of time, similar to what is done at the City of Oswego Common Council meetings.
During the vote on this resolution two councilors, Jeffery Cobb and Audrey Avery, voted not to change the public comment period procedure. Despite this, the resolution was passed.
During the final public comment period, Dave Mankiewicz brought some concerns of his own to the table regarding the changes to the public comment period. He was worried that due to having to sign up to speak ahead of time, people would not be able to respond if a previous public speaker talks about them. Both Cobb and Avery motioned to discuss this aspect further.
All other resolutions, No. 2 through No. 9, passed. At the meeting there were three speakers during the public comment period, Oswego County Legislator Frank Castiglia, Jim Farfaglia of the Fulton Garden Club and David Phares who spoke about the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI).
Castiglia suggested to the council that it invite Heather Snow of the Office of Mobility Management to explain the Transit Software Oswego County is implementing. He also shared his desires for a public hearing with regards to Sharp’s Pond and Lake Neatahwanta. In 2020, Sharp’s Pond was decommissioned, the dam was removed and it returned to its natural form, a creek. One year prior, Fulton community members discussed their concerns with the pond and what they felt should be done with it.
Farfaglia talked about the accomplishments around the city by the Fulton Garden Club. The group is composed of 35 volunteers and formed as part of the Revitalize Fulton Initiative. It has worked on projects such as Fulton’s welcome signs, cleaning up Lake Neatahwanta, living history tours and the city’s plan for Recreation Park. Farfaglia welcomed anyone interested in joining the club to contact him via email at [email protected]
Phares spoke strongly of the need for the public to get more information regarding the DRI Grants. Councilman Don Patrick, who leads the DRI committee, shared that the council is still working to obtain information regarding all of the DRI projects. Patrick said he plans to publish a monthly report on the progress through local and social media.
The council representing all six wards passed the following resolutions:
- Resolved to amend the Common Council Standing Rules of Order.
- Resolved to approve the minutes from the January 16, 2024 Council Meeting.
- Resolved to approve the Clerk’s report from January 2024.
- Resolved to appoint Brittney Jerred and Jessica Mills as Commissioners of Deeds.
- Resolved to reappoint Ronald Patrick, Wayne Kirby, and Catherine Trowbridge to the Planning Commission.
- Notation to appoint Nicole Metcalf as Secretary to the Electrical Board.
- Resolved to approve the Mayor to sign documents related to the DASNY Grant.
- Resolved to authorize the City Clerk/Chamberlain to establish a Capital account.
- Resolved to authorize the City Clerk/Chamberlain to consult with Fiscal Advisors to secure funding for the Emery St over Waterhouse Creek Culvert replacement project.
All Fulton Common Council meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be held on February 20. To view the February 6 agenda, please click here.
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