OSWEGO, NY – The Oswego Common Council zipped through a relatively light agenda Monday night.
Mayor Randy Bateman and Sixth Ward Councilor Bill Sharkey were absent. The meeting was presided over by Council President Ron Kaplewicz.
The council authorized the mayor to sign a five-year sewer use agreement with SUNY Oswego.
The former deal expired June 30, 2010. The new contract is effective July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2015.
The agreement sets a starting rate of $7.90 per 1,000 gallons for the first year. It then increases 3 percent per year for each year after.
The college also agreed to pay its percentage share of the cost of the upgrade of the city’s westside wastewater treatment plant.
Councilors rescinded Resolution 322 of Aug. 9, 2010 – new fee schedule for the Crisafulli and Cullinan ice skating rinks.
At last week’s committee meetings, Mike Smith, DPW commissioner, requested discussion regarding setting new ice rental rates at the Crisafulli and Cullinan ice rinks for Oswego Minor Hockey Association and Oswego Figure Skating Club activities for September 2011 through March 2014 at $115 per hour and at $100 per hour for four tournaments each year sponsored by OMHA and one skating competition sponsored by OFSC.
The council approved establishing the new rates for the organizations.
The city and representatives from each group have agreed to meet each year, prior to April 30, to discuss areas of mutual concern.
Councilors also approved a new fee schedule for use of the rinks by the public as well as for events which are held by for-profit organizations, companies, associations etc.
Harbor Festivals was granted an exception of the open container ordinance for the upcoming Harborfest.
Tom Van Schaack, executive director of Oswego Harbor Festivals, requested permission to allow Harborfest to have a beer and wine garden in Washington Square (East) Park during the festival, July 29 – 31.
It will be a fenced-in area operated by Oswego Harbor Festivals where no alcohol will be brought in or taken out, he explained.
They are seeking a variance of the city’s open container ordinance just for that specific area.
The hours would be 3 to 11:30 p.m. on Friday, 3 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 3 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Oswego Harbor Festivals will supply sufficient security and will control access and egress, he said. And, everyone who gains access will be subject to ID and wrist-banding, he added.
And the council granted an exception to the noise ordinance to Don Wahrendorf, owner of The Sting, located at 49-51 W. Bridge St., on Friday and Saturday during Harborfest.
The hours would be from 10 p.m. July 29 to 2 a.m. July 30, 5-9 p.m. July 30 and 10 p.m. July 30 to 2 a.m. July 31.
Atom Avery’s request to use public space was also approved.
The owner of a multiple-family dwelling at 96 W. Oneida St. wants to install two new parking spaces in public space located between the sidewalk and the building on the West Eighth Street side of the property. Two on the other side of the property would be returned to green space.
Third Ward Councilor Cathy Santos and First Ward Councilor Connie Cosemento both spoke in support of Avery; they pointed out he is taking a troubled property and improving it.
They also OK’d a request to use public space by Christopher Risavi and Lakshman Prasad.
The owners of 73 W. Bridge St. want to install two new parking spaces between the sidewalk and the property line, fronting West Fifth Street.
Councilors also approved use of the Crisafulli Skating Rink by Squared Circle Wrestling for an event to be held Sept. 16.
The council approved a request by Linda Goodness, member of the Springboard Mural Project Committee, requested use of public space for the installation of the fourth series of murals to be placed on the Oswego Riverwalk West.
The committee is made up of local artists, representatives from the city, the City-County Youth Bureau, Oswego County Opportunities, the Oswego Arts Collaboration and the YMCA.
The council approved the low bid from Solar Liberty ($189,696) for a turnkey installation of a 50 Kw solar panel system for the Crisafulli Rink. And, the mayor was authorized to execute all documents necessary for the project.
The city received an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from NYSERDA in the amount of $283,425.
The city is required to contribute an additional $14,917 for a total project cost of $298,342.
NYSERDA will consider allowing the contractor to install an additional smaller solar panel system to fully utilize the funding provided in the grant.
Among the other resolutions approved by the council were:
- Selling the decommissioned incinerator from the Animal Control Shelter on Auctions International.
- Attendance by Sue Deary, assessor, at two one-day courses. Sustainable Housing & Building Green will be held June 21 and Real Estate Contracts will be held June 22 at the Professional Career Center Inc. in Syracuse.
- The purchase of a used 2002 Ford E 350 7.3 Diesel, ambulance with 15,913 miles for $12,000 from Four Town First Aid Squad, Moravia.
- And, the demolition of the rear of the dwelling and clean up the rear yard of 14 Walter St. The owners have turned control of the property over to the city.
