OSWEGO – The proposed Social District in downtown Oswego is a go for this summer, the newly revised city law passed by a margin of 6-1 during last night’s Common Council meeting, Monday, April 11.
The new law will now allow social drinking using specified cups from restaurants and bars in identified areas of downtown during the summer months – the effort supporting local businesses while drawing more people into the downtown area. No open containers or bottles of any kind will be allowed.
Two revisions were made during last week’s committee meeting – a map modification excluding the residential areas between the corners of Second Street and Cayuga Street, heading north towards the corners of Second Street and Schuyler Street. Hours will also run from noon to 10 p.m. instead of noon to midnight.
Councilor John Gosek Jr. (Ward-5) voted against passing the law, stating both his concerns and those of his district as to why he chose to vote no.
“The feedback I got was mostly negative, but I see the progressive bent to Mayor Barlow’s agenda and I’ve supported it wholeheartedly for the last six and a half years. But I just want to say now the progress we’ve seen downtown – cleaning everything up and the Riverwalk,” Gosek said. “My personal concern is my son going through downtown. We don’t see the bums drinking at the benches anymore – in the downtown [area]. I think it’s done a lot for Oswego’s image. Now that the pandemic’s been winding down, more people are out and about. So respectfully I’m not going to support this, but I just wanted to make it clear most of the feedback I got was negative; but I do see some benefits to it in younger people and I think the community probably would approve it, but I’m just putting it out there that I’m not going to be supporting this tonight.”
The vote passed by a margin of 6-1. No one spoke during the public session portion of the meeting.
Following are all agenda items unanimously approved by the council during last night’s meeting:
- Approve minutes of March 28, 2022 Common Council meeting
- Appoint Commissioner of Deeds
- Approve Use of Public Space to place three yard signs in various locations to promote the Oswego Health Foundations “For Your Health 5K Health and Wellness Event”
- Approve Use of Public Space to host annual Farmer’s Market to be held June 9, 2022 through Oct. 13, 2022
- Approve Use of Public Space for Frederick Leighton Elementary School to host their annual Triathlon on Saturday, June 4, 2020
- Approve Use of Public Space for Gibby’s Irish Pub to host the annual Michele Wink Memorial on Saturday, June 18, 2022
- Grant Variance of the Noise Ordinance to Gibby’s Irish Pub located at 8 W. 2nd, during May through September 2022
- Authorize City Chamberlain to complete a budget amendment to the Shade Trees and Parks Account for the purchase of new tools for the Oswego Tree Stewards
- Authorize City Chamberlain to complete budget amendment to the Police Personal Services Account to cover Lateral Sign-on Bonuses and the Fitness Standard Program Stipends
- Authorize City Chamberlain to complete a Replacement Budget of Professional Services Agreements with C&S Companies for the West 1st Street Storm Sewer Improvements and Gardenier Creek Storm Sewer System Projects
Common Council meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of every month, the next meeting to be held on Monday, April 25 at 7:15 p.m. To view last night’s agenda, please click here.
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