During a recent city council meeting, officials addressed two public hearings concerning zoning amendments in Binghamton. The first hearing focused on an ordinance to amend the official zoning map for a section of Clinton Street and Magatte Street. Despite the invitation for public comments, no residents spoke on the matter, leading to a swift motion to close the hearing, which was unanimously approved.

The second hearing involved a proposed amendment to the city’s zoning code. Again, no public comments were submitted, prompting a similar motion to close the hearing, which also passed without opposition. Following this, council members moved to refer the ordinance to both the planning commission and the Broome County planning department for review, a procedural requirement to initiate a 45-day review period. This motion received unanimous support from the council.

In a notable moment during the meeting, Council President Madivetsky addressed a previous incident where he had improperly called a point of order on a speaker. He expressed his commitment to improving public engagement processes at city hall, including enhancing the city’s complaint and compliment systems. He mentioned ongoing discussions with human resources and the Crime Victims Association to ensure a more trauma-informed approach in public interactions.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for public comments, where residents were encouraged to share their views on city issues. One resident, Tina Kranopoulos, voiced her opposition to a resolution regarding funding for traffic safety cameras, urging the council to vote against it. The council's responsiveness to public input and procedural transparency were highlighted throughout the discussions.