[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6108530,"mediaKeyId","2767962-d0e8447462938542370df57e1a2f7a6d","parentId",2767962,"title","Olean council refers multiple measures to regular meeting; approves park grant acceptance, demolition reimbursement, infrastructure protections and fund re‑move","audioSeconds",1269,"startMs",580000,"endMs",1849000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767962-d0e8447462938542370df57e1a2f7a6d&start=580&end=1849","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767962-d0e8447462938542370df57e1a2f7a6d/thumbnail_580000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108530/Olean/Cattaraugus-County/New-York/Olean-council-refers-multiple-measures-to-regular-meeting-approves-park-grant-acceptance-demolition-reimbursement-infrastructure-protections-and-fund-remove","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108530-c2bb77a9f5485ab02469862d64fb6c12/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436165&Signature=UMYOpJSlK7ELWThWPenuHUvESzHbC2IN21lQNpnncI9j5luv48XXnMvkf5jKMJm2IvMoTZTFOX-1nGeAq~L1FUHi3ICzmOpeKzQyesPpfGWnV0cciuQuCfnW64c2HG9jiKbNz4LUK8tWoA5vqGdTes25y3~W1UOEZ7y6c9vf4rlmFKHmQOQ-ci5qflLrufBoNFXCTtVljbaBvhtotH00~Nw7gPyKrmFI-IFMvEwH9SizqTvpXcK70YWnXD2ZeA-P-QHVQFjm8U6aEpxQIId4FR8Av9asin6jR0QxtwSsXwgspCdPPAZg4o-hWDKNcnfEw8Vm9gikRsSg3S5BkZQ~Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Olean","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","City of Olean aldermen considered multiple proposed local laws and resolutions at the Committee of the Whole on March 11 and referred several items for the regular council meeting and publication. The committee recorded votes or referrals on six measures affecting parks, property demolition, public health services, short‑term rental rules, infrastructure protections and an internal fund transfer.

Votes at a glance
- PL 25-25 (mosquito‑spraying contract): Sponsor/mover recorded as Alderman Wilma Robinson; seconded by Alderman Anderson. The committee referred the item to the regular meeting with a recorded favorable vote; the clerk later recorded the resolution as passed in committee (6 ayes, 0 nays).

- PL 26-25 (Marcus Park grant acceptance): A resolution authorizing the city to accept grant funds from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Environmental Protection Fund) for the Marcus Park collaboration project was discussed and referred to the regular meeting. Debate included questions about the city’s remaining contribution; one alderman voted no on the motion at final roll call. Committee roll call later showed the resolution passed in committee 5–1; the transcript records a city obligation of $200,000 as the council’s share.

- PL 27-25 (county land bank demolition reimbursement): A resolution to authorize the mayor to enter a contract with the Cattaraugus County Land Bank Corporation for reimbursement of demolition costs at 118 West Green Street was presented with the fire chief speaking on behalf of code enforcement; the committee recorded the resolution as passed (6 ayes, 0 nays) and sent it to the regular meeting.

- PL 28-25 (West State Street infrastructure protections): A proposed local law to require that infrastructure repair and replacement be included in the West State Street project in its entirety and not be reduced because of cost shortfalls was presented and passed in committee (6 ayes, 0 nays); proponents said infrastructure should not be cut during change orders.

- PL 29-25 (short‑term rentals / Chapter 12 code change): The committee considered a code amendment to remove the requirement that short‑term rental approvals be referred to the zoning board of appeals. Fire and code officials said they currently perform site and safety reviews and that New York State allows short‑term rentals in one‑ and two‑family dwellings. Committee members agreed to refer the short‑term rental change for publication and to take up other Chapter 12 rental‑inspection updates after the budget process; the item was referred to the regular meeting on March 25, 2025 for publication.

- PL 30-25 (transfer of $300,000 to capital/ water fund): Committee discussion authorized moving $300,000 from account 8330.3 into capital fund number 243 for water/sewer capital outlay, with a motion to make the transfer effective May 31, 2025 so the city could earn two more months of investment interest. The committee approved the motion and referred the resolution to the regular meeting; roll call later recorded the resolution as passed (committee roll call recorded 5–1 in committee where specified).

Context and notable comments
Council members debated financing and timing on several items. On the Marcus Park project, aldermen discussed prior set‑asides and grants reported by staff and asked where the remaining funding would come from; a council member stated the city’s obligation is $200,000 and another noted the earlier set‑aside of $50,000 plus accumulated funds covered the obligation. On the short‑term rental change, fire and code officials told the committee that short‑term rentals are inspected under existing codes, that about 25 short‑term rentals exist in the city and that the current code and inspection cadence may require further updating; the committee agreed to address other Chapter 12 inspection updates after the budget.

Formal outcomes and next steps
All measures were referred or recorded for action at the regular meeting; several passed at committee and will be presented for final passage at regular session. The short‑term rental code amendment was set for publication and a March 25, 2025 regular meeting follow‑up; Chapter 12 rental‑inspection updates were scheduled for consideration after the budget.

Ending
The committee concluded with a routine adjournment and scheduled follow‑up on the budget and code matters; council staff will carry the passed items and referrals forward to the regular meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Of Olean Common Council Meetings (03/11/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","City of Olean aldermen considered six proposed measures on March 11, referring several to the regular meeting and approving resolutions on a state park grant, a county land‑bank demolition reimbursement, infrastructure protections for West State Street and a May 31 fund transfer for water capital.","taxTitle","Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York","taxId",69897,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108535,"Olean reviews DEC consent order on sewer bypasses; Seneca Nation and residents demand immediate fixes",891,1508000,2399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767962-d0e8447462938542370df57e1a2f7a6d&start=1508&end=2399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767962-d0e8447462938542370df57e1a2f7a6d/thumbnail_1508000.jpg","/articles/6108535/Olean/Cattaraugus-County/New-York/Olean-reviews-DEC-consent-order-on-sewer-bypasses-Seneca-Nation-and-residents-demand-immediate-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108535-66d9c445433168a96c6dcad393af94be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436165&Signature=ifxH3DVMvc~CG0feg1l2A30zCy0tLZAPyOZOCaHRJf3Zh7QA-A~pH7EIZDvFTJ5H1n9u~3ySb9G2qDIE9elBhBLROIHsBlYHN-x6o8uKPdHjkXGJYnMVmkIQfOZk-8eacuUSRBvQb9NKRexzpe-lZ~awmcCC~eyAGFj-LZET6OEAfZbB9l3TXH-G-rCUoQUI7Lk5ADhfM8XgWPGB2bRG0WDPSlrKeBGb-mxY~dzJXySRlIrVogWPVCtCtr-HXjpU~4afUeTc0PzH6az0l6QZHsftWrZ6usO1qpxP5FGK07xgTFg4IWMOiy27rWD8Wmq9kudjZSBfJXdQktZG4mYVEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Olean staff briefed the Common Council on March 11 about a Department of Environmental Conservation order of consent that governs the city's wastewater discharges and inflow-and-infiltration (I&I) problems, and requested up to $50,000 for an engineering consultant to evaluate three lift stations.

Why it matters: residents and leaders of the Seneca Nation told the council at length during public comment that repeated discharges of untreated or partially treated wastewater into the Allegheny River are a public-health and environmental threat downstream. Commenters urged the city to seek immediate financing and interim operational measures rather than rely on a multi‑decade compliance timetable.

City presentation and next steps
A city presenter provided background on the DEC order and said the consent order remains in effect through 2042. The presenter described I&I as illegal sump or yard drains and groundwater entering sewer pipes through cracked joints; he said the city has previously invested in repairs and has upgraded several lift stations, including Hoop Street, Adams Street, South Fourth Street and Martha Avenue with new pumps and emergency power. The presenter said the DEC introduced the city to the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at Syracuse for technical assistance and funding evaluation, and said meetings with DEC and EFC are scheduled to continue.

Council-level requests and discussion
The presenter asked the Common Council to authorize “up to $50,000” to hire an engineering consultant to evaluate the Adams Street, Martha Avenue and South Fourth Street lift stations for capacity and to identify measures to eliminate bypasses. Alderman Benyon (pronunciation/alternate spellings in the record) pressed that future planning should address catch basins that are connected improperly to the sanitary system. Council members asked whether the $50,000 would be sufficient; the presenter said it would provide an initial evaluation and help the city pursue grant funding.

Public comment from the Seneca Nation and residents
Dozens of people, including elected Seneca Nation counselors and Salamanca officials, used the meeting's public-comment period to press for immediate action. Tina Abrams, identified in the record as a tribal counselor with the Seneca Nation of Indians, read a council resolution and said, “You gotta stop polluting in our river. We need to protect mother earth. Fix the wastewater system. Water is life.”

Clinton F. Hew, also identified as a Seneca Nation counselor, read a letter from Jay Conrad Seneca, president of the Seneca Nation, and urged a faster timetable and stronger measures. Hew read a quotation attributed to the mayor in an earlier statement and then read the letter's conclusion: “Protecting the public health of Olean citizens by shifting dangerous waste produced in Olean downstream to other communities such as the Seneca Nation is unconscionable and unacceptable. This warped mindset and discharge activity must end.”

Commenters from Salamanca and Cattaraugus County said the discharges have been recurring for years, raised concerns about pathogens and impacts to fish, mussels and the hellbender salamander, and urged the city to pursue bonds, grants and other financing tools now rather than over decades. Several speakers recommended immediate interim operational steps such as trucking wastewater during high‑flow events or building containment/tankage to hold excess flows until storms pass.

What the record does and does not show
The presenter described past investments and estimated bypasses for two ten‑year periods, but the numerical totals cited in the meeting transcript were unclear; the record identifies lift‑station upgrades and ongoing meetings with DEC and the EFC but does not show a formal council vote authorizing the consultant contract at this committee meeting. The presenter explicitly requested council authorization “up to $50,000”; the transcript records the request but no final council action on that authorization in committee.

Where this goes next
City staff said they will continue discussions with DEC and the EFC. The mayor also noted he received a letter from Seneca Nation leadership requesting a meeting; staff said they would arrange that meeting. Public commenters said they will follow up and expect a rapid timetable and a task force or similar body to coordinate funding, technical work and interim protections for downstream communities.

Ending
The committee did not adopt a final authorization for the consultant at this meeting; the city indicated it will pursue technical assistance from the EFC and meet with Seneca Nation representatives. Several residents said they will return to future council meetings until they see concrete, time‑bound action.","City of Olean staff briefed the Common Council on March 11 about a Department of Environmental Conservation order of consent and rising concerns about repeated sewer bypasses into the Allegheny River, and requested up to $50,000 for an engineering evaluation of three lift stations.","actionData","errors"]

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Olean council refers multiple measures to regular meeting; approves park grant acceptance, demolition reimbursement, infrastructure protections and fund re‑move

Olean reviews DEC consent order on sewer bypasses; Seneca Nation and residents demand immediate fixes