[{"_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",6037389,"mediaKeyId","3864127-698f36ddb3a1b849677e78f05dbdcb20","parentId",3864127,"title","Binghamton council holds Ross Park bond hearing, overrides veto and approves budget and operational ordinances","audioSeconds",46,"startMs",3952000,"endMs",3998000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864127-698f36ddb3a1b849677e78f05dbdcb20&start=3952&end=3998","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864127-698f36ddb3a1b849677e78f05dbdcb20/thumbnail_3952000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6037389/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Binghamton-council-holds-Ross-Park-bond-hearing-overrides-veto-and-approves-budget-and-operational-ordinances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6037389-1fcf655ec1c3d354d5bc16e7038d2798/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192531&Signature=Ejug8EpBGwchabxFuEQRxf1vHYWR9vJRarrLFJnzSd5x7pjccBlrxzNTQNGOcDVg6v7JUHDZOJ9RlrAecGRfxXTVJYHS4olYNBESTRMPFP0VqsLs3rKzvzotLIn-VmevwbXg~H8Q31pf8-LvNIb6TXFkHdPUoKUP7qqkgn2sWnd23YtzePOh5sLWxpPGJ9Z~QSHROrSH3jLofSqcGMzyY16JAZjrJkr6zc5NSwTEdrBj-BezQ0QrZqeYWD683udyHaxV72NfvuOE~ZJTCwTCUWci5WRRGUqhPu0bP83vdykTpfOuMx770EChT7Z9tBoZrSPnLguQGI60-pru2r9QpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Binghamton","date","2025-02-13T13:26:49Z","article","Binghamton City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 12, held a public hearing on a proposed bond ordinance for Ross Park and approved a series of budget and operational measures, including an override of a mayoral veto and several finance and public-works ordinances.

At a public hearing the council took comment on RL25-32, an ordinance authorizing issuance of bonds not to exceed $2,063,600 to fund capital improvements including paving the road into Ross Park Zoo and repaving the zoo parking lot. Phil (who spoke at the hearing) told the council that the Ross Park Zoo has secured more than $1.3 million that would be invested in a new Creekside learning center adjacent to the paved area and asked the council to vote in favor of the bond. Abby Kaiser and Kay and Ed Corcoran submitted written comments in support; the hearing was closed and the council scheduled formal consideration for the Feb. 26 meeting.

In other business the council voted 7-0 to overrule the mayor's veto on O24-11, an ordinance amending the 2025 clerk's office budget (the council held an executive session earlier to discuss legal considerations relating to the veto). The clerk read the mayor's veto letter into the record before council members discussed the matter.

Council members approved several budget and code items in roll-call votes: O25-05 (amendments to the 2024 sewage treatment budget to increase reimbursement and decrease personnel services) passed 7-0; O25-13 (an amendment to the water code regarding shutoffs) passed 7-0; and O25-16 (an amendment to the 2024 water budget for increased electricity costs) passed 7-0. The council held over O25-07 (a 2023 shared-maintenance charge to be applied to a 2024 TPW budget) after members said they had not received clarifying documentation on why the bill arrived late.

The council accepted a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant of $202,000 to purchase two police vehicles; that resolution passed 6-1. Council also authorized contracting with General Code to modernize the city's code and legislative publishing platform; the clerk and council members described the purchase as a long-sought technology upgrade to improve public access to local laws and internal workflows.

Public comment included opposition to an unrelated proposed agreement with Siemens; Michael Kosty submitted written remarks opposing the Siemens contract on grounds of cost, projected utilization and long-term debt implications. No action on the Siemens matter was on the Feb. 12 agenda.

Votes at a glance: see the structured actions list below for motion text, mover/second (if on the record), vote tallies and next steps. The Ross Park bond remains at public-hearing stage and will be taken up again at the Feb. 26 meeting.

The council also announced plans for public education and outreach tied to several measures and said staff would circulate additional information on next steps and timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Business Meeting 2025.02.12","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 12 meeting the council held a public hearing on a bond for Ross Park improvements, overruled a mayoral veto, accepted grants and approved budget adjustments and ordinances; one maintenance bill was held over for more information.","taxTitle","Binghamton City, Broome County, New York","taxId",5034,"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},6037394,"Binghamton City Council adopts local law to bar most evictions without good cause",1566,4008000,5574000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864127-698f36ddb3a1b849677e78f05dbdcb20&start=4008&end=5574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864127-698f36ddb3a1b849677e78f05dbdcb20/thumbnail_4008000.jpg","/articles/6037394/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Binghamton-City-Council-adopts-local-law-to-bar-most-evictions-without-good-cause","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6037394-e781f5d2e4424df7727bd371d52ea3e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192531&Signature=k8Xksk5YtxaZSm8l7t~bbI1gLMyTnVzt8j8V3VUKwoX12P7dMOsVdaTOj9OJxS6IhP14uFRaKjOEYdz5UtFqTH0QA3aZ7fwaucjZ5nJOpce3YnTNVujuZzekOifQApcQFDIlkl1qI8YLTKZt3bJWn-U~gkO~pz7QhuOrCDcm-TAsBnWpwtSGwmeYWAStwW-78-m0zkSGcirJwh60tGQKBsCsuihejMNuR5~WKkwlh0QbTb-snyA7WnyZJBylkI1c9mKUMEkBr0MAuL7yEXdAhy~K-lKLlD0OnllXRlFL9LkpNfUuxXg64UIaWwDVOoQ4z2i2xCb3PE8ZeJjEf2PEHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Binghamton City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 12, adopted Local Law L25-01, prohibiting eviction without good cause and adding lease and tenant-protection provisions, in a 7-0 roll-call vote.

Council members and public speakers said the measure is intended to reduce abrupt rent hikes, limit retaliatory or unfair evictions and give renters more housing stability. Council member Rathbone, who introduced the measure, said the city sees the law as \"one tool in a broader toolbox to address homelessness and housing instability in the city.\" He cited local eviction and shelter-use data during the debate.

Supporters told the council the ordinance could prevent avoidable displacement. A public speaker who identified herself as Salka said, \"That's a good reason why we need it,\" adding that landlords were already raising rents because of the prospect of good-cause rules. Council members who spoke in favor described the law as a temporary pause to provide predictability while additional housing and tenant-assistance programs move forward.

Opponents, including landlords and the local real estate association, warned of unintended consequences. Joseph Gail, president of the Greater Binghamton Association of Realtors, urged the council to vote the ordinance down and suggested cooperative alternatives between tenants, landlords and code enforcement. An in-person speaker who identified himself as a small landlord said the measure would act like rent control for small owners and described the potential for higher rents or divestment as a consequence.

Council members said the planning committee made amendments before the vote to clarify the ordinance's effective date and to refine two grounds for removal from tenant protections, specifically the ordinance's definitions of \"nuisance\" and the parameters that allow a property to be withdrawn from the rental market. Council members also noted outreach including a Jan. 13 town hall and conversations with municipal officials in other New York cities that have considered similar laws.

During debate Council members cited local data: one council member said 960 evictions were filed in Binghamton City Court in 2023, with about 65% resulting in a warrant of eviction; and that in 2024 roughly 840 evictions had been filed, with about 61% resulting in a warrant. The same council member said last year more than 1,250 individuals and 715 families with children used emergency shelter across the county — a figure he described as a 180% increase since 2020.

The law includes a sheltering of landlord rights for standard causes such as nonpayment, nuisance or lease violations; several council members emphasized it would not remove landlords' ability to seek possession for those reasons. Council members also said they plan education and rollout materials for tenants and landlords, including help with leases and informational one-pagers developed with legal services and community partners.

Next steps: the mayor may hold a public hearing and then sign, veto or take no action; council members noted the law will not take effect until it is filed with the New York State Department of State. One council member said the local law includes a sunset provision that will require later reassessment; council members said they expect to revisit implementation and impacts after the law has been in place.

The council vote: Council member Rathmo (aye), Council member Madovetsky (aye), Council member Hotchkiss (aye), Council member Kavanaugh (aye), Council member Middleton (aye), Council member Murray (aye) and Council president Dunton (aye). The motion passed 7-0.","The council voted unanimously to adopt Local Law L25-01, a \"good cause\" eviction law intended to limit sudden rent increases and prevent evictions without stated cause; the law will not take effect until mayoral review and filing with the New York State Department of State.","actionData","errors"]

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Binghamton council holds Ross Park bond hearing, overrides veto and approves budget and operational ordinances

Binghamton City Council adopts local law to bar most evictions without good cause