[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6194440,"mediaKeyId","3864191-a4e476645c73ff350b22e9f087729813","parentId",3864191,"title","Council accepts $211,065.65 Broome County grant to improve alley at 195 State Street for Art Deco District","audioSeconds",132,"startMs",873000,"endMs",1005000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864191-a4e476645c73ff350b22e9f087729813&start=873&end=1005","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864191-a4e476645c73ff350b22e9f087729813/thumbnail_873000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6194440/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Council-accepts-21106565-Broome-County-grant-to-improve-alley-at-195-State-Street-for-Art-Deco-District","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194440-6e8da22bd54a75b51295f688d79c1523/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205328&Signature=mXqpkvrJQMgyo38K6PKoTNZ-hIj6GY769uNv~9~MtDIVqga0d1SRM4~iVfqWfSEy-ULFWchxQNS4bxbtNslywBMC1~VoZ-Ixkvrs-Hg~RPDwuyJ1GIqpePSfPMWp1CuQ2~SiuORtZjWuif3IOSt~sSLKQWmVg5IzbJUXheKf8zel3eR0cQ-ZavQkMWNhaQrHeKynddhzwV4QCX0yCI7n9K3MrSDyzcJIMjDfTRrV2F7YSpLmHjIIaCxVup8fMW2y5SPSGh~GT49ydaq-Bmdg0mEOsxUc9iGfEMR1JT7cioX6lLgWacoEqsinrH-2-x6hjNj3CaD5QbVrSWuBgJFZrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Binghamton","date","2025-05-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Binghamton City Council voted unanimously on May 21 to accept a Broome County grant of $211,065.65 for improvements to an alley next to Crowbar, identified as 195 State Street, with the stated purpose of adding to the Art Deco District.

Council member Hotchkiss moved the ordinance to accept the grant and members said the money is intended for improvements to the alleyway. Council discussion noted that earlier conversations considered purchasing the alley to make it public, but that outcome was not included in the ordinance; if the city cannot secure a lease or other agreement to use the alley, council members said the money could be returned to the county.

Council held the item over earlier to allow questions about remaining funds from the Greater Binghamton Fund; one council member said he had met with county and state officials and had his questions answered prior to the vote. The roll call returned 6 yeas, 0 nays, with one member absent.

Council members described the project as a streetscape improvement to augment the Art Deco District and said additional public‑private coordination may follow as design and implementation proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Business Meeting 2025.05.21","oneSentenceSummary","The city accepted a Broome County grant of $211,065.65 to make improvements to an alley adjacent to Crowbar at 195 State Street, intended to enhance the Art Deco District; council members said the funds could be returned to the county if a lease or purchase cannot be completed.","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},6194445,"Council approves police mechanic position; vote 5–1 after questions about garage and union arrangements",207,1517000,1724000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864191-a4e476645c73ff350b22e9f087729813&start=1517&end=1724","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864191-a4e476645c73ff350b22e9f087729813/thumbnail_1517000.jpg","/articles/6194445/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Council-approves-police-mechanic-position-vote-51-after-questions-about-garage-and-union-arrangements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194445-0930723d4ad21a339c2bc0fe52653b04/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205328&Signature=RiwaNucWX~XrqDhFIbO4AKZf5CI3kI1ozh3IleO~f0plomyHzRAhPOo87GuDSHzTv0U3xLlZchkxEpRbpqqaUZHxvCIE1BN0b3u-kYI33trIRcguDzTIL4QWij7zXb0f9xsqAcNeGli1IVXZWnXdPvRg8zRxOan7wQrTJJsLBSHPSWWqy8TmY1owuPscit-Ub3sjZ01CzNZciJVZIpT~cxiSJEf8qK0BI0kdvkWQA8Uv9nY7JjUzWQEC7~MNSoqU5Vu2tgZ9ej5e9SMzfl94Lz455f1jMFDru5lNuBpicdN9mJsgBGZd6GsE16-MN15QBDV64p5zBZOKTAcj0ImrhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Binghamton City Council on May 21 approved ordinance O25-39 to amend the 2025 police budget, defunding a general equipment manager position and funding a supervisor, general equipment repair position. The measure passed on a 5–1 roll call; Council member Rathmell cast the lone no vote.

Council members discussed operational arrangements and union coverage during debate. Several members said they were surprised to learn that a police garage appeared to be in operation in a city facility and asked why the council had not been informed sooner. Council members also discussed union affiliations: city staff said the Department of Public Works mechanic did not want to leave the Teamsters union, which contributed to the decision to house a police mechanic position within the police department so the mechanic's assignment and time would not be split between DPW and police responsibilities.

No amendment to the ordinance was offered during the meeting. The clerk completed a roll call after discussion; the final tally was 5 yeas, 1 no, and one member absent. Council members said the change is intended to ensure mechanic coverage for police equipment and to staff the department's repair needs without creating scheduling conflicts tied to union affiliation.

Council members also referenced a previous staffing realignment involving firefighters and mechanics and noted that cross‑departmental work and contract status have prompted similar changes in the past. The ordinance takes effect as budgeted for 2025, subject to the normal budgetary and personnel processes.","The council adopted ordinance O25-39 to reallocate funds in the 2025 police budget to remove a general equipment manager position and create a supervisor, general equipment repair position; the measure passed 5–1 with Council member Rathmell voting no amid questions about an operational city garage and union coverage.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194451,"Council holds over ordinance to add crime analyst tied to STRIVE program amid surveillance concerns",405,999000,1404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864191-a4e476645c73ff350b22e9f087729813&start=999&end=1404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864191-a4e476645c73ff350b22e9f087729813/thumbnail_999000.jpg","/articles/6194451/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Council-holds-over-ordinance-to-add-crime-analyst-tied-to-STRIVE-program-amid-surveillance-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194451-52abd5b59e43e4fb5d46b9dac3aca3a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205328&Signature=n4Md8QJ0B2MbulO9KcegqIPNXjoXVxtpmT99ie~RTmzuJ5~rUQIXBrgg46gYSU0ioCEesRx52OrLHToBCv-er6ovYivi7PRzEOdPiOzc6DG0mBxxyOe2hxzUqSvThYnehWGvI-~6wKi0JcyaY9NT2CVXQIWsVD5eRolLX~-O4ozN8eC~6f9mvj-juAmvXQItWCA1wR3BKAT3lVWflGjmkNiP3T4J5OhHpLTGNzjRL-tQTZXlIVXR5v8HzlLoZ3lnld6SxamZT5fjDHt4faVbELsDBh04r7G21tXikPJPTVmMZEh~pGW7PWSHrdvhxBfLk~owMxrSma4FkgsKZtTdjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Binghamton City Council voted unanimously on May 21 to hold over an ordinance (O25-36) that would amend the 2025 police budget to add a crime analyst position intended to support the STRIVE program.

Council member Rathmell, who led a lengthy critique during discussion, said she supported adding two crime‑victim positions in principle but was \"deeply uncomfortable\" with how the analyst role described in plan documents appeared to use poverty and homelessness data to support expanded targeting and monitoring of poor, unhoused and underemployed residents. She said the plan repeatedly referenced \"incidents that occur without law enforcement involvement\" and used that language to justify expanded law enforcement partnerships at sites such as emergency shelters.

Council member Kavanaugh described the origin of the position differently, saying the \"state framework for the STRIVE program\" requires each implementing jurisdiction to have a crime analyst position and that creating the post would be the city's way of meeting that requirement. After discussion and requests for more time to review the local plan and implementation language, a motion to hold the ordinance over carried 6–0.

Council remarks during the discussion raised several recurring concerns: whether the analyst's activities would expand surveillance of marginalized groups, whether the police department is the appropriate home for behavioral‑health‑related functions, and whether the local implementation language aligns with stated community protections. Council member Rathmell said it was \"entirely disingenuous\" for a county framework to claim protection of marginalized communities while county partners pursue policies she described as harmful to immigrants and LGBTQIA people.

The holdover preserves current budget lines until council members have had time to review the detailed STRIVE plan and any implementation or interagency agreements. Council members said they will request additional documentation about the analyst's duties, reporting relationships, and any memoranda of understanding or state mandates that define the position's scope before bringing the ordinance back for a vote.","An ordinance to amend the 2025 police budget to add a crime analyst position linked to the STRIVE program was held over after council members raised concerns about the analyst's anticipated role, potential surveillance of marginalized residents, and the scope of law enforcement involvement in shelters.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194455,"Public, council raise alarm after sudden Salvation Army closure; volunteers, mobile service cited as stopgap",1727,459000,2186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864191-a4e476645c73ff350b22e9f087729813&start=459&end=2186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864191-a4e476645c73ff350b22e9f087729813/thumbnail_459000.jpg","/articles/6194455/Binghamton-City/Broome-County/New-York/Public-council-raise-alarm-after-sudden-Salvation-Army-closure-volunteers-mobile-service-cited-as-stopgap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194455-927f681df3a1135df09092d33d0e7784/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205328&Signature=gQoR14f95BX3R-E5sMRFVX5MkhABMhAtpJFYZAhQ5ReBXz8vBjHSYPbKKKUtgCXVTp6cPATYOnax5NATpP3KYmgrpMwwEn28NJnONHlzcay3Ht0~TOQmte4JSnnaSMRdR9JAH9kyLJbO9up1J-0BfADt8JeuKbUk69QizDFK5ZuQRW4UNyj1xWj2J8ZlcdSTWohwmc~ciO7C5flpA9EcX9m9XpapDPKnVMLrDZWK4qZmFcnGEXJvf9b8Hd9RVLJL3WH7U16o6lMPlv4piL~JBzDh4ZXzaySLsME8D0s--8Y-Nb5ifm88V-8U-L6~tD7MBLQIwIJ9hAJqSKGBtW-ypg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public commenters and several council members pressed city leaders on May 21 over the abrupt closure of a Salvation Army meal and pantry site that has served people in need for years.

Elaine, a city resident who spoke during public comment, described the volunteers and clients who relied on the site and urged the council to protect those services. \"They are the nicest volunteers ever,\" she said, and added that \"surveillance cameras do work\" when recounting a personal theft captured by library cameras. Another speaker, Rue, criticized Mayor Jared Kramm, saying, \"No plan, Jared Kramm,\" and arguing the city acted without an adequate transition for people who relied on the Salvation Army.

The issue drew responses from council members, who described immediate steps and short-term impacts. Council member Hotchkiss said the Salvation Army \"serves upwards of 250 meals per day, day in and day out,\" and said the group was planning a mobile food operation the following Tuesday with cooking and pantry preparation continuing at the Washington Street location. Hotchkiss also told the meeting the Salvation Army hoped to reopen a full site on Walnut Street by October.

Council members and public speakers described strain on other community meal providers after the closure. Council member Hotchkiss said she had checked with local feeding programs and local food distribution points and found operators \"overwhelmed\" and calling for more volunteers. Hotchkiss asked people who can help to contact the Salvation Army to volunteer for meal service or pantry distribution.

Speakers at the meeting offered several short-term remedies: deploying surveillance where appropriate, organizing volunteers to sustain mobile and pantry operations, and using police presence where necessary for safety at meal sites. Elaine urged caution about blaming volunteers and emphasized protecting vulnerable clients who depend on the meals and donated clothing and blankets.

No formal council action on the Salvation Army site was taken at the meeting. Council members said they are continuing to gather information from Salvation Army leadership and community partners about where and when services will resume and how volunteers can be coordinated.

The Salvation Army closure remained an active issue after the meeting: the organization was reported to be preparing mobile food service in the near term, continuing food preparation at the Washington Street location, and planning a Walnut Street reopen by October, while seeking volunteer support to sustain pantry and meal distribution in the interim.","Public commenters and council members at the May 21 Binghamton City Council meeting said the abrupt closure of a long-running Salvation Army meal and pantry operation left residents without services; council members described emergency mobile operations and a planned Walnut Street reopening, and urged volunteers to help.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council accepts $211,065.65 Broome County grant to improve alley at 195 State Street for Art Deco District

Council approves police mechanic position; vote 5–1 after questions about garage and union arrangements

Council holds over ordinance to add crime analyst tied to STRIVE program amid surveillance concerns

Public, council raise alarm after sudden Salvation Army closure; volunteers, mobile service cited as stopgap