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Council approves budget adjustments, zoning correction, public-works agreements and honors Eliza Spencer in unanimous votes
Summary
At its April 9 meeting the Binghamton City Council approved a series of ordinances and resolutions moving budget adjustments and capital work forward, adopted a zoning-text correction, and passed a resolution honoring Eliza Spencer; all recorded votes were 5-0 with two members absent.
The Binghamton City Council on April 9 approved a package of ordinances and resolutions, including budget amendments for parking and public-safety payroll costs, corrections to the zoning code text, authorization for routine public-works agreements, and a resolution renaming a pool to honor Eliza Spencer. All measures carried on recorded 5-0 roll calls; Council members Marie and Middleton were recorded as absent.
The measures addressed shortfalls and adjustments in prior budgets, procurement for firefighter turnout gear and retirement payout accounting, corrections to a previously proposed zoning amendment, and routine engineering contract amendments for Main Street and the Terminal Pump Station project. The council also approved a ceremonial resolution to rename a pool and pool house in Fairview Park for Eliza Spencer, a 12-year-old East Side resident who was murdered in 2022; sponsors said the action is intended to keep her memory in public view.
The most contested substantive discussion preceding votes involved the parking ramps fund. Council members said the ramp fund had unplanned overages and reduced revenues; members discussed operational changes and the potential need to rebid contracts. Council members emphasized a desire to limit backdated amendments in future years and to improve budget planning.
Other votes were described briefly by sponsoring members as routine or previously discussed in work sessions. Council members noted that the firefighter turnout-equipment amendment followed earlier briefings by the fire chief on increased vendor costs; the retirement-payments amendment was described as paying out amounts accrued in 2024 for officers who left early this year; and the zoning text amendment was characterized as a clerical correction to restore previously intended language.
Votes at a glance - Introductory ordinance O25-10 (parking ramps budget amendment, 2024): Passed 5-0 (ayes: Rathmell; Madovetsky; Hotchkiss; Kavanaugh; Dunton; absent: Marie; Middleton). Motion to pass by Council member Rick Kavanaugh; second not specified on record. Tally: yes 5 no 0 abstain 0 absent 2. - Introductory ordinance O25-12 (zoning code corrections, Chapter 410): Passed 5-0. Motion to adopt by Council member Rathmell; second not specified. Tally: yes 5 no 0 abstain 0 absent 2. - Introductory ordinance O25-33 (amend 2025 general and capital fund budgets for firefighter equipment): Passed 5-0. Motion to pass by Council member Rick Kavanaugh. Tally: yes 5 no 0 abstain 0 absent 2. - Introductory ordinance O25-34 (amend 2024 general fund budget for police and fire retirement payments): Passed 5-0. Motion to pass by Council member Rick Kavanaugh. Tally: yes 5 no 0 abstain 0 absent 2. - Introductory resolution R25-19 (honor Eliza Spencer — rename Fairview Park pool and pool house): Passed 5-0. Motion to adopt by Council member Madovetsky. Tally: yes 5 no 0 abstain 0 absent 2. - Introductory resolution R25-20 (amendment to supplemental agreement No. 2 with Barton & Loguidice for Main Street Corridor project): Passed 5-0. Motion to adopt by Council member Hotchkiss. Tally: yes 5 no 0 abstain 0 absent 2. - Introductory resolution R25-21 (authorize Seager for Terminal Pump Station project; environmental review/negative declaration completed): Passed 5-0. Motion to adopt by Council member Rathmell. Tally: yes 5 no 0 abstain 0 absent 2. - Introductory resolution R25-22 (no-cost amendment for Terminal Pumping Station contract; add mandatory state terms): Passed 5-0. Motion to adopt by Council member Hotchkiss. Tally: yes 5 no 0 abstain 0 absent 2.
Several items were described as having been vetted at prior work sessions or committee meetings; sponsors asked that some items be considered routine and moved forward so departments could close their books and proceed with procurement and project work. Council members repeatedly said they expect improved budget planning going forward to reduce the need for post‑year amendments.
The council also approved the minutes from the previous business meeting by voice vote earlier in the meeting.
