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Votes at a glance: Binghamton City Council actions on CDBG cuts, budgets, Main Street agreement and grants
Summary
Council approved a package of budget adjustments, resolutions and grants; most items passed unanimously. The council also reappointed CDAC representatives, confirmed Human Rights Commission members and approved several end-of-year budget reconciliations.
At its Jan. 29 business meeting the Binghamton City Council took votes on a series of ordinances and resolutions dealing with budget adjustments, grants, appointments and public‑works agreements. Several items were passed with little discussion; the council summarized reasons for two budget amendments and authorized a NYSERDA clean energy grant.
Votes and key details (select): - Local Law 25-01 (good cause eviction): Held over and referred to Planning Committee (motion to hold over and refer passed 5-0). See separate coverage for full debate and public comment.
- Ordinance O25-04 — Amend 2024 CDBG budget to reflect service reductions: Motion by Council member Rathmell; second by Council member Middleton. Vote: 5-0. The ordinance aligns the 2024 Community Development Block Grant budget to HUD-calculated program-income percentages and applies a small, uniform reduction to service dollars. Council requested that future allocation changes be returned to the Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC) for recommendation.
- Ordinance O25-06 — Amend 2024 water and sewer budget for over‑budget year‑end items: Motion by Council member Kavanaugh; second by Council member Middleton. Vote: 5-0. Council noted higher electricity costs and modest retirement-line increases, offset by increased interest earnings.
- Ordinance O25-09 — Amend 2024 General Fund budget for year‑end overages: Motion by Council member Kavanaugh; second by Council member Middleton. Vote: 5-0. Adjustments included transfers to the insurance (BM) fund for increased legal and retirement costs; energy costs were again noted.
- Resolution R25-02 — Supplemental agreement No. 2 with NYSDOT for the Main Street corridor project: Motion by Council member Middleton; second by Council member Metavetsky. Vote: 5-0. The supplemental agreement covers increased estimates and pedestrian improvements; most additional costs will be covered by county funds.
- Ordinance O25-11 — Amend 2025 court service budget for responsibility adjustments (as amended): Motion by Council member Kavanaugh; second by Council member Middleton. Council amended one Whereas clause and then passed the ordinance as amended. Final roll call: 4 Aye, 1 Nay (Metavetsky). Outcome: adopted as amended (4‑1). The change restores temporary duties and pay responsibilities in the Clerk’s Office while a posted position is filled.
- Resolution R25-03 — Authorize amended agreements with CDBG service agencies to address a funding deficit: Motion by Council member Rathmell; second by Council member Metavetsky. Vote: 5-0. This resolution reallocates funds to cover deficits arising from the HUD recalculation and the O25-04 adjustment.
- Resolution R25-04 — Accept $165,000 from NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities program: Motion by Council member Rafniel; second by Council member Middleton. Vote: 5-0. The grant will fund energy‑efficiency improvements at city‑owned buildings and supports the city’s climate action planning work. Planning Department staff were credited for preparing the application.
- Appointments: The council appointed Dr. Denise Huell, John Bronza, Hussein Adams and Chris Scott to the Human Rights Commission (motion and applause recorded). It also reappointed Eileen Hughes (District 2) and Marilyn Austin (District 6) to CDAC and continues to seek a District 4 CDAC representative.
Procedure notes: For the items above, the clerk called the roll on each ordinance and resolution and recorded the votes as listed. Several items were discussed at the previous work session; councilmembers referenced that discussion and asked members of the public to review the work‑session video for additional detail.
What the votes mean: Most adopted items are administrative budget reconciliations and grant acceptances required to close the 2024 fiscal year and implement capital projects; the Main Street supplemental agreement will allow increased pedestrian improvements with county cost sharing. The court‑services budget item restores temporary staffing responsibilities pending a new hire. The NYSERDA grant will fund energy retrofits in city buildings.
