Ogdensburg council approves appointments, land sale, contracts and cost-authorizations in omnibus vote

The Ogdensburg City Council approved a series of appointments, ordinances, resolutions and contracts at its April 14 meeting, including the sale of a 2.73-acre parcel to the Ogdensburg City School District, a construction contract for marina repairs, and the authorization to create a part-time code enforcement position.

Why it matters: The actions move forward capital repairs, land transfers for a school district facility, staffing changes meant to address code enforcement workload and several heritage and infrastructure resolutions. Several contract awards also commit short-term city funds and project oversight.

Votes at a glance (selected items)

Consent agenda: The council approved claims and warrants including general fund warrant 07/2025 for $536,659.50, capital fund warrant 7-2025 for $21,750 and community development fund warrant 7-2025 for $45. The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Mayor Michael Tooley and council members present.

Appointments: The council appointed Jeremy McDonald to fill an unexpired term on the Recreation Commission (term 04/14/2025'12/31/2028) and reappointed John Fierant and Rick Pyre to three-year terms on the Tree Commission (04/14/2025'04/14/2028). Roll calls for both motions recorded unanimous approval by council members present.

Rezoning ordinance (Bill 37): An ordinance to amend Chapter 2-21 (zoning map) to rezone parcel 48.078-9-13 from Business District to Residential Business Mixed Use (Bill 37) was adopted after a public hearing; the council recorded unanimous affirmative roll-call votes.

Sale of city parcel to school district (Bill 41): The council adopted an ordinance to sell a 2.73-acre parcel (tax map 59.001-2-12.1) to the Ogdensburg City School District (Bill 41). The superintendent of schools later submitted a letter thanking the city for the sale; the ordinance passed with the affirmative votes recorded by roll call.

Historic marker: The council approved a resolution authorizing placement of a National Register of Historic Places sign at the Aswaugatchie Pumping Station (donated through the William G. Pomeroy Foundation at no cost to the city); the resolution passed by roll call.

Fort De La Presentacion Memorial Parkway: The council passed a resolution supporting the New York State Department of Transportation renaming a section of Route 68 as the Fort De La Presentacion Memorial Highway and forwarding a certified copy to state officials; the resolution passed by roll call.

Marina Improvements Phase 2 contract: The council authorized the city manager to execute a construction contract with Paris Environmental Control, Inc., of Messina, N.Y., for the Marina Improvements Phase 2 project for an amount not to exceed $232,774. The council noted FEMA reimbursement for related storm damage and approved the contract by roll call.

Drug- and alcohol-testing agreement: The council approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with Jefferson Lewis Hamilton for drug and alcohol testing services (for CDL and other required drivers); the resolution passed by roll call. Council members asked staff to confirm subcontractor insurance language and requested the city be named as additional insured where appropriate.

Alarm system contract: The council authorized a contract with Jamir Integrations LLC for a local fire alarm system tied to the city's department; the measure passed by roll call.

Environmental review designations: The council designated the city as lead agency for environmental review of the Downtown Ball Green parking area project and as CEQA lead agency for the East David Street infrastructure replacement project; both designations passed by roll call.

Code enforcement staffing: The council authorized creating and filling a part-time code enforcement officer position and transferring $25,000 from the contingency account to fund the position. City manager Fonda Kronos told council that the funds were originally allocated for code enforcement enhancements and that the part-time hire will focus on overgrown lawns, unregistered vehicles and similar ancillary enforcement to allow full-time staff to focus on building safety. The resolution passed by roll call.

Hospital contract for drug discount program: The council approved a contract with Carthage Area Hospital to allow the hospital to participate in the federal drug discount program; the agreement passed by roll call and was described as securing access to discounted pharmaceuticals for eligible patients in exchange for the hospital's commitments to provide uncompensated care to some low-income patients.

Procedure and voting notes

Most items were presented with brief staff reports and passed after council discussion. Where a public hearing occurred (rezoning; land sale), the council opened and closed the hearing before voting. Roll-call votes were taken for each matter; the meeting record shows affirmative votes from Mayor Michael Tooley and the council members present on each item.

Ending

After approving the omnibus package of items the council moved into two executive sessions to discuss collective negotiations and personnel matters and adjourned after those sessions.