Oswego Common Council approves summer events, budget amendments and NYSDOT agreement

The Oswego Common Council on a unanimous recorded vote approved a slate of resolutions authorizing public-space event permits, accepting a bench donation, and approving several financial actions, including budget amendments and an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation.

Mayor (name not specified) opened the meeting with a brief mayor’s report noting National Holocaust Day and reminding residents that the city’s winter parking rules remain in effect. The council then moved through the consent and resolution calendar with no extended public comment or substantive debate recorded.

Among the permits approved were authorizations for multiple community events: the Garrett Dunsmore Memorial Foundation’s GDMF 3x3 basketball tournament on June 8, 2025; the Swiggo Pro Am fishing tournament (organizer Andrew Grissenway) in July 2025; a Snacks Enterprises “Snacks Party in the Park” on July 26, 2025; the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ St. Patrick’s Day parade (date listed on the agenda as a Saturday, not further specified); the Oswego YMCA’s Reindeer Run on Dec. 6, 2025; the Oswego YMCA Harborfest 5K and kids fun run on July 26, 2025; the Oswego YMCA Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 4–5, 2025; and the Oswego Harborfest event running July 24–27, 2025.

The council also accepted a donation of a bench from Steve Coffey to honor William A. Goodman, to be placed along West Linear Park behind Bridal Manor, and authorized administrative measures including a four-year agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation to allow for emergency municipal assistance.

Financial actions approved included authorization for the city chamberlain to sign deposit checks in excess of $5,000 up to a cap of $9,000 for approved city events, authorization for the fire chief to receive checks for Port City Fire Conference attendees (and for the city chamberlain to deposit them), three budget amendments totaling $114,085 for equipment and supply purchases, and authority for the city chamberlain to advance up to $67,539.01 to purchase new fire-station equipment.

All resolutions listed on the agenda were adopted by roll call with six votes in favor and one member excused; individual roll-call votes were recorded for each item.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 22 — Approve minutes, Common Council meeting 01/13/2025: Passed, mover: Councilor Gozik; seconder: Councilor Walker; vote 6–0–1 (Councilor Burridge excused). - Resolution 24 — Approve use of public space: Garrett Dunsmore Memorial Foundation, GDMF 3x3 basketball tournament, Sunday, 06/08/2025: Passed, mover: Councilor Walton; seconder: Councilor Venucci; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 25 — Approve use of public space: Andrew Grissenway, Swiggo Pro Am Fishing Tournament, July 2025: Passed, mover: Councilor Gozik; seconder: Councilor Walker; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 26 — Approve use of public space: Snacks Enterprises, Snacks Party in the Park No. 2, Saturday, 07/26/2025: Passed, mover: Councilor Allen; seconder: Councilor Venucci; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 27 — Approve use of public space: Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Patrick’s Day parade (Saturday, date not specified on the record): Passed, mover: Councilor Plunkett; seconder: Councilor Walton; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 28 — Approve use of public space: Oswego YMCA, Reindeer Run, Saturday, 12/06/2025: Passed, mover: Councilor Plunkett; seconder: Councilor Walton; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 29 — Approve use of public space: Oswego YMCA, Harborfest 5K and kids fun run, Saturday, 07/26/2025: Passed, mover: Councilor Walton; seconder: Councilor Plunkett; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 30 — Approve use of public space: Oswego YMCA, Pumpkin Fest 2025, Saturday, 10/04/2025 and Sunday, 10/05/2025: Passed, mover: Councilor Walton; seconder: Councilor Plunkett; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 31 — Approve use of public space: Oswego Harborfest, Thursday, 07/24/2025 to Sunday, 07/27/2025: Passed, mover: Councilor Plunkett; seconder: Councilor Venucci; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 32 — Authorize mayor and/or community development director to execute documents for the 2025 summer concert series block parties and the 2025 Independence Day celebration: Passed, mover: Councilor Allen; seconder: Councilor Gozik; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 33 — Accept donation of bench from Steve Coffey to honor William A. Goodman, to be placed along West Linear Park behind Bridal Manor: Passed, mover: Councilor Walker; seconder: Councilor Walton; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 34 — Authorize mayor to sign a four-year agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation to allow for emergency municipal assistance if needed: Passed, mover: Councilor Plunkett; seconder: Councilor Allen; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 35 — Authorize city chamberlain to sign deposit checks in excess of $5,000 with a cap of $9,000 for approved city events: Passed, mover: Councilor Venucci; seconder: Councilor Walton; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 36 — Authorize fire chief to receive checks for Port City Fire Conference attendees and authorize the city chamberlain to deposit them: Passed, mover: Councilor Walker; seconder: Councilor Plunkett; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 37 — Authorize city chamberlain to complete three separate budget amendments totaling $114,085 for various equipment and supply purchases: Passed, mover: Councilor Walton; seconder: Councilor Venucci; vote 6–0–1. - Resolution 38 — Authorize city chamberlain to advance funds not exceeding $67,539.01 to purchase new fire-station equipment: Passed, mover: Councilor Walton; seconder: Councilor Allen; vote 6–0–1.

What the meeting did not decide

There was no substantive public-comment exchange recorded on the agenda items, and no committee referrals or motions for further study were made. Several items were routine administrative approvals; the record shows no extended debate or dissenting votes.

The council adjourned after completing the agenda.