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Residents press council on litter, housing safety and oppose proposed 'good cause' eviction changes; Green Utica promotes garden tour
Summary
Residents used the May 21, 2025 Utica Common Council public‑comment period to press for cleaner parks and safer housing, voice landlord opposition to proposed good‑cause eviction rules, and hear an announcement from Green Utica about a city garden tour and monument maintenance needs.
Speakers at the May 21, 2025 public comment period pressed the council on a range of neighborhood issues, from litter and public‑space maintenance to housing safety and legislation affecting landlords and tenants.
Francis Brown urged residents to pick up litter and noted that trash clogs sewers: “Litter is not just an eyesore but a burden on the taxpayer,” he told the council, and encouraged residents to use local markets and attend summer events. Brown also questioned some capital expenditures and said he disagreed with introduction of one ordinance related to park work.
Several speakers raised housing concerns. Susan Peckham described living conditions at a multi‑unit property, saying doors and emergency exits were unsecured and that the building had an active drug problem: “Our apartments have become infested with drug dealers and users,” she said, asking for increased police patrols and assistance. Codes Commissioner Marcus Phillips noted Legal Aid advocacy and said the city coordinates with Oneida County Public Health to provide cleaning supplies and limited pest control assistance to tenants who request help.
Landlords opposed a proposed local good‑cause eviction law. Rafael Ventura, speaking as a landlord, said the measure would make removing nonpaying or damaging tenants more difficult and could discourage property owners from renting: “I do not believe that we should pass any laws that are gonna make it more difficult for us landlords to get bad tenants out of the house,” he said.
Gina Paris, executive director of the nonprofit Green Utica, promoted the Green Utica Garden Tour scheduled for Aug. 16 and asked the council to consider maintenance funding for monuments. She said Green Utica plants and maintains Memorial Parkway flowerbeds and has been fundraising to repair a World War I/II monument damaged in recent months; she suggested that parties who erect monuments consider a restricted fund for future maintenance. Paris provided a website for more information: greenutica.org.
Council staff and department heads responded with available supports: Codes staff noted tenant advocacy resources and county public‑health supplies; police and staff noted ongoing coordination with event organizers and existing patrols. The council did not take immediate legislative action during the public‑comment period but heard and recorded the concerns.
