Mayor says new standalone contract will pay for assistant as council considers bills that include Fujifilm charge

Mayor Petrovsky told the Cortland City Council that a new standalone contract has been prepared to bring in temporary help after the council declined to approve his appointment for a service director. The council considered a claims list that Mayor Petrovsky said included a bill tied to Fujifilm and an additional payment for the new contract.

"I need additional help to run the city. So that's why there's a supplemental contract for Jeffrey to assist me," Mayor Petrovsky said while explaining the new agreement and how it differs from the existing contract that expires in June. He described the proposed arrangement as a standalone contract with new responsibilities and deliverables.

The council opened discussion on the schedule of bills, which Mayor Petrovsky presented as totaling $247,389.31. The bills list included a payment tied to Fujifilm and a separate payment for the new contract. Mayor Petrovsky said the existing contract and the new contract are distinct, and that both amounts appear on the bills schedule: one to pay the remaining June amount under the current contract and a second smaller payment for the new standalone contract.

Council members asked clarifying questions about term dates and fees. The mayor said the new contract carries a different term and fee amount and that the new contract's term would run through June 15 under its stated terms.

No formal ordinance or long-term staffing change was adopted at this point during the discussion; the mayor framed the contract as a temporary, standalone agreement to address immediate staffing needs.

Council action on the bills proceeded as part of the meeting agenda.