Syracuse council reviews sewer, tree treatments, grants and housing agreements; several items held for later votes

Syracuse City Councilors on Monday reviewed a slate of infrastructure, parks, public-safety and housing items including a $13.7 million Sedgwick combined-sewer separation project, proposed agreements to treat ash and hemlock trees, a $50,000 anti-violence grant and multiple shelter-rent and zoning actions — while tabling or scheduling several items for future votes.

The council heard the most detailed presentation from Mary Robinson, the city engineer, on an authorization needed to hire CNS Engineers for the Sedgwick combined sewer separation project. Robinson said the total project cost is $13,700,000 and, if the city receives the planned grant, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation would reimburse 50 percent. The proposed agreement with CNS would not exceed $2,295,500 and must be submitted to NYS EFC as part of the grant application.

Why it matters: Combined-sewer separation projects change how stormwater and sewage are handled in older neighborhoods and can affect flood risk, sewer overflows and long-term operating costs.

Also on the agenda, Steve Harris, the city arborist, described two proposed agreements with Onondaga County Soil and Water to treat the city’s ash trees (to address Emerald Ash Borer impacts) and hemlocks (to combat hemlock woolly adelgid). Harris said Syracuse had…