Common Council Meeting October 7th, 2026

The City of Utica Common Council met on October 7, 2026. Procurement- and spending-related actions included adopting, by a 9–0 vote, authorization to sell or dispose of four surplus 2015–2016 Ford trucks through the city’s auction house; the vehicles had reached the end of their useful lives and were considered costly to repair. The Council also adopted a $60,000 transfer to cover Fire Department contracted-service invoices through March 31, 2027. A golf-related budget transfer was also considered, including $17,106 for workers’ compensation and $15,328.66 for contract costs, with an additional labor amount unclear in the transcript. The DPW commissioner reported that road salt for the season would cost $81.78 per ton, up $13 from last year; the city is obligated to order 8,000 tons, for an estimated total of more than $650,000. Construction at Fire Station 4 has begun, demolition is complete, and the department is awaiting a steel order.

The Council discussed proposed recreational-facility fee changes, including ski-pass rates and a family season-pass option; the amended proposal remained in committee for further consideration. No RFPs or new vendor contract awards were identified. Other notable actions included adopting a resolution to hold an October 21 public hearing on a proposed expansion of senior property-tax exemption eligibility, while the proposed local law itself was laid on the table. Members also advanced a resolution urging state support for municipalities addressing homelessness, mental health, substance use, and public safety. Several proposed ordinances—including battery-energy-storage zoning revisions and camping restrictions—were amended or remained under consideration; no related procurement awards were recorded.