Ordinances Brought, Not Passed At Syracuse Council Meeting
January 18, 2023 at 7:19 p.m.
By Denise Fedorow-
According to Clerk-Treasurer Virginia Cazier, an ordinance brought to amend the town code regarding extending utilities outside of town limits died for lack of a vote.
The ordinance was brought by Councilman Larry Siegel to amend the town code to state “It is the express policy of the Town of Syracuse to avoid the provision of services or extension of services to properties outside of the corporate limits of the Town of Syracuse until such time as those properties have been annexed to the Town of Syracuse.”
According to Cazier, Councilman Bill Musser disagreed, stating that he knew a couple of developers outside town limits that want those services and since the utilities are “in the red” he felt the town should gain some revenue for the utilities.
Siegel’s argument was the town would be losing property tax revenue if the properties are not annexed and if they already have utilities there is no incentive to be annexed. The sole vote in favor of the ordinance was Siegel’s and the vote died for a lack of a second.
Another ordinance almost met the same fate regarded amending the town code as it related to dogs and cats running loose.
Siegel argued the language stating that all dogs must be on a leash if not confined in a property was unfair to those dog owners who had control of their animals while walking them off a leash. Council did not vote on the ordinance.
A third ordinance regarding a smoking ban in the parks did get approved but only for one park instead of “all” parks. The ordinance will apply only to the new Harold Schrock Park where the new ball field is.
The ordinance prohibits the “use and consumption of cigarettes, vaping products, e-cigarettes and cigars or the like.” Any person found to be in violation shall be fined “not less than $20 nor more than $50.” Chewing tobacco is not included in the ban.
A spokesperson for the Syracuse Library was present and had sketches of the library plans for its new building on the town’s property at Main and Dolan Streets.
The town council agreed to give the property to the library but town attorney Jay Rigdon wanted to review the agreement before making it official.
In other business:
• Paul Stoelting was voted in as vice president to Cindy Kaiser’s president role this year.
• Council approved an upgrade to the lift station at Oakwood at a cost of $107,621.
• Approved the agreement between the town of Syracuse and the Turkey Creek Dike and Ditch for $50,000 to repair the ditch. Siegel abstained as he wasn’t present for the meeting.
• Passed a resolution regarding the payment of Bond Anticipation Notes (BANS) where the council prepays the principle on the BANS on an annual basis until they are fully retired.
• Heard police received a grant in the amount of $14,140.94 for new radios.
• Heard Councilman Larry Martindale is resigning.
Latest News
E-Editions
According to Clerk-Treasurer Virginia Cazier, an ordinance brought to amend the town code regarding extending utilities outside of town limits died for lack of a vote.
The ordinance was brought by Councilman Larry Siegel to amend the town code to state “It is the express policy of the Town of Syracuse to avoid the provision of services or extension of services to properties outside of the corporate limits of the Town of Syracuse until such time as those properties have been annexed to the Town of Syracuse.”
According to Cazier, Councilman Bill Musser disagreed, stating that he knew a couple of developers outside town limits that want those services and since the utilities are “in the red” he felt the town should gain some revenue for the utilities.
Siegel’s argument was the town would be losing property tax revenue if the properties are not annexed and if they already have utilities there is no incentive to be annexed. The sole vote in favor of the ordinance was Siegel’s and the vote died for a lack of a second.
Another ordinance almost met the same fate regarded amending the town code as it related to dogs and cats running loose.
Siegel argued the language stating that all dogs must be on a leash if not confined in a property was unfair to those dog owners who had control of their animals while walking them off a leash. Council did not vote on the ordinance.
A third ordinance regarding a smoking ban in the parks did get approved but only for one park instead of “all” parks. The ordinance will apply only to the new Harold Schrock Park where the new ball field is.
The ordinance prohibits the “use and consumption of cigarettes, vaping products, e-cigarettes and cigars or the like.” Any person found to be in violation shall be fined “not less than $20 nor more than $50.” Chewing tobacco is not included in the ban.
A spokesperson for the Syracuse Library was present and had sketches of the library plans for its new building on the town’s property at Main and Dolan Streets.
The town council agreed to give the property to the library but town attorney Jay Rigdon wanted to review the agreement before making it official.
In other business:
• Paul Stoelting was voted in as vice president to Cindy Kaiser’s president role this year.
• Council approved an upgrade to the lift station at Oakwood at a cost of $107,621.
• Approved the agreement between the town of Syracuse and the Turkey Creek Dike and Ditch for $50,000 to repair the ditch. Siegel abstained as he wasn’t present for the meeting.
• Passed a resolution regarding the payment of Bond Anticipation Notes (BANS) where the council prepays the principle on the BANS on an annual basis until they are fully retired.
• Heard police received a grant in the amount of $14,140.94 for new radios.
• Heard Councilman Larry Martindale is resigning.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092