By RICK MILLER
CattCoNews&Photos
OLEAN — A proposal to hire a consultant to study the costs of moving the city’s senior citizens and youth recreation services to Olean Center Mall was postponed by the Olean Common Council Tuesday.
Aldermen also voted to amend the recently-passed $29.2 million 2024-25 city budget and to extend a solar moratorium for another six months.
Mayor Bill Aiello, who proposed hiring PLYWOOD Studio of Allegany for $3,200 for a study to relocate the current John J. Ash Community Center and youth recreation activities to the mall, did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.
Council President John Crawford, D-Ward 5, said the mayor’s proposal involves moving senior services now at the John J. Ash Center and youth recreation activities now located at the former St. John’s education facility on North Union Street to the mall.
Crawford said year mall developer Angelo Ingrassia showed aldermen the community center he’d created at the former Irondequoit Mall, which he purchased outside Rochester. He wants to create a similar space at the Olean Center mall as part of a $20 million redevelopment.
Alderman David Anastasia, D-Ward 7, questioned moving senior services out of the John J. Ash Center, where the city had replaced an expensive heating and air conditioning system.
“I agree with Alderman Anastasia,” said Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., D-Ward 6, which rarely happens. He asked why the city would be paying for architectural design for a building owned by someone else.
Alderman Sonja McCall, D-Ward 4, said she would be reluctant to move seniors from their dedicated space at the John J. Ash Center, especially after spending money on a new HVAC system.
The developer is looking to create a community center at the aging mall and wants something to draw attention to it,” said Alderman Jason Panus, R-Ward 2.
Aldermen agreed to postpone a vote on the proposal until the mayor can explain his reasoning to hire the consultant on May 14.
The amendment to the city budget was to accept a $260,000 one-time temporary municipal assistance funding contained in the state budget that was passed 20 days late and after the city budget was adopted.
The amendment uses $70,000 to correct a discrepancy on the revenue side of the budget, but the 3.7% tax levy remains virtually unchanged.
The remaining $190,000 in funding will be rolled into the city’s capital fund, to the delight of aldermen. The Council is expected to review possible capital projects next month.l
The city will use $70,000 to reduce the 2024-25 tax levy, resulting in a 6-cent reduction in the property tax rate to $16.81 per $1,000.
The remaining $190,000 of the funds will go into the Common Council’s fund for capital projects.
Anastasia voted against the amendment, arguing unsuccessfully that the entire amount should be used to reduce the 2024-25 tax hike from 3.7% to 2%.
Aldermen had been scheduled to vote on a one-year extension of the solar moratorium, but Robinson said he wouldn’t vote for another 12-month extension. “I believe we should be developing solar panels,” including on top of the Municipal Building, he added.
Robinson agreed to a six-month extension as city officials continue work on a comprehensive plan which will address solar farms, according to Community Development Director Keri Kerper.
Crawford asked City Auditor Lens Martial to provide aldermen with tax receipts and other revenue the city receives from the three solar farms currently operating inside the city.
Solar developers are looking at properties in the Windfall and Dugan Road areas in the town of Olean adjoining the city. A solar moratorium is currently in effect in the town as well.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, a South Barry Street resident complained that city officials had ignored his concerns over a series of overgrown thorn bushes along East Green Street that extend onto the sidewalk.
