Public hearings, City Hall renovations

ONEIDA, N.Y. >> Tonight’s City of Oneida Common Council meeting should be a whirlwind of activity with a number of public hearings slated.

The Council will continue to address nuisance properties with hearing for 212 Bates Ave., 181 Main St., and 253 Linden St. on the agenda. Previously, hearings regarding the three aforementioned properties had been adjourned to allow the city more time to track down property owners, or in the case of 181 Main St. - Hotel Oneida - execute a search warrant to determine the interior construction status.

In addition to the nuisance properties, councilors will have an opportunity to vote on two of the capital projects included in the Mayor Leo Matzke’s 2017 budget.

The renovations proposed for City Hall include two different aspects and as a result, two separate capital projects.

The first would seek to repair the lateral support walls at City Hall in attempts to address the recurring leaks that have plagued the building at various locations. Should the resolution pass, the city would be authorized to spend a maximum estimated cost of roughly $199,000.

The second seeks to outfit City Hall with modern security

measures, including a security glass at the clerk entrance, cameras, card access entrances, and Oneida Fire Department security upgrades. Should that resolution pass, the city would be authorized to spend a maximum estimated cost of close to $204,000.

Both capital projects, if approved, would be bonded.

Finally, there will be a public hearing on a proposed local law amendment that would establish a vacant building registry in the city.