Auburn City Council weighs $13.03 million water bond; Planning Board reviews Seminary Street proposals
Auburn's City Council is scheduled to take up a $13.03 million bond ordinance for city water system improvements this month, the largest dollar item across recent city meetings. The bond appears on the July 16 regular meeting agenda as a first reading and returns for further consideration at the July 23 meeting.
All meetings summarized below are listed as agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published. Items are described as they appear on the agendas, and final outcomes are not yet confirmed.
City Council — July 9
The council's July 9 agenda includes a public hearing period, a proclamation for the Auburn Track Team, and several resolutions:
- Resolution #74: urges NYS Governor Kathy Hochul to sign data-center moratorium legislation.
- Resolution #75: authorizes sale of surplus vehicles under the 2026 City Capital Asset Policy.
- Agreement Resolution #76: authorizes the School Resource Officer contract with AECSD.
- Financial Resolution #77: closes multiple capital accounts.
- Land Sale Resolution #78: authorizes sale of real property at 10 Nelson Street.
City Council — July 16
The July 16 agenda centers on water infrastructure financing and several personnel and property matters:
- Bond Ordinance #3 of 2026: first reading of $13.03 million in serial bonds for city water system improvements.
- Appointment Resolution #80 of 2026: amended employment contract with the City Manager.
- Council Resolution #81 of 2026: adopts a senior management personnel policy.
- Agreement Resolution #82 of 2026: approves a collective bargaining agreement with PEMTACA Local 5379, IAFF, AFL-CIO.
- Council Resolution #83 of 2026: amends purchase offer and sale contracts for 17-19 Derby Avenue, 19-21 Venice Street, 41 Lansing Street, and 197 State Street.
Planning Board — July 7
The Planning Board agenda lists major site plan reviews and two special use permit requests:
- Major Site Plan Review of 281 Grant Ave.
- Major Site Plan Review of 143 & 147 North St., 23 Perrine St., and 1 West Park Ave.
- Special Use Permit for 10 Seminary St. to convert a four-unit to a five-unit residential building.
- Special Use Permit for 6 Seminary Ave for an auto detailing service in the Downtown District.
Historic Resources Review Board — July 14
The board is scheduled to review a Certificate of Appropriateness for a fence installation and porch renovation, and to approve minutes from the April 14, 2026 meeting.
Coming up
- **City Council — July 23:** Further consideration of Bond Ordinance #3 of 2026 ($13 million for Reservoir and Water Fund Capital Projects); Grant Resolution #84 for NYS Water Infrastructure Improvement Act funding; Grant Resolution #85 for the NYS DCJS STOP Violence Against Women Grant Program; Agreement Resolution #88, Change Order #1 to Northern Asphalt LLC for the 2026 Road Improvement Program; and Agreement Resolution #89, a supplemental agreement with NYS DOT for the Aurelius Avenue Bridge Replacement.
- **Zoning Board of Appeals — July 27:** Two area variance requests — parking and driveway installation at 84 Grant Ave, and a 768 sqft garage at 22 Sheridan St (234 sqft over the maximum allowed).