Rochester City Council June Newsletter
From President Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr.
Adopting the City budget is one of the most important actions of City Council every year. And this year, I’m proud that we have passed a budget which puts everyday people first, and incorporates the voice of all Rochesterians.
The 2024-25 City budget puts into stark focus this Council’s top priorities: Safer Neighborhoods, Quality Housing and Equitable Access to Opportunity. With investments in key community hubs like the Public Market, this budget shares a vision for a Rochester which affords all Rochesterians -- and especially the most underserved members of our community -- with the opportunity to live safer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Prior to our approval of the budget, City Council added seven Resolutions of Budgetary intent which set aside leftover funding for important community needs like quality affordable housing and neighborhood-based enrichment projects.
Among the resolutions, We have set aside up to $1 million in funding for quality affordable housing and an item which allows up to $400,000 of unused funds to be spent on community-based initiatives in each quadrant of the City. In the fall, Each of City Council’s four District Councilmembers will lead a review committee to consider applications for the funding. Each quadrant is eligible for up to $100,000 in funding.
Our other Resolutions of Budgetary Intent include up to $100,000 in funding for park maintenance and youth recreation, $300,000 for senior support services, $500,000 toward energy bill relief and the creation of the Hester C. Jeffrey Women and Civil Rights Caucus.
This is a good news budget which moves in lockstep with City Council priorities. I believe that this budget enables us to continue the hard work of council to build a Rochester of Safer Neighborhoods, Quality Housing and Equitable Access to Opportunity.
City Council Approves Mayor’s $697 Million Budget
Rochester City Council on June 17 approved the Mayor’s $697 million 2024-25 City Budget in a 5-4 vote. President Meléndez, Vice President Harris and Councilmembers Gruber, Patterson and Monroe each voted in favor of the budget.
“We have heard the voices of all Rochesterians in this budget process, and we still have much work to do, but I’m proud to pass a budget that focuses on what matters most to the citizens of Rochester — Safer Neighborhoods, Quality Housing and Equitable Access to Opportunity,” said President Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr.
The budget totals $697,282,000, an increase of about $9.4 million over last year’s adopted budget. Undistributed funds account for the largest portion of expenses in the budget, followed by the Rochester Police Department and the City’s Department of Environmental Services.
“This is a good news budget with key investments in crucial areas throughout our City,” City Council Finance Chair Mitch Gruber said. “Further investment in our infrastructure, parks and indispensable community assets like the Public Market will ensure that our City is prepared for continued, secure growth in the coming years and decades.”
Prior to the passage of the budget, City Council voted to add seven Resolutions of Budgetary intent, including $1 million in funding for quality affordable housing and an item which allows up to $400,000 of unused funds to be spent on community-based initiatives in each quadrant of the City. In the fall, Each of City Council’s four District Councilmembers will lead a review committee to consider applications for the funding. Each quadrant is eligible for up to $100,000 in funding.
“This budget makes important investments throughout our City, especially in areas which have historically been ignored and underserved,” said City Councilmember Michael A. Patterson (Northeast). “The Northeast District contains some of the poorest zip codes in New York. We must continue to invest in our most challenged areas in order to ensure equitable growth in our City.”
“I am proud of this budget, and the investments it makes in the Northwest District,” said Councilmember Bridget A. Monroe (Northwest). “With the recent announcement of Rochester’s Vision Zero plan and continued investment in ensuring our streets are safe for all, I know that we can build a Rochester that is better, and safer, for everyone.”
Other resolutions of Budgetary Intent include up to $100,000 in funding for park maintenance and youth recreation, $300,000 for senior support services, $500,000 toward energy bill relief and the creation of the Hester C. Jeffrey Women and Civil Rights Caucus.
“I am proud today to pass a budget that puts our City’s children and seniors first,” Council Vice President LaShay D. Harris said. “With this budget, we can continue the hard work of this council to ensure that as Rochester continues to improve, it does so equitably for the most underserved members of our community.”
Rochester Announces Vision Zero Plan
Earlier this month, City Councilmember Mitch Gruber joined Council colleagues and Mayor Evans to unveil Rochester’s new Vision Zero plan, aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the city.
Remembering The Empty Closet
Did you know that one of the oldest LGBTQ+ papers in the United States called Rochester home?
Beginning in 1971, The Empty Closet focused on local and national LGBTQ+ issues. Started by the U of R Gay Liberation Front, The Empty Closet was recognized by the New York State Senate for creating an atmosphere of inclusion in Rochester, and in 2013 a complete run of the paper was preserved in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History Archives.
The Empty Closet also published advertisements for Rochester’s annual Pride Parade and Festival dating back to the 1970s. Unlike most places in the U.S., Rochester Pride actually occurs in July.
Pride Month as we know it began after Stonewall in 1969. In fact, many consider the Stonewall Uprising to be the start of the American gay liberation movement – and PRIDE.
Rochester has a long history of activism related to LGBTQ+ rights and soon after Stonewall the first LGBTQ+ Picnic took place in Rochester on July 16, 1972. Keeping this more than 50-year tradition alive, festivities in Rochester still occur in July — which means our city gets double the PRIDE.
This month, let’s celebrate Rochester’s strong and vibrant LGBTQ+ community while remembering the hard work, diligence and sacrifices made by community pillars like The Empty Closet to get where we are today.
Happy Pride Month Rochester, and we’ll see you again next month for Rochester Pride!
Rochester May Have the Job for You
