AUBURN - Auburn city councilors tabled the three resolutions that sparked the longest discussions Thursday morning.

Councilors requested time to review changes to a proposed policy change that would require residents to sign a paper agreeing to abide by the council's rules.

Corporation counsel John Rossi dropped a clause that would impose a 90-day time period before a resident could speak about the same topic.

Instead, the proposed measure would have people sign in after reviewing the rules for the public-to-be-heard portion of meetings. Mayor Timothy Lattimore would call the speakers to the podium during the public comment time, and would make a call out to anyone who was not able to sign in.

The rules include prohibiting anyone from talking about pending or ongoing litigation, city employees, or specific councilors. Lattimore could rule speakers out of order if they refuse to stay within the set limits.

Stating the need for additional information, they also tabled two resolutions related to leasing, with the intent of buying, a pumper truck for the Auburn Fire Department.

Councilors William Graney and Matt Smith wanted to examine the financial aspects of the lease agreement for the nearly $350,000 expense. Graney agreed the department “definitely” needs new vehicles, but both men want to make sure the contract is best for the city, they said.

In other news:

€ After three years, a digester is one step away from fruition. The council approved an agreement with C-H Energy Group Inc. of Poughkeepsie to design, build, own and operate an electric power generation facility. The city would provide methane gas produced in the landfill and land next to the sewage treatment plant.

The group then has to review more factors to ensure the venture will work. The company representative predicted breaking ground in spring 2008 if all goes well.

Grants paid for the feasibility study in 2004 and other expenses, Mayor Timothy Lattimore said.

He said that the digester is more important to taxpayers than the negative publicity the city's received over allegations he and two councilors skirted the Open Meetings Act.

Lattimore asked Rossi to look into the “supposed violation” because he, councilor David Dempsey and councilor William Graney rotated in and out of a private joint meeting with Cayuga County Legislators. Three councilors make up a quorum and have to publicly announce their meeting, but two can meet together legally.

The meeting was aimed at reaching an agreement with upping the city's share of sales tax.

Lattimore said he was concerned that if the 2006 meeting was deemed inappropriate, Cayuga County officials would not have to honor any agreement between them.

“There were four lawyers in that room,” Lattimore added.

- The city will pay $35,000 because of a settlement with a family, although insurance will pay $10,000 of the city's amount. The Supreme Court found defects in city sidewalks and roadway caused an 8-year-old to swerve his bicycle onto the street, where he was hit in the head by a passing motorist's side-view mirror. Bobbi Weaver sued the city, her son's father, and the driver of the passing car on behalf of her son, Joey Lawrence Sweeney. The total settlement totaled $160,000, but Auburn will pay $25,000 of this amount.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net