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Onondaga County

Legislature

Needs of Children And Teens

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Public Hearing of the Health and Human Services Committee On How County Services Can Address the Needs of Children and Teens

May 13, 2026, 12:00 p.m. – May 14, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

Members Present: Mr. Romeo, Mr. Kelly, Ms. Denton, Ms. Block, Mr. Burtis

Also Present: Chairwoman Watts, Leader May, Mr. Meaker, Mr. Bush, Mr. Brown, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Garland

Mr. Romeo called the 12:00 p.m. public hearing to order at 12:11 p.m. and stated that pursuant to Resolution No. 55-2026, adopted by the Onondaga County Legislature on April 7, 2026, authorizing standing committees to conduct public hearings on matters within the purview and jurisdiction of the committee, he was duly authorized to call this public hearing to order.

The Assistant Clerk confirmed that the notice had been duly published.

Chairman Romeo delivered opening remarks, outlined the rules and procedures governing the Public Hearing, including the three-minute time limit for each speaker, and proceeded to call upon registered speakers in order.

  1. Jeff Dorfman
  2. Dr. Christopher Lucas, Vice Chair for Pediatric Hospital Psychiatry at Upstate Medical University Hospital (Statement Attached)
  3. Amy Eells, Chief Innovation Officer of Access CNY (Document Attached)
  4. Amelia DeRusha (Statement Attached)
  5. Bethany Creaser, Executive Director for the Early Childhood Alliance of Onondaga
  6. Anne Napper, Executive Director of Childcare Solutions
  7. Brynn Lovejoy-Grinnell, Attorney (Statement Attached)
  8. Annette Scott, AFC (Statement Attached)
  9. Robin Zimpel, Law Office of Robin Zimpel
  10. Charisma Dezonie, Job Corps (Statement Attached)
  11. Bruno Primerano, Director of Student Support Services, Syracuse City School District
  12. Rasheada Caldwell, Syracuse Common Councilor
  13. Jessica Hopps, Program Manager for Coordinated Case Services

Chairman Romeo asked for a motion to recess and keep open the Public Hearing, with the hearing to be reconvened at 6:00 p.m. on May 14, 2026 at the Salt City Market Community Room.

A motion was made by Ms. Denton, seconded by Mr. Knapp; MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Respectfully submitted,
John DeSantis, Assistant Clerk
Onondaga County Legislature

The following are individuals who submitted statements via email:

  1. Anne Winter (Statement Attached)
  2. Christine Gaytor (Statement Attached)
  3. Sharon P. O’Hanlon (Statement Attached)
  4. Paul Buehler (Statement Attached)
  5. Paul Buehler (Statement Attached)

Chairman Romeo reconvened the public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on May 14, 2026.

Members Present: Mr. Romeo, Mr. Kelly, Ms. Denton, Ms. Bock, Mr. Burtis

Also Present: Chairwoman Watts, Mr. Bush, Mr. Brown, Mr. Ryan

Chairman Romeo reconvened the Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m. on May 14, 2026, and called the Public Hearing back to order at 6:02 p.m. Chairman Romeo asked the Clerk to call the roll and proceeded to call upon speakers in the order in which they had signed in:

  1. Kelly Varamogiannis, Deputy Commissioner at the Onondaga County Department of Child and Family Services (Statement Attached)
  2. Tom Babilon, Deputy Chief Human Services Attorney at the Department of Children and Family Services (Statement Attached)
  3. Sharon O’Hanlan, Attorney in Onondaga County (Statement Attached)
  4. Galyn Murphy-Stanley, Executive Director of the Interfaith Community Collective
  5. Michael Songer, Board Member of the Interfaith Community Collective
  6. Meredith Perrealutt, Volunteer with Interfaith Community Collective (Statement Attached)
  7. Melissa Schafer, Director of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital (Statement Attached)
  8. Dr. Gregory Conners, Chairman of Pediatrics Department at SUNY Update Medical University (Statement Attached)
  9. Amy Buckley, Constituent (Statement Attached)
  10. Donna DeSiato, Superintendent of East Syracuse Minoa School District (Statement Attached)
  11. Hasan Stephens, Founder of Good Life Youth
  12. Indu Gupta, DeWitt Town Councilor (Statement Attached)
  13. Larry Wraight, Constituent
  14. Jacqueline LaSonde, Southside Syracuse Neighborhood Association
  15. Sharon Patterson, Constituent
  16. Charlene Tarver, Women’s Economic Institute
  17. Konika Banks & Dominique Granigar, Constituents
  18. Corinthia Kutlar, Constituent
  19. Kevin Corlett, President of the Department of Social Services section for Union CSEA
  20. Larrissa Knox, Constituent
  21. Esparanza Davis, Constituent

Chairman Romeo asked for a motion to close the speaking portion of the Public Hearing, with the Public Hearing to officially close at 11:59 p.m. on May 14, 2026, allowing members of the public to continue submitting written statements until that time. The speaking portion of the Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

A motion was made by Ms. Block, seconded by Mr. Burtis; MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The following are individuals who submitted statements via email:

  1. Anne Winter (Statement Attached)
  2. Laura Flaherty (Statement Attached)
  3. Nick Padula (Statement Attached)
  4. Bruno Primerano (Statement Attached)

The public hearing officially closed on May 14th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Hassina K. Adams, Clerk
Onondaga County Legislature

Written Statements

Official Minutes