Brianna Stewart Foundation donates $50,000 for Kirk Park court upgrades; Parks presents multiple service agreements

Saisha Byrd, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, asked the council to accept a $50,000 donation from the newly formed Brianna Stewart Foundation to upgrade the indoor basketball courts at Kirk Park with new rims, backboards and lighting. Byrd said the foundation plans a visit in the near future and councilors praised the effort.

Byrd also presented multiple two‑year landscape architectural service agreements (items 18–23), each contract capped at $300,000; staff said they normally authorize project-by-project spending under those agreements and will return to council with specific project approvals. Byrd listed firms to be included (Grama with Bartiff and Lejudice; Colliers Engineering Design; Environmental Design & Research; Kepler Freeman; Quinn Levine; QPK; Terry Horse Landscape Architect) and noted most are local.

Other items included an agreement with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County to support 4‑H and youth programs and an agreement with Onondaga County Soil & Water Conservation District to treat approximately 148 ash trees at a cost not-to-exceed $20,000. Byrd also requested an amendment to the 'Barks and Rex' contract to increase authorized budget by $21,000 and extend the contract for one year because the vendor exceeded its original budget. Councilors asked about door‑tag notifications for tree treatments and about prioritizing missed maintenance areas.