UPDATED: Nov. 9, 2019 at 4:50 p.m.

Syracuse’s Common Council passed a memorandum recognizing Syracuse University and 10 other local organizations as members of the Syracuse Surge Executive Committee.

Mayor Ben Walsh’s administration is spearheading Syracuse Surge, an initiative that aims to revitalize the city through technology. The city’s plan to adopt a 5G network is part of the Surge.

Members of the committee will work to ensure cooperation through the Surge’s implementation, Councilor At-Large Steven Thompson said after Monday’s voting session. The committee can’t directly make decisions but will instead focus on ensuring the initiative’s productivity “in the right direction,” he said.

“They will give import as to what’s going on and make sure that everybody’s informed as to what’s going on,” he said. “So it’s not an executive committee in that they’re going to be doing the policy decisions and stuff like that.”

In October, Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies announced its participation in the Surge. Other educational institutions on the committee include the Syracuse City School District, Le Moyne College, SUNY-ESF, Onondaga Community College and the SUNY Educational Opportunity Center.

The remaining committee members reflect different business sectors. CenterState CEO and the Gifford Foundation, both on the committee, are organizations that facilitate community leadership on local projects.

“I don’t think our roles differ, but our expertise differs and plays a huge role in it,” said Councilor Latoya Allen, of the 4th District. 

Allen is also a member of the committee. Her participation alongside the other members was welcomed by the mayor’s administration because the majority of the Surge projects will take place in the 4th District, she said. 

The committee is still in its early stages, but will continue to develop its role as it clarifies its vision for Syracuse Surge, Allen said. Eventually, the committee will likely establish subcommittees as well, she said. Any potential legislation crafted by the committee will also go through the Common Council as usual, she said. 

Microsoft recently committed to plans for a tech hub in Syracuse and the creation of student researcher fellowships as part of the Surge initiative. The tech giant will not be a member of the Surge Executive Committee. Microsoft’s differing role in the Surge and the opportunities provided to the Syracuse community by the tech company were discussed at length during a Department of Public Works Committee meeting on Wednesday.

Jennifer Tifft, deputy commissioner of the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, said during the DPW meeting that passing the Surge Executive Committee memorandum would be a more symbolic than authoritative measure.

“That’s really just formalizing the commitment that’s already been made by the city to enter into that executive committee,” she said. “This is actually a requirement of (the city’s) JP Morgan Chase grant that the council has been pretty actively involved in supporting.”

The Common Council also passed a second memorandum acknowledging SU, Onondaga County and Microsoft as significant public and private partners in the initiative. Both items were passed unanimously.

This post was updated with additional reporting.

Published on November 4, 2019 at 9:53 pm

Contact Marnie: ammunozc@syr.edu