ONEIDA — It was a short, but full, meeting for the Oneida Common Council on Tuesday, with councilors starting at 6:30 p.m. and adjourning within 15 minutes.

A public hearing was held on a proposed local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in general municipal law, but no one had signed up to speak. The proposed local law would allow the council to set a tax levy higher than the state legislature’s property tax cap, should the need arise.

Similar measures have been passed annually by the Common Council, which is tasked with reviewing and approving the city’s yearly budget proposal.

Oneida Police Chief John Little spoke during public comment, thanking those that participated in making the second annual Oneida Fall Fest a success. “An incredible amount of work went into the Fall Fest,” Little said. “But it wasn’t just the police department.” Little thanked the recreation department for its work and planning, the City Clerk’s Office for its work organizing vendors, the fire department for setting up its trucks and EMS for touch a truck, and city officials who came out in support.

“And I want to thank all the people who came out to the Fall Fest,” he said. “It was great to see everyone out there.”

A local law was introduced imposing a six-month moratorium on smoke shop use in the city of Oneida, and a public hearing was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, in the Council Chambers. Mayor Helen Acker said the local law was in response to an increased number of smoke shops opening in the city of Oneida.

A local law was introduced to amend the Oneida City Code, removing references to marijuana, and a public hearing was also scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18. “This is just to clean up our local codes because marijuana is legal now,” Acker noted.

Another item was added to the council agenda regarding Callee 1945. Its owners, Abbey Woodcock and KC Baney, are looking to get their liquor license to allow for wine and cocktails to pair with cheese for the cheese-centric shop.

“We won’t be open late like a pub, but it will be something to add to the cheese experience,” Woodcock said. “We’re also looking to cheese tastings alongside wine tastings. Craft beers, specialty cocktails, bourbons, whiskey, and more. Our next step is to do this whole process with the state, so we’re hoping to have this ready by the holidays.”

The city council passed the resolution without any further discussion.