Update: Late issues with health concerns posed by the county health commissioner regarding ground-feeding and sale of meat and/or eggs will postpone the vote of the ordinance. A new draft will be introduced to committee for further discussion and vote in 2 weeks.
Earlier story:
Today at 2PM, the Buffalo Common Council will decide whether or not to allow city residents to keep chickens.
The question of keeping urban chickens arose as a consequence of city resident Monique Watts being ordered to remove 5 pet hens from her backyard coop in March.
We've had a flurry of emails today from people speculating on how the vote will go, and short of saying where they came from (because we don't actually know the originators), this is what the prognosticators had to say about the 2PM vote:
Rivera, Fontana, LoCurto, Kearns and Franczyk - Yes
Smith and Golombek - No
Russell and Davis - Anybody's guess
Championed by Rivera, he trump card for a majority vote of 6 seems to be Golombek, who voted yes at the hearing, but is rumored to have subsequently stated concerns about health issues, inspections and neighbor concerns.
LoCurto, who had recent transplant surgery, stated in the last council meeting that he was warned to stay away from chickens because of health concerns. Still, LoCurto doesn't feel immediately threatened by the prospect of city residents keeping chickens, stating that several measures have been put into place for neighbors to state their disapproval as part of the licensing process.
Anyone wishing to see the ordinance pass is being encouraged to attend the meeting in council chambers at 2 and to call their councilmember at the following numbers beforehand:
Joe Golombek - 851-5116
Rich Fontana - 851-5151*
Brian Davis - 851-4980
David Franczyk - 851-4138*
Michael Kearns - 851-5169*
Demone Smith - 851-5145
Bonnie Russell - 851-5165
Michael
LoCurto - 851-5155*
Those marked with an asterisk are expected to vote yes. We'll have an update for you later on today.
...and David Rivera, 851-5125*