Common Council Items of Interest

For those of you who can't make it to the weekly Common Council meeting, following is the edited briefing. We included the topics that relate to larger segments of the community. From this week's meeting as provided by the council, here is the summary:

The Council adopted the third and last resolves of a resolution sponsored by Ellicott District Common Council Member Curtis Haynes Jr. calling for the creation of a Community Strengthening Task Force to address crimes and its causes in the City of Buffalo.  This task force would be comprised of a diverse array of community stakeholders whose primary purpose would be to address the underlying conditions which can lead to criminal behavior and to recommend to the Common Council, suggested solutions and needed actions.  The Council is currently accepting the recommendations of concerned citizens as well an individual applications in an effort to ensure that the task force is comprised of individuals from all segments of the city, especially, the residential, business and law enforcement communities.  

The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Lovejoy District Common Council Member Richard Fontana calling for a Healthcare Audit of all City of Buffalo Employees Dependents.  Council Member Fontana pointed out that after salaries, health care benefit costs, which total in excess of $66 million dollars annually, is the second largest cost center within the City budget.  The resolution brings attention to the Comptrollers recent audit of the Department of Human Resources handling of active and retired health care benefits which highlighted that the City was paying for health care benefits for numerous ineligible participants including deceased individuals.  A health care benefits dependents audit would help the city to verify that benefits are only being extended to those employees authorized to receive them.  More importantly, any savings from this initiative would reduce the cost of government for taxpayers. The Council resolved that the Commissioner of Human Resources should work closely with the Office of City Comptroller to ascertain the need for a health and dental care eligibility audit, and if needed, that a request for proposals for such work be commenced and that such actions and outcomes be reported periodically to the Council.  
 
The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by North District Common Council Member Joseph Golombek authorizing the City Department of Public Works to waive all street closing fees associated with the Fleet Feet 15k Run which was held September 6th, 2010.  Proceeds from this race will be used to the purchase approximately 800 pairs of running shoes for under privileged young runners in the City of Buffalo.

The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Ellicott District Common Council Member Curtis Haynes Jr. requesting of the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA), that they create a budgetary earmark for Improvement of the Michigan Avenue Cultural Corridor.  The source of funds for this earmark would be the $400,000 BURA recently received from the Langston Hughes Institute in conjunction with the sale of property pursuant to an agreement with the City of Buffalo.  The Langston Hughes Institute is relocating its facilities to the Michigan Avenue Cultural Corridor and these funds together with the new investment that is occurring in the immediate area would infuse substantial resources and contribute greatly to the update and rebirth of this area as a cultural destination.  
 
The Common Council approved a resolution sponsored by Common Council Member David A. Rivera honoring the Breakout Organization.  Breakout is composed of groups of volunteers, sponsors, and partners who collectively continue to serve City of Buffalo residents by facilitating many home remediation projects including paint removal and repainting, porch rebuilding, roof repairs and other related everyday homeowner needs.  
 
The Common Council approved a resolution sponsored by Common Council Member Bonnie E. Russell granting to the Holy Angels Academy, permission to hang six pole banners.  The banners will promote the Academy's mission and will create an awareness of its upcoming 150th Anniversary.  The banners will be hung on Hertel Avenue from September of 2010 through September of 2011.

The Council approved the sale of the following City owned properties:

205 and 207 Lemon were sold to First Centennial Missionary Baptist Church for $5,200 

20 Orton was sold to David Bartlett for $8,201

453 East Delavan was sold to Mary Maloney for $2,900

534 Glenwood was sold to Daniel Edwards for $2,100

417 Breckenridge was sold to Iron Island NY Properties for $1,300

19 Wisconsin was sold to Andrew Rusniak for $1,500

The Council approved the rescission of the sale of the following City owned property and the forfeiture of the corresponding purchase deposit pursuant to the terms of sale agreement with the prospective purchaser:

1269 Genesee to Gary Chance for $8,400 together with the related purchase deposit of $840

The Council confirmed the following Mayoral appointments:

To the Board of Parking:

Kevin J. Helfer as Chairman of the Board of Parking, succeeding Susan M. Gonzalez.  Mr. Helfer is currently the Commissioner of the City of Buffalo Department of Parking.

Susan M. Gonzalez as Board Member.

Within the Office of the Mayor:

Kirk R. Mclean, Special Assistant to the Deputy Mayor III

Upon the recommendation of its Legislation Committee and the Department of Economic Development, Permit & Inspection Services, the Council approved the following license and permit applications:

Sidewalk Café License:
Blue Fin Asian Bistro located at 765 Elmwood Avenue
New Elmwood Avenue Pizza and Subs located at 1009 Elmwood Avenue   

Scrap Processor Dealer License:
Tomson Alloys Recycling located at 143 Fillmore Avenue 

Wholesale Junk Dealer License:
Tomson Alloys Recycling located at 143 Fillmore Avenue

Food Store License:
Wilson Farms located at 136 North Division  
Grant International Market Place Store located at 472 Grant Street
Ocean Garden Oriental Foods Inc.  located at 1233 Niagara Street

Restaurant Dance License:
Harry's Harbour Place Grille located at 2192 Niagara Street
Niagara Frontier Post#1041 located at 533 Amherst Street 

Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Police, the Council:

Authorized the Police Department to accept a donation of one (1) 2005 Chevy pickup truck from National Fuel Gas at no cost to the City. The vehicle will be assigned to the underwater recovery team for the transport of its equipment.

Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Administration, Finance, Policy and Urban Affairs, the Council:

Authorized the sale of ferrous scrap metal to Max Brock Inc. and the sale of non- ferrous metal to Edward Arnold Inc based on a competitive bid solicitation by the Division of Purchase.  The contracts will be valid for the period July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011, and may be renewed for two (2) additional one (1) year periods.  
 
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Audit and Control, the Council:

Authorized the Comptroller to process an interfund cash loan on an as needed basis for the Safe Routes to School Project for a total amount not to exceed $550,000.

Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works ("DPW"), the Council:

Approved the following Change Orders:

For the contract with Christa Construction for construction of the Bailey Kensington Fire Station House, in the amount of $13,955.  The change order will include the deletion of an entry trellis and concrete column, ceiling revisions, added fire-stopping materials, deletion of a limestone cap at the landscape wall, changes to the garage door pulleys, purchase and installation of stainless steel racks, and the installation of a commemorative plaque.  The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $2,567,000 and with this and prior changes, the contract will increase to $2,625,961.

For the contract with South Buffalo Electric, Inc. for the continuing replacement of knocked down street light standards citywide for the remainder of the year, in the amount of $34,679.  The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $138,715 and with this change the contract will increase to $173,394.

For the contract with Schneck Tree Removal for emergency tree removal citywide, in the amount of $80,811. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $444,866 and with this change the contract will increase to $525,677.

Approved entering into the following Agreements:

Engaging the consulting services of Nussbaumer & Clarke, Inc., for an amount estimated not to exceed $125,000, to update the existing Water CAD hydraulic model for the City's water distribution system.

A Betterment Project Agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) that will allow the State to administer the construction phase of improvements to Cherry Street and BFNC Drive between Michigan Avenue and Jefferson Avenue in order to complement ongoing landscape and retaining wall improvements to Route 33.

Approved the following Contract Extension:

With the South Buffalo Community Association, to operate the Cazenovia Ice Rink, on a month-to-month basis, in order to ensure service through the upcoming hockey season.  The Department of Public Works is currently assembling a Request for Proposals which it intends to issue in the near future to solicit proposals for operation of the ice rink on a long term basis.

Approved the following Reports of Bids:

For the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Ellicott Gateway Project-Phase I.  Of the bids that were received, Man O' Trees was the lowest with a bid of $1,924,650.

For the D.A.R. Drive Road Reconstruction Project.  Of the bids that were received, Destro & Brothers was the lowest with a bid of $1,066,637. 

For the "D" District Police Station, HVAC Modifications-North District.  Of the bids that were received, Greater Niagara Mechanical was the lowest with a bid of $ 51,400.

For the Historical Society, Air Conditioning-Phase I Project. This project is for electrical improvements including rewiring of the entire lower portion of the building for new heating and ventilation systems with increased energy efficiency, building safety and potential expansion. Of the bids that were received, Hoot Mechanical was the lowest with $54,500 as a base bid, an additional $7,200 for Alt. #1, and an additional $9,000 for Alt. #2, for a total bid price of $70,700. 

For the Safe Routes to School Project.  This is a Federal Aid Highway project that is 100% reimbursable. Of the bids received, South Buffalo Electric was the lowest with a bid of $451,873.  

For improvements to the Water Distribution System at Various Locations - Phase 2.  Of the bids received, Visone Construction Inc. was the lowest with a bid of $1,534,215 with an additional 10% allocated for contingencies amounting to $153,421, for a total contract amount of $1,687,636.

Approved the Purchase of the following equipment:

Eight (8) ReBody Single-Axle Dump Trucks with Patrol wings, from Contract # 7471, at a cost of $42,324 each for a total cost of $338,592.

Three (3) Reversible Plows, at a price of $6,963 each for a total cost of $20,889.

Six (6) Salt Spreader Bodies for use by the Streets Division, at a total cost of $ 90,567

Two (2) Vacuum Sweepers for use by the Streets Division, at a total cost of $ 350,000. 
 
Image:  Buffalo Common Council Back in session following Summer 2010 Recess.  View from the house on Tuesday September 8th, 2010.