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 a resolution sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Curtis Haynes, Jr. and South District Council Member Michael P. Kearns requesting of the Shared Asset Forfeiture Fund Advisory Board (“SAFFAB”) that they immediately determine the policies and procedures for disbursing Shared Asset Forfeiture Fund (“SAFF”) funds to deserving community organizations. The Common Council created the SAFF to provide financial support to private, not-for-profit, and community based organizations for programs associated with law enforcement, crime abatement, and drug and alcohol abuse prevention for youth within the City of Buffalo. The Common Council also tasked the SAFFAB with recommending an annual spending plan for SAFF funds. Despite the requirements of the City Charter which mandate annual meetings of the SAFFAB and the annual disbursement of monies accumulating within the fund, the Council is unaware of any SAFFAB meetings having been conducted nor the disbursement of any SAFF funds since the SAFF was created, thus resulting in the accumulation of in excess of $186,000 within the SAFF. The Council maintains that the recent spate of killings and violence within the City has brought residents, business owners and law enforcement together in an effort to bring attention to, and call for more, anti-drug and anti-violence measures to be instituted to protect our community. The City of Buffalo currently has SAFF resources which could be used for more intensive anti-drug and anti-violence programs for the City’s youth. The Council is requesting the Commissioner of Police to immediately convene a meeting of the SAFFAB.
The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by South District Council Member Michael P. Kearns requesting of the City of Buffalo Law Department that they submit an amendment to Section 18-2 of the City Charter that would require all duly constituted City Boards to conduct all of their governing board and committee meetings in Common Council Chambers and in compliance with the requirements of the New York State (“NYS”) Open Meetings Law. The Common Council has a policy of conducting its meeting and deliberations in public and in full compliance with the NYS Open Meetings Law in an effort to provide transparency in operations and decision making for the benefit of all concerned and especially the taxpayers, business owners and residents of the City of Buffalo who are most affected by the Common Council’s action. Previously, the Common Council adopted a resolution calling upon other City of Buffalo governing boards and allied City agencies, to conduct their meetings within Common Council chambers to enable convenience, transparency, and to facilitate meeting recording for playback on the City’s CATV government channels. To date, the Council has not seen any action being taken by any of the City’s boards or allied agencies to comply with its request. The Common Council’s action is in accord with its powers to amend the City Charter to compel outcomes and actions, including those of its duly constituted boards and allied agencies.
The Council approved the sale of the following City owned properties:
Masten District
74 Richlawn Avenue was sold to Ms. Avionne Akanbi for $6,000
290 Box Avenue was sold to the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (“BMHA”) for $6,200
35 Wakefield Avenue was sold to Mr. Adrienne and Mrs. Eddie Gregoire for $1,800
The Council appointed the following individual to the position of Assistant Legislative Aide within the Delaware District Council Office:
-Jason Hurley
The Council appointed the following individuals to the position of Intern IV within their respective Common Council Office:
-Crystal Guash was appointed to the South District Council Office
-Howard Bracket was appointed to the Masten District Council Office
The Council approved the appointment of the following individuals to a position within their respective City of Buffalo Departments at a step above the base salary:
-Richard Fanton was appointed to the position of Senior Accountant within the Department of Audit and Control
-David LaVango was appointed to the position of Exterminator within the Department of Public Works, Parks and Streets
-Linda Ganci was appointed to the position of Legal Secretary within the Department of Law
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to a position within the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works at the base salary:
-Thomas Smith was appointed to the position of Director of Parks and Recreation
-Christopher Frankhauser was appointed to the position of Motor Equipment Mechanic
-Corey Roberson was appointed to the position of Laborer II
-John Scanlon was appointed to the position of Senior First Class Stationary Engineer
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to a position within the City of Buffalo Department of Human Resources at the base salary:
-Antoinette Palmer was appointed to the position of Director of Compensation and Benefits
-Adam Renzoni was appointed to the position of Personnel Assistant
-Davette Patton was appointed to the position of Typist
-Jennifer Renfroe was appointed to the position of Senior Accountant
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to a position within the City of Buffalo Department of Audit and Control at the base salary:
-Joanne Milioto was appointed to the position of Senior Auditor
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:
Ellicott District
Food Store License
-Dodge Express Mart Inc. located at 529 Dodge Street
-Jefferson Express Mart located at 749 Jefferson Avenue
Fillmore District
Used Car Dealer License
-Mid City Auto located at 407 South Park Avenue
Masten District
Food Store License
-Northland Grocery located at 322 Northland Avenue
Niagara District
Food Store License
-Holly Grocery located at 490 Connecticut Street
-Fast Mart Gas & Grocery LLC located at 410 Rhode Island Street
Permit for Additional Parking Spaces
A. Patel, owner of property located at 220 14th Street
South District
Permit for Free Standing LED Sign
-D. Salemi, owner of property located at 1177 Abbott Road
The Council denied the following license application:
Fillmore District
Food Store License
-Lucky’s located at 860 William Street
The Council approved the following contract change orders submitted by the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (“DPW”):
The contract with D W Development for the Bailey Historical Society Waterproofing and Drainage Project was increased by $15,016 for additional work needed to incorporate existing building storm drains into the new foundation drainage piping. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $54,700 and with this change the contract will increase to $69,716.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (“DPW”), the Council:
Authorized the Commissioner of DPW to seek proposals and hire a consulting engineer to assist with the design of the Delaware Park Lake Pump Rehabilitation and Shoreline Improvement Project. The existing pumps were installed 30 years ago and as of today only two of the original three are still functioning at a reduced capacity. Additionally, repairs will be made to an eroded section of the lake bank.
Authorized the acceptance of a one million dollar grant through the Empire State Development Corporation from Upstate City-by-City Fund
ing for the Buffalo Riverfest Park Project. The park will be located between 195-249 Ohio Street and involves the construction of a 4,000 square foot brick lodge with a full kitchen and banquet facility, food concession, and lavatory. Additionally, a boat dock and board walk will be constructed as well as a picnic area and walking trails along the Buffalo River.
Authorized the acceptance of a one million dollar grant through the Empire State Development Corporation from Upstate City-by-City Funding for the Erie Basin Marina Project. The project involves reconstruction of the Erie Basin Marina Seawall, new boardwalk and observation areas, restroom upgrade, roof repairs, new dock decking and security gates, and various other upgrades and improvements to the Marina.
Authorized the purchase of one Ford Cargo Van for the sum of $15,090 for use by the department’s dog control officers as a non-take home vehicle. The new vehicle will replace a 1997 Dodge which has outlived its intended use.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Permit and Inspection Services, the Council:
Authorized a one-year extension for two contracts with Paradigm Environmental for Asbestos Removal Surveys, in the amounts of $275,800 and $16,800 respectively.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Police (“BPD”), the Council:
Authorized the purchase of a cargo van to be utilized by the Department’s Hostage Management Team. The non-take home vehicle will be used by members of the Hostage Management Team when the team responds to calls involving barricaded person(s), hostage takers, suicidal incidents, and domestic violence situations. Funds for the vehicle will come from a $44,000 Legislative Grant from the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services.
Authorized the proposal from EM Systems to provide BPD with two camera system interface programs. The first program will interface the location of existing surveillance cameras to the CAD system. This program will allow BPD camera operators to quickly identify potential cameras in closest proximity to a complaint in order to review captured important video footage or possibly record an incident as it occurs. The second program will provide capabilities to transmit video clips to the department’s in-car mobile data system and to link video clips to complaints and police reports.
Authorized the department to donate 25 Motorola HT1000 radios to the City of Buffalo Department of Parking. The radios are no longer used by the BPD and will be reprogrammed to another frequency for use exclusively by the City of Buffalo Parking Enforcement Division.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Human Resources, the Council:
Authorized an extension of the current contract with I/O Solutions to administer the next Detective Sergeant examination. The work will begin as soon as possible and will terminate with the expiration of the resulting Civil Service eligible list, which in no event, will exist for no more than four years in accordance with New York State Civil Service Law.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Parking, the Council:
Authorized the department to take control of an abandoned 2006 Dodge Durango for use as a meter collection vehicle. The abandoned vehicle has not been claimed by its owner thus making it available for conversion to official use. The vehicle will not be authorized for take home use.
Authorized the designation of 394 and 396 Hertel Avenue for inclusion in the City’s Residential Area Parking Program (“RAPP”). The City’s RAPP Contract with Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps was also increased by $1,813 to cover the cost of maintaining these lots.
Photo: Council Members Mickey Kearns (Middle Left), Curtis Haynes, Jr. (Right), and David Rivera (Back to Camera), Council Staffer Julia Paul (Background) at September 21st Meeting of the Buffalo Common Council.