For those of you who can’t make it to the weekly Common Council meeting,
following is the briefing. From this week’s meeting as provided by the
council:
Revise the CDBG Funding Formula–The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Lovejoy District Council Member Richard A. Fontana declaring its support for revising the Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funding formula to enable communities with high levels of poverty and minimal or non-existent resources for funding community development and economic improvement projects, to receive a greater share of available federal CDBG funding. The CDBG program, which is administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), provides annual grants on a formula basis to cities, counties, and states, to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. For the first several years of the CDBG program, much of the allocated funding was not used as the federal government had originally intended and was instead spent in wealthier neighborhoods. In 1978, in an effort to reform the program, HUD began to more strictly enforce and restrict eligible funding activities. Additionally, a dual formula approach was adopted for determining funding allocations and the program was expanded to enable medium and large-sized municipalities to receive funding. Under the current funding formulas, affluent communities, even those with resources adequate to fund community development programs themselves, often receive more funding than communities with less resources. In addition, similar sized communities with similar needs often receive drastically different funding allocations. Recently, President Obama has proposed a reduction of approximately 7.5 percent or $300 million for the CDBG Program. The Council maintains that now would be an opportune time for HUD and federal leaders to enact CDBG funding formula reforms to address the problems that will be faced by communities needing to cope with reduced CDBG funding allocations, such as the City of Buffalo.
Interviews for Comptroller Seat–The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Fillmore District Council Member David A. Franczyk stating the Council’s intention to solicit resumes and conduct hearings and interviews for candidates interested in filling the upcoming vacancy of the Office of Comptroller of the City of Buffalo. The current City Comptroller, Andrew San Filippo recently announced that he will be vacating his seat on or about March 17, 2011 to accept a position in the administration of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. As the City of Buffalo’s chief fiscal watchdog, the Comptroller’s office manages and has oversight over a nearly $1.3 billion budget, including the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Public School System. The Council maintains that in the interest of transparency, a process similar to the application and interview process utilized to fill vacant Common Council seats is appropriate for filling the very important position of City Comptroller.
Ordinance Amendments–Council Members Richard A. Fontana and Michael P. Kearns sponsored and the Council approved an ordinance amendment to Chapter 144 of the Code of the City of Buffalo, mandating that snow removal contractors operating within the City of Buffalo must obtain and keep in force an active landscape and snow removal contractor license issued by the City. The purpose of this ordinance amendment is to protect residents and business owners from predatory snow removal contractors who promise snow removal services throughout the winter but fail to deliver the purchased services. A related amendment to Chapter 175 Section 25 of the Code of the City of Buffalo establishing a fee of $50 for each landscaper and snow removal contractor’s license.
Sale of City Owned Property–The Council approved the sale of the following City owned properties:
Fillmore District
61 & 65 Sweet Street was sold to Mr. Leonard Jerozal for $2,700
Niagara District
329 Fifteenth Street was sold to Mr. Robert Carter for $5,300
597 West Avenue was sold to Mr. Michael Castro for $2,500
Appointments
The Council appointed the following individuals to be members of the Citizens Advisory Commission on Reapportionment for the City of Buffalo:
Russell Weaver
Lionel Davis
Marysol Rosado
Philip Lowrey
Marc Panepinto
The Council appointed the following individuals to the Shared Asset Forfeiture Fund Advisory Board for the City of Buffalo:
G. Michael Tydus
The Council approved the appointment of the following individuals to positions within the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works at a step above the base salary:
Brian Lackie was appointed to the position of Chief Water Pollution Inspector
Heather Murray was appointed to the position of Dog Control Officer
The Council approved the appointment of the following individuals to positions within the City of Buffalo Department of Parking at a step above the base salary:
Marvin Dones II was appointed to the position of Parking Enforcement Officer
Patricia Halligan was appointed to the position of Traffic Clerk
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to the position of Senior First Class Stationary Engineer within the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works at the base salary:
Alexander Porter
Louis Carbone
Jeffrey Vitali
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to the position of Civilian School Crossing Guard within the City of Buffalo Department of Police at the base salary:
Anita Carswell
Bertha Bivens
Julie LoPiccolo
Shiela Brown
Lori Willoughby
License and Permit Approvals–Upon the recommendation of the Department Permit & Inspection Services, the Council approved the following license and permit applications:
·
Delaware District
Permit to Create Outdoor Café Rear of Existing Bar (Blue Monk)
K. Brinkworth, agent of the property located at 727 Elmwood Avenue
Sidewalk Café License:
Wasabi Japanese Restaurant located at 752 Elmwood Avenue
Masten District
Used Car Dealer License:
MJ Tire Shop located at 1235 Fillmore Avenue
South District
Permit for a Tattoo and Body Piercing Parlor:
E. Wantuck, owner of property located at 2042 South Park Avenue
Used Car Dealer License:
Smukall Performance Automotive located at 1570 South Park Avenue
Claims, Contracts, Change orders & Agreements:
• The Council approved the following contract change orders submitted by the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (“DPW”):
• The contract with Erdman-Anthony Associates for the Main Street Reconstruction Project was increased by $247,000, of which the City share will be $12,350, for additional design, construction management, and inspection of the Project. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $7,250,000 and with this change the contract will increase to $7,447,000.
• The Council approved the reports of bids from the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works for the following projects:
• The Island Curb Replacement – Middlesex Road & Chatham Avenue Project. Of the bids that were received, Destro Brothers Concrete Company, Inc. was the lowest with a bid of $493,325.
• The Porter Avenue Reconstruction Project – Phase II. Of the bids that were received, Yarussi Construction was the lowest with a bid of $1,885,329.
Photo Caption: South District Council member Michael P.
Kearns(first from right) presents proclamation celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps to former Buffalo members (right to left) John Rex- Ethiopia/Nambia, Audrey Seidel – Columbia, Mac McCabe – Haiti, Ginna Coon- Ethiopia, Tim Hartigan – Thailand, and (last on left) City Corps Director- Jeremy Rockler.