Meeting highlights include: Common Council waives fees associated with Occupy Buffalo’s assemblage in Niagara Square (photo), news on repair work for landmark building Blessed Trinity, lime cleanup at Praxair, and list of Habitat for Humanity homestead properties.
The Council approved a resolution sponsored by Fillmore District Council Member David A. Franczyk requesting that the City of Buffalo waive all fees associated with Occupy Buffalo’s assemblage in Niagara Square. Occupy Buffalo is a group of local activists from the City of Buffalo and Western New York who are united in their efforts to exercise their constitutional right of freedom to peacefully assemble. Individuals participating in the Occupy Buffalo movement have been occupying Niagara Square as a show of solidarity with others who are similarly occupying Wall Street, city squares, parks, college campuses, and financial districts around the world. The Occupy Buffalo protestors began occupying Niagara Square in early October and the movement has grown substantially. The Council maintains that by waiving all fees associated with Occupy Buffalo’s assemblage in Niagara Square, the Council shows its support for the right of residents to assemble peacefully.
The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Masten District Council Member Demone A. Smith approving and endorsing the Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church‘s (“BTRCC’s”) application for a grant from the Environmental Protection Fund (“EPF”) to repair and replace the windows, roof, and exterior masonry of their landmark building located at 317 Leroy Avenue. BTRCC is applying to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation who is administering the grant for the EPF and must comply with a requirement to obtain the approval and endorsement of the local governing body, the Common Council.
The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Council Members Demone A. Smith and Darius G. Pridgen changing the name of the Friends of the Elderly Youth and Family Center to the Dorothy Collier Community Center. The Friends of the Elderly Youth and Family Center first opened on Jefferson Avenue and then moved to 118 East Utica Street in the 1990’s and was led for many years by Executive Director Dorothy J. Collier. Ms. Collier moved to Buffalo in the late 1960’s and worked for several community groups as a staffer and volunteer before founding her own organization, first known as Friends of the Elderly. Friends of the Elderly has become an institution in the City of Buffalo, a site of numerous community related events and home to a number of community based organizations. A number of community groups and residents have requested and encouraged the Council to change the name of Friends of the Elderly Youth and Family Center to the Dorothy Collier Community Center in honor of Ms. Collier’s dedication to youth, seniors, and her community.
Photo: Representatives from Buffalo’s newest Sister City, Yeongcheon, South Korea, reading a proclamation to the Buffalo Common Council.
The Council approved a resolution sponsored by Lovejoy District Council Member Richard A. Fontana dedicating 458 Davey Street as City parkland. The City of Buffalo currently holds the title to the property commonly known as 458 Davey Street and under the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law, the City may acquire, care for, manage and use its highways, roads, streets, avenues and properties in ways which benefit the health and welfare of its residents. The Council maintains that the dedication and maintenance of 458 Davey Street as City parkland would benefit the surrounding neighborhoods and add to the City’s park system infrastructure.
The Council approved a resolution sponsored by Council Members Michael J. LoCurto, Darius G. Pridgen, Michael P. Kearns, Richard A. Fontana, and David A. Rivera stating the Council’s intent to only approve City professional service contracts (contracts for other than the purchase of materials and supplies) that comply with the City’s Living Wage Ordinance. This Council initiative would apply to City contracts in excess of $50,000 and where the employer has at least 10 employees. The City’s Living Wage Ordinance requires employers to pay a living wage to all covered employees, to be in compliance with all federal and state wage laws, to submit quarterly reports to the Living Wage Commission, to post two copies of the Living Wage Ordinance in places where notices to employees and applicants for employment are customarily posted, and to inform employees making less than $12 per hour of the Federal Earned Income Credit.
The Council approved the sale of the following City owned properties:
Ellicott District
155 Bennett Street was sold to Mr. Solomon Myree for $1,900
Masten District
341 Wyoming Avenue was sold to Mr. Andre Jackson for $7,500
Upon the recommendation of the Department Permit & Inspection Services, the Council approved the following license and permit applications:
Delaware District
Permit for an Illuminated Pole Sign
D. Mika, agent of property located at 2497 Delaware Avenue
Ellicott District
Sidewalk Café License
The property located at 67 West Chippewa Street
Fillmore District
Restaurant Dance License
Templeton Landing Restaurant located at 2 Templeton Place
North District
Used Car Dealer License
Automotive Import Repair located at 73 Gladstone Street
Scrap Processor & Wholesale Junk Dealer Licenses
Niagara Metals, LLC located at 1736 Elmwood Avenue
South District
Permit to Convert and Existing Store to a Sit-In & Take-Out Bistro
J. Glavey, agent of the property located 904 Abbott Road
The Council denied the following license and permit application:
Ellicott District
Lodging House License
Joseph Singer, owner of the property located at 69 Whitney Place
The Council approved the following contract change orders submitted by the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (“DPW”):
The contract for the West Ferry Street Lift Bridge Project was increased by $19,006 for additional mechanical inspection services. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $562,669 and with this change the contract will increase to $581,675.
The contract with UCC Construction, Inc. for the Ohio Street Improvements Project at Riverfest Park was increased by $26,333 for additional work needed due to the increasing project limits. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $140,976 and with this change the contract will increase to $167, 309. <
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Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning (“OSP”), the Council:
Authorized OSP to enter into any necessary agreements with Praxair to address the containment, management, and removal of the lime materials from a property located at 90 Hopkins Street. 90 Hopkins Street is an eight acre former industrial property which the City of Buffalo took ownership of in 1987 by tax foreclosure. Praxair, the corporate successor of the former owners of the property, is seeking access to 90 Hopkins Street in order to responsibly address the lime materials left on the site. No City funding is being requested for this project at this time.
Authorized OSP to accept a $55,000 grant from the New York Lead Safe for Kid’s Sake Application 2010 program to Wipe Out Lead (“WOL”) in structures in Buffalo. WOL is a new initiative, launched in 2009, with the goal of ending childhood lead poisoning. WOL uses grassroots outreach, paid advertising, and free media to boost awareness among those in the region who are most likely to be affected by lead poisoning.
Authorized the addition of the following properties to the list of properties eligible to be homesteaded as part of the overall Urban Renewal Plan. Habitat for Humanity of Buffalo, Inc. will renovate these properties for resale to qualified buyers:
• 32 Sherwood Street
• 200 Grape Street
• 216 Grape Street
• 120 Rose Street
• 284 Coit Street
• 474 Fillmore Avenue
• 283 Mills Street
• 83 Reed Street
• 54 Wilson Street
• 47 Butler Avenue
• 261 Loring Avenue
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Parking, the Council:
Authorized the Mayor to prepare an agreement between the City of Buffalo and Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps to provide parking management services for eleven (11) City owned off-street parking ramps and lots. The agreement will last for a period of three years and includes an option to extend the agreement for two – one year periods.
Authorized the Department of Parking to take over the use of a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo for use as a parking enforcement vehicle. The vehicle has been abandoned and unclaimed for some time, making it available for conversion to official use.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Human Resources (“HR”), the Council:
Authorized HR to enter into a contract with the Pomco Group for the purpose of fee scheduling associated with medical claims submitted by police and firefighters injured on duty and for general liability risks.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (“DPW”), the Council:
Authorized DPW to enter into any necessary access agreements with Buffalo China, Inc. in order to facilitate the implementation of a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“NYSDEC”) directed Brownfield Site Cleanup Agreement Remedial Action Work Plan as relates to the installation of three injection wells and the monitoring of previously installed wells at properties located at 82, 84, 112 and 118 Harrison Street, 66 Lester and portions of 141 Milton Street.
Authorized DPW to purchase one Dodge Ram 4500 truck for $50,000 and three Compact 4×4 Chevy Pick-up trucks for $78,000 for a combined total of $128,000. These four vehicles will replace four outdated vehicles which were sold at auction.
Authorized DPW to purchase one 18′ dump body, plow frame and hydraulics to be installed on an existing truck at a cost of $42,129, one set of animal transport cages to be installed onto an existing City vehicle for $12,600, two tree trimming trucks for a total cost of $400,000 and one double drum roller at a cost of $15,000. The total cost of this equipment is $469,729.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, the Council approved the following reports of bids:
Of the bids that were received for the Bailey Avenue Bridges Emergency Repair Contract, Hohl Industrial Services Inc. was the lowest with a bid of $168,352.
Of the bids that were received for the Shea’s Performing Arts Ice Center Standby Generator Installation Project, Frey Electric was the lowest with a bid of $197,000.
Of the bids that were received for the South Elmwood/West Chippewa Signal Improvements Project, CATCO was the lowest with a bid of $856,477.
Of the bids that were received for the Police Headquarters Emergency Window Replacement Project, Ajay Glass & Mirror Co., Inc. was the lowest with a bid of $477,800.
The Council appointed the following individual to the position of Senior Legislative Assistant within the Masten District Common Council Office:
Todd McAlister
The Council approved the appointment of the following individual to a position within a City of Buffalo Department at a step above the base salary:
Department of Administration, Finance, & Urban Affairs
Mail & Supply Clerk
Susan Dari
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to positions within various City of Buffalo Departments at the base salary:
Department of Community Service & Recreational Programming
Special Assistant
Franklin Carter
Research Aide
Jill White
Department of Assessment and Taxation
Clerk
Haven Dove-Hampton
Department of Permit and Inspection Services
Clerk
Christian Lockwood
Department of Audit and Control
Senior Auditor
Paul Sorrentino
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to seasonal positions within various City of Buffalo Departments at the base salary:
Department of Assessment and Taxation
Clerk
Jay LoTempio
Hannah Shaw
Alonzo Thompson, Jr.
Nakia Harris
Department of Public Works
Lifeguard
Damian Reed-Wheeler
Samantha Murphy
Taylor Sittniewski
Laborer II
Jose Morales Anglero
James Silmon
Water Service Worker
Alexander Marcus
Fee Collector
Katherine Ryan
For any questions, concerns, or further information regarding the above, please contact your District Council Member, the Common Council Legislative Staff Office, or the respective City Department.
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BUFFALO COMMON COUNCIL
David A. Franczyk
Council President
Fillmore District
1315 City Hall
851-4138
David A. Rivera
President Pro Tempore
Niagara District
1504 City Hall
851-5125
Richard A. Fontana
Majority Leader
Lovejoy District
1414 City Hall
851-5151
Michael J. LoCurto
Delaware District
1405 City Hall
851-5155
Darius G. Pridgen
Ellicott District
1408 City Hall
851-4980
Demone A. Smith
Masten District
1316-A City Hall
851-5145
Joseph Golombek, Jr.
North District
1502 City Hall
851-5116
Michael P. Kearns
South District
1401 City Hall
851-5169
Bonnie E. Russell
University District
1508 City Hall
851-5165
Common Council Legislative Staff Office
1413 City Hall
851-5105
David A. Franczyk
Council President
Fillmore District
1315 City Hall
851-4138
David A. Rivera
President Pro Tempore
Niagara District
1504 City Hall
851-5125
Richard A. Fontana
Majority Leader
Lovejoy District
1414 City Hall
851-5151
Michael J. LoCurto
Delaware District
1405 City Hall
851-5155
Darius G. Pridgen
Ellicott District
1408 City Hall
851-4980
Demone A. Smith
Masten District
1316-A City Hall
851-5145
Joseph Golombek, Jr.
North District
1502 City Hall
851-5116
Michael P. Kearns
South District
1401 City Hall
851-5169
Bonnie E. Russell
University District
1508 City Hall
851-5165
Common Council Legislative Staff Office
1413 City Hall
851-5105
James N. Jackson
Legislative Assistant
City of Buffalo Common Council
1413 City Hall
Buffalo, NY 14202