The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Fillmore District Council Member David A. Franczyk requesting of the Mayor of the City of Buffalo, that he make charter mandated appointments to the City of Buffalo Public Collection Board of Appeals (“PCBA”), as soon as possible. At the Common Council Committee on Finance meeting held on November 22, 2011, the Council Members in attendance, community activists, and the Commissioner of the City of Buffalo Department of Assessment and Taxation – Martin Kennedy, discussed at length the growing problems of City residents concerning user fee assessments and billings. The City Charter, Sections 15-45 to 15-47, provides for the creation of a PCBA, which is to consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, and tasks the members to conduct hearings and make determinations concerning user fee billing and abatement decisions made by the City of Buffalo. No one in attendance could recall when the last meeting of the PCBA occurred or whom the names of the members. The Council maintains it is important to reinitiate the PCBA in order to give residents a mechanism for challenging user fee billings and abatements.
The Council approved a resolution sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen permitting the Ellicott Community Redevelopment Foundation, Inc. to sell the properties located at 221 and 291 William Street at a purchase price of approximately $2.5 million to Morgan Ellicott Apartments, LLC. New York State Law requires the consent of the Common Council to sell these properties.
The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by South District Council Member Michael P. Kearns approving the installation of a trailblazing sign, in honor of Christopher M. Verel at the portion of Fuhrmann Boulevard near South Michigan Avenue, between street poles 297-323. Christopher Verel is a theatrical director and community activist from the City of Buffalo who is known for his dedication to community involvement in Arts and Theatre, numerous professional achievements, and his commitment to enriching the lives of children through arts, theatre, and fishing.
The Council approved a resolution sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen requesting of the New York State Attorney General and the Department of Housing and Urban Development that they conduct an investigation into the complaints of the residents regarding the deplorable housing conditions and the unacceptable management of the apartment complex. The resolution also requests the City of Buffalo Water Board to institute legal action on behalf of City water ratepayers for Towne Gardens LLP‘s unpaid utility water bills which are currently in excess of $780,000. In addition, Towne Gardens LLP currently owes one contractor approximately $117,000 for repair work performed at the complex. The Council resolution also requests of the State Attorney General, that a Rent Receiver be installed to conduct the business of the Towne Garden Apartment Complex in order to insure the Health and safety of its residents. The Council maintains that these actions are needed to ensure that residents are treated fairly and that housing deficiencies are corrected.
The Council approved the sale of the following City owned properties:
Ellicott District
204 Landon Street was sold to Mrs. Glenda Brackett for $2,300
Fillmore District
279 Shumway Street was sold to Ms. Barbara Jones for $1,700
969 Sycamore Street was sold to Mr. Mohammed Abdul Matin for $3,000
305 Woltz Avenue was sold to Mr. Mohammad Helal for $1,700
Lovejoy District
130 Roberts Avenue was sold to 122 Roberts Avenue of Buffalo, Inc. for $900
Masten District
830 Woodlawn Avenue was sold to Ms. Tia Harrison for $2,500
Upon the recommendation of the Department Permit & Inspection Services, the Council approved the following license and permit applications:
Ellicott District
Restaurant Dance License
Ohm Ultra Lounge located at 946 Main Street
Lovejoy District
Food Store License
Bluntvill Distribution Inc. located at 1624 William Street
The Council approved the following contract change orders submitted by the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (“DPW”):
The contract for the Ferry Street Lift Bridge Emergency Repair Project was increased by $8,885 for additional design and inspection services needed due to structural flags issued by the New York State Department of Transportation. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $85,000 and with this change the contract will increase to $93,885.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning (“OSP”), the Council:
Authorized OSP and the Buffalo Board of Education to approve an easement agreement with Niagara Mohawk together with a Utility Rider. The easement agreement will allow and provide for electrical upgrades to School Number 64, located at 874 Amherst Street.
Approved an amendment to Item No. 12, C.C.P. 12/9/08 to include the sale of 108 and 112 Loepere Street, along with 115 Woltz Avenue to the Crescent Village Muslim Community Center, Inc. for $30,000.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Fire, the Council:
Authorized the Department of Fire to increase the contract for the Motorola Radio Project to $2,996,948 in order to make changes to certain equipment and services to ensure the project is compatible with the Police Camera Project. The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) is requiring a radio frequency reconfiguration that will impact certain radio bandwidths and radio equipment currently used by nearly every City of Buffalo department and agency.
Authorized the Department of Fire to accept and expend a grant award in the amount of $403,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (“FEMA”) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The department will use the grant funds to purchase a driver simulation system which will increase firefighter safety.
Authorized the Department of Fire to accept and expend the Technical Rescue/Urban Search and Rescue Grant in the amount of $149,693 from the New York State Office of Homeland Security. These funds will be used to continue to build an Urban Search and Rescue (“USAR”) team for the western region of New York State using the City of Buffalo Rescue Technicians and the Erie County Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team (“SMART”). The grant funds will also be used to purchase one technical rescue support vehicle.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Preservation Board, the Council:
Authorized the Local Landmark designation for the “Buffum Street Site” located in the parkland bounded by Buffum Street to the north and Fields Avenue to the east. The Council’s designation of this site shows its commitment to preserving places of historical significance to the City of Buffalo and Western New York.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (“DPW”), the Council:
Authorized DPW to enter into agreements with the Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”), and the New York State Department of Transportation (“NYSDOT”) to receive funds for the construct
ion and inspection phases of the Elmwood Avenue Highway Rehabilitation Project between Forest Avenue and New York State Route 198 which is also referred to as the Scajaquada Expressway.
ion and inspection phases of the Elmwood Avenue Highway Rehabilitation Project between Forest Avenue and New York State Route 198 which is also referred to as the Scajaquada Expressway.
Authorized DPW to accept supplies and materials donated by the Delaware Soccer Club for improvements at J.H. Williams Park. The improvements include renovations to the park’s athletic field and shelter house and are estimated to cost approximately $4,032.
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 Replacement of Streetlights Citywide Project, South Buffalo Electric, Inc. was the lowest with a bid of $333,067.
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 Audit and Control
Junior Accountant
• Victoria Dabney
Department of Public Works
Chief Pumping Plant Engineer
• Andrew Moffert
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to positions within various City of Buffalo Departments at the base salary:
Department of Public Works
Street Worker
• Marcus Harris
• Kevin Ford
• Caulker
• George Richardson
Community Recreation Aide
• Maurice Cox
Senior First Class Stationary Engineer
• Andrew Krawchuk
• Stephen Makula
• Thomas Pyjas
• Mark Overfield
• Mark Blake
• Cherie Ciaudella
• Michael Whelan
• Edward Standish, II
• Casimer Piwowarski
• Michael Schieber
• Matthew Quinn
• William Gallagher
Department of Police
TSAR Crossing Guard
• Marklyn Vitello
• Tracy Liriano
• Colleen Prentiss
• Elyse Wack
• Mary Glynn-Keohane
Department of Audit and Control
Junior Accountant
• Michael Rotert
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to the position of Intern VI within various Common Council offices at the base salary:
Office of the City Clerk
• Jacqueline Rucinski
• Victoria Chwalinski
Lovejoy District
• Wayne Kulesza, Jr.
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 span>
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 span>
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