The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Council President and Lovejoy District Council Member Richard A. Fontana, requesting the City Comptroller’s Office to perform an audit of the City’s Street Lighting System and prepare a comprehensive audit to recoup funds owed to the City of Buffalo by National Grid. Many street lights in the City are down, have an outage or are in need of repair and therefore add unnecessary expenses to City taxpayers. An audit on the street lighting system has the potential to save the City hundreds of thousands of dollars and could result in compensation owed to the City of Buffalo; in fact, an audit performed in the late 1990’s resulted in reimbursements from Niagara Mohawk of more than $1 million. The Council maintains that an audit would provide a concise and shared directory for City workers and National Grid to work from, aiding in the prevention of billing errors of nonexistent or phantom street lights in the future. Proper auditing of the street lighting system is necessary in that the City of Buffalo pays 93 cents per kilowatt per pole each day to National Grid for reported light outages. When a street light is reported down or functioning improperly, respective responders will be able to use the created directory to assess and repair the item in an efficient manner, saving taxpayers money and a better quality of life.
The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Council Members Richard A. Fontana and Darius G. Pridgen, requesting the development of a Cat Task Force to meet and provide recommendations to the Council on how to humanely address the overpopulation of feral/stray cats in the City of Buffalo. The feral cat population has increased in recent years to the dismay of many City residents. Council Members would like the new task force to advise the Council on humane and practical ways to handle the many feral cats that have become a nuisance on some of the City’s neighborhoods.
The Council adopted a resolution showing its support for continued exploration to study the feasibility of the Greater Buffalo Sports and Entertainment Complex’s (GBSEC) proposal to develop a landmark Sports, Entertainment, Conference and Museum Complex on the Buffalo Outer Harbor. The Council maintains that the proposal, has the possibility of keeping the Buffalo Bills in Western New York and the City of Buffalo well beyond the term of the current lease and that the proposed project will create significant and new economic opportunities similar to the recent experience of the City of Indianapolis, IN. – (Renderings – HKS) from October 2012 – ESPN | BRO
The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Delaware District Council Member Michael J. LoCurto, showing its support for quick passage of Assembly Bills A.88 and A.824, which will make it mandatory for lending institutions to provide proper contact information for owners of vacant properties. If passed, the bills will close a loophole which allows lending institutions to keep a property’s ownership ambiguous. Under current law, vacant and foreclosed buildings are left in perpetual states of disrepair, with lenders withholding owners’ contact information from those who are concerned about the condition of the properties.
The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Council Members Demone A. Smith, Richard A. Fontana and Darius G. Pridgen, requesting the Erie County Legislature to conduct a review of the Erie County Board of Elections to ensure that they provide an efficient, voter friendly and fair election process. The resolution also requests that the Legislature hold a public hearing regarding voting irregularities and establish rules and or policies on: sixty day notification of polling site changes, clarification of voter intent, and absentee ballots and affidavits having the same rules and regulations when defining voter intent. While Erie county tax payers furnish approximately $1.3 million yearly to conduct fair and impartial elections; concerns have arisen over realignment, exaggeration, and rezoning of voting districts; which may violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen, requesting that the Erie County Legislature call for a hearing to fully investigate the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office. As a result of the controversies regarding the death of Amanda Wienckowski, the Council’s Legislation Committee heard testimonies from Amanda’s friends and family on how unprofessionally the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office handled Amanda’s autopsy. The Council, in conjunction with the family’s wishes, seeks the facts behind Amanda’s autopsy in order to finalize the real cause of her death so that law enforcement can pursue the case immediately and bring the guilty parties to justice. In addition, the Council adopted another resolution requesting that the Erie County Legislature expeditiously conduct a full and thorough investigation of the Erie County Medical Examiner’s office to ensure that proper protocol was followed with Amanda’s initial autopsy as well as with respect to challenged autopsy findings.
WAIVER FOR UNIQUE SITUATION
• The Council approved three resolutions, two sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen and one sponsored by Fillmore District Council Member David A. Franczyk, waiving the penalties and interest currently owing on the following properties, pursuant to the authority granted to it by New York Real Property Tax Law Section 1182:
o Ellicott District
• 468 Washington Street
• 107 Delaware Avenue
o Fillmore District
• 949 Broadway
WAIVER OF FEES
• The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Council Members Richard A. Fontana, David A. Franczyk, and Christopher P. Scanlon waiving any and all permit and application fees associated with the 2013 Old Neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2013.
• The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Delaware District Council Member Michael J. LoCurto waiving any permit and special event fees associated with the Buffalo Orienteering Club of Buffalo’s event. The event will be held on September 8, 2013.
• The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by South District Council Member Christoph
er P. Scanlon waiving any and all permit fees associated with the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will be held on Sunday, March 17, 2013.
er P. Scanlon waiving any and all permit fees associated with the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will be held on Sunday, March 17, 2013.
• The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Majority Leader and Masten District Council Member Demone A. Smith waiving the park fee associated with the following events:
o The Masten District Easter Egg hunt to be held on Saturday, March 29, 2013
o The Buffalo Museum of Science “Beerology” event to be held on Saturday, April 11, 2013
o The Buffalo Museum of Science “Bubblefest” event to be held on Saturday, May 11, 2013
o Juneteenth to be held on June 15 and 16, 2013
o The Buffalo Museum of Science “Starlights” event to be held on Saturday, June 29, 2013
o The Masten Jazz Festival to be held on July 21 and 28, 2013
o Gospel Fest to be held on Saturday, July 27, 2013
o The Pine Grill Reunion to be held on August 4 and 11, 2013
o Taking it to the Streets to be held on August 17 and 18, 2013
o Jefferson Arts Festival to be held on Sunday, August 25, 2013; and
o The Buffalo Museum of Science “Gala” to be held on Saturday, October 19, 2013
SALE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY–The Council approved transactions relating to the following City owned properties:
• Ellicott District
o 602 Fourth Street was sold to D’Youville College for $400,000.
• Fillmore District
o 357 Guilford Street was sold to King Center Charter School, Inc. for $1,000.
o 34 and 36 Herman Street were sold to Mr. Gordon Williams for $1,500.
• Niagara District
o 123 Arkansas Street was sold to Mrs. Amino Mohamed for $2,100.
Upon the recommendation of the Department of Permit & Inspection Services, the Council approved the following license and permit applications:
• Delaware District
o Permit to Re-Establish Existing Restaurant and Sidewalk Café in Hertel Ave Special Zoning District
• D. Serra, owner of the property located at 1487 Hertel Avenue.
o Permit to Re-Establish Use of Restaurant in the Hertel Ave Special Zoning District
• A. Antonucci, owner of the property located at 1197 Hertel Avenue.
o Permit for a Pole Sign
• S. Shafie, agent of the property located at 1261 Hertel Avenue.
o Used Car Dealer License
• Power Broker’s, located at 1082 Kenmore Avenue.
• Ellicott District
o Second Hand Dealer License
• M & J Appliances located at 465 Niagara Street.
o Restaurant Dance License
• Snooty Fox Lounge, located at 445 Delaware Avenue.
• Mr. Goodbar, located at 1108 Elmwood Avenue.
• Niagara District
o Permit to Open Existing Restaurant and in The Elmwood Ave Special Zoning District under New Ownership
• J. Lyons, owner of the property located at 534 Elmwood Avenue.
• Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Office of the City Clerk, the Council:
o Approved the City Clerk to trade in the Birth Card Machine Printer, which is outdated and has outlived its usefulness, for $300. The funds will be used towards the cost of a new printer.
• Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (“DPW”), the Council:
o Authorized DPW to engage the services of Nussbaumer & Clarke, Inc. for architectural and engineering services and construction oversight of the Broderick Park Phase I Project. The costs for these consulting services are estimated not to exceed $100,000.
o Authorized DPW to enter into agreements with the University of Buffalo, Roswell Park, Kaleida Health and Buffalo Medical Group for the Ellicott Street Gateway Phase 2 Project.
o Authorized DPW to purchase one pickup truck or suburban to be used by the City’s Engineering Division.
• Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (“DPW”), the Council approved the following contract change orders:
o The contract with Joseph Carino Plumbing & Heating, Inc. for the Broadway Garage New Restroom Addition Project was increased by $1,985 for additional services needed to complete the project. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $4,945 and with this change; the contract will increase to $6,930.
• Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, the Council approved the following reports of bids:
o Of the bids that were received for the Parkside Lodge Window Reconstruction Project, Allstate General Contracting was the lowest, with a bid of $113,450. (see here)
o Of the bids that were received for the 2013 Citywide Street Tree Planting Project, Mark Cerrone, Inc. was the lowest, with a bid of $482,790.
o Of the bids that were received for the Coca Cola Field Testing & Special Inspections Project, SJB Services, Inc. was the lowest, with a bid of $600.
o Of the bids that were received for the Fire Engine 37 Apparatus Bay Ceiling Emergency Asbestos Sampling and Testing Project, Stohl Environmental was the lowest, with a bid of $315.
APPOINTMENTS
• The Council appointed the following individuals as members of the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Library:
o Elaine Panty
o Jessica Maglietto-Smith
o Bernadette Taylor
• The Council appointed the following individual to the position of Senior Legislative Assistant within the Common Council Staff Office:
o Doris Corley
• The Council approved the appointment of the following individuals to positions within various City of Buffalo Departments:
o Department of Audit and Control
• Financial Operations Administrator
• Richard Fanton
o Department of Public Works
• Account Clerk Typist
• Stacy L. Masullo
• Caulker Supervisor I
• Perry Sullivan
• Senior Engineer
• Michael Hoffert
o Department of Police
• Police Officer
• Robert J. Felshow III
• David F. Kimmins
• Patrick J. McDonald
• Nicholas R. Herbert
• Aghieszka Dembinska
• Sharese L. Saleh
• Courtney A. Tripp
• Anthony R. Kozlowski
• Jenny M. Velez
• Todd C. McAlister
• Thomas P. Sullivan
• Joseph J. Christopher
• Michael J. Norwood, Jr.
• Gaisha B. Wilson
• Michael A. Kausch
• Andrea A. Anderson
• William J. Moretti
• John R. Bannister
• David M. Kubiak
• Mark D. Ambellan
• Kyma J. Dickinson
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
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
David A. Franczyk
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
Christopher P. Scanlon
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
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