HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-1016ssSpecial Session
COMMON COUNCIL
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
CITY OF BUFFALO
OCTOBER 16, 2003
MAYOR
Hon. Anthony M. Masiello
ACTING COMPTROLLER
Andrew Sanfilippo
COMMON COUNCIL
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
James W. Pitts
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
Richard A. Fontana
MAJORITY LEADER
Rosemarie Lo Tempio
COUNCILMEMBERS -AT -LARGE
Beverly Gray
Charlie A. Fisher III
Rosemarie LoTempio
DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS
MARC A. COPPOLA - DELAWARE
BRIAN C. DAVIS - ELLICOTT
DAVID A. FRANCZYK - FILLMORE
RICHARD A. FONTANA - LOVEJOY
ANTOINE M. THOMPSON - MASTEN
DOMINIC BONIFACIO - NIAGARA
JOSEPH GOLOMBEK JR. - NORTH
MARY M. MARTINO - SOUTH
BETTY JEAN GRANT - UNIVERSITY
REGULAR COMMITTEES
CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE: Marc Coppola,
Chairman, Charley H. Fisher III, Joseph Golombek Jr., Mary
Martino, Antoine Thompson- Members
CLAIMS COMMITTEE: Mary M. Martino, Chairman,
Marc A. Coppola, Brian C. Davis, Richard Fontana, Betty
Jean Grant - Members
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Antoine
Thompson, Interim Chairman, Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr. Brian
C. Davis, Joseph Golombek Jr., Beverly Gray, Rosemarie
LoTempio- Members
FINANCE COMMITTEE: Betty Jean Grant, Chairman,
Marc Coppola, Brian C. Davis, Charley H. Fisher III, David A.
Franczyk, Mary Martino - Members.
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Richard A. Fontana,
Chairman, Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr., Brian C. Davis, Joseph
Golombek Jr., Betty Jean Grant, Rosemarie LoTempio,
Members
RULES COMMITTEE: James W. Pitts, Chairman
Charley H. Fisher III, Rosemarie LoTempio , Members
EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Charley H. Fisher III,
Chairman, Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr., Brian C. Davis, David A.
Franczyk, Beverly Gray, Antoine Thompson; Members
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: James W.
Pitts, Chairman, Beverly Gray, Rosemarie LoTempio, Betty
Jean Grant, Joseph Golombek Jr.; Members
BUDGET COMMITTEE: Rosemarie LoTempio,
Chairman, Richard Fontana, Mary M. Martino, James W.
Pitts
ERIE BASIN MARINA LEASE COMMITTEE: James
W. Pitts, Chairman, Beverly Gray, Dominic Bonifacio, Jr.,
Charley H. Fisher III, Joseph Golombek Jr.
POLICE REORGANIZATION COMMITTEE: Dominic J.
Bonifacio Jr., Chairman, Brian C. Davis, Richard Fontana,
David A. Franczyk, Mary Martino, Charley Fisher III.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
CORPORATION
COMMON COUNCIL
CITY HALL - BUFFALO
Thursday, October 16, 2003
AT 10:00 AM
PRESENT - James W. Pitts President of the Council, and
and Council Members Bonifacio, Coppola, Davis, Fisher,
Fontana, Franczyk, Golombek Grant, Martino, and
Thompson -11
ABSENT — Gray and LoTempio - 2
NO. 1
CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSION
Mr. Charles L. Michaux, III
City Clerk
1308 City Hall
Buffalo, New York
Dear Mr. Michaux:
Pursuant to Section 3.9 of the Charter of the City of Buffalo,
upon the written request of Five Councilmembers, dated
September 16, 2003 presented to you herewith, I hereby call
a Special Meeting of the Common Council, to be held in the
Council Chambers, City Hall, Buffalo, New York, on ,
October 16, 2003, at 10: 00 A.M., for the following purposes:
To receive and take appropriate action on:
All Items Relating To COB Four Year Financial Plan
Yours very truly,
James W. Pitts
President of the Council
October 15, 2003
Hon. James W. Pitts
President Common Council
1315 City Hall
Buffalo, New York
Dear Sir:
WE, the undersigned, members of the Common Council,
hereby request that you call a Special Meeting of the
Common Council, pursuant to Section 3.9 of the Charter of
the City of Buffalo, for the following purpose:
To receive and take appropriate action on All items
pertaining to
1. COB Rev. Four Year Financial Plan
We request that this Special Meeting be held on October 16,
2003 at 10:00 A.M.
Betty Jean Grant
Brian Davis
Joseph Golombek
David Franczyk
Marc Coppola
Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr.
Antoine Thompson
Pursuant to Rule 2 of the Rules of Order of the Common
Council of the City of Buffalo, each of the following named
members of the Common Council, to wit:
DOMINIC BONIFACIO
BRIAN DAVIS
RICHARD FONTANA
JOSEPH GOLOMBEK
BEVERLY GRAY
MARY MARTINO
MARC COPPOLA
CHARLEY FISHER III
DAVID FRANCZYK
BETTY JEAN GRANT
PROCEEDINGS
ROSEMARIE LOTEMPIO
ANTOINE THOMPSON
hereby states that he /she received twenty -four (24) hours'
notice of the time and purpose of the Special Meeting of the
Common Council duty called to be held on October 16, 2003
at 10: 00 A.M.
Betty Jean Grant
Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr.
Brian Davis
Antoine Thompson
Joseph Golombek Jr.
Richard Fontana
David Franczyk
Mary Martino
Marc Coppola
Rosemarie LoTempio (Per K. Gould)
Beverly Gray (Per S. Hardy)
Charley Fisher III (Per C. Blackmon)
Pursuant to Rule 2 of the Rules of Order of the Common
Council of the City of Buffalo, each of the following named
members of the Common Council, to wit:
DOMINIC BONIFACIO
BRIAN DAVIS
RICHARD FONTANA
JOSEPH GOLOMBEK
BEVERLY GRAY
MARY MARTINO
MARC COPPOLA
CHARLEY FISHER III
DAVID FRANCZYK
BETTY JEAN GRANT
ROSEMARIE LOTEMPIO
ANTOINE THOMPSON
hereby states that he /she received twenty -four (24) hours'
notice of the time and purpose of the Special Meeting of the
Common Council duty called to be held on September 19,
2003 at 10: 00 A.M.
Charley H. Fisher III
Brian Davis
Richard Fontana
David Franczyk
Marc Coppola
Betty Jean Grant
Joseph Golombek
Rosemary LoTempio
STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF ERIE) ss:
CITY OF BUFFALO)
On this 16th day of September 2003, before me, the
subscribers, personally appeared All Councilmembers
To me known to be the same persons described in and who
executed the foregoing instrument, and they duly and
severally acknowledged to me that they executed the same.
Gerald Chwalinski
Commissioner of Deeds, in and for the City of Buffalo, N.Y.
My Commission expires 12/31/04
RECEIVED AND FILED
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
October 15, 2003
TO EACH MEMBER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that, pursuant to Section 3.9
of the Charter of the City of Buffalo, upon the written request
of seven Councilmembers, dated October 15, 2003, JAMES
W. PITTS, President of the Common Council, has called a
Special Meeting of the Common Council, to be held in the
Council Chambers, City Hall, Buffalo, New York, on
Thursday, October 16, 2003 at 10:00 A.M. for the following
purpose:
To receive and take appropriate action on all items relating
to
1. COB Rev. Four Year Financial Plan
Yours very truly,
Charles L. Michaux III City Clerk
RECEIVED AND FILED.
NO. 2
BY: MR. PITTS
DISCHARGE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE -
COB REV. 4 YR FINANCIAL PLAN
(ITEM NO. 2 -CCP 10/14/03)
Whereas: The above item is currently in the Committee of
the Whole; and
Whereas: It is no longer necessary for this item to be
considered by that committee;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved:
That this Common Council does hereby discharge the
Committee of the Whole from further consideration of this
item, and said item is now before the Council.
Seconded by Mr. Bonifacio
Adopted.
NO. 3
COB REVISED FOUR YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN
CCP #165 09/02/03
Attached is the City of Buffalo Revised Four Year Financial
Plan with Gap closings & job deletions. Copy in Clerk's
Office, 1308 City Hall, Buffalo, NY.
Mr. Fontana made a motion to approve said item.
Seconded by Mr. Bonifacio.
PASSED.
AYES- BONIFACIO, COPPOLA, DAVIS, FISHER,
FONTANA, FRANCZYK, GOLOMBEK, GRANT, PITTS,
THOMPSON -10.
NOES - MARTINO -1.
NO. 4
BY: MR. FONTANA
FIRE COMPANY CLOSINGS
WHEREAS: As a result of the fiscal plight of the City of
Buffalo, the City of Buffalo is now under the watch of the
Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority (BFSA); and
WHEREAS: Part of their mandate requires the Mayor to
present a Four Year Financial Plan in order to bring the
City's finances back into order; and
WHEREAS: The Mayor's Revised Financial Plan requires
massive staffing cuts in the municipal workforce, a
declaration of need for borrowing through the BFSA and the
closing of some fire companies; and
WHEREAS: Under the Charter, the Council must approve
the closing of fire companies; and
WHEREAS: Though it is done with some reluctance, the
Council recognizes the serious nature of the City's fiscal
problems and must take action to address the challenges
that lie ahead;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That pursuant to Section 14 -11 of the Charter, the Common
Council does hereby authorize the Commissioner of Fire to
close Engine 10 at Ganson & Louisiana and Ladder 11 at
Broadway and Monroe, effective November 1, 2003, and the
closing of Ladder 9 at Elmwood and Virginia, effective March
2004.
Mr. Fontana made a motion to approve said item.
Seconded by Mr. Bonifacio.
PASSED.
AYES- BONIFACIO, COPPOLA, FISHER, FONTANA,
FRANCZYK, GOLOMBEK, GRANT AND THOMPSON -8.
NOES - DAVIS, MARTINO & PITTS -3.
NO. 5
STATEMENT OF NO SUPPORT
BUFFALO URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY PLAN
WHEREAS: As part of the Mayor's Revised Four Year
Financial Plan submitted to the Buffalo Fiscal Stability
Authority, covered organizations like the Buffalo Board of
Education, Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency, and Buffalo
Municipal Housing Authority had to submit financial plans as
well; and
WHEREAS: The Common Council is not entirely satisfied
with the submission by the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency;
and
WHEREAS: The Council wishes to send the message to the
Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority that it does not want to
endorse that aspect of the Mayor's Plan as it votes to
support changes in the Mayor's submission.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Common Council does hereby express its lack of
support for the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency's Plan as part
of the Mayor's Revised four Year Financial Plan and does
hereby state its intention to submit modifications to that
aspect of the Mayor's Plan.
Mr. Thompson made a motion to adopt said item.
Seconded by Mr. Bonifacio
AYES - Bonifacio, Davis, Fisher, Fontana, Franczyk,
Golombek, Grant, Martino, Pitts, Thompson -10.
NOES - Coppola -1.
ADOPTED.
NO. 6
DECLARATION OF NEED
Pursuant to S 3861 of the Public Authorities Law, after the
approval of the Common Council of the City of Buffalo on
October 16, 2003, I, Anthony M. Masiello, Mayor of the City
of Buffalo do hereby determine there is a need for financial
assistance to meet costs set in the City of Buffalo's Revised
Four Year Financial Plan.
This Declaration of Need does hereby request the Buffalo
Fiscal Stability Authority to borrow an amount of Seven
Million, Eight Hundred Eleven Thousand Dollars.
Anthony M. Masiello
Mayor
Mr. Fontana made a motion to approve said item.
Seconded by Mr. Bonifacio.
PASSED
AYES -11. NOES -0.
NO. 7
BY: MR. PITTS
DISCHARGE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE -
ALTERNATIVE TO MAYOR'S REVISED PLAN -FIRE
DEPT.
(ITEM NO.144 -CCP 10/14/03)
Whereas: The above item is currently in the Committee of
the Whole; and
Whereas: It is no longer necessary for this item to be
considered by that committee;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved:
That this Common Council does hereby discharge the
Committee of the Whole from further consideration of this
item, and said item is now before the Council.
Seconded by Mr. Bonifacio
Adopted.
NO. 8
BY: MR. PITTS, MRS. LOTEMPIO
ALTERNATIVES TO THE MAYOR'S REVISED PLAN -FIRE
DEPT.
WHEREAS: As a result of the Buffalo Fiscal Stability
Authority directive to the Mayor to submit a revised plan the
City will forego the benefits of its initial fire re- engineering
proposal and close companies and reduce the number of
firefighters; and
WHEREAS: Fire Commissioner Calvin Worthy has offered
an alternative to closing certain companies;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
The Buffalo Common Council approve the Fire
Commissioner recommendation to:
Relocate Rescue 1 and HazMat 1 from Jefferson Avenue
and Kingsley Street to Broadway and Monroe with Engine 3.
(it's original location)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:
Implementing this relocation would be more conducive to
training.
LAID ON THE TABLE.
AYES- BONIFACIO, DAVIS, FISHER, FONTANA,
FRANCZYK, GOLOMBEK, GRANT, MARTINO,
THOMPSON -9.
NOES - COPPOLA & PITTS -2.
NO. 9
ADJOURNMENT
On a Motion by Mr. Fontana; seconded by Mr. Bonifacio, the
meeting adjourned at 12:45 pm
ADOPTED.