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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-1130 No. 22 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY OF BUFFALO November 30, 2004 MAYOR Hon. Anthony M. Masiello ACTING COMPTROLLER Andrew Sanfilippo COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL FILLMORE DISTRICT David A. Franczyk PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT Bonnie E. Russell MAJORITY LEADER DELAWARE DISTRICT Marc A. Coppola DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS BRIAN C. DAVIS - ELLICOTT RICHARD A. FONTANA - LOVEJOY ANTOINE M. THOMPSON - MASTEN DOMINIC J. BONIFACIO Jr. - NIAGARA JOSEPH GOLOMBEK JR. - NORTH JAMES D. GRIFFIN - SOUTH REGULAR COMMITTEES CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE: Bonnie E. Russell Chairman, Brian C. Davis, Joseph Golombek Jr., Richard A. Fontana-Members CLAIMS COMMITTEE: James D. Griffin, Chairman, Richard A. Fontana, Joseph Golombek,Jr., Antoine M. Thompson - Members COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Joseph Golombek, Jr. Chairman, Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr., Bonnie E. Russell, Antoine M. Thompson - Members FINANCE COMMITTEE: Brian C. Davis, Chairman, Dominic J. Bonifacio, Jr., Marc A. Coppola, James D. Griffin - Members. LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Richard A. Fontana, Chairman, Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr., Marc A. Coppola, Bonnie E. Russell - Members EDUCATION COMMITTEE Antoine M. Thompson, Chairman, Richard A. Fontana, David A. Franczyk, Bonnie E. Russell - Members RULES COMMITTEE: David A. Franczyk, Chairman Marc A. Coppola, Bonnie E. Russell - Members SPECIAL COMMITTEES BUDGET COMMITTEE:Dominic J. Bonifacio, Jr., Chairman, Marc A. Coppola, Brian C. Davis, Joseph Golombek, Jr. - Members MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE- Antoine M. Thompson, Chairman Brian C. Davis, James D. Griffin CORPORATION PROCEEDINGS A review of the service requests comparing October to September, shows about a 20% decrease in requests, which is consistent with October to September 2003. A review of the service request categories shows the COMMON COUNCIL biggest reductions for service in Inspection Requests (- CITY HALL - BUFFALO 258) and Garbage Complaints (-146). The two TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2004 categories that showed significant increases in October, AT 2:00 P.M. were Tote Requests (+123) and User Fee Inquiries (+97) both caused by the User Fee bills being mailed PRESENT – David A. Franczyk, President of the on October 1, 2004, where many callers downsize their Council, and Council Members Bonifacio, Coppola, totes or question the accuracy of their bills. Davis, Fontana, Golombek, Griffin, and Thompson An update of the status of "Open" calls for September – 8 2004 is that all abandoned cars listed have been removed and that the majority of police and public ABSENT –- Russell- 1 works' requests have been addressed. Overall, October 2004, was consistent with October 2003. As always, I On a motion by Mr. Coppola seconded by hope that this information is useful. Mr.Fontana, the minutes of the stated meeting held RECEIVED AND FILED on November 16, 2004 were approved. NO. 4 FROM THE MAYOR Request to Place Police Cameras at Strategic Locations NO. 1 CCP# 138 11/03/04 Re-appointment of Members to the In regards to the above resolution, I would like to Elevator Safety Review Board propose that the city conduct a competition in each of Pursuant to the powers vested in me by Chapter the nine councilmanic districts, to enable security 167.3 of the Buffalo Code, I hereby reappoint the companies to demonstrate the capabilities and following individuals to the Elevator Review Board for a versatility of security systems that they believe will best term commencing immediately and will expire April 30, satisfy the needs of specific situations. 2007. For instance, Iron Island Security, 1160 E.Lovejoy Joseph S. Cattarin Elevator Maintenance of Bflo. 701 Street, Buffalo, New York 14206, has offered to Seneca Street Buffalo, New York 14210 demonstrate a security camera system in the Masten Donald H. Winkle Int. Union of Elevator Constructors- district. Other security companies should also be Local 3527 Harlem Road Buffalo, NY 14225 afforded the opportunity to work with district Council Peter L. Hall Schindler Elevator Company 227 Thorne Members and the Buffalo Police Department, as well Avenue Orchard Park, NY 14127 as, the working group identified in No. 138. David G. Asmuth National Elevator Inspection Services This competitive approach would be more fair and 1411 Chili Avenue Rochester, NY 14624 educational, than previous programs of purchasing Steven Carmina Carmina & Wood P.C. 300 Pearl security cameras. Street Buffalo, NY 14202 Those programs hired consultants, who had to design a Stephen R. Fitzmaurice Marine Buffalo Associates One system, prepare bid specifications and conduct the bid HSBC Center Buffalo, NY 14203 process. I hereby certify that the above named individuals are This type of approach was very expensive, time fully qualified to serve as members of the Elevator consuming and resulted in numerous complaints Safety Review Board. regarding the bid specifications favoring one company REFERRED TOTHE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION over other companies, based upon the technical nature AND THE DIRECTOR OF COLLECTIONS of surveillance equipment. I look forward to attending the first meeting with the NO. 2 Buffalo Police Department. Certificate of Appointment REVISED REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Appointment Effective: 11-5-04 in the Department of AND THE COMMISSIOINER OF POLICE MAYOR Division of EXECUTIVE to the Position of SENIOR FROM THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING ACCOUNT CLERK Permanent, promotion, Maximum, Starting Salary of: $30,114.00 NO. 5 GRETCHEN M. KRIEGER 81 REBECCA PARK Abandonment and Sale of 493, 503, 541 & 543 BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14207 Seneca Former Fargo Electric Site - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL Ellicott District SERVICE The Office of Strategic Planning, Division of Real FROM THE MAYOR - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Estate, has received a request from Parkside Holdings, FROM THE OFFICE OF CITIZEN SERVICES LLC located at 275 Cooper Street, Tonawanda, New York to acquire 493, 503, 541 & 543 Seneca Street. No. 3 They intend to construct a 15,000 to 18,000 square foot Monthly report from the Division of Citizen Services office/warehouse complex for their coffee roasting October 2004 business. Attached for your review is the following: (1) chart of Providing Your Honorable Body approves the service calls for October 2004, (2) chart of service calls abandonment and sale they will submit plans and proof for October 2003- for comparative purposes, and (3) of financing. charts of "Open" service calls for September 2004, as Your Honorable Body may authorize the sale of the of October 31, 2004. property In accordance with Article 27, Section 27-5 of Shaped Lot the City Charter - Sale by Appraisal. Assessed Valuation: $1,000. I am requesting that Your Honorable Body authorize the The Office of Strategic Planning, Division of Real abandonment/sale of the subject properties by Estate has received a request to purchase 468 Adams appraisal and direct this office to negotiate the sale and Street from Mr. Leonard F. Watts and Mrs. Shirley report the results of negotiations with Your Honorable Parker/Watts, 65 Beckwith Street, Buffalo, New York Body for final approval. 14212. Mr. and Mrs. Watts own and reside at 65 REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY Beckwith Street, which is adjoining 468 Adams Street DEVELOPMENT AND THE CORPORATION and intend to use this vacant lot for additional yard COUNSEL space. The Division of Permit and Inspection Services and the NO. 6 Division of Collections have no objections to the sale. APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FOR There are no building code violations, taxes or other SALE OF LAND - 266 AND 286 liens owed to the City by the purchasers. OAK STREET The Division of Real Estate has investigated the sale of SIGNATURE DEVELOPMENT similar residential vacant lots in the subject area. Sale BUFFALO, LLC, REDEVELOPER prices range from forty cents (.40) to one dollar ($1.00), The City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency duly per square foot. designated Signature Development Buffalo, LLC, The results of our negotiations are that Mr. and Mrs. and/or joint venture, partnership, corporation or other Watts have agreed and are prepared to pay one legal entity to be formed as the qualified and eligible thousand dollars ($1,000), forty cents (.40) per square Redeveloper for the subject parcel. foot, for the subject property. Mr. and Mrs. Watts have The Agency has also determined that the proposed also agreed to pay for the cost of the transfer tax, Land Disposition Agreement negotiated by the Agency recording fees and cost of the legal description. and the Redeveloper is satisfactory. I am recommending that Your Honorable Body approve Please be advised that in accordance with the the sale of provisions of Article 15A of the General Municipal Law, 468 Adams Street to Mr. and Mrs. Watts in the amount it is now necessary for your Honorable Body to set a of one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am further date for a public hearing, and to direct the publication of recommending that the Corporation Counsel prepare a notice of said hearing. In the interest of time and the necessary documents for the transfer of title and anticipating that Your Honorable Body is willing to that the Mayor be authorized to execute the same. expedite this matter, I have taken the liberty to prepare Mr. Coppola Moved: a Resolution together with a Notice of Public Hearing That the above communication from the Office of for your action. Strategic Planning, Division of Real Estate, dated Forwarded separately are the following documents: November 18, 2004, be received and filed; and 1. Resolution setting Public Heating That the offer from Mr. Leonard F. Watts and Mrs. 2. Notice of Public Heating Shirley Parker/Watts, residing at 65 Beckwith Street, in 3. Resolution approving proposed Land Disposition the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for the Agreement purchase of 468 Adams, be and hereby is accepted; After the Public Hearing is held, Your Honorable Body and may adopt a Resolution authorizing the disposition of That the appraisal requested by the City of Buffalo shall the land to the Redeveloper, which the Agency has be paid by the purchaser; designated as being qualified and eligible That the transfer tax, recording fees and cost of legal REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY description shall be paid by the purchaser; and DEVELOPMENT That the Corporation Counsel be authorized to prepare AND THE CORPORATION COUNSEL the necessary documents for the transfer of title and that the Mayor be authorized to execute the same, in NO. 7 accordance with the terms of sale upon which the offer Elmwood Ave. Demoitions was submitted. as a Restricted Use PASSED Item No. 130, C.C.P. 11/16/2004 AYES - 8 - NOES - 0 The Office of Strategic Planning has reviewed the proposal to add Demolitions" to the list of uses No. 9 restricted within the current Elmwood Avenue Business Results of Negotiations District zoning. Since the action of demolition is not a Northern Portion of 2017 Bailey “Use" of a parcel of land, this office feels it would be Vacant Land 10' x 118' only inappropriate to require an applicant to obtain a Lovejoy restricted use permit as part of a demolition request. The Office of Strategic Planning, Division of Real The Common Council may desire to require the Estate has received a request to purchase the northern Council's review and approval of all demolitions within portion of 2017 Bailey Avenue from Mr. Yamin Shah, specific zoning or other districts, only after a review of 2021 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14211. Mr. the existing City Charter regulations related to Shah owns a one family home at 2021 Bailey Avenue, demolitions and the administration powers of which is adjacent to this 10'x 118' portion of 2017 Bailey appropriate City Departments. Avenue. He intends to use the subject property for REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION additional yard space. The Division of Permit and Inspection Services and the NO. 8 Division of Collections have no objections to the sale. Results of Negotiations There are no building code violations, taxes or other 468 Adams, S Corner Beckwith liens owed to the City of Buffalo by the purchaser. Lot Size: 32' x 77', Triangular Irregular The Division of Real Estate has investigated the sale of similar residential vacant lot properties in the subject He has also agreed to pay for the cost of the transfer area. Sales prices range from one dollar ($1.00) to tax, recording fees and cost of the legal description. three dollars ($3.00), per front foot. I am recommending that Your Honorable Body approve The results of our negotiations are that Mr. Shah has the sale of agreed and is prepared to pay one thousand dollars 11 Fargo Avenue to Mr. Felix Barikor in the amount of ($1,000), one dollar ($1.00) per front foot, for the seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500). I am subject portion of property. He has also agreed to pay further recommending that the Corporation Counsel for the cost of the transfer tax, recording fees and cost prepare the necessary documents for the transfer of of the legal description. title and that the Mayor be authorized to execute the I am recommending that Your Honorable Body approve same. the sale of the northern portion of 2017 Bailey 10' x Mr. Coppola Moved: 118'. I am further recommending that the Corporation That the above communication from the Office of Counsel prepare the necessary documents for the Strategic Planning, Division of Real Estate, dated transfer of title and that the Mayor be authorized to November 22, 2004, be received and filed; and execute the same. That the offer from Mr. Felix F. Barikor, Jr., residing at Mr. Coppola Moved: 342 Rhode Island, in the sum of seven thousand and That the above communication from the Office of five hundred dollars ($7,500.00) for the purchase of 11 Strategic Planning, Division of Real Estate, dated Fargo, be and hereby is accepted; and November 18, 2004, be received and filed; and That the appraisal requested by the City of Buffalo shall That the offer from Mr. Yamin Shah, residing at 2021 be paid by the purchaser; and Bailey Avenue, in the sum of one thousand dollars That the transfer tax, recording fees and cost of legal ($1,000.00) for the purchase the northern portion of description shall be paid by the purchaser; and 2017 Bailey Avenue, be and hereby is accepted; and That the Corporation Counsel be authorized to prepare That the appraisal requested by the City of Buffalo shall the necessary documents for the transfer of title and be paid by the purchaser; that the Mayor be authorized to execute the same, in That the transfer tax, recording fees and cost of legal accordance with the terms of sale upon which the offer description shall be paid by the purchaser; and was submitted. That the Corporation Counsel be authorized to prepare PASSED the necessary documents for the transfer of title and AYES - 8 - NOES - 0 that the Mayor be authorized to execute the same, in accordance with the terms of sale upon which the offer NO. 11 was submitted. Results of Negotiations PASSED 934 Fillmore, 460' N Sycamore AYES - 8 - NOES - 0 Lot Size: 30' x Iregular Depth to Wilson Street Assessed Valuation: $1,700 NO. 10 946 Fillmore, 490' N Sycamore Results of Negotiations Lot Size: 30' x Irregular Depth to Wilson Street 11 Fargo, 80' NW Hudson Assessed Valuation: Land $1,700 Vacant Lot: 40' x 120' Total 19,300 Assessed Valuation: 948 Fillmore, 520' N Sycamore Land $ 4,800 Lot Size: 30' x Irregular Depth to Wilson Street Total $20,000 Assessed Valuation: $1,700 Ellicott Fillmore The Office of Strategic Planning, Division of Real The Office of Strategic Planning, Division of Real Estate has received a request to purchase 11 Fargo Estate has received a request from Mr. Melvin J. Davis from Mr. Felix F. Barikor, Jr., 342 Rhode Island, Buffalo, and Mrs. Joyce Davis, 175 William Street, Buffalo, New New York 14213. Mr. Barikor intends to purchase 11 York 14204, to purchase the above captioned Fargo, bring this apartment type building into code properties for the purpose of rehabilitating and residing compliance and use as a place of residence and rental at 946 Fillmore and using 934 and 948 Fillmore for yard income. space. The purchaser has provided the Division of Real Estate Mr. and Mrs. Davis have provided the Division of Real with a plan to rehabilitate the building and proof of Estate with a detailed cost estimate to rehabilitate 946 financial ability to complete the purchase and make Fillmore Avenue and proof of financial ability to repairs. This two story apartment type building was complete the purchase and repairs. 946 Fillmore is a acquired by the City of Buffalo through a tax foreclosure 2,693 square foot two and one half story two family in August 2001 in fair condition, situate on a lot 40' x house in poor condition acquired by the City of Buffalo 120'. through a City Foreclosure in November 2000, situate The Division of Permit and Inspection Services and the on a lot 30' with an irregular depth to Wilson Street. 934 Division of Collections have no objections to the sale. and 948 Fillmore are adjacent to 946 Fillmore on both There are no building code violations, taxes or other sides. liens owed to the City of Buffalo by the purchaser. The Division of Permit and Inspection Services and the The Division of Real Estate has investigated the sale of Division of Collections have no objections to the sale. similar apartment type buildings in the subject area. There are no building code violations, taxes or other Sales prices range from one dollar and fifteen cents liens owed to the City by the purchasers. ($1.15) to three dollars and fifty-seven cents ($3.57), The Division of Real Estate has investigated the sale of per square foot of living area. similar two family houses in the subject area. Sales The results of our negotiations are that Mr. Felix prices range from ninety-five cents (.95) to three dollars Barikor, Jr. has agreed and is prepared to pay seven and fifty cents ($3.50) per square foot of living area. thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500), two dollars and The results of our negotiations are that Mr. and Mrs. ninety-five cents ($2.95) per square foot of living area. Davis have agreed to a sales price of six thousand dollars ($6,000), two dollars and twenty three cents description shall be paid by the purchaser; and ($2.23) per square foot living area, for the subject That the Corporation Counsel be authorized to prepare properly. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have also agreed to pay the necessary documents for the transfer of title and for the cost of the transfer tax, recording fees and cost that the Mayor be authorized to execute the same, in of the legal descriptions. accordance with the terms of sale upon which the offer I am recommending that Your Honorable Body approve was submitted. the sale of 934, 946 and 948 Fillmore Avenue in the PASSED amount of six thousand dollars ($6,000) to Mr. and Mrs. AYES - 13 - NOES - 0 Davis. I am further recommending that the Corporation Counsel prepare the necessary documents for the FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS transfer of title and that the Mayor be authorized to NO. 13 execute the same. Repair of Streetlight Foundations and Knockdowns REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY Citywide Group 634 DEVELOPMENT This is to advise your Honorable Body that I have advertised for and received public bids on November NO. 12 17, 2004 for the Repair of Streetlight Foundations and Results of Negotiations Knockdowns - Citywide - Group 634. These bids were 184 Victoria, 120' W Hill necessary as a result of a 10/20/2004 notification from Lot Size: 30'x 115' NIMO (copy attached) informing the City that they will Assessed Valuation: $19,500 no longer handle pole repairs related to knockdowns. The Office of Strategic Planning, Division of Real The following bids were received: Estate has received a request to purchase 184 Victoria CONTRACTOR Avenue from Ms. Daria L. Pratcher, President of TOTAL BID PRICE Fillmore Leroy Area Residents, Inc., 307 Leroy Avenue, O'Connell Electric Co. Buffalo, New York 14214 to purchase the City-owned 929B Ransom Road $108,831.00 building at 184 Victoria Avenue. Lancaster, NY 14086 The property consists of a 2,242 square foot two family Spoth Enterprises, Inc.. $249,000.00 frame house acquired by the City through foreclosure in 8746 Lakeshore Road 2002, situate on a lot 30' x 115'. The house is in poor Angola, NY 14006 NO BID condition and was scheduled for demolition. Fillmore 21 Foundry Street Leroy Residents, Inc. will substantially rehabilitate the Buffalo, NY 14207 two family home with HOME Funds. This property after Ferguson Electric NO BID rehabilitation will be resold to an eligible low income 333 Ellicott Street family. Buffalo, NY 14203 The Office of Strategic Planning and Division of Frey Electric NO BID Collections have no objections to the sale. There are no 100 Pearce Avenue outstanding taxes, building code violations, or other Tonawanda, 14150 liens owed to the City of Buffalo by the purchasers. I hereby certify that the lowest responsible bidder for An independent appraisal of the property was the above project is O'Connell Electric Co. with a base conducted by Michael McNerney of McNerney bid amount of $108,831.00. The engineer's estimate for Appraisal, 430 Center Street, Lewiston, New York this work is $125,000.00 and funds are available in 14092. He has estimated the value of the property to be Capital Project Accounts 30032106-445100 and two thousand dollars ($2,000). The Division of Real 13116006-443100 Estate concurs with the estimate. Sales of similar I therefore recommend that Your Honorable Body properties have sold for $1,500 to $5,000. authorize a contract aware to O'Connell Electric Co. in The results of our negotiations are that Fillmore Leroy accordance with their low bid on November 17, 2004 in Area Residents, Inc. have agreed and are prepared to the amount of $119,714.10 ($108,831.00 Base Bid + pay two thousand dollars ($2,000). They have also 10% Unit Price Increase of $10,833.10.00 equals agreed to pay for the cost of the appraisal, transfer tax, $119,714.10). recording fees and cost of the legal description. Mr. Coppola Moved: I am recommending that Your Honorable Body approve That the above communication from the Commissioner the sale of of Public Works, Parks and Streets dated November 184 Victoria Avenue to Fillmore Leroy Residents, Inc. 22, 2004, be received and filed; and for the amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000). I am That the Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and further recommending that the Corporation Counsel Streets, be, and he hereby is authorized to award a prepare the necessary documents for the transfer of contract for Repair of Streetlight Foundations and title and that the Mayor be authorized to execute the Knockdowns, Citywide Group 634, to O'Connell Electric same. Co., the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of Mr. Coppola Moved: $119,714.10 ($108,831.00 Base Bid & 10% Unit Price That the above communication from the Office of Increase of $108,831.00 equals $119,714.10). Funds Strategic Planning, Division of Real Estate, dated for the project are available in Accounts 30032106 November 19, 2004, be received and filed; and 445100 and 13116006-443100. That the offer from Ms. Daria L. Pratcher, President of PASSED Fillmore Leroy Area Residents, Inc., 307 Leroy Avenue, AYES - 8 - NOES - 0 in the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for the purchase of 184 Victoria Avenue, be and hereby is NO. 14 accepted; and Change in Contract That the appraisal requested by the City of Buffalo shall Seneca Babcock Community Center be paid by the purchaser; and Renovations That the transfer tax, recording fees and cost of legal Job #0401 Lovejoy District invoices be abated and the Commissioner of I hereby submit to Your Honorable Body the following Assessment places the charge(s) on the Local tax rolls. changes for the Seneca Babcock Community Center, 2005 Total - $45,577.50 Renovations, General Construction, Miller Enterprises, Mr. Coppola Moved: Inc., C #92010885. That the above communication from the Commissioner 1. Change 6 closet door frames to hollow of Public Works, Parks and Streets dated November metal and erect new partition on side of stairs 24, 2004, be received and filed; and with a wood cap. Extend existing landing, add That the Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and a new stair, level existing floor and install new Streets, Division of Streets is authorized to abate the floor finishes in corridor. grass cutting invoices as listed above and the Add $ 6,231.00 Commissioner of Assessment & Taxation places the The foregoing change results in a net increase in the charge(s) on the local tax rolls for a 2005 total - contract of Six Thousand Two Hundred Thirty One and $45,577.50. 00/100 Dollars ($6,231.00). PASSED Summary: AYES - 8 - NOES - 0 Current Contract Amount $ 115,105.00 Amount of This Change Order (#2)Add $ 6,231.00 NO. 17 Revised Contract Amount $ 121,336.00 PERMISSION TO NEGOTIATE/ACQUIRE Costs have been reviewed by the Department of Public RIGHT OF WAY PARCELS Works, Parks & Streets and were found to be fair and GENESEE STREET RECONSTRUCTION equitable. Funds for this work are available in BAILEY AVE. TO EAST CITY LINE 34310306 445100 - Division of Buildings. FHWA/NYSDOT PIN #5755.56 I request that Your Honorable Body authorize the Permission is requested from Your Honorable Body to Commissioner of Public Works, Parks & Streets to authorize the Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and issue a change order to the contractor as set forth Streets to negotiate and acquire mandated engineering above. design Right of Way parcels at the intersection of Mr. Coppola Moved: Genesee St./Bailey Ave. related to the subject project. That the above communication from the Commissioner There are (2) Right of Way acquisitions required and all of Public Works, Parks and Streets dated November legal descriptions, maps and appraisals are being 19, 2004, be received and filed; and prepared by our project consultant. The (2) locations, That the Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and respective owners and square footage of each Streets be, and he hereby is authorized to issue change necessary Right of Way parcel is as follows: order No. 2, to Miller Enterprises, Inc., an increase in the amount of $6,231.00, as more fully described in the 1. 2151 BaileyAve. above communication, for work relating to Job No. #040 Harmac Medical Products, Inc. I, Seneca Babcock Community Center, Renovations, Lewis Somers Ill General Construction, 2201 Bailey Ave. C #92010885. Funds for this project are available in Buffalo, NY 14211 34310306 445100 - Division of Buildings. Area: 741.8 sq. ft PASSED AYES - 8 - NOES - 0 2. 1829 Genesee St. NO. 15 Xiao Bao Lu & Meei Ling Lu R. Cummings - Pay invoices PO Box 214 for Tosh Collins and Getzville, NY 14221 Cazenovia Ice Rink Monitoring Area: 532.3 sq. ft. Item #54 CCP 11/16/2004 This $7.5 million project is funded by FHWA, The referenced item was sent to this office for NYSDOT and the City of Buffalo as part of local comment. Transportation Program and is 95% reimbursable to the According to our agreement with the County of Erie, the City of Buffalo. Costs for these necessary Right of Way County was required to honor all contracts and acquisitions are not expected to exceed $50,000 and agreements that were in place. I have thus sent a funds will be available in a Capital Project Account notice to the County's Park Commissioner indicating specifically for this project. Anticipated bidding date for that they are responsible for the billing from ARC & this project is February 2005. Comm. Mr. Coppola moved REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON AND ERIE That the above communication from the Commissioner COUNTY PARKS of Public Works, Parks and Streets dated November 24, 2004, be received and filed; and NO. 16 That the Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and GRASS CUTTING INVOICE TRANSFERS Streets be, and he hereby is authorized to negotiate In accordance with Chapter 341, Article I of the City and acquire mandated engineering design Right of Way Ordinance, I am herewith attaching a list of parcels of parcels at the intersection of Genesee Street/Bailey land in the City of Buffalo owners or persons having Avenue related to Genesee Street Reconstruction charge of such lands and the cost of cutting grass, Bailey Avenue to East City Line FHWA/NYSDOT PIN weeds on these properties by the Department of Public #5755.56. The acquisitions are not expected to exceed Works, Parks & Streets, Division of Streets during the $50,000 and funds will be available in a Capital Project months of June through October 2004. Account specifically for this project. The Department of Public Works, Parks and Streets, PASSED Division of Streets is requesting that the following AYES - 8 NOES - 0 the Position of Clerk, Permanent at the Intermediate NO. 18 Starting Salary of $26,499 PERMISSION TO RETAIN CONTRACTOR AND Laurie Piazza, 366 Villa Drive, Buffalo, NY 14216 ACCEPT RELATED FINANCING REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE CIVIL SERVICE VARIOUS ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND CITY COURT FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Permission is hereby requested from your honorable NO. 20 body to allow the Commissioner of Public Works, Parks CITY OF BUFFALO, POLICE DEPARTMENT and Streets to retain Wendel Energy Services to REQUEST FOR RESPONSE perform Various Energy Improvements: Traffic Signals RE: "PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS" and City Court and to receive funds from several RES. #115, C.C.P. 10/19/04 governmental agencies to partially finance the work. Pursuant to the request dated October 20, 2004 The project consists of two distinct parts. First, regarding "Public Safety Dispatchers," Resolution #115 replacing the incandescent bulbs in all traffic signals C.C.P. 101904, the Buffalo Police Department submits with energy efficient LED bulbs and replacing obsolete the following response: and/or inoperable signal controllers. Second, replacing The Buffalo Police Department has been working with the City Court air conditioning system, which was Erie County Central Police Services along with other installed in 1973 and is well beyond its useful life, with a County and City Departments, in a cooperative effort to more energy efficient system and making other energy consolidate emergency dispatch and management saving modifications to the facility. information systems services. The rationale for such As allowed by State Energy Law Article 9-103, effort is to obtain the benefits of interoperable Paragraph 6, the Commissioner of Public Works, Parks communications between the City, County and the and Streets received proposals from several energy many other emergency service providers in the region. performance contractors. After reviewing the proposals The City will initially benefit from the implementation of and interviewing each contractor, we recommend new Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. The Wendel Energy Services be awarded the contract. The Buffalo Fire Department and Buffalo Police Department not to exceed value for Traffic Signal work is $4.1 are in need of capital outlay expenditures related to million and for the City Court work is $2.5 million. Total new CAD systems, at an estimated cost of $3-4 million. project value is not to exceed $6.6 million. Wendel has By applying a portion of the City's allocation of Urban guaranteed that the City will save a minimum of Area Security Initiative Grant funding to this merger $326,000 in energy and operational costs per year effort, the City will reap the benefits of a new CAD based on current prices. system and integrated work area. A portion of the project will be financed in three ways. The combination of investments by both the City and NITTEC will provide $1.6 million at 1.5% over a ten-County will allow each entity to build a product that will year period. NYSERDA will underwrite $1.0 million at provide bettor services to the region than had each 0% over a ten-year period. The balance will be financed entity attempted to proceed in their own direction. If the over a ten-year period through a municipal lease City is successful in its negotiations with labor unions agreement. Bids were solicited from seven financial and is able to transfer its employees to the County, and service providers. The low bidder, Municipal Leasing is further successful in its agreement with the County, Consultants, quoted an annual rate of 3.812%. The the City may be in a position to garner benefits from the next low rate was 4.180%. The Comptroller has savings related to employee salaries and benefits. reviewed and approved the proposed leasing While this working relationship has been on going for agreement. quite some time, there is no formal agreement between Funds to make the annual lease payments will be the City and County for the merger of services. It is my obtained from several sources. For the City Court understanding that a formal agreement, which has been portion, Erie County is obligated by their lease approved by both the Common Council and the Erie agreement to pay 23% of capital improvement costs for County Legislature, will be required in order to move system replacements. They have been notified of their forward with a consolidation and to initiate negotiations obligation. After deducting the County payment, the with both the City and County labor unions. The lack of Unified Court System (New York State) has agreed to an agreement places the City in a position, which has pay a not allowed for formal labor negotiations. minimum of 25% and a maximum of 50% of the It would certainly be in the interest of the County and remaining cost. The actual amount shall be calculated the City to proceed swiftly in establishing a formal each year based on the energy and construction relationship and thereafter negotiating with the savings in that year. Additionally, we are pursuing necessary labor unions. The Buffalo Police Department incentives for energy conservation from NYCERDA that has invested a great deal of time and effort in this could total as much as $300,000. The funds would be project and is certainly willing to continue in that obtained by the end of construction and would be manner. If further services are required of our applied to the annual lease payments. Department to aid in the success of this project, please The City of Buffalo share after energy and operational contact me. savings will be $256,346. We have reviewed the REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET proposed funding arrangement with the Commissioner of Finance and he has agreed to include the required NO. 21 funding in future operating budgets. "REQUEST TO PLACE POLICE CAMERAS AT REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE STRATEGIC LOCATIONS" RES#138 C.C.P. NOVEMBER 3, 2004 NO. 19 Over the course of the last few months representatives CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT of the Buffalo Police Department have been contacted Appointment effective November 15, 2004 in the by Council member Davis, and most recently Council Department of Public Works, Division of Engineering to member Thompson, with inquiries as to the feasibility of utilizing surveillance cameras as a means to deter Honorable Body, I am providing information regarding crime within their Council Districts. In fact, the Buffalo outstanding collections accounts as follows: Police Department most recently responded to a related 1. William Maggio - None request from the Council - refer to Item#53 C.C.P. 2. Henry Osinski - None. 092104 "Use of surveillance cameras to deter crime in 3. Robert Zielinski -parking ticket summons #A4528694 L.A." (B.P.D. response attached). for $30. As outlined in my response, proper planning and 4. Edward Hemdon - 21 Summer; taxes $886.48 (1 st evaluation is of paramount importance in formulating a half), sewer rent $158.77 and water $146.41; 17 project of this nature. It has been the experience of Summer, water $78.68. members of the Buffalo Police Department's executive 5. Coralia J. Hetzner - None. staff that a project of this scope, if intended to be REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION instituted citywide; with initial associated costs Except Maggio & Osinski conceivably reaching thousands of dollars in equipment and related resources, is better served by commencing NO. 25 as a pilot project with limited parameters. CANADIAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM In as much as the Buffalo Police Department is in the CCP#54,. 3/2/04;CCP#117, 9/7/04;CCP #40, process of preparing the initial groundwork for 10/19/04 requesting an RFI and identifying a funding resource for As per the request of your Honorable Body, I am such a pilot project, representatives of the Police providing the following information regarding a Department are available to meet with the Council to proposed Canadian prescription drug program, and discuss our progress, and look forward to your input. other prescription drug programs as fully discussed in Furthermore, at the appropriate time we will need to the above-referenced item numbers. involve partner agencies, all of whom will be identified Pursuant to the Federal Drug Administration guidelines, as we progress with the planning process. it is illegal for the City of Buffalo as a municipality to Should the pilot program prove successful in terms of purchase prescription drugs from Canada. Individual costs-benefits; justifying citywide implementation, a employees may purchase prescriptions from Canada, large-scale program of such magnitude would require a but this would only be beneficial in a self-insured coordination of effort, involving many of the entities prescription program through the City of Buffalo. outlined in the Council's Resolution, which would Because the City of Buffalo does not have a self- certainly extend beyond the realm of the Police insured program, but rather a prescription program Department. As more encompassing issues such as through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of WNY, it would multiple funding sources, agency responsibilities, not be beneficial for employees to purchase their mandates, and coordination of responsibilities will prescriptions in this way considering the low copay undoubtedly become topics of discussion, a working guidelines. Employees would pay more for prescriptions group involving the entities outlined in the Resolution if they purchased them from Canada because would more appropriately be convened by the Council's insurance companies are prohibited by New York State Honorable Body or another City agency having more law from reimbursing members for prescriptions direct controls over such resources. purchased in Canada. Furthermore, before the City of REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Buffalo could move to a self-insured program, the City would have to find the money to sustain such a FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF FIRE program, and all unions would have to agree to NO. 22 changing to this system. It is my understanding that the CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT cities that have implemented a prescription program Appointment effective November 15, 2004 in the through Canada all have self-insured prescription Department of Fire to the position of Administrative programs. Assistant Finally, the website created by NYS Attorney General Permanent at the Starting Salary of $36,049 Elliot Spitzer referred to in Health Care News (Item #40, Jill Parisi, 104 Portland Street, Buffalo, New York 14220 C.C.P. 10/19/04), is a website that allows individuals to REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL check the price of medications at various pharmacies SERVICE by zip code. Again, this is a valuable tool for individuals who do not have prescription coverage and must pay NO. 23 the full amount for their medication. The City of Buffalo CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT does not determine the amount of the medication, but Appointment effective November 15, 2004 in the rather Blue Cross and Blue Shield of WNY negotiates Department of Fire to the position of Deputy that price with the individual pharmacies. Commissioner of Fire RECEIVED AND FILED Mayoral Appointment at the Flat Starting Salary of $89,372 NO. 26 Gamell W. Whitfield, Jr., 581 Grider Street, Buffalo, J.N. ADAM HOSPITAL New York 14215 As per the request of your Honorable Body, I am REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL providing the following information regarding the SERVICE proposed agreement between the City of Buffalo and the State of New York regarding the above-referenced FROM THE CORPORATION COUNSEL property. Attached please find the proposed reverter NO. 24 agreement and parcel descriptions, the necessary APPOINTMENTS BOARD OF ASSESSMENT - documents for the City's sale of its reversionary interest TEMPORARY & PERMANENT in certain parcels of land in Perrysburg, N.Y. known as CCP #9 & 10, C.C.P. 11/16/04 J.N. Adam Hospital. The parcels will be transferred to I am in receipt of the above-referenced Common the State of New York, acting on behalf of the Council Communications. As per the request of your dormitory. The parcels to be transferred are referenced and more motions, for the first time a legitimate opportunity for the redevelopment of the site presented itself. The President of Clover Management informed in a survey prepared by McIntosh & McIntosh, P.C. the City that after significant negotiations it had signed dated July 26, 2000, which was previously provided to a contract to purchase the property for $800,000 with the Council. the intention of developing the site into new housing, This agreement will facilitate the following: with first floor retail facing Main Street. It should also be 1. Sale proceeds to the City of Buffalo in the amount of noted that paragraph 15 of the purchase contract $333,900; contained a contingency stating that the 'Agreement is " 2. Transfer of property to the State of New York for sale conditioned upon the dismissal, with prejudice, no later to Trathan Co.; than November 1, 2004, of all charges pending against 3. Future transfer of some parcels by the State of New Alex Schmidt and~or Schmidt's Auto Service Inc. in the York to the Town of Perrysburg, as well as the City of Buffalo Housing Court” water system and necessary easements; In considering the reality of a trial, post-trial motions, 4. Retaining reversionary interests in the balance of the sentencing, appeals, and any other legal tactics property where the six homes have been impeding progress at 736 Main Street, it was apparent constructed; that the opportunity to redevelop the property, albeit 5. Prior written approval or disapproval from the City of with the condition that the charges be dismissed, was Buffalo regarding the removal or demolition of the the best option in both the short and long-term and music dome in the dining hall. would yield the greatest benefit to the citizens and The scheduled closing date between the State of New taxpayers of the City of Buffalo. Given the significant York and Trathan Co. is December 18, 2004. investment already taking place on Main Street and the REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE additional opportunities this transaction could allow, the City's course of action makes even more sense. NO. 27 I have also attached for your review a letter from the NFL GRANT President of Clover Management articulating its I am in receipt of a request from Council Member Davis intentions. on behalf of the Finance Committee regarding the REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION Buffalo Raiders Little League Football/Buffalo Bills NFL FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF PERMIT & Fields Program. As per the request of your Honorable INSPECTION SERVICES Body, I am providing the following information regarding NO. 29 the NFL Grant. ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS REGARDING [:PERMIT I have received the grant application prepared by the PROCESS REFORM Broadway-Fillmore NHS regarding the football field at At this time I would like to furnish a report to Your Emerson Park. I requested a copy of any agreements Honorable Body regarding input received from various signed by the City of Buffalo or the NHS with the NFL individuals pertaining to the amendments to the Permit regarding this matter. I spoke with Bruce Williams, process. Executive Director of Broadway-Fillmore NHS, who Tim Keenan, Chief Combustion Inspector has reported advised that there were no contracts signed by the City that the changes have worked well for the Office of Fuel of Buffalo or NHS, and the only document he had was Devices. The only problems encountered by heating the grant application and grant letter sent to NHS by contractors have been minor clerical mistakes. He is LISC. satisfied overall with the changes. I have reviewed the grant application and grant letter Rick Ogorek, Chief Building Inspector has implemented and find no liability on the part of the City of Buffalo the changes to the permit process as well as the regarding re-payment of any grant monies due to non- changes in the "family of codes" of New York State as compliance with the grant application. To date, I have they pertain to new construction and plan review. His not been provided any signed agreements or office is comfortable with the changes; his main documents outlining any liability on the part of the City concern is with respect to technology. Computers in his of Buffalo. However, the City did write a letter of support division are out of date and need replacement. He feels for the grant application, and in good faith with the NFL hand held units would be beneficial to the new grant guidelines, the matching funds should be construction Inspectors. David Krug, Coordinator of provided for the specified work to be completed at Development Plans in the Permit Office has reported Emerson Park that he is working with the Planning office to go over REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE zoning amendments. As far as permit fees, the flat fees are working fine. Adjustments have been made NO. 28 regarding roofing and siding - it was decided that a 736 MAIN STREET, DEMOLITION OF permit should be obtained for any roofing being done. If (ITEM NO. 130, C.C.P., 11/3/04) siding one or more complete walls a permit should be Your Honorable body requested an explanation from obtained. His office is studying fees based on square the Administration as to the disposition of the Housing footage. There haven't been many recent projects to Court Case pertaining to 736 Main Street. compare so the study continues. Flat fees for It must be stated that the primary purpose for citing demolitions seem to be working well. The Permit office cases in Housing Court is not only to insure the is working with MIS to tweak the online web permits - correction of the violations in the short term, but also, for the most part it has been very successful but minor and more importantly, to facilitate a long-term solution adjustments are being made. Discussions are ongoing to the problem. In many cases, fines and other punitive about how to handle fines with the new permit fees. tactics are appropriate, however strictly prosecuting Tony Ando, Chief Plumbing Inspector has offered some cases in a punitive nature, without accounting for a suggestions for fine-tuning the plumbing permits. One long-term solution, is not in the public's best interest. item being addressed is when two different plumbers With respect to 736 Main Street, after years of court are working on one job in phases, each plumber has to appearances, hearings, pre-trial motions, trial dates, current fiscal year. The BMHA Board of Commissioners and senior staff have some very difficult decisions to make. We must find ways to reduce the cost of have his own permit. He suggests issuing one permit operations cost and operate more efficiently. Over the and having the total cost split between both plumbers. last five years the BMHA has seen the continued Another item being studied is when very little plumbing erosion of federal subsidy used to fund its operations. work is being done in a large area, cost can be an This year alone HUD reduced the BMHA operating issue. Sometimes two identical occupancies can have subsidy by $1,376,503. The capital fund was also very different plumbing work involved. Possibly affixing reduced by $700,000. HUD has told BMHA officials to a flat fee when this situation adses might be a solution. expect another 5% cut in capital fund next fiscal year. David Pierowicz, Chief Electrical Inspector has Next year, HUD is expected to implement a new project suggested possibly the addition of new catagories based budget funding formula which will result in where the flat fee (kw load) would not be appropdate. another $1 million lost in the operating subsidy. Also he would like to examine the idea of a maximum As the BMHA operating budget continues to sink there fee per contractor. Further information from Joseph are costs that continue to escalate such as a $900,000 Giambra - Public Works Commissioner, Tim in utility costs and a $1 million increase in health and Wanamaker - Exec Dir of Strategic Planning, Bob pension costs for BMHA staff. The current benefit rate Stasio - Chief of Fire Prevention, and Joe Schiavone - for BMHA staff is 46% above their salaries. BMHA has Supervisor of Elevator Inspections will be forthcoming been negotiating without success with our labor unions upon my receipt of their respective reports. to go to one health insurance company instead of the I hope this satisfies your request. existing three health insurance carriers to reduce our REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION costs in this area by $400,000 this year alone. If this does not happen in the next several weeks as many as NO. 30 30 BMHA staff will be laid off before the end of the CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT fiscal year. Appointment Effective November 22, 2004 in the One of the areas hardest hit by the reduction of funds Department of Administration and Finance has been public safety. Much of the BMHA public safety Division of Budget to the Position of Secretary to the department officers were funded through a variety of Commissioner of Administration & Finance special federal and state grants that targeted drugs and Permanent Appointment at the Starting Salary of: crime prevention. At any one time between 13 and 20 $29,138 officer's salaries and/or overtime cost were funded by Marilyn Fazio, 23 McClellan Circle, Bflo, NY 14220 those grants. In addition BMHA was able to fund youth REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL programs at its family development which also acted as SERVICE deterrent to crime. The largest source of funds was the FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF COMMUNITY Public Housing Drug Elimination Funding, which was SERVICES $1.2 million a year. This program's funding was ended NO. 31 in 2001 after the first round of tax cuts approved by the We are requesting that the fee of $75.00 be waived so Bush Administration and Congress. In 2001, the then that we can get a Certificate of Compliance for the HUD Secretary Martinez said that housing authorities office building 187 AKA 191 North Street due to the should not be in the public safety business. There were fact that we am both City entities, more appropriate agencies to provide those services. Mr. Coppola moved: When the Public Housing Drug Elimination program That the above communication from the Commissioner was ended in 2002, there were promises made by of Community Services dated November 16, 2004, be Congress to put crime-fighting monies in housing received and filed; and authorities budgets the following year that never That the fee of $75.00 be waived for a Certificate of happened. In fact the federal budget allocated less Compliance for 187 a/k/a 191 North Street. operating subsidy and capital funds than in FY2000. PASSED This meant that BMHA had to absorb to entire cost of AYES - 8 NOES - 0 providing public safety into an already sinking operating budget. NO. 32 To supplement the loss of subsidy the BMHA has had SECOND QUARTER REPORT YEAR 30 to use it's operating reserves, which function as a COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT saving account and are to be used for extraordinary PULBLIC SERVLCE maintenance expenses. Last year, we used $1.6 million Attached for your review is the following: to cover operation cost. This year BMHA will seek the Narrative Monitoring Reports for each agency: along approval to use another $1.6 million to cover our with Monthly Delivery Reports for August. September, operating deficit. At this point BMHA must change the October 2O04. way we operate and consolidate departments. BMHA is I will keep the Council informed of any concerns or faced with tough choices that will be felt by our problems we have with the Public Service Agencies residents. We must maintain our core functions as a and I hope this information is helpful. landlord and maintain and fix our apartments and REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY properties yet ensure our residents are safe. Clearly, DEVELOPMENT our admission polices which do not allow individuals with criminal backgrounds in the last five years to live in our development and One Strike You Are Out eviction FROM THE BUFFALO MUNICIPAL HOUSING policies have helped to make our developments more AUTHORITY safe. The presence of the public safety officers also acts as a deterrent. You are aware that almost none of NO. 33 the ongoing violence, which has occurred in many of BMHA Fiscal Issues the City's neighborhoods, has happened in BMHA The BMI-IA has a $2.3 million operating deficit for the housing developments. We do want to keep it that way. continue to lose funding until it reaches a $4 million Out of 3000 public housing authorities across the nation subsidy loss. If BMHA is ready to implement the project there are only 10 with their own public safety officers. based funding by the HUD deadline, which is projected Eight of those housing authorities that have public to be October 2005; it will stop the subsidy loss at $1 safety departments are double to four times the size of million. There were several assumptions in the Harvard the BMHA and are located in cities like Cleveland, Study that have profound effects on the cost of BMHA Washington, DC, Boston and Pittsburgh. The Housing operations. First, it was assumed that police services Authorities of Baltimore and Los Angles have totally would be provide by the local municipality. Second is eliminated their public safety departments. that most housing authorities do not have labor unions. The City of Buffalo charter requires the municipality to The third issue was the difference in labor costs provide police services to all of its citizens. This means between private and public sector subsidized housing that the city must provide baseline police services to the employees was the benefits. Public employees have a residents of the BMHA. These are the same types of much higher benefit rate. For last two issues most police services available to all residents of the City of Housing Authorities located in the Northeast United Buffalo. They must respond to Priority 1 and 2 calls. If States had dramatic cuts in their operating subsidies. they have the personnel available, they respond to This was attributed to increase labor costs because of other types of 911 calls. Currently, BMHA sites organized labor. averages about 22 calls a day. That amounts to only The BMHA must change its operations in order to about 4 calls per police shift according to 1st Deputy continue to provide "Housing of Choice" as oppose to Police Commissioner of Patrol, Crystal Pellitier. BMHA "Housing of Last Resort". Over the past ten years the did not have a public safety department for the first forty BMHA has struggled to change the image of public years of existence. The security function began during housing and become a better landlord and neighbor. the 1970s with security guards in the developments. BMHA has to learn how to operate smarter with a much The services that are to be provided by the BMHA leaner budget. The War in Iraq and Terrorism, tax cuts public safety departments are to be above baseline and large federal deficits, which will be on the horizon services provided by the city police force. The for the foreseeable future means, continue loss of Executive Director has proposed a major change in the federal subsidy for BMHA operations. way the Public Safety department operates by having REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY the public safety officers assigned to work directly at DEVELOPMENT specific housing developments and eliminate the roving patrols. This is similar to how the department NO. 34 operated in the 1980s. This would reduce operation CRAIG LEONE, PRESIDENT costs. Overtime cost for public safety personnel CSEA, BMHA PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER represent 55% of the overtime budget. The department In Miss West's 11/18/04 memorandum to the BMHA has already utilized their entire overtime allocation for Board of commissioners, she states that she has been the fiscal year ending June 30 . Currently the BMHA negotiating with the unions to go to one health care officers participate in the FBI Career Criminal Task provider without success. Our unit has expressed a Force. BMHA will continue to follow up on tips and do willingness to go to the one provider, however we are investigations concerning drug activity on our sites. We being told that our jobs will be gone as of 7/1/04. This also have an undercover unit, which focuses on comes after our unit made several concessions and problems within specific developments. Those functions give backs during last years negotiations. will remain. The public safety personnel will continue Last year we gave up raises in year 1 (0%) and year 2 working with tenant councils and crime watches. Police (0%) of the contract, with a 3% raise in year 3 (frozen Commissioner Diina has been consulted by control board). We gave up minimum manpower, about the change of public safety functions. He stated which essentially eliminated overtime. This easily saved this is a better approach in concentrating BMHA public the authority at least $250,000 per year. We accepted safety manpower directly on site then having BMHA one hour less per court appearance going from 4 hrs to public safety officer driving all over the city. This will 3 hrs. We gave up our holiday pay. This saved the mean that several days a week you will see public authority about another $100,000. We also gave up 12 safety officers stationed in your lobbies of the high rises positions through a scheduled attrition. or walking around your developments. The on it is true that some of the grants used to fund our site public safety substations at Kenfield and Shaffer department were eliminated, most notably the public Village will be reopened. housing drug elimination grant (PHDEP). It should also More dramatic budget cuts will impact the BMHA when be noted that through our conversations with HUD and HUD implements its new project based budget formula. Rep. Louise Slaughter last year that the money The new methodology for funding was derived from the authorities would have been given for PHDEP was still Harvard Study which looked at the cost of operating given to them it was just added to the overall general public housing nationally. Since housing authorities did operating budget. When the BMHA was receiving not have a baseline to track their cost of operations, the PHDEP money, there were close to 50 officers study compared them to FHA properties. HUD is in the employed by the department. By the time the grant was process of writing the final regulations for the eliminated the authority all ready had lost between 10- implementation for project based budgeting. This 12 officers. funding change will result in BMHA receiving subsidy Miss West states that HUD Secretary Martinez stated based on formula calculated based on the that there are more appropriate agencies to provide our occupied units in each development and not on the services. The BPD makes $20,000 more a year than number of units in our portfolio. BMHA will become an we do. asset manager. We must convert our operations to be Miss West states that out of 3000 public housing project based. Based on this new formula BMHA will authorities across the nation, only 10 have their own immediately lose $1 million in operating subsidy. If BMI-public safety departments. She states that Baltimore IA has not converted to project based budgeting, it will and Los Angeles have eliminated their departments. 1412 Main St Floyd B. Myers Floyd B. Meyers 117 W. Chippewa St WNY Ent Corp WNY Ent Corp This is very inaccurate. Out of 3000 housing authorities, 1239 Niagara St After Dark Inc After Dark Inc many of them are small authorities with only one high RECEIVED AND FILED rise building. It should be noted that almost every No. 036 medium to large city in this country has some sort of Leaves of Absence Without Pay dedicated policing for their public housing residents. I transmit herewith notifications received by me, This comes from either an authority department itself or reporting the granting of the leaves of absence without a housing unit within the police department. pay, in the various departments as listed: The Buffalo charter does require the city to answer Assessment and Taxation-Demetria Harris priority 1 and 2 calls. Miss West admits that if the BPD Police- Gwen Williams, Melissa Perez has personnel available, they will respond to other Fire- Garnell Whit field Jr types of calls. These other types of calls would include Administration and Finance- Daniel Tadusz calls such as domestics, assaults, burglaries, larcenies, RECEIVED AND FILED. and threats only to name a few. The BPD is downsizing and is currently having trouble handling their current No. 37 workload. This is no knock on the hard working men Reports of Attendance and women of the BPD who are asked to I transmit herewith communications received by me, do more with less. Now we want them to handle from the various boards, commissions, agencies and another 8,000 to 10,000 calls a year. Do we really authorities reporting the membership attendance at expect them to do more with less for NOTHING? In a their respective meetings: seven-month period from 3/1/04 to 9/30/04 housing Buffalo Sewer Authority units were dispatches and handled 4,769 calls. 354 of RECEIVED AND FILED. these were priority l's and 2's. This should dispel Miss West's claims that we do not currently respond to No. 38 priority 1 's and 2's. If the public safety department is no Notices of Appointments - Seasonal/Flat longer able to function or is gone, the 8,000-I0,000 I transmit herewith certificates received by me, average calls per year will surely balloon to 15,000- reporting seasonal and flat salary appointments made 20,000 calls without the presence that we provide. The in various departments. presence we provide through our vertical and foot RECEIVED AND FILED. patrols are above baseline services and surely act as a Certificate of Appointment deterrent to more serious crimes and violence. Many of Appointment Effective: November 15, 2004 in the the arrests made by BMHA officers are generated by Department of Assessment and Taxation to the Position our presence alone and our ability to get from point A to of Clerk Seasonal, Appointment, Flat Starting Salary of point B. For example on 11/16/04, two-day housing $8.15 officers spotted a man attempting to break into a Maryann Alongi 87 Rebecca Park Buffalo NY 14207 residence in the Perry Development. He was arrested Keiattiaye Chinn 249 Hoyt Street Buffalo NY 14213 for attempted burglary. On 11/23/04 at about 1:00 am, REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL two night BMHA officers stopped a vehicle in the Ken- SERVICE Lang Development and subsequently arrested the driver for possession of an illegal handgun that was No. 39 loaded and defaced and possession of 4 ounces of Appointments - Temporary, Provisional or marijuana. Traditionally public housing developments Permanent are magnets for drugs and other criminal activity. I transmit herewith Appointments in the various Without the presence of this department the residents departments made at the Minimum (Temporary, who would suffer most are the elderly, those with Provisional or Permanent) (as per contract disabilities, and single mothers trying to raise their requirements). children in a safe environment. REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL Miss west states that overtime costs for the public SERVICE. safety department represent 55% of the overtime Certificate of Appointment budget. We firmly disagree with this. The authority Appointment Effective November 20, 2004 in the compiles our court time costs in the overtime budget. Department of Public Works, Parks & Streets Division Our unit has also offered to accept comp time instead of Buildings to the Position of Senior First Class of cash for court time. Stationary Engineer Temporary Appointment at the: Miss west also states that several days a week public Flat Starting Salary of: $10.25 safety officers will be stationed in lobbies of high rises Timothy D. Devany 19 Mumford Street Buffalo 14220 and seen walking developments. We do that now. How Certificate of Appointment can we continue to do that if no one is employed with Appointment Effective: November 13, 2004 in the the authority? Department of Public Works, Parks & Streets Division REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY of Buildings to the Position of Senior First Class DEVELOPMENT Stationary Engineer Temporary Appointment at the: FROM THE CITY CLERK Flat Starting Salary of: $10.25 22 Kail Street Buffalo 14207 NO. 35 Certificate of Appointment Liquor License Applications Appointment Effective November 15, 2004 in the Attached hereto are communications from persons Department of Fire to the Position of Administrative applying for liquor licenses from the Erie County Assistant Permanent, Promotion at the Minimum Alcohol Beverage Control Board. Starting Salary of $33,345.00 Address Business Name Owner's Name Sandra Karn 487 Colvin Ave Buffalo, NY 14216 775 Main St Suede Group Corp Suede Group Corp NON-OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS discussions regarding Erie County's takeover of the AND REMONSTRANCES City Parks operations. We are especially concerned as NON-OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS it relates to our mandated responsibilities under the City of Buffalo's Pesticide Sunset Law. For your information, No. 40 we attach a description of the law and the functions of Intent to Purchase Former School # 63 the Pest Management Board. As per a recent conversation with Mr. John P. Hannon, As you may know, the City of Buffalo has a waiver Jr., Office of Strategic Planning, we are directing this process for pesticide applications deemed necessary communication to your attention. Imagine Schools in enough to over ride the sunset portion of the ordinance. conjunction with the Board of Trustees, Community We are concerned with how a new operation utilizing Charter School, are highly interested in the purchase of county resources will interface with that process. Buffalo City School # 63. School #63-Campus North is In addition, we have identified several sources of grant located at 120 Minnesota Avenue Buffalo, New York. funds that supplement the work of the Board in training GAR Associates incorporated recently completed an and pilot various aspects of city operations. In order to appraisal of the property and the appraisal was mailed move forward on the grant funding, we must have a to John P Hannon on 8/6/04. Attached find an updated coherent understanding of the new chain of purchase agreement We trust that the Buffalo Common responsibility. Council will notify the city of Buffalo and the School We wish to meet with responsible parties in this District of our intent to purchase and that the generous negotiation and create a smooth, transparent and purchase offer will be acceptable. Thank you for your simple process to comply with the Buffalo law. We attention to this request and we look forward to hearing would wish to facilitate any county takeover of from you in the very near future. I have taken the liberty operations that involve consideration of pesticide use of enclosing a copy of the appraisal report for your so it is consistent with the sunset and waiver process. information. We ask that you please identify whom we should REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY contact to discuss these operations as quickly as DEVELOPMENT, THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC possible. PLANNING, THE CORPORATION COUNSEL AND Thank you for your attention to this matter. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS NO. 41 REQ Frank Poincelot to Attend PMO to discuss Act NO. 43 in Pest Mngt. CITY OF BUFFALO TAXICAB METER As co-chairs of the City of Buffalo Pest Management RATE INCREASE PROPOSAL Board, we write to inquire as to the status of REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION discussions regarding Erie County's takeover of the COPY AVAILABLE IN THE CITY CLERKS OFFICE Thanks for all your help w FOR REVIEW City Parks operations. We are especially concerned as it relates to our NO. 44 mandated responsibilities under the City of Buffalo's Initial Assessment of the 2005 Tentative County Pesticide Sunset Law. For your information, we attach a Budget description of the law and the functions of the Pest As I am sure you are aware, your previous Management Board. appointments to the Buffalo Water Board expire on As you may know, the City of Buffalo has a waiver 12/31/04. I am requesting that you provide the Council, process for pesticide applications deemed necessary (send to room 1308, City Hall), your list of enough to over ride the-sunset portion of the ordinance. recommended appointees as soon as possible. This will We are concerned with how a new operation utilizing allow the Council to fully review and interview those county resources will interface with that process. candidates in a timely manner. In addition, we have identified several sources of grant During this tumultuous time at the Water Board it is funds that supplement the work of the Board in training more important than ever that the Board Members be and pilot various aspects of city operations. In order to highly qualified individuals capable of making difficult move forward on the grant funding, we must have a decisions for the best interest of the residents of the coherent understanding of the new chain of City of Buffalo. Being appointed on time will help them responsibility. begin their service smoothly. We wish to meet with responsible parties in this Thank you for your consideration in this matter. negotiation and create a smooth, transparent and REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION simple process to comply with the Buffalo law. We AND THE MAYOR would wish to facilitate any county takeover of operations that involve consideration of pesticide use NO. 45 so it is consistent with the sunset and waiver process. Dock in front of Gull Landing We ask that you please identify whom we Should 1) The three buildings involved (Gull, Shanghai Reds contact to discuss these operations as quickly as and the waterfront Townhouses) were not contacted by possible. the Office of Strategic Planning. A simple phone call by Thank you for your attention to this matter. the public works dept would confirm that The restaurant REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION alone has spent 5 million to find that the city is changing AND THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS their water view to .a group of boats! If the residents were not notified then obviously all the proper steps No. 42 were hot taken as indicated in his letter. STATUS DISCUSSIONS 2) The memo says that up to 120 spots would be RE CON\UNTY TAKEOVER OF CITY PARKS created not the 80 previously disclosed. We are As co-chairs of the City of Buffalo Pest Management advised that this would require a State Environmental Board, we write to inquire as to the status of Quality Review (SECRA) which was not done. REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET 3) A simple look at the channel shows that it does REST AVAILABLE IN THE CITY CLERKS OFFICE indeed change and place the traffic in a dogleg in front FOR REVIEW. of our building instead of the straight run previously.. NO. 48 The 300 foot comment does not take into account the LIST OF "HOTSPOTS” placement of our own docks. No matter what, it places The areas listed below were suggested by these boats at least 250 feet into the channel and the Councilmembers for consideration as locations closer to our apartment. for surveillance cameras: REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION Delaware District Lafayette Park behind 160 Tacoma NO. 46 Hertel Alley between Colvin & Commonwealth Floating Dock Platform Installed in Front of Gull Rail Track-Starin to Delaware, near Holling Homes Langing ELLICOTT DISTRICT Item #59, C.C.P. Nov. 3, 2004 Northampton & Pershing B. Davis - Floating Dock Platform Installed in Front Jefferson & Howard of Gull Landing Maple & High St. On March 8, 2004, we, as operators of the Erie Basin Whitney & Virginia Marina, presented a proposal to install up to 120 new Emslie & William docks at the Erie Basin Marina. The proposal was given Maryland & West to the City's Department of Public Works. Best & Timon We were subsequently notified that the Common Allen St. at Days Park Fillmore District Council approved the proposal and we were given a contract modification. Brand-On Services then hired the Broadway & Fillmore engineering firm of McMahon & Mann, PC. to assist us Lovejoy District in getting the required permits. On June 1, 2004, we Walden & Poplar filed a Joint Application for permits for the expansion of Eller & Yonkers the docks. This application was filed with the U.S. Army Kermit St. near Bailey Corps of Engineers. The permit was approved on Masten District August 9, 2004. East Ferry St. & Wohlers We do not see any negative impacts of this project on Butler & Wohlers Gull Landing, or any of the other condominiums Jefferson & Northland adjacent to the Marina. We feel that the added docks Pansy & E. Delavan will prove beneficial to the people of Buffalo and the Wakefield & Holden City of Buffalo. Box & Kehr REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION Moselle & Box French & Kehr NO. 47 E. Delavan & Cambridge Initial Assessment of the 2005 Tentative County Niagara District Budget York & Plymouth near Dell Store I provided you with my initial assessment of the 2005 Hampshire & Grant near Dell Store Tentative Budget in a letter dated November 10. 2005 North District that suggested you not adopt that budget, but rather Riverside Park at Crowley & Tonawanda Sts. that you work together to create a balanced budget that Tonawanda St. between Niagara & Amherst restores necessary services. South District This letter is intended to highlight some of the more Cazenovia & Seneca significant and unprecedented challenges you face in Tifft & South Park adopting a 2005 Budget. As you undertake this task, I Abbott Rd. & Woodside encourage you to take action, once and for all, to Reading at South Park eliminate the Country’s structural budget deficit. I have University District warned you for years about the dangers of continued Kenfield/Langfield & Bailey structural budgetary imbalances, but my warnings have Cordova & Lisbon Dell Stores been ignored. Berkshire & Bailey I am once again urging you to adopt a budget that RECEIVED AND FILED finances recurring expenditures with recurring revenues, an action that would require you to eliminate NO. 49 from this Tentative Budget the use of nearly $28 million 1996 CLEAN WATER - CLEAN AIR BOND ACT of reserves. Moody’s and Fitch Ratings both PROJECT BULLETIN downgraded the County’s credit ratings in 2004, and HANNA FURNACE-SUBPARCEL 3 PROPOSED both rating agencies cited as a cause the County’s REMEDIAL ACTION PLAN large reliance on one-shot revenues and utilization of November 2004 Site # B-00164-9 reserves. The $28 million is found on page 84 of the Introduction: budget, on two lines: Appropriated Fund Balance - The New York State Department of Environmental $17,860,956 ( this is the two-year rule money), and Conservation (NYSDEC), in cooperation with the New Appropriated Fund Balance – ECMC $10,000,000 (from York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the a previously established Designation of Fund Balance). City of Buffalo, would like to tell you about the clean up If you fail to eliminate the $28 million use of reserves plans for Subparcel 3 of the Hanna Furnace from the 2005 Tentative Budget, you are creating not "brownfield" site. This plan was developed using only a $28 million operational deficit for 2005, but in funding from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act of addition, you are putting the County in a $28 million 1996 passed by the citizens of New York State. hole for balancing the 2006 budget. The Bond Act allows for funding of the "Brownfields" • placement of a layer of clean soil, at least two feet Environmental Restoration Program. This program thick, over the site; makes $200 million available to local governments to • development of a soil management plan to properly investigate and clean up municipally owned test and dispose of any material that might be removed brownfieids. A brownfield is an unused or under utilized from beneath the soil cover during any future site parcel of property which may be contaminated because construction; and, of its industrial past. Using the Environmental • property use restrictions limiting the site to only Restoration program, the City of Buffalo has completed greenspace development and precluding the use of site an environmental investigation of the site and, once groundwater without treatment. remediation is complete, plans to redevelop the site as The Union Ship Canal itself is not part of the Subparcel greenspace and use it for recreational purposes. 3 site; however, sections of the canal wall were found to Backqround The Hanna Furnace property is located be at risk of collapsing and jeopardizing the stability of near Route 5 at the southern limit of the City of Buffalo. the site. As a result, repair of the canal walls will be Subparcel 3 is the 20-acre portion of the property required in order to maintain the integrity of the remedy surrounding the Union Ship Canal. The foundry area proposed for the site. In concert with the repair of the was once a marsh and was filled in with waste canal walls, the NYSDEC also proposes to create a materials such as ash, cinders and slag from local shallow-water fish habitat within and adjacent to the industries. From 1903 until 1983 when the facility was canal, restoring a small part of the habitat lost in the closed, Hanna Furnace processed iron ore into iron. industrial development of the Buffalo waterfront. Subparcel 3 was the unloading and storage area for Public Involvement and Information: facility's raw materials which were delivered by Public Understanding and involvement are important to freighters through the canal and by an extensive the success of New York's Brownfields program. To railroad network. The last of the Hanna's blast furnaces keep you informed the City of Buffalo and NYSDEC and buildings were demolished in 2003 and all that have placed site documents for your review in local remains is the Union Ship Canal. Investigation: repositories. The publicis urged to review the Proposed To determine the nature and extent of any hazardous Remedial Action Plan and the Site waste contamination at the site, the City began an Investiqation/Remedial Alternatives ReDo~ and other investigation in 2002 using funds from the 1996 Clean site related documents at the NYSDEC's Buffalo Office, Water/Clean Air Bond Act. The Bond Act provided the 270 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, N.Y. For an City with up to $100,000 to conduct a Site Investigation appointment, please contact Mr. David Locey at (716) and develop a Remedial Alternatives Report. The site 851-7220. investigation found that polycyclic aromatic If you have any questions regardingthis program or hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals are the would predominant contaminants found in the site soils and fill For information on the site or the material. The most significantly impacted areas are in Proposed Remedial Action Plan: the northern and eastern portions of the site where the like more information, please contact: slag, cinder and ash fill extends to depths of up to 15 For site related health concerns: feet. Although groundwater is also impacted; measured Mr. David Locey NYSDEC 270 Michigan Avenue water levels suggest that the groundwater may be Buffalo, New York 14203 851-7220; or, confined to a certain degree in the fill material and may Mr. Matthew Forcucci NYSDOH 584 Delaware Avenue not be in direct contact with the water within the canal. Buffalo, New York 14202 847-4385. Sediments within the canal are also contaminated with REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY PAHs and metals, either from surface erosion of soil DEVELOPMENT and fill, or historical discharge and spillage from Hanna Furnace when the facility was still operating or from NO. 50 other adjacent properties. FORBES. MAGAZINE ARTICLE Remedial Alternatives: TROLL UNDER THE BRIDGE Using information from the Site Investigation, the The Ambassador Bridge is Detroit's lifeline to Canada. NYSDEC, and the New York State Department of Sept. 11 turned it into a choke point and a security risk. Health, developed clean-up goals for the future use of The story of why it hasn't been fixed revolves around the site. Various remedial alternatives were evaluated one man. to address The main border between the U.S. and Canada, our the contamination. These remedial alternatives number one trading partner, stretches for 5,500 miles. included: The most precious fraction is tucked into the middle of • No Action. the Great Lakes, where the Detroit River bisects the • Institutional controls and fencing to limit public U.S. and Canadian auto industries. Between Detroit access and Windsor, Ont., at the river's narrowest point, lies a Soil Cover over the contaminated area ribbon of reinforced concrete roadway, 47 feet wide and • Excavation and offsite.disposal of contaminated less than 2 miles long, laid on suspended steel soils and wastes joists:the Ambassador Bridge. At 75 years old the Proposed Remedial Action Plan: Ambassador is out-of-date, its four lanes too narrow From the information generated by the Site and its approach too steep, but none of the 130 other Investigation and Remedial Alternatives Report, the crossings to Canada is so perfectly placed. For tractor- NYSDEC has prepared a Proposed Remedial Action trailers, the closest bridge is two hours out of the way. Plan (PRAP). The PRAP proposes a remedy consisting They haul $100 billion of goods across the Ambassador of: • general site debris removal and grading; every year--a quarter of the $400 billion in total trade • placement of a thin layer of sand, crushed stone, with Canada; 40% of all truck shipments from the U.S. plastic sheeting or other materials over the graded site to points north cross this span. to mark the transition between contaminated soil and After 9/11 the Ambassador loomed as an undefended clean cover material; economic umbilical cord to the U.S. Within days hundreds of National Guardsmen, police volunteers and Moroun is a rerentless opportunist, like his grandfather, U.S. customs and immigration agents descended on an Arab who moved the family from Argentina to the bridge, forcing trucks to wait in line for up to 12 Quebec, and then to Windsor, where their home was hours to be searched for any signs of a terror plot. rater razed to make way for the bridge. They settled in Traffic backed up for 15 miles. Even after terror alert Detroit after World War I. Matty was born in Detroit in levels fell, the jams have persisted. Daily truck traffic 1927, an only son with three sisters. As a teenager he plunged from 10,000 to 9,000 and hasn't climbed back. worked at his father's gas station, sweeping out buses. Security remains tight, and trucks still can wait an hour He wanted to be a doctor but, after graduating from to cross. Delays at the Ambassador and other Notre Dame in 1949, returned to Detroit to work for his crossings into Canada cost $800 million a month, by father. "We were almost penniless in '49," MattyMoroun one economist's reckoning. If terrorists knocked out the said in court testimony in 2002, "but we managed to Ambassador, the Michigan and Ontario economies come back." could run losses of $3 billion a month. In 1950 his father took control of Central Cartage, a But no government can do much to fix this--not the feds struggling trucking company that owed him back rent. or the Mounties, not the state of Michigan or the Matty handled the books and whatever else was province of Ontario. The Ambassador Bridge isn't needed: "l was a dispatcher, flat-tire fixer, changed the owned by the U.S. or Canada--it is owned by one oil, fixed the fan belts. There was nothing too good for recalcitrant man:Manuel (Matty) Moroun. He controls me," he testified. But Malty shied away from the public the best monopoly you never heard of. part of the job: soliciting new customers. "l wasn't very Special Offer for Forbes.corn members -- receive a good at that,he noted. Moroun didn't marry until he was Free Trial Issue of Forbes Magazine... no risk.., no 44. He rarely appears in public and doesn't give press obligation! Click here for your Free Issue! interviews. The Ambassador was privately built in 1929 by a palm Special Offer for Forbes.com members -- receive a reader turned financier, Joseph Bower. it became Free Trial issue of Forbes Magazine... no risk.., no publicly held when Bower put his company, Detroit obligation! Click here for your Free Issue! International Bridge Co., into bankruptcy in the Central Cartage grew through acquisitions, expanding Depression and issued stock as part of a into Canada after the U.S. and Canada eliminated reorganization. In the late 1970s the sage investor customs duties on cross-border shipments of new cars Warren Buffett acquired 25% of the stock, emboldening and auto parts. By the 1970s, when Matty took over Moroun to act. In 1979 he used his small trucking from his father (who died at age 93 in 1992), it had 900 company's credit line to buy out Buffett and acquire the employees. The problem was heavy congestion on the rest of the company for a total of $30 million. Thus it Ambassador Bridge. Moroun resolved to take control. became the only major U.S.-Canada crossing that is By 1977 Buffett had acquired his 25% stake in the privately owned. The bridge's likely worth today:half a bridge for $20 a share. Moroun, 40 at the time and "a billion dollars or more. little brash" by his own account, amassed his own 25% But now Moroun, who wouldn't talk for this story, isin stake by the end of 1978 and paid Buffett $24 a share, the fight of his life. Politicians, auto execs and citizen later buying the rest. Moroun claimed titre to the bridge groups are calling for measures that could threaten his on July 31, 1979. The $30 million price was 30% less cozy hold on the nation's most critical choke point. than the inflation-adjusted cost of building it 50 years Some people want government to buy the bridge earlier. outright, some call for new regulatory oversight, and Moroun promptly found himself in court. Canadian two groups want to bust up the Moroun monopoly officials, citing a law requiring any new buyer of the entirely. One group proposes a new tunnel; another a bridge to hand over a 50% interest to Canada, went to second bridge. court to force him to give half up. A decade later the "A port authority should run this bridge--it would be government settled, getting no stake but exacting answerable to the public. Matty Moroun isn't improvements to the bridge and the Canadian customs answerable to anybody but Matty Moroun," says Mary plaza. Another legal fight from those first days still Ann Cuderman, who runs an at-home bakery on the simmers, 25 years later, in federal court in Michigan. Windsor waterfront. A year ago she helped form a Moroun filed suit to block the feds from taking control of bridge watchdog group. "His sole purpose isn't security-3 acres of land he owned near the bridge to expand -it's his own interest." Moroun's folks counter that they truck inspection facilities. A jury in that case has ruled are as concerned about safety as government brass. that the feds must pay Moroun $15 million for the They spend $50,000 a week on security and more than parcel, but Malty battles on, insisting the price is too $10 million a year on maintenance. low. Meanwhile, the inspection operations--critical in Special Offer for Forbes.com members -- receive a this post-9/11 era--haven't been expanded as much as Free Trial Issue of Forbes Magazine... no risk.., no needed. obligation Click here for your Free Issuer The Ambassador Bridge was an ideal calling card for a Moroun has outmaneuvered his foes, so far. "He's very small, $200 million trucking concern. Moroun's intelligent and very aggressive," says Kenneth M. company lured customers like General Motors and Davies, a Detroit lawyer who has regally sparred with bought rivals who couldn't keep up. Moroun pushed five Moroun. "His avarice and greed are just American into bankruptcy, letting him break costly union capitalism at work. You can't be mad about that." contracts. That enraged the International Brotherhood Matty Moroun is 77 years old, squat, soft-spoken and of Teamsters, which filed a federal racketeering lawsuit nearly deaf in his right ear. He guards his interests against Moroun in 1985. (He settled that case in 1988.) jealously. He has fought the federal government, the Spanning the Empire city of Detroit and various private foes so vociferously in Moroun even tangled with two of his sisters, who court that Davies calls him "a one-man lawyer objected to the way he ran the company. They sued employment act." One case, against the General him in 1992, seeking more than $50 Services Administration, has languished in court for 25 The Ambassador Bridge is a small but critical piece of years. Matty Moroun's transportation empire, which includes trucking concerns, logistics companies and customs end of the bridge could process up to 350 trucks in an brokerages, as well as real estate, banking and hour; now they struggled to handle half that. "Before insurance interests. They're all under one umbrella, 9/11 the two countries had been working toward less called CenTra. Here are the largest pieces. inspection, but now we were going to have more of it, Less-than-truckload shipping (Central Transport) for a long time," says Daniel Stamper, president of the Revenue: $400 million bridge company. Full-truckload shipping (Mason-Dixon, Universal Am-Loads of extra agents were on hand, but they had to Can, others)* share the same six inspection booths in use before the Revenue: $300 million attacks. To rid the bridge of delays would require twice Freight coordination services (Logistics Insights) the number of booths. The General Services Revenue: $250 million Administration had commissioned three additional Ambassador Bridge inspection booths, but construction wasn't complete Revenue: $60 million and there were complications: Moroun owned the Duty-free stores, gas station, other underlying land, and he had been bickering with the bridge-related income Revenue: $40 million GSA over lease terms. The three new booths opened Insurance, banking, customs brokerage weeks later. Revenue: unknown Then, in November 2001, Moroun startled the GSA and *Doesn't include 40% stake in publicly traded PAM city officials by starting construction, at his own Transportation Services, wilh 2003 revenue of $294 expense, on four more booths--without GSA approval. million. Sources: CenTra; Forbes estimates, The city of Detroit sued him, arguing he needed million in damages. He settled in 1999, buying their building and zoning permits. Moroun's attorneys shares in the company. insisted local laws didn't apply because the bridge, Then came 9/11. As Moroun and his staff huddled since it handles cross-border commerce, is a "federal around a TVset that morning in his office in suburban instrumentality." Detroit, they anticipated a border crackdown. Their first "You can't have it both ways," says says Eric Gaabo, concern:ensuring that trucks for GM, Ford and who prosecuted the city's complaint. "You can't claim Chrysler--Moroun clients--weren't stranded. Moroun you're immune from regulation because you're a federal ordered that their trucks be pulled out of line and instrumentality and then, at the same time, tell the escorted across the bridge if that's what it took. federal government to go to hell." But in July 2004 a "It was a sea change for our whole country," says Michigan state judge declared Moroun's bridge exempt Moroun's 31-year-old son, Matthew, vice chairman of from local law. And though his extra booths were ready his father's company. "We looked at security a hell of a in 2003, the GSA refused to let federal agents use them lot differently." until this summer because of the city spat. Everyone else suddenly held a different view of the Special Offer for Forbes.corn members -- receive a Ambassador--as a new security risk. By 10 a.m. the Free Trial Issue of Forbes Magazine... no risk no morning of the terrorist attacks, Detroit Mayor Dennis obligation! Click here for your Free Issue! Archer had placed a call to the mayor of Windsor, Ambassador executives say they had no choice but to Michael Hurst. "We talked about points of vulnerability, kick-start the government. "When someone says no, we and we talked about the Ambassador," Hurst says. "We just look for another way to make it happen," says asked, 'What are the likely targets if this thing were bridge executive Thomas L. (Skip) McMahon. "Do we going to continue? If you want to hurt us ruffle feathers? Damn right." Now that Moroun has economically?'" forced the GSA into accepting this "gift" of four new The two mayors wanted to close off some of the traff~c inspection booths he spent $2 million to build, he coursing between Canada and the U.S., but "we were recently persuaded the feds to pay him back. And he not in control of the bridge. It was owned by a private and the GSA profess to be on better terms. guy," says Hurst. So they closed the car tunnel 2 miles Moroun often operates with impunity. Federal rules bar upriver for several hours. Today Hurst, no longer corrosives, explosives, radioactive waste and other Windsor's mayor, works for a group aiming to convert toxic materials from crossing the bridge, but Moroun another tunnel, for trains, into a new trucking artery to says the ban doesn't apply to the Ambassador. He provide an alternative to the Ambassador. gives "authorization letters" to certain truckers to haul In Detroit, meanwhile, then-Wayne County sheriff some banned contents across his bridge. He won't let Robert Ficano and state troopers nab trucks on the bridge-they must ticket other officials also fretted about the vulnerability of them upon leaving. Moroun's bridge. "Suddenly we saw this economic Nor does Moroun let government engineers inspect his stranglehold," Ficano says. bridge. Until recently, he didn't even show U.S. Special Offer for Forbes.com members -- receive a regulators the results of his own third-party inspections. Free Trial Issue of Forbes Magazine... no risk.., no He agreed to do so after Michigan vowed to improve obligation! Click here for your Free Issuel access roads on the U.S. side of the Ambassador. The nightmare backups began on Sept. 12. Wait times Fed up with such obstinacy, some say Moroun should jumped to 12 hours. The 100 customs and immigration lose his monopoly. Six weeks after 9/11 a Canadian inspectors at the border were overwhelmed, so 40 venture called the Detroit River Tunnel Partnership soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard announced a plan to convert an existing 100-year-old arrived, carrying automatic rifles. So did additional train tunnel to truck use. Displaced trains could pass inspectors from Detroit's airport and shipping ports. through a new tunnel that would be bored downriver. Sheriff Ficano ordered cops from Wayne County to the The group, a partnership of the Canadian Pacific bridge. Other counties offered their cops. "1 deputized Railway and a subsidiary of the Ontario Municipal a bunch of them," Ficano says. "It was like the Wild Employees Retirement System pension fund, hopes to West, and I was calling in the posse." fund the entire $600 million project with $170 million in A month later backups at peak times were still running government spending and $430 million in private four hours. Before Sept. 11 border agents at the U.S. financing. The group is led in the U.S. by a well-liked Michigan review. pol, Margaret (Marge) Byington, who has lined up the We write as a members of the City of Buffalo support of more than a dozen leaders in business, trade Environmental Management Commission (BEMC) to and government--and a few old enemies of Moroun, ask for a change in direction in the management of the such as Teamsters President James P. Hoffa. "We are City's response to management of chemical facing a gridlock crisis at the world's busiest border contamination in Hickory Woods. crossing," Hoffa says. "We must increase capacity One of us, Joe Gardella, has been involved with across the border." Hickory Woods issues and residents for nearly five Tunnel proponents say Detroit could have a new years, providing the residents technical interpretations crossing by 2009. Moroun's guys counter that a new of scientific and health information by bringing LIB crossing isn't needed so soon; U.S. Customs is to resources from the Environment and Society Institute. blame for the delays, and the Ambassador is at less Gardella has provided additional geographic and than 60% of capacity, they argue. scientific analyses of soil contamination to the Special Offer for Forbes.com members -- receive a community and to state and federal agencies, Free Trial Issue of Forbes Magazine... no risk,., no accomplished through thesis research of several obligation! Click here for your Free Issuel graduate students, presently, three Ph.D. students who So Matty's men have mounted a counterassault. In are working on this problem. We have also regularly November 2002 a bridge employee cofounded a well-reported the work to the City through the BEMC. In the financed antitunnel group. In April 2003 Moreun's staff past five years we have watched as: persuaded the head of a small nonprofit home builder in 1. Funding available from LTV to clean up Detroit to come out against the tunnel proposal, in additional city properties was proposed and then lost. exchange for rights to two small properties near the Those properties, deemed "immediate health concerns" bridge that the nonprofit wanted to redevelop. by the NYS DOH, because of carcinogenic PAH (coke Moroun has also courted U.S. Representative Carolyn waste) contamination, lay fallow with no plan to clean Cheeks Kilpatrick, whose district includes the them up. Ambassador Bridge, and her son, Kwame Kilpatrick, 2. A plan to provide funds for housing equity now mayor of Detroit. Moroun and his family became settlements from the LTV settlement that formed the largest contributors to her reelection campaign. This Steelfields was negotiated without citizen notification, year she delivered a setback to the Byington group, much less citizen input, and then failed miserably. refusing to propose spending $40 million to build a new Presently, remaining funds from the settlement are at truck highway from the mouth of the tunnel to Interstate issue, and in fact, lost to the community. 75 in Detroit. 3. A plan to request funds from New York State Wooing the mayor, Moroun in March of this year offered to remediate contamination in Boone Park, to turn over a derelict 13-story train station he owns contamination due to the City's management of the near the mouth of the train tunnel for conversion into a Park, and not related to the Republic/Donner $130 million city police station. The mayor, the tunnel Hanna/LTV Superfund Site, was accomplished behind group says, opposes its effort to buy a mile-long, 80-closed doors, without BEMC input, without citizen input, foot-wide parcel of city-owned land near the tunnel. The and now is at a standstill because of community group sees a quid pro quo; Kilpatrick insists that he is concerns that this will be the only cleanup only worried about the neighborhood. accomplished. In August Moroun reintroduced an old proposal to "twin" 4. No comprehensive neighborhood wide the Ambassador Bridge to double its capacity a belt not cleanup plan has been developed by the City, despite untd 2012. Auto executives welcome the plan but say t extensive geographic information analysis at a level of doesn't quell congestion or security worries. "Double-sophistication not available elsewhere. spannmng the bridge is a noble motive," says Edward The City's lead representative for Hickory Woods, Mr. T. Sprock, Chrysler's director of logistics, "but it doesn't Richard Stanton, has refused to cooperate with the provide redundancy. I really worry about that." residents and with the University to utilize the available And so the threats to Matty Moroun's monopoly scientific information to guide decisions. He has continue to build. Brian Masse, a Windsor consistently chosen the route of planning behind closed representative in Canada's parliament, aims to propose doors, a law that would create a "public border authority" ignoring citizen input from the residents, and ignoring regulating the Ambassador and other crossings into the responsibilities outlined in the City Charter for the Ontario. It would force disclosure of the bridge's BEMC. Despite your continued regular promises to finances and inspection reports and oblige Moroun to improve the operation of the City's environmental coordinate with law enforcement After the national functions, Hickory Woods remains an example of the emergency we faced," he says, "there has to be a inability to use extensive resources to seek public input greater good than just making a buck." and participation into decisions and plans. Special Offer: Get a Free Trial Issue of Forbes The City and its residents are no further along to a Magazine! buyout plan or a plan for remediation than we were in REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY 2000. Despite your promises, your choice for manager DEVELOPMENT for this issue has failed to accomplish a single concrete step towards a solution to Hickory Woods, and forfeited NO. 51 multiple opportunities because he fails to consult the HICKORY WOODS ENVIRONMENTAL citizens who are affected. INFORMATION It is time to change the gatekeeper for this process. Dear Mr. Chwalinski: Richard Stanton should be relieved of responsibility for Please find attached a letter from Joseph Gardella, Hickory Woods and a manager who can earn the trust BEMC, concerning Hickory Woods Environmental of all of the community (residents, agency personnel, Information. Steelfields, etc.) should be found. Please file this document for the Common Council's The Masiello administration comes to you today asking to move forward on a plan to remediate inside Boone process where the city, public and agencies could have Park. access to state of the art work free, to help with They have provided you with no answers to financing a answering the public's questions. I provided the early buyout other than the 41 thousand dollars Mr. results to Mr. Stanton as a courtesy. What did he do? Griffin has committed. He contracted with a paid consultant to redo the maps Questions surround the promised $500,000 state in a way he could control, and the consultant contacted support from Mr. Higgins' efforts in the Assembly. me to ask me to provide all the work accomplished to Mr. Higgins has obtained commitment from him, for free, so he could save time and money. Then Speaker Silver that the funds are available. The Mr. Stanton was quoted in the Buffalo News stating that Masiello administration has no plan or answers as he found "flaws" in the work. But Mr. Stanton never to where the state funding is, state funding that contacted me about the flaws, and when I filed a they did not ask for. Freedom of Information Act request to get his analysis, They have no answers as to why they negotiated a I received no response. I continued to work with DOH flawed settlement plan with Steelfields, and and DEC on this work. because of that negotiation, evidently they have In other neighborhoods, we provide this work and there legally lost the $800,000. is a spirit of cooperation to fix the problem. In Buffalo, Mr. Wanamaker has suddenly "found" $100,000 to thanks to Mr. Stanton, the work is denigrated, but he supplement Mr. Griffin's funding, without any does not have the professionalism to meet with me planning or consultation from the residents, and to directly to work on his questions. I have three Ph.D. Mr. Griffin's surprise. students, numerous masters candidates and There is no plan to estimate clean up costs in the undergraduates working in teams all through WNY on neighborhood, and how that might affect the similar issues. Only in Buffalo does City Hall potential sales of properties. administration take the route of talking behind my back, Has anyone consulted with real estate agents or banks accusing me of bias, trying to create a new definition of who live or serve the conflict of interest to get me off of the Environmental neighborhood as to what it will take to gain their trust Management Commission. Rather than answer the about the sale and transfer questions we raise together, Mr. Stanton would rather of land in Hickory Woods? use personal attacks to get rid of those who question These are but a few of the issues and questions that him. still abound. The Masiello administration plan to move I have two recommendations for you today. forward on the cleanup of Boone park evidently banks 1. Boone Park should not be cleaned up until all the on the hope that you will ignore these failures, that you Arsenic contamination, inside and outside the park, is are tired and fed up, and that the few token people who accounted for. think the park inside the fence is more important than 2. The mayor should replace Mr. Stanton as the lead the contaminants in people's yards will justify their manager on Hickory Woods. He has failed miserably to action. They are hoping to beat you down and hope that accomplish any progress toward a solution. I believe time will make the problems go away. It is obvious that that he does not want a solution. However, he has the strategy of Mr. Stanton and Mayor Masiello is to failed to make any progress on providing financial relief divide the neighborhood, delay any action and conquer or planning for remediation or cleanup. He does not the residents avoiding any major commitment of funds. want to work with the community or listen. Where is the Mayor? What about his numerous The following comes from a letter I will be mailing to the promises to seek consultative solutions, talk with Mayor, as a member of the Buffalo Environmental people about what they want? Management Commission, cosigned by David Hahn- As you all know, I have only been involved for five Baker, member of BEMC. years here. Five years ago I offered to provide free In the past five years we have watched as: scientific, technical and advisory services from UB and 1. Funding available from LTV to clean up the Environment and Society Institute. I did this at the additional city properties was proposed and then lost. request of common council leadership. All I wanted to Those properties, deemed "immediate health do was to help answer residents' questions, as I have concerns" by the NYS DOH, because of done in numerous other neighborhoods around the city carcinogenic PAH (coke waste) contamination, lay and region. I have dedicated extensive funds from my fallow with no plan to clean them up. own research funding, supporting undergraduate, 2. A plan to provide funds for housing equity masters and Ph.D. students to provide technical settlements from the LTV settlement that formed interpretation at a level not available from state and Steelfields was negotiated without citizen federal agencies. notification, much less citizen input, and then We put together an extensive database of soil failed miserably. Presently, remaining funds from contamination data from EPA and other state, city and the settlement are at issue, and in fact, lost to the private sources and made computer maps to answer community. questions from the residents about hot spots in the 3. A plan to request funds from New York State to neighborhood. remediate contamination in Boone Park, We brought extensive UB resources to examine the contamination due to the City's management of flawed DOH health consultation, and worked to review the Park, and not related to the Republic/Donner the questions in that document. Does anyone believe Hanna/LTV Superfund Site, was accomplished that the City would have hired a review team to add to behind closed doors, without BEMC input, without the UB expertise if UB had not stepped forward? citizen input, and now is at a standstill because of I have reported on all of this work and more to the community concerns that this will be the only Buffalo Environmental Management Commission, and cleanup accomplished. then was appointed to that body to work on public input 4. No comprehensive neighborhood wide cleanup and community concerns. plan has been developed by the City, despite When I began this work, the idea was to create a extensive geographic information analysis at a level of sophistication not available elsewhere. REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY The City's lead representative for Hickory Woods, Mr. DEVELOPMENT Richard Stanton, has refused to cooperate with the residents and with the University to utilize the available NO. 53 scientific information to guide decisions. He has FACT SHEET consistently chosen the route of planning behind closed PROPOSED REMEDIAL ACTIVITIES AT doors, ignoring citizen input from the residents, and BOONE PARK - GERMANIA & BOONE STREETS ignoring the responsibilities outlined in the City Charter NOVEMBER 2004 for the BEMC. Despite your (Mayor Masiello's) PRO IECT START: WINTER 2004-2005 continued regular promises to improve the operation of PROJECT NO. B00196-9 the City's environmental functions, Hickory Woods INTRODUCTION remains an example of the inability to use extensive A environmental investigation report has been prepared resources to seek public input and participation into and a clean up plan is being proposed for Boone Park decisions and plans. by the City of Buffalo's Department of Public Works, in The City and its residents are no further along to a partnership with the New York State Department of buyout plan or a plan for remediation than we were in Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The work will 2000. Despite your promises, your choice for manager be done under the New York State's 1996 Clean for this issue has failed to accomplish a single concrete Water/Clean Air Bond Act "Environmental Restoration step towards a solution to Hickory Woods, and forfeited Program". multiple opportunities because he fails to consult the BACKGROUND citizens who are affected. Boone Park is a 3.9 acre City park situated on the south It is time to change the gatekeeper for this process. side of the City of Buffalo. The property is located in a Richard Stanton should be relieved of responsibility for residential area and has been a park since the early Hickory Woods and a manager who can earn the trust 1950's. In 1999 and 2001, soil sampling was conducted of all of the community (residents, agency personnel, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Steelfields, etc.) should be found. (USEPA) and the City of Buffalo as part of other Mayor Masiello, please take action and stop making environmental studies in the South Buffalo Area. excuses. Those studies found elevated levels of arsenic in soils REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY in the baseball field areas. As a result, the park was DEVELOPMENT closed by the City and remains closed today. Additional soil sampling was conducted by the City's consultant NO. 52 engineer (C&S Engineers) in the spring of 2004. This EXPANSION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT sampling confirmed the previous results and aided in RESOLUTION #126 CCP MAY 27, 2003 the development of the clean up plan. The City's Dear Ms. Baldwin: consultant has developed plans and specifications that Thank you for your letter dated November 12, 2004 will be used to solicit bids from qualified contractors to regarding the resolution adopted by the Common clean up the arsenic contaminated soils in the park as Council on November 3, 2004. an Interim Remedial Measure. In August 2001 the NFTA completed a strategic WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF TItle INTERIM assessment of the bus and rail transit system. The REMEDIAL MEASURE? assessment indicated that extension of the light tall The purpose of this Interim Remedial Measure is to transit system at that time was not feasible. The remove arsenic contaminated softs at Boone Park and Federal Transit Administration (I~'TA) uses a New Start restore the park facilities for recreational use. The clean Con Effectiveness Index that is composed of several up will be conducted in accordance with engineering criteria to evaluate and rate new projects. These plans and specifications that have been approved by include mobility improvements, travel time savings, the City and NYSDEC. A construction contractor will be environmental benefits, operating cost per passenger hired to remove the contaminated soil and restore the mile, transit supporting land use, containment of sprawl, park facilities. The results of supplemental soil sampling and local financial commitment. For reasons such as and proposed remedial plans and specifications can be low population density, insufficient tax base and reviewed at the project repository at the Erie Co. dispersed suburban development, the region did not Dudley Branch Library. qualify for FTA funding necessary to support the DETAILS OF THE CLEAN UP project. There has not been a significant change in Based on the existing environmental data, the clean up those circumstances or in the FTA's methodology for will consist of the excavation of six (6) to eighteen (18) evaluating new projects that would justify pursuing an inches of surface soil from the baseball diamond areas expansion of the light rail transit system at this time. of the park. Excavation depths are based on the As you may be aware, on Thursday, November 18, analysis of soil samples collected during the 2004 the Citizens for Rapid Transit Committee investigation of the site. presented a petition containing over I0,000 signatures Air monitoring and dust control will be conducted during to our Board of Commissioners, advocating for the all excavation activities. expansion of the light rail transit system. We appreciate The excavated areas will be tested to confirm clean-up their hard work in obtaining these signatures and their goals have been achieved prior to the excavated commitment to the light rail and public transportation areas being backfilled with clean topsoil from an off-site system. source. Please be advised that the resolution of the City the recreational and park facilities will be restored. Common Council and the petition submitted by the PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING Citizens for Transit Committee are appreciated. Rapid A public meeting will begin at 7:00 PM, on Thursday, We will continue to look for ways to improve public November 18, 2004, in Tosh-Collins Community transportation in the region and explore the possibility Center, 35 Cazenovia Street, Buffalo, to discuss the of expanding the fight rail transit system in the flature, proposed clean up plan and restoration of the park area as an Interim Remedial Measure. At the meeting the Region. Is Buffalo going to be bypassed again without City of Buffalo, NYSDEC and New York State anyone saying anything? SHOULDN'T WE BE Department of Health (NYSDOH) representatives will EXTENDING OUT LIGHT RAIL TO THE AIRPORT be available to answer questions regarding the AND OPENING TALKS TO EXTEND IT TO DARIEN proposed work. LAKE AND BATAVIA? WHO SHOULD I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS LASTLY: ABOUT THE BOONE PARK SITE? I was reading about the Western Terminus of the Erie Project related questions Canal, which we are trying to dig up and recover, but Edward Porter which we are limited because the old canal is buried Dept of Public Works unto the expressway and under the Memorial 612 City Hall Auditorium. However, did you know that there are other Buffalo, N.Y. 14202 Canals that were buried and can be recovered for 851-5014 redevelopment, international heritage and branding, Environmental related questions etc? Gregory Sutton, P.E. 1) Did you know when people talk about the Hamburg NYSDEC Drain, did you know that all of Hamburg Street was a 270 Michigan Ave Canal? 2) Did you know that the "Ohio Basin and Buffalo, N.Y. 14203 Canal" buried under Father Connolly Park and it goes 851-7220 all the way to Hamburg Street between Chicago and Health related questions Louisiana Street? Cameron O'Connor 3) Did you know that the "O & S Canal is buried right NYSDOH beside Mississippi Street and goes all the way to 584 Delaware Ave. Hamburg Street. Buffalo, N.Y. 14202 These are major canals that bring Buffalo Waterfront 84%4385 into the old warehouse district of south Buffalo. DEFINITIONS Public Meeting I say this because we are very limited in our ability to A scheduled gathering of program staff and members of bring back to old canal and the Erie basin canal slips. the public in a formal setting, that includes a formal However, we are less limited in bringing back the old presentation focussing on a specific aspect of a site's south buffalo warehouse district canals. remedial process. The Northside has Hertel Avenue. Interim The Westside has the Mttseum District and Delaware Remedial Park. Measure (IRM) Bringing back these Canals would bring open Buffalo's A discrete action which can be conducted at a site Waterfront from downtown Buffalo to Lackawanna and relatively quickly to reduce the risk to people's health extend it right into the heart of the southside of the city. and the environment from a well-defined contamination Imagine the picture of a new convention center built problem. An IRM can involve removing contaminated adjacent to a turn of the century canal connecting it to soil and drums, providing alternative water supplies or the waterfront and by light rail to downtown. It would set securing a site to prevent access. In certain cases IRM the tone for downtown Buffalo to develop in its two most may also become the final remedy. natural directions: East to the Central Terminal, Galleria DOCUMENT REPOSITORIES: Public understanding and Airport and South along the waterfront to and involvement are important to the success of New Lackawanna. I am attaching a street map showing the York Brownfields program. To keep you informed, the canals and the slips for you to reference. City of Buffalo and NYSDEC has established a local REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY document repository for this site and have placed site DEVELOPMENT documents in it for your review. The local document repositories for this site are at: Erie Co. Dudley Branch Library 2010 South Park NO. 55 Avenue Buffalo, NY 14220 716-823-1854; or, REQ PURCHASE JN ADAM DEVELOPMENTAL by appointment only, NYSDEC's Buffalo Office PROPERTY 270 Michigan Avenue Item available for review in The City Clerk’s Office Buffalo, NY 14203 REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE (716) 851-7220 NO. 54 NO. 56 NYSDOT 3OBS MOVING TO ROCHESTER & SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS SOUTH BUFFALO WATERFRONT At the last Finance Committee meeting, Gentlemen, Councilmember Davis requested me to look into the I was reviewing some federal trade statistics on Buffalo legality of utilizing surveillance cameras to combat and Rochester. Did you know that $80 billion dollars a crime. year in goods passes through Buffalo and is expanding As the cameras being discussed by the Council will be to $100 billion a year? Yet, Rochester only handles placed in public places where one does not have a $100 million a year roughly. So shouldn't the NYSDOT reasonable expectation of privacy, my research be consolidating in Buffalo.'? Why isn't anyone indicates that there are no legal impediments to mentioning that statistic instead of letting Buffalo simply installing and utilizing surveillance cameras. be bypassed. The experience of cameras in other cities is as follows: I was also review federal statistics by the OMB (federal Detroit- In1980 a surveillance system was installed in office of management and budget). Did you know that parts of downtown. In 1986 the system was expanded they called Batavia a metroropolitan area and added its with financial help from local area businesses and the population to Rochester, even though Genessee city at a cost of $640,000. By 1994 the city disbanded County is part of the 8 County Western New York the program citing high maintenance, personnel costs Be ,olaffu and mixed results. neighborhood crime instead of crime in business Baltimore- In 1995 the Baltimore Police Department in districts. The city received a federal grant of $125,000 conjunction with the Partnership of Baltimore and the to install 3 cameras on neighborhood light poles. Tapes Mass Transit Authority applied for and received a are reused after 24 hours, according to Tacoma police $75,000 federal "Byrne Memorial" grant to implement there has been a dramatic drop in the number of crimes video cameras. The initial installation costs of 16 from 244 reported incidents in 1993 to 125 in 1995. cameras, monitors, recorders and wiring was $47,000. Crime rates later rebounded, although they remained The cameras were placed in the downtown business below previous levels. district and are monitored by police officers, with the Anchoraqe- In 1992 Anchorage established 7 mobile tape being changed every 24 hours, tapes are indexed community patrols whose purpose is to videotape illegal end stored for up to 96 hours. activity. Funding is provided by the business community The system in Baltimore has expanded over time to 64 and state grants. Video images are transferred via cameras covering 106 blocks in downtown Baltimore. A cable to a resident's computer, where the images are recent $2 million Home Land Security grant will allow digitized. The tapes are edited for clarity to identify for cameras into rail lines, government buildings and perpetrators, printed on paper and given to the police. cultural institutions. The cameras will be able to The police department states that the video patrols are transmit images to helicopters and police vehicles. beneficial because they provide police with basic 13 to 15 retired police officers and criminal justice information and physical evidence to build a case students monitor the cameras. against criminals. Chicago- Is spending $8.6 million to install 2,000 In the end the information that I read gives the impact of cameras. $5.1 million is coming from a Homeland cameras on crime mixed reviews. Many researchers Security grant. The Chicago system, which will be and police departments believe that cameras have an completed by 2006, will utilize computer software to impact but many also believe that in the end cameras detect suspicious activities. simply move criminal activities elsewhere. Some point Wilmington- At a cost of $800,000, Wilmington out that stores and banks continue to be robbed even installed 25 cameras to cover a 69-block area though they are well known to have surveillance downtown. The entire downtown is monitored by cameras. cameras, which can view people up to 12 blocks away. I would suggest bringing in the folks involved with the The cameras are monitored 16 hours per day. From cameras, which are operating on Grant Street, to hear 4/01 to 11/02 150 incidents on camera resulted in 32 their suggestions on utilizing surveillance cameras. arrests. Cameras were used 270 times to help police with crimes in progress that resulted in 110 arrests. NO. 57 Since the cameras burglaries were down 32%, vehicle P. ROWELL- 271 DINGENS FOR A POLE SIGN-NO theft down 20% and robberies down 5%. The funds PUB HRG REQ were provided as follows: $210,00 (City), $150,000 THE ATTACHED PERMIT IS FOR COMMON (State), $100,000 (County) and the rest from private COUNCIL APPROVAL contributions. NO PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED AS Newark- In 1991 the city installed cameras that provide DETERMINED BY THE PERMIT OFFICE 24-hour surveillance of a two square mile in the city's REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION, business district. Cameras were installed through a THE CITY PLANNING BOARD AND THE federal block grant to the Newark Economic CORPORATION COUNSEL Development Corporation. The system is maintained by MESSAGE TO APPLICANT: PLEASE CONTACT BILL a private security system but is monitored by the police. GRILLO OF THE CITY PLANNING BOARD AT 851- All videotape is erased or used again every 72 hours. 5806 TO DETERMINE WEATHER OR NOT YOU According to the police department, car theft in the NEED PLANNING BOARD APPROVAL downtown district has declined significantly since the cameras appeared. Regular Committees St. Petersburg/Tampa- To deter auto thefts, St. CLAIMS Petersburg utilized a grant from the state in the amount (JAMES D. GRIFFIN, CHAIRMAN) of $42,000 to purchase mobile video equipment and NO. 58 night scopes for police officers in surveillance vehicles. A1 TO A6 Tampa Bay utilized $150,000 in city funds to install A. PERSONAL INJURY AND CONSTRUCTION cameras for a growing business and entertainment CLAIMS district of 2 blocks by 10 blocks. Virginia Beach- Installed 10 cameras at a cost of A. 1. That the claim of Aubey Cooper v. City of $240,000 in 1994. The system is maintained and paid Buffalo, et al. as listed below be, and the same hereby for through drug asset forfeiture funds and city funds. is returned to the Common Council without The cameras cover 27 blocks of beachfront residential recommendation. and businesses areas of the city. According to the Mr. Griffin moved: police department the cameras have led to arrests. That a personal injury claim in Aubey Cooper vs. City of Memphis. In 1996 Memphis established a 10-camera system at a cost of $450,000 for its downtown business and entertainment district. The cameras cover a 12 square block area. Volunteers and police staff monitor the cameras. The downtown project is the first stage of a planned citywide video network of 72 cameras. According to Memphis police, crime has decreased 10 percent in the areas where the cameras are located. Tacoma- In 1993 Tacoma became the first city in the country to install a camera system to address Buffalo be compromised and settled:t B. 1. Robert S. Banks, 52 Fisher Street, 14215 a That a claim for reimbursement of damages to a 1991 l pick-up truck that occurred on September 5, 2004 at. 52 Fisher Street. $191.29 B. 2. Valeria Bivens, 198 Loring Avenue, b 14214 e That a claim for damages to a 1990 Oldsmobile $1,000.00 Cutlass, which occurred on May 7, 2004 on West Ferry A. 2. That the claim of Isaac Watkins, Jr. v. City of near Tudor Place. $370.90 Buffalo, et al. as listed below be, and the same hereby B. 3. Julia Cameron, 156 Alabama is returned to the Common Council without Street, 14204 recommendation. That a claim for reimbursement for the cleaning of a Mr. Griffin moved: 2002 Chevy Cavalier, which became covered with a That a personal injury claim in lsaac Watkins, Jr. vs. paint like substance on July 26, 2004. $271.70 City of Buffalo, et al be approved B. 4. Alex M. Calder, 80 Pierce Street, $31,875.00 14206 3. That the claims as listed below be, and the same That a claim for damages to a 2003 Chevy pick-up hereby is returned to the Common Council without truck that occurred on October 7, 2004 at the Seneca recommendation Street Engineering Garage. Mr. Calder is a city 4. Mr. Griffin moved that personal injury claims in employee. $940.26 Regina Cooper, et al. v. City of Buffalo, et al. B. 5. Carrie Genovese, 42 Hartwell $13,750.00 Road, 14216 Timothy Roland, et al. v. City of Buffalo, et al. That a claim for damages to the rear bumper of a 2003 $20,000.00 Chevrolet Impala, which occurred on 10/8/2004. Antonio Gregory v. City of Buffalo, et al. $13,750.00 $677.65 Gerard McGee v. City of Buffalo, et al. $13,750.00 B. 6. Lisa Hausner, 62 Tacoma Avenue, be and are hereby approved as listed. 14216 A. 4. James Hawco, et al. v. City of That a claim for reimbursement of a windshield on a Buffalo $4,500.00 2000 Dodge Stratus, which occurred on September 6, Upon the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel, 2004 in front of 65 Tacoma Avenue. $241.01 for a personal injury arising out of alleged negligence B. 7. John J. Izzo, P.O. Box 1772, on the part of the City of Buffalo, be and hereby is Buffalo, NY 14240 approved. That a claim for damages to a 2001 Monte Carlo A. 5. That the claim of Montco Construction Co., sustained in front of 1926 South Park Avenue. Inv. vs. City of Buffalo, et al. as listed below be, and the $1,220.45 same hereby is retumed to the Common Council B. 8 Edward Mahoney, 131 Coolidge Road, without recommendation. 14220 Mr. Griffin Moved: That a claim for reimbursement of a tire, which was That a construction contract claim in Montco destroyed on October 22, 2004 in front of 131 Coolidge Construction Co., Inv. vs. City of Buffalo, et al. be Road. $79.79 approved. $98,847.00 B. 9. Denise L. Moss, 86 Seminole A. 6. That the claim of Daniel P. Roberts vs. City of Parkway, 14210 Buffalo, et al. as listed below be, and the same hereby That the above claim be, and the same hereby is is returned to the Common Council without returned to the Common Council without recommendation. recommendation. Mr. Griffin Moved: Mr. Griffin moved That a personal injury claim in Daniel P. Roberts vs. That a claim filed by Denise L. Moss for reimbursement City of Buffalo, et al be approved of damages to a 1989 Ford Bronco 1I which occurred $19,000.00 on July 16,2004 on Seminole Parkway be approved. That checks be drawn on the account of Org 17221008 $1,892.43 (480205) Judgment and Claims Prior Years, or 10. Faith Penrod, 727 East and West Road, West (480204) Current Fiscal Year, payable to the respective Seneca, 14224 claimants or plaintiffs and their attorneys, if any, herein That a claim for replacement of a tire above named, in the amounts set opposite their names damaged on August 17,2004, while claimant and delivered to them upon execution and delivery to was driving on the South Park Lift Bridge. the Corporation Counsel of proper releases and closing $62.04 papers. 11. Margaret Premo, 62 Villa Avenue, 14216 Recommended by the Committee on Claims That a claim for reimbursement for damages sustained PASSED to a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero on October12, 2004. BONIFACIO IN THE NEGATIVE ON A3 $575.67 FONTANA AND GRIFFIN IN THE NEGATIVE ON A5 12. Nicole Provenzano, 18 Seabrook Street, 14207 NO. 59 That the above claim be, and the same hereby is B1 TO B18 returned to the Common Council without B. PROPERTY DAMAGE recommendation. That, upon the recommendation of the Corporation That a claim filed by Nicole Provenzano for repair of the Counsel, the following actions for personal injury arising back panel of a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer, which was out of alleged negligence on the part of the City of damaged on September 27, 2004 at the Dart Street Garage, be approved School Board Election for which payment is required to Mr. Griffin moved be made by the City of Buffalo for publication of legal Eric Rivera, 20 Olcott Street, 14220 notices (candidates) and publication of legal notice That a claim for reimbursement of a towing charge, (polling places). $19,900.64 which was inadvertently collected, twice on the same C4 Buffalo News, One News Plaza, P.O. Box 100, vehicle and tow. $90.00 Buffalo, NY 14240 B. 14. Joseph Sammarco, 123 Frontenac, That a claim for payment of prior fiscal year Invoice No. 14216 19595 (Account No. CI0375) for services rendered to That a claim for damages to a 1999 Ford Escort, which the Department of Permit and Inspection Services occurred on September 15, 2004 while parked on Nash $336.00 Street near an entrance to the Broadway Garage. C5 Buffalo Small Animal Hospital, 243 South Elmwood $228.40 Avenue, 14202 B. 15. Thomas Sheehan, 58 Beyer Place, 14210 That a claim for payment of an invoice for dog food That a claim for reimbursement for damages sustained purchased by the Buffalo Police Department. $100.00 to a 1997 Plymouth Voyager which occurred on July C6 Dobmeier Janitor Supply, Inc., 354 Englewood 12,2004 in front of 58 Beyer Street. Avenue, 14223 $1,600.86 That a claim for Invoice No. 324605 for purchase of B. 16. Lila-Charlotte Sylla, 1011 Lafayette liners for the Board of Elections. $240.89 Avenue, 14209 PASSED That a claim for damages to a 2001 Ford Taurus AYES - 9 NOES - 0 sustained on October 15, 2004, at 1014 Lafayette Avenue. $4,181.38 NO 62 B. 17. Kija Tomlinson, 1417 Albany Avenue, C-7 MISCELLANEOUS INVOICE Brooklyn, NY 11203 C.7Environment,368PleasantviewDrive,BuffaloCorporat That a claim for reimbursement of a tire, which was eCenter destroyed on July 12,2004 at 465 Washington Street. Lancaster, NY 14086 $139.88 That the above claim be, and the same hereby is B. 18. Lydia Torres, 101 Northland Avenue, returned to the Common Council without 14208 recommendation. That a claim for reimbursement for damages to a 1996 LAID ON THE TABLE Chevrolet Lumina, which occurred on October 14, 2004 in front of 97 Northland Avenue. $3,543.38 NO. 63 That checks be drawn on the account of Org 17221008 C8 TO C-17 (480205) Judgment and Claims Prior Years, or MISCELLANEOUS INVOICE (480204) Current Fiscal Year, payable to the respective C. 8. Good and Fair Carting and Moving claimants or plaintiffs and their attorneys, if any, herein Co., Inc. 300 Woodward Avenue, Kenmore, above named, in the amounts set opposite their names New York 14217 and delivered to them upon execution and delivery to That a claim for prior fiscal year Invoice No. 504-2 the Corporation Counsel of proper releases where such incurred as a result of the May 4, 2004 School Board releases are indicated. Election for which payment is required to be made by PASSED the City of Buffalo for transportation of voting machines. AYES - 8 NOES - 0 $7,464.00 C. 9. Laser Labs, Inc. 454 First Parish NO. 60 Road, Scituate, MA 02066 B-19 PROPERTY DAMAGE That a claim for payment of prior fiscal year Invoice No. Madonna Wilbum, 240 Northcrest Avenue, 6062 for services rendered to the Buffalo Police Cheektowaga, NY 14225 Department for rectifying tint meters. $113.00 That the above claim be, and the same hereby is C. 10. Leave Your Imprint Inc., 26 Misty Lane, denied East Amherst, NY 14051 ADOPTED That a claim for payment of prior fiscal year Invoice No. 124504 for services rendered to the Department of NO.61 Permit and Inspections for custom decal stickers. C. 1 TO C6 MISCELLANEOUS INVOICES $1,362.23 That upon the recommendation of the Corporation C. 11. Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co., P.O. Counsel and the appropriate City Departments, the Box 767, Buffalo, 14240 following claims be paid: That a claim for payment of the lockbox charges for the C1 BRH Inc./Bankcard Data Systems, 6490 Main city of Buffalo's Account No. 581595 with M&T Bank for Street, Suite #6, Williamsville, New York 14221 the lockbox charges for the months of January through That a claim for payment of Invoice No. 2433 for June, 2004. $25,000.34 services rendered to the City of Buffalo, Treasury C. 12. Malcolm Pirnie Inc., 104 Corporate Park Division. $96.66 Drive, White Plains, NY 10602 C2. Block, Colucci, Notaro & Laing, PC, One That a claim for services performed by Malcolm Pirnie Niagara Square, 14202 during a previous fiscal year. That a claim for payment of Invoice No. 13205 for $960.50 services rendered to the C. 13. Martino's TV and Appliance, 1488 Hertel Department of Law in February, 2004. $3,287.50 Avenue, 14216 C3. Buffalo News, One News Plaza, P.O. Box That a claim for an air conditioner ordered in a prior 100, Buffalo, NY 14240 fiscal year through Buildings Division. That a claim for prior fiscal year Invoice Nos. 96082301 $559.00 and 96124501 incurred as a result of the May 4, 2004 C. 14 Medlab, Inc., 600 Cayuga Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 That a claim for payment of a prior fiscal year Invoice That a claim for payment of prior fiscal year Invoice No. No. 095914061 for excess print charges for a copy 1686 for services rendered to Substance Abuse machine in the Mayor's Office for meter usage from Services. $222.39 October 1, 2002 to April 30, 2003. - C. 15 Moore Wallace North America, P.O. Box 7777-$244.66 W501934, Philadelphia, PA 19175-1934 C. 24. Xerox Capital Services, 800 Carillon That a claim for payment of prior fiscal year Invoice No. Parkway, Tampa, Florida 33716 660224214 for services rendered to the Department of That a claim for payment of a prior fiscal year Invoice Permit and Inspections, Office of Licenses for the No. 096698225 for color prints for a copy machine in purchase of Blue Laser License Certificates, which the Mayor's Office since 2000 for copy machine usage were shipped to the City of Buffalo on June 18, 2003. from April 30, 2003 to July 15, 2003. $143.71 $222.48 C.16 Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, 300 Erie C. 25. Xerox Capital Services, 800 Carillon Boulevard West, Syracuse, NY 13202-4250 Parkway, Tampa, Florida 33716 That a claim for payment of prior fiscal year invoices for That a claim for payment of prior fiscal year Invoice No. services rendered to the Department of Public Works, 098475334 for a copy machine that was replaced and Parks and Streets. $5,886.76 not invoice for the month of September, 2003. $367.20 C. 17. Phoenix Graphics, Inc. 464-470 State C. 26. Gallagher Elevator Company, 135 South Street, Rochester, NY 14608 Division Street, 14203 That a claim for prior fiscal year Invoice Nos. 17937 and That a claim for payment of prior fiscal year invoice for 17938 incurred as a result of the May 4, 2004 School work done at the Broadway Market. $20,845.15 Board Election for which payment is required to be That checks be drawn on the account of Org 17221008 made by the City of Buffalo for printing of absentee (480205) Judgment and Claims Prior Years, or ballots and printing of AVM strips and emergency (480204) Current Fiscal Year, payable to the respective ballots. $7,797.75 claimants or plaintiffs and their attorneys, if any, herein PASSED above named, in the amounts set opposite their names and delivered to them upon execution and delivery to BONIFACIO IN THE NEGATIVE ON REFERRED TO the Corporation Counsel of proper releases where such THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE-13 ONLY releases are indicated. PASSED NO. 64 AYES - 8 NOES - 0 C. 18 MISCELLANEOUS INVOICE Western New York Realty Funding Inc 135 Delaware NO. 66 Avenue, Suite 102, Buffalo, 14240 C.27 That the above item be and the same hereby is MISCELLANEOUS INVOICE returned to the Common Council without Musso Plumbing and Heating inc. 8574 Sheridan Drive recommendation Williamsville NY 14221 Mr. Griffin moved that the above item be recommitted to Mr. Griffin moved that the above item be recommitted to the Committee on Claims. the Committee on Claims ADOPTED ADOPTED NO. 65 CIVIL SERVICE C-19 TO C.26 (BONNIE E. RUSSELL, CHAIRPERSON) MISCELLANEOUS INVOICE NO. 67 Xerox Capital Services, 800 Carillon Parkway, Tampa, APPT SECRETARY TO COMM OF HUMAN Florida 33716 RESOURCES That a claim filed by Xerox for payment of prior fiscal (CCP# 38, OCT 5) year Invoice No. 182570215 for staples for Xerox That the Appointment of Christine M. Heuser of 81 machines purchased by the City of Buffalo. Linwood Avenue be and the same hereby is Received $86.00 and Filed C . 20. Xerox Capital Services, 800 Carillon ADOPTED Parkway, Tampa, Florida 33716 That a claim filed by Xerox for payment of prior fiscal NO. 68 year Invoice No. 185052839 for toner cartridges APPT ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR (HR) supplied to the Mayor's office for the copy machine (CCP# 39, OCT 5) located at 201 City Hall. $709.00 That the Appointment of Olivia Licata of 418 Starin C. 21. Xerox Capital Services, 800 Carillon Avenue be and the same hereby is Received and Filed Parkway, Tampa, Florida 33716 That a claim filed by Xerox for payment for usage of NO. 69 copy machine in the Law Department for three (3) APPT DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL (HR) years. $46,690.00 (CCP#40, OCT 5) C 22. Xerox Capital Services, 800 Carillon That the Appointment of Gladys G. Hemdon-Hill of 24 Parkway, Tampa, Florida 33716 Huntington Avenue be and the same hereby is That a claim for payment of a prior fiscal year Invoice Received and Filed No. 095914060 for excess print charges for a copy ADOPTED machine in the Mayor's Office for meter usage from October 1, 2001 to September 30, 2002. NO. 70 $406.12 APPT CHIEF PUMPING PLANT C. 23. Xerox Capital Services, 800 Carillon ENGINEER(PROV)(MAX))PW) Parkway, Tampa, Florida 33716 (C.C.P # 23 NOV 16, 2004) That the provisional appointment of Rocco the amount of $7,609.70, for General Trades to Sicoli & DellaNeve at the maximum Salary be the same and is a Massaro, Contract No. 92010786, an increase in the amount of $34,774.72, for Mechanical to D.V. Brown & NO. 71 Associates, Contract No. 93010790, an increase in the APPT PARKING METER COIN COLLECTOR amount of $6,818.00, as more fully described in the (PERM)(MAX)(A&F) above communication. Funds for this project are (C.C.P # 42, NOV 16, 2004) available in bond account 51019036 445100. That the Permanent appointment of Franklin Lopez Jr PASSED of 198 Lovering at the maximum Salary be the same AYES – BONIFACIO, COPPOLA, DAVIS, FRANCZYK, and is approved. GOLOMBEK, THOMPSON – 6 NOES – FONTANA, NO. 72 GRIFFIN - 2 APPT PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (PERM)(MAX)(A&F) NO. 78 (C.C,P # 43, NOV 16, 2004) TOWNE GARDENS, LTD. - WATER SERVICE AT 225 That the Permanent appointment of Russell J. Olivieri HICKORY STREET of 150 WiUett Street at the maximum Salary be the (ITEM NO. 96, C.C.P., JULY 22, 2003) (ITEM NO. 78, same and is approved. C.C.P., NOV. 16, 2004) NO. 73 That the above item be, and the same hereby is APPT PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER returned to the Common Council without (PERM)(INTER)(A&F) (C.C.P # 44, NOV 16, 2004) recommendation. That the Permanent appointment of Daniel D. Tadusz Mr. Davis moved that the above item be recommitted to of 99 Homer Avenue at the Intermediate Salary be the the Committee on Finance. same and is approved. NO. 74 NO. 79 NOTICES OF APPOINTMENT TEMP/PROV/PERM J. N. ADAM DEVELOPMENT CENTER, (CCP# 51, NOV 16) PERRYSBURG, NEW YORK (LAW) That the above item be and the same hereby is (ITEM NO. 26, C.C.P., OCT. 5, 2004) Received and Filed (ITEM NO. 75, C.C.P., NOV. 3, 2004) ADOPTED That the above item be, and the same hereby is, returned to the Common Council without FINANCE recommendation. (BRIAN C. DAVIS, CHAIRMAN) Mr. Davis moved that the above item be recommitted to NO. 75 the Committee on Finance. PERMISSION TO PURCHASE UNMARKED ADOPTED VEHICLES (POLICE) (ITEM NO. 68, C.C.P., SEPT. 7, 2004) NO. 80 That the Commissioner of Police be, and he hereby is CHAIRMAN authorized to purchase five (5) used, unmarked TRANSFER 286 OAK FROM THE CITY TO BURA vehicles for a maximum total value not to exceed (ITEM NO. 119, C.C.P., NOV. 16, 2004) $40,000.00. That the above item be, and the same hereby is NO. 76 returned to the Common Council without PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT- STREETS & recommendation. SANITATION DIVISIONS Mr. Davis moved (ITEM NO. 18, C.C.P., NOV. 16, 2004) That the city-owned property commonly known as 286 That the above item be, and the same hereby is Oak Street and that the Mayor be and he hereby is returned to the Common Council without authorized to execute a deed transferring said property recommendation. to the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency conditioned upon Mr. Davis Moved: 90% of the final purchase price to the City of Buffalo That the Commissioner of Public Works be, and he That the Corporation Counsel be authorized to prepare hereby is authorized to purchase for the Division of the necessary documents for the transfer of title and Streets and Sanitation, one tandem axel dump truck that the Mayor be authorized to execute the same. purchases in the amount of $64,803.00 and four 25 PASSED yard refuse bodies in the amount of $187,260. AYES – BONIFACIO, COPPOLA, DAVIS, FONTANA, FRANCZYK, GOLOMBEK, THOMPSON – 7 NOES - NO. 77 GRIFFIN AUGSPURGER RAMP ADDITION - CHANGE ORDER NO. 4 LEGISLATION (ITEM NO. 8, C.C.P., NOV. 3, 2004) (RICHARD A. FONTANA, CHAIRMAN) That the Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and NO. 81 Streets be, and he hereby is authorized to issue change CHAIRMAN order No. 4, for work relating to Augspurger Ramp O. RAYFORD, PETITION TO USE 242 HOPKINS - Addition, for Superstructure to Louis P. Ciminelli CONCRETE BATCH PLANT Construction Co., Inc., Contract No. 92010771, an (ITEM NO. 64, C.C.P., NOV. 16, 2004) increase in the amount of $49,721.00, for Electrical Mr. Fontana moved that the above item be recommitted Work to Ferguson Electric Construction Co., Contract to the Committee on Legislation No. 92010782, an increase in the amount of ADOPTED $17,343.76, for Glazing Contract to Nep Glass Co. Ltd., NO. 82 Contract No. 92010784, an increase in the amount of PHILIPS LYTLE-APPLICATION TO ESTABLISH $15,342.37, for Plumbing and Fire Protection to C&L PORTABLE CONCRETE BATCH 242 HOPKINS Plumbing, Inc., Contract No. 92010785, an increase in (SOUTH) (CCP# 60, NOV 16) Mr. Fontana moved that the above item be recommitted Recycling, located at 41 Hannah. to the Committee on Legislation PASSED ADOPTED AYES - 8 NOES - 0 NO. 83 NO. 90 LOUISE MCCLIOE, PETITION TO USE 184 M. LUCIANO, PETITION TO USE 256 ALLEN - GOODELL - GROUND SIGN OUTDOOR PATIO (ITEM NO. 65, C.C.P., NOV. 16, 2004) (ITEM NO. 65, C.C.P., OCT. 5, 2004) That the, petition of Louise McClioeagent, for That the above item be, and the same hereby is , returned to the Common Council without Adopted. recommendation. Mr. Fontana moved that the above item be recommitted permission to a ground sign 6 wide, 5 high be, to the Committee on Legislation and/hereby is approved. PASSED NO. 91 AYES - 8 NOES - 0 EXAMINE TAXI RATES (ITEM NO. 177, C.C.P., SEPT. 21, 2004) NO. 84 That this Common Council will examine the financial RANDY ATLAS, PETITION TO USE 1243 dynamics of the taxicab and livery industry within the DELAWARE- 2 GROUND SIGNS area to determine whether an adjustment in the rates is Mr. Fontana moved that the above item be recommitted necessary. to the Committee on Legislation NO. 92 NO. 85 J. GOLOMBEK-INFO ON TAXI RATES IN THE 2004 S. DAY, PETITION TO USE 44 ALLEN - OUTDOOR (CCP# 51, OCT 5) PATIO That the above item be and the same hereby is (ITEM NO. 66, C.C.P., OCT. 5, 2004) (ITEM NO. 84, Received and Filed C.C.P., NOV. 3, 2004) ADOPTED That the above item be, and the same hereby is returned to the Common Council without NO. 93 recommendation Mr. Fontana moved above that the G. ONARATI-STATISTICS DRASTIC INCREASES IN item be recommitted to the Committee on Legislation EXPENSES TAXICABS ADOPTED. CCP#62, NOV 3 NO. 86 That the above item be and the same hereby is SECONDHAND DEALER- 2123 SENECA STREET ITEM NO. 87, C.C.P., SEPT. 7, 2004) Received and Filed That the Commissioner of Permit & Inspections ADOPTED Services be, and he hereby is authorized to deny a Secondhand Dealer license to Rochelle Johnson. ADOPTED NO. 94 NO. 87 R. EVANS & OTHERS-REQ DELI 450 DODGE ST SECONDHAND DEALER - 220 ALLEN STREET REMAIN CLOSED(ELL) (ITEM NO. 37, C.C.P., NOV. 16, 2004) (CCP#142, SEPT 7) That the above item be, and the same hereby is That the above item be and the same hereby is returned to the Common Council without Received and Filed ADOPTED recommendation. Mr. Fontana moved that the Legislation NO. 95 above item be recommitted to the Committee on CREATION OF A CITY VALET PARKING ZONE (CCP# 39, DEC 23) NO. 88 That the above item be and the same hereby is WHOLESALE JUNK DEALER LICENSE - 41 Received and Filed HANNAH NO. 96 (ITEM NO. 44, C.C.P., NOV. 3, 2004) ASSESSMENT REBATE ON HOME (ITEM NO. 84, C.C.P., NOV. 16, 2004) IMPROVEMENTS(ASSESS/TAX That pursuant to Chapter 254 of the City Code, the (CCP# 15,SEPT 21) Commissioner of Permit & Inspections Services be, and ADOPTED he hereby is authorized to grant a Wholesale Junk Dealer license to Dennis Skinner d/b/a Hannah That the above item be and the same hereby is Recycling, located at 41 Hannah. Received and Filed PASSED NO. 97 AYES - 8 NOES – 0 M. COPPOLA-REAL PROPERTY EXEMPTION FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS NO. 89 (CCP# 39,OCT 19) SCRAP PROCESSOR DEALER LICENSE - 41 That the above item be and the same hereby is HANNAH Received and Filed (ITEM NO. 43, C.C.P., NOV. 3, 2004) NO. 98 (ITEM NO. 85, C.C.P., NOV. 16, 2004) DEMOLITION POLICY FOR CITY OF That pursuant to Chapter 254 of the City Code, the BUFFALO(PERMITS) Commissioner of Permit & Inspections Services be, and (CCP# 41,NOV 3) he hereby is authorized to grant a Scrap Processor Dealer license to Dennis Skinner d/b/a Hannah That the above item be and the same hereby is ADOPTED Received and Filed ADOPTED NO. 107 NO. 99 B. Mclntyre & Others Oppose Changing of DEMOLITION POLICY FOR CITY OF BUFFALO(CC) Michigan Ave From One Way to Two Way(Ell) (CCP# 28,NOV 16) (CCP# 50, Oct 19) That the above item be and the same hereby is That the above item be and the same hereby is Received and Filed ADOPTED Received and Filed NO. 100 ADOPTED NO. 108 B. Sanders & O-Fox Street Btwn Broadway & ADOPTED Sycamore Way(Ell) (CCP# 67, Nov 3) ELMWOOD AVENUE DEMOLITION ADOPTED ST MORATORIUM(EXC 1RES) (CCP# 132,NOV 3) NO. 109 That the above item be and the same hereby is Reappointment of Member to The Buffalo Sewer Received and Filed Authority ADOPTED (CCP# 33, Nov 16) That the above item be and the same hereby is NO. 101 Received ELMWOOD AVENUE DEMOLITION and Filed MORATORIUM(CC) ADOPTED (CCP# 35,NOV 16) That the above item be and the same hereby is No. 110 Received and Filed Restaurant Dancing Class I & 1/- 153 Delaware (Item ADOPTED No. 42, C.C.P., Nov. 3, 2004) That pursuant to Chapter 150 of the City Code, the NO. 102 Commissioner of Permit & Inspections Services be, and PREVENT ILLEGAL DEMOLITIONS he hereby is authorized to grant a Restaurant Dancing (ITEM NO. 178, C.C.P., SEPT. 21, 2004) Class I & II license to William Paladino d/b/a Cobalt, That this Common Council will work towards located at 153 Delaware Avenue. establishing a set of penalties for illicit/illegal Passed. demolitions in the City of Buffalo that will make property AYES - 8 - NOES - 0 owners fearful of circumventing the system that has been established to protect our That the above NO. 111 item be and the architectural heritage. Restaurant Dancing Class III- 2 Templeton Terrace NO. 103 same hereby is (Item No. 36, C.C.P., Nov. 16, 2004) B. DAVIS DEMOLITION OF Received That pursuant to Chapter 150 of the City Code, the and Filed FRANKLIN/PEARL PARKING Commissioner of Permit & Inspections Services be, and RAMP(187-197 FRANKLIN he hereby is authorized to grant a Restaurant Dancing ST)(ELL) Class IlI license to John D. Tallichet d/b/a Shanghai (CCP# 58,NOV 3) Red's, located at 2 Templeton Terrace. That the above item be and the same hereby is PASSED Received and Filed AYES - 8 - NOES - 0 NO. 104 B. DAVIS HISPANOS UNITED SUPP ZONE CHGE NO. 112 TH Request to Dissolve the Water Board RES TO COMM. 10ST (# 86, (Item No. 136, C.C.P., Oct. 19, 2004) 6/22)(#57,6/8)(#87,7/6) (CCP# 129,SEPT. 21) (Item No. 104, C.C.P., Nov. 3, 2004) That the above item be and the same hereby is That the above item be, and the same hereby is, Received and Filed returned to the Common Council without ADOPTED recommendation. NO. 105 That the above item be received and filed B. DAVIS – M. MAURO – ELLICOTT SQUARE ADOPTED BUILDING – AYES – BONIFACIO, COPPOLA, DAVIS, FONTANA, 294 WASHINGTON STREET – REQUEST LOADING FRANCZYK, GOLOMBEK AND GRIFFIN – 7 (Item No. 120, CCP Sept 7, 2004) NOES – THOMPSON - 1 (Item No. 149, CCP Sept 21, 2004) NO. 113 That the above item be, and the same hereby is Request to Dissolve Water Board returned to the Common Council without (CCP# 30, Nov 16) recommendation. That the above item be and the same hereby is Mr. Fontana moved that the above item be recommitted Received and Filed to the Committee on Legislation ADOPTED ADOPTED NO. 114 NO. 106 Appointment Member to the Board of Assessment Adelphia Bankruptcy (CC) Review CCP# 27, Nov 16 (Item No.9 C.C.P., Nov. 16, 2004) That the above item be and the same hereby is That the appointments of the Board of Assessment Received and Filed th Review of William Maggio, residing at 230 Wellington in the Common Council Chambers on the 30day of Road, for a term expiring 9/30/05, of Henry Osinski, November 2004. residing at 175 Parkside Avenue, for a term expiring PASSED of Robert Zielinski, residing at 30 Lyman, for a 9/30/06, AYES - 8 - NOES - 0 term expiring 9/30/07, of Edward Herndon, residing at 19 Summer Street, for a term expiring be, and 9/30/08 NO. 120 they hereby are approved. C. Hamilton - City's Delay - World of Faith Church PASSED Land Exchange Jefferson Avenue Library AYES - 8 - NOES – 0 (Item No. 44, C.C.P., Oct. 19, 2004) MAFFIO AND OSINSKI Mr. Golombek moved that the above item be recommitted to the Committee on Community Development. RIELINSKI AND HERNDON TO THE COMMITTEE ON ADOPTED LEGISLATION NO. 121 B. Russell CSEA Letter RE Elimination of BMHA NO. 115 Public Safety Dept Appointment Temporary Members - Board of (CCP#62, Nov 16) Assessment Review That the above item be and the same hereby is (Item No. 10, C.C.P., Nov. 16, 2004) Received and Filed That the Commissioner of Assessment & Taxation, be ADOPTED and she hereby is permitted to appointment two (2) temporary members to the Board of Assessment NO. 122 Review to serve no more than twenty (20) days as Buffalo Brownfield Redevelopment Fund needed during the time period of January 2005 to mid (Item No. 133, C.C.P., Nov. 3, 2004) February 2004 be, and hereby is approved. (Item No. 121, C.C.P., Nov. 16, 2004) PASSED That the above item be, and the same hereby is AYES - 8 - NOES - 0 returned to the Common Council without recommendation. NO. 116 Mr. Golombek Moved: Reply Traffic Concerns at Buffalo United Charter That the Common Council approves the creation of the School(PW) Buffalo Brownfield Redevelopment Fund; and (CCP# 20, Nov 16) That the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation and That the above item be and the same hereby is the Erie County Industrial Development Agency Received ("ECIDA") will direct and administer the Fund; and and Filed Section 1. The City is hereby authorized to enter into ADOPTED the Inter-Governmental Agreement called for in the Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU"), to be known NO. 117 as the Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park Development Snow Removal Plan(Pw) and PILOT Redistribution Agreement (the (CCP# 21, Nov 16) "Agreement"), which shall be consistent with the MOU, That the above item be and the same hereby is and pursuant to which (i) the City and the Council will Received and Filed consent to the terms of the PILOT agreements between ADOPTED ECIDA and any end user of park proper be pursuant to NO. 118 which such end user will either make as-if-owned Council Manager Form of Gov't for COB (hrg PILOT payments (if such end user is eligible for New 11/08)(#288,7/20) (CCP#86, Nov 16) York State Empire Zone benefits), or standard ECIDA That the above item be and the same hereby is PILOT payments, (ii) the City and the County will direct Received and Filed and authorize such end users to make PILOT payments ADOPTED directly to ECIDA, and will confirm that receipt of each AYES - COPPOLA, DAVIS, FONTANA, FRANCZYK, PILOT payment by ECIDA shall constitute receipt by GRIFFIN AND THOMPSON – 6 the City or the County, as applicable, and (iii) the City NOES – BONIFACIO, GOLOMBEK – 2 and the County shall direct ECIDA to remit the Fund's Share of the PILOT payments made by end users of COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Park property to a dedicated fund for payment of costs JOSEPH GOLOMBEKK JR incurred by BUDC (or ECIDA on behalf of BUDC) in CHAIRMAN connection with subsequent phases of the Park and, after completion of the Park, in connection with similar NO. 119 projects located within the City that are undertaken by Acquisition of Land Fillmore and Buell Fire Station BUDC, with the balance of such PILOT payments to be (Item No. 116, C.C.P., Nov. 3, 2004) remitted to the applicable tax jurisdictions. Such That the above item be, and the same hereby is Agreement shall also impose restrictions and limitations returned to the Common Council without on BUDC's use of the Fund for eligible costs, a recommendation. commitment on the part of BUDC to complete and Mr. Golombek moved market subsequent phases of the Park, and the That the City Clerk is hereby directed to publish the agreement of ECIDA to enter into appropriate PILOT notice in the Buffalo News regarding the condemnation arrangements with end users of Park property. of 1720 Fillmore and 82 Buell - Fillmore and Buell Fire Section 2. The Mayor is hereby authorized to Station Project. Said notice to be published for five (5) execute the Agreement and such other documentation consecutive days; and and agreements as may be necessary or appropriate to That the Common Council will conduct a Public Hearing carry out the purposes of these resolutions. Section 3. These resolutions shall take effect permission of the City of Buffalo or the Buffalo Board of immediately. Education. Adopted. (3) For the purposes of this subsection, "municipal AYES-BONIFACIO, COPPOLA, DAVIS, FONTANA, property" means all property owned by the City of FRANCZYK, GOLOMBEK AND THOMPSON – 7 Buffalo or the Buffalo Board of Education, including but NOES-GRIFFIN - 1 not limited to parks, playgrounds and public streets. Special Committees C. Mandatory Spay/Neutering for Impounded/Seized Dogs BUDGET COMMITTEE Any dog impounded or seized, whether licensed or unlicensed, shall be subject to mandatory spa,/or neutering pursuant to this section as follows: (Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr., Chairman) 1. All dogs, five months or older, impounded or seized from a property in the City of Buffalo, and housed at the NO. 123 City of Buffalo Animal Shelter, must be spayed or Consider Implementing a Canadian Prescription neutered before it is returned to its owner or purchased Drag Program (#104,3/2) (CCP#89, Apr 13) through the adoption program. That the above item be and the same hereby is 2. The owner of any dog spayed or neutered pursuant Received and Filed to this section shall be responsible for the cost of said ADOPTED spaying or neutering. 3. Acceptable proof of ownership for release of any dog NO. 124 pursuant to this section includes one of the following: a M. Coppola-The Ledger Art. "Feds Offer Lenience NYS dog license, Veterinarian/Medical records, pet on Drug Imports" store proof of dog purchase and/or county rabies clinic (CCP#117, Sept 7) certificate. That the above item be and the same hereby is 4. If ownership cannot be proven pursuant to section Received C3 above, then the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter shall and Filed follow the procedures set forth by the City of Buffalo ADOPTED regarding an abandoned dog. APPROVED AS TO FORM NO. 125 NO. 128 M. Coppola-Prescription Drug Prices (CCP#40, Oct BY: MR. COPPOLA 19) BONDRESOLUTION That the above item be and the same hereby is BABCOCKSTREETBRIDGERECONSTRUCTION Received ACCOUNT 3000-310 and Filed Bond Resolution of the City of Buffalo, New York,, ADOPTED authorizing the issuance of $850,000 General NO. 126 Improvement Bonds of said City to finance the City's B. Davis Bd of Education Agenda (CCP#49, Oct 5) share of the cost of the partial reconstruction of the That the above item be and the same hereby is existing Babcock Street Bridge over Norfolk Southern Received and Filed Railroad, between Seneca and Clinton Streets in the City, at the estimated total cost of $850,000. RESOLUTIONS The Common Council of the City of Buffalo, in the County of Erie, New York, hereby resolves (by the NO. 127 favorable vote of not less than two-thirds of all the By: Mr. Bonifacio members of said Common Council) as follows: Re: Ordinance Amendment Chapter 78, Animals Section 1, The Comptroller of the City of Buffalo, in the The Common Council of the City of Buffalo does hereby County of Erie, New York, is hereby authorized and ordain as follows: directed to issue General Improvement Bonds of said That Chapter 78 of the Code of the City of Buffalo be City in the principal amount of Eight Hundred Fifty amended to read as follows: Thousand Dollars ($850,G00), pursuant to the 78-18 Running at large; special events. provisions of the Charter of said City and the Local A. Each owner of a dog shall restrain such dog so as Finance Law, constituting Chapter 33-a of the to prevent it from leaving the premises of such owner. A Consolidated Laws of the State of New York (the dog may, however, be taken off the premises of its "Law"), to finance the City's share of the cost of the owner when securely held in leash. The owner of a dog partial reconstruction of the existing Babcock Street shall be held liable for a violation of this subsection Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad, between whenever any unlicensed dog is found at large. The Seneca and Clinton Streets in the City. The estimated owner of record shall be held liable for a violation of this total cost of said specific object or purpose for which subsection whenever any licensed dog is found at the bends authorized by this resolution are to be large. issued, including preliminary costs and costs incidental B. Special events. thereto and the financing thereof, is $850,0C0 as set (1) Notwithstanding Subsection A, no person shall forth in the duly adopted 2004 Capital Improvements bring a dog, either leashed or unleashed, to a special Budget of said City, as amended.. event held on municipal property. The owner of the dog Section 2. The proceeds of the sale of the bends or the owner of record shall be held liable for a violation authorized by this resolution, or any bond anticipation of this subsection. notes issued in anticipation of the sale of said bonds (2) For the purposes of this Subsection B, a "special shall be deposited in the Capital Projects Fund to the event" includes all entertainments, exhibitions or credit of the Department of Public Works, Division of performances described in Chapter 75 and other events Parks & Streets, Buildings, "Babcock Street Bridge on municipal property which require a permit or Reconstruction-2004, Bond Authorization Account No. 3000-310, and shall be used for the specific object or directed to issue General Improvement Bonds of said purpose specified in Section 1 of this resolution City in the principal amount of Seventy Thousand .Section 3. The City intends to finance, on an interim Dollars ($70,000), pursuant to the provisions of the basis, the costs or a portion of the costs of said object Charter of said City and the Local Finance Law, or purpose for which bends are herein authorized, constituting Chapter 33-a of the Consolidated Laws of which costs are reasonably expected to be incurred by the State of New York (the "Law"), to finance the City's the City, pursuant to this Bond Resolution, in the share of the cost of the partial reconstruction of the maximum amount of $850,000. This Resolution is a Bailey Avenue Bridge over the Cazenovia Creek, south declaration of Official Intent adopted pursuant to the of Elk Street, in the City. The estimated total cost of requirements of Treasury Regulation Section L 130-2. said specific object or purpose for which the bonds Section 4. The following additional matters are hereby authorized by this resolution are to be issued, including determined and stated: preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and the (a) The period of probable usefulness for the financing thereof, is $70,000 as set forth in the duly specific object or purpose for which the adopted 2004 Capital Improvements Budget of said $850,000 bends herein authorized are to be issued, City, as amended, within the limitations of §11.00 a.10. of the Law, is Section 2. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds twenty (20) authorized by this resolution, or any bond anticipation years. notes issued in anticipation of the sale of said bends (b) Current funds are not required by the Law to be shall be deposited in the Capital Projects Fund to the provided as a down payment prior to the issuance of credit of the Department of Public Works, Division of the bonds authorized by this resolution or any bond Parks & Streets, Buildings, "Bailey Avenue Bridge anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof in Reconstruedon-2004, Bond Authorization Account No. accordance with Section 107.00 d. 9. of the Law. 3100-310, and shall be used for the specific object or Section 5. Each of the bends authorized by this purpose specified in Section 1 of this resolution resolution and any bend anticipation notes issued in .Section 3. The City intends to finance, on an interim anticipation of the sale of said bonds and the renewals basis, the costs or a portion of the costs of said object of said notes shall contain the recital of validity or purpose for which bends are herein authorized, prescribed by Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law. which costs are reasonably expected to be incurred by Said bonds and said notes shall be general obligations the City, pursuant to this Bond Resolution, in the of the City of Buffalo payable as to both principal and maximum amount of $70,000. This Resolution is a interest by a general lax upon all the taxable real declaration of Official Intent adopted pursuant to the property within said City without limitation as to rate or requirements of Treasury Regulation Section L150-2. amount. The faith and credit of said City are hereby Section 4. The following additional matters are hereby irrevocably pledged for the punctual payment of the determined and stated: principal of and interest on said (a) The period of probable usefulness for the specific bonds and said notes, provision shall object or propose for which the $70,000 bonds herein be made annually by appropriation by authorized are to be issued, within the limitations of § said City for the payment of interest on and for the 11.00 a. 10. of the Law, is twenty (20) years amounts required for the amortization and redemption (b) Current funds are not required by the Law to be of said bends and said notes. provided as a down payment prior to the issuance of Section 6. The validity of the bonds authorized by this the bonds authorized by this resolution or any bond resolution or any bend anticipation notes issued in anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof in anticipation of the sale of said bonds may be contested accordance with Section 107.00 d. 9. of the Law. only if: Section 5. Each of the bonds authorized by this (a) Such obligations are authorized for an object resolution and any bond anticipation notes issued in or purpose for which the City of Buffalo is anticipation of the sale of said bends and the renewals not authorized to expand money, or of said notes shall contain the recital of validity (b) The provisions of law which should be prescribed by Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law. complied with at the date of the publication of this Said bonds end said notes shall be general obligations resolution are not substantially complied with, of the City of Buffalo payable as to both principal and and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such interest by a general tax upon all the taxable real validity, is commenced within twenty days after the date property within said City without limitation as to rate or of such publication, amount. The faith and credit of said City are hereby or irrevocably pledged for the punctual payment of the (c) Such obligations are authorized in violation of principal of and interest on said bonds and said notes. the provisions of the constitution. Provision shall be made annually by appropriation by Introduced: said City for the payment of interest on and for the LAID ON THE TABLE amounts required for the amortization and redemption of said bonds and said notes. NO. 129 Section 6. The validity of the bonds authorized by this BY: MR. COPPOLA resolution or any bond anticipation notes issued in BOND RESOLUTION anticipation of the sale of said bends may be contested BAILEY AVENUE BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION only if: ACCOUNT 3000-310 (a) Such obligations are authorized for an object The Common Council of the City of Buffalo, in the or purpose for which the City of Buffalo is County of Erie, New York, hereby resolves (by the not authorized to expend money, or favorable vote of not less than two-thirds of all the (b) The provisions of law which should be members of said Common Council) as follows: complied with at the date of the publication of this Section 1. The Comptroller of the City of Buffalo, in the resolution ate not substantially complied with, County of Erie, New York, is hereby authorized and and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity, is commenced within twenty days after the date of said notes shall contain the recital of validity of such publication, prescribed by Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law. or Said bonds and said notes shall be general obligations (c) Such obligations are authorized in violation of the of the City of Buffalo payable as to both principal and provisions of the constitution. interest by a general tax upon all the taxable real LAID ON THE TABLE property within said City without limitation as to rate or amount. The faith and credit of said City are hereby NO.130 irrevocably pledged for the punctual payment of the BY: MR. COPPOLA principal of and interest on said bonds and said notes. BOND RESOLUTION GRIDER STREET Provision shall be made annually by appropriation by RECONSTRUCTION said City for the payment of interest on and for the ACCOUNT 3000-310 amounts required for the amortization and redemption Bond Resolution of the City of Buffalo, New York,, of said bonds and said notes. authorizing the issuance of $650,000 General Section 6. The validity of the bonds authorized by this Improvement Bonds of said City to finance the City's resolution or any bond anticipation notes issued in share of the cost of the partial reconstruction of Grider anticipation of the sale of said bonds may be contested Street from Kensington Avenue to Delavan Avenue in only if: the City, at the estimated total cost of $650,000. (a) Such obligations are authorized for an object The Common Council of the City of Buffalo, in the or purpose for which the City of Buffalo is not County of Erie, Hew York, hereby resolves (by the authorized to expend money, or favorable vote of not less than two-thirds of all the (b) The provisions of law which should be members of said Common Council) as follows: complied with at the date of the publication of this Section I. The Comptroller of the City of Buffalo, in the resolution are not substantially complied with, County of Erie, New York, is hereby authorized and and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such directed to issue General Improvement Bonds of said validity, is commenced within twenty days after the date City in the principal amount of Six Hundred Fifty of such publication, Thousand Dollars ($650,000), pursuant to the or provisions of the Chatter of said City and the Local (c) Such obligations are authorized in violation of the Finance Law, constituting Chapter 33-a of the provisions of the constitution. Consolidated Laws of the State of New York (the Introduced "Law"), to finance the City's share of the cost of the LAID ON TABLE partial reconstruction of Grider Street from Kensington Avenue to Delavan Avenue in the City. The estimated NO. 131 total cost of said specific object or purpose for which BY: MR. COPPOLA the bonds authorized by this resolution arc to be issued, BOND RESOLUTION including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto NORTH BUFFALO RAILS-TO-TRAILS and the financing thereof, is $650,000 as set forth in the ACCOUNT 3000-310 duly adopted 2004 Capital Improvements Budget of Bond Resolution of the City of Buffalo, New York, said City, as amended.. authorizing the issuance of $65,000 General Section 2. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds Improvement Bonds of said City to finance the City's authorized by this resolution, or any bond anticipation share of the cost of the preparation of surveys, notes issued in anticipation of the sale of said bonds preliminary and detailed plans, specifications and shall be deposited in the Capital Projects Fund to the estimates necessary for planning construction of a credit of the Department of Public Works, Division of bicycle/pedestrian trail system on former railroad rights Parks & Streets, Buildings, "Grider Street of way in the North Buffalo area in the City, at the ReconsWaction-2004, Bond Authorization Account No. estimated total cost of $65,000. 3000-310, and shall be used for the specific object or The Common Council of the City of Buffalo, in the purpose specified in Section I of this resolution County of Erie, New York, hereby resolves (by the Section 3. The City intends to finance, on an interim favorable vote of not less than two-thirds of all the basis, the costs or a portion of the costs of said object members of said Common Council) as follows: or purpose for which bonds are herein authorized, Section 1. The Comptroller of the City of Buffalo, in the which costs are reasonably expected to be incurred by County of Erie, New York, is hereby authorized and the City, pursuant to this Bond Resolution, in the directed to issue General Improvement Bonds of said maximum amount of $650,000. This Resolution is a City in the principal amount of Sixty-Five Thousand declaration of Official Intent adopted pursuant to the Dollars ($65,000), pursuant to the provisions of the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.150-2. Charter of said City and the Local Finance Law, Section 4. The following additional matters are hereby constituting Chapter 33-a of the Consolidated Laws of determined and stated: the State of New York (the "Law'*), to finance the City's (a) The period of probable usefulness for the specific share of the cost of the preparation of surveys, object or purpose for which the $650,000 bonds herein preliminary and detailed plans, specifications and authorized are to be issued, within the limitations of estimates necessary for planning construction of a §11.00 a.20. of the Law, is fifteen (15) years. bicycle/pedestrian trail system on former railroad rights (b) Current funds arc not required by the Law to be of way in the North Buffalo area in the City. The provided as a down payment prior to the issuance of estimated total cost of said specific object or purpose the bonds authorized by this resolution or any bond for which the bonds authorized by this resolution are to anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof in be issued, including preliminary costs and costs accordance with Section 107.00 d. 9. of the Law. incidental thereto and the financing thereof, is $65,000 Section 5. Each of the bonds authorized by this as set forth in the duly adopted 2004 Capital resolution and any bond anticipation notes issued in Improvements Budget of said City, as amended. anticipation of the sale of said bonds and the renewals Section 2. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized by this resolution, or any bend anticipation authorizing the issuance of $245,000 General notes issued in anticipation of the sale of said bonds Improvement Bonds of said City to finance the City's shall be deposited in the Capital Projects Fund to the share of the cost of the construction of a credit of the Department of Public Works, Division of bicycle/pedestrian trail along Tift Street, Euhrmann Parks & Streets, Buildings, "North Buffalo Rails-to-Blvd., and Ohio Street along the Buffalo Waterfront in Trails-2004, Bond Authorization Account No. 3000-310, the City, at the estimated total cost of $245,000. and shall be used for the specific object or purpose The Common CounciI of the City of Buffalo, in the specified in Section l of this resolution. County of Erie, New York, hereby resolves (by the Section 3. The City intends to finance, on an interim favorable vote of not less than two-thirds of all the basis, the costs or a portion of the costs of said objects members of said Common Council) as follows: or purposes for which bonds are herein authorized, Section l. The Comptroller of the City of Buffalo, in the which costs are reasonably expected to be incurred by County of Erie, New York, is hereby authorized and the City, pursuant to this Bond Resolution, in the directed to issue General Improvement Bonds of said maximum amount of $65,000. This Resolution is a City in the principal amount of Two Hundred Forty-Five declaration of Official Intent adopted pursuant to the Thousand Dollars ($245,000), pursuant to the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section l.150-2. provisions of the Charter of said City and the Local Section 4. The following additional matters are hereby Finance Law, constituting Chapter 33-a of the determined and stated: Consolidated Laws of the State of New York (the (a) The period of probable usefulness applicable "Law"), to finance the City's share of the cost of the to the specific object or purpose for which construction of a bicycle/pedestrian trail along Tifft the bonds authorized by this resolution are to be issued Street, Fuhrmann Blvd., and Ohio Street along the nd) Buffalo Waterfront in the City. The estimated total cost within the limitations of Section IL00 (a) 62(2of the of said specific object or purpose for which the bonds Local Finance Law, is five (5) years. authorized by this resolution are to be issued, including (b) Current funds are not required by the Law to be preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and the provided as a down payment prior to the issuance of financing thereof, is $245,000 as set forth in the duly the bonds authorized by this resolution or any bond adopted 2004 Capital Improvements Budget of said anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof in City, as amended.. accordance- with Section 107.00 d. 9. of the Law. Section 2. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds Section 5. Each of the bonds authorized by this authorized by this resolution, or any bond anticipation resolution and any bond anticipation notes issued in notes issued in anticipation of the sale of said bonds anticipation of the sale of said bends and the renewals shall be deposited in the Capital Projects Fund to the of said notes shall contain the recital of validity credit of the Department of Public Works, Division of prescribed by Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law. Parks & Streets, Buildings, 'Wifft Street Greenway Said bonds and said notes shall be general obligations Improvements-2004, Bond Authorization Account No. of the City of Buffalo payable as to both principal and 30(]0-310, and shall be used for the specific object or interest by a general tax upon all the taxable real purpose specified in Section 1 of this resolution. property within said City without limitation as to rate or Section 3. The City intends to finance, on an interim amount. The faith and credit of said City are hereby basis, the costs or a portion of the costs of said objects irrevocably pledged for the punctual payment of the or purposes for which bonds are herein authorized, principal of and interest on said bonds and said notes. which costs are reasonably expected to be incurred by Provision shall be made annually by appropriation by the City, pursuant to this Bond Resolution, in the said City for the payment of interest on and for the maximum amount of $245,000. This Resolution is a amounts required for the amortization and redemption declaration of Official Intent adopted pursuant to the of said bonds and said notes. requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.150-2. Section 6. The validity of the bonds authorized by this Section 4. The following additional matters an: hereby resolution or any bond anticipation notes issued in determined and stated: anticipation of the sale of said bonds may be contested (a) The period of probable usefulness applicable to the only if: specific object or purpose for which the bonds (a) Such obligations are authorized for an object authorized by this resolution are to be issued within the or purpose for which the City of Buffalo is limitations of Section 11.00 (a) I9 (c) of the Local not authorized to expend money, or Finance Law, is fifteen (15) years. (b) Current funds me not required by the Law to be (b) The provisions of law which should be provided as a down payment prior to the issuance of complied with at the date of the publication of this the bonds authorized by this resolution or any bond resolution are not substantially complied with, anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof in and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such accordance- with Section 107.00 d. 9. of the Law. validity, is commenced within twenty days after the date Section 5. Each of the bonds authorized by this of such publication, resolution and any bond anticipation notes issued in or anticipation of the sale of said bonds and the renewals (c) Such obligations are authorized in violation of of said notes shall contain the recital of validity the provisions of the constitution. prescribed by Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law. Introduced: Said bonds and said notes shall be general obligations LAID ON THE TABLE of the City of Buffalo payable as to both principal and interest by a general tax upon all the taxable real NO. 132 property within said City without limitation as to rate or BY: MR. COPPOLA amount. The faith and credit of said City are hereby BOND RESOLUTION irrevocably pledged for the punctual payment of the TIFFT STREET GREENWAY IMPROVEMENTS principal of and interest on said bonds and said notes. ACCOUNT 3000-3 IO Provision shall be made annually by appropriation by Bond Resolution of the City of Buffalo, New York, said City for the payment of interest on and for the maximum amount of $700,000. This Resolution is a amounts required for the amortization and redemption declaration of Official Intent adopted pursuant to the of said bonds and said notes. requirements of Treasury Regulation Section L 150-2. Section 6. The validity of the bonds authorized by this Section 4. The following additional matters are hereby resolution or any bond anticipation notes issued in determined and stated: anticipation of the sale of said bonds may be contested (a) The period of probable usefulness for the only if: specific object or purpose for which the (a) Such obligations are authorized for an object $700,000 bends herein authorized are to be issued, or purpose for which the City of Buffalo is not within the limitations of §11.00a,10.of the Law, is authorized to expend money, or twenty(20) years. (b) The provisions of law which should be (b) Current funds are not required by the Law to be complied with at the date of the publication of this provided as a down payment prior to the issuance of resolution are not substantially complied with, the bonds authorized by this resolution or any bend and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof in validity, is commenced within twenty days after the date accordance with Section 107.00 d. 9. of the Law, of such publication, Section 5, Each of the bonds authorized by this or resolution and any bond anticipation notes issued in (c) Such obligations are authorized in violation of anticipation of the sale of said bends and the renewals the provisions of the constitution. of said notes shall contain the recital of validity Introduced prescribed by Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law. LAID ON THE TABLE Said bends and said notes shall be general obligations of the City of Buffalo payable as to both principal and NO. 133 interest by a general tax upon all the taxable real BY: MR. COPPOLA property within said City without [imitation as to rate or BONDRESOLUTION amount. The faith and credit of said City are hereby WEST FERRY ST./BLACK ROCK CANAL irrevocably pledged for the punctual payment of the BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT principal of and interest on said bends and said notes. 30OO-3 I0 Provision shall be made annually by appropriation by Bond Resolution of the City of Buffalo, New York,, said City for the payment of interest on and for the authorizing the issuance of $700,000 General amounts required for the amortization and redemption Improvement Bonds of said City to finance the City's of said bonds and said notes. share of the cost of the partial reconstruction of the Section 6. The validity of the bonds authorized by this West Ferry Street Lift Bridge over the Black Rock Canal resolution or any bond anticipation notes issued in in the City, at the estimated total cost of $700,0C0. anticipation of the sale of said bonds may be contested The Common Council of the City of Buffalo, in the only if: County of Erie, New York, hereby resolves (by the (a) Such obligations are authorized for an object favorable vote of not less than two-thirds of all the or purpose for which the City of Buffalo is not members of said Common Council) as follows: authorized to expend money, or Section 1, The Comptroller of the City of Buffalo, in the (b) The provisions of law which should be County of Erie, Now York, is hereby authorized and complied with at the date of the publication of this directed to issue General Improvement Bonds of said resolution are not substantially complied with, City in the principal amount of Eight Hundred Fifty and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such Thousand Dollars ($700,000), pursuant to the validity, is commenced within twenty days after the date provisions of the Charter of said City and the Local of such publication, Finance Law, constituting Chapter 33-a of the or (c) Such obligations are authorized in Consolidated Laws of the State of New York (the "Law"), to finance the City's share of the cost of the violation of the provisions of the constitution. partial reconstruction of the West Ferry Street Lift Introduced: Bridge over the Black Rock Canal in the City. The LAID ON THE TABLE estimated total cost of said specific object or purpose for which the bends authorized by this resolution are to NO. 134 be issued, including preliminary costs and costs BY: MR.COPPOLA incidental thereto and the financing thereof, is $700,000 DAMAGE TO CITY OF BUFFALO EMPLOYEE'S as set forth in the duly adopted 2004 Capital PERSONAL EFFECTS Improvements Budget of said City, as amended.. Section 16-8 of the City Charter addresses the issue of Section 2. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds damages to an employee's personal effects while in the authorized by this resolution, or any bond anticipation scope of his or her employment; and, notes issued in anticipation of the sale of said bonds While employees should not be subject to pay for shall be deposited in the Capital Projects Fund to the damages or loss of property under the conditions credit of the Department of Public Works, Division of outlined in § 16-8, they should take responsibility to Parks & Streets, Buildings, "West Ferry St./Black Rock inform the city in a timely and reasonable fashion; and, Canal Bridge Reconstruction-2004, Bond Authorization § 16-8 stipulates that no claim for damages shall be Account No. 3000-310, and shall be used for the paid unless a written claim is filed with the City Clerk specific object or purpose specified in Section 1 of this within 60 days from the time of the occurrence, and resolution while at the time that it was established this policy may .Section 3. The City intends to finance, on an interim have been sufficient but, this has become a policy that basis, the costs or a portion of the costs of said object needs to revised; and, or purpose for which bonds are herein authorized, Often times damages are due to acts that are criminal which costs are reasonably expected to be incurred by in nature and the appropriate reporting should be to file the City, pursuant to this Bond Resolution, in the first with the Buffalo Police Department; and, further consideration. By filing a complaint with the Police Department the city REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION, has the best opportunity to hold the violator COMMISSIONER OF PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS, accountable for any financial loss to the employee and PLANNING AND THE CITY PLANNING BOARD THE or the City of Buffalo; and, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND THE In order for the city to have the best possible chances CORPORATION COUNSEL of investigating the complaint and charging the appropriate person or persons with any violation and NO. 136 holding them financially accountable, a report must be BY: MR. COPPOLA filed as soon as possible. EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER RUSSELL FROM Now therefore be it resolved that: MEETING This Common Council requests that the Law Whereas: Councilmember Bonnie E. Russell will Department file the appropriate ordnance amendment be unable to attend theCouncil meeting that will require employees to file a complaint with the on Tuesday, November 30, 2004; Buffalo Police Department whenever there is evidence Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That: of any violation of law that caused or contributed to the The Common Council excuses Councilmember Bonnie loss or damage of their property; and, E. Russell from attending the Tuesday, November 30, Be it further resolved that: 2004, Common Council meeting. This Common Council requests that the amendment ADOPTED also require that the police report be filed no later than forty-eight (48) hours from the time of the occurrence NO. 137 and that the report also be attached to any claim that is BY: MR. COPPOLA filed with the city as currently required under § 16-8; REFUNDING BOND RESOLUTION and, $145,000,000 BONDS Be it further resolved that: REFUNDING OF 1991, 93, 94, 95, 97, The Law Department file with the City Clerk this 98, 99, 2001 AND 2002 OUTSTANDING ordinance amendment no later than 2:00 PM Thursday, BONDS December 14, 2004; and, REFUNDING BOND RESOLUTION DATED Be it finally resolved that: DECEMBER, 2004 This resolution is referred to the Council's Committee REFUNDING BOND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF on Legislation for further consideration. BUFFALO, NEW YORK, AMENDING THE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION REFUNDING BOND RESOLUTION ADOPTED AND THE CORPORATION COUNSEL FEBRUARY 14, 2001, TO PROVIDE FOR A REVISED PLAN OF REFUNDING AND AUTHORIZING THE NO. 135 REFUNDING OF ALL OR A PORTION OF SPONSOR: MR. COPPOLA ADDITIONAL VARIOUS OUTSTANDING BONDS OF CO-SPONSORS: MR. GRIFFIN SAID CITY. LICENSING OF ADULT USE ESTABLISHMENTS Recitals The city currently requires any firm or corporation WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Buffalo, engaging in business as a pawnbroker, junkyard, flea New York, has heretofore duly authorized the issuance market and used car dealer to apply for a license from of$110,000,000 Refunding Bonds of said City, or so the department of Permits and Inspections, said license much thereof as may be necessary, to finance the is also to be approved by the Common Council; and refunding of all or a portion of various outstanding The City Charter requires the Commissioner of Permits bonds, pursuant to the refunding bond resolution and Inspections to refer such license requests to the adopted by said Common Council on February 14, Commissioner of Fire for an inspection and to the 2001 and hereinafter referred to; and Commissioner of Police for a an investigation into the WHEREAS, it has now been determined that the background and reputation of the applicant; and refunding of all or a portion of various additional A junk dealer or pawnbroker license may not be outstanding bonds should be authorized in order to granted to an owner or operator convicted of any restructure City debt service to provide budget relief for offense relating to the theft or receipt of stolen property; the next several fiscal years; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT The licensing requirements for pawnbrokers, junkyards, RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE flea markets and used car dealers appears to be more CITY OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK (by the favorable vote stringent than the licensing requirements for Adult Use of not less than two-thirds of all members of said Establishments; and Common Council) AS FOLLOWS: While Adult Use Establishments must comply with Section (A). The refunding bond resolution of said City zoning requirements regarding the location of such duly adopted by the Common Council on February 14, businesses, owners and operators of such businesses 2001, entitled: are not required to undergo a background investigation "BOND RESOLUTION DATED FEBRUARY 14, 2001 by the Police Department, or to have their license REFUNDING BOND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF approved by the Common Council; and BUFFALO, NEW YORK, AUTHORIZING THE Now Therefore Be It Resolved: REFUNDING OF ALL OR A PORTION OF VARIOUS That the Common Council requests the Law OUTSTANDING BONDS OF SAID CITY, STATING Department to draft a new Ordinance licensing the THE PLAN OF FINANCING, APPROPRIATING AN operation of an Adult Use Establishment in the same AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $110,000,000 manner as other city licensed businesses. THEREFOR, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF Be It Finally Resolved: $110,000,000 REFUNDING BONDS OF SAID CITY, That this item is referred to an appropriate committee of OR SO MUCH THEREOF AS MAY the Council for BE NECESSARY, TO FINANCE SAID APPROPRIATION, AND MAKING CERTAIN DETERMINATIONS ALL RELATIVE THERETO," is hereby amended to read as follows: Therefore Be It Resolved: Available for review in the City Clerks Office That this Common Council grants permission to the REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE HerteI-North Buffalo Business Association to hang holiday lights on all lampposts between Delaware and NO. 138 Starin Avenues. SPONSOR: MR. COPPOLA PASSED WATER RATE ANALYSIS STUDY AYES - 8 NOES - 0 Whereas The Buffalo water system has the capacity to provide additional water to residential and business NO. 140 customers; and BY: COUNCILMEMBER DAVIS Whereas The Board, based on the recommendation of SET PUBLIC HEARING 266 AND 286 OAK STREET its current Water Rate Consultant and the need to SIGNATURE DEVELOPMENT BUFFALO,LLC, - adhere to stringent Bond holder covenants and lending REDEVELOPER requirements, has resorted to a continuing series of WHEREAS, the City of Buffalo is the owner of the water rate increases to counter declining revenues; and Buffalo Alternative School at 266 Oak Street which has Whereas This approach, while not flawed, has caused been formally abandoned by the Board of Education the remaining ratepayers to individually pay more to and 286 Oak Street which is used by the Board of support water system operation; and Education as an Electrical Service Building; and Whereas Ratepayers can ill afford to continue to pay WHEREAS, Signature Development was selected projected back-to-back, and at times double digit, rate following a competitive Request for Proposal process increases; and for redevelopment of the former school premises; and Whereas This approach is generally viewed as WHEREAS, Signature Development Buffalo, LLC detrimental to the City's efforts to attract new residents and/or other legal entity to be formed (herein referred to and businesses; and as the "Redeveloper") has been duly designated as Whereas It has been almost ten (10) years since the qualified and eligible Redeveloper in accordance with Board engaged the services of a Water Rate Analyst; the rules and procedures prescribed by the City of and Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency; and Whereas The time is now for the Board to be proactive WHEREAS, the City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency and solicit the services of a trained Water Rate Analyst and the Redeveloper has negotiated a proposed Land to study the current mix of residential, commercial and Disposition Agreement for the sale of 266 and 286 Oak industrial ratepayers in an effort to develop a more Street; and equitable approach to water rate setting while providing WHEREAS, the terms of said proposed Land an incentive to residents and businesses to relocate to Disposition Agreement have been approved by the City the City; and of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency; and Whereas The Board, the Buffalo Municipal Water WHEREAS, said Land Disposition Agreement has been Finance Authority (BMWFA) and the City of Buffalo forwarded by the City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency have explored the option of selling the Buffalo Water to this Common Council for action, pursuant to section System to the Erie County Water Authority (ECWA), a 507, subdivision 2(d) of the General Municipal Law; and deal that has not yet been consummated; and WHEREAS, Article 15A of the "General Municipal Law" Now Therefore Be It Resolved: That the Buffalo Water requires that the disposition of land in an Urban Board furnish to this Common Council, an action plan to Renewal Project may be approved only after a public engage the services of a trained Water Rate Analyst to hearing on due notice. conduct a study of the current water rate structure and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: the estimated cost thereof, to ensure that future water 1. That the City Clerk is hereby directed to publish the rates are set equitably and in a manner that is customer notice attached hereto and marked "Notice of Hearing" friendly while serving to attract new residents and in the Buffalo News, no later than the 4th day of businesses to the City of Buffalo. December 2004. REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, THE 2. That this Common Council will conduct a Public COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS, AMERICAN Hearing on the matter stated in said "Notice of Hearing" WATER WORKS AND THE WATER BOARD th at 2:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers on the 14of December 2004. NO. 139 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING SPONSOR: MR. COPPOLA Pursuant to provisions of the General Municipal Law, GRANT PERMISSION TO HANG LIGHTS ON notice is hereby given that a hearing will be held before HERTEL AVENUE the Common Council, Council Chambers, City Hall, at Whereas The HerteI-North Buffalo Business 2:00 P.M. on December 14, 2004 on the following: Association has asked permission to hang Holiday To consider an Agreement for the transfer of 266 and Lights on all lampposts between Delaware and Stadn 286 Oak Street to the City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Avenues, and Agency and thereafter to Signature Development Whereas These decorations will help to beautify the Buffalo, LLC pursuant to a proposed Land Disposition City of Buffalo during the upcoming holiday season, as Agreement. The parties of the proposed Land well as add to the holiday ambiance along the Hertel Disposition Agreement are: Buffalo Urban Renewal strip. Agency and Signature Development Buffalo, LLC Whereas The lights will be taken by down by Friday, and/or other legal entity designated as the qualified and January 15, 2005, and the HerteI-North Buffalo eligible Redeveloper by Buffalo Urban Renewal Business Association will notify the Department of Agency. Public Works in order to make sure that all requirements for proper installation met. are NO. 141 distributing bread and baked goods in the City of BY: MR. FONTANA Buffalo since 2002 and is currently located at 1237 RE: ORDINANCE AMENDMENT William Street, and; CHAPTER 3 5, PERSONNEL POLICIES Whereas: Midstate Bakery Distributors, Inc. is shifting The Common Council of the City of Buffalo does hereby its operations to a new location at 402 Babcock Street ordain as follows: effective December 31,2004, and; That Chapter 35 of the Code of the City of Buffalo be Whereas: Midstate Bakery Distributors, Inc. employs 10 amended to read as follows: §3 5 - 14, Undertaking required. Each person now holding the office enumerated in this workers and anticipates that it will be adding two section or who is hereafter elected or appointed thereto additional workers, and; shall execute and cause to be approved and filed in the Whereas: Midstate Bakery Distributors, Inc. met with office of the Comptroller and kept in force an the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation and undertaking to the City of Buffalo, or such elected or wishes to remain and expand in Buffalo. appointed official may be covered under the blanket NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: undertaking or bond of the City of Buffalo, in the penal That the City of Buffalo consents to the relocation and sum set opposite the title or designation of the office, shift of operations of Midstate Bakery Distributors Co., conditioned that he will faithfully discharge the duties of Inc., his office and promptly account for, pay over and AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED deliver all money and property received by him That the Buffalo Common Council approve this belonging to said city or, in default thereof, that the resolution as soon as possible. parties executing such undertaking will pay all PASSED damages, costs and expenses resulting from such AYES - 8 NOES - 0 default, not exceeding the sum therein specified. Each such undertaking shall be executed by the officer as NO. 144 principal and by an incorporated surety company SPONSOR: MR. FRANCZYK, MR. COPPOLA, authorized by law to transact business in the State of MR. DAVIS New York as surety. The undertaking shall be subject to CITY OF BUFFALO WATER USE FOR approval by the Corporation Counsel as to form and by AESTHETIC AND RECREATION PURPOSES the Comptroller as to sufficiency. The undertakings of the respective officers shall be: Whereas: The Buffalo Water Board (The Board), an Officer Amount entity independent of the City of Buffalo, President of the Council $100,000.00 has identified that a considerable amount of water is Mayor 100,000.00 used by the City of Buffalo for Comptroller 300,000.00 aesthetic purposes such as fountains, memorials, Commissioner of Administration and Finance $300,000 exhibits and attractions and for It is hereby certified pursuant to Section 3-19 of the recreational uses such as the City's swimming and Charter of the City of Buffalo, that the immediate wading pools and Park system passage of the foregoing ordinance is necessary. lakes; and APPROVED AS TO FORM Whereas: The water used for these aesthetic and NO. 142 recreational purposes is more BY: MR. FRANCZYK commonly RE: ORDINANCE AMENDMENT CHAPTER 511, referred to as drinking water; and ZONING Whereas: The escalating costs for energy and The Common Council of the City of Buffalo does hereby chemicals to produce drinking water are ordain as follows: at record highs due to current world That Chapter 35 of the Code of the City of Buffalo be events; and amended to read as follows: §511-56 Elmwood Avenue Whereas: The cost of producing drinking water for Business District. system consumers and for aesthetic and Restricted uses; Council permission required. recreational purposes is an operating Automobile repair services, but not including collision cost borne by all system-wide rate- work Automobile wash services payers including the City of Buffalo and Commercial parking lots paid from the City's limited resources Dance halls and nightclubs funded by the City's taxpayers; and Demolitions (non-emergency only) Whereas: The lack of meters at consumption Eating and drinking places points limits efforts to arrive at actual Gasoline and service stations water consumption, conservation and Laundry, dry-cleaning and dyeing services cost for managers to determine whether Pet shops it is economically feasible to continue such practices; REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION and institution it is to serve Takeout service, prepared food Now Therefore Be It Resolved: APPROVED AS TO FORM That the Buffalo Water Board furnish to this Common Corporation "Counsel Council a report of the Matter underlined is new. following information: REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION 1. The estimated cost and amount of water used in City fountains, memorials, NO. 143 exhibits and attractions and for recreational uses such BY: MR. FRANCZYK as the City's swimming and RE: SHIFT OF OPERATION INTO EMPIRE ZONE wading pools, and park lakes; Whereas: Midstate Bakery Distributors, Inc. has been 2. The estimated water rate reduction if such water use SPONSOR: MR.GOLOMBEK was accounted and paid for as THE POSSIBILITY OF MERGING THE BUFFALO metered water vs. discontinuing the use of drinking SEWER AUTHORITY AND THE BUFFALO WATER water for the aesthetic and SYSTEM recreation purposes described above; Whereas Municipalities throughout the country such as 3. What is the feasibility and cost of installing water Augusta Georgia, San Antonio Texas, and Springfield recycling and filtration systems Massachusetts have or are merging their water and (similar to those used for homeowner swimming pools) sewer operations to reduce costs and increase to preserve the splendor, efficiency; and beauty and use of these attractions and facilities? Whereas A merger of the Sewer Authority and the REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, THE Water System would allow the merged entity to share COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKSAMERICAN , staff, equipment, billing and customer service, dispatch WATER WORKS AND THE WATER BOARD services, plant control systems, and funding sources; and NO. 145 Whereas The Buffalo Sewer Authority is a regional SPONSOR: MR. FRANCZYK, MR. COPPOLA, MR. entity operating the areas largest treatment plant and DAVIS providing treatment services to the towns of UNACCOUNTED-FOR WATER Cheektowaga, West Seneca, Sloan, Depew, Lancaster, The Buffalo Water Board (The Board) an entity and parts of Tonawanda, Elma, Alden and Orchard independent of the City of Buffalo, has identified the Park; and problem of Unaccounted-For Water which has been Whereas Although legally autonomous, the Sewer estimated to be as high as fifty percent (50%) of the Authority and Water System as a practical matter rely total drinking water produced by the Buffalo Water on the City of Buffalo for financial management and System; and system administration. The Mayor and the Council Unaccounted-for Water can be described as drinking appoint board members and the Authority's contract for water produced at the Buffalo Water System treatment personnel, legal, purchasing, audit, treasury and other and filtration plant, distributed city-wide through services from the City of Buffalo; and underground pipes comprising the water distribution Whereas A merger of the two systems could possibly system, that is not measured by a water meter when benefit each and the city of Buffalo. consumed; and Now Therefore Be It Resolved: Despite on-going efforts by the Board to fully meter That the Common Council supports investigating the water use at all points of consumption, un-metered benefits and disadvantages of a merger between the water use (accounted for as "fiat-rate consumption") Sewer Authority and Water System. together with unanticipated water loss from water line Be It Further Resolved: breaks and leakage, together with water used for fire-That the Sewer Authority and the Water System provide fighting and other municipal purposes comprises their initial thoughts as to the benefits and Unaccounted-for Water; and disadvantages of a merger. The potential sale of the Buffalo Water System to the Be It Finally Resolved: Erie County Water Authority anticipates that within five That this item be referred to the Law Department for a years all City of Buffalo owned facilities would be legal opinion on merging the Sewer Authority and the metered to measure water consumption and Water System. That this item be additionally referred to conservation practices, reduce Unaccounted-for Water an appropriate Committee of the Council for further and to establish the true cost of water to be borne by consideration. the City of Buffalo as a system-wide ratepayer; and REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON The cost of producing Unaccounted-for Water is an LEGISLATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC operating cost borne by all system-wide rate-payers WORKS AND THE CORPORATION COUNSEL including the City of Buffalo-and paid from the City's limited resources funded by the City's taxpayers; and NO. 147 A reduction in the amount of Unaccounted-for Water BY: MR. GOLOMBEK would decrease overall water system operating costs RE: ORDINANCE AMENDMENT thereby reducing the costs borne by water system CHAPTER 437, TAXICABS AND LIVERIES ratepayers including the City of Buffalo; and The Common Council of the City of Buffalo does hereby Now Therefore Be It Resolved: ordain as follows: That the Buffalo Water Board provides to this Common That Chapter 437 of the Code of the City of Buffalo be Council a report of the following information and the amended to read as follows: corrective action to eliminate or reduce its occurrence: §437-14 Rates and charges. 1. The number of City owned buildings and facilities A. No person shall charge a greater sum for the use that currently consume unmetered water; of a taxicab or livery than in accordance with the 2. The number of Non-City owned buildings and following rates: facilities that currently consume unmetered water; (1) Hourly rates: $21 per hour for one or more 3. The estimated cost and amount of Unaccounted-for passengers. Water used by the consumers described above and the (2) Mileage rates: [$2.30] $2.70 for the first 1/6 mile or potential water rate reduction if such water use was less; $0.35 for each additional 1/6 mile or less; [$0.35] accepted-for as metered water use. $0.45 for each one minute of waiting time, including REFERRED TO THE COMIMITTEE ON FINANCE, time lost in traffic delays. Upon producing certification THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS, issued by the Mayor's office as to senior citizen status, AMERICAN WATER WORKS AND THE WATER persons shall be entitled to a ten-percent reduction in BOARD the amount of the fare. [Amended 9-3-2002, effective 9- 16-2002] NO. 146 (3) Hand baggage: flee. (4) Trunks: $1 each. INCREASING THE DOWN PAYMENT REQUIRED (5) Large boxes: $1 each. FOR CITY FORECLOSURE SALE B. No additional or extra charge shall be made for Whereas The current Agreement of Sale utilized by the carrying more than one passenger, but all passengers City at the foreclosure auction requires a purchaser to up to the seating capacity of the vehicle shall be carried make a down payment in the amount of 20% of the bid for the same fare as that above prescribed for one price or $400.00 whichever is greater; and passenger. Whereas Increasing the amount of the down payment C. Upon demand, the driver of a taxicab or livery required would provide more initial funds to the city and shall furnish to the passenger a perhaps make it more difficult for bidders looking to flip receipt for the fare paid, showing the name and properties at an outrageous profit to unsuspecting badge number of the driver. buyers; and D. All disputes as to the lawful rate of fare shall be Now Therefore Be It Resolved: determined by the police officer in charge of the police That the Council requests an opinion from the law station nearest to the place where the dispute arises or department as to whether there are any legal occurs; and a failure to comply with such determination, restrictions which prohibit the city from increasing the provided that it be in accordance with the rate herein down payment at the city foreclosure sale from 20% to fixed, shall be a violation of this chapter. 33%. E. The rate charged in the City of Buffalo shall be Be It Further Resolved: subject to review and renewal by the Common Council That this item be referred to the Commissioner of after a period of one year from the effective date of Taxation and Assessment for comment. such rate change. During that one-year period, taxicab Be It Finally Resolved: and livery service providers shall work with the That this item be referred to an appropriate Committee Common Council on improving the quality of service in of the Council for further consideration. the City of Buffalo. The amount of improvement and REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION, extent of cooperation by the taxicab and livery service THE CORPORATION COUNSEL AND THE providers may be considered in the decision to renew COMMISSIONER OF ASSESSMENT the rate for an additional period of time. F. Effective August 1, 2000, a person may charge a NO. 150 temporary gasoline surcharge of $0.50 on each fare for BY MR. GRIFFIN: a period of nine months, expiring on April 30, 2001 .] DISCHARGE CLAIMS COMMITTEE APPROVED AS TO FORM "STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES, AS Corporation Counsel SUBROGEE OF ROBERT SAVAGE, 101 STATE Note Matter in brackets to be deleted. Matter underlined FARM PLACE, BALLISTON SPA, NEW YORK is 12020" new. (ITEM #B-16, NOVEMBER 22, 2004 - AGENDA) REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION Whereas: The above item is currently in the Claims Committee; and NO. 148 Whereas It is no longer necessary for this item to be SPONSOR: MR.GRIFFIN considered by that committee; HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE Now, Therefore Be it Resolved: ERIE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY That this Common Council does hereby discharge the OFFER TO PURCHASE THE BUFFALO WATER Claims Committee from further consideration of Item B- SYSTEM 16, November 22, 2004 agenda and said item is now Whereas The Erie County Water Authority has before the Common Council for its consideration. submitted a proposal to purchase the Buffalo water ADOPT DISCHARGE APPROVE system; and Whereas The Common Council has had several NO. 151 meetings discussing the offer made by the Erie County BY: MS. RUSSELL Water Authority; and BUDGET AND PERSONNEL AMENDMENT 04 - Whereas As elected representatives the Council should OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER 1042 - DIVISION seek input from the public in this important decision; OF AUDIT and The Common Council of the City Of Buffalo does ordain Whereas It is understood that prior to a sale of the as follows: Buffalo water system, a separate public hearing and That part of Section 1 of Chapter 35 of the Code of the public referendum would have to be held; and City of Buffalo, relating to 04 - Office of the Comptroller, Whereas A preliminary public hearing to obtain input 1045 - Division of Audit which currently reads: from the public as to the offer made by the Erie County 7 Senior Auditor $ 37,852 - $ 42,836 Water Authority would provide guidance and direction 3 Assistant Auditor $ 32,487 - $ 37,485 to this honorable body. Is hereby amended to read: Now Therefore Be It Resolved: 6 Senior Auditor $ 37,852 - $ 42,836 That the Council supports holding an evening public 4 Assistant Auditor $ 32,487 - $ 37,485 hearing as soon as possible to obtain public comment IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED, pursuant to Section 3-19 of on the offer made by the Erie County Water Authority to the Charter, that the immediate passage of the Purchase the Buffalo water system. foregoing ordinance is necessary. REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE We, ANDREW A. SANFILIPPO, COMPTROLLER AND MICHAEL A. SEAMAN DIRECTOR OF BUDGET, NO. 149 hereby certify that the above change is necessary for SPONSOR: MR. GRIFFIN the proper conduct, administration and performance of CO-SPONSORS: MRS. RUSSELL essential services of that department. We recommend that the compensation for said position be fixed at the respective amount set forth in the foregoing ordinance. and cancellation by the respective Chairmen of Council APPROVED AS TO FORM Committees. In the event that there is sufficient CORPORATION COUNSEL 11/18/04 Attachment time given for notification, it will be provided. In addition, there may be meetings set up whereby the City Clerk's NO. 152 Office is not made aware; therefore, unless we receive BY: MS. RUSSELL notice from the respective Chairmen, we can only make BUDGET AND PERSONNEL AMENDMENT 55 - notification of what we are made aware. OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES 1074 - OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE 1301 -NO. 154 ADMINISTRATIVE ADJOURNMENT The Common Council of the City Of Buffalo does ordain On a motion by Mr. Coppola, Seconded by Mrs. as follows: Russell, the Council adjourned at The part of Section 1 of Chapter 35 of the Code of the GERALD CHWALINSKI, III CITY CLERK City Buffalo, relating to 55 – Office of Community Services, 1074 – Office of Compliance, 1301 – Administrative, which currently reads: 15574001-Office of Compliance 411001 - Salary $14,428 1 Senior Stenographer $ 26,861 - $ 30,114 15501001- Community Services Administrative 411001 Salary $377,205 1 Typist $25,162-$27,847 is hereby amended to read 15574001- Office of Compliance 411001-Salary $558 15501001-CommunityServicesAdministrative 411001-Salary $ 391,075 2 Typist $ 25,162 - $ 27,847 IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED, pursuant to Section 3-19 of the Charter, that the immediate passage of the foregoing ordinance is necessary. We, DONALD O. ALLEN, COMMISSIONER OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND MICHAEL A. SEAMAN DIRECTOR OF BUDGET, hereby certify that the above change is necessary for the proper conduct, administration and performance of essential services of that department. We recommend that the compensation for said position be fixed at the respective amount set forth in the foregoing ordinance. CORPORATION COUNSEL 11/18/04 Attachment REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE NO. 153 ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS The following meetings are scheduled. All meetings are th held in the Common Council Chambers, 13floor City Hall, Buffalo, New York, unless otherwise noted. Regular Committees Committee on Civil Service Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 9:30 o'clock A.M. Committee on Finance Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 10:00 o'clock A.M. following Civil Service Committee on Legislation Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 2:00 o'clock P.M Committee on Comm. Dev. . Wednesday, December 8, 2004 at 10:30 o'clock A.M. Committee on Education Wednesday, December 1, 2004 at 2:00 o'clock PM Special Committees Special Legislation Committee Meeting, Red Helmets, Monday, December 6, 2004 at 10:00 o'clock AM in Rm 1417 Special Legislation Committee Meeting, Wednesday December 8, 2004 at 2:00 o'colock PM in room 1417 (Public Disclaimer): All meetings are subject to change