HomeMy WebLinkAbout93-0330
1No. 7
Common Council
Proceedings
of the
City of Buffalo
Regular Meeting, March 30, 1993
MAYOR
Hon. James D. Griffin
COMPTROLLER
Joel A. Giambra
COMMON COUNCIL
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
George K. Arthur
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
David A. Franczyk
MAJORITY LEADER
Eugene M. Fahey
COUNCILMEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Clifford Bell
Eugene M. Fahey
Rosemarie LoTempio
DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS
Alfred T. Coppola Delaware
James W. Pills - Ellicott
David A. Franczyk Fillmore
Norman M. Bakos Lovejoy
David A. Collins Masten
Carl A. PerIa Jr. Niagara
Dale Zuchlewski North
Brian M. Higgins South
Archie L Amos, Jr. University
REGULAR COMMITTEES
CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE
: James W. Pills, Chairman,
George K. Arthur, Alfred T. Coppola, Eugene M. Fahey, Carl A. PerIa, Jr.
Members
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
: Brian Higgins, Chairman, Archie L. Amos, David Franczyk,
Rosemarie LoTempio, Dale Zuchlewski, Members
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Clifford Bell, Chairman, Archie L Amos, Jr.,
David Collins, David A. Franczyk. Alfred Coppola. James W. Pills, Members.
FINANCE COMMITTEE:
David Collins, Chairman, Clifford Bell, Eugene M. Fahey,
David A. Franczyk, Brian M. Higgins, Carl A. PerIa, Jr., Members.
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE:
Alfred Coppola, Chairman, Archie L. Amos, Jr., Norman M.
Bakos, Rosemarie LoTempio, James Pills, Dale Zuchlewski Members
RULES COMMITTEE:
George K. Arthur, Chairman, Eugene M. Fahey, James W. Pitts,
Members
URBAN RENEWAL:
Archie L. Amos, Jr., Chairman, David A. Franczyk., Brian M.
Higgins, Rosemarie Lotempio, Carl A. PerIa, Jr.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON BUDGET:
Hon. Archie L. Amos, Jr., Chairperson,
Hon. Norman M. Bakos, Hon. Eugene M. Fahey, Hon. James W. Pitts, Hon. Dale
Zuchlewski, Hon. Joel A. Giambra, Mr. Richard Planavsky.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CATV:
Hon. James W. Pills, Chairman, Hon. Archie L. Amos,
Hon. Brian M. Higgins, Hon. Rosemarie LoTempio, Dale Zuchlewski.
PARKS DEPARTMENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:
James W. Pills, David A. Franczyk.
Rosemarie LoTempio, Joel A. Giambra/Designee, Samuel F. Houston/Designee, John
Scardino, Jr., Representative of the Friends of Olmstead Park, Representative
of Delaware Park Steering Committee Representative of Martin Luther King Park
Steering Committee,' Representative of the Friends of Cazenovia Casino.
TASK FORCES
TASK FORCE- AUDITORIUM-STADIUM:
Hon. James W. Pitts, Chairman,
Hon. Alfred T. Coppola, Hon. Eugene M. Fahey, Hon. Dale Zuchlewski, Henry
Nowak, Anthony Masiello, Dennis Gorski, Roger Blackwell, Vincent Tese, Charles
Rosenow, George Gould, George Wessel, William Greely, Women for
Downtown/Designee, Donald Quinlan, Rev. Bennett Smith.
MEDICAL BENEFITS TASK FORCE:
Richard J. Piontek, Larry Insinna, Mary Ann
Sansone, Charles W. Pruet, M.D., Leo C. Welsh, David Donnelly, Thomas J.
CareIa, John Walker, John D. Smith.
EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA REVIEW TASK FORCE:
Hon. Brian M. Higgins, Chairman; Hon. Archie L. Amos, Hon. Dale Zuchlewski,
Judith Fisher, Mozella' Richardson, Dr. Oscar Smuckler.
POLICE REORGANIZATION TASK FORCE:
Hon. Eugene M. Fahey, Chairman; Hon. George
k. Arthur, Hon. Clifford Bell, Hon. Rosemarie LoTempio. Michael Trimboli, Ralph
Degenhart, Edward C. Hempling, Richard Donovan, Kenneth R. Kirby, Richard
Planavsky, George J. Panepinto, Martha Dippel. James J. McMahon, Craig Speers,
William Dunford, Levirn Hill, John V. Elmore.
STREETS DEPARTMENT OVERSIGHT TASK FORCE:
Hon. Alfred T. Coppola, Chairman; Hon.
Brian M. Higgins, Hon. Dale Zuchlewski, Bart Sumbrum Designee, John Scardino.
CORPORATION PROCEEDINGS
COMMON COUNCIL
CITY HALL- BUFFALO
Tuesday, March 30, 1993
at 2:00 P.M.
PRESENT- George K. Arthur, President of the Council, and Council
Members Amos, Bell, Collins, Coppola, Fahey, Franczyk, LoTempio, Perla, Pitts,
and Zuchlewski- 11.
ABSENT- Bakos, Higgins- 2.
On a motion by Mr. Fahey, seconded by Mr. Pitts, the minutes of the stated
meeting held on March 16, 1993, and the Special Session held on March 22, 1993
were approved.
No. 1
Mr. Higgins took his seat in the chambers at 2:13 P.M. He missed
the Public Hearings on Items 154 and 155 from the Economic Development
Committee.
FROM THE MAYOR
No. 2
Appointment of member of Committee for the Aging
Pursuant to the powers vested in me by Section 285.27 of Article
14A of the Charter of the City of Buffalo, I hereby appoint Benny Gennaci
residing at 237 Winston Road, Buffalo -14216, as a member of the Committee for
the Aging effective April 17, 1993 for a term expiring April 16, 1997.
I hereby certify that Benny Gennaci is fully qualified for appointment to
the Committee for the Aging.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 3
Appointment of member of Committee for Youth
Pursuant to the powers vested in me by Section 285.27 of the Charter
of the City of Buffalo, as amended, I hereby appoint Reverend William Cobb,
residing at 136 Bennett Village Terrace, Buffalo - 14214, as a member of the
Committee for Youth effective March 24, 1993 for a term expiring on February
27, 1996.
Reverend Cobb will succeed Mark Skierczynski.
I hereby certify that Reverend William Cobb is fully qualified to serve
as a member of the Committee for Youth.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 4
Appointment of members of Committee
of Substance Abuse Services
Pursuant to the powers vested in me by Section 285.27 of Article
14A of the Charter of the City of Buffalo, I hereby appoint the below listed
persons as members of the Committee of Substance Abuse Services, effective
March 23, 1993 for terms expiring March 3, 1997:
Linda Flowers 14 Park Street
Buffalo, 14201
Gil Licata 71 Rebecca Park
Buffalo, 14207
Herminio Otiz 174 West Avenue
Buffalo, 14201
Michael Williams 65 Monroe Avenue
Buffalo, 14206
I hereby certify that the above listed persons are fully qualified for
appointment to the Committee of Substance Abuse Services.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 5
Reappointment of members of
Committee of Substance Abuse Services
Pursuant to the powers vested in me by Section 285.27 of Article
14A of the Charter of the City of Buffalo, I hereby reappoint the below listed
persons as members of the Committee of Substance Abuse Services for terms
expiring March 3, 1997:
Barbara Chmielewski 35 Titus Avenue
Buffalo, 14212
Nicholas Mogavero 152 Wellington Road
Buffalo, 14216
Paschell Petty 390 Sweet Avenue
Buffalo, 14211
Sheila Richardson 81 Parkridge Avenue
Buffalo, 14215
Mark Skierczynski 474 South Ogden
Buffalo, 14206
Dennis Walczyk 146 Winston Road
Buffalo, 14216
Murlidhar S. Yadov, M.D. 755 St. Lawrence Ave.
Buffalo, 14216
I hereby certify that the above listed persons are fully qualified for
reappointment to the Committee of Substance Abuse Services.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 6
Reappointment of members of Committee for People with Handicapping Conditions
Pursuant to the powers vested in me by Section 91 of Article VI
of the Charter of the City of Buffalo, as amended, I hereby reappoint the below
listed persons as members of the Committee for People with Handicapping
Conditions for terms expiring March 3, 1996.
Jean McNamara 45 Grove land
Buffalo, 14214
Dominic MarineIIi 33 Leocrest Court
West Seneca, 14224
James Lagona 82 Saranac
Buffalo, 14216
Virginia Williams 85 Thatcher Street
Buffalo, 14215
Tracy Sawicki 83 Laird
Buffalo, 14207
Michael Orzel 862 Robin Road
Apartment B
Williamsville, 14228
I hereby certify that the above listed persons are fully qualified for
reappointment to the Committee for People with Handicapping Conditions.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 7
Reappointment of member of Committee for Youth
Pursuant to the powers vested in me by Section 285-27 of the Charter
of the City of Buffalo, as amended, I hereby reappoint Kevin M. Saviola,
residing at 731 West Ferry - Apt. 1H, Buffalo - 14222, as a member of the
Committee for Youth for a term expiring April 26, 1997.
I hereby certify that Kevin M. Saviola is fully qualified for
reappointment to the Committee for Youth.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 8
Reappointment of member of Board of Parking
Pursuant to the powers vested in me by Section 109R of the Charter
of the City of Buffalo, I hereby reappoint, subject to confirmation by Your
Honorable Body, Timothy F. McGrath, residing at 19 Chapin Parkway, Buffalo -
14209, as a member of the Board of Parking for a term expiring March 31, 2000.
I hereby certify that Timothy E. McGrath is fully qualified for
reappointment to the Board of Parking.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
FROM THE MAYOR - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
FROM THE CITY PLANNING BOARD
No. 9
B. Burke - Request to place an encroaching awning on the Franklin Street side
of 51 Court Street
Item No. 22, C.C.P., March 2, 1993
The City Planning Board at its regular meeting held Tuesday, March
23, 1993, considered the above request pursuant to Section 413-56 of the
Buffalo Code, Review of encroachments.
The applicant seeks to erect an awning which will measure 12 feet in
length, 4 feet in height and will project 4 feet into the right-of-way of
Franklin Street (northwest corner of Court Street).
The sidewalk width where the awning will be placed is 10 feet. No public
appurtenances will be affected by the proposed awning.
The Department of Public Works has recommended that your Honorable Body
grant a mere license for the encroachment. Under S.E.Q.R., the matter is
considered a Type Il action which does not require further environmental
review.
The Planning Board voted to approve the proposed encroachment.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 10
Sisters of Charity - Request to place a ground sign
at 2157 Main Street
Item No. 110, C.C.P., March 16, 1993
The City Planning Board at its regular meeting held Tuesday, March
23, 1993 considered the above request pursuant to Sections 387-19 and 511-79.6,
D, 2 of the Buffalo Code, Review of Ground Signs and the provisions of the
Transit Station zone.
The applicant seeks to place two accessory illuminated ground signs. The
signs will measure 5 feet by 15 feet high (48 square feet) and 8 feet by 8 feet
high (64 square feet). They will be located at the northeast corner of
Humboldt Parkway and Main Street and at the northwest corner of Humboldt
Parkway and Kensington Avenue.
The proposed signs are located in the T.S. (Transit Station) zone which
does not permit ground signs. Consequently the applicant has sought relief
from this provision from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Under S.E.Q.R., the
proposed signs are considered Type Il actions which do not require further
environmental review.
The Planning Board voted "no objection" to the signs as presented.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 11
The Bella Vista Group Inc. - Request to place a
pole sign at 2231 Niagara St.
Item No. 111, C.C.P., March 16, 1993
The City Planning Board at its regular meeting held Tuesday, March
23, 1993, considered the above request pursuant to Section 387-19 of the
Buffalo Code, Review of Pole Signs.
The applicant seeks to erect an addition to an existing pole sign. The
existing sign face measures 5 feet by 15 feet or 75 square feet and the new
sign face will measure 2 feet by 12 feet or 24 square feet. The overall height
of the sign will be 19 feet.
The site is located in an M1 zone which permits such signage. Under
S.E.Q.R., the proposed sign is considered a Type II action which does not
require further environmental review.
The Planning Board voted to approve the sign as presented.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 12
Herwood Properties - Request to erect a
pole sign at 1833 Hertel Ave.
Item No. 112, C.C.P., March 16, 1993
The City Planning Board at its regular meeting held Tuesday, March
23, 1993 considered the above request pursuant to Section 387-19 of the Buffalo
Code, Review of Pole Signs.
The applicant wishes to erect a 22 foot high illuminated, accessory, pole
sign with a sign face measuring 10 feet by 6 1/2 feet or 65 square feet.
The site is located in an M1 zone which permits pole signs of this size.
Under S.E.Q.R., the proposed sign is considered a Type II action which does not
require further environmental review.
The Planning Board voted to approve the proposed sign as presented.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 13
Delaware Towers Assoc. - Request to erect a
ground sign at 1088 Delaware Ave.
Item No. 109, C.C.P., March 16, 1993
The City Planning Board at its regular meeting held Tuesday, March
23, 1993, considered the above request pursuant to Section 387-19 of the
Buffalo Code, Review of Ground Signs.
The applicant seeks to place a non illuminated ground sign measuring 4
feet by 5 feet or 20 square feet in area. The sign will be 5 feet in overall
height.
The site is located in an R4 zone which does not permit such signs.
Consequently, the applicant should seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals
for the proposed sign. The sign is also located in the Linwood Historic
District and has been approved by the Buffalo Preservation Board at their
meeting of January 11, 1993. The Preservation Board considers the matter to be
a Type II action which does not require environmental review.
The Planning Board voted "no objection" to the proposed sign as
presented.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
FROM THE BOARD OF PARKING
No. 14
Amendment to Consolidated Lease Agreement between the City of Buffalo and
Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps, Inc.
The July 1, 1989 Consolidated Lease Agreement between the City
of Buffalo and Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps Inc. (B.C.A.R.) requires that B.C.A.R.
pay all operating expenses, debt service (see attached) and additional rental
to the City General Fund as follows:
June 30, 1990 $150,000
June 30, 1991-1994 $350,000
In addition to this $350,000 payment, the Parking Enterprise Fund pays
all operating expenses of the Division of Parking (beginning with this year's
1992-1993 budget this includes 1/2 time secretarial service to the Zoning Board
of Appeals.)
1990-1991 $272,547
1991-1992 $215,960
1992-1993 $155,230
1993-1994 $136,316 (proposed)
Also, in 1992-1993 a $100,000 payment was made to the General fund from
the operation of the Gates Circle and Buffalo General ramps.
Therefore, in 1992-1993 the Parking Enterprise Fund paid a total of
$450,000 to the City's General Fund and all operating expenses of the Division
of Parking ($155,250). There were no City of Buffalo funds provided.
During this same time period B.C.A.R., reported operating losses as
follows:
1990-1991 $659,288
1991-1992 $468,211
1992-1993 $564,000
1993-1994 $568,000
The proposed Crossroads Arena project will displace a 600 car surface lot
operated by Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps that contributed $250,000 annually to the
parking program. This loss makes the financial picture even bleaker.
In order to meet these shortfalls, monies have been transferred from
established maintenance reserves of the downtown ramp to meet debt service.
The drain on this maintenance account since 1987 has been $6,500,000. The
current balance in the maintenance reserve is $1,400,000 and it is anticipate
to be totally depleted by 1994-1995. The total assessed value on the six
facilities is in excess of $37,000,000. The fact that there will be no capital
maintenance reserve fund on this real estate is not prudent.
Over the past three years the Board of Parking has been increasing the
cost of parking at the two area hospitals parking ramps - Gates Circle and
Buffalo General. This parking was under valued and the market could absorb the
increase. Over the past five years we have been able to complete over
$2,000,000 In repairs, fund a $382,000 debt service reserve and by June 1993 a
$1,000,000 maintenance reserve.
At this time the Board of Parking and the Directors of Buffalo Civic Auto
Ramps, Inc. would recommend the suspension of B.C.A.R.'s 1993-1994 $350,000
payment to the City's General Fund. In its place, so that it is a revenue
neutral proposal, we recommend this $350,000 payment to the General Fund come
from the operation of the Gates Circle and Buffalo General Ramps. This program
has the approval of the Mayor, Budget Director and the City Accountant. The
Buffalo Financial Review Commission suggested the suspension of the $550,000
payment in its draft report, which did not make the final report.
At this time the Board of Parking would recommend to your Honorable Body
that you authorize the Mayor to execute an amendment to the Consolidated Lease
Agreement suspending the $350,000 payment in 1993-1994.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 15
INFO - Skyway-Thruway Loop Bids
Item No. 6 C.C.P. 3/6/93
Attached please find the information you requested:
- List of all individual/firms who receive R.F.P.
- Only one bid received
- Copy legal notice from February 16, 1993
I trust this satisfies your concerns.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
FROM THE BOARD OF STADIUM AND AUDITORIUM
No. 16
Expenses For Free Use Of Memorial Auditorium
In reply to the question raised concerning the cost to city of
Buffalo/Memorial Auditorium when free use of the Auditorium is granted by your
Honorable Body, cost vary for each event depending upon set up requirements,
anticipated attendance and demand on electrical power usage. Listed below are
projected costs for the facility for the Skating Association For The Blind &
Handicapped presentations:
Set up
12 Seasonal Laborers at $5.98 hr. for 8 hrs. each $575.00
2 Civil Service Laborers for 8 hrs. each $733.00
Event Staff
1 Superintendent $117.00
2 Seasonal Laborers at $5.98 hr. for 8 hrs. each 95.00
1 Zamboni Driver (Civil Service) for 8 hrs. 82.00
$294.00
Tear down
12 Seasonal Laborers at $5.98 hr. for 8 hrs. each $575.00
2 Civil Service Laborers for 8 hrs. each 158.00
$733.00
Cleaning Staff*
22 Seasonal Laborers at $5.98 hr. for 8 hrs. ea $1,050.00
Power Requirements
$50.00 per hour for 5 hrs.
Set up $ 733.00
Event Staff 294.00
Tear down 733.00
Cleaning Staff 1,050.00
Power requirements 250.00
TOTAL $3,060.00
*Based on anticipated attendance of 8,000 - 10,000
RECEIVED AND FILED.
FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
No. 17
Support Composting Project
The Environmental Management Commission wishes to commend Councilmember
Zuchlewski and the Department of Public Works for their work on the pilot back
yard composting project. This ground breaking effort should prepare the way
for a wider program which will keep the City in compliance with State
regulations, save tax dollars, provide useful horticultural material, and
demonstrate the value of well-planned, less expensive cooperative approaches to
environmental problems.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
FROM THE COMPTROLLER
No. 18
Certificate of Necessity Transfer of Funds
Appropriation Allotments Exempt Items
Reserve for Capital Improvements
Capital Projects Fund Division of Buildings
We, James D. Griffin, Mayor and Joel A. Giambra, Comptroller,
do hereby certify, pursuant to Section 42 of the Charter, that it is necessary
that the sum of $3,555.00 be transferred and reappropriated from the Reserve
for Capital Improvements in Appropriation Allotments -Exempt Items , as set
forth below:
The amounts to be transferred are unexpended balances of items contained
in the budget for the current fiscal year and will not be needed at this time
for the purpose for which they were appropriated.
Dated: Buffalo, New York, March 24, 1993
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 19
Certificate of Necessity Transfer of Funds
Appropriation Allotments Exempt Items
Reserve for Capital Improvements
Capital Projects Fund Division of Buildings
We, James D. Griffin, Mayor and Joel A. Giambra, Comptroller,
do hereby certify, pursuant to Section 42 of the Charter, that it is necessary
that the sum of $4,125.00 be transferred and reappropriated from the Reserve
for Capital Improvements in Appropriation Allotments -Exempt Items , as set
forth below:
The amounts to be transferred are unexpended balances of items contained
in the budget for the current fiscal year and will not be needed at this time
for the purpose for which they were appropriated.
Dated: Buffalo, New York, March 24, 1993
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 20
Certificate of Necessity
Appropriation Allotments
General Fund - City Revenue
Various Departments
Miscellaneous Charges, Fringe Benefits
We, James D. Griffin, Mayor and Joel A. Giambra, Comptroller,
do hereby certify, pursuant to Section 41 of the Charter, that an increase in
the sum of $6,131,638 in the estimates for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
1992 is necessary in Appropriation Allotments - Various Departments,
Miscellaneous Charges and Fringe Benefits to meet contingencies which could not
have been reasonably foreseen when the budget was adopted. The amount of
increased appropriation will be met from an increase in the General Fund City
Revenue Account 100-810-402-70028 - Sale of City Water System not otherwise
appropriated for any other purpose. The detail of the requirements are set
forth below:
Dated: Buffalo, New York, March 22,1993
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 21
Interfund Cash Loans
Over the last six years the city has provided interfund loans
from the City General Fund to The City, Board and Enterprise Capital Projects
Funds to implement financing of the Capital Improvements Budget. The interfund
loans are repaid when the Bond Anticipation Notes or Bonds are issued to
finance these projects.
As of today we have four requests for money to finance various projects
and we will not reenter the bond market at this time.
We are requesting that you approve interfund cash loans from the General
Fund to the Capital Project Fund in the amount of $350,000 for the
reconstruction of the South District Police Station and $250,000 for planning a
new sports arena; and from the General Fund to the Board of Education Capital
Projects Fund in the amounts of $600,000 for Window Replacement at Hutch Tech
and $200,000 for improvements to Kensington High School. The loans will be
repaid when Bond Anticipation Notes or Bonds are issued.
From To Account Repayment Date Total
100 Gen 200 Cap Proj 200-402-009 BAN/Bond Sale $350,000
100 Gen 200 Cap Proj 200-717-018 BAN/ Bond Sale $250,000
100 Gen 299 Cap Proj 299-970-088 BAN/Bond Sale $600,000
100 Gen 299 Cap Proj 299-970-089 BAN/Bond Sale $200,000
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from the Comptroller, dated March 17, 1993, be
received and filed; and
That the Comptroller be and he hereby, is authorized to make an interfund
cash loans from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund in the amounts of
$350,000 for the reconstruction of the South District Police Station and
$250,000 for planning a new sports arena; and from the General Fund to the
Board of Education Capital Projects Fund in the amounts of $600,000 for Window
Replacement at Hutch Tech and $200,000 for improvements to Kensington High
School. The loans will be repaid when Bond Anticipation Notes or Bonds are
issued.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 22
Interfund Cash Loan
Over the last six years, the City has provided interfund loans
from the City General Fund to The City, Board and Enterprise Capital Projects
Funds to implement financing of the Capital Improvements Budget The interfund
loans are repaid when the Bond Anticipation Notes or Bonds are issued to
finance these projects.
As of today, we have two requests for money to finance various projects
and we will not reenter the bond market at this time.
We are requesting that you approve interfund cash loans from the General
Fund to the Capital Projects Fund in the amount of $2,375,000 for the
reconstruction of various streets, bridges and viaducts and $100,000 for the
installation of traffic signals on Main Street. The loans will be repaid when
Bond Anticipation Notes or Bonds are issued.
From To Account Repayment Date Total
100 Gen 200 Cap Proj 200-401-009 BAN/Bond Sale $2,375,000
100 Gen 200 Cap Proj 200-401-005 BAN/Bond Sale $100,000
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from the Comptroller, dated March 29, 1993, be
received and filed; and
That the Comptroller be and he hereby, is authorized to make interfund
cash loans from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund in the amounts of
$2,375,000 for the reconstruction of various streets, bridges and viaducts and
$100,000 for the installation of traffic signals on Main Street. The loans
will be repaid when Bond Anticipation Notes or Bonds are issued.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 23
Response - D. Starr - Sell Property to City 17 & 66 Amelia
Item No. 71, C.C.P. 3/16/93
The above item was referred to this office and the Committee on
Fiance for a response. The item is a letter from Mr. Dennis Starr, 7005,
Versailles Plank Road, North Evans, New York 14112. Mr. Starr is part owner of
two vacant lots, 17 and 66 Amelia St. These two lots are located on the portion
of Amelia Street that is a paper Street between Germania and Abby Street.
(Attached is a Sanborn map of the area.)
In his letter, Mr. Starr raises several issues that I will address. The
first issue is that his property has become landlocked. The Common Council
approved to abandon a portion of Amelia Street # 122 C.C.P. 11/12/91, where
Amelia Street meets New Abby Street. The purpose of the abandonment was not to
close Amelia Street at New Abby but to straighten the approach to New Abby from
Amelia as shown on the attached map.
B.U.R.A. is negotiating to purchase a small portion to complete the
straightening of Amelia. Further, Mr. Starr still has access to his property
from Germania Street and therefore, is not landlocked.
The second issue is the removal of the utility lines. This office is not
aware that the utilities have been removed from Amelia St. Item # 122 above
stated that "the closing of the portion of Amelia Street will not become final
until permanent easements are provided for all underground utilities presently
under the parcel in question." The Common Council should inquire to the
Department of Public Works and B.U.R.A, as to whether or not the easements were
obtained
The final issue raised by Mr. Starr is the purchase of his two lots by
the City for the $4,000 that he is now offering to sell them for. The Buffalo
Urban Renewal Agency has been acquiring parcels in that area for new housing,
not the City's Division of Real Estate. I can only assume that B.U.R.A. would
be interested in purchasing these lots only if the street and infrastructure
were in place to accommodate new housing.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 24
Status Report on Animal Shelter
Item No. 171, C.C.P. 3/16/93
The above item was referred by Your Honorable Body to this Off
ice for a response. The item is a resolution requesting a status report from
various departments on the current status and plans to convert 380 North Oak
Street into a new animal shelter.
Your Honorable Body approved the purchase of the property and sale of
$405,000 bonds to finance the purchase, Item # 251, C.C.P. 10/16/90. The
purchase price of the property was $325,000. The closing and transfer of title
took place at the Erie County Clerk's Office on 5/29/1991 and recorded in Liber
10291 Page 557. The property is currently under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Streets and Sanitation.
Additional funds were approved by the Common Council in the amount of
$150,000, to finance the cost of the reconstruction of the animal shelter, Item
# 162, C.C.P. 9/1/92. Reconstruction was to commence in the Spring of 1993.
In November of 1992 the City received a request from Ms. Ellen Ott, R & G
Wholesale to lease the property month to month until reconstruction of the
building began. That offer and terms of the offer were submitted by this
office to the Common Council, Item # 19, C.C.P. 11/24/92. The offer was voted
on by Your Honorable Body and the offer was rejected at the December 8, 1992
Council meeting by a vote of 6 to 6.
Any additional information regarding the reconstruction should come from
the Commissioner of Public Works, since that department has been involved with
the planned reconstruction.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 25
Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency
Payroll Policy
Currently, the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) contracts
its employee payroll procedures to and outside agent entitled Automated Data
Processing, Inc. (ADP).
ADP services the 70 to 90 employees of BURA at a rate of approximately
$4.00 per check, or nearly $10,000 per year.
Since this office did provide payroll service to BURA several years ago,
it would be a rather simple procedure to provide this service to BURA in the
future at no extra cost to the City.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
No. 26
Appointments to the Special Committee on Education
Pursuant to Section 26 of the Charter of the City of Buffalo,
I hereby make the following appointments to the Special Committee on Education:
North District Councilmember Zuchlewski as Chairman, Councilmembers Amos,
Higgins, LoTempio, and Perla.
Two other members representing the Buffalo Board of Education and one
member representing the Buffalo Teachers Federation will be appointed at a
later date.
Mr. Fahey moved that the appointments be received and filed and the appointment
of the chairman is approved.
ADOPTED.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF ASSESSMENT
No. 27
P. Holmwood - Forgive Int. on Taxes 27 Harbour Point
Item No. 101, C.C.P. 03-16-93
Paul C. Holmwood, owner of 27 Harbour Point states he did not
receive a 1992-93 City Tax Bill after purchasing this property on May 21, 1992
and requests Your Honorable Body to waive the interest after receiving a
delinquent tax notice in February 1993.
At the time of closing on May 21, 1992 for the property at 27 Harbour
Point, Mr. Holmwood claims that he made phone calls to this department
requesting his 1992-93 City Tax Bill. He further states that he was told that
he would receive the tax bills at the proper time.
This department receives many requests, like Mr. Holmwood's, over the
phone for tax bills. It is this department's policy to record such requests in
writing and make the necessary changes to our computerized tax bill mailing
list. We have no such request on file in this department from Mr. Holmwood.
It is also this department's policy to tell property owners who request tax
bills over the phone or in person that in the event the tax bill does not
arrive, it is their responsibility to notify this department again to avoid
late payment penalties.
Mr. Holmwood correctly states in his letter that the Real Property Tax
Law (R.P.T.L.) Section 922 mandates the collecting officer to mail tax bills to
the owner. However, Mr. Holmwood conveniently omits the rest of R.P.T.L.
Section 922 that states that the failure to mail any such statement (tax bill),
or the failure of any such owner to receive the same, shall not in any way
affect the validity of the taxes or interest prescribed by law with respect
thereto.
Therefore, even if Mr. Holmwood did not receive his tax bill on or about
July 1, 1992 as he so states in his letter, it was his responsibility to secure
a tax bill and pay the tax bill by July 31, 1992 as it states in the R.P.T.L.
Section 922.
Therefore, based upon a past opinion of the Law Department that states
the forgiveness of interest on City and Sewer Tax Bills is unlawful, and based
upon the information I have provided to Your Honorable Body, I recommend that
Mr. Holmwood's request for the forgiveness of interest be denied.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 28
Cancel Grass Cutting Charge 159 Archie
Item No. 192, C.C.P. 03-16-93
The owner of a vacant lot located at 159 Archie Street states
that in the summer of 1992 he was charged fifty dollars for grass cutting done
by the City of Buffalo Department of Street Sanitation. The owner further
states that he maintains the lot and that the lot has been fenced in for four
years.
As of this date, the Department of Assessment has no record of a grass
cutting charge in 1992 for the aforementioned lot and has not received any
notification from the Common Council to prepare a Local Assessment Roll for the
1992 grass cutting season.
However, according to the Department of Assessment records, there are
grass cutting charges for 159 Archie included on the 1990 Local Assessment
Roll, Item No. 143, C.C.P. November 27, 1990 and the 1991 Local Assessment
Roll, Item No. 127, C.C.P. March 3, 1992.
Therefore, I recommend that you refer this matter to the Department of
Street Sanitation to determine if, in fact, City Sanitation personnel had cut
the grass on this lot during the years of 1990, 1991 and 1992.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS
No. 29
Monthly Report of Licenses issued February 1993.
I am respectfully submitting the enclosed report of licenses issued
in the month of February 1993 by the Division of License.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 30
Notification Serial # 8280
NTOR - Niagara St. @ W. Ferry St. -Repeal
No Turns on Red - 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday thru Friday - Repeal
In conformity with Section 49 of Chapter 479 of the Ordinances of the
City of Buffalo, the City Engineer hereby notifies your Honorable Body of this
action supplementing, amending, or repealing existing provisions of Chapter 479
of the Ordinances, as stated below, to be effective forty five (45) days after
the first Council meeting at which they appear on the agenda as an item
business.
That that part of the Subdivision l of Section 38 of Chapter 479 of
Ordinances of the City of Buffalo be supplemented by repealing thereto the
following: Turns Prohibited Facing Steady Red Signal
Vehicles on at Intersection of
Niagara Street West Ferry Street
travelling northbound, southbound, eastbound and westbound
Notification Serial # 8281
NTOR - Niagara Street @ Ferry Street
No Turns on Red
In conformity with Section 49 of Chapter 479 of the Ordinances of the
City of Buffalo, the City Engineer hereby notifies your Honorable Body of this
action supplementing, amending, or repealing existing provisions of Chapter 479
of the Ordinances, as stated below, to be effective forty five (45) days after
the first Council meeting at which they appear on the agenda as an item
business.
That that part of the Subdivision 1 of Section 38 of Chapter 479 of
Ordinances of the City of Buffalo be supplemented by adding thereto the
following: Turns Prohibited Facing Steady Red Signal
Vehicles on at Intersection of
Niagara Street West Ferry Street
travelling northbound and southbound
Notification Serial # 8282
NTOR - W. Ferry St. @ Niagara St.
No Turns on Red
In conformity with Section 49 of Chapter 479 of the Ordinances of the
City of Buffalo, the City Engineer hereby notifies your Honorable Body of this
action supplementing, amending, or repealing existing provisions of Chapter 479
of the Ordinances, as stated below, to be effective forty five (45) days after
the first Council meeting at which they appear on the agenda as an item
business.
That that part of the Subdivision l of Section 38 of Chapter 479 of
Ordinances of the City of Buffalo be supplemented by adding thereto the
following: Turns Prohibited Facing Steady Red Signal
Vehicles on at Intersection of
West Ferry Street Niagara Street
travelling eastbound and westbound
Notification Serial # 8283
Traffic Control Signal - Walden @ Bakos Blvd.
Traffic Control Signal
In conformity with Section 49 of Chapter 479 of the Ordinances of the
City of Buffalo, the City Engineer hereby notifies your Honorable Body of this
action supplementing, amending, or repealing existing provisions of Chapter 479
of the Ordinances, as stated below, to be effective forty five (45) days after
the first Council meeting at which they appear on the agenda as an item
business.
That that part of Section 36 of Chapter 479 of Ordinances of the City of
Buffalo be supplemented by Adding thereto the following: Traffic Control Signal
Intersection of
Walden Avenues at Bakos Boulevard
Notification Serial # 8284
Repeal No Standing
W. Ferry - Penn Central to Niagara St.
No Standing - Repeal
In conformity with Section 49 of Chapter 479 of the Ordinances of the
City of Buffalo, the City Engineer hereby notifies your Honorable Body of this
action supplementing, amending or repealing existing provisions of Chapter 479
of the Ordinances, as stated below, to be effective forty five days after the
first Council meeting at which they appear on the agenda as an item business.
That that part of Subdivision 20 of Section 15 of Chapter 479 of the
Ordinances of the City of Buffalo be supplemented by Repealing thereto the
following: No Standing
Public Highway Prohibited Portion of Highway
West Ferry Street from the Penn-Central viaduct
south side to Niagara Street
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 31
Permission to Engage Consultant
Plans and Specifications
Centralized Maintenance Garage
I respectfully request Your Honorable Body's permission to engage
an Architectural Consultant to prepare plans and specifications, advertise and
receive sealed proposals for the proposed Centralized Maintenance Garage
(former Truscon Building).
Funds for this project are available in Capital Project Fund 200-401-090.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 32
Report of Bids
New 12 Inch Watermain Connections
Broadway/Central/So. Ogden Streets
As authorized by your Honorable Body in Item No. 39 of October
1, 1991 plans and specifications were prepared and sealed proposals accepted
for New 12 Inch Watermain Connections at Broadway/Central Avenue/South Ogden
Street.
I submit the following report of all bids received which were opened in
my office at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 1993:
Kandey Company, Inc.
19 Ransier Drive
West Seneca, New cork 14224 $64,600.16
D.A. Ella Construction Corp.
176 Vulcan Street
Buffalo, New cork $77,820.00
Mar-Wal Construction Company, Inc.
440 could Avenue
Depew, New York $119,000.00
Accadia Enterprises, Inc.
4430 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, New York 14086 $184,200.00
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct statement of
all bids received and that Kandey Company, Inc. is the lowest responsible
bidder for New 12 Inch Watermain Connections at Broadway/Central/So. Ogden
Streets with their bid of $64,600.16.
I respectfully request that your Honorable Body authorize the
Commissioner of Public Works to enter into a contract with Kandey Company, Inc.
for the above work in the amount of $64,600.16 and same be charged to the
Division of Water's 416 Capital Project Fund, 020 Account.
The Engineer's estimate for this work was $ 75,000.00.
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from the Department of Public Works, dated March
17, 1993, be received and filed; and
That the Commissioner of Public Works be, and he hereby is authorized to
award a contract for New 12 Inch Watermain Connections at Broadway/Central
Avenue/South Ogden Street to Kandey Company, Inc., 19 Ransier Drive, West
Seneca, New York, the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $64,600.16,
with said cost to be charged against the Division of Water's 416 Capital
Project Fund 020 Account.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 33
Report of Bids
Waterline Replacement Various Streets
Division of Water
As authorized by your Honorable Body in Item No. 48 of July 25,
1989 plans and specifications were prepared and sealed proposals accepted for
Waterline Replacement on Various Streets (Norman Street between Seneca Street
and Pritchard Street; Hydraulic Street between Seneca Street and Carroll
Street; Carroll Street between Hydraulic Street and east past Griffin Street;
Griffin Street beginning at Exchange Street and extending north to Seneca
Street; Seymour Street beginning at Swan Street and ending at Lord Street;
Hagerman Street beginning at Swan Street and extending north to Seymour Street;
Intersection of Swan Street and Jefferson Avenue; Swan Street beginning at
Seymour Street and extending east to Seneca Street; Houghton Street beginning
at Memorial Drive and extending north to Broadway and Edison Street on the
bridge over the Kensington Expressway).
I submit the following report of all bids received which were opened in
my office at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 1993:
Accadia Enterprise, Inc.
4430 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, New York 14086 $739,453.05
Kandey Company, Inc.
19 Ransier Drive
West Seneca, New York 14224 $978,531.00
M. Passucci, Inc.
4085 Walden Avenue
Buffalo, New York $1,074,770.00
Frontier Asphalt
206 Seneca Mall
West Seneca, New York $1,091,787.50
Nichter Utility Construction Company, Inc.
344 Vulcan Street
Buffalo, New York 14207 $1,118,545.25
E & R General Construction, Inc.
38 St. David's Drive
West Seneca, New York 14224 $1,146,360.00
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct statement of
all bids received and that Accadia Enterprises is the lowest responsible bidder
for Waterline Replacement on Various Streets with their bid of $ 739,453.00. I
respectfully request that your Honorable Body authorize the Commissioner of
Public Works to enter into a contract with Accadia Enterprises for the above
work in the amount of $ 739,453.00 and same be charged to the Division of
Water's 416 Capital Project Fund, 015 Account.
The Engineer's estimate for this work was $1,340,000.00.
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from the Department of Public Works, dated March
15, 1993, be received and filed; and
That the Commissioner of Public Works be, and he hereby is authorized to
award a contract for Waterline Replacement Various Streets to Accadia
Enterprise, Inc., 4430 Walden Avenue, Lancaster, New York, the lowest
responsible bidder in the amount of $739,453.05, with said cost to be charged
against the Division of Water's 416 Capital Project Fund 015 Account.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 34
Report of Bids - Repair to City Sidewalks 1993-1994
Item No. 33, C.C.P. 01/19/93
This is to advise Your Honorable Body that I have advertised and
received bids on March 10, 1993 for Repair to City Sidewalks - 1993-1994.
In obtaining bids for the above project, I have asked for bids on a unit
price basis covering the various items of work and material which will be
performed. The final cost of the work will be based on the actual measured
quantities of materials entering into the work and may be either more or less
than the total bid.
The following bids were received:
1. Cemulini-Pecoraro Const. $400,910.00 (low)
2. Campobello Const. Co. $402,927.50
3. ABC Tree Service Inc. $423,279.00
4. Destro Brothers $435,704.00
5. Master's Edge, Inc. $470,775.00
6. ABP Concrete $471,725.00
7. Broad Spectrum Conc. $567,318.50
I hereby certify that the lowest responsible bidder for the above
project is Cemulini-Pecoraro Const. with their bid of $400,910.00 the cost
thereof to be charged to account #200-401-507-00-000 in an amount not to exceed
$500,000.00.
The engineers estimate for this work is $500,000.00. The attached is
certified to be a true and correct statement of the two lowest bids received.
Under provisions of the General Municipal Law any of the bidders may withdraw
his bid if an award of the contract is not made by April 24, 1993.
Individual bid submissions are available in our office for inspection and
copies are available upon request.
Attached herewith is a tentative list of streets that have been selected
for sidewalk replacement work during the 1993-1994 construction season.
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from the Department of Public Works, dated March
11, 1993, be received and filed; and
That the Commissioner of Public Works be, and he hereby is authorized to
award a contract for Repair to City Sidewalks 1993-1994 to Cemulini-Pecoraro
Const., the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $409,910.00, with said
cost to be charged against #200-401-507-00-000.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 35
Report of Bids - Resurfacing
of City Owned Street Facilities - 1993
Item No. 33 C.C.P. 01-19-93
This is to advise your Honorable Body that I have advertised and
received bids on Wednesdays March 10. 1993 for Resurfacing of City Owned Street
Facilities - 1993
In obtaining bids for the above project, I have asked for bids on a unit
price covering the various items of work and material which will be performed.
The final cost of the work will be based on the actual measured quantities of
materials entering into the work and may be either more or less than the total
bid.
The following bids were received:
Thomann & Loewer Paving & Site Contractors $41,265.00
Destro & Brothers Concrete Co., Inc. $44,552.00
Sunshine Concrete Co., Inc. $53,540.00
I hereby certify that the lowest responsible bidder for the above project
is Thomann & Loewer Paving & Site Contractors.
I respectfully recommend that your Honorable Body order the work, the
cost thereof to be charged to the Capital Projects Fund #200-401-507-00-000 in
an amount not to exceed $41,265.00, plus approved unit prices not to exceed an
additional amount of $15,000.00. The engineer's estimate for this work is
$55,000.00.
The attached is certified to be a true and correct statement of the two
(2) lowest bids received. Under provisions of the General Municipal Law, any
of the bidders may withdraw his bid if an award of the contract is not made by
April 26, 1993. Individual bid submissions are available in our office for
inspection and copies are available upon request.
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from the Department of Public Works, dated March
17, 1993, be received and filed; and
That the Commissioner of Public Works be, and he hereby is authorized to
award a contract for Resurfacing of City Owned Street Facilities - 1993 to
Thomann & Loewere Paving & Site Contractors, the lowest responsible bidder in
the amount of $41,265.00, with said cost to be charged against Capital Projects
Fund #200-401-507-00-000.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 36
Change in Contract
Old First Ward Community Center
Republic & Tennessee Streets
I herewith submit to Your Honorable Body the following change
in contract for the Electrical Reconstruction of Old First Ward Community
Center, CIR Electrical Const. C-91610200:
1. Furnish and install two (2)
self-illuminating 10 year exit
lights in headstart room. Add $507.00
2. Furnish and install one (1)
smoke detector in headstart
room. Add $526.00
These changes are necessary for state licensing of the headstart area.
The foregoing change results in a net increase in the contract of One
Thousand thirty-three and 00/100 Dollars ($1,033.00)
Summary
Original Amount of Contract $87,900.00
Change Order No. 1 CCP 49 7-21-92 Add 6,100.00
Change Order No. 2 CCP 26 11-10-92 Add 943.00
Change Order No. 3 CCP 23 2-2-93 Add 1,926.00
Amount of this change (No. 4) Add 1,033.00
Revised Amount of Contract $97,902.00
This change could not be foreseen at the time contract was let. Costs
have been reviewed by the Department of Public Works and found to be fair and
equitable.
Funds for this work are in B/F 200-402-024 - Division of Buildings.
I recommend that Your Honorable Body authorize the Commissioner of Public
Works to issue a change order to the contractor as set forth above.
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from the Department of Public Works dated March
10, 1993, be received and filed; and
That the Commissioner of Public Works, be and he hereby is authorized to
issue a change order No. 4 to CIR Electrical Const. C-91610200, a net increase
in the amount of $1,033.00, as more fully described in the above communication,
for additional work relating to the Electrical Reconstruction of Old First Ward
Community Center. Funds for this contract are available in B/F 200-402-024.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 37
Emergency Repair
Water Service
Broadway Market Management
From 2/28/93 thru 3/2/93 Joseph Carino Plumbing & Heating, Inc.,
419 Auburn Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213, was called upon to perform emergency
repairs to a 4" water service leak at the Broadway Market.
I hereby certify that this work was performed in a satisfactory manner
and that the cost of said repairs, $6,891.00, are fair and equitable. Funds
are available for this purpose in the Division of Buildings.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 38
Forgive Water Bill 25 Merrimac
C.C.P. 147, March 16, 1993
The Division of Water on March 3, 1993 made an adjustment in the
amount of $217.72 to the water bill at 25 Merrimac Street due to the property
being vacant since December 27, 1990. Niagara Mohawk informed the Division of
Water that they removed the electric meter at this property on December 27,
1990.
The $358.44 owing is for water used prior to the December 27, 1990 date.
The Division of Water has therefore adjusted the water bill as much as
possible.
Please note that in checking with the Assessor's Office we find that the
name of James Liolos, 84 Valleybrook Lane, East Amherst, New York is listed as
the owner of 25 Merrimac Street and not Kevin McNerney who has petitioned the
Council for forgiveness of the water bill.
In my opinion the proposed forgiveness of the $358.44 would constitute a
gift of public funds and I have been advised by the Law Department that it is
illegal for any public official to participate in such a gift of public funds.
Based on the above, I recommend that your Honorable Body receive and file
the resolution.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 39
Animal Shelter 380 N. Oak
Item No. 171, C.C.P. 3/16/93
The above referenced resolution has been submitted to this department
with a request to provide Your Honorable Body with the current status.
This department received bids in June of 1992 for the Reconstruction of
380 N. Oak Street to convert that property into the City Dog Pound. Those bids
exceed the current available funding by approximately $160,000.00. Acquisition
and construction bids amount to $90.00 per square foot.
The lease with R & G Wholesale was not approved by the Council. Please
refer to Item # 93, C.C.P. 12/8/92.
If the Centralized Maintenance Garage concept is approved by Your
Honorable Body, the City Dog Pound may be incorporated into the design layout
of the Delaware Park Labor Center along with the new Police Station. This cost
should be less than the $90.00 cost for 380 N. Oak Street. In addition there is
interest in private purchase of 380 N. Oak Street so that the City may recoup
it's purchase price.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 40
Delaware Park Casino
CCP 3/16/93; Item #172
The above referenced resolution has been sent to this department
for a report as to when the Delaware Park Casino will be open to the public.
Attached please find a copy of the correspondence from Parker Bay
Consultants, Inc. which addresses this request.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 41
Solicitation of Funds application
CCE - Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Attached is an application for Solicitation of Funds for CCE -Citizens
Campaign for the Environment to solicit funds in the Buffalo area for the month
of April 1993. In accordance with Chapter 316, Article IV of the City of
Buffalo Ordinances, I hereby refer this matter to your Honorable Body.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 42
862 Fillmore
Encroachment into right of way
Mr. Faisal Alkhatib, owner of A.I.N.O. Foods, a grocery store
located at 862 Fillmore Avenue, has requested permission to install a sign
which would encroach city right of way at said address.
The Proposed sign would be attached Perpendicular to the building face
and measure four by five feet.
The Department of Public Works has reviewed Mr. Alkhatib's application
pursuant to Chapter 413-67 (encroachment regulations) of the City Ordinances
and has no objection to your Honorable Body authorizing the Commissioner of
Public Works to issue a "Mere License" for said installation Provided the
following conditions are met:
1. That the applicant obtain any and all other City of Buffalo permits
necessary for said installation.
2. That the sign be installed exactly as shown on plans submitted to and
approved by the Department of Public Works, Division of Buildings.
3. That the applicant supply the City of Buffalo with a five thousand dollar
construction in street bond or certificate of insurance which will indemnify
and save harmless the City of Buffalo against any and all loss and damage
arising out of the construction, maintenance, use and removal of said sign.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND THE CITY PLANNING BOARD.
No. 43
5 Genesee Street
requests permission to install sidewalk cafe
Mr. Jay H. Gershberg, owner of Bagel Brothers located at 5 Genesee
St., has requested permission to install a sidewalk cafe which would encroach
city right of way at said address.
The proposed cafe would measure 30 feet in length and project 15 feet
from the building face into city right of way.
The Department of Public Works has reviewed Mr. Gershberg's application
pursuant to Chapter 143 Section 59 sidewalk Cafes ) of the City Ordinances and
has no objection to our Honorable Body authorizing the Commission of Public
Works to issue a "Mere License" for installation of said sidewalk cafe provided
the following conditions are met:
1. That the applicant obtain any and all other City of Buffalo permits
necessary for said installation.
2. That the sidewalk cafe be installed exactly as shown on plans submitted
to and approved by the Department of Public Works, Division of Buildings.
3. That the sidewalk cafe does not exceed 30 feet in length or extend more
than 15 feet from the building face.
4. That no portion of the sidewalk cafe be permanent in nature or
permanently affixed to the main building or public sidewalk.
5. That the sidewalk cafe be completely removed from city right of way from
November 15 to April 1 each year.
6. That the applicant be assessed the annual fee of $1.05 per square foot of
city right of way occupied by said sidewalk cafe as described in Chapter 413
Article IX Section 59 (Sidewalk Cafes) of the City Ordinances.
7. That the applicant supply the City of Buffalo with a five thousand dollar
($5,000.00) construction in street bond or certificate of insurance which will
indemnify and save harmless the City of Buffalo against any and all loss and
damage arising out of the construction, maintenance, use and removal of said
sidewalk cafe.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND THE CITY PLANNING BOARD.
No. 44
1346-48 Kenmore Avenue requests
permission to legalize existing encroachments
Mr. William Julicher, owner of Kenmore Auto Sales, located at
1346-48 Kenmore Avenue, has requested a "Mere License" for existing
encroachments at said address.
The encroachments include two light standards and a pole sign which have
been located on city right of way for several years.
The Department of Public Works has reviewed Mr. Julicher's request
pursuant to Chapter 413-67 (encroachment regulations) of the City Ordinances
and has no objection to your Honorable Body authorizing the Commissioner of
Public Works to issue a "Mere License" for said encroachments provided the
following conditions are met:
1. That the applicant obtain any and all other required City of Buffalo
permits.
2. That the encroachments be certified as structurally sound by a
professional engineer as per Department of Public Works, Division of Buildings
specifications.
3. That the applicant supply the City of Buffalo with a five thousand dollar
construction in street bond or certificate of insurance which will indemnify
and save harmless the City of Buffalo against any and all loss and damage
arising out of the construction maintenance, use and removal of said light
standards and/or sign.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND THE CITY PLANNING BOARD.
No. 45
1371-79 Main Street awning within right of way
Mr. Robert Baumker, of Wilcox Brothers Sign and Awning Company,
acting as agent for the owner of the property located at 1371-79 Main Street,
has requested permission to install an awning which would encroach city right
of way at said address.
The awning would be located on both the Main and East Utica Street sides
of the property, measure 5 feet in height and project two feet from the
building face into city right of way.
The Department of Public Works has review Mr. Baumker's application
pursuant to Chapter 413-56 (awnings, canopies and marquees) of the City
Ordinances and has no objection to your Honorable Body authorizing the
Commissioner of Public Works to issue a "Mere License" for said installation
provided the following conditions are met:
1. That the applicant obtain all other City of Buffalo permits necessary for
said installation.
2. That the ramp be installed exactly as shown on plans submitted to and
approved by the Department of Public Works, Division of Buildings.
3. That the applicant supply the City of Buffalo with a five thousand dollar
construction in street bond which will indemnify and save harmless the City of
Buffalo against any and all loss and damage arising out of the construction,
maintenance, use and removal of said awning.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND THE CITY PLANNING BOARD.
No. 46
Turn Ashland Play Street
Item No. 166, C.C.P. 3/16/93
In regards to the above Item, please be advised that this request
has been thoroughly studied and rejected for the following reasons:
1. This proposal can not legally slow traffic and therefore it would not be
safe for the children to play in the street.
2. This type of configuration would be very confusing to motorists and would
be unworkable and unmanageable.
3. If this were allowed, the City would in fact be building a roadway
obstacle and the liability upon the City would be a major concern.
4. This is a through street and is intended for traffic flow, not as a
playground.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
No. 47
Certificate of Appointment
Appointment effective 3-15-93 in the Department of Public Works,
Division of Engineering, Sean Sullivan, 69 Red Jacket Pkwy, Buffalo, NY 14220,
to the position of Laborer I, Permanent, at the starting salary of $9.38 Hr.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE.
No. 48
Certificate of Appointment
Appointment effective March 15, 1993 in the Department of Public
Works, Division of Water, Judy Banks, 462 Woodward Avenue, Buffalo, 14216, to
the position of Data Control Clerk, Temporary at the Intermediate starting
salary of $ 22,351.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE.
No. 49
Certificate of Appointment
Appointment effective 3-15-93 in the Department of Public Works,
Division of Engineering, Timothy Hanratty, 337 Bryant, Buffalo, NY 14222, to
the position of Engineering Aide, Provisional at the starting salary of
$23,107.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF PARKS
No. 50
Retain Basketball Courts/Rink at Houghton Park
#115, C.C.P. 3/16/93
The ice rink at Houghton Park has not been in use for the past
two (2) winters. Because of the poor condition of the dasher boards, they were
removed about a month ago. However, the refrigeration building housing the
compressor needed to make ice is still there. If and when the City's financial
status will allow, the rink could be put back in operation.
Last year, plans were developed to move the basketball courts from their
original location to a more suitable location in the park. The new area should
be completed and ready for use this summer.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
No. 51
Update Regarding Reorganization
Item No. 136 C.C.P. March 2, 1993
The following is an update of progress on the Police Departments
efforts to reorganize the existing fourteen precincts into five districts.
Plans are moving along well for the South District and the only change in plans
is the starting date being moved to December 1st, 1993 from the October 1st,
1993 date.
As stated in the resolution I favor a plan where we do the next four (4)
districts simultaneously and locate all the existing precincts into the four
remaining districts- North or Hertel, Kensington or University, Broadway and
Theatre or Downtown. We can either build new or acquire existing structures and
renovate to our needs as we are doing in the South district. I have had many
preliminary conversations with the affected councilmembers and the following
are my recommendations.
1. In regard to the North district, our committee favors the site of Amherst
and Elmwood for the location of this facility. It is central to the district
and has good access to the patrol areas in the district. Having the expressway
so close also helps in accessing the patrol areas. The facility that was
formerly used to house Top Notch Provisions is available but has far more space
than we need for our facility. We need approx. 15,000 sq. feet of floor space
with adequate protected parking. Another possibility that has been brought up
lately is the possibility of taking over the Delaware Labor Center for this
district.
2. The University or Kensington District is more easily converted because it
encompasses most of the existing area. I have done some site work-up on this
and I favor the Bailey Ave. area as the site of this facility. I suggest a
facility on Bailey south of the existing Precinct 16. There is land and some
existing structures that are available in the Bailey-Hempstead/Langfield area.
New construction may be the way to go here.
3. The Broadway district has been somewhat of a location problem. We have
set our preliminary plans on the Broadway-Fillmore area as the site location
and this is the site that I recommend. It is central to the area and provides
good access in all directions. There are some existing buildings that might be
adequate or a commitment to a new facility would be a good idea.
4. The Theatre district is very important in the overall planning of our
reorganization effort. I recommend that we look for a location in the medical
center area east of Main St. in the general vicinity of Roswell Park and
Buffalo General. This could be located in the Elm-Oak corridor and convenient
to downtown and the lower West Side. In conjunction with this I recommend that
we maintain the Traffic Division in its current or nearby location to maintain
our commitment to Theatre and Buffalo Place.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
No. 52
Gun Amnesty Information
Item No. 165, C.C.P. 3/16/93
As you are well aware, our Gun Amnesty Program was an overwhelming
success. In the six (6) days that the program ran, we recovered 1,725 handguns
and 305 long guns.
The total amount spent for this program was $75,100. Unfortunately, we
cannot provide a breakdown showing the City residents and the suburbanites who
took advantage of the Amnesty Program. The reason for this is that the Gun
Amnesty Program called for complete anonymity for people turning in weapons.
Requiring identification or proof of residency would certainly have discouraged
participating and we would not have had the success that we were able to
achieve.
Our immediate plans are to check all recovered weapons to ascertain
whether or not they were stolen. We also will hold the weapons for a period of
time to allow an audit by the Comptroller's Office and to allow for the proper
check of the weapons. After this is complete, all the guns will be destroyed
in compliance with existing practices that we have in effect with the Central
Police Services Forensic Laboratory.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
No. 53
"Reg. Anti Cruising Ord."
Item #145, C.C.P. March 2, 1993
The following is a list of some of the streets in the City Of
Buffalo, all of which are known for drug activity. All streets listed will
qualify in regards to the mentioned Anti-cruising Ordinance:
Genesee Prospect
Box West Ave.
Kehr Busti
E. Ferry Maryland
Roehrer Hudson
Bissell Trenton
Moselle Virginia
Walden Shields
Doat Carolina
Sycamore Whitney
E. Delavan Fifteenth
Grider Jersey
Wohlers Efner
Leroy Seventh
Woodlawn Connecticut
Barthel Normal
French Vermont
Goodyear Ferguson
Langfield Dr. Fargo
Jefferson Niagara
The following is a list of possible streets to be considered for the
Anti-Cruising Ordinance:
Chippewa Street Bounded in the east by Ellicott Street and in the west by
Niagara Street.
Elmwood Avenue Bounded in the south by Niagara Square and in the north by
Bryant Street.
Delaware Avenue Same as Elmwood Avenue
All intersecting streets bounded in the east by Main Street, in the west by
Niagara Street or Richmond Avenue where applicable.
Genesee Street Bounded in the west by Michigan Avenue and in the east by Bailey
Avenue.
Sycamore Street Same as Genesee Street
All intersecting streets bounded in the north by East Ferry Street and in the
south by Broadway, Cherry Street and Best Street where applicable.
Bailey Avenue Bounded on the north by East Delavan Avenue and in the south by
Walden Avenue.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF FIRE
No. 54
Turn Ashland Avenue into Play Street
Item No. 166, C.C.P. 3/16/93
The Buffalo Fire Department is opposed to this resolution for
the following reasons:
1. It would tend to set a precedent for residents of other areas of the
City, to request the same type of treatment.
2. Ashland Avenue is considered a medium to heavily traveled route for fire
apparatus.
3. Children playing in streets tend not to move a safe distance away from
passing fire apparatus.
4. An alternate off street area should be provided for a play area.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
FROM THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
No. 55
Transfer of Funds Labor Relations
No. 130, C.C.P. 03/02/93
You have asked for my response with regard to the referenced item
involving the transfer of $20,000.00 in order to pay for the services of Ronald
K. Zoeller, President of North American Administrators, Inc., as a consultant
to the City in the area of benefits administration.
Although your Honorable Body has not articulated the area of concern you
wish me to address, I shall assume that it involves Mr. Zoeller's participation
in the Buffalo Financial Plan Commission (BFPC) as a member of the compensation
and benefits team and whether a conflict of interest exists with respect to his
renumeration as a consultant to the City in this area.
A review of the City Code of Ethics provisions leads me to conclude that
no such conflict of interest exists because Mr. Zoeller's role in either
capacity falls without the scope of applicability of the code as provided in
Chapter 12, Article l, Section 12-2 of the Ordinances of the City of Buffalo.
REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF ETHICS.
No. 56
Health Benefits of
Council Staff and Exempt Employees
Item No. 196, C.C.P., 3/16/93
The group benefits plan for exempt employees was formalized by
the Common Council in 1989 by adoption of Buffalo City Code Article IX
(Sections 35-33 et seq.). Any change to the group benefits plan should be done
by amendment of this ordinance.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
No. 57
Outside Counsel Matters
In response to your inquiry regarding the Buffalo Financial Plan
Commissioner's recommendations, please be advised that I have always requested
outside law firms to extend to us a municipal discount. In response to the
Commission report, I have asked all outside counsel on pending matters to
either implement a minimum 15% discount or accept the fee schedule recommended
by the Commission. I intend to utilize such fee schedule for all future
engagements.
It has always been my policy to limit outside counsel assignments to
matters where either specialized expertise is required or a conflict of
interest is or may be present.
My budget request to the Mayor reflects implementation of the
Commission's recommendations.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 58
Forgive Interest on Taxes 27 Harbour Pointe
Item No. 101, C.C.P., 3/16/93
This item is a request from a taxpayer for forgiveness of penalties
on real property taxes.
The Common Council is without authority to forgive real property taxes or
penalties. The Commissioner of Assessment may correct errors on the tax rolls;
however, the Council may not direct him to alter the rolls.
If the Commissioner of Assessment determines after investigation that the
taxpayer was erroneously charged penalties, he is empowered to make the
necessary correction.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 59
Forgive Water Bill 25 Merrimac
Item No. 147, C.C.P., 3/16/93
This item, if approved, would authorize the forgiveness of a water
bill of $358.44 for 25 Merrimac, so that the amount of the bill might "be used
toward the restoration of the house."
There is no allegation that the service was not actually provided.
The Law Department has been consistent in its position that water charges
cannot be abated unless they were erroneously imposed.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 60
Ban 40 ounce and Larger Containers of Beer
Item No. 146, C.C.P., 3/16/93
The above-referenced item has been referred to this office for
comment. The resolution would put the Council on record in opposition to the
sale of 40 ounce and larger containers of beer.
The Law Department has no objection to this resolution.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
No. 61
Ashland Avenue Play Street
Item No. 166, C.C.P., 3/16/93
Section 413-39 of the Code provides for the designation of play
streets by the Commissioner of Public Works and with the approval of the Mayor.
To support such a designation, the neighborhood must not have a readily
available playground and the street must not only not be a main thoroughfare,
but must also "not be much used for vehicular traffic," as determined by the
Commissioner of Public Works.
The first step would be for a block club or similar organization to
petition the Commissioner of Public Works for the use of a play street.
It should be noted that, under Code Section 413-39B, the Mayor, the
Police Commissioner, the Fire Commissioner or the precinct captain can rescind
a play street designation by simply filing such a recission with the City
Clerk.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
No. 62
Review of Settlement Policy
153, C.C.P. 03/16/93
This is in response to your request for a report concerning the
City's settlement policy in liability matters. This would include all claims
for personal injury and property damage involving any City function such as
police, fire, street sanitation, etc.
In evaluating potential settlements, the Law Department has two
guidelines . These are as follows:
1.) A settlement is agreed upon if the financial cost to the city is
beneficial in light of (a) the cost of defending the case through trial,
including the cost of expert witnesses, subpoenas, and other expenses; and (b)
the potential that a jury verdict would be substantially higher than the
settlement figure based upon the quality and admissibility of evidence and
witnesses for each side.
2.) The Law Department does not pay "nuisance settlements". Some
insurance companies will settle any case for between $1,500.00 and $7,500.00
merely to save the cost of defending the case. Our policy has been adopted as a
means of discouraging small or marginal cases from being pursued against the
City. It is strongly believed that this has effectively prevented numerous
marginal cases from being pursued against the City over the last ten (10)
years.
The Law Department has been effectively managing the large number of
claims received. Numerous personal injury claims are received annually
including sidewalk fall downs, police car accidents, fire truck accidents,
defective traffic light cases, playground accidents, police arrest cases, pot
hole accidents, school accidents and miscellaneous other types of cases. The
City carries virtually no insurance. So far this fiscal year, the City has
paid out only $359,000.00 in personal injury and property damage settlements.
This includes $150,000.00 paid in the Emmett Turner case involving a person
rendered a quadriplegic in 1982 while working for the NFTA. Considering this
era of multimillion dollar settlements, and verdicts and the size of the City
of Buffalo, this is an excellent result. In addition, in the last seven jury
verdicts in police cases in the last two years, the Law Department has had six
zero verdicts and one seven hundred and fifty dollar ($750.00) verdict. There
have been no substantial jury verdicts against the City of Buffalo in the last
four (4) years. In addition, the number of cases sued annually has declined
slightly despite the increasingly litigious nature of our society. This
suggests that the Law Department is making good decisions in the handling of
claims and settlements.
Frequently, settlements can save the City money. For example, in any
civil rights case, if a jury awards even nominal damages, the Court must award
the Plaintiff full attorneys' fees. Therefore, even though a potential jury
award may be only a thousand dollars, the City could have expenses of
$20,000.00 to $30,000.00 in legal fees in a civil rights case. Therefore, even
though the City may have a good case, there are reasons to settle some of these
cases from a financial point of view.
As the claims and legal defense division of the City's self-insurance
program, we believe that we have helped stabilize and limit the City's expenses
in this area of the budget. Self-insurance is a relatively limited policy in
the private sector but our analysis of other municipalities' liability
experience substantiates our procedures and policies.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
No. 63
Authorize Acceptance of NYS
EQBA Grant, Kleinhans Music Hall
On September 24, 1992, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation (PARKS) awarded the City of Buffalo a $50,000
Environmental Quality Bond Act (EQBA) Historic Preservation grant. The purpose
of the grant is to restore the free-standing, exterior perimeter retaining
walls and planters at Kleinhans Music Hall. Matching funds will be provided
through the existing City of Buffalo bond funds.
We request your Honorable Body approve an appropriate resolution
authorizing acceptance of this grant by the City, authorizing the Mayor to
execute a project agreement and preservation covenant with PARKS, authorizing
the Mayor to execute whatever documents may be necessary for receipt of said
grant, and instructing the City Comptroller to establish a receivable account
for the grant in City Bond Fund Account No. 200-402-098.
Since the EQBA grant funds will come to the City on a reimbursement basis
after work is completed, it is necessary that an interfund cash loan be set up
for the purpose of administering the grant. We, therefore, also request that
your Honorable Body instruct the City Comptroller to arrange the appropriate
loan.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 64
Report of Bids - Lincoln Playground-1993
As authorized by Your Honorable Body Item No. 72 of July 21, 1992,
I advertised for and received the following sealed proposals for Lincoln
Playground-1993, which were opened and publicly read March 23, 1993:
BIDDER BASE BID ADD ALT. NO.1
Gleason's Nursery $68,896 $6,908.50
4780 Sheridan Drive
Williamsville, N.Y. 14221
American Paving and
Excavating, Inc. 73,994 8,000
5880 Thompson Road
Clarence Center, N.Y. 14032
LCP Construction Corp. 75,844 7,720
589 North land Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y. 14211
Lebis Contracting, Inc. 77,800 8,000
261 Massachusetts Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y., 14213
Cemulini-Pecoraro
Construction Corp. 78,045 7,800
709 Pleasant View Dr.
Lancaster, N.Y., 14086
B.D.R., Inc. 79,444 6,800
3480 Benzing Road
Orchard Park, N.Y. 14127
Birch Grove Landscaping 79,890 6,098
& Nursery, Inc.
P.O. Box 117
East Aurora, N.Y. 14052
Pine Ridge Nursery, Inc. 90,744 6,875
P.O. Box 141
735 David Road
West Falls, N.Y. 14170
DESIGNER'S ESTIMATE $80,000 $6,000
The preceeding is a true and correct abstract of all bids received and
Gleason's Nursery, Inc., is the lowest responsible bidder. Funds for this work
are available in Capital Project Account No. 200-717-005. I, therefore,
recommend that Your Honorable authorize the Commissioner of Community
Development to order the work by Gleason's Nursery, Inc., in the total contract
amount of $75,804.50. This includes the base bid work plus add alternate No.1
for a new picnic shelter.
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from the Department of Community Development dated
March 23, 1993, be received and filed, and
That the Commissioner of Community Development be and hereby is
authorized to award a contract for Lincoln Playground 1993 to Gleason's
Nursery, Inc., 4780 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville, New York, the lowest
responsible bidder in the total contract amount of $75,804.50, which includes a
base bid of $68,896.00 plus alternative #1 at $6,908.50, with said cost to be
charged against Capital Project Account No. 200-717-005.
PASSED.
AYES - 12 NOES - 0.
No. 65
Change Order #1 - Plumbing Construction Site Redevelopment of War Memorial
Stadium
I herewith submit to Your Honorable Body the following change
in contract for plumbing construction associated with the site redevelopment of
War Memorial Stadium, contract 91633400 with Kandey Company Inc.
1) Revisions to roof drains at restored entrances to achieve proper
drainage, time material rates as approved by project architect. ADD
$3,093.33
2) Add handicapped chair carriers at service building bathrooms. ADD
$192.00
3) Supply and install vandal proof roof vent stacks at service building.
ADD $397.47
4) Revisions to roof drain conductors at service building connections.
ADD $257.00
5) Additional excavation and placement of select compacted fill due to
underground obstructions and wet-unstable soil conditions - unit bid prices.
-Excavation 108.42 cubic yards at a unit price of $15 per cubic yard =
$1,626.30.
-Supply, placement and compaction of 135.78 cubic yards of select
backfill at a unit price of $30 per cubic yard = $4,073.40. ADD
$5,699.70
6) Design changes to water services for service building and Masten Pool.
Time and material charges as approved by project architect. ADD
$7,225.04
7) Supply and install 2" watts vacuum breaker between service building water
supply and football-soccer field irrigation system. ADD
$ 435.00
8) Supply and install 4" PVC drain from RPZ valve through service building
wall to exterior drain. ADD $ 746.10
9) Credit for material change of football-soccer field irrigation system,
copper pipe to high density plastic.
DEDUCT $ 5,000.00
10) Credit for reduced gas piping required at Best Street service connection.
DEDUCT $672.30
TOTAL ADD $12,373.34
All of the preceding items whether deducts or adds were deemed necessary
to properly complete plumbing construction work associated with the site
redevelopment of War Memorial Stadium. Associated costs of all items listed
were either contract unit bid prices or time-material rates approved by project
-architect, Robert Traynham Coles, Architect, P.C., and Community Development
engineering staff. Funds for these changes are available in Bond Fund
#200-717-094.
A contract summary is as follows:
Original Contract Amount $203,333.00
Amount this Change #1 12,373.34
Revised Contract Amount $ 215,706.34
I, therefore, recommend that Your Honorable Body authorize the
Commissioner of Community Development to issue a change order to Kandey
Company, Inc., as set forth above.
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from the Department of Community Development dated
March 25, 1993, be received and filed; and
That the Commissioner of Community Development be and hereby is
authorized to issue a change order No. 1 to Kandey Company, Inc., C-91633400,
for changes resulting in a net increase in the amount of $12,373.34 as more
fully described in the above communication, for additional work relating to
plumbing construction, site redevelopment of War Memorial Stadium. Funds are
available in Bond Fund #200-717-094.
PASSED.
AYES-12 NOES-0.
No. 66
Permission to Accept Fund Transfer
Lovejoy District Street Improvements
I respectfully request that Your Honorable Body accept a Fund
Transfer for Lovejoy District Street overlays. The amount is $100,000 from
community Development Block Grant Account 93-03202 to Capital Project Account
200-401-021 in the Division of Engineering.
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from the Department of Community Development,
dated March 23, 1993, be received and filed; and
That the Commissioner of Community Development be, and he hereby is
authorized to accept a Fund Transfer for Love joy District Street overlays.
The amount is $100,000 from Community Development Block Grant Account 93-03202
to Capital Project Account 200-401-021 in the Division of Engineering.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 67
"Support Horizon Commission Action Plan"
C.C.P. No. 179, March 16, 1993
The Department of Community Development endorses the final Horizons
Waterfront Commission Action Plan and recommends that the Council adopt the
proposed resolution supporting the Plan.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF STREETS
No. 68
Cancel Grass Cutting Charge 159 Archie
Item #192, C.C.P., March 16, 1993
Upon reviewing our records the grass cutting at 159 Archie Street
was completed on July 10, 1991.
Contact was made with this department on March 17, 1993. At this time the
gentleman stated the lot was fenced in. Without visual proof of an invoice for
the construction of a fence surrounding the property I have no way of knowing
when this fence was erected.
I was not Commissioner at this time and it is in my opinion the above
referenced grass cutting charge should remain. However, if Your Honorable Body
feels cancellation is warranted, I have no problem with your decision.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 69
Certificate of Appointment
Appointment effective: March 15, 1993 in the Department of Street
Sanitation, Michael W. Schmitt, 131 Parwood Drive, Cheektowaga, NY 14227, to
the position of Laborer II (Daily) Temporary, at the maximum starting salary of
$86.18 pr. day
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF INSPECTIONS AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION
No. 70
Report of Bids - 224 Fox, et al.
Item No. 81, C.C.P,, 3/16/91
The subject item contains various reports of bids from this department.
In response to your inquiry and request for information concerning our policy
in regard to demolitions on an emergency basis, please refer to our reply in
Item #80, 3/16/93, which was received and filed by your Honorable Body.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
No. 71
Info - Pilot Field Budget
ITEM # 6, C.C.P. February 2, 1992.
The above referenced item was referred to this office for an answer
to your question. - "Are concerts scheduled in advance at Pilot Field included
as revenue in the 1993-94 fiscal year; if not, why?"
Concerts scheduled in advance are included as a revenue in the 93-94
Pilot Field budget.
The supporting schedule furnished by Pilot Field states two concerts are
definitely booked and they are attempting to book three or four more. This
revenue can be found primarily in four accounts.
In account 92077 Rent the estimate furnished by Pilot Field was used
which is based on two concerts which should generate $50,000 in rents. Pilot
Field's estimate was used.
Account 95017 Concession has its estimate based on four concerts not two.
Pilot field estimated this would generate $50,000 so this amount was reduced
to $25,000 to reflect the two actual bookings.
Account 95027 Souvenirs was also based on four concerts generating
$40,000. Again the estimate was reduced to $20,000 to reflect the actual
bookings. In addition the merchandise cap of $10 was used which may be on the
high side which would overstate the revenues.
Lastly, account 900008 Miscellaneous which reflects the rental of the
Enkamat was based on four concerts. Since this was a new addition to this
account and only one component of miscellaneous rentals revenues Pilot Field's
estimate was slightly reduced from $10,000 to $9,000, since this is only a
component of the account and there was no experience in this area.
Also, please be advised that last years revenue projections had a
shortfall based on an already booked concert that had to be cancelled. To base
revenues on concerts that are not booked can be very risky.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 72
Recovering Delinquent Parking Fines
Item No. 157, C.C.P. 3/2/93
In response to Councilmember Zuchlewski's resolution, we are in
agreement with the Buffalo Financial Plan Commission recommendation to
centralize collection in the comptroller's office to pursue delinquent
accounts.
We will cooperate to help them.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
No. 73
Increase Team Permits from Ball Diamonds
The above referenced item was referred to this office for a response.
The cost for operating the diamonds and fields of the City of Buffalo
Parks Departments are estimated as follows, based on a 20 week season or 100
days of operation:
Salary
Parks Utility Worker $24,442 : 261 days = $93/day
Laborer $22,279 : 261 days = $85/day
Costs
10 Parks Utility Workers/Recreation Instructors
@ $93/day x 80 days = 74,400
5 Laborers @ $85/day x 80 days = 34,000
Total Salary 108,400
Fringes 30% 32,520
Total Personnel 140,920
Sandy Loam 50,000
Total Costs $190,920
The above analysis does not include any administrative, equipment or
depreciation costs.
Revenue
The revenue estimate used for 1992-93 was based on 900 teams $50/team
resulting in $45,000. To date no teams have signed up for the 1993-94 season
and the estimate of the number of teams that will sign up has been revised to
only 500 teams at the $50 rate resulting in $25,000 in revenue.
Summary
To completely cover the estimated costs of maintaining the diamonds and
fields the City would have to charge $400 per team, assuming 500 teams will
register. Such a fee would likely cause many teams to drop out of the leagues
pushing the cost for remaining teams even higher.
The City is taking steps to recover costs such as initiating the $50 fee
in 1992-1993. The administration is currently considering a recommendation to
increase this to $100 in 1993-94. We believe there is a limit to how much a
city can charge for certain services. At this time we would not recommend a
fee in excess of $100/team.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
No. 74
CDBG & BSA Reimbursements
Attached are summaries of revenues received by the City from the
Community Development Block Grant and Buffalo Sewer Authority for the last
seven years as requested by Councilmember Coppola at a meeting on the
recommendations of the Buffalo Financial Plan Commission.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
No. 75
Transfer of Funds to pay
North American Administrators, Inc.
At the March 23, 1993 Civil Service Committee meeting, a request
for information was made relating to the above referenced item (see attached
letter). While the information you have requested was previously relayed to
your honorable body, both orally and in written form, I am happy to comply with
your request.
The information you seek follows:
RATE OF PAY FOR SERVICES
$40 per hour not to exceed $20,000
DUTIES
All of the following issues will be addressed:
- Health insurance premium overpayments and refund expectations from
carriers and employees/retirees/spouses.
- Self-billing premium mechanisms with the health insurance carriers.
- Interdepartmental paper flow and documentation.
- Annual survey/enrollment form for medical and dental plans (active and
retired participants).
- Employee/Dependent enrollment, change of status, and termination
procedures (including those becoming age 19 or age 65).
- Capability of current software and possible system enhancements.
- Retiree Eligibility interface with New York State Retirement System.
- COBRA administrative procedures.
- "In-Lieu-Of" policies and procedures.
- Definition of covered participants (employees, retirees, dependents) in
the respective bargaining units.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN RESOURCES
No. 76
Certificate of Appointment
Appointment effective March 22, 1993 in the Department of Human
Resources, Division of Youth, Elizabeth Wilk, 37 Coburg Avenue, Buffalo, 14216,
to the position of Program Director of Youth Counseling, Permanent, at the
Intermediate Starting Salary of $30,260.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF GENERAL SERVICES
No. 77
Feasibility of implementing the purchase of recycled paper for office use
versus virgin paper
Item 151, C.C.P. 2-24-93
Attached are copies of the comparative prices of various fine
papers and computer papers which the city purchases under its contract 6574
with AIling and Cory.
As you can see, the cumulative cost of purchasing recycled paper is much
higher, due to the additional processes involved in recycling as opposed to the
processes involved in making virgin paper.
This department has recently been purchasing recycled paper, but will
return to virgin paper, if your body feels it is not economically feasible to
continue with recycled.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
No. 78
Residency
The Buffalo Public School District has been reviewing the District's
residency policy for the past few months.
The issue remains in the Executive Committee and the District will inform
the Common Council of their decision as soon as the Board makes a final
determination.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
FROM THE CITY CLERK
No. 79
Reply to NY State Audit of the City of Buffalo
7/1/90 to 6/30/91
In regard to that portion of the State Comptroller's audit of
the City of Buffalo pertaining to the City Clerk's Office, we agree with the
findings and have implemented the recommendations.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 80
Disposition of City Records
The following departments have requested to dispose of City Records
as indicated on the attached forms. Based on the information provided I have
authorized the disposition of these records in my capacity as City Records
Management Officer
Human Resources.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 81
Auto Allowance
The following departments have filed the required certificate
relative to the granting of automobile transportation allowances for employees
in their respective departments:
Public Works - Thomas LoTempio
Fire - Capt. Anthony D. Page, Jr.
Human Resources - Joanne M. Cary
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 82
Leaves of Absence without pay
I transmit herewith notifications received by me, reporting the
granting of the leaves of absence without pay, in the various departments as
listed:
Comptroller- Antoinette M. Klimeczko, Janet Sanfilippo,
Marie-Therese Gallagher
Street Sanitation- Eugene R. LoTempio
Human Resources- Christine Carr, Gerald Smith
General Services- Lawrence Doctor
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 83
Reports of Attendance
I transmit herewith communications received by me, from the various
boards, commissions, agencies and authorities reporting the membership
attendance at their respective meetings:
Buffalo Sewer Authority
City Planning Board
Examining Board of Plumbers
Zoning Board of Appeals
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 84
Notices of Appointments - Council Interns
I transmit herewith appointments to the position of Council Intern.
Mr. Fahey moved the approval of the appointments to the position of
Council Intern.
ADOPTED.
Appointment effective January 6, 1993 in the Department of City Clerk,
William L. Gallivan, 131 Mariner St., Buffalo, 14201, to the Position of Intern
Ill, Seasonal Non-Competitive at the starting salary of $5.00/hr.
Appointment effective Jan 19, 1993 in the Department of City Clerk De'Nia
Luper 62 Edna Place, Buffalo, 14209 to the position of Intern III Seasonal Non-
Competitive at the starting salary of $ 5.00/hr.
Appointment effective January 20, 1993 in the Department of City Clerk to
the position of Intern III, Seasonal, at the: starting salary of $ 5.00/hr.
Anthony L. Funigiello, 50 Prospect Ave., Buffalo, 14201
Jeff R. Hackworth, 514 Fillmore Ave., Buffalo, 14206
Appointment effective March 3, 1993 in the Department of City Clerk,
Moises Nales, 198 Shirley Ave., Buffalo, 14215 to the position of Intern III
Seasonal at the starting salary of $ 5.00/hr.
No. 85
Notices of Appointments
I transmit herewith communications received by me, reporting the
appointments made in the various departments at the minimum, flat or hourly
rate.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STADIUM & AUDITORIUM
Appointment effective March 16, 1993 in the Department of Stadium
& Auditorium, Division of Memorial Auditorium, Thomas Hosking, 17 Milford St.,
Buffalo, 14220 to the Position of Laborer I, Seasonal, at the starting salary
of $5.98/hr.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Appointment effective 3/22/93 in the Department of Public Works,
Division of Engineering, Richard Lynch, 86 Salem St., Buffalo, NY 14220 to the
position of Laborer I Seasonal at the starting salary of $ 5.98/hr.
Appointment effective 3-15-93 in the Department of Public Works, Division
of Engineering, Vincent Astyk, 18 Strathmore Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14220 to the
position of Bridge Operating Engineer, Seasonal, at the starting salary of
$7.02/hr.
Appointment effective 3/17/93 in the Department of Public Works, Division
of Engineering, to the position of Bridge Operating Engineer, Seasonal, at the
starting salary of $7.02/hr.
Joseph Masi, 907 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14213
William Patterson, 116 South St., Buffalo, NY 14204
Appointment effective March 23, 1993 in the Department of Public Works,
Division of Buildings, David Calamita, 172 Rhode Island, Buffalo 14213 to the
position of Carpenter, Permanent, at the starting salary of $21,717
Appointment effective 3/18/93 in the Department of Public Works, Division
of Engineering, Roosevelt Thomas, 113 Ruhaland Ave., Buffalo, NY 14201 to the
position of Communication Specialist, Permanent at the starting salary of
$22,602
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
Appointment effective March 11, 1993, in the Department of Police
Helen Panikowski, 112 Walter Street, Buffalo 14210 to the position of Report
Technician, Permanent, at the starting salary of $19,346
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREET SANITATION
Appointment effective March 15, 1993 in the Department of Street
Sanitation, to the position of Laborer II, Seasonal, at the starting salary of
$6.65/hr.
Timothy F. Donovan, 57 Susan Lane, Buffalo, New York 14220
Lawrence J. Jay, 59 Brownell Street, Buffalo, NY 14212
Willis L. Jones, Jr., 30 Poultney Ave., Buffalo, New York 14215
Jeffrey W. Snyder, 106 Pacific Street, Buffalo, New York 14207
Daniel Summers, 33 Buffum Street, Buffalo, New York 14210
Appointment effective March 15, 1993, in the Department of Street
Sanitation to the Position of Laborer II, Seasonal, at the starting salary of
$6.65/hr.
Matthew Cybulski, 90 Ideal Street, Buffalo, NY 14206
Scott C. Sullivan, 77 St. Johns Parkside, Buffalo, N.Y. 14210
Robert J. Sumera, Jr., 180 Miller Avenue, Buffalo, New York
John Thomas, 38 A Altruria Street, Buffalo, New York 14220
Carmen T. Pace, 328 Grant Street, Buffalo, New York 14213
Appointment effective March 15, 1993 in the Department of Street
Sanitation, to the position of Laborer II, Permanent, at the starting salary of
$9.02/hr.
Kevin G. Banes, 3 Indian Orchard Place, Buffalo, NY 14210
Robert T. Black, 93 O'Connell Avenue, Buffalo, N.Y. 14204
Michael R. Canfield, 632 West Avenue, Buffalo, N.Y. 14213
James K. Dole, 17 Choate Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14220
Raymond P. Hehir, 1032 Tifft Street, Buffalo, NY 14220
Vincent G. Hornberger, 320 Downing Street, Buffalo, NY 14220
Patrick A. Kelly, 9 Courtland Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
Appointment effective March 15, 1993 in the Department of Street
Sanitation, Kevin P. Lillis, Jr., 214 Geary Street, Buffalo, New York 14210 to
the position of Laborer II, Permanent, at the starting salary of $9.02/hr.
Appointment effective March 15, 1993 in the Department of Street
Sanitation, Patrick J. Lynch, 77 Milford, Buffalo, New York 14220 to the
position of Laborer II, Permanent, at the starting salary of: $9.02/hr.
Appointment effective March 15, 1993 in the Department of Street
Sanitation, Mark E. McGill, 39 Littlefield Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14211 to
the position of Laborer II, Permanent, at the starting salary of $9.02/hr.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Appointment effective March 15, 1993 in the Department of Human
Resources, Division of Youth, Joseph D. Baran, 64 Vernon Pl., Buffalo 14214 to
the position of Attendant, Temporary, at the starting salary of $4.25/hr.
Appointment effective March 16, 1993 in the Department of Human
Resources, Division of Youth, Llord B. Brooks, PO Box 1534, Buffalo NY
14205-1534 to the position of Attendant, temporary, at the starting salary of
$4.25/hr
Appointment effective March 18, 1993 in the Department of Human
Resources, Division of Youth, to the position of Attendant, Temporary, at the
starting salary of $4.25/hr
Darlene Carr, 68 Grape St., Buffalo 14204
Charles L. Robbins, 22 Oxford, Buffalo 14209
Appointment effective March 15, 1993 in the Department of Human
Resources, Division of Youth, Willard Anderson, 222 Mulberry Street, Buffalo,
14204 to the position of Community Field Worker, Temporary, at the starting
salary of $6.30/hr.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
Appointment effective March 15, 1993 in the Department of General
Services, Division of Inventory & Stores, Victor W. Leone, 226 Norwood Ave.,
Buffalo, 14222 to the position of Laborer II (Seasonal) at the starting salary
of $6.65/hr.
NON-OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS AND REMONSTRANCES
NON-OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS
No. 86
ASHLAND AVENUE BLOCK CLUB
Clarification of request for Play St.
We would like to file a clarification on Resolution 000365 filed
by our Council Member Alfred Coppola on behalf of our neighborhood's proposal,
The Ashland Avenue Play Street.
The resolution could be misread in that it says that we are requesting
that the "Play Street would close the street to thru traffic, but would allow
for residential traffic..." Our proposal is not to close the street at all, but
to place limitations on the speed at which traffic would move down the street.
In other words, the street will not be closed to any traffic, but will have
impediments to traffic traveling over 10 miles/hour, and signs stating the 10
mile/hour speed limit. It is our intention to discourage thru traffic, not
prohibit it.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
No. 87
ATKIN CONSTRUCTION CORP.
Mineral Springs Trails
There are several important issues regarding the new development
off Hillery Street, "Mineral Spring Trails", with which l would welcome your
assistance.
1. Buyer assistance through tax partial abatement - Most of the buyers
attracted to the project area need some assistance in order to qualify for
mortgages large enough for the houses they would like to purchase. A partial
abatement of the new real estate taxes that will be generated by their new
homes would allow them to be qualified for a larger mortgage payment. If the
tax rate is $28/1000 a typical 100,000 home would generate $2800 in new taxes.
If 50% were abated $1400 or about $120 a month could be added to their
mortgage limit or approximately $18,000 more mortgage they would be qualified
for. This obviously makes, great deal of difference in their ability to
qualify.
2. Revision of floodplain designation - After extensive contacts with
F.E.M.A. representatives and other local officials I found that No current
studies have been done by the city of Buffalo to demonstrate that the present
floodplain maps are no longer accurate since the completion of the various
projects to control the flooding of the Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek. The
town of West Seneca has completed these studies and had the floodplain maps
amended. Half of "Mineral Spring Trails" is in West Seneca. That portion of
the project is not considered in the floodplain, though the adjoining section
of the project in Buffalo is designated as floodplain. A similar effort by the
city would likely remove large areas of South Buffalo from the floodplain map
and thus save needless insurance premiums to the new homebuyers, as well as
numerous resident of South Buffalo.
Thank you for your attention.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE COMPTROLLER, THE
COMMISSIONER OF ASSESSMENT AND THE COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE.
No. 88
BUFFALO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Enterprise Zone - Added Information
Item # 95 C.C.P. 3/16/93
The Enterprise Zone Concept Paper previously submitted omitted
maps of the two non-contiguous parcels in Northwest and Northeast Buffalo.
Please find attached the two maps of these parcels.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
No. 89
GERALD J. CARRIERO
Oppose Use of Mohawk Manor for Work Release Facility
I would like to express my concern over the recent proposal to
convert the Mohawk Motor Inn in Buffalo, New York, into a prison work release
facility. I own several properties near that area. My combined tax burden for
these properties totals $80,825.50 per year for both city and county.
The area around the Mohawk Motor Inn has great potential for growth and
development. For many years, this neighborhood had been neglected and the
surrounding area began to deteriorate. In recent years, however, the
neighborhood has started to make a come back. If a work release facility is
opened in that area at this point in time, the state will be discouraging
people from investing in that neighborhood and whatever progress has been made
will be lost.
Perhaps a better use for the Mohawk Motor Inn would be to convert it into
low cost housing for the elderly. Modifications would not be great, but the
benefit to the community would be substantial.
Although I sympathize with the state's need to allieviate prison
overcrowding, I feel that they have not taken into account the full impact that
a work release facility would have on the neighborhood.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 90
GOSPELFEST
Req. Use of New War Memorial
Gospelfest, the largest outdoor gospel festival in the City of
Buffalo, has been taking place each year since 1987 and has attracted more than
15,000 people. Gospelfest first started at M & T Plaza in downtown Buffalo and
outgrew that facility. In 1991 we were in Lasalle Park and in 1992 at Martin
Luther King Park.
The new facility of the War Memorial Stadium at Best and Jefferson would
be an ideal location for this years festival. Would you please consider this
and set the date for July 24, 1993. The gospel event is for 7 hours beginning
at 3:00 p.m. and ending approximately at 10:00 p.m. The participants of
Gospelfest include many church choirs, groups and soloist of all ethnic
background and religions both local and national. Please respond to me as soon
as possible.
Thank you in advance.
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from Bessie Patterson, Gospelfest Coordinator,
dated March 16, 1993, be received and filed; and
That the organizers of Gospelfest be, and hereby are granted the use of
the new facility of the War Memorial Stadium at Best and Jefferson on July 24,
1993 for Gospelfest, on the condition that the Gospelfest Committee secure
insurance in form and amount satisfactory to the Law Department indemnifying
and holding the City harmless for any damages arising from the use of the
facility.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 91
TOWN OF GRAND ISLAND
Favors Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund
Attached please find a copy of a Town Board Resolution favoring
the creation of a New York State Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
No. 92
HORIZONS WATERFRONT COMMISSION, INC.
Appt. of Director
I'm writing to advise you that term of appointment of Dr. Rae
H. Rosen as a Voting Director to the Horizons Waterfront Commission expired on
March 2, 1993.
We would appreciate hearing from you regarding your appointment or
reappointment to this seat for a two year term effective March 3, 1992.
Mr. Fahey moved:
That the communication from Joseph E. Goodeil, Chairman of the Horizons
Waterfront Commission, Inc., dated 3/12/93 be received and filed; and
That the Common Council hereby reappoints Dr. Rae H. Rosen as a Voting
Director to the Horizons Waterfront Commission for a two-year term effective
March 3, 1993, as the Council's representative to the Commission.
ADOPTED.
No. 93
LEAD ACTION TASK FORCE
Req. Block Grant Funding
As you know the Lead Action Task Force has been attempting to
aid the city in setting up a pilot program to abate 25 homes in census tract
35. In the Spring of 1992 we drew up plans for the pilot program. In the Summer
we wrote and supervised a survey of residents in census tract 35 regarding
lead. In the Fall we began further outreach to the community but stopped when
it became apparent that city departments were not yet ready to start the
program. Since then we have worked to amend the city's lead ordinance and help
city agencies fine tune their ability to carry out the pilot.
There has been a great deal of progress by the Department of Inspections
& Community Revitalization (I&CR) recently in that the city has been granted a
license and now has possession of an XRF analyzer. In addition, I&CR has begun
a subpilot under which they are testing city-owned abandoned properties in
order iron out the kinks before beginning the pilot.
The funding of the pilot program remains unclear. Your request of I&CR to
identify money to pay for the pilot program has gone unanswered. While we still
hope that funds can be made available so the pilot can begin this fiscal year,
we are writing to request you to put $250,000 aside in the coming year's block
grant program so that a source of funding is assured.
Although Buffalo's request for $2.7 million for a HUD grant to do private
lead abatement was turned down in 1992, HUD has informed us that our
application was "competitive" and strongly urged us to reapply for this year's
round of grants. The pilot program was a key part of our grant application.
Proof of commitment and progress regarding the pilot program will be important
in going after this significant source of funds.
Thank you for your continued support of the Task Force and the city's
efforts to begin a lead abatement program.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
No. 94
LOCAL 282
Concerns of Manpower Utilization Contract Award
We feel that the proposed study of the Buffalo Fire Department
will not be a fair assessment of the City's needs. There is not enough money
allocated to do a long range study and cover all important points.
There are many questionable procedures on the Committee's makeup and
recommendations. This is a waste of the City's money and we would ask to speak
to the entire Council to voice our opinions and objections.
The following are our comments regarding the consulting group that has
been preliminarily chosen to do the study.
The Public Management Group (PMG) may be awarded a contract to conduct a
management and operational study of the Buffalo Fire Department. Any
assessment of fire suppression and emergency medical services and subsequent
recommendations must address service levels as they relate to the safety of the
firefighters and the citizens they are sworn to protect, as well as the
protection of property. The study's methodology for such a study must be sound,
logical and above reproach. A review of PMG's proposal and the track history
of its president, William Gay, raises serious concerns of faulty data gathering
and outdated methodology. Mr. Gay may also be promising to deliver more than
he is capable of providing.
In the City's Request for Proposal (RFP), the Administration never
defined that deliverables were to be derived from the study nor any definable
objective. Certainly, the City Administration was remiss in not providing the
operation response criteria as a baseline standard of performance. The
consultant William Gay was remiss in not raising in his proposal the response
criteria issue since he now lacks an established benchmark from which he is to
conduct an unbiased study.
The requirement to establish tactical objectives in terms of response
times and to provide sufficient personnel and equipment to successfully and
safely initiate structural interior fire attacks is required by NFPA 1500,
Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, the
International City Management Association, and the National Fire Protection
Association all which Mr. Gay indicates will be the basis of the analysis. In
this regard, the NFPA 1500 Standard, Section 2-1.2 mandates that:
"The fire department organizational statement shall set forth the
operational criteria for the various types of emergency incidents to which the
fire department is required to respond. This written criteria for each type of
emergency incident shall contain and identify the following:
(a) The types of standard firefighting functions or evolutions, such as
incident management, providing a water supply, hose deployment, forcible entry,
search and rescue, ladder placement, ventilation, salvage, and overhaul
required to safely complete the operation; specifying a determination of
functions or evolutions that need to be performed simultaneously;
(b) The minimum number of members required to safely perform each identified
fire function or evolution, based on written operating procedures;
(c) The number and types of apparatus and members required for the initial
response to each type of emergency incident, as well as the total complement of
apparatus and members to be dispatched for each type of incident that defines
the total response for all incidents up to the level of a major incident for
that jurisdiction;
(d) A description of a typical emergency operation, including alarm time,
response time, arrival sequence, initiation of basic functions and evolution
assignments; and standard operating procedures, as these factors relate to fire
fighter safety and health."
Obviously, Mr. Gay's report must include response time objectives and an
operational structure by which sufficient personnel and equipment can safely
and successfully initiate attacks on structural fires. Such reasonable
measurement would be as follows:
"* first responding unit shall arrive at the scene within 4 minutes of
receipt of the alarm in 90% of the instances,
and/or
* the initial alarm assignment, consisting of two engine companies and one
ladder company shall arrive at the scene within 8 minutes of the alarm in 90%
of the instance.
The initial alarm assigned to a fire shall be comprised of sufficient
personnel and equipment to control a fire in a structure up to 5,000 square
feet in area and effectively remove or rescue and endanger occupants.
and
The initial alarm response to a medical emergency shall be sufficient to
provide advanced life support for victim stabilization, including cardiac
emergency, in a manner consistent with the American Heart Association and the
American Medical Association's recommendations."
Unless the Administration requires Mr. Gay to address these issues, his
study will be flawed in that it will not allow objective consideration of his
recommendations for the deployment of units and personnel when measured against
a baseline measure of performance.
Hence, a standard of measurement must be defined for the fire department
and until one has been determined it is our position that no study should go
forward.
PMG uses the Rand model when analyzing station location operations. This
model is, however, 25 years old and lacks the sophistication of contemporary
station location models such as LANDTRAC and FIREROUTER. The major flaw in the
Rand model is that it only measures response times for the first due apparatus
and does not deal with the entire alarm assignment. Furthermore, Mr. Gay has
not indicated how he will assess the speed of apparatus to various locations at
various times of the day.
Mr. Gay for example takes credit for the reorganization and expansion of
emergency medical system delivery in Norfolk, VA. As an example of PMG's work,
Gay contends that his Norfolk "plan enabled the City to substantially increase
EMS care and ambulance service by developing dual use fire/ ambulance
companies." Not only were Gay's recommendations which called for the
elimination of 27 fire department positions and one-third of the City's engines
and trucks dismissed by the City, the exact program that was put into place
(i.e., cross-trained, dual-role fire fighter-EMS providers) was a plan that Gay
had rejected in his study.
The Norfolk experience was not the first time that a city paid Mr. Gay
handsomely for a fire department study that they ultimately rejected. A review
of Gay's studies of paid fire departments shows that in nearly every city, his
recommendations were rejected.
In one city, Jackson, Mississippi, the only way that Gay's
recommendations could be implemented was to install as Fire Chief Joseph
Donovan, who is conveniently on the staff of PMG.
In fact in his most recently completed "study" of the Tulsa, OK Fire
Department, Mr. Gay recommended the elimination of 9 engine companies
(one-third of the department's pumping capacity), 3 ladder trucks and 60
firefighting positions., More importantly, Mr. Gay in his Tulsa study never
indicated the effect that such a recommendation would have on the Fire
Department's response time or fireground capabilities.
It is also interesting to note that in each of Gay's studies of paid fire
departments, increases in staffing or apparatus or even the maintenance of the
status quo were never recommended. In fact, in each city he recommended
cutbacks in staffing and apparatus. It is inconceivable that in every city
reductions were necessary.
Mr. Gay states he has developed a national fire and emergency medical
operations data base as a useful tool to analyze public sector service
delivery. In reality this national database is fictional since Mr. Gay
collects his information by questionnaire only once the contract for the
management/operational study is approved. Since PMG would compare the service
delivery methods of Buffalo and other comparable, communities, Mr. Gay has no
firsthand knowledge in order to ensure that the data for his selection of
"comparable" fire departments is accurate. In other words, Mr. Gay has no
firsthand information to assess whether or not delivery of fire suppression
services in his comparison cities is "adequate."
Great care needs to be taken when reviewing any recommendations contained
in a management/operational study of the Buffalo Fire Department by PMG.
Recommendations in this "through and objective review of fire/EMS operations"
by Mr. Gay should not jeopardize the safety of the firefighters performing
suppression or EMS activities nor compromise public safety or property under
the guise of cost effectiveness.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 95
STATE OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER
City Audit through 6/30/91
Enclosed is a report of examination, as Identified above, prepared
by the Office of the State Comptroller. Also enclosed for your convenience Is
a copy of Section 35 of the General Municipal Law which explains your
responsibilities, together with a sample publication notice and certification.
The examination was made, and report prepared, In accordance with the
authority granted to the State Comptroller by Article 3 of the General
Municipal Law. We recommend that the report be studied by all appropriate
officials and that a written response to the audit findings be prepared and
filed pursuant to Subdivision 4 of Section 35 of the General Municipal Law.
Section II 4 of the Financial Management Guide for Local Governments Is sued by
the Office of the State Comptroller discusses the filing requirements and
provides guidance concerning the preparation of a written response.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, THE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE.
No. 96
JAMES W. PITTS
Elm Leaf Beetle Management Plan
Outlined in the attached letter dated March 19, 1993 from Karen
Murphy, Chair, of the City of Buffalo's Pest Management Board to Park's
Department Commissioner Stan Buczkowski, the City has yet to announce it's plan
to address the elm leaf beetle problem for the upcoming 1993 season in addition
to other stated issues.
The Pest Management Board suggests that a plan be announced by April 1,
1993, so they will have adequate time to provide assistance and advisement.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND THE COMMISSIONER OF PARKS.
No. 97
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Title VI Agreement BMHA/HUD
This morning I received a copy of a Wednesday March 16 Council
Resolution, faxed to our Offices at 4:30 p. m. last Friday, concerning the
Title VI Agreement between the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) and the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA). The Resolution
requests that, by 2:00 p. m. Thursday, April 1, 1993, HUD Secretary Henry
Cisneros and I "file reports explaining the rationale of implementing the Title
VI Agreement . . . . " The accompanying letter further requests that I attend a
Council Legislation Committee meeting tomorrow at 2:00 p. m.
The Resolution specifically affirms that " . . the Title VI Agreement . .
. will have a serious destructive impact on access to public housing by Black
family applicants; . . . that an applicant is only permitted to choose a
vacancy at a development where their race does not "predominate" . . . ; (that]
Black families will have almost no choices on the most desirable developments
available... [and that] this agreement would enable whites and Hispanics to
choose any vacancy in almost all developments . .."
The Resolution is focused on the procedures by which BMHA applicants are
offered and assigned apartments. However, the above-quoted excerpts from the
Resolution are inaccurate and seriously misleading. By way of clarification and
response, permit me to clarify the tenant selection system implemented by the
HUD-BMHA Agreement.
In 1988, the HUD New York Office conducted a compliance review of the
Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA). The review concluded that, because
BMHA permitted and honored each applicant's specific project preferences,
tenant self-segregation occurred in BMHA Developments. Such practices violate
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Consequently, by letter of April 25,
1989, HUD New York formally transmitted a finding of non-compliance with Title
VI requirements.
To remedy this finding, HUD Headquarters and BMHA entered into an
Agreement for Voluntary Compliance. The Agreement included provisions for
voluntary transfer by present tenants, and alternate location offers for new
applicants, all to promote desegregation. Although the BMHA Board of
Commissioners accepted most provisions, they requested further negotiation on
some matters, for example, resident incentives and mandatory transfers.
As you will recall, Mr. Gordon Mansfield, then HUD Assistant Secretary
for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, visited Buffalo to negotiate a revised
Agreement with the BMHA. To prepare for those negotiations, Mr. Mansfield met
several times with Buffalo Community Leaders, including Council Representative
James Pitts, at meetings hosted by this Office. After comments and input from
Mr. Pitts and others, Mr. Mansfield resumed negotiations with BMHA, to revise
the Agreement. Negotiations were completed and, in July, 1992, a revised
Voluntary Compliance Agreement was executed. The July form of the Agreement is
currently in effect and being implemented by the Authority.
As you know, Nation-wide HUD regulations require all Housing Authorities
to adopt one of two options for offering vacancies to waiting list applicants:
Plan A (which provides one, and only one, offer - the next available apartment,
regardless of its location); or Plan B (which provides three sequential offers,
based on those Developments with the most vacancies, those with the second-most
vacancies, and those with the third-most vacancies). BMHA chose Plan B.
Further, BMHA and HUD agreed to a further, desegregative offer, in
addition to the Plan B offers, to be made available by BMHA should an applicant
refuse the three Plan B offers. The BMHA Board adopted the Alternate Offer in
January of 1993. This offer, the "Alternate Offer', is to be made only after
and in addition to, not instead of, the Authority's three Plan B offers.
The Alternate Offer provides an applicant with additional choices. The
initial offers, the three Plan B offers, are based on the availability of both
(a) appropriately-sized units, and (b) units at those Developments having the
most vacancies. The Alternate Offer gives an applicant a choice of any
Development where the applicant's race does not predominate. If no such
developments have units available, the applicant may wait until one becomes
available, without surrendering position on the waiting list. This additional
Alternate Offer is a critical part of the remedy to HUD's finding that BMHA's
previous admission policies have resulted in self-segregation. It is a remedy
providing additional choices, not restricting them. The intent of the remedy is
to help reduce self-segregation and foster greater diversity.
The impact of the Alternate Offer varies among the type of housing
Developments. Since most elderly Developments are predominantly non-Black,
Black elderly applicants may have more alternate-offer Developments to choose.
For non-elderly Developments, the situation differs.
Notwithstanding the above, precisely which offer is in fact made at any
given time depends on many, co-incident factors: an applicant's place on the
waiting list; which apartment(s) become available at the time that applicant's
name rises to the top; the Plan B choice(s) that an applicant makes; how long
it takes that applicant to make the choices; which apartment(s) become
available if and when that applicant refuses all Plan B choices; etc. In
short, it is rarely possible to conclude in advance that a given applicant will
in fact have more or fewer choices than another.
I am convinced that, after reviewing the above explanation, you will
recognize that the language of the Council Resolution is a serious misreading
of the actual procedures for tenant selection and assignment, as outlined in
the Agreement. Instead of reducing tenant choices, the Agreement in fact
expands them.
In response to your invitation, prior schedule commitments preclude me
from attending the Council Committee meeting of Tuesday, March 23. However, I
will be happy to meet with Council Representatives, at HUD-Buffalo Offices, to
further clarify and answer questions, as needed. To arrange for a mutually
convenient time, please contact me at (716) 846-5733.
I hope that I have been able to dispose of unwarranted fears that the HUD
- BMHA Agreement unfairly limits choices for Black families. By the Agreement,
HUD Headquarters intended that new procedures help to desegregate BMHA
Developments. BMHA Executive Director Michael Clarke may be able to provide
information on the impact of these policies.
I trust that I have responded to the Committee's concerns. As always, I
and my staff appreciate your input on these important issues.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
PETITIONS
No. 98
Timothy Hyland, owner, petition to Rezone 73 Holt from M-1 to R-2 for
residential use.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION, THE CITY PLANNING BOARD
AND THE COMMISSIONER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
No. 99
Community Action Information Center, petition, supporting civil action as a
remedy to the Street Sanitation Department's inability to arrest and prosecute
persons using neighborhood as a garbage dump.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF
POLICE, THE COMMISSIONER OF INSPECTIONS AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION AND THE
CORPORATION COUNSEL.
No. 100
L. DeMartino and Others favor proposed curfew law.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
REGULAR COMMITTEES
CIVIL SERVICE
HON. JAMES W. PITTS
CHAIRMAN
No. 101
Salary Ordinance Amendment
70-0 Department of Street Sanitation
(Item No. 180, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the Salary Ordinance Amendment as contained in Item No. 180,
C.C.P., March 16, 1993, be and the same hereby is approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 102
Salary Ordinance Amendment
21-0 Department of Fire
011 - Fire Fighting Services
(Item No. 182, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the Salary Ordinance Amendment as contained in Item No.
182, C.C.P., March 16, 1993, be and the same hereby is approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 103
Transfer of Funds - Labor Relations
(Item No. 130, C.C.P., Mar. 2, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is, returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Pitts moved:
That pursuant to section 42 of the Charter and the Certificate of the
Mayor and the Comptroller, submitted to the Common Council, the sum of $20,000
be and the same is hereby transferred from the Fringe Benefits account for
Hospitalization and Surgical Insurance for Retired Employees in Appropriation
Allotments and said sum is hereby reappropriated as set forth below:
From:
100 General Fund
813 - Fringe Benefits
170 -Hospitalization and Surgical
Insurance for Retired Employees $20,000
To:
110 General Fund
06 - 3 Division of Labor Relations
001 - Labor Relations
573 - Engineering and Technical Services $20,000
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 104
Transfer of Funds - Exempt Items Labor Relations
(Item No. 134, C.C.P., Mar. 2, 1993)
That pursuant to section 42 of the Charter and the Certificate
of the Mayor and the Comptroller, submitted to the Common Council, the sum of
$600 be and the same is hereby transferred from the Reserve for Capital
Improvements in Appropriation Allotments - Exempt Items and said sum is hereby
reappropriated as set forth below:
From:
100 General Fund
81-9- Exempt Items
842- Reserve for Capital Improvements $600
To:
100 General Fund
063 - Division of Labor Relations
085 - Capital Outlays
982 - Operating Equipment
2 Lan drops & 2 Lan cards $600
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 105
Preferred List For Cotter Crew (CSC)
(Item # 87 CCP Jul 21, 1992)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 106
Appointment
FIRE/SUPERINTENDENT/FIRE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
That Communication NO 47 CCP JUL 7, 1992 be received and filed
and the Provisional appointment of James Durham stated above at the Maximum
salary $31,314.00 effective on Jul 2, 1992 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 107
Appointment
Audit & Control/Associate Auditor
That Communication No 29 CCP Dec 22, 1992 be received and filed
and the Provisional appointment of Susan Mascia stated above at the Maximum
salary $33,262.00 effective on Dec 7, 1992 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 108
Appointment
Administration & Finance/Junior Traffic Clerk
That Communication No 71 CCP Feb 16, 1993 be received and filed
and the Permanent appointment of Daniel D. Viapiano stated above at the Maximum
salary $20,531.00 effective on Feb 8, 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 109
Appointment
Public Works/Laborer I
That Communication No 57 CCP Mar 16, 1993 be received and filed
and the Permanent appointment of Patricia A. Lawler stated above at the
Intermediate salary $8.53 effective on Mar 8, 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 110
Appointment
Public Works/Laborer I
That Communication No 58 CCP Mar 16, 1993 be received and filed
and the Permanent appointment of William Finnegan stated above at the Maximum
salary $9.38 effective on Mar l, 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 111
Appointment
Public Works/Laborer II
That Communication No 59 CCP Mar 16, 1993 be received and filed
and the Permanent appointment of Michael Willard stated above at the Maximum
salary $10.26/hr. effective on Mar 1 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 112
Appointment
Public Works/Laborer II
That Communication No 60 CCP Mar 16, 1993 be received and filed
and the Permanent appointment of Thomas V. Ellis stated above at the Maximum
salary $10.26 effective on Mar 8, 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 113
Appointment
Public Works/Engineering Aide
That Communication No 61 CCP Mar 16, 1993 be received and filed
and the Provisional appointment of Thomas LoTempio stated above at the Maximum
salary $23,017.00 effective on Mar 8, 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 114
Appointment
Public Works/Assistant Administrator
That Communication No 62 CCP Mar 16, 1993 be received and filed
and the Provisional appointment of Charles A. Masi stated above at the Maximum
salary $38,089.00 effective on Mar 9, 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 115
Appointment Police/Laborer I
That Communication No 69 CCP Mar 16, 1993 be received and filed
and the Temporary appointment of Leonard R. Valvo stated above at the Maximum
salary $9.38/hr effective on Feb 25, 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 116
Appointment
Street Sanitation/Truckdriver
That Communication No 75 CCP Mar 16,1 993 be received and filed
and the Permanent appointment of Steven R. Iraci stated above at the Maximum
salary $22,815.00 effective on Feb 23, 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 117
Appointment
Inspections & Community Revitalization
Chief Building Inspector
That Communication No 82 CCP Mar 16, 1993 be received and filed
and the Provisional appointment of Matthew J. Baudo stated above at the
Intermediate salary $33,351.00 effective on Mar 8, 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 118
Appointment
Human Resources/Deputy director
That Communication No 86 CCP Mar 16, 1993 be received and filed
and the Provisional appointment of Joseph M. Mazza stated above at the
Intermediate salary $37,143.00 effective on Mar 16, 1993 is hereby approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 119
Notices Of Appointments (C.Clerk)
(Item # 92 CCP Mar 16, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
FINANCE
HON. DAVID A. COLLINS
CHAIRMAN
No. 120
RFP Replies/Fire Department Manpower Utilization
(Item # 70 CCP Dec 22, 1992)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 121
Renew Lease - Emmanuel Temple Church
(Item No. 31, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the Comptroller be and hereby is authorized to renew the
lease with Pastor Robert J. Deas of the Greater Emmanuel Temple Church, to
commence on July 1, 1991 and expire on June 30, 1993, at an annual rental of
$155.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Five Dollars) payable in advance, and the lessee
to save the City harmless from any liability and to provide insurance therefore
in the amounts determined sufficient by the Law Department.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 122
Bids - Skyway/Thruway Loop
(Item No. 6, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the Director of Parking be, and he hereby is authorized to
award a contract for Skyway - Thruway Loop to Multiple Parking Services, Inc.,
the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $220,000.00 annually and award
them a three year lease.
Mr. Collins now moved to recommit to the Committee on Finance.
ADOPTED.
No. 123
Bids - Ontario Street Concession
(Item No. 64, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the Commissioner of Parks be, and he hereby is authorized
to award a contract for the Ontario Street concession to Charles J. Giovino,
2051 Niagara Street, the highest responsible bidder in the amount of $6,124.00.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 124
Bids - South Park Golf Course Concession
(Item No. 65, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the Commissioner of Parks be, and he hereby is authorized
to award a contract for the South Park Golf Course concession to Naritza &
Lucian J. Miller, 2568 Route 39, Collins, New York, the highest responsible
bidders in the amount of $3,044.00.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 125
Bids - Emergency Demolition, 224 Box, etc.
(Item No. 81, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the award by the Commissioner of Inspections and Community
Revitalization of emergency demolition contracts to Integrated Waste Special
Services, at a cost of $7,415.00, relating to 224 Box, to Great Lakes
Dismantling Co., at a cost of $5,462.00 relating to 272 Dodge, to Lebis
Contracting, at a cost of $9,885.00 relating to 175 Masten, to Great Lakes
Dismantling Co., at a cost of $5,829.00 relating to 172 Northampton, to
Delmonte Demolition, at a cost of $6,500.00 relating to 380 Johnson, to
Integrated Waste Special Services, at a cost of $5,000.00 relating to 506 East
Ferry, to Lebis Contracting, at a cost of $4,610.00 relating to 1293 Fillmore,
to Great Lakes Dismantling Co., at a cost of $6,267.00 relating to 268 Hickory
and garage, to Lebis Contracting, at a cost of $4,500.00 relating to 1328
Jefferson, to Delmonte Demolition, at a cost of $4,050.00 relating to 385
Monroe, to Integrated Waste Special Services, at a cost of $4,400.00 relating
to 921 Northampton and Garage, to Integrated Waste Special Services, at a cost
of $4,100.00 relating to 130 Peabody and Garage, to Integrated Waste Special
Services, to Integrated Waste Special Services, at a cost of $4,100.00 relating
to 37 Sherman and Garage, to Integrated Waste Special Services, at a cost of
$5,200.00 relating to 83 Sherman Street, to Lebis Contracting, at a cost of
$3,100.00 relating to 102 Shumway, to Great Lakes Dismantling Co., at a cost of
$4,487.00 relating to 987 Smith and Garage, to Great Lakes Dismantling Co., at
a cost of $4,400.00 relating to 1064 Smith and Garage, to Great Lakes
Dismantling Co., at a cost of $5,200.00 relating to 11 Southampton, to Great
Lakes Dismantling Co., at a cost of $4,630.00 relating to 414 Sycamore, are
hereby confirmed, ratified and approved, with said cost to be charged against
the pending bond fund, and that said cost shall be collected against the owner
or person in possession of the premises and/or shall be assessed against the
property benefitted, in accordance with Chapter 113, of the Ordinances of the
City of Buffalo.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 126
Change Contract - General Construction
War Memorial Stadium Site
(Item No. 73, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the Commissioner of Community Development, be and he hereby
is authorized to issue a change order No. 4 to Nichter Utility Construction
Corp., for changes resulting in a net increase in the amount of $160,033.71, as
more fully described in the above communication, for additional work relating
to General Construction at the War Memorial Stadium Site Redevelopment contract
91633500. Funds for this contract are available in Bond Fund 200-717-094.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 127
Reduce Retention - Site Redevelopment
(Item No. 74, C.C.P., 3/16/93)
That the Commissioner of Community Development, be and he hereby
is authorized to the reduce the retention from 10% to 1% on a contract with
Nichter Utility Construction Corporation, Inc., Contract #91633500 for General
Construction, Site Redevelopment of War Memorial Stadium to $1% or $49,522.00.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 128
Renewal of Contracts - Solid Waste Disposal
(Item No. 52, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Collins moved:
That the Commissioner of Public Works be, and he hereby is authorized to
negotiate renewal of two (2) contracts for Solid Waste Disposal with Occidental
Chemical Corporation and Integrated Waste Systems, Inc. The proposed terms and
conditions of the renewals are to be submitted to the Common Council for
approval.
PASSED.
AYES - AMOS, ARTHUR, BELL, COLLINS, COPPOLA, FRANCZYK, HIGGINS, LOTEMPIO,
PERLA, PITTS - 10.
NOES - FAHEY, ZUCHLEWSKI- 2.
No. 129
Transfer of Funds - Budget
(Item No. 129, C.C.P., Mar. 2, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is, returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Collins moved:
That pursuant to section 42 of the Charter and the Certificate of the
Mayor and the Comptroller, submitted to the Common Council, the sum of $10,300
be and the same is hereby transferred from the Capital Projects - Fund -
Division of Budget & Management - Planning for Capital Projects account and
said sum is hereby reappropriated as set forth below:
FROM:
200 Capital Projects Fund
06-1 - Division of Budget & Management
001 - Planning for Capital Projects $10,300
TO:
200 Capital Projects Fund
71-7 - Division of Development
525 - Relocation of Cazenovia Ball Diamonds $10,300
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 130
Transfer of Funds - Water
(Item No. 131, C.C.P., Mar. 2, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is, returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Collins moved:
That pursuant to section 42 of the Charter and the Certificate of the
Mayor and the Comptroller, submitted to the Common Council, the sum of $32,100
be and the same is hereby transferred from the Reserve for Capital Improvements
in Appropriation Allotments - Exempt Items - Water and said sum is hereby
reappropriated as set forth below:
FROM:
410 - Enterprise Fund - Water
81-9 - Exempt Items
842 - Reserve for Capital Improvements $32,100
To:
410 - Enterprise Fund - Water
021 - Administrative Services
540 - Printing and Binding $22,900
541 - Postage $ 9,200
$32,100
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 131
Transfer of Funds - Parking Enforcement
(Item No. 132, C.C.P., Mar. 2, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is, returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Collins moved:
That pursuant to section 42 of the Charter and the Certificate of the
Mayor and the Comptroller, submitted to the Common Council, the sum of $83,000
be and the same is hereby transferred from the Fringe Benefits account for
Hospitalization and Surgical Insurance for Retired Employees in Appropriation
Allotments and said sum is hereby reappropriated as set forth below:
From:
100 General Fund
813 - Fringe Benefits
170 - Hospitalization and Surgical
insurance for Retired Employees $83,000
To:
100 General Fund
06 - 4 Division of Parking Enforcement
031 - Towing and Storage Operations
Public Utility Service
221 - Electric, Light and Power $58,500
Purchase of Services
583 - Unclassified $24,500
Total $83,000
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 132
Transfer of Funds - Fire
(Item No. 160, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is, returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Collins moved:
That pursuant to section 41 of the Charter and the Certificate of the
Mayor and the Comptroller submitted to the Common Council, the appropriation in
the budget for current fiscal year for Appropriation Allotments - Department of
Fire be and the same hereby is increased in the sum of $32,208; and
That the Comptroller be and hereby is authorized and directed to transfer
the sum of $32,208 from 100-890-050 -Reserved Fund Balance for Capital Budget
Appropriations to meet this increased appropriation as set forth below:
To:
100 General Fund
21-0 - Department of Fire
085 - Capital Outlay
981 - Passenger Cars and Other Vehicles
2 Vehicles $32,208
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 133
Increased Appropriation - Division of Parking Enforcement
(Item No. 161, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is, returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Collins moved:
That pursuant to section 41 of the Charter and the Certificate of the
Mayor and the Comptroller submitted to the Common Council, the appropriation in
the budget for current fiscal year for Appropriation Allotments - Division of
Parking Enforcement be and the same hereby is increased in the sum of $50,000;
and
That the Comptroller be and hereby is authorized and directed to transfer
the sum of $50,000 from 100-890-050 -Reserved Fund Balance for Capital Budget
Appropriations to meet this increased appropriation as set forth below:
TO:
100 General Fund
06-4 Division of Parking Enforcement
085 - Capital Outlay
982 - Operating Equipment $50,000
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 134
Transfer of Funds - Water
(Item No. 162, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is, returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Collins moved:
That pursuant to section 42 of the Charter and the Certificate of the
Mayor and the Comptroller, submitted to the Common Council, the sum of $300,000
be and the same is hereby transferred from an account in Appropriation
Allotments - Exempt Items - Water and said sum is hereby reappropriated as set
forth below:
FROM:
410 Enterprise Fund - Water
81-9 - Exempt Items
842 - Reserve for Capital Improvements $300,000
TO:
410 Enterprise Fund - Water
98-0 Department of Water
022 - Engineering and Inspection of Water Lines
Purchase of Services
573 - Engineering & Technical Services $300,000
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 135
Refund of Taxes - Maryner Towers
(Item No. 71, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the Comptroller be, and he hereby is, authorized and directed
to draw a check on the appropriate account in the amount of $50,396.56 payable
to Maryner Redevelopment Company, Inc. in refund of the City's share of excess
real property taxes paid by Maryner Redevelopment to the City for tax year
1992-93 relating to 186 Efner.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 136
Juneteenth - Dates for Festival
(Item No. 66, C.C.P., Mar. 2, 1993)
Whereas, According to the adopted resolution Item No. 136, C.C.P.,
January 19, 1993 it is the policy of the Council to have the Juneteenth
Festival Inc. and sponsors of similar events provide post-event accounting of
revenues, expenses and use of proceeds to the Common Council as a prerequisite
to issuing permits; and
Now, therefore be it resolved that:
Within 90 (Ninety) days following the closing of the Juneteenth Festival,
Festival coordinators will provide the Council with an accounting of revenues,
expenses, and use of funds in accordance to the Juneteenth corporate charter.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 137
Juneteenth Festival/Barricades (PW)
(Item # 53 CCP Mar 16, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 138
Buffalo Softball League/Annual Audit
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
LEGISLATION
HON. ALFRED T. COPPOLA
CHAIRMAN
No. 139
Sisters Hospital, Petition to use 2157 Main Street (Item
(No. 110, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Coppola moved:
That after a public hearing before the Committee on Legislation on March
23, 1993, the petition of Sisters of Charity Hospital, owner, for permission to
use 2157 Main Street for a ground sign be and hereby is approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 140
Bella Vista Group Inc. Petition to use
2231 Niagara Street
(Item No. 111, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That after a public hearing before the Committee on Legislation
on March 23, 1993, the petition of The Bella Vista Group Inc., owner, for
permission to use 2231 Niagara Street for a pole sign be and hereby is
approved.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 141
Herwood Properties, Petition to use
1833 Elmwood Avenue
(Item No. 112, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That after a public hearing before the Committee on Legislation
on March 23, 1993, the petition of Herwood Properties, owner, for permission to
use 1833 Elmwood Avenue for a pole sign be and hereby is approved, upon the
condition that the sidewalk be kept clear of ice and snow.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 142
Family Restaurant of Buffalo, Petition
Use 1094 Broadway
(Item No. 73, C.C.P., Mar. 2, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Coppola moved:
That after a public hearing before the Committee on Legislation on March
23, 1993, the petition of Family Restaurant, owner, for permission to use 1094
Broadway for a pole sign be and hereby is approved.
Mr. Coppola now moved to recommit to the Committee on Legislation.
ADOPTED.
No. 143
Encroach Awning - 455 Ellicott
(Item No. 55, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the Commissioner of Public Works be and he hereby is, authorized
to issue a "mere license" to Mrs. Kendall Bruzgull, owner of McClellands Small
Animal Hospital, located at 455 Ellicott Street, to install an awning which
would encroach city right-of-way at said address, subject to the following
conditions.
1. That the applicant obtain any and all other City of Buffalo permits
necessary for said installation.
2. That the awning be installed exactly as shown on plans submitted to and
approved by the Department of Public Works, Division of Buildings.
3. That the applicant supply the City of Buffalo with a five thousand dollar
($5,000) construction in street bond or certificate of insurance which will
indemnify and save harmless the City of Buffalo against any and all loss and
damage arising out of the construction, maintenance, use and removal of said
awning.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 144
Local Law/twenty-five Percent Minority Participation
(Item # 152 CCP Feb 16, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 145
Request Opinion/Local Law Exempt/Elected Work Full Time
(Item # 144 CCP Mar 2, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 146
Mayor's 1993 State Legislative Package
(Item # 6 CCP Mar 2, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 147
Coordinated Response To Violent Crime
(Item # 150 CCP Jan 19, 1992)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
AYES - ARTHUR, BELL COLLINS, COPPOLA, FRANCZYK, HIGGINS, PERLA, PITTS- 8.
NOES - AMOS, FAHEY, LOTEMPIO, ZUCHLEWSKI- 4.
No. 148
NYSDEC/Comments Of Hazwaste Task Force Report
(Item # 107 CCP Mar 16, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 149
Agreement to Reconstruct Delaware "S" Curves
(Item No. 169, C.C.P., Mar. 16, 1993)
That the Mayor be and he hereby is, authorized to enter into any
and all agreements needed for the City's participation for funding this
project; and
That this Council requests that after adoption of the 1993-94 Capital
Budget, the Comptroller make funds available for the City's share by issuing
either an interfund cash loan or a bond anticipation note and that such funds
be deposited with the New York State Comptroller as required by the agreements.
ADOPTED.
No. 150
J. Lopez/Pole Park Detail for Shoshone
(Item #113, CCP, Mar 16, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 151
J. Lopez/Twenty-four Hour Detail Precinct # 17 Area
(Item #114, CCP, Mar 16, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 152
M. Kurkowski/Houghton Basketball Courts/Rink
(Item # 115, CCP, Mar 16, 1993)
That the above mentioned item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
HON. CLIFFORD BELL
CHAIRMAN
No. 153
Hearing on the Arrest of Rosa Gibson
(Item # 179, CCP Feb 1, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 154
LDA - Engine #16 Redevelopment (Vets Helping Vets)
(Item No. 76, C.C.P., March 16, 1993)
That the above item be and hereby is returned to the Common Council
without recommendation.
The above Item has been set for a Public Hearing before the Common
Council, at this regularly scheduled meeting, this date, at 2:00 P.M., and that
a Notice of same has been published in the Buffalo News, a copy of which is
attached hereto.
On a Motion by Mr. Fahey, Seconded by Mr. Collins the item is
properly before the Common Council, and the Hearing be opened.
CARRIED.
Appearances: Louis Malucci, Community Revitalization
Frank Balkowski, WNY Veterans Housing Coalition
Mr. Fahey moved that the hearing be closed.
Seconded by Mr. Coppola.
CARRIED.
Mr. Fahey moved that
WHEREAS, the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (herein referred to as the
"Agency") has duly designated WNY Veterans Housing Coalition, Inc. and/or other
legal entity to be formed as qualified and eligible Redeveloper in accordance
with rules and procedures duly adopted by the Agency; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk has published a Notice of Public Hearing, as
required by Section 507, Subdivision 2 (d) of the "General Municipal Law"; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
(1) That WNY Veterans Housing Coalition, Inc. and/or other legal entity
to be formed was duly designated as qualified and eligible Redeveloper by the
Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency, is hereby approved as the Redeveloper for the
Engine 16 Redevelopment Project in the Community wide Urban Renewal
Demonstration Program Area.
(2) That the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Buffalo Urban Renewal
Agency is hereby authorized to execute any and all deeds or other legal
documents necessary to convey the land described in the proposed "Land
Disposition Agreement" to the Redeveloper and/or other legal entity to be
formed in accordance with the terms of said Agreement and for the consideration
recited therein and that the Mayor of the City of Buffalo is hereby authorized
to execute any and all deeds or other legal documents necessary to convey the
property from the City to BURA.
PASSED.
AYES- 11 NOES- 0.
This item was taken out of order as the first Council Item, and Mr. Higgins had
not yet taken his seat in the chamber.
No. 155
LDA - Fillmore New Housing (Apex)
(Item No. 77 C.C.P., March 16, 1993)
That the above item be and hereby is returned to the Common Council
without recommendation.
The above Item has been set for a Public Hearing before the Common
Council, at this regularly scheduled meeting, this date, at 2:00 P.M., and that
a Notice of same has been published in the Buffalo News, a copy of which is
attached hereto.
On a Motion by Mr. Fahey, Seconded by Mr. Collins the item is properly
before the Common Council, and the Hearing be opened.
CARRIED.
Appearances: Louis Malucci, Community Revitalization
Mr. Fahey moved that the hearing be closed.
Seconded by Mr. Bell.
CARRIED.
Mr. Bell now moved to recommit the above item to the Committee on
Economic Development.
ADOPTED.
No. 156
LDA - Emslie New Housing (Gal/Van)
(Item No. 78 C.C.P., March 16, 1993)
That the above item be and hereby is returned to the Common Council
without recommendation.
The above Item has been set for a Public Hearing before the Common
Council, at this regularly scheduled meeting, this date, at 2:00 P.M., and that
a Notice of same has been published in the Buffalo News, a copy of which is
attached hereto.
On a Motion by Mr. Fahey, Seconded by Mr. Coppola the item is
properly before the Common Council, and the Hearing be opened.
CARRIED.
Appearances: Louis Malucci, Community revitalization.
Mr. Fahey moved that the hearing be closed.
Seconded by Mr. Pitts.
CARRIED.
Mr. Fahey moved that
WHEREAS, the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (herein referred to as the
"Agency") has duly designated Gal/Van Developers, Inc. and/or other legal
entity to be formed as qualified and eligible Redeveloper in accordance with
rules and procedures duly adopted by the Agency; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk has published a Notice of Public Hearing, as
required by Section 507, Subdivision 2 (d) of the "General Municipal Law"; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
(1) That Gal/Van Developers, Inc. and/or other legal entity to be formed
was duly designated as qualified and eligible Redeveloper by the Buffalo Urban
Renewal Agency, is hereby approved as the Redeveloper for the Emslie NDP
Housing Project Phase II in the Emslie Neighborhood Development Program Area.
(2) That the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Buffalo Urban Renewal
Agency is hereby authorized to execute any and all deeds or other legal
documents necessary to convey the land described in the proposed "Land
Disposition Agreement" to the Redeveloper and/or other legal entity to be
formed in accordance with the terms of said Agreement and for the consideration
recited therein and that the Mayor of the City of Buffalo is hereby authorized
to execute any and all deeds or other legal documents necessary to convey the
property from the City to BURA.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
Mr. Higgins had taken his seat before this roll call.
No. 157
Authorization Filing Statement
1993-94 Community Development Block Grant
(Item No. 151, C.C.P., Feb. 16, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is, returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Bell moved:
That the "Final Statement of Objectives and Projected Use of Funds" has
been reviewed by the members of the Common Council and is hereby approved.
That the Mayor of the City of Buffalo is hereby authorized to execute and
file, on the behalf of the City of Buffalo, the "Final Statement of Objectives
and Projected Use of Funds" for the 1993-94 Community Development Block Grant
Funds.
That the Mayor is further authorized to provide such additional
information and furnish such documents as may be required by the Department of
Housing and Urban Development.
That the Mayor is further authorized to execute such contracts or
agreements as may be necessary for the HUD funds applied for, to execute and
file requisitions for funds and to act as the authorized representative of the
City of Buffalo.
Mr. Bell now moved to recommit the above item to the Committee on
Economic Development.
ADOPTED.
No. 158
Authorization to Submit Final Statement
1993-94 Community Development Block Grant (Mayor)
(Item No. 1, C.C.P., Feb. 16, 1993)
That the above item be, and the same hereby is, returned to the
Common Council without recommendation.
Mr. Bell now moved to recommit the above item to the Committee on
Economic Development.
ADOPTED.
No. 159
ECIDA/Annual PILOT Agreement
(Item # 99 CCP Mar 16, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 160
December Office space Inventory (CD)
(Item # 44 CCP Jan 5, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 161
Status - Unspent LSHP Funds
(Item No. 9, C.C.P., Feb. 16, 1993)
That the above item be and the same is received and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 162
Unspent L.S.H.P. Funds (A&F)
(Item # 51 CCP Mar 2, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
No. 163
Unspent L.S.H.P. Funds (HR)
(Item # 85 CCP Mar 16, 1993)
That the above mentioned Item be and the same is hereby received
and filed.
ADOPTED.
RESOLUTIONS
No. 164
By: Mr. Bakos
Change of William St. Bus Route
Whereas: The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority implemented a variety
of bus route changes effective March 28, 1993; and
Whereas: Those changes included a reduction in the number of outbound
William Street (Route l) buses that pass through the Bailey, Ogden and Lovejoy
areas; and
Whereas: This has caused a considerable hardship for East Lovejoy residents,
particularly senior citizens who rely on the buses for their transportation
needs;
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved:
That this Common Council ask the Niagara Frontier Transportation
Authority to reconsider its decision to reduce service on the William Street
(Route l) bus route; and
Be It Further Resolved:
That the Legislation Committee of the Common Council hold a public
hearing on the changes in the William Street bus route recently instituted by
the NFTA.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND THE NFTA.
No. 165
By: Messrs. Bell, Amos
Administration Commitment
to Spending Cuts and Revenue Increases
Whereas: Following months of work, the Buffalo Financial Plan Commission
presented to the city of Buffalo their proposals to resolve the financial
dilemma facing the city; and
Whereas: Many of the proposals require not only legal action, but also some
basic agreements between management and union employees; and
Whereas: The Common Council, Administration, and Union Representatives have
been meeting to discuss the practicality of implementing some of the FPC
recommendations while at the same time minimizing the impact on personnel
levels, reductions in benefit packages, and provision of basic services to the
taxpayers of the city of Buffalo; and
Whereas: The administration, during the course of these meetings, has not
made a definitive commitment on revenue enhancements and expenditure reductions
to help alleviate the fiscal problems; and
Whereas: In order to deal realistically with the problem at hand, this
Council, at the very least, needs to have a true sense of the spending cuts and
revenue increases that will be included in the Mayor's Budget Recommendations;
Now, therefore, be it resolved:
That this Common Council request that the Mayor submit to this Honorable
Body the details of all projected revenues and spending cuts that will be
included in his budget recommendation, highlighting areas that coincide with
the recommendations of the Financial Plan Commission; and
Be it further resolved:
That upon receipt of the aforementioned data, this Council initiate the
appropriate action to implement those proposals deemed necessary and prudent to
address the projected budgetary shortfall; and
Be it finally resolved:
That this information be filed with this Council prior to the next filing
deadline of 2:00 pm on April 8, 1993.
ADOPTED.
No. 166
By: Mr. Collins
Transfer of Funds
Appropriation Allotments
Exempt Items
-Reserve for Capital Improvements
Capital Projects Fund
Division of Buildings
That, pursuant to section 42 of the Charter and the Certificate
of the Mayor and the Comptroller submitted to the Common Council, the sum of
$3,555.00 be and the same is hereby transferred from the Reserve for Capital
Improvements in Appropriation Allotments - Exempt Items and said sum is hereby
reappropriated as set forth below:
From:
100 General Fund
81-9 - Exempt Items
842 - Reserve for Capital Improvements $3,555.00
To:
81-8 - Interfund Transfers
010 - Transfer to Capital Projects Fund $3,555.00
From:
81-8 - Interfund Transfers
010 - Transfer to Capital Projects Fund $3,555.00
To:
200 Capital Projects Fund
40-2 Division of Buildings
024 - Construction of Old First Ward Comm. Ctr $3,555.00
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 167
By: Mr. Collins
Transfer of Funds
Appropriation Allotments Exempt Items
-Reserve for Capital Improvements
Capital Projects Fund
Division of Buildings
That, pursuant to section 42 of the Charter and the Certificate
of the Mayor and the Comptroller submitted to the Common Council, the sum of
$4,125.00 be and the same is hereby transferred from the Reserve for Capital
Improvements in Appropriation Allotments - Exempt Items and said sum is hereby
reappropriated as set forth below:
From:
100 General Fund
81-9 - Exempt Items
842 - Reserve for Capital Improvements $4,125.00
To:
81-8 - Interfund Transfers
010 - Transfer to Capital Projects Fund $4,125.00
From:
81-8 - Interfund Transfers
010 - Transfer to Capital Projects Fund $4,125.00
To:
200 Capital Projects Fund
40-2 Division of Buildings
026 - Reconstruction of Shea's Buffalo Theater $4,125.00
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 168
By: Mr. Collins
Increased Appropriation
General Fund - City Revenue
Appropriation Allotments
Various Departments, Miscellaneous Charges
Fringe Benefits
That, pursuant to Section 41 of the Charter and the Certificate
of the Mayor and the Comptroller submitted to the Common Council, the
appropriation in the budget for the current fiscal year for Appropriation
Allotments - Various Departments, Miscellaneous Charges, and Fringe Benefits be
and the same are hereby increased in the sum of $6,131,638.
That, the Comptroller be and hereby is authorized and directed to
increase the revenue estimate of account:
Revenue
100 General Fund
81-0 General City
402 - City Revenue
70028 - Sale of City Water System $6,131638
To meet this increased appropriation as set forth below:
To:
100 General Fund
01 - 1 Division of City Clerk 001-City Clerk
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular $2,023
125 - Longevity - Increments 120
03-0 Mayor & Executive Department
001 - Executive Function
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 5,843
04-0 Department of Audit & Control
001 - Comptroller
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 2,400
002 - Data Processing
Personal Services
114 - Overtime Pay 18,252
04-3 Division of Real Estate
001 - Real Estate Management
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 1,115
112 - Temporary Services 1,921
06-0 Department of Administration & Finance
001 - Administrative Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 859
06- 1 Division of Budget & Management
001 - Administrative Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 4,540
002 - Financial Control of Agencies
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 645
06-3 Division of Labor Relations
001 - Labor Relations
Purchase of Services
572 - Legal Services 13,000
06-4 Parking Enforcement
031 - Towing & Storage Operations
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 8,095
09-0 Department of Assessment
001 - Assessment
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 10,042
10-0 Department of General Services
001 - Administrative Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 30,700
10-4 Division of Inventory & Stores
001 - Inventory Management
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 11,000
112 - Temporary Services 6,525
125 - Longevity - Increments 5,163
Materials & Supplies
450 - Automotive Maintenance Supplies 50,000
452 - Gasoline & Lubricants 15,000
453 - Tires & Tubes 25,500
Purchase of Services
504 - Automotive - Other Servicing 10,000
551 - Rentals of Land & Buildings 24,000
20- 1 Office of the Police Commissioner
002 - Office of Professional Standards
Personal Services
110 - Salaries-Regular 3,900
114 - Overtime Pay 6,800
115 - Holiday Pay 343
121 - Acting Time 290
003 - Office of Public Affairs
Personal Services
110 -Salaries-Regular 7,660
114 - Overtime Pay 48,400
122 - Reporting Time 5,300
Travel & Transportation
301 - Automobile Allowance 2,350
20-2 Bureau of Special Services
001 - Administration & Intelligence
Personal Services
120 - Court Time 2,050
003 - Investigations Division
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 417,600
114 - Overtime Pay 136,000
120 - Court Time 148,200
20-3 Bureau of Field Services
001 - Administration & Analysis
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 184
002 - Patrol Services
Personal Services
114 - Overtime Pay 610,534
20-4 Bureau of Administrative Services
001 - Administrative
Purchase of Services
571 - Medical Services 250,000
002 - Management Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 19,155
114 - Overtime Pay 3,100
003 - Building & Fleet Maintenance
Personal Services
110 - Salaries - Regular 15,000
114 - Overtime Pay 12,000
115 - Holiday Pay 2,500
121 - Acting Time 2,100
122 - Reporting Time 600
125-Longevity-Increments 1,027
Public Utilities Services
221 - Electric, Light & Power 38,000
223 - Gas 47,000
Materials & Supplies
432 - Janitorial Supplies 5,000
Purchase of Services
501 - Automotive - Body Repairs 20,000
21-0 Department of Fire
011 - Firefighting Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 550,064
114-Overtime Pay 32,500
Materials & Supplies
427 - Clothing & Uniforms 80,000
022 - Fire Defense & Training Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 6,611
114 - Overtime Pay 200
023 - Fire Alarm Telegraph System
Personal Services
114 - Overtime Pay 19,794
031 - Fire Headquarters & Stationhouse Maintenance
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 3,200
125 - Longevity - Increments 315
Public Utility Services
221 - Electric, Light & Power 15,000
223 - Gas 45,000
032 - Servicing Automotive Equipment
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 46,800
114 - Overtime Pay 4,600
125 - Longevity - Increments 215
24-0 Department of Inspections & Community Revitalization
021 - Administrative Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 2,865
40-0 Department of Public Works
021 - Administrative Services Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 195
40-1 Division of Engineering
012 - Lighting of Streets Purchase of Services
221 - Electric, Light & Power 200,000
015 - Repair & Construction of Other Public Improvements
Personal Services
112 - Temporary Services 4,583
021 - Administrative Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 57,250
112 - Temporary Services 22,452
114 - Overtime Pay 10,888
115 - Holiday Pay 555
125 - Longevity - Increments 1,438
Public Utility Services
221 - Electric, Light & Power 25,000
40-2 Division of Buildings
031 - Operation & Maintenance of Public Buildings
Public Utility Services
221 - Electric, Light & Power 32,500
224 - Telephone & Telegraph 20,000
50-0 Department of Human Resources
001 - Executive - Administrative
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 22,265
125-Longevity-Increments 1,560
003 - Contract Administration
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 42,497
Travel & Transportation
301 - Automobile Allowance 2,640
50-4 Division of Substance Abuse Services
012 - BMHA/HUD Substance Abuse Program
Personal Services
125 - Longevity - Increments 405
Travel & Transportation
301 - Automobile Allowance 1,540
Purchase of Services
583 - Unclassified 3,000
50-5 Division for Employment & Training
021 - Employment & Training Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 4,245
125 - Longevity - Increments 60
60-0 Department of Parks
021 - Administrative Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 1,646
60- 1 Division of Parks
021 - Administrative Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 570
032 - Servicing Automotive Equipment
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 1,302
114 - Overtime Pay 6,700
115 - Holiday Pay 299
121 - Acting Time 1,000
125 - Longevity - Increments 1,320
60-2 Division of Recreation
011 - NYS Youth Commission Program Public Utility Services
221 - Electric, Light & Power 50,000
223- Gas 12,000
021 - Administrative Services
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 3,724
71-0 Department of Community Development
001 - Executive
Personal Services
110-Salaries-Regular 2,483
81-2 Miscellaneous Charges
805 - BMHA Subsidy 400,000
835 - Contribution to New York State 933,203
81-3 Fringe Benefits
171 - Hospital & Surgical Ins. - Active Employees 1,007,318
172 - Workers' Compensation & Death Awards 225,000
175 - Reserve for Payment of Unused Sick Leave 173,000
TOTAL $6,131,638
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 169
By: Mr. Collins
Results Common Council Screening Committee or review the RFP's
for Manpower Utilization in the Buffalo Fire Department
Whereas: The Buffalo Common Council sent out requests of proposals
for an Administrative Cost and Manpower Utilization study in the Buffalo Fire
Department on October 30, 1992 to 13 Consultant firms; and
Whereas: Only four (4) Consultant firms responded to the RFP; and
Whereas: The Common Council requested that the Chairman of the Committee on
Finance appoint and Chair a Screening Committee to review RFP's received to
conduct the study on the Buffalo Fire Department; and
Whereas: The following people were appointed to serve on the Committee:
Craig Coyne - Associate, G.B.D.F.
Conde Peoples - Citizen
David Donnelly - President, LOCAL 282, IAFF, AFL-CIO
Eugene M. Fahey - Majority Leader, Common Council
Arlene Goldstein - Citizen
Carl A. PerIa - Niagara District Councilmember
Paul A. Shanks - Commissioner, Buffalo Fire Department; and
Whereas: The Committee reviewed the four RFP's received and then held
personal interviews with all four firms; and
Whereas: As a result of the Committee's diligent efforts, a grading system
outlined within the PIP was used to determine which firm could offer the City
of Buffalo the best study; and
Whereas: The participating Committee members unanimously ranked Public
Management Group as first in fulfilling all of the requirements of the RFP.
Now, Therefore be it resolved:
That the Sub-committee appointed by the Committee on Finance recommends
that this Common Council negotiate a contract with Public Management Group to
conduct the Administrative Cost and Manpower Utilization study in the Buffalo
Fire Department; and
Be it further resolved:
That all interested members of the initial subcommittee be given the
opportunity to serve on a steering Committee to oversee the progress of the
study.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
No. 170
By: Mr. Coppola
Private Property and Casualty Insurance Rate Increases Attributed
to Proposed Firehouse Closings
Whereas: The City of Buffalo Fire Department operates 26 firehouses
which are strategically scattered throughout the city; and
Whereas: Although the Buffalo Fire Department operates inefficient
firehouses of the late 18th early 19th century vintage, the department boasts a
quick and consistent three (3) minute fire truck response time to anywhere
within the city; and
Whereas: This sterling response record cost the city $37 million
($37,000,000) in this years budget, a figure some analysts believe is a direct
force pushing the city to bankruptcy ; and
Whereas: The Buffalo Financial Plan Commission's recommendations call for
the elimination of 200 firefighters over a period of 4 years combined with the
Fire Commissioner's recommendation to close three fire companies would increase
the fire departments emergency response time from three (3) minutes to (8)
minutes; and
Whereas: The closing of the three fire companies combined with longer
response time would create a situation causing property and casualty insurance
rates to increase for those whose property falls beyond 5 miles from the
nearest firehouse, a minimum distance guideline allowed before insurance
companies consider a property a risk; and
Whereas: Residential property would be rated for higher insurance premiums
because of the "5 mile from the firehouse distance rule" creating a situation
where residents would be paying the same taxes and higher insurance premiums
for reduced services.
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved That:
This Common Council requests the City Administration to strategically
replace the three closed fire companies with a new centralized firehouse that
will not adversely effect the fire service and insurance rates of the
citizenry.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF FIRE AND THE
COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE.
No. 171
By: Mr. Coppola
Discharge Legislation Committee
Establish Parking Ticket Amnesty Program
(Res 167, C.C.P., March 16, 1993)
Whereas, the above items are currently tabled in committee, and
Whereas, its is no longer necessary for these items to be considered by
that committee,
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that this Common Council does hereby
discharge the committee from further consideration of these items, and the
items are now before the Common Council for its consideration.
Mr. Coppola now moved to approve the above item. Seconded by Mr. Pitts.
LOST.
AYES - ARTHUR, COLLINS, COPPOLA, PITTS - 4.
NOES - AMOS, BELL, FAHEY, FRANCZYK, HIGGINS, LOTEMPIO, PERLA, ZUCHLEWSKI - 8.
No. 172
By: Mr. Coppola
1993 Greater Buffalo Italian Heritage and Food Festival
Whereas, the North Buffalo Community Development Corp., the Hertel-North
Buffalo Business and Taxpayer Assn., Inc., and the West Side Business and
Taxpayer Assn., Inc. have requested permission to again jointly conduct the
Greater Buffalo Italian Heritage and Food Festival, from July 28 through August
1, 1993 on Hertel Avenue; and
Whereas, these groups are also requesting that Hertel Avenue be closed to
traffic between Crestwood and Tennyson Avenue during the above dates, and that
the cross streets between Colvin and Delaware Avenues, and also Linden and
Tacoma Avenues between Colvin and Delaware be designated festival areas; and
Whereas, this festival will once again be a major expression of Italian
Heritage which includes culture, customs and foods, and will once again attract
people from hundreds of miles away;
Now, therefore, be it resolved:
That the North Buffalo Community Development Corp., the Hertel-North
Buffalo Business and Taxpayer Assn., Inc., and the West Side Business and
Taxpayer Assn., Inc. are hereby granted permission to jointly conduct the 1993
Greater Buffalo Italian Heritage and Food Festival, subject to the following:
A. The festival shall be conducted on Hertel Avenue from July 28 to
August 1, 1993 between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., with July 26
from 12:00 noon and July 27 to be used as set-up days and August 2 to be used
as a breakdown day, with traffic to recommence by noon of that day.
B. Hertel Avenue, between Crestwood and Tennyson, shall be closed to
vehicular and bicycle traffic during the Festival. In addition, cross-streets
bounded by Colvin, Linden, Delaware and Tacoma Avenues. Including those
boundary streets, shall be part of the Festival area, subject to its rules and
regulations. Permitees, with the cooperation of and at the direction of the
Police Department, will furnish and locate barriers to be placed at the
beginning time of the Festival and to be removed at the ending of the Festival.
C. That the City-owned Residential Area Parking Lot, located behind 1180
Hertel, shall be closed to general use and shall be reserved solely for those
residents of Hertel Avenue residing within the Festival area, and this
restriction shall be enforced strictly by the City and the Festival Committee.
D. That the Festival Committee be, and hereby is, authorized to erect
appropriate banners and fittings on street lamp posts on Hertel Avenue from the
easterly side of Colvin to the Westerly side of Delaware Avenue, and a banner
across Hertel Avenue at Tennyson and at Crestwood, all within conditions
specified by the Department of Public Works.
E. Permitees shall furnish to the City of Buffalo proper liability
insurance as determined by the Special Events Committee and the Corporation
Counsel.
F. Permitees shall assure complete responsibility for removing barriers,
pennants, decorations, barricades, stands, equipment and any trash or debris in
the area arising out of the Festival.
G. Permitees shall assume complete responsibility for conducting the
Festival in compliance with all the laws and ordinances applicable, and with
all directives of the various City departments including Police, Fire, Street
sanitation, Transportation and Public Works.
H. Permission is hereby granted for the above under such terms and
conditions so as to protect the interests of the City of Buffalo, as set forth
by the Special Events Committee.
I. It has been decided by the Common Council that sponsors of any event
must provide post-event accounting of revenues, expenses and use of proceeds to
the Common Council as a prerequisite to issuing permits.
J. Within ninety (90) days following the closing of the 1993 Greater
Buffalo Italian Heritage and Food Festival, Festival coordinators will provide
the Council an accounting of revenues, expenses and use of funds.
PASSED.
AYES - AMOS, ARTHUR, BELL, COLLINS, COPPOLA, FRANCZYK, HIGGINS, LOTEMPIO,
PERLA, PITTS, ZUCHLEWSKI - 11.
NOES - FAHEY - 1.
No. 173
By: Mr. Coppola
Propose Sale of City Owned Parking Ramps
Whereas: The Buffalo Financial Plan Commission has made numerous
suggestions to increase revenue and cut expenses because of Buffalo's present
fiscal climate and future projected deficits; and
Whereas: The members of the Commission have also suggested privatizing some
parts of city government; and
Whereas: The City of Buffalo presently owns ten parking ramps with a net
equity of over $26 million and should seriously consider privatizing the ramps
because not only would the City realize financial gain by the sale of the
ramps, it would also reap the benefits of yearly tax revenues of between $2 and
$3 million; and
Whereas: The existing debt on the ramps would have to be retired over a
pre-determined period of time by using an escrow account; and
Whereas: In the private business sector, it is common to sell assets to
improve the fiscal outlook when a company is experiencing financial
difficulties; and
Whereas: This Common Council should explore all other possibilities before
raising taxes and creating new fees, and privatizing its parking ramps would be
a logical solution to some of its fiscal problems.
Now therefore be it resolved that
The Director of the Board of Parking is hereby authorized to proceed with
the bidding process in anticipating the sale of the ten parking ramps owned by
the City of Buffalo.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, THE BOARD OF PARKING, THE COMPTROLLER AND
THE COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE.
No. 174
By: Mr. Coppola
Request Information on State Audit
Whereas: According to THE BUFFALO NEWS, the State Comptroller's
Office recently completed an audit, which shows an abuse by some city workers
who work second-front jobs; and
Whereas: The audit apparently offers several recommendations and criticisms
on the present methods of monitoring payroll and other expenses.
Now therefore be it resolved that
This Common Council requests that Council staff obtain a copy of the
recent audit performed by the State Comptroller's Office for distribution to
all council members as soon as possible; and
Be it further resolved that
This Council requests that the City Comptroller and City Budget Director
file a response with the City Clerk in time for the next Council meeting, April
13, 1993, to the following:
1. Why did the State Comptroller perform this audit?
2. Who are the offending employees referred to in the audit?
3. List all departments in which the abuses were found.
4. What is the name of the employee who pleaded guilty last August to two
misdemeanor counts of grand larceny and agreed to reimburse the city $3,170 for
double-dipping?
5. Why was this Council not informed of this matter?
6. What is the status of Robert Makowski, Street Sanitation Department
worker, who pleaded guilty last month for defrauding the city of $4,560 by
double-dipping?
ADOPTED.
No. 175
By: Mr. Coppola
Request Information BCAM
Whereas: A recent incident occurred where pornographic material
was accidently aired on the Buffalo Cable Access Media channel; and
Whereas: BCAM officials took immediate action and have suspended the
offending producer; and
Whereas: According to the executive director of BCAM, indemnification forms
are required for airing a show; however, indemnification forms were not
submitted for this particular show.
Now therefore be it resolved that
The executive director of the Buffalo Cable Access Media channel inform
this Common Council of any steps being taken to prevent this kind of incident
from taking place in the future.
ADOPTED.
No. 176
By: Mr. Fahey
Home Rule Message 5.3129 / A. 5223 - Amend Local Finance Law Sale
of Bonds and Notes of the City of Buffalo
Whereas: There has been introduced in the New York State Legislature
Senate Bill S. 3129 and Assembly Bill A. 5223, "An Act to amend local finance
law, in relation to the sale of bonds and notes of the city of Buffalo"; and
Whereas: The purpose of the Bill is to extend for one year a funding
mechanism used by the city for projects requiring immediate attention; and
Whereas: This Act amends Section 54.30 of the Local Finance Law to extend
the provisions of this section from June 30, 1993 to June 30, 1994;
Now, therefore, be it resolved:
That the city of Buffalo hereby requests the enactment into law of Senate
Bill S. 3129 and Assembly Bill A. 5223, "An Act to amend the local finance law,
in relation to the sale of bonds and notes of the city of Buffalo"; and
Be it further resolved:
That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to certify passage
of this resolution and to send copies thereof to the Home Rule Counsel of the
Senate and the Assembly and to the members of the Western New York Delegation
of the State Legislature.
ADOPTED.
No. 177
By: Mr. Fahey
Excuse Councilmember Bakos from
March 30 Council Meeting
Now, therefore, be it resolved:
That Councilmember Norman Bakos be excused from attendance at the stated
meeting of March 30, 1993, due to absence from the city.
ADOPTED.
No. 178
By: Mr. Fahey
Request Funding for DEC Wildlife Pathology Unit
Whereas: Ward Stone is the Director of the NYSDEC Wildlife Pathology
and Physiology Unit; and
Whereas: Mr. Stone is respected throughout the state by environmental
observers because he has taken courageous stands within his agency and has
"told it like it is" on several occasions when his testing data has
contradicted Department statements and policies; and
Whereas: As a result Mr. Stone's budget has been consistently cut within
DEC; and
Whereas: Mr. Stone's work is important because by determining
if wildlife around an environmental hazard is contaminated he exposes possible
human health effects; and
Whereas: Richard Brodsky, Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation
Committee, has agreed to seek funding for Mr. Stone's Unit through a
legislative add-on;
Now therefore be it resolved, that:
This Common Council supports a $250,000 add-on to the State Budget for
toxicological testing for Ward Stone's DEC Wildlife Pathology and Physiology
Unit; and
Be it further resolved, that:
The City Clerk be directed to send certified copies of this resolution to
Assembly Speaker Saul Weprin, to Senate Majority Leader Ralph Marino, to Chair
of the Assembly Environmental Committee Richard Brodsky, and to the members of
the WNY State Legislature delegation.
ADOPTED.
No. 179
By: Mr. Fahey
Rescind Appointments to the Lead Action Task Force and allow alternates
for some members
Whereas: The joint city-county Lead Action Task Force has continued
to play an important role in local lead abatement efforts; and
Whereas: Some members have been unable to follow through on their commitment
to the Task Force and as they have not been attending meetings, the Task Force
has requested that their appointments be rescinded; and
Whereas: In the interest of insuring a quorum, other Task Force members have
requested that alternates be appointed for them to take their place when they
are unable to attend meetings; and
Now therefore be it resolved, that:
This Common Council hereby rescinds the appointments of Dawn Schimke and
James Jerge Jr. to the joint City-County Lead Action Task Force; and
Be it further resolved, that:
This Common Council appoints the following alternates who shall have
voting rights and who will count toward a quorum in lieu of their corresponding
Task Force members when they are unable to make meetings
Theresa Winkelman Jose Pizarro
Erie County Medical Center Hispanics United
462 Grider Street 254 Virginia Street
Buffalo, New York 14215 Buffalo, NY 14201
For: Dr. Melinda Cameron For: Andres Garcia
Leslie Vasquez Mary Hill
Citizen Action 143 Blaine
433 Franklin Street Buffalo, NY 14208
Buffalo, NY 14202 For: Florence Johnson
For: Crystal Peoples
Barbara Longacre Vivian Turner
Develop. Disabilities Prog. St. Augustine's Center
1219 North Forest Road 1600 Fillmore Avenue
Williamsville, NY 14221 Buffalo, NY 14211
For: Joan Edwards For: Marion Hyman
ADOPTED.
No. 180
By: Mr. Franczyk
Rescind Appointments Radio Advisory Committee
Whereas: The Buffalo Common Council has established a Radio Advisory
Committee to grade radio stations and make recommendations to the Council; and
Whereas: This committee has been meeting on a monthly basis to discuss or
make their recommendation to the Council; and
Whereas: The ability to make good recommendations to the Council depends in
part on the attendance of all individual volunteers at their monthly meetings;
Now, therefore, be it resolved:
That the Buffalo Common Council rescind the following appointees to the
Radio advisory Committee effective March 23, 1993.
Michael Moran Mark Drost
14 Regan Street 391 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, New York 14042 Buffalo, N. Y. 14203
Artie Kwitchoff John Lombardo
212 Norwood Ave. 149 Gelston Street
Buffalo, NY 14222 Buffalo, NY 14213
Anthony Marfione
100 Theater Place
Buffalo, NY 14202
ADOPTED.
No. 181
By: Messrs. Franczyk, Coppola and Amos
Council Commitment to Reduce Deficit
Whereas: It has been estimated that the City of Buffalo will face
a $24.7 million deficit in the 1993-94 fiscal year; and
Whereas: The Buffalo Financial Plan Commission has recommended that the city
fill that gap by making $14.4 million in spending reductions and revenue
increases, and by asking New York State to provide a one-time bridge grant of
$10.3 million; and
Whereas: After reviewing the specific recommendations made by the
Commission, a tentative package of $14.8 million in spending cuts and revenue
increases was prepared for consideration by the Common Council; and
Whereas: While many members of the Council are very supportive of the effort
to attain this goal, they are reluctant to commit to such explicit measures at
this stage; and
Whereas: Not only are there questions about the revenue and savings
estimates as well as the feasibility and advisability of the proposals, but the
city is a little more than a month away from the initiation of the city's
formal budget process; and
Whereas: In addition, much dialogue has been taking place in recent months,
particularly the unprecedented discussions that are going on with city unions,
that offer great promise of developing alternative money-saving proposals that
may be augment the suggestions that are currently being considered; and
Whereas: The real decisions regarding structural changes in the budget will
take place in May, when the Mayor will present his proposed budget and the
Council will have three weeks to make changes it deems appropriate; and
Whereas: To this point, the Council has refrained from making any firm
commitment to the implementation of specific budgetary items it deems might
compromise its ability to fashion the best possible spending plan for the
1993-94 fiscal year;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That this Common Council commit to the inclusion of a combined package of
spending cuts and revenue increases of at least $14.8 million in the city's
1993-94 budget; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Council agree to determine the specific measures for attaining
this savings during the formal budget process, based upon previous
recommendations as well as any new proposals that may be presented; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That this Council also request the Governor and the New York State
Legislature to provide a special one-time appropriation of $10.3 million for
the city's 1993-94 budget; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That the City Clerk be directed to forward certified copies of this
resolution to the Governor, the Secretary of the State Senate, the Clerk of the
State Assembly, and the Western New York delegation to the New York State
Legislature.
ADOPTED.
AYES - AMOS, COPPOLA, FAHEY, FRANCZYK, HIGGINS, LOTEMPIO, PERLA, ZUCHLEWSKI -
8.
NOES - ARTHUR, BELL, COLLINS, PITTS - 4.
No. 182
By: Mr. Higgins
Payment of Certain Small Claims
Whereas, the Common Council, by Item No. 184, C.C.P., June 26,
1979, established a specific procedure for payment of claims of $100.00 or less
and Claims under Section 207 (a) and (c) of the General Municipal Law, which
pertain to medical bills of Policemen and Firemen in any amount; and
Whereas, the subject claims are eligible for consideration under the said
procedure; and
Whereas, the Department of Law has verified the validity of the claims
and recommend payment thereof;
Now Therefore, Be It Resolved:
That the Comptroller be, and hereby is authorized to make payment of the
following claims, and that said payment be charged against the "Judgment and
Claims Account" in the Department of Law:
1. Edward Bednarz
Claim for personal property damaged in the line of duty working for the City of
Buffalo. $ 21.60
2. Irene Bryan
Claim for loss of garbage can. $ 6.00
3. Joan Cavanaugh
Claim for loss of garbage can. $ 10.00
4. Craig R. Chesbro
Claim for loss of garbage can. $ 10.00
5. Mario DiBartolomeo
Claim for loss of garbage cans. $ 20.00
6. William E. Geiger
Claim for loss of garbage can. $ 10.88
7. Richard Gritzke
Claim for loss of garbage cans. $ 26.00
8. Alfred E. Kaszuba
Claim for loss of garbage can. $ 7.00
9. Marie F. Kelly
Claim for loss of garbage can. $ 13.00
10. Gary and Diane Kozlowski
Claim for loss of garbage can. $ 10.00
11. Rose Lang
Claim for loss of garbage can. $ 9.50
12. Brian and Theresa McDaniel
Claim for loss of garbage cans. $ 13.00
13. Helen Miranda
Claim for clothing damaged in the line of duty at the Impound Garage.
$30.00
14. Dasha Procyk
Claim for loss of garbage can. $11.50
15. Cora Lee Smoot
Claim for loss of garbage can. $ 7.00
16. Mamie Spiller
Claim for loss of garbage can. $ 6.50
17. James Van Oss
Claim for expenses incurred as the result of a City key breaking off and
jamming in a lock at the Lafayette Ice Rink.
$89.64
18. Bernadette Wheeler
Claim for loss of garbage can. $12.00
19. Dora Wilson
Claim for loss of garbage can. $9.50
20. Clyde Young
Claim for loss of garbage can. $7.50
Investigation by the Department of Law reveals that the above claims are
valid and payment is hereby recommended.
PASSED.
AYES- 12 NOES- 0.
No. 183
BY: Mr. Perla
NORTH STREET - RETURN TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC
WHEREAS, Several Allentown Community groups have voiced a request
that North Street return from a one-way to a two-way street; and
WHEREAS, Returning North street to two-way traffic would better facilitate
traffic to and from North street businesses, offices, and residences; and
WHEREAS, Such a change would facilitate traffic to and from the Peace Bridge
as well as helping to alleviate congestion on Allen Street during morning rush
hour and on all adjacent streets after events at Kleinhans Music Hall; and
WHEREAS, Such a change would reduce response time for emergency vehicles;
and
BE IT RESOLVED, THAT
The Department of Public Works initiate the appropriate actions necessary
to return North Street to a two-way street; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT
That the Department of Public Works also initiate the appropriate actions
necessary to assess the traffic flow impact upon the adjoining streets, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, THAT
In anticipation of the significant increase in traffic throughout the
Allentown area due to the World Games the Department of Public Works complete
this change by July l, 1993.
ADOPTED.
AYES - AMOS, COLLINS, COPPOLA, FRANCZYK, HIGGINS, PERLA, ZUCHLEWSKI - 7.
NOES - ARTHUR, BELL, FAHEY, LOTEMPIO, PITTS- 5.
No. 184
By: Mr. Perla
Authorize Retention of Grant-In-Aid Funds by West Side Community
Services
Whereas: West Side Community Services is a multi purpose Human
Service Community Center serving the residents of Buffalo's West Side; and
Whereas: West Side Community Services was awarded a Grant-In-Aid of
$8,950.00 from the City of Buffalo in fiscal year 1991-92 to support its youth
recreation program from which a balance of $1,781.63 remains; and
Whereas: The funding was never fully expended due to a change in personnel
at the position of Executive Director and a vacancy in the position of Youth
Coordinator; and
Whereas: Item #5 of the Grant-In-Aid contract between the City of Buffalo
and West Side Community Services allows for grantees to retain unexpended
grant-in-aid funds, subject to approval of this Common Council, if returning
the money would prove to be a hardship to the organization; and
Whereas: West Side Community Services is seeking approval from the Common
Council to retain the $1,781.63 for maintenance of its youth program;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved:
That this Common Council finds that it would be a hardship for West Side
Community Services to return the group's 1991-92 Grant-In-Aid surplus; and
Be It Further Resolved:
That this Honorable Body authorizes West Side Community Services to
retain the 1991-92 Grant-In-Aid surplus for use in fiscal year 1992-93 provided
the balance is expended by June 30, 1993.
ADOPTED.
No. 185
By: Mr. Perla
Authorize Acceptance of NYS EQBA Grant
Kleinhans Music Hall
Whereas, the provisions of the Environmental Quality Bond Act
of 1986 and implementing provisions set forth in Title 9 of Article 52 of the
Environmental Conservation Law makes funds available to PARKS for the
preservation and protection of historic properties through, and in conjunction
with, local government and not-for-profit corporations; and
Whereas, PARKS has awarded a $50,000 EQBA Historic Preservation matching
grant to the City for the restoration of free-standing, exterior perimeter
retaining walls and planters at Kleinhans Music Hall; and
Whereas, the City of Buffalo desires to cooperate with PARKS and will
make available $70,000 in matching funds from existing City of Buffalo bond
funds; and
Whereas, the EQBA grant funds will come to the City on a reimbursement
basis.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of
Buffalo that:
The Mayor be, and hereby is, authorized on behalf of the City of Buffalo
to accept the grant award tendered by the New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation;
The Mayor is authorized to enter into all necessary agreements and
contracts to assure the prompt and expeditious implementation of said project;
The Mayor is further authorized to execute such other actions as may be
necessary to effectuate the purpose of the grant, and this resolution;
The City Comptroller of the City of Buffalo be directed to establish a
receivable account in City Bond Fund Account No. 200-402-098, which shall be
for the receipt of the EQBA grant funds from the New York State Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and
The City Comptroller be directed to arrange an interfund cash loan for
the purpose of administering the aforementioned grants since said grant will be
received on a reimbursement basis.
ADOPTED.
No. 186
By: Mr. Pitts
Hearing on TCI Rechanneling
Whereas: TCI of New York, Buffalo's cable television operator,
recently implemented a reconfiguration of its channels; and
Whereas: That action has apparently come as a result of the company's
decision to offer a "lifeline" basic cable service for the first time since it
has been operating in the City of Buffalo; and
Whereas: The rechanneling has been a inconvenience to TCI subscribers, who
had a channel reconfiguration as recently as October 1992; and
Whereas: It is an even greater hardship for the many customers whose
television sets are only capable of receiving 46 or fewer channels, since they
are now unable to receive the same programming without an additional expense;
and
Whereas: Many of the changes are difficult to comprehend, particularly the
placement of seldom-viewed programming on the lower channels while moving
popular programming to higher channels; and
Whereas: For example, TCI has left open channels on 20, 21 and 22 as
"reserved for future use," and used channels 13 and 19 for "Sneak Prevue"
channels that advertise pay-per-view programming; and
Whereas: At the same time, popular offerings like ESPN and Family Channel
are positioned at channels 48 and 47, respectively, and are therefore beyond
the reach of many subscribers unless they rent a converter from TCI for $4.50 a
month, buy a converter, or buy a new television set;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Common Council's Special CATV Committee hold a public hearing to
elicit comment on the recent rechanneling by TCI of New York as part of its
meeting to be held on Thursday, April 15, 1993 at 10:00 AM in City Hall Room
1417.
ADOPTED.
No. 187
By: Mr. Pitts
Objectionable programming on public access channel
Whereas: On Monday March 22, 1993 a program was telecast on the
public access channel which contained material that viewers have termed
"obscene" and "pornographic;" and
Whereas: The portrayal of oral sex between a man and a woman was seen on the
public access channel, channel 18, at about 10:35 PM, and has understandably
provoked a great deal of outrage from cable subscribers; and
Whereas: The public access channel is operated by Buffalo Cable Access Media
(BCAM), an independent not-for-profit corporation, through a contract with the
City of Buffalo; and
Whereas: Efforts should be undertaken to determine how such obviously
obscene programming could appear on the public access channel, and what can be
done to prevent the telecast of any other such objectionable programming in the
future;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That Buffalo Cable Access Media (BCAM) and TCI of New York be requested
to submit reports on how the incident occurred, and what corrective action can
be taken to prevent another such occurrence; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Corporation Counsel be requested to draft language amending the
contract between the City of Buffalo and BCAM which would ensure that
programming which is clearly obscene will not be telecast on the public access
channel.
ADOPTED.
No. 188
By: Mr. Pitts
Maintain Delaney clause which prohibits
cancer causing pesticides in food
Whereas: A recent federal court ruling requires EPA to begin enforcing
a 1958 law (the Delaney Clause) prohibiting cancer-causing pesticide residues
in processed food; and
Whereas: EPA is seeking comments on how to regulate cancer causing
pesticides and may ask Congress to relax food safety standards in the Delaney
Clause; and
Whereas: Flour, bran, orange juice, tomato sauces and ketchup, raisins, tea,
potato chips and certain oils are some of the processed foods that currently
contain residues of cancer-causing pesticides that may be affected by the court
ruling; and
Whereas: Sixty eight pesticides used on food are suspected or known to cause
cancer, with 2,500 specific food uses allowed for these chemicals; and
Whereas: Many of the cancer-causing pesticides used on our food are used
unnecessarily or for cosmetic purposes only; and
Whereas: There are least-toxic and cost effective methods of pest control
available for many crops, but far too few farmers know about or use these
techniques; and
Whereas: When we accept cancer-causing pesticide residues in our food, we
encourage an agricultural system that exposes farm and manufacturing plant
workers and rural residents to cancer risks far greater than those posed to
consumers; and
Whereas: By setting a zero tolerance for cancer-causing pesticide residues
in our food supply, we provide an incentive to find better technology to
improve the safety of our food and our entire agricultural system;
Now therefore be it resolved, that:
This Common Council urges Congress and the USEPA to strengthen, not
relax, food safety standards regarding cancer-causing chemicals and
specifically requests that the Delaney Clause not be weakened; and
Be it further resolved, that:
This Council urges the federal government to provide more funding for
research on least-toxic and non-chemical alternatives to pesticides and for
support of farmers making the transition to reduced pesticide use; and
Be it finally resolved, that:
The City Clerk be directed to send certified copies of this resolution to
President Clinton, to the Western New York Congressional delegation, and to EPA
Administrator Carol Browner c/o Public Response and Program Resources Division,
Field Operations Division (H7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 401 M St. SW,
Washington DC 20460, (Document control #OPP-260053).
ADOPTED.
No. 189
BY: Mr. Pitts
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION FOR YOUTH PROJECTS
WHEREAS: It is the intent of the Common Council of the City of
Buffalo to establish a Youth Board, Youth Services and Recreation programs for
the period of January l, 1993 through December 31, 1993.
WHEREAS: The City of Buffalo is about to submit an application for such
projects and programs to the New York State Division For Youth for its approval
and as above, and to hereby subscribe to the New York State Division For Youth
for partial reimbursement of funds expended on such projects and programs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That such application is in all respects approved and James D. Griffin,
Mayor, City of Buffalo, is hereby directed and authorized to duly execute and
present the said application to the New York State Division For Youth for its
approval.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND THE COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
No. 190
By: Mr. Pitts
SALARY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
40 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
40-1 DIVISION OF ENGINEERING
The Common Council of the City of Buffalo do ordain as follows:
That part of Section 1 of Chapter 35 of the Ordinances of the City of
Buffalo, relating to 40-1 Division of Engineering, under the subheading
"Temporary Services as Required" which reads:
1 Master of the Fireboat Hourly $19.78
1 Marine Engineer Hourly $18.86
2 Assistant Marine Engineer Hourly $17.46
1 Marine Oiler Hourly $16.29
Employment in the above positions not to exceed March 31, 1993 is hereby
amended to read:
1 Master of the Fireboat Hourly $19.78
1 Marine Engineer Hourly $18.86
2 Assistant Marine Engineer Hourly $17.46
1 Marine Oiler Hourly $16.29
Employment in the above positions not to exceed April 30, 1993.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED, pursuant to Section 34 of the Charter, that the
immediate passage of the foregoing ordinance is necessary.
WE, DAVID P. COMERFORD, Commissioner of Public Works and THOMAS F.
KEENAN, Director of the Budget, hereby certify that the extension of time for
the above positions from March 31 to April 30, 1993 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.
APPROVED AS TO FORM
LAURENCE K. RUBIN
Corporation Counsel
PASSED.
AYES - 12 NOES- 0.
No. 191
By: Mr. Pitts
ESTABLISH LABOR-MANAGEMENT
COOPERATION PROGRAM
Whereas: The blue and white collar unions, Local 264 and 650 have
reviewed the Buffalo Financial Plan Commission's report, and have developed "A
Program for Improving Buffalo", and
Whereas: The unions have identified $8.5 million worth of increased
revenues. They also have identified ways of fostering greater labor and
management cooperation to save money, and
Whereas: The report by the union recommends that the City develop (1) a
joint committee on health benefits, (2) implement a quality management program
that would become the basis for both labor and management establishing common
management methods to improve productivity and efficiency, and
Whereas: The union's plan also identifies a program sponsored by the Federal
Mediation and Conciliation Service (F.M.C.S.) which offers grants of up to
$100,000 to initiate cooperative labor management programs. Any programs would
have to be submitted by June 1993, and
Whereas: While the Buffalo Financial Plan Commission has recommended that
the City privatize much of the City services provided by the unions, the unions
have rejected this premise and deemed it more advantageous to work more
cooperatively and efficiently together to solve the fiscal crisis.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved That: The Common Council supports the Union's
proposal to establish a Joint-Committee on Health Benefits and develop a
quality management program.
Further Be It Resolved That: The Common Council's Taylor Law Committee work
with the City Administration, Comptroller and Unions to develop a cooperative
Labor Management Program to be submitted to the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service by June 1993.
ADOPTED.
No. 192
By: Mr. Pitts
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYMENT HEARINGS
Whereas: Within the next several years there will be a number of
major development projects within the City of Buffalo. These projects will
total at least half a billion dollars, and
Whereas: These projects include the building of a new airport, the
redevelopments of Roswell Park, Ellicott Mall, the proposed new Hockey Arena
and Waterfront Redevelopment, and
Whereas: The economic impact and importance of these projects is understood.
Generally, however it is not clear how these projects will impact upon
employment particularly in minority communities with the highest levels of
unemployment, and
Whereas: A recent report by the Buffalo Financial Plan Commission confirms
beyond a doubt that the City of Buffalo is a poor city with unemployment rates
at 12% to 25%, and
Whereas: Numerous inquiries have been made about the number of jobs and
Affirmative Action requirements for these projects.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved That: The Common Council coordinate Hearings to
allow for presentations on each project.
Further Be It Resolved That: The Common Council review Affirmative Action
requirements and work with each project to maximize the economic and employment
benefits to the City.
ADOPTED.
No. 193
By: Mr. Zuchlewski
Renew Negotiations on Teacher's Contract
Whereas: The Board of Education has recently been ordered by the
State Court of Appeals to execute the proposed union agreement with the Buffalo
Teacher's Federation, and
Whereas: This agreement which calls for a 35% cumulative increase over its
four year term, and
Whereas: It is estimated that this contract could cost as much as $125
million, and
Whereas: There doesn't appear to be any source of funding for the
implementation of this contract because of the slim prospect of increased state
aid or aid from the City of Buffalo of this magnitude, and
Whereas: The alternative to allocating additional funds to pay for the pay
increases is to lay off an estimated 1,100 employees which would completely
decimate the City of Buffalo school system, and
Whereas: The most logical approach to this current crisis is to negotiate a
fair and equitable settlement with the Buffalo Teacher's Federation that the
City of Buffalo and School Board can reasonably afford, and
Whereas: These negotiations should include the Buffalo School Board, the
Buffalo Teacher's Federation, the Comptroller, the Mayor and the Common
Council,
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved:
That this Common Council officially call upon the Buffalo Board of
Education and Buffalo Teacher's Federation to begin new negotiations on a fair
an equitable agreement in order to resolve this crisis without further court
action, and
Be It Further Resolved:
That these negotiations include representatives of the Comptroller's
office, the Mayor, and the Common Council because of their obvious involvement
in the fiscal stability of the City of Buffalo.
ADOPTED.
AYES - AMOS, COLLINS, COPPOLA, FAHEY, FRANCZYK, HIGGINS, LOTEMPIO, PERLA,
ZUCHLEWSKI- 9.
NOES - ARTHUR, BELL, PITTS- 3.
No. 194
By: Mr. Zuchlewski
Appointments Commissioners of Deeds
That the following persons are hereby appointed as Commissioner
of Deeds for the term ending December 31, 1994, conditional upon the persons so
appointed certifying under oath to their qualifications and filing same with
the City Clerk:
Irene M. Bojarski
Paul D'Orlando
Curtis Lokey, Jr.
Sherri A. McNair
Wygenia H. Miles
TOTAL: 5
ADOPTED.
No. 195
By: Mr. Zuchlewski
Appointments Commissioners of Deeds Required for the Proper Performance
of Public Duties
That the following persons are hereby appointed as Commissioner
of Deeds for the term ending December 31, 1994, conditional upon the persons so
appointed certifying under oath to their qualifications and filing same with
the City Clerk:
Angela Y. Croxie
Gena M. Goosman
Sandra L. Marranca
James C. Snyder
TOTAL: 4.
ADOPTED.
No. 196
Announcement Of Committee Meetings
The following meetings are scheduled. All meetings are held in
the Council Chambers, 13th floor, City Hall, Buffalo, New York, unless
otherwise noted.
Regular Committees
Civil Service Tuesday, APRIL 6, 1993 9:30 AM
Finance Tuesday, APRIL 6, 1993
Immediately Following Civil Service
Legislation Tuesday, APRIL 6, 1993 2:00 PM
Economic Dev. Wednesday, APRIL 7, 1993, 10:00 AM
No. 197
Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Fahey, Seconded by Mrs. LoTempio the Council
adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
CHARLES L. MICHAUX, III
CITY CLERK
MEETING REPORTED BY LEONARD G. SCIOLINO, COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTER.