Common Council of the city of buffalo

David A. Franczyk, Council President David A. Rivera, President Pro Tempore Richard A. Fontana, Majority Leader FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: James Pajak, Chief of Staff (716) 851-4047

MEETING SUMMARY for

NOVEMBER 29, 2011 MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS TO THE PUBLIC COLLECTION BOARD OF APPEALS The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Fillmore District Council Member David A. Franczyk requesting of the Mayor of the City of Buffalo, that he make charter mandated appointments to the City of Buffalo Public Collection Board of Appeals (PCBA), as soon as possible. At the Common Council Committee on Finance meeting held on November 22, 2011, the Council Members in attendance, community activists, and the Commissioner of the City of Buffalo Department of Assessment and Taxation - Martin Kennedy, discussed at length the growing problems of City residents concerning user fee assessments and billings. The City Charter, Sections 15-45 to 15-47, provides for the creation of a PCBA, which is to consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, and tasks the members to conduct hearings and make determinations concerning user fee billing and abatement decisions made by the City of Buffalo. No one in attendance could recall when the last meeting of the PCBA occurred or whom the names of the members. The Council maintains it is important to reinitiate the PCBA in order to give residents a mechanism for challenging user fee billings and abatements. ELLICOTT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC. The Council approved a resolution sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen permitting the Ellicott Community Redevelopment Foundation, Inc. to sell the properties located at 221 and 291 William Street at a purchase price of approximately $2.5 million to Morgan Ellicott Apartments, LLC. New York State Law requires the consent of the Common Council to sell these properties. TRAILBLAZING SIGNS - The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by South District Council Member Michael P. Kearns approving the installation of a trailblazing sign, in honor of Christopher M. Verel at the portion of Fuhrmann Boulevard near South Michigan Avenue, between street poles 297-323. Christopher Verel is a theatrical director and community activist from the City of Buffalo who is known for his dedication to community involvement in Arts and Theatre, numerous professional achievements, and his commitment to enriching the lives of children through arts, theatre, and fishing. TOWNE GARDENS LLC APARTMENT COMPLEX INVESTIGATION The Council approved a resolution sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen requesting of the New York State Attorney General and the Department of Housing and Urban Development that they conduct an investigation into the complaints of the residents regarding the deplorable housing conditions and the unacceptable management of the apartment complex. The resolution also 1

requests the City of Buffalo Water Board to institute legal action on behalf of City water ratepayers for Towne Gardens LLPs unpaid utility water bills which are currently in excess of $780,000. In addition, Towne Gardens LLP currently owes one contractor approximately $117,000 for repair work performed at the complex. The Council resolution also requests of the State Attorney General, that a Rent Receiver be installed to conduct the business of the Towne Garden Apartment Complex in order to insure the Health and safety of its residents. The Council maintains that these actions are needed to ensure that residents are treated fairly and that housing deficiencies are corrected. SALE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTYThe Council approved the sale of the following City owned properties: Ellicott District o 204 Landon Street was sold to Mrs. Glenda Brackett for $2,300 Fillmore District o 279 Shumway Street was sold to Ms. Barbara Jones for $1,700 o 969 Sycamore Street was sold to Mr. Mohammed Abdul Matin for $3,000 o 305 Woltz Avenue was sold to Mr. Mohammad Helal for $1,700 Lovejoy District o 130 Roberts Avenue was sold to 122 Roberts Avenue of Buffalo, Inc. for $900 Masten District o 830 Woodlawn Avenue was sold to Ms. Tia Harrison for $2,500 APPOINTMENTS The Council approved the appointment of the following individual to a position within a City of Buffalo Department at a step above the base salary: o Department of Audit and Control Junior Accountant Victoria Dabney

o Department of Public Works Chief Pumping Plant Engineer Andrew Moffert

The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to positions within various City of Buffalo Departments at the base salary: o Department of Public Works 2

Street Worker Marcus Harris Kevin Ford George Richardson Maurice Cox Michael Whelan Edward Standish, II Casimer Piwowarski Michael Schieber Matthew Quinn William Gallagher

Caulker Community Recreation Aide Senior First Class Stationary Engineer Andrew Krawchuk Stephen Makula Thomas Pyjas Mark Overfield Mark Blake Cherie Ciaudella

o Department of Police TSAR Crossing Guard Marklyn Vitello Tracy Liriano Colleen Prentiss Elyse Wack Mary Glynn-Keohane

o Department of Audit and Control Junior Accountant Michael Rotert

The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to the position of Intern VI within various Common Council offices at the base salary: o Office of the City Clerk 3

Jacqueline Rucinski Victoria Chwalinski Wayne Kulesza, Jr.

o Lovejoy District LICENSE AND PERMIT APPROVALSUpon the recommendation of the Department Permit & Inspection Services, the Council approved the following license and permit applications: Ellicott District o Restaurant Dance License Ohm Ultra Lounge located at 946 Main Street Lovejoy District o Food Store License Bluntvill Distribution Inc. located at 1624 William Street

CLAIMS, CONTRACTS, CHANGE ORDERS & AGREEMENTS The Council approved the following contract change orders submitted by the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (DPW): o The contract for the Ferry Street Lift Bridge Emergency Repair Project was increased by $8,885 for additional design and inspection services needed due to structural flags issued by the New York State Department of Transportation. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $85,000 and with this change the contract will increase to $93,885. Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning (OSP), the Council: o Authorized OSP and the Buffalo Board of Education to approve an easement agreement with Niagara Mohawk together with a Utility Rider. The easement agreement will allow and provide for electrical upgrades to School Number 64, located at 874 Amherst Street. o Approved an amendment to Item No. 12, C.C.P. 12/9/08 to include the sale of 108 and 112 Loepere Street, along with 115 Woltz Avenue to the Crescent Village Muslim Community Center, Inc. for $30,000. Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Fire, the Council: o Authorized the Department of Fire to increase the contract for the Motorola Radio Project to $2,996,948 in order to make changes to certain equipment and services to ensure the project is compatible with the Police Camera Project. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requiring a radio frequency reconfiguration that will impact certain radio bandwidths and radio equipment currently used by nearly every City of Buffalo department and agency.

o Authorized the Department of Fire to accept and expend a grant award in the amount of $403,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The department will use the grant funds to purchase a driver simulation system which will increase firefighter safety. o Authorized the Department of Fire to accept and expend the Technical Rescue/Urban Search and Rescue Grant in the amount of $149,693 from the New York State Office of Homeland Security. These funds will be used to continue to build an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team for the western region of New York State using the City of Buffalo Rescue Technicians and the Erie County Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team (SMART). The grant funds will also be used to purchase one technical rescue support vehicle. Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Preservation Board, the Council: o Authorized the Local Landmark designation for the Buffum Street Site located in the parkland bounded by Buffum Street to the north and Fields Avenue to the east. The Councils designation of this site shows its commitment to preserving places of historical significance to the City of Buffalo and Western New York. Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (DPW), the Council: o Authorized DPW to enter into agreements with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to receive funds for the construction and inspection phases of the Elmwood Avenue Highway Rehabilitation Project between Forest Avenue and New York State Route 198 which is also referred to as the Scajaquada Expressway. o Authorized DPW to accept supplies and materials donated by the Delaware Soccer Club for improvements at J.H. Williams Park. The improvements include renovations to the parks athletic field and shelter house and are estimated to cost approximately $4,032. Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, the Council approved the following reports of bids: o Of the bids that were received for the Replacement of Streetlights Citywide Project, South Buffalo Electric, Inc. was the lowest with a bid of $333,067.

For any questions, concerns, or further information regarding the above, please contact your District Council Member, the Common Council Legislative Staff Office, or the respective City Department.

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To view the final Common Council Meeting agenda and/or supporting communications, please visit the City of Buffalo website at www.city-buffalo.com/Home/Leadership/CommonCouncil.

BUFFALO COMMON COUNCIL David A. Franczyk Council President Fillmore District 1315 City Hall 851-4138 Michael J. LoCurto Delaware District 1405 City Hall 851-5155 Joseph Golombek, Jr. North District 1502 City Hall 851-5116 David A. Rivera President Pro Tempore Niagara District 1504 City Hall 851-5125 Darius G. Pridgen Ellicott District 1408 City Hall 851-4980 Michael P. Kearns South District 1401 City Hall 851-5169 Common Council Legislative Staff Office 1413 City Hall 851-5105 Richard A. Fontana Majority Leader Lovejoy District 1414 City Hall 851-5151 Demone A. Smith Masten District 1316-A City Hall 851-5145 Bonnie E. Russell University District 1508 City Hall 851-5165