This week's summary will focus on two Common Council committee meetings: the Caucus Meeting and the Regular Meeting. A Caucus Meeting is where members from a specific political party, in Buffalo's case, the democratic party, meet, but official voting on issues does not occur. The Regular Meeting is the Common Council's primary meeting, where they make official decisions on issues.

During the Caucus Meeting, City of Buffalo Director of Administration and Finance Jessica Brown described a transfer of funds necessary to replace Buffalo Police Department vehicles. Public safety vehicles must be replaced on a regular basis. She said $1 million could purchase 20 public safety vehicles, and prices are going up every day, with a 12-month lead time needed for ordering and delivery. The Buffalo Police Department maintains an aging fleet of 80 marked cars, with many in the fleet logging over 100,000 miles. In the last three years, 28 police cars were removed from service due to needed repairs or totaled due to rear-end or T-bone collisions. There is a dire need for unmarked police cars as well.   

City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, Parks, and Streets Commissioner Mike Finn discussed a shift in handicap parking on Washington Street. He also described the effects of the 2019 storm at the Rhode Island Peer in Buffalo that caused $600,000 worth of damage. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse 75% of that cost, and the City of Buffalo must cover the rest. Finn also mentioned that the cost of private contractors for snow removal was $800,000 so far this year.  

Nolan Skipper, City of Buffalo Engineer, spoke about needed safety improvements in school zones. He said every school in Buffalo needs a flashing yellow beacon that increases awareness for motorists and alerts them that they are entering a school zone. Skipper noted there is federal money available to help pay for school beacons.

During the Regular Meeting, Council President Pridgen spoke about the rich cultural diversity of Buffalo and introduced a presentation by representatives from the African American Cultural Center located on Masten Avenue in Buffalo. Jackie Mines, Executive Director, said that for 64 years, the Center remains committed to promoting a positive sense of self in the African-American community. Through music, dance, drumming, theater, educational programming, after-school activities, and social engagement, the Center uplifts the rich history of African-Americans. Chairwoman Dorothea Baxter-Hughes shared her excitement about continuing services in the future. 

Council Member Nowakowski observed "Mother Language Day" and introduced representatives of the Bengali community to talk more about it. Sajjad Bhuiyan and Mohsin Reza of Buffalo explained that in 1948, the government of Pakistan decided not to recognize Bengali as a national language, even though the majority spoke it of people in that country. On February 21, 1948, Bengali speakers protested, so the government of Pakistan fired into a crowd, killing and injuring hundreds. Mother Language Day commemorates the cultural and historical significance of every person's first language in life. Bhuiyan and Reza explained that everyone has a mother language, so Mother Language Day is worldwide. To celebrate this past weekend, the Bengali community in Buffalo held a successful clothing drive and free meal distribution.  

Council Member Feroleto thanked Council members for their unanimous support of an ordinance amendment requiring the Buffalo Department of Permits and Inspections to proactively inspect all 134 local landmark buildings in Buffalo no fewer than every three years. Council Member Golombek spoke in favor of this ordinance amendment and said that past practice amounts to "demolition by neglect."  He mentioned that new diagnostic technology would detect problems to preserve these local landmarks thoughtfully. 

Common Council adopted a resolution Council Member Golombek sponsored to install life preservers along public waterfront areas in Buffalo. The Southtowns Walleye Association of WNY is donating 20-30 life preservers with a 100-foot rope for public use to prevent drowning accidents. The City is responsible for providing a stand for them and a location. Council Member Rivera noted that there are no life preservers anywhere nearby for people who fish at Unity Island, Broderick Park, and LaSalle Park. Swimming is forbidden in these locations, but people fall in the water or try to retrieve something that fell in.  

The Council adopted a resolution Council Member Scanlon sponsored to direct the Buffalo Police to stop issuing fines to victims of car theft if they left their unoccupied car running while inside a store. Scanlon said he knows that the Buffalo Police Department is following the law, but the law disproportionately impacts historically marginalized people who can't afford remote car starters. Buffalo drivers—many who have financial problems—should not be unfairly burdened with a $238 ticket on top of having their vehicle stolen.  

Council Member Wyatt told other members that Spectrum Cable should restore the Government TV Channel to a local channel accessible to all residents, even those who aren't Spectrum customers. Senior citizens and other homebound residents should watch be able to watch Common Council meetings from home for free. This is an essential component of transparency in government. Council President Pridgen explained that because "Spectrum is the only game in town" and "Spectrum owns the lines," it can continue to raise their rates for those who want cable and refuse to offer the government channel for those who don't.  

Need more than just a summary? Contact us at info@ppgbuffalo.org, or find full meeting information and schedules here: http://buffalony.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx