This week's summary will focus on two Common Council committee meetings: the Regular Meeting and the Caucus Meeting. The Regular Meeting is the Common Council's primary meeting, where they make official decisions on issues. 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.

As a note, beginning November 29, the Buffalo Common Council will conduct virtual meetings. 

During the Regular Meeting, councilmembers approved a request from Deputy Commissioner for Parks and Recreation Andy Raab to name a garden at the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park, the "Edith Wilson & Linda Bodgan Memorial Garden." The garden isn't built yet, but it will be at the top of the hill near the entrance to the park.  

Council President Pridgen announced that he would attend an upcoming meeting between the Peace Bridge Apartments tenants and its new owners. Power Play Partners LLC purchased the complex in August 2021 to immediately renovate the property.  Owners issued 30, 60, and 90-day eviction notices to tenants, including Randall Ciccone, who lived in Unit 16 at the Peace Bridge Apartments for 29 years. He received an eviction notice on August 30 and died of a heart attack in October. His family says his upcoming eviction caused him pain, suffering, and eventually death. Council President Pridgen will urge Power Play Partners LLC representatives to show compassion toward people who are struggling financially and can't find housing. He said that an eviction notice could be devastating for tenants who don't know where else to go.  

The Council President shared a letter of concern from Michael Schmand, Executive Director of Buffalo Place. Schmand explained that when snow accumulates in his district, restaurant patio extensions make it impossible to clear the sidewalks in the public right of way. He wants Buffalo Place Special Charge District excluded from permissible patio extensions. Schmand wrote that this would not affect restaurants located on Chippewa Street.  

Councilmember Fereletto said that there are fewer than five patio extensions across the entire City of Buffalo in winter, so the City can handle exclusions on a case-by-case basis. However, Fereletto reminded the Council that with COVID cases rising, small businesses need support. Council President Pridgen will forward a copy of the letter to the City of Buffalo Department of Permits and Inspections for further review. 

The Council unanimously voted to deny a request for a food store license from the business located at 432 East Ferry. The property has been neglected for years and does not comply with building codes. The new property owners can reapply for a food store license when the building is up to code. 

Malcolm Aaron Ertha spoke on behalf of the City of Buffalo Comptroller's Office during the Caucus Meeting. He summarized the cash flow activity for October 2021, noting the beginning cash balance was $76.5 million, and the cash balance totaled $65.2 million. In addition, the actual sales tax receipts came in at $10.4 million. $2.9 million higher than the previous month. This month, there will be a second debt payment, the fiscal year 2022's net pension payment, and the receipt of state aid payment for the fiscal year 2022.

Ertha also discussed a resolution Councilmember Bollman sponsored to amend the 1992 finance agreement among the City of Buffalo, the Buffalo Water Board, and the Buffalo Municipal Water Finance Authority. The water bond refinancing will provide funding for projects described in the Buffalo Water System's capital improvement plan. He assured councilmembers that this agreement would not affect the City's budget finances. This resolution will go to the Finance Committee for further discussion. 

Kevin Helfer, City of Buffalo Parking Commissioner, requested approval to lease space on the top of the Augspurger Ramp for AT&T to use a cell tower. Commissioner Helfer also requested authorization to transfer the title of the ramp under Seneca Tower to Douglass Development. Due to a previous agreement, the title of the ramp reverts the owner to One Seneca Tower after 50 years.  Because Douglass will be doing necessary repairs on the ramp, Commissioner Helfer said that it is financially in the City's best interest to transfer the title as soon as possible.  
 
City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, Parks, and Streets Commissioner Mike Finn reported that the Chippewa Alliance members request restricted parking on Wednesdays for loading on West Chippewa Street. Council President Pridgen voiced his support for the loading zone idea.

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