For this summary, we will focus on the Civil Service, Finance, Legislation, Community Development, and Education Meetings. ‘Council Member’ is abbreviated as CM; ‘Council President’ as CP; ‘President Pro Tempore’ as PT; and ‘Majority Leader’ as ML.

The Civil Service Committee received and filed notice of the police promotion of Karl Schultz to Lieutenant. Schultz has been in the news for shooting and paralyzing 17-year-old Wilson Morales (which led to a $4.5 million settlement from the City of Buffalo) as well as shooting Willie Henley, a mentally ill man. Previously in his police career, Schultz worked as a training officer.

The Finance Committee heard from representatives of the mayor’s office. Delano Dowell, Commissioner of Administration and Finance, spoke about the city’s progress in spending the city’s COVID-era federal funding. This $331 million must be committed by the end of the year, and so far, Dowell reported, 59% has been either spent or committed. As of now, around $136 million is still uncommitted. “We’re confident about being able to obligate [i.e. promise] these funds by the deadline,” Dowell assured the committee members. 

Director of Development Lisa Hicks said that the small business loans portion of the American Rescue Plan funding is moving quickly. So far, she reported, they have awarded $2.1 million to 150 businesses. That’s an average of $14,000 per award. Hicks noted that applications are still being accepted, and her office will be doing outreach to businesses to make them aware that over $1.4 million remains available.

Planned discussion of the Proactive Rental Inspection Law was put off in the Legislation Committee meeting so that Commissioner Amdur could attend. Instead, the matter will be discussed during the April 9th Legislation Committee meeting.

In the Community Development Committee meeting, several people spoke about the Bicycle Pedestrian Board’s annual report. Chair Justin Booth reminded the public that the Board is looking to fill several positions, including a representative from the Buffalo Public Schools and someone to represent the needs of disabled residents. “Transportation should not be a privilege; it should be a right,” noted Booth.

Lauren Mitchell and Debra Hall, from the Sidewalk Snow Removal committee, outlined their proposed pilot program to test out sidewalk clearing, which will especially benefit the elderly, youth, the disabled, and mass transit-dependent folks. Both emphasized how inhumane it is to force “our weakest citizens,” often pushing strollers or in wheelchairs, to walk dangerous streets in the winter. Resident Keelan Erhard spoke about how many other cities, like Rochester and Syracuse, manage this process efficiently. (Erhard is PPG’s Director of Finance and Operations.)
The committee voted to receive and file the report (which often means the end of discussion), but they added that a resolution addressing these same issues would be before the full council the following week.

Water fluoridation, or rather the city’s lack of it, was the next item. Though the Water Board had filed a letter outlining their plans to resume fluoridation of the water by August, no one from the Water Board came  to speak about it. The committee left the matter “on the table” (i.e. still a live issue) until they hear from the Water Board. CM Rivera said it was important for the council to take every possible opportunity to remind parents that children are not getting fluoride in their water.

Chair of the Education Committee Zeneta Everhart began the meeting by reminding the media, the audience, and the other council members that the Buffalo Public Schools’ budget and operational decisions are not under the purview of this committee. The chair alone will decide what is on the agenda and will not allow the committee to be used for grandstanding, but only for “constructive engagement.” 

The meeting focused on colleges and financial aid information for students. Representatives came from Villa Maria, University of Buffalo, D’Youville, Canisius College, SUNY Erie (a.k.a. ECC), Say Yes Buffalo, and CoNECT. CM Wyatt urged students to stay on top of their college finances. “You don’t want to have a mortgage without having a mortgage after college,” he said, referring to skyrocketing university costs. Canisius College noted that one way they address this is that they do not allow any graduating student’s loan debt to exceed $20,000. CM Everhart closed the meeting by telling students, “Apply to college. Graduate. You earned it. Do it.”