For this summary, we will report on the Caucus and Regular meetings. 

In the Caucus meeting, department heads came to address council members about their work.  Joseph Gramaglia, Commissioner of Police, explained several projects, including a new program (the “Real Time Crime Center Platform”) in which the police would seek permission from private surveillance camera owners (at, for example, bodegas) to integrate their data into police programs. Council members expressed concern about who would have access to these videos, and whether this would infringe on people’s civil liberties.

The Buffalo Police Department is also asking for permission to accept a grant from Operation Stonegarden, a project of the Department of Homeland Security which funds law enforcement agencies to “improve overall border security.” Ultimately the council sent these requests on to the Finance Committee for further discussion.

Nate Marton, Commissioner of Public Works, discussed the NFTA’s request to install nine new bus shelters. Council members pressed for clarification about any burden this would present for nearby homeowners, who would be responsible for shoveling and clearing sidewalks in front of the shelters and in the shelters themselves. Council members said that they had received requests from homeowners not to have a bus stop by them; Council Member Feroleto pointed out that property owners are already required to maintain these areas.

Delano Dowell, from the Mayor’s office, spoke about the City’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, which must be spent by the end of the year. Of the $331 million the City received from the federal government, he said, 84% has been spent or committed.

In the Regular Meeting, the council approved an ARP award of $300,000 to WUFO. They also voted to accept a donation of used office furniture from a downtown law firm, to be distributed throughout City of Buffalo departmental offices.

Council members moved to approve the Parks Department’s plans to accept an $8 million federal grant to plant trees. The city will put in about 2,800 trees, prune trees, and educate residents about tree care, through the Buffalo Equity in Street Trees initiative; a similar program is being run through Erie County. The health impacts of a lack of shade are felt most devastatingly in many poor communities, including much of the East Side.

Mayor Byron Brown recently vetoed four amendments to the budget process adopted by the Council. This week, the Council promptly overrode the veto, with just Council President Scanlon and Council Member Golombek voting not to override. The Council's changes are now law, requiring the Mayor's proposed budget to be submitted to the Council each year by April 8 (previously, May 1). The Council's deadline to amend the budget has been extended to May 26, with adopted required by June 8 each year. The budget must also now include a four-year financial plan to show longer-term balanced budgets and sustainable finances. According to the Council, this "will lead to more transparent and responsible budgeting for the City of Buffalo."