This week, in the Finance Committee, members heard from Delano Dowell, Commissioner of Administration and Finance, about the city’s contract for lobbying the federal government. Buffalo has hired Holland and Knight, which employs Tom Reynolds, who is the former head of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Reynolds was a deeply conservative politician, voting against same-sex marriage, against gay adoption, against prison alternatives, and for expanding juvenile jails. The city’s state lobbying relations are handled by former mayor Anthony Masiello’s firm.
 
Dowell also spoke about the city’s aim to continue the Scrap It! program, which composts food waste. If you’re interested in joining the city’s compost program, you can join the waitlist.
 
Raymond Wagner from the Parking Division came to speak about the new electric vehicles they want to buy; over time, they’re moving the city’s fleet away from gas-powered vehicles. This purchase will be funded by a grant through New York State. Council members engaged in a larger discussion about how and when Buffalo’s various city departments will develop firm plans to go electric.
 
Niagara District member Rivera asked Wagner to explain why, when someone’s parked car has been hit, the police tow it to the impound lot. That means that the victims must pay to retrieve their own car, or apply for a storage fee waiver, and then have their insurance company pay the towing fee (possibly raising their rates). “I feel they’re being victimized twice,” said Rivera.
 
Buffalo Water Board Chair O. J. McFoy came to talk about increased rates for city water. Rates last increased in 2023, and before that in 2019; another increase seems to be in the pipeline for 2025.
 
In response to questioning by council member Wyatt, McFoy said that the Water Board had received $11 million from the American Rescue Plan (COVID funds), which customers who were behind on their water bills could apply for. This entire fund has already been used up, according to McFoy. However, it is not clear that there ever was, in fact, an application process, or how the money was awarded.
 
In the Legislation Committee, two council members spoke about their disappointment that city attorneys did not come to the meeting to offer a legal opinion that the council members had asked for. The council members had asked the law department what they could do about representation for the South District now that its council member had become the acting mayor. The city’s lawyers have said that this information is a matter of attorney-client privilege, and therefore not something the public is entitled to know.
 
There were many applications for, and hearings about, short term rentals (STR; air bnb-type lodgings). Some supporters came to speak in favor of STR permits, but most speakers were neighbors, from all parts of the city, opposed to granting additional licenses. The council is weighing a moratorium on non-owner-occupied STRs.
 
Athenia Cyrus, co-chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force, presented that group’s second report to the Community Development Committee. She addressed the many factors that make it difficult for residents to find decent and affordable places to live, but said that she hoped the council would take up the report’s suggestions for items to act on. “The thing that I’ve heard often is that Buffalo has one of the oldest housing stocks in the nation,” said Cyrus. “We can’t keep using that as an excuse for why our population is sick and dying at a greater rate than the rest of New York.” Majority Leader Halton-Pope and University District representative Wyatt said they were also committed to working on these issues. “Hold our feet to the fire,” Wyatt told Cyrus.
 
Council members also heard about a proposal from the Norfolk Ave Block Club and the Chickens Are Out The Coop Think Tank. They are asking for the city to uphold and strengthen its regulations about fowl and farm animals within city limits. They would also like the council to create a city office dedicated to urban agriculture and livestock. The group is concerned about animals like sheep, pigs, and alpaca being kept in yards; birds roaming outside of coops; and illegal slaughtering of goats and other livestock in residential neighborhoods. 
 
Council members pointed out that it was crucial that any action on this matter involve various community and ethnic groups; these issues often arise from clashing cultural practices when neighborhoods become more diverse.