This week, the Common Council held seven meetings. For this summary, we will focus on the Legislation Committee, Finance Committee, and Community Development Committee Meeting. The Legislation Committee focuses on local laws, ordinances, and general legislation—except for civil matters. The Community Development Committee focuses on matters pertaining to work or improvement using revenue from another government unit. The Finance Committee concerns all matters about the budget and issuance of bonds.

During the Legislation Committee Meeting, there were numerous discussions about special use permits for 1052 Hertel Avenue, 2154 South Park Avenue, 160 Abbott, 41 Edward, and 193 Leroy, a property with a request to reopen the two-story building with a grocery store in the lower level and living quarters for the owners' family. Phyllis Harris from Councilmember Wingo's office spoke on behalf of the Leroy Block Club in opposition. Councilmember Wingo also noted his opposition and mentioned he previously denied the permit.

The Partnership for the Public Good and PUSH Buffalo submitted a letter encouraging the Common Council to consider a resolution supporting Good Cause legislation (S3082/A5573) at the state level. Teresa Watson, Housing Justice Organizer at PUSH Buffalo, pointed out misinformation about the bill, noting if a house is uninhabitable, people should not live there. Furthermore, Watson said repairs are critical to ensure properties are habitable for tenants. Tanvier Peart, Director of Policy Advancement at the Partnership for the Public Good, mentioned that Good Cause would prevent retaliatory evictions and price gouging as it has a mechanism to stop landlords from spiking the rent. Jordan Moore of the Buffalo Mutual Aid Network spoke in support of this legislation since many people cannot afford essentials. Chuck Culhane, a tenant at PUSH Building 77, also expressed his support of the bill. As a tenant for the last 28 months, he discussed the inhabitable living conditions of his previous apartment, where he did not have windows or even water to get through winter. 

Additional speakers supporting Good Cause legislation include Mary Lister and Denise Curry of the Queen City Worker Center. Curry revealed mold is a common problem in her current housing unit. She is afraid to speak up in fear of retaliation. However, Lisa Damiani of the Western New York Property Owners Coalition says the point of Good Cause is misdirected and seems unsure if the policy addresses tenants’ concerns. She also expressed apprehension that it will increase the number of slumlords and negatively impact the housing supply, making it harder for people to find homes since there are so many rules to follow. Sarah Wooten, Community Researcher at Partnership for the Public Good, explained that good landlords should not be concerned about Good Cause because they already follow all the outlined rules. 

This week the Finance Committee received and discussed a brief update on the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) implementation. Jessica Brown, Director of Administration and Finance for the City of Buffalo, shared that the first quarterly report on the utilization of ARPA funds is due to the federal oversight office at the end of January, and Common Council will receive it for review by February 3. The quarterly reports will include the names of each ARPA-funded project, the project's status, the proposed budget, amount spent to date, and amount encumbered.

Going forward, there will be quarterly reports and annual comprehensive reports. Common Council will receive the next quarterly report in April that will cover the period from January-March, with the first annual report completed in August.

There are twenty-seven accounts with funds for each of the approved ARPA-funded projects. Councilmembers can use the deposited $400,000 set aside for each council district to address road maintenance and reports. The City already expended funds set aside for updated Patient Care Report equipment for the Fire Department, paying the Lead Inspector for the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, and strengthening cyber security infrastructure for Buffalo.

The contract with vendor Promise, Inc. is almost final to manage the implementation of the $13 million water debt forgiveness program and will be filed with the Common Council within the next two meeting cycles. The City of Buffalo plans to also contract with Promise, Inc. to manage the implementation of the $5.5 million user fee debt forgiveness program, and that new contract will require Common Council review and approval.

Councilmember Bryan Bollman will serve as the appointed ARPA liaison for the Common Council and will sit in meetings with the City’s ARPA project management team moving forward. Councilmember David Rivera requested a report with time frames and a clearer sense of the prioritization plan for all the 27 ARPA-funded projects.

There is a report on the current water and user fee debt levels created for the Common Council, but not all members received it. This report will be disseminated to councilmembers and discussed at the next Finance Committee meeting on February 2. Common Council requested the report to assess how the amounts allocated for water and user fee debt forgiveness meet the current level of need.

During the Community Development Meeting, Lisa Maria Cruz presented an overview of the Mental Health Peer Connection (MHPC) of Buffalo. As an outreach coordinator, she explained that it’s her job to give people hope. She said that services at MHPC can help Erie County residents thrive, despite personal difficulties. Everyone who works at MHPC, including Cruz, is in recovery from substance use or a mental health condition. The MHPC mission is to support independent living and choice in a person-centered atmosphere. At MHPC, peer specialists help clients find safe, affordable housing and apply for benefits like Medicaid, SNAP, rental voucher, and Social Security insurance. The peer-driven advocacy agency also helps clients obtain employment, educational opportunities, and bus passes for work. In addition, MHPC offers support groups, virtual open mic night, and family support. The Crisis Diversion Program at MHPC provides a safe space and free transportation from anywhere in Erie County every day from 3-11p.m.  

Councilmember Nowakowski told Councilmembers that street and basement flooding occurring in Buffalo's Old First Ward is unacceptable and must be rectified. He invited residents to share their personal experiences. One displayed photos of her basement flooded with over a foot of water and two fish left on the floor after the water receded. She is distressed about property damage and mold. Another resident said she was forced to replace two furnaces due to flood damage. An older couple described how flooding decreases property values, making lifelong city residents feel abandoned. The residents agreed that pumps don't stop the flooding, so the water pours in freely from the street. They also said flooding issues did not exist until work was completed on the street a few summers ago.  

Oluwole McFoy, General Manager of the Buffalo Sewer Authority, addressed community concerns. He is aware of flooding in the area of South Park Avenue and acknowledges the work needed. The Sewer Authority installed a new sewer line along South Park to separate sanitary waste from floodwater. Still, historically high water levels in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are wreaking havoc. On December 11, 2021, an unprecedented storm surge caused the Buffalo River to back up into the stormwater system. To identify the location of the breakdown, Sewer Authority workers already installed censors to measure flow and velocity of water. McFoy said the Sewer Authority is "up against nature" but preparing to install backwater protection. 

Nolan Skipper, an engineer for the City of Buffalo, also spoke to the Council about flooding in South Buffalo. He interviewed residents and is collaborating with the Sewer Authority to investigate the problem. Skipper promised to engage with the Army Corps of Engineers and hire an outside consultant, if necessary. Councilmember Nowakowski pledged to meet with McFoy and Skipper every 30 days until this problem is remedied.

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