Buffalo Common Council Summary: Week of November 28, 2022

Buffalo Common Council Summary: Week of November 28, 2022

Date: December 2, 2022
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By Rose Thomas |

Each week, PPG summarizes important takeaways from the major Buffalo Common Council meetings. We also include information from Council meetings related to our Community Agenda items

This summary focuses on the Regular Meeting, Common Council's primary meeting, where they make official decisions on issues.

During the Regular Meeting, Common Council discussed the City of Buffalo looking to create a new position for an Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") Advocate to enhance the quality of residents in this area who have disabilities. There is a mandate for every state or local government receiving federal funding with 50 or more employees to have an ADA Coordinator. Council Member Nowakowski spoke on behalf of this issue. It's been 30 years since ADA's establishment. There needs to be a push for more than compliance—a proactive approach to enhancing the quality of life for those with disabilities. From infrastructure projects to city services, sidewalks, and bus systems, people with disabilities have felt disregarded or overlooked. Nowakowski hopes to see someone with a disability hold the position of ADA Advocate. There will be another discussion about the role during next week's Civil Service meeting.

Council later discussed support for a three-bell system for Buffalo Public Schools in response to inconsistencies in bus systems for children. Council Member Wyatt took the stand to address the problem of transporting students safely. Though Wyatt emphasized the importance of having transportation for students—especially for sports, field trips, or after-school programs—Council President Pridgen clarified that the Common Council has no authority over the Board of Education.

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