Buffalo City Council tackling issues head-on

The Buffalo City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Monday evening July 13 at the Senior Citizens Center. Mayor Royce Dawkins has done away with the tiny meeting room at City Hall where only a few guests could crowd in, and the current venue reflects a distinctly different approach to the business of managing the City of Buffalo. The new City Council appears to be intent on getting things done while being careful to dot their "I"s, cross their "T"s, and watch their pennies. Additionally, there is a good-sized group of citizens scrutinizing each meeting with, apparently, the same goal in mind.

During the forum for public comments, Johnny Wilson asked if there was any way interested individuals could get a copy of the agenda e-mailed to them, and requested the Council to vide a copy of the financials each month. Later in the meeting Stephen Sutton suggested that the City's website, if updated regularly, could be a way to make that information available to anyone who wished to see it.

Mike Glick asked the Council to explain how they determine which streets need to be repaired or resurfaced, pointing out that Railroad Street is in bad condition. The Mayor responded that the contract for the current water project called for the contractor "to put Railroad Street back like it was", and they have promised to do so by the completion of the project. Glick also challenged the wisdom of putting oil sand over asphalt roads. "It is wasting our money and causing problems, putting it on an asphalt street. It is not a patch and will have to be removed."

John Maneval suggested the City add road markings on an highly trafficked area on Avant, pointing out, "It's difficult to identify street and shoulder and where people are supposed to be." The Mayor promised to have the police chief look into it.

Addressing the agenda, the Council first heard the quarterly report of the BEDC, presented by Ken Jones. After reciting the financials, Jones reported that the Norcum building where the BEDC is officed has been put up for sale, and he proposed that it would make a great Visitor Information Center, conference room, BEDC office and perhaps Chamber of Commerce office. The BEDC is prepared to commit $100K and proposed the City pick up the balance of $125K, and the building would belong to the City of Buffalo. Sweetening the pot, Jones concluded that the tourism aspect of the building's purpose would qualify this project for hotel/motel tax money. Mayor Dawkins expressed concern that the purchase would preclude the City building a much-needed new City Hall, but stated the Council will consider the plan.

Before concluding, Jones brought a request from the BEDC Board for an update on the A&K project. He was told that the water has been bid and the sewer work has been bid, awarded and the work will begin next week to bring waste water down the feeder road.

That discussion led to a question on the new water tower. It is not yet in use, awaiting an easement for power. It was suggested that the Council have representation at the next BISD school board meeting in order to try to resolve that problem.

Stephen Sutton presented a proposal from his company, TechBundle, to provide technology services including anti-virus software, off-site backup and information storage, and computer updates and monitoring. Acknowledging the need to prevent the loss of data, the Council voted to cover one server and the computers used for the City's accounting, water billing, and the Municipal Court. They agreed to purchase the entry-level "Bronze" plan on a month-to-month basis, with a portion of the costs coming out of the Municipal Court's technology fund.

Leah Pruitt and Martin Housler presented another report from the Chamber of Commerce and reiterated the need for a commitment from the City to help fund the upcoming Buffalo Stampede. Action on the matter will be put on the agenda for the next called meeting, but the Council did offer assurances that the Chamber can expect some financial help.

Mayor Dawkins reviewed the progress on the water/sewer projects west of I-45, (90% complete on the water and 70% on the waste water improvements with all due to be completed by December). The Council then voted to lift the March 3, 2008 temporary moratorium on water and sewer taps in the city limits west of I-45.

The Council passed a resolution authorizing continued participation with the Atmos Cities Steering Committee. A related agenda item for an ordinance was tabled to allow the city attorney time to review it.

Reports were heard and approved from the police department, animal control officer, water and sewer department. Minutes of previous meetings, outstanding bills and the City Secretary's financials report were accepted.

A budget meeting was set for Monday evening, July 20 at 7:00 p.m.