Council approves 26-000177 - Property Managers License Janet Meiselman, 8–0

26-000177 - Property Managers License Janet Meiselman

8 yes, 0 no

Rasheed N.C. Wyatt (yes), David A. Rivera (yes), Joseph Golombek, Jr. (yes), Bryan J. Bollman (yes), Joel P. Feroleto (yes), Leah M. Halton-Pope (yes), Zeneta B. Everhart (yes), Christopher P. Scanlon (yes)

26-000509 - Ordinance Amendment Section 91.1 Bicycle Paths

0 yes, 0 no

26-000465 - 756 Broadway Local Landmark Designation

0 yes, 0 no

26-000860 - Food Store License 3390 aka 3400 Main St (UNI)_11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000895 - A Goldberg, Zoning Map Amendment - 21 Parkridge from N-3R to N-3E zone (MAS)(Hrg 12/1/26) 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000852 - Regarding Item 26-1284 MT: Transparency for Pre-Foreclosure Notices & Admin Fees 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000601 - Food Store License 74 aka 76 Elmwood (FIL) 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000173 - Food Store License 2028 Genesee (LOV)11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000511 - Used Car Dealer (NEW) 1906 GENESEE (LOV) MT 25-932 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000637 - Halton-Pope, Enforcement and Transparency of Tow Truck Licensing and Towing Operations Within the City of Buffalo (Exc Res) 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000640 - Halton-Pope, Protecting Tenants from Landlord-Caused Utility Shutoffs in Occupied Multiple Dwellings (Exc Res) 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000651 - Halton-Pope—Once More Directing Corporation Counsel to Approve as to Form a Local Law Establishing Legislative Counsel for the Common Council (Exc Res) 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000291 - Wyatt - Requesting an update from the Administration on Bulk Trash and Mayor’s Impact Team changes 11/4/26 LEG (Exc Res)

0 yes, 0 no

26-000413 - Wyatt, Halton-Pope, Everhart, Nowakowski, Rivera, Golombek, Bollman - Opposing the Administration’s Recent Decision to Reduce Bulk Trash Collection to One Day and Requesting Reinstitution of Biannual Bulk Trash Collection (Exc…

0 yes, 0 no

26-000466 - Golombek- Preventing the Appointment of Public Officers and City Employees to Boards and Commissions MT 26-1265 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000471 - Nowakowski, Halton-Pope, Rivera, Everhart, Feroleto, Wyatt - Support for the Good Food NY Bill, S.7638B and A.8091B(Exc Res) MT 26-1137 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000486 - Used Car Dealer (NEW) 620 AKA 660 ONTARIO ST (NO) MT 25-1327 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000561 - James, A, Zoning Map Amendment - 2094 Fillmore from N-2R to N-3E Zone (MAS)(Hrg 10/21/2025) MT 25-1636 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000508 - Golombek - Resolution Requesting Return to Original Budget Process Timeline MT 25-1043 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000510 - Food Store License (NEW) 2939 Bailey (UNV) MT 25-1683 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000515 - Nowakowski - Implement Nurse Navigation Program for the City of Buffalo MT 25-205 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000520 - K. Lin, Zoning Map Amendment - 111 Clay from N-2R to N-2E Zone (Nor)(Hrg 12/30/24) MT 24-2107 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000521 - Nowakowski, Everhart, Bollman, Halton-Pope, Wyatt- Accountability for Code Violations by Leveraging Existing Tools for Collection MT 24-2027 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000522 - Nowakowski, Everhart, Bollman- Utilizing Abandonment Proceedings to Combat Blight in the City of Buffalo MT 24-2028 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000523 - Second Hand Dealer License (NEW) 3215 Aka 3217 Bailey (UNI) MT 24-1909 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000527 - Nowakowski: Modernizing Fine Caps to Reflect True Costs on Residents MT 24-1481 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000528 - Wyatt- Calling for Immediate Action and Accountability in the City of Buffalo’s Lead Hazard Remediation MT 25-1046 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000529 - Nowakowski: Strengthening Lease Compliance through Charter Adherence MT 24-1483 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000530 - Nowakowski- Advocating for the Law Department and City Court to Apply Receivership MT 24-1176 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000533 - Restaurant Dance License (New) 3167 Bailey Ave. Uni MT 24-179 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000534 - R. Wyatt - LOS to NYS Legislature Re: Flavor and Menthol Ban MT 24-204 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000539 - Halton-Pope - Continuation of Efforts for Historic Landmarks and Districts in the Michigan Ave African American Heritage Corridor MT 24-210 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

26-000543 - Food Store License (NEW) 219 Aka221 Hudson (ELL) MT 23-1121 11/4/26 LEG

0 yes, 0 no

COA Information Technology Specialist II (PROV)(MIN) A. Barry — $64,010

5 yes, 0 no

COA Assistant Collection Officer (TEMP)(INTER) C. Bridgers — $55,616

5 yes, 0 no

COA Treasury Administrator (TEMP)(INTER) C. Pugh — $68,071

5 yes, 0 no

Halton-Pope Resolution 1 — Department List Alignment (26-000914)

5 yes, 0 no

Halton-Pope Resolution 6 — Chief Information Officer Appointment (26-000920)

5 yes, 0 no

Halton-Pope Resolution 7 — Real Estate Chain of Command (26-000921)

5 yes, 0 no

Wyatt — Update on City Union Contract Negotiations (26-000818)

0 yes, 0 no

Appointment — Deputy Finance Officer (Exempt) (Seaman) (26-000376)

0 yes, 0 no

Appointment — Director of Treasury (Exempt) (Cardone) (26-000377)

0 yes, 0 no

Halton-Pope — Supplemental Vacancy, Workforce Separation, and Demographic Data (26-000379)

0 yes, 0 no

Wyatt — Concerns COB Employee Salaries (26-000495)

0 yes, 0 no

Wyatt — Letter Requesting HR and DPW Attendance (26-000496)

0 yes, 0 no

Everhart — Water Authority Working Conditions (26-000498)

0 yes, 0 no

Scanlon, Pridgen, Bollman, Rivera — IVF & Fertility Preservation Coverage (26-000490)

0 yes, 0 no

Bollman — Safety and Fire Emergency Coordination (26-000499)

0 yes, 0 no

Bollman, Nowakowski — Civil Service Employment of People Living with Disabilities Report (26-000502)

0 yes, 0 no

Wyatt — Report on Grievances, Hiring and Terminations (26-000488)

0 yes, 0 no

328 North Oak Street Demolition

328 North Oak Street

Developer Main Gateway, L.P. is appealing the Preservation Board's refusal to grant a hardship exception for demolition, promising to scan, rebuild, and salvage from the 150-year-old building.

Discussed — no decision yet

Zoning Map Amendment — 21 Parkridge

21 Parkridge, Buffalo, NY

Rezone from N-3R to N-3E tabled pending the December 1 public hearing.

tabled · still tabled

Cannabis Establishment — 299 Jefferson

299 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY

Cannabis establishment permit tabled pending the December 1 public hearing.

tabled · still tabled

120 Humason Non-Owner-Occupied Short-Term Rental

120 Humason

Long-pending short-term rental permit sent to the full Council without recommendation.

Discussed — no decision yet

Carbone's Pizza Tavern & Outdoor Dining

568 South Park Avenue

A public hearing was held on a special use permit for a tavern with outdoor dining in the N-2C zone; the applicant described a two-stage restaurant/bar/pizzeria project.

still under-review

Voelker's Lane Apartments Phase 1 - Site Plan Modification

680 Amherst Street, Buffalo, NY

The team behind the big Voelker's Lane apartment project asked the board to accept a minor change: the second-floor terrace comes out of the plans, which frees up space so two parking islands can be green space instead of concrete.

Discussed — no decision yet

Voelker's Lane Apartments site plan change at 680 Amherst Street

The large mixed-use apartment project near Amherst and Elmwood got a proposed tweak: no more second-floor terrace, but two parking islands become green space instead of concrete. Residents nearby may care about how the building looks and how the parking area is laid out.

What it means: The developer gains a simpler building and residents get a bit more green space instead of concrete.

City Fleet Electrification Proposal

Sierra Club advocates urged Buffalo to follow New York City's lead electrifying 10,500+ fleet vehicles and pointed to the NFTA's 45 electric buses. They argued the proposed zero-emission vehicle ordinance includes enough exemptions to protect the city financially, and that grants and lower maintenance costs make EVs cheaper long-term.

What it means: EV maintenance runs about $330/year versus $949 for gas vehicles, and state voucher and DERA grants can offset higher upfront purchase prices.

Municipal Workforce Transparency and Vacancy Reporting

Halton-Pope's request for vacancy, employee separation, and demographic data — key to council oversight of the budget and workforce equity — keeps getting tabled.

What it means: Residents who want transparent, accountable city budgeting and hiring.

Bicycle Facility Master Plan Implementation and Community Outreach

Council members are furious that bike lanes went down on East Delavan and Kensington without talking to the people who live there. A $3.57M GoBike-funded project got tabled until the city holds real neighborhood meetings.

What it means: Up to $3.57 million in state and foundation grant money on hold.

City Union Contract Negotiations Update Request

Wyatt's request for the administration to brief the committee on the status of city union contract negotiations was tabled again.

What it means: Residents seeking visibility into how their tax dollars fund labor settlements.

BMHA Board Appointments and Housing Conditions

Mayor Ryan appointed Paul Perez and Brandi Barrett to the BMHA board, and the committee recommended them 7-0. Councilmember Wyatt warned the new members not to rubber-stamp the executive director, citing boarded-up units and poor conditions at Kenfield-Langfield.

What it means: BMHA residents across the city, especially in Kenfield-Langfield, Marine Drive and other developments, if the new members hold leadership accountable.

Health Insurance Benefits and Fertility Treatments

A years-old resolution to add IVF and fertility preservation treatments to city worker health insurance remains tabled. City employees still lack coverage that many private and other public employers provide.

What it means: City employees and their families facing infertility or medically necessary fertility preservation.

Vacant Property Demolition Financial Responsibility

Two burned-out buildings on Clinton and Lombard are coming down on the city's dime, but the city liens insurance and bills owners. The Permits commissioner says a small group of repeat-offender landlords owes the city six and seven figures.

What it means: Neighbors of the derelict, fire-damaged buildings.

2026-2027 Winter Snow Plan Filed

The city's new snow plan details 44 pieces of equipment, over 3,000 tons of salt, snowblower tractors for narrow streets, GPS tracking on plows and a pilot for contractor GPS, plus a public-facing plow map. Council members asked about forced overtime, snow piles on corners, and coordination with the county and state in a blizzard-scale event.

What it means: About $2 million is budgeted for contractual snow services, with capacity to procure over 30,000 tons of salt and 10 new plow trucks on order.

Water Authority Working Conditions and Employee Grievances

Councilmember Everhart's concerns about meal and rest breaks, grievance handling, and fair treatment at the Buffalo Water Authority remain unresolved, with the item tabled again.

What it means: Water Authority employees if working-condition and grievance concerns are ultimately addressed.

City Hall Employee Communication Restrictions

Council members say city employees are afraid to talk to them — even at block club meetings — under a January directive routing all contacts through commissioners and the mayor's council liaison. Deputy Mayor Swanekamp defended it as a data-driven accountability system; Golombek called it 'sad' and demanded the directive in writing, floating possible subpoenas.

What it means: Potentially residents, if centralized tracking actually speeds up fixing systemic problems like missed plow routes.

Lovejoy Pool Reopening Timeline and Repairs

Lovejoy Pool — one of only two indoor pools in the city — has been shut since April 2025 due to mold and dehumidification problems, and a broken water main flooded the mechanical room. Repairs are estimated at about $1.1 million, with $1 million in emergency funding requested; the parks department promises a hiring resolution and timeline within four to five weeks.

What it means: Roughly $1.1 million in repairs, with $1 million in emergency capital funding requested.

Shea's Theater District police coverage grant

A federal Byrne grant funds two walking officers and cameras around the Shea's Theater District during events, plus about $350,000 in curb projects from Tupper to Huron. More security could make event nights feel safer downtown.

What it means: Downtown visitors, theatergoers and nearby businesses during Shea's events.

Bicycle paths ordinance amendment (Section 91.1)

The committee recommended adopting a small, location-specific change to the city's bicycle-path rules.

What it means: Cyclists and users of the affected path location.

Local Landmark Designation for Broadway Auditorium

A months-old push to landmark 756 Broadway failed in committee, which voted to recommend denial to the full Council.

What it means: Property owners opposing the designation benefit; the building loses landmark protections.

Demolition Requests for Historic and Residential Properties

Developer Main Gateway, L.P. is appealing the Preservation Board's refusal to allow demolition of a 150-year-old building, arguing rehab would lose about $803,000. A public hearing will be scheduled before the full Council decides.

What it means: The developer projects an $803,000 capital loss if the building is rehabilitated rather than demolished and rebuilt.

Bulk trash collection reduction dispute

Six council members have joined a resolution opposing the administration's move to one-day bulk trash collection; the item remains tabled pending administration action.

What it means: Residents would benefit if biannual bulk trash collection is reinstated.

$20 million BFSA borrowing for capital projects

The city is borrowing $20 million through the Fiscal Stability Authority for urgent projects after debating a BAN alternative. Council members pushed back on the idea that the borrowing mechanism was pre-decided without them.

What it means: $20 million in borrowing for city projects, with interest costs to follow.

Parks and DPW staffing changes

Parks is adding an admin assistant, project manager, special assistant and intern, plus making a pool laborer permanent. DPW is restructuring its buildings division leadership.

What it means: Parks users and building maintenance operations.

Common Council Legislative Counsel and Law Department Backlogs

Council Member Halton-Pope flagged that several local laws and resolutions are stalled awaiting Corporation Counsel responses, with only a few session days left on the calendar.

What it means: Council members and petitioners gain if stalled legislation advances.