Oct 05, 2023 Legislative Session

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

[00:00:01]

THIS IS MEETING NUMBER 18 OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE, OCTOBER 5TH, 2023.

MR. CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE TAKE THE ROLL?

[ ROLL CALL]

TODAY'S INVOCATION WILL BE LED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO.

PLEASE STAND IF YOU ARE ABLE.

HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPERNATURAL WISDOM AS WE MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS IN THIS SESSION TODAY.

HELP US TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE RELEVANT INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN GATHERED.

MAY THOSE SHARING INFORMATION GIVE US PERTINENT POINTS SO WE ALL CLEARLY UNDERSTAND.

HELP US TO BE INNOVATIVE AS WE BRAINSTORM SOLUTIONS.

HELP US WISELY EVALUATE OUR OPTIONS CONSIDERING THE PROS AND CONS.

HELP US TO BE UNIFIED IN MAKING THE BEST POSSIBLE DECISIONS AND TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY THEM OUT.

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.

THANK YOU. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING IF YOU'RE ABLE, FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, LED BY MINORITY LEADER MILLS.

[PLEDGE] THANK YOU. TABLED ITEMS. THERE ARE NONE ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

THERE ARE NONE. MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Meeting No. 17]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MEETING NUMBER 17.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE MEETING MINUTES ARE APPROVED PUBLIC HEARINGS.

THERE ARE NONE. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE ONE AND CONTINUED ON TO PAGE THREE.

[ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:]

MOVE TO CONSIDER. SECOND, THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO CONSIDER MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ON THE QUESTION, ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW BEFORE THE BODY.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE TO AMEND TO INCLUDE ET AL SPONSORSHIP.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO AMEND TO MAKE ET AL MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE AMENDED.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS AS AMENDED MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE APPROVED AS AMENDED.

LOCAL LAWS. LOCAL LAW INTRO 1-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING LOCAL LAW INTRO 3-1 AS INDICATED LOCAL LAW INTRO 7-1 IS REFERRED TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UNDER

[ LOCAL LAWS:]

LOCAL LAW INTRO 8-1 IS REFERRED TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.

COMMITTEE REPORTS REPORT NUMBER 11 FROM THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.

[ COMMITTEE REPORTS:]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL MADE BY COMMITTEE CHAIR MYERS.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

REPORT NUMBER 13 FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR MILLS ON.

EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU.

ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

REPORT NUMBER 13 FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR A MEETING.

CONSIDERATION APPROVAL MADE BY COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON, SECOND SECONDED BY THE MINORITY.

BY THE MAJORITY LEADER MEYERS ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THE REPORT IS APPROVED, AND REPORT NUMBER TWO FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE LEGISLATOR VINAL.

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY COMMITTEE CHAIR VINAL.

SECOND, IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY MINORITY LEADER MILLS ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS INTRO 18 DASH ONE IS DIRECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.

[ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:]

MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

SECOND, IT'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.

INTRO 18-3 FROM LEGISLATOR GILMORE REGARDING THE TRANSFER OF SURPLUS VEHICLE.

MAJORITY LEADER THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

[00:05:02]

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.

INTRO 18-4 FROM LEGISLATOR VINAL REGARDING SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE DISASTER RELIEF GRANTS.

MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION.

PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED THE MOTION? SHE CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.

INTRO 18-5 FROM THE MINORITY CAUCUS.

CALLING ON THE STATE OF EMERGENCY TO PREVENT THE USE OF GRANT FUNDS.

FUNDING FROM NEW YORK CITY TO COME TO ERIE COUNTY.

MAJORITY LEADER. MINORITY MAJORITY LEADER.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO CONSIDER THE ITEM MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS BEFORE THE BODY.

YEAH. OKAY, AND THE RESOLUTION IS BEFORE THE BODY.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO AMEND THE ITEM MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, AND IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION.

ROLL CALL. VOTE, MADAM CHAIR.

ROLL CALL. VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.

MR. CLERK? YEAH.

EXPLAIN MY VOTE. I'M GOING TO VOTE NO ON THIS, MAINLY BECAUSE THE RESOLVE CLAUSE DOES NOT RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE EXECUTIVE ACTION TO CEASE THE EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM. MY ANSWER IS NO.

[INAUDIBLE] THE EXPLANATION OF NEW YORK CITY AND NEW YORK STATE HAVE DONE BUFFALO MORE FAVORS.

THEY NEED TO ACT ON THIS.

NO, AND I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE.

THE AMENDMENT DOES NOT HAVE THE TEETH THAT OUR INITIAL RESOLUTION PROPOSED.

SO I'M GOING TO LEGISLATOR [INAUDIBLE] YES AND YES.

GILMORE YES.

I'M GOING TO VOTE YES, BECAUSE THE THINGS THAT THE TWO THINGS THAT ARE RESOLVED BY US ARE ACTUALLY THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE.

THEY'RE NOT MADE UP. THEY'RE NOT FICTIONAL.

THEY'RE NOT MEANT TO EMBARRASS, AND THE THINGS THAT WE'RE ASKED FOR IN THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION ARE LEGALLY NOT DOABLE.

YES. I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE FOR THE SAME REASON AS LEGISLATOR GILMORE THIS RESOLUTION RIGHT HERE THAT WE'RE PUTTING FORTH WITH THE RESOLVE CLAUSE IS ASKING FOR SOME IMMEDIATE ACTION TO TAKE PLACE.

TO DO THAT, WE'RE PUTTING THE ONUS BACK ON THE STATE WHO ORIGINATED THIS.

I MEAN, IT IS NOT ON THE COUNTY.

IT'S ON THE STATE. THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ORIGINATED THIS ISSUE HERE.

SO MY GOAL IS GOING TO BE A YES FOR THIS RESOLUTION AS AMENDED.

YES. NO, AND LEGISLATIVE YES.

OKAY. SO THE AMENDMENT FAILS.

OH. OH, THE AMENDMENT PASSES.

MADAM CHAIR, I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND INTRO 18 DASH FIVE AS AMENDED.

THERE IS AN AMENDMENT.

THERE IS AN AMENDMENT BEING INTRODUCED BY LEGISLATOR GREENE TO THE AMENDMENT THAT JUST PASSED.

DO YOU HAVE A SECOND? IT HAS THE SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO? THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT IS BEING PASSED OUT [INAUDIBLE] ABOUT TO PASS.

YOU HAVE. IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WAS [INAUDIBLE] IT JUST ADDS ON A SECOND RESOLVE CLAUSE, WHICH YOU GUYS HAVE ALREADY SEEN.

PARDON MY TERMINOLOGY.

THIS IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE RESOLUTION.

SO THE RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED AS AMENDED.

IT WASN'T APPROVED. IT WAS JUST AMENDED.

SO THEN THERE ARE FURTHER AMENDING THE RESOLUTION.

SO WHY IS IT NOT AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT? IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE MULTIPLE AMENDMENTS.

OKAY. MADAM CHAIR, I SHARE YOUR CONFUSION.

I SAID THE SAME THING AND WAS CORRECTED BACK THERE.

OKAY. THERE'S A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE RESOLUTION.

THE SECOND WAS LEGISLATOR TODARO.

[INAUDIBLE]

[00:10:08]

AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN PROPERLY SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO.

ROLL CALL. VOTE ON THE SECOND AMENDMENT ON THE QUESTION.

ROLL CALL. VOTE ON THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

YES. YES.

YES. YES.

NO. EXPLAIN MY VOTE.

I THINK AFTER THE LENGTHY DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY EXPLAINED WHY THE STATE OF EMERGENCY WOULD NOT APPLY.

SO I'M VOTING NO.

NO. AGAIN, I THINK WE'RE ALL KIND OF ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT NOT WANTING THESE PEOPLE TO SHOW UP HERE WITH $3,000 VOUCHERS, BUT I ASKED YOU A QUESTION THIS MORNING.

THE QUESTION WAS, WHAT KIND OF POWERS WOULD WE BE GIVING HIM IF WE ALLOWED HIM TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY? THOSE QUESTIONS WERE NOT ANSWERED.

SO I'M A NO. THANK YOU, SIR.

YEAH. I WANT TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF LEGISLATOR GILMORE.

I'M GOING TO BE A NO AS WELL ON THIS, AND THAT'S JUST SIMPLY BECAUSE WE ASKED ABOUT THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS OUR COUNTERPARTS HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT THOSE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS WERE, WHAT POWERS THAT WE WERE HANDING BACK OVER TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE I GO BACK TO [INAUDIBLE].

THEY FOUGHT A HARD FIGHT TO SAY, HEY, LET'S GET RID OF THIS EMERGENCY POWERS NOW TO TURN AROUND AND GIVE IT TO ME, GIVE IT TO THEM AGAIN.

THAT'S A TWO SIDED CONVERSATION.

THEY'RE TALKING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTH.

ONE SIDE WAS SAYING, HEY, LET'S TAKE IT AWAY NOW THEY'RE SAYING, HEY, LET'S GET IT BACK.

SO IT'S VERY CONFUSING WHEN WHEN WE HAVE THAT EITHER IT IS OR IT ISN'T.

SO FOR THAT REASON, I'M GOING TO BE A NO SHOW.

NO. YES.

LET ME EXPLAIN MY VOTE TO THIS AMENDMENT IS NO, BECAUSE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY EXPLAINED IN GREAT DETAIL, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A WELL-REASONED ITEMS EXPLAINING EXACTLY WHY IT'S AGAINST THE LAW, WHY IT'S AGAINST THE FEDERAL LAW, WHY IT'S AGAINST OUR FEDERAL CONSTITUTION, AND INSTEAD OF DOING SOMETHING THAT'S AGAINST THE LAW KNOWINGLY, WHEN WE ALL SWORE TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND PULLED THE CONSTITUTION, THE RESOLUTION THAT'S THERE PROTECTS OUR CITIZENS BY MAKING IT SO THAT WE'RE ASKING THE STATE TO GIVE PARITY SO THAT IF SOMEBODY COMES TO YOUR COUNTY, THEY'RE GETTING THE SAME, THAT WE'RE GETTING $800, AND THEN THIS WILL BE DISSUADE PEOPLE OR MAKE IT AT LEAST FAIR TO OUR OWN RESIDENTS AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT VIOLATING THE LAW OR THE CONSTITUTION, AND SECOND, IT WILL MAKE IT SO THAT IF THEY WON'T, IF THE STATE WON'T DO THAT, THAT IT WILL GIVE OUR OWN ATTORNEY THE TO LOOK INTO SUING THE CITY TO FOR THIS PURPOSE. SO WE'RE ACTUALLY THE WAY IT IS DOING SOMETHING THAT'S LEGAL AND WITHIN THE LAW THAT WILL ACTUALLY PROTECT OUR CITIZENS AND NOT TRYING TO DO A SHOWBOATING THING, IN MY OPINION, TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S ILLEGAL AND AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION AND AGAINST OUR OATH THAT WE TOOK HERE.

THANK YOU, MA'AM. THE VOTE IS FIVE TO SIX, SO THIS AMENDMENT FAILS.

THE ITEM HAS ALREADY BEEN AMENDED, AND SO NOW I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS AMENDED.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS PREVIOUSLY AMENDED, MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE.

ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE QUESTION.

ON THE QUESTION SORRY.

QUESTION LEGISLATOR GREENE.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME YOU CAN'T SPEND THE SAME DOLLAR TWICE.

I'M SURE WE'VE ALL HEARD THAT BEFORE, AND IT'S NO DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT'S A LIMITED RESOURCE.

WITH HOUSING, YOU CAN'T RENT THE SAME APARTMENT TO TWO PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME.

EXPANDING AND ENABLING ERIE COUNTY LANDLORDS TO ACCEPT [INAUDIBLE] FUNDED TENANTS WILL PUT NEW YORK CITY'S HOMELESS IN DIRECT COMPETITION WITH ERIE COUNTY'S LOW INCOME POPULATION FOR HOUSING.

THEY WILL HAVE NEARLY A $2,400 MONTHLY LEG UP ON OUR RESIDENTS AN ERIE COUNTY RESIDENT THAT MAKES $35,000 A YEAR AFTER TAXES WILL TAKE HOME ABOUT $28,000 AND CHANGE THAT COMES OUT TO ABOUT $2,356 PER MONTH.

SOMEBODY COMING FROM NEW YORK CITY WITH [INAUDIBLE] FUNDED WILL END UP WITH $2,335 FOR A STUDIO APARTMENT

[00:15:10]

OUR RESIDENTS PAYCHECKS FOR ONE BEDROOM AND THE RESULT WILL BE ARTIFICIALLY INCREASING RENTS THROUGHOUT ERIE COUNTY.

I BROUGHT IT UP EARLIER THAT I HAD A RESIDENT IN THE TOWN OF CLARENCE WHO MOVED TO CLARENCE FOR A JOB.

SHE WORKED FOR ME OVER AT THE YOUTH BUREAU.

SHE COULDN'T AFFORD A HIGH INCOME PROPERTY OF CLARENCE, BUT WAS ABLE TO FIND A TRAILER A SINGLE WIDE FOR $700 A MONTH.

SHE HAD SIX MONTHS TO FIND THAT.

I FEAR THAT INDIVIDUAL IS PUT IN COMPETITION WITH [INAUDIBLE] FUNDING WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THAT APARTMENT AND WILL HAVE TO LOSE HER JOB IN CLARENCE. I FEAR THAT HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THIS.

THE ONLY WAY TO EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD WOULD BE IF NEW YORK CITY EXTENDS FUNDING TO RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AND EVENS THAT PLAYING FIELD, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED.

THIS YEAR WE ALLOCATED $25 MILLION IN OUR BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR LOW INCOME INITIATIVES.

LOW INCOME HOUSING INITIATIVES, ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET, NOT PUTTING A STATE OF EMERGENCY TO HAVE IMMEDIATE ACTION TAKEN WILL NEUTRALIZE MUCH OF WHAT THIS BIPARTISAN WORK TOWARDS.

IN MAY, WE ASKED FOR A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE MIGRANT SITUATION.

MEMBERS IN THIS CAUCUS REFERRED TO US AS RACIST, XENOPHOBIC.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE REFERRED TO IT AS MORALLY REPUGNANT.

AT THE TIME, I STATED THAT THE CONCERN WAS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE ERIE COUNTY RESIDENTS, AND I'M TELLING YOU, THE POLITICS WERE SECOND TO PROTECTING THE RESIDENTS BECAUSE WE KNEW THOSE INDIVIDUALS BEING SENT HERE WERE NOT VETTED AND WHAT DID WE END UP WITH MONTHS LATER, THREE RAPES, ATTEMPTED MURDER, OTHER FELONIES AND PAGES OF MISDEMEANORS.

WE NEED TO TAKE THE BIG PICTURE APPROACH RIGHT NOW.

TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION.

ASK FOR THE STATE OF EMERGENCY.

I UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHERE MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERN REGARDING THE POTENTIAL ABUSE OF POWER THAT WE SAW THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TAKE ON AT LEAST A COUPLE OCCASIONS WHERE HE DIDN'T BID OUT CONTRACTS THAT SHOULD HAVE COME FOR OUR APPROVAL AHEAD OF TIME.

I SHARE THAT CONCERN, BUT WE NEED TO PUT THE CONCERNS OF ERIE COUNTY RESIDENTS IMMEDIATELY AHEAD OF THIS BEFORE WE THE PROBLEM COMES ONTO OUR DOORSTEP AND OUR RESIDENTS ARE COMPETING FOR THESE FUNDS.

IF IT ENDS UP IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH, IT ENDS UP IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH, BUT AS WE SAW WITH THE MIGRANT STATE OF EMERGENCY, NIAGARA COUNTY, ONONDAGA COUNTY, MONROE COUNTY, CATTARAUGUS COUNTY OF GENESEE, ALL PUT IN STATES OF EMERGENCY.

THEY SENT A MESSAGE TO NEW YORK CITY THAT IT WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND IT WAS EFFECTIVE.

WE NEED TO DO THAT.

SAME EFFECTIVENESS TODAY.

THANK YOU.

ON THE QUESTION.

WE'RE ON THE QUESTION. YES.

LEGISLATIVE MALCZEWSKI.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

IT WAS SUGGESTED WE WOULD BE GRANTING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE SOME SUPER POWER.

THAT'S NOT THE TRUTH.

THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE HAS THE POWER RIGHT NOW TO DO THIS WITHOUT THE LEGISLATURE OR WITHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.

UNFORTUNATELY, HE'S CHOOSING NOT TO ACT ON THIS.

IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT YOU DON'T WANT THE SAME OUTCOME AS COVID.

IS THAT A SUGGESTION THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ABUSED HIS POWER DURING COVID? WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS IS MOVING A PROBLEM ACROSS THE STATE IS NOT THE SOLUTION THAT'S JUST SPREADING THE PROBLEM OUT AND CREATING MORE PROBLEMS. ON MAY 21ST, I STOOD ON THE STEPS OUTSIDE.

ASKING FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO TAKE ACTION.

HE DID NOT TAKE ACTION, AND WE SEE THE RESULTS TODAY AND WE'RE DEALING WITH THEM ON A DAILY BASIS.

I'M ASKING THIS BODY TO TAKE ACTION AND LOOK OUT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FIRST AND BE PROACTIVE AND STOP THE CRISIS BEFORE IT BECOMES ANOTHER CRISIS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR.

THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR.

ON THE QUESTION. ROLL CALL.

VOTE ON THE ITEM AS AMENDED.

[00:20:08]

[INAUDIBLE] CONSIDER MY VOTE. I'M SORRY.

YOU'RE ASKING US TO VOTE AND APPROVE SOMETHING.

A CLAUSE THAT IS ASKING A STATE OF EMERGENCY TO BE DECLARED TO STOP PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS FROM GETTING VOUCHERS FROM NEW YORK CITY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY JUST GAVE AN OPINION SAYING THAT'S LEGAL TO DO.

YOU KNOW THAT [INAUDIBLE] IS NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE HIS OWN ATTORNEYS TELL HIM IT'S UNLAWFUL, BUT WE'RE STILL ASKING DO THAT.

SO WHEN HE DOES IT, WE CAN TURN AROUND AND SAY WHAT HE'S DOING NOTHING.

THE PROPER COURSE OF ACTION IS TO GO AFTER THE PEOPLE THAT ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEM.

NEW YORK CITY. BRING THEM INTO COURT, FILE A LAWSUIT, ASK FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER SO WE CAN STOP IT NOW AND GET IT FIGURED OUT.

THAT'S THE WAY TO HANDLE THIS, AND THEN POLITICAL PRESSURE, OF COURSE, TO THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE STATE TO TRY TO GET THE GOVERNOR TO WEIGH IN AND SAY THIS IS UNFAIR.

IT CREATES AN UNFAIR BALANCE TO PEOPLE IN BUFFALO.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE AS FAR AS IT'S UNFAIR AND WE CAN'T HAVE IT.

IT'S HOW WE'RE TRYING TO STOP IT IS WE'RE TRYING TO [INAUDIBLE] THE RIGHT WAY.

SO YOUR VOTE IS. YES, I HAVE TO RESEND MY VOTE.

I'M SORRY. NOBODY WANTS TO PUT ERIE COUNTY RESIDENTS HAD TO DO HIS FENCE WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING.

IT'S A SHAME THAT WE'RE FOCUSED TODAY ON SCORING POLITICAL POINTS WITH THIS MATTER THERE WAS NO REAL RESOLUTIONS IN THE RESOLUTION THAT THEY PUT FORWARD OUR RESOLUTION WOULD AMENDMENT PROVIDES REALISTIC STEPS TO PROTECT COUNTY RESIDENTS FROM UNFAIR ADVANTAGES.

YOU KNOW, THIS LEGISLATIVE BODY IS A CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT WITH ALONG WITH THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, AND WE SHOULD TAKE STEPS TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER.

I WISH MY COLLEAGUE WOULD JUST JOIN US IN THIS SENSIBLE RESOLUTION RIGHT HERE WITH LINED OUT STEPS EARLIER I ACTUALLY ASKED A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

WERE THERE ANY RESIDENTS THAT THEY KNOW OF THAT CAME IN ACCEPTING THE FACTS? THEY COULDN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

I ASKED THEM, HAD THEY REACHED OUT TO THE OFFICE OF FAIR HOUSING TO SEE WHAT LANDLORDS CAN DO? NOBODY FROM THAT SIDE HAS DONE THAT.

THEN I HAVE TO PUT THE QUESTION TO MYSELF, WHY WOULD I VOTE FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY GET NO RESEARCH OR NO WORK ON? IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

FOR THAT REASON I'M GOING TO BE A YES ON THIS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR.

WANT TO JUST EXPLAIN MY VOTE AND SAY THAT I'M GLAD THAT WE ALL CAME TOGETHER UNANIMOUSLY VOTING FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND THAT IT WAS BROUGHT UP AND IT WAS MADE INTO SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE ON AND THAT WILL PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS.

SO MY VOTE. YES. THE VOTE IS 11 TO 0.

OKAY. SO THE ITEM IS APPROVED.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA, COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGE FROM COMMITTEE MAJORITY LEADER MEYERS.

[ COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE:]

SECOND. OKAY, THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO DISCHARGE THE ITEM FROM THE COMPTROLLER COST ALLOCATION PLAN CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION AWARD MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE ITEM IS NOW BEFORE THE BODY.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE TO APPROVE COMMUNICATION 17E- THREE.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE.

THE DISCHARGE MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS APPROVED.

SUSPENSION FROM THE RULES.

[ SUSPENSION OF THE RULES:]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE TWO SUSPENSIONS.

THE FIRST IS FROM THE BUFFALO URBAN LEAGUE LETTER TO CHAIR BASKIN CONCERNING THE NEW STADIUM COMMUNITY INCLUSION TASK FORCE.

MR. CLERK. OKAY.

THIS ITEM IS RECEIVED, FILED AND PRINTED UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.

MAJORITY LEADER.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THE NEXT IS FROM THE BILLS STADIUM AND EVENTS COMPANY.

LETTER TO CHAIR BASKIN CONCERNING THE NEW STADIUM OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES, CONTRACTORS AND THE LABOR FORCE.

MR. CLERK. OKAY.

THIS ITEM IS ALSO RECEIVED, FILED AND PRINTED UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.

THANK YOU, MAJORITY LEADER.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA, COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS, COMMUNICATION 18E-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 18E-6 AS INDICATED

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]

[00:25:03]

YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

APPROVAL MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS APPROVED.

COMMUNICATION 18E-13 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 18E-18 AS INDICATED.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS COMMUNICATION 18D-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 18E-5 AS INDICATED COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE IN OTHER

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:]

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:]

ANNOUNCEMENTS. THE LEGISLATURE WILL CONDUCT COMMITTEE MEETINGS NEXT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12TH, AND THE SCHEDULE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.

[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]

ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? PLEASE RISE IF YOU ARE ABLE FOR MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS.

[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I MOVE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF MARY JOE NEAL, WHO WAS TAKEN FROM US AT A VERY YOUNG AGE FROM CANCER.

I'M VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

HEARING NO OTHERS WE WILL TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE THAT HAVE GONE ON TO BE WITH THE LORD.

AMEN. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

MOTION TO ADJOURN BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON, SECONDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? WE STAND ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.