Dec 07, 2023 Legislative Session

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE TO INCLUDE, TO AMEND TO INCLUDE AT ALL SPONSORSHIP.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO AMEND TO MAKE IT ALL MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER AND SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE AMENDED.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS.

SECOND. AS AMENDED, MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

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

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? OKAY. THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE APPROVED, AS AMENDED.

WE WILL NOW HAVE A PRESENTATION BY LEGISLATOR TODARO FOR A CITIZEN OF THE MONTH.

LEGISLATOR TODARO, PLEASE TAKE THE DAIS.

[00:05:11]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE CITIZEN OF THE MONTH.

AND WITH ME TODAY, I HAVE VILLAGE OF DEPEW TRUSTEE AUDREY HAMERNIK WITH ME TODAY.

AND SO ALSO, I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY LETTING EVERYONE KNOW THAT I'M JOINED BY MAYOR KEVIN PETERSON IS WITH US TODAY.

TRUSTEE DARRIN ZIEMBA FROM THE VILLAGE OF DEPEW ALSO, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

TO THE RIGHT HERE WE HAVE TOM SWEENEY, WHO IS THE LANCASTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIRECTOR, AND ALSO, HE'S A BIG DEVELOPER WITH ALL THE BIG THINGS GOING ON IN THE VILLAGE OF LANCASTER.

HE'S THE ONE THAT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN ON THE FOREFRONT OF THAT.

SO WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH THE VILLAGE OF LANCASTER AND ALSO JOINED HIS WIFE, LISA SWEENEY.

BUT TODAY, TODAY IS, AUDREY'S DAY.

THIS HAS BEEN A LONG DAY COMING.

I MET AUDREY WHEN I FIRST STARTED CAMPAIGNING TO BE A LEGISLATOR.

SO MANY EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THERE WAS JUST ONE PERSON THAT WAS THERE ALL THE TIME, AUDREY.

EVERY EVENT, ANYTHING THAT CAN HELP THE COMMUNITY, ANY FUNDRAISER, AUDREY WAS ALWAYS THERE.

AND AUDREY WAS ONE FORCE NOT TO RECKON WITH.

LET ME TELL YOU THAT WHEN IT COMES TO ANY TYPE OF FUNDRAISING HELPING ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, AUDREY WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR THEM.

SO OBVIOUSLY I WANTED TO DO THIS EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND, SHE HAD SOME MEDICAL CONCERNS AND CONDITIONS AND THINGS THAT CAME UP.

SO WE'RE GLAD THAT YOU ARE HERE TODAY WITH THE STRENGTH.

YOU SOUND SO MUCH BETTER AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

BUT I HAVE A PROCLAMATION I'D LIKE TO READ OFF.

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT A REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ERIE COUNTY HELD IN OLD COUNTY HALL IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO, ON THE 21ST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2023.

A RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED ON WHICH THE FOLLOWING IS A TRUE COPY.

WHEREAS THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE SEEKS TO HONOR INDIVIDUALS IN ERIE COUNTY WHO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR EFFORTS.

AND WHEREAS, AUDREY HAMERNIK MOVED TO THE VILLAGE OF DEPEW IN 1962, WHERE SHE AND HER HUSBAND HARRY RAISED FOUR CHILDREN JODY, PATTY, TAMMY, AND HARRY, AND WHERE SHE HAD BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE DEPEW AND ERIE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOR MOST OF HER LIFE.

WHEREAS AUDREY HAMERNIK WAS AN OFFICE MANAGER AND COMMUNITY LIAISON AT TOPS FRIENDLY MARKETS FOR 40 YEARS, AS WELL AS SERVING AS A VILLAGE DEPEW TRUSTEE AND DEPUTY MAYOR.

AND WHEREAS AUDREY HAMERNIK HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING FOCUS, ALCOHOL AND DRUG COALITION, DEPEW ACADEMY OF FINANCE, DEPEW COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM, TRI COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY, LANCASTER DEPEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

AND I'M GOING TO PUT A LITTLE SIDE NOTE THERE.

WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A SCROLL ROLL OUT FROM ALL THE EVENTS AND ALL THE THINGS THAT SHE'S DONE AND THAT SHE'S PART OF.

AND WHEREAS AUDREY HAMERNIK HAS MANY PROUD ACCOMPLISHMENTS, SUCH AS STARTING THE SCHOOL FOOD DRIVE, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER SCHOOLS, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, SCOUTS AND COMMUNITY TO BENEFIT THREE LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES AND ORGANIZE A THANKSGIVING TURKEY DRIVE, WHICH COLLECTED 250 TURKEYS TO FILL THREE FOOD PANTRIES. AND WHEREAS, AUDREY HAMERNIK HAS ALSO RAISED $380,000 IN KIND DONATIONS FOR THE RENOVATION OF A 1926 VACANT BUILDING TO CONVERT INTO THE DEPEW COMMUNITY CENTER.

AND WHEREAS A RESULT OF HER DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY, AUDREY HAMERNIK HAS RECEIVED MANY AWARDS, INCLUDING MULTIPLE HONORS FROM THE LANCASTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FOCUS, SAINT OF SERVANTHOOD, DEPEW BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF FINANCE, AND MANY MORE.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE PAUSES IN ITS DELIBERATIONS TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE AUDREY HAMERNIK AS ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR, DISTRICT EIGHT CITIZEN OF THE MONTH FOR HER DEDICATION TO ENHANCING THE COMMUNITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU,

[00:10:01]

AUDREY. I'M SURE YOU HAVE A FEW WORDS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY.

YES. THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M SO HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY AND GRATEFUL TO BE THE RECIPIENT OF THIS AWARD.

I WANT TO THANK FRANK TODARO, ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR, FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE WHEN I REACH OUT.

THE WORK I DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY WOULDN'T BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF ALL THE VOLUNTEERS WHO DONATE THEIR TIME AND MONEY FOR ALL OF MY PROJECT IDEAS.

WHAT I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED TOGETHER WITH HELP THIS PAST YEAR IS AMAZING, AS I MADE THE DIFFERENCE TO SO MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING MY VOLUNTEER WORK AND BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

SO IF YOUR PHONE RINGS, DON'T ANSWER BECAUSE IT WILL BE ME SAYING I HAVE AN IDEA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

THANK YOU EVERYONE. THAT CONCLUDES OUR CITIZENS OF THE MONTH.

YES.

THIS IS.

[INAUDIBLE] WE NOW RETURN TO THE FORMAL ORDER OF OUR AGENDA, [INAUDIBLE] BACK TO [INAUDIBLE].

[ TABLED ITEMS: Report No. 1 - Finance & Management/Budget Committee 2024 Budget & Amendment Package]

TABLED ITEMS, REPORT NUMBER ONE FROM THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT BUDGET COMMITTEE.

LEGISLATOR MEYERS, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

I MOVE TO TAKE THE REPORT FROM THE TABLE.

THE REPORT INCLUDES THE ERIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF 2024, ERIE COUNTY BUDGET AS AMENDED.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO TAKE THE BUDGET FROM THE TABLE, AS AMENDED, MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

AND IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. REQUEST THAT BOOK BE BUDGET RESOLUTION 58 THROUGH 61, WHICH IS THE PART SPEEDS THE RESOLUTION 111. BE SEPARATED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE OUR VOTE ON THE BUDGET.

MINORITY LEADER MILLS.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO MAKE A SEPARATION MADE BY MINORITY LEADER MILLS.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO.

ROLL CALL. VOTE ON THE QUESTION.

ROLL CALL VOTE.

WHAT'S THAT? IS THIS [INAUDIBLE]? YES. SO WE SHOULD VOTE.

WE HAVE TO GIVE UP. YEAH.

IT'S FINE. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS.

OKAY, SO, MINORITY LEADER MILLS IS WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION NUMBERS 58 THROUGH 61.

THIS IS REGARDING PARK FEES AND ERIE COUNTY.

HE HAS CALLED FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE BEFORE WE START THE VOTE.

DO YOU HAVE A POINT OF CLARITY? LEGISLATOR GREENE, YOU'VE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED.

YES, MADAM CHAIR, I THINK WE JUST NEED TO TAKE THE INITIAL VOTE TO PUT IT OFF THE TABLE, AND THEN WE CAN CONSIDER THE RESOLUTIONS.

I BELIEVE THAT'S THE ORDER.

AM I CORRECT? IS THAT IT? THANK YOU. DID WE. DID WE NOT VOTE FOR THAT? THAT'S CORRECT. THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR GREENE.

SO THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO TAKE THE BUDGET FROM THE TABLE MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

[00:15:06]

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ALL IN FAVOR TO TAKE THE BUDGET OFF THE TABLE, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE ITEM IS NOW BEFORE US.

SO WE'LL GO BACK TO THE MINORITY LEADER SEPARATION FOR BUDGET RESOLUTION NUMBERS 58 THROUGH 61. REGARDING THE PARK FEES.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MINORITY LEADER, AND IT HAS BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO.

ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE.

THERE'S BEEN A MOTION TO SEPARATE.

OH, ON THE MOTION TO SEPARATE.

SORRY. LEGISLATIVE GREENE.

YES. YES TO SEPARATE.

OKAY, SO THE ITEM IS SEPARATING.

MINORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

AND ALSO LIKE TO THANK RESOLUTION NUMBER ONE AND 11.

WE'VE SEPARATED FROM THE REPORT HERE IN THE SEVENTH COLUMN, AND THAT IS THE GAS TAX.

[INAUDIBLE] OKAY. SO BECAUSE, THERE WAS A SEPARATION FOR BUDGET RESOLUTION 58 THROUGH 61 ON THE PARK FEES, AND NOW THAT THE ITEM IS OFFICIALLY BEEN APPROVED TO BE SEPARATED, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO VOTE ON THE ITEM THAT WAS SEPARATED, WHICH IS THE PARK FEES, BEFORE YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SECOND SEPARATION? YES. OKAY.

SO I'M ACKNOWLEDGING THE MINORITY LEADER TO, I GUESS YOU WANT A ROLL CALL, VOTE ON.

ON THE PARKS. ON THE PARKS FEES.

CORRECT. AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOUR SECOND IS GOING TO BE LEGISLATOR TODARO THOUGHT WE VOTED TO SEPARATE.

OKAY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSITION AS IT STANDS, THERE HAS BEEN A PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD, OR THERE'S BEEN A MOTION PUT FORWARD TO SEPARATE THE PARKS FEES.

AND BEFORE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH ANOTHER SEPARATION, WE NEED TO VOTE ON THE PARKS FEES.

SO I'VE ACKNOWLEDGED LEGISLATOR GILMOUR, I'VE ACKNOWLEDGED LEGISLATOR MILLS FOR THE PURPOSES OF CALLING A ROLL CALL, VOTE ON THE PARKS FEES.

AND IT HAS BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO.

CORRECT. DO YOU HAVE A POINT OF CLARITY? YOU'VE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED.

THE AS FAR AS IS THERE GOING TO BE AN AMENDMENT OFFERED TO HAVE IT GO TO THE ORIGINAL, FEES AS NOW OR.

AND THEN I'LL GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL FEES THAT WE HAVE NOW WITH THE YES. CORRECT. ALL RIGHT.

OKAY. ROLL CALL VOTE.

ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE LEGISLATOR GREENE.

JUST A POINT OF CLARITY.

YEAH, I BELIEVE WE ALLEGEDLY, MILLS MOVED TO SEPARATE THOSE ITEMS. I BELIEVE THE NEXT STEP IS WE VOTE ON THE BALLOTS, AND THEN WE COME BACK TO THOSE.

NO NO NO NO. NO? NO.

OKAY. WE SEPARATED ITEM AND NOW WE NEED TO VOTE ON THE ITEM THAT WAS SEPARATED.

SO FOR SO THE PARK.

RESOLUTION 58, MY VOTE IS NO THANK YOU, SIR.

SIR. LEGISLATOR MALCZEWSKI.

[00:20:01]

OKAY, SO, THE MOTION FAILS, AND THE ITEM ON THE PARKS FEES IS NOT APPROVED.

I GUESS WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ANOTHER SEPARATION.

MINORITY LEADER MILLS, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO SEPARATE RESOLUTION 111.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY LEGISLATOR MILLS TO SEPARATE BUDGET RESOLUTION 111.

THIS IS THE GAS TAX ITEM THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? LEGISLATOR TODARO VOTES A SECOND TO SEPARATE THE ITEM.

CAN I CALL THE QUESTION ON THIS APPLICATION? OKAY, SO PARDON ME.

I WAS GOING THROUGH PROCEDURES.

I DIDN'T HAVE TO. THE ITEM IS SEPARATED.

OKAY. OKAY, NOW YOU CAN VOTE.

YOU WANT A MOTION TO QUESTION? DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? POINT OF CLARITY. YOU'VE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED, LEGISLATOR GREENE.

THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO GET COUNCIL'S OPINION.

I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT ANY ONE OF US COULD PUT A VOTE UP.

IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE PUT UP A SEPARATION.

YOU'RE CORRECT. I JUST APOLOGIZED TO THE BODY.

I WAS GOING THROUGH FORMAL PROCEDURES THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO.

THE ITEM CAN JUST BE SEPARATED IT DOESN'T NEED A SECOND.

SO PARLIAMENTARIAN REMINDED ME.

SO THE ITEM IS FORMALLY SEPARATED.

SO NOW I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO THE MINORITY LEADER TO CALL THE VOTE ON THE ITEM.

YEAH. CALL THE VOTE ON THE SEPARATION RESOLUTION 1.1 AND A ROLL CALL VOTE, PLEASE.

ROLL CALL VOTE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND. SECOND BY LEGISLATOR MALCZEWSKI.

ROLL CALL VOTE.

ON SEPARATION. YEAH.

ON THE MOTION TO SEPARATE.

SORRY. ON THE MOTION TO SEPARATE.

LEGISLATOR GREENE.

WE DON'T NEED A MOTION TO SEPARATE.

WE JUST. HE JUST CALLED.

THE MINORITY LEADER CALLED THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM.

WE DON'T NEED TO GO THROUGH PROCEDURES ON A SEPARATION.

LEGISLATOR TODARO SECOND TO APPROVE THE ITEM.

SO WE ARE NOW DOING A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE GAS TAX.

ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE LEGISLATOR GREENE.

NO ON RESOLUTION 111.

GILMOUR. YES. JOHNSON.

YES. CAN I EXPLAIN MY VOTE QUICKLY? I JUST BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO, VOTE YES HERE, THERE'S BEEN NO PROVEN, NOBODY BROUGHT FACTS OR ANY PROOF THAT THIS TAX HAS BEEN PASSED ALONG TO THE CONSUMER.

SO I'M GOING TO VOTE YES ON THAT.

THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR KOOSHOIAN.

YES. MEYERS.

PASS. HUH? PASS. OKAY.

ABSTAIN. NO.

PASS. PASS.

VINAL. I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE IS THAT, THIS ALL SALES TAXES ARE AGGRESSIVE, AND SALES TAX ON NECESSITY IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE AGAINST.

IT'S A DEMOCRATIC. IT'S ALSO AMERICAN VALUE TO BE AGAINST THIS, TAXING NECESSITIES.

AND IN THIS DAY AND AGE, AS WE STAND NOW, IT IS A NECESSITY ASPIRATIONALLY WE WANT TO BE AGAINST FOSSIL FUELS.

AND THIS WILL STILL TAX UP TO $2 A GALLON IN ADDITION TO THE FEDERAL TAX AND THE STATE TAX.

SO MY VOTE IS ON THE 111 IS NO.

BACK TO LEGISLATOR MEYERS.

EXPLAIN MY VOTE.

THIS HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THIS TAX.

WE'VE HEARD, IT'S 2 OR $0.03 A GALLON, I BELIEVE WHAT IT IS, IT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

WE KNEW WHEN WE PUT THIS TAX ON THAT IT WAS TEMPORARY OR HALTED.

THERE WAS NOTHING THAT SAID THAT IT WAS PERMANENT.

WE'RE ALREADY HEARING WARNING SIGNS ABOUT THE DIFFERENT SALES TAX.

THIS WOULD CREATE ANOTHER $8 MILLION HOLE IN THE BUDGET THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE FILLED.

ALTHOUGH I DO NOT LIKE DOING IT.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO COMMENT.

THERE'S BEEN A PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN AGAINST MYSELF IN MY DISTRICT ABOUT THIS TAX, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS GONE ON FOREVER, WHICH IS ANOTHER POINT.

[00:25:03]

BUT LOOKING AT THE TOTALITY OF THE WHOLE PICTURE, I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE NOT TO DO IT.

SO MY VOTE IS YES.

THANK YOU. THE VOTE IS 6 TO 5.

THIS MOTION PASSES.

OKAY, SO THE ITEM PASSES, IS APPROVED.

I'M GOING TO GO BACK NOW TO RECOGNIZE OUR MAJORITY LEADER AND TO SEPARATE ITEM NUMBER TWO A COMMUNICATION 18E-3.

MAJORITY LEADER YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

MOVE TO SEPARATE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET.

ITEM NUMBER TWO. COMMUNICATION 18E-3.

SECOND. [INAUDIBLE] AND APPROVE THE BALLOT, I'M SORRY, AS AMENDED.

AND APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT.

YOU DON'T [INAUDIBLE] MADE A MOTION TO THERE'S BEEN A MOTION.

YEAH, YEAH, HE NEEDS A SECOND.

OKAY. THERE'S BEEN A MOTION MADE BY MAJORITY LEADER MEYERS, TO SEPARATE THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET. ITEM NUMBER TWO, A COMMUNICATION 18E-3 AS AMENDED, AND APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? MADAM CHAIR? ONE SECOND.

DO I JUST. CAN I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. OKAY. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER SECOND BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

LEGISLATOR GREENE, YOU'VE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED.

THANK YOU CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO POINT A CLARIFICATION ON THE FIRST VOTE.

I BELIEVE IT WAS JUST ON ITEM 58.

I DON'T BELIEVE WE VOTED ON THE SEPARATION OF ITEM 59, 60 AND 61 YET OR.

SO WE THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO CLARIFY.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO VOTE ON EACH ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALLY.

WE GROUPED THOSE ALL TOGETHER.

HE GROUPED THEM TOGETHER IN HIS MOTION.

I JUST WANTED THAT CLARIFICATION.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. NO PROBLEM.

SO WE HAVE A PROPER.

YOU GUYS GOOD? YES.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. OKAY, SO WE HAVE A PROPER MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

NOW, I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE MAJORITY LEADER MEYERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FURTHERING AMENDING THE TENTATIVE 2024 ERIE COUNTY BUDGET, WHICH IS NOW BEFORE THE BODY.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVED TO AMEND THE LINE NUMBER 97 OF THE 2024 BUDGET BOOK A AMENDMENT BY REPLACING WOMEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE WITH WOMEN'S HEALTH BROADCAST NETWORK INCORPORATED.

THANK YOU. THIS AMENDMENT IS A NAME CHANGE.

SO THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER AND IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ON THE QUESTION OF LINE 97.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. MOTION CARRIED.

AND LINE 97 IN THE 2024 BUDGET BOOK A AMENDMENT IS AMENDED.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVED TO AMEND THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET BY ADDING A NEW LINE TO BUDGET BOOK A SEEING AND WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT AMENDMENT K.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO AMEND THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET BY ADDING A NEW LINE TO BUDGET BOOK A AS SEEN AND WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT NOTED AS AMENDMENT K.

SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. MOTION CARRIED.

AND THE AMENDMENT TO BUDGET BOOK A IS APPROVED.

BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD.

CAN I HAVE SOMEONE FROM CENTRAL STAFF, PLEASE GET MR. BENNETT COPIES OF THE AMENDMENTS.

GIVE IT TO JACK.

AND THE NEXT ONE?

[00:30:01]

NOPE.

FLOOR. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I'M GOING TO YIELD THE FLOOR TO LEGISLATOR GILMOUR FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING THE NEXT THREE AMENDMENTS.

OKAY. LEGISLATOR GILMOUR, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU. I MOVE TO AMEND [INAUDIBLE] A BUDGET BY DELETING LINE 172 OF BUDGET [INAUDIBLE] A, AS AMENDED.

SECOND. OKAY.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR TO AMEND THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET BY DELETING LINE 172 OF BUDGET BOOK A, AS AMENDED.

THIS ITEM IS REGARDING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, TEAM JOBS.

THERE WAS A SECOND BY MAJORITY LEADER MEYERS.

LEGISLATOR VINAL, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

IT'S A POINT OF REFERENCE.

IF THE LINE IS, WE DELETED IT AND IF WE DO THAT, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL OR DO WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL AS WELL? NO, IT GOES BACK TO WHAT'S IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

AND THIS ITEM IS IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

THE REASON WHY WE HAD ALL VOTED, THE MEETING WE VOTED AT THE YES WE DID.

WE VOTED AT THE COMMITTEE MEETING TO HAVE THIS AMENDMENT AND HAVE THAT THERE.

I WOULD ASK US TO STICK TO WHAT WE, THE COMMITTEE HAD VOTED ON AND NOT ADD THESE OFFICERS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

ONE IS THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR BUDGETS, GONE UP 50% SINCE THIS SHERIFF HAS BEEN IN POWER.

THAT'S 50% INCREASE IN ONE DEPARTMENT IS OUTRAGEOUS.

NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO IS THAT THE SHERIFF'S ALREADY SAID THAT IF HE GETS A NEW JAIL, WHICH WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT'LL HAPPEN, THAT HE'LL DECREASE STAFF BY 25%.

SO THERE'S NO NEED NECESSARILY TO ADD IT.

NUMBER THREE IS THE TYPE OF THESE TYPES OF JOBS TO HAVE A STRIKE FORCE THAT'S GOING INTO COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY WHEN I ASKED HIM, IS IT COMMUNITIES THAT THEY DON'T POLICE? THEY SAID YES. SO OUR AMERICAN SYSTEM IS SET UP, THAT WE A SHERIFF OF A COMMUNITY, CAN ASK SOMEONE TO COME IN, BUT TO ALLOW THIS TO GIVE AUTHORITY BY US GIVING A DEPARTMENT THAT'S GOING TO GO IN AND POLICE OTHER PEOPLE'S DISTRICTS IS ANTI-AMERICAN.

IT'S NOT NEEDED. AMHERST HAS MORE POLICE PER CAPITA, WHICH IS WHAT THE SHERIFF HAD SAID.

I DON'T WANT AMHERST.

AMHERST ALREADY PAYS WAY MORE THAN ITS SHARE FOR SERVICES FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT, THAT DON'T PAY FOR THEIR OWN POLICE.

AND SO I URGE OUR MEMBERS TO VOTE AGAINST THIS AND TO STICK WITH WHAT WE HAD WHEN WE VOTED ON IT TWO DAYS AGO.

[APPLAUSE] ON THE QUESTION.

MAJORITY LEADER, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE QUESTION ON THIS ITEM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN MY CAPACITY AS A DISTRICT TWO LEGISLATOR.

SO I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO COME UP TO THE DAIS IF I CAN NOT LEAVE IT UNATTENDED.

AND I'M GOING TO TAKE YOUR SEAT AND SPEAK ON THE QUESTION TO THE SIDE.

OKAY IF YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

MADAM CHAIR, I APPRECIATE THE TIME, MEMBERS.

AND I'VE ASKED TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK IN MY CAPACITY AS A DISTRICT LEGISLATOR, BECAUSE I HAVE EXPRESSED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS TO THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF AND TO MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, MY GREAT CONCERN, WITH ADDING THESE JOBS BACK INTO THE BUDGET AFTER WE HAVE MADE ACTIONS TO REMOVE THEM FROM THE BUDGET.

I HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS ABOUT THE CREATION OF A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM FOR THE SHERIFF'S PATROL DIVISION.

AT A TIME WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO ADDRESS ONE'S LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS BY BECOMING MORE COLLABORATIVE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROVIDERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPORT RESOURCES, TODAY, WE'RE DECIDING THAT THE SHERIFF HAS THE ABILITY TO ADDRESS ALL OF THESE ISSUES SOLELY FROM A CRIME ENFORCEMENT VIEW.

MR. MAJORITY LEADER, WE HAVE NOT SEEN A PLAN ON HOW WE WILL ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITIES FOR THIS, SAID COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD HOW THEY WILL WORK WITH MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, YOUTH AGENCIES, OR OTHER COMMUNITY PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES.

WE KNOW, MR. MAJORITY LEADER, THAT WE CANNOT POLICE OR ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF THE INEQUITIES THAT SOME COMMUNITIES FACE.

[00:35:06]

WE NEED TO SUPPORT AND PROVIDE RESOURCES AND ADDRESS DISADVANTAGES THAT EXIST IN ERIE COUNTY, AND WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN THOSE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, NOT MORE POLICE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS NO SUBSTANTIVE PLAN FOR COLLABORATION ON HOW THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WILL HAPPEN.

MR. MAJORITY LEADER, WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF BLACK CLUBS ACROSS ERIE COUNTY, MANY COMMUNITY ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS, MANY OF THEM HAVE DEMANDED THAT THE SHERIFF'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM HAS THE.

HOW MANY OF THEM HAS ACTUALLY LISTENED TO THE COMMUNITY? HAVE THEY BEEN INCLUDED ON DECISION MAKING OR THE PROCESS ON HOW THIS TEAM WILL OPERATE? THEN HOW CAN WE JUSTIFIABLY DECIDE TO CREATE A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM? THERE IS A COALITION OUT, MR. MAJORITY LEADER RIGHT NOW THAT IS GOING BY THE NAME THE NO NEW JAILS COALITION.

AND, THIS NO NEW JAILS COALITION HAS BEEN BEFORE OUR HONORABLE BODY ADVOCATING THAT WE NOT CONSIDER A JAIL.

AND I, FOR A LONG TIME, MR. MAJORITY LEADER, HAVE DISAGREED WITH MANY OF THE VIEWS OF THAT COALITION BECAUSE I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT PUTTING COUNTY RESOURCES INTO TWO JAIL FACILITIES THAT ARE NOT UP TO PAR WILL NOT BENEFIT OUR COUNTY PRODUCTIVELY, FINANCIALLY.

AND I ALSO SEE THE VALUE IN US, THE LEGISLATURE, BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE WITH THE RESIDENTS THAT WE REPRESENT AND DEVELOPING A MORE HOLISTIC CENTER WHERE WE HOUSE INMATES AND DETAINEES.

I ALSO SEE THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF BEING ABLE TO CONTROL HOW A NEW JAIL IS BUILT.

AND SO I TOOK THOSE IDEAS TO THE NEW JAIL COALITION.

AND THEY SAID TO ME, MADAM CHAIR, ALL OF THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

ALL OF THAT SOUNDS GREAT, BUT WE CANNOT TRUST THE CURRENT SHERIFF'S LEADERSHIP TO TRULY ENGAGE WITH US AS A COMMUNITY, TO DO THE THINGS THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. AND FOR A LONG TIME I'VE SAID, NO, YOU ARE WRONG.

I BELIEVE THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOES HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY ON BUILDING A NEW JAIL, BUT THEN WE'RE HERE TODAY.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS MAKING A DECISION ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND NOT ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

[APPLAUSE] SO NOW THE SENTIMENTS OF THE NO NEW JAILS COMMITTEE SEEMS TO MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.

THESE SAID DEPUTIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE HIRED TO BE IN THIS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM, WHERE DO THEY LIVE, I ASK, IN PROXIMITY TO THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH I REPRESENT ON THE EAST AND THE WEST SIDE OF BUFFALO.

HOW MANY OF THEM HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY CENTERS OR COMMUNITY LEADERS OR FAITH LEADERS? THIS IS NOT A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM.

THIS IS THE SHERIFF TAKING LIBERTY TO PATROL NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE ALREADY OVERPOLICED.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO MY COMMUNITY, THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TODAY WHERE WE CAN SAY THAT WE SEE YOUR EFFORT, MR. SHERIFF, BUT WE THINK THAT YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND COME UP WITH A PROPER PLAN ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND HOW THIS TEAM WILL OPERATE.

DEVELOP A PLAN THAT IS INCLUSIVE OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BOTH IN CREATION AND A PLAN OF IMPLEMENTATION.

WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER HERE THAN WE HAVE IN THE TIME THAT WE HAVE GENERATED THE RESOURCES TO ENGAGE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND CREATE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAMS. FOR THIS REASON ALONE, I PLAN TO VOTE AGAINST THESE JOBS IN OUR BUDGET.

THANK YOU MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU. AND THE QUESTION? ROLL CALL VOTE.

OKAY. THESE JOBS WILL BE ADDED BACK TO THE BUDGET.

CONTINUING ON WITH AMENDMENTS.

LEGISLATOR GILMOUR, YOU STILL HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU. CHAIR, I MOVE TO AMEND THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET BY DELETING LINE 173, A BUDGET BOOK A, AS AMENDED.

SO SECOND.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO AMEND AND DELETE LINE 173 FROM BUDGET BOOK A

[00:40:01]

MADE BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY MAJORITY LEADER MEYERS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0.

I'M SORRY. YES.

YEAH, YEAH.

THERE'S THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS JOBS ROLL CALL VOTE.

ON THE MOTION. LEGISLATOR GREENE.

NO. VOTE IS 7 TO 4. THIS MOTION PASSES.

OKAY. CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AMENDMENTS, LEGISLATOR GILMOUR, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU CHAIR. MOVE AMENDMENT PROPOSED AMEND THE BUDGET BY DELETING LINE 174 OF THE BUDGET BOOK A AS A AMENDED.

SECOND.

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

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

JOHNSON. 170 FULL [INAUDIBLE] TIME SALARY.

CONTINUING ON, I'LL NOW GO BACK TO RECOGNIZING LEGISLATOR MEYERS.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO AMEND THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET BY ADDING A NEW LINE TO BUDGET BOOK A AND SEEING WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT AMENDMENT O.

BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

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

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE VOTE IS 10 TO 1.

THIS MOTION PASSES.

MOTION PASSES.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO AMEND BUDGET RESOLUTION NUMBER 28 OF THE 2024 BUDGET BOOK B WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT AMENDMENT P.

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

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

LEGISLATOR VINAL, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

I WOULD ASK US TO VOTE NO ON THIS AMENDMENT, BECAUSE I THINK THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE THE RIGHT AS A LEGISLATURE TO HAVE CONTRACTS COME BEFORE US.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WAS ELECTED TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE CONTRACTS.

THAT'S OUR JOB. SO I'D ASK THIS TO BE VOTED AS A NO.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO. [INAUDIBLE] DO A ROLL CALL VOTE.

ON THE MOTION, WHICH IS AMENDMENT P, LEGISLATOR GREENE EXPLAIN MY VOTE EVERYTHING LEGISLATOR VINAL SAID,[INAUDIBLE] ON THE SAME PAGE, BUT THE IDEA THAT WE CAN GET TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE APPROVING THE CONTRACTS AND IT'S THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATURE, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE, YOU KNOW, REMOVING A THRESHOLD AND REMOVING US AS PART OF THE OVERSIGHT AWAY.

SO MY VOTE IS NO.

THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR MALCZEWSKI.

NO. EXPLAIN MY VOTE.

I AGREE WITH BOTH.

I BELIEVE THIS TAKES AWAY THE PRIMARY DUTIES OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATOR AS A FISCAL PLANNER FOR THE COUNTY.

SO WITH THAT, I VOTE NO.

THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR MILLS.

NO.

TODARO. NO.

BARGNESI. YES.

BASKIN. YES. GILMOUR.

LEGISLATOR MEYERS, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR, I MOVED TO ADD A NEW BUDGET RESOLUTION NUMBER 121 OF THE 2024 BUDGET BOOK B WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT AMENDMENT Q

[00:45:07]

. SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

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

I'M GOING TO SPEAK ON THE QUESTION ON THIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE MEMBERS WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE PUBLIC ARTS ACT.

UM, I BELIEVE THIS BILL WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN THIS HONORABLE BODY.

AND I BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING TO RECOGNIZE, TO CONTINUE OUR TREND OF SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND UPLIFTING THEM AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO COUNTY CONTRACTING, THIS, THAT LOCAL LAW THAT WE PASSED THIS PAST SUMMER, WILL ALLOW ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT POOL.

WITH THAT LAW, WE CREATED AN ARTS ADVISORY BOARD MADE UP OF ARTS EXPERTS WHO WILL ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO CONVENE AND DEVELOP A MASTER ARTS PLAN FOR ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS ACROSS ERIE COUNTY.

AND THEY WILL BE EMPOWERED TO PUT TOGETHER AN ISSUE RFPS TO LOOK FOR LOCAL ARTISTS TO BE ABLE TO BE CONTRACTED BY THE COUNTY TO CREATE THAT BEAUTIFICATION WORK IN ALL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

HOW CAN THIS BE DONE? WELL, ACCORDING TO THE BILL, 1% OF SPECIFIC CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WILL BE PUT INTO A FUND SO THAT LOCAL ARTISTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE TREATED AS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND CONTRACT WITH ERIE COUNTY TO DO WHAT THEY ARE SKILLED TO DO AND WHAT THEY LOVE.

AND I'M ENCOURAGING ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES AND HOPING THAT WE GET THE SUPPORT TO TAKE THE SUM TOTAL 1% OF BUILDING AND GROUNDS PUBLIC? I'M SORRY.

LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT CAPITAL UPGRADES FOR THE YEAR OF 2023 AND PUT THEM INTO A FUND SO THAT THE ARTS COALITION THAT WE ARE GOING TO IMPANEL ACTUALLY HAVE A POT OF MONEY TO OPERATE FROM AND TO CREATE RFPS FOR LOCAL ARTISTS.

SO I'M GOING TO BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS AMENDMENT ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0.

MOTION CARRIES.

MAJORITY LEADER.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVED TO AMEND BUDGET RESOLUTION NUMBER TWO OF THE 2024 BUDGET BOOK B WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT AMENDMENT R.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION.

YEAH, THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

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

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0.

OKAY. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.

SO WE WENT THROUGH OUR SEPARATIONS.

I'M GOING TO NOW RECOGNIZE LEGISLATOR MEYERS FOR THE PURPOSES OF OFFERING A FINAL MOTION TO ADVANCE THE TENTATIVE 2024 ERIE COUNTY BUDGET. MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF ITEM NUMBER 2A COMMUNICATION 18E-3 2023, AS AMENDED, WITH CONSIDERATION TO PREVIOUS SEPARATIONS.

THIS IS THE AMENDED ERIE COUNTY BUDGET FOR 2024.

SECOND. SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE BUDGET, AS AMENDED, MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, AND IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ALL IN FAVOR ON THE QUESTION.

LEGISLATOR MILLS.

[INAUDIBLE] VOTING ON THE FINAL BUDGET.

YES, SIR. JUST SO I CAN MAKE A COUPLE OF REMARKS, NUMBER ONE THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, FOR HELPING AND [INAUDIBLE] MEYERS, FOR HELPING TO CRAFT THE BUDGET ALONG OUR SIDE OF THE AISLE.

I THINK IT'S THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

SO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU AS CHAIR, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE YOUR OUTREACH HAS REALLY HELPED TO DO THIS.

I THINK OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE TIRED OF WHAT THEY'RE HEARING IN POLITICS IN GENERAL IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND I THINK BOTH SIDES THAT ARE WORKING TOGETHER WHO ARE PRODUCTIVE.

AND WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, FOR EXAMPLE.

SO I REALLY HAVE APPRECIATE THEM, WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO CRAFT TODAY WITH THE AMENDMENTS.

SO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN.

THANK YOU, MINORITY LEADER.

LEGISLATOR JOHNSON, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

YES. I JUST WANTED TO ECHO HIS SENTIMENTS.

I WANT TO, YOU KNOW, THANK OUR LEADERSHIP, THE MINORITY LEADER, MAJORITY LEADER AND THE CHAIR, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, MOST OF ALL THE COMMUNITY FOR LETTING THEIR VOICES BE

[00:50:02]

HEARD TODAY IN THIS PROCESS.

THANK YOU GUYS. I THINK THIS IS A SOUND BUDGET.

I THINK IT'S RIGHT. AND I THINK WE'RE ON TO THE RIGHT, WERE GOING DOWN THE RIGHT TRACK.

THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR JOHNSON ON THE QUESTION.

LEGISLATOR MALCZEWSKI.

I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT AND SAY THAT I'M HONORED TO BE PART OF A PROCESS, THAT THIS HONORABLE BODY HAS PUT TOGETHER, THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE COMMUNITY, IN A LOT OF WAYS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

IN JUST MY SHORT TIME HERE BEING ABLE TO CUT THE LEVY, REDUCE ENERGY TAXES GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I THINK IS IT'S GOING TO GO A LONG WAY.

SO I ENCOURAGE MY FELLOW LEGISLATORS NOT TO LET ANOTHER 20 YEARS GO BY BEFORE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR.

THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR GREENE ON THE QUESTION.

SINCE I'VE BEEN A LEGISLATOR, I'VE SEEN BUDGET PROCESS THEY'RE ALWAYS DIFFERENT.

SOMETIMES THEY GO REALLY SOUR.

SOMETIMES THEY GO REALLY SMOOTH.

AND THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE PROCESSES WHERE THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION WERE OPEN THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH THERE'S ALWAYS SURPRISES.

THERE'S THINGS YOU GET, THERE'S THINGS YOU DON'T.

BUT IN THE END YOU KNOW, WE WERE ABLE TO GET TOGETHER AS A GROUP AND DELIVER THE FIRST TAX LEVY IN 20 YEARS WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE FROM THE TAX OR FROM THE NEW YORK STATE TAX CAP. AND THAT'S THAT'S SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO LAST, YOU KNOW, IN PERPETUITY IN THE FUTURE.

SO I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE AND THANK THE ADMINISTRATION, FOR WORKING WITH US.

I THINK THAT THAT'S A MONUMENTAL THING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY HAVING A SMOOTH PROCESS IN THE FUTURE.

I GOT TO TELL YOU, IT'S A LOT EASIER WHEN WE CAN FIGURE THINGS OUT.

AND THE LAST THING, TOGETHER AS A GROUP.

AND I JUST WANT TO MENTION, YOU KNOW, THE CREATIVITY THAT, SOME OF MY FELLOW LEGISLATORS CAME UP WITH ON HOW TO RE-UTILIZE, TAX MONEY THAT WAS SITTING DORMANT FROM 2021 SURPLUS.

AND AS THE CHAIRWOMAN AND I HAVE DISCUSSED IN THE PAST, THERE'S NOBODY THAT KNOWS YOUR DISTRICT, YOUR DISTRICT, ANY OF OUR DISTRICTS BETTER THAN WE DO.

AND BEING ABLE TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION ON HOW WE CAN INVEST IN CAPITAL PROJECTS WITHOUT FURTHER BURDENING OUR TAXPAYERS, IS ANOTHER YOU KNOW, PAT ON THE BACK THAT I THINK ALL OF US HAVE WELL DESERVED.

I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WORKING ON FOR VOTING FOR THE BUDGET.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR GREENE.

IF THERE'S NO OTHER ON THE QUESTIONS, I WILL ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES.

I BELIEVE IN THE FIVE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO BE A COUNTY LEGISLATOR, THIS IS THE MOST INDEPENDENT AND COORDINATED BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED ACROSS THE TWO CAUCUSES.

AND I COUNT THAT AS A HUGE VICTORY.

THERE WERE TIMES WHERE WE HAD TO AGREE TO DISAGREE, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT RESPECTFULLY, AND WE WERE ABLE TO CONVENE WITH ONE ANOTHER, IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER.

AND I THINK THAT JUST SPEAKS TO THE QUALITY OF CHARACTER OF THE CAST, OF CHARACTERS THAT CURRENTLY SERVE IN THIS HONORABLE BODY.

IN THIS BUDGET, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DECREASE THE TAX LEVY.

WE HAVE FOUND, LIKE YOU SAID, LEGISLATOR GREENE EXTREMELY CREATIVE WAYS TO HELP OUR DISTRICTS WITH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT HAVING TO BOND AND, UH, PUT MORE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYER.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT IN THAT LEGISLATIVE GREENE EVERYTHING FROM SENIOR CENTERS TO YOUTH SERVICES TO PUBLIC ART IS BEING FUNDED IN THIS BUDGET. AND I'M VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE HARD WORK AND THE LONG NIGHTS AND CONVERSATIONS OF NEGOTIATING THAT WE AS LEGISLATORS WERE ABLE TO DO TO DEVELOP A SOUND DOCUMENT THAT WILL ESSENTIALLY DICTATE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF NEARLY A MILLION PEOPLE WHO CALL ERIE COUNTY HOME.

SO IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE WITH MY COLLEAGUES THIS YEAR.

ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE BUDGET APPROVAL.

ON THE APPROVAL OF THE 2024 BUDGET FOR ERIE COUNTY.

YES AND LEGISLATOR VINAL.

YES. 11 TO 0.

[APPLAUSE] GOOD JOB.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA, DID WE APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING?

[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Meeting No. 21]

OKAY. MR. MEYERS, PLEASE GET READY.

MEETING MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

THANK YOU. MADAM CHAIR. MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MEETING NUMBER 21.

SECOND, THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING.

MINUTES FOR MEETING NUMBER 21, MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR ON THE QUESTION.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MEETING MINUTES ARE APPROVED.

ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0.

[00:55:01]

PUBLIC HEARINGS.

THERE ARE NONE.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA, WE'RE JUMPING TO LOCAL LAWS, LOCAL LAW INTRO 1-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING LOCAL LAW INTRO 3-1 AS INDICATED.

[ LOCAL LAWS:]

LOCAL LAW INTRO 3-2 2003.

THIS IS SPONSORED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

THE OCCUPANCY TAX.

THE OCCUPANCY TAX MODERNIZATION ACT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO TAKE LOCAL LAW.

INTRO 3-2 2023 FROM THE OCCUPANCY TAX MODERNIZATION ACT FROM THE TABLE.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO TAKE THE LEGISLATION FROM THE TABLE MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE LOCAL LAW IS NOW BEFORE THE BODY.

LEGISLATOR MEYERS.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO APPROVE LOCAL LAW INTRO 3-2.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE LOCAL LAW MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER .

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ALL IN FAVOR ON THE QUESTION.

LEGISLATOR VINAL, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

I'M JUST I JUST WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE TOTAL THAT WOULD BE THE COST OF ADDITIONAL TAX RAISED ON THIS? DO WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF THAT? NO. AND THIS IS THE TAX ON THE TO MAKE IT THE AIRBNBS THE SAME AS THE HOTELS? NO. IT'S A MODERNIZATION OF THE TAX WITH REGARD TO THE AIRBNBS.

REGARDS TO THE AIRBNBS.

AND TO MAKE THEM DETACHED AS A HOTEL.

SMALL HOTELS. SMALL HOTELS.

ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE ITEM.

ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE LOCAL LAW.

INTRO 3-2.

LEGISLATOR GREENE. YES. MALCZEWSKI.

AND LEGISLATOR VINAL.

YES. 11 TO 0.

THE MOTION PASSES.

OKAY. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

LOCAL LAW. INTRO 3-2 IS APPROVED.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.

LOCAL LAW INTRO 7-1.

THIS IS FROM LEGISLATOR GILMOUR AND LEGISLATOR MILLS PROVIDING THE EXTENDED LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY TAX, GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE WENDT MANSION.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOTION TO TAKE LOCAL LAW.

INTRO 7-1.

THE LOCAL LAW PROVIDING THE EXTENDED LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY, GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE WENDT MANSION FROM THE TABLE.

SECOND. A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ON THE QUESTION OF THE ITEM.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0.

THAT WASN'T APPROVE THE ITEM. THAT WAS JUST TO BRING IT BEFORE THE BODY.

SORRY. CORRECT. IT IS NOW BEFORE THE BODY.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO APPROVE LOCAL LAW INTRO 7-1.

NOW THERE'S A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LOCAL LAW MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR ON THE QUESTION TO APPROVE THE LOCAL LAW.

MINORITY LEADER MILLS, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

I'VE BEEN ON THE LEGISLATURE, JUST FINISHING UP MY 18TH YEAR AND THE WENDT MANSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN SITTING OUT THERE ON THE AGENDA TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT. SO [INAUDIBLE] WILL HELP MOVE THEM ALONG.

IT'S A NICE PIECE OF PROPERTY SITTING RIGHT ON LAKE ERIE, AND IT'S BASICALLY USED FOR PASSIVE RECREATION RIGHT NOW WITH THE DIFFERENT GROUPS USING IT FOR SOCCER AND THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT THE BEACH IS NOT BEING USED AND THE MANSION ITSELF IS IN DISREPAIR.

AND THIS IS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RENOVATION AND THE GOOD USE OF PROPERTY COUNTY HOMES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY. SO I APPRECIATE A YES VOTE ON THIS LOCAL LAW.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR.

ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE LOCAL LAW.

ALL IN FAVOR.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

LOCAL LAW INTRO 7-1 IS APPROVED.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.

LOCAL LAW INTRO 8-1.

THIS IS FROM LEGISLATOR JOHNSON, A LOCAL LAW PROVIDING THE EXTENDED LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY TAX, GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE JESSE NASH HEALTH CLINIC.

MAJORITY LEADER YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO TAKE LOCAL LAW INTRO 8-1 FROM THE TABLE.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO TAKE THE LOCAL LAW FROM THE TABLE MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE LOCAL LAW IS NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO APPROVE LOCAL LAW INTRO 8-1.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE LEGISLATION MADE BY MAJORITY LEADER MEYERS IS THERE A SECOND.

[01:00:02]

SECOND. SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR ON THE QUESTION AND APPROVING THE LOCAL LAW.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

LOCAL LAW INTRO 8-1 IS APPROVED.

LOCAL LAW INTRO 9-1 WILL BE SENT TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.

WE ARE NOW ON TO COMMITTEE REPORTS, REPORT NUMBER 11 FROM THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

[ COMMITTEE REPORTS:]

COMMITTEE CHAIR MEYERS.

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

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL MADE BY COMMITTEE CHAIR MEYERS HAS BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

REPORT NUMBER 14 FROM THE ENERGY ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEE CHAIR MEYERS.

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY COMMITTEE CHAIR MEYERS.

SECOND. IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

REPORT NUMBER 13 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEE CHAIR GILMOUR.

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

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

SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

REPORT NUMBER 16 FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON.

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

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

SECONDED BY MAJORITY LEADER MEYERS ON THE QUESTION.

REPORT NUMBER 16 FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0.

THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON.

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND. IT'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0.

THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

LEGISLATOR RESOLUTION THERE ARE NONE.

COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGE FROM COMMITTEE.

[ COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE:]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE ONE DISCHARGE.

I MOVE TO DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION 20 M-4 FROM THE FINANCE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER.

OH, THIS IS THE BUFFALO PLACE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BUDGET MOTION WE HAVE PROPER MOTION DISCHARGE.

ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE ITEM CARRIES THE ITEM.

THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE ITEM IS NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE TO APPROVE COMMUNICATION 20 M-4.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE.

THE ITEM MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

OH, THERE'S NO QUESTION.

ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS APPROVED, AS AMENDED.

SUSPENSION OF THE RULES, MAJORITY LEADER.

[ SUSPENSION OF THE RULES:]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE TWO SUSPENSIONS.

THE FIRST FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OPINION AS TO FORM LOCAL LAW INTRO 3-2.

ITEM NUMBER. MADAM CLERK.

COMMUNICATION 23D-3.

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

MAJORITY LEADER. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THE NEXT IS FROM CHAIR BASKIN ABSTENTION LETTER FROM COMMUNICATION 20E-16.

ITEM NUMBER MADAM CLERK COMMUNICATION 23E-20.

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

COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]

COMMUNICATION 23E-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 23 DASH 19 AS INDICATED.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNICATION 23E-1 AS INDICATED.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:]

COMMUNICATION 23-2.

MAJORITY LEADER MEYERS.

THIS IS FROM THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

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

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER HAS BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS APPROVED.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:]

COMMUNICATION 23M-1 [INAUDIBLE] INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 23M-3 AS INDICATED.

ANNOUNCEMENTS. THE LEGISLATURE WILL CONDUCT COMMITTEE MEETINGS NEXT THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, AND THE SCHEDULE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.

[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]

THE NEXT SCHEDULED SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE IS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, AND THAT WILL BE THE LAST SESSION OF 2023.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? PLEASE RISE FOR MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS IF YOU ARE ABLE.

[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]

LEGISLATOR TODARO.

THANK YOU. CHAIRWOMAN, I MOVE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF ELEANOR E.

WHITE. SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

LEGISLATIVE GREENE.