[00:00:03]
I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A RESTFUL EASTER AND ECLIPSE WEEKEND.
IT WAS EVENTFUL TWO WEEKS, BUT IT'S GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE BACK AND READY TO SERVE.
WE'LL GO THROUGH OUR AGENDA FOR OUR 12:00 NOON SESSION NUMBER 7 OF THE LEGISLATURE.
TODAY'S INVOCATION WILL BE LED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO, THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
OH, HE'S ABSENT TODAY? WE'LL SWITCH.
MINORITY LEADER, WOULD YOU MIND DOING THE INVOCATION AND THE PLEDGES TODAY? YES. THANK YOU.
ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING, THERE ARE NONE.
MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING WILL BE UP FOR APPROVAL.
PUBLIC HEARINGS, THERE ARE NONE.
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 1 AND CONTINUED ON TO PAGE 2.
AS INDICATED, THERE ARE NO LOCAL LAWS AT THIS TIME.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, REPORT NUMBER 6 FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON.
>> WE'RE ALL SET, MADAM CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU. REPORT NUMBER 6 FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON?
>> REPORT NUMBER 4 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE CHAIR IS ABSENT, I'LL ACKNOWLEDGE THE MAJORITY LEADER.
>> THANK YOU. LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS, INTRO 7-1 FROM LEGISLATOR VINAL, SUPPORTING THE TOWN OF AMHERST APPLICATION FOR STATE TRANSPORTATION FUNDS. LEGISLATOR?
>> YES. THIS IS ONE THAT THE APPLICATION HAS ALREADY ACTUALLY BEEN FILED, BUT I TOOK A LITTLE BIT TO GET IT OUT.
BUT THIS IS FOR NORTH ALLEY AND MAPLE.
THIS IS AN AREA USED BY UB AS WELL AS AMHERST AND TONAWANDA AT THE END.
THIS IS GETTING MONEY FROM NEW YORK STATE FOR THE REDOING THE SIDEWALKS AND BIKE PATHS FOR THAT AREA TO MAKE IT LESS DANGEROUS FOR BICYCLISTS AND FOR PEDESTRIANS.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEDESTRIANS AT THAT AREA, OF KIDS FROM UB COMING DOWN THROUGH TO GO TO STORES AND WHATNOT ON FOOT, AND THAT INTERSECTION IS HUGE AND IT'S HARD FOR MOTORISTS TO REALIZE WHERE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IS.
>> THANK YOU. THIS ITEM WILL BE UP FOR CONSIDERATION TODAY.
INTRO 7-2 FROM LEGISLATOR LORIGO, OPPOSING NEW YORK STATE SENATE PROPOSAL TO ADD A SURCHARGE ON RIDE SHARING SERVICES WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
INTRO 7-3 FROM LEGISLATOR LORIGO, OPPOSING NEW YORK STATE BILLS TO ESTABLISH APPLICABILITY OF TIP CREDITS, DIRECTED TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
INTRO 7-4 FROM THE MINORITY CAUCUS.
THE APPOINTMENT TO THE ARTS AND PUBLIC PLACES COMMITTEE WILL BE UP FOR CONSIDERATION TODAY.
INTRO 7-5 FROM THE MINORITY CAUCUS REGARDING OPPOSING NEW YORK STATE BILLS TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM WAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRY WORKERS DIRECTED TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE, THERE ARE NONE.
SUSPENSION OF THE RULES, COMMUNICATION 7E-32 FROM LEGISLATOR MEYERS REGARDING HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE ASSIGNED COUNSEL BOARD WILL BE RECEIVED, FILED AND PRINTED UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, COMMUNICATION 7E-1, THROUGH AND INCLUDING 7E-11 AS INDICATED, COMMUNICATION 7E-12 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 7E-26, AS INDICATED, AND COMMUNICATION 7E-27 THROUGH COMMUNICATION 7E-31, AS INDICATED.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM DEPARTMENTS.
COMMUNICATION 7D-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 7D-4, EXCUSE ME, AS INDICATED.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES, COMMUNICATION 7M-1, THROUGH INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 7M-5, AS INDICATED.
FINALLY COMMUNICATION 7M-6 AS INDICATED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS. I'VE ESTABLISHED A WORK GROUP AS WE KNOW THAT THE LANGUAGE ACCESS BILL PASSED IN THIS HONORABLE BODY ON PARTISAN LINES A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AND THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ISSUED A VETO MESSAGE.
I'VE ESTABLISHED A COMMITTEE TO REVISE THE LAW, AND THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF, THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK, THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.
DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE ALL SENT REPRESENTATIVES TO MEET.
WE HAD OUR FIRST MEETING AND FOUND A LOT OF THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DEVELOPED IN ERIE COUNTY WITH LANGUAGE ACCESS THAT ARE MORE ALIGNED
[00:05:04]
WITH PROCESS AND STRUCTURE RATHER THAN ACTUALLY TRANSLATING DOCUMENTS.THERE IS GOING TO BE A SECOND MEETING, AND I JUST WANTED TO OPEN UP THE MEETING TO MY COLLEAGUES TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND.
SEAN, DO YOU KNOW THIS SECOND MEETING OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD? I THINK IT'S MAY 7 AT 10:00 A.M, WE MEET ACROSS THE HALL TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN PERFECT LANGUAGE ACCESS HERE IN ERIE COUNTY, BUT DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE, WHICH I KNOW IT WAS A CONCERN TO MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE, AS WELL AS JUST STREAMLINING A PROCESS FOR ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ONE CONCISE PROCESS IN ERIE COUNTY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS NOT ENGLISH PROFICIENT, THAT THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO GET THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED FROM COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
I INTEND AS THE LEAD SPONSOR OF THAT BILL TO RE-CLOCK IT IN, BUT IT WILL LOOK DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT.
IF ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CRAFTING OF THE REVISED BILL, YOU ARE INVITED ON MAY 7, OR DESCENDED REPRESENTATIVE FROM YOUR STAFF.
ANY OTHER NOTES, QUESTIONS, CONSENTS.
WE WILL RECONVENE AT 12:00 NOON FOR A FORMAL SESSION. THANKS, EVERYONE.
[00:10:02]
>> I CALL THIS MEETING OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO ORDER.
[ ROLL CALL]
THIS IS MEETING NUMBER 7 OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE, APRIL 11, 2024.MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE TAKE THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU. PLEASE BE SEATED IF YOU ARE ABLE.
TABLED THE ITEMS, THERE ARE NONE.
ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION FROM OUR PREVIOUS MEETING, THERE ARE NONE.
MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING,
[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Meeting No. 6]
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.
ON THE QUESTION? ALL IN FAVOR?
>> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, THE MEETING MINUTES ARE APPROVED.
PUBLIC HEARINGS, THERE ARE NONE.
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 1 AND CONTINUED ON TO PAGE 2.
[ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:]
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO CONSIDER.
>> 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?
>> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOT BEFORE THE BODY.
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I 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.
IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.
ON THE QUESTION? ALL IN FAVOR?
>> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE AMENDED.
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I 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?
>> MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE APPROVED AS AMENDED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, REPORT NUMBER 6 FROM
[ COMMITTEE REPORTS:]
THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON.>> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON. IT'S BEEN SECONDED.
THE SECOND IS BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.
ON THE QUESTION? LEGISLATOR MILLS, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> MADAM CHAIR, I REQUEST THAT WE SEPARATE ITEM NUMBER 3 OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AND APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT.
>> THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO SEPARATE ITEM NUMBER 3 AND APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT.
ON THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT, ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT IS APPROVED ON ITEM NUMBER 3. ROLL CALL VOTE.
CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.
WE ARE NOW AT REPORT NUMBER 6 FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL MADE BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.
IT'S SECONDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
ON THE QUESTION? ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THE REPORT IS APPROVED. REPORT NUMBER 4 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE. COMMITTEE CHAIR GILMOUR.
>> I MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL MADE BY THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN GILMOUR.
IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.
ON THE QUESTION? ALL IN FAVOR?
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS, INTRO 7-1 FROM LEGISLATOR VINAL,
[ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:]
SUPPORTING THE TOWN OF AMHERST APPLICATION FOR STATE TRANSPORTATION FUNDS.MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
I MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION.
THE PROPER MOTION WAS MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR VINAL.
ON THE QUESTION? ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.
INTRO 7-2 WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
INTRO 7-3 WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
[00:15:03]
INTRO 7-4 FROM THE MINORITY CAUCUS REGARDING APPOINTMENTS TO THE ARTS AND PUBLIC PLACES COMMITTEE.MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
THE SECOND IS THE MINORITY LEADER.
ON THE QUESTION? ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.
INTRO 7-5 FROM THE MINORITY CAUCUS, THIS ITEM WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.
COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGE FROM COMMITTEE, THERE ARE NONE.
[ SUSPENSION OF THE RULES:]
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE ONE SUSPENSION FOR MYSELF, APPOINTMENT TO THE ASSIGNED COUNCIL BOARD.
>> THIS LETTER WILL BE RECEIVED, FILED, AND PRINTED UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS,
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]
COMMUNICATIONS 7A-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS 7E-31 AS INDICATED.COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS,
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:]
COMMUNICATIONS 7D-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS 7D-4 AS INDICATED.COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES,
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:]
COMMUNICATION 7M-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS 7M-6, AS INDICATED.ANNOUNCEMENTS, WE WILL CONDUCT COMMITTEE MEETINGS NEXT WEEK,
[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]
THURSDAY, APRIL 18TH, AND THE SCHEDULE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.OUR NEXT FORMAL SESSION OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE WILL BE ON APRIL 25TH.
I WANT TO REITERATE MY COMMENTS FROM THIS MORNING AND INVITE MY COLLEAGUES OR THEIR STAFF REPRESENTATIVES TO JOIN THE REVISIONS COMMITTEE FOR THE LANGUAGE ACCESS BILL, WHICH RECEIVED A VETO MESSAGE FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.
AGAIN, THAT SECOND MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 7TH HERE, AND THE LEGISLATURE AT 10:00 AM.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.
PLEASE RISE IF YOU ARE ABLE FOR MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS.
[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]
LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.>> I HAVE TWO. THE FIRST ONE I WANT TO DO IS YURI HRESHCHYSHYN WHO WAS A STAUNCH COMMUNITY ACTIVIST IN THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.
HE WAS A FORMER INVESTIGATOR IN SOCIAL SERVICES, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST, AND A BIG SUPPORTER OF THE BUFFALO CENTRAL TERMINAL.
THE SECOND ONE I WANT TO DO IS ONE THAT WAS CLOSE AND DEAR TO MY HEART.
IT'S CONSTANCE EVE THAT WAS WAS LOUIS EVE'S GRANDMOTHER.
SHE WAS THE WIFE OF A FORMER DEPUTY SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, ARTHUR EVE, SR. SHE WAS TWO-TERM PRESIDENT AS BUFFALO CHAPTER OF LINKS.
SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE NAACP.
SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE AKA SORORITY.
SHE WAS 1992 BUFFALO CITIZEN OF THE YEAR.
SHE FOUNDED THE WOMEN'S RIGHTS FOR DIGNITY AND THAT WAS GIVEN WOMEN A SECOND CHANCE ONCE THEY LEFT PRISON TO GET THEIR LIVES BACK ON TRACK.
I JUST WANT TO ADJOURN BOTH OF THOSE MEMORIES TODAY.
>> WELL SAID. BEAUTIFUL, LEGISLATOR.
I JOIN YOU IN THAT ADJOURNMENT AND WANT TO ALSO LIFT UP THE LEGACY OF MS. EVE AS MANY WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE ABLE TO BE THE LEADERS THAT WE ARE TODAY AS WE STAND ON HER SHOULDERS AND HER LEGACY.
I'M SURE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME IN SENDING OUR CONDOLENCES TO LOUIS AND YOUR FAMILY DURING YOUR TIME OF LOSS.
ANY OTHERS? MINORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ADJOURN THE MEMORY OF PETER S. MILITELLO, LONGTIME MEMBER OF THE ORCHARD PARK LIONS CLUB.
>> WE ARE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, LEGISLATOR. LEGISLATOR GREENE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN THE MEMORY OF ROBERT RICHTER OR BOB RICHTER WHO WAS A LONGTIME FRIEND, CO-WORKER OF MINE WHO LOST HIS FAMILY WITH CANCER LAST WEEK.
I'D LIKE TO ALSO ADJOURN THE MEMORY OF DR. FRANCESCO GIACOBBE AND DOROTHY BAUERLE.
>> WE ARE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, LEGISLATOR. LEGISLATOR LORIGO.
>> I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN THE MEMORY OF LAURA A. PRIORE.
>> WE'RE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, LEGISLATOR. LEGISLATOR VINAL.
>> I'D LIKE TO JOIN THE MEMORY OF MARGARET HAMM ON A PERSONAL NOTE, AND SHE WAS MY BROTHER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW AND LONGTIME RESIDENT OF TONAWANDA, LIVED IN THE SAME HOUSE FOR OVER 50 YEARS, VERY DEVOTED TO HER NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORHOOD, RAISED FOUR KIDS REALLY WELL, AND JUST LIVED A GREAT OLD AGE OF 88.
>> WE'RE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, LEGISLATOR.
>> WE'RE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, LEGISLATOR.
WE LEARNED TODAY, MADAM CLERK WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT COUNTY EMPLOYEE PASSED AWAY TODAY ON THE SECOND FLOOR EARLY THIS MORNING, A WORKER IN SURROGATE'S COURT.
THOUGH WE DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF THAT PERSON, I'M SURE WE COLLECTIVELY ARE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTY.
[00:20:04]
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH THE COURT WORKERS AND THE GUARDS HERE AT COUNTY HALL THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT SUDDEN TRAGEDY OF COMING TO WORK AND A CO-WORKER LOSING THEIR LIFE DURING THE WORKDAY LIKE THAT.SO 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, GOT A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> WE STAND ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.