[ ROLL CALL] [00:00:09] >> [BACKGROUND] GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY, I CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE, MEETING NUMBER 16 OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE SEPTEMBER 11, 2025. CLERK, PLEASE TAKE THE ROLE. >> LEGISLATOR GREENE. LORIGO. >> HERE. >> MILLS. >> HERE. >> TODARO. >> HERE. >> BARGNESI. >> HERE. >> DUPRE. >> PRESENT. >> GILMOUR. >> HERE. >> KOOSHOIAN. >> HERE. >> MEYERS. >> HERE. >> ST. JEAN TARD. >> HERE. >> VINAL. ALL MEMBERS PRESENT. >>THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION LEAD BY LEGISLATOR TODARO. >> TODAY, THE NATION PAUSES TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF SEPTEMBER 11 TERROR ATTACKS. LET US HONOR THE STRENGTH, COURAGE, AND HUMANITY SHOWN BY FIRST RESPONDERS AND ORDINARY CITIZENS IN THE FACE OF UNPRECEDENTED DISASTER. WE WERE UNITED AS A NATION ON THAT DAY AND THE DAYS AND WEEKS FOLLOWING, WE CENTERED ON THE VALUES WE HOLD DEAR AS AMERICANS. I PRAY WE RETURN TO THESE BELIEFS AND THAT OUR CHILDREN WILL LIVE IN A COUNTRY OF PEACE. MAY WE ALSO PRAY FOR CHARLIE KIRK'S WIFE, ERIKA AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN FOLLOWING HIS MURDER. AS THEY NAVIGATE THROUGH THEIR LIVES THROUGH THEIR BELOVED HUSBAND AND FATHER. AMEN. >> PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE LEGISLATORS DUPRE. >> THANK YOU. CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA, TABLED ITEMS THERE ARE NONE. ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING, THERE ARE NONE. MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING, MAJORITY LEADER. [ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Meeting No. 14 & Meeting No. 15] >> [INAUDIBLE] >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL ON MINUTES BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED? >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> THE MINUTES ARE CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MAJORITY LEADER. >> YES. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> WE HAVE A MOTION FROM ME THE CONSIDERATION APPROVED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED. >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> MOTION IS CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARINGS THERE ARE NONE. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 1 AND CONTINUE ON TO PAGE 4. MAJORITY LEADER. [ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:] >> MOVE TO CONSIDER. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO CONSIDER BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE. >> MOVE TO AMEND TO INCLUDE ADULT SPONSORSHIP. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO INCLUDE ADULT SPONSORSHIP ON MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. >> ELEVEN TO ZERO >> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW AMENDED. MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE OF THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION AS AMENDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTIONS. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED. >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY WITH THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE APPROVED AS AMENDED. WE WILL NOW HAVE A PAUSE FOR A PRESENTATION LED BY [ LOCAL LAWS:] A LEGISLATIVE DUPRE AND LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD. WE HAVE A PROBLEM TALKING THIS MORNING, SO I APOLOGIZE. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. WELL, THANK EVERYBODY FOR BEING HERE. THIS IS NATIONAL DIAPER AWARENESS WEEK AND IN THE SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 15 THROUGH 21ST. TODAY I WANT TO BRING EVERYBODY TOGETHER TO ACKNOWLEDGE AN ISSUE THAT TOUCHES THE LIVES OF MANY FAMILIES IN ERIE COUNTY AND AROUND THE NATION. I'M TALKING ABOUT DIAPER NEED AND A SILENT CRISIS THAT AFFECTS FAMILIES FROM EVERYWHERE. FROM INFANTS TO TODDLERS, CHILDREN TO ADULTS, EVERYBODY DESERVES TO BE COVERED WITH DIGNITY AND CARE. BUT FOR MANY FAMILIES SECURING SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A CLEAN DIAPER CAN BE AN IMPOSSIBLE CHALLENGE. FOR FAMILIES ALREADY STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, THE COST OF THE DIAPERS CAN STRETCH IN ALREADY, TIGHT BUDGET. IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH, BUT FOR SOME IT MEANS MAKING IMPOSSIBLE CHOICES BETWEEN BUYING FOOD, PAYING BILLS, [00:05:02] OR KEEPING A CHILDCARE, OR KEEPING A CHILD CLEAN, HEALTHY, AND COMFORTABLE. TODAY, I WANT TO BRING SOMEBODY UP HERE WHO DOES THIS VERY NEEDED SERVICE FOR ERIE COUNTY. THIS IS MS. SHEENA WOODS WHO IS REPRESENTING EVERYBODY COVERED. EVERYBODY MAY NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO, BUT THEY DO TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE. SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK THESE DIAPERS JUST SHOW UP IN THESE PLACES. NO, IT'S BECAUSE SOMEBODY IS OUT OF THE COMMUNITY. THEY'VE IDENTIFIED A NEED AND THEY WORK VERY HARD TO DO IT. I'M SO GLAD YOU WILL COME UP HERE, SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE THE NATURAL DIAPER NEED AWARENESS WEEK. I WILL NOT READ AT ALL, BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW. BUT THEREFORE, BE A RESULT THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR HEREBY APPLAUSE EVERY BOTTOM COVERED WHILE HIGHLIGHTING NATIONAL DIAPER NEEDS AWARENESS WEEK. THANK YOU THE INFORMAL DIAPER BANKS, THEIR STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND DONORS FOR THEIR COURAGEOUS SERVICE DURING THE CRISIS AND ENCOURAGING THE CITIZENS OF ERIE COUNTY TO DONATE GENEROUSLY TO DIAPER BANKS AND DIAPER DRIVES, AND SUPPORT THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT COLLECT AND DISTRIBUTE DIAPERS TO FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH DIAPER NEEDS, SO THAT ALL OF ERIE COUNTY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CAN THRIVE AND REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. WE WANTED TO GIVE THIS TO SHEENA AND EVERY BOTTOM COVERED, BUT I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT IT'S MORE THAN JUST GIVING THIS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE DONATE TO AND WE ARE PROUD THAT WE HELP THEM TO DO THIS NEED OF SERVICE. WOULD YOU GO TO SAY ANYTHING? >> YES. ON BEHALF OF EVERY BOTTOM COVERED, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP. WE LOOK FORWARD TO A CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, LEGISLATORS. CONTINUING WITH OUR AGENDA HERE LOCAL LAWS. LOCAL LAWS, H02-13 AND INCLUDING 7-1 AS INDICATED HERE. LOCAL LAW, INTRO 4-1. MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVES, TAKE THE LOCAL LAW FROM THE TABLE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO TAKE INTRO 4-1 FROM THE TABLE, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE >> OPPOSED. >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU AT THE LOCAL LAW 4-1 IS NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE. MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE TO AMEND THE LAW WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO AMEND THE LOCAL LAW WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT. WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY THE LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY LOCAL LAW 4-1 IS AMENDED, MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE TO APPROVE THE LOCAL LAW AS AMENDED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER AND THE SECOND BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD TO APPROVE AS AMENDED ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> NAY. >> OPPOSED. >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. LOCAL LAW 4-1 IS APPROVED AS AMENDED. LOCAL LAW INTRO 6-1 WILL BE SENT TO FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. COMMITTEE REPORTS THERE ARE NONE. INTRO 16-1 FROM THE MAJORITY CAUCUS, [ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:] LEGISLATURE PERSONNEL BUDGET AUTHORIZATION. MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE FOR MEETING CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED. THE COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE, THERE ARE NONE. SUSPENSION OF THE RULES. MAJORITY LEADER. [ SUSPENSION OF THE RULES:] >> I HAVE ONE SUSPENSION FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY THE OPINION AS TO FORM LOCAL LAW INTRO 4-1 2025. >> MADAM CLERK. >> COMMUNICATION 16D-9. >> THIS ITEM WILL BE RECEIVED AND FINAL. COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS. [ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:] COMMUNICATION 16D-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 16D-48 AS INDICATED. COMMUNICATION 16D-49, MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS APPROVED. COMMUNICATION 16D-50, MAJORITY LEADER. [00:10:03] >> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >>WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> OPPOSED? >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS APPROVED. COMMUNICATION 16D-51 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 16D-55 AS INDICATED. COMMUNICATION 16D-56, MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> THE MOTION CARRIES ON THE ITEM IS APPROVED. COMMUNICATION 16D-57, MAJORITY ORDER. >> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE >> OPPOSED. >> ELEVEN TO ZERO. >> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS AGREED. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS. [ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:] COMMUNICATION 16D-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 16D-8 AS INDICATED. COMMUNICATIONS FROM PEOPLE IN OTHER AGENCIES. [ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:] COMMUNICATIONS 16M-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 16M-5 AS INDICATED. ANNOUNCEMENTS. THE LEGISLATURE WILL CONDUCT COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18. [ ANNOUNCEMENTS:] THE SCHEDULE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED. THE NEXT SCHEDULED SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE IS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM LEGISLATORS? WITH THAT, PLEASE RISE FROM MEMORIAL OF RESOLUTIONS. [ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:] I WILL FIRST RECOGNIZE LEGISLATURE DUPRE. >> THANK YOU, SIR. I'M GOING TO MORALIZE KENNETH PATTERSON. HE'S KNOWN TO MANY OF US AS KEN. HE TRANSITIONED RECENTLY, AUGUST 30, SURROUNDED BY HIS LOVING FAMILY. KEN WAS THE CEO OF THE COLOR MUSICIANS CLUB AND JAZZ MUSEUM WHERE HE DEDICATED HIMSELF TO PRESERVING HISTORY AND UPLIFTING CULTURE. I CAN GO ON AND ON ABOUT AS MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT KEN WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN A TITLE WORLD ROLE. HE WAS A HUSBAND, A SON, A COUSIN, A BROTHER. HE WAS A FRIEND, A MENTOR, AND A QUIET FORCE FOR CHANGE. KEN WAS NOT JUST AN ACTIVIST. HE THEN AS SIMPLY INSPIRE MOMENTS. HE SUPPORTED MOVEMENTS IN COUNTLESS WAYS WITHOUT EVER SEEKING RECOGNITION. HIS FOCUS WAS GOING TO WORK AND ON UPLIFTING HIS COMMUNITY WITH HUMILITY AND PURPOSE. I'M PROUD TO HAVE KNOWN HIM. HE TOUCHED MY LIFE AND INSPIRED SO MANY OTHERS TO BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU, CHAIR. > SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR VINAL. >> [INAUDIBLE] JACKIE TOOK CARE OF HER MOTHER FOR MANY YEARS AND SHE DIED VERY RECENTLY. I ALSO WANTED TO CLOSE IN MEMORY OF ONE OF MY BEST FRIEND'S MOTHER, CLAIRE BERDY WHO DIED THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY. WHO WAS A WONDERFUL WOMAN WHO WORKED FOR MANY YEARS AS A GRADE SCHOOL TEACHER. THEN ALSO IN CHICAGO, AND ALSO WITH HER HUSBAND DID A BOOK CLUB FOR PEOPLE IN PRISON FOR LIFE SENTENCES THAT WAS FOR 25 YEARS, LONG WAITING LIST OF MEMBERS IN IT. FEATURED MPR EVEN ONE TIME AS COMMUNITY SERVICE, SO JUST A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING WHO DIED AFTER A VERY LONG BATTLE WITH ALS WHICH SHE FOUGHT VERY GRACIOUSLY AND SHE WAS JUST GENEROUS SPIRIT. >> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR TODARO. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I MOVE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF JEROME WILLIAMS AND DISPUTABLE FIANCEE NATALIE SANTERO, ROBERT BOLLING, ADAM CURTIS, KATHERINE HOLT, AND DR. HOWARD WALENSKY, THE GRANDFATHER TO MY DISTRICT AIDE. >> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS LEGISLATOR. LEGISLATOR LORIGO. >> I JUST WANT TO CLOSE IN MEMORY OF [INAUDIBLE] >> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR GREENE. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR MYERS. I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN THE MEMORY OF CHARLES SEARS LONG-TIME RETIREE FROM THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF PAROLES. HE RETIRED AND LIVED IN HIS TRUE LIFE'S WORTH BABY GRANDFATHER. I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADJOURN THE MEMORY OF NOAH SNYDER. NOAH WAS PRIME GETSFL AND WAS A STANDOUT LACROSSE PLAYER WHO WENT TO MARK CATCH AND WAS CUT DOWN IN HIS PRIME BY A DRUNK DRIVER. >> SORRY, SIR. GO ON. >> I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF ROBERT LYNFORD. ROBERT OR BOB AS HE WAS KNOWN WORKED FOR 52 YEARS MOSTLY WITH MARY COUNTY DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS AT THE CLARENCE PART. HE STARTED AS A MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR IN 1964, WAS PROMOTED TO A CRECHE IN 1986, [00:15:02] AND SPENT THE LAST NINE YEARS AS THE DEPARTMENT'S GENERAL CRECHE. HE WAS A LONGTIME ACTIVE MEMBER OF ASL 1085. A GREAT TEAM MASTER. THANK YOU. >> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. [INAUDIBLE]. << THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. J EDWARD [INAUDIBLE] >> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. WITH THAT, WE'LL HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD. >> THANK YOU WITH THAT. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION TO ADJOURNED BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN CLAIRE, SECONDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ALL OPPOSED? >> ELEVEN TO THIRTEEN. >> PLEASE STAND ADJOURNED. THANK YOU. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.