[00:00:03]
OKAY. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. I CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER MEETING NUMBER 15 OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE, JULY 23RD, 2026. CLERK, PLEASE TAKE THE ROLL.
[ ROLL CALL]
LEGISLATOR GREENE. HERE. LEGISLATOR LORIGO NOT PRESENT.LEGISLATOR MILLS. HERE BARGNESI. HERE. DUPREE. PRESENT. GILMOUR. HERE.
KOOSHOIAN. HERE. MEYERS. HERE. SAINT JEAN TARD.
PRESENT. AND VINAL. HERE THANK YOU. PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION. BE LED BY LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD.
THANK YOU. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE TO BE LED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU. OKAY, I WILL NOW OPEN THE FLOOR FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
WE ASK THAT ALL SPEAKERS KEEP THEIR COMMENTS TO ANY RESOLUTION MATTER TODAY.
THE CLERK WILL RING THE BELL WHEN YOU HAVE 30S LEFT.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE START THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? OKAY. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY SIGNED UP FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? NO? LAST CALL FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
OKAY. WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD TABLED ITEMS, THERE ARE NONE. ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION.
THERE ARE NONE. MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING]
MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.SECOND. OKAY. 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? 10 TO 0. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MAJORITY LEADER.
THERE ARE NONE AT THIS TIME. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE ONE AND CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE.
[ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:]
MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE TO CONSIDER. SECOND. OKAY.WE HAVE A MOTION TO CONSIDER BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE MAJORITY LEADER.
MOVE TO AMEND TO INCLUDE ET AL SPONSORSHIP. SECOND.
ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED.
SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED, BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
SECOND, BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ON THE QUESTION.
ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE APPROVED, AS AMENDED.
LEGISLATOR MILLS, THE FLOOR IS YOURS, SIR.
OKAY. OKAY. THIS AFTERNOON, I'M PROUD AND PRIVILEGED TO HAND OUT THIS PROCLAMATION.
DIFFERENT PROCLAMATIONS I'VE DONE IN THE PAST.
THIS PARTICULAR ONE HIGHLIGHTS A YOUNG MAN WHO IS A SENIOR IN ORCHARD PARK HIGH SCHOOL AND ON HIS WAY TO CANISIUS COLLEGE FOR HIS COLLEGE CAREER. AND HE'S DONE SOMETHING THAT REALLY OUT OF THE ORDINARY. AND THAT'S WHAT BRINGS ME TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION.
TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE OUR YOUTH IN, IN THIS COUNTRY IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY AND YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN. BUT IN THIS CASE, A YOUNG MAN IS. IS HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE BEST OF WHAT WE HAVE IN OUR YOUTH.
SO WITH THAT I'LL INTRODUCE TO YOU MAX KROLL AND HE'S ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE SPORTS FAN.
HE TOOK THAT PASSION, BEGAN QUAKER SPORTS RECAP.
[00:05:02]
HE CALLS IT A WEEKLY SPORTS HIGHLIGHT SHOW THAT INCLUDED GAMES, RECAPS AND CELEBRATING ATHLETICS AND SPORTS TEAMS IN ORCHARD PARK.HE ALSO CREATED A ONE MINUTE SCORE AND HIGHLIGHT SEGMENT.
HE ALSO CREATED PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS FOR SPORTING EVENTS AND IN-GAME HYPER VIDEOS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HE SPENT MANY, MANY HOURS ON, AND IS A VERY QUALIFIED ASSISTANT WITH HIS DAD, SCOTT KROLL. AND SO I JUST READ THE PROCLAMATION BECAUSE IT REALLY ENCOMPASSES WHAT HE'S DONE.
CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME OUT THERE? YOU KNOW, SPENT FOUR YEARS UP HERE.
I SHOULD KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THIS. [LAUGHTER].
AND WHEREAS, AS LONG AS HE CAN REMEMBER, MAX KROLL HAS BEEN A HUGE SPORTS FAN.
AND WHEREAS, IN HIS SOPHOMORE YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL, MAX ACCEPTED THE BARRIERS THAT PREVENTED HIM FROM ACHIEVING HIS DREAM OF BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE. PROBABLY A BUFFALO BULL YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT.
WHEREAS DESPITE THIS, MAX REFRAMED HIS DREAM TO STILL BE ACTIVE IN SPORTS BUT NOT AS A PARTICIPANT.
AND WHEREAS WITH A BELIEF THAT ALL HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AND STUDENT ATHLETES THAT PARTICIPATE IN THEM DESERVE TO BE RECOGNIZED, MAX APPOINTED HIMSELF SPORTS REPORTER AND CREATED A QUAKER SPORTS RECAP, A WEEKLY SPORTS HIGHLIGHT SHOW THAT INCLUDED GAME RECAPS AND SPOTLIGHTED ATHLETES AND SPORTS AIRING ON THE ORCHARD PARK SCHOOL OTV PAGE IN YOUTUBE.
AND WHEREAS, MAX ALSO CREATED A ONE-MINUTE SCORES AND HIGHLIGHTS SEGMENT CALLED 60 SECONDS SPORTS TO AIR IN THE MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS AT ORCHARD PARK HIGH SCHOOL EACH WEEK. AND WHEREAS, DURING HIS THREE YEAR CAREER, MAX PRODUCED 97 QUAKER SPORTS RECAPS AND OVER 90 THE 60. 90 60 SECOND SPORTS SEGMENTS.
AND WHEREAS, IN ADDITION, MAX PRODUCED NUMEROUS PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS FOR SPORTING EVENTS AND GAMES, HYPER VIDEOS AND PREGAME FAN CONDUCT AND SAFETY VIDEO PLAYED BEFORE EVENTS AT QUAKER STADIUM.
AND WHEREAS, IN ADDITION TO PRODUCING QUAKER SPORTS RECAP, MAX WAS A MEMBER OF THE INAUGURAL ORCHARD PARK HIGH SCHOOL UNIFIED FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM, WAS NAMED ALL-WESTERN NEW YORK SCHOLAR-ATHLETE FOR HIS WORK IN THE UNIFIED BOWLING TEAM AND EARNED THE MAROON KEY, MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. AND HONORABLE MENTION ALL-WESTERN NEW YORK ATHLETIC FOR UNIFIED BASKETBALL, WHICH WON THE TEAM'S FIRST OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP LAST MONTH.
CONGRATULATIONS, MAX, AND WELL DESERVED. THANK YOU SIR.
[APPLAUSE]. YOU'D LIKE TO SAY A WORD OR TWO? ABSOLUTELY FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO THANK LEGISLATORS MILLS AND THE LEGISLATURE, THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT, FOR GIVING ME THIS AWARD. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY FATHER, WHO TOOK.
WHO TOOK HIS TIME, IN HELPING ME, YOU KNOW, GO TO EVENTS AND HELPING.
TEACHING ME SO MUCH ABOUT REPORTING. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY, MY MOM, MY SISTER, GRANDPARENTS, COUSINS, AUNTS, UNCLES FOR ALWAYS SUPPORTING, VIEWING MY SHOW AND EVERYTHING.
[00:10:05]
THE HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES AND EVERYTHING ARE SO GREAT.BUT THEN SOMETIMES IT'S THE SPORTS AND THE ARTS THAT, YOU KNOW, COME TO OUR HEARTS MORE.
AND THIS ONE IS, COME ON RIGHT UP. COME ON UP.
SO THIS IS RECOGNIZING TWO YOUNG PEOPLE IN WILLIAMSVILLE WHO WENT TO WILLIAMSVILLE SCHOOLS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. AND THEN. YOU CAN COME ON RIGHT UP. AND COME RIGHT UP HERE AND THEIR PARENTS. AND THEIR. STAY RIGHT HERE OKAY. AND THEY WENT TO THE WILLIAMSVILLE SCHOOLS UNTIL GRADE SCHOOL, WHEN THEIR TEACHERS SAID THAT THEY WERE ALREADY CONCERT READY MUSICIANS AND ADVISED THEM TO GO DO THAT. SO THEY WERE HOMESCHOOLED, NOT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T LOVE THE SCHOOL, WHICH THEY DID, BUT BECAUSE THEY PRACTICED EVERY DAY, 4 TO 5 HOURS ON THEIR INSTRUMENTS.
AND THE OTHER ONE IS HER NAME IS ALICIA [INAUDIBLE], WHICH IS DERIVED FROM KRISHNA, THE LAST NAME.
AND HE WAS A MUSICIAN, A FLUTIST IN ADDITION TO OTHERS.
AND THEY HAVE PERFORMED ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR MUSIC AND BROUGHT REPRESENTING OUR AREA IN EUROPE, ALL OVER NEW YORK STATE AND IN EUROPE AND POLAND.
THEY WERE AWARDED BY A GROUP THAT IS AT THE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ISLANDERS GROUP, AWARDED THEM AS MOST DESERVING FOR THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA REPRESENTING THE IDEALS OF AMERICA.
THEY COME HERE WITH THEIR GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER.
BOTH HIS PARENTS. THEIR PARENTS ARE HERE AND THEY'VE JUST BEEN JUST ARE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF VIOLIN AND PIANO IN WESTERN CLASSICAL MUSIC. AND I WANTED THEM TO SAY A FEW WORDS OF THEMSELVES, BUT THEY'RE JUST SO ABOVE AND BEYOND THE EVEN MOST EXTRAORDINARY MUSICIANS IN OUR REGION.
SO I WILL HAVE THEM BOTH HAVE SOME WORDS TO SHARE.
AND SHE'S ONLY GOING INTO SOPHOMORE YEAR THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT IS SUCH A PRIVILEGE TO SHARE OUR MUSIC WITH THE PEOPLE, AND IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY.
IN FACT, IF IT WEREN'T FOR ERIE COUNTY, OUR JOURNEYS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.
WE ARE LUCKY TO BE IN THIS POSITION OF CARRYING FORTH THE SKILLS AND MUSICIANSHIP WE WERE TAUGHT TO WORK ON FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING THE HISTORY, RELEVANCE AND PRACTICAL VALUE OF THESE MUSICAL PROJECTS AVAILABLE TO ALL PARTS OF OUR COUNTY.
ERIE COUNTY IS ALSO EXTREMELY SPECIAL DUE TO ITS VIBRANCY.
MANY CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE ASIAN INDIAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, COUNCIL OF HERITAGE AND ARTS OF INDIA, GENERAL PULASKI ASSOCIATION, ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE FEDERATION OF GERMAN AMERICAN SOCIETIES, AND THE POLISH ARTS CLUB HAVE ALL CREATED SPACES FOR THIS MUSIC TO BE HEARD.
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE FEDERATION OF GERMAN AMERICAN SOCIETIES ARE ACTIVELY HELPING US EXPAND THESE ARTS PROJECTS CREATED IN ERIE COUNTY TO GERMANY AND ELSEWHERE AROUND OUR COUNTRY. THE GENERAL PULASKI ASSOCIATION'S MULTI HERITAGE VISION HAS CREATED MANY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS LIKE US TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. ITS LEADERSHIP HAS DEVELOPED MULTIPLE ARENAS FOR ERIE COUNTY'S CLASSICAL ARTS TO BE HEARD AROUND OUR COUNTY, OUR COUNTRY AND IN POLAND. THE COUNCIL OF HERITAGE AND ARTS OF INDIA, WITH ITS MISSION OF COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, HAS PROVIDED STEADFAST SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FOR THE YOUTH TO FULFILL THEIR PROJECTS.
THE INITIATIVE FOR NEW MUSICAL WORKS TO BE COMMISSIONED FOR US CAME OUT OF THE LEADERSHIP OF CHAI IN THE SPIRIT OF HONORING ALL HERITAGES AND CONTINUING THE MUSICAL ART FORM INTO THE NEXT GENERATION. THE ERIE COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND THE NEW YORK 250 COMMISSION PICKED UP THESE PROJECTS BECAUSE THESE COMMISSIONS BELIEVED IN THE VALUE OF ALL HERITAGE AND COMMUNITY. OUR COUNTY STRONG. THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION BELIEVES IN FURTHERING THE WORK OF THE NEXT GENERATION,
[00:15:02]
AND IT IS DOING SO WITH THESE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.THIS WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT ALL OF YOU.
SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT.
[ LOCAL LAWS:]
AS INDICATED. LOCAL LAW INTRO 7-1 WILL BE SENT TO SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.[ COMMITTEE REPORTS:]
SECOND. OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD. SECOND, BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED. REPORT NUMBER 12 FROM THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.LEGISLATOR BARGNESI. IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL BY LEGISLATOR BARGNESI.
SECOND, BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED. REPORT NUMBER 11 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.
LEGISLATOR DUPREE. THANK YOU, CHAIR MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL BY LEGISLATOR DUPREE. WE HAVE A SECOND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ON THE QUESTION.
ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED.
REPORT NUMBER 10 FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.
ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0.
SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL FROM LEGISLATOR KOOSHOIAN.
SECOND, BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED. LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS.
[ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:]
INTRO 15-1 FOR LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD WILL BE SENT TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.INTRO 15-2 FROM LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD. MAJORITY LEADER.
MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. SECOND HAVE SECONDS FROM LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD. LEGISLATOR DUPRE.
ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0.
THE MOTION CARRIES. THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.
INTRO 15-3. FROM LEGISLATOR MEYERS. MAJORITY LEADER.
MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, WITH A SECOND FROM LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD TO THE LEGISLATOR DUPREE. ON THE QUESTION.
ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES.
THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED. COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGE FROM COMMITTEE.
[ COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE:]
MAJORITY LEADER. I HAVE ONE DISCHARGE TODAY. I MOVE TO DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION 14E-24 FROM THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.SECOND WE HAVE A SECOND FROM LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD.
LEGISLATOR DUPREE. ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10-0 EVERYBODY GET A COPY GIVE EVERYBODY A MOMENT TO READ. I'M SORRY WE NEED A SECOND. WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND. LEGISLATOR TODARO.
OKAY, WE ARE ON THE QUESTION. AND WE'RE ON THE QUESTION.
IF ANYBODY HAS A QUESTION ON THE AMENDMENT.
[00:20:04]
GO AHEAD. FOR THE SPONSORS OF THIS AMENDMENT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN HAVE.UNDER RESOLVE IF YOU'RE OPEN TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL FILE SIMILAR TO OUR CURRENT FLEET POLICY FOR IT TO BE FILED WITH US JUNE 30TH. IS THAT? EVERYONE'S FINE WITH THAT? YEAH WE ARE STILL ON THE QUESTION, SO WE'LL TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.
LEGISLATOR GREENE. YES. LORIGO NOT PRESENT. LEGISLATOR MILLS.
YES YES. GILMOUR. YES. KOOSHOIAN. YES. [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] YOU SAID THAT QUICK. SAINT JEAN TARD. EXPLAIN MY VOTE.
I'M GOING TO SAY YES. BUT I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE REASON WHY I'M SAYING YES IS UNDER THE RESOLVE THAT THIS ALLOWS INDEPENDENT ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ALSO HAVE A SUPPLEMENTAL POLICY, WHICH IS ALSO IN THE ORIGINAL.
I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT. AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW NEW YORK STATE TRAFFIC LAW, WHICH IS A BIG DEAL FOR US AS THE COUNTY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE WITH ANY COUNTY VEHICLES.
AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEY STILL HAVE TO FILE WITH THIS BODY IN JUNE OF NEXT YEAR.
SO THEN WE STILL HAVE SOME SORT OF OVERSIGHT TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE'S USING THE VEHICLES PROPERLY.
SO I'M A YES BECAUSE OF THAT. THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR VINAL.
EXPLAINING MINE AND I'M VOTING YES FOR THIS, BUT ON THE THIS ISN'T THE POLICY AS FAR AS THE USE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR WHO GETS ASSIGNED TO VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT ELECTEDS AND WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO GIVE GIFTS.
WE CAN'T GIVE GIFTS LIKE. JUST LIKE WE CAN'T GIVE $100,000 TO SOMEONE.
WE ALSO CAN'T GIVE A VEHICLE WHEN THERE'S. IT'S ALL FOR PRIVATE USE.
IT IS AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION TO GIVE GIFTS.
YOU CAN'T GIVE A GIFT TO A CAR OF A PERSON THAT'S FOR BACK AND FORTH FROM WORK.
IT'S JUST YOU CAN'T DO THAT. SO THIS POLICY IS ABOUT THE USE ON A GO FORWARD BASIS, BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR ANY OF US OR ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL TO GIVE GIFTS OF CARS OR TO NOT TREAT THE PRIVATE USE. AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT A DEPUTY GOING STOPPING AT THE GROCERY STORE ON THE WAY HOME.
IT ISN'T UNDER THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, ACTUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EXEMPTION.
SO WE HAVE TO NOT ONLY ABIDE BY NEW YORK STATE LAW, WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION OR CHANGE THE TAX THAT STATE AND FEDERAL TAX LAWS. SO WHEN I DO ASK THEM THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING UNDER POLICY, IT STATES THAT THERE SHALL BE EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO GETS A TAKE HOME CAR IS TO FILL OUT ONE OF THE TRANSMITTAL FORMS, AND THAT'S EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO GETS ONE. AND SHE.
THERE WASN'T ATTACHED THEN AS OF NOW, THAT ONE WILL BE DEVELOPED, BUT THE ONE THAT'S THERE NOW IS FINE TO BE USED UNTIL THEN, WHICH LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD SAID. SO FOR THAT REASON, I'M VOTING YES.
AND THANK YOU FOR THE POLICY. THE VOTE IS 10 TO 0.
MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED.
SECOND QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0.
OKAY, THE MOTION CARRIES. THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
SUSPENSION OF THE RULES. MAJORITY LEADER. I HAVE TWO SUSPENSIONS TODAY.
[ SUSPENSION OF THE RULES:]
THE FIRST IS THE LEGISLATOR DESIGNATION OF PUBLIC BENEFIT MONEY.MADAM CLERK. INTRO 15-4. MAJORITY LEADER, MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
SECOND ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES.
THE ITEM IS APPROVED. MAJORITY LEADER. THE SECOND SUSPENSION IS FROM LEGISLATOR LORIGO.
IT'S YOUR ABSENCE LETTER. MADAM CLERK. COMMUNICATION 15E-15.
OKAY. THIS ITEM WILL BE RECEIVED, FILED, AND PRINTED UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]
COMMUNICATION 15E-5. MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR DUPREE. ON THE QUESTION.
ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10-0
[00:25:03]
THE ITEM IS APPROVED. COMMUNICATION 15E-6. MAJORITY LEADER.MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. SECOND OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND FROM LEGISLATOR GREENE, A LEGISLATOR DUPREE. ON THE QUESTION.
ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES.
THE ITEM IS APPROVED. COMMUNICATION 15E-7. MAJORITY LEADER.
MOVE FOR MEETING CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. SECOND FROM LEGISLATOR VINAL. ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES. THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
COMMUNICATION 15E-8. MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
SECOND SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES. THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
COMMUNICATION 15E-9. MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
SECOND AYE. OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES. THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
COMMUNICATION 15E-10 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 15E-12 AS INDICATED.
COMMUNICATION 15E-13. MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
SECOND 10 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES. THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.
COMMUNICATION 15E-14. MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
SECOND OPPOSED? 10 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES. THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNICATION 15D-1.
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:]
AS INDICATED. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES.[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:]
COMMUNICATION 15M-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 15M-4 AS INDICATED.I WILL NOW OPEN UP THE FLOOR FOR OUR SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[ PUBLIC COMMENT:]
DURING THIS SECOND SESSION, WE ASK THAT ALL SPEAKERS KEEP THEIR COMMENTS RELATING TO ANY MATTER INVOLVING ERIE COUNTY.PLEASE KEEP IN MIND ALL SPEAKERS ARE ASKED TO KEEP THEIR REMARKS TO THREE MINUTES.
THE CLERK WILL RING THE BELL WHEN YOU HAVE 30S LEFT.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN? OKAY, WITH THAT, WE WILL HAVE OUR FIRST SPEAKER MR. PETER FLANAGAN.
GOOD MORNING SIR. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS PETER FLANAGAN.
SINCE 2012, TAXPAYERS HAVE FLIPPED THE BILL FOR NEARLY $48 MILLION IN PARKS RENOVATIONS.
YET WE HAVE ZERO ACCESS TO QUALITY NUTRITION WITHIN OUR PARKS.
OUR PARKS. IN FACT, WE HAVE THREE VACANT, DIRTY, OUTDATED CONCESSIONS.
I AM SEEKING LEGISLATION TO HELP REMOVING MY STATUS OF NON-RESPONSIBLE PROPOSER.
LEGISLATORS PURPOSE IS TO SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC.
THEY ARE FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT ABOVE THE PEOPLE.
THAT WAS NOT THE CASE ON APRIL 2ND, 2026, AT THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT MEETING, LEGISLATOR JOHN BARGNESI AND COMMISSIONER TROY SCHINZEL TEAMED UP ON A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC AT AN ATTEMPT TO PUBLICLY HUMILIATE ME.
ON THAT DAY, LEGISLATOR BARGNESI DID NOT HAVE A COPY OF MY PROPOSAL, NOR A COPY OF AN RFP FOR ELMA MEADOWS CONCESSIONS TO COMPARE AGAINST THE COMMISSIONERS ALLEGATIONS. ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE RFP, THE COUNTY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO WAIVE INFORMALITIES, THE RIGHT TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS.
THE COMMISSIONER REFUSED TO ENGAGE IN ANY OF THAT.
INSTEAD, HE PUT HIS RESENTMENTS BEFORE THE NEEDS AND WANTS OF THE PUBLIC.
I EMAILED ALL OF YOU TODAY. ALL ACCEPTED RFPS IN THE HISTORY OF PARKS THROUGH A FOIL DOCUMENT.
LEGISLATOR BARGNESI ASSERTED HIS AUTHORITY OVER ME AND ACTED ON PURE IMPULSE IN THE PARKS COMMISSIONERS HEARSAY THEY REJECTED MY PROPOSAL. THE ONLY PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN 2026 AND BAN ME FROM EVER SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL AGAIN THROUGH THE DETERMINATION OF NON-RESPONSIBLE PROPOSAL. PROPOSER. MY PROPOSAL FOLLOWED THE PAY SCHEME $1 ANNUALLY IS AN ANNUAL
[00:30:04]
BID AMOUNT. TALK ABOUT DOUBLE STANDARDS CLEARLY DETAILED IN FOIL DOCUMENTS AND THE COMPTROLLER ANALYSIS OF JANUARY 2026. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. PUBLIC PROCUREMENT VIOLATIONS, NON-COLLUSIVE BIDDING CERTIFICATE BREACHES, CANCELED CONTRACTS AND MISMANAGEMENT OF ACCOUNTS ALL SEEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR BECAUSE THE COUNTY DOES NOT MAINTAIN POLICY REVENUE GENERATING RFPS. NO PUNISHMENT, NO CONSEQUENCES AT ALL FOR THE PARTIES INVOLVED.I AM SEEKING A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT AN RFP FOR CHESTNUT RIDGE CONCESSIONS WITH A COMPLETE PROPOSAL WITHOUT THE BIASED RESENTMENTS FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF PARKS. LISTEN, THE CONCESSIONS HAVEN'T WORKED IN THE LAST 15 YEARS.
THEY'RE ALL VACANT. THEY'RE ALL DECREPIT, RUN DOWN AND DIRTY.
DESPITE TAXPAYERS FLIPPING THE BILL FOR $48 MILLION.
OKAY ON THE APPLICATION THIS IS THE ACTUAL, YOU KNOW, 90 PAGE RFP THAT WAS SUBMITTED GOOD AFTERNOON TODD. GOOD AFTERNOON. HOW ARE YOU? ALL RIGHT. AND GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I WANT TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE ON MY EFFORTS TO COMPEL THE NFTA TO FINISH DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE DL AND DL&W TERMINAL INTO AN ENTERTAINMENT AND RETAIL VENUE.
IN MY MOST RECENT CONVERSATION WITH CHRIS FAHEY OF THE NFTA, HE REFUSED TO ANSWER WHETHER A NEW DEVELOPER HAD BEEN CHOSEN OR AN RFP FOR A NEW DEVELOPER HAD EVEN BEEN ISSUED. DESPITE PUBLIC ASSURANCES FROM THE NFTA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KIMBERLY MINKEL, THAT SUCH STEPS WOULD BE TAKEN EARLY THIS YEAR.
IT IS THE END OF JULY. IF THE NFTA HAD DECIDED MR. SAVARINO WAS NOT A GOOD FIT, IT SHOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY ISSUED AN RFP FOR A NEW DEVELOPER FOLLOWING HIS OUSTER BACK IN LATE NOVEMBER.
DURING MY CONVERSATION WITH MR. FAHEY, I WAS TOLD THE ELEVATOR TOWER WAS AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEHIND SCHEDULE AND THE SKYWALK TO THE ARENA, WHICH WAS TO BE COMPLETED THIS SUMMER, HAD YET TO BEGIN.
IF YOU'VE BEEN DOWN TO CANALSIDE, YOU WILL SEE IT REMAINS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.
THE BUFFALO NEWS HAS ALSO REPORTED THE NFTA LACKS THE NECESSARY FUNDING TO COMPLETE WORK ON THE SECOND FLOOR'S HVAC, PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS BEFORE ANY ADDITIONAL WORK THERE MAY PROCEED.
WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE SECOND FLOOR IS FUNDING, MR. FAHEY AGAIN REFUSED TO ANSWER. THE NFTA RECEIVED AN EXCESS OF $31 MILLION FROM ERIE COUNTY TAXPAYERS LAST YEAR.
MONEY THAT THIS LEGISLATIVE BODY GAVE TO THEM.
NOT ONLY DID MR. FAHEY REFUSE TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS, HE LIKEWISE REFUSED TO ACCEPT CHAIRMAN MEYER'S INVITATION TO SPEAK BEFORE THIS HONORABLE BODY ON THE PROGRESS OF THE DL&W TERMINAL. THAT SHOULD ALARM.
EVEN MORE TROUBLING IS THE APPARENT INDIFFERENCE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
YOUR SILENCE HAS BEEN DEAFENING AT WORST. IF OUR ELECTED LEADERS ARE CARETAKERS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, WHY ARE YOU NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT? I'M SURE SOME OF YOU HAVE WATCHED THE CHRISTMAS MOVIE DIE HARD OFTEN ENOUGH THAT YOU, LIKE ME, COULD QUOTE IT VERBATIM. DURING THE FILM, JOHN MCCLANE DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS A FLY IN THE OINTMENT, A MONKEY IN THE WRENCH, A PAIN IN THE ASS. SURELY THAT IS WHAT THEY MUST THINK OF ME OVER AT THE NFTA.
BUT WHAT DO THEY THINK OF YOU LEGISLATORS? ARE YOU JOHN MCCLANE OR ONE OF MANY HAPLESS VICTIMS HAVING THEIR MONEY STOLEN FROM RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSES? IT IS TIME FOR EACH OF YOU TO BE A FLY IN THE OINTMENT.
[00:35:06]
LAST CALL FOR A SECOND COMMENT PERIOD. ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? ANNOUNCEMENTS. THE NEXT SESSION OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE WILL BE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH.[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]
I HOPE EVERYBODY HAS A WONDERFUL RECESS. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? PLEASE RISE FOR MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS. LEGISLATOR BARGNESI.OH. I'M SORRY. HANG ON. I'M SORRY LEGISLATOR.
DO YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT? YES.
AND IT'S GOING TO BE OUR SECOND ANNUAL DISTRICT 2 CARNIVAL.
SO IT'S LITERALLY A CARNIVAL WITH A FERRIS WHEEL AND EVERYTHING.
SO I WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE. YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME.
IT'S GOING TO BE AT THE RICHARDSON CAMPUS ON SATURDAY FROM 2:00 TO 6:00 P.M.
AND I'M VERY LUCKY TO SAY THAT THIS WAS PAID BY SPONSORS, [APPLAUSE] NOT [INAUDIBLE].
SPONSORS. SO IF YOU KNOW ANYONE, NO MATTER IF YOU LIVE IN DISTRICT 2 OR NOT, BRING YOUR KIDDOS OUT, IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT TIME. THANK YOU. I'M SORRY.
[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]
LEGISLATOR BARGNESI MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS.I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF MARISSA RESTIVO.
SHE LOST HER BATTLE WITH DIABETES AND VERY YOUNG AGE.
AND ALSO MATTHEW MAYOR YOU ALL SAW IN THE PAPER WAS KILLED IN A TRAGIC CAR ACCIDENT OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FATHER, TOM, AND HIS MOTHER, LISA.
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR GREENE. THANK YOU, CHAIR MEYERS.
I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF DAN HERSHBERGER.
DAN WAS A 14 YEAR COUNCILMAN IN THE TOWN OF CLARENCE, 4 YEARS SUPERVISOR, 60 PLUS YEARS WITH THE SWORMVILLE FIRE COMPANY, INCLUDING POSITIONS AS THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, FIRST ASSISTANT AND SECOND ASSISTANT CHIEF, AS WELL AS A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF ERIE COUNTY IN TRAINER FOR OUR STOP-DWI PROGRAM.
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. MINORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF LINDEN JUNE HANCOCK.
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE.
FOR THOSE WHO WENT ON TO BE WITH THE LORD.
WITH THAT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION TO ADJURN
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.