[Public Hearing on October 1, 2026.]
[00:00:04]
GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS OLIVIA OWENS AND I AM THE CLERK OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE.
AND I'M GOING TO CALL THIS PUBLIC HEARING TO ORDER AT 6 P.M.
I WILL START BY READING THE NOTICE INTO THE RECORD, AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
I HAVE QUITE A FEW LETTERS THAT WERE SENT IN THAT I HAVE TO READ INTO THE RECORD.
FOLLOWING THAT, WE WILL MOVE TO ANYONE WHO IS HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.
STARTING WITH THE NOTICE, PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT A MEETING OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF THE COUNTY OF ERIE, NEW YORK, SHALL BE HELD IN THE CHAMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE AT 92 FRANKLIN STREET, 4TH FLOOR, BUFFALO, NEW YORK, 14202. ON THE 1ST DAY OF OCTOBER, 2026 AT 6 P.M.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING A PUBLIC HEARING.
TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON LOCAL LAW INTRO 7-12026.
A LOCAL LAW FORMALLY KNOWN AS THE ERIE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION ACT.
A COPY OF THE LOCAL LAW MAY BE SEEN ON OUR WEBSITE AT ERIE.GOV/BUFFALO, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2026. BY ORDER OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF THE COUNTY OF ERIE, NEW YORK, SIGNED BY MYSELF, OLIVIA M OWENS, CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE. I WILL START READING THE COMMENTS THAT I GOT OVER EMAIL INTO THE RECORD, STARTING NOW.
THE FIRST ONE IS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID RIVERA.
THE NEXT ONE I HAVE IS FROM BREEANA HARGRAVE.
SHE IS THE LEAD 716 COORDINATOR. DEAR LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD.
SMALL BUSINESSES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF ERIE COUNTY.
THEY EMPLOY LOCAL RESIDENTS, PROVIDE VALUABLE SERVICES, AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE STRENGTH AND GROWTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES, CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUALIFIED SMALL BUSINESSES TO COMPETE FOR COUNTY CONTRACTS CAN HELP ENSURE THAT LOCAL BUSINESSES HAVE A MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND PARTICIPATE IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY. I ALSO APPRECIATE THAT THIS LEGISLATION IS TARGETED AND DOES NOT APPLY TO EVERY ERIE COUNTY CONTRACT.
BY FOCUSING ON CERTAIN CONTRACTS AND CONSULTANT SERVICE RFP UNDER $10,000, THE PROPOSAL CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES WITHOUT PLACING A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON THE COUNTY.
SMALL BUSINESSES NEED ROOM TO BUILD THEIR TEAMS, INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY, AND BECOME MORE EFFICIENT.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, ERIE COUNTY IS ALREADY GOING TO SPEND MONEY ON THE GOODS AND SERVICES IT NEEDS.
WHEN QUALIFIED, LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR THOSE CONTRACTS.
THOSE DOLLARS CAN REMAIN WITHIN OUR REGION. THE COUNTY CAN ACCOMPLISH 2 GOALS AT ONCE, MEET ITS CONTRACTING NEEDS, WHILE ALSO INVESTING IN THE GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY OF LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES.
KEEPING MONEY IN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY BENEFITS MORE THAN INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES.
IT SUPPORTS LOCAL JOBS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AND HELPS CREATE A STRONGER REGIONAL ECONOMY, PROVIDING QUALIFIED SMALL BUSINESSES WITH GREATER ACCESS TO COUNTY CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES IS A MEANINGFUL WAY TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE UP ERIE COUNTY.
THIS LEGISLATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ERIE COUNTY TO USE THE RESOURCES IT IS ALREADY INVESTING IN A WAY THAT CAN BENEFIT BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT CALL IT HOME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO CREATE MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT ERIE COUNTY.
I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THE ERIE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION ACT.
MY NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM JOYCE DANGOS. I DEFINITELY SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES.
THEY ARE VITAL TO OUR COMMUNITY AS MANY BIG BUSINESSES ARE GOING BANKRUPT AND CLOSING.
THEY ARE ALSO A VITAL CONNECTION FOR NEIGHBORS IN THAT COMMUNITY TO SHOP LOCALLY.
[00:05:05]
OKAY, THIS ONE COMES FROM LAKISHA COLLINS TO THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE.MY NAME IS LAKISHA COLLINS, AND I'M WRITING TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE ERIE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION ACT, INTRODUCED BY LEGISLATORS TAISHA SAINT JEAN TARD.
[INAUDIBLE] AND WBE. I AM ALSO THE OWNER OF LMC CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC AND FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF LMC IMPACT INCORPORATED, A 501 C.3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION SERVING YOUTH, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE WESTERN NEW YORK THROUGHOUT WESTERN NEW YORK.
WHAT WE DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE IS THE SAME ACCESS, ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY, FINANCIAL RESOURCES, OR CONTRACTING OR CONTRACTING HISTORY AS LARGER COMPANIES.
THAT IS WHY LEGISLATION LIKE THE SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION ACT IS IMPORTANT.
CREATING STRONGER PATHWAYS FOR QUALIFIED SMALL BUSINESSES TO COMPETE FOR ERIE COUNTY CONTRACTS IS NOT SIMPLY AN INVESTMENT IN INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES, IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. WHEN SMALL BUSINESSES RECEIVE OPPORTUNITIES, THEY CAN HIRE LOCAL WORKERS, PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, UTILIZE OTHER LOCAL VENDORS, EXPAND THEIR SERVICES AND BUILD THE CAPACITY NEEDED TO PURSUE FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES.
AS MWB BUSINESS OWNERS, I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT CERTIFICATION ALONE DOES NOT GUARANTEE OPPORTUNITY.
SMALL BUSINESSES ARE READY TO WORK. WE ARE READY TO COMPETE.
WE ARE READY TO GROW. MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE READY TO CONTINUE INVESTING OUR TIME, TALENT, RESOURCES AND DOLLARS BACK INTO ERIE COUNTY. I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT THIS STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE ERIE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION ACT.
LOCAL LAW INTRO 7-1 OF 2026 AND ASKED THAT IT BE ENTERED INTO THE OFFICIAL RECORD.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED. LAKISHA M COLLINS.
OKAY, THIS NEXT ONE COMES FROM ROBERT LOWERY.
DEAR MEMBERS OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE, AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN ERIE COUNTY, I UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES IS FOR THE GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY OF LOCAL BUSINESSES.
SMALL BUSINESSES HELP CREATE JOBS, STRENGTHEN NEIGHBORHOODS, AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.
AND THEN THIS LAST ONE COMES FROM DOCTOR SUSAN MCCARTNEY.
KARINA LOERA AND BAILEY BRULARD OF THE GREATER BUFFALO SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER.
WE ARE WRITING TO EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATION, DESIGNED TO GIVE SMALL BUSINESSES A BIDDING ADVANTAGE IN ERIE COUNTY PURCHASING THROUGH ITS PURCHASING DIVISION. WE SUPPORT THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION BECAUSE ALLOWING ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESSES TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN THEIR BIDS ARE WITHIN 5% OF THE LOWEST BID, INCORPORATING SCORING AND PROVIDING A PREFERENCE IN THE EVENT OF A TIE WITH A LARGER ENTITY COULD CREATE MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND STRENGTHEN OUR REGIONAL ECONOMY. THE GREATER BUFFALO SBDC, DIRECTED BY DOCTOR SUSAN MCCARTNEY AT SUNY BUFFALO STATE UNIVERSITY, PROVIDES MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO START UP AND EXISTING SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT ERIE COUNTY AND THE NIAGARA FRONTIER.
AS A CENTER WITHIN BUFFALO STATE UNIVERSITY. WE BRING TOGETHER THE RESOURCES OF SUNY BUFFALO STATE, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO COUNSEL AND TRAIN SMALL BUSINESSES AS THEY ADDRESS ORGANIZATIONAL, FINANCIAL, MARKETING, TECHNICAL AND OTHER CHALLENGES.
[00:10:03]
FOR OVER 40 YEARS, WE HAVE SERVED THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.THROUGH THIS WORK, WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES GROW, COMPETE, AND CONTRIBUTE TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF PROCUREMENT.
AS BUSINESSES MOVE BEYOND STARTUP AND PLANNING AND BEGIN PURSUING LARGER OPPORTUNITIES, MANY ENTREPRENEURS LOOK TO CONTRACT WITH ESTABLISHED COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONS TO SUPPORT THEIR GROWTH. HOWEVER, PREPARING TO COMPETE FOR CONTRACTS DOES NOT ALWAYS TRANSLATE INTO SECURING THEM.
WE HAVE FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE HELPING QUALIFIED, RESPONSIBLE SMALL BUSINESSES NAVIGATE THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE WHEN COMPETING FOR PUBLIC SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES, WE BELIEVE THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL CREATE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
PROVIDING ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESSES WITH MEANINGFUL CONSIDERATION IN THE BIDDING PROCESS COULD HELP MORE LOCAL BUSINESSES SECURE THEIR FIRST PUBLIC SECTOR CONTRACTS, ESTABLISH BUSINESS TO BUSINESS AND INSTITUTIONAL PAST PERFORMANCE, AND BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.
SINCERELY, DOCTOR. SUSAN MCCARTNEY. KARINA, LAURA AND BAILEY BROUILLARD.
OKAY, I HAVE 3 MORE TO READ INTO THE RECORD. THE NEXT ONE IS FROM D'AQUILA MCGEE.
DEAR HONORABLE TAISHA SAINT JEAN TARD AND MEMBERS OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE.
I AM WRITING TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATION, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SMALL BUSINESSES WITH A BUILDING ADVANTAGE, A BIDDING ADVANTAGE IN ERIE COUNTY PURCHASING THROUGH ITS PURCHASING DIVISION.
AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO LIVES AND WORKS IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO, I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY CAN IMPACT THE GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY OF A LOCAL BUSINESS. I BELIEVE THAT WHEN ERIE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BUFFALO INTENTIONALLY CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT, THOSE INVESTMENTS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CIRCULATE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES, STRENGTHEN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, AND CREATE PATHWAYS FOR BUSINESSES TO GROW. AFTER BECOMING MWB CERTIFIED WITH ERIE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BUFFALO, I GAINED AN EVEN GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHALLENGES SMALL BUSINESSES FACE WHEN PURSUING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.
MY COMPANY HAS THE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND CAPABILITIES TO FULFILL LARGE APPAREL CONTRACTS THAT WE ARE OFTEN COMPETING AGAINST SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER CORPORATIONS, INCLUDING BUSINESSES LOCATED OUTSIDE OF OUR REGION.
FOR MANY SMALL BUSINESSES, HAVING THE CAPABILITY TO PERFORM THE WORK IS ONLY PART OF THE CHALLENGE.
WE ALSO NEED A MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE AND BE CONSIDERED FOR THESE CONTRACTS.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION COULD HELP CREATE THAT OPPORTUNITY BY ALLOWING ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESSES TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE WHEN THEIR BIDS ARE WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERCENTAGE OF THE LOWEST BID. INCORPORATING SMALL BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS INTO SCORING AND PROVIDING A PREFERENCE IN THE EVENT OF A TIE WITH A LARGER ENTITY. THESE MEASURES COULD MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE FOR BUSINESSES THAT ARE READY TO GROW, BUT NEED ACCESS TO LARGER OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP.
MY LONG TERM GOAL IS TO SCALE MY APPAREL COMPANY INTO A LARGER MANUFACTURING OPERATION, ESTABLISH AN APPAREL MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN BUFFALO, AND CREATE QUALITY JOBS FOR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
HOWEVER, BUSINESSES CANNOT GROW INTO MAJOR EMPLOYERS WITHOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO FIRST DEMONSTRATE THEIR CAPACITY, BUILD THEIR TRACK RECORD AND REINVEST IN THEIR OPERATIONS.
I BELIEVE ERIE COUNTY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP CREATE THAT PATHWAY FOR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES.
SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH PROCUREMENT IS NOT SIMPLE SIMPLY ABOUT AWARDING CONTRACTS.
IT IS ABOUT HELPING LOCAL COMPANIES BUILD THE CAPACITY TO EMPLOY MORE PEOPLE, INVEST LOCALLY AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE LONG TERM ECONOMIC STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY. FOR THESE REASONS, I RESPECTFULLY URGE THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND CONTINUE CREATING MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUALIFIED SMALL BUSINESSES IN ERIE COUNTY TO COMPETE FOR PUBLIC CONTRACTS.
SORRY, THAT ONE WORD IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO SAY.
MY NEXT LETTER IS FROM LATOYA SHENAI TIARA JETER.
AS AN ERIE COUNTY BUSINESS OWNER, BUILDING ELBOW AGENCIES, CONSULTING, ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SERVICES, I KNOW THAT ACCESS TO SMALLER PUBLIC CONTRACTS CAN HELP A LOCAL FIRM ESTABLISH A TRACK RECORD AND GROW.
[00:15:03]
I ASK THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE THE PROCESS PRACTICAL FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.BUSINESSES NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO LOOK AND WHAT TO SUBMIT.
PLEASE ALSO PROVIDE OUTREACH OR TRAINING FOR FIRMS THAT ARE NEW TO COUNTY PROCUREMENT.
THE PROPOSED PREFERENCE WILL HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT.
IF ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES CAN FIND OPPORTUNITIES AND SUBMIT COMPLETE COMPETITIVE RESPONSE.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY COMMENTS. PLEASE INCLUDE THE STATEMENT IN THE PUBLIC HEARING RECORD.
THE FINAL ONE I HAVE IS FROM CINDY MCEACHERN.
I'M WRITING IN SUPPORT OF THE ERIE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION ACT.
SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND THIS LEGISLATION CREATES MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO ACCESS COUNTY CONTRACTS AND GROW. I ENCOURAGE THE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT EFFORT TO INVEST IN LOCAL BUSINESSES AND STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY.
NOW AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE FLOOR FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR THE
3RD AND FINAL TIME? IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? HEARING NONE, I WILL NOW ADJOURN THIS PUBLIC
HEARING AT 6:16 P.M.. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.