Common Council Report

New York Television and Film Production Tax Credit – The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Majority Leader and Masten District Council Member Demone A. Smith, requesting that New York State increase the Empire State Film Production Tax Credit (“ESFPTC”) from 30 percent to 45 percent for production occurring in the western region of New York, including the City of Buffalo. According to a 2012 report by the Motion Picture Association of America, the film and television industry grew by nearly 25 percent in the New York City area between 2008 and 2011 as a direct result of the Empire State Film Production Tax Credit. Since New York State began offering tax credits to support the film and television industry in 2004, producers have spent more than $7 billion in New York, mainly in New York City. While the ESFPTC is intended to benefit the entire state, it has disproportionately benefitted only the downstate region. The Council maintains that Western New York is full of film friendly locations and has a diverse group of production professionals, facilities, union support professionals, and a full service regional film office with a proven track record. The resolution is requesting that New York State allow our region to have access to a level playing field when it comes to accessing $7 billion of revenue and the skilled jobs that come from the feature film industry, that until now have not been totally realized.

Battaglia Transfer Station Application –  1037-1055 Seneca Street – The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Fillmore District Council Member David A. Franczyk, requesting of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that the Council be designated as the lead agency for Battaglia Demoliton, Inc.’s application to modify its Solid Waste Management Permit (which exceeds the conditions of operation placed on the existing license granted by the City of Buffalo) for the facility located at 1037-1055 Seneca Street. This designation is important because the City, through the review of the Council and the Planning Board, will have the primary role in assessing the impact of the operations on the surrounding neighborhood and community, given the City’s role in past concerns with the operation and the City’s community assessment resources. The Council maintains that the anticipated impacts of the action being considered are primarily of local significance, thereby necessitating that the Council be designated as Lead Agency.

Moratorium on Demolitions in the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor – The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen, declaring a moratorium on the demolition of any buildings or structures located within the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor.  The purpose of this moratorium is to protect historically significant sites and structures within the corridor until the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission, Inc. adopts a detailed infill plan. The moratorium takes effect immediately and will expire in one year or until the Commission adopts its detailed infill plan, whichever comes first.

Support World Wildlife Annual Earth Hour Campaign – The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen, showing its support for the World Wildlife Earth Hour to take place on Saturday, March 23, 2013 and encourages the citizens of the City of Buffalo to turn off their lights for one hour (8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.) on that day to bring awareness to energy conservation.

Urge City to Reevaluate Relationships with Banks – The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by South District Council Member Christopher P. Scanlon, requesting that the Comptroller of the City of Buffalo reevaluate the City of Buffalo’s relationship with any bank or lending institution that refuses to act as a responsible neighbor. Many banks and other lending institution have been acting as irresponsible neighbors by not maintaining vacant properties that they control and by refusing to expedite the foreclosure process so that vacant homes can be sold and inhabited by responsible homeowners. There are currently no federal or state laws that require banks/lending institutions to carry out the foreclosure process in a set time frame, resulting in properties indefinitely sitting vacant for several years. Vacant properties negatively impact each and every neighborhood by attracting illegal activity and decreasing the value of surrounding properties. The Council maintains that it is unacceptable for any person, organization, or institution to allow properties that they are responsible for to blight our great City.

Patty Parete Park – The Council approved a resolution officially naming the pocket park located at 33 Whitney Place the Patricia “Patty” Parete Memorial Park in honor of fallen City of Buffalo Police Office Patty Parete. On December 5, 2006, Police Officer Parete and her partner Officer Carl Andolina responded to a fight call when they were shot at West Chippewa Street and Whitney Place by a criminal. Although Officer Andolina was able to return to service, Officer Parete suffered severe injuries to her spinal cord, leaving her tragically paralyzed from the neck down. Officer Parete struggled heroically for years against her severe injuries but sadly passed away on February 2, 2013. Police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect Buffalo’s residents and therefore it is fitting that the sacrifice our officers make in the line of duty be appreciated and recognized. Members of the community have pledged to ensure that the pocket park would be well-watched and maintained and to raise funds to put an appropriate commemorative monument for Officer Parete on the site.

Waiving of Fees

• The Council approved a resolution, by Fillmore District Council Member David A. Franczyk, waiving all fees for the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation’s annual Dyngus Day event to be held at the Buffalo Central Terminal on April 1, 2013.

Sale of City Owned Property—The Council approved transactions relating to the following City owned properties:

• Fillmore District
  • 44 Liddell Street was sold to Ms. Rita R. Rusin for $1,100.
• North District
  • 59 Hamilton Street was sold to Mr. Stephen Gabor, Jr. for $600.

Appointments

• The Council appointed the following individual to the City of Buffalo Cat Task Force:
  • Peter Reese
  • Bohdan Chomyn
  • Barbara Carr
  • Elizabeth Licata
  • Regina Harris
  • Kelly McCartney
  • Edie Offhaus
  • Linda Robinson
  • Art Robinson
• The Council approved the appointment of the following individual to the position of Laborer II within the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works:
  • Irma Lorenzo

License and Permit Approvals—Upon the recommendation of the Department of Permit & Inspection Services, the Council approved the following license and permit applications:

• Delaware District
  • Permit for a Sidewalk Café in the Special Zoning District
    • D. Eoannou, agent of the property located at 1416 Hertel Avenue.
  • Permit to Establish a Restaurant and Sidewalk Café in Hertel Avenue Special Zoning District
    • V. Cali, owner of the property located at 1456 Hertel Avenue.
  • Food Store License
    • 630 Colvin Avenue Inc., located at 626 Colvin Avenue aka 630 Colvin Avenue.
• Ellicott District
  • Application for Restricted Use Permit – Downtown Entertainment Review District
    • Phez Entertainment LLC (“Lux”), for the following events:
      • Lux Ess on March 22, 2013
      • Red Bull 3Style on March 30, 2013
      • UB Spring Party on April 13, 2013
  • Second Hand Dealer License
    • Gamestar, located at 442 William Street.
• Lovejoy District
  • Second Hand Dealer License
    • Kash Pro Inc., located at 1853 Genesee Street.
  • Used Car Dealer License
    • C-Ray, located at 2292 Bailey Avenue.
• Niagara District
  • Food Store License
    • Aden Enterprises Inc., located at 345 Potomac Avenue aka 351 Potomac Avenue.
• University District
  • Permit to Erect 1 Story Restaurant w/ 1 Apartment
    • S. Wang, owner of the property located at 3233 Bailey Avenue.

The Council denied the following license applications:

• North District
  • Scrap Processor and Wholesale Junk Dealer Licenses
    • Ben Weitsman & Son of Buffalo, located at 409 Hertel Avenue.

For any questions, concerns, or further information regarding the above, please contact your District Council Member, the Common Council Legislative Staff Office, or the respective City Department.

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