Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Common Council put forth a resolution on Tuesday to address the rising concern of extreme heat events by seeking financial assistance to establish and enhance cooling centers throughout the city.
Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope has sponsored a resolution authorizing the City to apply for a $2 million grant through the New York State Climate Smart Communities program. The resolution was adopted during Tuesday's meeting at Buffalo City Hall.
"We are committed to safeguarding the well-being of our residents and ensuring that Buffalo is prepared to handle the challenges posed by extreme heat," said Halton-Pope in a statement. "By establishing these cooling hubs, we are taking a significant step toward enhancing our city's resilience and protecting our most vulnerable populations."
Recognizing the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat due to unpredictable weather patterns, this initiative aims to protect the health and safety of its residents, particularly vulnerable populations. The resolution highlights the critical need for accessible cooling centers to provide safe and comfortable spaces during extreme heat events.
The resolution outlines the City of Buffalo's commitment to:
- Enhancing Resilience: Implementing strategies to adapt to and mitigate the effects of extreme heat;
- Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Ensuring all residents have access to cooling centers during periods of high temperatures;
- Securing Funding: Applying for the Buffalo Cooling Hubs for Improved Local Livability (Buffalo CHILL) grant, which will fund the creation and enhancement of cooling centers.
The City has identified $500,000 in matching funds from Personnel Services, Donated Professional Services (DPS), and Contractual Services, meeting the requirements of the Environmental Conservation Law.
The resolution authorizes Geraldine Ford, Director of Urban Affairs, to submit the application for the Buffalo CHILL grant through the Consolidated Funding Application. The City Clerk has been directed to forward copies of the resolution to the Department of Urban Affairs.
