Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - What intended to be an informational public hearing regarding the City of Buffalo's 2023-24 Winter Snow Plan ended up raising more questions and concerns for city lawmakers and residents with winter fast approaching.
Wednesday's Community Development meeting with the Buffalo Common Council saw representatives from city administration and a couple of other entities appear before the Council to discuss the Snow Plan and answer some questions for those in attendance.
The Winter Snow Plan was released by Mayor Byron Brown and his office last week Monday after having filed the yearly plan with the Common Council ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline.
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While Public Works Commissioner Nate Marton was in attendance to discuss some snow fighting plans for the city this upcoming winter, not every department the Common Council was hoping to have in attendance was on-hand to help answer questions and address concerns ahead of winter's arrival. Only the Department of Public Works was requested to be in attendance.
In a discussion that took place for more than 90 minutes in Council Chambers at Buffalo City Hall, members of the Common Council and public were able to chime in with Marton and voice more concerns, and even some disappointment in a continued lack of communication with the Snow Plan.
"It's just some more communication, working with people and making sure that the commissioners who are responsible for taking care of our city, emergency and non-emergency, that we're working together," said Council President Darius Pridgen following Wednesday's discussions. "I want to be clear, this is not a battle between the administration and Council. We all represent the people of the City of Buffalo. But at a public meeting like this, it would be easier to just get this done and talk about it even beforehand. I think people are just concerned, at the end of the day."
"I think the Council has communicated that we are the representatives of the people, we're closest to the people, we interact with them to a great length. Many of the residents feel they're not prepared. Although we're told we're prepared, we don't hear that. It's not communicated," added Councilman Rasheed Wyatt following Wednesday's meeting. "How do you not have the American Red Cross involved in conversations about warming centers and things like that? There's a lack of transparency, but we've been hearing that it's been communication. FEMA said communication, we've improved communication, but the very people who need to be communicated... they're not being communicated to. These folks are now taking care of it for themselves, and that's unfortunate.
"We have a responsibility, and we should be executing it to the nth degree, especially after what we've had. 5/14, the blizzard, these are things that we, as elected officials, take very seriously. We, the Common Council have. As the Council President said, this is not a battle. It's about the safety of our residents."
What is most unfortunate and disappointing aspect of Wednesday's meeting for both Pridgen and Wyatt on Wednesday was how some commissioners involved in the Winter Snow Plan were not invited to speak. Both Council members feel it's important to have as many people on-hand for these meetings to address matters all at once and provide clarity to the public.
"It was the Snow Plan, so, at times, you just expect them to be there," Pridgen said. "We can put all that attention on what seems to be a squabble, and that would be disingenuous, and it wouldn't be fair to the people. So I think just being able to everybody be in the same room - we heard from the union today, their opinion - we've got to hear from the commissioner also, and it has to be done rapidly and quickly. What we were left with today was just more questions."
With the snow having already fallen across Western New York this fall, Wyatt can't help but feel the disrespect for the Common Council from some in the community, and the disrespect for what the leadership of the Council has done to help provide a safer environment for the public.
"To hear someone come and say what the Council hasn't done is totally inappropriate, because we have been on top of it. We have been moving it. We try not to bang on people, we just want to get it done," Wyatt said. "Our bottom line is we want to make sure our residents feel safe, that they feel like we're doing something. And today from the conversation, we really haven't moved the needle. It's just a conversation. I appreciate the Council President taking the lead, saying let us all get together. Because the meetings that's been had, when it was FEMA, it was the Task Force, this Common Council hasn't been included. I think that's part of the problem. I'm going to just sit straight out, we have to be about the people, not about back-and-forth and those type of things."
During Wednesday's meeting, both Pridgen and Wyatt also expressed concerns over a lack of preparation from city administration when it comes to the hiring of an Emergency Services Coordinator. There are concerns that the person hired for the role will not have enough suitable time to get acclimated and prepared in case of another emergency in the City of Buffalo.
Both Council members definitely feel an elevated level of concern with the city's readiness to respond adequately enough to another emergency event until that Emergency Services Coordinator is up-to-speed and comfortable in his role.
"This is about lives and, again, I'm gonna say it, people do not elect us to fight one another, they elect us to get the work done. So I want to be clear of what my feeling is: We've got to take care of this. We got to hear from each other," Pridgen said.
"At the end of the day, what we've heard from some of the residents, and this is on a small scale, was a concern. So their concern is our concern," added Wyatt.
As a result of Wednesday's meeting, the Snow Plan discussion was tabled in order for talks to be picked up at a later date with other parties on-hand to answer some questions and concerns of the Council and the public.
While the item will likely resurface during the next Community Development meeting in about two weeks, Pridgen feels there needs to be private discussions had in the days leading up to it, but then the information should be made public so residents can feel more secure.
"You can't plan against everything, you just don't know. There are acts of God that we can't control, but working together works," Pridgen said. "I hope it was loud and clear that all this Council is saying is work with us. Talk to our residents, because when we have community meetings, it's those residents that matter most. So again, for those who may be listening, this is about this call from the Common Council to say, 'Let's all work together.' People don't care about administration, legislative branch, they care about results, and they care that we are working together to keep them safe."
North District Councilman and Chair of the Community Development Committee, Joseph Golombek Jr. released this statement on Wednesday about the ongoing Snow Plan discussion and requests:
"Following the Community Development Committee Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, it has become evident that there is a pressing need for continued discussions. I want to thank Department of Public Works Commissioner Nate Marton for his presence and attentiveness to the concerns raised by both Council Members and residents. Emphasizing the importance of the Snow Plan's 'Emergency Response' section, detailed on pages 12 and 13, it is notable that the active involvement of the Buffalo Fire and Buffalo Police Departments is essential.
"Looking ahead, we are calling upon the commissioners of the Buffalo Fire Department, Buffalo Police Department, 311, and the Department of Public Works, to join us at the next Community Development Committee Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at 2 p.m. EST. During this session, we urge these departments to address the Committee and residents directly, providing answers to queries and presenting their coordinated plan in preparation for the winter season.
"Additionally, if feasible, we kindly request Emergency Services Manager, Thomas Luby, and Fleet Manager, James J. Cross, to introduce themself or themselves to the Council and the city's residents, offering any immediate insights they can. Commissioner Nate Marton has informed us that the individual(s) will start their position(s) next week.
"The ongoing dialogue with all relevant departments to the Snow Plan is vital to everyone's shared objective of keeping the community well-informed and prepared for the challenges that could lie ahead in the upcoming winter season."