Council rejects 74 Manchester Pl. - Install parking pad, 0–4

90 Madison St. - Extension request

4 yes, 0 no

Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), James Lewis (yes)

74 Manchester Pl. - Install parking pad

0 yes, 4 no

James Lewis (no), James Hornung, Jr. (no), Thomas Dearing (no), Janice McKinnie (no)

Approve Minutes from September 30, 2026

4 yes, 0 no

Janice McKinnie (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes), James Lewis (yes)

48 & 58 Linden Park - Combine lots

4 yes, 0 no

Janice McKinnie (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes), James Lewis (yes)

624 Clinton St. - Construct addition

4 yes, 0 no

Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), James Lewis (yes)

149 Vandalia St. - Install fence

4 yes, 0 no

Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), James Lewis (yes)

903 Amherst St. - Install parking pad

4 yes, 0 no

James Hornung, Jr. (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), James Lewis (yes)

637 Tifft St. - Install security fence

3 yes, 1 no

James Hornung, Jr. (yes), Thomas Dearing (no), Janice McKinnie (yes), James Lewis (yes)

254 Wilson St. - Permit vehicle sales

0 yes, 4 no

James Hornung, Jr. (no), Thomas Dearing (no), Janice McKinnie (no), James Lewis (no)

194 Windsor Ave. - Permit Accessory Dwelling Unit

4 yes, 0 no

James Lewis (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes)

893 Eagle East St. - Extension request

4 yes, 0 no

Janice McKinnie (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), James Lewis (yes)

149 Vandalia St. - Install fence

3 yes, 1 no

Janice McKinnie (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes), Thomas Dearing (no), James Lewis (yes)

92 Pooley Pl. — Install parking pad

4 yes, 0 no

James Lewis (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes)

1505 Broadway - Renovate building

4 yes, 0 no

James Lewis (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes)

187 Leslie St. - Expand driveway

4 yes, 0 no

James Lewis (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes)

195 & 199 East St. - Combine lots & expand driveway

4 yes, 0 no

James Lewis (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes)

2563 Bailey Ave. - Install electronic message center

4 yes, 0 no

James Lewis (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes)

329 Connecticut St. - Construct building

4 yes, 0 no

James Lewis (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes)

303 Lafayette Ave. & 144/148/150 Hoyt St. - Construct building

4 yes, 0 no

James Lewis (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes)

80 Midway Ave. - Permit Parking lot

4 yes, 0 no

James Lewis (yes), Janice McKinnie (yes), Thomas Dearing (yes), James Hornung, Jr. (yes)

26-000808 - August 2026 City of Buffalo Cashflow Report

8 yes, 0 no

26-000822 - October 2026 IFL List

8 yes, 0 no

26-000838 - IFL- Traffic Signal Coordination

8 yes, 0 no

26-000850 - Comptroller Response to Declaration of Need

8 yes, 0 no

26-000812 - Permission to Hire $39,000 - Animal Shelter 2026 Improvements - LaBella Associates

8 yes, 0 no

26-000805 - Contract Increase - Scrufari - JH Williams Park

8 yes, 0 no

26-000775 - Contract COB & Geiter Done of WNY Demo 42 Wilson

8 yes, 0 no

26-000816 - Contract COB & Geiter Done of WNY Demolition 126 Clare

8 yes, 0 no

26-000776 - Contract COB & Hannah Demolition 15 Sidney Garage Demo

8 yes, 0 no

26-000777 - Contract COB & Hannah Demolition 91 Ivy (garage) Demolition

8 yes, 0 no

26-000771 - Contract COB & Regional Environmental Demo 954 Sycamore

8 yes, 0 no

26-000772 - Contract COB & Regional Environmental 336 Massachusetts Demo

8 yes, 0 no

26-000774 - Contract COB & Regional Environmental 2 Wyandotte Demo

8 yes, 0 no

26-000851 - Golombek J, Correspondance - BFSA Act - No Extension of Authority's Term Permitted

8 yes, 0 no

26-000743 - Permission to Enter into Agreement - Tifft Nature Preserve - Science Museum

8 yes, 0 no

26-000645 - Permission to Hire - Davey Resource Group — $56,815.00

8 yes, 0 no

26-000641 - Halton-Pope, Insurance and Financial Responsibility for Newly Acquired, Vacant, and Abandoned Properties (Exc Res) 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000309 - FY 2026-2027 Comptroller's Estimate and Report-10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000312 - July 2026 COB Fitch Ratings Report-10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000474 - Moody's GO and BAN Ratings MT 26-1180 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000482 - S&P Global GO and BAN Ratings MT-26-1181 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000489 - Nowakowski - Response to Moody's Ratings for the City of Buffalo MT-26- 1253 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000535 - COB Annual Audit Plan FY 2026-2027 MT 26-944 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000536 - Capital Debt Service 6.4.26 MT 26-858 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000537 - 2025-2026 Third Quarter Gap Sheets Response-Final MT 26- 859 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000544 - Third Quarter Gap Report MT 26-808 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000548 - 26-749 - CC - Halton-Pope,Feroleto, Et Al-Adopt Earlier Capital Budget to FacilitateTimely Proj Completion(Ex Res) MT 26-749 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000552 - Wyatt - Requesting Exploration of a Commuter Tax for the City of Buffalo MT26-745 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000554 - A. Coppola, Concerns Nonfunctional Street Lights MT 26-555 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

26-000556 - Wyatt - Resolution Prioritizing Neighborhood Residents for In-Rem Sales (Exc Res) MT 26-582 10/20/26 FIN

8 yes, 0 no

92 Pooley Pl. Parking Pad

92 Pooley Pl.

The board approved the parking pad variance for front-yard parking.

approved (4-0) · still approved

Vehicle Sales at 254 Wilson St

254 Wilson St.

Requesting a use variance to permit vehicle sales in an N-3R residential zone.

denied (0-4) · still denied

Eagle Street Development

893 E Eagle St, Buffalo, NY 14210

Requesting a one-year extension on previously approved commercial project variances.

approved (4-0) · still approved

Bailey Ave Electronic Message Center

2563 Bailey Ave.

Requesting sign height, area, and setback variances for an electronic message center monument sign.

approved (4-0) · still approved

303 Lafayette Ave & Hoyt St Development

303 Lafayette Ave. & 144/148/150 Hoyt St.

Requesting multiple variances for a 4-story, 27-unit residential building.

tabled (4-0) · still tabled

Skyway Auto Parts Security Fence

637 Tifft St.

Requesting variances to install a charged wire security fence and exceed height limits.

approved (3-1) · still approved

194 Windsor Ave. Accessory Dwelling Unit

194 Windsor Ave.

Requesting variances to permit an accessory dwelling unit exceeding square footage limits.

tabled (4-0) · still tabled

1505 Broadway Renovation

1505 Broadway

Requesting a variance to permit EIFS building material on front and corner facades.

approved (4-0) · still approved

2297 Main St Assembly Use

2297 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214

A special use permit application to allow assembly use for up to 49 persons in an N-3E zone.

tabled (8-0-0) · still tabled

2563 Bailey Ave Electronic Messaging Center

2563 Bailey Ave, Buffalo, NY

A special use permit application for an electronic messaging center in an N-3E zone.

tabled (8-0-0) · still tabled

D-Tour Sidewalk Café

45 aka 49 West Chippewa St, Buffalo, NY 14202

A sidewalk café license application for D-Tour Bar and Grill utilizing existing railings with 2 tables and 8 chairs.

Discussed — no decision yet

350 Dingens Street Commercial Building

350 Dingens Street, Buffalo, NY 14206

Construction of a 10,000 square foot multi-tenant high-bay commercial building in a D-S Zone.

approved (4-0) · still approved

Commercial Building Development at 350 Dingens Street

A developer is building a 10,000-square-foot commercial multi-tenant building at 350 Dingens Street. Neighboring property owners raised concerns about stormwater, traffic conflicts with a nearby drive-thru, and construction dust, which the board addressed by adding traffic and lighting conditions.

What it means: The property owner and future commercial tenants looking for flexible lease space.

Bulk Trash Collection Schedule

Council members are pushing back against the administration's decision to cut bulk trash collection down to one day, asking to bring back the old biannual schedule.

What it means: City residents seeking comprehensive neighborhood trash removal services.

Comprehensive Development Plan for 2 Templeton Terrace

Council members are seeking a comprehensive plan for the city-owned waterfront property at 2 Templeton Terrace following recent court rulings involving Specialty Restaurants Corporation. The property represents a significant economic development opportunity along the Erie Basin Marina.

What it means: Buffalo residents and businesses seeking enhanced public waterfront access and economic vitality.

Property Management Licensing and Accountability

Multiple items addressed property manager licensing transparency, background checks, and application requirements. The committee evaluated new applications and proposed rules to tighten oversight of rental property managers.

What it means: Tenants and neighborhoods benefit from vetted property managers and higher housing standards.

Marine Drive Resident Parking

Residents at Marine Drive face parking shortages and restrictive hours (no parking from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.) combined with safety issues like car break-ins at nearby lots.

What it means: Local motorists and residents seeking parking flexibility.

City Financial Cashflow and Budget Monitoring

Review of the August 2026 cash flow reports indicated healthy cash reserves, bolstered by timely state aid and property tax collections compared to previous fiscal years.

What it means: Positive cash balances exceeding $133 million at the close of August 2026.

Municipal Workforce Transparency and Vacancy Reporting

The Civil Service Committee reviewed and approved multiple administrative and professional appointments across city departments, ensuring staffing continuity in key municipal roles.

What it means: Salaries for approved positions range from $44,527 to $102,295 annually.

City Union Contract Negotiations Update Request

Council Member Wyatt introduced a resolution asking the administration to provide status updates on ongoing labor union contract negotiations.

What it means: City council members and labor unions seeking transparency in contract talks.

Municipal Appointments and System Evaluation

The committee reviewed and acted on multiple departmental appointments across MIS, Public Works, Law, and Permits and Inspections to fill key city roles.

What it means: Involves salary commitments within existing departmental budgets ranging from $44,527 to $102,295.

Demolition Requests for Historic and Residential Properties

The committee evaluated various contracts for property demolitions, park improvements, and animal shelter updates across the city.

What it means: Local neighborhoods benefiting from blight removal and park enhancements.

Pre-Foreclosure Transparency and Fee Oversight

The Law Department reported on In Rem tax foreclosure proceedings, detailing nearly $900,000 in administrative costs and explaining the court-approved $500 fee. Council members reviewed pre-foreclosure notices and outreach efforts aimed at helping homeowners redeem past-due taxes.

What it means: Incurs nearly $900,000 in administrative and legal costs for In Rem 56, partially offset by a court-approved $500 fee per parcel.

Inflation Impact on Municipal Employee Real Wages

The committee tabled a resolution seeking updates on ongoing contract negotiations between the city and various labor unions representing municipal employees.

What it means: City labor union members and municipal financial planners.

Flavored Tobacco and Menthol Ban

Public health advocates and community leaders urged the council to advance legislation banning the sale of flavored tobacco and menthol cigarettes to protect minority and youth populations.

What it means: Public health outcomes for minority and youth populations.

Lovejoy Pool Reopening Timeline and Repairs

The Lovejoy Pool has been closed for over a year for repairs, prompting calls for clear timelines and regular public updates from the city.

What it means: Lovejoy District residents and youth needing indoor recreation.

Commercial Security Fencing and Property Protection

A scrap yard requested permission to install a charged wire security fence to combat severe nightly thefts and break-ins. The board approved the measure after reviewing extensive police reports of property loss.

What it means: The business owners and employees experiencing chronic break-ins and property theft.

303 Lafayette Ave. Multi-Family Residential Development

Neighbors strongly opposed a proposed 4-story, 27-unit apartment building, citing concerns over lost sunlight, increased traffic near a large elementary school, and changes in neighborhood character. The board ultimately tabled the request to review shadow and design studies.

What it means: A multi-million dollar private investment providing 27 housing units and increased tax revenue.