BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo's Common Council still had a number of questions regarding the City of Buffalo's snow plan after some felt the city was not prepared for this upcoming winter.
Council members heard from a number of city commissioners including Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, Department of Public Works Commissioner Nate Marton, Emergency Services Manager, Thomas Luby, and Fleet Manager, James Cross, at the Community Development Committee Meeting Tuesday afternoon.
North District Council member Joseph Golombek requested that the commissioners attend Tuesday's meeting after Golombek felt the committee was left with unanswered questions after a meeting earlier this month.
"It has become evident that there is a pressing need for continued discussions," Golombek said.
Council members came prepared with a packet of questions ranging from communication, equipment and warming shelters.
"We can gripe or try to solve the problems," Golombek said Tuesday.
Marton acknowledged that the city needs to be more aggressive with how it communicates during storm events. He said the city will be "ahead of the game this year" and will utilize systems like IPAWs, to send alerts to your phone, and BuffALERT.
South District Council Member Chris Scanlon asked Marton how communication would look between Erie County and the state. Marton said that they are having ongoing conversations about collaboration.
Scanlon also asked Marton if there would be an increase in shelters. In the current snow plan, there are nine emergency shelters, one in each council district.
"We continue to have those discussions," Marton said. He added he is still speaking with Buffalo Public Schools about the possibility of using schools as shelters.
Shelters will be staffed by members of the city's Division of Citizen Services Team, Commissioner Oswaldo Mestre said. Renaldo shared he wants to provide two certified EMTs to each shelter. There is also funding set aside to supply the shelters with food, cots and blankets.
Renaldo also shared remarks regarding the fire department and how he feels it is prepared for this upcoming winter. He rattled off a list of fire equipment the city has either received or will receive in the coming weeks.
"Our firefighters remained trained and ready," Renaldo said.
But Scanlon was quick to point out that a majority of the fire department's fleet is "over 10 years old" and wants to ensure that more apparatus is purchased over the years.
Finance Commissioner Delano Dowell said that the vehicle purchases will be based on needs, not wants and there is only so much money the city has.
"We're doing our best to fully fund each of these departments with the vehicles needed in order for them to provide services," Delano said.
Council President Darius Pridgen later asked Luby if he felt the snow plan needed to be adjusted in any way.
"No, I don't think so," Luby said.
"I'm disappointed," Pridgen replied.
Luby said the plan is clear and said that after each weather event, the administration will have an after-action report and see where the snow plan may need to be updated.
Golombek said the snow plan will remain in committee to be further discussed. University District Council Member Rasheed Wyatt said he wants Luby and Cross to be there for some of those discussions.
