[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6192592,"mediaKeyId","4068532-964515c481300b6e6b6682030b57b01e","parentId",4068532,"title","Council raises transparency concerns after settlement funds tapped from departmental savings","audioSeconds",184,"startMs",2350000,"endMs",2534000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4068532-964515c481300b6e6b6682030b57b01e&start=2350&end=2534","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4068532-964515c481300b6e6b6682030b57b01e/thumbnail_2350000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192592/Buffalo-City/Erie-County/New-York/Council-raises-transparency-concerns-after-settlement-funds-tapped-from-departmental-savings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192592-9e4c2d35d6c56625246ff4ee6718ffcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205167&Signature=fep3HNkqUx1v7Bhonz7x5OSd-EsfR4dV-HMc1sy2VsZOqknlAl2lpugi-ZG4WtaBCvXZPY6vJ5ZJ9ICmVY0jmZt9QdJZ8KcYqtpJyj-Y3W9hgglcNV1-wdZMh-tcSgElcnzwx1AbNiAsZn-1~8gLP6-N5-N48Z0vH48sIHLsmtvxnCP-XkXDIfqUYf3nLZiWs33-0eXaO5fxrMx4UEJqFoxETv-mlKRxxpo1lzDCQCNusJ9gthqoH4vGXLs71yeC~UT4IgSaUXjD4g5XHdy2cEH91rnX6k80mBUeIQ7xVk0BuIvbWZSh~WI1eN38g6ggWQ2hfZnnDgMG~6LtRcpSjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Buffalo City","date","2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","article","Council members pressed the administration on June 16 after the Ortiz settlement (item 12) and a related transfer of funds for a legal settlement payment (item 70) drew attention to how the city identifies and uses contingency savings.

Council member White said she was troubled that settlement dollars repeatedly appear to be found within departmental lines, asking why the council was not informed earlier: “It just seems as though, every time there's some type of need for a settlement... we find the money somewhere.”

The majority leader responded that in caucus the administration had explained the resources for this settlement were drawn from pension savings and vacancies, and that officials said they had known by January about additional resources. The discussion included requests that future budget materials identify such contingencies earlier so council members can communicate with constituents and avoid the appearance of hidden funds.

Item 70, a transfer of funds for a legal settlement payment, was moved and seconded during the meeting; council approved the transfer while members asked for clearer budget detail and earlier disclosure of known savings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Buffalo Council Meeting 6/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","Council members questioned how the Ortiz settlement would be paid, asking why settlement dollars were found in departmental lines and urging earlier notification of available savings; administration staff told members savings from pensions and vacancies had been expected.","taxTitle","Buffalo City, Erie County, New York","taxId",7516,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192597,"Buffalo Common Council adopts ordinance to prohibit sale of ATVs within city",260,1853000,2113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4068532-964515c481300b6e6b6682030b57b01e&start=1853&end=2113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4068532-964515c481300b6e6b6682030b57b01e/thumbnail_1853000.jpg","/articles/6192597/Buffalo-City/Erie-County/New-York/Buffalo-Common-Council-adopts-ordinance-to-prohibit-sale-of-ATVs-within-city","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192597-1c0835623f25055f7ddad8f848235196/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205167&Signature=AYGWMURURkMIJw7zA1xImOqFeWaQznoddYHHDgGkjcpahEO1IjjZFY8Alg~TAx4Nt0YpjVftCf2755WHMUbhiFQetU3pOfzF6HJeT7Szvooxjqq~TVM1wt9bp5bf9cWIpV8gXpY92qFlAgMhrccWRSE7wtzFQ8oFbiZL~U2qaoHtRbdfYS9Sk2zs40vM3faYfNhrgphsuFGeuzD6Xt8XpZEWFP331kp0fW8bT77ZjREtvdkrd9iuoUn~83c8qlqV90d2uS1yyJJAyXXhkE6ztFWI4Bn4zAipGK8yc1qmtBwLwHoigxxEiFIS-pJiHzkphlfe4RP~N1eJyWHNCmTTHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buffalo Common Council adopted legislation on June 16 that prohibits the sale of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) within city limits.

Sponsors said the ordinance builds on prior steps — higher fines, stricter seizure and storage rules, and requirements that owners prove title before vehicles are released — and is intended to address persistent safety issues. One sponsor said, “All terrain vehicles are a threat to public safety,” and described instances of large groups riding on streets and sidewalks.

Council members who supported the measure described repeated incidents on major corridors and waterfront areas and said confiscation and fee structures had not fully stopped the problem. Several members said the measure may not completely eliminate illegal riding but will add a tool to reduce the local market for these vehicles and the businesses that retrofitted or sold them in the city.

Council Member O'Hara seconded the motion. Multiple council members, including Rivera and others, asked to be added as co-sponsors. The ordinance was adopted at the meeting; enforcement details and next steps for city departments will be handled through legislation and administrative guidance.","The council voted to adopt legislation prohibiting the sale of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) within Buffalo city limits, citing public-safety concerns and prior increases to fines and seizure policies.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192602,"Buffalo council split over budget calendar; members call for committee review",695,963000,1658000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4068532-964515c481300b6e6b6682030b57b01e&start=963&end=1658","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4068532-964515c481300b6e6b6682030b57b01e/thumbnail_963000.jpg","/articles/6192602/Buffalo-City/Erie-County/New-York/Buffalo-council-split-over-budget-calendar-members-call-for-committee-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192602-26f8c14f51c89de847dd147071421f20/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205167&Signature=YLKaODXRy79gSW0V3UJDzcMbqpt7tmF7Gpa-UlzMhkJzVbEz8Ji6FCaRKLr5-V0OW3S36dr4NSBki-uDyGyy3RYDC3PQLjKDN4EMqiehIhxLwY9e~FvkcEjdcjWaOYtQnGUnM0GFxH~AbVoEx1UMQCeRajM~Yr4cd0dMwzC9td~sanFjieOh9x-YS3FL4CrSNb537Gc6867YKNyW19QXh7UvERRIxwg~abxkdZbeiNC4pYMWBWcUKgd-iUn4i~iAWH3G6zslLDfN8ilWu1TlP3nIZMGE9Ocv0iYxa7w9FdgXaNNPmq4WnqWEQwtqtFU5fSXRG2EGfULb71TD1Jnf1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on June 16 debated the city’s revised budget schedule after the mayor submitted a budget under an April 8–May 26 timeline this year. Some members urged reverting to the prior May 1–May 21 schedule; others said the longer period increases transparency and provides more opportunities for amendments.

One council member said the extended 49-day period did not increase work or transparency, arguing “3 weeks is more than enough time to sit down and work on the budget,” and called for the topic to be discussed in committee. Council member Ryan countered that a longer window allows greater public engagement and criticized calls to shorten the process as a step back from transparency.

Speakers noted structural constraints from the state budget process. Multiple speakers referenced the city’s baseline state allocation, saying New York State’s contribution to Buffalo has been unchanged for years and citing a baseline of $161,000,000 that the administration expects to remain stable; one speaker also noted a planned $5,000,000 increase tied to a 2024 agreement.

Council members agreed to take the matter to the legislation committee for further review and possible policy recommendations. Several members reminded colleagues that meaningful changes to the mayor’s budget require specific amendment language and votes; adding time alone does not substitute for proposing and passing amendments.","Council members debated the city’s new budget calendar (April 8–May 26) versus the prior May 1–May 21 timeline, with members split over transparency and workload; the matter will be discussed in the legislation committee.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192606,"Buffalo Common Council approves designated developer agreement for Central Terminal",99,499000,598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4068532-964515c481300b6e6b6682030b57b01e&start=499&end=598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4068532-964515c481300b6e6b6682030b57b01e/thumbnail_499000.jpg","/articles/6192606/Buffalo-City/Erie-County/New-York/Buffalo-Common-Council-approves-designated-developer-agreement-for-Central-Terminal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192606-6fc75ea7d9ed3dfa72694fa68f0b015b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205167&Signature=BAO-KHQaKJ0QryOx8-K3HI2Pc0um50YDZSaWoYzfcWgvMF1T4U8UmHukqMJAZSx5nGRkCx2P1fUpx6QD8dEiuXA8fAg9YVoqIzJi3L8lDr6MytCt0MZSXH-XRQxaKmMk3VielhDp4K3giDdpyBUVi6MbwL~s-WlZwBhVAtFHSE1TVI08NhTrYb7W42rMFavlIKQQTFBUFte0mx81zFQld~wwYQvEr-dIrkZyhy2t3XtWUk~ugQQvlBCZvVpUT0cqtAtGxlpD7wkM-G6FtaS2whualpISvg6GDJ-u2ewrbgfe-b9c6Z9C5GpjhfXKnCr92EVtlYT6wKjBfUJtu3Ny9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buffalo Common Council on June 16 approved a designated developer agreement covering properties associated with the Central Terminal, including addresses listed as 59 Memorial and 332 Curtis.

Council member (unnamed) praised the terminal’s architecture and history, calling it “something that could never be replicated,” and said the agreement was a tangible step following what the speaker described as a recent “windfall of state money for an adaptive reuse.”

The item was introduced on the agenda as a designated developer agreement for the Central Terminal and moved forward at the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member Noachowski. Council members spoke about the building’s historic craftsmanship and its cultural importance to the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.

Supporters framed the agreement as both preservation and neighborhood investment. “This day is for [David Fronczak], for a council member that stuck it out when everyone said he was foolish to do so,” the speaker said, referencing the long advocacy for preservation.

The council’s action establishes a formal developer agreement; the city’s remarks indicate state funding is also intended for the project, but the developer agreement itself is the city-level authorization now in place. The council did not vote on project design or financing details at the meeting; staff and future committee reports will address implementation steps and timelines.","The Buffalo Common Council approved a designated developer agreement tied to adaptive reuse of the Central Terminal, a step sponsors called a tangible milestone after state funding commitments.","actionData","errors"]

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