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Thread: 2012 Lackawanna City Council Agendas/Business

  1. #31
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    Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the LCDC do this or was set up to do so? If so why have another layer of government. Does the Director of Development work with the LCDC or is it still considered the "enemy" as it was under Polanski who killed this fine organization?

  2. #32
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    Post Hmmmm......

    Quote Originally Posted by bluethunder View Post
    Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the LCDC do this or was set up to do so? If so why have another layer of government. Does the Director of Development work with the LCDC or is it still considered the "enemy" as it was under Polanski who killed this fine organization?
    You are definitely onto something bluethunder!
    I believe the "bridges have been mended", but.........again, OUR City is 2x2, doesn't even fit into a pocket of the East-side of Buffalo.
    You are right, WHY another layer of bureaucracy?!? Why can't all the layers in Lackawanna manage our own blight?

  3. #33
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    Post Land Bank Corp. vs LCDC.............Hmmmmmmm 2 non-for-profit

    AGENDA
    COUNCIL MEETING
    COUNCIL CHAMBERS
    MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2012
    Meeting called to order/Pledge of Allegiance
    NB: Meeting being recorded.
    Roll Call: Noman, Kulczyk, Lewis, Pirowski
    Dept.Heads : Law, Public Works, Public Safety, Recreation, Development
    Hearings from Citizens:
    Approval of Minutes: of regular meeting of March 5, 2012
    Departmental Reports:
    1.City Clerk - Monthly report for February 2012.
    2.City Compt – AP Check Listing #26, February 29, 2012.
    3.City Compt. – Statement of Cond. Of Approp . as of February 29, 2012.
    4.City Treas. – Receipts deposited into General Fund, February, 2012.

    Communications from the Mayor:

    Mayor Szymanski – requests Council approval on resolution authorizing the creation of the Buffalo-Erie-Niagara Land Improvement Cooperation and Intergovernmental coopeation agreement with Erie County .


    Mayor Szymanski – requests Council approval of resolution allowing the city to seek Community Development Block Grant funding for resurfacing of Ingham and demolition of 61 and 235-237 Ingham Avenue .

    Communications from the Council:

    Council Member Noman – requests Council approval of resolution appointing Council President Pirowski as a Marriage Officer for the City of Lackawanna .

    Communications from Department/Division Heads:

    Commissioner of Public Works – recommends Council award bid for mowing and landscaping to the two lowest bidders, Emerald Dunes, and VIP Property Maintenance.

    City Assessor – advises Council on purchase offer from Tony Catuzza to purchase 2646 Hamburg Turnpike. It is my recommendation to sell for $8000 plus all closing costs.

    Communications from the Citizens:
    Kathleen Kaminski, Inter Parish Committee – requests permission to speak at the Council meeting regarding safety issues at Melroy and Ridge Roads.

    Resolutions:

    A resolution appointing Council President Pirowski as a Marriage Officer for the city of Lackawanna, term not to exceed four years.

    A resolution authorizing the mayor to enter and execute agreement with Erie County of allocating CDBG funding for the pavement replacement of Ingham Avenue and Demoliton of 61 and 235-237 Ingham Avenue.

    A resolution authorizing the creation of the Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corporation and execution of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Erie County and other foreclosing government units in Erie and Niagara Counties . (Land Bank Act)

    Ordinance:

    An ordinance transferring $16,000 from Code A1010.101, Council Clerk to account A1410.101, City Clerk to provide for funding of position of Deputy City Clerk


    I bet the jobs created in the new "Land-Bank" non-for-profit are in the grab-bag-----free for all to who has the most jobs in their family at this very moment.

    They will be vying for:
    *Executive Director
    *Deputy " "
    *Board of Directors
    *Secretaries
    *Receptionists
    *Custodial Staff
    *Property Management crew ie.Grass Cutters/Snow Removal
    *Consultants, Lawyers, Inspectors, Architects, Engineers, etc.,etc.,etc.! Cha-Ching!Cha-Ching! More government and less money in people's pockets to foot the bill for this so-called NON-FOR-PROFIT duplication of public services??!!??

  4. #34
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    Mayor Szymanski – requests Council approval of resolution allowing the city to seek Community Development Block Grant funding for resurfacing of Ingham and demolition of 61 and 235-237 Ingham Avenue .

    Why is CDBG money being used for paving streets? Isn't that what the recent bond was for? Why isn't this money being set aside for development or demolition in the first and second ward? I thought we were in a new ERA? Time to start re-thinking how we spend this money!

  5. #35
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    Post ????????? Some "Transparency" in good ole' boy Lackawanna.......!

    Where is it? I can't even find the REGULARLY scheduled, Monday April 16, 2012 Council Meeting Agenda!?!
    Geoff told me he has a "NEW" LA website but I can't even find that.......anyone know where to find the "UP-COMING" Lackawanna City Council's Agendas? The School's too.
    Unless you are part of the in-crowd........

    From the NYS-Dept. of State web:
    DOS Home
    Committee Home
    Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
    Open Meetings Law (OML)
    News All Committee News »● February 2012 - Questions and Answers
    Regarding Records Discussed at Open
    Meetings
    ● Effective February 2, 2012:
    Disclosure of Records Scheduled for
    Discussion at Open Meetings
    ● February, 2012 - Recent Decision
    -
    Motions for Executive Session
    ● 2011 Annual Report to the Governor
    and State Legislature
    Searches
    ● FOIL Advisory Opinions
    ● OML Advisory Opinions
    ● Case Law Summaries:
    ● FOIL
    ● OML --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Valuable Resources--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Open Meetings Law/
    FOIL Educational Videos



    Effective February 2, 2012: Disclosure of Records Scheduled for Discussion at Open Meetings

    Members of the public have on many occasions complained that they cannot fully understand discussions among members of public bodies, even though the discussions occur in public. For example, a board member might refer to the second paragraph of page 3 of a record without disclosing its content prior to the meeting. Although the public has the right to be present, the ability to understand or contribute to the decision-making process may be minimal and frustrating.

    Effective February 2, 2012, a new section 103(e) is added to the Open Meetings Law. The purpose of the legislation is simple: those interested in the work of public bodies should have the ability, within reasonable limitations, to see the records scheduled to be discussed during open meetings prior to the meetings. The language of the amendment appears in the text of the Open Meetings Law.

    The amendment addresses two types of records: first, those that are required to be made available pursuant to FOIL; and second, proposed resolutions, law, rules, regulations, policies or amendments thereto. When either is scheduled to be discussed during an open meeting, the law requires that they be made available to the public, to the extent practicable, either prior to or at the meeting.
    To comply with the new provisions, copies of records must be made available to the public prior to or at the meeting for a reasonable fee, or by posting them online prior to the meeting. The amendment authorizes an agency to determine when and what may be “practicable” in making records available.

    It is important to stress that the amendment involves an effort to take advantage of today’s information technology to promote transparency and citizens’ participation in government, and to reduce waste. If the agency in which a public body functions (i.e., a state department, a county, city, town, village or school district) “maintains a regularly and routinely updated website and utilizes a high speed internet connection,” the records described above that are scheduled to be discussed in public “shall be posted on the website to the extent practicable as determined by the agency…”

    Posting records online can reduce an agency’s costs associated with requests made under FOIL. Staff does not have spend time retrieving paper records, photocopying the records, or carrying out the administrative tasks involved with charging fees for copies.

    The phrase quoted twice in section 103(e), “to the extent practicable as determined by the agency”, is intended to ensure that the amendment is implemented reasonably and without undue burden or cost to an agency. Many units of government are small and lack information technology resources or the knowledge or expertise to implement the new provision. If that is so, and they do not have the ability to give effect to the amendment with reasonable effort, they are not required to do so. In recognition of fiscal realities, the new provision specifies that an agency “may, but shall not be required to, expend additional moneys to implement the provisions of this subdivision.”

    In the “News” section of this website, there is a link to a report prepared for the Committee on Open Government that may be especially useful to governmental entities that have neither the resources nor the expertise to give effect to the amendment. Entitled “Evaluating the Importance of Technology and the Role of Information Providers within Local Governments in New York”, the report offers guidance that may enable those entities to gain the knowledge and resources needed to do so at minimal cost.

    It is emphasized that the potential obligation to make records available on request or online is limited to records that are “scheduled to be the subject of a discussion” during an open meeting. If there is a basis for conducting an executive session, a portion of a meeting that may be closed, records scheduled to be discussed during the executive session would not be required to be disclosed. Further, if, for example, a proposed policy offered by the head of an agency, a mayor, a town supervisor or a superintendent of schools was preceded by recommendations or opinions expressed by staff or members of a public body, those recommendations, opinions or similar materials fall outside the coverage of the amendment and (may but) need not be disclosed [see FOIL, section 87(2)(g)].

    Through the disclosure of records scheduled to be discussed during open meetings, the public can gain the ability to better understand and appreciate the issues faced by government. Interested and civic-minded citizens can offer information and points of view that can assist in improving the operation of government to the benefit of our communities.

    I guess LA does NOT consider itself to be in New York State.........!

  6. #36
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    AGENDA
    COUNCIL MEETING
    MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

    COUNCIL CHAMBERS
    www.lackawannany.gov
    Meeting called to order/Pledge of Allegiance
    NB: Meeting being recorded.
    Hearings from Citizens:
    Approval of Minutes of regular meeting of April 16, 2012.
    Departmental Reports:
    1. City Compt. – AP Check Listing #32, April 12, 2012
    2. City Compt. – AP Check Listing #33, April 19, 2012
    3. City Compt. – AP Check Listing #34, April 26, 2012.
    4. City Compt. – AP Check Listing #35, April 30, 2012.
    5. City Clerk – Monthly report for April 2012.
    6. City Treas. – receipts deposited into general fund, April 2012
    Communications from Department/Division Heads:
    7. Mayor Szymanski – Executive Order #7, 2012 – appointment of Jonathan Haux as
    Director of Parks and Recreation.
    Communications from Department/Division Heads:
    8. City Comptroller – submits for council approval of standard work day reporting for
    employees and elected officials as required by NYS and Local retirement system.
    9. City Attorney – requests Council approval of resolution regarding cancellation of tax
    liens. (ECIDA)
    10. City Attorney – advises Council of court proceedings which directs the city to make the
    Bocce Court available for school board elections.
    Resolutions:
    A resolution calling for the cancellation of tax liens (ECIDA)

  7. #37
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    Post

    Quote Originally Posted by andreahaxton View Post
    AGENDA
    COUNCIL MEETING
    MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

    COUNCIL CHAMBERS
    www.lackawannany.gov
    Meeting called to order/Pledge of Allegiance
    NB: Meeting being recorded.
    Hearings from Citizens:
    Approval of Minutes of regular meeting of April 16, 2012.
    Departmental Reports:
    1. City Compt. – AP Check Listing #32, April 12, 2012
    2. City Compt. – AP Check Listing #33, April 19, 2012
    3. City Compt. – AP Check Listing #34, April 26, 2012.
    4. City Compt. – AP Check Listing #35, April 30, 2012.
    5. City Clerk – Monthly report for April 2012.
    6. City Treas. – receipts deposited into general fund, April 2012
    Communications from Department/Division Heads:
    7. Mayor Szymanski – Executive Order #7, 2012 – appointment of Jonathan Haux as
    Director of Parks and Recreation.
    Communications from Department/Division Heads:
    8. City Comptroller – submits for council approval of standard work day reporting for
    employees and elected officials as required by NYS and Local retirement system.
    9. City Attorney – requests Council approval of resolution regarding cancellation of tax
    liens. (ECIDA)
    10. City Attorney – advises Council of court proceedings which directs the city to make the
    Bocce Court available for school board elections.
    Resolutions:
    A resolution calling for the cancellation of tax liens (ECIDA)
    Communities » Lackawanna
    Lackawanna
    News Staff Reports

    Published:May 6, 2012, 12:00 AM

    The Lackawanna City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers to discuss a resolution to cancel tax liens against property owned by the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. The resolution is being submitted to the Council for approval by City Attorney Norman LeBlanc Jr.

    Mayor Geoffrey Szymanski also is asking the Council to sign off on his newest appointment, Jonathan Haux, as director of parks and recreation. Haux would succeed longtime parks and recreation director Angelo Iafallo, who retired.

  8. #38
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    Post Where did the 2010 Ford Ranger PURCHASE approval come from? Date? Council Approve?

    AGENDA
    COUNCIL MEETING
    MONDAY JUNE 4, 2012
    www.lackawannany.gov
    Meetng called to order/Pledge of Allegiance
    NB: Meetng being recorded.
    Roll Call: Council: Noman, Darch, Kulczyk, Lewis, Pirowski
    Dept Heads: Law, Public Works, Public Safety, Recreaton, Development
    Hearing from Citzens:
    Approval of Minutes: of regular meetng of May 21, 2012
    Department Reports:
    1. City Compt. – AP Check Listng #37, May 14, 2012
    2. City Compt. – AP Check Listng #38, May 17, 2012
    3. City Compt. - AP Check Listng #39, May 24, 2012
    Communicatons from the Mayor:
    4. Mayor Szymanski – requests Council approval of resoluton renaming Gates Avenue
    as honorary “ Luis Mata Way.”
    5. Mayor Szymanski – questons Council’s acton of removing ordinance submited by
    City Atorney from the last agenda, cites Municipal Code.
    6. Mayor Szymanski - Informs Council of the “Sponsor a Kid Day” for the Lackawanna
    Festval, requests Council and department heads to meet his challenge of sponsoring
    two children, cost is $18.00 per child.
    7. Mayor Szymanski – advises Council Member Lewis that he was informed that Council
    members can not serve on the planning board, apologizes for his error, this making
    Council Member Lewis ineligible to serve on such board.
    Communicaton from the Council:
    8.. Council Member Lewis - requests approval to sell 2008 Ford Escape and 2010 Ford
    Ranger .

    9. Council Member Noman- requests City Atorney obtain a court order for demoliton
    of various propertes.

    Communicatons from Department/Division Heads:
    10. City Atorney - submits ordinances amending Chapter 43, Procurement Policy.
    11. City Clerk – requests Council receive and fle various tabled items over 60 day limit.
    12. City Assessor – recommends that the City Council does not allow the sale of 32
    Ingham for $500.
    13. City Assessor- - recommends that the City Council does not allow the sale of 207
    Center St for $500.
    14. City Assessor- recommends that the City Council does not allow the sale of 48
    Steelawanna for $1000.
    15. Director of Public Safety - requests the sale of 2 police vehicles
    16. City Assessor - submits for Council approval the Current and Adjusted Base Proportons
    for city and school district.
    17. City Assessor - recommends that the City Council does not allow the sale of 31 Holland
    for $500.
    18. City Assessor - recommends that the City Council does not allow the sale of Swan St
    parcel for $1000 as this parcel is a paper street and is access to rear of Wilmuth
    property.
    19. City Assessor - recommends the parcel of land located at 4 Joseph Ct for $20,000 plus
    closing cost.
    Communicatons from Citzens
    20. Elaine Rivers – request permission to block of Washington St between Steelawanna
    and Wilkesbarre St on June 30, 2012 from 11 am to 6 pm.

    20. Elaine Rivers – request permission to block of Washington St between Steelawanna
    and Wilkesbarre St on June 30, 2012 from 11 am to 6 pm.
    21. Hard Entertainment Summer Basketball Program– request assistance with the
    Summer Basketball Program
    22. John Ingram – request permission for a parade from the baseball feld to Taggart Park
    on July 28, 2012 startng at 10:00 am during the City of Lackawanna Community Fun
    Days and use of staging for the band.
    23. Danielle Huber – requests to address the Council regarding the Bethlehem Steel bldg.
    24. Entertainment Licenses:
    Sages 3rd Base – 1213 Ridge Rd – Class 1 live music - $50.00
    Lake Erie Co-op Society – 3200 South Park – Class 1 – live music = $50.00
    Bokans Pub – 2847 South Park – Class 1 - live music - $50.00
    Bears Den – 2048 Abbot Road – Class 1 – live music - $50.00
    Post 63 – 144 Kirby – Class 2 – mechanical reproducton - $25.00
    Ordinances:
    1. Amend Chapter 43 City of Lackawanna Municipal Code, Procurement Policy Secton 43-2
    2. Amend Chapter 43 City of Lackawanna Municipal Code, Procurement Policy Secton 43-3
    Resolutons:
    A resoluton calling for the honorary renaming of Gates Ave to Luis Mata

  9. #39
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    Post Does ANYBODY care...................?

    City Council Budget Work Session
    Category: Featured News | Posted On: June 3rd, 2012
    The City Council of the City of Lackawanna will hold a work session regarding the operating budget of the City of Lackawanna for the fiscal years 2012 – 2013. The work session will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 6:00 pm in the council chambers of Lackawanna City Hall, 714 Ridge Road, Lackawanna, New York. The work session is open to the public.

  10. #40
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    Post Please .............This is extremely imporant!

    City Council Budget Work Session
    Category: Featured News | Posted On: June 3rd, 2012
    The City Council of the City of Lackawanna will hold a work session regarding the operating budget of the City of Lackawanna for the fiscal years 2012 – 2013. The work session will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 6:00 pm in the council chambers of Lackawanna City Hall, 714 Ridge Road, Lackawanna, New York. The work session is open to the public.

  11. #41
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    Post Hmmmm......

    § 12.10 Council action; appropriation and tax levy.


    [Amended by L.L. No. 3-1982; L.L. No. 1-1990]

    Upon receiving the budget documents, the Council shall forthwith take up the Mayor's recommendations, and may conduct public hearings thereon. It shall consider, review, and, as it deems necessary, revise the Mayor's budget; provided that it may not increase the total proposed expenditures without the affirmative vote of four members of the Council. On or before June 10 of each year, the Council shall by ordinance adopt the current expense and capital budgets for the ensuing fiscal year. The budget will be deemed finally adopted on said date, unless the Mayor vetoes same pursuant to Chapter 4, § 4.4 of the Charter, in which event, the budget will be deemed finally adopted when the procedures specified in Chapter 4, § 4.4 have been concluded. The expense budget shall constitute an appropriation of the sums shown therein for the purposes specified and shall also constitute a tax levy of the amount shown therein as required to be raised by taxation on real property, as of the August 1 next following the date of final adoption thereof as determined by this section.
    ************************************************** ************************************************** *************************************

    OK.......
    We were told that there WILL be a PUBLIC HEARING on the new City of Lackawanna Budget/Tax Levy appropriation.........today is June 5........Council MUST vote in new OUR City Budget by June 10.......by LAW.

    They are holding a " work session " on OUR BUDGET tonight, NOT a PUBLIC HEARING!

    FYI:

    Joe and Jane Public are NOT allowed to speak at a " work session "........just allowed to observe. Why the change in format of what we were told after the last Council meeting back in May? Hmmmmmmmmmmm!
    I realize the key word is " may " in the local law.....but whose BUDGET is it actually? It would behoove the Council to have public comment, regarding their fiduciary responsibilities to us, don't you think? This is the crux of their job duties......approve and monitor the spending!
    Or maybe you like those chunky pay-raises for the family and friends, some who are already getting fat government checks with Cadillac benes?!?

    When does the public get input on what they are paying for? And why does the LA School District give out a free copy of their Budget and the City charge appr. $15.00/copy for? City of Buffalo Budget is on-line for the WORLD to view.....WHY NOT Lackawanna? It is 2012, not 1982. Hmmmm........
    We were promised transparency, remember?!? Council I have faith in you all that you really want to do the right thing for the citizens of Lackawanna. The non-political, trusting folks who are not into the poli-tricks and deals that go on inside the orange crate. Please protect their hard-earned money, please.

    SECTION 12:10 of the Lackawanna City LAW should be changed to read: " and MUST conduct public hearings thereon. "
    Are we a fiefdom or a democratic society in Lackawanna, NY?!?

    Just analyzing what is presented to us and keeping it real.

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    Is our mayor and council crazy?

    Proposed budget adds 7 employees, hikes homestead tax rate

    By Jay Tokasz

    News Staff Reporter

    Published:June 8, 2012, 12:00 AM
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    Updated: June 8, 2012, 6:55 AM

    Advertisement

    Lackawanna Mayor Geoffrey M. Szymanski’s proposed $24.5 million budget for 2012-13 would expand the city’s payroll by adding a police officer, two firefighters and four public works employees.

    The proposed budget is an increase of $1.2 million over the current budget — although it would take in fewer dollars from city taxpayers and take advantage of a state offer to advance the city $2.6 million in state aid for the coming fiscal year.

    The budget also shifts more of the property tax burden to city homeowners in an effort to ease taxes on businesses and spur commercial growth.

    The move would increase the city’s homestead tax rate by 7.7 percent, to $13.33 per $1,000.

    Meanwhile, the nonhomestead rate would decrease by 10.7 percent, to $31.65 per $1,000.

    The total tax levy would go down by $356,510 to $8.6 million. The current tax levy is about $8.9 million.

    The tax burden shift already was approved Monday by the City Council, which expects to sign off on a final budget during a special meeting at 8 a.m. Saturday.

    “It has to be done eventually because if we don’t do it now, we’re not going to have any businesses around to tax,” Szymanski said of the homestead shift. “The business tax structure right now not only does not entice businesses to come here, it suffocates the businesses that are already here.”

    Szymanski noted that most area municipalities do not offer different property tax rates for residential and commercial properties.

    “The bottom line is we have the lowest median income of the surrounding communities and the highest business taxes,” said Council President Henry R. Pirowski, adding that small businesses find it difficult if not impossible to locate in the city. “This is something that’s been put off for far too long. We don’t have much more time to put off these decisions.”

    For a home assessed at $100,000, the rate increase would amount to about $92.

    A business assessed at $100,000, meanwhile, would see a property tax decrease of about $380.

    The shift also will apply to the Lackawanna City School District property taxes for 2012-13 — meaning homeowners will face a significantly larger overall property tax bill, while business owners will notice sizable savings.

    Szymanski said he wanted to hire two firefighters to help combat the accumulation of huge overtime tabs in the department, which could end up more than $200,000 over budget for the current fiscal year, ending July 31.

    The mayor said the city’s Department of Public Works was decimated by budget cuts in 2010-11, and he told Council members in a letter that the city “would have been crippled” by a major snowfall this past winter because of depleted staff in the department.

    Szymanski also proposed an $11,000 raise for the city’s assistant attorney—as a way to save money by keeping more legal work in-house, rather than hiring outside counsel.

    The mayor will have the opportunity to veto changes in the budget made by the Council. The Council then can override mayoral vetoes with a vote of four of the five members.

    A final budget must be in place by June 30.

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    So they want to lessen business taxes, but they are raising taxes on business 10% anyway, while hiking up property taxes for homeowners? Whenever I get disgusted with Lackawanna politics (which is often) I tell myself, at least our taxes aren't bad (at least in the 2nd ward) but between the flood insurance and a tax increase there is going to be virtually no difference between living here or upgrading to West Seneca or Hamburg.

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    Thumbs down

    Quote Originally Posted by jenrose66 View Post
    So they want to lessen business taxes, but they are raising taxes on business 10% anyway, while hiking up property taxes for homeowners? Whenever I get disgusted with Lackawanna politics (which is often) I tell myself, at least our taxes aren't bad (at least in the 2nd ward) but between the flood insurance and a tax increase there is going to be virtually no difference between living here or upgrading to West Seneca or Hamburg.
    ************************************************** ************************************************** **************************


    Lackawanna Mayor Geoffrey M. Szymanski’s proposed $24.5 million budget for 2012-13 would expand the city’s payroll by adding a police officer, two firefighters and four public works employees.

    The proposed budget is an increase of $1.2 million over the current budget — although it would take in fewer dollars from city taxpayers and take advantage of a state offer to advance the city $2.6 million in state aid for the coming fiscal year.

    The budget also shifts more of the property tax burden to city homeowners in an effort to ease taxes on businesses and spur commercial growth.

    The move would increase the city’s homestead tax rate by 7.7 percent, to $13.33 per $1,000.

    Meanwhile, the nonhomestead rate would decrease by 10.7 percent, to $31.65 per $1,000.

    The total tax levy would go down by $356,510 to $8.6 million. The current tax levy is about $8.9 million.

    The tax burden shift already was approved Monday by the City Council, which expects to sign off on a final budget during a special meeting at 8 a.m. Saturday.

    “It has to be done eventually because if we don’t do it now, we’re not going to have any businesses around to tax,” Szymanski said of the homestead shift. “The business tax structure right now not only does not entice businesses to come here, it suffocates the businesses that are already here.”

    Szymanski noted that most area municipalities do not offer different property tax rates for residential and commercial properties.

    “The bottom line is we have the lowest median income of the surrounding communities and the highest business taxes,” said Council President Henry R. Pirowski, adding that small businesses find it difficult if not impossible to locate in the city. “This is something that’s been put off for far too long. We don’t have much more time to put off these decisions.”

    For a home assessed at $100,000, the rate increase would amount to about $92.


    A business assessed at $100,000, meanwhile, would see a property tax decrease of about $380.





    A final budget must be in place by June 30.

    Buffalo News Comments:


    At a time when most state and municipal governments are cutting back on the number of employees, our Mayor wants to increase the payroll? City population is declining, and yet he wants to add police and firemen and increase taxes on residents? I moved to Florida to avoid taxes but kept a house in Lackawanna for rental and personal reasons. Time to reassess that. One also wonders what political payback this Mayor is making by increasing the payroll and the salary of the part-time attorney. More of the same out my hometown. Doesn't make me feel bad about moving, now to cut all ties.
    VINCENT SCARSELLA, DAVENPORT, FL on Fri Jun 8, 2012 at 08:20 AM

    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

    This is just the start of it too........BIG money at the expense of the already struggling citizens!
    Rent will soon increase for renters too due to this increase passed on!
    Why not move to West Seneca............ at least they do not have people roll their eyes at them when they say where they are from!

    We need a new City Hall.....who will pay for it now?

    Another "political payback" Budget if I ever saw one!

    Vote NO Council Members......NO!

    BTW.....what businesses are chomping at our door.......please share with us citizens.....

  15. #45
    Member andreahaxton's Avatar
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    Post Thank You.

    Quote Originally Posted by andreahaxton View Post
    ************************************************** ************************************************** **************************

    Lackawanna Mayor Geoffrey M. Szymanski’s proposed $24.5 million budget for 2012-13 would expand the city’s payroll by adding a police officer, two firefighters and four public works employees.

    The proposed budget is an increase of $1.2 million over the current budget — although it would take in fewer dollars from city taxpayers and take advantage of a state offer to advance the city $2.6 million in state aid for the coming fiscal year.

    The budget also shifts more of the property tax burden to city homeowners in an effort to ease taxes on businesses and spur commercial growth.

    The move would increase the city’s homestead tax rate by 7.7 percent, to $13.33 per $1,000.

    Meanwhile, the nonhomestead rate would decrease by 10.7 percent, to $31.65 per $1,000.

    The total tax levy would go down by $356,510 to $8.6 million. The current tax levy is about $8.9 million.

    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

    This is just the start of it too........BIG money at the expense of the already struggling citizens!
    Rent will soon increase for renters too due to this increase passed on!
    Why not move to West Seneca............ at least they do not have people roll their eyes at them when they say where they are from!

    We need a new City Hall.....who will pay for it now?

    Another "political payback" Budget if I ever saw one!

    Vote NO Council Members......NO!

    BTW.....what businesses are chomping at our door.......please share with us citizens.....
    ************************************************** *****************************
    Communities » Lackawanna
    Lackawanna

    Showdown looms over city budget

    By Jay Tokasz
    News Staff Reporter
    Published:June 12, 2012, 12:00 AM

    The Lackawanna City Council has rejected many of Mayor Geoffrey M. Szymanski’s budget initiatives, including expansion of the city’s payroll, setting up a potential showdown over the 2012-13 budget.

    The Council on Saturday unanimously adopted a budget of $23.6 million — or $816,965 less than the $24.4 million Szymanski proposed spending.

    “The majority of this difference can be found in the reduction of additional personnel proposed in departments that we believe are not necessary and the city cannot afford,” Council members said in a letter to Szymanski.

    The Council eliminated the proposed hires of four public works employees and a police officer, while also dramatically trimming the salaries of two part-time department heads.

    Szymanski has 10 days to review the budget and decide if he will veto any of the changes.

    The mayor in an interview Monday said he was surprised by the Council’s actions, especially the moves to reduce the salaries of longtime department heads Thomas Love, who serves as commissioner of public works, and Robert Marciniak, city comptroller.

    Both Love and Marciniak retired and began earning pensions but continued in their posts on a part-time basis, earning less than $30,000 per year in city salary.

    Critics have cited the arrangement as a classic case of double dipping, but former Mayor Norman Polanski staunchly defended the deal as a break for taxpayers, saying the city received experienced leadership at less than half the cost of a full-time department head.

    Szymanski retained Love and Marciniak following his election last November.

    But the Council decided to reduce their salaries to $10,000.

    The mayor labeled those moves “reckless.” Love already works 40 to 60 hours per week for part-time pay, Szymanski said.

    “To expect him to work for that much sounds like they just want him out,” he said.

    The mayor also criticized the Council for scheduling a meeting at 8 a.m. Saturday to adopt the budget, when they’ve had his proposal in hand since May 10.

    The budget was adopted 5-0 without discussion and the meeting was over within moments of the pledge of allegiance. This budget process is Szymanski’s first as mayor.

    “What I find most disturbing is they presented the budget at 7:59 when the meeting was scheduled for 8 a.m. So much for transparency,” Szymanski said. “We tried telling them it was not a reasonable time to meet.”

    The Council, which was required by City Charter to adopt a budget by Sunday, met last Tuesday in a lengthy work session, during which they discussed the mayor’s spending plan line by line. Some Council members expressed skepticism of the hiring proposals at the work session.

    The Council did go along with the mayor’s proposal to hire two new firefighters to help reduce overtime in the department. The department is on pace to exceed its overtime budget this year by more than $250,000.

    The mayor said the hires in public works and the police would have restored those departments to their full capacities.

    The mayor said he will review the council’s adopted budget.

    jtokasz@buffnews.com
    ************************************************** ************************************************** *****************************
    Great move Council!
    Thanks for having the Citizens who live here backs! I realize it is hard on businesses ......but thank goodness the Council has the guts to stand up to a political payback budget.............it was way too large of a tax shift to put onto the backs of Citizens......half of whom live in neighborhoods deemed " blighted " by NYS!

    Just keeping it real.
    Is he going to VETO it now is the question?!? Geoff, please, just go along with the Council's Budget...it would behoove your administration. People will NOT forget.
    P.S.
    Thank goodness the " double dippers---one of them is a TRIPLE DIPPER" and the Mayor's cousin, are exposed for their .............!!!!! Working 40-60 hours a week??? Please!

    " Both Love and Marciniak retired and began earning pensions but continued in their posts on a part-time basis, earning less than $30,000 per year in city salary.
    "
    Who are they kidding?!?
    Because of their age, retired status, and already collecting their fat monthly retirement checks.......NYS LAW does NOT allow them to earn more than $30,000/year until they reach 70 or somewhere there about...........or I bet they would because they have an " I deserve it family and friends, " grab-it attitude!
    The part-time retired Comptroller stated publicly that ALL of the retired Dept. Heads only work 19 hours/week for their $30,000/yr.......and one has had a take home vehicle to Hamburg for 8 1/2 years........what is with that?!?
    Again.....Thank You Council!

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