Contact Information Legislative Clerk Administration

Hello and welcome to the official website of the Erie County Legislature.

We are proud to have the opportunity to bring County Government to you using Internet technology. In this electronic age, we now have communication capabilities that we never could have dreamed of when the Legislature first came into existence 30 years ago.

On this site, you will find:

• Historical Reference and Powers of the Legislature
• County Legislators & District Information
• Legislative session schedule, session agendas & minutes
• Legislative committee schedule, committee agendas & reports
• Local Laws
• The County Budget Process
• And much much more!

We hope that you find the Erie County Legislature website useful, and urge you to return often as we consistently update what's happening in your County Government.

* New features will be added to the Erie County Legislature web site regularly. Please check back for updates.

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008

WHAT: Erie County Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy (D-South Buffalo) to welcome Erie County Veterans Outreach Squad program, and, along with Erie County Director of Veterans Service Patrick Welch, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and State Assemblyman Mark Schroeder (D- Buffalo), will honor veterans

WHERE: Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Road, Buffalo

WHEN: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2008

The Veterans' Outreach Squad is comprised of representatives from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 211 Services, the Erie County Officer of Veterans' Affairs and other groups. Services and information for younger veterans, including those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as for older veterans and their families, will be offered. A complimentary breakfast will be served, and all veterans and their families are welcome.

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Kevin J. Hosey at 858-8607.

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008

WHAT: Erie County Legislature to act on the 2008 capital spending at its regular session, according to County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda) and County Legislator Kathy Konst (D-Lancaster, Elma)

WHERE: Erie County Legislature Chambers, Fourth Floor, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo

WHEN: 2 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2008

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Kevin J. Hosey at 858-8607.

MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008

LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

In the Matter of the Application of The Buffalo City Cemetery, Inc.
For Consent to take land for Cemetery Purposes in the County of Erie

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Erie County Legislature will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 12:00 o'clock Noon of that day in the Chambers of the Erie County Legislature, located on the 4th Floor of the Old County Hall, 92 Franklin St., in the City of Buffalo, New York.

The purpose of the Public Hearing is to consider public testimony regarding the proposed purchase by The Buffalo City Cemetery, Inc., a New York cemetery corporation having an address of 1411 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, Erie County, New York (doing business as the “Forest Lawn Group”) from St. Matthews Cemetery Association, an unincorporated religious cemetery association, and St. Matthews United Church of Christ, a New York religious corporation, both having an address of 2644 Clinton Street, West Seneca, New York (collectively, the “St. Matthew's Group”) of the cemetery business known as St. Matthew's Cemetery, including the conveyance of approximately 78 acres of cemetery lands located in West Seneca, New York and the related transfer of the cemetery's care and maintenance funds to The Buffalo City Cemetery, Inc.

The Buffalo City Cemetery, Inc. will make application at a meeting of the Erie County Legislature to be held in the Chambers of the Erie County Legislature, located on the 4th Floor of the Old County Hall, 92 Franklin St., in the City of Buffalo, New York on May 29, 2008 at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon of said day for consent to take by deed the following described real property and related improvements located at 2644 Clinton Street and 180 French Road, West Seneca, Erie County, New York consisting of approximately 78 acres of cemetery land for continued cemetery purposes: tax parcels 124.00-2-12.1; 124.00-7-1.111; 124.00-2-11; 124.11-1-1.1; and 124.10-3-3.1.

Any person interested in the above matter may be heard at said public hearing.

Dated: Buffalo, New York, April 2, 2008.

BY ORDER OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF THE COUNTY OF ERIE, NEW YORK.

By ROBERT M. GRABER, Clerk, Erie County Legislature

APRIL 4, 2008

LEGISLATOR REYNOLDS LAUDS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS SEEKING TO CHANGE THE COUNTY ASSESSMENT REVIEW DATE

The Erie County Legislature overwhelmingly approved resolutions co-sponsored by County Legislator Robert B. Reynolds Jr. (D-Hamburg, Evans) asking the New York State Legislature to allow the county to change when its annual property assessment review hearings are held to coincide with other counties in New York State at its April 3 session.

"These resolutions are asking the New York State Assembly and Senate to enact bills, already introduced in each chamber, to move the assessment review hearings held in early June in Erie County to late May. This would utilize a calendar that is the same as other counties in New York State," Legislator Reynolds said. "Amending the Erie County Tax Act by moving the annual assessment hearings to late May and making other necessary changes will end confusion and allow us to better coordinate assessment reviews and services."

The resolutions, approved by more than a supermajority of the County Legislature, have been sent to the New York State Assembly and Legislature to advocate the prompt approval of these laws. Reynolds was pleased with the bipartisan support of the resolution, which has co-sponsored by County Legislator Minority Leader John Mills (R-Orchard Park).

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008

COUNTY LEGISLATURE CHAIR MARINELLI APPOINTS JENNIFER C. PERSICO AS PART-TIME MAJORITY COUNSEL

Erie County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda) announced that Jennifer C. Persico of Buffalo has been appointed the Majority counsel to the Erie County Legislature.

Persico is a partner at Mosey Persico LLP in Buffalo, a law firm which provides legal services including personal injury litigation, general litigation, corporate law, estates and trusts, municipal law, zoning, residential and commercial closings and collections. A State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law graduate, Persico earned governmental legal experience by serving as the City of Buffalo Assistant Corporation Counsel from February 1999 through September 2000.

She also has legal experience working for law firms such as Webster Szanyi, Sugarman Law Firm and Kenney, Kanaley, Shelton and Liptak, and worked as a law clerk for Gibson, McAskill & Crosby and as a legal assistant for Garvey & Garvey. Her community service has included working as a mentor at the State University at Buffalo Law School, for Kids Voting WNY, Shakespeare in the Park and for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The County Legislature's Majority counsel, just as the Minority counsel, is a part-time position, and receives an annual stipend in the 2008 budget of $22,000 and no benefits.

JANUARY 28, 2008

ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE 2008 MAJOR ITEMS

These are the major action items the Erie County Legislature will address and act on in 2008, according to County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda).

Legislator Marinelli also indicated which standing committees will host the discussion of the items and report back to the full Legislature.

ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE 2008 MAJOR ITEMS

Status and future of ECMCC and impacts on county costs (Health, Human Services Committee)

Home Rule of Sales Tax by February (Finance & Management Committee)

State budget impacts and further requirements or relief from mandates (Finance & Management Committee)

2008 Capital budget (Finance & Management Committee)

Budget Accountability Act implementation (Health, Human Services & Community Enrichment Committees)

Four-year plan revision and ECFSA efficiency grant proposals (Finance & Management Committee)

Inner Harbor Development and economic development areas (Economic Development Committee)

Six Sigma standards and performance-based budgeting (Finance & Management Committee)

Union contracts, and resolution to AFSCME fact finder report (Government Affairs Committee)

Sheriff Department's transportation and housing of prisoners; overtime costs (Public Safety Committee)

Human Services Department reconfigurations (Health, Human Services Committee)

Framework for Regional Growth and planning board local law (Government Affairs Committee)

Parks and beaches maintenance and operations (Energy & Environment Committee)

Help America Vote Act and election systems changes (Government Affairs Committee)

Buffalo Bills lease plans (Economic Development Committee)

Erie Community College operational & capital budget (Community Enrichment Committee)

Library services (Community Enrichment Committee)

Policy with administration on bed tax, road funds, Culturals, tourism (Community Enrichment & Economic Development Committees)

Fund Balance levels and market upgrading for county, and tax lien resolution (Finance & Management Committee)

Records Center for County Clerk (Government Affairs Committee)