BUFFALO, N.Y. — Even though the Thanksgiving snow forecast shifted, the focus of the Buffalo Common Council hasn't.
Councilmembers spent over 90-minutes Tuesday questioning city commissioners about the 68-page snow plan that was released on October 31.
Lawmakers wanted clarification on several parts of the plan they felt lacked context in the written plan.
"What is it about warming centers that we keep talking about that is going to help us with a blizzard, if no one can get to them?" asked Masten District Councilman, Ulysses O. Wingo Sr.
'"We have been trying to identify people who live in an area who are near to warming shelters," Director of Citizen Services for the city, Oswaldo Mestre, said.
Another aspect of the snow plan, and emergency management overall is the organization chart for an emergency.
South District Councilman, Christopher Scanlon, asked "Who's in command?" and "What's the structure?"
Scanlon wanted clarification as to when new emergency manager ,Thomas Luby, would take command of an emergency incident. Buffalo Fire Commissioner, William Renaldo, nor Luby clarified the hierarchy of command during an emergency.
Delaware District Councilman, Joel Feroleto, was concerned about the city losing contractors during an emergency to Erie County.
"Is our rate in line with the county?" Feroleto asked. "Because I just don't want to see a situation where the storm comes the county's paying twice what we're paying."
Buffalo Department of Public Works Commissioner, Nate Marton, said the city is not matching what the county pays, but rather is "certainly in good alignment."
Many councilmembers left the meeting feeling like they really didn't learn anything new about the snow plan or how the administration will execute it when an emergency happens.
"It just didn't seem like it was cohesive, it didn't seem like it was genuine," University District Councilman, Rasheed N.C. Wyatt, said. "It didn't seem like there was a sense of urgency."
Perhaps the most direct exchange happened between outgoing Council President, Darius Pridgen, and Emergency Manager, Thomas Luby.
"You were hired because of your expertise. The folks who put it together don't even have the expertise that you have. Is there anything immediately that you feel needs to be added?" Pridgen asked.
"No, I don't think so at all," Luby said.
"I'm disappointed," Pridgen replied.
Luby said "sorry" to Pridgen.
Councilman Wyatt expects the council will recall the commissioners again for further context about the snow plan.
"At the end of the day, as I said, if someone was watching this, they're not feeling warm and fuzzy," Wyatt said. "They're still concerned. And I think that's a bad look for the city."
The next Common Council Community Development meeting is December 5.