What's happening
This bill requires that at least one member of Buffalo's water board be a member or designee of the common council.
Why it matters
Increases Common Council Oversight. By requiring at least one water board member to be a current council member or their designee, the bill gives the city’s legislative body a direct voice in water board decisions, potentially improving alignment with public interests and local priorities.
Potential for Greater Accountability. Having a council member on the board could improve transparency and accountability, as they are directly answerable to the public and can relay constituent concerns about water policy and management.
Changes Board Dynamics. The presence of a council member may shift the balance of power and influence within the board, possibly affecting how decisions are made about rates, infrastructure, and service.
Builds Stronger Link Between City Government and Water Management. This change could foster better coordination between the water board and other city functions, making it easier to address cross-cutting issues like infrastructure planning, environmental concerns, and emergency response.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Council Member on Water Board
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1793
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 13, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PEOPLES-STOKES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring at least one member of the water board of the city of Buffalo be a member of the common council of such city
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 1048-f of the public authorities law, as added by chapter 796 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
2. The water board shall consist of seven members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the common council of the city. Terms of office of the members shall be two years except that the terms of four of the board members first appointed shall be one year. At least one member shall have experience in the science of water resource development. No member shall be a director of the authority. At least one member shall be a member of the common council or designated by such council. The mayor shall appoint a [chairman] chairperson from among the members of the board. All members shall continue to hold office until their successors are appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. Vacancies, occurring otherwise than by expiration of term of office, shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments for the unexpired terms.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to the next vacancy, expiration of term or appointment made to the water board of the city of Buffalo.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03612-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.