Pothole Killer V. DPW

Funding sets up showdown between efficient, ineffective automated repair system and city workers on overtime

Perhaps more importantly, Public Works Crews will be working overtime to use hot asphalt to fill potholes.

That was the major accomplishment of last night’s city council meeting and it passed, $99,600 was allocated to Pothole Killer. The memo from Mayor Restaino stated the amount is about half what is traditionally allocated for the ineffective service.

The Patch Management, Inc. operator will work an 8-hour day and a 40-hour workweek, placing up to 6 tons of aggregate and 120 gallons of spray patching emulsion each day. GPS recordings of all repairs will be provided. The cost of this service is $99,600.00 (approximately half the amount historically paid to this contractor).

In addition, City workers assigned to the DPW Streets Division to supplement the Pothole Killer's efforts by performing hot asphalt patching on our roadways 4 hours per day for 21 days, at a cost of $100,870.00 in overtime.

The two-pronged approach to the pothole crisis was attempted last year but failed to receive council approval because it came before them late and members did not understand the need for overtime. This time it passed 5-0.

Until the asphalt plant opens, city crews will continue using cold patch, a sticky asphalt substance that fills holes temporarily but bounces out as cars pass over restoring treachery in a matter of weeks.

In past years, funding for pothole repairs was always available from Tribal reserves restricted for road projects. However, because the status of New York State's annual payment of casino funds to the City remains uncertain, this year's total pothole repair costs of $200,470.00 will initially be paid from available Tourism funds. The Tourism fund can be reimbursed accordingly should sufficient casino funds be paid to the City at a later date.

In other action:

• Willie Price presented on the Niagara Track and Field Club, a program he started that is making measurable results for youth in summer.
• Kathy Stack provided a presentation on a program called STRIVE (Statewide Targeted Reduction in Intimate Partner Violence) which has made a difference in connecting those who need help with resources.
• John Faso reported on the Gun Involved Violence Elimination task force which has coincided with a meteoric drop in gun violence and shooting deaths in Niagara Falls in cooperation with SNUG. Being proactive makes a big difference in crime prevention. For example when the program started 12 years ago, officers had a list of Top 10 offenders. They could conduct outreach and counseling. The individuals would often not move forth with ill intent. Today that list has but two names on it. There is great science involved, for example, data scientists targeting suspected crime hotspots and coordinating with patrols have statistically shown uniformed officers spending 15 minutes or more in a location make a measurable difference.
• Acting corporate counsel Tom DeBoy gave a lecture on asking the right department for information when sending in a FOIL request. He also pontificated in response to criticism over LED streetlights.
• DeBoy said a foreclosure sale for properties in arrears for city taxes will happen in the Fall at the earliest.
• Speakers for the good of the community ranted about the dog shelter and wondering why there was not yet an RFP.
• Aggressive panhandlers remain a nuisance in multiple locations.
• Finally, potholes still suck and Beech Avenue needs a park.