The Buffalo Common Council intends to vote next week on overturning a mayoral veto over the hours of enforcement for speed zone cameras outside 20 public, private and charter schools.
But at the special session Tuesday, the Council also could vote on a compromise plan if one is submitted by then.
It’s the latest twist in the back-and-forth between the Council and the Brown administration over the city’s School Zone Safety Program.
In March, the Council voted 6-3 to amend the hours of enforcement to 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. instead of during the entire school day. The speed limit would be 30 mph outside those four hours.
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Brown vetoed the change in October.
"On the agenda for the special session we will be voting on overriding the mayor’s veto," said Delaware Council Member Joel P. Feroleto. "However, if a compromise bill is submitted by Tuesday, then the Council could vote on that either for or against it. Regardless of that, Council will vote overriding the veto."
On Monday, the Council was told about a compromise between the administration and the Council that was in the works and would be introduced in time for a vote by the Council at this week's regular meeting.
But the compromise amendment was not filed.
The plan now is for the Council to hold a special session at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
The School Zone Safety Program uses cameras – more than one at some schools – and corresponding flashing beacons to warn drivers when the posted 15 mph limit is in effect. The zones were selected based on accident and traffic data.
The original plan called for enforcement one hour before the start of school through one hour after the close of school and during student activities. When the camera shows vehicle traveling at least 26 mph, the vehicle's registered owner receives a $50 ticket.
The first set of beacons went live March 11, but the program was suspended days later when Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ordered all school buildings in the state closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read the full story by News Staff Reporter Tim O'Shei
A supermajority of six Council members is needed to overturn the mayor's veto.
Buffalo Public Schools, the Buffalo Teachers Federation and other organizations and parent groups support the original hours of enforcement. They contend children are dropped off and picked up all day; teachers take youngsters on walks and trips throughout the school day; and many high school students' schedules have them traveling to and from school all day.
But some community members have said during public meetings that the all-day enforcement is simply a money grab by the city and that arrival and departure times should be the focus.
Meanwhile, five of the camera monitoring zones have been in effect at schools that reopened in September.
