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Council committee backs NYSERDA and DOT funds for EV pilot, asks administration for an EV infrastructure plan
Summary
The finance committee approved accepting state and federal funds for electric-vehicle fleet pilot vehicles and charging infrastructure, while council members pressed the administration to deliver a written EV-charging and micromobility policy and timeline for implementation.
The Buffalo City Committee on Finance voted to accept state and federal awards to launch a small electric-vehicle pilot and to support charging infrastructure but members pressed for an administration plan and a public-education campaign before rolling out bikes and other shared mobility options.
Acting Commissioner of Administration and Finance Raymore Nosworthy described a NYSERDA award of about $187,500 to fund the city's first four fully electric vehicles for use initially by parking enforcement, plus funds to support charging infrastructure. "This $187,000 is to support the purchase of, 4, electric vehicles," Nosworthy said. He added the department is "taking advantage of this grant money, to basically start a pilot program, develop our policies around electric vehicle use in the city, and have also charging infrastructure funded to support keeping those vehicles running."
Council members broadly supported the pilot but repeatedly asked for written plans, timelines and public outreach, especially for e-bikes and scooters. Councilmember Wyatt and others raised concerns about e-bikes operating on sidewalks and riding in the wrong direction; Wyatt said public education is needed and that municipal code may need to be updated to define scooters and bikes by speed and permitted use. "We need to have legislation that actually identifies what a scooter is, what a bike is," Wyatt said, and asked staff to prepare comparative legislation and best practices from other cities.
Several council members asked for a firm deadline for the administration to present an EV infrastructure plan. One councilmember suggested a 30- or 90-day deadline; members agreed they wanted a timeline attached to any request. Nosworthy said the administration would work to produce deliverables and would report back; he and council members discussed forming staff work to draft policy for micromobility and geofencing.
The committee approved the NYSERDA award and related charging-infrastructure items after a motion and second in committee. Members also asked that the administration coordinate with community groups and outside technical partners to build the plan and include an outreach component aimed at safe use and parking.
What happens next: administration staff will assemble an EV infrastructure plan, including proposed policy changes, public-education measures, and a timeline to present to the committee; the committee expects periodic updates.
