BUFFALO, N.Y. — Common Council Chambers was filled with people prepared with suggestions on how the city of Buffalo should spend its money in the upcoming year.

It was a first-time initiative for Common Council President Darius Pridgen, who says he's always looking for ways for government to be more transparent.

"We had some of our constituents who said they wanted us to hear them early on in the process, and although the council doesn't craft the budget, we thought it was important to hold a hearing in which we could hear from the people, hear their ideas, and then forward them on to the administration," Pridgen said.

More than 30 community activists called for one percent of the general fund, or $5 million, to be devoted to participatory budgeting.

"Participatory budgeting changes the power dynamic where folks in communities have the decision-making power instead of a select few amount of people in City Hall," said Brian Borncamp of the Clean Air Coalition.

The city devoted $150,000 to participatory budgeting in 2015, which was spent on several projects in the Masten District.

Another $10,000 was allocated for use in the Niagara District last year.

Other funding requests at the meeting include money for the arts and education.

Several people called for the Buffalo Police budget to be cut in order to accommodate other budget requests.

Buffalo Parent Teacher Organization Co-Chair Larry Scott wouldn’t go that far, but pointed to a wide discrepancy in additions to police spending compared to schools.

“Since 2006-07, across 12 years, aid to police has increased 9 times. $42.16 Million more is now appropriated to police. How many times has aid been increased to education? Once. Last year, only because parents advocated for it. How much was it? $500,000,” Scott said.

Pridgen says the Common Council will take all of the comments and submit them to Mayor Byron Brown's office.

Brown must submit his budget to the Common Council by May 1st.