The city of Niagara Falls, like many across the state and country, is simultaneously dealing with the financial burdens of the COVID crisis as well as the push from some members of the community for social justice reform.

"I'm hoping that once we've concluded this conversation, we'll be able to put forth a plan that gets Niagara Falls as an example  to the rest of the state, perhaps the rest of the nation," Mayor Robert Restaino, D, said.

Restaino announced Monday he is forming a commission to develop recommendations for social justice reforms.

"I am proud of the residents of the city of Niagara Falls and how they have conducted themselves with regard to the demonstrations, the ability to have their voice heard and to do it in a productive manner," he said.

While protests in Niagara Falls and across the country have focused primarily on criminal justice and law enforcement issues, Restaino believes there are other areas that need to be examined as well.

"Here in Niagara Falls, I believe and I think others along with me, that it also involves health care, housing, education, and employment economic opportunities and jobs," he said.

Restaino envisions a commission of roughly seven people, each focusing on specific sectors of social justice and leading smaller committees. He said he's already reached out to community leaders and would like those involved with the Black Lives Matter movement to participate too.

"I am also going to be looking to find out whether those leaders are prepared to come forward and have a conversation about where they might be able to assist. They may end up finding themselves within the committee to help have a discussion about improvements in any of those areas," Restaino said.

The mayor said the city will then put into practice recommendations it has control over and press the state and federal government on others. Money will be a factor as the mayor Monday also announced the city will cut its summer youth programs, facing a multimillion-dollar deficit due to revenue loss connected to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said there will potentially be more cuts.

"Assuming that they come up with those recommendations that might have costs associated with it, one of the things we'll have to do is try to figure out how do we address that cost going forward," Restaino said.

He hopes to form the commission by early July and that it will have initial recommendations prepared by the end of August.