[0:00] Bring it up.

[0:03] » Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I call this common

[0:08] council meeting um

[0:10] Whoops, sorry. I I call this public hearing of the Dunkirk Common Council to

[0:15] order at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 3rd, 2026.

[0:21] The purpose of this hearing is to receive public comment on local law

[0:25] number 5-2026 entitled "A Local Law Amending the City

[0:30] Charter and City Code of the City of Dunkirk to Assign Administrative

[0:34] Responsibility for Electrical and Plumbing Licensing, Permitting,

[0:38] Processing, Enforcement Coordination, and Board Administration to the

[0:42] Department of Building and Zoning." Notice of this public hearing was

[0:47] published in The Observer and posted on the city website as required by

[0:52] Municipal Home Rule Law and Open Meetings Law.

[0:56] City Clerk, please note for the record that a quorum of the council is present.

[1:01] Before we take public comment, I will review the rules of this hearing. Anyone

[1:06] wishing to speak must state your name and address for the record before

[1:10] speaking. Comments are limited to 3 minutes per

[1:14] speaker. The City Clerk will keep time and notify you when 30 seconds remain.

[1:19] This hearing is for the council to receive your comments. Council members

[1:23] will not engage in debate or answer questions during the meeting. All

[1:27] comments will be entered into the official record and considered

[1:31] by council prior to any vote. Please confine your remarks to local law

[1:36] number 5-2026. Personal attacks, profanity, or disorderly conduct will

[1:41] not be permitted. Are there any questions from council members?

[1:45] Council members regarding procedure?

[1:49] At this time, I will ask the city attorney to provide a brief 2-minute

[1:53] summary of local law number 5-2026.

[1:58] » The local law >> 2025 2026 provides that the city charter

[2:04] and city code of the city of Dunkirk will will assign administrative

[2:06] responsibility for electrical and plumbing licensing permitting

[2:10] processing enforcement coordination and board administration of the Department

[2:14] of Building and Zoning. >> Thank you. The floor is now open for

[2:19] public comment.

[2:28] » Good evening. My name is Wanda Zawalinski, building

[2:31] building inspector and code enforcement officer with the Housing, Building, and

[2:34] Zoning Office. I spoke before you recently regarding Local Law number 5

[2:38] 2026, and I'm here tonight during this public hearing to supplement my previous

[2:42] comments with critical updates and context that I believe this council

[2:45] needs to hear. I want to address a major misconception

[2:48] that has been presented to you. Council is being told that taking on these trade

[2:52] licensing and board secretarial duties naturally relates to HBZO's core

[2:56] department functions. That is simply not true.

[2:59] Our inspectors do not perform electrical inspections, nor do we perform plumbing

[3:02] inspections. What is being transferred to us is

[3:05] strictly administrative and clerical work. Processing applications, issuing

[3:08] credentials, managing board schedule, taking meeting minutes, and maintaining

[3:12] records. Functionally and legally, this clerical

[3:15] work is no different than issuing marriage licenses, dog licenses, or any

[3:18] other administrative license historically handled by the City Clerk's

[3:21] Office. We have also heard arguments that this

[3:24] shift was necessary due to temporary staffing shortages in the Clerk's

[3:27] Office. The facts do not support that narrative.

[3:30] When this directive was first issued to Housing, Building, and Zoning, the

[3:33] Clerk's Office had six employees. As of today, their office will be fully

[3:37] staffed with five employees. This was never a temporary staffing emergency. It

[3:41] is an unwillingness to perform these duties designated to that office by city

[3:45] charter and code and long-standing practice.

[3:48] Permanently altering the city charter and code to accommodate one department

[3:52] refusing to do its assigned work sets a troubling precedent for city governance.

[3:56] This also comes down to basic fairness and equal treatment. In recent months,

[4:00] other city employees who took on added duties or expanded roles were offered

[4:03] stipends or salary adjustments in recognition of that extra work.

[4:07] Yet, when housing, building, and zoning was directed to absorb an entire

[4:10] secondary department's secretarial and licensing workload, no compensation,

[4:14] stipend, or staffing adjustments were ever discussed with us.

[4:18] Meanwhile, the formal grievance agreement process regarding the

[4:21] reassignment of these duties remains actively ongoing. Permanently locking

[4:24] the strength this transfer in the local law while formal labor grievances are

[4:28] unresolved creates unnecessary legal conflict and operational instability.

[4:32] Our primary focus in housing, building, and zoning must remain on public safety,

[4:36] active code enforcement, and maintaining strict compliance with our CDBG grant

[4:40] funding. Because the clerk's office has the

[4:42] staffing to handle its own administrative duties, active

[4:44] contractual grievances are pending, and compensation equity has been ignored,

[4:50] I respectfully ask the council to vote no or postpone action on local law

[4:53] number 5 2026 tonight. Thank you for your time.

[4:59] » Thank you. Next speaker.

[5:04] » Good evening. My name is William Harris. I'm a resident of

[5:07] 218 Robin Street, Dunkirk, New York. I'm here today to address the issue of

[5:12] ongoing issues that happened in I've been coming to the city hall since

[5:16] 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. Just announced.

[5:21] » Um Mr. Mr. Harris, is this in regards to local law number 5 2026?

[5:27] Because actually, this is a public hearing right before the common council

[5:31] meeting. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[5:32] » That's okay. We're going to we'll have we'll have time for you to speak during

[5:37] the actual pre-hearing. You have about 5 or 10 minutes.

[5:40] » Okay. >> Okay. Thank you.

[5:45] Is there anyone Well, go ahead.

[5:50] » Good evening, everyone. My name is Emily Donberg. I'm the I'm a resident of the

[5:54] city of Dunkirk. I'm the laboratory director for the

[5:57] city's water treatment plant, and I'm the recording secretary and women of

[6:00] steel committee chair for USW Local 2693.

[6:04] I'm here to speak tonight here to speak with you tonight in

[6:07] regards to local law number 5-2026 from the viewpoint of a tax-paying city

[6:12] resident, as an employee of the city of Dunkirk, and a fellow union member, and

[6:16] supporter of my union brother and sister.

[6:18] As a resident of the city, it would be alarming if our zoning officers could

[6:21] not keep up with their workload. Imagine being a homeowner living next door to a

[6:25] neighbor that decided to build a structure that wasn't safe because the

[6:28] neighbor didn't get the right permits and didn't have the proper inspections.

[6:32] Now, imagine one of those structures falling on or otherwise harming your

[6:35] home, your loved one, your pet, etc. Our HPZ department works tirelessly day

[6:41] in and day out to ensure that this doesn't happen in our community. As a

[6:45] resident, I feel safe knowing they care and that they want to do their jobs to

[6:48] the utmost of their ability. Hearing that they may have to take on

[6:52] more work than they already have just seems illogical, unreasonable, and

[6:55] unsafe. I think I speak for most tax-paying city residents when I say

[7:00] that I want to see Dunkirk thrive like it used to many years ago.

[7:03] We live on a beautiful body of water, but no one, individuals nor businesses,

[7:07] will want to come here nor stay here if we can't even ensure that we have safe

[7:11] structures nor show that we care about our employees.

[7:15] My coworkers {slash} fellow union members, along with the local 912 member

[7:19] who also works in the HPZ office, are passionate about their careers and care

[7:23] about keeping the community safe. I have heard them say multiple times, "I love

[7:27] my job." We should be celebrating that, not trying to undermine it. When you

[7:31] undermine the ability of even one department to fulfill its duties of

[7:35] providing public service, you also undermine the safety of everyone in and

[7:38] around the community. All of us city employees are painfully

[7:42] aware of the fiscal state in which the city of Watervliet is in as it affects

[7:46] us every single day. We know that difficult and uncomfortable decisions

[7:50] have been and will be made. What we are asking is that those of the ability to

[7:54] make those crucial decisions actually make sure they know all of the facts

[7:57] from all parties involved before making these decisions. It does not seem that

[8:02] this has occurred in this situation. Please keep in mind that the individuals

[8:06] in the HPZ office are certified by the state in order to do their jobs. No one

[8:10] else can take on these roles and responsibilities unless they also hold a

[8:13] certification. Issuing of licenses, such as those that local law number 5-2016

[8:18] would require the HPZ office to be responsible for, does not require

[8:22] specialized training nor New York State certification. Furthermore, this is not

[8:26] restructuring of duties nor is restructuring what we need most at this

[8:30] time. We need transparency and honesty. What I'm asking is that you do not vote

[8:34] yes for this local law, that you vote no, because you likely don't have all

[8:38] the information and that doesn't seem like good grounds for making an

[8:41] important decision that affects both employees and the safety of the

[8:44] community. Thank you for your time.

[8:49] » Thank you. Next speaker, please.

[8:54] » Nancy Nichols, 212 Lincoln Avenue, Watervliet.

[8:57] I would like to remind council that 6 years ago a resolution was passed by the

[9:02] council at that time that all licensing and permits be done in the clerk's

[9:07] office because of issues that had transpired beforehand.

[9:11] They're keeping a record of qualified plumbers and electricians

[9:16] and they the plumbers and electricians do have to pay a fee to be registered.

[9:21] All that money should be collected in the clerk's office

[9:25] with proper um documentation. And so I'm going to say review the

[9:29] resolution. You're going to pass a resolution, council. Why Why pass it if

[9:34] you don't abide by it? Thank you.

[9:38] » Thank you. Is there anyone else who present who

[9:43] wishes to speak on local law number 5 2026?

[9:49] Hearing none, seeing no further speakers, I will now close the public

[9:53] hearing on local law number 5 2026 at 5:40 p.m.

[10:01] August 3rd, 2026. Thank you all to all who participated.

[10:06] City Clerk, please note for the record that the public hearing is closed.

[10:18] Okay, ladies and gentlemen, I call this Common Council meeting to order

[10:23] uh for the city of Dunkirk this 3rd day of August, 2026

[10:29] at 5:40 p.m. Clerk, please call the roll.

[10:35] » Councilmember Vescio. >> Here.

[10:37] » Councilmember Torreain. >> Here.

[10:39] » Councilmember Frederickson. >> Here.

[10:41] » Councilmember Siviletti. >> Here.

[10:45] » Council Chair Nick Weiser is excused due to professional obligations out of

[10:50] state. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

[10:58] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

[11:03] And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,

[11:07] indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[11:13] Thank you. Mayor Kate Toolan, do you have an announcement?

[11:18] » Uh Council statement, um it's with deep

[11:22] sadness that the city of Dunkirk acknowledges the passing of our

[11:25] employee, John Paul Wong, a respected member of our municipal workforce.

[11:30] Dave, he began his service to our in 2021 as municipal worker bringing

[11:35] steady dedication and strong work ethic to every task. In 2023, he was advanced

[11:41] into our water maintenance division where he continued to

[11:45] support essential services with reliability, skill, and pride in his

[11:50] work. JP's contributions strengthen our city

[11:54] and support the daily operations residents depend on. His loss is felt

[11:58] across our departments and throughout the community.

[12:01] On behalf of the city of Dunkirk, Councilman at large Weiser, and the

[12:05] members of the Common Council, I extend heartfelt condolences

[12:10] to JP's wife and children, family members, friends, and loved ones. We

[12:15] honor his memory with gratitude for the years he devoted to serving our

[12:18] residents. As a mark of respect, I am directing

[12:22] that all city flags be flown at half-mast through the end of this week.

[12:27] Additionally, I respectfully request we begin this meeting of the Common Council

[12:32] with a moment of silence in JP's honor reflecting our collective appreciation

[12:37] for his service and the impact he made with our community.

[12:43] » Thank you. Um let us have a moment of

[12:48] reflection and prayer, please.

[13:03] Thank you. Next, we have the certification of the prior meeting.

[13:08] Is there a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as

[13:13] presented? Moved by Oh, go ahead.

[13:17] Mr. Councilman. This is to certify that an official copy

[13:21] of the minutes of the regular Common Council meeting of Tuesday, July 21st,

[13:25] 2026 was presented to the mayor on Friday, July 31st, 2026. Pursuant to

[13:31] section 3.03 of the Dunkirk City Charter, all items presented to the

[13:36] mayor are now in full force and effect. In witness whereof, I have here to set

[13:40] my hand and seal of the city of Dunkirk, New York, this 3rd day of August, 2026.

[13:47] » Is there a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as

[13:50] presented? Moved by

[13:54] Councilman Frederickson and seconded by Councilman Torreain. Clerk, please call

[14:00] the roll. >> Councilmember Kusolek.

[14:03] » Aye. >> Councilmember Torreain.

[14:04] » Aye. >> Councilmember Frederickson.

[14:06] » Aye. >> Councilmember Siletta.

[14:08] » Aye. >> Minutes are approved as presented.

[14:14] We now have moved to the privilege of the floor.

[14:18] Clerk Dobek, kindly read the instructions.

[14:21] » The privilege of the floor shall be extended to any person appearing for

[14:24] themselves, in which case each individual appearing

[14:28] shall be limited to 3 minutes. And to any person representing any group who

[14:32] shall be limited to a maximum time of 5 minutes. The privilege [clears throat]

[14:35] of the floor is reserved for members of the public to speak on any subject

[14:38] pertinent to the affairs of city government. The city clerk shall have

[14:42] the duty of maintaining such time limits. The chair may determine in their

[14:46] discretion whether individuals are speaking for themselves or representing

[14:50] groups. The chair shall maintain good order and may require any speaker to

[14:54] cease speaking if remarks are made in bad taste or are slanderous or not

[14:58] germane. The time limit specified shall be adhered to except that the chair may

[15:02] allow any person speaking to complete a statement or thought started before such

[15:07] time expires. And a longer time may be allowed by the chair with the approval

[15:11] of the majority of the council.

[15:15] » The privilege of the floor is now open. Anyone wishing to speak speak, please

[15:20] step forward, state your name and address, and then address the council.

[15:24] » I do want My name is William Harris.

[15:27] Residence of Dover. I reside at 218 Robin Street,

[15:31] Dover, New York. The reason I'm here today

[15:36] is about one problem next door with the grass and fallen hazardous

[15:40] trees.

[15:45] I came to the city since uh

[15:48] uh mayor of uh Wright was here. He took care of several

[15:53] problems. Now he's not here.

[15:57] I talked with Andrew Boone uh Andrew Boone,

[16:02] Michael David, assistant uh I can't spell his name.

[16:07] And Evan uh Dustin Fife about this ongoing issue

[16:10] about the grass growing outside of my house adjacent to 218 Robin Street. It's

[16:16] called 220 Robin Street. No one knows who the property owner is. The property

[16:22] is uh causing nuisance

[16:25] of making sure raccoons, squirrels, possums not being supplied food on the

[16:31] side of of my house adjacent to the house. Trees have been falling on my

[16:35] house twice since uh

[16:39] I've been coming to I came to the city.

[16:42] I asked who is the property owner

[16:47] of the lot. Being here, no one has the answer.

[16:52] Since 2023 through 2023 3024 and now, no one has the answer who the lot belongs

[16:59] to. Adjacent to 218 Robin Street.

[17:04] It's causing harm, damage to my property.

[17:10] I'm here today. I just need an answer and who can

[17:14] who owns the property and who will cut the grass adjacent to 218 Robin Street.

[17:19] And who is the rightful owner of 220 Robin Street?

[17:23] » Okay. Allen, did you want to speak with him after the meeting?

[17:28] » Yeah, we spoke and it's going to be a combined effort between our Department

[17:31] of Public Works cuz the one of the vacant lots in question is a

[17:36] city parcel. >> Okay.

[17:39] » Yeah, the other parcel that he mentioned is owned by the mayor.

[17:45] » But I've read C6 saying that they don't own it. They don't own that property.

[17:50] New York State says they don't own that property.

[17:52] So, it's a conflict between the city and I don't know who else owns that

[17:55] property. But it's a it's an ongoing problem.

[18:01] It's starting to loosen. The grass is is at least that big, tall. They got trees

[18:05] and everything growing over there. We're catching raccoons and taking them

[18:09] to the country. It's ridiculous in a cage.

[18:12] I also believe there's a fox den over there, too, as well.

[18:17] I'm not speaking just for me. I'm speaking for the neighbors, kids, and

[18:20] the neighborhood itself, and the city itself.

[18:24] This needs to be fixed immediately. The problem needs to be addressed. And

[18:27] anybody that was out at loose that the house the tree fell on my house over

[18:32] here at 218 Robin Street because of the disaster it is. The trees are falling.

[18:36] They're dead. Everything up the grass over there is

[18:39] over 10 ft high. Someone needs to fix it.

[18:43] Please. >> Thank you.

[18:46] » Thank you. You're welcome.

[18:56] » Anyone else wishing to speak?

[19:03] » Uh good evening members of council. My name is Albert Dawson. I'm a Dunkirk

[19:07] resident, taxpayer, and dedicated civil servant.

[19:11] Uh Uh, as a fellow public servant, I know what it means to be accountable to

[19:14] the people we serve. My job depends on reliability, clear hours,

[19:18] and being available to the public. That is why I'm standing here today

[19:22] tonight to discuss item 001-14-10-10-25 in our municipal budget.

[19:29] When the elected treasurer position was eliminated, the city clerk's salary

[19:31] jumped 37.5% from $40,000 to $55,000 with the total compensation even

[19:37] higher. That's a $15,000 raise that current taxpayers are absorbing in the

[19:41] 8.4% property tax hike. We were promised that department

[19:46] consolidation would save money. Instead, the savings are immediately followed to

[19:49] a pay bump. The justification given was absorbing treasurer duties.

[19:54] Uh, let's look at reality. Mayor states she controls day-to-day spending.

[19:58] High-level financial strategy and strategy and budgeting are handled by

[20:01] the new controller, fiscal affairs officer, and consultant Marshall

[20:05] Marshall Beach. The clerk's office has five staff members,

[20:09] and the remaining treasurer duties in that office are strictly

[20:12] transactional, running the cash counter for water bills and taxes.

[20:15] While taking that $15,000 raise under the guise of absorbing absorbing duties,

[20:20] the clerk's office is actively seeking to offload long-standing historic

[20:23] responsibilities. Trade licenses being shifted away to other departments. So,

[20:27] taxpayers are paying her $15,000 more while her office handles fewer

[20:31] operational duties. Worse yet, consider the precedent the

[20:35] council setting. If absorbing duties automatically justifies a pay

[20:38] bump, what happens when another department's forced to take over the

[20:41] licensing responsibility? Does that department automatically get a

[20:45] $15,000 raise, too? You're setting a dangerous fiscal

[20:48] precedent we simply can't afford. So, as an exempt salary department head,

[20:53] the clerk-treasurer is compensated to ensure office functions and public are

[20:57] served. Salaried leaders are paid for results,

[20:59] availability, and the public access has been cut to just 24 hours a week,

[21:04] completely closed to us on Fridays. People have to take a day off just to

[21:10] pay a water bill or tax bill. >> [sighs]

[21:13] » Also, your September 3rd, 2024 resolution appointed her as registrar of

[21:17] vital statistics processing vital records

[21:20] requires an on-site notary validation. Yet, the clerk will lack the act of

[21:24] notary public commission. Taxpayers are paying a premium wage for an office that

[21:28] is locked on Fridays and legally hamstrung when they are open.

[21:33] Consolidating city government must mean actual savings for taxpayers, not

[21:37] payroll shuffling, offloading duties, restricted public access, and dangerous

[21:42] precedents. I urge this council to exercise oversight, roll back the

[21:45] $15,000 salary increase. Thank you.

[21:50] » Thank you.

[22:00] Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?

[22:05] If not, going once, going twice,

[22:10] public hearing of the floor is now closed.

[22:14] Let's now move to communications of the mayor, including disaproval messages.

[22:19] Mayor Kate? >> Uh I would just like to address the last

[22:23] gentleman that spoke. I think there are some I'm sorry I didn't catch your name.

[22:26] I think there's some confusion on exactly what job duties were absorbed

[22:32] when the clerk became the clerk treasurer. That also includes

[22:37] generating water bills, generating tax bills, making sure that all of that

[22:42] stuff is out. It's not simply collecting money. Uh there is a lot of work that

[22:46] goes into it, and we just recently staffed that office to their fullest

[22:52] staffing amount. Um the money that was given to Ms. Dolbeck as a pay increase

[22:58] came from the treasurer salary that we were saving. Uh

[23:03] it is, in my own humble opinion, not nearly enough for the extra amount of

[23:09] work that she's done. Building and zoning have been for at least the last 2

[23:14] years doing the electrical licenses and plumbing licenses renewals. That is done

[23:21] on software that only their department has. It's called CitizenServe. All of

[23:26] those auto-generated applications and permits and renewals

[23:31] are generated strictly through CitizenServe that building and zoning

[23:36] maintains as their own software. Uh

[23:40] and to say that the city clerk is not a notary is a misconception. She is a

[23:45] licensed notary public. Uh so, I don't know where that information

[23:50] came from. We are in the process of expanding our hours now that we are

[23:54] fully staffed. Uh we are hoping that as soon as we have at least one more person

[23:59] fully trained, we will open to regular business hours.

[24:08] » Okay. We'll now address communications from

[24:12] the public and petitions. Let's open that.

[24:20] Request from Jose Rodriguez to use Calvin Coolidge Stadium and School 7

[24:25] softball field for a kickball tournament on Saturday, August 15th, 2026 from 8:00

[24:30] a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Any discussion from the council?

[24:38] Hearing none, do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate departments as

[24:42] well as approved subject to appropriate insurances and

[24:46] usual conditions. Moved by

[24:51] Council member Terrain and seconded by Council member Savarese.

[24:58] Clerk, please call the roll. Council member, Restivo.

[25:01] » Aye. >> Council member, Terrane.

[25:03] » Aye. >> Council member, Frederickson.

[25:05] » Aye. >> Council member, Savaletto.

[25:06] » Aye.

[25:09] » Motion carried.

[25:12] Request from Michael Burton to use Chautauqua County Fairgrounds on August

[25:17] 16th, I'm sorry, August 15th for the 16th annual Maggie Wulff Memorial

[25:22] Tournament on Saturday, August 15th, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00

[25:27] p.m.

[25:29] Any discussion from the council?

[25:33] Hearing none, do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate departments as

[25:38] well as approved subject to all appropriate insurances and usual

[25:41] conditions? Moved by Council member, Frederickson.

[25:47] And seconded by Council member, Terrane. Please call the roll.

[25:51] Council member, Restivo. >> Aye.

[25:53] » Council member, Terrane. >> Aye.

[25:55] » Council member, Frederickson. >> Aye.

[25:57] » Council member, Savaletto. >> Aye.

[26:00] » Motion carried. Last speaker at the case fan from

[26:04] Danielle Biscan home to use mics and speakers on Saturday,

[26:09] August 29th, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Chautauqua County

[26:14] Fairgrounds. Any discussion from the council?

[26:20] Hearing none, do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate departments as

[26:24] well as approved subject to appropriate insurances and usual conditions?

[26:30] Moved by Council member, Terrane. And seconded by Council member,

[26:34] Frederickson. Clerk, please call the roll. Council member, Restivo.

[26:38] » Aye. >> Council member, Terrane.

[26:40] » Aye. >> Council member, Frederickson.

[26:42] » Aye. >> Council member, Savaletto.

[26:44] » Aye.

[26:47] » Motion carried.

[26:51] Okay, well, we'll move on to reports of standing committees.

[26:57] Um, I would like to I'll start with myself.

[27:02] First for Councilwoman um which will be at I would like to address

[27:07] the parking in front of the boardwalk. Uh few shop owners are parking in front

[27:11] of the boardwalk. They could park at the strip in front of

[27:15] what was once Demetri's and therefore leave room for patrons.

[27:18] Attorney Windholz Noldo, would you send a nice but insistent letter regarding

[27:23] this matter to these shop owners? Mayor Page, what are your thoughts on this

[27:27] matter? I'm sure it's not every shop owner, but

[27:31] we would need to send it to all. >> I don't have an issue sending uh that

[27:36] request. There is limited parking for the tenants down there. So, you know,

[27:40] we've asked them in the past to be mindful of customers that are coming in.

[27:45] Um I certainly can't >> Which gap?

[27:47] » Yeah, force them to park anywhere. Uh I

[27:51] » Wait, force them to park? >> I'm going to move to send the letter.

[27:55] » Thank you. Thank you.

[27:58] Council member Turpin, would you like to Yeah, I'll go.

[28:03] » um I just got a couple things. One, the

[28:05] personnel committee meeting is going to be

[28:08] August 12th at 11:00. I don't think I need to send out the

[28:12] correspondence to to all of the departments on that one. And uh

[28:17] like to say that uh on behalf of uh me and my and and my church family, we

[28:22] want to send out condolences to uh

[28:26] our employee that uh

[28:29] recently passed away and and I think that our prayers go to him and his

[28:32] family. Um

[28:35] and then also, the last thing um on the local law that we

[28:39] had the public hearing on, let me assure those members of the public and also

[28:43] those that are that are working at City Hall that as a member as the chair of

[28:47] the personnel committee I've heard plenty of dialogue on this issue.

[28:52] And so I don't want anybody to assume that we don't

[28:56] there's a misunderstanding of of uh uh what the issues are.

[29:01] It's very challenging issue. And so we've heard a lot of dialogue on

[29:05] this so whatever decision that we make we're making that based on what we've

[29:09] heard based on what we think is best for the city.

[29:13] I'm going to make it based on what I think is best for the citizens of the

[29:15] city. So um

[29:18] uh I just want you to know that yes we have heard a lot of dialogue on that

[29:22] issue. I'm I'm done.

[29:25] » Thank you. Councilman Frederickson.

[29:28] » Um thank you Chief Barber, Captain Spencer

[29:32] for the public safety committee meeting Saturday.

[29:35] Again, informative meeting. Got a lot of questions and got a lot of good answers.

[29:40] Thank you for your attendance. Yep.

[29:44] » Councilman Civaletto. >> Um last week we did have an economic

[29:49] development meeting um and went over quite a few projects. Economic

[29:54] development um department has been uh very busy and

[30:01] those that entire list will be on

[30:05] our the agenda is on the is on the internet.

[30:09] Um if anyone has any questions and they wanted to

[30:12] talk to me about it they can. Um but it was basically just a a run

[30:18] through of all the different projects that they've been doing.

[30:21] Um one of the one of the good projects is I

[30:26] mean they're all great projects but one of them that uh

[30:28] is the trees uh that are being

[30:32] um they're being planted throughout the

[30:35] city in different neighborhoods. Um so there's if you have any

[30:41] um want for a tree to be to be planted in

[30:45] front of your house that would be a native tree as opposed to a non-native

[30:48] tree, um and something that is appropriate for

[30:52] the electrical lines, uh give the economic development department a call

[30:56] and uh they can see if we can get you on the list. If not,

[31:00] it looks like they've they're going to do about 200 trees this fall um into the

[31:05] spring. So, if you might get put on to next the next uh

[31:11] phases or the next year's uh plan, but we're planning on planting 300 trees

[31:17] throughout the city. Um I'm going to um give them a break in

[31:21] August um and we're not going to have an economic development meeting in August,

[31:26] um but um I will let you know when the September

[31:29] one is. >> Thanks. I hope they're putting color.

[31:33] He's forgetting those trees. >> Yeah, there's a lot of them that are

[31:35] flowering trees. >> Good.

[31:37] Wonderful. Moving on. Here. Oh, yeah. Go ahead.

[31:42] » I'm sorry. Uh I was looking at my notes and there was

[31:45] one thing that I did want to bring up cuz in the last meeting we were talking

[31:48] about Willowbrook and uh there was a complaint about Willowbrook and the and

[31:52] the trucks that were going down. Um and I I took a ride down there to take a

[31:56] look for myself. Willowbrook is a wide street. It's a

[32:00] really wide street compared to other streets in the city. I mean, it's a wide

[32:03] street. And uh

[32:06] as you come down Central, it's pretty much

[32:08] a one of the only streets you can go down

[32:12] uh to get to the to the steel plant. And uh

[32:17] and I don't see any other route that you can take other than taking Willowbrook

[32:20] as safe for trucks to to to operate on. So, those residents that are there,

[32:24] that's the reason why trucks are going down that street because it's a wide

[32:28] street and it's wide enough for trucks to actually go down to get to the steel

[32:31] plant. And there's I don't see any other way

[32:35] to for that to happen. So, I just wanted to address that. I did go down and I

[32:39] took a look at it and you know,

[32:43] that's what the conclusion I came to.

[32:49] » Thank you. Moving on, there appears to be unfinished business.

[32:58] Resolution authorizing adoption of local law number 5 2026. Before we proceed,

[33:06] do we have a motion to postpone consideration of local law number 5 2026

[33:11] until the next meeting of Tuesday, August 18th, 2026? New York Home Rule

[33:17] Law section 20 says you can't pass a local law

[33:20] until 7 days after the public hearing unless there is an emergency.

[33:25] Would any member like to make a motion to postpone local law number 5 2026

[33:30] until the next regular council meeting of Tuesday, August 18th, 2026?

[33:38] We have a motion from Councilman

[33:41] Frederickson. Uh, do I have a second?

[33:45] And we have a second from Council member Man Terrain.

[33:51] Clerk, please call the roll. >> Councilmember Luis Gonzalez.

[33:55] » Aye. >> Councilmember Terrain.

[33:57] » Aye. >> Councilmember Frederickson.

[33:58] » Aye. >> Councilmember Colangelo. [clears throat]

[34:00] » Aye. >> Motion carries.

[34:04] Consideration of local law number 5 2026 is postponed to August 18th.

[34:10] City Clerk, please note for the record. Let's move on to pre-filed resolutions.

[34:17] Clerk, please introduce resolution number 68 2026.

[34:24] » Resolution 63-2026. Resolution authorizing budget line

[34:29] modifications for fiscal year 2026.

[34:35] 63 and it's 2060. Okay, sorry. It's

[34:39] 68 on the agenda and 63 on the resolution. 63 2026. Any discussion or

[34:45] questions for this for the administration?

[34:50] » What's our actual reason for opening those lines?

[34:53] Because the way you guys seems a lot more transparent.

[34:57] You have much separate lines than it would be combined.

[35:00] » being the amount of money because all of that

[35:04] money is coming out of personal services currently.

[35:07] through ADP. So, as it stands in the budget those

[35:12] lines have money in them that's not being used.

[35:17] So, I'm rather than having the personal service line

[35:21] be over, we're going to move those salaries up to the appropriate lines. It

[35:26] doesn't take away the line. >> Thank you.

[35:33] » Okay, clerk, please call the roll. >> Council member Lestoya.

[35:38] » Aye. >> Council member Terrain.

[35:39] » Aye. >> Council member Frederickson.

[35:41] » Aye. >> Council member Civilo.

[35:43] » Aye. >> The resolution is adopted.

[35:48] We have Clerk, there is a walk-in. Kindly

[35:51] introduce walk-in resolution number 64 2026.

[35:59] » Walk-in resolution 64-2026. Resolution appointing police chief.

[36:05] » A motion is needed to add walk-in resolution number 64-2026

[36:10] to the agenda. Council May I move with a motion?

[36:16] Um Yeah, moved by Council member Terrain

[36:21] and seconded by Council member um Civilo. Clerk, please call the roll.

[36:27] Council member Lissauer. >> Aye.

[36:29] » Council member Terrence. >> Aye.

[36:31] » Council member Ferguson. >> Aye.

[36:32] » Council member Civiliano. >> Aye.

[36:36] » Okay, it is accepted as to the agenda. Now, I want to move with the motion to

[36:41] vote for resolution number 64-2026.

[36:47] Um Please call the roll, Clerk, regarding

[36:51] the vote on resolution 64-2026.

[36:58] Pardon? >> You have to make a motion.

[36:59] » Oh, yes. Can I please have a motion for um

[37:04] the voting on resolution 64-2026? >> Or we can make a motion.

[37:09] » Yes, please. It's It's discussion. Please vote yes.

[37:13] » First of all, let me say that uh this this makes me very happy that uh

[37:21] What the heck is going >> Council member Terrence, if I could just

[37:23] uh I I I don't believe I need to say that's way for you. Um I'm very excited.

[37:27] I have been in talks with uh our soon-to-be chief, Switzer.

[37:33] Um and I was pleased that he came to me and expressed that he was interested and

[37:38] we have been working very well together for the last several months since

[37:43] retirement of Chief Chief Witkowski. So, to say um that I'm hoping that I

[37:50] have entire council support on this matter would be an understatement. Uh

[37:54] this is well deserved. Officer Chief Chief Switzer joined the force in 2008

[38:00] and again, he's been acting as our interim chief while we've been

[38:04] searching. So, we are very excited that she is willing to consider being our

[38:08] permanent police chief. >> And I'd like to just second it cuz I uh

[38:14] know how many times I've tried to pry him to you know,

[38:18] take this position. But um I'm very very happy that he decided to

[38:23] say yes and that the two of you have a

[38:26] a wonderful relationship. I think it's a great move for city of Dunkirk and we're

[38:31] moving forward which makes me also makes me excited.

[38:36] » Any other discussion or questions? Clerk, please call the roll for the

[38:41] vote.

[38:46] Well, oh okay. First um

[38:50] Okay, a motion is needed. I would like to

[38:55] Councilman Fredrickson and seconded by Councilman

[38:58] Terrane. Clerk, please call the roll. Council member Lestola.

[39:02] » Aye. >> Council member Terrane.

[39:04] » Aye. >> Council member Fredrickson.

[39:05] » Aye. >> Council member Civilletto.

[39:07] » Aye.

[39:10] » Okay, motion is adopted.

[39:14] » [applause]

[39:20] » And Council, I would just like to remind everybody that tomorrow is National

[39:23] Night Out and that will be the Chief's very first public appearance as our

[39:26] Chief. So, I encourage everybody to please attend.

[39:32] » Thank you.

[39:35] Okay. Um

[39:39] Now, we move on to new business. I don't think there is any new business. There

[39:43] are no further matters and so I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

[39:48] Moved by Councilman Fredrickson and seconded by Councilman Civilletto.

[39:56] Clerk, please call the roll. Council member Lestola.

[39:59] » Aye. >> Council member Terrane.

[40:00] » Aye. >> Council member Fredrickson.

[40:02] » Aye. >> Council member Civilletto.

[40:03] » Aye. >> We are now adjourned. Thank you,

[40:06] everyone.

[40:35] » All right. I got loved up on the walk-in again.

[40:38] » That's all right. I'll get in the next fight.

[40:47] » Hey, baby.

[40:52] » [laughter]

Dunkirk Common Council Meeting Aug 3rd 2026

Transcript