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Bring it up.

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» Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen. I call this common

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council meeting
um

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Whoops, sorry. I I call this public
hearing of the Dunkirk Common Council to

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order at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August
3rd, 2026.

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The purpose of this hearing is to
receive public comment on local law

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number 5-2026
entitled "A Local Law Amending the City

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Charter and City Code of the City of
Dunkirk to Assign Administrative

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Responsibility for Electrical and
Plumbing Licensing, Permitting,

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Processing, Enforcement Coordination,
and Board Administration to the

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Department of Building and Zoning."
Notice of this public hearing was

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published in The Observer and posted on
the city website as required by

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Municipal Home Rule Law and Open
Meetings Law.

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City Clerk, please note for the record
that a quorum of the council is present.

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Before we take public comment, I will
review the rules of this hearing. Anyone

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wishing to speak must state your name
and address for the record before

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speaking.
Comments are limited to 3 minutes per

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speaker. The City Clerk will keep time
and notify you when 30 seconds remain.

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This hearing is for the council to
receive your comments. Council members

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will not engage in debate or answer
questions during the meeting. All

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comments will be entered into the
official record and considered

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by council prior to any vote.
Please confine your remarks to local law

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number 5-2026. Personal attacks,
profanity, or disorderly conduct will

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not be permitted. Are there any
questions from council members?

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Council members regarding procedure?

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At this time, I will ask the city
attorney to provide a brief 2-minute

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summary of local law number 5-2026.

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» The local law
>> 2025 2026 provides that the city charter

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and city code of the city of Dunkirk
will will assign administrative

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responsibility for electrical
and plumbing licensing permitting

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processing enforcement coordination and
board administration of the Department

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of Building and Zoning.
>> Thank you. The floor is now open for

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public comment.

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» Good evening. My name is Wanda
Zawalinski, building

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building inspector and code enforcement
officer with the Housing, Building, and

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Zoning Office. I spoke before you
recently regarding Local Law number 5

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2026, and I'm here tonight during this
public hearing to supplement my previous

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comments with critical updates and
context that I believe this council

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needs to hear.
I want to address a major misconception

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that has been presented to you. Council
is being told that taking on these trade

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licensing and board secretarial duties
naturally relates to HBZO's core

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department functions. That is simply not
true.

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Our inspectors do not perform electrical
inspections, nor do we perform plumbing

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inspections.
What is being transferred to us is

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strictly administrative and clerical
work. Processing applications, issuing

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credentials, managing board schedule,
taking meeting minutes, and maintaining

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records.
Functionally and legally, this clerical

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work is no different than issuing
marriage licenses, dog licenses, or any

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other administrative license
historically handled by the City Clerk's

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Office.
We have also heard arguments that this

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shift was necessary due to temporary
staffing shortages in the Clerk's

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Office.
The facts do not support that narrative.

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When this directive was first issued to
Housing, Building, and Zoning, the

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Clerk's Office had six employees.
As of today, their office will be fully

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staffed with five employees. This was
never a temporary staffing emergency. It

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is an unwillingness to perform these
duties designated to that office by city

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charter and code and long-standing
practice.

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Permanently altering the city charter
and code to accommodate one department

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refusing to do its assigned work sets a
troubling precedent for city governance.

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This also comes down to basic fairness
and equal treatment. In recent months,

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other city employees who took on added
duties or expanded roles were offered

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stipends or salary adjustments in
recognition of that extra work.

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Yet, when housing, building, and zoning
was directed to absorb an entire

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secondary department's secretarial and
licensing workload, no compensation,

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stipend, or staffing adjustments were
ever discussed with us.

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Meanwhile, the formal grievance
agreement process regarding the

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reassignment of these duties remains
actively ongoing. Permanently locking

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the strength this transfer in the local
law while formal labor grievances are

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unresolved creates unnecessary legal
conflict and operational instability.

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Our primary focus in housing, building,
and zoning must remain on public safety,

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active code enforcement, and maintaining
strict compliance with our CDBG grant

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funding.
Because the clerk's office has the

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staffing to handle its own
administrative duties, active

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contractual grievances are pending, and
compensation equity has been ignored,

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I respectfully ask the council to vote
no or postpone action on local law

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number 5 2026 tonight. Thank you for
your time.

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» Thank you. Next speaker.

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» Good evening. My name is William Harris.
I'm a resident of

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218 Robin Street, Dunkirk, New York.
I'm here today to address the issue of

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ongoing issues that happened in
I've been coming to the city hall since

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2022,
2023, 2024, 2025. Just announced.

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

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Because actually, this is a public
hearing right before the common council

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meeting.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

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» That's okay. We're going to we'll have
we'll have time for you to speak during

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the actual pre-hearing. You have about 5
or 10 minutes.

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» Okay.
>> Okay. Thank you.

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Is there anyone Well, go ahead.

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» Good evening, everyone. My name is Emily
Donberg. I'm the I'm a resident of the

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city of Dunkirk.
I'm the laboratory director for the

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city's water treatment plant, and I'm
the recording secretary and women of

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steel committee chair for USW Local
2693.

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I'm here to speak tonight
here to speak with you tonight in

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regards to local law number 5-2026
from the viewpoint of a tax-paying city

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resident, as an employee of the city of
Dunkirk, and a fellow union member, and

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supporter of my union brother and
sister.

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As a resident of the city, it would be
alarming if our zoning officers could

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not keep up with their workload. Imagine
being a homeowner living next door to a

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neighbor that decided to build a
structure that wasn't safe because the

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neighbor didn't get the right permits
and didn't have the proper inspections.

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Now, imagine one of those structures
falling on or otherwise harming your

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home, your loved one, your pet, etc.
Our HPZ department works tirelessly day

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in and day out to ensure that this
doesn't happen in our community. As a

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resident, I feel safe knowing they care
and that they want to do their jobs to

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the utmost of their ability.
Hearing that they may have to take on

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more work than they already have just
seems illogical, unreasonable, and

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unsafe. I think I speak for most
tax-paying city residents when I say

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that I want to see Dunkirk thrive like
it used to many years ago.

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We live on a beautiful body of water,
but no one, individuals nor businesses,

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will want to come here nor stay here if
we can't even ensure that we have safe

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structures nor show that we care about
our employees.

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My coworkers {slash} fellow union
members, along with the local 912 member

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who also works in the HPZ office, are
passionate about their careers and care

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about keeping the community safe. I have
heard them say multiple times, "I love

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my job." We should be celebrating that,
not trying to undermine it. When you

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undermine the ability of even one
department to fulfill its duties of

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providing public service, you also
undermine the safety of everyone in and

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around the community.
All of us city employees are painfully

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aware of the fiscal state in which the
city of Watervliet is in as it affects

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us every single day. We know that
difficult and uncomfortable decisions

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have been and will be made. What we are
asking is that those of the ability to

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make those crucial decisions actually
make sure they know all of the facts

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from all parties involved before making
these decisions. It does not seem that

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this has occurred in this situation.
Please keep in mind that the individuals

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in the HPZ office are certified by the
state in order to do their jobs. No one

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else can take on these roles and
responsibilities unless they also hold a

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certification. Issuing of licenses, such
as those that local law number 5-2016

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would require the HPZ office to be
responsible for, does not require

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specialized training nor New York State
certification. Furthermore, this is not

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restructuring of duties nor is
restructuring what we need most at this

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time. We need transparency and honesty.
What I'm asking is that you do not vote

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yes for this local law, that you vote
no, because you likely don't have all

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the information and that doesn't seem
like good grounds for making an

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important decision that affects both
employees and the safety of the

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community. Thank you for your time.

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» Thank you. Next speaker, please.

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» Nancy Nichols, 212 Lincoln Avenue,
Watervliet.

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I would like to remind council that 6
years ago a resolution was passed by the

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council at that time that all licensing
and permits be done in the clerk's

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office because of issues that had
transpired beforehand.

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They're keeping a record of qualified
plumbers and electricians

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and they the plumbers and electricians
do have to pay a fee to be registered.

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All that money should be collected in
the clerk's office

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with proper um documentation.
And so I'm going to say review the

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resolution. You're going to pass a
resolution, council. Why Why pass it if

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you don't abide by it? Thank you.

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» Thank you.
Is there anyone else who present who

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wishes to speak on local law number 5
2026?

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Hearing none, seeing no further
speakers, I will now close the public

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hearing on local law number 5 2026
at 5:40 p.m.

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August 3rd, 2026.
Thank you all to all who participated.

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City Clerk, please note for the record
that the public hearing is closed.

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Okay, ladies and gentlemen, I call this
Common Council meeting to order

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uh for the city of Dunkirk this 3rd day
of August, 2026

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at 5:40 p.m.
Clerk, please call the roll.

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» Councilmember Vescio.
>> Here.

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» Councilmember Torreain.
>> Here.

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» Councilmember Frederickson.
>> Here.

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» Councilmember Siviletti.
>> Here.

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» Council Chair Nick Weiser is excused due
to professional obligations out of

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state. Please rise for the Pledge of
Allegiance.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America.

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And to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God,

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indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all.

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Thank you. Mayor Kate Toolan, do you
have an announcement?

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» Uh
Council statement, um it's with deep

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sadness that the city of Dunkirk
acknowledges the passing of our

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employee, John Paul Wong, a respected
member of our municipal workforce.

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Dave, he began his service to our
in 2021 as municipal worker bringing

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steady dedication and strong work ethic
to every task. In 2023, he was advanced

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into our water maintenance division
where he continued to

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support essential services with
reliability, skill, and pride in his

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work.
JP's contributions strengthen our city

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and support the daily operations
residents depend on. His loss is felt

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across our departments and throughout
the community.

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On behalf of the city of Dunkirk,
Councilman at large Weiser, and the

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members of the Common Council, I extend
heartfelt condolences

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to JP's wife and children, family
members, friends, and loved ones. We

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honor his memory with gratitude for the
years he devoted to serving our

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residents.
As a mark of respect, I am directing

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that all city flags be flown at
half-mast through the end of this week.

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Additionally, I respectfully request we
begin this meeting of the Common Council

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with a moment of silence in JP's honor
reflecting our collective appreciation

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for his service and the impact he made
with our community.

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» Thank you. Um
let us have a moment of

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00:12:48,080 --> 00:12:52,480
reflection and prayer, please.

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Thank you. Next, we have the
certification of the prior meeting.

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Is there a motion to dispense with the
reading of the minutes and approve as

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00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:19,320
presented?
Moved by Oh, go ahead.

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00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:23,040
Mr. Councilman.
This is to certify that an official copy

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00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:28,400
of the minutes of the regular Common
Council meeting of Tuesday, July 21st,

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00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:34,320
2026 was presented to the mayor on
Friday, July 31st, 2026. Pursuant to

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00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:38,560
section 3.03 of the Dunkirk City
Charter, all items presented to the

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00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:42,080
mayor are now in full force and effect.
In witness whereof, I have here to set

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my hand and seal of the city of Dunkirk,
New York, this 3rd day of August, 2026.

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00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:52,720
» Is there a motion to dispense with the
reading of the minutes and approve as

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00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:57,480
presented?
Moved by

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00:13:54,680 --> 00:14:01,800
Councilman Frederickson and seconded by
Councilman Torreain. Clerk, please call

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00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:03,640
the roll.
>> Councilmember Kusolek.

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00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:05,320
» Aye.
>> Councilmember Torreain.

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00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,120
» Aye.
>> Councilmember Frederickson.

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00:14:06,560 --> 00:14:10,120
» Aye.
>> Councilmember Siletta.

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00:14:08,320 --> 00:14:14,080
» Aye.
>> Minutes are approved as presented.

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We now have moved to the privilege of
the floor.

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00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:23,000
Clerk Dobek, kindly read the
instructions.

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00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:26,560
» The privilege of the floor shall be
extended to any person appearing for

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00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:30,320
themselves, in which case each
individual appearing

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00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:34,360
shall be limited to 3 minutes. And to
any person representing any group who

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00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:36,920
shall be limited to a maximum time of 5
minutes. The privilege [clears throat]

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00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:40,240
of the floor is reserved for members of
the public to speak on any subject

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pertinent to the affairs of city
government. The city clerk shall have

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00:14:42,280 --> 00:14:48,120
the duty of maintaining such time
limits. The chair may determine in their

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00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:52,160
discretion whether individuals are
speaking for themselves or representing

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groups. The chair shall maintain good
order and may require any speaker to

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00:14:54,080 --> 00:15:00,600
cease speaking if remarks are made in
bad taste or are slanderous or not

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00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:04,880
germane. The time limit specified shall
be adhered to except that the chair may

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00:15:02,560 --> 00:15:09,480
allow any person speaking to complete a
statement or thought started before such

218
00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:14,760
time expires. And a longer time may be
allowed by the chair with the approval

219
00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:14,760
of the majority of the council.

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00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:21,560
» The privilege of the floor is now open.
Anyone wishing to speak speak, please

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00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:25,760
step forward, state your name and
address, and then address the council.

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00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:28,880
» I do want
My name is William Harris.

223
00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:33,760
Residence of
Dover. I reside at 218 Robin Street,

224
00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:38,400
Dover, New York.
The reason I'm here today

225
00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:43,480
is about one problem next door
with the grass and fallen hazardous

226
00:15:40,920 --> 00:15:43,480
trees.

227
00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:51,560
I came to the city
since uh

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00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:57,680
uh mayor of uh
Wright was here. He took care of several

229
00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:57,680
problems. Now he's not here.

230
00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:05,320
I talked with
Andrew Boone uh Andrew Boone,

231
00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:08,640
Michael David, assistant uh
I can't spell his name.

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00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:13,680
And Evan uh
Dustin Fife about this ongoing issue

233
00:16:10,960 --> 00:16:19,520
about the grass growing outside of my
house adjacent to 218 Robin Street. It's

234
00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:23,920
called 220 Robin Street. No one knows
who the property owner is. The property

235
00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:29,080
is uh causing
nuisance

236
00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:33,880
of making sure raccoons, squirrels,
possums not being supplied food on the

237
00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:37,760
side of of my house adjacent to the
house. Trees have been falling on my

238
00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:40,360
house twice
since uh

239
00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:44,480
I've been coming to
I came to the city.

240
00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:49,720
I asked
who is the property owner

241
00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:57,400
of the lot.
Being here, no one has the answer.

242
00:16:52,960 --> 00:17:01,360
Since 2023 through 2023 3024 and now, no
one has the answer who the lot belongs

243
00:16:59,640 --> 00:17:05,800
to.
Adjacent to 218 Robin Street.

244
00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:08,160
It's causing harm, damage to my
property.

245
00:17:10,319 --> 00:17:16,760
I'm here today. I just need an answer
and who can

246
00:17:14,360 --> 00:17:21,720
who owns the property and who will cut
the grass adjacent to 218 Robin Street.

247
00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:25,640
And who is the rightful owner of 220
Robin Street?

248
00:17:23,199 --> 00:17:30,000
» Okay. Allen, did you want to speak with
him after the meeting?

249
00:17:28,280 --> 00:17:33,840
» Yeah, we spoke and it's going to be a
combined effort between our Department

250
00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:38,200
of Public Works cuz the
one of the vacant lots in question is a

251
00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:40,720
city parcel.
>> Okay.

252
00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:43,760
» Yeah, the other parcel that he mentioned
is owned by the mayor.

253
00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:51,320
» But I've read C6 saying that they don't
own it. They don't own that property.

254
00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:54,480
New York State says they don't own that
property.

255
00:17:52,600 --> 00:17:57,000
So, it's a conflict between the city and
I don't know who else owns that

256
00:17:55,520 --> 00:18:00,680
property.
But it's a it's an ongoing problem.

257
00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:08,000
It's starting to loosen. The grass is is
at least that big, tall. They got trees

258
00:18:05,920 --> 00:18:11,120
and everything growing over there.
We're catching raccoons and taking them

259
00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:15,280
to the country. It's ridiculous in a
cage.

260
00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:18,600
I also believe there's a fox den over
there, too, as well.

261
00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:22,320
I'm not speaking just for me. I'm
speaking for the neighbors, kids, and

262
00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:25,680
the neighborhood itself, and the city
itself.

263
00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:30,600
This needs to be fixed immediately. The
problem needs to be addressed. And

264
00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:34,240
anybody that was out at loose that the
house the tree fell on my house over

265
00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:37,600
here at 218 Robin Street because of the
disaster it is. The trees are falling.

266
00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:42,000
They're dead.
Everything up the grass over there is

267
00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:45,280
over 10 ft high.
Someone needs to fix it.

268
00:18:43,760 --> 00:18:48,840
Please.
>> Thank you.

269
00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:48,840
» Thank you. You're welcome.

270
00:18:56,120 --> 00:18:59,920
» Anyone else wishing to speak?

271
00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:09,800
» Uh good evening members of council. My
name is Albert Dawson. I'm a Dunkirk

272
00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:12,480
resident, taxpayer, and dedicated civil
servant.

273
00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:16,360
Uh Uh, as a fellow public servant, I
know what it means to be accountable to

274
00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:20,320
the people we serve. My job depends on
reliability, clear hours,

275
00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:26,680
and being available to the public.
That is why I'm standing here today

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00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:30,600
tonight to discuss item 001-14-10-10-25
in our municipal budget.

277
00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:35,360
When the elected treasurer position was
eliminated, the city clerk's salary

278
00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:40,040
jumped 37.5% from $40,000 to
$55,000 with the total compensation even

279
00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:45,040
higher. That's a $15,000 raise that
current taxpayers are absorbing in the

280
00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:48,560
8.4% property tax hike.
We were promised that department

281
00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:51,840
consolidation would save money. Instead,
the savings are immediately followed to

282
00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:56,240
a pay bump. The justification given was
absorbing treasurer duties.

283
00:19:54,240 --> 00:20:00,000
Uh, let's look at reality. Mayor states
she controls day-to-day spending.

284
00:19:58,120 --> 00:20:03,440
High-level financial strategy and
strategy and budgeting are handled by

285
00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:07,200
the new controller, fiscal affairs
officer, and consultant Marshall

286
00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:10,480
Marshall Beach. The clerk's office has
five staff members,

287
00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:13,960
and the remaining treasurer duties in
that office are strictly

288
00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:17,800
transactional, running the cash counter
for water bills and taxes.

289
00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:21,840
While taking that $15,000 raise under
the guise of absorbing absorbing duties,

290
00:20:20,120 --> 00:20:25,720
the clerk's office is actively seeking
to offload long-standing historic

291
00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:29,640
responsibilities. Trade licenses being
shifted away to other departments. So,

292
00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:33,040
taxpayers are paying her $15,000 more
while her office handles fewer

293
00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:36,960
operational duties.
Worse yet, consider the precedent the

294
00:20:35,080 --> 00:20:40,000
council setting. If absorbing
duties automatically justifies a pay

295
00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:43,640
bump, what happens when another
department's forced to take over the

296
00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:47,240
licensing responsibility?
Does that department automatically get a

297
00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:50,760
$15,000 raise, too?
You're setting a dangerous fiscal

298
00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:54,920
precedent we simply can't afford.
So, as an exempt salary department head,

299
00:20:53,280 --> 00:20:58,040
the clerk-treasurer is compensated to
ensure office functions and public are

300
00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:02,280
served.
Salaried leaders are paid for results,

301
00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:07,160
availability, and the public access has
been cut to just 24 hours a week,

302
00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:13,334
completely closed to us on Fridays.
People have to take a day off just to

303
00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:15,920
pay a water bill or tax bill.
>> [sighs]

304
00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:19,520
» Also, your September 3rd, 2024
resolution appointed her as registrar of

305
00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:23,040
vital statistics processing vital
records

306
00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:26,920
requires an on-site notary validation.
Yet, the clerk will lack the act of

307
00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:30,840
notary public commission. Taxpayers are
paying a premium wage for an office that

308
00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:35,160
is locked on Fridays and legally
hamstrung when they are open.

309
00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:40,040
Consolidating city government must mean
actual savings for taxpayers, not

310
00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:44,040
payroll shuffling, offloading duties,
restricted public access, and dangerous

311
00:21:42,120 --> 00:21:49,880
precedents. I urge this council to
exercise oversight, roll back the

312
00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:49,880
$15,000 salary increase. Thank you.

313
00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:53,320
» Thank you.

314
00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:05,480
Is there anyone else who wishes to
speak?

315
00:22:05,960 --> 00:22:12,240
If not,
going once, going twice,

316
00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:16,600
public hearing of the floor is now
closed.

317
00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:21,280
Let's now move to communications of the
mayor, including disaproval messages.

318
00:22:19,160 --> 00:22:24,760
Mayor Kate?
>> Uh I would just like to address the last

319
00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:28,560
gentleman that spoke. I think there are
some I'm sorry I didn't catch your name.

320
00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:34,080
I think there's some confusion on
exactly what job duties were absorbed

321
00:22:32,120 --> 00:22:40,520
when the clerk became the clerk
treasurer. That also includes

322
00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:44,680
generating water bills, generating tax
bills, making sure that all of that

323
00:22:42,320 --> 00:22:49,560
stuff is out. It's not simply collecting
money. Uh there is a lot of work that

324
00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:55,360
goes into it, and we just recently
staffed that office to their fullest

325
00:22:52,000 --> 00:23:01,840
staffing amount. Um the money that was
given to Ms. Dolbeck as a pay increase

326
00:22:58,960 --> 00:23:06,960
came from the treasurer salary that we
were saving. Uh

327
00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:11,600
it is, in my own humble opinion, not
nearly enough for the extra amount of

328
00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:18,320
work that she's done. Building and
zoning have been for at least the last 2

329
00:23:14,600 --> 00:23:24,040
years doing the electrical licenses and
plumbing licenses renewals. That is done

330
00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:28,720
on software that only their department
has. It's called CitizenServe. All of

331
00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:34,240
those auto-generated
applications and permits and renewals

332
00:23:31,520 --> 00:23:39,600
are generated strictly through
CitizenServe that building and zoning

333
00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:43,080
maintains as their own software.
Uh

334
00:23:40,560 --> 00:23:48,440
and to say that the city clerk is not a
notary is a misconception. She is a

335
00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:52,320
licensed notary public. Uh
so, I don't know where that information

336
00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:56,720
came from. We are in the process of
expanding our hours now that we are

337
00:23:54,280 --> 00:24:01,480
fully staffed. Uh we are hoping that as
soon as we have at least one more person

338
00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:04,360
fully trained, we will open to regular
business hours.

339
00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:15,120
» Okay.
We'll now address communications from

340
00:24:12,520 --> 00:24:17,720
the public and petitions.
Let's open that.

341
00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:27,320
Request from Jose Rodriguez to use
Calvin Coolidge Stadium and School 7

342
00:24:25,120 --> 00:24:33,280
softball field for a kickball tournament
on Saturday, August 15th, 2026 from 8:00

343
00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:37,040
a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Any discussion from the council?

344
00:24:38,120 --> 00:24:44,480
Hearing none, do I have a motion to
refer to the appropriate departments as

345
00:24:42,640 --> 00:24:49,560
well as approved
subject to appropriate insurances and

346
00:24:46,560 --> 00:24:53,560
usual conditions.
Moved by

347
00:24:51,400 --> 00:25:00,120
Council member Terrain
and seconded by Council member Savarese.

348
00:24:58,120 --> 00:25:01,960
Clerk, please call the roll. Council
member, Restivo.

349
00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:03,720
» Aye.
>> Council member, Terrane.

350
00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:05,600
» Aye.
>> Council member, Frederickson.

351
00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:09,200
» Aye.
>> Council member, Savaletto.

352
00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:09,200
» Aye.

353
00:25:09,360 --> 00:25:12,240
» Motion carried.

354
00:25:12,800 --> 00:25:20,240
Request from Michael Burton to use
Chautauqua County Fairgrounds on August

355
00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:24,520
16th, I'm sorry, August 15th for the
16th annual Maggie Wulff Memorial

356
00:25:22,280 --> 00:25:29,720
Tournament on Saturday,
August 15th, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00

357
00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:29,720
p.m.

358
00:25:29,880 --> 00:25:33,720
Any discussion from the council?

359
00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:39,880
Hearing none, do I have a motion to
refer to the appropriate departments as

360
00:25:38,160 --> 00:25:43,960
well as approved subject to all
appropriate insurances and usual

361
00:25:41,960 --> 00:25:49,920
conditions?
Moved by Council member, Frederickson.

362
00:25:47,080 --> 00:25:53,120
And seconded by Council member, Terrane.
Please call the roll.

363
00:25:51,840 --> 00:25:54,800
Council member, Restivo.
>> Aye.

364
00:25:53,680 --> 00:25:56,600
» Council member, Terrane.
>> Aye.

365
00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:58,440
» Council member, Frederickson.
>> Aye.

366
00:25:57,080 --> 00:26:02,960
» Council member, Savaletto.
>> Aye.

367
00:26:00,600 --> 00:26:07,000
» Motion carried.
Last speaker at the case fan from

368
00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:12,640
Danielle Biscan home
to use mics and speakers on Saturday,

369
00:26:09,320 --> 00:26:16,760
August 29th, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00
p.m. at the Chautauqua County

370
00:26:14,080 --> 00:26:20,520
Fairgrounds.
Any discussion from the council?

371
00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:26,680
Hearing none, do I have a motion to
refer to the appropriate departments as

372
00:26:24,680 --> 00:26:32,880
well as approved subject to appropriate
insurances and usual conditions?

373
00:26:30,400 --> 00:26:36,320
Moved by Council member, Terrane.
And seconded by Council member,

374
00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:39,320
Frederickson. Clerk, please call the
roll. Council member, Restivo.

375
00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:41,200
» Aye.
>> Council member, Terrane.

376
00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:43,000
» Aye.
>> Council member, Frederickson.

377
00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:46,600
» Aye.
>> Council member, Savaletto.

378
00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:46,600
» Aye.

379
00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:50,400
» Motion carried.

380
00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:57,080
Okay, well, we'll move on to reports of
standing committees.

381
00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:04,760
Um, I would like to
I'll start with myself.

382
00:27:02,560 --> 00:27:09,480
First for Councilwoman um
which will be at I would like to address

383
00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:13,320
the parking in front of the boardwalk.
Uh few shop owners are parking in front

384
00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:16,920
of the boardwalk.
They could park at the strip in front of

385
00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:21,680
what was once Demetri's and therefore
leave room for patrons.

386
00:27:18,920 --> 00:27:25,680
Attorney Windholz Noldo, would you send
a nice but insistent letter regarding

387
00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:29,320
this matter to these shop owners? Mayor
Page, what are your thoughts on this

388
00:27:27,240 --> 00:27:34,160
matter? I'm sure it's not every shop
owner, but

389
00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:38,680
we would need to send it to all.
>> I don't have an issue sending uh that

390
00:27:36,520 --> 00:27:41,960
request. There is limited parking for
the tenants down there. So, you know,

391
00:27:40,640 --> 00:27:47,280
we've asked them in the past to be
mindful of customers that are coming in.

392
00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:50,480
Um I certainly can't
>> Which gap?

393
00:27:47,760 --> 00:27:53,320
» Yeah, force them to park anywhere.
Uh I

394
00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:56,920
» Wait, force them to park?
>> I'm going to move to send the letter.

395
00:27:55,640 --> 00:28:02,480
» Thank you.
Thank you.

396
00:27:58,920 --> 00:28:03,680
Council member Turpin, would you like to
Yeah, I'll go.

397
00:28:03,120 --> 00:28:07,200
» um
I just got a couple things. One, the

398
00:28:05,360 --> 00:28:10,440
personnel committee meeting is going to
be

399
00:28:08,080 --> 00:28:14,000
August 12th at 11:00.
I don't think I need to send out the

400
00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:20,200
correspondence to to all of the
departments on that one. And uh

401
00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:25,360
like to say that uh on behalf of uh
me and my and and my church family, we

402
00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:26,960
want to send out condolences to
uh

403
00:28:26,120 --> 00:28:31,080
our
employee that uh

404
00:28:29,240 --> 00:28:34,160
recently passed away and and I think
that our prayers go to him and his

405
00:28:32,480 --> 00:28:37,560
family.
Um

406
00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:42,240
and then also, the last thing um
on the local law that we

407
00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:45,320
had the public hearing on, let me assure
those members of the public and also

408
00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:50,440
those that are that are working at City
Hall that as a member as the chair of

409
00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:55,040
the personnel committee I've heard
plenty of dialogue on this issue.

410
00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:59,520
And so I don't want anybody to assume
that we don't

411
00:28:56,360 --> 00:29:03,320
there's a misunderstanding of of uh
uh what the issues are.

412
00:29:01,440 --> 00:29:08,400
It's very challenging issue.
And so we've heard a lot of dialogue on

413
00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:12,080
this so whatever decision that we make
we're making that based on what we've

414
00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:14,200
heard based on what we think is best for
the city.

415
00:29:13,040 --> 00:29:17,400
I'm going to make it based on what I
think is best for the citizens of the

416
00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:20,320
city. So
um

417
00:29:18,440 --> 00:29:24,040
uh I just want you to know that yes we
have heard a lot of dialogue on that

418
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:26,600
issue.
I'm I'm done.

419
00:29:25,080 --> 00:29:29,760
» Thank you.
Councilman Frederickson.

420
00:29:28,760 --> 00:29:34,360
» Um
thank you Chief Barber, Captain Spencer

421
00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:38,160
for the public safety committee meeting
Saturday.

422
00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:42,760
Again, informative meeting. Got a lot of
questions and got a lot of good answers.

423
00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:47,480
Thank you for your attendance.
Yep.

424
00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:53,440
» Councilman Civaletto.
>> Um last week we did have an economic

425
00:29:49,800 --> 00:29:58,360
development meeting um and went over
quite a few projects. Economic

426
00:29:54,880 --> 00:30:03,200
development um department has been
uh very busy and

427
00:30:01,760 --> 00:30:08,280
those
that entire list will be on

428
00:30:05,560 --> 00:30:11,800
our the agenda is on the is on the
internet.

429
00:30:09,400 --> 00:30:16,760
Um if anyone has any questions and they
wanted to

430
00:30:12,840 --> 00:30:19,880
talk to me about it they can. Um
but it was basically just a a run

431
00:30:18,520 --> 00:30:23,160
through of all the different projects
that they've been doing.

432
00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:27,520
Um
one of the one of the good projects is I

433
00:30:26,080 --> 00:30:30,840
mean they're all great projects but one
of them that uh

434
00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:34,520
is the trees
uh that are being

435
00:30:32,760 --> 00:30:38,800
um
they're being planted throughout the

436
00:30:35,760 --> 00:30:42,600
city in different neighborhoods. Um so
there's if you have any

437
00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:47,120
um
want for a tree to be to be planted in

438
00:30:45,960 --> 00:30:49,800
front of your house that would be a
native tree as opposed to a non-native

439
00:30:48,840 --> 00:30:54,040
tree,
um and something that is appropriate for

440
00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:58,720
the electrical lines, uh give the
economic development department a call

441
00:30:56,240 --> 00:31:01,640
and uh they can see if we can get you on
the list. If not,

442
00:31:00,400 --> 00:31:08,560
it looks like they've they're going to
do about 200 trees this fall um into the

443
00:31:05,720 --> 00:31:13,640
spring. So, if
you might get put on to next the next uh

444
00:31:11,120 --> 00:31:18,520
phases or the next year's uh plan, but
we're planning on planting 300 trees

445
00:31:17,040 --> 00:31:23,960
throughout the city.
Um I'm going to um give them a break in

446
00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:27,840
August um and we're not going to have an
economic development meeting in August,

447
00:31:26,200 --> 00:31:30,520
um but um
I will let you know when the September

448
00:31:29,240 --> 00:31:34,560
one is.
>> Thanks. I hope they're putting color.

449
00:31:33,040 --> 00:31:36,440
He's forgetting those trees.
>> Yeah, there's a lot of them that are

450
00:31:35,560 --> 00:31:39,720
flowering trees.
>> Good.

451
00:31:37,520 --> 00:31:43,920
Wonderful.
Moving on. Here. Oh, yeah. Go ahead.

452
00:31:42,760 --> 00:31:47,400
» I'm sorry. Uh
I was looking at my notes and there was

453
00:31:45,280 --> 00:31:50,960
one thing that I did want to bring up
cuz in the last meeting we were talking

454
00:31:48,760 --> 00:31:55,200
about Willowbrook and uh there was a
complaint about Willowbrook and the and

455
00:31:52,640 --> 00:31:58,680
the trucks that were going down. Um and
I I took a ride down there to take a

456
00:31:56,800 --> 00:32:02,120
look for myself.
Willowbrook is a wide street. It's a

457
00:32:00,680 --> 00:32:05,480
really wide street compared to other
streets in the city. I mean, it's a wide

458
00:32:03,640 --> 00:32:07,560
street. And
uh

459
00:32:06,080 --> 00:32:09,960
as you come down Central, it's pretty
much

460
00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:15,640
a
one of the only streets you can go down

461
00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:18,920
uh to get to the to the steel plant.
And uh

462
00:32:17,160 --> 00:32:23,160
and I don't see any other route that you
can take other than taking Willowbrook

463
00:32:20,440 --> 00:32:26,160
as safe for trucks to to to operate on.
So, those residents that are there,

464
00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:30,000
that's the reason why trucks are going
down that street because it's a wide

465
00:32:28,160 --> 00:32:33,680
street and it's wide enough for trucks
to actually go down to get to the steel

466
00:32:31,680 --> 00:32:37,800
plant. And there's
I don't see any other way

467
00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:42,280
to for that to happen. So, I just wanted
to address that. I did go down and I

468
00:32:39,560 --> 00:32:46,680
took a look at it and
you know,

469
00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:46,680
that's what the conclusion I came to.

470
00:32:49,520 --> 00:32:55,920
» Thank you. Moving on, there appears to
be unfinished business.

471
00:32:58,760 --> 00:33:08,040
Resolution authorizing adoption of local
law number 5 2026. Before we proceed,

472
00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:13,280
do we have a motion to postpone
consideration of local law number 5 2026

473
00:33:11,360 --> 00:33:19,440
until the next meeting of Tuesday,
August 18th, 2026? New York Home Rule

474
00:33:17,080 --> 00:33:22,960
Law section 20 says you can't pass a
local law

475
00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:27,440
until 7 days after the public hearing
unless there is an emergency.

476
00:33:25,280 --> 00:33:33,000
Would any member like to make a motion
to postpone local law number 5 2026

477
00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:37,840
until the next regular council meeting
of Tuesday, August 18th, 2026?

478
00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:42,760
We have a motion
from Councilman

479
00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:46,800
Frederickson.
Uh, do I have a second?

480
00:33:45,000 --> 00:33:53,960
And we have a second
from Council member Man Terrain.

481
00:33:51,360 --> 00:33:55,960
Clerk, please call the roll.
>> Councilmember Luis Gonzalez.

482
00:33:55,400 --> 00:33:57,680
» Aye.
>> Councilmember Terrain.

483
00:33:57,000 --> 00:33:59,480
» Aye.
>> Councilmember Frederickson.

484
00:33:58,880 --> 00:34:02,560
» Aye.
>> Councilmember Colangelo. [clears throat]

485
00:34:00,720 --> 00:34:07,600
» Aye.
>> Motion carries.

486
00:34:04,560 --> 00:34:14,200
Consideration of local law number 5 2026
is postponed to August 18th.

487
00:34:10,560 --> 00:34:20,120
City Clerk, please note for the record.
Let's move on to pre-filed resolutions.

488
00:34:17,280 --> 00:34:27,280
Clerk, please introduce
resolution number 68 2026.

489
00:34:24,399 --> 00:34:33,679
» Resolution 63-2026.
Resolution authorizing budget line

490
00:34:29,120 --> 00:34:33,679
modifications for fiscal year 2026.

491
00:34:35,280 --> 00:34:42,120
63 and it's
2060. Okay, sorry. It's

492
00:34:39,280 --> 00:34:47,520
68 on the agenda and 63 on the
resolution. 63 2026. Any discussion or

493
00:34:45,800 --> 00:34:52,000
questions for this for the
administration?

494
00:34:50,040 --> 00:34:55,240
» What's our actual reason for opening
those lines?

495
00:34:53,560 --> 00:34:58,320
Because the way you guys seems a lot
more transparent.

496
00:34:57,040 --> 00:35:01,640
You have much separate lines than it
would be combined.

497
00:35:00,680 --> 00:35:06,400
» being
the amount of money because all of that

498
00:35:04,080 --> 00:35:09,280
money is coming out of personal services
currently.

499
00:35:07,800 --> 00:35:14,960
through ADP.
So, as it stands in the budget those

500
00:35:12,440 --> 00:35:17,680
lines have money in them that's not
being used.

501
00:35:17,840 --> 00:35:23,720
So, I'm rather than having the personal
service line

502
00:35:21,960 --> 00:35:29,000
be over, we're going to move those
salaries up to the appropriate lines. It

503
00:35:26,240 --> 00:35:31,280
doesn't take away the line.
>> Thank you.

504
00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:38,880
» Okay, clerk, please call the roll.
>> Council member Lestoya.

505
00:35:38,240 --> 00:35:40,640
» Aye.
>> Council member Terrain.

506
00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:42,600
» Aye.
>> Council member Frederickson.

507
00:35:41,960 --> 00:35:45,000
» Aye.
>> Council member Civilo.

508
00:35:43,800 --> 00:35:49,400
» Aye.
>> The resolution is adopted.

509
00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:57,240
We have
Clerk, there is a walk-in. Kindly

510
00:35:51,240 --> 00:36:02,440
introduce walk-in resolution number 64
2026.

511
00:35:59,120 --> 00:36:07,920
» Walk-in resolution 64-2026.
Resolution appointing police chief.

512
00:36:05,840 --> 00:36:12,640
» A motion is needed to add walk-in
resolution number 64-2026

513
00:36:10,480 --> 00:36:16,200
to the agenda. Council
May I move with a motion?

514
00:36:16,760 --> 00:36:24,280
Um
Yeah, moved by Council member Terrain

515
00:36:21,480 --> 00:36:28,840
and seconded by Council member
um Civilo. Clerk, please call the roll.

516
00:36:27,440 --> 00:36:30,480
Council member Lissauer.
>> Aye.

517
00:36:29,320 --> 00:36:32,240
» Council member Terrence.
>> Aye.

518
00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:33,880
» Council member Ferguson.
>> Aye.

519
00:36:32,760 --> 00:36:36,160
» Council member Civiliano.
>> Aye.

520
00:36:36,560 --> 00:36:43,360
» Okay, it is accepted as to the agenda.
Now, I want to move with the motion to

521
00:36:41,760 --> 00:36:47,680
vote
for resolution number 64-2026.

522
00:36:47,760 --> 00:36:55,400
Um
Please call the roll, Clerk, regarding

523
00:36:51,120 --> 00:36:55,400
the vote on resolution 64-2026.

524
00:36:58,240 --> 00:37:02,840
Pardon?
>> You have to make a motion.

525
00:36:59,760 --> 00:37:08,640
» Oh, yes. Can I please have a motion
for um

526
00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:11,920
the voting on resolution 64-2026?
>> Or we can make a motion.

527
00:37:09,840 --> 00:37:15,840
» Yes, please. It's It's discussion.
Please vote yes.

528
00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:20,680
» First of all, let me say that uh
this this makes me very happy that uh

529
00:37:21,040 --> 00:37:25,120
What the heck is going
>> Council member Terrence, if I could just

530
00:37:23,200 --> 00:37:30,920
uh I I I don't believe I need to say
that's way for you. Um I'm very excited.

531
00:37:27,320 --> 00:37:36,840
I have been in talks with uh
our soon-to-be chief, Switzer.

532
00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:41,200
Um and I was pleased that he came to me
and expressed that he was interested and

533
00:37:38,760 --> 00:37:46,840
we have been working very well together
for the last several months since

534
00:37:43,880 --> 00:37:52,000
retirement of Chief Chief Witkowski.
So, to say um that I'm hoping that I

535
00:37:50,000 --> 00:37:57,600
have entire council support on this
matter would be an understatement. Uh

536
00:37:54,600 --> 00:38:02,480
this is well deserved. Officer Chief
Chief Switzer joined the force in 2008

537
00:38:00,360 --> 00:38:06,600
and again, he's been acting as our
interim chief while we've been

538
00:38:04,400 --> 00:38:11,560
searching. So, we are very excited that
she is willing to consider being our

539
00:38:08,680 --> 00:38:16,600
permanent police chief.
>> And I'd like to just second it cuz I uh

540
00:38:14,840 --> 00:38:21,640
know how many times I've
tried to pry him to you know,

541
00:38:18,440 --> 00:38:25,440
take this position. But um
I'm very very happy that he decided to

542
00:38:23,960 --> 00:38:28,760
say yes and that
the two of you have a

543
00:38:26,840 --> 00:38:33,640
a wonderful relationship. I think it's a
great move for city of Dunkirk and we're

544
00:38:31,080 --> 00:38:36,240
moving forward which makes me also makes
me excited.

545
00:38:36,280 --> 00:38:44,360
» Any other discussion or questions?
Clerk, please call the roll for the

546
00:38:41,840 --> 00:38:44,360
vote.

547
00:38:46,120 --> 00:38:49,840
Well, oh okay. First um

548
00:38:50,800 --> 00:38:56,600
Okay, a motion is needed. I would like
to

549
00:38:55,000 --> 00:39:01,280
Councilman
Fredrickson and seconded by Councilman

550
00:38:58,880 --> 00:39:03,120
Terrane. Clerk, please call the roll.
Council member Lestola.

551
00:39:02,560 --> 00:39:04,640
» Aye.
>> Council member Terrane.

552
00:39:04,120 --> 00:39:06,360
» Aye.
>> Council member Fredrickson.

553
00:39:05,920 --> 00:39:09,840
» Aye.
>> Council member Civilletto.

554
00:39:07,560 --> 00:39:09,840
» Aye.

555
00:39:10,160 --> 00:39:13,760
» Okay, motion is adopted.

556
00:39:14,752 --> 00:39:16,772
» [applause]

557
00:39:20,520 --> 00:39:25,160
» And Council, I would just like to remind
everybody that tomorrow is National

558
00:39:23,720 --> 00:39:28,640
Night Out and that will be the Chief's
very first public appearance as our

559
00:39:26,720 --> 00:39:31,360
Chief. So, I encourage everybody to
please attend.

560
00:39:32,240 --> 00:39:34,840
» Thank you.

561
00:39:35,880 --> 00:39:41,800
Okay.
Um

562
00:39:39,040 --> 00:39:45,240
Now, we move on to new business. I don't
think there is any new business. There

563
00:39:43,400 --> 00:39:51,280
are no further matters and so I'll
entertain a motion to adjourn.

564
00:39:48,800 --> 00:39:55,320
Moved by Councilman Fredrickson and
seconded by Councilman Civilletto.

565
00:39:56,240 --> 00:39:59,520
Clerk, please call the roll. Council
member Lestola.

566
00:39:59,120 --> 00:40:01,080
» Aye.
>> Council member Terrane.

567
00:40:00,600 --> 00:40:02,760
» Aye.
>> Council member Fredrickson.

568
00:40:02,320 --> 00:40:05,400
» Aye.
>> Council member Civilletto.

569
00:40:03,920 --> 00:40:09,400
» Aye.
>> We are now adjourned. Thank you,

570
00:40:06,800 --> 00:40:09,400
everyone.

571
00:40:35,480 --> 00:40:40,120
» All right. I got loved up on the walk-in
again.

572
00:40:38,440 --> 00:40:42,440
» That's all right. I'll get in the next
fight.

573
00:40:47,600 --> 00:40:50,200
» Hey, baby.

574
00:40:52,348 --> 00:40:54,368
» [laughter]