[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]