Common Council - Regular Meeting

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Everyone like to call this common council meeting of the city of Denver on the 10th day of March 26 at 5:30 p.m. Cler Council member Lolier here. Council member Tine here. Council member Frederick here. Council member Calto here. Council member at large clerk. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you all for joining us tonight. Next, we have the certification of prior meetings. This is to certify that an official copy of the minutes of the common council meeting of Tuesday, February 24th was presented to the mayor on Friday, March 6th, 2026. Pursuant to section 3.03 of the number city charter, all items presented to the mayor are now in full force and effect in witness where I appear to set my hand and seal the city of Dunker, New York 10th day of March 2020. There a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve present. Moved by council member Frederickson, seconded by council member terrain. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lgoia. I. Council member Terrain. I. Council member Frederickson. I. Council member Cileto.

Hi. Council member at largeiser. Items are approved as presented. Now move to privilege of the floor.

The privilege of the floor shall be extended to any person appearing for themselves. in which case each individual hearing shall be limited to three minutes and to any person representing any group who shall be limited to a maximum time of five minutes. The privilege of the floor is reserved for members of the public to speak on any subject pertinent to the affairs of city government. The city clerk shall have the duty of maintaining such time limits. The chair may determine in their discretion whether individuals are speaking to themselves or representing groups. The chair shall maintain good order and may require any speaker to cease speaking if remarks are made in bad taste or are slanderous or not germanine. The time limit specified shall be adhered to except that the chair may allow any person to any person speaking to complete a statement or thought before such time expires and a longer time may be allowed by the chair with the approval of the majority of the council.

Thank you. Privilege of the floor is now open. There are any members of the public who wish to speak, please step forward, state your name and address, and address the council.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Don Fredus, 11 North Servo Street Secretary, Professional Firefighters, Local 616. I intend to be respectful and tactful today in my statement. This is just business. City employees are being blamed and held accountable for the city debt. Union members have negotiated in good faith for their paying benefits. This administration through vindictiveness has taken away some of those benefits which has added to a mountain of legal fees being burdened by the city of Dunker taxpayers. These actions are being blamed on the financial crisis that I would like to add was not caused by the city employees. Far too many times I've heard that the union contracts are bankrupting the city of Dunkerk. Poor management and now theft of funds is what I believe is causing the debt in the city of Dunkerk. The legal fees brings a question. the budget line for the city attorney. There is no bud budget line for the city attorney. It's zeroed out. So, how is Mr. Reundo being paid? He's working. He's here tonight. Has a contract been passed by the council or does just everything go to arbitration so he gets paid? I filed the foil. Foil was not entertained. I did not get a denial form back within the time allotted and this is why I asked this today. I'm very proud to hold the title of city of Dunker firefighter. This is my hometown and I hold a lot of emotions when it comes to this.

Keep this short finally to the residents and the visitors of my hometown Ducker. We, the professional firefighters, will unwaverly serve and protect you, even if it costs us our own lives. The very least the city can do is honor our contract. Thank you very much for the time.

Thank you, Mr. FREDUS. [applause] Is there anyone else who wishes to speak this evening? Going once, twice. Privilege of the floor is now closed. Next, we move to communications from the mayor, including disapproval messages. Mayor Dovas. Thank you, Councilman. Um, I really have very limited statements and the only bout uh piece of information that I will share with you is the city was recently notified that we will be doing a hazardous household hazardous waste collection for 2026 on June 13th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 19 West Lucas Avenue in the city of Dunkerk. And more information will be provided to our residents when they're closer to that date. That's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you, mayor. Uh before we move to communications from the public and petitions, I'd like to call for an executive session to discuss matters of pending litigation, is there a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters of pending litigation? Moved by Council Member Frederickson, seconded by Council Member Lusco. Uh before we vote on this, just like the public to know we will return to the regular session immediately following the conclusion of the executive session. So you're welcome to stay if you'd like. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lgoak, I. Council member Terrain, hi. Council member Frederickson, hi. Council member CivilTo, hi. Council member Large Wiser,

I. The motion carries and we'll now enter into executive session. For the record, the time is 5:37 p.m. Um, I'd ask that the council and attorney Roando please convene uh out in the hallway. We'll figure out where we want to go from there. Thank you.

computer. New ears. Okay, thank you all for your patience. Next, we'll address communications from the public and petitions.

Requests from [music] the Dunkerk City School District to use School 7 Proman Shankle Stadium softball fields for practices and games if weather or field conditions limit use of primary district [music] fields. Any discussion council? Are we waiting? I see in in here uh well in here they did ask for fees to be waved, but they also said that they wave fees whenever we use the the the school facilities for city basketball. So because because it's a quick quote,

they weigh these weight these it's a quick vote quick. So um they're asking us to wait for midday waitings.

Do we have a clear consensus [music] council? Do we want to pass this as is or if we want to adjust it? council. We've done this uh in the past for decades. Um it's just kind of us supporting the school district and the school district supports us in this endeavor. Um this is not a private organization. Obviously, it's the school district. So, generally, we don't ask for fees and we don't charge them fees and they do the same for us. They don't charge us fees for our our rep programs. Right. I understand then we're going to have somebody organization that we don't make each school contract and say what you do for that come

usually we only do this for the school district it doesn't apply to anybody else okay I think that that's that relationship between the city and the schools should be a good relationship absolutely okay is there any further discussion council okay hearing none do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate [music] departments as well as approved subject to appropriate insuranceances and usual conditions by council member Frederickson, seconded by council [music] member terrain. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lcoyak. Hi. Council member Terrain. Hi. Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member Ciletto. Hi. Council member at largeiser.

I. Motion carried. Request from Tim Dovz to use Proman Stadium, Cooks Field, and School 7 Field for the 51st annual First Ward Falcon Club fast pitch tournament from Friday, July 17th, 2026 through Sunday, July 19th, 2026. Is there any discussion, council?

Yeah, I just um I noticed um we we do charge other people for picnic tables. I know it's a small amount, but you know it all kind of accumulates. So, um, so I'm because I know, you know, last year we we uh did not wave anybody the charge for picnic tables. So, I think that we should not we should charge them for the 12 picnic tables. Hate to be petty, but um, you know, just to be consistent. and they're adults. So,

uh, clerk, do you know what the fee is? We raised that fee. Do we do five? I think it was five a table per day. Is there consensus on council that we want to do that tables? Yeah. Okay. Any further discussion? Okay. Okay. In that case, do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate departments as well as approved subject to appropriate insuranceances and with the condition that uh they will be charged for the 12 extra picnic tables. Moved by council member Terrain, seconded by council member Luscoiac. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lasco. Hi. Council member Terrain. Hi.

Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member Cileto. Hi. Council member at largeiser. I. Motion carried. Request from Corey Alolstrm on behalf of Chadwick Bay softball to use Proman Shenkele Stadium, Cooksfield, and Cooks Fields on Friday, August 1st, 2026 from through August 2nd, 2026 for the youth softball tournament. Is there any discussion council? This does also include a request that the $250 fee enclosed be waved and returned.

Any thoughts, council? I think in here it says that uh it says we believe it is fair not to request a fee waiver at this point.

Okay. He included a check but um requesting to consider a waiver in the amount of half of that of 250. Um but you know I we we have to be consistent. Sorry. So are we looking to uh to do this without waving fees? Am I correct? Okay. In that case, do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate departments as well as approved subject to appropriate insuranceances and with the condition that fees will not be waved. So moved by council member Frederickson, seconded by council member Loviaak. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lasco. Hi. Council member [clears throat] Terrain. Hi.

Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member Cileto. Hi. Council member at largeiser. I. Motion carried. Request from Gary Richardson, commander of the American Legion Post 62 to close off Central Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets on July 26th, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for their memorial car show. Any discussion, council? Okay. Hearing none. Do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate departments as well as approved subject to appropriate insuranceances and usual conditions? Moved by council member Cileto, seconded by council member terrain. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Leco. I. Council member Terrain. Hi. Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member Cileto. Hi.

Council member at largeiser. I. Motion carried. Notice of claim from Joseph Ray Posh of South Roberts Road for replacing a water line that was a city issue. Any discussion, council? Okay, I need a motion to refer this to the law department and department of public works. Moved by council member Frederickson. Seconded by council member Cileto. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Leco. I. Council member Terrain. I. Council member Frederickson. I. Council member CileTo. Hi. Council member Largeweiser.

I. Motion carried. loudspeaker permit requests from Brandy Whitis of on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to have a DJ at the lower pavilion at Point Greset Park on Saturday, June 13th, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m. for their Great Strides Walk. Okay. I do see uh a note here that it must be a 4-hour window or less. That's already included here in this request. Uh is there any discussion, council? Okay, hearing none. Do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate departments as well as approve? Moved by council member terrain, seconded by council member Cileto. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lecoak. Hi. Council [clears throat] member Terrain.

Hi. Council member Frederickson. I. Council member Cileto. Hi. Council member at largeiser. I. Motion carried. Loudspeaker permit requests from the American Legion Post 62 to have a band on Sunday, July 26, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for their classic car show. Any discussion? Council hearing none. Do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate Oh, I was just going to ask where the where did it say that it was going to be. Was there car show at the street? At the street.

Okay. Anything further? Okay. Do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate departments as well as approve? Moved by council member Frederickson. Second by council member Terrain. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lcoyak. I. Council member Terrain. Hi. Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member CileTo. I. Council member at largeiser. I. Motion carried. loudspeaker permit request from the Shiitakqua Adult Care for speakers to be used at their agency picnic on Saturday, July 20 or July 31st from 20 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Any discussion, council?

Okay. In that case, do I have a motion to refer to the appropriate departments as well as approve? Moved by Council Member Frederickson. Seconded by council member civilto clerk, please call the role. Council member Lecoak. I. Council member Terrain. Hi. Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member Ciletto. I. Council member Largeweiser. I. Motion carried. The next loudspeaker request listed here was already approved at the previous meeting. Uh its appearance on tonight's agenda is simply an administrative error. So no action is required at this time. Um, with that, we'll now rep uh move to reports of standing committees, boards, and commission. Council member Luscoia.

Yes. I I just wanted to I know the budget can be daunting, so I wanted to, you know, address the secretary of the union for the firefighters and everyone. We no longer have a city attorney, but we have contracted services from a law firm, a firm which attorney Roando is from. and our budget of 2026 um along with amendments with council approved 60,000 for apparel illegal and 72,000 for contracted services all of which were compiled into the contracted services line of the budget per the recommendations of the um controllers's office. So, um, we've so far paid, um, attorney Roando's firm 24,676 for two months, plus we still owed about, I don't know, 9,000 from 2025, but still at this rate, it'll be above the budgeted $72,000.

Council Loiaak, I do not believe that there's anything owed from 2025. Oh, no. Um, it could be another law firm with respect to the cities. Okay. um bond resolutions or items like that. Is it from somebody?

Oh, okay. But for somebody else. Okay. And then um but however, the charter states the council has the authorization for the execution of contracts, which we have not seen this particular one. And there's also a long procurement policy in the charter which includes professional services. So, we really do need to um you know, going forward, we need to be more on point with that. And Allen does confirm the firm is turning in a record of professional services. And um but we need to see and approve any contract going forward in order we can monitor that. But uh the next uh DPW meeting is Thursday, March 26th at 1 p.m. and we are taking steps to um the end result of opening Lucas Avenue for brush. At this time it is just a meeting of the county public facilities committee uh regarding a suggestion the county executive and our mayor talked about. So we are moving forward with that and and that's that's it for me. Thank you, Council Member Terrain.

Thank you. Um I uh our next personnel meeting meeting is going to be March 18th at 11 and uh um which we're going to go over a few things. Now, I wanted I don't have anything to to to address right now with personnel. Uh but I wanted to make a comment about a recent uh article that was in the paper concerning uh uh homelessness. And uh the one thing I wanted to to to say something because one thing I noticed about that article is that no one from the city of Dunkerk was invited. No one from city government or no one from or attended. Whether we were invited or not, we weren't attended.

So I was invited to that meeting uh as was retired Chief Wowski. Um I had a prior engagement. They had rescheduled this meeting twice. Uh and I was not able to attend on Friday. So that was the reason why I did not attend. Um, but again, and I don't want to take anything away from you. My position was they were offering no solutions and I didn't see where it would be beneficial for us to sit in on a meeting where it seemed like a photo op for everybody. Sorry.

I I would I would like to ask you if something like that occurs in the future, especially where it has to do with homelessness because of my experience with the housing authority. Um, I wouldn't mind even if it's it seems fruitless being a part of that. The reason why is because when you see the the optics, you know, you don't see anybody there. I mean, the optics are terrible and I'd like to get in the room with those people that are taking those pictures.

So, and I appreciate that sentiment and I certainly agree with you. Um, that meeting was scheduled by Senator Bello. Uh, invites went out through his office. I don't control any of those invites. I can certainly request that they include certain people. Um that does not mean that it will happen. So I will certainly make note and next time I have a conversation with Senator Bllo, I will let him know that if you're discussing homelessness, you would like to be involved or or any other subject concerning uh because Absolutely. Yeah. Because uh this I think it should be a common courtesy on behalf. Yeah. This is getting old fast.

Thank you. Uh Council Member Frederickson. Uh the only thing I have is uh public safety committee meetings. We're doing them quarterly. Originally it was scheduled for May 4th at 1:00. That has been backed up to April 27th at 1:00 in the conference room downstairs in the Sterns building. So anyone who wants to attend is welcome to. Um that's all I have.

Thank you, Council Member Civotto. um just that our next economic development meeting will be um March 31st which is um the last Tuesday of the month and I [clears throat] don't have anything else besides besides that announcement.

Thank you. Uh, barring any conflicts, I'd like to schedule the next finance committee meeting on Monday, March 23rd at 9:00 a.m. in the Sterns building, first floor conference room. With that, we'll now proceed with unfinished business. Clerk, please introduce local law number two of 2026. Local law number 2-2026, a local law rescending and replacing local law number 12 of 1992 and establishing a fringe benefit package for full-time elected officials.

Okay. Uh public hearing on this local law was held prior to the February 24th meeting and all interested parties had an opportunity to speak at that time. Uh with that, is there any discussion from the council at this time? I would like to make a motion to postpone this um particular law. Uh I believe the motion you're looking for is to postpone indefinitely. Is that correct? Yes. Okay. There's a motion to postpone indefinitely. Is there a second? Okay. Seconded by council member Frederickson. Any discussion? Council. Okay. Clerk, please call the role to postpone indefinitely. Council member Lgoiaak. I. Council member Terrain. I. Council member Frederickson. I. Council member Cileto. Hi.

Council member at large wiser. I. Motion carried.

Clerk, would you please introduce uh resolution number 21 of 2026 under unfinished business? Resolution 21-2026, a resolution authorizing the addition of an administrative fee to water accounts re- levied onto the city tax bill. Is there any discussion, council?

Yes, I'd like to speak on this. the the actual resolution talks about um having a 25% um penalty on someone who was uh late with their water bill and had to had to have it turned off. Um, I personally would be more comfortable with a flat fee. Um, seeing as though no matter how much the the the water bill is

to turn it off is an administrative task that takes so long. I can't imagine that it takes longer just because the the fee because the water bill was higher. So, um, I will be um I that that would be my suggestion, but since you can't suggest something and change the resolution, um I'd like to also um postpone this indefinitely and make a motion to postpone this indefinitely.

There's a motion to postpone indefinitely. Is there a second? Seconded by Council Member Frederickson. Is there any further discussion? Yeah, I just wanted to say um council men wiser that there's a law that we have to notify the customers. So we would have to do that like during the fourth quarter and so um you know we do need to I don't think we can do anything before the end of the year so we have time for discussion. Okay, there is a motion and a second to postpone indefinitely. Is there any further discussion council? Okay, with that clerk, please call the role for the vote to postpone. Council member Lgoak, I. Council member Terrain,

I. Council member Frederickson, I. Council member Cileto, I. Council member at largeer. I. Motion carried. It appears there are no pre-filed resolutions this evening. Moving on to new business. I understand there is at least one walk-in resolution. Clerk, please introduce the walk-in resolution. Walk-in resolution 26-2026 [music] resolution to schedule a public hearing for the discontinuence or abandonment of Main Street between Newton and Marsden. Okay, we'll need a motion to accept the walk-in resolution onto the agenda. Moved by Council Member Frederickson, [music] seconded by Council Member Lusco. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lyscoiaak. I. Council member Terrain. Hi. Council member Frederickson.

Hi. Council member Cileto. Hi. Council member at large wiser. I motion to accept the walk-in onto the agenda is carried. Any discussion on walk-in resolution number 26 of 2026. Okay. Seeing none, clerk, please call the role for the vote. Council member Lecoak. I. Council member Terrain. Hi. Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member Calto. Hi. Council member at largeiser.

I. The resolutions received sufficient support and is hereby adopted. Is there any further new business to be discussed this evening, council? Okay, I do understand that uh there is need for an executive session, a second executive session for purposes of contract negotiation. With that, is there a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters of contract negotiation? Moved by Council Member Frederickson. Is there a second? Move by Council Member Lusco. I'm I'm sorry. Uh, Councilman Wiser, I believe there's a walk-on uh from a memorandum. Yeah, there's a Yeah, there's another walk in. It's a memorandum. Memorandum. Yes.

No, I have before me just one walk-in resolution number 26 of uh 2026. Is there a second walk in? This is the one you just discussed for the resolution public hearing for environmental review. We just accepted it onto the agenda and voted. Yeah, that's the only one I have

to pass that resolution. Pardon?

We were supposed to take this for a public hearing. I don't know why it's not on the agenda. It should have been on the agenda. Um Vince, that that was one for the battery storage plant. This was the opening. So this is the one for the opening of the two roads. So, Seventh Street and uh between Mars and that wasn't on the agenda, nor was it a walk-on. There's a walk-in number 26 of 2026 that we just accepted onto the agenda and voted on. Okay, there's a couple similar. This one is for Wells, the one we voted on.

Um I think she's talking about the one that area Randy emailed me this one talking about a different area.

I don't know what I don't know where that one came from. I don't either. Yeah. And then um I got one in the email about the uh if we had that one, we would just be moving for a public hearing anyways. No, I don't I didn't get that. email, but we could just I don't mind accepting it and moving for a public hearing. We'll need a public hearing for it, right? And then I got one from GCI, too. One from GCI. This one. [laughter] Yeah. Usual channels. So, I'm going to say Okay.

[snorts]

Pardon the delay, folks. I just want to take a second to look this over. You have this Can someone speak to the need to address this maybe this evening? So, we know that we need to move on it now.

Thank you, Councilman. This is a resolution to schedule a public hearing for rededication opening of two roads that are paper streets. One of them is Seventh and the second one is Park. two different projects, two different developers. Okay. [clears throat] It's also calling for a public hearing uh on March 24th, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Council, just so you're all aware. Um with that, again, we would need uh we would need a motion to accept the walk-in onto the agenda this evening. I'll accept.

Okay. Moved by council member Lusco, seconded by council member terrain. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Lgoiaak. I. Council member Terrain. Hi. Council member Frederickson. I. Council member CileTo. Hi. Council member at large wiser. I. Motion carried. We'll go ahead and number this walk-in resolution number 27 2026. Clerk. Would you mind reading the title and introducing the resolution?

Walk-in resolution 27-2026. Resolution authorizing public hearings and environmental review steps and other required steps for opening and improving two city roads for development projects. Park Avenue, the full length between Marsden and Newton and West 7th from Brigham Road to the Easterly Line of Press Holdings LLC. Thank you. I see that. Is there any discussion council? Okay, with that, clerk, please call the role. Council member Lcoyak. I. Council member Terrain. Hi.

Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member Cileto. I. Council member Large Wiser. I. The resolution is hereby adopted. Any further new business? Okay. Uh, we still have interest in an executive session. Okay. In that case, um, [clears throat] before we do, I just wanted to because of they're here. Okay. The representatives from GCI. Okay.

Uh, I did talk with them and and recommended that, uh, you ask for a that we request a public hearing on this. That will be the step that you should take. Um, because there are some questions that uh, you're going to need to answer. And so I I would recommend doing that and make that congruent with your presentation.

Good. And again, we'll need for any any resolution, we'd need that in uh in resolution form. So we'll make sure that that gets sorted out between you and attorney Roando. Um great. So uh with that, I believe we need a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters of Contract negotiation solved. Okay. Moved by Council Member Lusco, seconded by Councilman Frederickson. Before we vote on this, I'd like the public to know that we will not be taking any public action after we conclude the executive session. So, there's no need to stay unless you'd like to. With that, clerk, please call the role. Council member Lasco, I. Council member Terrain.

Hi. Council member Frederickson. Hi. Council member CileTo. I. Council member Large Wiser. I. Motion carries. And we will now enter into executive session. And for the record, the time is 6:41 M key